JP2007311073A - Coupling structure of electric equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To carry out easily coupling and separation of a plurality of electric equipments and carry out mechanical coupling as well as electric connection of the two electric equipments. <P>SOLUTION: A dovetail groove 9 with a cross-section shape constant in the arrow mark Y direction is formed at the first side face of a main body 11, and recessed parts 3A and 3B are formed at a second side face 11B and a third side face 11B of the main body 11, and a connecting terminal 51 of the substrate is exposed at an aperture 11D. Projection parts 6 are formed at the two portions opposed to the arrow mark X direction of a coupling member 4, and projections 7A, 7B are formed at the upper and lower end parts, and a conductor 20 is provided in free elastic deformation. When the coupling member 4 is inserted between the two display lamps 10, a dovetail groove 9 is engaged with a projection 6 and the projections 7A, 7B are engaged with the recessed parts 3A, 3B, and the conductor 20 contacts the connecting terminal 51. Thereby, two display lamps 10 are mechanically coupled and electrically connected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection structure for electric devices for arranging a plurality of electric devices such as indicator lamps attached to a control panel or the like in at least one direction.

  In some cases, a plurality of electrical devices such as indicator lights are connected to a control panel or the like in at least one direction. The mounting panel of the control panel is formed with a hole corresponding to the outer shape in a state where a plurality of electrical devices are connected, and the plurality of electrical devices are integrally handled when being attached to and detached from the mounting panel.

  For this reason, the connection structure for hold | maintaining in the state which connected the some electric equipment is needed. When a case for storing a plurality of electrical devices is used as a connection structure for the electrical devices, a large component must be provided for the connection, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Therefore, as a conventional connecting structure of electric devices, a groove portion opened on the side surface and the back surface is formed in each electric device, and a single wedge member is fitted to the groove portion of two adjacent electric devices from the back surface side. There is what I did.

In addition, as a connection structure of terminal blocks that are electrical devices, there is a structure in which each terminal block is formed with a recess opened on a side surface, and a single connection conductor is inserted into the recesses of two adjacent terminal blocks. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). An electrical connection member is exposed in the recess, and a conductor is provided on the connection member. Two adjacent terminal blocks are electrically connected by a connection conductor.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-267975

  In order to reliably maintain the connected state of at least two electric devices, it is necessary to regulate the movement of the other electric device with respect to one electric device in three different directions. The three different directions are the connecting direction of the electric devices, the direction parallel to the side surfaces of the adjacent electric devices facing each other, and the direction orthogonal to these two directions (the front-rear direction of the electric devices).

  However, the movement in the direction parallel to the connecting direction of the electric devices and the side surfaces of the adjacent electric devices facing each other can be restricted only by inserting the wedge members into the grooves of the two adjacent electric devices from the back side. However, the movement in the direction orthogonal to these two directions (the front-rear direction of the electrical device) cannot be restricted. Therefore, in the connection structure using the wedge member, the wedge member is slightly deformed and pressed against the inner wall of the groove portion so that the electric device does not move in the front-rear direction. For this reason, when the connection state of the two electric devices is released at the time of repair or replacement of the electric device, the wedge member cannot be easily extracted from the groove portion, and not only the operation becomes complicated, but also the wedge member or the electric device. There is a problem that causes damage.

  Further, in the configuration of the above cited reference 1, two terminal blocks can be mechanically coupled by a single connection conductor and simultaneously electrically connected, and the direction parallel to the mutually opposing side surfaces of the adjacent terminal blocks. The movement of the terminal block and the movement of the terminal block in the front-rear direction can be restricted, but the movement of the terminal block in the connecting direction cannot be restricted. In order to reliably restrict the movement of the terminal block in the connecting direction by the single connection conductor, the same problem as in the configuration using the wedge member occurs.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably regulate the movement of electric devices in three different directions by using a single member that is detachable from two electric devices, and to connect and separate a plurality of electric devices. In addition, a single member that can be attached to and detached from two electric devices can be easily connected to each other so that the mechanical connection between the two electric devices and the electrical connection are not burdened mechanically. There is a need to provide a connecting structure of electrical equipment that can be performed.

  The connection structure for an electric device according to the present invention includes a device-side engagement portion, a connection member, and a connection terminal. The device side engaging portion is formed on the side surface of the electric device. The connecting member includes a member side engaging portion and a conductor. The member-side engagement portion simultaneously engages with the device-side engagement portions of two adjacent electric devices, and connects the two adjacent electric devices in a state in which movement in three different directions is restricted. The connection terminal is exposed on the side surface of the electric device. The conductor is provided in the connecting member and abuts on the connection terminal.

  Since the member-side engaging portions of the single connecting member are simultaneously engaged with the device-side engaging portions of the two electric devices, the movement of the two electric devices is reliably restricted in three different directions. The The connection terminals accommodated in the two electric devices are electrically connected by a conductor different from the member-side engagement portion provided in the coupling member. A connection terminal in which the mechanical connection of two electrical devices is performed by the engagement of the device side engagement portion and the member side engagement portion, and the electrical connection of the two electrical devices does not contribute to the mechanical connection. And contact with the conductor.

  The device side engaging portion can be constituted by first to third device side engaging portions. The 1st apparatus side engaging part is formed in the 1st side surface which the side surface of another adjacent electric equipment opposes among the side surfaces of an electric apparatus. The 2nd apparatus side engaging part and the 3rd apparatus side engaging part are formed in each of the 2nd side surface and 3rd side surface which are mutually parallel and orthogonal to a 1st side surface. The connecting member can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction of the electric device between two adjacent electric devices. The member side engaging portion can be configured by first to third member side engaging portions.

  The first device-side engaging portion and the first member-side engaging portion are a groove portion and a protruding portion, one of which is constrained in the direction excluding the front-rear direction of the electric device with respect to the other. The groove portion is, for example, a dovetail groove, and the projection portion is fitted into the groove portion along the front-rear direction of the electric device.

A 2nd apparatus side engaging part and a 2nd member side engaging part are the recessed part and convex part which one fits in the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and a connection direction with respect to the other. The second member-side engagement portion simultaneously engages with the second device-side engagement portions of the two adjacent electric devices.

A 3rd apparatus side engaging part and a 3rd member side engaging part are the recessed part and convex part which one fits in the direction orthogonal to the front-back direction and a connection direction with respect to the other. The third member-side engaging portion simultaneously engages with the third device-side engaging portions of the two adjacent electric devices.

  The connection terminal is exposed on the first side surface of the electrical device, and a conductor that contacts the connection terminal is provided in the coupling member.

When the connecting member is inserted between the two electric devices arranged in the predetermined connecting direction in the front-rear direction of the electric device, each of the first member-side engaging portions provided at two positions of the connecting member is two. One of the electrical devices is engaged with each of the first device-side engaging portions in a state of being restrained in a direction other than the front-rear direction of the electrical device with respect to the other. Further, the second member side engaging portion of the connecting member is engaged with the second device side engaging portion of each of the two electric devices simultaneously with the relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion, and the connecting member first engaging portion is engaged. The three member-side engaging portions simultaneously engage with the third device-side engaging portions of the two electric devices with the relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion.

  Each of the two first member-side engaging portions is constrained to the first device-side engaging portion of each of the two electric devices, and one is constrained in the direction excluding the front-rear direction of the electric device with respect to the other The movement of the two electrical devices is restricted in the connecting direction and the direction orthogonal to the connecting direction and the front-rear direction. Further, the second and third member-side engaging portions are simultaneously engaged with the second and third device-side engaging portions of the two electric devices, respectively, with a relationship between the concave portion and the convex portion. Thus, the movement of the two electrical devices is restricted in the front-rear direction.

  Therefore, by inserting a connecting member in the front-rear direction between two electric devices arranged in a predetermined connecting direction, the movement of the two electric devices is restricted in three different directions. This restriction is released by removing the second and third member-side engaging portions from the second and third device-side engaging portions and pulling the connecting member back and forth between the two electrical devices. Is done.

  Further, by inserting a connecting member in the front-rear direction between two electric devices arranged in the connecting direction, the two connecting members are mechanically connected, and the connection terminal comes into contact with the conductor so that the conductor In addition, the connection terminals are electrically connected without any mechanical load.

  When the connecting member is provided with an elastic member that applies an urging force in a direction of fitting to the second and third device side engaging portions to each of the second and third member side engaging portions, the second and third member side engaging portions are provided. The member side engaging portion elastically engages with each of the second and third device side engaging portions of the two electric devices. The connecting member is easily inserted and removed between the two electric devices.

  The electrical device is inserted into the hole of the mounting panel from the front side of the panel, and the second and third member side engaging portions are fitted in the second and third device side engaging portions. When the two electrical devices in the connected state are inserted into the holes of the mounting panel, the second and third member-side engaging portions are the holes of the hole. Contact the inner surface. Movement of the second and third member-side engaging portions in a direction away from the second and third device-side engaging portions is restricted, and the connecting member cannot be pulled out between the two electric devices, The connected state of the two electric devices is reliably maintained.

  According to the electrical equipment coupling structure of the present invention, since the electrical connection of the two coupling members can be performed by contact between the connection terminal and the conductor that do not contribute to mechanical coupling, the connection terminal and the conductor Thus, no mechanical load is applied and the reliability of the electrical connection state can be improved.

  Further, by inserting a connecting member in the front-rear direction between two electric devices arranged in a predetermined connecting direction, the movement of the two electric devices in three different directions can be restricted. This restriction is released by removing the second and third member-side engaging portions from the second and third device-side engaging portions and pulling the connecting member back and forth between the two electrical devices. can do. Thereby, connection and isolation | separation of several electric equipment can be performed easily.

  In addition, the connection terminal is exposed on the first side surface of the electric device, and the conductors that contact the connection terminal are exposed at two locations facing the connection direction in the connection member, thereby providing two electric devices arranged in the connection direction. When the connecting member is inserted between the devices in the front-rear direction, the two connecting members can be mechanically connected and also electrically connected. With a single member that can be freely attached to and detached from the two electrical devices, the electrical connection can be made simultaneously with the mechanical coupling of the two electrical devices.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an indicator lamp, which is an example of an electrical apparatus to which a connecting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from the back side. The indicator lamps 10 are attached to a mounting panel such as a control panel in a state where a plurality of indicator lights 10 are connected along the connecting direction in the left-right direction (arrow X direction). The indicator lamp 10 includes a main body 11 and a flange portion 12. The main body 11 has a housing having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is inserted into the hole of the mounting panel from the front side. The flange portion 12 has a flat plate shape extending at least in the vertical direction on the front surface of the main body 11, and abuts on a peripheral portion on the front surface side of the hole portion of the mounting panel. The main body 11 houses components constituting a circuit for supplying power to the light source based on the light source and a signal input from the outside.

  Protrusions 2A and 2B are formed on the first side surface 11A of the side surfaces of the main body 11 that the side surfaces of the main body 11 of another adjacent indicator lamp 10 face each other. The protrusions 2A and 2B have a constant cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction (arrow Y direction) orthogonal to the arrow X direction, and the surfaces facing each other are formed as inclined surfaces. Due to the inclined surface, a dovetail groove 9 which is an example of the first device-side engaging portion of the present invention is formed between the protrusion 2A and the protrusion 2B.

  The indicator lamp 10 is configured such that another indicator lamp 10 can be connected to both sides in the arrow X direction. For this reason, there is a possibility that another indicator lamp 10 is adjacent to both sides of the indicator lamp 10 in the direction of the arrow X, and the main body 11 includes a pair of first side faces 11A, and the protrusions 2A and 2B are provided on each side face 11A. Is formed.

  The second side surface (upper surface) 11B and the third side surface (bottom surface) 11C, which are parallel to each other and perpendicular to 11A, are formed on the first side surface of the main body 11, respectively, as a concave portion 3A and a concave portion that are second device side engaging portions. 3B (recess 3B does not appear in the figure) is formed.

  Between the two adjacent indicator lamps 10, the connecting member 4 can be inserted and removed in the arrow Y direction from the back side of the main body 11. With the two indicator lamps 10 in close contact with each other in the arrow X direction, the connecting member 4 is inserted into the space formed between the side surfaces 11A.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connecting member as seen from the front side. The connecting member 4 has a substantially thin plate shape. The connecting member 4 includes a pair of upper and lower grooves 5A and 5B at two locations facing each other in the arrow X direction. The groove 5A and the groove 5B have a constant cross-sectional shape that is the same as the protrusion 2A and the protrusion 2B in the arrow Y direction. As a result, a protrusion 6 is formed between the groove 5A and the groove 5B, which is the first member-side engagement portion of the present invention that fits in the dovetail groove 9 in the direction of the arrow Y. The protrusions 6 are formed at two locations in the connecting member 4 that face each other in the arrow X direction. The upper and lower ends of the protrusion 6 have a wedge shape.

  The protrusion 6 is fitted to the dovetail groove 9 in the front-rear direction of the electric device while being restrained in a direction other than the front-rear direction of the electric device.

  From the upper and lower ends of the connecting member 4, extending portions 8 </ b> A and 8 </ b> B, which are elastic members of the present invention, extend toward the front side in the arrow Y direction. Convex portions 7A and 7B projecting on both sides in the arrow X direction are formed at the front end portions of the extending portions 8A and 8B. The convex portion 7A and the convex portion 7B are the second and third member side engaging portions of the present invention. The convex portion 7A engages with the concave portion 3A at each of the portions protruding on both sides in the arrow X direction. The convex portion 7B engages with the concave portion 3B at each of the portions protruding on both sides in the arrow X direction.

  The connecting member 4 is entirely formed of a resin material, and the extending portions 8A and 8B are thin vertically. For this reason, the convex part 7A and the convex part 7B are elastically displaced within a predetermined range in the vertical direction (arrow Z direction). Further, the convex portions 7A and the convex portions 7B have a wedge shape in which the thickness in the vertical direction is thinner toward the front side.

  When the connecting member 4 is inserted in the direction of the arrow Y from the back side of the main body 11 between two adjacent indicator lamps 10, each of the two protrusions 6 of the connecting member 4 has two indicator lights 10. The main body 11 is fitted into each of the two dovetail grooves 9 formed on the side surfaces 11A adjacent to each other. Since the upper and lower ends of the protrusion 6 have a wedge shape, the movement of the two indicator lamps 10 in the arrow X direction and the arrow Z direction is restricted by the fitting of the protrusion 6 to the dovetail groove 9.

  Further, the upper convex portion 7A of the connecting member 4 simultaneously engages with the respective concave portions 3A of the two adjacent indicator lamps 10 from above, and the lower convex portion 7B of the connecting member 4 is adjacent to the two displays. The concave portions 3B of the lamp 10 are simultaneously engaged from below. The projections 7A and 7B engage with the recesses 3A and the projections 3B in the direction of the arrow Z, respectively, so that the two indicator lamps 10 are restricted from moving in the direction of the arrow Y.

  By inserting a single connecting member 4 from the back side of the main body 11 between two adjacent indicator lamps 10 in the arrow Y direction, the two indicator lamps 10 are in the directions of arrows X, Y and Z orthogonal to each other. The movement in the three directions is restricted, and the two indicator lamps 10 are reliably connected.

  Since the convex portion 7A and the convex portion 7B have a wedge shape and are elastically displaced in the direction of the arrow Z, the concave portion 3A and the concave portion 3B are inserted by inserting the connecting member 4 between the two indicator lamps 10 from the back side. Engage easily.

  Further, since the movement of the two indicator lamps 10 in the direction of the arrow Z is restricted by the fitting of the projection 6 to the dovetail 9, the engagement of the projection 7A and projection 7B with the recess 3A and recess 3B There is no need to regulate the movement of the two indicator lamps 10 in the direction of arrow Z. It is not necessary to press the convex portion 7A and the convex portion 7B against the concave portion 3A and the concave portion 3B with a large force in the arrow Z direction, and the extending portions 8A and 8B may be easily deformed in the arrow Z direction. it can. The convex part 7A and the convex part 7B can be easily removed from the concave part 3A and the concave part 3B.

  For this reason, the operation of pulling out the connecting member 4 from between the two indicator lamps 10 with the projections 7A and 7B removed from the recesses 3A and 3B is released. Easy to do. Work such as repair and replacement of the indicator lamp 10 is facilitated.

  By disposing another indicator lamp 10 on both the left and right sides of one indicator lamp 10 and inserting the connecting member 4 between the other indicator lamp 10 on the left and right sides of the central indicator lamp 10, three indicators are displayed. The lamps 10 are connected together. An arbitrary number of indicator lamps 10 can be integrally connected using a plurality of connecting members 4.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the indicator lamps connected by the connecting member are arranged on the mounting panel. The indicator lamp 10 is disposed in a hole 31 formed in a mounting panel 30 such as a control panel. The hole 31 is substantially equal to the outer dimension of the main body 11. In the indicator lamp 10, the main body 11 is inserted into the hole 31 from the front side of the mounting panel 30. The flange portion 12 of the indicator lamp 10 having an outer dimension larger than that of the main body 11 cannot pass through the hole portion 31 and abuts on the peripheral edge portion of the hole portion 31 on the front surface of the mounting panel 30.

  The upper surface and the lower surface of the connecting member 4 inserted from the back side between the two indicator lamps 10 are substantially flush with the upper surface and the bottom surface of the main body 11, respectively. The upper surface and the lower surface of the inner peripheral surface of the hole 31 abut on the upper surface and the lower surface of the connecting member 4. The elastic members 8 </ b> A and 8 </ b> B constituting the upper surface and the lower surface of the connecting member 4 are restricted from moving in the direction of the arrow Z by contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 31.

  In a state in which the indicator lamp 10 is disposed on the mounting panel 30, the convex portions 7 </ b> A and the convex portions 7 </ b> B cannot be removed from the concave portions 3 </ b> A and the concave portions 3 </ b> B, and the connecting member 4 can be removed from between the two indicator lamps 10. I can't pull it out. Thereby, the connection state of the some indicator lamp 10 arrange | positioned at the panel 30 for attachment is maintained firmly.

  When the plurality of indicator lamps 10 are removed from the hole 31 of the mounting panel 30, the convex portions 7A and 7B of the connecting member 4 can be displaced in the direction of the arrow Z. During the replacement, the connected state of the plurality of indicator lights 10 can be easily released.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 11 </ b> D is formed in the dovetail groove 9 on the first side surface 11 </ b> A of the main body 11 of the indicator lamp 10. In the opening 11D, the connection terminal portion 41 of the substrate housed in the housing of the main body 11 is exposed on the back side. The connection terminal 51 is connected to, for example, the common side of the power supply circuit configured on the substrate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 4 is formed with an attachment portion 21 having a slit 21 </ b> A. A conductor 20 is attached to the attachment portion 21. The conductor 20 is formed by bending a metal wire having conductivity. Both ends of the conductor 20 are exposed to the front side on both sides of the connecting member 4 in the arrow X direction, and are elastically displaceable in the arrow Y direction.

  When the connecting member 4 is inserted between the two indicator lamps 10, both end portions 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B of the conductor 20 are fitted into the openings 11 </ b> D of the two indicator lamps 10 and come into contact with the connection terminal portion 41. By inserting the connecting member 4 between the two indicator lamps 10, the two indicator lamps 10 are mechanically reliably connected, and at the same time, electrical components mounted on the substrates of the two indicator lamps 10. Are electrically connected through the conductor 20.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connecting member according to another embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front side. The connecting member 41 according to this embodiment includes sockets 42A and 42B instead of the attachment portion 21 of the connecting member 4 shown in FIG. Other configurations of the connecting member 41 are the same as those of the connecting member 4. Inside the socket 42A and the socket 42B, a conductor communicating between the socket 42A and the socket 42B is provided.

  The connection pins exposed in the openings 11D of the main bodies 11 of the two indicator lamps 10 are fitted into the sockets 42A and 42B. Not only the common line of the power supply circuit but also a plurality of lines including signal lines can be easily connected between the adjacent indicator lamps 10.

  The protrusion 6 may be provided in the main body 11 of the indicator lamp 6 and the dovetail groove 9 may be provided in the connecting member 4. The shape of the protrusion 6 and the dovetail groove 9 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure, and may be various shapes on condition that the movement of the two indicator lamps 10 in the arrow X direction and the arrow Z direction can be reliably controlled. it can.

  Further, the convex portions 7A and 7B may be provided on the main body 11 of the indicator lamp 6, and the concave portions 3A and 3B may be provided on the connecting member 4. The shapes of the recesses 3A, 3B and the projections 7A, 7B are not limited to the illustrated shapes, and may be various shapes on condition that the movement of the two indicator lamps 10 in the arrow Y direction can be reliably restricted. it can.

  Furthermore, the electric device connected by the connecting member 4 is not limited to the indicator lamp 10, and the present invention can be applied to various electric devices in which a plurality of identical products are integrally connected in at least one direction. .

It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the indicator lamp which is an example of the electric equipment to which the connection structure which concerns on embodiment of this invention was applied from the back side. It is the perspective view which looked at the connection member from the front side. It is sectional drawing which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the indicator light connected by the connection member to the panel for attachment. It is the perspective view which looked at the connection member concerning another embodiment of this invention from the front side.

Explanation of symbols

2A, 2B Protrusion 3A, 3B Concavity 4 Connecting member 5A, 5B Groove 6 Protrusion 7A, 7B Convex 8A, 8B Elastic member 9 Dovetail 10 Indicator lamp 11 Main body 11A First side 11B Second side 12C Third Side 12 Flange

Claims (4)

A connection structure of an electric device for connecting a rectangular parallelepiped electric device to another electric device having the same shape in at least one connection direction,
Of the side surfaces of the electrical device, the first device side engaging portion formed on the first side surface facing the side surface of another adjacent electrical device, and the first parallel to each other orthogonal to the first side surface Second and third device side engaging portions formed on the second and third side surfaces, respectively.
A first member-side engaging portion that is a connecting member that is detachably inserted between two adjacent electric devices in the front-rear direction of the electric device and engages with the first device-side engaging portion. At the two positions opposite to each other in the connecting direction, and at the same time, the second member-side engaging portion that simultaneously engages with the second device-side engaging portion of two adjacent electric devices, and two adjacent ones A connecting member having a third member-side engaging portion that simultaneously engages with the third device-side engaging portion of the electrical device;
The first device-side engaging portion and the first member-side engaging portion are a groove portion and a protruding portion, one of which is constrained in a direction excluding the front-rear direction with respect to the other,
The second device-side engaging portion and the second member-side engaging portion are a concave portion and a convex portion, one of which fits in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction and the connecting direction with respect to the other,
The third device side engaging portion and the third member side engaging portion are a concave portion and a convex portion, one of which fits in the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the connecting direction with respect to the other,
The electrical apparatus includes a connection terminal exposed on the first side surface, and the connection member includes a conductor that contacts the connection terminal.   The connecting member fits each of the second member side engaging portion and the third member side engaging portion to the second device side engaging portion and the third device side engaging portion. The connecting structure for an electric device according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member that urges in a direction to move.   The electrical device is inserted into the hole of the mounting panel from the front side of the panel, and the second member side engaging portion and the third member side engaging portion are the second device side engaging portion. The electrical device connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the electrical device connection structure is brought into contact with an inner surface of the hole in a state of being fitted to the third device-side engagement portion. A connection structure of an electric device for connecting a rectangular parallelepiped electric device to another electric device having the same shape in at least one connection direction,
A device-side engaging portion formed on a side surface of the electric device;
A member-side engagement portion that restricts movement in three different directions and connects the two adjacent electric devices by simultaneously engaging with the device-side engagement portions of two adjacent electric devices. A connecting member provided,
The electrical device includes a connection terminal exposed on the side surface, and the connection member includes a conductor that contacts the connection terminal.

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