Sequencer terminal block, sequencer, and sequencer unit

To provide a sequencer terminal block having a terminal connection surface on which a plurality of terminal connection portions, to which terminals can be respectively connected, are arrayed. The sequencer terminal block includes a band attachment portion formed to protrude in a first direction parallel to an array direction of the terminal connection portions. The band attachment portion includes two first legs formed to protrude in the first direction, and a first joining portion that joins ends of the first legs to each other. An area surrounded by an attachment-portion forming surface on which the band attachment portion is formed, the first legs, and the first joining portion becomes an insertion hole into which a banding band can be inserted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2013/059601 filed Mar. 29, 2013, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a sequencer terminal block, a sequencer, and a sequencer unit.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, in a sequencer unit used for such a system as a factory automation (FA) device, a plurality of sequencers are arrayed and fixed. Such a sequencer includes a terminal block on which a plurality of terminal connection portions, to which wires for input and output of signals are connected, are arrayed. If the wires connected to the terminal connection portions are not held together and are left as they are, the wires may interfere with an adjacent sequencer, thus making attachment and detachment of the sequencer difficult. Furthermore, the visibility of the wiring state is likely to decrease, thereby delaying detection of dropout or the like in the wiring and making it difficult to prevent a ground fault or the like.

Therefore, the wires connected to the terminal connection portions are generally banded and held together with a banding band. To further prevent the wires from spreading apart, the banding band for holding the wires together is fixed. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a band attachment portion for fixing a banding band to a terminal block is provided.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. S61-63776

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

However, according to the conventional technique described above, the band attachment portion is provided at a position where the band attachment portion overlaps with a route for drawing around the wires, thus reducing the wiring space. Accordingly, the band attachment portion may disturb wiring work and the workability may be deteriorated.

The present invention has been achieved in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sequencer terminal block having a band attachment portion that is less likely to interfere with wiring.

Solution to Problem

According to an aspect of the present invention in order to solve the problems and achieve the object, there is provided a sequencer terminal block having a terminal connection surface on which a plurality of terminal connection portions are arrayed, to each of which a terminal can be connected, the sequencer terminal block including a band attachment portion formed to protrude in a first direction parallel to an array direction of the terminal connection portions, wherein the band attachment portion includes two first legs formed to protrude in the first direction, and a first joining portion that joins ends of the two first legs to each other, and an area surrounded by an attachment-portion forming surface on which the band attachment portion is formed, the first legs, and the first joining portion corresponds to an insertion hole into which a banding band can be inserted.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the sequencer terminal block having the band attachment portion that is less likely to interfere with wiring can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a sequencer terminal block, a sequencer, and a sequencer unit according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a sequencer unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2is a bottom view of the sequencer unit. A sequencer unit2includes a base10and a plurality of sequencers11. The sequencers11are arrayed and fixed to the base10.

On surfaces of the base10and the sequencers11facing each other, connectors (not illustrated) are provided for fitting the base10and the sequencers11. The sequencers11are electrically connected to each other via the connectors through which transmission and reception of information and transmission and reception of power are performed.

FIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of the sequencer including a sequencer terminal block.FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the sequencer terminal block and is a perspective view of the sequencer terminal block as viewed from the front side. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the sequencer11has a shape close to a cuboid as a whole, and includes a sequencer terminal block1on the front side of a body portion7.

On the sequencer terminal block1, a plurality of terminal connection portions12capable of connecting wires are arrayed in a direction indicated by an arrow X. The direction of the arrow X is perpendicular to an array direction of the sequencers11and parallel to a sequencer attachment surface10aof the base10. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4, each of the terminal connection portions12is configured to fix a terminal (not illustrated) provided at an end of the wire with a screw.

FIG. 5is a partially enlarged view illustrating a part A illustrated inFIG. 4. A band attachment portion5is provided on one of the surfaces of the sequencer terminal block1, which corresponds to a bottom surface (an attachment-portion forming surface1a) of the sequencer11in a state of being attached to the sequencer11. The band attachment portion5is provided to protrude in a direction indicated by an arrow Y (first direction). The direction of the arrow Y is parallel to the array direction of the terminal connection portions12(the direction indicated by the arrow X) with respect to the attachment-portion forming surface1a. Because this structure is formed in a housing of the terminal block body, the structure does not adversely affect the wiring performance.

FIG. 6is a right side view of the band attachment portion.FIG. 7is a sectional view taken in a direction of arrows B-B illustrated inFIG. 6. The band attachment portion5includes first legs13, a first joining portion14, a second leg15, and a second joining portion16.

The number of the first legs13is two and the first legs13are formed to protrude from the attachment-portion forming surface1ain the direction indicated by the arrow Y. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the two first legs13are formed at an edge of the attachment-portion forming surface1a. The first joining portion14joins the ends of the first legs13to each other. Accordingly, the band attachment portion5has a ring shape, so that an area surrounded by the attachment-portion forming surface1a, the first legs13, and the first joining portion14corresponds to an insertion hole into which a banding band4can be inserted.

The second leg15is formed to protrude from the attachment-portion forming surface1ain the direction indicated by the arrow Y. The second joining portion16joins an end of the second leg15and a middle part of the first joining portion14. Accordingly, a combination of the first joining portion14and the second joining portion16has a T shape as viewed in a plan view. An area surrounded by the attachment-portion forming surface1a, the first legs13, the first joining portion14, the second joining portion16, and the second leg15also corresponds to an insertion hole into which the banding band4can be inserted. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 7, three routes into which the banding band4can be inserted are formed.

FIG. 8is a diagram schematically illustrating a state where the banding bands4are attached to the band attachment portion5. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the three routes into each of which the banding band4can be inserted are formed, so that a plurality of the banding bands4can be attached to the single band attachment portion5.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, chamfering process is done for corners17of the first legs13, the first joining portion14, the second leg15, and the second joining portion16, facing the inside of an area surrounded by these portions, that is, the corners17facing the insertion holes.

FIG. 9is a diagram schematically illustrating a state where wires3are held together with the banding bands4. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the banding bands4are used for banding a plurality of wires3connected to the terminal connection portions12together. The banding bands4are fastened to the band attachment portion5at the time of banding the wires3together. The wires3connected to the terminal connection portions12pass on the surface where the terminal connection portions12are provided and are drawn around toward the bottom surface side of the sequencer11(see alsoFIGS. 1 and 2).

According to the sequencer terminal block1, the sequencer11, and the sequencer unit2described above, the band attachment portion5is formed to protrude toward the direction indicated by the arrow Y parallel to the array direction of the terminal connection portions12on the sequencer terminal block1. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the band attachment portion5is provided at a position away from wiring routes of the wires3passing on the surface where the terminal connection portions12are provided. Accordingly, the band attachment portion5is less likely to interfere with the wiring work, and deterioration of workability can be suppressed.

By combining the wires3with the banding bands4so as to fix the wires3to the sequencer terminal block1, the appearance of the system is improved and the wires3are less likely to interfere with an adjacent sequencer11, thereby facilitating attachment/detachment of the sequencer11.

Furthermore, the wires3and the sequencer terminal block1are combined. In a case that the sequencer terminal block1is detached from the body portion7of the sequencer11, the detached sequencer terminal block1can be attached to another body portion7of another sequencer11and used as it is.

Tensile strength against pulling of the wires3is improved. Even if the wires3drop out, the possibility of a grounding fault due to the dropping can be decreased because the wires3are combined with the banding bands4.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, because the plurality of the banding bands4can be fixed to the band attachment portion5, the wires3can be divided into several groups and held together. Also in this case, because the banding bands4are less likely to interfere with each other, the workability can be improved. Because the wires can be divided into several groups and held together, wires that are hard to hold together, such as signal wires and power wires, can be divided into groups and held together.

By selecting the insertion hole to be used, a fixing method can be selected according to the purpose. For example, when it is desired to draw out wires downward and fix the wires, the insertion hole can be selected as in the case of a banding band4aillustrated inFIG. 8. When it is desired to draw out the wires to the front and fix crossover wires to the terminal block of an adjacent sequencer11, the insertion hole can be selected as in the case of a banding band4billustrated inFIG. 8. Further, when it is desired to draw wires toward the base10to make it hard to see and fix the wires with an improved appearance, the insertion hole can be selected as in the case of a banding band4cillustrated inFIG. 8. In this way, the banding band4can be fixed in an appropriate orientation for the wiring route by selecting an insertion hole into which the banding band4is inserted even if the plurality of the banding bands4are not necessarily used.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the corners17facing the insertion holes are chamfered. When the banding band4is inserted into the insertion hole, an end of the banding band4is easily guided into the insertion hole smoothly by the chamfered corners17. Therefore, the banding band4is easily inserted into the insertion hole, and attachment work of the banding band4can be facilitated. Accordingly, the workability in a dark place can be also improved.

The corners17are portions with which the banding band4comes in contact when the banding band4is fastened. Therefore, because the corners17are chamfered, a local load is less likely to be applied to the banding band4. Accordingly, the banding band4is less likely to be damaged.

Surface texturing may be performed on the surface of the sequencer terminal block1. According to the band attachment portion5of the sequencer terminal block1of the first embodiment, the operability of surface texturing can be improved and the appearance of the sequencer terminal block1after having been subjected to the surface texturing can be improved. This point is described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

A procedure for surface texturing is described first.FIGS. 10-1 to 10-3are diagrams illustrating a procedure for surface texturing around the band attachment portion5.FIG. 10-1illustrates a vicinity of the band attachment portion5in a state where the surface texturing is not performed. As illustrated inFIG. 10-2, in a state where a mold slide core18is inserted as a jig into the insertion hole of the band attachment portion5, the surface texturing is performed onto the surface of the sequencer terminal block1including the attachment-portion forming surface1a.

At this time, the surface texturing is not performed on an area covered with the mold slide core18, which is provided as an area not subjected to the surface texturing. However, as illustrated inFIG. 10-3, because the first legs13of the band attachment portion5are formed at the edge of the attachment-portion forming surface1a, most of the area not subjected to the surface texturing is hidden by the band attachment portion5. Therefore, the area not subjected to the surface texturing is hardly viewed, thereby improving the appearance of the sequencer terminal block1.

The width of the area not subjected to the surface texturing depends on the width of the mold slide core18. Because the mold slide core18is inserted from the insertion hole surrounded by the attachment-portion forming surface1a, the first legs13, and the first joining portion14, the width of the area not subjected to the surface texturing does not become larger than the width of the insertion hole.

Accordingly, by making the width of the second joining portion16to be at least larger than the width of the insertion hole surrounded by the attachment-portion forming surface1a, the first legs13, and the first joining portion14, the area not subjected to the surface texturing can be reliably hidden by the undersides of the first joining portion14and the second joining portion16as viewed in a plan view. Further, by making the width of the second joining portion16larger, the area not subjected to the surface texturing can be made less visible.

Because the second leg15is provided in the insertion direction of the mold slide core18, the mold slide core18can be inserted until striking against the second leg15. Therefore, fine adjustment or the like of the insertion amount is not required at the time of inserting the mold slide core18, and the operability can be improved.

A procedure for surface texturing to a sequencer terminal block100including a band attachment portion150illustrated is now described as a comparative example.FIGS. 11-1 to 11-3are diagrams illustrating a procedure for surface texturing around a band attachment portion illustrated as the comparative example.

In the band attachment portion150illustrated as the comparative example, one of legs113is formed at a position away from an edge of an attachment-portion forming surface100a. Therefore, due to the mold slide core18for covering, a part of an area not subjected to the surface texturing is not hidden by the band attachment portion150and exposed, thus deteriorating the appearance of the sequencer terminal block100. In contrast thereto, according to the present embodiment, as described above, because the area not subjected to the surface texturing is less visible, the appearance can be improved.

FIG. 12is a partially-enlarged perspective view of a band attachment portion illustrated as another comparative example. In a band attachment portion200illustrated as another comparative example, two working steps are required at the time of providing one banding band4, one is to insert an end of the banding band4into one of insertion holes and the other is draw out the end of the banding band4from the other insertion hole. Therefore, an increase in the labor hours and deterioration of the workability at the time of providing the banding band4is likely to be a problem. In contrast thereto, according to the present embodiment, because the banding band4can be provided only by inserting an end of the banding band4into the insertion hole once, an increase in the labor hours can be suppressed and the workability can be improved.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 13is a partially-enlarged perspective view illustrating a band attachment portion of a sequencer terminal block according to a second embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram illustrating a state where a banding band is attached to the band attachment portion. Constituent elements identical to those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by like reference signs, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

In a band attachment portion55of a sequencer terminal block51according to the second embodiment, the second leg15and the second joining portion16(see alsoFIG. 5, and the like) described in the above embodiment are not provided. Meanwhile, because two first legs53are formed at an edge of an attachment-portion forming surface51aas in the first embodiment, an area not subjected to the surface texturing can be hidden by the band attachment portion55including a first joining portion54. However, because the mold slide core18(see alsoFIG. 10-2) cannot be struck against the second leg15, the operability slightly decreases.

As in the first embodiment, the band attachment portion55is formed to protrude in the direction indicated by the arrow Y parallel to the array direction of the terminal connection portions12. The band attachment portion55is provided at a position away from the wiring route of the wires3connected to the terminal connection portions12. Accordingly, the band attachment portion55is less likely to interfere with the wiring work, and deterioration of the workability can be suppressed.

The banding band4can be provided only by inserting an end of the banding band4into the insertion hole once. Therefore, unlike the band attachment portion200illustrated inFIG. 12, after inserting the banding band4into one of insertion holes, it is not required to draw out the banding band4with the position thereof matched with the other insertion hole. Accordingly, an increase in the labor hours can be suppressed and the workability can be improved.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the sequencer terminal block according to the present invention is useful for a sequencer terminal block where a plurality of wires are connected to terminal connection portions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST