JP6751917B2 - Switch and distribution board - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to switches and distribution boards.

Conventionally, a branch breaker having ground terminals on the load side and the power supply side has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the branch breaker described in Patent Document 1, the branch breaker is connected to the ground wire extending from the ground bar of the distribution board, and the ground wire is connected from the terminal on the load side of the branch breaker. This branch breaker has an electric circuit connecting both ground terminals on the load side and the power supply side.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-16714

In the branch breaker disclosed in Patent Document 1, the terminal to which the ground wire of the load is connected (grounding terminal) is the lower stage of the two terminals (load side terminal) to which the power supply line and the neutral wire of the load are connected. It is located between these two terminals. Normally, it is necessary to provide an insulating wall between the two load-side terminals. When the grounding terminal is not provided, for example, a rectangular insulating wall is provided, but when the grounding terminal is arranged as in Patent Document 1, the rectangular shape is provided so that the grounding terminal does not interfere with each other. It is necessary to provide an insulating wall by cutting out a part of.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a switch and a distribution board that do not need to change the shape of the insulating wall even when a terminal to which the ground wire of the load is connected is provided. And.

The switch according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first power supply side terminal and a second power supply side terminal electrically connected to a power supply, and a first load side terminal and a second load side terminal electrically connected to a load. And a contact portion electrically connected between the first power supply side terminal and the first load side terminal, and at least one of the second power supply side terminal and the second load side terminal. Between the third load side terminal to which the ground wire of the load is connected, the connection terminal electrically connected to the ground terminal provided on the distribution board, and the third load side terminal and the connection terminal. A connection circuit for electrically connecting, a case for holding the first load side terminal, the second load side terminal, and the third load side terminal is provided, and the first load side is provided on one surface of the case. The terminal, the second load side terminal, and the third load side terminal are arranged, and the first load side terminal and the second load side terminal are arranged in one direction on the one surface. The first load side terminal and the third load side terminal are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the one direction on the one surface, and the third load side terminal is in the width direction of the case and in the width direction of the case. When viewed from directions orthogonal to both of the longitudinal directions of the case, it is characterized in that it is arranged so as to be aligned with the first load side terminal along the longitudinal direction.

The distribution board of one aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the above-mentioned switch and a cabinet for accommodating the switch.

According to the present invention, it is not necessary to change the shape of the insulating wall even when the terminal to which the ground wire of the load is connected is provided.

FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of the branch switch of the embodiment in the second state. FIG. 1B is an external perspective view of the branch switch in the first state according to the embodiment. It is an external perspective view of the distribution board of an embodiment in a state where the outer door and the inner door are open. It is an external perspective view of the distribution board of an embodiment in a state where the inner door is closed. FIG. 5 is a plan view in which a part of the state in which the branch switch of the embodiment is attached to the attachment member is broken. It is a circuit diagram which shows the connection relation of the branch switch of an embodiment. It is the top view which cut the part of the branch switch of an embodiment. It is an external perspective view for demonstrating the arrangement of the 2nd terminal and the 3rd terminal of embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of the case of an embodiment. It is a top view which cut off a part of the branch switch which concerns on the modification of embodiment.

The following embodiments relate to switches and distribution boards, and more specifically to switches and distribution boards that are electrically connected to connected members other than loads and power supplies.

Hereinafter, the switch and the distribution board according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The switch described in the following embodiment is a switch (branch switch) electrically connected to the branch circuit. Further, the distribution board described in the following embodiment is a distribution board installed in a building (facility) such as a factory or an office. However, the configuration described below is only an example of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as the technical idea of the present invention is not deviated.

Here, "electrically connected" means a connection in a state of being electrically conductive, and includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via a conductor such as an electric wire.

(Embodiment 1)
The switchboard and distribution board of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distribution board 1 of the present embodiment includes a box-shaped cabinet 10 having an opening 101 formed in the front surface thereof. Hereinafter, the description will be given with reference to the top, bottom, left, and right when the cabinet 10 is viewed from the front (opening 101 side) with the distribution board 1 mounted on the wall. Further, it will be described that the depth direction when the cabinet 10 is viewed from the front with the distribution board 1 mounted on the wall is the front-rear direction, and the front surface of the cabinet 10 faces the front. That is, in FIG. 2 and the like, each direction is defined as indicated by the arrows "up", "bottom", "left", "right", "front", and "rear". However, these directions do not mean to specify the installation direction of the distribution board 1. In addition, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawing are shown only for the sake of explanation, and are not accompanied by an entity.

As shown in FIG. 2, a main switch 2 and a plurality of branch switches 3 are housed inside the cabinet 10 as internal units. A mounting member 4 is arranged inside the cabinet 10, and a plurality of branch switches 3 are mounted on the mounting member 4. The cabinet 10 is provided with a through hole 103 for passing wiring such as a power supply line 201 (bus) connected to the AC power supply 100 (power supply). A ground terminal 11 for connecting the ground wire 206 is provided inside the cabinet 10.

An inner door 12 is attached to the cabinet 10 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge. When the inner door 12 is closed, the inner door 12 covers the opening 101, and when the inner door 12 is open, the opening 101 is exposed (see FIG. 2). The inner door 12 is provided with a first window hole 13 for exposing the handle 23 of the main switch 2 and a second window hole 14 for exposing the handle 33 of the branch switch 3. Further, an outer door 15 is attached to the cabinet 10 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge. When the outer door 15 is closed, the outer door 15 covers the inner door 12, and when the outer door 15 is open, the inner door 12 is exposed.

The main switch 2 includes a rectangular parallelepiped case 20. As shown in FIG. 2, a terminal 21 on the primary side is provided at the upper end of the case 20, and a terminal 22 on the secondary side is provided at the lower end of the case 20. Inside the case 20, a contact portion electrically connected between the terminal 21 on the primary side and the terminal 22 on the secondary side is housed. The main switch 2 has an overcurrent protection function that forcibly opens the contact portion when the main current flowing through the contact portion exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Further, the main switch 2 has an electric leakage protection function for forcibly opening the contact portion when an electric leakage is detected.

A handle 23 for manually opening and closing the contact portion 31 is arranged on the front surface of the case 20. The terminal 21 on the primary side is electrically connected to the AC power supply 100 (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, a case where the power distribution system of the AC power supply 100 is a single-phase three-wire system will be described as an example. Three power lines 201, a voltage pole (L1 phase, L2 phase) and a neutral pole, are connected to the terminal 21 on the primary side. The three power lines 201 are electrically connected to the AC power source 100. As a result, the main switch 2 is electrically connected to the AC power supply 100 via the three power supply lines 201.

Three conductive bars 5 consisting of a voltage pole (L1 phase, L2 phase) and a neutral pole are electrically connected to the terminal 22 on the secondary side. Each of the three conductive bars 5 is made of metal and is formed in a strip shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. Each of the three conductive bars 5 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. Each of the three conductive bars 5 is electrically connected to the power supply line 201 via the main switch 2.

The mounting member 4 is a metal plate having a rectangular planar shape. Inside the cabinet 10, a pair of frames 102 are fixed to the rear wall of the cabinet 10. Each of the pair of frames 102 is made of metal and is formed in a rod shape that is elongated in the vertical direction. The pair of frames 102 are arranged so as to face each other with a gap in the left-right direction. The mounting member 4 is mounted so as to straddle between the pair of frames 102. The mounting member 4 is fixed to the pair of frames 102, for example, with screws.

Three conductive bars 5 are attached to the inside of the cabinet 10 substantially in the middle of the pair of frames 102 in the left-right direction. The three conductive bars 5 are arranged so as to be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 2). A plurality of branch switches 3 are attached to the attachment member 4 on the left side and the right side of the conductive bar 5, respectively. The plurality of branch switches 3 are arranged so as to be arranged in the vertical direction on each of the left side and the right side of the conductive bar 5. The front surface of the conductive bar 5 is covered with a synthetic resin cover 5a arranged on the front side of the conductive bar 5.

The mounting member 4 is provided with a screw terminal 42 for connecting one end of the grounding wire 205 (hereinafter, referred to as “first grounding wire”). The other end of the first ground wire 205 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 11. The ground terminal 11 is grounded via a ground wire 206 (hereinafter, referred to as a “second ground wire”). Therefore, the mounting member 4 is grounded via the first ground wire 205 and the second ground wire 206.

Further, the mounting member 4 is provided with a fixing spring 41 formed of a metal spring material (for example, a copper alloy such as phosphor bronze, stainless steel, etc.) at a position where each of the plurality of branch switches 3 is mounted. (See Fig. 2).

Next, the branch switch 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 4 to 9.

First, the electrical configuration of the branch switch 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The branch switch 3 includes two first terminals t1, two second terminals t2, a third terminal t3, a fourth terminal t4 (connection terminal), two contact portions 31, and a connection circuit. It has 32 and.

A conductive bar 5 is connected to each of the two first terminals t1. As a result, the AC power source 100 (power source) is electrically connected to the two first terminals t1. When the branch switch 3 is a switch for 100V, the conductive bar 5 of the voltage pole (L1 phase or L2 phase) is connected to one of the two first terminals t1 and the two first terminals t1 are connected. A conductive bar 5 having a neutral pole is connected to the other of the terminals t1. When the branch switch 3 is a switch for 200V, the L1 phase conductive bar 5 is connected to one of the two first terminals t1 and to the other of the two first terminals t1. Is connected to the L2 phase conductive bar 5. When it is necessary to distinguish between the two first terminals t1, they are described as the first power supply side terminal t1a and the second power supply side terminal t1b.

A branch line 202 is connected to each of the two second terminals t2. A load 110 is electrically connected to the branch line 202. As a result, the load 110 is electrically connected to the two second terminals t2. The term "load" as used herein includes, for example, wiring equipment such as an outlet with a grounding electrode, and various electric equipment such as lighting equipment and air conditioners. When it is necessary to distinguish between the two second terminals t2, they are described as the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b.

Each of the two contact portions 31 is electrically connected between the corresponding first terminal t1 and the second terminal t2. Specifically, the contact portion 31 is electrically connected between the first power supply side terminal t1a and the first load side terminal t2a, and between the second power supply side terminal t1b and the second load side terminal t2b, respectively. Has been done. The branch switch 3 has an overcurrent protection function that forcibly opens the contact portion 31 when the load current flowing through the branch line 202 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. Further, the two contact portions 31 are switched to either a first state (closed pole) or a second state (open pole) according to the operation of the handle 33 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B).

The ground branch line 203 of the load 110 is electrically connected to the third terminal t3 (third load side terminal). The ground branch line 203 is electrically connected to the ground electrode of the load 110. For example, if the load 110 is an outlet with a grounding electrode, the grounding electrode of the outlet is electrically connected to the third terminal t3 via the grounding branch line 203. If the load 110 is an electric device such as a lighting fixture, the ground terminal of the electric device is electrically connected to the third terminal t3 via the ground branch line 203.

The fourth terminal t4 is a terminal that is electrically connected to the member to be connected. In the present embodiment, the connecting target member is the mounting member 4. The fourth terminal t4 is electrically connected to the mounting member 4 as a connecting target member in a state where the branch switch 3 is mounted on the mounting member 4. Since the mounting member 4 is grounded as described above, the fourth terminal t4 is grounded via the mounting member 4.

The connection circuit 32 electrically connects the connection terminal t4 and the third terminal t3. In the present embodiment, the connection terminal t4 is grounded, and the ground branch line 203 of the load 110 is electrically connected to the third terminal t3. That is, the connection circuit 32 constitutes a part of the ground path of the load 110. Therefore, the resistance value of the connection circuit 32 must match the grounding resistance value determined for each type of grounding work, and the connection circuit 32 is electrically connected between the connection terminal t4 and the third terminal t3 with a sufficiently small resistance value. Connect to.

Next, the mechanical configuration of the branch switch 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 4 and 6.

The branch switch 3 of the present embodiment further includes a case 30 and an operation unit 6.

The case 30 is formed into a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole by combining a plurality of divided bodies, each of which is a molded product of synthetic resin. The case 30 holds a first terminal t1, a second terminal t2, a third terminal t3, a fourth terminal t4, a contact portion 31, and an operation portion 6. The case 30 has a thin box shape that is flat in the vertical direction. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the plane (upper surface or lower surface) orthogonal to the vertical direction of the case 30 is also referred to as the "longitudinal direction" of the case 30, and the lateral direction of the plane is also referred to as the "height direction" of the case 30. Further, the vertical direction of the case 30 is also referred to as a "width direction" of the case 30.

A protrusion 30a projecting forward is provided on the front surface of the case 30 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The shape of the protruding portion 30a viewed from the front is rectangular. A handle 33 is provided on the protruding portion 30a. When the inner door 12 of the distribution board 1 is closed, the protrusion 30a is inserted into the second window hole 14 of the inner door 12. As a result, the front surface of the protruding portion 30a of the branch switch 3 is exposed to the entire surface of the inner door 12 through the second window hole 14 even when the inner door 12 is closed.

On the front surface of the case 30, a through hole 30b is opened on the left side of the protruding portion 30a, which is a portion covered by the inner door 12 of the distribution board 1 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Further, on the rear surface 30c of the case 30, a through hole 30d penetrating the case 30 is opened at a position facing the mounting member 4 (see FIG. 6).

At one end (right end) of the case 30 in the longitudinal direction, three slits 35 into which the corresponding conductive bars 5 of the three conductive bars 5 are inserted are provided (see FIG. 4). Two of the three slits 35 (two near the front) are in contact with each other so as to sandwich the conductive bar 5 inserted into the slit 35 from both sides in the thickness direction (front-back direction) of the conductive bar 5. The blade receiving member 36 of the above is arranged. The pair of blade receiving members 36 are made of an elastic and conductive metal material (for example, a copper alloy such as phosphor bronze). A pair of blade receiving members 36 constitute the first terminal t1. When the pair of blade receiving members 36 come into contact with the conductive bar 5 inserted into the slit 35, the first terminal t1 and the conductive bar 5 are electrically connected. In the present embodiment, the pair of blade receiving members 36 are arranged in each of the two slits 35 closer to the front of the three slits 35, but the configuration is not limited to this. The pair of blade receiving members 36 may be provided in each of the two slits 35 out of the three slits 35.

A mounting hole 34 into which the fixing spring 41 is inserted is formed at the other end (left end) of the case 30 in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 4 and 1A and 1B). The case 30 is attached to the mounting member 4 in a state where the pair of blade receiving members 36 sandwich the conductive bar 5 inserted in the slit 35 and the fixing spring 41 is inserted into the mounting hole 34.

Further, on the side surface (rectangular surface) of the left end portion of the case 30, the quick-connect terminal 70 which is the second terminal t2 and the quick-connect terminal 80 which is the third terminal t3 are formed in the height direction of the case 30. They are provided so as to be lined up in two stages (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, for one case 30, two quick-connect terminals 70 (first load side terminal t2a, second load side terminal t2b) and one quick-connect terminal 80 (third terminal t3). Is placed. The two quick-connect terminals 70 are housed in the case 30 so that the two quick-connect terminals 70 are arranged in front of the one quick-connect terminal 80.

The two quick-connect terminals 70 are arranged so as to line up in the width direction of the case 30. The quick-connect terminal 80 is arranged so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction with one of the two quick-connect terminals 70 (here, the lower quick-connect terminal 70).

On the left side surface of the case 30, a terminal hole 37 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the two quick-connect terminals 70, and a terminal hole 38 is provided at a position corresponding to the quick-connect terminal 80 (FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, 4 and 7). As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 7, the two terminal holes 37 are provided so as to line up in the width direction of the case 30, and the terminal hole 38 is one of the two terminal holes 37 (here, the rear portion). It is provided so as to line up with the terminal hole 37) in the front-rear direction. That is, the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are arranged so as to be lined up in the width direction (short side direction of the side surface) of the case 30. Further, the third terminal t3 is arranged so as to be aligned with one of the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b (for example, the first load side terminal t2a) in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction of the side surface). ..

The quick-connect terminal 70 has a terminal plate 71, a lock spring 72, and a release lever 76.

The terminal board 71 is electrically connected to the contact portion 31. The terminal board 71 is arranged at a position where it comes into contact with the tip of an electric wire (branch wire 202) inserted into the case 30 from the terminal hole 37.

The lock spring 72 has a strip-shaped central piece 73, a lock piece 74, and a pressing piece 75. The lock piece 74 extends from one end in the longitudinal direction of the central piece 73, and the shape seen from one side in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially J shape. The pressing piece 75 extends from the other end in the longitudinal direction of the central piece 73, and the shape seen from one side in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially S shape. The lock spring 72 is housed inside the case 30 with the lock piece 74 and the pressing piece 75 facing the terminal plate 71. In the lock spring 72, the distance between the lock piece 74 and the terminal hole 37 is smaller than the distance between the pressing piece 75 and the terminal hole 37 (that is, the lock piece 74 is near the terminal hole 37). It is stored (to be located).

When the tip of the electric wire is inserted into the case 30 from the terminal hole 37, the tip of the lock piece 74 bites into the tip of the wire, and the wire is prevented from coming off. In this state, the tip of the electric wire is sandwiched between the terminal plate 71 and the pressing piece 75, and the tip of the electric wire is pressed against the terminal plate 71 by the elastic force of the pressing piece 75. Therefore, the electric wire and the terminal board 71 are electrically connected.

The release lever 76 is rotatably attached to the case 30 about a shaft 76a held by the case 30. An operation protrusion 77 is provided on a portion of the release lever 76 that is exposed from the opening 39 of the case 30. The release lever 76 is operated by the operation protrusion 77 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 4 around the shaft 76a. Further, the release lever 76 is provided with an action protrusion. When the release lever 76 is operated and rotated while the electric wire is inserted between the lock spring 72 and the terminal plate 71, the lock piece 74 is separated from the terminal plate 71 by the action protrusion of the release lever 76. Be pushed. When the lock piece 74 is pushed away from the terminal plate 71, the tip of the lock piece 74 is separated from the electric wire, so that the electric wire is released from the disconnection state, and the electric wire can be removed from the quick connection terminal 70. On the other hand, when the force for operating the operation protrusion 77 is lost, the action protrusion is pushed by the elastic force of the lock piece 74, and the release lever 76 is returned to the position before the operation.

The quick-connect terminal 80 has a terminal plate 81, a lock spring 82, and a release lever 86. Since the lock spring 82 and the release lever 86 of the quick-connect terminal 80 have the same structure as the lock spring 72 and the release lever 76 of the quick-connect terminal 70, respectively, the description thereof will be omitted.

The terminal board 81 is arranged at a position where it comes into contact with the tip of an electric wire (ground branch wire 203) inserted into the case 30 from the terminal hole 38. One end of the conductive plate 32a is mechanically and electrically connected to the terminal plate 81 by an appropriate method such as welding, brazing, or caulking.

A contact piece 50 constituting the fourth terminal t4 is attached to the rear wall of the case 30 (see FIG. 6). The contact piece 50 is attached to the rear wall of the case 30 from the inside of the case 30 so that a part of the contact piece 50 faces the through hole 30d. The contact piece 50 is made of a metal spring material (for example, a copper alloy such as phosphor bronze, stainless steel, etc.), and has a strip-shaped beam portion 51 and a tip portion 52. The beam portion 51 is arranged so as to be parallel to the rear surface 30c of the case 30, and one end of the beam portion 51 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the case 30. The other end of the conductive plate 32a is mechanically and electrically connected to the beam portion 51 by an appropriate method such as welding, brazing, or caulking. The tip portion 52 extends from the other end of the beam portion 51 in the longitudinal direction. The tip portion 52 is formed in a V shape in which the shape seen from one side in the vertical direction is convex backward.

When the beam portion 51 is not pushed by the operation portion 6, the tip portion 52 is in a position retracted inside the case 30 from the rear surface 30c of the case 30. On the other hand, when the beam portion 51 is pushed by the operation portion 6 and bent rearward, the tip portion 52 is in a state of protruding rearward from the rear surface 30c of the case 30 through the through hole 30d.

Further, the operation unit 6 of the present embodiment is operated so as to switch between the first state and the second state by moving the contact piece 50 which is the connection terminal t4 with respect to the attachment member 4 which is the connection target member. To. The first state is a state in which the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) is in contact with the connection target member (mounting member 4), and the second state is a state in which the connection terminal t4 is not in contact with the connection target member. is there. In the present embodiment, the connection terminal t4 is electrically connected to the connection target member by contacting the connection target member. Therefore, paying attention to the electrical connection relationship between the connection terminal t4 and the connection target member, the first state is the first state in which the connection terminal t4 is electrically connected to the connection target member. On the other hand, the second state is the second state in which the connection terminal t4 is not electrically connected to the member to be connected. Further, the operation unit 6 is also used as a display unit for displaying whether or not the connection target member is electrically connected to the connection terminal t4.

The operation unit 6 is made of synthetic resin and has electrical insulation. The operation unit 6 has a round bar-shaped shaft portion 60 that is elongated in the front-rear direction, a head portion 60a, and a pressing portion 62. The head portion 60a is provided on the front side of the shaft portion 60, and the pressing portion 62 is provided on the rear side of the shaft portion 60. The head portion 60a and the pressing portion 62 are connected by a shaft portion 60.

The head portion 60a of the shaft portion 60 is formed in a columnar shape having a larger diameter than the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the shaft portion 60. A groove 61 into which the tip portion 601 of a tool 600 such as a flat-blade screwdriver is inserted is formed on the front surface of the head 60a. The pressing portion 62 is formed in a disk shape having a larger diameter than the shaft portion 60. The pressing portion 62 is arranged at a position facing the contact piece 50 inside the case 30. A spiral thread 63 is formed on the peripheral surface of the shaft portion 60 so as to substantially go around the peripheral surface. The case 30 is provided with a thread groove 30e into which the thread 63 of the shaft portion 60 is fitted.

The operation unit 6 is held in the case 30 in a state of being inserted through the through hole 30b of the case 30. Here, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the through hole 30b near the opening is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the through hole 30b other than the front end portion. Specifically, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the through hole 30b is larger than the outer diameter of the head portion 60a, and is large enough to insert the tip portion 601 of the tool 600. As a result, the head 60a of the operation unit 6 can be stored in the front end portion of the through hole 30b. However, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the through hole 30b is large enough to prevent a human finger from entering.

When the tip portion 601 of the tool 600 is inserted into the groove 61 on the front surface of the operation portion 6 and the tool 600 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front, the shaft portion 60 moves rearward, so that the contact piece 50 presses the pressing portion 62. It is pushed by and bends backward. On the other hand, when the tip portion 601 of the tool 600 is inserted into the groove 61 on the front surface of the operation portion 6 and the tool 600 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front, the shaft portion 60 moves forward, so that the pressing portion 62 It separates from the contact piece 50 and returns to the state before the contact piece 50 bends.

When the shaft portion 60 is rotated counterclockwise to the end of the operating range, the front surface of the shaft portion 60 is located in front of the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 30b on the front surface of the case 30. At this time, the head portion 60a of the shaft portion 60 projects outward from the case 30 (see FIGS. 1A and 6). Further, when the shaft portion 60 is rotated clockwise to the end of the operation range, the front surface of the shaft portion 60 is located behind the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 30b on the front surface of the case 30. At this time, the entire shaft portion 60 enters the inside of the case 30 (see FIG. 1B).

The movable range of the operation unit 6 in the moving direction (front-back direction) is limited between the on position and the off position. The on position is the rear end position of the movable range of the operation unit 6, and in the present embodiment, it is the end position when the operation unit 6 is rotated clockwise when viewed from the front. The off position is the front end position of the movable range of the operation unit 6, and in the present embodiment, it is the end position when the operation unit 6 is rotated counterclockwise when viewed from the front. In the present embodiment, as an example, when the operation unit 6 is rotated by about 180 degrees, the operation unit 6 moves between the on position and the off position.

In the off position, the operation unit 6 is configured such that at least a part (head 60a) protrudes from the surface (front surface in the present embodiment) of the case 30 through the through hole 30b. That is, when the operation unit 6 is in the off position, the front surface of the head 60a is located in front of the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 30b on the front surface of the case 30. At this time, the head 60a of the operation unit 6 projects to the outside of the case 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2A). The operation unit 6 is configured to fit within the through hole 30b in the on position. That is, when the operation unit 6 is in the on position, the front surface of the head 60a is located behind the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 30b on the front surface of the case 30. At this time, the entire operation unit 6 enters the inside of the case 30 (see FIG. 2B).

When the operation unit 6 is in the off position, the pressing unit 62 does not come into contact with the contact piece 50, as shown in FIG. At this time, the tip end portion 52 of the contact piece 50 is in a position recessed inside the case 30 from the rear surface 30c of the case 30. Therefore, the tip 52 of the contact piece 50 does not come into contact with the mounting member 4 which is the connection target member. In short, when the operation unit 6 is in the off position, the relationship between the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) and the connection target member (mounting member 4) is the second state (the contact piece 50 is not in contact with the mounting member 4). (Off state).

From this state, the operation unit 6 is operated so as to rotate clockwise when viewed from the front, and when the operation unit 6 moves to the on position, the pressing unit 62 moves rearward and pushes the contact piece 50 rearward. At this time, the contact piece 50 is in a state in which the beam portion 51 is bent. That is, the contact piece 50 is deformed, and the tip portion 52 of the contact piece 50 partially moves backward. As a result, the tip end 52 of the contact piece 50 comes into contact with the attachment member 4 which is the connection target member through the through hole 30d. In short, when the operation unit 6 is in the on position, the relationship between the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) and the connection target member (mounting member 4) is the first state in which the contact piece 50 is in contact with the mounting member 4 (the first state (contact piece 50). On state).

When the operating portion 6 is in the on position, the pressing portion 62 comes into contact with the front surface of the beam portion 51. That is, since the pressing portion 62 comes into contact with the bent beam portion 51, the operating portion 6 can reliably move the tip portion 52 of the contact piece 50 to the rear.

Further, when the operation unit 6 is operated so as to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the front and the operation unit 6 moves from the on position to the off position, the pressing unit 62 moves forward and separates from the contact piece 50. At this time, due to the elastic force of the beam portion 51, the tip portion 52 of the contact piece 50 moves to a position retracted inside the case 30 from the rear surface 30c of the case 30. Therefore, the tip 52 of the contact piece 50 does not come into contact with the attachment member 4 which is the connection target member, and returns to the second state (off state) in which the contact piece 50 does not come into contact with the attachment member 4.

Therefore, when the operation unit 6 is operated, the contact piece 50 which is the connection terminal t4 moves with respect to the attachment member 4 which is the connection target member, and as a result, the first state and the second state are obtained. Is switched.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the operation unit 6 generates a click feeling when the operation unit 6 rotates and moves to the on position and when the operation unit 6 rotates and moves to the off position. It is preferable that such a mechanism is provided. Specifically, protrusions are provided on the peripheral surface of the shaft portion 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 30d, respectively. In this configuration, when the operation unit 6 rotates and moves to the on position or the off position, the protrusion of the shaft portion 60 gets over the protrusion on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 30d, so that the operator who operates the operation unit 6 can operate the operation unit 6. It can give a click feeling.

Further, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable that the front surface of the head 60a is provided with a mark 64 indicating the rotation position of the operation unit 6. The mark 64 is a triangular protrusion. The peripheral edge of the through hole 30b on the front surface of the case 30 has a position corresponding to the mark 64 when the operation unit 6 is in the on position and a position corresponding to the mark 64 when the operation unit 6 is in the off position. , Each is provided with a display indicating an on position and an off position. By rotating the operation unit 6 with reference to the display of the on position and the off position provided on the front surface of the case 30, the relationship between the contact piece 50 and the member to be connected can be changed to the first state (on state) and the second state. It can be switched between (off state).

The case 30 is provided between the first member 300, the second member 301, and the first member 300 and the second member 301, which can be divided in the direction in which the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are arranged. It has a third member 304 and the like. The third member 304 has a plurality of molded members (here, two molded members 302 and 303) (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The third member 304 may have at least one forming member.

The first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are housed between the first member 300 and the third member 304, particularly between the first member 300 and the molding member 302. The second load-side member t2b is housed between the second member 301 and the third member 304, particularly between the second member 301 and the molding member 303. Further, the shaft portion 60 is housed between the two molding members 302 and 303.

Next, the work process when the operator attaches the switch (here, the branch switch 3) to the attachment member 4 will be described.

The operator attaches the branch switch 3 to the attachment member 4 by inserting the conductive bar 5 into the slit 35 and pushing the end portion of the case 30 opposite to the conductive bar 5 in the left-right direction to the rear. When the branch switch 3 is attached to the mounting member 4 in this way, the fixing spring 41 is inserted into the mounting hole 34 of the case 30, and the branch switch 3 is mechanically held by the mounting member 4. In the state where the branch switch 3 is attached to the attachment member 4, the blade receiving member 36 is electrically connected to the corresponding conductive bar 5. In this state, the operation unit 6 is in the off position, and the contact piece 50 is in the second state (off state) in which it is not in contact with the connection target member (mounting member 4).

Next, the operator electrically connects the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) and the connection target member (mounting member 4). That is, the operator operates the operation unit 6 by using the tool 600 with the branch switch 3 attached to the attachment member 4. At this time, the relationship between the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) and the connection target member (mounting member 4) is in the second state in which the contact piece 50 is not in contact with the mounting member 4, so that the operator can perform the second. Perform a connection operation to switch from the state to the first state. Specifically, the operator inserts the tip portion 601 of the tool 600 into the groove 61 of the operation portion 6, and uses the tool 600 to rotate the operation portion 6 clockwise by about 180 degrees when viewed from the front. At this time, the operation unit 6 moves from the off position to the on position, and the contact piece 50 moves and comes into contact with the mounting member 4. As a result, the contact piece 50 which is the connection terminal t4 is in a state of being electrically connected (on state) to the attachment member 4 which is a contact target member, and the electrical connection work between the connection terminal t4 and the connection target member is performed. Complete.

In a state where the branch switch 3 is attached to the attachment member 4 and the connection terminal t4 is electrically connected to the attachment member 4, the third terminal t3 is attached via the conductive plate 32a and the connection terminal t4. It is electrically connected to the member 4.

In the present embodiment, since the connection terminal t4 electrically connected to the mounting member 4 is provided on the rear surface of the case 30, the operator can connect the branch switch 3 in the state of being mounted on the mounting member 4. It is not possible to directly visually check whether or not the terminal t4 is connected to the mounting member 4. However, in the present embodiment, in the second state (off state) in which the connection terminal t4 is not electrically connected to the mounting member 4, the head 60a of the operation unit 6 protrudes from the front surface of the case 30. On the other hand, in the first state (on state) in which the connection terminal t4 is electrically connected to the mounting member 4, the head 60a of the operation unit 6 does not protrude from the front surface of the case 30. Therefore, the operator can easily visually grasp whether or not the connection terminal t4 is electrically connected to the mounting member 4 depending on whether or not the head portion 60a of the operation unit 6 projects from the front surface of the case 30. it can.

Then, the operator attaches the internal unit block including the branch switch 3 and the mounting member 4 to the cabinet 10, and electrically connects the mounting member 4 to the ground terminal 11 of the cabinet 10 via the ground wire 205. As a result, the third terminal t3 (quick connection terminal 80) of the branch switch 3 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 11 via the mounting member 4. Therefore, when the grounding branch line 203 of the load 110 is connected to the quick connection terminal 80 of the branch switch 3, the grounding branch line 203 is electrically connected to the grounding terminal 11 via the mounting member 4, and the grounding branching is performed. Line 203 is grounded. In the branch switch 3 of the present embodiment, since the third terminal t3 to which the ground branch line 203 is connected is composed of the quick connection terminal 80, the work of connecting the ground branch line 203 can be simplified.

When the installation and wiring work of the internal unit block is completed, the operator closes the inner door 12 of the distribution board 1. At this time, if there is a branch switch 3 in which the electrical connection work between the connection terminal t4 and the member to be connected is not completed, the head 60a of the operation unit 6 interferes with the inner door 12, and the inner door 12 is closed. Cannot be closed. That is, in the present embodiment, since the operation unit 6 is arranged on the front surface of the case 30 at the portion covered by the inner door 12, if it is in the second state, it protrudes from the front surface of the case 30 as shown in FIG. The head 60a interferes with the inner door 12 and the inner door 12 cannot be closed. Therefore, the operator can notice when closing the inner door 12 if there is a branch switch 3 in which the electrical connection work between the connection terminal t4 and the member to be connected is not completed. If the electrical connection work between the connection terminal t4 and the member to be connected is completed in all of the plurality of branch switches 3, the head 60a does not interfere with the inner door 12 and the inner door 12 is closed. Can be done.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the operator also uses the tool 600 to operate the operation unit 6 when disconnecting the electrical connection between the connection terminal t4 (contact piece 50) and the connection target member (mounting member 4). Manipulate. When switching from the first state in which the contact piece 50 is in contact with the mounting member 4 to the second state in which the contact piece 50 is not in contact with the mounting member 4, the operator performs a release operation. Specifically, the operator inserts the tip portion 601 of the tool 600 into the groove 61 of the operation portion 6, and uses the tool 600 to rotate the operation portion 6 counterclockwise by about 180 degrees when viewed from the front. At this time, the operation unit 6 moves from the on position to the off position, and the contact piece 50 moves away from the mounting member 4. As a result, the contact piece 50, which is the connection terminal t4, is not electrically connected to the attachment member 4 which is the contact target member (off state), and the connection terminal t4 and the connection target member are electrically connected. It will be released.

(Modification)
In the branch switch 3 of the present embodiment, the connection circuit 32 that electrically connects the terminal plate 81 of the quick-connect terminal 80, which is the third terminal t3, and the contact piece 50 constituting the fourth terminal t4 is conductive. Although it is composed of a plate 32a, the connection circuit 32 is not limited to the conductive plate 32a. As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal plate 81 and the contact piece 50 may be electrically connected via a flexible electric wire 32b such as a braided wire.

Further, the spring shape of the fourth terminal t4 is not limited to the shape of the first embodiment, and the spring shape of the connection terminal t4 can be appropriately changed as long as a predetermined contact resistance can be obtained.

Further, in the branch switch 3 of the present embodiment, the head 60a is operated by the shaft portion 60 so that the head 60a protrudes from the front surface of the case 30 in the second state and the entire head 60a fits in the through hole 30b in the first state. Although the unit 6 is configured, the operation unit 6 is not limited to this. Even if the operation unit 6 is composed of a shaft portion 60 such that the head 60a protrudes from the front surface of the case 30 through the through hole 30b in the first state and the entire head 60a fits in the through hole 30b in the second state. Good.

Further, the operation unit 6 is not limited to the one that performs linear movement while rotating between the on position and the off position, and may be a lever type that performs a rotation operation or a slide operation.

In the branch switch 3 of the present embodiment, the operation unit 6 is composed of a shaft unit 60 provided so as to be movable between the on position and the off position, but the configuration is not limited to this. The operation unit 6 may be composed of an indicator lamp, and the first state and the second state may be displayed by turning on and off the indicator lamp.

The switch of the present embodiment is a switch used as a branch switch, but the switch is not limited to the branch switch.

The switch of the present embodiment is a load switch having a current limiting function, but it may be a disconnector that opens and closes the contact portion 31 in a state where no current is flowing (no load state), or has a current limiting function. It may be an unloaded load switch. Further, the circuit breaker of the present embodiment is a circuit breaker having a current limiting function, and may be an earth leakage circuit breaker (ELB) or a molded case circuit breaker (MCB). Good.

Further, the switch of the present embodiment may be a breaker for interconnection. In this case, the load 110 is a distributed power source such as photovoltaic power generation.

In the present embodiment, the quick-connect terminal 70 is used as the second terminal t2, and the quick-connect terminal 80 is used as the third terminal t3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A screw terminal may be used as the second terminal t2, and a screw terminal may be used for the fourth terminal t4 as well.

In the present embodiment, the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are arranged in the lateral direction (width direction of the case 30) on one surface, and the first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 Are arranged in the longitudinal direction (front-back direction of the case 30) on one surface. However, it is not limited to this configuration. The first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are lined up in the longitudinal direction (height direction of the case 30), and the first load side terminal t2a and the third load side terminal t2a and the third in the lateral direction (width direction of the case 30). The terminal t3 may be arranged side by side. That is, the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are aligned in one direction on one surface, and the first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are aligned in one direction on one surface. Any configuration may be used as long as they are arranged in orthogonal directions. Here, the direction orthogonal to one direction does not have to be exactly 90 degrees. That is, the orthogonality here may include an error within an allowable range (for example, ± 5 degrees). It should be noted that this numerical value is an example and is not intended to be limited to this numerical value.

In the present embodiment, the contact portions 31 are electrically connected between the first power supply side terminal t1a and the first load side terminal t2a, and between the second power supply side terminal t1b and the second load side terminal t2b, respectively. However, the configuration is not limited to this configuration. The contact portion 31 is electrically connected to at least one of the first power supply side terminal t1a and the first load side terminal t2a and the second power supply side terminal t1b and the second load side terminal t2b. Just do it.

(effect)
As described above, the branch switch 3 (switch) of the present embodiment has a first power supply side terminal t1a, a second power supply side terminal t1b, a first load side terminal t2a, a second load side terminal t2b, and a third. It includes a terminal t3 (third load side terminal), a fourth terminal t4 (connection terminal), and a case 30. The branch switch 3 includes a contact portion 31 and a connection circuit 32. The first power supply side terminal t1a and the second power supply side terminal t1b are electrically connected to the AC power supply 100 (power supply). The first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are connected to the load 110. The contact portion 31 is electrically connected to at least one of the first power supply side terminal t1a and the first load side terminal t2a and the second power supply side terminal t1b and the second load side terminal t2b. .. The ground wire (ground branch wire 203) of the load 110 is connected to the third terminal t3. The fourth terminal t4 is electrically connected to the ground terminal 11 provided on the distribution board 1. The connection circuit 32 electrically connects the third terminal t3 and the fourth terminal t4. The case 30 includes a first power supply side terminal t1a, a second power supply side terminal t1b, a first load side terminal t2a, a second load side terminal t2b, a contact portion 31, a third terminal t3, a fourth terminal t4, and a connection circuit 32. To hold. The first load side terminal t2a, the second load side terminal t2b, and the third terminal t3 are arranged on one surface of the case 30. The first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are aligned in one direction on one surface, and the first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are orthogonal to one direction on one surface. It is a configuration that is lined up in a direction.

According to this configuration, in the branch switch 3 (switch), the first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are aligned. Lined up in. Therefore, the insulating walls 305 and 306 between the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b do not interfere with the third terminal t3. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the shape of the insulating wall.

Here, one surface of the case 30 described above has a rectangular shape. The first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are arranged side by side in the lateral direction on one surface, and the third terminal t3 and the first load side terminal t2a are arranged in the longitudinal direction on one surface. It may be arranged side by side.

According to this configuration, the arrangement of the first load side terminal t2a, the second load side terminal t2b, and the third terminal t3 can be grasped by distinguishing the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction on one surface of the case 30. .. Therefore, the operator can easily know which wire should be connected to which terminal.

Here, the case 30 has a first member 300 that can be divided in one direction, a second member 301, and a third member 304 provided between the first member 300 and the second member 301. ing. The first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are housed between the first member 300 and the third member 304, and the second load side terminal t2b is housed between the second member 301 and the third member 304. It may be done.

According to this configuration, the case 30 of the branch switch 3 can be assembled with at least three divided members. In a conventional branch switch (branch breaker), the terminal to which the grounding branch wire of the load is connected is the lower stage of the two terminals to which the power supply line and the neutral wire of the load are connected, and is intermediate between these two terminals. It is located in. In this case, the case 30 is divided in order to arrange one of the two terminals (two load terminals t2 in this embodiment) (for example, the first load side terminal t2a), and the other terminal (for example, the second load side). The case 30 is also divided to arrange the terminal t2b). Further, the case 30 is divided in order to arrange a terminal (for example, a third terminal t3) to which the ground branch line of the load is connected. Therefore, the case of the conventional branch switch needs to be divided into at least four parts. Therefore, the branch switch 3 of the present embodiment can be assembled with a smaller number of parts than the case of the conventional branch switch.

Further, the distribution board 1 in the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned branch switch 3 (switch) and the cabinet 10.

According to this configuration, in the distribution board 1, the first load side terminal t2a and the third terminal t3 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b are arranged. .. Therefore, the insulating wall between the first load side terminal t2a and the second load side terminal t2b does not interfere with the third terminal t3. Therefore, the shape of the insulating wall is not changed.

1 Distribution board 3 Branch switch (switch)
10 Cabinet 11 Ground terminal 30 Case 31 Contact part 32 Connection circuit 70 Quick connection terminal (2nd terminal, 1st load side terminal, 2nd load side terminal)
80 Quick connection terminal (3rd terminal, 3rd load side terminal)
100 AC power supply (power supply)
110 Load 300 1st member 301 2nd member 304 3rd member t3 3rd terminal (3rd load side terminal)
t4 4th terminal (connection terminal)
t1a 1st power supply side terminal t1b 2nd power supply side terminal t2a 1st load side terminal t2b 2nd load side terminal

Claims (3)

The first power supply side terminal and the second power supply side terminal that are electrically connected to the power supply,
The first load side terminal and the second load side terminal that are electrically connected to the load,
A contact portion electrically connected between the first power supply side terminal and the first load side terminal, and at least one of the second power supply side terminal and the second load side terminal.
The third load side terminal to which the ground wire of the load is connected and
A connection terminal that is electrically connected to the ground terminal provided on the distribution board,
A connection circuit that electrically connects the third load side terminal and the connection terminal,
A case for holding the first load side terminal, the second load side terminal, and the third load side terminal is provided.
The first load side terminal, the second load side terminal, and the third load side terminal are arranged on one surface of the case.
The first load side terminal and the second load side terminal are arranged in one direction on the one surface, and the first load side terminal and the third load side terminal are said to be one on the one surface. It is a configuration that is arranged in the direction orthogonal to the direction of
The third load-side terminal is arranged so as to be aligned with the first load-side terminal along the longitudinal direction when viewed from a direction orthogonal to both the width direction of the case and the longitudinal direction of the case. A switch characterized by being present. The one surface is rectangular and has a rectangular shape.
The first load side terminal and the second load side terminal are arranged side by side in the lateral direction on the one surface, and the third load side terminal and the first load side terminal are arranged on the one surface. The switch according to claim 1, wherein the switches are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. The switch according to claim 1 or 2,
A distribution board including a cabinet for storing the switch.

Images