JP2004158236A

JP2004158236A - Terminal for electrical connection, and terminal pair

Info

Publication number: JP2004158236A
Application number: JP2002320927A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takashi Ota; 孝士太田; Hiroki Hirai; 宏樹平井
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd; AutoNetworks Technologies Ltd; Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-05
Filing date: 2002-11-05
Publication date: 2004-06-03

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the generation of arc discharge more steadily in separation of the terminal with a structure of easy manufacturing and simplicity. <P>SOLUTION: A female terminal 10 and a male terminal 20 are formed by bending process of a clad material. The clad material is made by integrating in layer state a conductive layer and an arc deterrent layer L2 which has lower conductivity than that of the conductive layer and hardly generates arc discharge, and the above bending process is carried out so that the arc deterrent layer L2 may form the surface portion of the last separating part with the opposite terminal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、自動車用コネクタ等に組み込まれる電気接続用端子及び端子対に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
自動車等に用いられるコネクタは、当該自動車等の保守・点検のため、数ヶ月〜数年に１度程度の頻度で外される場合がある。しかし、コネクタの端子同士が離れる瞬間に当該端子間にアーク放電が発生するおそれがある。特に近年、バッテリー電圧は従来のＤＣ１２Ｖ程度にとどまらず、ＤＣ３６Ｖなどのさらなる高電圧化が進められてきており、かなり大きなアークがとぶおそれがある。そのため、これに起因して端子を傷めることが考えられる。
【０００３】
従来、このようなアーク放電の発生による不都合を回避する手段として、下記特許文献１には、雄型端子を構成する導体板の先端部の表面にアーク放電の生じにくい抵抗体を被着し、この雄型端子が雌型端子と完全嵌合した状態では当該雌型端子に前記導体板が接触する一方、両端子が離脱する際には前記抵抗体が雌型端子から最後に離間するようにしてその離間時におけるアーク放電の抑止を図るようにしたものが開示されている。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−２６６９８５号公報（第２〜４頁）
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前記特許文献１に記載される端子構造では、導体板にアーク抑止用の抵抗体を被着する手段として、接着等による貼付け、モールド、蒸着、印刷、埋め込み等の手段がとられているが、いずれも工程が煩雑で構造も複雑となりやすい欠点がある。また、前記抵抗体の脱落をより確実に防止して信頼性を高めることが望まれる。
【０００６】
本発明は、このような事情に鑑み、製造容易かつ簡素な構造で、端子離脱時におけるアーク放電の発生をより確実に抑止できる技術の提供を目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記課題を解決するための手段として、本発明は、相手方端子と挿脱可能に嵌合され、その嵌合状態で当該相手方端子と電気的に導通する電気接続用端子において、第１の導電性材料からなる導電層と当該第１の導電性材料よりも導電性が低くてアーク放電が発生しにくい性質をもつ第２の導電性材料からなるアーク抑止層とが積層状態で一体化されたクラッド材を曲げ加工することにより形成され、かつ、前記相手方端子との離脱時に当該相手方端子と最後に離間する部位である最終離間部の表面が前記アーク抑止層で構成されるように曲げ加工されているものである。
【０００８】
この端子によれば、クラッド材を構成する導電層によって良好な導電性が確保される一方、相手方端子との最終離間部の表面が前記導電層よりもアーク放電の発生しにくいアーク抑止層で構成されているために、端子離脱時に発生するアーク放電を効果的に抑止できる。
【０００９】
しかも、この端子は、予め導電層とアーク抑止層とが積層状態で一体化されているクラッド材を曲げ加工することにより形成されたものであるので、その構造は従来の端子すなわち単一の金属板で形成された端子と同じくきわめて簡素であり、また、端子成形後にアーク抑止層を導電層に被着する工程も要せず、そのまま利用に供することができる。さらに、前記アーク抑止層が剥離、脱落するおそれがなく、良好なアーク抑止効果を確実に保つことができる。
【００１０】
なお、本発明において、「最終離間部の表面が前記アーク抑止層で構成される」の「表面」とは、実質的に端子本体を構成する部材の表面であればよく、当該表面が必ずしも完全に露出されていなくてもよい。例えば当該アーク抑止層の表面が実質上アーク抑止性能に影響を及ぼさない程度の薄肉の被覆層（例えば錫めっき層）で覆われるものを排除する意はない。
【００１１】
また、前記アーク抑止層は導電層の全面を覆うように積層されたものでもよいが、このアーク抑止層が前記導電層の一部を局所的に覆うように当該導電層に積層されたものであって、その積層部位は、当該アーク抑止層が前記最終離間部の表面部分を構成し、かつ、前記相手方端子との完全嵌合時に当該相手方端子が前記積層部位以外の部位で前記導電層に接触するように設定されている構成とすれば、当該完全嵌合時において前記導電層と相手方端子との間にアーク抑止層が介在する場合よりも高い導電性を得ることができる。
【００１２】
そして、この端子は、第１の導電性材料からなる導電層と当該第１の導電性材料よりも導電性が低くかつアーク放電が発生しにくい性質をもつ第２の導電性材料からなるアーク抑止層とが積層状態で一体化されたクラッド材であって、前記導電層に対して前記アーク抑止層が帯状に積層されたストライプクラッド材を曲げ加工することにより、前記アーク抑止層が前記最終離間部の表面部分を構成し、かつ、前記相手方端子との完全嵌合時に当該相手方端子が前記積層部位以外の部位で前記導電層に接触する電気接続用端子を成形するという方法により、きわめて簡単に製造することができる。
【００１３】
本発明に係る電気接続用端子は、相手方雄型端子が嵌入可能な端子嵌入部をもつ雌型端子として有効である。その場合、前記端子嵌入部の内側面において少なくとも前記最終離間部を含む部位が前記アーク抑止層で構成されるように曲げ加工されている構成とすればよい。
【００１４】
具体的には、例えば、前記端子嵌入部が当該端子嵌入部内に嵌入される相手方雄型端子に対して弾性変形状態で圧接する弾性接触片を有しており、かつ、この弾性接触片の先端部が前記相手方雄型端子から離れる向きに反っていてその先端面よりも根元側の位置で相手方雄型端子と接触するように構成されているものが、好適である。すなわち、弾性接触片の先端面には導電層とアーク抑止層の双方が露出しているので、この先端面が相手方端子に直接接触する構成であると、その導電層が相手方端子と接触するおそれがあるのに対し、前記のように弾性接触片の先端部が反っていてその先端面よりも根元側の部分（内側面がアーク抑止層で構成されている部分）が相手方雄型端子と接触するようにすれば、確実に当該アーク抑止層を相手方端子に接触させて導電層と相手方端子との接触を回避することができ、これによってアーク抑止効果をより確実なものにすることができる。
【００１５】
また、前記端子嵌入部が端子先端側のアーク抑止部とそれよりも後ろ側の電気接続部とに分割されており、前記アーク抑止部の内側面が前記アーク抑止層で構成される一方、前記電気接続部の内側面の少なくとも一部が前記導電層で構成された面とされ、相手方端子との完全嵌合時に前記電気接触部において前記導電層が露出した面が前記相手方端子と接触するようにすれば、相手方端子が最後に離れる部位、すなわち、アーク放電が抑止されているとはいえアーク痕等が残り易い部位（アーク抑止部）と、完全嵌合時において相手方端子と接触する電気接続部とを切り離すことにより、当該電気接続部をより有効に保護して良好な導電性を確保することができる。
【００１６】
また、前記端子嵌入部の開口側端部については、その内側面が開口端に向かうに従って広がる向きのテーパー状に形成され、そのテーパー状の面が前記アーク抑止層で構成されていることが好ましい。すなわち、前記開口側端部では導電層とアーク抑止層の双方が先端側に露出しているので、その先端面に相手方端子が接触すると当該相手方端子と前記導電層との間でアーク放電が発生するおそれがあるのに対し、前記のように端子嵌入部の開口側端部内側面が外開きのテーパー状に形成されていれば、端子嵌入部に相手方雄型端子を挿入する際に当該雄型端子が（アーク抑止層ではなく）導電層に接触してしまうのをより確実に防ぐことができる。
【００１７】
また、本発明に係る電機接続用端子は、相手方雌型端子の端子嵌入部に嵌入されるタブをもつ雄型端子にも良好に適用できる。具体的には、前記クラッド材の幅方向両端部をそのアーク抑止層が外側になるように略１８０°曲げ加工することにより、２層構造のクラッド剤を用いながらも表裏両面がアーク抑止層で構成されたタブを得ることが可能になる。
【００１８】
この場合も、前記タブの先端部の外周面がその先端に向かうに従って厚みが小さくなる向きのテーパー状に形成され、そのテーパー状の面が前記アーク抑止層で構成されているのが好ましい。すなわち、前記先端面では導電層とアーク抑止層の双方が先端側に露出しているので、その先端面に相手方端子が接触すると当該相手方端子と前記導電層との間でアーク放電が発生するおそれがあるのに対し、前記のようにタブの先端部の外周面が先窄まりのテーパー状に形成されていれば、端子嵌入部に相手方雄型端子を挿入する際に当該雄型端子が（アーク抑止層ではなく）導電層に接触してしまうのをより確実に防ぐことができる。
【００１９】
また本発明は、互いに挿脱可能な雄型端子と雌型端子とからなり、その嵌合状態で前記雄型端子と前記雌型端子とが互いに電気的に導通する電気接続用端子対において、前記雄型端子及び雌型端子は、それぞれ、第１の導電性材料からなる導電層と当該第１の導電性材料よりも導電性が低くかつアーク放電が発生しにくい性質をもつ第２の導電性材料からなるアーク抑止層とが積層状態で一体化されたクラッド材を曲げ加工することにより形成され、かつ、前記雄型端子と前記雌型端子とが離脱する時に最後に離間する部位である最終離間部の表面がそれぞれ前記アーク抑止層で構成されるように前記雄型端子及び前記雌型端子が曲げ加工されている電気接続用端子対である。
【００２０】
この端子対によれば、完全嵌合状態では、各端子に含まれる導電層によって良好な導電性を確保できる一方、その離脱時にはアーク抑止層同士が離間することにより、例えばアーク抑止層と導電層とが離間する場合よりもさらに高いアーク抑止効果を得ることができる。
【００２１】
さらに、前記雄型端子及び雌型端子をそれぞれ構成するクラッド材のアーク抑止層を前記導電層の一部を局所的に覆うように当該導電層に積層されたものとし、その積層部位を、当該アーク抑止層が前記最終離間部の表面部分を構成し、かつ、前記雄型端子と前記雌型端子との完全嵌合時に両端子が前記積層部位以外の部位の前記導電層で互いに接触するように設定すれば、完全嵌合状態で導電層同士を接触させることにより、より高い導電性を確保することができる。
【００２２】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の好ましい実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
【００２３】
図１に示す端子対は、雌型端子１０と、この雌型端子１０に挿脱可能に嵌合される雄型端子２０とからなっている。
【００２４】
両端子１０，２０は、いずれも、図２に示すようなストライプクラッド材を適当な形状に打ち抜いて曲げ加工することにより成形されている。このストライプクラッド材は、導電層Ｌ１の一部の領域（図例では導電層Ｌ１の片側端部にごく近接する領域）にその端縁に沿って帯状のアーク抑止層Ｌ２が積層され、圧延や熱間静水圧押出等の手段により相互一体化されたものである。
【００２５】
なお、本発明において両層Ｌ１，Ｌ２の具体的な厚み寸法は適宜設定可能であり、両層を同一厚みとしてもよいし、アーク抑止層Ｌ２を導電層Ｌ１より薄くしてもよい。一般には、各層とも例えば０．１〜０．２ｍｍ程度の範囲で厚みを適宜設定すればよい。
【００２６】
また、図示のストライプクラッド材に限らず、導電層Ｌ１の全面にアーク抑止層Ｌ２を積層した通常のクラッド材も使用可能であり、この場合には、雌型端子１０の内側面や雄型端子２０の外側面は全てアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成されることになる。
【００２７】
なお、本発明は必ずしもアーク抑止層Ｌ２が完全に露出しているものに限られず、例えば当該アーク抑止層Ｌ２の表面を含む端子の一部または全部の表面が実質上アーク性能に影響を及ぼさない程度の薄肉の被覆層（例えば錫めっき層）で覆われているものであってもよい。
【００２８】
前記導電層Ｌ１を構成する材料（第１の導電性材料）は、良好な導電性を有していて端子材料に好適なものを適宜設定すればよく、純銅、真鍮等の銅合金、アルミニウムまたはアルミニウム合金等が使用可能である。これに対してアーク抑止層Ｌ２を構成する材料（第２の導電性材料）は、前記導電層Ｌ１との組み合わせでクラッド材が形成可能な材料であって、かつ、前記導電層Ｌ１よりも導電性が低くてアーク放電の発生しにくいものであればよく、例えばチタンやチタン合金、プラチナ等が好適である。
【００２９】
そして、前記両端子１０，２０は、ともに、前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２の積層部分（図１では網目部分）が端子先端側に位置するようにストライプクラッド材を適当な展開形状に打ち抜き、これを曲げ加工することにより成形されている。
【００３０】
具体的に、前記雌型端子１０は、前後方向に延びる底壁１２と、この底壁１２に沿ってその後ろ側から順に形成されたインシュレーションバレル１４、導体バレル１５、及び端子嵌入部１６とを一体に有している。
【００３１】
底壁１２の上面には左右一対の突条１３が上向きに突設されている。各突条１３は、底壁１２の先端面より少し後方に離れた位置を始点として後方に所定長さだけ延び、この雌型端子１０に嵌入される雄型端子２０（より詳しくは後述の雄型タブ２２）を下から支持する。
【００３２】
インシュレーションバレル１４及び導体バレル１５は、それぞれ前記底壁１２の左右両縁部から延長された左右一対の挟持片を有し、図１に示されるように導体３２が絶縁被覆３４で覆われた絶縁電線３０の端末に装着される。具体的に、導体バレル１５は、前記絶縁電線３０の端末で露出した導体３２を外側から挟圧するようにカシメ処理され、インシュレーションバレル１４は前記絶縁被覆３４を外側から挟圧するようにカシメ処理される。
【００３３】
端子嵌入部１６は、相手方雄型端子２０のタブ２２が先端側から嵌入されるものであり、端子先端側のアーク抑止部１８と、それよりも後ろ側の電気接続部１７とに分割されている。そして、このアーク抑止部１８の内側面のみが前記図２に示すアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成され、端子嵌入部１６の内側面は前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２ではなく導電層Ｌ１によって構成されるように、前記ストライプクラッド材での端子材料の打ち抜き位置が設定されている。
【００３４】
なお、この実施の形態において、底壁１２の上面ではその前端から前記突条１３の前端部に至るまでの領域のみがアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成され、それよりも後方の領域では導電層Ｌ１が露出した状態となっている。
【００３５】
前記アーク抑止部１８及び電気接続部１７は、前記底壁１２の左右両側に形成されている。詳しくは、図３及び図４に示すように、底壁１２の左右両側縁から立ち上がる立直壁部１８ａ（１７ａ）と、各立直壁部１８ａ（１７ａ）の上端から斜め下側内方へと延びる弾性片１８ｂ（１７ｂ）とを一体に有し、各弾性片１８ｂ（１７ｂ）の先端部１８ｃ（１７ｃ）は端子嵌入部１６に嵌入される雄型端子２０から離れる向き（図では上向き）に沿っていて、その先端面よりも僅かに根元側の部分（最も下側に位置する下に凸の部分）が前記雄型端子２０のタブ２２と実際に接触する端子接触部１８ｄ（１７ｄ）となっている。また、立直壁部１８ａ（１７ａ）から弾性片１８ｂ（１７ｂ）にかけての曲げ部分の曲率半径Ｒ（図４）は、アーク抑止層Ｌ２の構成材料が例えばチタンのように比較的脆い場合でも同層Ｌ２にクラック等が生じない程度まで大きく設定されている。
【００３６】
また、図５に示すように、前記底壁１２及びアーク抑止部１８の開口側（端子先端側）端部内側面は、いわゆる角打ち処理（あるいは曲げ処理でもよい）により、その開口端に向かうに従って広がる向きのテーパー状面１２ａ，１８ｅとされており、このテーパー状面１２ａ，１８ｅが前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２によって構成されている。
【００３７】
一方、雄型端子２０は、前記雌型端子１０におけるインシュレーションバレル１４及び導体バレル１５と全く同様のインシュレーションバレル及び導体バレル（図略）を有し、かつ、その先端側に電気接続部である板状のタブ２２が形成されている。
【００３８】
このタブ２２は、前記ストライプクラッド材を幅広に打ち抜いた部分の左右両側部をそのアーク抑止層Ｌ２が導電層Ｌ１の外側に位置する向きに略１８０°曲げ返すことにより形成され、当該クラッド材の２倍の厚みを有している。この厚みは、前記雌型端子１０のアーク抑止部１８及び電気接続部１７が弾性変形していない状態での端子接触部１８ｄ，１７ｄと突条１３との上下方向離間距離よりも少し大きい寸法になっている。
【００３９】
タブ２２は、前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２の幅寸法よりも十分長い寸法を有している。従って、このタブ２２においてはその先端部分のみが前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２で覆われ、それよりも後方の部位は導電層Ｌ１が露出した状態となっている。そして、端子１０，２０同士が完全に嵌合された状態では、前記タブ２２において導電層Ｌ１が露出した部分と、電気接続部１７の端子接触部１７ｄ（導電層Ｌ１が露出した部分）とが直接接触するようになっている（図５参照）。
【００４０】
さらに、図５に示すように、前記タブ２２の先端部の外側面は、いわゆる角打ち処理により、その先端に向かうに従って厚みが小さくなる向きのテーパー状面２２ａとされており、このテーパー状面２２ａが前記アーク抑止層Ｌ２によって構成されている。
【００４１】
次に、この端子対の作用を説明する。
【００４２】
まず、図４及び図５に示すように雌型端子１０と雄型端子２０とが完全に嵌合された状態では、アーク抑止部１８及び電気接続部１７の弾性片１８ｂ（１７ｂ）が若干上向きに撓み変形しており、その弾性復帰力で弾性片１８ｂ（１７ｂ）の端子接触部１８ｄ（１７ｄ）と底壁１２の突条１３との間にタブ２２が挟持されている。従って、タブ２２においてアーク抑止層Ｌ２が覆われている部分よりも後ろ側の部分と、突条１３及び電気接続部１７の端子接触部１７ｄとが（アーク抑止層Ｌ２を介さずに）導電層Ｌ１が露出している部分で直接接触した状態にあり、その接触によって端子１０，２０同士の良好な導通が確保される。
【００４３】
この状態から端子同士を離脱させる作業を行うと、まず、タブ２２の先端のアーク抑止層Ｌ２と底壁１２およびアーク抑止部１８におけるアーク抑止層Ｌ２とが接触する状態に移行し、最終的には、両アーク抑止層Ｌ２同士が離れて端子１０，２０間の導通が途切れる。この導通が途切れる瞬間に従来は端子間で大きなアーク放電が発生していたわけであるが、ここに示す端子対では導電層Ｌ１を構成する導電性材料（第１の導電性材料）よりもアーク放電の発生しにくい導電性材料（第２の導電性材料）からなるアーク抑止層Ｌ２同士が最後に離間するので、その離間時におけるアーク放電の発生が有効に抑止される。
【００４４】
逆に、端子嵌入部１６内にタブ２２を嵌入する際にも、まず最初にタブ２２のアーク抑止層Ｌ２と底壁１２もしくはアーク抑止部１８のアーク抑止層Ｌ２とが当接するので、その当接の際にアーク放電が発生することも有効に抑止することができる。
【００４５】
ここで、タブ２２の先端面や端子嵌入部１６の開口端面に何らの加工も施していない場合には、当該先端面や開口端面でアーク抑止層Ｌ２だけでなく導電層Ｌ１も露出しているために、誤って両端子１０，２０の導電層Ｌ１同士が接触してしまうおそれがあるが、図示のようにタブ２２の先端部や端子嵌入部１６の開口端部にテーパー状面２２ａ，１２ａ，１８ｅを形成して同面がアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成されるようにすれば、より確実に（導電層Ｌ１ではなく）アーク抑止層Ｌ２を最初の当接部位にすることができる。
【００４６】
なお、図４に示すようなタブ２２の構造、すなわち、クラッド材の幅方向両端部を１８０°曲げ加工した構造では、アーク抑止層Ｌ２の構成材料が例えばチタンのように比較的脆い場合、当該アーク抑止層Ｌ２に前記曲げ部分でクラックが生じて導電層Ｌ１が外方に露出するおそれもあるが、同図に示すようにタブ２２の幅を端子嵌入部１６の開口幅よりも十分小さくした上で、雌型端子１０が組み込まれるコネクタハウジングの端子挿入口４０を端子嵌入部１６の開口幅よりも小さくしてタブ２２を端子嵌入部１６の中央位置に案内するようにすれば、当該タブ２２の曲げ部分（左右両縁部分）と端子嵌入部１６の左右内壁とが接触するのを阻止することが可能である。
【００４７】
また、導電層Ｌ１の表裏両面をアーク抑止層Ｌ２で覆った３層構造のクラッド材を用いれば、前記のような曲げ加工を施さずにタブ２２の両面をアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成することが可能である。タブ２２の一方の面に最終離間部が特定される場合も、前記のような略１８０°の曲げ加工は不要であり、２層構造のクラッド材をそのままタブ２２に用いることができる。
【００４８】
その他、本発明は例えば次のような実施の形態をとることも可能である。
【００４９】
（１）前記実施形態は、雌型端子１０、雄型端子２０の双方に本発明を適用したものであるが、いずれか一方の端子のみに本発明を適用した場合でも、従来の端子対に比べて高いアーク抑止効果を得ることが可能である。
【００５０】
（２）前記端子嵌入部１６を、雄型端子が挿入可能な完全な筒状にし、その内側に舌状のばね接触片を形成するようにしてもよい。この場合も、当該ばね接触片や、端子嵌入部内側面であって雄型端子と接触する面のうち、少なくとも最終離間部を含む部位をアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成することにより、本発明の効果を得ることが可能であり、また、前記ばね接触片の先端部を雄型端子から離れる向きに反らせて同接触片の先端面が雄型端子に接触しないようにすることが、より好ましい。
【００５１】
（３）前記アーク抑止部１８と電気接続部１７とは必ずしも分割を要せず、両者を一体にしてもよい。ただし、図示のような分割構造にすれば、相手方端子が最後に離れる部位、すなわち、アーク放電が抑止されているとはいえアーク痕等が残り易いアーク抑止部１８をいわゆる犠牲端子にして、このアーク抑止部１８から電気接続部１７を物理的に切り離すことにより、当該電気接続部１７をアーク放電からより確実に保護して完全嵌合時における導電性をより確かなものにすることができる。
【００５２】
また、分割構造の場合、電気接続部の内側面全てにおいて導電層Ｌ１が露出していなくてもよく、例えば当該内側面の前側部分がアーク抑止層Ｌ２で構成されていて、後ろ側部分のみが導電層Ｌ１で構成されているようにしてもよい。その場合、当該後ろ側部分が端子完全嵌合時において相手方の雄型端子と接触するようにすればよい。
【００５３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明は、導電層とアーク抑止層とが予め積層されて一体化されたクラッド材を用い、このクラッド材を曲げ加工することにより、相手方端子との最終離間部の表面がアーク抑止層で構成されるようにしたものであるので、製造容易かつ簡素な構造で、端子離脱時におけるアーク放電の発生をより確実に抑止することができる効果がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態にかかる端子対を示す斜視図である。
【図２】（ａ）は前記端子対を構成する各端子の材料となるストライプクラッド材を示す平面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のＡ−Ａ線断面図である。
【図３】前記端子対を構成する雌型端子の平面図である。
【図４】前記端子対の嵌合状態を雌型端子の先端側から見た断面正面図である。
【図５】図４のＢ−Ｂ線断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１０雌型端子
１２底壁
１２ａ底壁のテーパー状面
１６端子嵌入部
１７電気接続部
１７ｄ電気接続部の端子接触部
１８アーク抑止部
１８ｃアーク抑止部の先端部
１８ｄアーク抑止部の端子接触部
１８ｅアーク抑止部のテーパー状面
２０雄型端子
２２タブ
２２ａタブのテーパー状面
Ｌ１導電層
Ｌ２アーク抑止層[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electric connection terminal and a terminal pair incorporated in a connector for an automobile and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A connector used for an automobile or the like may be disconnected about once every several months to several years for maintenance and inspection of the automobile or the like. However, there is a possibility that an arc discharge may occur between the terminals at the moment when the terminals of the connector are separated from each other. In particular, in recent years, the battery voltage is not limited to the conventional DC voltage of about 12 V, but a higher voltage such as DC 36 V has been promoted, and a considerably large arc may be blown. Therefore, it is conceivable that the terminal may be damaged due to this.
[0003]
Conventionally, as means for avoiding such inconvenience due to the occurrence of arc discharge, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-163873 discloses a method in which a resistor which is unlikely to cause arc discharge is applied to the surface of the tip of a conductor plate constituting a male terminal. When the male terminal is completely fitted with the female terminal, the conductor plate is in contact with the female terminal, and when both terminals are separated, the resistor is finally separated from the female terminal. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-64300 discloses a technique for suppressing arc discharge at the time of separation.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-266985 A (pages 2 to 4)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the terminal structure described in Patent Literature 1, as means for attaching a resistor for suppressing arc to a conductor plate, means such as adhesion, molding, vapor deposition, printing, and embedding are employed. All have the drawback that the steps are complicated and the structure tends to be complicated. In addition, it is desired to more reliably prevent the resistor from falling off to enhance reliability.
[0006]
In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of more reliably suppressing the occurrence of arc discharge when a terminal is detached with a simple and simple structure.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electric connection terminal which is removably fitted to a counterpart terminal and which is electrically connected to the counterpart terminal in the fitted state. A clad in which a conductive layer made of a material and an arc-suppressing layer made of a second conductive material having a lower conductivity than the first conductive material and having a property of hardly causing arc discharge are integrated in a laminated state. It is formed by bending a material, and is bent so that the surface of a final separation portion, which is a portion that is finally separated from the counterpart terminal when detached from the counterpart terminal, is constituted by the arc suppressing layer. Is what it is.
[0008]
According to this terminal, while good conductivity is ensured by the conductive layer constituting the clad material, the surface of the final separation portion from the counterpart terminal is formed of an arc suppressing layer in which arc discharge is less likely to occur than the conductive layer. Therefore, the arc discharge generated at the time of terminal detachment can be effectively suppressed.
[0009]
In addition, since this terminal is formed by bending a clad material in which a conductive layer and an arc suppressing layer are integrated in a laminated state in advance, the structure is a conventional terminal, that is, a single metal. It is very simple like a terminal formed of a plate, and can be used as it is without a step of applying an arc suppressing layer to a conductive layer after the terminal is formed. Further, there is no possibility that the arc suppressing layer is separated or dropped, and a good arc suppressing effect can be reliably maintained.
[0010]
In the present invention, the "surface" of "the surface of the final separation portion is composed of the arc suppressing layer" may be substantially the surface of the member constituting the terminal main body, and the surface is not necessarily perfect. It may not be exposed to. For example, there is no intention to exclude a material in which the surface of the arc suppression layer is covered with a thin coating layer (for example, a tin plating layer) that does not substantially affect the arc suppression performance.
[0011]
Further, the arc suppressing layer may be laminated so as to cover the entire surface of the conductive layer. However, the arc suppressing layer may be laminated on the conductive layer so as to partially cover the conductive layer. In the laminated portion, the arc suppressing layer constitutes a surface portion of the final separation portion, and when the mating terminal is completely fitted with the counterpart terminal, the counterpart terminal is connected to the conductive layer at a portion other than the laminated portion. If the configuration is set so as to make contact, higher conductivity can be obtained at the time of the complete fitting than when an arc suppressing layer is interposed between the conductive layer and the counterpart terminal.
[0012]
The terminal is formed of a conductive layer made of the first conductive material and an arc suppressing member made of the second conductive material having a lower conductivity than the first conductive material and having a property that arc discharge hardly occurs. The arc-suppressing layer is formed by laminating a striped clad material in which the arc-suppressing layer is laminated in a strip shape with respect to the conductive layer. By forming a surface portion of the portion, and when the mating terminal is completely fitted with the mating terminal, the mating terminal forms an electrical connection terminal that comes into contact with the conductive layer at a portion other than the laminated portion. Can be manufactured.
[0013]
The electrical connection terminal according to the present invention is effective as a female terminal having a terminal fitting portion into which a mating male terminal can be fitted. In that case, the terminal fitting portion may be configured such that at least a portion including the final separation portion on the inner side surface is bent so as to be constituted by the arc suppressing layer.
[0014]
Specifically, for example, the terminal fitting portion has an elastic contact piece which presses in a resiliently deformed state with a mating male terminal fitted into the terminal fitting portion, and a tip of the elastic contact piece. It is preferable that the portion is warped in a direction away from the mating male terminal and is configured to come into contact with the mating male terminal at a position closer to the root than the tip end surface. That is, since both the conductive layer and the arc suppressing layer are exposed at the tip end surface of the elastic contact piece, if the tip end surface is configured to directly contact the counterpart terminal, the conductive layer may come into contact with the counterpart terminal. On the other hand, as described above, the tip of the elastic contact piece is warped, and the portion closer to the root than the tip surface (the portion where the inner side surface is formed of the arc suppression layer) is in contact with the mating male terminal. By doing so, the arc suppressing layer can be surely brought into contact with the counterpart terminal to avoid contact between the conductive layer and the counterpart terminal, whereby the arc suppressing effect can be further ensured.
[0015]
Further, the terminal fitting portion is divided into an arc suppressing portion on the terminal tip side and an electrical connecting portion behind the terminal, and an inner side surface of the arc suppressing portion is formed of the arc suppressing layer, At least a part of the inner surface of the electrical connection portion is a surface formed of the conductive layer, and the surface where the conductive layer is exposed at the electrical contact portion is in contact with the counterpart terminal when completely fitted with the counterpart terminal. In this case, a part where the counterpart terminal is finally separated, that is, a part where arc marks or the like are likely to remain even though arc discharge is suppressed (arc suppression part), and an electrical connection that comes into contact with the counterpart terminal when completely fitted. By separating the electrical connection, the electrical connection can be more effectively protected and good conductivity can be secured.
[0016]
In addition, it is preferable that an inner side surface of the terminal fitting portion is formed in a tapered shape in which the inner side surface is widened toward the opening end, and the tapered surface is formed of the arc suppressing layer. . That is, since both the conductive layer and the arc suppressing layer are exposed at the front end side at the opening side end portion, when a counterpart terminal comes into contact with the front end surface, an arc discharge occurs between the counterpart terminal and the conductive layer. On the other hand, if the inner side surface of the opening side end of the terminal fitting portion is formed in a tapered shape that opens outward as described above, when inserting the mating male terminal into the terminal fitting portion, the male mold The terminal can be more reliably prevented from contacting the conductive layer (not the arc suppression layer).
[0017]
Further, the electrical connection terminal according to the present invention can be favorably applied to a male terminal having a tab fitted into a terminal fitting portion of a mating female terminal. Specifically, both ends in the width direction of the clad material are bent at approximately 180 ° so that the arc suppressing layer is on the outside, so that both front and back surfaces are arc suppressing layers while using the cladding agent having a two-layer structure. It is possible to obtain a structured tab.
[0018]
Also in this case, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the tab is formed in a tapered shape in which the thickness decreases toward the distal end, and the tapered surface is formed of the arc suppressing layer. That is, since both the conductive layer and the arc suppressing layer are exposed on the distal end side on the distal end surface, there is a possibility that an arc discharge will occur between the counterpart terminal and the conductive layer when the counterpart terminal contacts the distal end surface. On the other hand, if the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the tab is formed in a tapered tapered shape as described above, when inserting the mating male terminal into the terminal fitting portion, the male terminal becomes ( Contact with the conductive layer (instead of the arc suppressing layer) can be more reliably prevented.
[0019]
The present invention also provides an electrical connection terminal pair comprising a male terminal and a female terminal that can be inserted and removed from each other, and the male terminal and the female terminal are electrically connected to each other in a fitted state. The male terminal and the female terminal each include a conductive layer made of a first conductive material and a second conductive material having a lower conductivity than the first conductive material and having a property that arc discharge hardly occurs. An arc suppression layer made of a conductive material is formed by bending a clad material integrated in a laminated state, and is a part that is finally separated when the male terminal and the female terminal are separated. An electrical connection terminal pair in which the male terminal and the female terminal are bent so that the surfaces of the final separation portions are each formed of the arc suppressing layer.
[0020]
According to this terminal pair, in the completely fitted state, good conductivity can be ensured by the conductive layer included in each terminal. On the other hand, when the arc suppressing layers are separated from each other, the arc suppressing layers are separated from each other. And a higher arc suppression effect can be obtained than in the case where.
[0021]
Further, it is assumed that the arc suppressing layer of the clad material constituting each of the male terminal and the female terminal is laminated on the conductive layer so as to locally cover a part of the conductive layer. The arc suppressing layer constitutes a surface portion of the final separated portion, and when the male terminal and the female terminal are completely fitted, both terminals are in contact with each other at the conductive layer in a portion other than the laminated portion. If it is set to, higher conductivity can be ensured by bringing the conductive layers into contact with each other in a completely fitted state.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
The terminal pair shown in FIG. 1 includes a female terminal 10 and a male terminal 20 that is removably fitted to the female terminal 10.
[0024]
Both terminals 10 and 20 are formed by punching and bending a striped clad material as shown in FIG. In this striped clad material, a strip-shaped arc suppression layer L2 is laminated along a part of a region of the conductive layer L1 (a region very close to one end of the conductive layer L1 in the example in the figure), and is rolled. They are mutually integrated by means such as hot isostatic extrusion.
[0025]
In the present invention, the specific thickness dimensions of both layers L1 and L2 can be appropriately set, and both layers may have the same thickness, or the arc suppressing layer L2 may be thinner than the conductive layer L1. Generally, the thickness of each layer may be appropriately set, for example, in the range of about 0.1 to 0.2 mm.
[0026]
In addition, not only the illustrated stripe clad material but also a normal clad material in which an arc suppressing layer L2 is laminated on the entire surface of the conductive layer L1 can be used. In this case, the inner surface of the female terminal 10 or the male terminal is used. All the outer surfaces of 20 are constituted by the arc suppressing layer L2.
[0027]
The present invention is not necessarily limited to the one in which the arc suppression layer L2 is completely exposed. For example, a part or the entire surface of the terminal including the surface of the arc suppression layer L2 does not substantially affect the arc performance. It may be covered with a thin coating layer (for example, a tin plating layer).
[0028]
The material (first conductive material) constituting the conductive layer L1 may be appropriately selected from those having good conductivity and suitable for the terminal material, such as copper alloys such as pure copper and brass, aluminum, and the like. Aluminum alloy or the like can be used. On the other hand, the material (second conductive material) that forms the arc suppression layer L2 is a material that can form a clad material in combination with the conductive layer L1 and is more conductive than the conductive layer L1. Any material that has a low property and does not easily cause arc discharge may be used. For example, titanium, a titanium alloy, platinum, or the like is preferable.
[0029]
Then, both the terminals 10 and 20 are punched out of a striped clad material into an appropriate developed shape so that the laminated portion (the mesh portion in FIG. 1) of the arc suppressing layer L2 is located at the terminal tip side, and bent. It is formed by processing.
[0030]
Specifically, the female terminal 10 includes a bottom wall 12 extending in the front-rear direction, an insulation barrel 14, a conductor barrel 15, and a terminal fitting portion 16 formed along the bottom wall 12 in order from the rear side. Are integrally provided.
[0031]
On the upper surface of the bottom wall 12, a pair of left and right ridges 13 is provided to project upward. Each of the ridges 13 extends rearward by a predetermined length starting from a position slightly behind the tip end surface of the bottom wall 12, and is inserted into the female terminal 10 (more specifically, a male terminal 20 described later). The mold tab 22) is supported from below.
[0032]
The insulation barrel 14 and the conductor barrel 15 each have a pair of left and right holding pieces extending from both left and right edges of the bottom wall 12, and the conductor 32 is covered with an insulating coating 34 as shown in FIG. It is attached to the end of the insulated wire 30. Specifically, the conductor barrel 15 is caulked to press the conductor 32 exposed at the end of the insulated wire 30 from the outside, and the insulation barrel 14 is caulked to press the insulating coating 34 from the outside. You.
[0033]
The terminal fitting portion 16 is a portion into which the tab 22 of the mating male terminal 20 is fitted from the distal end side, and is divided into an arc suppressing portion 18 on the terminal distal end side and an electric connection portion 17 on the rear side thereof. I have. Then, only the inner surface of the arc suppressing portion 18 is constituted by the arc suppressing layer L2 shown in FIG. 2, and the inner surface of the terminal fitting portion 16 is constituted by the conductive layer L1 instead of the arc suppressing layer L2. A punching position of the terminal material in the stripe clad material is set.
[0034]
In this embodiment, only the region from the front end of the bottom wall 12 to the front end of the ridge 13 is constituted by the arc suppressing layer L2, and the conductive layer L1 is formed in the region behind the arc suppressing layer L2. It is in an exposed state.
[0035]
The arc suppression part 18 and the electric connection part 17 are formed on both left and right sides of the bottom wall 12. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vertical wall portions 18a (17a) rising from the left and right side edges of the bottom wall 12 and extend obliquely downward and inward from the upper ends of the vertical wall portions 18a (17a). The elastic piece 18b (17b) is integrally provided, and the distal end portion 18c (17c) of each elastic piece 18b (17b) extends along the direction away from the male terminal 20 fitted into the terminal fitting portion 16 (upward in the figure). The portion slightly closer to the root than the tip surface (the lowermost portion located at the lowermost side) is a terminal contact portion 18d (17d) that actually contacts the tab 22 of the male terminal 20. ing. The radius of curvature R (FIG. 4) of the bent portion from the vertical wall portion 18a (17a) to the elastic piece 18b (17b) is the same even when the constituent material of the arc suppressing layer L2 is relatively brittle such as titanium. L2 is set large enough to prevent cracks and the like from occurring.
[0036]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 12 and the opening-side (terminal end side) ends of the arc suppressing portions 18 are subjected to so-called squaring (or bending) so as to approach the opening ends. The tapered surfaces 12a and 18e extend in the expanding direction, and the tapered surfaces 12a and 18e are formed by the arc suppression layer L2.
[0037]
On the other hand, the male terminal 20 has an insulation barrel and a conductor barrel (not shown) which are exactly the same as the insulation barrel 14 and the conductor barrel 15 in the female terminal 10, and has an electrical connection portion at the distal end thereof. A plate-like tab 22 is formed.
[0038]
The tabs 22 are formed by bending the left and right sides of a portion obtained by punching the stripe clad material into a wide width substantially 180 ° in a direction in which the arc suppressing layer L2 is located outside the conductive layer L1. It has twice the thickness. This thickness is slightly larger than the vertical separation distance between the terminal contact portions 18d, 17d and the ridge 13 when the arc suppressing portion 18 and the electric connection portion 17 of the female terminal 10 are not elastically deformed. Has become.
[0039]
The tab 22 has a dimension that is sufficiently longer than the width dimension of the arc suppression layer L2. Therefore, only the tip of the tab 22 is covered with the arc suppressing layer L2, and the portion behind the tab 22 is in a state where the conductive layer L1 is exposed. When the terminals 10 and 20 are completely fitted to each other, the portion of the tab 22 where the conductive layer L1 is exposed and the terminal contact portion 17d of the electrical connection portion 17 (the portion where the conductive layer L1 is exposed). They come into direct contact (see FIG. 5).
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer surface of the tip portion of the tab 22 is formed into a tapered surface 22a in a direction in which the thickness becomes smaller toward the tip by a so-called squaring process. 22a is constituted by the arc suppression layer L2.
[0041]
Next, the operation of this terminal pair will be described.
[0042]
First, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, when the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20 are completely fitted, the elastic pieces 18b (17b) of the arc suppressing part 18 and the electric connection part 17 are slightly upward. The tab 22 is sandwiched between the terminal contact portion 18d (17d) of the elastic piece 18b (17b) and the ridge 13 of the bottom wall 12 by the elastic return force. Therefore, the portion of the tab 22 behind the portion where the arc suppression layer L2 is covered, and the protrusion 13 and the terminal contact portion 17d of the electrical connection portion 17 are formed on the conductive layer (without the arc suppression layer L2). The portion where L1 is exposed is in direct contact with the terminal, and the contact ensures good conduction between the terminals 10 and 20.
[0043]
When the operation of detaching the terminals from this state is performed, first, the arc suppressing layer L2 at the tip of the tab 22 and the arc suppressing layer L2 in the bottom wall 12 and the arc suppressing section 18 are brought into contact with each other. In this case, the two arc suppressing layers L2 are separated from each other and the conduction between the terminals 10 and 20 is interrupted. Conventionally, a large arc discharge was generated between the terminals at the moment when the conduction was interrupted. However, in the terminal pair shown here, the arc discharge was larger than that of the conductive material (first conductive material) forming the conductive layer L1. Since the arc suppression layers L2 made of a conductive material (second conductive material) that are unlikely to cause the arc are finally separated from each other, the occurrence of arc discharge at the time of the separation is effectively suppressed.
[0044]
Conversely, when the tab 22 is fitted into the terminal fitting portion 16, the arc suppressing layer L 2 of the tab 22 first contacts the arc suppressing layer L 2 of the bottom wall 12 or the arc suppressing portion 18. The occurrence of arc discharge at the time of contact can also be effectively suppressed.
[0045]
Here, when no processing is performed on the tip end surface of the tab 22 or the opening end surface of the terminal fitting portion 16, not only the arc suppression layer L2 but also the conductive layer L1 is exposed at the tip end surface or the opening end surface. For this reason, the conductive layers L1 of the terminals 10 and 20 may be inadvertently brought into contact with each other. However, as shown in the figure, the tapered surfaces 22a and 12a , 18e so that the same surface is constituted by the arc suppressing layer L2, the arc suppressing layer L2 (instead of the conductive layer L1) can be more reliably used as the first contact portion.
[0046]
In the structure of the tab 22 as shown in FIG. 4, that is, in the structure in which both ends in the width direction of the clad material are bent by 180 °, when the constituent material of the arc suppressing layer L2 is relatively brittle, for example, titanium, The conductive layer L1 may be exposed to the outside due to cracks in the bent portion of the arc suppressing layer L2. However, the width of the tab 22 is made sufficiently smaller than the opening width of the terminal fitting portion 16 as shown in FIG. Above, if the terminal insertion opening 40 of the connector housing in which the female terminal 10 is incorporated is made smaller than the opening width of the terminal fitting portion 16 to guide the tab 22 to the center position of the terminal fitting portion 16, the tab It is possible to prevent the bent portion (the left and right edge portions) of 22 from contacting the left and right inner walls of the terminal fitting portion 16.
[0047]
Further, if a clad material having a three-layer structure in which the front and back surfaces of the conductive layer L1 are covered with the arc suppressing layer L2 is used, both sides of the tab 22 can be formed of the arc suppressing layer L2 without performing the bending processing as described above. It is possible. Even when the final separation portion is specified on one surface of the tab 22, the bending process of approximately 180 ° as described above is unnecessary, and the clad material having a two-layer structure can be used for the tab 22 as it is.
[0048]
In addition, the present invention can take the following embodiments, for example.
[0049]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to both the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 20. However, even when the present invention is applied to only one of the terminals, the conventional terminal pair can be used. It is possible to obtain a higher arc suppression effect than that.
[0050]
(2) The terminal fitting portion 16 may be formed in a complete cylindrical shape into which a male terminal can be inserted, and a tongue-shaped spring contact piece may be formed inside the cylindrical portion. Also in this case, the effect of the present invention can be achieved by configuring at least a portion including the final separation portion of the spring contact piece and the inner surface of the terminal fitting portion that contacts the male terminal with the arc suppressing layer L2. More preferably, it is more preferable that the tip of the spring contact piece is warped in a direction away from the male terminal so that the tip face of the contact piece does not contact the male terminal.
[0051]
(3) The arc suppressing part 18 and the electric connection part 17 do not always need to be divided, and may be integrated. However, if the divided structure as shown in the drawing is used, the part at which the other terminal is finally separated, that is, the arc suppression part 18 where arc traces are likely to remain even though arc discharge is suppressed is made a so-called sacrifice terminal. By physically separating the electric connection portion 17 from the arc suppressing portion 18, the electric connection portion 17 can be more reliably protected from arc discharge, and the conductivity at the time of complete fitting can be further ensured.
[0052]
In the case of the divided structure, the conductive layer L1 does not need to be exposed on the entire inner surface of the electric connection portion. For example, the front portion of the inner surface is formed of the arc suppressing layer L2, and only the rear portion is formed. It may be configured by the conductive layer L1. In this case, the rear portion may be brought into contact with the mating male terminal when the terminal is completely fitted.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention uses a clad material in which a conductive layer and an arc suppression layer are pre-laminated and integrated, and by bending this clad material, the surface of the final separation portion from the counterpart terminal has an arc. Since the structure is constituted by the suppression layer, there is an effect that it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of arc discharge at the time of terminal detachment with a simple and simple structure.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal pair according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a plan view showing a stripe clad material as a material of each terminal constituting the terminal pair, and FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a female terminal constituting the terminal pair.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of the fitting state of the terminal pair as viewed from the distal end side of the female terminal.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 Female terminal 12 Bottom wall 12a Tapered surface of bottom wall 16 Terminal fitting portion 17 Electrical connection portion 17d Terminal contact portion 18 of electrical connection portion Arc suppression portion 18c Tip portion 18d of arc suppression portion 18d Terminal contact portion 18e of arc suppression portion Arc-suppressing portion tapered surface 20 Male terminal 22 Tab 22a Tab-tapered surface L1 Conductive layer L2 Arc suppressing layer

Claims

An electrical connection terminal that is removably fitted to a mating terminal and is electrically connected to the mating terminal in the fitted state. The electric connection terminal includes a conductive layer made of a first conductive material and the first conductive material. An arc-suppressing layer made of a second conductive material, which has a low conductivity and is less likely to generate an arc discharge, formed by bending a clad material integrated in a laminated state, and A terminal for electrical connection, characterized in that a surface of a final separation portion, which is a portion which is finally separated from the counterpart terminal when detached from the terminal, is bent so as to be constituted by the arc suppressing layer.

The electric connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the arc suppressing layer is laminated on the conductive layer so as to locally cover a part of the conductive layer. Constitutes the surface portion of the final separation portion, and, when completely mated with the counterpart terminal, the counterpart terminal is set so as to contact the conductive layer at a portion other than the laminated portion. Terminal for electrical connection.

3. The electric connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the electric connection terminal is a female terminal having a terminal insertion portion into which a mating male terminal can be inserted, and at least the final separation on an inner surface of the terminal insertion portion. A terminal for electrical connection, wherein a portion including a portion is bent so as to be constituted by the arc suppressing layer.

4. The terminal for electrical connection according to claim 3, wherein the terminal fitting portion has an elastic contact piece that presses against the mating male terminal fitted in the terminal fitting portion in an elastically deformed state. A terminal for electrical connection, wherein a distal end of the contact piece is warped in a direction away from the mating male terminal and is configured to contact the mating male terminal at a position closer to the base than the tip end surface. .

5. The terminal for electric connection according to claim 3, wherein the terminal fitting portion is divided into an arc suppressing portion on a terminal tip side and an electric connecting portion on a rear side thereof, and an inner side surface of the arc suppressing portion is formed. A surface formed of the conductive layer at least part of the inner surface of the electrical connection portion is formed of the conductive layer, and is formed of the conductive layer in the electrical contact portion when completely fitted with a counterpart terminal. Are configured to be in contact with the counterpart terminal.

The terminal for electrical connection according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein an inner surface of an opening-side end portion of the terminal fitting portion is formed in a tapered shape that widens toward the opening end, and the tapered surface is the tapered surface. An electrical connection terminal comprising an arc suppressing layer.

3. The electrical connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connection terminal is a male terminal having a tab fitted into a terminal fitting portion of a mating female terminal, and the tab is provided in a width direction of the clad material. A terminal for electrical connection, wherein both ends are formed by bending approximately 180 ° so that the arc suppressing layer is on the outside.

8. The electric connection terminal according to claim 7, wherein the outer surface of the distal end portion of the tab is formed in a tapered shape in which the thickness decreases toward the distal end, and the tapered surface is formed of the arc suppressing layer. A terminal for electrical connection, characterized in that:

A male terminal and a female terminal that can be inserted into and removed from each other, and in the pair of electrical connection terminals in which the male terminal and the female terminal are electrically connected to each other in the fitted state, the male terminal and The female terminals are each formed of a conductive layer made of a first conductive material and an arc made of a second conductive material having a lower conductivity than the first conductive material and having a property that arc discharge hardly occurs. The surface of the final separation portion which is formed by bending the clad material on which the inhibition layer is laminated and which is the last separated portion when the male terminal and the female terminal are separated from each other is formed by the arc. A terminal pair for electrical connection, wherein the male terminal and the female terminal are bent so as to be constituted by an inhibition layer.

10. The electrical connection terminal pair according to claim 9, wherein the arc-suppressing layer of the clad material constituting each of the male terminal and the female terminal is laminated on the conductive layer so as to partially cover the conductive layer. In the laminated portion, the arc suppressing layer constitutes a surface portion of the final separation portion, and a portion other than the laminated portion when the male terminal and the female terminal are completely fitted. Wherein the conductive layers of both terminals are set so as to contact each other.

The electrical connection terminal pair according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the female terminal is the electrical connection terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

The electrical connection terminal pair according to claim 9, wherein the male terminal is the electrical connection terminal according to claim 7.

3. The method for manufacturing an electrical connection terminal according to claim 2, wherein the conductive layer is made of a first conductive material and has lower conductivity than the first conductive material, and arc discharge is less likely to occur. A clad material in which an arc suppressing layer made of a second conductive material having a property is integrated in a laminated state, and a striped clad material in which the arc suppressing layer is laminated in a strip shape with respect to the conductive layer is bent. By processing, the arc suppressing layer constitutes a surface portion of the final separation portion, and when the mating terminal is completely fitted with the mating terminal, the mating terminal contacts the conductive layer at a portion other than the laminated portion. A method for manufacturing an electrical connection terminal, comprising forming a connection terminal.