JP7465049B2 - Electrical equipment unit connection structure and electrical equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connection structure for interconnecting electrical equipment units such as terminal blocks, breakers, circuit protectors, relays, relay sockets, and power supplies, and more particularly to improvements to that structure.

As a connecting structure for connecting terminal blocks to each other, a screw fastening method in which a screw and a nut are used for connecting, and a press-fit method in which a convex part is pressed into a concave part for connecting are conventionally used. In the screw fastening method, as shown in JP 2005-340142 A, a screw is prepared to be inserted into a through hole formed in the terminal block, and multiple terminal blocks are arranged side by side, and the screw is inserted into each through hole of each terminal block, and a nut is attached to the tip of the screw and tightened to connect each terminal block to each other (see FIG. 13 and paragraph [0007] of the same publication). In the press-fit method, as shown in the same publication, a convex part is provided on one side of the terminal block and a concave part is provided on the other side, and multiple terminal blocks are arranged side by side, and the convex part of one terminal block is pressed into the concave part of the other terminal block adjacent to it, to connect each terminal block to each other (see FIG. 14 and paragraph [0008] of the same publication).

However, in a connection structure using the screw fastening method, if the number of poles of the terminal block increases or decreases, the length of the screw used changes accordingly. Therefore, screws of the appropriate length according to the number of poles of the terminal block must be prepared each time. If screws according to the number of poles were to be stocked in advance, management costs would be incurred, leading to increased costs. Also, in a connection structure using the press-in method, a dedicated jig, device, or tool is generally required to completely press the convex portion into the concave portion. Furthermore, with the press-in method, once the convex portion is pressed into the concave portion, it is difficult to separate the individual terminal blocks, and therefore it is difficult to rearrange the terminal blocks after they have been connected.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a connection structure for electrical equipment units that can reduce costs and allows easy rearrangement after connection.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a connection structure for connecting electric equipment units to each other, the electric equipment units having a wall portion, the wall portion having three engaging portions extending radially outward from the center of one wall surface on the upper and lower sides thereof, and three engaged portions extending radially outward from the center of the wall surface on the upper and lower sides thereof and corresponding to each engaging portion , each engaging portion being composed of a first and second engaging portion disposed on both left and right sides of the lower side of one wall surface, and a third engaging portion disposed on the upper side of one wall surface, the first, second and third engaging portions being radially extended on one wall surface, each engaging portion being composed of an engaging hook, and each bent portion of the engaging hook having a trapezoidal shape extending radially outward. Each engaged part is arranged on both the left and right sides of the lower side of the other wall surface, and is composed of a first and a second engaged part corresponding to the first and second engaging parts, and a third engaged part arranged on the upper side of the other wall surface and corresponding to the third engaging part, the first, second and third engaged parts are radially extended on the other wall surface, and the engaged parts are composed of engaging holes, and the engaging holes have a rectangular shape extending radially outward. A restricting plate part is provided at the radially outer corner of the engaging hole to restrict the axial movement of each engaging part toward the side where the engaging parts are separated. Each engaged part of one electric equipment unit allows the corresponding engaging part of the other electric equipment unit to enter and rotate, so that each engaging part engages with each engaged part, and the third engaged part is arranged between a pair of wiring screws provided on the other wall surface.

In the present invention, when the electric equipment units are connected to each other, the engaging portions on one side of the wall of one electric equipment unit are inserted into the corresponding engaged portions on the other side of the wall of the other electric equipment unit and rotated, so that the engaging portions engage with the engaged portions, and the electric equipment units are connected to each other.

According to the present invention, in order to connect electric equipment units to each other, it is only necessary to insert and rotate each engaging portion of one electric equipment unit into each engaged portion of the other electric equipment unit, so there is no need for screws or dedicated jigs for connection, and costs can be reduced. Furthermore, since there is no need for tightening or pressing nuts, the electric equipment can be easily assembled and disassembled, and the electric equipment units can be easily rearranged.

The electrical device according to the present invention is configured by connecting multiple electrical device units using the connection structure.

As described above, the electrical equipment unit connection structure of the present invention has the effect of reducing costs and making it easy to rearrange the units after connection.

1 is an overall perspective view showing an example of a terminal block (number of poles: 5P) as an electrical device connected using a connection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of the terminal block ( FIG. 1 ). This is an exploded assembly diagram of the terminal block (FIG. 2), showing the end block with terminals, the terminal block (electrical equipment unit), and the end block without terminals that constitute the terminal block, but for convenience of illustration, an example is shown in which the number of poles is reduced to 3P. 4 is a view taken along the arrow IV in FIG. 3 and corresponds to a plan view of the terminal block (FIG. 1). 4 is a view taken along the arrow V in FIG. 3 and corresponds to a bottom view of the terminal block (FIG. 1). 6 is a view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3 and is a left side view of the terminal block (FIG. 3). 7 is a view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 3 and is a right side view of the terminal block (FIG. 3). 8 is a view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 3 and is a right side view of the end block with terminals (FIG. 3). FIG. IX-IX line view of FIG. 3, and is a left side view of the terminal-less end block (FIG. 3). FIG. 4 is a view taken along the X arrow in FIG. 3 and is a left side view of the end block with terminal (FIG. 3). XI arrow view of FIG. 3, and is a right side view of the terminal-less end block (FIG. 3). This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how the terminal block blocks (Figure 3) are connected to each other to assemble the terminal block (Figure 1), in which terminal block blocks having engaging hooks are shown by dashed lines and terminal block blocks having engaging holes are shown by solid lines. This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how the terminal block blocks (Figure 3) are connected to each other to assemble the terminal block (Figure 1), in which terminal block blocks having engaging hooks are shown by dashed lines and terminal block blocks having engaging holes are shown by solid lines. This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how the terminal block blocks (Figure 3) are connected to each other to assemble the terminal block (Figure 1), in which terminal block blocks having engaging hooks are shown by dashed lines and terminal block blocks having engaging holes are shown by solid lines. This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how to separate the terminal block (FIG. 1), in which the terminal block having the engaging hook is shown by a dashed line, and the terminal block having the engaging hole is shown by a solid line. This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how to separate the terminal block (FIG. 1), in which the terminal block having the engaging hook is shown by a dashed line, and the terminal block having the engaging hole is shown by a solid line. This is a diagram for explaining in chronological order how to separate the terminal block (FIG. 1), in which the terminal block having the engaging hook is shown by a dashed line, and the terminal block having the engaging hole is shown by a solid line. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a procedure for assembling the terminal block (FIG. 1) using a long pin, as viewed from the side of the end block with terminals. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a procedure for assembling the terminal block (FIG. 1) using a long pin, as viewed from the terminal-less end block side. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state in which the interval between adjacent blocks in FIG. 19 is narrowed.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 20 are diagrams for explaining a connection structure of an electric equipment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which Figs. 1 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the electric equipment unit, and Figs. 12 to 20 are diagrams for explaining the procedure for connecting/disconnecting the electric equipment units to each other. Here, a terminal block is taken as an example of the electric equipment. Also, a screw-type terminal block is taken as an example of the terminal block.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal block (electrical equipment) 1 comprises an end block with terminals 2 located at the left end of the figure, an end block without terminals 3 located at the right end of the figure, and four terminal block blocks (electrical equipment units) 4 located between them. All of these blocks 2, 3, and 4 are formed from insulating resin, and the end block with terminals 2 and the terminal block 4 each have a screw n for wiring. Figures 1 and 2 show an example in which the number of poles of the terminal block 1 is 5P.

The details of the terminal block 4, the end block with terminals 2, and the end block without terminals 3 that make up the terminal block 1 are explained using Figures 3 to 11. For ease of illustration, these figures show an example in which the number of terminal blocks 4 is reduced to two and the number of poles of the terminal block 1 is reduced to 3P.

As shown in FIG. 3 (front view), FIG. 4 (plan view), and FIG. 5 (bottom view), the terminal block 4 has a base portion 40 and a wall portion 41 extending upward from the base portion 40. Two terminal block portions 4 are shown in each figure, but since they all have a similar structure, the explanation of the terminal block 4 applies to both terminal block portions 4.

As shown in FIG. 6 (a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3) and FIGS. 3 to 5, one wall surface 41A of the wall portion 41 is provided with three engagement hooks (engagement portions) 42 protruding from the wall surface 41A. Each engagement hook 42 is composed of an axis portion 42a extending in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 41A (hereinafter referred to as the "axial direction" as necessary) and a bent portion 42b bent from the tip of the axis portion 42a toward the peripheral portion of the wall surface 41A in a direction parallel to the wall surface 41A, and is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front. In this example, each bent portion 42b is formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side (see FIG. 6). A support shaft portion 43 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 41A (axial direction) is provided at approximately the center of the wall surface 41A. The outer peripheral surface of the support shaft portion 43 is composed of a cylindrical surface 43a that occupies most of the outer peripheral surface, and a protruding portion (guide portion) 43b that is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface and protrudes radially outward from the lower part of the cylindrical surface 43a in a fan-like shape. The support shaft portion 43 has a through hole 43c, which passes through the support shaft portion 43 and penetrates the entire terminal block 4. The center of the through hole 43c coincides with the axis of the support shaft portion 43. As shown in FIG. 6, each engagement hook 42 is arranged on the wall surface 41A along a direction that goes radially outward from the axis of the support shaft portion 43 (i.e., radially). In this example, the engagement hook 42 arranged on the upper side is at a different distance from the axis of the support shaft portion 43 compared to the two engagement hooks 42 arranged on the lower side, but each engagement hook 42 is arranged evenly at approximately 120° intervals in the circumferential direction. It is not necessarily required that the intervals are even. Furthermore, when drawing the vertical center line C1 that passes through the axis of the support shaft 43, in this example, the upper engagement hook 42 is not positioned on the center line C1, but is positioned at a position rotated slightly counterclockwise around the axis of the support shaft 43 as the center of rotation.

As shown in FIG. 7 (arrow VII-VII view of FIG. 3), the other wall surface 41B of the wall portion 41 has a fitting hole 45 of a size that allows the support shaft portion 43 to fit, and the fitting hole 45 is arranged concentrically with the through hole 43c. The inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 45 has substantially the same diameter as the cylindrical surface 43a of the support shaft portion 43, so that the cylindrical surface 43a of the support shaft portion 43 can slide circumferentially along the inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 45. The fitting hole 45 has a protruding hole portion 45a that protrudes radially outward in a fan shape from the lower part of its inner peripheral surface. The protruding hole portion 45a corresponds to the protruding portion 43b of the support shaft portion 43, but has a circumferential length slightly longer than the protruding portion 43b. In other words, the fitting hole 45 and the protruding hole portion 45a have complementary shapes to the cross-sectional shape of the support shaft portion 43, except that the circumferential length of the protruding hole portion 45a is slightly longer. Therefore, when connecting terminal block 4 to terminal block 4, in order for the support shaft 43 of one terminal block 4 to fit into the fitting hole 45 of the other terminal block 4, the position of the protruding portion 43b of the support shaft 43 must be aligned with the position of the protruding hole portion 45a of the fitting hole 45, and in that sense, the protruding portion 43b of the support shaft 43 functions as a guide portion that guides the circumferential position of the cylindrical surface 43a of the support shaft 43. Also, since the circumferential length of the protruding hole portion 45a is slightly longer than the circumferential length of the protruding portion 43b, the support shaft 43 can rotate slightly around the axis of the support shaft 43 (i.e., the center of the through hole 43c) after fitting into the fitting hole 45.

In addition, the wall surface 41B is provided with three engagement holes (engaged parts) 44 that correspond to the respective engagement hooks 42 on the wall surface 41A side and cooperate with the corresponding engagement hooks 42 to form the connection structure according to the present invention. Each engagement hole 44 is formed in a substantially rectangular cross section and is arranged at a position facing each engagement hook 42 across the wall portion 41. Each engagement hole 44 has a size that allows the corresponding engagement hook 42 to enter (i.e., to allow entry), but is formed to be wider in the circumferential direction than the circumferential width of each engagement hook 42. A restricting plate part (axial movement restricting means) 44a is provided at the corner located at the radially outer corner of each engagement hole 44, which is located on the side where the clockwise rotation angle is larger with the center of the through hole 43c as the rotation center. The thickness of each restricting plate part 44a is substantially equal to the gap between the bent part 42b of the corresponding engagement hook 42 and the wall surface 41A, but is slightly larger than the gap. With this configuration, after each of the engagement hooks 42 enters the corresponding engagement hole 44 (at this time, the support shaft portion 43 is also fitted into the fitting hole 45), it can move in the circumferential direction within each of the engagement holes 44 when the support shaft portion 43 rotates around its axis (i.e., each of the engagement holes 44 allows the corresponding engagement hook 42 to rotate). Furthermore, when the engagement hooks 42 move in the circumferential direction, each of the restriction plate portions 44a fits into the gap between the bent portion 42b of each of the engagement hooks 42 and the wall surface 41A without any gap in the axial direction, so that each of the engagement hooks 42 engages with the engagement hole 44. At this time, the terminal block 4 after connection cannot move in the axial direction toward the side where they move away from each other (i.e., separate), and no backlash occurs in the axial direction. In that sense, the restriction plate portion 44a functions as an axial movement restriction means that restricts the axial movement of the engagement hooks 42 and the engagement holes 44 toward the side where they move away from each other. In addition, when the support shaft 43 rotates around the axis (i.e., the center of the through hole 43c) in the fitting hole 45, each engagement hook 42 rotates around the center of the through hole 43c, and therefore the center of the through hole 43c coincides with the rotation center of each engagement hook 42. The through hole 43c of the terminal block 4 is aligned in the axial direction with the through hole 21a (FIGS. 8 and 10) of the end block with terminals 2 and the through hole 31a (FIGS. 9 and 11) of the end block without terminals 3, which will be described later, and the center lines of these through holes are indicated by the symbol CL in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 to FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower part of the wall surface 41A is provided with an arc-shaped wall portion 46 that extends in an arc shape between the lower locking hooks 42 below the support shaft portion 43 and protrudes in the axial direction from the wall surface 41A. The arc-shaped wall portion 46 is a thin-walled wall member, and its inner and outer circumferential surfaces are arranged concentrically with the axis of the support shaft portion 43. One end (the left end in the figure) of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is formed with a bulging portion 46a that bulges outward toward the inner circumferential side, and a convex portion (interference portion) 46b that protrudes outward toward the outer circumferential side is formed in the vicinity of the bulging portion 46a. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower part of the wall surface 41B is provided with an arc-shaped wall portion 47 that extends in an arc shape between the lower engagement holes 44 below the fitting hole 45 and protrudes in the axial direction from the wall surface 41B. The arc-shaped wall portion 47 is a thin-walled wall member, and its inner and outer circumferential surfaces are arranged concentrically with the center of the fitting hole 45. At one end (the right end in the figure) of the outer circumferential surface of the arc-shaped wall portion 47, a recess 47a corresponding to the bulging portion 46a of the wall surface 41A is formed. In addition, below the arc-shaped wall portion 47, an operation portion 48 is provided across an arc-shaped gap e. The gap e has a size that allows the arc-shaped wall portion 46 of the wall surface 41A to slidably fit into it. At one end (the right end in the figure) of the operation portion 48, a recess (interfered portion) 48a corresponding to the protruding portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is formed, and at the other end (the left end in the figure) a pressing portion 48b for a person to press with a finger to operate is provided, and the operation portion 48 is connected to the base portion 40 via a connecting portion 48c (note that in FIG. 6, the operation portion 48 on the wall surface 41B side is visible from the wall surface 41A side). When the terminal blocks 4 are connected to each other, the arc-shaped wall 46 on the wall surface 41A side of one terminal block 4 fits into the gap e on the wall surface 41B side of the other terminal block 4, and at this time, the bulge 46a of the arc-shaped wall 46 engages with the recess 47a of the arc-shaped wall 47, and the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall 46 engages with the recess 48a of the operation portion 48. In this state, the arc-shaped wall 46 is locked in the rotational direction within the gap e, and the rotational movement around the axis of the support shaft 43 is restricted. In this sense, the convex portion 46b and the recess 48a function as a rotational movement restricting means for restricting the rotational movement of the engagement hook 42 to the side where the engagement state in which the engagement hook 42 engages with the engagement hole 44 is released (i.e., the side where the engagement hook 42 rotates in the reverse direction).

As shown in Fig. 3 (front view), Fig. 4 (plan view), and Fig. 5 (bottom view), the terminal-equipped end block 2 has a base portion 20 and a wall portion 21 extending upward from the base portion 20. The base portion 20 has a notch 20a formed therein into which a mounting screw is inserted for mounting to a control panel or the like.

As shown in FIG. 10 (a view taken along the arrow X in FIG. 3), one wall surface 21A of the wall portion 21 is not provided with a locking hook or a support shaft portion, and a through hole 21a is formed that penetrates the terminal end block 2 in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 8 (a view taken along the arrow VIII-VIII in FIG. 3), the other wall surface 21B of the wall portion 21 is formed with a fitting hole 25. The fitting hole 25 has a configuration similar to that of the fitting hole 45 of the terminal block 4, is arranged concentrically with the through hole 21a, and has substantially the same inner diameter as the cylindrical surface 43a of the support shaft portion 43. The fitting hole 25 has a protruding hole portion 25a that protrudes radially outward in a fan shape, and the protruding hole portion 25a is slightly longer in the circumferential direction than the protruding portion 43b of the support shaft portion 43.

In addition, three engagement holes 24 are provided on the wall surface 21B. Each engagement hole 24 has the same configuration as each engagement hole 44 of the terminal block 4, is formed in a substantially rectangular cross section, and has a size that allows each corresponding engagement hook 42 of the terminal block 4 to enter, but is formed to be wider in the circumferential direction than the circumferential width of each engagement hook 42. A restricting plate portion 24a is provided at the radially outer corner of each engagement hole 24. This restricting plate 24a allows each engagement hook 42 to move in the circumferential direction within each engagement hole 24 when rotating around the axis of the support shaft portion 43 after entering the corresponding engagement hole 24 (at this time, the support shaft portion 43 is also engaged with the engagement hole 25). Furthermore, when moving in the circumferential direction, each restricting plate 24a fits into the gap between the bent portion 42b of each engagement hook 42 and the wall surface 41A without any gap in the axial direction, so that each engagement hook 42 engages with the engagement hole 24. At this time, the terminal-equipped end block 2 and the terminal block 4 cannot move away from each other (separate) in the axial direction after connection, and no backlash occurs in the axial direction. When the support shaft 43 rotates around the center of the through hole 21a in the fitting hole 25, each engagement hook 42 rotates around the center of the through hole 21a, and the center of the through hole 21a coincides with the rotation center of each engagement hook 42.

The lower part of the wall surface 21B is provided with an arc-shaped wall portion 27 that extends in an arc shape below the fitting hole 25 and protrudes from the wall surface 21B in the axial direction. The arc-shaped wall portion 27 has a similar structure to the arc-shaped wall portion 47 of the terminal block 4, and is a thin wall member whose inner and outer circumferential surfaces are arranged concentrically with the center of the fitting hole 25. A recess 27a corresponding to the bulging portion 46a of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 on the terminal block 4 side is formed at one end (the right end in the figure) of the outer circumferential surface of the arc-shaped wall portion 27. An elastic plate portion 28 is provided below the arc-shaped wall portion 27 with a gap e therebetween. The gap e is large enough that the arc-shaped wall portion 46 of the terminal block 4 can be slidably fitted therein. The elastic plate portion 28 has a similar structure to the operation portion 48 of the terminal block 4, and a recess 28a corresponding to the protrusion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is formed at one end (the right end in the figure), and the other end (the left end in the figure) is elastically supported by the base portion 20 via the connecting portion 28c, but the other end (the left end in the figure) does not have a pressing portion for a person to press with his/her finger. It is also possible to make the structure so that a person can press it. When the terminal block 4 is connected to the end block 2 with terminals, the arc-shaped wall portion 46 on the wall surface 41A side of the terminal block 4 is fitted into the gap e on the wall surface 21B side of the end block 2 with terminals, and at this time, the bulge 46a of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 engages with the recess 27a of the arc-shaped wall portion 27, and the protrusion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 engages with the recess 28a of the elastic plate portion 28. In this state, the arcuate wall portion 46 is locked in the rotational direction within the gap e, and rotational movement of the support shaft portion 43 about its axis is restricted.

As shown in Fig. 3 (front view), Fig. 4 (plan view), and Fig. 5 (bottom view), the terminal-less end block 3 has a base portion 30 and a wall portion 31 extending upward from the base portion 30. The base portion 30 has a notch 30a formed therein into which a mounting screw is inserted for mounting to a control panel or the like.

As shown in FIG. 9 (view of arrow IX in FIG. 3), one wall surface 31A of the wall portion 31 is provided with three engagement hooks 32 protruding from the wall surface 31A. Each engagement hook 32 has a configuration similar to that of each engagement hook 42 of the terminal block 4, and is composed of a shaft portion 32a extending in the axial direction and a bent portion 32b that bends from the tip of the shaft portion 32a toward the peripheral portion of the wall surface 31A in a direction parallel to the wall surface 31A, and is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front. A support shaft portion 33 protruding in the axial direction is provided in the approximate center of the wall surface 31A. The support shaft portion 33 has a configuration similar to that of the support shaft portion 43 of the terminal block 4, and its outer circumferential surface is composed of a cylindrical surface 33a that occupies most of the outer circumferential surface, and a protruding portion 33b that is formed on a part of the outer circumferential surface and protrudes radially outward in a fan shape from the lower part of the cylindrical surface 33a. The support shaft 33 has a through hole 31a, which passes through the support shaft 33 and penetrates the entire terminal block 3. The center of the through hole 31a coincides with the axis of the support shaft 33. In addition, an arc-shaped wall 36 having a configuration similar to that of the arc-shaped wall 46 of the terminal block 4 is provided at the bottom of the wall surface 31A. A bulge 36a is formed at one end of the arc-shaped wall 36, and a convex portion 36b is formed in the vicinity of the bulge 36a. As shown in FIG. 11 (viewed from the XI arrow in FIG. 3), the other wall surface 31B of the wall 31 does not have a locking hook or a support shaft, and a through hole 31a is formed that penetrates the terminal-less end block 3 in the axial direction.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
12 to 17 show the procedure for connecting/separating terminal block 4 to each other, and Fig. 18 to 20 show the procedure for connecting end block 2 with terminals, terminal block 4, and end block 3 without terminals. For convenience of explanation, in Fig. 12 to 17, the two terminal block to be connected are designated by reference numerals 4 and 4'. Fig. 12 to 17 also show the positions of each of the engagement hooks 42, support shafts 43, and arc-shaped wall portion 46 when the wall surface 41B of one terminal block 4 is placed on the front side of the page (see solid line) and the other terminal block 4' connected to it is viewed from the wall surface 41B side (see dashed line).

When connecting the terminal block 4, 4', as shown in FIG. 12, one terminal block 4 (solid line) is rotated slightly counterclockwise with respect to the other terminal block 4 (dash line), and the terminal block 4, 4' is brought closer to each other in the axial direction. Then, the support shaft 43 and the protruding portion 43b on the wall surface 41A side of the terminal block 4' are fitted into the fitting hole 45 and the protruding hole 45a on the wall surface 41B side of the terminal block 4, respectively, and each of the engagement hooks 42 of the terminal block 4' enters into the corresponding engagement hole 44 of the terminal block 4, and the arc-shaped wall portion 46 of the terminal block 4' enters into the arc-shaped gap e of the terminal block 4.

At this time, the projection 43b is fitted into the projection hole 45a with a gap formed on the left side of the projection hole 45a, and each engagement hook 42 enters the side of each engagement hole 44 where the regulating plate 44a is not formed (i.e., the left side of the regulating plate 44a). In addition, the bulge 46a of the arc-shaped wall 46 is not engaged with the recess 47a of the arc-shaped wall 47, and the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall 46 is not engaged with the recess 48a of the operating portion 48. In the state shown in FIG. 12, the terminal block 4, 4' is in contact with no gap in the axial direction and is combined, but if it is moved in the axial direction away from the terminal block 4, it will come off and separate from each other, and both terminal block 4, 4 are in a provisionally assembled state.

When the terminal block 4, 4' is brought closer to each other, if the rotation angle of the terminal block 4' is too large or too small, the protrusion 43b cannot enter the protrusion hole 45a, and the terminal blocks 4, 4' cannot be brought closer to each other. Therefore, the protrusion 43b cooperates with the protrusion hole 45a to guide the circumferential position of the cylindrical surface 43a of the support shaft 43 when connected, that is, it can be said to function as a guide that guides the terminal block 4' to an appropriate rotational position relative to the terminal block 4.

From the state shown in Fig. 12, the terminal block 4' is rotated clockwise relative to the terminal block 4. This causes a transition to the state shown in Fig. 14 via the state shown in Fig. 13. In the state shown in Fig. 13, the support shaft 43 rotates clockwise within the fitting hole 45, and the overhanging portion 43b moves toward the left side within the overhanging hole portion 45a, forming a gap on the right side of the overhanging hole portion 45a. Each engagement hook 42 rotates clockwise within each engagement hole 44 and moves to the position of the restricting plate portion 44a. At this time, each restricting plate portion 44a enters between each bent portion 42b of each engagement hook 42 and the wall surface 41A. Additionally, the bulge 46a of the arc-shaped wall 46 is approximately engaged with the recess 47a of the arc-shaped wall 47, but the protrusion 46b of the arc-shaped wall 46 is not engaged with the recess 48a of the operating part 48, and the right end of the operating part 48 is pressed downward, causing the right end of the operating part 48 to bend downward and elastically deform.

In the state shown in FIG. 14, the terminal block 4' has further rotated slightly clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 13, and at this time, each engagement hook 42 has further rotated clockwise in the engagement hole 44 and is abutting against the side wall of each engagement hole 44. In addition, the bulge 46a of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is fully engaged with the recess 47a of the arc-shaped wall portion 47. Furthermore, the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 has climbed over the right end of the operating portion 48 in the figure, and as a result, the operating portion 48 has returned to the state before elastic deformation, and the convex portion 46b is fully engaged with the recess 48a of the operating portion 48.

14, the regulating plate portions 44a are engaged between the bent portions 42b of the engaging hooks 42 and the wall surface 41A, and the engaging hooks 42 cannot be pulled out of the engaging holes 44 in the axial direction, and the terminal block 4' is locked in the axial direction relative to the terminal block 4. The convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is engaged with the concave portion 48a of the operating portion 48, and therefore the arc-shaped wall portion 46 cannot rotate counterclockwise as shown in the figure, and the terminal block 4' is locked in the rotational direction relative to the terminal block 4. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 14, the connection of the two terminal blocks 4, 4', that is, the assembly is completed. In addition, in the same figure, the bulge portion 46a of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is engaged with the concave portion 47a of the arc-shaped wall portion 47, which prevents rattling in the rotational direction.

Next, when separating the terminal block 4, 4', the pressing portion 48b of the operating portion 48 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 14. Then, the operating portion 48 rotates around the connecting portion 48c in the clockwise direction as shown, and the right end of the operating portion 48 moves downward as shown. From this state, the terminal block 4' is rotated counterclockwise relative to the terminal block 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 moves to a position just before it passes over the right end of the operating portion 48 as shown. Note that FIG. 15 shows a state in which the terminal block 4' is prevented from rotating counterclockwise relative to the terminal block 4 without pressing the pressing portion 48b because the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 interferes with the concave portion 48a of the operating portion 48.

When the terminal block 4' is further rotated counterclockwise from the state shown in FIG. 16, it transitions to the state shown in FIG. 17. In FIG. 17, the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 climbs over the right end of the operating portion 48, and the convex portion 46b is disengaged from the concave portion 48a of the operating portion 48, and the bulge portion 46a of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is disengaged from the concave portion 47a of the arc-shaped wall portion 47. In addition, each engagement hook 42 moves to the left side in the figure, away from each restriction plate portion 44a, and the support shaft portion 43 moves counterclockwise in the fit hole 45, and the overhang portion 43b moves to the right side in the overhang hole portion 45a, forming a gap on the left side in the overhang hole portion 45a. When the terminal block 4, 4' is moved axially from this state toward the side away from each other, the terminal block 4, 4' can be separated.

12 to 17, the case of connecting/separating the terminal block 4, 4' to each other has been described, but the same procedure can be used for connecting/separating the end block 2 with terminals to the terminal block 4, and for connecting/separating the end block 3 without terminals to the terminal block 4'. The elastic plate portion 28 of the end block 2 with terminals does not have anything equivalent to the pressing portion 48b of the operation portion 48, but when the end block 2 with terminals and the terminal block 4 are separated after connection, the elastic plate portion 28 of the end block 2 with terminals is elastically deformed by receiving a pressing force from the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 of the terminal block 4, so that the convex portion 46b of the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is disengaged from the concave portion 28a of the elastic plate portion 28. The elastic plate portion 28 of the end block 2 with terminals may have a structure that allows a person to operate it by pressing it.

Next, a method of connection when the terminal block 1 has a large number of poles will be described with reference to FIGS.
Here, an example is shown in which four terminal block units 4 are connected between an end block 2 with terminals and an end block 3 without terminals.
First, a long pin PN is prepared. The pin PN is a long round bar having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameters of the through hole 21a of the end block with terminals 2, the through hole 31a of the end block without terminals 3, and the through holes 43c of each of the terminal block 4.

Next, with one end of the pin PN (for example, the right end in FIG. 18) fixed to the jig, the other end of the pin PN (the left end in FIG. 18) is inserted in sequence into the through hole 31a of the end block 3 without terminals, the through holes 43c of the four terminal block blocks 4, and the through hole 21a of the end block 2 with terminals. At this time, the wall surfaces 21B, 31B, and 41B of each block 2, 3, and 4 are arranged on the one end side of the pin PN. By aligning the directions of each block 2, 3, and 4 in this way, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the wall surface 21B of the end block 2 with terminals faces the wall surface 41A of the terminal block 4, the wall surface 41B of the terminal block 4 faces the wall surface 41A of the terminal block 4, and the wall surface 31A of the end block 3 without terminals faces the wall surface 41B of the terminal block 4.

Next, as shown in Figure 20, adjacent blocks 2, 3, 4 are brought close to each other, and the engagement hooks of one block are inserted into the corresponding engagement holes of the other block. Then, the terminal block 4 and the end block 2 with terminals are rotated at once relative to the end block 3 without terminals, so that all blocks 2, 3, 4 can be connected at once (see Figure 1). In this case, the through holes 21a, 31a, 43c formed in each block 2, 3, 4 can be used to efficiently and easily assemble a terminal block 4 with a large number of poles.

According to this embodiment, in order to connect the terminal blocks 4 to each other, it is only necessary to insert the engagement hook 42 of one terminal block 4 into the engagement hole 44 of the other terminal block 4 and rotate it, so there is no need for screws or special jigs for connection, which reduces costs. Furthermore, the terminal blocks can be easily assembled without the need for tightening nuts or pressing in uneven parts, and they can be easily separated, so that the terminal blocks can be easily rearranged (for example, adding, subtracting, or replacing to increase or decrease the number of poles, or reassembling in the case of incorrect assembly, etc.).

The above describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the application of the present invention is not limited to these, and the present invention includes various modified examples. Some examples of modified examples are given below.

[First Modification]
In the above embodiment, the engaging hooks 42 of the terminal block 4 are provided at three positions on the wall surface 41A, but the number of engaging hooks 42 may be one, two, or four or more. In addition, the bent portion 42b of the engaging hook 42 extends radially outward from the tip of the shaft portion 42a, but the bent portion 42b may extend radially inward from the shaft portion 42a. In this case, the restricting plate portion 44a provided in the engaging hole 44 is disposed at the radially inner corner of the engaging hole 44. Furthermore, the rotating direction of the terminal block 4 when connecting the terminal block 4 to each other may be the opposite direction to the direction shown in the above embodiment, or the rotating direction of each terminal block 4 may be made to be different alternately.

[Second Modification]
In the above embodiment, the terminal block 4 is provided with the support shaft 43 having the through hole 43c, but either the through hole 43c or the support shaft 43 may be omitted. If the through hole 43c is omitted, the pin PN cannot be used when assembling the terminal block 4. Even in this case, the support shaft 43 rotates and slides in the fitting hole 45, so that each engagement hook 42 can rotate around the axis of the support shaft 43 in each engagement hole 44. Also, if the support shaft 43 is omitted, the pin PN can be inserted into the through hole 43c, so that each engagement hook 42 can rotate around the axis of the pin PN in each engagement hole 44.

[Third Modification]
In the above embodiment, the support shaft 43 is provided with the protruding portion 43b, and the fitting hole 45 is formed with the protruding hole 45a, but the protruding portion 43b and the protruding hole 45a may be omitted. In this case, there is nothing to guide the circumferential position of the support shaft 43. However, if the positions of the base portions 40 of the connected terminal blocks 4 are aligned to some extent, the engaging hooks 42 can be inserted into the corresponding engaging holes 44.

[Fourth Modification]
In the above embodiment, the guide portion for guiding the circumferential position of the support shaft portion 43 is provided with the protruding portion 43b that protrudes radially outward from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft portion 43 in a convex manner, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The guide portion may be a recess that is recessed radially inward from a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the support shaft portion 43.

[Fifth Modification]
In the above embodiment, the arc-shaped wall portion 46 is provided on the wall surface 41A on which the engaging hook 42 is provided, and the gap e into which the arc-shaped wall portion 46 fits is provided on the wall surface 41B on which the fitting hole 45 is provided, but the application of the present invention is not limited to this. The arc-shaped wall portion 46 may be provided on the wall surface 41B side, and the gap e may be provided on the wall surface 41A side.

[Sixth Modification]
In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the bulge portion 46a is formed on the inner peripheral side and the convex portion 46b is formed on the outer peripheral side of the arc-shaped wall portion 46, but the opposite may be true in which the bulge portion 46a is formed on the outer peripheral side and the convex portion 46b is formed on the inner peripheral side.

[Other Modifications]
The above-described embodiments and modifications should be considered in all respects as merely illustrative of the present invention, and are not limiting. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may, without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the present invention, construct various modifications and other embodiments that incorporate the principles of the present invention when considering the teachings above, even if not expressly described in the present specification.

[Other application examples]
In the above embodiment, the connection structure of the electrical equipment unit according to the present invention is applied to a screw-type terminal block, but the present invention can be applied to a screwless type terminal block as well. In the above embodiment, the terminal block with 3P or 5P poles is used as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a terminal block with other pole numbers. Furthermore, the application of the present invention is not limited to terminal blocks, and the present invention can be applied to other electrical equipment units such as breakers, circuit protectors, relays, relay sockets, power supplies, etc.

As described above, the present invention is useful for connecting structures of electrical equipment units, and is particularly suitable for connecting structures that are easy to assemble and disassemble.

1: Terminal block (electrical equipment)

4, 4': Terminal block (electrical equipment unit)
41: Wall portion 41A, 41B: Wall surface 42: Engagement hook (engagement portion)
43: Support shaft portion 43a: Cylindrical surface 43b: Protruding portion (guide portion)
43c: Through hole 44: Engagement hole (engaged portion)
44a: Restriction plate portion (axial movement restriction means)
46b: Protrusion (interference portion) (rotational movement restricting means)
48a: Recess (interfered portion) (rotational movement restricting means)

JP 2005-340142 A (see paragraphs [0007], [0008], Figs. 13 and 14)

Claims (2)

A coupling structure for coupling electrical equipment units to each other, comprising:
the electrical equipment unit having a wall;
the wall portion has three engaging portions extending radially outward from the center of one wall surface on the upper and lower sides of the wall portion, and three engaged portions extending radially outward from the center of the other wall surface on the upper and lower sides of the wall portion and corresponding to the engaging portions,
each of the engaging portions is composed of a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion disposed on both left and right sides of the lower side of the one wall surface, and a third engaging portion disposed on the upper side of the one wall surface, the first, second and third engaging portions are provided extending radially on the one wall surface, each of the engaging portions is composed of an engaging hook, and a bent portion of the engaging hook has a trapezoidal shape extending radially outward,
each of the engaged portions is arranged on both the left and right sides of the lower side of the other wall surface and is composed of first and second engaged portions corresponding to the first and second engaging portions, and a third engaged portion is arranged on the upper side of the other wall surface and corresponds to the third engaging portion, the first, second and third engaged portions extend radially on the other wall surface, the engaged portions are composed of engaging holes, and the engaging holes have a rectangular shape extending radially outward, and restricting plate portions are provided at radially outer corners of the engaging holes to restrict axial movement of the engaging portions toward the side where they move away from each other,
Each of the engaged parts of one of the electrical equipment units allows the corresponding engaging parts of the other electrical equipment units to enter and rotate, so that each of the engaging parts engages with each of the engaged parts;
the third engaged portion is disposed between a pair of wire connection screws provided on the other wall surface;
1. A connection structure for an electrical equipment unit. An electric device comprising a plurality of electric device units connected together by the connection structure according to claim 1 .