JP2013187165A - Contact spring for connector terminal and female terminal, male terminal, and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact spring for a connector capable of reducing power loss generated when high current is supplied to it, and adapted to allow a large current to flow therethrough, a female terminal, a male terminal, and connector.SOLUTION: When a pin 31 is inserted into an insertion hole 22 in a state that a contact spring 40 is arranged in the insertion hole 22 of a female terminal 20, the pin 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 so that an outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 comes into contact with a projection 42 projecting inwardly in the radial direction of the contact spring 40. The projection 42 projecting inwardly in the radial direction is displaced outwardly in the radial direction by this contact. A projection 44 projecting inwardly in the radial direction is kept in a state that the face is brought into multipoint contact with an outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 by an elastic force of the projection 44 return to the state before displacement. Thereby an electrical contact resistance generated between the pin 31 and the contact spring 40 can be reduced, and power loss can be reduced when high current is supplied to it.

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector used for electrical connection, and more specifically, it can handle large currents such as power supply to vehicles such as automobiles and railways, and vehicle parts such as batteries, inverters, and motors. The present invention relates to a contact spring for a connector terminal, a female terminal, a male terminal, and a connector.

  Conventionally, when supplying a large current as described above, a device has been devised for suppressing power loss due to electrical contact resistance. For example, when connecting a female terminal and a male terminal, a contact spring described in Patent Document 1 below and a Patent Document 2 described as a contact spring that has been devised to increase the contact area in order to reduce contact resistance. An electrical contact elastic member is proposed.

  Patent Document 1 describes that a contact provided with a large number of elastic engaging portions engaged with a conductor is fitted in a cylindrical fitting body into which the conductor is inserted. Since the elastic engagement portion is formed in a shape protruding in an arc toward the inside, one point corresponding to the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the elastic engagement portion is in point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the conductor. Become.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a contact spring member including a plurality of spring pieces that elastically protrude from a hollow cylindrical annular portion into an insertion chamber of a female terminal into which a male terminal is inserted. The spring piece is formed in a side-view arch shape in which the middle part of the spring piece protrudes radially inward, so that the male terminal is inserted and inserted. In the state of being fitted into the chamber, each of the plurality of spring pieces makes point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the male terminal at one place corresponding to the middle portion of the spring piece in the longitudinal direction.

In the case of point contact as in Patent Documents 1 and 2 described above, only the number of contacts corresponding to the elastic engagement portion, the pulling piece, and the like can be secured. In addition, since the contact area of the point contact portion is small and the electrical contact resistance generated at the contact portion is large, there is a problem that power loss increases.
Also, since contact pressure concentrates on the point-contacted part, when the male terminal is inserted into the female terminal, it has conductivity that covers the elastic engaging part, the conductor, or the contact part such as the pulling piece or the male terminal. There is a problem that the plating is easily peeled off and the conductivity is deteriorated.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-28147 JP-A-8-31488

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector terminal contact spring, a female terminal, a male terminal, and a connector that can reduce power loss that occurs when a large current is supplied.

  The present invention relates to a cylinder that is fitted to at least one peripheral surface of a male terminal pin and a female terminal insertion hole into which the pin is inserted, and is in elastic contact with the other peripheral surface. A contact spring for a connector terminal having a spring body in the form of a spring, which is continuous with the peripheral surface of the spring main body, and has a distal end projecting in the circumferential direction with respect to a base end portion provided continuously with the spring main body. A projecting portion that is formed in a radially projecting shape projecting toward the other circumferential surface in the radial direction, and the projecting portion is disposed in the circumferential direction of the spring body, and the pin Are arranged in the insertion / removal direction for insertion / removal into / from the insertion hole.

According to the present invention, the electric contact resistance generated when supplying a large current can be reduced, and the power loss can be reduced.
Specifically, in the state in which the connector terminal contact spring (hereinafter referred to as “contact spring”) is disposed in the female terminal insertion hole, for example, the male terminal pin is inserted into the female terminal insertion hole. At this time, the pin is inserted while coming into contact with the protruding portion of the contact spring. By the contact of the pin with the protrusion, the protrusion is displaced in the radially outward direction against the elasticity of the protrusion itself.

The projecting portion displaced as described above is maintained in a multipoint contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin by elasticity to return to the state before displacement.
That is, by arranging a plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction and in the insertion / removal direction, it is possible to increase the number of protrusions arranged and the number of contacts that are in contact with the other peripheral surface.
As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the male terminal and the female terminal can be lowered, and the power loss can be reduced.

  In addition, the distal end side of the protrusion is easily displaced in the radial direction, and elastically displaces flexibly according to the other peripheral surface. Therefore, the elasticity of the protrusion itself makes contact with the other peripheral surface with an appropriate contact pressure. Can be kept.

  As a result, since the protruding portion is kept in contact with the other peripheral surface, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure of the protruding portion with respect to the outer peripheral surface from fluctuating greatly, and to prevent electrical contact between the pin and the contact spring. The predetermined electric power can be stably supplied without causing a mechanical contact failure.

  Further, since the contact pressure applied to the other peripheral surface is distributed to the plurality of protrusions, the contact pressure applied to the other peripheral surface by one protrusion can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent application of a high contact pressure such that a coating such as plating having conductivity peels off.

  As an aspect of the present invention, the spring body includes a plurality of spring plates arranged in the circumferential direction and a support portion that supports the spring plates, and the continuous base end portion is arranged in the width direction of the spring plate. It can form in at least one edge part among both edge parts.

According to this invention, the number of arrangement | positioning of the protrusion part contacted with respect to the other surrounding surface can further be increased.
Specifically, since the projecting portion is arranged along the insertion / removal direction of the spring plate, if the number of the spring plates arranged in the circumferential direction is increased, the number of the spring plates corresponding to the number of the spring plates is increased with respect to the other circumferential surface. The number of protrusions to be contacted is increased, and a large number of contact points can be secured.

  As a result, the number of contacts between the contact spring and the other peripheral surface can be increased to further reduce the electrical contact resistance. Moreover, a some protrusion part can be efficiently arrange | positioned with respect to the whole surrounding surface of a spring main body.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined portion from the protruding portion of the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction of the spring main body and the spring plate adjacent to the one end side of the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction. The protruding portions protruding toward the spring plate can be alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction.

According to this invention, it can prevent that the protrusion parts of the spring board adjacent to the circumferential direction mutually interfere.
More specifically, since the protrusions of the spring plates adjacent in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction, the protrusions can be individually brought into contact with each other without interfering with each other. it can.
As a result, since each protrusion part of a spring board is contacted individually, many contact points can be ensured reliably.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the protruding portions are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate, and the protruding portions on the end sides are arranged in the insertion / removal direction. Can be staggered along.

According to this invention, many protrusion parts can be arrange | positioned with respect to the whole surrounding surface of a spring main body.
More specifically, since the protrusions continuously provided on both sides of the spring plate are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction, the number of the protrusions provided continuously with one spring plate can be further increased. Thereby, the arrangement | positioning number of a protrusion part and the number of contacts can be made many rather than arrange | positioning a protrusion part to the one side part of a spring board.
As a result, the contact spring and the other peripheral surface can be connected in parallel with a large number of contacts, and the effect of reducing electrical contact resistance can be further enhanced.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the protruding portion can be shaped to warp so that the tip portion faces in the opposite direction to the other peripheral surface side.
According to this invention, the insertion / removal resistance in the multipoint contact state is small, and the operability when connecting the male terminal and the female terminal is improved.

Specifically, in the state where the above-described contact spring is disposed in, for example, the insertion hole of the female terminal, the pin of the male terminal is inserted while abutting against the protruding portion of the contact spring disposed in the insertion hole. When contacting, the outer peripheral surface of the pin is brought into contact with the curved surface of the protruding portion, so that the contact area of the protruding portion that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin is small and is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the pin. The frictional resistance can be reduced. Moreover, it can prevent that a protrusion part contact | abuts at an acute angle with respect to the outer peripheral surface of a pin.
As a result, the insertion / removal operation of inserting / removing the pin of the male terminal with respect to the insertion hole of the female terminal can be smoothly performed.

Moreover, this invention can comprise the said contact spring as a contact spring for female terminals fitted on the internal peripheral surface of the said insertion hole.
More specifically, in the state where the female terminal contact spring is disposed in the female terminal insertion hole, for example, the plurality of protrusions are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin. It is possible to make multiple points of contact with the outer peripheral surface.
As a result, the male terminal and the female terminal can be electrically connected in parallel via the female terminal contact spring, so that the electrical contact resistance can be reduced.

In the present invention, the female terminal contact spring can be fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole to constitute a female terminal.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, a female connector can be constituted by the female terminal and a housing that holds the female terminal.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reduce the electrical contact resistance in the high-current compatible connector, and it is possible to provide a female terminal and a female connector that can handle a large current, which is considered to have a large influence of power loss. .

  The present invention also includes a projecting pin that is inserted into an insertion hole formed in the female terminal, and is a male terminal that is electrically connected to the female terminal. The male terminal is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the pin, and A radially projecting shape having a projecting portion with a distal end projecting in a circumferential direction with respect to a base end portion continuously disposed on the pin, the projecting portion projecting radially toward the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole The protrusions are arranged in the circumferential direction of the pin, and a plurality of the protrusions are arranged in the insertion / removal direction for inserting / removing the pin into / from the insertion hole.

According to the present invention, the electric contact resistance generated when supplying a large current can be reduced, and the power loss can be reduced.
More specifically, when the pin of the male terminal is inserted into the insertion hole of the female terminal, the protruding portion of the pin is inserted while being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. By the contact of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole with the protrusion, the protrusion is displaced in the radially inward direction against the elasticity of the protrusion itself.
The projecting portion displaced as described above is maintained in a multi-point contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole due to elasticity to return to the state before the displacement.

That is, by arranging a plurality of protrusions in the circumferential direction and insertion / removal direction and increasing the number of protrusions that are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, the number of electrically connected contacts is increased. be able to.
As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the male terminal and the female terminal can be lowered, and the power loss can be reduced.

  In addition, the distal end side of the protruding portion is easily displaced in the radial direction, and is elastically displaced flexibly according to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. Therefore, an appropriate contact pressure is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole by the elasticity of the protruding portion itself. Thus, the contacted state can be maintained.

  As a result, since the protruding portion is kept in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, the contact pressure of the protruding portion with respect to the inner peripheral surface can be prevented from greatly fluctuating, and the insertion hole and the contact spring can be prevented. There is no electrical contact failure between them, and a predetermined power can be stably supplied.

  In addition, since the contact pressure applied to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole is distributed to the plurality of protrusions, the contact pressure applied by one protrusion to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent application of a high contact pressure such that a coating such as plating having conductivity peels off.

  As an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of spring plates are arranged in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the pin, and the connecting base end portion is at least one end side portion of both end sides in the width direction of the spring plate. Can be formed.

According to this invention, the arrangement | positioning number of the protrusion part contacted with respect to the internal peripheral surface of an insertion hole can further be increased.
More specifically, since the projecting portion is arranged along the insertion / removal direction of the spring plate, if the number of the spring plates arranged in the circumferential direction is increased, the number of the spring plates is increased on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. On the other hand, the number of protrusions to be contacted increases, and a large number of contact points can be secured.

  As a result, the number of contacts between the pin and the insertion hole can be increased to further reduce the electrical contact resistance. Moreover, a some protrusion part can be efficiently arrange | positioned with respect to the outer peripheral surface of a pin.

  Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the predetermined portion from the projecting portion of the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction of the pin and the spring plate adjacent to the one end side of the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction. The protrusions protruding toward the spring plate can be alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction.

According to this invention, it can prevent that the protrusion parts of the spring board adjacent to the circumferential direction mutually interfere.
Specifically, since the protrusions of the spring plates adjacent in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction, the protrusions are individually brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole without interfering with each other. be able to.
As a result, since each protrusion part of a spring board is contacted individually, many contact points can be ensured reliably.

  As an aspect of the present invention, the protrusions are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate, and the protrusions on the end sides are arranged in the insertion / removal direction. Can be staggered along.

According to this invention, many protrusion parts can be arrange | positioned with respect to the outer peripheral surface of a pin.
More specifically, since the protrusions continuously provided on both sides of the spring plate are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction, the number of the protrusions provided continuously with one spring plate can be further increased. Thereby, the arrangement | positioning number of a protrusion part and the number of contacts can be made many rather than arrange | positioning a protrusion part to the one side part of a spring board.
As a result, the pin and the insertion hole can be connected in parallel with a large number of contacts, and the effect of reducing electrical contact resistance can be further enhanced.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the protruding portion can be shaped to warp so that the distal end portion faces the opposite direction to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.
According to this invention, the insertion / removal resistance in the multipoint contact state is small, and the operability when connecting the male terminal and the female terminal is improved.

More specifically, when inserting the protruding portion of the pin while abutting against the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, the warped surface of the protruding portion is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. The contact area of the projecting portion that is in contact with the insertion hole is small, and the frictional resistance applied to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole can be reduced. Moreover, it can prevent that a protrusion part contact | abuts at an acute angle with respect to the internal peripheral surface of an insertion hole.
As a result, the insertion / removal operation of inserting / removing the pin of the male terminal with respect to the insertion hole of the female terminal can be smoothly performed.

Moreover, this invention can comprise a male connector with the said male terminal and the housing which hold | maintains this male terminal.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the electrical contact resistance of the high current connector and to provide a male connector capable of handling a large current, which is considered to have a large influence of power loss.
In addition, you may arrange | position the above-mentioned protrusion part to the both-ends side part which opposes the width direction of a spring board, for example, and it arrange | positions in the circumferential direction toward one direction connected to one edge part. Also good.

  According to the present invention, the electrical contact resistance generated between the male terminal and the female terminal can be reduced, and the power loss generated when supplying a large current can be reduced.

Structure explanatory drawing of the connector of 1st Embodiment which provided the contact spring in the female terminal. Structure explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 1st Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 1st Embodiment. Action | operation explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 1st Embodiment. Structure explanatory drawing of the connector of 2nd Embodiment which provided the contact spring in the male terminal. Structure explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 2nd Embodiment. Structure explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 3rd Embodiment. Structure explanatory drawing of the contact spring of 4th Embodiment. The subject explanatory drawing of the conventional contact spring.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
The connector 10 according to the first embodiment is a high-current compatible connector, and includes a female terminal 20 and a male terminal 30 as shown in FIG. 1, and each of the female terminals 20 is a terminal body 21 formed of a conductive material. And a connector terminal contact spring 40 (hereinafter referred to as “contact spring 40”).

  FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view of the connector 10 of the first embodiment in which the contact spring 40 is provided on the female terminal 20. More specifically, FIG. 1A shows a longitudinal side view of the connector 10 in which the contact spring 40 is fitted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, and FIG. 1B shows the contact spring 40 except for the connector housings 8a and 9a. It is a vertical side view of the connector 10 which connected the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 by FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the contact spring 40 according to the first embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the contact spring 40, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the contact spring 40 taken along line A1-A1.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of an expansion / contraction state of the contact spring 40 of the first embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 3A is an explanatory view of the contact spring 40 displaced in the reduced diameter state, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory view of the contact spring 40 displaced in the expanded diameter state.

  The contact spring 40 described above is fitted into an insertion hole 22 formed on one end side of the terminal body 21 into which the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted (see FIG. 1), and constitutes the female terminal 20 as a connector terminal. ing. The female terminal 20 is paired with a male terminal 30 as a connector terminal to constitute the connector 10.

  The female terminal 20 constitutes the female connector 8 by accommodating and arranging an appropriate number in the terminal accommodating portion 8b of the connector housing 8a. In addition, the male terminals 30 are appropriately accommodated and arranged in the terminal accommodating portions 9b of the connector housing 9a to constitute the male connector 9 (see the phantom line in FIG. 1 [a]).

Specifically, the contact spring 40 is fitted into a holding step portion 23 formed in the insertion hole 22 and is held in a cylindrical shape.
That is, in the insertion / removal direction B in which the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted / removed with respect to the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, both ends of the contact spring 40 are inserted / removed in the insertion / removal direction B of the holding step portion 23. The contact spring 40 is electrically connected to the terminal body 21 by being respectively engaged with the step portions 23a formed at both ends (refer to the enlarged view of the portion a).
A covered electric wire 25 is crimped and connected to a crimping portion 24 formed on the other end side of the terminal body 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the contact spring 40 described above is formed of a material having elasticity and conductivity, and has a cylindrical spring body 41 fitted into the holding step portion 23 of the insertion hole 22, An annular support portion 42 formed at both ends of the spring body 41 in the insertion / removal direction B, a spring plate 43 installed between the support portions 42 in parallel with the insertion / removal direction B, and both ends of the spring plate 43 in the width direction It is comprised with the radial direction protrusion part 44 provided in a row by the part.

  Six spring plates 43 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction C with the central portion of the spring body 41 as the center, and are formed in parallel with the insertion / removal direction B in which the pins 31 are inserted into and removed from the insertion holes 22. doing.

The radially inward protruding portions 44 are arranged perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction B with respect to one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate 43 and are staggered along the insertion / removal direction B. Are arranged as follows.
In addition, four radially inward protruding portions 44 adjacent to the insertion / removal direction B are arranged at an interval at which mutual interference is avoided.

Further, in the circumferential direction C of the spring body 41, the predetermined spring plate 43 has a radially inward protruding portion 44 and the spring plate 43 adjacent to one end side of the predetermined spring plate 43 in the circumferential direction C. The radially inward protruding portions 44 protruding toward the plate 43 are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction B.
Thereby, it can prevent that the radial direction protrusion parts 44 of the spring board 43 adjacent to the circumferential direction C mutually interfere.

  As a result, a large number of radially projecting portions 44 can be efficiently arranged on the entire peripheral surface of the spring body 41. In addition, the number of the radially inward protruding portions 44 and the number of contact points can be increased as compared with the case where the radially inward protruding portion 44 is disposed on one side of the spring plate 43.

  Also, the radially inward protruding portion 44 is connected to one end side in the width direction of the spring plate 43 at one end side, and the tip end side is directed toward the outer peripheral surface of the other pin 31 as compared with the other portion (43). Thus, it is formed in a radially protruding shape that protrudes radially outward.

  Furthermore, the radially inward protruding portion 44 is formed in a shape that is curved in an arc shape so that the tip side faces the opposite direction to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 (see FIG. 2 [c]).

  For example, the contact area of the radially inward protruding portion 44 that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 is smaller than that in which a plate-like protruding portion (not shown) is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31. The frictional resistance applied to the contact portion can be reduced. In addition, the radially inward protruding portion 44 can be prevented from coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 at an acute angle.

  Furthermore, the radially inward protruding portion 44 may be formed in an arcuate protruding shape that is curved in an arc shape when viewed from the circumferential direction C, that is, in a direction opposite to the side facing the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 (FIG. 2D ]reference).

  Since the radially inward protruding portion 44 has a shape that is curved in an arc shape with respect to the insertion / removal direction B and the circumferential direction C, the radially inward protruding portion 44 in FIG. The contact area of the radially inward protruding portion 44 that is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 can be further reduced as compared with the contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31.

  As a result, the frictional resistance applied to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 can be further reduced, and the operability when the pin 31 is inserted into and removed from the contact spring 40 disposed in the insertion hole 22 is improved. To do.

  The contact spring 40 configured as described above is formed by pressing a plate material having elasticity and conductivity with a die, and then bending the plate material in a direction in which both ends of the plate material are in contact with each other. It is shaped into a shape.

That is, since the plate material is only punched, it is not necessary to punch into a complicated shape like the contact of Patent Document 1 or the contact spring member of Patent Document 2, and the die cost and processing cost can be reduced. Can be planned.
Further, the contact spring 40 generates almost no metal pieces or cutting waste during processing, and can effectively use the plate material without waste, so that it can be manufactured at low cost.

Next, a connection method for connecting the female terminal 20 that is the connector terminal of the connector 10 and the male terminal 30 with the contact spring 40 configured as described above will be described.
First, when the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, the pin 31 is inserted into the contact spring 40 fitted in the insertion hole 22 from the tapered portion 32 formed on the distal end side of the pin 31 ( FIG. 1 [a], [b], FIG. 3 [a] reference).

Further, while the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted deeply into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 is brought into contact with the radially inward protruding portion 44. The portion 44 is pushed outward in the radially outward direction against the elasticity of the radially inward protruding portion 44 itself.
As a result, the radially inward protruding portion 44 is brought into point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 (see FIG. 3B).

  The radially projecting portion 44 displaced as described above returns from the radially projecting state shown in FIG. 3B to the state before displacement projecting in the radially inward direction shown in FIG. Due to the elasticity, the pin 31 is kept in multi-point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31.

  That is, the distal end side (the free end side) of the radially inward protruding portion 44 is easily displaced in the radially outward direction, and is elastically displaced flexibly according to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31, so that the elasticity of the radially inward protruding portion 44 itself is used. The state in which the pin 31 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 with an appropriate contact pressure can be maintained.

As described above, a plurality of radially inward protruding portions 44 are arranged in the insertion / removal direction B and the circumferential direction C, and the number of radially inward protruding portions 44 that are in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 is increased. It is possible to increase the number of contacts that are connected to each other.
As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the pin 31 and the contact spring 40 can be reduced, and the power loss when supplying a large current can be reduced.

  Further, since the radially inward protruding portion 44 is kept in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31, it is possible to prevent the contact pressure of the radially inward protruding portion 44 with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 from greatly fluctuating. In addition, there is no electrical contact failure between the pin 31 and the contact spring 40, and predetermined power can be supplied stably.

  In addition, since the contact pressure applied to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 is dispersed in each of the large number of radially inward protruding portions 44, the contact pressure applied by the single radially inward protruding portion 44 to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 is reduced. can do. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent application of a high contact pressure such that a coating such as plating having conductivity peels off.

Further, when the female connector 8 having the female terminal 20 and the male connector 9 having the male terminal 30 are fitted, the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 are electrically connected via the contact spring 40. They can be connected in parallel (see the virtual line in FIG. 1).
As a result, as described above, the electrical contact resistance generated between the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 can be reduced, and the power loss can be reduced.

Further, when the female connector 8 having the female terminal 20 and the male connector 9 having the male terminal 30 are fitted, the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 are electrically connected via the contact spring 40. Can be connected (see FIG. 1).
As a result, as described above, the electrical contact resistance generated between the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 can be reduced, and the power loss can be reduced.

The operational effects of the connector 10 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) and FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).
FIG. 4A is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating an electrical contact state between the radially inward protruding portion 44 of the female terminal 20 and the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 in the connector 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4B is an explanatory view schematically showing the electrical contact state of the connecting portions X1 to X8 between the pin 31 and the radially inward protruding portion 44. FIG.
Further, FIG. 4 (b), the and, _R A in Equation 1] _(R A1 ~R _A8) is the resistance value of the pin 31 side of the contact portion _{(X1~X8), RB (R B1} ~R _B8 ) indicates the resistance value on the spring plate 43 side.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contact state between the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 and the protruding portion 101 in the conventional connector 103, and FIG. 10B shows the pin 31 and the protruding portion 101. It is explanatory drawing explaining the electrical contact state of this contact part Y1. Further, R _A1 in FIG. 10B and [Equation 1] is a resistance value on the pin 31 side in the contact portion Y1, and R _B1 indicates a resistance value on the protruding portion 101 side.

As shown in FIG. 10A, each of the plurality of protruding portions 101 has a configuration of a conventional contact spring 100 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 at one place in the insertion / removal direction B. As shown in FIG. 10B, the connecting portion Y1 between the pin 31 and the protruding portion 101 is electrically connected in series.
In this case, the contact resistance value R _Y of the contact portion Y1 between the pin 31 and the protruding portion 101 is equal to the resistance value R _A1 on the pin 31 side of the contact portion Y1 and the protruding portion 101 side, as shown in [Equation 1]. Since it becomes the sum of the resistance value R _B1 of the current value, it becomes larger.

これに対して、第１実施形態のコネクタ１０は、図４（ａ）に示すように、複数のばね板４３のそれぞれにおいて、接触ばね４０とピン３１とを、例えば、Ｘ１点からＸ８点までの合計８点による多点接触状態で接触させることができため、図４（ｂ）に示すように、この間を電気的に並列接続することができる。

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, the connector 10 of the first embodiment is configured so that the contact spring 40 and the pin 31 are connected to each of the plurality of spring plates 43, for example, from the X1 point to the X8 point. Since the contact can be made in a multipoint contact state with a total of 8 points, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), this can be electrically connected in parallel.

Therefore, the contact resistance _{R X} between the contact spring 40 and the pin 31, because it is calculated by the formula shown in [Formula 2] (n = 8), the contact spring 40 of the first embodiment, with respect to pin 31 Compared with the contact resistance R _Y between the contact spring 100 and the pin 31 in the configuration of the conventional contact spring electrically connected in series, the contact resistance R _X between the contact spring 40 and the pin 31 Can be reduced.

従って、コネクタ１０は、雌端子２０と雄端子３０との間の接触抵抗の低減を図ることができ、大電流対応コネクタとして電力損失を抑制することができる。

Therefore, the connector 10 can reduce the contact resistance between the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30, and can suppress power loss as a large current compatible connector.

  The connector 10 is not limited to the configuration in which the contact spring 40 and the pin 31 are brought into contact in a multipoint contact state with a total of 8 points in each of the plurality of spring plates 43, but multipoint contact with a plurality of points other than 8 points. The structure made to contact in a state may be sufficient.

  Further, as described above, since the contact spring 40 fitted in the insertion hole 22 can be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 in a multipoint contact state, reliable contact with each contact portion is ensured by appropriate contact pressure. A contact state can be obtained.

  Furthermore, as described above, the contact spring 40 fitted to the holding step portion 23 of the insertion hole 22 can be brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 in a multipoint contact state. The contact pressure with respect to the outer peripheral surface of each of the plurality of radially projecting portions 44 can be dispersed. Accordingly, when the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 22, the radially inward protruding portion 44 can be smoothly inserted without being obstructed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the connector 10 of the second embodiment in which the contact spring 50 is fitted to the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.
FIG. 5 is a configuration explanatory view of the connector 10 of the second embodiment in which the contact spring 50 is provided on the male terminal 30. More specifically, FIG. 5A shows a vertical side view of the connector 10 in which the contact spring 50 is fitted to the pin 31 of the male terminal 30, and FIG. 5B shows the contact spring 50 except for the connector housings 8a and 9a. 2 is a longitudinal side view of the connector 10 in which the female terminal 20 and the male terminal 30 are connected. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration explanatory view of the contact spring 50 of the second embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the contact spring 50, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the contact spring 50 taken along line A2-A2.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an expansion / contraction state of the contact spring 50 according to the second embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of the contact spring 50 displaced in the expanded diameter state, and FIG. 7B is an explanatory view of the contact spring 50 displaced in the reduced diameter state.
In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The above-described contact spring 50 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20 and constitutes the male terminal 30 as a connector terminal. The male terminal 30 is paired with the female terminal 20 as a connector terminal to constitute the connector 10.

Specifically, the contact spring 50 is fitted to a holding step portion 33 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 and is held so as to form a cylindrical shape with the pin 31 as the center.
That is, both ends of the contact spring 50 in the insertion / removal direction B are respectively engaged with step portions 33 a formed at both ends of the holding step portion 33 in the insertion / removal direction B, so that the contact spring 50 is electrically connected to the pin 31. (Refer to the enlarged view of part b).

  The contact spring 50 described above is formed of a material having elasticity and conductivity, and has a cylindrical spring body 51 fitted to the holding step portion 33 of the pin 31 and both ends of the spring body 51 in the insertion / removal direction B. An annular support portion 52 formed between the support portions 52, and a spring plate 53 laid between the support portions 52 in parallel with the insertion / removal direction B, and a radially outward projection portion 54 provided continuously at both sides in the width direction of the spring plate 53. It consists of and.

  Six spring plates 53 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction C with the central portion of the spring body 51 as the center, and are installed in parallel with the insertion / removal direction B in which the pins 31 are inserted into and removed from the insertion holes 22. doing.

The radially outward projecting portions 54 are arranged perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction B with respect to the one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate 53, and are staggered along the insertion / removal direction B. Are arranged as follows.
Further, four radially outward projecting portions 54 adjacent to the insertion / removal direction B are arranged with an interval at which mutual interference is avoided.

In the circumferential direction C of the spring body 51, the predetermined spring plate 53 from the radially inward protruding portion 54 of the predetermined spring plate 53 and one end side of the predetermined spring plate 53 and the spring plate 53 adjacent in the circumferential direction C. The radially inward projecting portions 54 projecting toward the side are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction B.
Thereby, it can prevent that the radial direction protrusion parts 44 of the spring board 43 adjacent to the circumferential direction C mutually interfere.

  As a result, a large number of radially outward projecting portions 54 can be efficiently arranged on the entire peripheral surface of the spring body 41. In addition, the arrangement of the radially outward projections 54 and the number of contacts can be made larger than the arrangement of the radially outward projections 54 on one side of the spring plate 43.

Further, the radially outward projecting portion 54 is connected to one end side in the width direction of the spring plate 43 at one end side, and the distal end side is the inner peripheral surface of the other insertion hole 22 as compared with the other portion (53). It is formed in a protruding shape that protrudes in an arc toward the surface.
Furthermore, the radially outward projecting portion 54 is formed in a shape that is curved in an arc shape so that the distal end side faces the direction opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22.

Next, a connection method for connecting the female terminal 20 that is the connector terminal of the connector 10 and the male terminal 30 with the contact spring 50 configured as described above will be described.
First, when the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, the radially outward protruding portion 54 of the contact spring 50 fitted to the pin 31 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22. (See FIG. 5 [a], [b], FIG. 7 [a]).

  By the contact, the radially outward projecting portion 54 is pushed inward in the radially inward direction against the elasticity of the radially outward projecting portion 54 itself, and is brought into point contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22.

  Furthermore, the radially outward projecting portion 54 of the pin 31 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 while the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is inserted deeply into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20. As a result, the radially outward projecting portions 54 are in point contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 (see FIG. 7B).

  The radially projecting portion 54 displaced as described above returns from the state displaced in the radially inward direction shown in FIG. 7B to the state before displacement projecting in the radially outward direction shown in FIG. 7A. Due to the elasticity, the multi-point contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 is maintained.

  That is, the distal end side (the free end side) of the radially outward projecting portion 54 is easily displaced in the radially inward direction, and is elastically displaced flexibly according to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22. Due to the elasticity, it is possible to maintain the contact state with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 with an appropriate contact pressure.

That is, by arranging a plurality of radially outward protrusions 54 in the insertion / removal direction B and the circumferential direction C and increasing the number of radially outward protrusions 54 that are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22, It is possible to increase the number of contacts that are connected to each other.
As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the female terminal 20 and the contact spring 50 can be reduced to reduce the power loss when supplying a large current, so that it is substantially equivalent to the first embodiment. The effects and effects of can be achieved.

  Further, since the radially outward protrusion 54 of the contact spring 50 is kept in line contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22, the contact pressure of the radially outward protrusion 54 with respect to the insertion hole 22 varies greatly. It is possible to prevent this from occurring, and electrical contact failure does not occur between the insertion hole 22 and the contact spring 50, and predetermined power can be supplied stably.

  In addition, since the contact pressure applied to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 is dispersed in the large number of radially outward protrusions 54, one outer radial protrusion 54 is applied to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22. The contact pressure can be lowered. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent application of a high contact pressure such that a coating such as plating having conductivity peels off.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the contact spring 60 of the third embodiment that is fitted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20 will be described.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the contact spring 60 of the third embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the contact spring 60, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the contact spring 60 taken along line A3-A3.
The contact spring 60 described above includes a cylindrical spring body 61 formed of a material having elasticity and conductivity, annular support portions 62 formed at both ends of the spring body 61 in the insertion / removal direction B, and a support portion 62. The wave spring plate 63 meanders in a wavy manner with respect to the insertion / removal direction B installed therebetween, and the radially inward protruding portions 64 connected to both end sides in the width direction of the wave spring plate 63.

  The corrugated spring plate 63 forms a groove portion 61 a meandering in a wavy shape with respect to the insertion / removal direction B on the circumferential surface inside the both ends of the spring body 61, and the groove portion 61 a in the circumferential direction C of the spring body 61 Eight are arranged at a predetermined interval and eight are arranged in the circumferential direction C.

  The radially inward protruding portion 64 is a protruding shape in which a peak portion (meandering portion) protruding in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction B of the wave spring plate 63 arranged as described above protrudes in an arc shape in the radially inward direction. It is deformed and formed.

  Further, the radially inward protruding portion 64 is connected to one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the wave spring plate 63, and the tip side (free end side) is compared with the wave spring plate 63. Thus, it is formed in a radially inward protruding shape that protrudes radially inward toward the outer peripheral surface of the other pin 31.

  Furthermore, the radially inward protruding portion 64 is formed in a shape that is curved in an arc shape so that the tip side faces the opposite direction to the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31. The radially inward protruding portion 64 is formed in an arc shape having a smooth curved surface when viewed from the radial direction.

  That is, two radially inward protruding portions 64 are arranged on one end side in the width direction of the wave spring plate 63 and three on the other end side in the width direction, and both ends in the width direction of the wave spring plate 63 are arranged. It arrange | positions so that it may become alternate along the insertion / removal direction B with respect to a side part.

  In a state where the contact spring 60 configured as described above is fitted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, the radially inward protruding portion of the contact spring 60 in which the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 is fitted into the insertion hole 22. When inserted while abutting against the pin 64, the radially inward protruding portion 64 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

  That is, the radially inward protruding portion 64 of the contact spring 60 is kept in a multipoint contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31 by the elasticity of the radially inward protruding portion 64 itself. The score can be increased.

  As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the female terminal 20 and the contact spring 60 can be reduced to reduce the power loss when supplying a large current, so that it is substantially equivalent to the first embodiment. The effects and effects of can be achieved.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the contact spring 70 of the fourth embodiment that is fitted to the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 will be described.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the contact spring 70 of the fourth embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the contact spring 70, and FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the contact spring 70 taken along line A4-A4.

  In addition, since the number of arrangement | positioning and arrangement | positioning space | interval of the radial direction protrusion part 74 mentioned later are the same as the structure demonstrated in 2nd Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The contact spring 70 includes a cylindrical spring body 71 formed of a material having elasticity and conductivity, annular support portions 72 formed at both ends of the spring body 71 in the insertion / removal direction B, and a support portion 72. The wave spring plate 73 meanders in a wavy manner with respect to the insertion / removal direction B installed therebetween, and the radially outward projecting portions 74 connected to both side portions in the width direction of the wave spring plate 73.

  The corrugated spring plate 73 forms a groove 71 a meandering in a wavy shape with respect to the insertion / removal direction B on the circumferential surface inside the both ends of the spring body 71, and the groove 71 a in the circumferential direction C of the spring body 71. Eight are arranged at a predetermined interval and eight are arranged in the circumferential direction C.

  The radially outward projecting portion 74 is a projecting shape in which a peak portion (meandering portion) projecting in a direction orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction B of the wave spring plate 73 arranged as described above projects in an arc shape toward the radially outward direction. It is deformed and formed.

  Further, the radially outward projecting portion 74 has one end side connected to the one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the wave spring plate 73, and the tip side (free end side) is compared with the wave spring plate 73. Thus, it is formed in a radially outward projecting shape projecting radially outward toward the inner peripheral surface of the other insertion hole 22.

  Furthermore, the radially outward projecting portion 74 is formed in a shape that is curved in an arc shape so that the distal end side faces the direction opposite to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22. The radially inward protruding portion 64 is formed in an arc shape having a smooth curved surface when viewed from the radial direction.

  That is, two radially outward projecting portions 74 are arranged at one end side in the width direction of the wave spring plate 73 and three at the other end side in the width direction. It arrange | positions so that it may become alternate along the insertion / removal direction B with respect to a side part.

  When the contact spring 70 configured as described above is fitted to the pin 31 of the male terminal 30 and the pin 31 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the female terminal 20, the contact spring 70 fitted to the pin 31 is The radially outward projecting portions 74 are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 (see FIGS. 5 and 7).

  That is, the radially outward projecting portion 74 of the contact spring 70 is kept in a multipoint contact with the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 by the elasticity of the radially outward projecting portion 74 itself, so that it is electrically connected. The number of contacts can be increased.

  As a result, the electrical contact resistance generated between the female terminal 20 and the contact spring 70 can be reduced to reduce the power loss when supplying a large current, so that it is substantially equivalent to the second embodiment. The effects and effects of can be achieved.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the embodiment,
The contact spring for connector terminal of the present invention corresponds to the contact springs 40 to 70 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The protrusions correspond to the radially inner protrusions 44 and 64 and the radially outer protrusions 54 and 74, respectively.
One and the other peripheral surfaces correspond to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 and the outer peripheral surface of the pin 31,
The connectors correspond to the connector 10, the female connector 8, and the male connector 9,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be applied based on the technical idea shown in the claims, and many embodiments can be obtained.

  For example, slits (not shown) for dividing the spring bodies 41 to 71 in the circumferential direction C may be formed in the insertion / removal direction B on the peripheral surfaces of the spring bodies 41 to 71 of the contact springs 40 to 70.

  The slit allows the expansion and contraction deformation of the entire contact springs 40 to 70, so that the stress applied to the protrusions 44 to 74 can be dispersed. In addition, the contact pressure can be prevented from becoming higher than necessary, and the frictional resistance generated at the contact portion can be further reduced.

  Moreover, although the contact springs 40 to 70 of the embodiment have a configuration in which a punched plate is rounded into a cylindrical shape, it may be formed in a cylindrical shape in advance.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Female connector 9 ... Male connector 10 ... Connector 20 ... Female terminal 21 ... Terminal body 22 ... Insertion hole 30 ... Male terminal 31 ... Pin 40, 50, 60, 70 ... Contact spring 41, 51, 61, 71 ... Spring main body 42, 52, 62, 72 ... support portion 43, 53 ... spring plate 63, 73 ... wave spring plate 44, 64 ... radially inward protruding portion 54, 74 ... radially outward protruding portion

Claims (14)

A cylindrical spring body that is fitted to at least one of the peripheral surfaces of the male terminal pin and the female terminal insertion hole into which the pin is inserted and contacts the other peripheral surface with elasticity. A contact spring for a connector terminal comprising:
A continuous portion is provided on the peripheral surface of the spring body, and a protruding portion is provided with a tip portion protruding in the circumferential direction with respect to a continuous base end portion provided continuously with the spring body.
The protrusion,
Forming a radially projecting shape projecting toward the other peripheral surface in the radial direction;
The protrusion,
A connector terminal contact spring arranged in a circumferential direction of the spring main body and a plurality of pins arranged in an insertion / removal direction for inserting / removing the pins into / from the insertion hole. The spring body,
A plurality of spring plates arranged in the circumferential direction;
And a support portion for supporting the spring plate,
The continuous base end portion is
The contact spring for connector terminals according to claim 1, wherein the contact spring is formed on at least one end portion of both end portions in the width direction of the spring plate. The protrusion in the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction of the spring body;
The one end side portion of the predetermined spring plate and the protruding portions protruding toward the predetermined spring plate from the spring plate adjacent in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction. The contact spring for connector terminals according to 2. The protrusion,
The connector according to claim 3, wherein the connector is arranged on one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate, and the protrusions on the end sides are arranged alternately along the insertion / removal direction. Contact spring for terminals. The protrusion,
The contact spring for connector terminals according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tip end portion is warped so as to face a direction opposite to the other peripheral surface side. The contact spring for female terminals which comprised the contact spring for connector terminals in any one of Claims 1-5 as a contact spring for female terminals fitted to the internal peripheral surface of the said insertion hole. A female terminal comprising the female terminal contact spring according to claim 6 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. A female connector comprising the female terminal according to claim 7 and a housing for holding the female terminal. A male terminal provided with a projecting pin to be inserted into an insertion hole configured in a female terminal, electrically connected to the female terminal,
Continuing on the outer peripheral surface of the pin, and provided with a projecting portion with a distal end projecting in the circumferential direction with respect to the continuous base end portion provided continuously with the pin,
The protrusion,
Formed in a radially projecting shape projecting radially toward the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole,
The protrusion,
A male terminal arranged in a circumferential direction of the pin and a plurality of pins arranged in an insertion / removal direction for inserting / removing the pin into / from the insertion hole. A plurality of spring plates are arranged in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of the pin,
The continuous base end portion is
The contact spring for connector terminals according to claim 9, wherein the contact spring is formed on at least one end portion of both end portions in the width direction of the spring plate. The protrusion in the predetermined spring plate in the circumferential direction of the pin;
The one end side portion of the predetermined spring plate and the protruding portions protruding toward the predetermined spring plate from the spring plate adjacent in the circumferential direction are alternately arranged along the insertion / removal direction. 10. A male terminal according to 10. The protrusion,
The male according to claim 11, wherein the male springs are arranged on one end side and the other end side in the width direction of the spring plate, and the protrusions on each end side are arranged alternately along the insertion / removal direction. Terminal. The protrusion,
The male terminal as described in any one of Claims 9-12 made into the shape which curved the front-end | tip part so that it might face the opposite direction with the internal peripheral surface of the said insertion hole. The male connector comprised with the male terminal in any one of Claims 9-13, and the housing which hold | maintains this male terminal.

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