JP2011159449A - Terminal insulating cover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal insulating cover allowing consistently correct connection of a connection terminal to another terminal independently of how it is shaped, and easy mounting to the connection terminal. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal insulating cover 1 is constituted of: a cylindrical part 2 for storing a head 53 of the connection terminal 50; a fixed part 3 integrally formed at one end of the cylindrical part 2; an open/closed part 4 to be open/closed to the fixed part 3; and a flexible hinge 5 for connecting the cylindrical part 2 to the open/closed part 4. On the inner face of the open/closed part 4, an engaging protrusion 44 is formed to prevent the coming-off of the connection terminal 50. The engaging protrusion 44 is inserted into a tongue forming groove 58 opened in a base 51 of the connection terminal 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal insulating cover that insulates the periphery of a connection terminal crimped to a covered electric wire, and more particularly, to a means for preventing the connection terminal from coming out of the terminal insulating cover.

  For insulation, a core wire exposed at the tip of the sheathed wire and a terminal insulation cover that covers the periphery of the connection terminal crimped to the core wire are attached around the connection terminal crimped to the sheathed wire. The Various types of connection terminals are known in the past, but a click feel is obtained when the counterpart terminal is inserted to a predetermined position in the connection terminal, and the connection terminal and the counterpart terminal are connected in an optimal state. Therefore, it is possible to use a tongue piece having a predetermined shape disposed in the insertion portion of the counterpart terminal, and a projection that engages with a hole formed in the counterpart terminal. desirable. The engagement between the hole and the protrusion is released by moving the terminal insulating cover relative to the connection terminal and elastically deforming the tongue piece in a predetermined direction by the terminal insulating cover.

  Therefore, when this type of connection terminal is used, the connection terminal needs to be movably accommodated in the terminal insulating cover with respect to the insertion / extraction direction of the connection terminal with respect to the counterpart terminal. On the other hand, the connection terminal and the counterpart terminal need to be firmly adhered to ensure electrical connection. For this reason, if the terminal insulating cover is not provided with any means for preventing it from coming out, there is a disadvantage that the connecting terminal comes out of the terminal insulating cover when the terminal insulating cover is gripped and the connecting terminal is removed from the counterpart terminal. If the connection terminal comes out of the terminal insulation cover, the terminal insulation cover must be reattached, which is not only inconvenient, but also when trying to connect the connection terminal to the other terminal again. The mating terminal is easily inserted between the connecting terminal and the terminal insulating cover, not in the mating terminal insertion portion formed on the connecting terminal, so that both or one of the connecting terminal and the terminal insulating cover may be damaged. There is. Therefore, the terminal insulating cover to be attached to the connecting terminal having the tongue piece and the engaging protrusion formed on the tongue piece needs to be provided with a means for preventing the connecting terminal from coming out.

  Conventionally, as a means for preventing the connection terminal from being formed on this type of terminal insulating cover, as shown in FIG. 14, the front end of the connection terminal 200 is abutted against the front end of the terminal insulating cover 100. As shown in FIG. 15, a wall 101 is formed on the inner surface of a terminal insulating cover 100 formed in a cylindrical shape, as shown in FIG. The thing (for example, refer FIG. 5 of patent document 1) which made the engagement protrusion 102 for engaging with the stop hole 201 is proposed. In these drawings, reference numeral 202 denotes a tongue piece formed on the connection terminal 200, reference numeral 203 denotes a mating terminal engaging projection formed on the tongue piece 202, and reference numeral 103 presses the tongue piece 202 and is not shown. The tongue operation part which cancels | releases engagement with the other party terminal and the processus | protrusion 203 is shown.

Japanese Patent Publication No.55-11269

  When the wall 101 is formed at the tip of the terminal insulating cover 100, depending on the shape of the counterpart terminal, the wall 101 may become an obstacle and the counterpart terminal cannot be inserted to a predetermined position in the connection terminal. Therefore, there is a problem that usable counterpart terminals are limited. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, a tab terminal 300 is generally used as the counterpart terminal of the connection terminal 200, but the tab terminal 300 is formed on the base 302 having a large width projecting from the insulating substrate 301 and the tip thereof. The connecting portion 303 having a small width is formed, and a connecting terminal engaging hole 304 formed in the connecting portion 303 is provided. Therefore, for the tab terminal 300 in which the protruding amount s of the base portion 302 from the insulating substrate 301 is larger than the thickness t of the wall 101, the engagement protrusion 203 formed on the connection terminal 200 is connected in the process of pushing the connection terminal 200. Since it engages with the hole 304 formed in the portion 303, there is no problem in the connection between the connection terminal 200 and the tab terminal 300. However, for the tab terminal 300 in which the protruding amount s of the base portion 302 from the insulating substrate 301 is smaller than the thickness t of the wall 101, the connection is made even when the tip of the terminal insulating cover 100 abuts the insulating substrate 301. Since the engagement protrusion 203 formed on the terminal 200 does not reach the hole 304 formed in the connection portion 303, the connection terminal 200 cannot be normally connected to the tab terminal 300.

  On the other hand, in the case where the engagement protrusion 102 is formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion, the engagement protrusion 102 becomes a hindrance, and it becomes difficult to insert the connection terminal 200 into the cylindrical portion. It becomes difficult to efficiently perform the mounting operation of the insulating cover 100 for a vehicle. Further, if the connection terminal 200 is forcibly inserted into the cylindrical portion, there is a problem that both or one of the terminal insulating cover 100 and the connection terminal 200 is damaged. Note that this problem can be solved by reducing the protruding amount of the engaging protrusion 102 into the cylindrical portion, but the effect of preventing the connection terminal 200 from coming out of the terminal insulating cover 100 is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of such prior art, and its purpose is to always connect the connection terminals properly regardless of the shape of the counterpart terminal and to attach the connection terminal. An object of the present invention is to provide an insulating cover for a terminal which can be easily performed.

  In order to solve such a technical problem, the present invention is mounted around the connection terminal crimped to the covered electric wire and exposed to the tip of the covered electric wire, and the connection crimped to the core wire. A terminal insulating cover that insulates the periphery of the terminal, and includes a cylindrical portion that accommodates the head of the connection terminal, and an engagement protrusion that prevents the connection terminal from coming out of the cylindrical portion. The opening / closing part is formed to be openable / closable via a hinge at the rear end of the cylindrical part, and the engaging projection is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing part.

  According to such a configuration, the terminal insulating cover is mounted around the connection terminal by inserting the head of the connection terminal into the cylindrical portion with the opening / closing portion opened, and then closing the opening / closing portion to This can be done by engaging the engagement protrusion formed on the inner surface with the connection terminal. Therefore, unlike the case where the engagement protrusion is formed on the cylindrical portion, it is possible to easily attach the terminal insulating cover to the connection terminal crimped to the tip end portion of the covered electric wire, and to connect the connection terminal or the terminal insulating cover. Breakage can be prevented.

  Further, the present invention provides the terminal insulating cover having the above-described configuration, wherein the connection terminal includes a base, a tongue piece standing from the base part and disposed in an insertion space of the counterpart terminal, and a protrusion formed on the tongue piece The tongue piece is formed by cutting in three directions except for the distal end side of the base portion, and the rear end side of the tongue piece standing up from the base portion, and the engaging projection stands up the tongue piece. By doing so, the rear end portion of the groove formed in the base portion is engaged.

  According to such a configuration, the engagement protrusion for preventing the connection terminal from coming out is engaged in the groove for forming the tongue piece formed in the base portion, so that the special engagement for engaging the engagement protrusion with the connection terminal is performed. There is no need to open a groove or hole. And since many of the well-known connection terminals having tongue pieces are formed with grooves for forming the tongue pieces in the base portion, the terminal insulating cover having such a structure can accept many of the well-known connection terminals as they are. It can be used and has excellent versatility.

  The insulating cover for terminals of the present invention is formed such that the opening / closing portion can be opened and closed at the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion via a hinge, and the engaging protrusion for preventing the connection terminal from coming out is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing portion. Therefore, when the head of the connection terminal is inserted into the cylindrical portion, the engagement protrusion does not become an obstruction factor for the insertion work, and the installation work of the terminal insulating cover to the connection terminal can be performed easily and smoothly. . In addition, since the connection terminal or the terminal insulation cover is not damaged during the mounting operation, the connection terminal and the terminal insulation cover can be reused, and the use of the terminal insulation cover can be made economical. it can.

It is a perspective view of the insulating cover for terminals concerning an embodiment. It is a side view of the state where the opening-and-closing part of the insulating cover for terminals concerning an embodiment was closed. It is a side view of the state which opened the opening-closing part of the insulating cover for terminals which concerns on embodiment. It is a top view in the state where the opening-and-closing part of the insulating cover for terminals concerning an embodiment was opened. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a top view of the connecting terminal applied to the insulating cover for terminals concerning an embodiment. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is the top view which fractured | ruptured the connection terminal which concerns on embodiment partially. It is the end elevation seen from the other party terminal insertion side of the connecting terminal concerning an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the connecting terminal equipped with the insulating cover for terminals which concerns on embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the engagement state of a connection terminal and a counterpart terminal. It is a sectional side view of the insulating cover for terminals which shows the movement position of the connection terminal at the time of removal from the other party terminal. It is a front sectional view of the insulating cover for terminals which shows the movement position of the connection terminal at the time of removal from the other party terminal. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st example of the insulating cover for terminals known conventionally. It is sectional drawing which shows the 2nd example of the insulating cover for terminals known conventionally. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the problem of the insulating cover for terminals concerning the 1st prior art example shown in FIG.

  First, prior to describing an embodiment of a terminal insulating cover according to the present invention, a configuration of a connection terminal applied thereto will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 13, the connection terminal 50 applied to the terminal insulating cover according to the embodiment is formed at the base 51 and a central portion in the width direction of the base 51, and the front portion of the base 51 (the other party). A tongue piece 52 extending from the terminal insertion side) toward the rear portion, a head portion 53 formed in the front portion of the base portion 51, and a crimp portion 54 of the covered electric wire C formed in the rear portion of the base portion 51. Become. These parts are integrally formed by bending a highly conductive metal plate such as aluminum or copper into a required shape.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tongue piece 52 includes a connection portion 55 disposed in parallel with the base portion 51 at a predetermined interval, and a pressing portion 56 that is bent at the rear end side of the connection portion 55. . As shown in FIG. 8, the tongue piece 52 is formed by making cuts 58 a in three directions except for the distal end side of the base portion 51, thereby raising the portion separated from the base portion 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a projection 57 for engaging with a hole H formed in the counterpart terminal T is formed at a substantially central portion of the connection portion 55. A groove 58 is formed in the portion of the base 51 where the tongue piece 52 is raised.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the head 53 is formed with two curved portions 53 a that are erected from the left and right sides of the base portion 52, and whose distal end is curved inward. The distal ends of the two curved portions 53a are arranged at a required interval at which the mating terminal T can be inserted between the tongue pieces 52. Therefore, a space formed between the surface of the tongue piece 52 and the distal ends of the two curved portions 53 a constituting the head portion 53 is an insertion space for the counterpart terminal T. Further, a required gap 59 is provided between the two curved portions 53a.

  The crimping portion 54 is formed by a base (not shown) and two tongue pieces (not shown) protruding from the base, and the core exposed at the tip of the covered electric wire C between the base and the tongue pieces. After inserting the line M, the covered wire C is connected as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 by caulking the base and the tongue piece using a required crimping tool.

  Hereinafter, the terminal insulating cover according to the embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the terminal insulating cover 1 according to the embodiment includes a cylindrical portion 2, a fixing portion 3 integrally formed with the cylindrical portion 2 at one end of the cylindrical portion 2, and It comprises an opening / closing part 4 configured to be openable / closable with respect to the fixed part 3, and a flexible hinge 5 that connects the cylindrical part 2 and the opening / closing part 4. Each of these parts is integrally molded using a plastic material such as polystyrene resin, ABS resin, or polyamide resin.

  The cylindrical portion 2 is a portion that accommodates the head 53 of the connection terminal 50, and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 2 contacts the surfaces of the two curved portions 53 a constituting the head 53, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A first guide protrusion 21 to be contacted and a second guide protrusion 22 formed on the top surface of the first guide protrusion 21 and inserted between the two curved portions 53a are formed.

  The first and second guide protrusions 21 and 22 have a function as a restricting member that restricts the orientation of the connection terminal 50 inserted into the cylindrical portion 2. That is, when the base 51 is directed to the surface on which the first and second guide protrusions 21 and 22 are formed and the connection terminal 50 is inserted into the tubular portion 2, the first and second guide protrusions 21 and 22 are inserted. Since the base portion 51 comes into contact with this and insertion of the connection terminals 50 beyond that is stopped, the operator can know that the direction of the connection terminals 50 with respect to the tubular portion 2 is incorrect. Further, the first guide protrusion 21 has a function of suppressing the movement in the thickness direction of the connection terminal 50 in the tubular portion 2 by contacting the surface of each curved portion 53a. On the other hand, the 2nd guide protrusion 22 has the function to suppress the fluctuation | variation to the width direction of the connection terminal 50 in the cylindrical part 2 by inserting between the two curved parts 53a. Further, the second guide protrusion 22 presses the pressing portion 56 of the tongue piece 52 formed on the connection terminal 50 to elastically deform the tongue piece 52, and the protrusion 57 formed on the tongue piece 52 becomes the counterpart terminal T. It has a function of separating from the established hole H. That is, when the connection terminal 50 is inserted from the rear end side of the tubular portion to a predetermined position in the tubular portion 2, it contacts the pressing portion 56 of the tongue piece 52 formed on the connection terminal 50 as shown in FIG. Touch. When the connection terminal 50 further moves from this position to the front end side of the cylindrical portion 2, the second guide projection 22 presses the pressing portion 56 and elastically deforms the tongue piece 52 toward the base 51 side as shown in FIG. 12. . As a result, the projection 57 formed on the tongue piece 52 is detached from the hole H formed in the counterpart terminal T.

  A locking claw 31 is formed along the left and right sides of the fixed portion 3, and a locking portion 41 that can be engaged with the locking claw 31 along the left and right sides of the opening / closing portion 4. Is formed. The fixing portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4 are integrally assembled by engaging the locking claws 31 and the locking portions 41, and the rear end portion of the base portion 51 constituting the connection terminal 50 is included therein, A space for accommodating the subsequent crimping portion 54 and the tip end portion of the covered electric wire C crimped to the crimping portion 54 is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, a horseshoe-shaped covered wire insertion groove 42 is formed at the rear end of the opening / closing portion 4, and the covered wire C is obtained by combining the fixing portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4 together. It is led out through the formed horseshoe-shaped through hole.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a stepped portion 43 for contacting the rear end portion of the base 51 is formed on the inner surfaces of the fixed portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4 (the engagement formed in the fixed portion 3). The stepped portion has the same shape as the engaging stepped portion 41 formed in the opening / closing portion 4 and is not shown), so that the retreat position of the connection terminal 50 with respect to the terminal insulating cover 1 can be regulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, an engagement protrusion 44 that can be inserted into a groove 58 formed in the base portion 51 of the connection terminal 50 is provided on the inner surface of the opening / closing portion 4. The forward position of the connection terminal 50 can be regulated.

  Hereinafter, a method of mounting the terminal insulating cover 1 around the connection terminal 50 crimped to the covered electric wire C will be described. First, the engagement between the locking claw 31 and the locking portion 41 is released, and the opening / closing portion 4 is opened, and a predetermined amount is inserted into the cylindrical portion 2 from the rear end side of the cylindrical portion 2. The connection terminal 50 oriented in the direction is inserted. When the orientation of the connection terminal 50 is inappropriate, the first and second guide protrusions 21 and 22 formed on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 2 abut on the base 51 of the connection terminal 50, so that this is known. Can do. The connection terminal 50 is inserted to a position where the rear end portion of the base portion 51 reaches the front side of the step portion 43 formed on the inner surfaces of the fixing portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4. Next, the opening / closing part 4 is pivoted toward the fixed part 3 around the hinge 5, and the locking claw 31 and the locking part 41 are engaged to integrate the fixed part 3 and the opening / closing part 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the engaging protrusion 44 projecting from the inner surface of the opening / closing part 4 is inserted into the groove 58 formed in the base 51 of the connection terminal 50, and the terminal insulating cover 1 is attached. Complete. When the fixing portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4 are integrated, the covered electric wire C is formed by combining the horseshoe-shaped covered electric wire insertion groove 42 formed at the rear end portion of the fixing portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4. It is led out through a horseshoe-shaped through hole.

  When the counterpart terminal T is inserted into the insertion space of the counterpart terminal T formed in the connection terminal 50, the frictional force acting between the connection terminal 50 and the counterpart terminal T is large. Move to the back of 1. However, since the step portion 43 for contacting the rear end portion of the base portion 51 is formed on the inner surfaces of the fixed portion 3 and the opening / closing portion 4, after the rear end portion of the base portion 51 contacts the step portion 43. Further, the connection terminal 50 is prevented from retreating, and the counterpart terminal T can be inserted into the insertion space of the counterpart terminal T. When the counterpart terminal T is inserted into the insertion space of the counterpart terminal T, the tongue piece 52 formed on the connection terminal 50 is in contact with the surface of the counterpart terminal T due to its elasticity. And if the other party terminal T is inserted to the predetermined position of insertion space, the protrusion 57 formed in the tongue piece 52 will be engaged in the hole H opened in the other party terminal T, and the connection terminal 50 and the other party terminal Connection with T is made properly.

  From this state, when the terminal insulating cover 1 is gripped and the terminal insulating cover 1 is pulled in the direction of pulling out the counterpart terminal T from the insertion space of the counterpart terminal T, the hole H and the tongue piece formed in the counterpart terminal T 52, the connection terminal 50 cannot be moved together with the terminal insulating cover 1, and only the terminal insulating cover 1 is in relation to the connection terminal 50 and the counterpart terminal T. Move in the tensile direction. Thus, when the terminal insulating cover 1 moves alone in the pulling direction, as shown in FIG. 12, the second guide protrusion 22 formed on the tubular portion 2 of the terminal insulating cover 1 causes the connection terminal 50 to move. The pressing portion 56 of the formed tongue piece 52 is pressed, and the connection portion 55 of the tongue piece 52 is elastically deformed toward the base 51 side of the connection terminal 50. As a result, the engagement between the hole H formed in the counterpart terminal T and the protrusion 57 formed on the tongue piece 52 is released. At this time, the engagement protrusion 44 of the terminal connection cover 1 inserted into the groove 58 of the connection terminal 50 contacts the end of the groove 58, and the terminal insulation cover 1 and the connection terminal 50 are integrally engaged. Is done. Therefore, the connection terminal 50 can be removed from the counterpart terminal T by further pulling the terminal insulating cover 1. When the connection terminal 50 is removed from the counterpart terminal T, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the base 51 of the connection terminal 50 slightly protrudes from the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 2. After the terminal 50 is removed, the connection terminal 50 is automatically retracted into the cylindrical portion 2 by the elastic force stored in the tongue piece 52 by pressing the second guide protrusion 22.

  As described above, the terminal insulating cover 1 according to the present embodiment is formed so that the opening / closing portion 4 can be opened and closed at the rear end portion of the cylindrical portion 2 via the hinge 5 and the connection terminal 50 is prevented from coming out. Since the engaging projection 44 is formed on the inner surface of the opening / closing portion 4, unlike the case where the engaging projection 44 is formed on the tubular portion 2, the terminal is connected to the connection terminal 50 crimped to the tip end portion of the covered electric wire C. The mounting of the insulating cover 1 can be facilitated, and the connection terminal 50 or the terminal insulating cover 1 can be prevented from being damaged. Further, in the terminal insulating cover 1 according to the present embodiment, the engaging protrusion 44 is inserted into the tongue piece forming groove 58 formed in the connection terminal 50, so that the engagement protrusion 44 is engaged with the connection terminal 50. It is not necessary to open a special groove or hole for the purpose, and many of the connection terminals belonging to the public knowledge can be used as they are, so that the versatility is excellent.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the fixing | fixed part 3 and the opening-and-closing part 4 were formed in the rear-end side of the cylindrical part 2, it replaces with this structure and two opening-and-closing parts 4 are provided in the rear-end side of the cylindrical part 2. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which are formed opposite to each other.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a terminal insulating cover that is detachably attached to a connection terminal such as a crimp terminal and insulates the periphery thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal insulation cover 2 Cylindrical part 21 1st guide protrusion 22 2nd guide protrusion 3 Fixing part 31 Locking claw 4 Opening / closing part 41 Locking part 42 Covered electric wire insertion groove 43 Step part 44 Engagement protrusion 5 Hinge 50 Connection terminal 51 Base 52 Tongue 53 Head 54 Crimping Portion 55 Connection Portion 56 Pressing Portion 57 Projection 58 Groove 59 Gap

Claims (2)

An insulating cover for a terminal that is mounted around a connection terminal crimped to a coated electric wire and is exposed at the tip of the coated electric wire, and an insulation cover for the terminal that insulates the periphery of the connection terminal crimped to the core electric wire, In what has the cylindrical part which accommodates the head of a connecting terminal, and the engagement projection which prevents the connecting terminal from coming off from the cylindrical part,
An insulating cover for terminals, wherein an opening / closing portion is formed at a rear end portion of the cylindrical portion so as to be openable / closable via a hinge, and the engagement protrusion is formed on an inner surface of the opening / closing portion.   The connection terminal has a base, a tongue piece standing from the base part and disposed in the insertion space of the counterpart terminal, and a protrusion formed on the tongue piece, the tongue piece being the base part The rear end of the groove is formed in the base by standing up the tongue piece. The terminal insulating cover according to claim 1, wherein the terminal insulating cover is engaged with the terminal insulating cover.

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