TWM451727U - Data bus structure for terminal blocks and terminal blocks using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a data bus structure for terminal blocks, comprising a main body to be engaged to a terminal block seating rail and provided with a plurality of slots; and at least 2 conductive fingers, formed to be positioned in said slots of said main body to form guiding rails. The data bus structure uses the conductive fingers as its bus lines, which supports firmly the terminal blocks, in addition to providing electric and signal transmission as a bus. A plurality of terminal blocks therefore can be arranged in parallel and use the data bus structure as common data bus. This invention also disclose terminal blocks using the data bus structure.

Description

Terminal block data transmission bus structure and terminal block using the data transmission bus structure

The present invention relates to a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure, and a terminal block using the data transmission bus structure, in particular to a data transmission bus structure that can be coupled to a plurality of terminal blocks, and using the data transmission bus structure Terminal block.

The terminal block is a part that is widely used in various working machines to connect two or more power lines, control lines, and data transmission lines. Typically, on a working machine, tens to hundreds of terminal blocks are used to provide power and control or data signals. In the operation and control of complex work machines, it is often necessary to laterally couple two or more terminal blocks to share power, data or control signals.

The prior art mainly includes two aspects in the practice of coupling the terminal block. The first is to provide a connector at the terminal block that provides a plurality of T-shaped connection terminals and an insulative housing covering the plurality of T-shaped connection terminals. The insulative housing provides three sets of abutting portions, wherein the two sets of abutting portions in the horizontal direction of the T shape form a male and female coupling structure for connecting a plurality of connectors in series, and the abutting portions in the vertical direction are used for Connect to the line inside the terminal block. Such a design can be represented by U.S. Patent No. 7,704,079 (the name of the invention: T-Shaped Shielded Bus Connector). For the construction and manufacturing of the T-shaped connection terminal, reference is made to the disclosure of US Patent No. 6,033,264 (Electrical or Electronic Device for Seating on a Mounting Rail and Process for Producing Same).

Another approach can be called a "bus type" design. A representative structure can be found in the disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 5,716,241 (Invention Name: I/O Device for Data Bus). According to the description of the patent, a bus track is provided for detachably sliding the terminal block to fix it on. A bus structure is provided on the bus track, and a connector is provided at the terminal block for coupling the wires of the bus structure. The bus structure includes a circuit board and a plurality of wires formed on the circuit board, the wires being parallel to each other and having the same distance. The connector includes a plurality of connection terminals and an insulative housing covering the plurality of connection terminals. The insulating body provides two sets of docking portions. One of the sets is connected to the internal wiring of the terminal block, and the other is used to connect the connection terminals therein to the wires on the bus structure. In order to form a good connection between the connecting terminal and the wire on the bus structure, the contact end of the connecting terminal needs to be provided with a spring piece protruding from the abutting portion to crimp the wire on the bus structure.

Both of the above methods can provide the application of lateral connection of most terminal blocks. However, the use of a T-shaped connection terminal is complicated in structure. The connection terminals must be manufactured in a large number of steps, and sometimes a large number of terminal parts must be used, and the insulating body of the connector is usually not integrally formed, resulting in an increase in material cost and assembly labor. The bus type design has advantages over the use of T-shaped connection terminals. This is because in the industry there has been an application in which a standard type of rail is used to mount the terminal block, and the bus type is designed to mount the bus structure in the rail. Moreover, due to the use of the bus structure, the structure of the connection terminals of the connector can be simplified. However, in this bus type design, the connection terminals and the wires on the bus structure are not easy to maintain stable contact. Moreover, the use of the shrapnel to improve the contact effect, the connection terminal structure is complicated, the components are increased, and the cost is increased.

Therefore, it is currently necessary to provide a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure for the purpose of achieving stable electrical contact between the connection terminals and the bus structure wires.

At the same time, there is a need for a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure that can be implemented with inexpensive materials and simple fabrication.

At the same time, there is a need for a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure that can be fabricated using a simplified connector and a connection terminal.

The purpose of the novel is to provide a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure for the purpose of achieving stable electrical contact between the connection terminals and the bus structure wires.

The purpose of the novel is also to provide a novel terminal block data transmission bus junction. Construction can be implemented with inexpensive materials and simple production.

The purpose of the present invention is also to provide a novel terminal block data transmission bus structure that can be fabricated using a simplified connector and a connection terminal.

The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to the present invention comprises: a body for breaking into a terminal block fixing rail, the body forming a plurality of grooves; and at least four strips of conductive strips, the shape of which can be broken A guide rail is formed in the groove on the body.

The terminal block data transmission bus structure may further include a connecting member disposed on the body for fixing or slidingly fixing the body in the terminal block fixing rail. The connecting member can be a fastener and can be integrally formed with the body. The terminal block data transfer bus structure may further comprise at least one non-conductive strip shaped to be inserted into the recess in the body to form a guide rail together with the at least four conductive strips.

The terminal block data transmission bus structure of the present invention may further include a connector having: a plurality of connection terminals, the first end of each connection terminal electrically contacting the conductive strip and/or the non-conductive strip; and the insulating body, Covering the plurality of connection terminals and providing a plurality of grooves, so that the conductive strips and/or the non-conductive strips can be inserted into the grooves

In some examples of the present invention, the plurality of connection terminals and the groove walls of the plurality of grooves may sandwich the conductive strip and/or the non-conductive strip. In other examples of the present invention, the plurality of connection terminals can clamp the conductive strip and/or the non-conductive strip.

In an example of the present invention, the second end direction of the connection terminal is orthogonal to the first end.

The present invention also provides a terminal block that can use the terminal block data transfer bus structure described above. The terminal block includes: a circuit board on which necessary lines can be formed for connecting at least four terminals; and a connector comprising: a plurality of connection terminals, each of the connection terminals having at least a first end and a second end, the One end can electrically contact a conductive strip, the second end is electrically connected to the circuit on the circuit board; and the insulating body covers the plurality of connecting terminals, and provides a plurality of grooves, so that the conductive strip can be infiltrated Inside the groove.

The terminal block of the present invention may further include a casing covering the circuit board. The housing may additionally cover at least a portion of the connector. The connector may include a fixing portion for fixing to the circuit board.

According to the design of the present invention, the terminal block data transmission bus structure uses a conductive strip as a bus line, in addition to providing power and signal transmission required as a bus, and can provide a strong sliding support of a plurality of terminal blocks, so that most terminal blocks can Set side by side and share the bus structure. In addition, the terminal block data transmission bus structure can be inserted into the existing terminal block fixed rails, and the existing equipment can be utilized without increasing the system space. The terminal block data transmission bus structure can improve the contact effect with the connection terminal and maintain the stability of the electrical contact. In addition, the use of conductive strips/non-conductive strips and recessed structures allows for a more flexible design of the bus structure without being limited to any particular structure.

10‧‧‧ Terminal Block

11‧‧‧ boards

12‧‧‧ housing

13, 14‧‧‧ connecting holes

15, 16‧‧‧ Connection Department

17, 18‧‧‧ Fixed wires

20‧‧‧Connector

21, 21‧‧‧ connection terminal

21a, 21a‧‧‧ bus terminal

21b, 21b‧‧‧ terminal end

22, 22‧‧‧ grooves

23‧‧‧Insulated body

30‧‧‧Bus structure

31‧‧‧Terminal Station Fixed Track

31a, 31a‧‧‧ wing

32‧‧‧Bus Structure Ontology

33, 33‧‧‧ most conductive strips

34, 34‧‧‧ Groove

35, 35‧‧‧ Fixed Department

Fig. 1 is a view showing the application of the terminal block data transmission bus structure of the present invention and the terminal block using the data transmission bus structure.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the novel bus structure.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the novel bus structure.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the appearance of a terminal block connector applied to the novel bus structure.

Fig. 4A is a view showing the shape of the connection terminal of the connector.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example bus structure of the present invention.

The following is an example to illustrate the terminal block data transmission bus structure of the present invention and the terminal block using the data transmission bus structure. Fig. 1 is a view showing the application of the terminal block data transmission bus structure of the present invention and the terminal block using the data transmission bus structure. In the figure, 10 denotes a terminal block including a circuit board 11 and a casing 12. The housing 12 is provided with connecting holes 13, 14; the circuit board 11 is provided with connecting portions 15, 16 for connecting and fixing the wires 17, 18. The necessary wiring is formed on the circuit board 11.

The connecting holes 13, 14 may be formed integrally with the housing 12, and have a considerable depth so that the wires 17, 18 are firmly fixed to the circuit board 11. The connecting portions 15, 16 provide a conductor that is in electrical contact with the wires 17, 18. The electric wires 17, 18 can be fixed to the connecting portions 15, 16 by welding or the like. Further, in the application, a clamp member (not shown) may be provided in the connecting portions 15 and 16 so that the electric wires 17 and 18 can be removed by hand when the connecting portions 15 and 16 are coupled to each other. link. The construction of such a terminal block is common in known techniques and can be modified as necessary to meet various needs. The detailed materials, shapes, configurations, and even additional components are not described herein.

The terminal block 10 is provided with a connector 20 at the bottom of the figure. A plurality of connection terminals 21, 22 are provided in the connector 20, and are covered with an insulating body 23 (see also FIG. 4). One end of the connection terminals 21, 22 is connected to a line (not shown) on the circuit board 11. The connector 20 is connected to the circuit board 11 at one end, and can be further connected to a hole (not shown) on the circuit board by a fixing portion such as a fitting protrusion (not shown) or the like in addition to the connection line connection. Link to strengthen the connection.

At the bottom of Fig. 1 is a bus structure 30 comprising a terminal block fixing rail 31, a bus structure body 32, and a plurality of conductive strips 33, 33 on the body. Among them, the terminal block fixing rail 31 is a standard device for the terminal block application, and is used for fixing a plurality of terminal blocks. The body 32 is preferably shaped and sized to be received within the track 31 so that the original space of the system can be utilized without consuming additional space. The conductive strips 33, 33 are elongated metal which can be inserted into the grooves 34, 34 formed in the body 32 and protruded to a relatively high height to form a guide rail. According to the design of the present invention, the insulative housing 23 of the connector 20 is formed with approximately the same number of complementary shaped recesses 22, 22 for the conductive strips 33, 33 to be inserted. The bus ends 21a, 21a of the connection terminals 21, 21 may form a holding member for holding the conductive strips 33, 33 so that the connector 20 is slidably fixed to the guide rail formed by the conductive strips 33, 33.

In another method, the groove groove wall of the insulating body 23 can clamp the conductive strips 33, 33 together with the connecting terminals 21, 21, so that the connector 20 can be slidably fixed on the conductive strips 33, 33. On the rails. This forms a firm but slidable way of fixing.

The detailed construction of the novel bus structure 30 and the connector 20 will be described below.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the novel bus structure 30, and Figure 3 is a cross section thereof. Surface map. As shown, the bus structure 30 includes a body 32 and a plurality of conductive strips 33, 33. The conductive strips 33, 33 are flat metal strips of electrically conductive metal that are encased in a plurality of recesses 34, 34 formed in the body 32. There is no limitation on the number of the conductive strips 33, 33. However, if the bus structure requires a power supply in addition to transmitting signals, the number of the conductive strips 33, 33 needs to exceed two. The material of the conductive strips 33, 33 is not limited as long as it can provide an electrical conduction function and provide considerable support to the terminal block 10. Generally, the conductive strips 33, 33 are made of a relatively rigid metal or alloy. It is also feasible to form strips from other materials and to coat or coat the metal or alloy. Other non-metallic conductive materials can also be applied to the present invention. In other embodiments of the present invention, not all of the grooves 34, 34 are provided with conductive strips 33, 33. The particular grooves 34, 34 can be left blank. In other embodiments, some or all of the conductive strips 33, 33 are made of a strip of electrically non-conductive material. In such an embodiment, the strip of non-conductive material is primarily used to provide a support effect. If a portion of the conductive strip is used and a portion is a non-conductive strip, the strip of non-conductive material can be used to provide support and identification. All or one of the conductive strips 33, 33 (including the strip of non-conductive material) may be colored to provide an identification effect. In addition, two or more of the conductive strips 33, 33 may be short-circuited if necessary for a particular application.

The body 32 is also shown to be shaped to be inserted into the terminal block securing track 31. As previously mentioned, the terminal block mounting rail 31 is standard on terminal block applications. Its shape is usually a U-shaped flat bottom. The interior provides an inverted trapezoidal table-like space. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the body 32 is preferably shaped and dimensioned to be inserted into the table-like space, and the body 32 can accommodate 8-10 conductive strips. In addition to two of the power supplies, 6-8 signal wires are available, which are sufficient for most applications. The material of the terminal block fixing rail 31 is usually an inexpensive metal such as an alloy of aluminum or aluminum. It is also possible to make it from other materials such as plastic, rubber, resin, wood, paper or other composite materials. Of course, the terminal block fixing rail 31 is not limited to the standard size and size. However, if it is the same as the standard specification, the bus structure body 32 of the present invention can be directly mounted in the terminal block fixing rail 31 without additional fabrication. Take advantage of it, not any technical limitations.

A plurality of grooves 34, 34 are formed in the body 32. It is more practical to integrally form the plurality of grooves 34, 34 with the body 32. However, the other grooves 34 are additionally produced. It is also possible that the components of 34 are attached to the body 32 in any manner. The body 32 is preferably made of a non-conductive material such as plastic, rubber, resin, wood, paper or other composite material. It is also feasible to use a conductive material and then coat the surface with a non-conductive material. The number of the grooves 34, 34 is not limited, but sufficient supporting force is required to support the weight of the terminal block 10. However, in application, it is common to fix a plurality of terminal blocks side by side to support the force of the plurality of terminal blocks, and it is not necessary to all come from the body 32. In addition, a considerable distance between the grooves is preferably reserved so as not to cause an undesired short circuit between the conductive strips therein, thereby affecting the performance. The number of grooves that can be placed in the body 32 depends on the above conditions, as well as the thickness and height limitations of the metal strip. It can be adjusted by the designer in the application.

The bus structure body 32 can be provided with fixing portions 35 and 35, and is formed in a wing shape, and spans the wing portions 31a and 31a of the terminal block fixing rail 31, and the wing portions 31a and 31a are inserted into the fixing portions 35 and 35. Inside the groove formed below. The body 32 is fixed to the terminal block fixing rail 31 by the elasticity of the material of the body 32. However, in another example of the present invention, the body 32 is not provided with the fixing portions 35, 35, but is directly inserted into the table-shaped space in the terminal block fixing rail 31, so that both sides of the body 32 bear against the terminal block. The two inner side walls of the fixed rail 31 are fixed. The way is shown in Figure 5. (The same elements in Fig. 5 as those in Figs. 2 and 3 are numbered the same.) Of course, in the embodiment of Fig. 5, the sides of the body 32 are not limited to the terminal block fixing track. 31 two inner side walls. It is also possible to leave a gap between the two, and the body 32 can slide in the terminal block fixing rail 31.

The terminal block data transmission bus structure may further include a connecting member disposed on the body for fixing or slidingly fixing the body in the terminal block fixing rail. The connecting member can be a fastener and can be integrally formed with the body. The terminal block data transfer bus structure may further comprise at least one non-conductive strip shaped to be inserted into the recess on the body to form a guide rail together with the at least two conductive strips.

The plurality of conductive strips 33, 33 are respectively inserted into the plurality of grooves 34, 34 to form the bus structure 30 of the present invention. The bus structure 30 can additionally include a terminal block securing track 31.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the appearance of the terminal block connector 20 applied to the novel bus structure. Fig. 4A is a view showing the shape of the connection terminals 21, 21 of the connector 20. As shown The connector 20 includes an insulative housing 23 and a plurality of connection terminals 21, 21 therein. The connection terminals 21 and 21 respectively have bus ends 21a and 21a for electrically connecting with the conductive strips 33 and 33 of the bus structure 30, and have terminal end portions 21b and 21b for connecting the wires in the terminal block 10. (not shown). The connection terminals 21, 21 can be inserted into the recesses 22, 22 provided in the insulative housing 23, and are fixed in the recesses 22, 22 by the elasticity of the connection terminals 21, 21 themselves. In other embodiments of the present invention, the plurality of connection terminals 21, 21 are formed in the insulative housing 23 in a formed manner to make the combination of the two closer. Different approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages, not any technical limitations.

The material of the connection terminals 21, 21 is usually a conductive metal such as copper. However, other metal, alloy or non-metal conductive materials can also be applied to the present invention. The insulative body 23 is typically made of a non-conductive material. For example, plastic, rubber, resin, wood, paper or other composite materials. A necessary fixing or supporting member may also be provided on the insulative housing 23 to form a tight connection with the terminal block 10 or its circuit board 11. For example, a plurality of projections (not shown) are inserted into a recess (not shown) provided on the circuit board 11 or the like. It is also feasible to fix the two by means of rivets, screws, welding, pasting, etc.

The insulative housing 23 provides a plurality of recesses 22, 22 such that the strips 33, 33 (including non-conductive strips) can be inserted into the recesses 22, 22. In some examples of the present invention, the plurality of connection terminals 21, 21 and the slot walls of the plurality of recesses 22, 22 can collectively clamp the conductive strips 33, 33 (including non-conductive strips). In other examples of the present invention, the bus ends 21a, 21a of the plurality of connection terminals 21, 21 can clamp the conductive strips 33, 33 (including non-conductive strips). In application, the terminal block 10 can be first combined with the connector 20 to form a terminal block having a connector. Thereafter, the conductive strips 33, 33 of the bus structure 30 are inserted into the recesses 22, 22 of the connector 20, so that the connection terminals 21, 21 or the connection terminals 21, 21 are tightly clamped to the groove walls of the recesses 22, 22. The conductive strips 33, 33 complete the assembly of the terminal block and the data transfer bus structure.

The direction of the terminal block end 21b of the connection terminal 21 is shown in Fig. 4A to be orthogonal to the bus end 21a. But in other applications, the two directions can form 180 degrees. The angle between the two can be adjusted as needed without any restrictions. The shape design and manufacturing method of such a connection terminal are known in the art and need not be further described herein.

Under the above design, a bus structure 30 can be simply fixed to the terminal block fixing rail 31, and a plurality of terminal blocks 10 having the connector 20 are mounted side by side on the bus structure 30, and the plurality of terminal blocks 10 can be used. The conductive strips 33, 33 on the bus structure 30 serve as a common bus and may even include a common power line. Make the application of the terminal block more efficient.

Compared with the prior art, the terminal block bus structure of the present invention can provide support for a plurality of terminal blocks, and the electrical connection between the connector of each terminal block and the bus structure is more reliable, and no additional shrapnel is needed. It is enough to simplify the structure of the data transmission bus, save material and production costs, and improve the efficiency of use.

In addition, the terminal block data transmission bus structure can be inserted into the existing terminal block fixed rails, and the existing equipment can be utilized without increasing the system space. The use of conductive strips/non-conductive strips and groove structures allows the design of the bus structure to be more free and free from any particular structure.

The above is a description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is not difficult for those skilled in the art to understand the contents and spirit of the present invention from the above description, and to make various extensions and changes in accordance with the technology disclosed herein. However, the system, architecture or method of the embodiment, as well as its derivatives and variations, are within the scope of the present invention.

10‧‧‧ Terminal Block

11‧‧‧ boards

12‧‧‧ housing

13, 14‧‧‧ connecting holes

15, 16‧‧‧ Connection Department

17, 18‧‧‧ Fixed wires

20‧‧‧Connector

30‧‧‧Bus structure

31‧‧‧Terminal Station Fixed Track

32‧‧‧Bus Structure Ontology

33, 33‧‧‧ most conductive strips

34, 34‧‧‧ Groove

Claims (13)

A terminal block data transmission bus structure, comprising: a body for breaking into a terminal block fixed rail, the body forming a plurality of grooves; and at least four strips of conductive strips, the shape of which can be inserted into the body Inside the groove, and protruding a considerable height, forming a guide rail. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member disposed on the body for fixing or slidingly fixing the body in the terminal block fixing rail. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a fastener. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is integrally formed with the body. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal block data transmission bus structure further comprises at least one non-conductive strip, the shape of which can be inserted into the groove on the body, and At least 4 conductive strips together form a rail. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a connector having: a plurality of connection terminals, wherein the first end of each connection terminal electrically contacts the conductive strip and And the non-conductive strip; and the insulating body covering the plurality of connecting terminals and providing a plurality of recesses, so that the conductive strips and/or the non-conductive strips can be inserted into the recesses. Such as the terminal block data transmission bus structure described in claim 6 of the patent scope, wherein the majority The terminal and the groove wall of the plurality of grooves can clamp the conductive strip together. The terminal block data transmission bus structure according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of connection terminals can clamp the conductive strip. The terminal block data transmission bus structure of claim 6, wherein the connection terminal further has a second end, and the second end direction is orthogonal to the one end. A terminal block includes: a circuit board on which necessary lines can be formed for connecting at least two terminals; and a connector comprising: a plurality of connection terminals, each of the connection terminals having at least a first end and a second end, The first end is electrically connected to a conductive strip, the second end is electrically connected to the circuit on the circuit board; and the insulating body covers the plurality of connecting terminals, and provides a plurality of grooves, so that the conductive strip can break into the concave Inside the slot. The terminal block according to claim 10, further comprising a casing covering the circuit board. The terminal block of claim 11, wherein the housing further covers at least a portion of the connector. The terminal block of claim 10, wherein the connector further comprises a fixing portion for fixing on the circuit board.