Patent Description:
Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a terminal block in which a plurality of terminal block units are coupled.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a module interface including a fixing device for attaching an additional module to the interface. A coding device is provided on the interface so that only an additional module with corresponding coding can be attached, with the coding device part of the fixing device.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a modular terminal block for connecting leads or wires to an electrical body includes a module stack of side-by-side module assemblies and an alignment plate. In this terminal block each module assembly includes a housing, a number of conductors extending from the housing, and a cover member to cover the conductors; the alignment plate accurately positions the conductors despite variations in housing dimension due to manufacturing tolerances; the housing includes walls supported on both sides when forming part of the module stack; the walls resist deflection of the conductors during installation of the alignment plate and electrical body; and each cover member engages and is held closed by a conductor extending from the housing.

Patent Literature <NUM> discloses an electrical connection device developed for quick connection via pins, wherein said device includes planar conductor portion provided with projections and urged by a spring towards a connection pad of a housing terminal. This configuration prevents the repulsion generated by a short-circuit current in a circuit breaker and maintains the contact between the conductors of the circuit breaker and the conductors connected to the differential protection unit without any screwing action.

In the terminal block, for example, when a positive power supply terminal of each terminal block unit is erroneously connected by a connecting wire in a state where the terminal block units are electrically connected, a positive power supply line may be short-circuited, and a defect such as damage or ignition of each terminal block unit may occur.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal block capable of preventing erroneous connection of a power supply line to a power supply terminal when a plurality of terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state, and a terminal block set in which a plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled.

A terminal block of an example of the present disclosure which can be coupled to another terminal block along a first direction in an electrically connected state, the terminal block including:.

A terminal block set of an example of the present disclosure in which the plurality of terminal blocks are coupled along the first direction in an electrically connected state, the terminal block set including:.

According to the terminal block, the housing includes the protruding portion that protrudes from the first wall portion in the first direction and in the direction away from the second wall portion and functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line to the input-side power supply terminal, and the through hole that is arranged in a vicinity of the input-side power supply line of the second wall portion and penetrates the second wall portion in the first direction to allow insertion of the obstructing member. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize the terminal block capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

According to the terminal block set, the terminal block can realize the terminal block set capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal.

As shown in <FIG>, a terminal block set <NUM> of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of terminal blocks coupled along a first direction X in an electrically connected state. In the present embodiment, the terminal block set <NUM> includes, as the plurality of terminal blocks, a first terminal block <NUM>, a second terminal block <NUM>, and a third terminal block <NUM> which are electrically connected to each other.

Hereinafter, a direction intersecting (for example, orthogonal to) the first direction X is referred to as a second direction Y, and a direction intersecting (for example, orthogonal to) the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z.

As shown in <FIG>, each of the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes an insulating housing <NUM> and a plurality of terminals <NUM> arranged inside the housing <NUM>. The terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are, for example, push-in connection type terminal blocks having substantially the same shape and size. In <FIG>, only the first terminal block <NUM> is shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a first wall portion <NUM> provided on one side in the first direction X and extending in the second direction Y, and a second wall portion <NUM> provided on the other side in the first direction X and extending in the second direction Y. The first wall portion <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM> each have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction X, and are arranged substantially parallel to each other at an interval in the first direction X.

The first wall portion <NUM> includes a protruding portion <NUM> protruding from the first wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X and in a direction away from the second wall portion <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> is formed of a substantially columnar protruding member <NUM>, and is arranged in the vicinity of an imaginary straight line L1 (shown in <FIG>) extending in the first direction X through an input-side power supply terminal <NUM> described later when viewed from the third direction Z. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion <NUM> is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction (that is, the upper end of <FIG>) of the outer surface of the first wall portion <NUM>. The second wall portion <NUM> has a first through hole <NUM> that is arranged in the vicinity of the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and penetrates the second wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X. Each of the protruding portion <NUM> and the first through hole <NUM> is arranged on an imaginary straight line L2 (shown in <FIG>) extending in the first direction X.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the plurality of terminals <NUM> are provided at both end portions in the second direction Y (that is, in the longitudinal direction of the housing <NUM>). In the present embodiment, eight terminals <NUM> are arranged in a lattice pattern extending in the first direction X and the second direction Y in regions at both ends of the housing <NUM> in the second direction Y.

The terminals <NUM> include the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and output-side power supply terminal <NUM>. Each of the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and the output-side power supply terminal <NUM> is arranged along the second wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and is configured to be connectable to each of an input-side power supply line <NUM> and an output-side power supply line <NUM> (both shown in <FIG>). In the present embodiment, each of the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and the output-side power supply terminal <NUM> is arranged along the second wall portion <NUM> in the region on the upper side in the second direction Y of the housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the terminals <NUM> are independently accommodated in a plurality of accommodating portions (not shown) provided inside the housing <NUM>. Each accommodating portion communicates with an outside of the housing <NUM> via two opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> opened in the third direction Z. One opening portion <NUM> is configured such that a conductor portion (not shown) of an electric wire can be inserted and removed. Further, the other opening portion <NUM> is configured such that a long jig (for example, a flathead screwdriver) can be inserted and removed. In <FIG>, only the first terminal block <NUM> is shown.

As shown in <FIG>, the protruding portion <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> is inserted into the first through hole <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM>, and overlaps a part or an entirety of the opening portion <NUM> connected to the accommodating portion in which the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> is accommodated when viewed from the third direction Z (that is, the sheet penetration direction of <FIG>). As a result, the protruding portion <NUM> functions as an obstructing member that hinders or obstructs connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM>. Further, the protruding portion <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> is inserted into the first through hole <NUM> of the third terminal block <NUM>, and functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM>. That is, the first through hole <NUM> is configured to allow insertion of an obstructing member.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> provided on the first wall portion <NUM> and arranged at an interval from the protruding portion <NUM> in the second direction Y, and a second through hole <NUM> provided on the second wall portion <NUM> and arranged at an interval from the first through hole <NUM> in the second direction Y. In the present embodiment, the protrusion <NUM> is provided at the other end (that is, the lower end of <FIG>) of the first wall portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction, and the second through hole <NUM> is provided at the other end of the second wall portion <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. Each of the protrusion <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM> is arranged on an imaginary straight line L3 (shown in <FIG>) extending in the first direction X.

As shown in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> is press-fitted into the second through hole <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM>, whereby the first terminal block <NUM> and the second terminal block <NUM> are coupled to each other. Further, the protrusion <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> is press-fitted into the second through hole <NUM> of the third terminal block <NUM>, whereby the first terminal block <NUM> and the second terminal block <NUM> are coupled to each other.

In the present embodiment, the protruding portion <NUM> is configured to be press-fitted into the first through hole <NUM>, the protruding portion <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> constitute a pair of press-fit protrusions, and the first through hole <NUM> and the second through hole <NUM> constitute a pair of press-fit holes. That is, the protruding portion <NUM> also serves as a press-fit protrusion.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes a jig groove <NUM> extending along the third direction Z from one edge of the first wall portion <NUM> in the third direction Z (that is, an edge of the first wall portion <NUM> on the side where the opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM> are opened). In the present embodiment, the two jig grooves <NUM> are arranged between the protruding portion <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> in the second direction Y and in the vicinities of the protruding portion <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM>, respectively.

As shown in <FIG>, each jig groove <NUM> includes a bottom surface <NUM> facing the adjacent terminal block, and is configured to allow insertion of a long jig (for example, a flathead screwdriver). The bottom surface <NUM> of each jig groove <NUM> is inclined so as to approach the adjacent terminal block from one edge toward the other edge in the third direction Z.

According to the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the housing <NUM> includes the protruding portion <NUM> that protrudes from the first wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X and in the direction away from the second wall portion <NUM> and functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> that is arranged in the vicinity of the input-side power supply line <NUM> of the second wall portion <NUM> and penetrates the second wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X to allow insertion of the obstructing member. With such a configuration, for example, when the first terminal block <NUM>, the second terminal block <NUM>, and the third terminal block <NUM> are coupled along the first direction, the protruding portion <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> prevents connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM>, and the protruding portion <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> prevents connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> of the third terminal block <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to realize the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

According to the terminal block set <NUM>, the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can realize the terminal block set <NUM> capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> includes the pair of press-fit protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> arranged at an interval in the second direction Y of the first wall portion <NUM>, the housing <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> includes the pair of press-fit holes <NUM> and <NUM> provided on the second wall portion <NUM> and penetrating the second wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X, each of the pair of press-fit protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> is configured to be press-fit into each of the pair of press-fit holes <NUM> and <NUM>, and one of the pair of press-fit protrusions <NUM> and <NUM> also serves as the protruding portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably hold the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM> and <NUM> of the terminal block set <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> includes the jig groove <NUM> that extend along the third direction Z from one edge of the first wall portion <NUM> in the third direction Z intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Y, the jig groove <NUM> allowing insertion of a long jig. With such a configuration, for example, by inserting a long jig into each jig groove <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> of the terminal block set <NUM>, the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (for example, between first terminal block <NUM> and second terminal block <NUM> adjacent to first terminal block <NUM>) can be easily released.

The jig groove <NUM> includes the bottom surface <NUM> that faces the second terminal block <NUM> and is inclined so as to approach the second terminal block <NUM> from one edge toward the other edge in the third direction Z. With such a configuration, for example, it is possible to more easily release the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (for example, between the first terminal block <NUM> and the second terminal block <NUM> adjacent to first terminal block <NUM>) of the terminal block set <NUM> using a long jig.

As shown in <FIG>, the terminal block set <NUM> further includes a C-shaped coupling member <NUM> that couple and hold the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the terminal block set <NUM> includes four coupling members <NUM>. Two coupling members <NUM> of the four coupling members <NUM> sandwich the first wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> at both ends in the second direction Y, respectively. Further, the remaining two coupling members <NUM> of the four coupling members <NUM> sandwich the first wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the third terminal block <NUM> at both ends in the second direction Y, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the coupling member <NUM> includes a pair of plate-shaped arm portions <NUM> that extend such that a plate surface of the pair of arm portions <NUM> faces each other and is elastically deformable in a direction away from each other, and a connecting portion <NUM> that connects the pair of arm portions <NUM>. Each arm portion <NUM> includes a coupling protrusion <NUM> provided at an end portion farther from the connecting portion <NUM> in an extending direction of each arm portion <NUM>.

The coupling protrusions <NUM> each have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and protrude in a direction approaching each other. One of the coupling protrusions <NUM> is accommodated in a first accommodation hole <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> or the second terminal block <NUM> described later, and the other of the coupling protrusions <NUM> is accommodated in a second accommodation hole <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> or the third terminal block <NUM> described later. A movement of the coupling member <NUM> in the second direction Y is restricted by accommodating the coupling protrusions <NUM> in the first accommodation hole <NUM> and the second accommodation hole <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of each of the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes the first accommodation hole <NUM> and the second accommodation hole <NUM> capable of accommodating the coupling protrusions <NUM> of the coupling members <NUM>, and a first accommodation groove <NUM> and a second accommodation groove <NUM> that guide the coupling protrusions <NUM> of the coupling members <NUM> to each of the accommodation holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The first accommodation groove <NUM> is provided on a surface of the first wall portion <NUM> facing the second wall portion <NUM>, and extends from an edge of the first wall portion <NUM> in a direction intersecting the first direction X toward the first accommodation hole <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first accommodation groove <NUM> extends toward the first accommodation hole <NUM> along the second direction Y from a notch <NUM> provided at the edge of the first wall portion <NUM> closer to the first accommodation hole <NUM> in the second direction Y. The second accommodation groove <NUM> is provided on a surface of the second wall portion <NUM> facing the first wall portion <NUM>, and extends from an edge of the second wall portion <NUM> in the direction intersecting the first direction X toward the second accommodation hole <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second accommodation groove <NUM> extends toward the second accommodation hole <NUM> along the second direction Y from a notch <NUM> provided at the edge of the second wall portion <NUM> closer to the second accommodation hole <NUM> in the second direction Y.

One of the pair of arm portions <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> is accommodated in the first accommodation groove <NUM>, and the other of the pair of arm portions <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> is accommodated in the second accommodation groove <NUM>. Thus, a movement of the coupling member <NUM> in the third direction Z is restricted.

As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> of each of the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes a coupling accommodating portion <NUM> that accommodate the coupling member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the housing <NUM> of each of the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> includes two coupling accommodating portions <NUM> arranged at an interval in the second direction Y. Each coupling accommodating portion <NUM> is provided at an end portion of the housing <NUM> on the side where the opening portions <NUM> and <NUM> are opened in the third direction Z, and is arranged adjacent to the first wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In <FIG>, a state in which the coupling members <NUM> are accommodated in the coupling accommodating portions <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> is shown.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the coupling accommodating portion <NUM> includes a pair of first recessed portions <NUM> capable of accommodating the pair of arm portions of the coupling member <NUM>, and a second recessed portion <NUM> arranged between the pair of first recessed portions <NUM> and capable of accommodating the connecting portion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM>.

Each of the first recessed portions <NUM> has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a substantially L-shaped opening portion <NUM> extending in the first direction X and the third direction Z. The jig groove <NUM> of the first wall portion <NUM> is connected to the opening portion <NUM> of each of the first recessed portions <NUM>. A Groove <NUM> extending in a rail shape in the first direction X is provided on an inner surface of the first recessed portions <NUM> facing each other in the second direction Y. Each groove <NUM> has a substantially semicircular shape, and is configured to be able to accommodate the coupling protrusion <NUM> of each arm portion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM>.

The second recessed portion <NUM> includes a recessed-portion main body <NUM> that accommodates the connecting portion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM>, and an inclined surface <NUM> extending from the recessed-portion main body <NUM> in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the pair of first recessed portions <NUM> (that is, the second direction Y). In the present embodiment, the second recessed portion <NUM> has two inclined surfaces <NUM> extending in directions away from each other from both ends of the recessed-portion main body <NUM> in the second direction Y.

Each inclined surface <NUM> is inclined in a direction away from the bottom surface of the recessed-portion main body <NUM> (that is, upward in the third direction Z of <FIG>) as being away from the recessed-portion main body <NUM>. Each inclined surface <NUM> guides a long jig (for example, a flathead screwdriver) between the connecting portion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> and the recessed-portion main body <NUM>, so that the coupling member <NUM> accommodated in the coupling accommodating portion <NUM> can be easily removed.

The terminal block set <NUM> includes the C-shaped coupling members <NUM> that each sandwich, and couple and hold the first wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM>. With such a configuration, since the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> adjacent to each other can be coupled and held more reliably, it is possible to realize the terminal block set <NUM> capable of securing coupling reliability between the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> adjacent to each other.

The coupling member <NUM> includes the pair of plate-shaped arm portions <NUM> that extend such that the plate surface of the pair of arm portions faces each other and is elastically deformable in the direction away from each other. The connecting portion <NUM> that connects the pair of arm portions <NUM>. Each of the arm portions <NUM> has the coupling protrusion <NUM> provided at the end portion farther from the connecting portion <NUM> in the extending direction and protruding in the direction approaching each other. Each of the first wall portion <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> has each of the first accommodation hole <NUM> and the second accommodation hole <NUM> in which the coupling protrusion <NUM> of each arm portion <NUM> is accommodated. With such a configuration, a movement (in the present embodiment, movement in the second direction Y) of the coupling member <NUM> can be restricted to prevent the coupling member <NUM> from unintentionally falling off.

In addition, the first wall portion <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> has the first accommodation groove <NUM> that is provided on the surface facing the second wall portion <NUM>, extends toward the first accommodation hole <NUM> from the edge of the first wall portion <NUM> in the direction intersecting the first direction X, and accommodates one of the pair of arm portions <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM>. The second wall portion <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> has the second accommodation groove <NUM> that is provided on the surface facing the first wall portion <NUM>, extends toward the second accommodation hole <NUM> from the edge of the second wall portion <NUM> in the direction intersecting the first direction X, and accommodates the other of the pair of arm portions <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM>. With such a configuration, a movement (in the present embodiment, movement in the third direction Z) of the coupling member <NUM> can be restricted to prevent the coupling member <NUM> from unintentionally falling off.

In addition, each of the housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the second terminal block <NUM> includes the coupling accommodating portion <NUM> that accommodate the coupling member <NUM>. With such a configuration, for example, since the coupling member <NUM> that is not used can be accommodated in the coupling accommodating portion <NUM>, the loss of the coupling member <NUM> can be prevented.

Further, the coupling accommodating portion <NUM> includes the pair of first recessed portions <NUM> capable of accommodating the pair of arm portions <NUM>, and the second recessed portion <NUM> arranged between the pair of first recessed portions <NUM> and capable of accommodating the connecting portion <NUM>. The second recessed portion <NUM> includes the recessed-portion main body <NUM> that accommodates the connecting portion <NUM>, and the inclined surface <NUM> that extends from the recessed-portion main body <NUM> along the direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the pair of first recessed portions <NUM> and is inclined in the direction away from the bottom surface of the recessed-portion main body <NUM> as being away from the recessed-portion main body <NUM>. With such a configuration, for example, a long jig (for example, a flathead screwdriver) can be guided between the connecting portion <NUM> of the coupling member <NUM> and the recessed-portion main body <NUM>, so that the coupling member <NUM> accommodated in the coupling accommodating portion <NUM> can be easily removed.

The protruding portion <NUM> is not limited to a case where it is formed of one substantially columnar protruding member. For example, as shown in <FIG>, two substantially cylindrical protruding members <NUM> and <NUM> (that is, the first protruding member <NUM> and a second protruding member <NUM>) may be used. As a result, the protruding portion <NUM> functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and hinders connection of the output-side power supply line <NUM> to the output-side power supply terminal <NUM>. The second protruding member <NUM> is arranged in the vicinity of an imaginary straight line L4 (shown in <FIG>) extending in the first direction X through the output-side power supply terminal <NUM>. In addition to the substantially circular through hole <NUM> corresponding to the first protruding member <NUM>, the second wall portion <NUM> is provided with a substantially circular through hole <NUM> corresponding to the second protruding portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> capable of more reliably preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

The protruding members <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same shape and size, or may have different shapes and sizes. Each protruding member <NUM> is not limited to a substantially cylindrical shape, and may have a substantially prismatic shape or an elliptical shape.

As shown in <FIG>, the protruding portion <NUM> may be constituted by a third protruding member <NUM> that functions as an obstructing member that simultaneously hinders both connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and connection of the output-side power supply line <NUM> to the output-side power supply terminal <NUM>. In <FIG>, as an example, the third protruding member <NUM> having a substantially rectangular plate shape is shown. Both end portions of the third protruding member <NUM> in the second direction Y are arranged near the imaginary straight lines L1 and L3, respectively. The second wall portion <NUM> is provided with a through hole <NUM> having a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to the third protruding member <NUM>. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> capable of more reliably preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

That is, the protruding portion <NUM> only needs to function as an obstructing member that hinders at least connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM>, and any shape, size, and configuration can be adopted in accordance with the design of the terminal block set <NUM> and the like.

Each of the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be optionally configured in accordance with a design of the terminal block set <NUM> or the like as long as it includes the housing <NUM> including the first wall portion <NUM> and the second wall portion <NUM>, and the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and the output-side power supply terminal <NUM> arranged inside the housing <NUM>.

The coupling member <NUM> only needs to have a C shape and be capable of sandwiching, and coupling and holding the first wall portion <NUM> of the terminal block (for example, first terminal block <NUM>) and the second wall portion <NUM> of the terminal block (for example, second terminal block <NUM>) adjacent to the terminal block, and can be optionally configured in accordance with the design of the terminal block set <NUM> or the like.

The coupling accommodating portion <NUM> only needs to accommodate the coupling member <NUM>, and can be optionally configured in accordance with the design of the terminal block set <NUM> or the like.

The coupling member <NUM>, the coupling accommodating portion <NUM>, the accommodation holes <NUM> and <NUM>, and the accommodation grooves <NUM> and <NUM> can be omitted.

The protruding portion <NUM> does not need to also serve as the press-fit protrusion, and the press-fit protrusion may be separately provided.

The protrusion <NUM> (that is, the press-fit protrusion), the through hole <NUM> (that is, the press-fitting hole), and the jig grooves <NUM> can be omitted.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings. Finally, various aspects of the present disclosure will be described. In the following description, as an example, reference numerals are also added.

A terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a first aspect of the present disclosure which can be coupled to another terminal block along a first direction X in an electrically connected state, the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> including:.

According to the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the first aspect, the housing <NUM> includes the protruding portion <NUM> that protrudes from the first wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X and in the direction away from the second wall portion <NUM> and functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> that is arranged in the vicinity of the input-side power supply line <NUM> of the second wall portion <NUM> and penetrates the second wall portion <NUM> in the first direction X to allow insertion of the obstructing member. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

In the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the protruding portion <NUM> functions as the obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and hinders connection of the output-side power supply line <NUM> to the output-side power supply terminal <NUM>.

According to the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the second aspect, it is possible to realize the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> capable of more reliably preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

In the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> according to a third aspect of the present disclosure,
the protruding portion <NUM> includes:.

According to the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the third aspect, it is possible to realize the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> capable of more reliably preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

In the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the protruding portion <NUM> includes a third protruding member <NUM> that functions as the obstructing member that simultaneously hinders both connection of the input-side power supply line <NUM> to the input-side power supply terminal <NUM> and connection of the output-side power supply line <NUM> to the output-side power supply terminal <NUM>.

According to the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the fourth aspect, it is possible to realize the terminal block <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> capable of more reliably preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM> when the plurality of the terminal blocks are coupled in an electrically connected state.

A terminal block set <NUM> of a fifth aspect of the present disclosure in which a plurality of terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the above aspect are coupled along the first direction X in an electrically connected state,.

According to the terminal block set <NUM> of the fifth aspect, the terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can realize the terminal block set <NUM> capable of preventing erroneous connection to the power supply terminal <NUM>.

In a terminal block set <NUM> of a sixth aspect of the present disclosure,.

According to the terminal block set <NUM> of the sixth aspect, it is possible to more reliably hold the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the terminal block set <NUM>.

In a terminal block set <NUM> of a seventh aspect of the present disclosure,
the housing <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> has a jig groove <NUM> that extends along a third direction Z from a first edge (one edge) of the first wall portion <NUM> in the third direction Z intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Y and allows insertion of a long jig.

According to the terminal block set <NUM> of the seventh aspect, for example, by inserting a long jig into each jig groove <NUM> of the first terminal block <NUM> of the terminal block set <NUM>, the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be easily released.

In a terminal block set <NUM> of an eighth aspect of the present disclosure,
the jig groove <NUM> includes a bottom surface <NUM> that faces the second terminal block <NUM> and is inclined so as to approach the second terminal block <NUM> from the first edge (one edge) toward a second edge (the other edge) in the third direction Z.

According to the terminal block set <NUM> of the eighth aspect, it is possible to more easily release the coupling between the adjacent terminal blocks <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (for example, between the first terminal block <NUM> and the second terminal block <NUM> adjacent to first terminal block <NUM>) of the terminal block set <NUM> using a long jig.

Claim 1:
A terminal block (<NUM>) which can be coupled to another terminal block along a first direction in an electrically connected state and is suitable for being mounted between a first and a second other terminal blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) in the first direction, the terminal block (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a first wall portion (<NUM>) provided on a first side in the first direction and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a second wall portion (<NUM>) provided on a second side in the first direction and extending in the second direction; and
an input-side power supply terminal (<NUM>) and an output-side power supply terminal (<NUM>) that are arranged along the second wall portion (<NUM>) inside the housing (<NUM>) and can be connected to an input-side power supply line and an output-side power supply line, respectively,
characterized in that
the housing (<NUM>) includes:
a protruding portion (<NUM>) that protrudes from the first wall portion (<NUM>) in the first direction and in a direction away from the second wall portion (<NUM>) and functions as an obstructing member that hinders connection of the input-side power supply line to the input-side power supply terminal of the first other terminal block (<NUM>); and
a through hole (<NUM>) that is arranged in a vicinity of the input-side power supply terminal (<NUM>) of the second wall portion (<NUM>) and penetrates the second wall portion (<NUM>) in the first direction to allow insertion of the obstructing member of the second other terminal block (<NUM>) .