JP2003047128A - Connection terminal, joint box using same, and method of manufacture therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection terminal that will render a joint box lightweight, thin, and compact, as well as a joint box using same and a method of manufacture therefor. SOLUTION: The bonding end 12 of a connection terminal 10 is bonded to wiring 22 on a flexible printed circuit 20 and a resin material 16 is coated on the bonded section of the two in such a way as to encapsulate this bonded section; the power source distributor circuit 1 is made by layering a plurality of such flexible printed circuits 20. Since the bonding end 12 is bonded and encapsulated with the resin material 16, the connection stability and reliability of the connection terminal may be enhanced and the bond strength improved. On the flexible printed circuit 20 on the upper layer, throughholes 2 are formed in locations corresponding to the locations where the terminal section 11 of connection terminals 10 on the flexible printed circuit in the lower layer can penetrate. Since the corresponding terminal section 11 of the connection terminal 10 is inserted through the throughhole 2 to compose a multi-layered power source distributor circuit 1, a structure is achieved wherein conventional busbars and insulating sheets are not used, so that the circuit thickness of the power source distributor circuit is made thin, lightweight, and compact.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joint box having a built-in connection terminal for electrically connecting a connector, a fuse or the like to a wiring circuit, and particularly, to enhance the joining stability and the joining reliability with the wiring circuit, The present invention relates to a connection terminal capable of improving joint strength, a joint box using the same, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automobile or the like, for example, a joint box which also serves as a fuse box is used in order to distribute electric power from a battery to each on-board device such as so-called auxiliary machinery. 22 is a plan view of such a conventional joint box, and FIG. 23 is a plan view of a so-called bus bar housed in this joint box.
22 is a sectional view of the VII portion of FIG. 22, and FIG. 25 is the VII portion of FIG.
The sectional views of the I portion are shown.

This type of automobile joint box 10
1 to the lower cover 102, as shown in FIGS.
And the bus bar 103 attached to the lower cover 102
And an upper cover 105 and the like on which these are sealed and a connector and a fuse are mounted.
In such an automobile joint box 101, as shown in FIG. 23, a bus bar 103 made of a metal plate such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy punched by a press is used to distribute DC power from a battery. . Further, the conventional joint box 101 is the bus bar 10
By incorporating the fuse 107 in the middle of the circuit configured by 3, the function as a fuse box is also provided.

A connector 107 shown in FIG. 24 is a connector to be connected to a circuit constituted by a bus bar 103, and a connector 105a is a connection terminal portion 103a formed by bending the tip of the bus bar 103 upward by 90 °.
Through the through hole 105b formed in the upper cover 105 from the lower side to the upper side, so that the connector 107
It is a connector formed so that it can be connected. In addition, FIG.
The fuse mounting portion 10 to which the fuse 108 shown in FIG.
5c is a bus bar 103 having a slit 103b formed therein.
Bend the tip of 90 ° upward to connect terminal part 103d
To form the connection terminal portion 103d and the upper cover 105
By penetrating from the lower side to the upper side through the through hole 105d formed in the side, the leg 108a of the fuse 108 can be directly connected or the leg 108a of the fuse 108 can be connected via a so-called FF (Female to Female) terminal. It is the one that can be connected.

[0005]

However, in the conventional automobile joint box 101, a metal plate is punched with a die to manufacture bus bars 103 of various shapes as shown in FIG. 23 to form a power distribution circuit. ing. As a result, since the bus bar 103 is a thick metal, the weight of the joint box 101 becomes heavy, and it is difficult to make the joint box 101 thinner. Further, as shown in FIG. 26, when the bus bar 103 and the insulation plate (IP: insulating plate) 109 are polymerized to form the power distribution circuit 110 having a multilayer structure, the weight and material cost of the joint box 101 are increased. In order to prevent this, the number of layers of the power distribution circuit 110 must be minimized, and circuits of other layers and the connection terminal portions 103a and 103d penetrate in order to cope with the power distribution circuit having a small number of layers according to the connection mode. It is difficult to reduce the size and thickness of the entire power distribution circuit, as shown in FIG. When such a power distribution circuit 110 is housed in the joint box 112, it is very difficult to make the joint box 112 thinner.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and it is possible to reduce the weight of the joint box,
An object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal that can be made thin and compact, a joint box using the connection terminal, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0007]

A connection terminal according to the present invention is joined to the wiring of a flexible printed circuit in which a wiring made of a conductive pattern is formed on an insulating film to connect the wiring to an external electric component. A connecting terminal, which is a plate-shaped terminal portion connected to the external electric component,
It is characterized by comprising a pair of plate-like joint ends which are joined to the wiring and which extend from the base end of the terminal at right angles to the terminal in mutually opposite directions.

In the joint box according to the present invention, a flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring made of a conductive pattern on an insulating film is joined to the wiring to connect the wiring to an external electric component, and the tip of the joint box is the above-mentioned. A joint provided with a wiring circuit having a plurality of connection terminals extending in a direction orthogonal to the insulating film surface of the flexible printed circuit, and a cover for accommodating the wiring circuit inside with the tip of the connection terminal exposed to the outside. In the box, the connection terminal is a plate-shaped terminal portion connected to the external electrical component, and extends from the base end portion of the terminal portion at a right angle to the terminal portion, and is bent to be joined to the wiring. And a connecting end formed in a plate shape, and the connecting end of the connection terminal is placed on the wiring so that the plate surface thereof is in close contact with the wiring. Covered with a resin member with being engaged, characterized in that sealed.

In the first method for manufacturing a joint box according to the present invention, a metal base material is punched and bent to form a plate-shaped terminal portion, and a base end portion of the terminal portion extends at a right angle to the terminal portion. A step of forming a connection terminal having a plate-like joint end, and the connection terminal formed in this step,
On the wiring of the flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring formed of a conductive pattern on the insulating film, a step of placing the plate surface of the joint end portion in close contact with the wiring and joining by resistance welding, The step of applying a resin member on the joint between the joint end formed in this step and the wiring to cover and seal the joint, and connecting the flexible printed circuit to which the connection terminal is joined And a step of accommodating the tip of the terminal inside the cover in a state where the tip of the terminal is exposed to the outside.

In a second method for manufacturing a joint box according to the present invention, a metal base material is punched and bent to form a plate-shaped terminal portion, and a base end portion of the terminal portion is perpendicular to the terminal portion. The step of forming a connection terminal having a pair of joint ends extending in opposite directions, and the connection terminal formed in this step, the wiring of a flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring formed of a conductive pattern on an insulating film On top, each plate surface of the pair of joint ends is placed so as to be in close contact with the wiring, and a pair of electrodes is brought into contact with each of the pair of joint ends placed, and each joint end is respectively attached. A step of joining by resistance welding, and a step of applying a resin member on each joint of the pair of joint ends and the wiring formed in this step to cover and seal each joint, Previous Tip of the connection terminal of the flexible printed circuit connecting terminal is joined is characterized by comprising a step of accommodating the inside of the cover exposed to the outside.

According to a third method of manufacturing a joint box of the present invention, a metal base material is punched and bent to form a plate-shaped terminal portion, and a base end portion of the terminal portion is perpendicular to the terminal portion. The step of forming a connection terminal having a pair of joint ends extending in opposite directions, and the connection terminal formed in this step, the wiring of a flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring formed of a conductive pattern on an insulating film The electrodes are placed so that the respective plate surfaces of the pair of joint ends are in close contact with the wiring, and one of the electrodes constituting the pair of electrodes is brought into contact with each of the pair of joint ends placed. , A step of joining the respective joint ends by resistance welding at a time, and applying a resin member on the respective joints of the pair of joint ends and the wiring formed in this step to form the respective joints. To A step of have sealing, characterized in that the flexible printed circuit in which the connection terminal is bonded tip of the connection terminal and a step of housing in the interior of the cover exposed to the outside.

According to the present invention, since the wiring circuit is mainly composed of the flexible printed circuit, the weight can be reduced, the thickness can be reduced, and the joint box as a whole can be miniaturized. The degree of freedom in circuit design can be improved and design change can be facilitated. Further, according to the present invention, particularly, the plate-like joint end portion of the connection terminal is formed so as to extend from the base end portion of the terminal portion in directions opposite to each other at right angles to the terminal portion, and is in close contact with the wiring of the flexible printed circuit. Since the resin is bonded and covered with the resin member in this manner, the connection stability and connection reliability of the connection terminal with the wiring of the flexible printed circuit forming the wiring circuit can be improved and the bonding strength can be improved.

According to the present invention, the wiring circuit is mainly composed of the flexible printed circuit, and even when the wiring circuit has a multi-layered structure, a plurality of wiring circuits are used without using a conventional bus bar or IP (insulating plate). Since the flexible printed circuits can be laminated and configured, the joint box can be made thinner, lighter, and more compact. When the wiring circuit has a multilayer structure,
Since the flexible printed circuit in the upper layer has a through hole through which the tip of the terminal portion of the connecting terminal joined to the flexible printed circuit in the lower layer penetrates, a plurality of flexible printed circuits are stacked and wired. The work of configuring the circuit can be simplified. In this case, it is preferable that the connection terminal is formed to have a terminal portion having an arbitrary length depending on a bending position of the joining end portion. By doing so, it is possible to realize the shared use of the connection terminals and reduce the number of parts without separately manufacturing the connection terminals having the terminal portions of different lengths.

Further, it is preferable that the connection terminal has an L-shaped metal terminal or a pair of joint end portions extending from the base end portion of the terminal portion in directions opposite to each other at right angles to the terminal portion. If the connection terminal is an L-shaped metal terminal,
A pair of joints that can be placed on the wiring in a stable state, can easily be provided with a portion to be joined to the wiring by welding (terminal connecting portion), and the joint end portion can extend in the opposite direction at right angles to the terminal portion. This is because the end portions can be placed on the wiring in a more stable state and the area of the terminal connection portion can be increased, and for example, even in a narrow space, the electrodes used for resistance welding can be widened. This is because it is possible to facilitate the joining work.

Further, it is preferable that the connection terminal is provided with a convex portion formed so that the plate thickness between the plate surfaces becomes thicker on at least one plate surface side of the terminal portion. This is because it is possible to improve the fitting strength with the connection terminal on the connection partner side without increasing the plate thickness of the material.

It is preferable that the connection terminal is joined to the wiring by welding. In this case, as a welding method, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or the like can be applied, but other than welding, for example, crimping pressure welding or soldering may be used. A hot-melt resin is suitable for the resin member applied on the joint formed by these methods.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 5
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a manufacturing process of a joint box according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a front view and a perspective view showing a connection terminal used in the joint box,
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined in a cross section, FIG. 3 is a side view showing a part of the connection of the connection terminals in a flexible printed circuit in a cross section, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a power supply distribution circuit to which the connection terminals are joined, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a power supply distribution circuit to which the connection terminals are joined. As shown in FIG. 1A, the connection terminal 10 is formed, for example, by punching or cutting a base material made of a metal material such as Cu, and is mainly formed by a terminal portion ( A terminal portion 11 for fitting into (not shown) for electrical connection, and a plate-like joint end portion 12 that is actually directly joined to the wiring of a power distribution circuit (not shown). For example, a connecting terminal 10 formed by punching the metal base material into a single plate material is shown in FIG.
By bending the terminal portion 11 and the joining end portion 12 so as to be at right angles to each other at the midpoint line portion, an L-shaped portion is formed as in the connection terminal 10 shown in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. Metal terminals can be formed.

By using the connection terminal 10 thus formed, it can be stably mounted on, for example, a flexible printed circuit (hereinafter referred to as "FPC") 20, as shown in FIG. It will be possible. The FPC 20
Is, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) as shown in FIG.
Insulating base film 21 made of insulating resin material such as
A wiring 22 made of a conductive material such as Cu and patterned on the insulating base film 21 by a method such as etching, and the insulating base film 21 and the wiring 2
2 and a cover lay (not shown) made of a synthetic resin or the like having an electrical insulating property formed by a method such as laminating. Note that the coverlay is not formed at the joint portion (joint portion) of the FPC 20 with the connection terminal 10, and the circuit-formed wiring 22 makes direct contact (adhesion) with the joint end portion 12 of the connection terminal 10. like,
The exposed state is exposed on the insulating base film 21.

In order to join the connection terminal 10 to the wiring 22, first, as shown in FIG. 3, the connection terminal 10 is further joined onto the wiring 22 of the FPC 20 placed on the work table 18. The end portion 12 is placed such that its plate surface is in close contact with the surface of the wiring 22. Next, the jig 19a for joining is brought into contact with the plate surface of the terminal portion 11 on the side opposite to the joining end forming side of the placed connecting terminal 10 to temporarily set the placed state of the placed connecting terminal 10. Stable. From above the joint end 12 of the connection terminal 10 thus stabilized, for example, electrodes 17a and 17b of a series welding (resistance welding) device are brought into contact with each other, and a large current having a capacity used for series welding is applied between these electrodes 17a and 17b. When energized, the generated thermal energy and the joint end 12 and the wiring 2 by the electrodes 17a and 17b
By the pressure applied to 2, the copper, which is the material of the joint end 12 and the wiring 22, is diffused and welded (diffusion welding). By connecting the connection terminal 10 to the wiring 22 by resistance welding in this manner, the connection terminal 10 can be easily and easily formed on the wiring 22 formed in plural on the FPC 20 as shown in FIG. Will be able to join. By joining the connection terminal 10 and the wiring 22 by welding in this way, the joining strength of the joining portion can be increased, so that the connection stability and the connection reliability of the connection terminal 10 and the wiring 22 can be improved. it can. Instead of resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, crimping pressure welding or soldering may be used to join the two.

Finally, the joint portion between the joint end portion 12 and the wiring 22 thus jointed is connected to the resin member 1 as shown in FIG.
6 is covered and sealed. In this way, if the resin member 16 is sealed so as to cover both joints, the joint strength of both joints can be further increased.
It is possible to further improve connection stability and connection reliability. The resin member 16 used in this case is most preferably a hot-melt resin from the viewpoint of cost and handleability, but other resin members may be used to seal the two.

According to this connection terminal 10, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), only by changing the bending position of the connection terminal 10 formed by punching out the metal base material, for example,
L-shaped connection terminals 10a, 10b, 10c (see FIG. 11B) in which the length of the terminal portion 11 (11a>11b> 11c) and the length of the joint end portion 12 (12a <12b <12c) are different from each other. Can be formed. If these connection terminals 10a to 10c are used, the connection terminals 10 can be connected to the FPCs 20a, 20b and 20c as shown in FIG. 7, respectively.
a, 10b, 10c are joined and laminated in multiple layers, and the terminal portion 11
It is possible to easily manufacture the power supply distribution circuit 1 having a multi-layered structure in which the respective tip positions of the power supply circuits are matched with each other without a special manufacturing process. Therefore, when a power distribution circuit having a multi-layer structure is formed by stacking a plurality of FPCs, it is not necessary to individually manufacture the connection terminals 10 having different lengths for the terminal portion 11 and the joint end portion 12. It can be expected that the common use will be realized, the increase in the number of parts will be suppressed, and the increase in cost will be stopped.

As shown in FIG. 8, at least one plate surface side of the terminal portion 11 of the connection terminal 10 has a plate thickness between the plate surfaces of the terminal portion 11 by, for example, extrusion press working or stamping press working. You may make it form the convex part 15 so that it may become thick. If the convex portion 15 is formed in this way,
Since it is possible to increase the partial plate thickness of the terminal portion 11 without increasing the plate thickness of the base material, it can be expected to improve the connection reliability with the connection terminal on the connection partner side.

9 to 14 are views for explaining a manufacturing process of a joint box according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing a connection terminal used in the joint box. 1 is a perspective view, and FIG. 10 is a side view showing a cross section of a part of a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.
1 and 12 are side views showing a state in which the connection terminals are joined to the FPC, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined, and FIG. 14 is a power distribution in which the connection terminals are joined. It is sectional drawing which shows a circuit. It should be noted that in the following description, the description overlapping with the already described parts will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 9A, the connection terminal 30 is formed by punching a metal base material, and includes a terminal portion 31 and a joining end portion 32. A slit 33 is formed in the joining end 32, and plate-like joining ends 32a and 32b which are independent in the width direction of the connection terminal 30 are formed. For example, the joining end portion 32 of the connecting terminal 30 formed by punching out a metal base material so as to have a single plate material so as to have the slit 33 is formed by joining end portions 32a and 32b at dotted points in the figure (a). Are opened so as to extend in mutually opposite directions and are bent so as to be perpendicular to the terminal portion 31, so that the terminal portion 31 of the terminal portion 31 can be formed like the connection terminal 30 shown in the direction of the white arrow in the figure. From the base end to the terminal 31
A pair of joint ends 32 extending in opposite directions at right angles to
A connection terminal having a and 32b can be formed.
If the connection terminal 30 formed in this way is used, the structure shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 0, it is possible to mount the FPC 20 on the FPC 20 in a more stable state than the connection terminal 10.

In order to join the connection terminal 30 to the wiring 22, first, as shown in FIG. 11, the connection terminal 30 is further attached onto the wiring 22 of the FPC 20 placed on the work table 18. The plate surfaces of 32 a and 32 b are placed so as to be in close contact with the surface of the wiring 22, and the jig 19 for joining is attached to the tip of the terminal portion 31 of the placed connection terminal 30.
b is attached to temporarily stabilize the mounting state of the connection terminal 30. Next, for example, the electrode 17a is abutted from above one joint end 32a of the stabilized connection terminal 30 and the electrode 17b is abutted from above the other joint end 32b, and diffusion welding is performed as described above. As shown in FIG. 12, the connection terminal 30 is joined to the wiring 22 by welding the one joining end 32 a and then the other joining end 32 b. Note that, for example, if diffusion welding is performed by the method as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to perform joining in a space-saving portion.
By connecting the connection terminal 30 to the wiring 22 in this manner, the connection terminal 30 can be easily and easily stabilized on the wiring 22 formed on the FPC 20 as shown in FIG.
Can be joined. The connection terminal 30 has the joint end portion 32 extending in the direction of both plate surfaces of the terminal portion 31, and thus can have higher connection stability and connection reliability.

Finally, the respective joints of the joint ends 32a, 32b and the wiring 22 thus joined are
As shown in FIG. 14, each resin member 16 is covered and sealed. In this way, if the resin member 16 is sealed so as to cover the joints between the joint ends 32a and 32b and the wiring 22, the joint strength of the connection terminal 30 can be further improved and high connection stability can be achieved. And connection reliability can be realized.

According to this connection terminal 30, as shown in FIG. 15 (a), only by changing the length of the slit 33 and the bending position of the joining end 32 associated therewith, as shown in FIG.
The length of the terminal portion 31 (31a>31b> 31c) and the length of the joint end portion 32 (32c <32d <32e) are different from each other, and the joint end portions 32a and 32b are perpendicular to the terminal portion 31 in opposite directions. Extension connection terminals 30a, 30b, 30
c (see FIG. 2B) can be formed. Accordingly, in order to apply the connection terminal 30 to the power supply distribution circuit having the multilayer structure as described above, the terminal portion 31 and the joining end portion 32 are provided.
Since it is not necessary to individually manufacture the connection terminals 30 having different lengths, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the connection terminal 10.

FIG. 16 is a process diagram showing a process of forming another connection terminal used in the joint box, and FIG.
It is a side view which shows a part of power supply distribution circuit which joined this connection terminal in a cross section. As shown in FIG. 16A, the connection terminal 40 is formed by punching a metal material, and the terminal portion 41 (41 a, 41 b) and the joining end portion 42 (4) are formed.
2a, 42b). A slit 34 is formed in the joint end portion 42, and the terminal portions 41a and 41b are aligned with each other at a portion indicated by a dotted line A in the drawing with the slit 34 as the center, as shown in FIG. And the connection terminal 40 is bent in two, and further, as shown in FIG. 7C, the joining ends 42a and 42b are bent so as to extend in directions opposite to each other at a position indicated by a dotted line B at right angles to the terminal 41. A pair of joint end portions 42a, 42b extending in the opposite direction at right angles to the terminal portion 41 from the base end portion of the terminal portion 41.
It is possible to form the connection terminal 40 having By using the connection terminal 40 formed in this manner, as shown in FIG. 17, it becomes possible to mount the connection terminal 40 on the FPC 20 in a stable state like the connection terminal 30 described above. Then, the joint end portion 42 (42a, 42b) of the connection terminal 40 is joined to the wiring 22 of the FPC 20 by the resistance welding or the like, and each joint portion is covered and sealed by the resin member 16 to obtain the joint strength of the connection terminal 40. Can be further improved. Also,
In this connection terminal 40 as well, similar to the connection terminal 30, the terminal portion 41 is arbitrarily changed only by changing the length of the slit 34 and the bending position of the joint end portion 42 associated therewith.
Can be applied to a power distribution circuit or a joint box by changing the length of the wire and the length of the joint end 42.

FIG. 18 is a process drawing showing a process of forming still another connection terminal used in the joint box, FIG.
[Fig. 4] is a side view showing how the connection terminal is joined to the FPC. As shown in FIG. 18A, the connection terminal 50 is
The terminal portion 51 (51a, 51b) and the joining end portion 52 (52
a, 52b). The metal base material is punched into a single plate shape, and at the center in the lengthwise direction (dotted line C in the figure), the terminal portions 51a and 51b are bent in two so as to be aligned with each other, and further joined to the joint end portion 52a. 52b is bent so as to extend in directions opposite to each other at a right angle to the terminal portion 51 at a portion indicated by a dotted line D in the figure, and has a pair of joint ends 52a and 52b as shown in FIG. The terminal 50 can be formed. Connection terminal 5 formed in this way
If 0 is used, as shown in FIG. 19, it becomes possible to mount the FPC 20 in a stable state in the same manner as the connection terminals 30 and 40 described above, and as shown in FIG. For the connection terminal 50 on the wiring 22 of the FPC 20 placed on the
7a above the joining end 52a and the electrode 17b above the joining end 50b, respectively, and the above welding is performed to join the two, the joining strength of the connection terminal 50 can be improved. And the resin member 16
If it is covered and sealed with, a higher bonding strength can be obtained. Thereby, the connection stability and connection reliability of the connection terminal 50 can be improved. Also in this connection terminal 50, the length of the terminal portion 51 and the joint end portion 52 are arbitrarily changed only by changing the bending position of the joint end portion 52.
It can be applied to a power distribution circuit or a joint box by changing the length.

FIG. 20 is a top perspective view showing a power distribution circuit as a wiring circuit used in the joint box according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the power distribution circuit 1 is formed by stacking a plurality of FPCs 20 in which the connection terminals 10 are joined to the wirings 22, for example. Through holes 2 through which the terminal portions 11 of the connection terminals 10 of the FPC 20 in the lower layer penetrate are formed in the upper layer FPC 20, respectively, and the terminal portions 11 of the connection terminals 10 corresponding to these through holes 2 are formed. It is possible to easily and easily form the power supply distribution circuit 1 having a multi-layered structure including a plurality of FPCs 20 by inserting the FPC 20. Since the power distribution circuit 1 does not use a bus bar or an insulating plate as in the conventional case, the circuit thickness can be made very thin and the weight can be made very light. Therefore, the power distribution circuit can be made thinner and lighter, and the size can be reduced. The connection terminals may be the connection terminals such as the connection terminals 30, 40 and 50 described above.

FIG. 21 is an upper perspective view showing a joint box according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the joint box 5 is the power distribution circuit 1 described above.
Is housed inside a predetermined cover 7 having an insertion hole 6 formed so that the terminal portion 11 of the connection terminal 10 is exposed to the outside. Since the connection terminals 10 of the power distribution circuit 1 are exposed to the outside through the insertion holes 6 of the cover 7, each FPC 20 of the power distribution circuit 1 can be simply attached to the exposed connection terminals 10 by attaching a connector, a fuse, or the like (not shown).
It is possible to establish electrical continuity with the wiring 22. In the joint box 5, since the power distribution circuit 1 does not use the conventional bus bar or insulating plate, the thickness of the joint box can be reduced and the weight can be reduced. Therefore, the joint box as a whole can be made thinner and lighter, and can be made smaller.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the wiring circuit is mainly composed of the flexible printed circuit, the weight can be reduced and the thickness can be reduced, the joint box as a whole can be downsized, and the degree of freedom in circuit design can be improved. The change can be facilitated. Further, according to the present invention, particularly, the plate-like joint end portion of the connection terminal is formed so as to extend from the base end portion of the terminal portion in directions opposite to each other at right angles to the terminal portion, and is in close contact with the wiring of the flexible printed circuit. Since the resin is bonded and covered with the resin member in this manner, the connection stability and connection reliability of the connection terminal with the wiring of the flexible printed circuit forming the wiring circuit can be improved and the bonding strength can be improved. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view and a perspective view showing a connection terminal used in a joint box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing in cross section a part of a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 3 is a side view, partly in section, showing how the connection terminal is joined to an FPC.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 6 is a front view and a side view showing the same connection terminal.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing in cross section a part of a power supply distribution circuit having a multilayer structure using a plurality of FPCs to which the same connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 8 is a front view and a cross-sectional view showing a terminal portion in which a convex portion of the connection terminal is formed.

FIG. 9 is a front view and a perspective view showing a connection terminal used in a joint box according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing in cross section a part of the power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing how the connection terminal is joined to an FPC.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing how the connection terminal is joined to an FPC.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a power distribution circuit in which the connection terminals are joined.

FIG. 15 is a front view and a side view showing the same connection terminal.

FIG. 16 is a process drawing showing a process of forming another connection terminal used in the joint box.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing, in cross section, a part of the power distribution circuit on which the other connection terminal is mounted.

FIG. 18 is a process drawing showing a process of forming still another connection terminal used in the joint box.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing, in cross section, a part of the power distribution circuit on which the other connection terminal is mounted.

FIG. 20 is an upper perspective view showing a power distribution circuit as a wiring circuit used in the joint box according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an upper perspective view showing the joint box according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a conventional joint box.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a bus bar stored in the joint box.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a VII part in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a portion VIII of FIG. 22.

FIG. 26 is an upper perspective view showing a conventional power distribution circuit having a multilayer structure.

FIG. 27 is an upper perspective view showing a joint box accommodating a conventional power distribution circuit having a multilayer structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Power distribution circuit, 2 ... Through hole, 5 ... Joint box, 6 ... Insertion hole, 7 ... Cover, 10, 30, 40, 50
... Connection terminals, 11, 31, 41, 51 ... Terminal portions, 12,
32, 42, 52 ... Joined end, 16 ... Resin member, 17 ...
Electrode, 18 ... Work table, 19 ... Jig, 20 ... FP
C, 21 ... Insulating base film, 22 ... Wiring, 33, 3
4 ... slit.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ichiro Terunuma             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office (72) Inventor Kazuya Akashi             Fuji Co., Ltd. 1440 Rokuzaki, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture             Kura Sakura Office F-term (reference) 5E051 LA02 LB06                 5E063 HA10 HB11 HB16 XA01                 5E077 BB13 BB32 CC10 DD03 EE02                       FF21 JJ10 JJ20                 5E085 BB09 BB14 CC03 DD03 EE15                       HH13 HH34 JJ06 JJ11 JJ19                       JJ36                 5G361 BA01 BB01 BC01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A connection terminal, which is joined to the wiring of a flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring made of a conductive pattern on an insulating film to connect the wiring to an external electric component, and the external electric component. A plate-shaped terminal portion to be connected, and a pair of plate-shaped joint end portions that are joined to the wiring and extend from the base end portion of the terminal portion in directions opposite to each other at right angles to the terminal portion. A connection terminal characterized in that. 2. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is provided with a convex portion formed so as to increase a plate thickness between plate surfaces on at least one plate surface side of the terminal portion. Terminal. 3. A flexible printed circuit having wiring formed of a conductive pattern formed on an insulating film, and an insulating film of the flexible printed circuit which is joined to the wiring to connect the wiring to an external electric component and has a tip end thereof. A joint box comprising: a wiring circuit having a plurality of connection terminals extending in a direction orthogonal to a surface; and a cover for accommodating the wiring circuit inside in a state in which a tip of the connection terminal is exposed to the outside, The connection terminal is a plate-shaped terminal portion that is connected to the external electrical component and a plate-shaped terminal portion that extends from the base end portion of the terminal portion at a right angle to the terminal portion and that is bent and that is joined to the wiring. A joint end portion, and the joint end portion of the connection terminal is placed and joined on the wiring so that the plate surface of the connection terminal is in close contact with the wiring. A joint box that is covered and sealed. 4. The joint box according to claim 3, wherein the resin member is a hot-melt resin. 5. The joint box according to claim 3, wherein the connection terminal is an L-shaped metal terminal. 6. The connection terminal has a pair of plate-shaped joining ends extending in opposite directions at right angles to the terminal from the base end of the terminal.
The joint box shown. 7. The joint box according to claim 3, wherein the connection terminal is joined to the wiring by welding. 8. The wiring circuit comprises stacking a plurality of flexible printed circuits, providing the connection terminals on each of the flexible printed circuits, and forming a flexible printed circuit on an upper layer and a flexible printed circuit on a lower layer. It is configured by providing a through hole through which the terminal portion of the joined connecting terminal penetrates, and the connecting terminal has a terminal portion of an arbitrary length depending on the bending position of the joining end portion. The joint box according to any one of items 3 to 7. 9. A connection terminal comprising a plate-shaped terminal portion obtained by punching and bending a metal base material and a plate-shaped joining end portion extending at a right angle from the base end portion of the terminal portion. The step of forming and the connecting terminal formed in this step, the board surface of the joint end is in close contact with the wiring on the wiring of the flexible printed circuit in which the wiring of the conductive pattern is formed on the insulating film. So as to be joined by resistance welding, and a step of applying a resin member on the joint between the joint end and the wiring formed in this step to cover and seal the joint. And a step of accommodating the flexible printed circuit to which the connection terminal is joined inside a cover in a state where a tip of the connection terminal is exposed to the outside. 10. A metal base material is punched and bent to include a plate-shaped terminal portion, and a pair of joint end portions extending from the base end portion of the terminal portion at right angles to the terminal portion in mutually opposite directions. The step of forming the connection terminal, and the connection terminal formed in this step, on the wiring of the flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring formed of a conductive pattern on the insulating film, A step of placing the plate surface so as to be in close contact with the wiring, abutting a pair of electrodes on each of the mounted pair of joint ends, and joining the joint ends by resistance welding, respectively. A step of applying a resin member on each joint between the pair of joint ends and the wiring to cover and seal each joint, and the flexible print circuit to which the connection terminal is joined. And a step of accommodating the passage inside the cover with the tip of the connection terminal exposed to the outside. 11. A plate-shaped terminal portion formed by punching and bending a metal base material, and a pair of joint end portions extending from the base end portion of the terminal portion at right angles to the terminal portion in mutually opposite directions. The step of forming the connection terminal, and the connection terminal formed in this step, on the wiring of the flexible printed circuit formed by forming a wiring formed of a conductive pattern on the insulating film, The plate surface is placed so as to be in close contact with the wiring, and one of the paired joining ends is brought into contact with one of the electrodes constituting the pair of electrodes, and the joining ends are joined at once by resistance welding. And a step of applying a resin member on each joint between the pair of joint ends and the wiring formed in this step to cover and seal each joint, and The above joined And a step of accommodating the flexible printed circuit inside the cover with the tip of the connection terminal exposed to the outside. 12. The method for manufacturing a joint box according to claim 9, wherein the resin member is a hot melt resin.