Patent Description:
An I/O unit of a programmable logic controller (PLC) has been conventionally known as an electronic device including a terminal block provided with a plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions, each set of which includes a pair of terminal portions. A temperature input unit and a temperature adjusting unit (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "temperature measuring unit") of the I/O unit can measure a temperature by using a thermocouple/thermocouples connected to one or more sets of the plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions described above.

When a temperature is measured by using the thermocouple connected to the pair of terminal portions of the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions of the temperature measuring unit, a large difference may occur between a temperature measured by the thermocouple and a temperature to be actually measured, due to an influence of a terminal block temperature.

As a method for preventing the difference in temperature measurement, there is known a method for compensating for the above-described difference by mounting a cold junction sensor, which is an electronic component, on the temperature measuring unit to measure the terminal block temperature of the temperature measuring unit, and using the terminal block temperature of the temperature measuring unit measured with the cold junction sensor. Such a method is specifically disclosed in, for example, <CIT> (PTL <NUM>).

The above-described literature describes that the cold junction sensor is provided in a portion of the temperature measuring unit located near one set of general-purpose terminal connection portions to which the thermocouple is connected. However, the above-described literature does not specifically mention how and at which position the cold junction sensor is provided.

<CIT> discloses a wire plug-in aid sleeve structure for a wire connection terminal that is assembled in a wire plug-in hole of the terminal. The aid sleeve includes a head section, a belly section connected with the head section and a tail section connected with the belly section. The head section, the belly section and the tail section together define a guide hole for the conductive wire to plug in. The tail section has a first side and a second side positioned on a peripheral section of the guide hole. After the conductive wire passes through the guide hole into the terminal, the metal leaf spring disposed in the terminal is facilitated to press the conductive wire toward the first side or second side.

<CIT> discloses a terminal block with an external electrical component.

<CIT> discloses a wire plug-in aid sleeve structure for a wire connection terminal.

Although there are various methods for placing the above-described cold junction sensor, one of the methods is to preliminarily attach the cold junction sensor from outside to a predetermined or arbitrarily selected particular set of a plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions provided in a terminal block. According to this method, the cold junction sensor is preliminarily attached to the terminal block by preliminarily inserting a pair of leads of the cold junction sensor into a pair of through holes of the terminal block provided to correspond to a pair of terminal portions of the above-described particular set of general-purpose terminal connection portions, thereby connecting the pair of leads to the pair of terminal portions.

Such a configuration makes the set of the plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions provided in the terminal block unavailable as general-purpose terminal connection portions. However, such a configuration provides an effect of being able to easily attach the cold junction sensor to the terminal block. Besides that, a component body of the cold junction sensor can be placed outside a temperature measuring unit, which allows more accurate measurement of a temperature of the pair of terminal portions of the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions. As a result, an influence of heat generation in the temperature measuring unit is small and degradation in accuracy of temperature measurement can be prevented more reliably.

However, the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions including the pair of through holes and the pair of terminal portions described above is configured to have a relatively large dimension so as to be able to receive terminals having various shapes and sizes, whereas the pair of leads of the cold junction sensor have a very thin shape. Therefore, when the cold junction sensor is attached to the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions from outside, the attachment state tends to be unstable, and a connection failure of the cold junction sensor may occur when external force is applied to the cold junction sensor, the terminal block, the temperature measuring unit and the like.

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made in light of the above-described problem, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic-component-equipped terminal block, and an electronic device including the same, in which a state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an attachment assistance tool for an electronic component that can stabilize the attachment state when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

The present invention is defined by claim <NUM>. Optional features of the present invention are set out in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

An electronic-component-equipped terminal block according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a terminal block; an electronic component attached to the terminal block; and an electrically insulating attachment assistance tool according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM> interposed between the electronic component and the terminal block. The terminal block includes: a housing having, in a front wall thereof, a first through hole and a second through hole provided to reach an accommodating portion formed inside the housing; a first terminal portion arranged in the accommodating portion so as to face the first through hole; and a second terminal portion arranged in the accommodating portion so as to face the second through hole. The electronic component includes: a component body arranged outside the housing so as to face the front wall; a first lead inserted through the first through hole and connected to the first terminal portion; and a second lead inserted through the second through hole and connected to the second terminal portion. In the electronic-component-equipped terminal block according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure, a hollow first passage portion through which the first lead is inserted is provided to extend from the base portion to the first insertion portion, a hollow second passage portion through which the second lead is inserted is provided to extend from the base portion to the second insertion portion, and a receiving portion that receives and accommodates at least a rear portion of the component body is provided at a front-side position of the base portion.

With such a configuration, the first insertion portion and the second insertion portion of the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component are interposed between the first through hole provided in the front wall of the housing of the terminal block and the first lead of the electronic component and between the second through hole provided in the front wall of the housing of the terminal block and the second lead of the electronic component, respectively. Therefore, a state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. In addition, the receiving portion that receives and accommodates at least the rear portion of the component body of the electronic component is provided at the front-side position of the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component. Therefore, the state of attachment of the electronic component is stabilized. Besides that, the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component do not project greatly at the front-side position of the terminal block, and thus, interference caused by the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component can be avoided.

In accordance with the invention, the receiving portion located at least between the first passage portion and the second passage portion.

With such a configuration, the electronic component whose rear portion is at least accommodated in the receiving portion is arranged between the first through hole and the second through hole at the front-side position of the terminal block. Therefore, the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component do not greatly project outward from the front-side region of the portion of the terminal block provided with the first through hole and the second through hole, and thus, interference caused by the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component can be further avoided.

In accordance with the invention, the base portion has a pair of erected wall portions that face each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction connecting the first passage portion and the second passage portion, when viewed from a front side, and in this case, the receiving portion is defined by the pair of erected wall portions.

With such a configuration, at the front-side position of the terminal block, the component body of the electronic component can be sandwiched by the pair of erected wall portions along the direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the first passage portion and the second passage portion. Therefore, the component body of the electronic component can be received and accommodated more stably by the receiving portion.

In preferred embodiment, the base portion is preferably not located between the pair of erected wall portions, when viewed from the front side.

With such a configuration, the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component is not located between the portion of the component body of the electronic component accommodated in the receiving portion and the front wall of the terminal block. Therefore, an amount of projection of the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component at the front-side position of the terminal block can be minimized. Thus, interference caused by the electronic component and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component can be avoided at the maximum.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first passage portion preferably has a first guide portion having a passage cross-sectional area that decreases with increasing distance from the base portion, to thereby guide the first lead to the first terminal portion, and the second passage portion preferably has a second guide portion having a passage cross-sectional area that decreases with increasing distance from the base portion, to thereby guide the second lead to the second terminal portion.

With such a configuration, when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block, the first lead and the second lead of the electronic component are guided by the first guide portion and the second guide portion and connected to the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate connection positions can be achieved and the attachment work can be simplified. After the electronic component is attached, the occurrence of misalignment of the first lead and the second lead in the direction orthogonal to the connection directions of the first lead and the second lead can be suppressed, and as a result, the occurrence of a connection failure can be prevented.

In the electronic-component-equipped terminal block according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure, the base portion may be provided with a first frame-like portion that surrounds at least a part of the first passage portion when viewed from the front side, and the base portion may be provided with a second frame-like portion that surrounds at least a part of the second passage portion when viewed from the front side. In this case, each of a rear surface of the first frame-like portion and a rear surface of the second frame-like portion preferably abuts against the front wall.

With such a configuration, the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component interposed between the electronic component and the terminal block is stably positioned and held with respect to the terminal block. As a result, the state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block can be further stabilized.

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the electronic-component-equipped terminal block according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure.

Such a configuration can provide the electronic device in which the state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized.

An attachment assistance tool for an electronic component according to an aspect of the present disclosure is configured to be interposed between an electronic component attached to a terminal block and the terminal block, the attachment assistance tool including: a base portion configured to be arranged outside a housing of the terminal block such that a rear surface thereof abuts against a front wall of the housing of the terminal block and a part thereof faces a first through hole of the terminal block and a second through hole of the terminal block; a first insertion portion protruding from the rear surface of the base portion to be thereby inserted into the first through hole of the terminal block; and a second insertion portion protruding from the rear surface of the base portion to be thereby inserted into the second through hole of the terminal block. In the attachment assistance tool according to the above-described aspect of the present disclosure, a hollow first passage portion through which a first lead of the electronic component is inserted is provided to extend from the base portion to the first insertion portion, a hollow second passage portion through which a second lead of the electronic component is inserted is provided to extend from the base portion to the second insertion portion, and a receiving portion configured to receive and accommodate at least a rear portion of a component body of the electronic component is provided at a front-side position of the base portion.

Such a configuration can provide the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component that can stabilize the attachment state when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there can be provided an electronic-component-equipped terminal block, and an electronic device including the same, in which a state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there can be provided an attachment assistance tool for an electronic component that can stabilize the attachment state when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

An embodiment will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings. The embodiment below illustrates a temperature measuring unit (i.e., a temperature input unit or a temperature adjusting unit) of a PLC, an electronic-component-equipped terminal block included therein, and an attachment assistance tool for the electronic component used therefor. In the embodiment described below, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters in the drawings, and description thereof will not be repeated.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of a terminal block shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the main portion of the terminal block shown in <FIG>. First, schematic configurations of an electronic device <NUM> according to the embodiment and an electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> included therein will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, electronic device <NUM> serving as a temperature measuring unit of a PLC has a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape configured such that an outer dimension in an up/down direction and an outer dimension in a front/rear direction are relatively large and an outer dimension in a right/left direction is relatively small. Electronic device <NUM> includes a device body <NUM> and electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM>. Electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> is attached to a cutout portion provided in a front-side lower portion of device body <NUM>, and thus, electronic device <NUM> as a whole has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape as described above.

Various electronic components, wiring boards having the electronic components mounted thereon, and the like are accommodated in device body <NUM>, and form function units of electronic device <NUM> required for temperature measurement, temperature adjustment and the like. Electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> forms an input/output unit for electrically connecting these function units provided in device body <NUM> to an external device, a sensor (including a thermocouple) and the like.

As shown in <FIG>, electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> includes a terminal block <NUM>, an attachment assistance tool 100A and an electronic component <NUM>. Electronic component <NUM> is a so-called cold junction sensor and is attached to terminal block <NUM> from outside. Attachment assistance tool 100A is interposed between electronic component <NUM> attached to terminal block <NUM> and terminal block <NUM>.

Terminal block <NUM> has an elongated and substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape extending along the up/down direction, and has, in a front surface thereof, a plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions to which thermocouples and the like are connectable. Electronic component <NUM> is connected, from outside terminal block <NUM>, to the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions located at the top, of the plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions. Attachment assistance tool 100A is mounted on the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions to which electronic component <NUM> is attached, and attachment assistance tool 100A is thereby interposed between electronic component <NUM> and terminal block <NUM>.

The present embodiment illustrates the case in which electronic component <NUM> is attached to the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions located at the top, of the plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions. However, as a matter of course, electronic component <NUM> may be attached to another set of general-purpose terminal connection portions.

Terminal block <NUM> has a housing <NUM>, which is an outer shell of terminal block <NUM>, and housing <NUM> includes a front wall <NUM>. Front wall <NUM> includes a plurality of through holes and a plurality of window portions that are provided in an array. The plurality of through holes and the plurality of window portions form the plurality of sets of general-purpose terminal connection portions. One set of general-purpose terminal connection portions includes a pair of right and left through holes (first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM>), and a pair of right and left window portions (first window portion for operation 14R and second window portion for operation <NUM>).

Each of first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM> is implemented by a substantially columnar hole portion provided in front wall <NUM>, and penetrates through front wall <NUM> along a thickness direction thereof. Each of first window portion for operation 14R and second window portion for operation <NUM> is implemented by a substantially quadrangular prism-like hole portion provided in front wall <NUM>, and penetrates through front wall <NUM> along the thickness direction thereof. First window portion for operation 14R is located above first through hole 13R, and second window portion for operation <NUM> is located above second through hole <NUM>.

Referring particularly to <FIG>, electronic component <NUM> includes a component body <NUM>, a pair of right and left leads (first lead 211R and second lead <NUM>), and a cylindrical cover member <NUM> that covers component body <NUM>.

Component body <NUM> has a substantially columnar outer shape, and first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> extend in mutually opposite directions from an axial end surface of component body <NUM> along an axial direction of component body <NUM>. In addition, first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> are bent at a midway position, such that tip-side portions thereof extend in the same direction. Cover member <NUM> is a member for protecting component body <NUM> from outside, and is also a member for thermally insulating component body <NUM> from the outside air.

Referring particularly to <FIG>, attachment assistance tool 100A is implemented by an electrically insulating member including a base portion <NUM> located on the front side, and a pair of right and left insertion portions (first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM>) protruding rearward from a rear surface of base portion <NUM>, and is preferably implemented by an injection molded article made of resin. A material of attachment assistance tool 100A is not particularly limited as long as it is electrically insulating, and a polycarbonate resin or the like is, for example, selected as a particularly suitable material.

Base portion <NUM> is implemented by a flat frame-like member configured such that an outer dimension in the right/left direction is relatively large, an outer dimension in the up/down direction is relatively small, and an outer dimension in the front/rear direction is sufficiently small, and having a cut-out central portion. Each of first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> is implemented by a tubular member extending in the front/rear direction.

Although a specific structure thereof will be described in detail below, attachment assistance tool 100A is provided with a hollow first passage portion 121R extending from base portion <NUM> to first insertion portion 120R, and a hollow second passage portion <NUM> extending from base portion <NUM> to second insertion portion <NUM>. Base portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A is provided with a cutout-like receiving portion <NUM> at a front-side position of base portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM>, first insertion portion 120R of attachment assistance tool 100A is inserted into above-described first through hole 13R of terminal block <NUM> and second insertion portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A is inserted into above-described second through hole <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>, thereby mounting attachment assistance tool 100A on the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions located at the top of terminal block <NUM>.

Electronic component <NUM> is attached to the set of general-purpose terminal connection portions located at the top of terminal block <NUM>, in a state where first lead 211R is inserted through above-described first passage portion 121R of attachment assistance tool 100A and second lead <NUM> is inserted through above-described second passage portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A. A rear portion of component body <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and a rear portion of cover member <NUM> that covers component body <NUM> are accommodated in receiving portion <NUM> provided in base portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A.

<FIG> are a perspective view and a front view of the attachment assistance tool according to the embodiment, respectively. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in <FIG>. Next, a more detailed structure of attachment assistance tool 100A according to the embodiment will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As described above, as shown in <FIG>, attachment assistance tool 100A has base portion <NUM>, and first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM>. Base portion <NUM> is a portion that abuts against front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> in a state where attachment assistance tool 100A is mounted on terminal block <NUM>. First insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> are portions that are inserted into first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM> provided in front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>, respectively, in a state where attachment assistance tool 100A is mounted on terminal block <NUM>.

Base portion <NUM> includes a pair of erected wall portions (upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D) that face each other in the up/down direction (i.e., in a direction orthogonal to a direction connecting first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM> when viewed from the front side), and a pair of frame-like portions (first frame-like portion 112R and second frame-like portion <NUM>) located at both ends in the right/left direction.

Each of upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D extends along the right/left direction, and is generally located between first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> when viewed from the front side.

Upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D are portions that abut against front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> in a state where attachment assistance tool 100A is mounted on terminal block <NUM>. More specifically, a rear surface of upper-side erected wall portion 111U and a rear surface of lower-side erected wall portion 111D abut against front wall <NUM>.

Receiving portion <NUM> defined by upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D is located between upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D. As described above, receiving portion <NUM> is a portion for receiving and accommodating the rear portion of cover member <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and the rear portion of component body <NUM> covered with cover member <NUM>.

Base portion <NUM> is not located between upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D when viewed from the front side, and this portion is open in the front/back direction. In the present embodiment, a part of first insertion portion 120R and a part of second insertion portion <NUM> are arranged at rear-side positions of this portion.

First frame-like portion 112R is implemented by an arc-shaped member that connects a right end of upper-side erected wall portion 111U and a right end of lower-side erected wall portion 111D, and surrounds first passage portion 121R described in detail below when viewed from the front side. Second frame-like portion <NUM> is implemented by an arc-shaped member that connects a left end of upper-side erected wall portion 111U and a left end of lower-side erected wall portion 111D, and surrounds second passage portion <NUM> described in detail below when viewed from the front side.

First frame-like portion 112R and second frame-like portion <NUM> are portions that abut against front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> in a state where attachment assistance tool 100A is mounted on terminal block <NUM>. More specifically, a rear surface of first frame-like portion 112R and a rear surface of second frame-like portion <NUM> abut against front wall <NUM>.

First insertion portion 120R is implemented by a tubular member protruding rearward from a portion located close to a right end of the rear surface of base portion <NUM>, and includes first passage portion 121R through which first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> can be inserted. First passage portion 121R extends along the front/back direction, and a front end and a rear end thereof are open. The open end on the front end side of first passage portion 121R is defined by a front-side first opening 114R provided at a position close to the right end of base portion <NUM>, and the open end on the rear end side of first passage portion 121R is defined by a rear-side first opening 123R provided at a rear end of first insertion portion 120R.

First passage portion 121R is provided with a first guide portion 122R having a passage cross-sectional area that decreases with increasing distance from base portion <NUM> (i.e., from a portion on the front-side first opening 114R side toward a portion on the rear-side first opening 123R side). First guide portion 122R is a portion for guiding first lead 211R to a below-described first terminal portion 16R (see <FIG>) when first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> is inserted through first passage portion 121R.

Second insertion portion <NUM> is implemented by a tubular member protruding rearward from a portion located close to a left end of the rear surface of base portion <NUM>, and includes second passage portion <NUM> through which second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> can be inserted. Second passage portion <NUM> extends along the front/back direction, and a front end and a rear end thereof are open. The open end on the front end side of second passage portion <NUM> is defined by a front-side second opening <NUM> provided at a position close to the left end of base portion <NUM>, and the open end on the rear end side of second passage portion <NUM> is defined by a rear-side second opening <NUM> provided at a rear end of second insertion portion <NUM>.

Second passage portion <NUM> is provided with a second guide portion <NUM> having a passage cross-sectional area that decreases with increasing distance from base portion <NUM> (i.e., from a portion on the front-side second opening <NUM> side toward a portion on the rear-side second opening <NUM> side). Second guide portion <NUM> is a portion for guiding second lead <NUM> to a below-described second terminal portion <NUM> (see <FIG>) when second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is inserted through second passage portion <NUM>.

Each of rear-side first opening 123R of first passage portion 121R and rear-side second opening <NUM> of second passage portion <NUM> has a vertically long hole shape in which a dimension in the up/down direction is relatively large and a dimension in the right/left direction is relatively small. With such a configuration, positioning in the right/left direction of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> inserted through first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM> can be performed more precisely.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in <FIG>. Next, a structure of attachment of electronic component <NUM> to terminal block <NUM> in electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> according to the embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, an accommodating portion <NUM> is provided inside housing <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> and behind front wall <NUM>. Accommodating portion <NUM> includes a first accommodating portion 15R located on the right side of terminal block <NUM>, and a second accommodating portion <NUM> located on the left side of terminal block <NUM>. First accommodating portion 15R is located behind first through hole 13R, and second accommodating portion <NUM> is located behind second through hole <NUM>. In other words, first through hole 13R is provided in front wall <NUM> so as to reach first accommodating portion 15R provided inside housing <NUM>, and second through hole <NUM> is provided in front wall <NUM> so as to reach second accommodating portion <NUM> provided inside housing <NUM>.

First terminal portion 16R is arranged in first accommodating portion 15R so as to face first through hole 13R. Second terminal portion <NUM> is arranged in second accommodating portion <NUM> so as to face second through hole <NUM>. First terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM> are portions to which first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> are connected, respectively, and each of first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM> includes a terminal body <NUM> and a plate spring <NUM>.

Although first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM> are partially different from each other in shape or the like in a strict sense, first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM> basically have the same structure, and thus, attention will be focused on first terminal portion 16R and a structure thereof will be described below.

A part of terminal body <NUM> is arranged at a lower position of first accommodating portion 15R provided inside terminal block <NUM>. On the other hand, plate spring <NUM> is arranged at an upper position of first accommodating portion 15R provided inside terminal block <NUM>, so as to face the portion of terminal body <NUM> arranged at the lower position of first accommodating portion 15R. In the present embodiment, terminal body <NUM> has a substantially U shape in a side view, and plate spring <NUM> has a shape of being bent like a clip.

A tip of plate spring <NUM> abuts against terminal body <NUM>, and plate spring <NUM> is in a state of being elastically biased with respect to terminal body <NUM> due to the elastic force of plate spring <NUM>. Terminal body <NUM> is implemented by an electrically conductive member having relatively high rigidity. On the other hand, plate spring <NUM> is implemented by an elastic member, and may be implemented by an electrically conductive member or a non-electrically conductive member. Terminal body <NUM> is electrically connected to a not-shown circuit board at a rear-end-side position thereof.

Thus, when first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> is inserted from the front between terminal body <NUM> and the portion of plate spring <NUM> that abuts against terminal body <NUM> (terminal body <NUM> and plate spring <NUM> form first terminal portion 16R), first lead 211R is sandwiched between terminal body <NUM> and plate spring <NUM>, thereby connecting first lead 211R to first terminal portion 16R.

As described above, second terminal portion <NUM> also has a structure that is basically similar to that of first terminal portion 16R. Therefore, when second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is inserted from the front between terminal body <NUM> and the portion of plate spring <NUM> that abuts against terminal body <NUM> (terminal body <NUM> and plate spring <NUM> form second terminal portion <NUM>), second lead <NUM> is sandwiched between terminal body <NUM> and plate spring <NUM>, thereby connecting second lead <NUM> to second terminal portion <NUM>.

A prescribed portion of plate spring <NUM> that forms first terminal portion 16R faces first window portion for operation 14R provided in front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>. A prescribed portion of plate spring <NUM> that forms second terminal portion <NUM> faces second window portion for operation <NUM> provided in front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>.

Thus, when a tool having a prescribed shape is inserted into first window portion for operation 14R and second window portion for operation <NUM>, the tool can be brought into contact with plate spring <NUM> and elastically deform plate spring <NUM>, which makes it possible to release the abutment of plate spring <NUM> against terminal body <NUM>. Therefore, by performing the above-described operation using the tool, insertion and removal of first lead 211R into/from first terminal portion 16R and insertion and removal of second lead <NUM> into/from second terminal portion <NUM> can be performed more easily.

As described above, electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> according to the present embodiment is formed by attaching electronic component <NUM> to terminal block <NUM> in a state where attachment assistance tool 100A is interposed.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, base portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A is arranged outside housing <NUM> such that base portion <NUM> abuts against front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> and a part thereof faces first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM>, and first insertion portion 120R of attachment assistance tool 100A is inserted into first through hole 13R provided in front wall <NUM>, and second insertion portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A is inserted into second through hole <NUM> provided in front wall <NUM>.

Component body <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is arranged outside housing <NUM> so as to face front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>, and first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> is inserted through first through hole 13R provided in front wall <NUM> and connected to first terminal portion 16R, and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is inserted through second through hole <NUM> provided in front wall <NUM> and connected to second terminal portion <NUM>.

As a result, the rear portion of cover member <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and the rear portion of component body <NUM> covered with cover member <NUM> are in a state of being received and accommodated by receiving portion <NUM> provided in base portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A, and furthermore, first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> is in a state of being inserted through first passage portion 121R provided to extend from base portion <NUM> to first insertion portion 120R of attachment assistance tool 100A, and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is in a state of being inserted through second passage portion <NUM> provided to extend from base portion <NUM> to second insertion portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A.

With such a configuration, first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A are interposed between first through hole 13R provided in front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> and first lead 211R of electronic component <NUM> and between second through hole <NUM> provided in front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM> and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM>. Therefore, a state of attachment of electronic component <NUM> to terminal block <NUM> is stabilized.

In addition, receiving portion <NUM> configured to receive and accommodate the rear portion of cover member <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and the rear portion of component body <NUM> covered with cover member <NUM> is provided at the front-side position of attachment assistance tool 100A. Therefore, the state of attachment of electronic component <NUM> is stabilized. Besides that, electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A do not project greatly at the front-side position of terminal block <NUM>, and thus, interference caused by electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A can be avoided.

In addition, since receiving portion <NUM> is located between first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM>, cover member <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and component body <NUM> covered with cover member <NUM>, rear portions of which are accommodated in receiving portion <NUM>, are arranged between first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM> at the front-side position of terminal block <NUM>.

Therefore, with such a configuration, electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A do not greatly project outward (i.e., in the right/left direction, in the up/down direction, and the like) from the front-side region of the portion of terminal block <NUM> provided with first through hole 13R and second through hole <NUM>, and thus, interference caused by electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A can be further avoided.

In addition, receiving portion <NUM> is defined by upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D that face each other in the up/down direction. Therefore, at the front-side position of terminal block <NUM>, the rear portion of cover member <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> and the rear portion of component body <NUM> covered with cover member <NUM> can be sandwiched along the up/down direction. Therefore, electronic component <NUM> can be received and accommodated more stably by receiving portion <NUM>.

In addition, base portion <NUM> is not located between upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D, when viewed from the front side. Thus, attachment assistance tool 100A is not located between the rear surface of the portion of electronic component <NUM> accommodated in receiving portion <NUM> and front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>. Therefore, an amount of projection of electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A at the front-side position of terminal block <NUM> can be minimized. Thus, interference caused by electronic component <NUM> and attachment assistance tool 100A can be avoided at the maximum.

In addition, base portion <NUM> is provided with not only upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D but also first frame-like portion 112R and second frame-like portion <NUM>. Therefore, the rear surface of each of upper-side erected wall portion 111U, lower-side erected wall portion 111D, first frame-like portion 112R, and second frame-like portion <NUM> abuts against front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>. Thus, attachment assistance tool 100A interposed between electronic component <NUM> and terminal block <NUM> is positioned and held with respect to terminal block <NUM> more stably. As a result, the state of attachment of electronic component <NUM> to terminal block <NUM> can be further stabilized.

As described above, in electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> according to the present embodiment, first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM> of attachment assistance tool 100A are provided with first guide portion 122R and second guide portion <NUM> described above, respectively. Therefore, when electronic component <NUM> is attached to terminal block <NUM>, first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> are guided by first guide portion 122R and second guide portion <NUM> and connected to first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM>, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate connection positions can be achieved and the attachment work can be simplified. After electronic component <NUM> is attached, the occurrence of misalignment of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> in the direction orthogonal to the connection directions of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> (i.e., in the right/left direction, in the up/down direction, and the like) can be suppressed, and as a result, the occurrence of a connection failure can be prevented.

Referring to <FIG>, when a distance A between the bent portions of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> does not match a pitch B between first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM>, it is particularly suitable to provide first guide portion 122R and second guide portion <NUM> described above in attachment assistance tool 100A. That is, the orientation of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> is corrected by first guide portion 122R and second guide portion <NUM> when electronic component <NUM> is attached to terminal block <NUM>, and thus, the position of connection of first lead 211R to first terminal portion 16R and the position of connection of second lead <NUM> to second terminal portion <NUM> can be adjusted to desired positions. Therefore, even when external force is applied to electronic component <NUM>, terminal block <NUM>, electronic device <NUM> and the like, the occurrence of a connection failure of electronic component <NUM> can be significantly suppressed.

In the example shown in <FIG>, distance A between the bent portions of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is longer than pitch B between first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM>. In this case, a pitch C between rear-side first opening 123R of first passage portion 121R and rear-side second opening <NUM> of second passage portion <NUM> is preferably set to be shorter than above-described distance A and longer than above-described pitch B.

In contrast, when distance A between the bent portions of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is shorter than pitch B between first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM>, pitch C between rear-side first opening 123R of first passage portion 121R and rear-side second opening <NUM> of second passage portion <NUM> is preferably set to be longer than above-described distance A and shorter than above-described pitch B.

When distance A between the bent portions of first lead 211R and second lead <NUM> of electronic component <NUM> is the same as pitch B between first terminal portion 16R and second terminal portion <NUM>, pitch C between rear-side first opening 123R of first passage portion 121R and rear-side second opening <NUM> of second passage portion <NUM> is preferably set to be the same as above-described distance A and pitch B.

That is, it is preferable to design above-described attachment assistance tool 100A such that rear-side first opening 123R is located on a line segment connecting the bent portion of first lead 211R and a target position of connection of first terminal portion 16R to first lead 211R, and rear-side second opening <NUM> is located on a line segment connecting the bent portion of second lead <NUM> and a target position of connection of second terminal portion <NUM> to second lead <NUM>, after electronic component <NUM> is attached to terminal block <NUM>. By designing attachment assistance tool 100A as described above, the occurrence of a connection failure of electronic component <NUM> can be significantly suppressed.

As described above, electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> according to the present embodiment, and electronic device <NUM> including the same according to the present embodiment can be an electronic-component-equipped terminal block, and an electronic device including the same, in which a state of attachment of electronic component <NUM> to terminal block <NUM> is stabilized. In addition, attachment assistance tool 100A according to the present embodiment can be an attachment assistance tool for an electronic component that can stabilize the attachment state when electronic component <NUM> is attached to terminal block <NUM>.

<FIG> are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an attachment assistance tool according to a first modification based on the above-described embodiment, respectively. An attachment assistance tool 100B according to the first modification will be described below with reference to <FIG>. Attachment assistance tool 100B is used in above-described electronic device <NUM> and above-described electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> included therein, instead of attachment assistance tool 100A according to the above-described embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, when attachment assistance tool 100B according to the first modification is compared with attachment assistance tool 100A according to the above-described embodiment, base portion <NUM>, first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> have different shapes. Specifically, in attachment assistance tool 100B, first frame-like portion 112R and second frame-like portion <NUM> extending in an arc shape are formed to be longer, and thus, upper-side erected wall portion 111U and lower-side erected wall portion 111D are formed to be shorter and a distance therebetween is shorter. In addition, each of first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM> is formed such that a front-end-side portion thereof has a substantially columnar space and a rear-end-side portion thereof has a substantially circular truncated conical space.

Such a configuration is basically similar to that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in an electronic-component-equipped terminal block and an electronic device including attachment assistance tool 100B, the state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. In addition, by using attachment assistance tool 100B, the attachment state can be stabilized when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

<FIG> are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an attachment assistance tool according to a second modification based on the above-described embodiment, respectively. An attachment assistance tool 100C according to the second modification will be described below with reference to <FIG>. Attachment assistance tool 100C is used in above-described electronic device <NUM> and above-described electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> included therein, instead of attachment assistance tool 100A according to the above-described embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, when attachment assistance tool 100C according to the second modification is compared with attachment assistance tool 100B according to the above-described first modification, first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> have a different shape. Specifically, in attachment assistance tool 100C, each of first passage portion 121R and second passage portion <NUM> is formed such that a front-end-side portion thereof has a substantially circular truncated conical space and a rear-end-side portion thereof has a substantially columnar space. In addition, a first rib 124R and a second rib <NUM> are provided on outer circumferential surfaces of first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM>, respectively.

Such a configuration is basically similar to that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in an electronic-component-equipped terminal block and an electronic device including attachment assistance tool 100C, the state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. In addition, by using attachment assistance tool 100C, the attachment state can be stabilized when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

<FIG> are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an attachment assistance tool according to a third modification based on the above-described embodiment, respectively. An attachment assistance tool 100D according to the third modification will be described below with reference to <FIG>. Attachment assistance tool 100D is used in above-described electronic device <NUM> and above-described electronic-component-equipped terminal block <NUM> included therein, instead of attachment assistance tool 100A according to the above-described embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, when attachment assistance tool 100D according to the third modification is compared with attachment assistance tool 100B according to the above-described first modification, base portion <NUM>, first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> have different shapes. Specifically, in attachment assistance tool 100D, each of first frame-like portion 112R and second frame-like portion <NUM> extending in an arc shape is cut out at a prescribed position, and first insertion portion 120R and second insertion portion <NUM> are provided with a first engagement portion 125R and a second engagement portion <NUM>, respectively.

First engagement portion 125R and second engagement portion <NUM> are portions for more firmly fixing attachment assistance tool 100D to front wall <NUM> of terminal block <NUM>. A hook portion is provided at a rear end portion of each of first engagement portion 125R and second engagement portion <NUM>, thereby sandwiching front wall <NUM> between base portion <NUM> and the hook portion in the attachment state.

Such a configuration is basically similar to that of the above-described embodiment. Therefore, in an electronic-component-equipped terminal block and an electronic device including attachment assistance tool 100D, the state of attachment of the electronic component to the terminal block is stabilized. In addition, by using attachment assistance tool 100D, the attachment state can be stabilized when the electronic component is attached to the terminal block.

In the above-described embodiment and the first to third modifications based on the embodiment, description has been given by way of example of the case in which the receiving portion provided in the base portion of the attachment assistance tool is formed by the upper-side erected portion and the lower-side erected portion that face each other in the up/down direction, and the base portion is not located between the upper-side erected portion and the lower-side erected portion. However, the configuration of the receiving portion is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the receiving portion may have another shape. For example, the receiving portion may be formed by a recessed portion provided on the front surface side of the base portion.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment and the first to third modifications based on the embodiment, description has been given by way of example of the case in which the present disclosure is applied to the temperature measuring unit of the PLC, the electronic-component-equipped terminal block included therein, and the attachment assistance tool for the electronic component used therefor. However, the present disclosure is not limited to being applied thereto. The characteristic features of the present disclosure can be applied to various types of electronic devices, electronic-component-equipped terminal blocks included therein, and attachment assistance tools for electronic components used therefor.

In addition, the characteristic features mentioned in the above-described embodiment and the first to third modifications based on the embodiment can be combined with each other within the scope not deviating from the subject of the present invention.

As described above, the embodiment and the modifications thereof disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims and is intended to include any modifications within the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
An attachment assistance tool (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) for an electronic component configured to be interposed between an electronic component attached to a terminal block and the terminal block, the attachment assistance tool (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) comprising:
a base portion (<NUM>) configured to be arranged outside a housing of the terminal block such that a rear surface thereof abuts against a front wall of the housing and a part thereof faces a first through hole of the terminal block and a second through hole of the terminal block;
a first insertion portion (120R) protruding from the rear surface of the base portion (<NUM>) to be thereby inserted into the first through hole of the terminal block; and
a second insertion portion (<NUM>) protruding from the rear surface of the base portion (<NUM>) to be thereby inserted into the second through hole of the terminal block, wherein
a hollow first passage portion (121R) through which a first lead of the electronic component is to be inserted is provided to extend from the base portion (<NUM>) to the first insertion portion (120R),
a hollow second passage portion (<NUM>) through which a second lead of the electronic component is to be inserted is provided to extend from the base portion (<NUM>) to the second insertion portion (<NUM>), and
a receiving portion (<NUM>) configured to receive and accommodate at least a rear portion of a component body of the electronic component is provided at a front-side position of the base portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the receiving portion (<NUM>) is located at least between the first passage portion (121R) and the second passage portion (<NUM>),
the base portion (<NUM>) has a pair of erected wall portions (111U, 111D) that face each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction connecting the first passage portion (121R) and the second passage portion (<NUM>), when viewed from a front side, and
the receiving portion (<NUM>) is defined by the pair of erected wall portions (111U, 111D).