Patent Grant
11949199
The present invention relates to a terminal block and an air conditioner.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a terminal block including a plurality of single-pole units arranged side by side and coupled to one another.
As disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the single-pole units are coupled to one another with a laterally longer bolt passing through the single-pole units and a nut into which the bolt is screwed. The terminal block disclosed in Patent Literature 1 has a rail fitting portion formed on its bottom face, and is fixed to the interior of a board in such a manner that a rail on the board is fitted into the rail fitting portion. In other words, the terminal block disclosed in Patent Literature 1 separately includes means for coupling the single-pole units and means for fixing the terminal block to the interior of the board. It is therefore necessary to perform an operation of coupling the single-pole units and an operation of attaching the terminal block to the interior of the board, independently of each other.
One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a terminal block that achieves coupling of a plurality of split bodies making up the terminal block, simultaneously with fixing of the split bodies to a mount member, and an air conditioner that includes the terminal block.
(1) A terminal block according to one or more embodiments of the present invention includes:
a first split body that includes one or more terminal connection parts and a first coupling portion;
a second split body that includes one or more terminal connection parts and a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion; and
a coupling member that couples the first coupling portion to the second coupling portion and is configured to fix the first split body and the second split body to a mount member to which the terminal block is mounted.
This configuration achieves coupling of the first split body to the second split body simultaneously with fixing of the first split body and the second split body to the mount member.
(2) The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may be positioned with the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion lying on top of each other, and
the coupling member is a coupling bolt to be screwed into the mount member, the coupling bolt passing through the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion in a direction in which the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion lie on top of each other.
With this configuration, the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion can be both fastened to the mount member with the coupling bolt and fixed to the mount member. It is possible to fix the first split body and the second split body to the mount member while connecting them.
(3) The first coupling portion may be couplable to the second coupling portion of a plurality of types of second split bodies having different numbers of poles.
This configuration reduces kinds of components for forming a plurality of types of terminal blocks having different numbers of poles.
(4) At least one of the first split body or the second split body may have a detent portion restricting rotation of the terminal block about the coupling member.
With this configuration, the terminal block is stably mounted to the mount member.
(5) A plurality of types of the terminal blocks having different numbers of poles may have a common relative positional relationship between the coupling member and the detent portion.
With this configuration, a plurality of types of the terminal blocks are mounted to the mount member having one set of a portion to which the coupling member is attached and a portion on which the detent portion acts.
(6) In the terminal block as recited in (3), the first split body may have a detent portion restricting rotation of the terminal block about the coupling member.
With this configuration, a plurality of types of the terminal blocks are mounted to the mount member having one set of a portion to which the coupling member is attached and a portion on which the detent portion acts.
(7) The detent portion may be a protrusion configured to engage with the mount member.
This configuration simplifies a structure of the detent portion.
(8) The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may engage with each other against movements of the first coupling portion and second coupling portion away from each other.
With this configuration, the first split body is coupled to the second split body more firmly.
(9) Each of the first split body and the second split body may have an accommodation space in which a terminal connected to each terminal connection part is entirely accommodated.
This configuration avoids contact between adjacent terminals connected to the terminal connection part of each split body, and therefore eliminates a necessity to prepare, for example, a protection covering for avoiding the contact between the adjacent terminals.
(10) An air conditioner according to one or more embodiments of the present invention includes the terminal block as recited in any one of (1) to (9).
Hereinafter, embodiments of a terminal block will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A terminal block 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is used for, for example, an air conditioner. Specifically, the terminal block 1 is accommodated in an electric component box disposed in an outdoor unit of an air conditioner. The terminal block 1 is connected to cables Ca for a commercial power source, the cables Ca being drawn into the electric component box from the outside. The terminal block 1 is also connected to cables Cb for feeding electric power to loads, such as electric equipment, in the outdoor unit. The terminal block 1 has an upper face covered with a plate-shaped cover 50 detachably attached thereto.
The terminal block 1 includes three terminal connection parts 12. Each of the terminal connection parts 12 includes a primary-side connection part 12a and secondary-side connection parts 12b. The primary-side connection parts 12a are disposed on the front side of the terminal block 1. The secondary-side connection parts 12b are disposed on the rear side of the terminal block 1. The three primary-side connection parts 12a are respectively connected to, for example, cables Ca for a three-phase power source. Each of the terminal connection parts 12 includes two secondary-side connection parts 12b connected to the primary-side connection part 12a in parallel. The secondary-side connection parts 12b are respectively connected to cables Cb for loads.
The terminal block 1 includes a first split body 21 and a second split body 22. The terminal block 1 is made up of the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 that are juxtaposed in the left-right direction and are coupled together. The first split body 21 includes two of the three terminal connection parts 12. The second split body 22 includes the remaining one of the three terminal connection parts 12. In the terminal block 1, accordingly, the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 are coupled together to make up the three terminal connection parts 12.
The first split body 21 includes a main body 24, a terminal plate 25, connection bolts 26, and connection nuts 27. The main body 24 is made of a synthetic resin material. For example, the main body 24 is formed by molding with a synthetic resin material into which glass fiber is mixed for enhancing flame retardancy.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The terminal plate 25 is a plate-shaped member made of a conductor such as metal. The terminal plate 25 is disposed in the accommodation spaces S. The terminal plate 25 is located below the widthwise walls 24b. The terminal plate 25 extends to the primary-side regions Sa and the secondary-side regions Sb. The terminal plate 25 has insertion holes into which the connection bolts 26 are inserted, the insertion holes being opened at the primary-side regions Sa and the secondary-side regions Sb.
The connection bolts 26 are respectively inserted from above into the insertion holes in the terminal plate 25. The connection bolts 26 have lower ends respectively screwed into the connection nuts 27 located below the terminal plate 25. The connection nuts 27 are respectively held by holding portions 24c formed on the main body 24. The terminals Ta and Tb, such as ring terminals, of the cables Ca and Cb are respectively connected to the terminal plate 25 with the connection bolts 26. The terminals Ta and Tb connected to the terminal plate 25 with the connection bolts 26 are entirely accommodated in the accommodation spaces S (i.e., the primary-side regions Sa and the secondary-side regions Sb), respectively.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The widthwise wall 29b divides the accommodation space S into a primary-side region Sa where the terminal Ta connected to the primary-side connection part 12a is disposed, and a secondary-side region Sb where the terminals Tb connected to the secondary-side connection parts 12b are disposed.
The terminal plate 25, connection bolts 26, and connection nuts of the second split body 22 are identical in configuration to the terminal plate 25, connection bolts 26, and connection nuts 27 of the first split body 21.
As illustrated in
The first coupling portion 31 is formed at a height that is equal to or less than a half height of the first split body 21. The first coupling portion 31 has an upper plate 31a, a pair of side plates 31b, and a pair of engagement claws 31c. The upper plate 31a has a rectangular shape as seen from above in plan view. The upper plate 31a has an insertion hole 31d into which a coupling bolt (a coupling member) 33 for coupling the first coupling portion 31 to the second coupling portion 32 is inserted.
The pair of side plates 31b respectively extend downward from a front edge and a rear edge of the upper plate 31a. Each of the side plates 31b has a rectangular shape in front view. The upper plate 31a and the pair of side plates 31b form a gate-shaped frame opened downward.
The pair of engagement claws 31c are respectively formed on distal ends of the side plates 31b. The first engagement claw 31c on the first side plate 31b extends toward the second side plate 31b. The second engagement claw 31c on the second side plate 31b extends toward the first side plate 31b. A space between the pair of engagement claws 31c is defined as an opening 31e through which the second coupling portion 32 is inserted.
As illustrated in
The second coupling portion 32 having a block shape is formed at a height that is equal to or less than a half height of the second split body 22. The second coupling portion 32 has tapered faces 32a chamfered diagonally and respectively formed on front and rear sides of its leading end face. The second coupling portion 32 also has engagement grooves 32b respectively formed on front and rear faces of its proximal portion, the engagement grooves 32b having a length equal to the height of the second coupling portion 32. The second coupling portion 32 also has an insertion hole 32c into which the coupling bolt 33 is inserted, the insertion hole 32c being a through hole extending in the upper-lower direction.
The second coupling portion 32 is inserted into the first coupling portion 31 from the lower side of the first coupling portion 31. As illustrated in
The first split body 21 and the second split body 22 are not separated from each other in the left-right direction in such a manner that the engagement claws 31c of the first coupling portion 31 are inserted into the engagement grooves 32b in the second coupling portion 32. The first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 engage with each other against movements of the first split body 21 and second split body 22 away from each other. In addition, the second coupling portion 32 is held between the pair of side plates 31b of the first coupling portion 31. When the second coupling portion 32 is inserted into the first coupling portion 31, the pair of side plates 31b and the pair of engagement claws 31c position the second coupling portion 32, so that the insertion hole 31d in the first coupling portion 31 is aligned over the insertion hole 32c in the second coupling portion 32.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As described above, the terminal block 1 includes: the first split body 21 having the two terminal connection parts 12 and the first coupling portion 31; the second split body 22 having the one terminal connection part 12 and the second coupling portion 32 coupled to the first coupling portion 31; and the coupling bolt 33 coupling the first coupling portion 31 to the second coupling portion 32, the coupling bolt 33 being configured to fix the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 to the mount board 100 to which the terminal block 1 is mounted. Specifically, the coupling bolt 33 couples the first coupling portion 31 to the second coupling portion 32 and, additionally, serves as the fixing bolt (the fixing member) for fixing the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 to the mount board 100. With this configuration, the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 are fixed to the mount board 100 with the coupling bolt 33 for coupling the first split body 21 to the second split body 22. This configuration therefore achieves the operation of coupling the first split body 21 to the second split body 22 simultaneously with the operation of fixing the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 to the mount board 100. This configuration also simplifies a coupling structure for coupling the first split body 21 to the second split body 22 and a fixing structure for fixing the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 to the mount board 100.
The upper plate 31a of the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 vertically lie on top of each other (i.e., the upper plate 31a of the first coupling portion 31 vertically overlaps the second coupling portion 32). In addition, the coupling bolt 33 is screwed into the mount board 100 with the coupling bolt 33 passing through the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 in the direction in which the upper plate 31a of the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 lie on top of each other. Therefore, the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 can be both fastened to the mount board 100 with the coupling bolt 33. In addition, the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32, which are coupled together, are fixed to the mount board 100.
The first split body 21 has the detent portion restricting the rotation of the terminal block 1 about the coupling bolt 33. Therefore, the orientation of the terminal block 1 is kept even when the terminal block 1 is fixed to the mount board 100 with one coupling bolt 33.
In addition, the detent portion includes the protrusion 24e configured to engage with the mount board 100. Therefore, the orientation of the terminal block 1 is kept with a simple structure. In one or more embodiments, one coupling bolt 33 and one protrusion 24e enable mounting of the terminal block 1 to the mount board 100 with a considerably simple configuration.
The first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 engage with each other against the movements of the first coupling portion 31 and second coupling portion 32 away from each other. Therefore, the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 are firmly coupled together. This configuration therefore suppresses occurrence of wobbling between the first split body 21 and the second split body 22, and also suppresses occurrence of unstable coupling of the first split body 21 to the second split body 22. The wobbling between the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 is also suppressed with the second coupling portion 32 held between the pair of side plates 31b of the first coupling portion 31.
Each of the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 has the accommodation space S in which the terminals Ta and Tb connected to each terminal connection part 12 are entirely accommodated. This configuration therefore avoids contact between the terminals Ta and Tb of the adjacent cables Ca and Cb connected to each terminal connection part 12. This configuration therefore eliminates a necessity to cover the terminals Ta and Tb using, for example, an insulating tape, and simplifies wiring work.
The terminal block 1 according to one or more embodiments is made up of the two split bodies 21 and 22 coupled together. Therefore, the main bodies 24 and 29 of the split bodies 21 and 22 are made smaller as much as possible as compared with a case where the terminal block 1 is made up of a single member instead of the main bodies 24 and 29. Therefore, in the case where each of the main bodies 24 and 29 is formed by molding with a synthetic resin material, the synthetic resin material favorably flows into the die. In addition, the main bodies 24 and 29 thus molded are less prone to become deformed in such a manner that the cooling rate is made uniform as much as possible. This configuration therefore enhances moldability of the synthetic resin material into the split bodies 21 and 22. The glass fiber-containing synthetic resin material is particularly poor in fluidity into the die; therefore, the terminal block 1 made up of the two split bodies 21 and 22 is particularly effective.
In the terminal block 1, the mounting position of the coupling bolt 33 and the position of the protrusion 24e are located within a plane projection area of the terminal block 1. This configuration reduces the width of the terminal block 1 in the front-rear direction or the width of the terminal block 1 in the left-right direction as compared with a case where the coupling bolt 33 and the protrusion 24e protrude from the terminal block 1.
The terminal block 2 according to one or more embodiments includes four terminal connection parts 12. For example, in the terminal block 2, cables Ca of a three-phase power source including a neutral conductor are connected to primary-side connection parts 12a of the terminal connection portion 12. As in the case of the previously described embodiments, cables Cb for feeding electric power to loads in an outdoor unit are connected to secondary-side connection parts 12b of the terminal connection parts 12.
The terminal block 2 includes a first split body 21 and a second split body 42. Specifically, the terminal block 2 is made up of the first split body 21 and the second split body 42 coupled together. The first split body 21 includes two of the four terminal connection parts 12. The second split body 42 includes the remaining two of the four terminal connection parts 12.
The first split body 21 is identical to the first split body 21 in the previously described embodiments. Therefore, the three-pole terminal block 1 and the four-pole terminal block 2 include the same first split body 21. In the following description, the terminal block 1 is also referred to as a first terminal block 1, and the terminal block 2 is also referred to as a second terminal block 2.
The second split body 42 of the second terminal block 2 is different in number of poles from the second split body 22 of the first terminal block 1. Specifically, a main body 49 of the second split body 42 has three lengthwise walls 49a arranged to extend in parallel in the front-rear direction. The three lengthwise walls 49a define accommodation spaces S for terminals Ta and Tb of the cables Ca and Cb connected to the two terminal connection parts 12. The main body 49 of the second split body 42 also has two widthwise walls 49b that divide each accommodation space S into a primary-side region Sa and a secondary-side region Sb. The other configurations of the second split body 42 are similar to those of the second split body 22 of the first terminal block 1.
The first split body 21 is couplable to each of a plurality of types of second split bodies 22 and 42 having different numbers of poles. Therefore, by combining one type of the first split body 21 and each of a plurality of types of the second split bodies 22, 42, it is possible to manufacture a plurality of types of terminal blocks 1 and 2 having different numbers of poles. The terminal blocks 1 and 2 that are different in type from each other include the same first split body 21. This configuration therefore reduces kinds of components, resulting in manufacturing cost reduction.
In addition, the first terminal block 1 and the second terminal block 2 have a common relative positional relationship between the coupling bolt 33 inserted into the insertion holes 31d and 32c in the first and second coupling portions 31 and 32 and the protrusion 24e serving as the detent portion. As illustrated in
The present invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary description, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
For example, the first split body 21 that makes up each of the terminal blocks 1 and 2 may include one terminal connection part 12 or may include three or more terminal connection parts 12. In addition, each of the second split bodies 22 and 42 that respectively make up the terminal blocks 1 and 2 may include three or more terminal connection parts 12.
Each of the second split bodies 22 and 42 may have the detent portion. In this case, the terminal blocks 1 and 2 may have a common relative positional relationship between the coupling bolt 33 (the insertion hole 32c in the second coupling portion 32) and the protrusion 24e serving as the detent portion even when the number of poles in each of the second split bodies 22 and 42 changes. With this configuration, by providing one set of the nut 101 and the engagement hole 102 on the mount board 100 side, each of a plurality of types of terminal blocks 1 and 2 having different numbers of poles can be mounted on the mount board 100.
The first split body 21 may have two or more first coupling portions 31. In addition, each of the second split bodies 22 and 42 may have two or more second coupling portions 32. For example, a plurality of sets of the first coupling portion 31 and the second coupling portion 32 which are arranged in the front-rear direction may be provided between the first split body 21 and the second split body. In this case, the first split body 21 is coupled to the second split body 22 or 42 with two or more coupling bolts 33. In addition, the first split body 21 and the second split body 22 or 42 are fixed to the mount board 100. This configuration also restricts rotation of each of the terminal blocks 1 and 2 even when each of the terminal blocks 1 and 2 is not provided with the protrusion 24e serving as the detent portion. In other words, one of the coupling bolts 33 serves as the detent portion.
The coupling member for coupling the first split body 21 to the second split body 22 or 42 may be any member such as a rivet in addition to the coupling bolt 33. The shape of the protrusion 24e serving as the detent portion may be, for example, a prismatic shape or a hook shape in addition to the cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the detent portion may be a hole with which a protrusion on the mount board 100 engages.
In each terminal connection part 12, two or more terminals Ta may be connected to the primary-side connection part 12a with the terminals Ta lying on top of each other. In addition, two or more terminals Tb may be connected to each secondary-side connection part 12b with the terminals Tb lying on top of each other.
In the foregoing embodiments, for convenience, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are defined based on the illustration in
Each of the terminal blocks 1 and 2 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is mountable to any electric product in addition to an electric component box of an air conditioner.
Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-238799 | Dec 2017 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2018/043410 | 11/26/2018 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/116872 | 6/20/2019 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3474397 | Piasecki | Oct 1969 | A |
| 5951306 | Millhimes | Sep 1999 | A |
| 6409540 | Kodama | Jun 2002 | B1 |
| 6659810 | Okabe | Dec 2003 | B2 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 815293 | Jun 1959 | GB |
| 1147933 | Apr 1969 | GB |
| S54169285 | Nov 1979 | JP |
| S5762383 | Apr 1982 | JP |
| H06-62490 | Sep 1994 | JP |
| H08-171952 | Jul 1996 | JP |
| H10-228958 | Aug 1998 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report issued in International Application No. PCT/JP2018/043410, dated Jan. 8, 2019 (5 pages). |
| English Translation of the International Preliminary Report on Patentability issued in corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2018/043410, dated Jun. 25, 2020 (8 pages). |
| Extended European Search Report issued in corresponding European Application No. 18888109.8, dated Dec. 18, 2020 (7 pages). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20210167528 A1 | Jun 2021 | US |
