図１は、本発明の一の実施の形態に係る接続機器１の斜視図である。図２は、接続機器１の断面図である。図３は、接続機器１を図２中のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩの位置にて切断した断面図である。図４は、接続機器１の分解斜視図である。接続機器１は、電線９１が接続されるプッシュイン式の接続機器である。接続機器１は、例えば、制御盤等の端子台に利用される。図１では、接続機器１の手前側に薄板状のエンドプレート１１が取り付けられている。また、図１では、複数の接続機器１が連結された状態を二点鎖線にて示す。図２ないし図４では、電線９１が接続機器１に挿入されていない状態を示す。図２では、断面よりも奥側の構成についても併せて図示している。
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connecting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connected device 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 1 cut at the position III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the connected device 1. The connecting device 1 is a push-in type connecting device to which the electric wire 91 is connected. The connecting device 1 is used, for example, as a terminal block such as a control panel. In FIG. 1, a thin plate-shaped end plate 11 is attached to the front side of the connecting device 1. Further, in FIG. 1, a state in which a plurality of connected devices 1 are connected is shown by a two-dot chain line. 2 to 4 show a state in which the electric wire 91 is not inserted into the connecting device 1. In FIG. 2, the configuration on the back side of the cross section is also shown.
以下の説明では、図２中の上下方向および左右方向を、単に「上下方向」および「左右方向」とも呼ぶ。また、図２において紙面に垂直な方向を「厚さ方向」とも呼ぶ。図２は、接続機器１の厚さ方向の略中央における断面を示す。当該上下方向、左右方向および厚さ方向は、接続機器１が使用される際の取付方向とは必ずしも一致する必要はない。また、当該上下方向は、重力方向とも必ずしも一致する必要はない。
In the following description, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in FIG. 2 are also simply referred to as "vertical direction" and "horizontal direction". Further, in FIG. 2, the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is also referred to as a "thickness direction". FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the connected device 1 at substantially the center in the thickness direction. The vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the thickness direction do not necessarily have to coincide with the mounting direction when the connecting device 1 is used. Further, the vertical direction does not necessarily have to coincide with the direction of gravity.
接続機器１は、ケース２と、端子部３と、弾性部材４と、操作部５とを備える。ケース２は、端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５を内部に収容する。ケース２は、例えば樹脂製である。図２に示す例では、ケース２には、それぞれに電線が挿入可能な２つの挿入穴２１が設けられる。また、ケース２の内部には、２つの端子部３と、２つの弾性部材４と、２つの操作部５とが収容されている。換言すれば、接続機器１は、２セットの端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５を備える。なお、接続機器１は、１セットまたは３セット以上の端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５を備えていてもよい。
The connecting device 1 includes a case 2, a terminal portion 3, an elastic member 4, and an operating portion 5. The case 2 houses the terminal portion 3, the elastic member 4, and the operation portion 5 inside. The case 2 is made of resin, for example. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the case 2 is provided with two insertion holes 21 into which electric wires can be inserted. Further, inside the case 2, two terminal portions 3, two elastic members 4, and two operating portions 5 are housed. In other words, the connecting device 1 includes two sets of terminal portions 3, an elastic member 4, and an operating portion 5. The connecting device 1 may include one set or three or more sets of terminal portions 3, an elastic member 4, and an operation portion 5.
端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５の各セットは、挿入穴２１に対応して配置される。２セットの端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５は、形状および大きさ等は互いに同じであり、左右反対向きに配置される。図２中の右側の挿入穴２１に注目すると、端子部３は、挿入穴２１の下端部の右側に位置し、挿入穴２１の下端部から下方に延びる。弾性部材４は、挿入穴２１の下端部から左側へと延び、さらに下方へと延びる。操作部５は、挿入穴２１の左側において、弾性部材４の上側に配置される。
Each set of the terminal portion 3, the elastic member 4, and the operation portion 5 is arranged corresponding to the insertion hole 21. The two sets of the terminal portion 3, the elastic member 4, and the operating portion 5 have the same shape and size, and are arranged in opposite directions. Focusing on the insertion hole 21 on the right side in FIG. 2, the terminal portion 3 is located on the right side of the lower end portion of the insertion hole 21 and extends downward from the lower end portion of the insertion hole 21. The elastic member 4 extends from the lower end of the insertion hole 21 to the left side and further downward. The operation unit 5 is arranged on the left side of the insertion hole 21 and above the elastic member 4.
端子部３は、ケース２に固定された導電性の部材である。端子部３は、例えば金属製である。図２中の右側の端子部３は、図２中の左側の端子部３と電気的に接続されている。図２ないし図４に示す例では、当該２つの端子部３は一繋がりの部材である。具体的には、２つの端子部３の下端部が、左右方向に延びる導電性の端子接続部３２により接続されている。
The terminal portion 3 is a conductive member fixed to the case 2. The terminal portion 3 is made of metal, for example. The right terminal portion 3 in FIG. 2 is electrically connected to the left terminal portion 3 in FIG. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the two terminal portions 3 are one connected member. Specifically, the lower ends of the two terminal portions 3 are connected by a conductive terminal connecting portion 32 extending in the left-right direction.
弾性部材４は、ケース２に取り付けられた弾性変形可能な部材である。図２ないし図４に示す例では、弾性部材４は、略帯状の板バネである。弾性部材４は、例えば金属製である。弾性部材４は、導電材料により形成されてもよく、樹脂等の絶縁材料により形成されてもよい。弾性部材４は、例えば、長手方向の中央部４１にて略Ｌ字状、略Ｖ字状または略Ｕ字状に折り曲げられた形状を有する。弾性部材４は、中央部４１をケース２により挟まれることにより、両端部を略下側に向けた状態でケース２に取り付けられる。以下の説明では、ケース２のうち中央部４１に下側から接する部位２２を、「支持部２２」と呼ぶ。支持部２２は、弾性部材４の中央部４１から略下方に延びる。
The elastic member 4 is an elastically deformable member attached to the case 2. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the elastic member 4 is a substantially strip-shaped leaf spring. The elastic member 4 is made of metal, for example. The elastic member 4 may be formed of a conductive material or an insulating material such as a resin. The elastic member 4 has, for example, a shape that is bent into a substantially L-shape, a substantially V-shape, or a substantially U-shape at the central portion 41 in the longitudinal direction. The elastic member 4 is attached to the case 2 with both ends facing substantially downward by sandwiching the central portion 41 between the cases 2. In the following description, the portion 22 of the case 2 that contacts the central portion 41 from below is referred to as a “support portion 22”. The support portion 22 extends substantially downward from the central portion 41 of the elastic member 4.
図２中の右側の弾性部材４に注目すると、当該弾性部材４のうち、中央部４１から支持部２２の左側に延びる部位４２は、支持部２２とケース２の他の部位との間に挟まれることにより、ケース２に固定されている。また、当該弾性部材４のうち、中央部４１から支持部２２の右側に延びる部位４３は、上下方向に延びる端子部３に接触している。弾性部材４の部位４３は、操作部５により下方に押されることにより、支持部２２の上端部を支点として弾性変形して下向きに撓む。また、当該部位４３に対する下向きの押圧力がなくなると、部位４３は復元力により元の状態に戻る（すなわち、弾性復帰する）。以下の説明では、弾性部材４の部位４２および部位４３をそれぞれ、「固定部４２」および「可動部４３」と呼ぶ。固定部４２と可動部４３とは、中央部４１を通る中心線に対して略線対称である。可動部４３は、固定部４２の上端から斜め下方に延びる。
Focusing on the elastic member 4 on the right side in FIG. 2, the portion 42 of the elastic member 4 extending from the central portion 41 to the left side of the support portion 22 is sandwiched between the support portion 22 and another portion of the case 2. Therefore, it is fixed to the case 2. Further, among the elastic members 4, the portion 43 extending from the central portion 41 to the right side of the support portion 22 is in contact with the terminal portion 3 extending in the vertical direction. When the portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is pushed downward by the operating portion 5, it elastically deforms with the upper end portion of the support portion 22 as a fulcrum and bends downward. Further, when the downward pressing force on the portion 43 disappears, the portion 43 returns to its original state (that is, elastically returns) due to the restoring force. In the following description, the portion 42 and the portion 43 of the elastic member 4 will be referred to as a "fixed portion 42" and a "movable portion 43", respectively. The fixed portion 42 and the movable portion 43 are substantially line-symmetrical with respect to the center line passing through the central portion 41. The movable portion 43 extends obliquely downward from the upper end of the fixed portion 42.
図２に示す状態では、弾性部材４の可動部４３の先端が、上述のように、挿入穴２１よりも下側において端子部３に接触し、挿入穴２１の下端部を下側から閉鎖している。以下の説明では、図２に示す状態を「挿入穴閉鎖状態」と呼ぶ。また、挿入穴閉鎖状態は、挿入穴２１に電線が挿入される前の状態、すなわち、接続機器１が使用される前の初期状態である。
In the state shown in FIG. 2, the tip of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 contacts the terminal portion 3 below the insertion hole 21 as described above, and the lower end portion of the insertion hole 21 is closed from below. ing. In the following description, the state shown in FIG. 2 is referred to as an “insertion hole closed state”. The insertion hole closed state is a state before the electric wire is inserted into the insertion hole 21, that is, an initial state before the connecting device 1 is used.
挿入穴閉鎖状態（すなわち、初期状態）の弾性部材４は、固定部４２と可動部４３とが近づく向きに少し撓んでいる。これにより、弾性部材４がケース２から脱落することを防止することができる。なお、図２中の左側には、撓みの無い状態の弾性部材４を二点鎖線にて示す。
The elastic member 4 in the insertion hole closed state (that is, the initial state) is slightly bent in the direction in which the fixed portion 42 and the movable portion 43 approach each other. This makes it possible to prevent the elastic member 4 from falling off from the case 2. In addition, on the left side in FIG. 2, the elastic member 4 in a state without bending is shown by a chain double-dashed line.
操作部５は、上下方向に延びる略柱状または略板状の部材である。操作部５は、ケース２に設けられた上下方向に延びる穴部（以下、「移動経路２４」と呼ぶ。）の内部に位置する。操作部５は、移動経路２４に沿って上下方向に移動可能である。移動経路２４は、ケース２の上面２５に開口し、当該上面２５から略下方に延びる。
The operation unit 5 is a substantially columnar or substantially plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The operation unit 5 is located inside a hole portion (hereinafter, referred to as “movement path 24”) extending in the vertical direction provided in the case 2. The operation unit 5 can move in the vertical direction along the movement path 24. The movement path 24 opens to the upper surface 25 of the case 2 and extends substantially downward from the upper surface 25.
操作部５は、上端部５１と、連結部５２と、下端部５３とを備える。上端部５１、連結部５２および下端部５３は、この順序で上側から下側に向かって繋がる一繋がりの部材である。操作部５は、例えば樹脂製である。操作部５の上端部５１は、例えば略直方体状の部位である。上端部５１の上面５１１は、上下方向に略垂直な平面である。上端部５１の上面５１１の中央部には、下向きに凹む操作凹部が設けられる。連結部５２は、上端部５１の下端から下方に延び、上端部５１と下端部５３とを連結する。連結部５２は、例えば、厚さ方向の幅が左右方向の幅よりも大きい略板状の部位である。下端部５３は、連結部５２の下端から下方に延びる。下端部５３は、例えば、略板状または略柱状の部位である。
The operation unit 5 includes an upper end portion 51, a connecting portion 52, and a lower end portion 53. The upper end portion 51, the connecting portion 52, and the lower end portion 53 are one-connected members that are connected from the upper side to the lower side in this order. The operation unit 5 is made of resin, for example. The upper end portion 51 of the operation portion 5 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion. The upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 is a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. An operation recess that is recessed downward is provided at the center of the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51. The connecting portion 52 extends downward from the lower end of the upper end portion 51, and connects the upper end portion 51 and the lower end portion 53. The connecting portion 52 is, for example, a substantially plate-shaped portion whose width in the thickness direction is larger than the width in the left-right direction. The lower end 53 extends downward from the lower end of the connecting 52. The lower end portion 53 is, for example, a substantially plate-shaped or substantially columnar portion.
上端部５１の左右方向の幅は、上端部５１の上下方向の略全長に亘って略一定である。連結部５２の左右方向の幅は、連結部５２の上下方向の略全長に亘って略一定である。下端部５３の左右方向の幅は、下端部５３の上部において略一定であり、当該上部から下方に向かうに従って漸次減少する。上端部５１の左右方向の幅は、連結部５２の左右方向の幅よりも大きい。下端部５３の上端の左右方向の幅は、連結部５２の下端の左右方向の幅よりも大きい。連結部５２の左右両側の側面は、左右方向に略垂直であり、上下方向に略平行に延びる。
The width of the upper end portion 51 in the left-right direction is substantially constant over substantially the entire length of the upper end portion 51 in the vertical direction. The width of the connecting portion 52 in the left-right direction is substantially constant over the substantially total length of the connecting portion 52 in the vertical direction. The width of the lower end portion 53 in the left-right direction is substantially constant at the upper portion of the lower end portion 53, and gradually decreases from the upper portion toward the lower side. The width of the upper end portion 51 in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the connecting portion 52 in the left-right direction. The width of the upper end of the lower end 53 in the left-right direction is larger than the width of the lower end of the connecting portion 52 in the left-right direction. The left and right side surfaces of the connecting portion 52 are substantially perpendicular to the left and right directions, and extend substantially parallel to the vertical direction.
図２中の右側の操作部５に注目すると、当該操作部５の上端部５１は、連結部５２の上端から左側に突出する。操作部５の下端部５３の左側の側面は、上端から上下方向に略平行に下方へと延び、その後、下方に向かうに従って右側へと向かう。弾性部材４は、下端部５３の左側の側面と部分的に接触する。操作部５の下端部５３は、連結部５２の下端から右側に突出する。これにより、連結部５２の下端（すなわち、下端部５３の上端）に、右側へと突出する操作段差部５５が形成される。
Focusing on the operation unit 5 on the right side in FIG. 2, the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 projects to the left from the upper end of the connecting portion 52. The left side surface of the lower end portion 53 of the operation unit 5 extends downward substantially parallel to the upper end in the vertical direction, and then goes to the right side as it goes downward. The elastic member 4 partially contacts the left side surface of the lower end 53. The lower end 53 of the operation unit 5 projects to the right from the lower end of the connecting portion 52. As a result, an operation step portion 55 projecting to the right is formed at the lower end of the connecting portion 52 (that is, the upper end of the lower end portion 53).
図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態では、操作部５の操作段差部５５がケース２の一部に係止することにより、操作部５の上方への移動が制限される。操作部５の下端部５３は、上述のように弾性部材４の可動部４３に接触しており、弾性部材４の復元力により、操作段差部５５がケース２の上記一部に押し付けられる。これにより、操作部５がケース２に係止されるため、操作部５が図２に示す位置よりも上側へと移動することが防止される。接続機器１を組み立てる際には、操作部５は、撓んでいない状態（すなわち、非圧縮状態）の弾性部材４の可動部４３が存在するはずの領域に先に配置されており、弾性部材４は、撓んだ状態でケース２に取り付けられる。これにより、上記構造が実現される。
In the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, the operation step portion 55 of the operation portion 5 is locked to a part of the case 2, so that the movement of the operation portion 5 upward is restricted. The lower end portion 53 of the operation portion 5 is in contact with the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 as described above, and the operation step portion 55 is pressed against the above-mentioned part of the case 2 by the restoring force of the elastic member 4. As a result, the operation unit 5 is locked to the case 2, so that the operation unit 5 is prevented from moving upward from the position shown in FIG. When assembling the connecting device 1, the operating portion 5 is first arranged in the region where the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the non-flexible state (that is, the uncompressed state) should exist, and the elastic member 4 is assembled. Is attached to the case 2 in a bent state. As a result, the above structure is realized.
図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態では、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域と略同一平面上に位置する。あるいは、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域よりもケース２の内部（すなわち、当該領域よりも下側）に位置する。また、図３に示すように、操作部５の厚さ方向の両側面５１３は、ケース２の厚さ方向の両側面２６のうち操作部５の周囲の領域よりもケース２の内部に位置し、または、当該領域と略同一平面上に位置する。操作部５の他の表面についても同様である。換言すれば、図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態では、操作部５の表面は、ケース２の表面のうち操作部５の周囲の領域（すなわち、移動経路２４の周囲の領域）よりもケース２の内部に位置し、または、当該領域と略同一平面上に位置する。
In the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 is located on substantially the same plane as the area around the operation unit 5 in the upper surface 25 of the case 2. Alternatively, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 is located inside the case 2 (that is, below the area) of the upper surface 25 of the case 2 with respect to the area around the operation unit 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the side surfaces 513 of the operation unit 5 in the thickness direction are located inside the case 2 of the side surfaces 26 in the thickness direction of the case 2 with respect to the area around the operation unit 5. , Or, it is located on substantially the same plane as the area. The same applies to the other surfaces of the operation unit 5. In other words, in the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the operation unit 5 is the surface of the case 2 in the case 2 rather than the area around the operation unit 5 (that is, the area around the movement path 24). It is located inside or substantially on the same plane as the area.
図５は、図２中のＶ−Ｖの位置にて接続機器１を切断した断面図である。図２および図５に示すように、ケース２は、操作部５の下方に位置する一対の押圧部２３を備える。一対の押圧部２３は、挿入穴閉鎖状態における弾性部材４の可動部４３から下方に離間した位置に配置される。図５に示す例では、一対の押圧部２３は、ケース２の厚さ方向の両側面２６の一部を、上端２３５を除いて周囲の部位から切り離し、下端２３６が互いに近づくように厚さ方向内側に曲げた部位である。
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 1 cut at the position VV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the case 2 includes a pair of pressing portions 23 located below the operating portion 5. The pair of pressing portions 23 are arranged at positions separated downward from the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the state where the insertion hole is closed. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the pair of pressing portions 23 separate a part of both side surfaces 26 in the thickness direction of the case 2 from the surrounding portions except for the upper end 235, and the lower end 236 is closer to each other in the thickness direction. This is the part bent inward.
一対の押圧部２３は、厚さ方向（すなわち、可動部４３の可動領域に垂直な方向）に互いに離間して配置される。各押圧部２３は、左右方向の幅よりも厚さ方向の厚さが小さい帯状の部材であり、上下方向に略平行に延びる。一対の押圧部２３の厚さ方向の間隔（以下、単に「一対の押圧部２３の間隔」とも呼ぶ。）は、下方に向かうに従って漸次小さくなる。一対の押圧部２３の間隔は、押圧部２３の上端２３５において、厚さ方向における弾性部材４の幅よりも大きい。また、一対の押圧部２３の間隔は、押圧部２３の下端２３６において、厚さ方向における弾性部材４の幅よりも小さい。各押圧部２３は、厚さ方向に弾性変形可能な樹脂バネである。
The pair of pressing portions 23 are arranged apart from each other in the thickness direction (that is, the direction perpendicular to the movable region of the movable portion 43). Each pressing portion 23 is a strip-shaped member whose thickness in the thickness direction is smaller than the width in the left-right direction, and extends substantially parallel to the vertical direction. The spacing in the thickness direction of the pair of pressing portions 23 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “the spacing of the pair of pressing portions 23”) gradually decreases toward the bottom. The distance between the pair of pressing portions 23 is larger than the width of the elastic member 4 in the thickness direction at the upper end 235 of the pressing portions 23. Further, the distance between the pair of pressing portions 23 is smaller than the width of the elastic member 4 in the thickness direction at the lower end 236 of the pressing portions 23. Each pressing portion 23 is a resin spring that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction.
次に、接続機器１に対する電線の接続の流れについて、図２、図５ないし図９を参照しつつ説明する。なお、以下では、図中の右側の挿入穴２１に電線を接続する際の様子について説明する。図中の左側の挿入穴２１に電線を接続する場合については、左右反対向きである点を除き、作業員の動作は略同様である。
Next, the flow of connecting the electric wire to the connecting device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 to 9. In the following, a state when the electric wire is connected to the insertion hole 21 on the right side in the drawing will be described. When the electric wire is connected to the insertion hole 21 on the left side in the drawing, the operation of the worker is substantially the same except that the directions are opposite to each other.
まず、図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態から操作部５がケース２の内部に向かって押し込まれ、移動経路２４に沿って下方へと移動する。操作部５が押し込まれる際には、例えば、作業員が通常のマイナスドライバー等の先端を、操作部５の上端部５１の操作凹部に接触させ、当該マイナスドライバーを介して操作部５に下向きの力を加える。操作部５の下方への移動に従って、弾性部材４は撓んで弾性部材４の形状が変更される。具体的には、図６に示すように、弾性部材４の可動部４３が、操作部５の下端部５３により下方へと押し下げられ、端子部３から左側へと離間する。これにより、挿入穴２１の下端部が開放される。以下の説明では、図６に示す接続機器１の状態を「挿入穴開放状態」という。
First, the operation unit 5 is pushed toward the inside of the case 2 from the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, and moves downward along the movement path 24. When the operation unit 5 is pushed in, for example, a worker brings the tip of a normal flat-blade screwdriver or the like into contact with the operation recess of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5, and points downward to the operation unit 5 via the flat-blade screwdriver. Apply force. As the operation unit 5 moves downward, the elastic member 4 bends and the shape of the elastic member 4 is changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is pushed downward by the lower end portion 53 of the operating portion 5, and is separated from the terminal portion 3 to the left side. As a result, the lower end of the insertion hole 21 is opened. In the following description, the state of the connected device 1 shown in FIG. 6 is referred to as an “insertion hole open state”.
図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態から図６に示す挿入穴開放状態への移行時には、弾性部材４の可動部４３が、図５に示す位置から操作部５により下方へと押し込まれて湾曲し、一対の押圧部２３（図５参照）の上端２３５の間を通過する。弾性部材４の可動部４３が一対の押圧部２３の上端２３５の間に位置する状態では、可動部４３は、一対の押圧部２３とは接触しない。可動部４３は、一対の押圧部２３の間を下降し、一対の押圧部２３の間隔が厚さ方向における可動部４３の幅と略同じになる位置で、一対の押圧部２３に接触する。一対の押圧部２３は、略帯状の可動部４３の幅方向から、厚さ方向における可動部４３の両側面に接触する。そして、可動部４３がさらに下降して挿入穴開放状態となることにより、図６および図７に示すように、可動部４３が、厚さ方向における一対の押圧部２３の間に挟持される。このとき、一対の押圧部２３は、厚さ方向において互いに離れる方向に弾性変形している。また、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間には、弾性部材４の復元力（すなわち、可動部４３を上向きに移動させようとする力）に抗する摩擦抵抗が生じている。
At the time of transition from the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2 to the insertion hole open state shown in FIG. 6, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is pushed downward by the operating portion 5 from the position shown in FIG. 5 and curved. It passes between the upper ends 235 of the pair of pressing portions 23 (see FIG. 5). When the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is located between the upper ends 235 of the pair of pressing portions 23, the movable portion 43 does not come into contact with the pair of pressing portions 23. The movable portion 43 descends between the pair of pressing portions 23, and comes into contact with the pair of pressing portions 23 at a position where the distance between the pair of pressing portions 23 is substantially the same as the width of the movable portion 43 in the thickness direction. The pair of pressing portions 23 come into contact with both side surfaces of the movable portion 43 in the thickness direction from the width direction of the substantially band-shaped movable portion 43. Then, the movable portion 43 is further lowered to open the insertion hole, so that the movable portion 43 is sandwiched between the pair of pressing portions 23 in the thickness direction, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. At this time, the pair of pressing portions 23 are elastically deformed in the direction in which they are separated from each other in the thickness direction. Further, a frictional resistance is generated between the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23 against the restoring force of the elastic member 4 (that is, the force for moving the movable portion 43 upward).
挿入穴開放状態の接続機器１では、上記摩擦抵抗が生じることにより、弾性部材４の復元力が、ケース２の一対の押圧部２３により部分的に支持される。したがって、操作部５を下向きに押し込んだ状態で維持するために必要な作業員の力が軽減される。なお、一対の押圧部２３により支持される弾性部材４の復元力は、弾性部材４の全復元力よりも小さい。換言すれば、挿入穴開放状態の弾性部材４の復元力は、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間に生じる摩擦抵抗よりも大きい。したがって、当該摩擦抵抗のみにより、弾性部材４の可動部４３が一対の押圧部２３に係止されることはない。
In the connecting device 1 in the state where the insertion hole is opened, the restoring force of the elastic member 4 is partially supported by the pair of pressing portions 23 of the case 2 due to the frictional resistance generated. Therefore, the force of the worker required to maintain the operation unit 5 in the downwardly pushed state is reduced. The restoring force of the elastic member 4 supported by the pair of pressing portions 23 is smaller than the total restoring force of the elastic member 4. In other words, the restoring force of the elastic member 4 in the open insertion hole state is larger than the frictional resistance generated between the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23. Therefore, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is not locked to the pair of pressing portions 23 only by the frictional resistance.
接続機器１では、一対の押圧部２３による可動部４３の挟持により、操作部５を押し込むマイナスドライバーを握る作業員の手に抵抗が生じる。したがって、作業員は、挿入穴閉鎖状態から挿入穴開放状態への移行完了を容易に認識することができる。
In the connected device 1, the pinching of the movable portion 43 by the pair of pressing portions 23 causes resistance to the hand of the worker holding the flat-blade screwdriver that pushes the operation portion 5. Therefore, the worker can easily recognize the completion of the transition from the insertion hole closed state to the insertion hole open state.
また、接続機器１では、可動部４３の上述の挟持と略同時に、操作部５の上端部５１の下端が、ケース２の移動経路２４内に設けられた上下方向に略垂直な停止面２４２に上側から接触する。これにより、操作部５の下方への過剰な移動を制限することができる。また、操作部５の上端部５１と停止面２４２との接触による手応えおよび／または音の発生により、作業員は、挿入穴閉鎖状態から挿入穴開放状態への移行完了をさらに容易に認識することもできる。
Further, in the connected device 1, substantially at the same time as the above-mentioned pinching of the movable portion 43, the lower end of the upper end portion 51 of the operating portion 5 is provided on the stop surface 242 provided in the movement path 24 of the case 2 and substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. Contact from above. Thereby, it is possible to limit the excessive movement of the operation unit 5 downward. Further, the operator can more easily recognize the completion of the transition from the insertion hole closed state to the insertion hole open state by the response and / or the generation of sound due to the contact between the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 and the stop surface 242. You can also.
図６に示す挿入穴開放状態では、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域よりもケース２の内部（すなわち、当該領域よりも下側）に位置する。あるいは、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域と略同一平面上に位置していてもよい。操作部５の他の表面についても同様である。換言すれば、図６に示す挿入穴開放状態では、操作部５の表面は、ケース２の表面のうち操作部５の周囲の領域（すなわち、移動経路２４の周囲の領域）よりもケース２の内部に位置し、または、当該領域と略同一平面上に位置する。
In the state where the insertion hole is open as shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 is inside the case 2 (that is, below the area) of the upper surface 25 of the case 2 than the area around the operation unit 5. Located on the side). Alternatively, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 may be located on substantially the same plane as the area around the operation unit 5 in the upper surface 25 of the case 2. The same applies to the other surfaces of the operation unit 5. In other words, in the insertion hole open state shown in FIG. 6, the surface of the operation unit 5 is the surface of the case 2 rather than the area around the operation unit 5 (that is, the area around the movement path 24). It is located inside or substantially on the same plane as the area.
図６に示す挿入穴開放状態では、弾性部材４は、後述する結線状態の弾性部材４よりも撓んでおり、電線を端子部３との間で挟持しない。換言すれば、図６に示す接続機器１の状態である挿入穴開放状態は、弾性部材４と端子部３との間の電線の挟持が解除された「非結線状態」である。
In the state where the insertion hole is opened shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 4 is more bent than the elastic member 4 in the connected state described later, and does not sandwich the electric wire with the terminal portion 3. In other words, the insertion hole open state, which is the state of the connecting device 1 shown in FIG. 6, is a “non-connection state” in which the pinching of the electric wire between the elastic member 4 and the terminal portion 3 is released.
続いて、弾性部材４が挿入穴開放状態にて維持された状態で、電線９１が、図６中に二点鎖線にて示すように接続機器１の挿入穴２１に挿入される。電線９１は、例えば単線であってもよく、より線であってもよい。また、電線９１は、先端部に棒状圧着端子等が設けられたより線であってもよい。電線９１の先端部の直径は、例えば、０．４２ｍｍ以上であることが好ましい。電線９１の先端部の直径は、現実的には、２．３ｍｍ以下である。電線９１の先端部の直径は、様々に変更されてよい。また、電線９１の先端部以外の部位の直径も、様々に変更されてよい。
Subsequently, the electric wire 91 is inserted into the insertion hole 21 of the connecting device 1 as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6 while the elastic member 4 is maintained in the insertion hole open state. The electric wire 91 may be, for example, a single wire or a stranded wire. Further, the electric wire 91 may be a stranded wire provided with a rod-shaped crimp terminal or the like at the tip end portion. The diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 is preferably 0.42 mm or more, for example. The diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 is practically 2.3 mm or less. The diameter of the tip of the electric wire 91 may be changed in various ways. Further, the diameter of the portion other than the tip end portion of the electric wire 91 may be changed in various ways.
電線９１は、挿入穴２１内にて下方へと移動され、図８に示すように、端子部３と挿入穴開放状態の弾性部材４との間に挿入される。その後、操作部５を押し込む作業員の力が弱められ、弾性部材４の復元力が、作業員の力と上記摩擦抵抗（すなわち、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間に生じる摩擦抵抗）との合計よりも大きくなることにより、弾性部材４の可動部４３が右斜め上方へと移動し、一対の押圧部２３による可動部４３の挟持が解除される。換言すれば、可動部４３は、一対の押圧部２３から離間して非接触の状態となる。
The electric wire 91 is moved downward in the insertion hole 21 and is inserted between the terminal portion 3 and the elastic member 4 in the insertion hole open state as shown in FIG. After that, the force of the worker pushing the operation unit 5 is weakened, and the restoring force of the elastic member 4 is the frictional resistance generated between the force of the worker and the frictional resistance (that is, between the movable part 43 and the pair of pressing parts 23). ), The movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 moves diagonally upward to the right, and the pair of pressing portions 23 is released from sandwiching the movable portion 43. In other words, the movable portion 43 is separated from the pair of pressing portions 23 and is in a non-contact state.
また、可動部４３は、図９に示すように、電線９１に左側から接触する。弾性部材４の可動部４３は、上記復元力により、電線９１を端子部３に押し付けて端子部３との間で挟持する。これにより、電線９１と端子部３とが電気的かつ機械的に接続される。換言すれば、電線９１が接続機器１に結線される。以下の説明では、図９に示す状態を「結線状態」という。結線状態の弾性部材４は、上述のように、電線９１を端子部３との間で挟持している。また、結線状態の弾性部材４では、可動部４３は、一対の押圧部２３から上方に離間した位置に位置し、一対の押圧部２３とは非接触である。
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable portion 43 contacts the electric wire 91 from the left side. The movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 presses the electric wire 91 against the terminal portion 3 by the restoring force and sandwiches the electric wire 91 with the terminal portion 3. As a result, the electric wire 91 and the terminal portion 3 are electrically and mechanically connected. In other words, the electric wire 91 is connected to the connecting device 1. In the following description, the state shown in FIG. 9 is referred to as a “connection state”. As described above, the elastic member 4 in the connected state sandwiches the electric wire 91 with the terminal portion 3. Further, in the elastic member 4 in the connected state, the movable portion 43 is located at a position separated upward from the pair of pressing portions 23, and is not in contact with the pair of pressing portions 23.
接続機器１では、また、弾性部材４の可動部４３の上記右斜め上方への移動により、操作部５は、図８に示す挿入穴開放状態から上方に移動し、下端部５３が弾性部材４の可動部４３に接触した状態で停止する。
In the connecting device 1, the operating portion 5 moves upward from the insertion hole open state shown in FIG. 8 due to the movement of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 diagonally upward to the right, and the lower end portion 53 is the elastic member 4. Stops in contact with the movable portion 43 of.
図９に示す結線状態では、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域よりもケース２の内部（すなわち、当該領域よりも下側）に位置する。あるいは、操作部５の上端部５１の上面５１１は、ケース２の上面２５のうち操作部５の周囲の領域と略同一平面上に位置していてもよい。操作部５の他の表面についても同様である。換言すれば、図９に示す結線状態では、操作部５の表面は、ケース２の表面のうち操作部５の周囲の領域（すなわち、移動経路２４の周囲の領域）よりもケース２の内部に位置し、または、当該領域と略同一平面上に位置する。
In the wiring state shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 is inside the case 2 (that is, below the area) of the upper surface 25 of the case 2 with respect to the area around the operation unit 5. Located in. Alternatively, the upper surface 511 of the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 may be located on substantially the same plane as the area around the operation unit 5 in the upper surface 25 of the case 2. The same applies to the other surfaces of the operation unit 5. In other words, in the wiring state shown in FIG. 9, the surface of the operation unit 5 is inside the case 2 rather than the area around the operation unit 5 (that is, the area around the movement path 24) in the surface of the case 2. It is located or is located substantially in the same plane as the area.
なお、図９に示す結線状態において、図９中の上側が重力方向下側となるように接続機器１が配置されている場合、操作部５は、重力により弾性部材４から図中の上方に離間する。そして、操作部５の操作段差部５５が、図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態と同様に、ケース２の一部に係止され、操作部５の上方への移動が制限される。したがって、操作部５が図２に示す位置よりも上側へと移動することが防止される。
In the connection state shown in FIG. 9, when the connecting device 1 is arranged so that the upper side in FIG. 9 is the lower side in the direction of gravity, the operation unit 5 is moved upward in the drawing from the elastic member 4 due to gravity. Separate. Then, the operation step portion 55 of the operation portion 5 is locked to a part of the case 2 as in the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, and the upward movement of the operation portion 5 is restricted. Therefore, it is prevented that the operation unit 5 moves upward from the position shown in FIG.
電線９１を接続機器１から取り外す際には、例えば、作業員が通常のマイナスドライバー等の先端を、操作部５の上端部５１の操作凹部に接触させ、当該マイナスドライバーを介して操作部５に下向きの力を加える。そして、操作部５を下方に移動し、図８に示すように挿入穴開放状態とする。挿入穴開放状態では、上述のように、弾性部材４は撓んで可動部４３が電線９１から左側へと離間する。換言すれば、弾性部材４および端子部３による電線９１の挟持が解除される。また、弾性部材４の可動部４３は、一対の押圧部２３の間に挟持され、弾性部材４の復元力の一部が一対の押圧部２３により支持される。
When removing the electric wire 91 from the connecting device 1, for example, a worker brings the tip of a normal flat-blade screwdriver or the like into contact with the operating recess of the upper end portion 51 of the operating portion 5, and the flat-blade screwdriver is used to reach the operating portion 5. Apply a downward force. Then, the operation unit 5 is moved downward to open the insertion hole as shown in FIG. In the state where the insertion hole is open, as described above, the elastic member 4 bends and the movable portion 43 is separated from the electric wire 91 to the left side. In other words, the sandwiching of the electric wire 91 by the elastic member 4 and the terminal portion 3 is released. Further, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is sandwiched between the pair of pressing portions 23, and a part of the restoring force of the elastic member 4 is supported by the pair of pressing portions 23.
このときも、上記と同様に、可動部４３の挟持に起因する手応えが生じるため、作業員は、接続機器１が挿入穴開放状態（すなわち、非結線状態）となったことを容易に認識することができる。また、操作部５の上端部５１と停止面２４２との接触による手応えおよび／または音の発生により、接続機器１が挿入穴開放状態（すなわち、非結線状態）となったことをさらに容易に認識することができる。
At this time as well, since the response caused by the pinching of the movable portion 43 occurs as described above, the worker can easily recognize that the connecting device 1 is in the insertion hole open state (that is, the unconnected state). be able to. Further, it is more easily recognized that the connected device 1 is in the insertion hole open state (that is, the unconnected state) due to the response and / or the generation of sound due to the contact between the upper end portion 51 of the operation unit 5 and the stop surface 242. can do.
接続機器１では、弾性部材４は、図２に示す挿入穴閉鎖状態と、図６および図８に示す挿入穴開放状態と、図９に示す結線状態との間で変形可能である。以下の説明では、図９に示すように、結線状態の弾性部材４に接触する操作部５の位置を「第１位置」と呼ぶ。また、図６および図８に示すように、挿入穴開放状態（すなわち、非結線状態）の弾性部材４に接触する操作部５の位置を「第２位置」と呼ぶ。さらに、図２に示すように、操作段差部５５がケース２の一部に係止する操作部５の位置を「第３位置」と呼ぶ。
In the connecting device 1, the elastic member 4 is deformable between the insertion hole closed state shown in FIG. 2, the insertion hole open state shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, and the connection state shown in FIG. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 9, the position of the operating portion 5 in contact with the elastic member 4 in the connected state is referred to as a “first position”. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the position of the operation unit 5 in contact with the elastic member 4 in the insertion hole open state (that is, the non-connection state) is referred to as a “second position”. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the position of the operation portion 5 in which the operation step portion 55 is locked to a part of the case 2 is referred to as a “third position”.
上述の移動経路２４は、操作部５の第３位置、第１位置および第２位置をこの順に結ぶ。第３位置は、移動経路２４において、第１位置を挟んで第２位置とは反対側に位置する。第２位置では、上述のように、弾性部材４の可動部４３は一対の押圧部２３により挟持される。第３位置では、操作段差部５５がケース２の一部に係止することにより、操作部５の上方への移動（すなわち、第２位置から離れる方向への移動）が制限される。なお、第３位置では、操作部５の一部がケース２の一部に係止していればよく、必ずしも操作段差部５５がケース２の一部に係止する必要はない。
The above-mentioned movement path 24 connects the third position, the first position, and the second position of the operation unit 5 in this order. The third position is located on the movement path 24 on the opposite side of the first position from the second position. At the second position, as described above, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 is sandwiched by the pair of pressing portions 23. At the third position, the operation step portion 55 is locked to a part of the case 2, so that the upward movement of the operation portion 5 (that is, the movement in the direction away from the second position) is restricted. At the third position, it is sufficient that a part of the operation unit 5 is locked to a part of the case 2, and the operation step portion 55 does not necessarily have to be locked to a part of the case 2.
以上に説明したように、電線９１が接続される接続機器１は、ケース２と、端子部３と、弾性部材４と、操作部５とを備える。端子部３は、導電性であり、ケース２に固定される。弾性部材４は、ケース２に取り付けられる。弾性部材４は、復元力により電線９１を端子部３に押し付けて挟持する。操作部５は、ケース２に設けられた上下方向に延びる移動経路２４に沿って移動することにより、弾性部材４の形状を変更する。弾性部材４は、ケース２に固定される固定部４２と、固定部４２から斜め下方に延びる可動部４３とを備える。弾性部材４は、電線９１を端子部３との間で挟持している結線状態と、結線状態よりも可動部４３が下方に撓んで端子部３との間の電線９１の挟持が解除された非結線状態（すなわち、挿入穴開放状態）との間で変形可能である。
As described above, the connecting device 1 to which the electric wire 91 is connected includes a case 2, a terminal portion 3, an elastic member 4, and an operating portion 5. The terminal portion 3 is conductive and is fixed to the case 2. The elastic member 4 is attached to the case 2. The elastic member 4 presses the electric wire 91 against the terminal portion 3 by the restoring force and sandwiches the electric wire 91. The operation unit 5 changes the shape of the elastic member 4 by moving along a movement path 24 extending in the vertical direction provided in the case 2. The elastic member 4 includes a fixed portion 42 fixed to the case 2 and a movable portion 43 extending obliquely downward from the fixed portion 42. The elastic member 4 is released from the connection state in which the electric wire 91 is sandwiched between the electric wire 91 and the terminal portion 3 and the movable portion 43 is bent downward from the connection state to release the sandwiching of the electric wire 91 between the terminal portion 3. It can be deformed from the non-connected state (that is, the insertion hole open state).
ケース２は、一対の押圧部２３を備える。一対の押圧部２３は、結線状態の弾性部材４の可動部４３の下方において、可動部４３の可動領域に垂直な厚さ方向に離間して配置されて上下方向に延びる。一対の押圧部２３の厚さ方向の間隔は、下方に向かうに従って小さくなる。
The case 2 includes a pair of pressing portions 23. The pair of pressing portions 23 are arranged below the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the connected state, separated in the thickness direction perpendicular to the movable region of the movable portion 43, and extend in the vertical direction. The distance between the pair of pressing portions 23 in the thickness direction becomes smaller toward the bottom.
操作部５は、第１位置において結線状態の弾性部材４の可動部４３に接触する。操作部５は、可動部４３との接触状態を維持しつつ、第１位置よりも下側の第２位置へと押し込まれることにより、弾性部材４を非結線状態へと変形させる。操作部５が第２位置に位置する状態では、可動部４３が一対の押圧部２３の間に挟持され、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間に、弾性部材４の復元力に抗する摩擦抵抗が生じる。これにより、操作部５をケース２内に押し込んだ状態（すなわち、非結線状態）で維持する力を低減することができる。その結果、接続機器１の操作性を向上することができる。
The operation unit 5 comes into contact with the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the connected state at the first position. The operating unit 5 deforms the elastic member 4 into a non-connected state by being pushed into the second position below the first position while maintaining the contact state with the movable portion 43. In the state where the operating portion 5 is located at the second position, the movable portion 43 is sandwiched between the pair of pressing portions 23, and resists the restoring force of the elastic member 4 between the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23. Friction resistance occurs. As a result, it is possible to reduce the force for maintaining the operation unit 5 in the state of being pushed into the case 2 (that is, the unconnected state). As a result, the operability of the connected device 1 can be improved.
上述のように、非結線状態の弾性部材４の復元力は、好ましくは上述の摩擦抵抗よりも大きい。このため、非結線状態の接続機器１に電線９１を結線する際に、マイナスドライバー等により操作部５を下向きに押す力を緩めることにより、操作部５を第２位置から第１位置へと容易に移動させ、弾性部材４の可動部４３と端子部３との間に電線９１を容易に挟持させることができる。また、接続機器１から電線９１を抜き取った後、弾性部材４を非結線状態（すなわち、挿入穴開放状態）から挿入穴閉鎖状態へと戻す際にも同様に、マイナスドライバー等により操作部５を下向きに押す力を緩めることにより、操作部５を第２位置から第３位置へと容易に移動させることができる。したがって、電線９１の結線の際、あるいは、電線９１の結線解除の際に、マイナスドライバー等を移動経路２４に繰り返し挿入する必要がないため、接続機器１の操作性を向上することができる。
As described above, the restoring force of the elastic member 4 in the unconnected state is preferably larger than the frictional resistance described above. Therefore, when the electric wire 91 is connected to the connected device 1 in the unconnected state, the operation unit 5 can be easily moved from the second position to the first position by relaxing the force for pushing the operation unit 5 downward with a flat-blade screwdriver or the like. The electric wire 91 can be easily sandwiched between the movable portion 43 and the terminal portion 3 of the elastic member 4. Similarly, when the elastic member 4 is returned from the unconnected state (that is, the insertion hole open state) to the insertion hole closed state after the electric wire 91 is pulled out from the connecting device 1, the operation unit 5 is similarly moved by a flat-blade screwdriver or the like. By loosening the downward pushing force, the operation unit 5 can be easily moved from the second position to the third position. Therefore, when connecting the electric wire 91 or disconnecting the electric wire 91, it is not necessary to repeatedly insert a flat-blade screwdriver or the like into the moving path 24, so that the operability of the connected device 1 can be improved.
上述のように、弾性部材４は板バネであることが好ましい。これにより、接続機器１の構造を簡素化することができる。その結果、接続機器１の製造を容易とすることができる。
As described above, the elastic member 4 is preferably a leaf spring. As a result, the structure of the connected device 1 can be simplified. As a result, the manufacturing of the connected device 1 can be facilitated.
接続機器１では、図１０に示すように、厚さ方向における弾性部材４の可動部４３の両側面に凸部４４が設けられ、一対の押圧部２３の厚さ方向の内側面（すなわち、可動部４３と接触する面）に凹部２３１が設けられてもよい。各凹部２３１は、操作部５が上述の第２位置に位置する状態で、凸部４４と嵌合する。これにより、操作部５をケース２内に押し込んだ状態で維持する力をさらに低減することができる。
In the connecting device 1, as shown in FIG. 10, convex portions 44 are provided on both side surfaces of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the thickness direction, and the inner side surfaces (that is, movable) of the pair of pressing portions 23 in the thickness direction. A recess 231 may be provided on the surface in contact with the portion 43). Each concave portion 231 fits with the convex portion 44 in a state where the operating portion 5 is located at the above-mentioned second position. As a result, the force for maintaining the operation unit 5 in the case 2 in the pushed state can be further reduced.
また、接続機器１では、弾性部材４の可動部４３に凹部が設けられ、一対の押圧部２３に凸部が設けられてもよい。換言すれば、接続機器１では、可動部４３および一対の押圧部２３のうち一方が凸部を有し、可動部４３および一対の押圧部２３のうち他方が、操作部５が第２位置に位置する状態（すなわち、非結線状態）で当該凸部と嵌合する凹部を有することが好ましい。これにより、上述のように、操作部５をケース２内に押し込んだ状態（すなわち、非結線状態）で維持する力をさらに低減することができる。その結果、接続機器１の操作性をさらに向上することができる。なお、この場合であっても、操作部５を押し込む力を緩めると、弾性部材４の復元力により、操作部５は上方へと移動し、可動部４３は右上方へと移動する。
Further, in the connecting device 1, a concave portion may be provided in the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4, and a convex portion may be provided in the pair of pressing portions 23. In other words, in the connected device 1, one of the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23 has a convex portion, and the other of the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23 has the operating portion 5 in the second position. It is preferable to have a concave portion that fits with the convex portion in a positioned state (that is, a non-connected state). As a result, as described above, the force for maintaining the operation unit 5 in the state of being pushed into the case 2 (that is, the unconnected state) can be further reduced. As a result, the operability of the connected device 1 can be further improved. Even in this case, when the force for pushing the operating portion 5 is relaxed, the operating portion 5 moves upward and the movable portion 43 moves upward to the right due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4.
接続機器１では、図１１に太線にて示すように、厚さ方向における弾性部材４の可動部４３の両側面に粗面部４５が設けられ、一対の押圧部２３の厚さ方向の内側面（すなわち、可動部４３と接触する面）に粗面部２３２が設けられてもよい。粗面部４５および粗面部２３２はそれぞれ、周囲の部位よりも表面粗度が大きい領域である。粗面部４５と粗面部２３２とが接触することにより、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間の摩擦抵抗が増大するため、操作部５をケース２内に押し込んだ状態で維持する力をさらに低減することができる。
In the connecting device 1, as shown by a thick line in FIG. 11, rough surface portions 45 are provided on both side surfaces of the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 in the thickness direction, and the inner surfaces of the pair of pressing portions 23 in the thickness direction ( That is, the rough surface portion 232 may be provided on the surface in contact with the movable portion 43). The rough surface portion 45 and the rough surface portion 232 are regions having a surface roughness larger than that of the surrounding portions, respectively. When the rough surface portion 45 and the rough surface portion 232 come into contact with each other, the frictional resistance between the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23 increases, so that the force for maintaining the operating portion 5 in the case 2 in a pushed state is increased. It can be further reduced.
接続機器１では、厚さ方向における可動部４３の両側面、および、一対の押圧部２３の内側面のうち、少なくとも一の面が粗面部を有していればよい。この場合であっても、可動部４３と一対の押圧部２３との間の摩擦抵抗が増大するため、操作部５をケース２内に押し込んだ状態（すなわち、非結線状態）で維持する力をさらに低減することができる。その結果、接続機器１の操作性をさらに向上することができる。なお、当該摩擦抵抗が増大した状態であっても、操作部５を押し込む力を緩めると、弾性部材４の復元力により、操作部５は上方へと移動し、可動部４３は右上方へと移動する。
In the connecting device 1, at least one of the side surfaces of the movable portion 43 in the thickness direction and the inner side surfaces of the pair of pressing portions 23 may have rough surface portions. Even in this case, since the frictional resistance between the movable portion 43 and the pair of pressing portions 23 increases, the force for maintaining the operating portion 5 in the case 2 in the state of being pushed into the case 2 (that is, the unconnected state) is applied. It can be further reduced. As a result, the operability of the connected device 1 can be further improved. Even when the frictional resistance is increased, if the force for pushing the operating portion 5 is relaxed, the operating portion 5 moves upward due to the restoring force of the elastic member 4, and the movable portion 43 moves upward to the right. Moving.
上述の接続機器１では、様々な変更が可能である。
Various changes can be made in the above-mentioned connected device 1.
例えば、接続機器１では、端子部３、弾性部材４および操作部５の形状は様々に変更されてよい。例えば、弾性部材４は板バネ以外の部材（例えば、弦巻バネ）であってもよい。
For example, in the connecting device 1, the shapes of the terminal portion 3, the elastic member 4, and the operating portion 5 may be changed in various ways. For example, the elastic member 4 may be a member other than the leaf spring (for example, a string-wound spring).
接続機器１では、第１位置、第２位置および第３位置に位置する操作部５の表面が、ケース２の表面のうち操作部５の周囲の領域よりも外側に突出していてもよい。
In the connected device 1, the surface of the operation unit 5 located at the first position, the second position, and the third position may protrude outward from the area around the operation unit 5 on the surface of the case 2.
接続機器１では、弾性部材４の可動部４３、および、一対の押圧部２３に、上述の互いに嵌合する凸部および凹部と、上記粗面部との双方が設けられてもよい。
In the connecting device 1, the movable portion 43 of the elastic member 4 and the pair of pressing portions 23 may be provided with both the above-mentioned convex portions and concave portions that are fitted to each other and the above-mentioned rough surface portion.
上述の接続機器１は、様々な装置において電線を接続するために利用されてよい。例えば、接続機器１は、リレーソケットまたは操作スイッチ等に利用されてよい。
The connection device 1 described above may be used to connect electric wires in various devices. For example, the connected device 1 may be used as a relay socket, an operation switch, or the like.
上記実施の形態および各変形例における構成は、相互に矛盾しない限り適宜組み合わされてよい。
The above-described embodiments and configurations in the respective modifications may be appropriately combined as long as they do not conflict with each other.
