JP2004152683A - Combined terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an open area of a mounting hole from being narrowed due to the mutual displacement of superimposed terminal fittings. <P>SOLUTION: The open area of the mounting hole 13a positioned nearest to the entrance side in the advancing direction of a bolt 32 (mounting member) for a through hole H is made smaller than open areas of other mounting holes 13b-13d. Since even if the mounting holes 13a-13d are mutually displaced from positions in their diameter directions, the open area of the through hole H can be prevented from getting smaller as a whole than that of the smallest mounting hole 13a, the bolt 32 can be passed through the through hole H. Furthermore, since the smallest through hole 13a is positioned nearest to the entrance side in the advancing direction of the bolt 32, once the bolt 32 advances into the smallest mounting hole 13a, the bolt 32 passes through the through hole H without interfering with hole rims of the other mounting holes 13b-13d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a combination terminal formed by stacking a plurality of terminal fittings.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when a plurality of wire harnesses in an automobile are collectively grounded in one place, the grounding terminal fittings of the respective wire harnesses are assembled in a state of being overlapped so that their mounting holes are aligned substantially concentrically, and set as combined terminals. In this state, a method is adopted in which a plurality of grounding terminal fittings are collectively fixed to the body by tightening a bolt penetrating the mounting hole (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-50417
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a combination terminal, all the mounting holes of the ground terminal fittings are set to have the same diameter. However, there is a possibility that the relative displacement of the ground terminal fittings in the radial direction is caused by assembly tolerance. is there. If the ground terminal fitting is assembled in a state where such a displacement has occurred, an opening area of the mounting hole through which the bolt can be penetrated is narrowed, and it becomes difficult to penetrate the bolt, or the bolt can be penetrated. May not be possible.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent an opening area of a mounting hole from being narrowed due to a positional shift between superposed terminal fittings.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of terminal fittings through which the mounting holes are penetrated overlap each other so that the mounting holes are substantially concentrically aligned with each other to form one through-hole. In the combination terminal that is attached to the counterpart member in a state where the mounting hole is penetrated, the opening area of the mounting hole located closest to the entrance in the direction of entry of the mounting member into the through hole is larger than the opening areas of the other mounting holes. The configuration has become smaller.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the inner periphery of the mounting hole positioned closest to the entrance side in the approaching direction of the mounting member is provided from the entrance side of the mounting member in the entrance direction toward the exit side. The configuration is such that a tapered guide surface is formed in which the opening region gradually narrows.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or the second aspect of the present invention, the terminal fitting is configured to hold two directly overlapping terminal fittings together to hold the two terminal fittings in an assembled state. In a combination terminal provided with a stopping means, and three or more of the terminal fittings are sequentially superimposed and assembled by the locking means, an opening area of the mounting hole extends in a direction in which the mounting member penetrates. It became the structure which became large in order toward.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the terminal fitting is provided with an identification unit for identifying an overlapping order.
[0009]
Function and effect of the present invention
[Invention of claim 1]
Even if the mounting holes are displaced from each other in the radial direction, the entire through hole does not have to be smaller than the opening area of the smallest mounting hole, so that the mounting member can be passed through the through hole. Moreover, since the smallest mounting hole is located closest to the entrance in the direction in which the mounting member enters, if the mounting member enters this minimum mounting hole, the mounting member will be located at the edge of the other mounting hole. It penetrates all mounting holes smoothly without interference.
[0010]
[Invention of claim 2]
The mounting hole located closest to the entrance in the entry direction of the mounting member is the narrowest, but a tapered guide surface is formed on the inner periphery of the mounting hole, so that the mounting member can be easily and reliably advanced. it can.
[Invention of claim 3]
Since the plurality of terminal fittings are directly assembled and locked together, the amount of displacement of the mounting hole in the radial direction with respect to the mounting hole closest to the entrance in the entry direction of the mounting member is closer to the exit side. It grows bigger. However, in the present invention, since the opening area of the mounting hole is sequentially increased in the direction in which the mounting member penetrates, the opening area of the entire through hole does not need to be narrow.
[0011]
[Invention of Claim 4]
The plurality of terminal fittings must be assembled so that the opening area of the mounting hole becomes larger in order in the through direction of the mounting member, but in the present invention, the terminal fitting is provided with identification means for identifying the overlapping order. Therefore, the terminal fittings can be securely assembled so as to overlap in the correct order.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a plurality of wire harnesses in an automobile are collectively grounded to a body 30 (a mating member which is a constituent element of the present invention) at one place.
The combination terminal T of the present embodiment is assembled in a state where four terminal fittings 10a to 10d are vertically stacked. In the present embodiment, for convenience, the first terminal fittings 10a to the fourth terminal fittings 10d are arranged in order from the top.
The first terminal fitting 10a located at the top includes a flat terminal body 11 having a substantially circular shape as a whole, and an electric wire crimping portion 12 extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the terminal body 11. The terminal portion of the electric wire W of the wire harness is crimped to the electric wire crimping portion 12. At the center of the terminal body 11, a concentric circular mounting hole 13a of the terminal body 11 is formed so as to penetrate between both front and rear surfaces (between upper and lower surfaces). The inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole 13a is a tapered guide surface 14 in which the diameter gradually decreases concentrically from top to bottom. The minimum diameter of the mounting hole 13a (the inner diameter of the opening edge on the lower surface side of the terminal body 11) is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the bolt 32 (a mounting member that is a constituent element of the present invention).
[0014]
At the peripheral edge of the terminal body 11, a pair of locking pieces 15 (locking means, which is a component of the present invention) located opposite to each other with the mounting hole 13a and the center of the terminal body 11 interposed therebetween, are provided on the terminal body 11. The bent pieces 16 are formed so as to protrude flush with each other, and are bent in an overhang shape (substantially “U” shape) so as to be adjacent to each locking piece 15 in a counterclockwise direction on a plane. (A locking means which is a constituent element of the present invention) is formed. In addition, a cut-and-raised piece 18 and a locking hole 19 are formed in the projecting portion 17 on the outer periphery of the terminal main body 11 in a circumferential direction.
[0015]
The second terminal fitting 10b has the same form as the first terminal fitting 10a, and differs from the first terminal fitting 10a only in that the diameter of the mounting hole 13b is different. That is, the inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13b of the second terminal fitting 10b is set slightly larger than the inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13a of the first terminal fitting 10a. Further, a tapered surface corresponding to the guide surface 14 of the first terminal fitting 10a is not formed on the inner periphery of the mounting hole 13b of the second terminal fitting 10b.
[0016]
The third terminal fitting 10c has the same form as the second terminal fitting 10b, and differs from the second terminal fitting 10b only in that the diameter of the mounting hole 13c is different. That is, the inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13c of the third terminal fitting 10c is set slightly larger than the inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13b of the second terminal fitting 10b.
Although the fourth terminal fitting 10d has substantially the same form as the third terminal fitting 10c, the locking piece 15 is not formed on the terminal main body 11, and the locking hole 19 is formed on the overhanging portion 17. However, it differs from the third terminal fitting 10c in four respects in that the rotation stopper 20 protrudes downward from the outer peripheral edge of the overhang portion 17 and the inner diameter of the mounting hole 13d is different. The inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13d of the fourth terminal fitting 10d is set slightly larger than the inner diameter (opening area) of the mounting hole 13c of the third terminal fitting 10c.
[0017]
Next, an example of a procedure for assembling the terminal fittings 10a to 10d will be described. First, the terminal body of the third terminal fitting 10c is mounted on the upper surface (front surface) of the terminal body 11 of the fourth terminal fitting 10d positioned at the bottom. At this time, the mounting holes 13c and 13d are aligned concentrically, and the wire crimping portion 12 of the third terminal fitting 10c is turned upside down with respect to the wire crimping portion 12 of the fourth terminal fitting 10d. Keep it clockwise. In this state, by rotating the third terminal fitting 10c relatively clockwise relative to the fourth terminal fitting 10d, the locking piece 15 of the third terminal fitting 10c is turned into a bent piece of the fourth terminal fitting 10d. Let go under 16. Thereby, the detachment of the terminal fittings 10c and 10d in the vertical direction is restricted. Further, with the locking of the locking piece 15 and the bent piece 16, the locking hole 19 of the third terminal fitting 10c locks with the cut-and-raised piece 18 of the fourth terminal fitting 10d, and thereby, the two terminal fittings 10c , 10d in the circumferential direction are restricted from returning in the direction in which the locking piece 15 and the bent piece 16 are separated. Thus, the fourth terminal fitting 10d and the third terminal fitting 10c are assembled in a state where the mounting holes 13c and 13d are aligned concentrically.
[0018]
Thereafter, the second terminal fitting 10b is overlaid on the upper surface of the third terminal fitting 10c, and the third terminal fitting 10c and the second terminal fitting 10b are assembled in the same manner as described above. Further, the upper surface first terminal fitting 10a of the second terminal fitting 10b is similarly assembled. As described above, the combination terminal T in a form in which the four terminal fittings 10a to 10d are vertically overlapped is configured. Note that the terminal bodies 11 of the first to fourth terminal fittings 10a to 10d respectively have stamps 21a "1", 21b "2", 21c "3", and 21c "3" stamped out on the front side or the back side. 21d "4" is formed, and the terminal fittings 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d can be sequentially combined based on the inscriptions 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d.
[0019]
In this assembled state, all the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are concentrically aligned to form one through hole H, but the inner diameters of the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d are different from each other. ing. That is, the opening area (inner diameter) of the mounting hole 13a of the first terminal fitting 10a located closest to the entrance (uppermost) in the direction in which the bolt 32 enters the through-hole H (the direction from the top to the bottom) is the other three. It is smaller than the opening area (inner diameter) of the mounting holes 13b, 13c, 13d of the three terminal fittings 10b, 10c, 10d. Further, in the order from the first terminal fitting 10a to the fourth terminal fitting 10d, the opening regions (inner diameters) of the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are arranged in the direction in which the bolt 32 penetrates (from top to bottom). It is getting larger in order.
[0020]
When connecting the combination terminal T to the body 30, the combination terminal T is placed on the upper surface of the body 30, and the through hole H is concentrically corresponding to the female screw hole 31. 32 is inserted into the through hole H and screwed into the female screw hole 31 to be tightened.
As described above, in the combination terminal T of the present embodiment, the opening area (inner diameter) of the mounting hole 13a of the first terminal fitting 10a located on the most entry side (uppermost side) in the direction in which the bolt 32 enters the through hole H is Since the opening areas (inner diameters) of the mounting holes 13b, 13c, and 13d of the other three terminal fittings 10b, 10c, and 10d are smaller, even if the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are located in the radial direction. Even if it is shifted, there is no possibility that the hole edges of the mounting holes 13b to 13d of the second terminal fitting 10b to the fourth terminal fitting 10d project into the opening area of the mounting hole 13a of the first terminal fitting 10a. The opening area does not have to be smaller than the opening area of the smallest mounting hole 13a. Therefore, the inner diameter of the through hole H does not become smaller than the outer diameter of the bolt 32, and the bolt 32 can be reliably penetrated into the through hole H.
[0021]
In addition, since the smallest mounting hole 13a is located closest to the entrance in the direction of entry of the bolt 32, once the lower end of the bolt 32 has entered this smallest mounting hole 13a, the bolt 32 is connected to the second terminal. It is possible to smoothly penetrate all the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d without interfering with the hole edges of the mounting holes 13b to 13d of the metal fittings 10b to the fourth terminal metal fitting 10d.
The inner diameter of the mounting hole 13a located closest to the entrance (uppermost side) in the direction in which the bolt 32 enters is the smallest. Since the tapered guide surface 14 is formed such that the opening area gradually narrows from the side toward the outlet side (from top to bottom), the bolt 32 can easily and reliably enter the mounting hole 13a.
[0022]
Further, the terminal fittings 10a to 10d are provided with a locking means (a locking piece 15 and a bent piece 16) for locking two directly overlapping terminal fittings together to hold both terminal fittings in an assembled state. Since the four terminal fittings 10a to 10d are sequentially superimposed and assembled by this locking means, when the mounting hole 13a on the most entrance side in the entry direction of the bolt 32 is used as a reference, the mounting holes 13b, The amount of displacement in the radial direction of 13c and 13d increases toward the outlet side (the lower mounting holes 13b, 13c and 13d). However, in the present embodiment, since the opening areas of the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are sequentially increased in the through direction of the mounting member, it is ensured that the opening area of the entire through hole H is reduced. Is prevented.
[0023]
In the combination terminal T of the present embodiment, four types of terminal fittings 10a to 10d having different inner diameters of the mounting holes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are assembled in a predetermined order. Since the stamps 21a to 21d are formed as identification means for identifying the overlapping order on the terminal fittings 10a to 10d, the terminal fittings 10a to 10d can be securely assembled so as to overlap in the correct order. Further, improper assembling, such as mounting a plurality of terminal fittings of the same type on one combination terminal T, is avoided.
[0024]
[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The combination terminal of the present embodiment includes a terminal pair 40T, which is a combination of a pair of left and right terminal fittings 40L, 40R in which the wire crimping portions 42L, 42R extend rearward from the terminal bodies 41L, 41R having a substantially rectangular plate shape. It is constructed by combining a plurality of pairs vertically.
A non-circular mounting hole 43L having a pair of left and right arc portions 44 is formed in the terminal main body 41L of the left terminal fitting 40L, and locking portions 45LL and 45LR are formed on both left and right sides of the mounting hole 43L. The locking portion 45LR is formed with a downwardly-facing cut-up piece 46, and the left locking portion 45LL is formed with a locking hole 47. In addition, the wire crimping portion 42L extends rearward from the left end of the rear edge of the terminal body 41L.
[0025]
A non-circular mounting hole 43R having a pair of left and right circular arc portions 44 is formed in the terminal main body 41R of the right terminal fitting 40R, and locking portions 45RL and 45RR are formed on both left and right sides of the mounting hole 43R. A locking hole 47 is formed in the locking portion 45RR, and an upwardly facing piece 46 is formed in the left locking portion 45RL. The electric wire crimping portion 42R extends rearward from the right end of the rear edge of the terminal body 41R.
When assembling the two terminal fittings 40L and 40R, first, the terminal main body 41R of the right terminal fitting 40R is superimposed on the terminal main body 41L of the left terminal fitting 40L, and the left locking portion of the right terminal fitting 40R is set. The 45RL is dropped into the mounting hole 43L of the left terminal fitting 40L, and the right engaging portion 45LR of the left terminal fitting 40L is made to face the mounting hole 43R of the right terminal fitting 40R from below. . Next, from this state, the right terminal fitting 40R is slid along the plate surfaces of the terminal main bodies 41L, 41R in the leftward direction (direction in which the mounting holes 43L, 43R approach each other) relative to the left terminal fitting 40L. Let it.
[0026]
Then, both locking portions 45RL, 45RR of the right terminal fitting 40R sunk under the both locking portions 45LL, 45LR of the left terminal fitting 40L, and the terminal body 41R of the right terminal fitting 40R is moved to the left terminal fitting 40L. The terminal fittings 40L and 40R are assembled in a detachment-restricted state by being overlapped with the upper surface of the terminal fitting 40L and the locking holes 47 and the cut-up pieces 46 being locked, thereby forming one terminal pair 40T. In this state, the arc portions 44 of the mounting holes 43L and 43R are concentrically aligned with each other, and the outer periphery of the bolt 32 (the mounting member, which is a component of the present invention) corresponds to the arc portion 44, so that The terminal pair 40T is positioned with respect to the bolt 32.
[0027]
Similarly, a plurality of terminal pairs 40T (not shown) are formed, and the dimensions of the plurality of terminal pairs 40T are set so that the opening areas of the mounting holes 43L and 43R are different from each other. In other words, the radii of curvature of the arc portions 44 are made different from each other. When the terminal pairs 40T are vertically stacked, a combined terminal is formed, and one through hole H is formed on the combined terminal by aligning the centers of the arc portions 44 of all the mounting holes 43L and 43R. The bolt 32 is penetrated here.
[0028]
Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the structure, operation, and effect is omitted.
[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above with reference to the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Can be implemented with various modifications.
(1) In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the combination terminal for grounding the body of the automobile, but according to the present invention, it can be applied to the combination terminal used for purposes other than the ground.
[0029]
(2) In the first embodiment, the diameter of the mounting hole is increased in order from the entrance side to the exit side in the entry direction of the mounting member. However, according to the present invention, the diameter of the mounting hole is closest to the entrance side in the entry direction of the mounting member. With respect to the other mounting holes except for the mounting hole located, the size of the diameter and the order of overlapping can be arbitrarily set.
(3) In the first embodiment, the diameters of all the mounting holes are different from each other. However, according to the present invention, other mounting holes except for the mounting hole located closest to the entrance in the approach direction of the mounting member are removed. The mounting holes may have the same diameter as each other.
[0030]
(4) In the first embodiment, the case where four terminal fittings are stacked is described. However, according to the present invention, the number of terminal fittings to be combined may be three or less, or five or more.
(5) In the first embodiment, the terminal fitting is marked with a mark as the identification means. However, according to the present invention, the identification means may be a coloring method or a method of partially changing the shape of the terminal fitting. Good.
(6) In the first embodiment, the case where the mounting hole is a perfect circle has been described. However, according to the present invention, the mounting hole may be non-circular (oval, oblong, square, etc.).
[0031]
(7) In the above embodiment, the mounting member is made to penetrate the combination terminal from above. However, in the present invention, a stud bolt is erected on the mating member, and a through hole is fitted to the stud bolt. It can also be made the structure to be made.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a state in which terminal fittings are assembled in Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which terminal fittings are assembled. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a terminal fitting positioned at the top. FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a terminal fitting located at the third position from the top. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a terminal fitting located at the lowest position. 8 is a plan view showing a state where the terminal fittings are assembled in the second embodiment. [FIG. 9] A plan view showing a state where the terminal fittings are separated in the second embodiment.
T: Combination terminal H: Through hole 10a: Terminal fitting 10b: Terminal fitting 10c: Terminal fitting 10d: Terminal fitting 10a: Smallest mounting hole 10b, 10c, 10d: Mounting hole 14: Guide surface 15: Locking piece (locking) means)
16 ... bending piece (locking means)
21a, 21b, 21c, 21d ... stamp (identification means)
30 ... body (partner member)
32 ... Bolt (Mounting member)
40L, 40R: terminal fittings 43L, 43R: mounting holes

Claims (4)

By superimposing a plurality of terminal fittings through which the mounting holes are penetrated, the mounting holes are aligned substantially concentrically to form one through hole, and the mating member is inserted in a state where the mounting member is passed through the through hole. In the combination terminal attached to the member,
A combination terminal, wherein an opening region of the mounting hole located closest to the entrance in the direction in which the mounting member enters the through hole is smaller than opening regions of the other mounting holes. A tapered guiding surface is formed on the inner periphery of the mounting hole located closest to the entrance side in the approach direction of the mounting member, in a form in which the opening area gradually narrows from the entrance side of the mounting member toward the exit side. The combination terminal according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal fittings are provided with locking means for holding two terminal fittings which are directly overlapped with each other so as to hold both terminal fittings in an assembled state. In a combination terminal that is designed to be assembled by stacking terminal fittings in order,
3. The combination terminal according to claim 1, wherein an opening area of the mounting hole increases in order in a direction in which the mounting member penetrates. 4. 4. The combination terminal according to claim 3, wherein said terminal fitting is provided with an identification means for identifying an overlapping order.

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