JP2015070735A - Terminal box - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal box in which waterproof performance is secured even though a gap is generated between a cable surface and a potting material due to secular change.SOLUTION: Potting is performed that externally surrounds a connection part between a terminal arranged in a case of a terminal box and a terminal of a cable extracted to the outside; and an annular seal member that is smaller in diameter than an outer diameter of the cable and has elasticity is attached to a portion extending in the case, of the cable. Even though a gap is generated between a surface of a cable armor and a potting material due to contraction deformation of at least either one of the potting material and the cable armor due to secular change or the like, since the seal member is attached by tightening force to the cable by elastic restoring force, the seal member can follow the contraction deformation of the cable due to the secular change or the like, keep a close contact with the cable, block moisture contents flowing on the surface of the cable with the seal member and prevent the moisture contents from infiltrating the portion where the terminals are arranged.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal box, and more particularly to a waterproof terminal box having a structure in which a cable is drawn out from the terminal box.

  Various types of terminal boxes are used to make electrical connections between devices. For example, some solar cell panels of a photovoltaic power generation system have a plurality of solar cell modules arranged vertically and horizontally, and a terminal box to which an external output cable is connected to each solar cell module. In such a terminal box installed outdoors, there is a risk that raindrops or the like may adhere to the lead-out portion of the external connection cable, and the moisture may penetrate the surface of the cable and enter the terminal box. The cable passes through an insertion hole provided in the terminal box, and is connected to the terminal in the terminal box by soldering, or by welding, crimping, screwing, pressing, spring connection, or the like. For this reason, electrical components such as cables and terminals are assembled in the terminal box, and after the terminal box is attached to the solar cell module, waterproofing is performed by filling the terminal box with, for example, a silicone potting material.

  The silicone-based potting material is excellent in adhesiveness with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) used for the outer coating (exterior) of the cable. Therefore, even if the position of the cable changes due to external force, or the surrounding environment (temperature and humidity) changes or changes over time, the cable will expand or contract, the cable sheath contracts, or the silicone potting material contracts. The adhesive state was ensured and the waterproofness was maintained.

  On the other hand, PVC generates toxic chlorine-based gas and dioxin at the time of combustion, and in recent years, a cable made of polyolefin (for example, PE) material has been used for environmental protection. However, because the silicone potting adhesive is not strong against the polyolefin sheathing material, if the cable is extended or contracted due to changes in the surrounding environment (temperature and humidity) due to external forces, The potting material may peel off from the cable. When the potting material is peeled off, a gap is generated between the surface of the cable sheath and moisture enters the terminal box through the gap. As a countermeasure, for example, an adhesive tape made of a material having adhesiveness with a silicone potting material is wound around the cable, or an adhesive having adhesiveness with both the silicone potting material and polyolefin is applied to the cable. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 4150747

  According to Patent Document 1, it is possible to suppress the peeling of the potting material from the surface of the cable even when the cable is displaced due to an external force or when the cable expands or contracts due to changes in the surrounding environment (temperature and humidity). However, in the case of using an adhesive tape made of a material having adhesiveness with a silicone-based potting material, since such an adhesive tape is manufactured and wound around a cable, not only the manufacturing cost increases, There is a problem that it takes a long time. In addition, when using an adhesive having adhesiveness with both the silicone potting material and the polyolefin, there is a risk that not only the operation of applying the adhesive to the cable, but also a part that easily peels off due to uneven coating, There is a problem that workability is poor, for example, confirmation work is required in the application state.

  In order to solve such a problem and realize a waterproof structure with a simple structure even if a gap occurs due to aging between the cable surface and the potting material in the terminal box, in the present invention, Is a terminal box having a case, a terminal disposed in the case, and a cable connected to the terminal and drawn out of the case, the potting material being filled in the case. In addition, an elastic sealing member having an annular portion formed to have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cable and having elasticity in a portion located in the case of the cable is attached. .

  According to this, since the elastic seal member attached in close contact with the surface of the cable is formed in an annular shape having a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the cable, the seal member is attached to the cable by the elastic restoring force. Since it is mounted with a tightening force, it can follow the contraction and deformation of the cable due to aging and the like, and the close contact state with the cable is maintained. Even if at least one of the potting material and the cable sheath shrinks and deforms to create a gap between the surface of the cable sheath and the potting material, the seal member is in close contact with the cable, so that the cable surface is transmitted. Moisture is blocked by the seal member, and moisture can be prevented from entering the portion where the terminals are arranged. Furthermore, since an annular seal member having elasticity is attached to the cable in comparison with the conventional tape wound around the cable, the seal member is fitted into the cable (relatively inserting the cable into the seal member). This is a simple task and can be easily assembled.

  In particular, the annular portion may be formed in a cylindrical shape. According to this, the sealing member can be brought into close contact over a wide range of the surface of the cable, and the intrusion of moisture transmitted on the surface of the cable can be more reliably stopped.

  Moreover, the said sealing member is good to be formed in the shape which has the said annular part and the taper-shaped part diameter-expanded from the said annular part in a taper shape. According to this, by attaching the seal member to the cable with the diameter-expanded side of the tapered portion facing the side where moisture enters, the taper-shaped portion can be captured over a wide range outside in the radial direction. This can further prevent moisture from entering. Furthermore, by attaching to the cable from the diameter-expanded side of the tapered portion, assembly can be performed easily.

  Moreover, it is preferable that a circumferential ridge projecting over the entire circumference is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the annular portion. According to this, since the protruding end of the circumferential ridge contacts the cable surface in a linear manner (strictly, due to elastic deformation), the contact pressure is higher than the surface contact between the surfaces without the circumferential ridge. For example, due to processing errors, a part with weak adhesion between the cable surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part occurs, and even if water enters from that part, it can be more reliably damped by the circumferential ridge. it can.

  The seal member may be a material having high adhesiveness with the potting material. According to this, generation | occurrence | production of a clearance gap between a sealing member and a potting material can be suppressed, and the penetration | invasion of the water | moisture content from the part can be prevented.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the elastic seal member attached in close contact with the surface of the cable is formed to have a smaller diameter than the outer diameter of the cable, the seal member is attached to the cable by the elastic restoring force. Since it is mounted with a tightening force, it can follow the contraction and deformation of the cable due to aging and the like, and the close contact state with the cable is maintained. Even if at least one of the potting material and the cable sheath shrinks and deforms to create a gap between the surface of the cable sheath and the potting material, the seal member is in close contact with the cable, so that the cable surface is transmitted. Moisture is blocked by the seal member, and moisture can be prevented from entering the portion where the terminals are arranged. Furthermore, since an annular seal member having elasticity is attached to the cable in comparison with the conventional tape wound around the cable, the seal member is fitted into the cable (relatively inserting the cable into the seal member). This is a simple task and can be easily assembled.

It is a principal part assembly exploded perspective view of the terminal box based on this invention. (A) is a top view of a clamp accommodating part, (b) is sectional drawing seen in the arrow direction along the IIb-IIb line | wire of (a). It is a figure which shows the clamping procedure of the cable by a cable clamp. (A) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the 1st example of a sealing member, (b) is a perspective view of a sealing member. (A) is a figure corresponding to Drawing 4 (a) showing the 2nd example of a sealing member, and (b) is a perspective view showing the sealing member of the 2nd example. (A) is a figure corresponding to Drawing 4 (a) showing the 3rd example of a seal member, and (b) is a perspective view showing the seal member of the 3rd example. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 4 (a) showing aged deterioration state of a potting material. It is sectional drawing fractured | ruptured along the axial direction of the sealing member which shows the modification of a 2nd example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an essential part of a terminal box 1 according to the present invention. The terminal box 1 is used by being fixed to the back surface of the solar cell module 2 in the solar power generation system to which the present invention is applied. In addition, it demonstrates using the up-down direction which makes the solar cell module 2 side down.

  The terminal box 1 is formed of a synthetic resin material. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal box 1 has a body 3 as a flat, substantially rectangular box-shaped main body that opens upward, and substantially covers the upper surface of the body 3 in the drawing. The cover 4 is a cover having a rectangular box shape, and the cable clamp 7 is a clamp member for fixing the external connection cable 6 to the body 3. In the illustrated example, two external connection cables 6 are wired, and cable clamps 7 are also arranged in two places accordingly.

  In the illustrated example, an inner peripheral wall 3b made of a peripheral wall that is closed over the entire circumference except for a portion where the cable 6 is drawn is provided inside the outer peripheral wall 3a of the body 3. In the inner side surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3b, a plurality of terminals (not shown) are arranged in the illustrated example that is electrically connected to the lead wires (not shown) of the solar cell module 2. In addition, although the adjacent thing of each terminal is connected via the diode, the structure of those terminals and diodes, such as a shape and number, may be the same as a well-known product, The detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  One end of the cable 6 corresponding to each of the terminals located at both ends in the arrangement direction is connected. The body 3 is provided with two clamp accommodating portions 11 for assembling the cable clamp 7 in the accommodated state. The clamp housing portion 11 is provided so as to protrude outward from the short side of the rectangular body 3, and the upper surface side of the body 3 is open. The opened upper surface of the clamp housing portion 11 is covered with a correspondingly formed portion of the cover 4. The clamp housing portion 11 is formed by a portion in which a part of the outer peripheral wall 3a is protruded laterally from the short side of the rectangular body 3 as described above, and a part of the inner peripheral wall 3b. In the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b forming the clamp housing portion 11, the portion through which the cable 6 passes is open to the inside and outside of the body 3, but the other portions are extended portions of the outer peripheral wall 3a and the inner peripheral wall 3b. Surrounded by The cable 6 having one end connected to the terminal passes through the clamp housing portion 11 formed in this way and is drawn out to the outside. In addition, the clamp accommodating part 11 of the example of illustration is an example, and if it is a shape which accommodates the cable clamp 7, it will not be restricted to the said shape.

  FIG. 2A is a top view of the clamp accommodating portion 11 viewed with the cover 4 removed, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIb-IIb in FIG. is there. As shown in the drawing, a cable placing portion 12 integrally formed with the body 3 is provided on the bottom portion which is the lower side of the clamp housing portion 11, and the cable placing portion 12 has a half circumference of the cable 6. A recessed portion 12a having a shape with the semi-cylindrical surface holding the surface facing upward is formed. The cable 6 connected to the terminal 5 passes through the clamp housing portion 11 and is drawn out from the terminal box 1, but is placed on the semi-cylindrical surface of the recessed portion 12a.

  As shown also in FIG. 3, the cable clamp 7 hangs down on both sides of the cable 6 from the semicircular body 13 straddling the upper half of the cable 6 and from both ends in the circumferential direction of the body 13. The pair of elastic leg pieces 14 extended in this manner and the end wall portions 15a and 15b provided at both ends in the axial direction of the body portion 13 are formed integrally. An end wall portion 15a on one end side in the axial direction of the trunk portion 13 (on the drawing direction side of the cable 6) is formed in a substantially semicircular outward flange shape whose diameter is larger than that of the trunk portion 13, and the other end side in the axial direction (body 3). End wall portion 15b is formed in a rectangular plate shape, and flange portions 20 are provided on both side edges extending in the vertical direction of the end wall portion 15b. The body portion 13 is provided with an opposing recessed portion 13a made of a downwardly facing semi-cylindrical surface so as to hold the half circumference of the cable 6. The extending ends of the pair of elastic leg pieces 14 are respectively provided with locking claws 14a protruding inwardly facing each other.

  The radial width of the recessed portion 12 a of the cable placement portion 12 is substantially the same as the inner width of both elastic leg pieces 14 of the cable clamp 7. In the lower portion of the cable mounting portion 12, there are provided engaging recesses 16 recessed inward so that the locking claws 14a of the pair of elastic leg pieces 14 of the cable clamp 7 can be engaged.

  The lower portion of the insertion hole 17 is recessed toward the clamp housing portion 11 with respect to the outer wall surface of the end wall portion 11a, and the lower half peripheral portion of the insertion hole 17 is defined by the semi-cylindrical surface of the recess portion 12a. ing. In the end wall portion 11a, the portion surrounding the upper half-circumferential portion 17a of the insertion hole 17 is expanded in diameter in the thickness direction of the end wall portion 11a, and the cross-sectional shape of the upper portion of the insertion hole 17 is stepped. Is formed.

  On the terminal 5 side (inside the body 3) of the clamp housing portion 11, a part of the inner peripheral wall 3 b is cut out and protrudes in a direction facing each other at the cut out portion, and in the vertical direction (in the axial direction of the recessed portion 12 a). A pair of columnar portions 11b extending in a direction orthogonal to each other is provided (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The two columnar portions 11b are provided with a pair of groove portions 18 having a concave cross-sectional shape and facing each other.

  In order to fix the cable 6 in a clamped state by the cable mounting portion 12 and the cable clamp 7, the cable clamp 7 is inserted from above the clamp housing portion 11 as shown by the arrow in FIG. At this time, the pair of flange portions 20 of the end wall portion 15 b are inserted into the groove portion 18 while being aligned with and slide on the pair of groove portions 18.

  The recessed portion 12a and the opposed recessed portion 13a are each formed in a shape that surrounds the semicircular portion of the cable 6 each. Further, both side edge portions of the opposing recessed portion 13a of the body portion 13 and both side edge portions of the recessed portion 12a of the cable placement portion 12 are formed so as to be in surface contact with each other. Thereby, in the state which the cable mounting part 12 and the trunk | drum 13 contact | abutted, the cylindrical surface of the internal diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the cable 6 is formed by the recessed part 12a and the opposing recessed part 13a.

  With the cable clamp structure thus configured, the cable clamp 7 is clamped as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3 with the cable 6 inserted through the insertion hole 17 placed on the semi-cylindrical surface of the recessed portion 12a. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the recesses 12 a and the cable clamp 7 are engaged by inserting the latching claws 14 a of the both elastic leg pieces 14 into the engagement recesses 16. The cable 6 can be sandwiched and fixed in the radial direction between the opposing recessed portion 13a. The method of fixing the cable clamp 7 is not limited to the engagement between the locking claw 14a of the elastic leg piece 14 and the engagement recess 16, and any method may be used as long as the cable clamp 7 is fixed to the body 3. For example, in addition to screwing or bonding, various known fixing methods may be used.

  A plurality of circumferential ridges 21 and 22 are respectively arranged at positions facing and spaced apart from each other on the semi-cylindrical surfaces of the recessed portion 12a and the opposed recessed portion 13a. The circumferential ridges 21 and 22 bite into the jacket of the cable 6 to some extent while the cable 6 is sandwiched between the recessed portion 12a and the opposed recessed portion 13a. Thereby, in the clamp structure by the recessed portion 12a and the cable clamp 7, the holding force against the pulling force acting on the cable 6 can be further increased.

  Moreover, in the terminal box assembled | attached to the apparatus installed outdoors like this embodiment, it is required to ensure insulation by watertightness. As described above, since terminals and diodes are received inside the inner peripheral wall 3b, potting is performed in which an inner portion surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3b is filled with a potting material (silicone-based filler). The potting material is not limited to the silicone type, and various materials such as a urethane type and an acrylic type can be applied. Potting is performed after the terminal box 1 in which the above-described components are assembled to the body 3 is attached to the solar cell module 2. The cable 6 is connected to the terminal and pulled out to the outside through the insertion hole 17. In this state, the inner part surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3 b is potted, and then the cover 4 is assembled to the body 3.

  In the form in which the cable 6 does not hold the cable 6 by the cable clamp 7, the clamp housing portion 11 is in communication with the inner portion surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3 b due to the shape in which a part of the inner peripheral wall 3 b is cut as described above. is there. On the other hand, in the state where the cable clamp 7 is assembled and the cable 6 is held as described above, the inner portion surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3b and the clamp housing portion 11 are separated by the end wall portion 15b and the inserted cable 6. Blocked. Therefore, the inside surrounded by the inner peripheral wall 3b and the end wall portion 15b is secured to the outside by the potted potting material.

  In the terminal box 1 used for the solar cell module 2, when raindrops adhere to the cable 6 drawn to the outside from the terminal box 1, the moisture may travel along the surface of the cable 6 and enter the terminal box 1. Even if the moisture transmitted through the surface of the cable 6 tries to enter the inner peripheral wall 3b through the clamp housing portion 11, the adhesion (adherence) state between the surface of the cable 6 and the potting material 23 is usually used. Can prevent moisture from entering.

  However, in the case of the terminal box 1 used in an environment installed outdoors, there is a possibility that the potting material 23 shrinks and deforms due to long-term use. As described above, by potting into the inner peripheral wall 3b, the cable 6 extending into the terminal 5 and the inner peripheral wall 3b is covered with the potting material 23 as shown in FIG. Although the adhesiveness with the potting material 23 is maintained, if a gap is generated between the surface of the cable 6 and the potting material 23 due to aging deformation, moisture that has entered from the outside travels through the surface of the cable 6 and is connected to the terminal 5. There is a risk of reaching.

  FIG. 4A is a main part sectional view showing a first example of the seal member, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the seal member. According to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example, an O-ring 24 as a seal member is fitted into a portion of the cable 6 that enters the inner peripheral wall 3 b before being connected to the terminal 5. Has been. The O-ring 24 is made of, for example, a silicone rubber material and has an inner diameter (d in FIG. 4B) that is somewhat smaller than the outer diameter of the cable 6 (D in FIG. 4A). The mounting of the O-ring 24 to the cable 6 can be performed by a simple operation of fitting the O-ring 24 to the cable 6 (relatively inserting the cable 6 into the O-ring 24). Assembly to the cable 6 can be easily performed.

  The O-ring 24 is formed in an annular donut shape having an inner diameter d smaller than the outer diameter D of the cable 6 and is made of an elastic material. It is attached to the cable 6 so as to bite into the cable to some extent. As a result, the O-ring 24 is reduced in diameter by the elastic restoring force in a line contact state (strictly speaking, a belt-like contact by elastic deformation) in the circumferential direction with respect to the cable 6 and radially inward. Adhesion with the cable 6 is always secured. When a gap is generated between the surface of the cable 6 and the potting material 23 due to aged deformation of the potting material 23, moisture from the outside of the terminal box 1 is transmitted along the surface of the cable 6 as indicated by an arrow W. Even if it enters the inner peripheral wall 3b, the O-ring 24 fitted in close contact with the cable 6 acts like a bank, and moisture can be prevented from reaching the core wire and the terminal 5 of the cable 6. . The O-ring 24 made of a silicone rubber material is excellent in adhesiveness with the silicone potting material 23. Further, since the O-ring 24 can be elastically deformed, even if the potting material 23 contracts and deforms, the O-ring 24 can follow the deformation of the potting material 23 in an adhesive state, or the potting material 23 and the O-ring 24 can be bonded by an adhesive force. Can be prevented from peeling off, and there is no gap between the O-ring 24 and the potting material 23, and waterproofing between the potting material 23 and the O-ring 24 is ensured.

  FIG. 5A is a view corresponding to FIG. 4A showing a second example of the seal member, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing the seal member of the second example. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part similar to the above, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted (hereinafter the same). The sealing member 25 of the second example has an annular portion (doughnut shape) of the first example formed in a cylindrical shape, and its inner diameter d is the outer diameter D of the cable 6 as in the first example. The diameter is further reduced. Therefore, this second example can achieve the same effects as described above.

  In the case of the O-ring 24 of the first example, the cable 6 is in a line contact state, whereas the seal member 25 of the second example has a long range in the axial direction of the cable 6. It is mounted in a surface contact state. Therefore, for example, the surface of the outer cover of the cable 6 has irregularities, and a gap is generated in a part between the cable 6 and the seal member 25, and even if a part of moisture enters the gap, the moisture remains in the entire length in the axial direction. It is possible to prevent intrusion until it reaches.

  FIG. 6A is a view corresponding to FIG. 4A showing a third example of the seal member, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the seal member of the third example. The seal member 26 of the third example includes a narrow cylindrical portion 26a as an annular portion formed in a cylindrical shape, and a tapered portion 26b as a tapered portion expanded from the cylindrical portion 26a into a tapered shape. It is formed in a trumpet type having a single body. The inner diameter d of the cylindrical portion 26a is smaller than the outer diameter D of the cable 6 in the same way as in the first example, and the same effect as described above can be obtained in this third example.

  The seal member 26 in the third example is attached to the cable 6 with the diameter-expanded side of the tapered portion 26b facing outward (on the clamp housing portion 11 side). Thereby, for example, even if water that has traveled on the surface of the cable 6 accumulates and grows like a polka dot, the polka dot can be captured by the tapered portion 26b that is larger than the outer diameter D of the cable 6, It can reliably prevent moisture from entering. Further, according to the seal member 26, the cable 6 is inserted from the large opening side of the tapered portion 26b toward the cylindrical portion 26a by being attached to the cable 6 from the enlarged diameter side of the tapered portion 26b. (The arrow in FIG. 6 (b)), and the assembly to the cable 6 is easier.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing, as a representative, the state of deterioration of the potting material 23 using the O-ring 24 of the first example. When the potting material 23 contracts and deforms as shown in FIG. 7A due to environmental changes and aging, and a gap S is generated between the surface of the cable 6 and the potting material 23, moisture that has entered from the outside is absorbed. The surface of the cable 6 is easily transmitted. On the other hand, when the silicone filler is used for the potting material 23 as described above, the adhesiveness of the two members is secured by using the O-ring 24 of the silicone rubber material. As a result, even when the potting material 23 is deformed so as to be peeled off from the surface of the cable 6 as shown in the drawing, the adhesion of the contact portion with the O-ring 24 is ensured, so that the gap that can communicate with the outside S is up to the position of the O-ring 24.

  Further, depending on the state of contraction deformation of the potting material 23, a gap S1 may be generated between the cable clamp 7 and the cable as shown in FIG. For example, when the moisture W that has entered the body 3 from the gap between the body 3 and the cover 4 reaches the gap S1, it can reach the surface of the cable 6 through the gap S1. Even in such a case, the intrusion of water is blocked by the O-ring 24 as described above. When a material other than silicone is used for the potting material 23, a material having good adhesion (adhesion) with the material used for the potting material 23 is used as the material of the O-ring 24. Good.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, even when the potting material 23 hardly contracts, a clearance S may be generated between the surface of the cable 6 and the potting material 23 due to contraction of the exterior material of the cable 6. . Even when the surface of the cable 6 contracts so as to be recessed, the O-ring 24 can be reduced in diameter following the contraction of the surface of the cable 6 because the O-ring 24 is formed of an elastic material. The close contact state between the surface of 6 and the O-ring 24 is maintained. Therefore, similarly to the above examples, even if the moisture W that has entered from the outside via the gap S is transmitted through the surface of the cable 6, the penetration of the moisture W can be prevented by the O-ring 24. Note that the inner diameter d before mounting the O-ring 24 is designed to be smaller than the minimum outer diameter D1 due to contraction of the cable 6 in consideration of the use environment (D1> d).

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the axial direction of the seal member showing a modification of the second example. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of circumferential ridges 25b are disposed on the inner circumferential surface 25a of the seal member 25 at intervals in the axial direction. The circumferential protrusion 25b protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface 25a, and extends over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface 25a. In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the circumferential protrusion 25b is a semicircular shape in the illustrated example, it is not limited to a semicircular shape, and may be a triangular shape or other shapes.

  By attaching the sealing member 25 formed in this way to the cable 6, in addition to the same effect as the second example by the surface contact of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface 25a, the protruding end of the circumferential protrusion 25b However, contact with the surface of the cable 6 in a linear manner (strictly speaking, a belt-like shape due to elastic deformation) results in a higher contact pressure than the surface contact between the surfaces without the circumferential protrusion 25b. In this case, even if a gap is generated as described above in a part of the surface contact portion, the intrusion of moisture can be reliably prevented by the high pressure contact portion of the circumferential protrusion 25b. Thereby, the range of the surface contact of a cylindrical part can be narrowed, and the installation operation | work of the cylindrical sealing member 25 can be performed easily. The present invention can be similarly applied to the cylindrical portion 26a of the trumpet type seal member 26.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, as those skilled in the art can easily understand, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and the gist of the present invention. As long as it does not deviate from the above, it can be appropriately changed. In addition, all the components shown in the above embodiment are not necessarily essential, and can be appropriately selected without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the structure of the cable clamp is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and any other structure that fixes the cable may be used, and various other known cable fixing structures may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal box 3 Body 4 Cover 5 Terminal 6 Cable 7 Cable clamp 23 Potting material 24 O-ring 25 Seal member 25a Inner peripheral surface 26b Circumferential protrusion 26 Seal member 26a Cylindrical part 26b Tapered part

Claims (5)

A terminal box having a case, a terminal disposed in the case, and a cable connected to the terminal and drawn out of the case, wherein the case is filled with a potting material;
An elastic sealing member having an annular portion formed with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cable and being elastically attached to a portion located in the case of the cable is provided. Terminal box.   The terminal box according to claim 1, wherein the annular portion is formed in a cylindrical shape.   3. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is formed in a shape having the annular portion and a tapered portion that expands in a tapered shape from the annular portion. 4. box.   The terminal box according to claim 2, wherein a circumferential protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion so as to protrude over the entire periphery.   The terminal box according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a material having high adhesiveness with the potting material.

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