JP2005317379A - Terminal structure and terminal structure of circuit breaker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal structure allowing connection to external terminals having different connection piece intervals to be easily carried out by simply changing each interval between terminals of connection terminals; and to provide a terminal structure of a circuit breaker. <P>SOLUTION: This terminal structure is characteristically provided with: a plurality of the connection terminals 11 arranged in parallel with one another; terminal screw inserting oval holes 11a formed in the connection terminals 11 and elongated in the parallel arrangement direction; terminal screws 13 inserted into the oval holes 11a and nuts 14 screwed to them; a base 1 formed of an insulating material and having a plurality of recessed parts 1a for receiving the connection terminals 11, and spaces 1b and 1bb housing the terminal screws 13 and the nuts 14 and permitting movement in the parallel arrangement direction of the terminal screws 13; a cover 2 mounted on the base 1 while covering the connection terminals 11 and formed of an insulating material; positioning projections 2a formed by being suspended from the lower end of the cover 2 for moving at least one of the terminal screws 13 along the oval hole 11a when the cover 2 is mounted on the base. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal structure for connecting an external terminal and a terminal structure for a circuit breaker.

  In the conventional circuit breaker terminal structure, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a connection terminal is disposed in a concave portion of a casing formed by a base and a cover, and an external terminal is brought into contact with the connection terminal. In this state, the external terminal is clamped by the terminal screw.

JP2003-346633 (FIG. 1)

  Since the terminal structure of the conventional circuit breaker has been configured as described above, when connecting an external terminal in which a plurality of connection pieces are integrally formed to the connection terminal, the external terminal having a different connection piece pitch is used as the connection terminal. Could not connect. For this reason, there is a problem that if the connecting piece pitch of the external terminal is different, a terminal structure that matches the pitch must be used each time.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is a terminal structure that can easily change the pitch between the terminals of the connecting terminals and easily connect with external terminals having different connecting piece pitches. And a circuit breaker terminal structure.

  A terminal structure according to the present invention includes a plurality of connection terminals arranged in parallel, a long hole for insertion of a terminal screw long in the parallel arrangement direction provided in the connection terminal, a terminal screw inserted through the long hole, and A base made of an insulator having a nut to be screwed, a plurality of recesses for receiving the connection terminal, and a space for accommodating the terminal screw and the nut and allowing the terminal screw to move along the elongated hole; A cover made of an insulating material that covers the connection terminal and is mounted on the base. The cover is suspended from the lower end of the cover. When the cover is mounted on the base, at least one of the terminal screws is inserted into the elongated hole. It is provided with positioning protrusions that are moved along.

  The terminal structure of the circuit breaker according to the present invention includes a circuit breaker mechanism section, a plurality of connection terminals extending in parallel from the circuit breaker mechanism section, and a terminal screw inserted long in the juxtaposition direction provided on the connection terminals. A general long hole, a terminal screw inserted into the long hole and a nut screwed into the long hole, a plurality of recesses for receiving the connection terminal, the terminal screw and the nut, and the terminal in the long hole A base made of an insulating material having a space allowing movement along, a cover made of an insulating material that covers the circuit breaker mechanism and the connection terminal, and is suspended from the lower end of the cover. And a positioning projection that moves at least one of the terminal screws along the elongated hole when the cover is attached to the base.

  The terminal structure according to the present invention and the terminal structure of the circuit breaker enable the terminal pitch to be automatically changed by moving the terminal screw by the positioning projection of the cover when the cover is mounted on the base. There is no need to separately prepare terminal structures with different pitches, and the connection work between the external terminals and the connection terminals can be performed easily.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a perspective view showing a terminal structure of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a terminal portion of FIG. 2, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the base 2, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIGS.

  In the figure, a circuit breaker 100 includes a base 1 made of an insulating material, a housing formed of a cover 2 attached thereto, and a circuit breaker mechanism 10 housed in the housing. A plurality (three in this example) of connection terminals 11 are provided extending from the circuit breaker mechanism 10 at a predetermined interval. As shown in more detail in FIG. 3, this connection terminal 11 is provided with a long hole 11a in the direction of the adjacent connection terminal, and a terminal screw 13 for holding a connection piece of an external terminal described later in this long hole 11a. Is inserted. The terminal screw 13 has a terminal presser 12 inserted so that there is no play in the screw. The terminal retainer 12 has a quadrangular shape, and a tapered portion 12a is formed at the upper edge of the four sides. The terminal screw 13 is screwed into a square or hexagonal nut 14, and a connection piece of an external terminal (described later) placed on the connection terminal 11 is clamped between the terminal retainer 12 and the connection terminal 11.

  The external terminal 4 is integrally formed with a plurality (three in this example) of connection pieces 4a connected to the connection terminal 11, respectively.

  In the base 1 of the circuit breaker 100, when the circuit breaker mechanism portion 10 is combined with the base 1, three recesses 1a for accommodating the connection terminals 11 are partitioned into partition walls 1c that restrict the movement of the connection terminals 11. Is provided. A nut holding hole 1b that suppresses the rotation of the nut 14 and allows the nut 14 to move in the direction of the adjacent recess, that is, the direction along the elongated hole 11a, is provided at the bottom of each partitioned recess 1a. Further, a hole 1bb is formed at the bottom of the nut holding hole 1b so that the lower end of the terminal screw 13 protruding from the nut 14 can move in the direction of the adjacent recess. The plane of the nut holding hole 1b is shown in FIG.

  A handle 3 for manually operating the circuit breaker mechanism 10 is provided in the center of the cover 2 that covers the circuit breaker mechanism 10 and the connection terminal 11 from above. The portion of the cover 2 that covers the connection terminal 11 is provided with a hole 2c through which a screwdriver for twisting the head of the terminal screw 13 is passed. The hole 2c is widened downward from the head of the terminal screw 13, and the screw 2 13 can be moved in the direction of adjacent screws, that is, in the direction in which the connection terminals 13 are arranged, that is, in the drawing to the left and right. When the cover 2 is combined with the base 1, a positioning projection 2 a that determines the position of the terminal screw 13 hangs down and is provided integrally with the cover 2 on both sides of the cover 2. It fits inside the partition 1c provided on both outer sides (in the case shown in FIG. 5 (a)). The position where the positioning projection 2a is provided is matched with the position where the terminal screw 13 is provided. A tapered portion 2b is formed at the inner edge of the lower end of the positioning projection 2a, and this tapered portion 2b is in contact with the tapered portion 12a of the terminal retainer 12.

  As a cover exchangeable with the cover 2 shown in FIG. 5A, a cover 2A shown in FIG. 5B is prepared. The difference between the cover 2 and 2A is that, in the cover 2A, the positioning projection 2Aa is in contact with the inner partition 1c of the base 1, and the tapered portion 2Ab is located inside the screw located on both sides.

Next, the assembly of the terminal structure of the circuit breaker configured as described above will be described.
(1) The nut 14 is inserted into the nut holding hole 1b formed in the base 1.
(2) Place the circuit breaker mechanism 10 on the base 1. At this time, the connection terminal 11 is fitted into the recess 1a.
(3) After the terminal retainer 12 is inserted into the terminal screw 13, the terminal screw 13 is inserted into the elongated hole 11a of the connection terminal 11, and is then screwed into the nut 14 and turned in the tightening direction. At this time, since the outer shape of the nut 14 is formed in a quadrangular or hexagonal shape, the rotation is restricted by the hole 1 b, and the terminal screw 13 can be securely fastened to the nut 14. The terminal screw 13, the terminal retainer 12, and the nut 14 are loosened to such an extent that they can move along the elongated hole 11a.

(4) Mount the cover 2 on the base 1. At this time, since the tapered portion 2b formed on the positioning projection 2a of the cover 2 abuts against and presses the tapered portion 12a formed on the terminal retainer 12, the terminal screws 13 located on both sides have the long holes 11a on the inside. Moving to (in the case of FIG. 5A), the pitch between terminals is automatically set to L1. When the cover 2A is attached to the base 1, the cover taper portion 2Ab formed on the positioning projection 2Aa of the cover 2A comes into contact with the taper portion 12a formed on the terminal retainers 12 of the terminal screws on both sides. Therefore, the terminal screws 13 located on both sides are moved outward (in the case of FIG. 5B) along the long holes 11a, and the inter-terminal pitch is automatically set to L2.
(5) After inserting the connection piece 4a of the external terminal 4 with the terminal pitch L1 or L2 between the connection terminal 11 and the terminal retainer 12, the terminal screw 13 is screwed through the hole 2c or 2Ac of the cover 2 or 2A. The connection piece 4a is fastened and fixed to the connection terminal 11 by turning.

  As described above, according to the terminal structure of the circuit breaker according to the first embodiment of the present invention, external terminals having a plurality of connecting pieces integrated and screwed to connecting terminals 11 with different pitches between terminals. When connecting, the pitch of the terminal screw 13 of the connection terminal 11 can be automatically set simply by selecting either the cover 2 or 2A corresponding to the external terminal and combining it with the base 1, making the connection work extremely easy. Become.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
6 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal structure of a circuit breaker according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 6, and (a) and (b) are pitches between terminals. Shows different cases. In the figure, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the figure, the circuit breaker terminal structure 101 according to the present embodiment differs from the circuit breaker terminal structure 100 according to the first embodiment in that the cover 2 shown in FIG. It is the point which isolate | separated into the 1st cover 20 and the 2nd cover 21 which covers a connection terminal.

  The portion of the second cover 21 covering the connection terminal 11 is provided with a hole 21c through which a screwdriver for twisting the head of the terminal screw 13 is passed. The hole 21c is considerably larger below the head of the terminal screw 13. The screw 13 is widened so that the screw 13 can move in the direction of the adjacent screw, that is, in the drawing to the left and right. The second cover 21 is provided with positioning protrusions 21 a that are suspended from the second cover 21 and integrally provided on both sides. The positioning protrusions 21 a are formed on the base 1 when the second cover 21 is attached to the base 1. It fits inside the partition 1c provided on both outer sides (in the case shown in FIG. 7A). The positioning projection 21a is disposed so as to be located on the side of the terminal screw 13, and a tapered portion 21b is formed on the inner edge of the lower end of the positioning projection 21a.

  As a cover replaceable with the second cover 21 shown in FIG. 7A, a second cover 21A shown in FIG. 7B is prepared. The difference between the second cover 21 and 21A is that in the second cover 21A, the positioning projection 21Aa is in contact with the inner partition 1c of the base 1, and the tapered portion 21Ab is inside the screws on both sides. In the point.

Next, assembly of the circuit breaker terminal structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.
(1) A circuit breaker mechanism (not shown) is placed on the base 1 and covered with the first cover 20. At this time, the connection terminal 11 is fitted into the recess 1a.
(2) The nut 14 is inserted into the nut holding hole 1b formed in the base 1.
(3) After the terminal retainer 12 is inserted into the terminal screw 13, the terminal screw 13 is inserted into the elongated hole 11a, and is then screwed into the nut 14 and rotated in the tightening direction. At this time, the terminal screw 13, the terminal retainer 12 and the nut 14 are loosened to such an extent that they can move in the direction of other adjacent connection terminals.

(4) Mount the second cover 21 on the base 1. At this time, since the tapered portion 21b formed on the positioning projection 21a of the second cover 21 abuts against and presses the tapered portion 12a formed on the terminal retainer 12, the terminal screws 13 located on both sides are elongated holes 11a. Are moved inward (in the case of FIG. 7A), and the pitch between the terminals is automatically set to L3. When the cover 21A is attached to the base 1, the tapered portion 21Ab formed on the positioning projection 21Aa of the cover 21A comes into contact with and presses the tapered portion 12a formed on the terminal retainers 12 of the terminal screws on both sides. Therefore, the terminal screws 13 positioned on both sides move outward (in the case of FIG. 5B) along the long holes 11a, and the inter-terminal pitch is automatically set to L4.
(5) After inserting the connection piece 4a of the external terminal 4 having the terminal pitch L3 or L4 between the connection terminal 11 and the terminal retainer 12, the terminal screw 13 is screwed through the hole 21c or 21Ac of the cover 21 or 21A. , And the connection piece 4a is fastened and fixed to the connection terminal 11.

  As described above, according to the terminal structure of the circuit breaker according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the second cover 21 or 21A corresponding to the required inter-terminal pitch (L3, L4) is attached to the base 1. Thus, the terminal screw 13 can be easily set to a predetermined inter-terminal pitch, and the second cover 21 or 21A is separate from the first cover 20, so that the circuit breaker is mounted. Even in this state, the position of the terminal screw 13 can be changed to a predetermined inter-terminal pitch by exchanging the second cover 21 or 21A.

  The present invention is applicable not only to a terminal structure of a circuit breaker but also to a terminal structure used in various electric devices.

It is a perspective view which shows the terminal structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal structure according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a terminal portion of the terminal structure according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of the base of the terminal structure according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. 1, (a) (b) shows the thing from which the pitch between terminals differs. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the terminal structure which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. 6, (a) (b) shows what differs in the pitch between terminals.

Explanation of symbols

1 Base, 1b Nut holding hole,
1bb hole, 1c bulkhead,
2, 2A cover,
2a, 2Aa positioning protrusion,
2b, 2Ab taper part,
2c, 2Ac holes,
3 Handle, 4 External terminal,
4a connection piece, 10 blocking mechanism,
11 connection terminal, 11a long hole,
12 terminal holder, 12a taper part,
13 terminal screws, 14 nuts,
20 first cover,
21, 21A second cover,
21a, 21Aa positioning protrusion,
21b, 21Ab taper part,
21c, 21Ac hole,
100 circuit breaker, 101 circuit breaker.

Claims (6)

  A plurality of connection terminals arranged in parallel, a long hole for inserting a terminal screw long in the parallel arrangement direction provided in this connection terminal, a terminal screw inserted through the long hole, and a nut screwed into the terminal screw, the connection terminal A base made of an insulator having a plurality of recesses for receiving the terminal screw, a space for accommodating the terminal screw and the nut and allowing the terminal screw to move along the elongated hole, and the base covering the connection terminal A cover made of an insulating material mounted on the top of the cover, and a positioning protrusion provided to hang from the lower end of the cover, and for moving at least one of the terminal screws along the elongated hole when the cover is mounted on the base. Terminal structure characterized by comprising.   Circuit breaker mechanism, a plurality of connection terminals extending in parallel from the circuit breaker mechanism, a long hole for inserting a terminal screw long in the parallel direction provided on the connection terminal, a terminal screw inserted through the long hole And an insulator having a nut to be screwed thereto, a plurality of recesses for receiving the connection terminal, and a space for accommodating the terminal screw and the nut and allowing the terminal to move along the elongated hole. A cover made of an insulating material that covers the base, the circuit breaker mechanism, and the connection terminal, and is suspended from the lower end of the cover. When the cover is attached to the base, the terminal A terminal structure for a circuit breaker comprising a positioning projection for moving at least one of the screws along the elongated hole.   Three of the connection terminals are arranged side by side, and the positioning protrusions are provided on the cover so that the terminal screws provided on the outer connection terminals are moved inward or outward along the elongated holes. The terminal structure according to claim 1, or the terminal structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the terminal structure is provided.   The terminal structure according to claim 1 or the terminal structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2, wherein the base has a space in which the nut is accommodated to prevent the nut from rotating.   2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the positioning protrusion has a lower end portion that contacts the terminal screw or a terminal presser attached to the terminal screw, and the contact portion is formed in a tapered shape. The terminal structure of a circuit breaker according to claim 2 or the structure.   3. The circuit breaker terminal structure according to claim 2, wherein the cover is divided into a first cover that covers the circuit breaker mechanism and a second cover that covers the connection terminal.

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