JP2023111062A - Terminal cover and terminal assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a terminal cover and a terminal assembly capable of suppressing complication of work.SOLUTION: A terminal cover 10 applied to a terminal assembly 1 includes: a body portion 20; and a lid portion 30 openable and closable with respect to the body portion 20. The body portion 20 includes locking portions 110 that are located on side walls 20a and 20b and can lock the lid portion 30. The cover 30 includes: locking object portions 120 that protrude outward in a width direction Y from side walls 30a and 30b extending along the side walls 20a and 20b; and protection walls 130 that cover outer wall surfaces of the locking object portions 120. The protection wall 130 has an operation portion 210 provided on a tip side, and being elastically deformable to the outside outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with the locking object portion 120 when the operation portion 210 is operated outward in the width direction Y.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to terminal covers and terminal assemblies.

Terminals of electrical parts mounted in vehicles such as automobiles are sometimes provided with insulating terminal covers to protect fastening parts, and the terminal covers are sometimes provided with parts that can be opened and closed. be. In some cases, the openable/closable portion is provided with a locking mechanism. As a technique related to such a locking mechanism, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a locking portion that engages with each other when a box body and a cover body are assembled together, and the box body or the cover body is mounted on the box body or the cover body. A locking mechanism is disclosed that has a contact surface that is provided on one of the side walls and contacts the other side wall, and a protrusion that is provided on the contact surface and prevents the other side wall from expanding outward.

JP-A-9-009422

By the way, when a terminal cover provided with a locking mechanism as described above is attached to a terminal of an electrical component, fastening work and maintenance work become complicated, and there is a possibility that work efficiency is lowered. Therefore, a terminal cover and a terminal assembly that can suppress the complication of work are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal cover and a terminal assembly capable of suppressing complication of work.

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal cover according to the present invention is capable of accommodating a terminal connected to a conductive wiring member in an interior surrounded by a side wall of a main body, and in a state in which the terminal is accommodated. A main body portion having an opening for exposing a part of the terminal and a lid portion capable of opening and closing the opening, the main body portion being positioned on a side wall of the main body portion and capable of locking the lid portion. and the lid portion includes a lid portion side wall extending along the body portion side wall in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the body portion, and the lid portion It protrudes from the side wall to the outside opposite to the side where the locking portion is located with respect to the width direction intersecting the extending direction of the lid side wall, and is locked by the locking portion in the closed state. and a protective wall protruding from the side wall of the lid portion to the outside and formed at a position covering the outside of the locked portion, wherein the protective wall is provided on the tip end side. It has an operation part, and when the operation part is operated toward the outside, it can be elastically deformed to the outside in conjunction with the locked part.

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal assembly according to the present invention includes a terminal connected to an electrically conductive wiring member, and an interior surrounded by a side wall of a body portion, wherein the terminal is accommodated therein. A terminal cover having a main body having an opening for exposing a part of the terminal in a housed state and a lid capable of opening and closing the opening, wherein the main body is positioned on a side wall of the main body. and a locking portion capable of locking the lid portion, and the lid portion extends along the side wall of the main body portion in a closed state in which the lid portion closes the opening of the main body portion. and a lid portion side wall projecting from the lid portion side wall to the outside opposite to the side on which the locking portion is located with respect to the width direction intersecting the extending direction of the lid portion side wall, and the closed state and a protective wall protruding from the side wall of the lid portion to the outside and formed at a position covering the outer side of the locked portion, wherein the protection The wall has an operation portion provided on the tip side, and is elastically deformable to the outside in conjunction with the locked portion when the operation portion is operated toward the outside. and

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The terminal cover and terminal assembly which concern on this invention are effective in the ability to suppress the complication of work.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal assembly including a terminal cover according to an embodiment, showing a state where a lid is closed with respect to a main body. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the terminal assembly including the terminal cover according to the embodiment, showing a state in which the cover is opened with respect to the main body. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the terminal assembly including the terminal cover according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the terminal assembly including the terminal cover according to the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a locking portion, a locked portion, and a protection wall. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional front view along the width direction of the terminal assembly including the terminal cover according to the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a locking portion, a locked portion, and a protection wall. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of the lid portion according to the embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the locked portion. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of the main body and the lid according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining operations of the main body and the lid according to the embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, embodiment which concerns on this invention is described in detail based on drawing. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiments include components that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or components that are substantially the same.

[Embodiment]
The terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 include a terminal T of a wiring material W used for connection between devices mounted on a vehicle, and a mating member P connected to the terminal T. can be accommodated and the fastening portion between the terminal T and the mating member P can be protected.

The terminal assembly 1 includes a terminal T connected to the wiring material W and a terminal cover 10 capable of accommodating the terminal T connected to the wiring material W. Further, the terminal cover 10 includes a body portion 20 formed with an opening 20f for exposing a part of the terminal T in a state in which the terminal T is accommodated, and a lid portion 30 capable of opening and closing the opening 20f. The terminal cover 10 also includes, as the locking mechanism 100 , a locking portion 110 provided on the main body portion 20 and capable of locking the lid portion 30 , and a locking portion 110 provided on the lid portion 30 and locked to the locking portion 110 . and a protective wall 130 provided on the lid portion 30 to prevent unintended external force from being applied to the locked portion 120 . Further, the terminal cover 10 is provided on the protection wall 130 as the unlocking mechanism 200, and the opening operation of the lid portion 30 (from the closed state in which the lid portion 30 closes the opening 20f of the main body portion 20, the lid portion 30 is is configured to include an operation unit 210 for suppressing complication of the operation of changing the opening 20f of the main body 20 to an open state in which the opening 20f is not closed.

The wiring member W is, for example, an insulated wire in which a core wire in which a plurality of conductive metal wires are bundled is covered with an insulating coating. In addition, the wiring material W may be a bundle of a plurality of insulated wires. Also, the wiring member W may be an insulated metal rod obtained by coating a conductive metal rod with an insulating coating.

The terminal T is, for example, a round terminal made of a conductive metal material. The terminal T is provided at the end of the wiring material W, and is electrically connected between the devices by attaching the mating member P provided to each device.

The mating member P is, for example, a fastening member made of a conductive metal material and used to connect each device and the wiring member W. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the mating member P can be used to connect a terminal T of the wiring material W to a connection member provided in a device such as a bus bar of an electric connection box, a terminal fastened to a post of a battery, a terminal of an inverter, or the like. It's a stud bolt. When the stud bolt is attached to the terminal T, the terminal T is fixed by using a fastening member such as a nut N.

The terminal cover 10 realizes a configuration capable of suppressing complication of work by applying the operating portion 210 to the protective wall 130 as the unlocking mechanism 200 that assists the opening operation of the lid portion 30 . Hereinafter, each configuration of the terminal cover 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG.

In the following description, among the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction that intersect each other, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X" and the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y". The third direction is called "height direction Z". The axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the extending direction of the wiring member W held by the terminal cover 10, the depth direction of the main body portion 20 of the terminal cover 10, and the like. Further, the height direction Z typically corresponds to a direction orthogonal to the surface on which the terminal cover 10 is installed among the constituent surfaces of each device on which the terminal cover 10 is installed. Each direction used in the following description will be described as the direction in which the terminal assembly 1 is attached to the mating member P unless otherwise specified.

Further, the distal end side in the axial direction X typically corresponds to the side where the terminal T accommodated in the terminal cover 10 is connected to the mating member P, etc., and the proximal end side in the axial direction X typically Specifically, it corresponds to the side where the terminal T housed in the terminal cover 10 is connected to the wiring member W, and the like. The upper side in the height direction Z corresponds to the side on which the lid portion 30 is positioned in the closed state, and the lower side in the height direction Z corresponds to the side on which the main body portion 20 is positioned in the closed state. .

The body portion 20 includes body portion side walls (hereinafter simply referred to as side walls) 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d, and a bottom portion 20e. The body portion 20 is integrally formed with side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and a bottom portion 20e, and is connected to a conductive wiring member W in a housing space portion 40 formed by each of the wall portions. The terminal T is accommodated.

The side walls 20a and 20b are walls extending along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, and the width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. The side walls 20a and 20b are positioned to face each other along the width direction Y with a gap therebetween. The side walls 20a and 20b are formed to have substantially the same shape.

The side wall 20c has a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z, and the axial direction X is the plate thickness direction. It is a wall portion that extends and the axial direction X is the plate thickness direction. The sidewalls 20c and 20d are located between the sidewalls 20a and 20b in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. Therefore, both ends of the side wall 20c in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the tip side in the axial direction X of the side walls 20a and 20b. , 20b located on the proximal side in the axial direction X. Further, the side wall 20d includes a wiring member insertion opening 20h that forms a hole F through which the wiring member W can be inserted in the closed state (see FIG. 3).

The bottom portion 20e is a wall portion extending along the width direction Y and the axial direction X, and the height direction Z being the plate thickness direction. The bottom portion 20e is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape and positioned between the side walls 20a and 20b in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. Therefore, both ends of the bottom portion 20e in the width direction Y are connected to the ends of the side walls 20a and 20b, respectively. In addition, the bottom portion 20 e is located on the base end side in the axial direction X of the main body portion 20 . Therefore, the end portion of the bottom portion 20e located on the base end side in the axial direction X is connected to the end portion of the side wall 20d. In addition to the opening 20f located on the opposite side of the bottom portion 20e, the main body portion 20 forms a mating member insertion opening 20g located on the bottom portion 20e side and located on the tip side in the axial direction X.

Further, the main body portion 20 forms an accommodation space portion 40 with the side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d and the bottom portion 20e. The accommodation space portion 40 is a space portion in which the terminal T is positioned.

The terminal T accommodated in the accommodation space portion 40 is connected to the wiring material W and the first connection portion T1 formed with the insertion hole Ta for inserting the shaft portion Pa of the mating member P as a connection counterpart. and a second connection portion T2 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the accommodation space portion 40 is positioned on the distal end side in the axial direction X and includes a first accommodation space portion 41 that accommodates the first connection portion T1 of the terminal T, and a first accommodation space portion 41 that is positioned on the proximal end side in the axial direction X and the terminal T is divided into a second accommodation space portion 42 that accommodates the second connection portion T2. Further, the opening 20f corresponding to the accommodation space portion 40 is divided into a first opening 20fa corresponding to the first accommodation space portion 41 and a second opening 20fb corresponding to the second accommodation space portion . The mating member insertion opening 20 g described above is positioned facing the first accommodation space 41 , and the wiring member insertion opening 20 h is positioned facing the second accommodation space 42 . Therefore, the first accommodation space 41 is formed by the end portions of the side walls 20a and 20b located on the tip side in the axial direction X and the side wall 20c, and the second accommodation space 42 is formed by the side walls 20a and 20b in the axial direction. It is formed by an end located proximally at X, a side wall 20d and a bottom 20e.

The lid portion 30 includes lid portion side walls (hereinafter simply referred to as side walls) 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and a top surface 30e. The lid portion 30 is integrally formed with side walls 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d and a top surface 30e.

The side walls 30a and 30b are walls extending along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, and the width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. The side walls 30a, 30b are spaced apart and opposed to each other along the width direction Y and extend along the side walls 20a, 20b in the closed state. The side walls 30a and 30b are formed to have substantially the same shape.

The side wall 30c is a wall having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the height direction Z, and the axial direction X is the plate thickness direction. It is a wall portion that extends and the axial direction X is the plate thickness direction. The sidewalls 30c, 30d are located between the sidewalls 30a, 30b in the width direction Y and extend along the sidewalls 20c, 20d in the closed state. Therefore, both ends in the width direction Y of the side wall 30c are connected to the ends of the side walls 30a and 30b located on the tip side in the axial direction X of the side walls 30a and 30b, respectively, and both ends in the width direction Y of the side wall 30d are connected to the respective side walls 30a. , 30b located on the proximal side in the axial direction X. Further, the side wall 30d includes a wiring material insertion opening 30h that forms a hole F through which the wiring material W can be inserted in the closed state (see FIG. 3).

The top surface 30e is a wall portion that extends along the width direction Y and the axial direction X in the closed state, and the height direction Z is the plate thickness direction. The top surface 30e has both ends in the width direction Y connected to the ends of the side walls 30a and 30b, and both ends in the axial direction X connected to the ends of the side walls 30c and 30d.

1 to 3, the lid portion 30 according to the present embodiment includes a first lid portion 31 capable of opening and closing the first opening 20fa corresponding to the first accommodation space portion 41, and a second accommodation space portion 41. and a second lid portion 32 capable of opening and closing the second opening 20fb corresponding to the space portion 42 . Therefore, the first lid portion 31 is formed by the side walls 30a and 30b, the end of the top surface 30e located on the tip side in the axial direction X, and the side wall 30c. The second lid portion 32 is formed by the side walls 30a and 30b, the end portion of the top surface 30e located on the base end side in the axial direction X, and the side wall 30d.

The first lid portion 31 is positioned on the tip side in the axial direction X of the second lid portion 32 and is rotatably supported with respect to the second lid portion 32 via a hinge H1 extending along the width direction Y. (see Figures 1 and 2). In addition, the first lid portion 31 is locked to the second lid portion 32 via the locking mechanism 51, thereby being held at a position where the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20 is opened. Further, the first lid portion 31 is held at a position to close the first opening 20fa of the body portion 20 by being locked to the side walls 20a and 20b via the locking mechanism 100. As shown in FIG. Further, the first lid portion 31 opens the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20 by releasing the locking relationship by the locking mechanism 100 via the unlocking mechanism 200 .

The second lid portion 32 is located on the side wall 20b and is rotatably supported with respect to the main body portion 20 via a hinge H2 extending along the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. In addition, the second lid portion 32 is held in a position to close the second opening 20fb by being locked to the side wall 20a via the locking mechanism 52. As shown in FIG. Moreover, when the second lid portion 32 is held at this position, it is fixed to the main body portion 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The locking mechanism 51 includes, as shown in FIG. and a locking piece 34 supported on the outer wall surface of the housing. One set of the locked hole portion 33 and the locking piece 34 is provided on each of the first lid portion 31 and the second lid portion 32 . The locked hole portion 33 is open along the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the locking piece 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape extending along the width direction Y and the height direction Z, with the axial direction X being the plate thickness direction. The locking piece 34 has a locking portion 35 as a portion to be inserted into the locked hole portion 33. The locking portion 35 protrudes from the locking piece 34 toward the distal end side in the axial direction X and has a claw shape. formed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the locking mechanism 52 includes a plurality of locked pieces 21 supported on the outer wall surface of the side wall 20a forming the second accommodation space 42 of the main body 20, and each locked piece 21. and a locking piece 36 supported on the outer wall surface of the side wall 30 a of the second lid portion 32 so as to correspond to the locking piece 21 . The to-be-locked piece 21 and the locking piece 36 are provided on the side opposite to the hinge H2, and are provided in two sets, two each on the main body portion 20 and the second lid portion 32 . Each engaged piece 21 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape extending along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, with the width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. Each locked piece 21 is provided outside in the width direction Y of the side wall 20a, and two pieces are provided at intervals along the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. Each locked piece 21 is supported by the outer wall surface of the side wall 20a via a support portion or the like, and the locked hole portion 22 is a portion into which the locking portion 37 provided on the locking piece 36 is inserted. be provided. The locked hole portion 22 is open along the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the locking piece 36 extends along the axial direction X and the height direction Z and is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. It protrudes outward in the width direction Y from 36 and is formed in a claw shape.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the locking mechanism 100 includes locking portions 110 positioned on the outer wall surfaces of the side walls 20a and 20b forming the first accommodation space 41 of the main body 20, and each locking portion 110 , and a protective wall 130 provided outside the locked portion 120 . The term "outside" as used herein means the side opposite to the side where the mating member P is positioned in the width direction Y from the locked portion 120 (the accommodation space portion 40 side).

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the unlocking mechanism 200 includes an operating portion 210 positioned on the distal end side of the protective wall 130. As shown in FIGS.

The locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 are provided as a pair in the width direction Y, and the protection wall 130 (and the operating portion 210 ) are provided as a pair corresponding to the position of the locking portion 110 .

In the following description, when distinguishing between the two locking portions 110, the locking portion 110 extending from the side wall 20a is referred to as the “locking portion 110a”, and the locking portion 110 extending from the side wall 20b is referred to as the “locking portion 110a”. 110b", and may be simply referred to as "locking portion 110" when there is no particular need to distinguish between the two. When distinguishing between the two locked portions 120 or when distinguishing between the two protection walls 130, the locked portions 120 projecting from the side walls 30a and 30b and the protection walls 130 are denoted by "a" or " b", and may be collectively referred to when there is no particular need to distinguish between the two. In addition, when distinguishing the constituent elements provided in each of the locking portion 110, the locked portion 120, and the protective wall 130, "a" is used as in the locking portion 110, the locked portion 120, and the protective wall 130. Alternatively, they may be distinguished by using "b" and may be collectively referred to when there is no particular need to distinguish between them.

The side walls 20a and 20b (the side walls 20a and 20b forming the first housing space 41) on which the pair of locking portions 110a and 110b are located are configured to be elastically deformable along the width direction Y, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pair of locking portions 110a and 110b are provided at upper ends in the height direction Z of the side walls 20a and 20b, respectively, and extend from the side walls 20a and 20b in the width direction Y. It is formed in a claw-like shape protruding outside of the . The locking portion 110 is formed to protrude outward in the width direction Y, and locks the locked portion 120 when the first lid portion 31 is closed. is held at a position to close the first opening 20fa.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of locking portions 110a and 110b includes locking surfaces 111a and 111b.

The pair of locked portions 120a and 120b and the side walls 30a and 30b supporting the pair of locked portions 120a and 120b (the side walls 30a and 30b forming the first lid portion 31) extend in the unlocking direction. It is configured to be elastically deformable along. The unlocking direction here means the direction from the inner side to the outer side in the width direction Y, the direction in which the locked portion 120 is unlocked by the locking portion 110, and the first lid portion supporting the operating portion 210. 31 (rotation direction .theta.1 shown in FIG. 8) with the outer wall surfaces of the side walls 30a and 30b as fulcrums.

5 and 6, the pair of locked portions 120a and 120b are formed in a plate shape so as to protrude outward in the width direction Y from the side walls 30a and 30b. Also, the pair of engaged portions 120a and 120b are cantilevered from the side walls 30a and 30b. Therefore, in the closed state, the pair of locked portions 120a and 120b extend from the side walls 30a and 30b along the height direction Z toward the main body 20 and are supported by the side walls 30a and 30b. and a tip located on the main body 20 side. Here, the side of the body portion 20 means that it is located on the side of the body portion 20 with respect to the reference plane, which is the mating surface of the body portion 20 and the lid portion 30 in the closed state.

The pair of locked portions 120a and 120b are formed at positions corresponding to the locking portions 110a and 110b (positions overlapping each other in the width direction Y) in a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction X. The hole formed by the locked portions 120a and 120b extends along the height direction Z. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the lid portion 30 is locked to the body portion 20 in the closed state by the locking surface 111 being caught in the hole of the locked portion 120 .

The pair of protection walls 130a and 130b are configured to include a pair of support wall portions 131 and a connecting wall portion 132, respectively, as shown in FIG. The pair of support wall portions 131 are positioned on both sides of the locked portion 120 with respect to the axial direction X, which is the extending direction of the side walls 30a and 30b. At this time, the support wall portion 131 located on the base end side in the axial direction X extends from the side walls 30a and 30b along the width direction Y, and extends along the height direction Z of the main body in the closed state. It extends to the part 20 side. On the other hand, the support wall portion 131 located on the tip side in the axial direction X extends along the width direction Y from the end of the side wall 30c in contact with the side walls 30a and 30b, and has a height in the closed state. It extends along the direction Z toward the main body portion 20 . Therefore, in the closed state, the pair of protective walls 130a and 130b extend from the side walls 30a and 30b toward the main body 20 along the height direction Z, and the side walls (the side walls 30a and 30b or the ends of the side walls 30c) ) side and a distal end located on the main body 20 side. In addition, the connecting wall portion 132 extends across the pair of supporting wall portions 131 along the axial direction X, and both ends thereof are connected to the supporting wall portions 131 respectively. Therefore, the protective wall 130 has a U-shaped cross-section orthogonal to the height direction Z by integrating the pair of supporting wall portions 131 and the connecting wall portion 132 .

Also, as shown in FIG. They are formed so that their lengths along the height direction Z are substantially equal. Therefore, the pair of protective walls 130a and 130b protrude outward in the width direction Y from the side walls 30a and 30b forming the first lid portion 31, and are formed at positions covering the outer wall surfaces of the pair of locked portions 120a and 120b. be.

The connecting wall portions 132a and 132b on which the pair of operating portions 210a and 210b are positioned are configured to be elastically deformable along the unlocking direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of operating portions 210a and 210b are positioned outside the engaged portions 120a and 120b in the width direction Y in the closed state, and are located on the tip side (connection side) of the protective walls 130a and 130b. It protrudes outward in the width direction Y from the lower ends in the height direction Z of the wall portions 132a and 132b. In addition, the pair of operating portions 210a and 210b has a wavy cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction X. As shown in FIG. The operation part 210 is formed on the front end side of the protection wall 130 , so that when the operation part 210 is rotated outward in the width direction Y when the opening operation is performed on the first cover part 31 , the operation part 210 is locked. The engaged portion 120 engaged with the portion 110 is elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y.

Further, the connecting wall portions 132a and 132b where the pair of operating portions 210a and 210b are located intersect the height direction Z and are formed obliquely outward in the width direction Y. As shown in FIG. Therefore, in the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction X, the distance from the fulcrum G1 located at the base end of the locked portion 120 to the operation force point G2 located at the operating portion 210 is the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the locked portion 120 (see FIG. 7). When an operation force is applied to the operation force point G2, the operation portion 210 can apply an external force to the locking action point G4 by rotational movement about the fulcrum G1. Therefore, the operating portion 210 elastically deforms the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y with a light operating force according to the principle of leverage. Further, the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is set longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 (see FIG. 7). In general, when the locking mechanism 100 is provided with the protective wall 130 on the outside, in order to release the locking relationship between the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120, the locked portion 120 must be It is necessary to apply an outward force in the width direction Y to the tip point G3. In this case, when an operating force is applied to the front end point G3, the locked portion 120 rotates around the fulcrum G1 to apply an external force to the locking action point G4 located between the fulcrum G1 and the front end point G3. can be added. On the other hand, since the operating portion 210 is formed at a position farther than the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 with respect to the fulcrum G1, the operating force applied to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120 is lighter than the operating force. to elastically deform the engaged portion 120 outward in the width direction Y. The fulcrum G1 here is a point located on the side wall (the end of the side wall 30a, 30b or the side wall 30c) to which the locked portion 120 and the support wall portion 131 are connected. It means a range in which the engaging portion 120 can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with the engaging portion 120 . Further, the operating force point G2 is a point located on the operating portion 210 and means a range in which the operator's operating force can be applied. Further, the locking action point G4 is a point located on the distal end side of the locked portion 120, and releases the locking of the locked portion 120 by the locking surface 111 in accordance with the input of the operating force to the force point. It means the range in which force acts.

Next, operations of the locking mechanism 100 and the unlocking mechanism 200 in various operations will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

First, an operator prepares the terminal assembly 1 . When housing the terminal T in the housing space portion 40, the operator houses the first connection portion T1, which is the side of the terminal T connected to the mating member P, in the first housing space portion 41 and distributes the terminal T. The second connecting portion T2, which is the side connected to the cable member W, is accommodated in the second accommodating space portion 42. As shown in FIG. Then, the operator locks the second lid portion 32 to the body portion 20 via the locking mechanism 52 to fix the second lid portion 32 at a position where the second opening 20fb of the body portion 20 is closed. At this time, the first lid portion 31 is locked to the second lid portion 32 via the locking mechanism 51 and held at a position where the first opening 20fa of the main body portion 20 is opened. Therefore, the body part 20 exposes the first connection part T1, which is a part of the terminal T, from the first opening 20fa while the terminal T is accommodated. In addition, the protection wall 130 is positioned outside the locked portion 120 in the width direction Y and is formed at a position covering the outer wall surface of the locked portion 120, thereby preventing accidental damage during transportation or work. This prevents the structure from coming into contact with the locked portion 120 .

Then, the operator attaches the terminal T to the mating member P. At this time, in addition to the first opening 20fa, the body portion 20 has a mating member insertion opening 20g located on the bottom portion 20e side as an opening corresponding to the first accommodation space portion 41 that accommodates the first connection portion T1 of the terminal T. forming Therefore, the operator inserts the mating member P from the side of the mating member insertion opening 20g, and inserts the shaft portion Pa of the mating member P into the insertion hole Ta. Then, the operator fastens and fixes the terminal T to the shaft portion Pa of the mating member P by screwing the nut N onto the shaft portion Pa. As a result, the terminal cover 10 enters a state in which the fastening portion between the terminal T and the mating member P is housed in the first housing space 41 .

Then, the operator performs a closing operation on the first lid portion 31 in the open state. At this time, the first lid portion 31 is released from the locking relationship by the locking mechanism 51 in accordance with the operator's operation. Therefore, the first lid portion 31 rotates with respect to the second lid portion 32 and moves from the second lid portion 32 side to the first opening 20fa side. When the first lid portion 31 moves in the locking direction with respect to the main body portion 20 , the locked portion 120 is locked by the locking portion 110 (see FIG. 7 ), and the first opening of the main body portion 20 is closed. 20fa is held by the main body 20 at a position where it closes. When the first lid portion 31 is closed, the terminal cover 10 separates the terminal T accommodated in the first accommodation space portion 41 and the mating member P connected to the terminal T from the main body portion 20 and the first lid portion. 31 to protect the fastening portion between the terminal T and the mating member P.

Then, the operator opens the first lid portion 31 from the closed state as necessary for maintenance or the like, and when exposing the first connection portion T1, the operator performs an opening operation on the first lid portion 31. to implement. At this time, the locking relationship by the locking mechanism 100 is released via the unlocking mechanism 200 as the first lid portion 31 is operated by the operator. Specifically, the protection wall 130 is rotated outward in the width direction Y (more specifically, in the rotation direction θ1) while the operator's finger is placed on the operation unit 210. , elastically deforms outward in the width direction Y. In addition, when the protective wall 130 elastically deforms outward in the width direction Y, the locked portion 120 locked by the locking portion 110 is elastically deformed in the same direction as the elastic deformation direction of the protective wall 130 (see FIG. 8). reference). Therefore, the operating portion 210, which is the unlocking mechanism 200, can elastically deform the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y as the operator rotates the lock releasing mechanism 200. can be released. In the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the height direction Z, the distance from the fulcrum G1, which is the rotation axis of the rotating operation, to the operation force point G2, to which the operator's operation force is applied, is the distance between the fulcrum G1 and the locked portion 120. It is set longer than the distance to the tip point G3 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the operating portion 210 elastically rotates the locked portion 120 outward in the width direction Y with an operation force that is lighter than the operation force applied to the end point G3 of the locked portion 120 by rotating about the fulcrum G1. It can be transformed.

The terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 described above can accommodate the terminals T connected to the wiring material W having electrical conductivity in the interior surrounded by the side walls (main body side walls) 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d. It has a body part 20 formed with an opening 20f for exposing a part of the terminal T in a state in which the terminal T is accommodated, and a lid part 30 capable of opening and closing the opening 20f. Further, the body portion 20 has locking portions 110 positioned on the side walls 20a and 20b and capable of locking the lid portion 30. The lid portion 30 closes the opening 20f of the body portion 20. Side walls (lid portion side walls) 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d extending along the side walls 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d in the closed state, and extending directions of the side walls 30a, 30b from the side walls 30a, 30b With respect to the width direction Y, the locked portion 120 protrudes outward, which is the side opposite to the side where the locking portion 110 is located, and is locked by the locking portion 110 in the closed state, and from the side walls 30a and 30b. It has a protective wall 130 that protrudes outward in the width direction Y and is formed at a position that covers the outer wall surface of the locked portion 120 . In addition, the protection wall 130 has an operation portion 210 provided on the distal end side, and when the operation portion 210 is operated outward in the width direction Y, the protection wall 130 interlocks with the locked portion 120 to move in the width direction. It is elastically deformable to the outside of Y.

According to such a configuration, the protection wall 130 prevents another structure from unintentionally contacting the locked portion 120 in the open state, thereby preventing the locked portion 120 from being plastically deformed. can be prevented. In addition, in the closed state, the protection wall 130 prevents another structure from unintentionally contacting the locked portion 120 and the locked portion 120, thereby preventing the locked portion 110 and the locked portion 120 from It is possible to prevent the locking relationship between them from being released.

Generally, when the locking mechanism is provided with a protective wall on the outside, the locking relationship between the locking portion and the locked portion is released by elastically deforming the locking portion or the locked portion. In order to do so, for example, a releasing jig is used to remove the locking portion or the cover through a portion where there is no protective wall (an opening formed at the lower end of the protective wall in the height direction Z). It is necessary to apply an external force to the locking portion. On the other hand, the protection wall 130 of the present embodiment is provided with an operation portion 210 on the tip side of the protection wall 130, and elastically deforms in conjunction with the locked portion 120 according to the rotation operation of the operator. , to release the locking relationship between the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 . Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can be operated to open the lid portion 30 without using, for example, a releasing jig, so that work can be suppressed from becoming complicated.

Furthermore, the terminal cover 10 and the locked portion 120 of the terminal assembly 1 described above extend from the side walls 30a and 30b along the height direction Z that intersects the width direction Y toward the body portion 20 in the closed state. It has a proximal end portion supported by the side walls 30a and 30b and a distal end portion positioned on the main body portion 20 side. In addition, the protection wall 130 extends along the width direction Y from a range in which the protection wall 130 and the locked portion 120 can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with each other, and in the closed state, A base end portion extending toward the main body portion 20 along the height direction Z and supported by the side walls (ends of the side walls 30a, 30b or the side wall 30c); and a distal end located at the body portion 20 of the ends extending along. In addition, in the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction Z, from the fulcrum G1 located at the base end of the locked portion 120 to the operation force point G2 located at the operation portion 210 provided at the tip of the protective wall 130 The distance is set longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the end point G3 of the locked portion 120. As shown in FIG. According to such a configuration, the operating portion 210 is formed at a position farther from the side walls 30a and 30b than the distal end portion of the locked portion 120, so that the operating portion 210 rotates around the fulcrum G1. The locked portion 120 can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y with an operation force that is lighter than the operation force applied to the end point G3 of the locking portion 120 . Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can further improve the working efficiency of the work of rotating the protection wall 130 . Furthermore, here, the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is set longer than the locking action point G4 located at the locked portion 120 from the fulcrum G1, so that the operation portion 210 moves the locked portion 120. It can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y with a light operating force.

Furthermore, the terminal cover 10 and the protective wall 130 of the terminal assembly 1 described above are located on both sides of the locked portion 120 with respect to the extending direction (axial direction X) of the side walls 30a and 30b. A pair of support wall portions 131 extending along the width direction Y from and along the extending direction (axial direction X) of the side walls 30a and 30b extend over the pair of support wall portions 131, and both ends are It has a connection wall portion 132 connected to each of the support wall portions 131 , and the operating portion 210 is formed on the connection wall portion 132 . According to such a configuration, the protective wall 130 covers the outer side of the engaging portion 110 by integrating the pair of supporting wall portions 131 and the connecting wall portion 132 into a U-shape. It is possible to prevent an unintended external force from being applied to the portion 120 during transportation or work. In addition, the protection wall 130 is configured such that the operator can easily apply an external force during the rotation operation by forming the operation portion 210 at the tip portion of the connection wall portion 132 . Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can further improve the working efficiency of the work of rotating the protection wall 130 .

Furthermore, the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 of the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 described above are provided as a pair in the width direction Y, and the protective wall 130 corresponds to the position of the locking portion 110. are provided in pairs. According to such a configuration, the operating portion 210 provided on the protective wall 130 can elastically deform the pair of locked portions 120 outward in the width direction Y in response to the operator's rotating operation. Therefore, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can improve the working efficiency of the work of rotating the pair of protective walls 130 .

Further, the terminals T housed in the terminal cover 10 and the terminals T contained in the terminal assembly 1 described above are provided with a first connection portion T1 connected to a mating member (connection partner) P and a wiring material W The body portion 20 is located on the distal end side in the axial direction X of the wiring material W, and includes a first accommodation space portion 41 that accommodates the first connection portion T1, and a shaft A second accommodation space portion 42 located on the proximal end side in the direction X and accommodating the second connection portion T2 is provided, and the lid portion 30 can open and close the first opening 20fa corresponding to the first accommodation space portion 41. and a second lid portion 32 capable of opening and closing the second opening 20fb corresponding to the second accommodation space portion 42 . Further, the first lid portion 31 is rotatably supported with respect to the second lid portion 32 via a hinge H1 extending along the width direction Y, and the second lid portion 32 is supported along the axial direction X It is rotatably supported with respect to the body portion 20 via a hinge H2 extending through the body, and is fixed to the body portion in a state in which the second opening 20fb is closed. The engaging portion 110 is provided at a position forming the first housing space portion 41 on the side walls 20a and 20b, and the engaged portion 120 and the protective wall 130 form the first lid portion 31 on the side walls 30a and 30b. It is provided at a position where According to such a configuration, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can be fastened through the first opening 20fa with the operator opening only the first lid. Further, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can protect the fastening portion between the terminal T and the mating member P by closing the first lid portion 31 after the work is finished. In such a configuration, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 can suppress complication of work as described above.

The terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

For example, although the pair of locking protrusions 110 are positioned on the side walls 20a and 20b, respectively, the positions of the pair of locking protrusions 110 are not particularly limited.

Further, in the locking mechanism 100, the locking portion 110 provided on the main body portion 20 has a claw shape, and the locked portion 120 provided on the first lid portion 31 has a hole. The forms of the locking portion and the locked portion are not limited to this. The locking portion provided on the body portion 20 may have a hole, and the locked portion provided on the first lid portion 31 may be claw-shaped.

Further, the position of the protective wall 130 is not particularly limited as long as it is fixed within a range in which it can be elastically deformed outward in the width direction Y in conjunction with the locked portion 120 . Further, although it has been described that the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the operating force point G2 is longer than the distance from the fulcrum G1 to the tip point G3 of the locked portion 120, the present invention is not limited to this.

One of the pair of support wall portions 131 of the protective wall 130 extends along the width direction Y from the side walls 30a and 30b, and the other extends along the width direction Y from the end of the side wall 30c. However, the positions of the pair of support walls 131 are not particularly limited. The pair of support wall portions 131 may extend along the width direction Y from the side walls 30a and 30b, respectively.

In addition, although the protection wall 130 has been described as having a U-shaped cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the height direction Z by integrating a pair of the support wall portion 131 and the connecting wall portion 132, the present invention is not limited to this. . The protection wall may be L-shaped, for example, and may be configured by a support wall portion located on one side of the locked portion and a wall portion connected to the support wall portion.

Further, although it has been described that the locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 are provided as a pair in the width direction Y, and the protection wall 130 is provided as a pair corresponding to the position of the locking portion 110, The number of stop portions 110 and engaged portions 120 is not particularly limited. The locking portion 110 and the locked portion 120 may be provided on one side with respect to the width direction Y. As shown in FIG.

Further, although the first lid portion 31 has been described as a member that is rotatably supported with respect to the second lid portion 32 via the hinge H1, the present invention is not limited to this. The first lid portion may be a member that is rotatably supported with respect to the main body portion 20, is formed separately from the main body portion 20, and is fitted to the main body portion 20 or the like according to the operator's operation. It may be a member.

Further, although the second lid portion 32 has been described as a member that is rotatably supported via the hinge H2 with respect to the main body portion 20, it is not limited to this. The second lid portion may be a member that is formed separately from the main body portion 20 and is fitted to the main body portion 20 or the like according to the operator's operation, or a member that is integrally formed with the main body portion 20. may

Also, the first lid portion and the second lid portion may be integrally formed members. The lid portion is at least partially rotatably supported with respect to the main body portion 20 via a hinge or the like, or formed separately from the main body portion 20, and the main body portion 20 and the like are opened according to the operator's operation. The form is not limited as long as it is a member that is fitted to.

Further, although the axial direction X of the wiring material W and the depth direction of the main body 20 have been described as being aligned, they may be crossing directions.

Moreover, the terminal cover 10 and the terminal assembly 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the constituent elements of the embodiments described above.

1 terminal assembly 10 terminal cover 20 main body 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d side wall (main body side wall)
20f opening 20fa first opening 20fb second opening 30 lid portions 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d side walls (lid portion side walls)
31 First lid portion 32 Second lid portion 40 Housing space portion 41 First housing space portion 42 Second housing space portion 100 Locking mechanism 110 Locking portion 120 Locked portion 130 Protective wall 131 Supporting wall portion 132 Connecting wall portion 200 unlocking mechanism 210 operating parts H1, H2 hinge G1 fulcrum G2 operating force point G3 end point G4 of locked part locking action point T terminal T1 first connecting part T2 second connecting part P mating member (connection mating part)
W wiring material X axial direction (depth direction)
Y width direction Z height direction

Claims (6)

a main body portion which is capable of accommodating a terminal connected to a conductive wiring member in an interior surrounded by a side wall of the main body portion, and in which an opening is formed to expose a part of the terminal while the terminal is accommodated; ,
A lid that can open and close the opening,
The main body is
having a locking portion positioned on the side wall of the body portion and capable of locking the lid portion;
The lid is
a lid side wall extending along the body side wall in a closed state in which the lid closes the opening of the body;
protruding from the lid side wall to the outside opposite to the side on which the locking portion is located with respect to the width direction intersecting the extending direction of the lid side wall; a locked portion to be locked;
a protective wall protruding from the side wall of the lid portion to the outside and formed at a position covering the outside of the locked portion;
The protection wall has an operation portion provided on a tip end side, and is elastically deformable to the outside in conjunction with the locked portion when the operation portion is operated toward the outside. characterized by
Terminal cover. The locked portion is
in the closed state, extending from the side wall of the lid toward the main body along a height direction that intersects with the width direction;
having a base end portion supported by the side wall of the lid portion and a tip end portion located on the side of the body portion,
The protective wall is
extending along the width direction from the range in which the protection wall and the locked portion are elastically deformable to the outside in conjunction with each other, and extending along the height direction in the closed state; extending to the side of the
a base end portion supported by the side wall of the lid portion, and a tip end portion positioned on the main body side of the ends extending along the height direction in the closed state,
In the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the height direction, the distance from the fulcrum located at the base end of the locked portion to the operation force point located at the operation portion provided at the tip of the protective wall is longer than the distance from the fulcrum to the end point of the locked portion,
The terminal cover according to claim 1. The protective walls include a pair of support wall portions located on both sides of the locked portion with respect to the extension direction of the lid portion side walls, and the pair of support walls along the extension direction of the lid portion side walls. a connecting wall portion extending across the portion and having opposite ends respectively connected to each of said support wall portions;
The operation part is formed on the connecting wall part,
The terminal cover according to claim 2. The locking portion and the locked portion are provided as a pair in the width direction,
The protective walls are provided as a pair corresponding to the position of the locked portion,
The terminal cover according to any one of claims 1-3. The terminal includes a first connection portion connected to a connection partner and a second connection portion connected to the wiring material,
The body portion includes a first accommodation space portion located on the distal end side in the axial direction of the wiring member and accommodating the first connection portion, and a first accommodation space portion located on the proximal end side in the axial direction and the second connection portion. and a second housing space for housing the
The lid portion includes a first lid portion capable of opening and closing a first opening corresponding to the first accommodation space portion, and a second lid portion capable of opening and closing a second opening corresponding to the second accommodation space portion. has
The first lid portion is rotatably supported with respect to the second lid portion via a hinge extending along the width direction,
The second lid portion is rotatably supported with respect to the main body portion via a hinge extending along the axial direction, and is fixed to the main body portion in a state in which the second opening is closed. ,
The locking portion is provided at a position forming the first accommodation space portion on the side wall of the body portion,
The locked portion and the protective wall are provided at a position forming the first lid portion on the lid portion side wall,
The terminal cover according to any one of claims 1-4. a terminal connected to a conductive wiring material;
a main body portion capable of accommodating the terminal in an interior surrounded by side walls of the main body portion, and having an opening for partially exposing the terminal while the terminal is accommodated; and a lid portion capable of opening and closing the opening. and a terminal cover having
The main body is
having a locking portion positioned on the side wall of the body portion and capable of locking the lid portion;
The lid is
a lid side wall extending along the body side wall in a closed state in which the lid closes the opening of the body;
protruding from the lid side wall to the outside opposite to the side on which the locking portion is located with respect to the width direction intersecting the extending direction of the lid side wall; a locked portion to be locked;
a protective wall protruding from the side wall of the lid portion to the outside and formed at a position covering the outside of the locked portion;
The protection wall has an operation portion provided on a tip end side, and is elastically deformable to the outside in conjunction with the locked portion when the operation portion is operated toward the outside. characterized by
terminal assembly.

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