JP3014944B2 - Terminal fittings and method of manufacturing terminal fittings - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal fitting having a wire connecting portion connected to a wire terminal and an elastic contact portion connected to a mating terminal, and a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting.

[0002]

FIG. 7 shows a conventional terminal fitting 1. As shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the terminal fitting 1 includes an electric wire connecting portion 3 which is crimped to an end of the electric wire, and an elastic contact portion 5 which is connected to a counterpart terminal. The wire connection portion 3 includes an insulation crimping portion 7 provided at the rear end and crimping the wire together with the insulator, and a conductive crimping portion 9 crimping the conductor of the wire. The elastic contact portions 5 are provided on both sides of the bottom 11 so that the side plates 1
3 and 15 are raised in the same direction, and the tip portions of these side plates 13 and 15 are bent inward in an inverted U-shape to form contact portions 13a and 15a.

In addition, a mating terminal (in this case, a plate-shaped male terminal) is inserted between the contact portions 13a and 15a to be electrically connected. Further, between the elastic contact portion 5 and the conductive caulking portion 9, support wall portions 17, 17 for supporting the distal end portions of the mating terminals inserted between the contact portions 13a, 15a are formed. A slit 19 is formed between the tips of the walls 17,17.

[0004] By inserting the mating terminal between the slit 19 and the contact portions 13a and 15a, the mating terminal is sandwiched between the contact portions 13a and 15a with an appropriate elastic force so as to be electrically connected. It has become.

[0005]

However, since the elastic contact portion 5 is exposed, the terminal fitting 1 is deformed due to an external force applied during handling or transportation.
May be damaged. If the elastic contact portion 5 is deformed or damaged, a proper connection with the terminal on the other side cannot be obtained.

Therefore, in the terminal fittings described in JP-A-59-79982, US Pat. No. 3,760,340 and JP-A-4-315778, an external force is inadvertently formed by surrounding the elastic contact portion with a protective member. Even if it is applied, the elastic contact part is protected from being deformed or damaged.

However, in the terminal fitting disclosed in the above publication, a separate protective member is mounted around the elastic contact portion, so that a dedicated mold for molding the protective member is required. There is also a problem that a process for mounting the member is required, and the manufacturing cost of the terminal fitting is high.

Accordingly, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 52-22593, British Patent No. GB2220310A, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 51-514
Japanese Patent Publication No. 90 proposes that the protective member is punched out together with the molding of the terminal fitting to be integrally molded. FIG. 8 shows a terminal fitting 21 described in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 22593/1972. In the terminal fitting 21, when the terminal fitting 21 is formed, each wall constituting the protection portion 25 is formed by the elastic contact portion 2.
3 is folded.

In the terminal fitting 21 of this publication, since the elastic contact portion 23 is surrounded by the protective portion 25, no external force is applied carelessly, and the elastic contact portion 23 is not deformed or damaged.

However, when an external force is applied to the walls constituting the protection portion 25, the walls are displaced from each other and the overall shape of the terminal fitting 21 is deformed. If the overall shape of the terminal fitting is deformed, for example, when it is inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, etc., it cannot be inserted smoothly, or even if it can be inserted into the terminal receiving chamber, it will be securely locked in the terminal receiving chamber. May not be possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a terminal fitting which is hardly deformed and whose elastic contact portion is securely protected, and a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electric wire connecting portion connected to an end of an electric wire and a pair of opposing electric wires bent in the same direction from both sides of a bottom plate portion. A terminal fitting having an elastic contact portion in which a tip portion of a side plate portion is bent inwardly in an inverted U shape, wherein a front protection plate portion provided integrally with the bottom plate portion on a front side of the elastic contact portion. And a pair of side protection plates surrounding the outside of the side plate portion, wherein both side portions of the front protection plate portion are bent toward the wire connection portion side, and one side between the wire connection portion and the electrical contact portion. And a top plate portion extending from the side protection plate portion and having a tip portion locked to the other side protection plate portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, between the electric wire connection portion and the elastic contact portion, both sides of the bottom plate portion are bent in the same direction as the side plate portion, and the top plate portion is bent. It is characterized in that a pair of support walls are provided to abut on the lower surface and support the top plate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, a notch is provided at the tip of the top plate portion, and a convex portion to be inserted into the notch is provided at the other side protection plate portion. Along with
A hook portion overlapping the outside of the other side protection plate portion is formed to be bent at the tip of the top plate portion.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the wire connecting portion connected to the terminal of the wire and the tip portions of a pair of opposing side plate portions bent in the same direction from both sides of the bottom plate portion are formed into an inverted U-shape inward. A terminal fitting having a bent elastic contact portion, a side protection plate portion bent from the front side of the bottom plate portion in a state crossing the pair of side plate portions, and a front portion of the pair of side plate portions. A pair of front protection plates formed to be bent from the side and surrounding the front side of the side protection plate, and a pair of rear protection plates formed to be bent in a direction approaching each other from the wire connection portion side of the side plate. And a top plate portion that extends from the pair of side plate portions and is overlapped and connected between the wire connection portion and the elastic contact portion.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the top plate portion extends from one side plate portion and is bent toward the other side plate portion; And an upper plate portion which is extended from the side plate portion, is bent toward one side plate portion side and is overlapped on the lower plate portion, and the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion are connected by a connecting portion. And

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the connecting portion is provided at a tip end of an upper plate portion with a locking hole provided on one side plate portion side of the lower plate portion. And a hook portion inserted into the locking hole and engaged with an opening edge of the locking hole.

The invention of claim 7 is the invention of claims 4 to 6
In the invention described in any one of the above, the side protection plate portion and the pair of front protection plate portions receive an external force from the front side to protect the elastic contact portion.

According to the invention of claim 8, the electric wire connecting portion connected to the terminal of the electric wire and the tip portions of a pair of opposing side plate portions bent in the same direction from both sides of the bottom plate portion are formed into an inverted U-shape inward. A method of manufacturing a terminal fitting having a bent elastic contact portion, wherein a front protection plate portion bent to the front side of the elastic contact portion, and provided on both sides of the front protection plate portion, A protection plate portion consisting of a pair of side protection plate portions stacked outside the side plate portion and a top plate portion provided on one side protection plate portion and bent toward the other side protection plate portion is flat-plated. A front protection plate formed in an unfolded state and bent in the same direction as the side plate portions with side protection plate portions provided on both sides of the front protection plate portion, and integrally provided on the front side of the bottom plate portion. After bending the portion in the same direction as the side plate portion and stacking the side protection plate portion outside the side plate portion, one side protection portion is formed. The top plate portion extending from the portion is bent toward the other side protection plate portion behind the elastic contact portion, and the tip of the top plate portion is locked to the other side protection plate portion. And

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the front end side of the elastic contact portion is protected by the front protection plate portion, and the pair of side plate portions are protected by the side protection plate portions. In this case, even if a force in the direction of pressing the pair of side plates inward is applied, the top plate extends from one side protection plate and is locked to the other side protection plate. However, the rigidity is high with respect to the force in this direction, and the shape of the entire protection plate portion is not deformed. Further, a force from above the elastic contact portion is received by the top plate portion, and the elastic contact portion is protected. Also in this case, since the top plate portion extends from one side protection plate portion and is locked to the other side protection plate portion, the top plate portion is rigid against a force applied to the top plate portion from above. And the shape of the entire protection plate is not easily deformed. Thereby, the elastic contact portion is reliably protected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the top plate is supported by the pair of support walls even when a force from above is applied to the top plate, rigidity is high with respect to the force in this direction. Difficult to deform.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if a force for deforming the side protection plate inward is applied, the other side protection plate is inserted into the notch formed at the tip of the top plate. By inserting the projection, the rigidity is strong against the force in this direction, and the side protection plate is not easily deformed inward. In addition, even if a force that deforms the side protection plate portion is applied outward, the hook portion of the top plate portion is formed so as to fold outside the other protection plate portion. High rigidity,
Difficult to deform.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a force in the direction of pressing inward is applied to one side plate, the side protection plate prevents the one side plate from being deformed. The front side of the elastic contact portion is protected by the front protection plate, and the rear side is protected by the rear protection plate. In this case, even if a force in the direction of pressing the pair of side plate portions inward is applied, the top plate portions are overlapped and connected, so the rigidity is high with respect to the force in this direction,
The pair of side plates are not deformed. Further, a force from above the elastic contact portion is received by the top plate portion, and the elastic contact portion is protected. Furthermore, since the tip of the rear protective wall abuts against the force in the direction of compressing the elastic contact portion, the rigidity is high against the force in this direction, and the elastic contact portion may be deformed in the compression direction. Absent.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion receive the force from above in the elastic contact portion, the rigidity with respect to the force in this direction is received. And the shape of the entire terminal fitting is not deformed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a force is applied in the direction of expanding the gap between the two side plates, the hook of the upper plate is engaged with the opening edge of the locking hole of the lower plate. Therefore, the spread between both side plate portions is prevented.

Conversely, when a compressive force is applied to both side plate portions, the lower plate portion abuts the inner wall of one of the upper plate portions on the side plate portion side, so that the deformation of the both side plate portions is prevented. .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the side protection plate portion and the front protection plate portion receive the force from the front side to protect the elastic contact portion.

According to the invention of claim 8, the protection plate portion is formed integrally with the front side of the bottom plate portion in a flat developed state, and the side protection plate portions on both sides of the front protection plate portion are connected to the side plate portion. And bend in the same direction. Next, the front protection plate portion is bent toward the elastic contact portion, and the side protection plate portion is placed outside the side plate portion. Then, the top plate of one side protection plate is bent toward the other side protection plate, and the front end of the top plate is locked to the other side protection plate.

[0029]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a terminal fitting and a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting according to the present invention will be described below.

[0030] Figure 1 is a first embodiment, shows the terminal fitting 27 of the first embodiment, FIG. 2
(A), (b), and (c) show the manufacturing procedure. In addition,
The same components as those of the terminal fitting shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal fitting 2 of this embodiment
7 is provided with a protection plate portion 29 for protecting the elastic contact portion 5. The protection plate portion 29 is bent from the front side of the bottom plate portion 11 in the same direction as the side plate portions 13 and 15 to cover the front side of the elastic contact portion 5, and the front protection plate portion 31. A pair of side protection plate portions 33 and 35 are formed on both sides of the plate portion 31 so as to be bent toward the elastic contact portion 5 and surround the outside of the side plate portions 13 and 15.
And a top plate portion 37 extending from one side protection plate portion 33 between the electric wire connection portion 3 and the elastic contact portion 5 and having a distal end portion locked to the other side protection plate portion 35. Become.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the front protection plate 31 is formed by extending the bottom plate 11, and its length is set slightly longer than the height of the elastic contact portion 5. ing. Further, a slit 39 extending from the bottom plate portion 11 side is formed in the front protection plate portion 31 so that the elastic contact portion 13 is formed.
a, 15a are formed corresponding to the contact positions of the tip portions. Both sides of the front protection plate 31 are the side plates 13, 1
5, the side protection plate portions 33 and 35 are formed.

The height of the side protection plates 33, 35 is equal to the height of the front protection plate 31, and the length is longer than the elastic contact portion 5. From the upper end of one side protection plate portion 33, a top plate portion 37 is provided between the elastic contact portion 5 and the conductive caulking portion 9.
Are bent.

The top plate 37 has a rectangular notch 41 at the tip.
Are formed. Also, both sides of the notch 41 are bent downward to form hanging portions 43, 43. These hooks 43 are hooked outside the upper end of the other side protection plate 35.

At the upper end of the other side protection plate 35, a projection 45 is provided. The protrusion 45 has a width equal to the width of the notch 41 and a height greater than the thickness of the top plate 37. Then, the convex portion 45 is press-fitted into the notch 41 of the top plate portion 37, and the convex portion 4
5 is in contact with the bottom wall 41a of the notch 41. In this state, the hook 4 hooked outside the side protection plate 35
3 and 43 and the bottom wall 41a, the other side protection plate 35
Are firmly connected. Thereby, the side protection plate portion 3
The rigidity is increased with respect to the force F1 (see FIG. 1) in the direction in which the top and bottom plates 35 and 35 are pushed inward, so that the top plate 37 and the side protection plate 35 do not shift.

As shown in FIG. 2A, between the conductive caulking portion 9 and the elastic contact portion 5, support walls 47 are formed to be bent from both sides of the bottom plate portion 11. The height of the support walls 47 is substantially equal to the height of the side protection plate portions 33, 35, and the upper end portion abuts the lower surface of the top plate portion 37 to support the top plate portion 37.

Next, a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting will be described. 2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c), the method of manufacturing the elastic contact portion 5 and the electric wire connection portion 3 is the same as that of the conventional method, and will not be described here.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the front protection plate 31, the side protection plates 33 and 35, and the top plate 37, which are extended from the flat plate, are formed by punching out from the bottom plate 11. .
Next, the side protection plates 33, 3 on both sides of the front protection plate 31
5 is bent at a substantially right angle in the same direction as the side plates 13 and 15 as shown in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG.
1, the front protection plate 31 is bent at a substantially right angle to the elastic contact portion 5 from the front side. In this state, the side protection plate 33,
35 is disposed so as to overlap the side plate portions 13 and 15, and the elastic contact portion 5 is surrounded by the side protection plate portions 33 and 35 and the front protection plate portion 31.

Further, the top plate portion 37 integrally formed with the one side protection plate portion 33 is bent toward the other side protection plate portion 35 side, and the convex portion 45 is pressed into the notch 41 to be hooked. The parts 43, 43 are hooked on the upper end of the other side protection plate part 35. Further, in this state, the upper ends of the support walls 47, 47 abut against the lower surface of the top plate 37, and the top plate 37 is supported by the support walls 47, 47.

According to this embodiment, since the front protection plate 31, side protection plates 33 and 35, and top plate 37 constituting the protection plate 29 are not displaced, the overall shape is not easily deformed. . That is, in response to a force F1 that causes the side protection plate portions 33 and 35 to deform inward, the protection plate portion 29
The projection 45 of the other side protection plate 35 is inserted into the notch 41 of the top plate 37 bent from the one side protection plate 33.
Into the inside of the convex portion 45 and the bottom wall 41 a of the notch 41.
Abuts with each other, the rigidity in this direction is increased, and deformation is difficult. Also, with respect to the force in the direction of deforming the side protection plate portions 33 and 35 outward (the force on the opposite side to F1), the hook portions 43 and 43 of the top plate portion 37 are connected to the other side protection plate portion 35.
, The rigidity in this direction is high, and it is difficult to deform.

Even if a force F2 from above is applied to the top plate portion 37, the hook 43 of the top plate portion 37 is hooked on the upper end of the other side protection plate portion 35, and Since the upper end portions of the support walls 47 and 47 are in contact with the lower surface side of the 37, the rigidity in this direction is strong, and it is difficult to be deformed by a force in this direction. Therefore, the terminal fitting 27 of the present embodiment is hardly deformed, can reliably protect the elastic contact portion, can be properly connected to the counterpart terminal, and can improve the reliability in electrical connection. .

Further, the protection plate portion 29 of the present embodiment is obtained by extending the bottom plate portion 11 and integrally forming the protection plate portion 29 with the terminal fitting 27.
Is formed, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated mold for forming the protection plate portion 29, and the protection plate portion 29 is formed by extending the procedure of forming the elastic contact portion 5 and the wire connection portion 3. Therefore, a step of attaching the protection plate portion 29 to the terminal fitting is not required, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Second Embodiment FIGS. 3A and 3B show a terminal fitting 51 of a second embodiment, wherein FIG. 3A is a perspective view and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the terminal fitting 51 in an unfolded state. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the terminal fitting 51, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the terminal fitting 51. The same components as those of the terminal fitting shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the terminal fitting 51 of this embodiment is bent from the front side of the bottom plate 11 so as to intersect between the pair of side plates 13 and 15. A pair of front protection plate portions 55, 57 bent from the front side of the pair of side plate portions 13, 15 and surrounding the front side of the side protection plate portion 53; A pair of rear protection plate portions 59 and 61 bent in a direction approaching each other from the wire connection portion 3 side of the side plate portions 13 and 15, and the pair of side plate portions between the wire connection portion 3 and the elastic contact portion 5. A top plate 63 extends from and is overlapped with each other and is connected to each other.

The shape of the terminal fitting 51 will be described below with reference to the developed state diagram shown in FIG. In addition, the dotted line in FIG. 4 shows a fold (bending line).

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the side protection plate 53 is formed by extending the front end of the bottom plate 11, and its length is equal to the height of the elastic contact portion 5. Is set to about half. The width of the side protection plate 53 is set substantially equal to the width of the bottom plate 11. Further, a slit 65 is formed in the middle part of the side protection plate part 53, and is formed corresponding to the contact position between the distal ends of the elastic contact parts 5. The side protection plate portion 53 is bent at a substantially right angle with respect to the bottom plate portion 11 and is disposed so as to intersect between the side plate portions 13 and 15. Therefore, when an external force F3 is applied to the side plate portions 13 and 15 inward, the side plate portions 13 and 15
Are in contact with both side portions of the side protection plate portion 53. A pair of front protection plates 55 and 57 are formed on the front side of the side protection plate 53.

The front protection plate parts 55 and 57 are
After being respectively extended from the front side of the reference numeral 15, they are bent at substantially right angles in directions approaching each other. in this case,
The side protection plate portion 53 is disposed between the pair of front protection plate portions 55 and 57 and the elastic contact portion 5. A gap 67 (see FIG. 3A) is formed between the distal end portions of the pair of front protection plate portions 55 and 57 so as to correspond to the slit 65. These front protection plate portions 55 and 57 directly block the external force F7 from the front of the terminal fitting 51 and protect the elastic contact portion 5.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the rear ends of the side plates 13 and 15 are bent at substantially right angles in a direction in which they extend from the side plates 13 and 15 and approach each other. A pair of rectangular rear protection plate portions 59 and 61 are formed. There is a slight gap between the rear protective plate portions 59 and 61. When a force F6 in the compression direction is applied to the side plate portions 13 and 15, the distal ends of the rear protection plate portions 59 and 61 come into contact with each other, thereby preventing the deformation of the side plate portions 13 and 15 due to the force F6 in the compression direction. Is done. The top plate 6 is provided on the upper ends of the side plates 13 and 15 on the side of the rear protective plates 59 and 61.
3 are integrally formed.

The top plate portion 63 extends from one side plate portion 13 and is bent at a substantially right angle to the other side plate portion 15 side, and the lower plate portion 69 extends from the other side plate portion 15 and has one end. The upper plate 71 is bent substantially toward the side plate 13 and overlaps the lower plate 69. And the side plate parts 13 and 15
When the external force F6 in the compression direction is applied to the upper plate 71, the tip portion 69a of the lower plate 69 abuts against the inner wall of the upper plate 71 on the side of the side plate 15, thereby preventing the side plates 13 and 15 from being deformed. Further, the lower plate portion 69 and the upper plate portion 71
Are connected by

As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 73 is provided with a locking hole 75 provided on one side plate portion 13 side of the lower plate portion 69.
And a hook portion 77 provided at the tip of the upper plate portion 71 and inserted into the locking hole 75 and engaged with the opening edge 75 a of the locking hole 75. When the upper plate portion 71 and the lower plate portion 69 are connected by the connecting portion 73, when an external force F <b> 4 in a direction of expanding the space between the elastic contact portions 5 is applied, the hook portion 77 causes the opening edge of the locking hole 75. 3A, the external force F4 (see FIG. 3A) causes the side plate 1
There is no gap between 3 and 15.

Next, a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting 51 of the second embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal fitting 51 in a developed state is stamped and formed from a flat plate. In this case, the terminal fitting 5
Reference numeral 1 denotes a horizontal chain-type terminal fitting, in which a plurality of terminal fittings 51 are continuously formed by bending a long plate. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 79 denotes a belt-like body that connects the plurality of terminal fittings 51. A long flat plate is punched out, and the side protection plate portion 53 and the front protection plate portion 5, together with the wire connection portion 3, the elastic contact portion 5, the bottom plate portion 11, and the side plate portions 13 and 15 in the unfolded state.
5, 57, rear protection plate portions 59 and 61, a top plate portion 63, a locking hole 75, and a hook portion 77 are formed.

Next, the elastic contact portion 5 is bent into an inverted U-shape, and the electric wire connection portion 3 is bent into a U-shape. Further, the front protection plate portions 55 and 57 are bent substantially perpendicularly to the side plate portions 13 and 15 in the same direction. Further, the upper plate portion 71 and the lower plate portion 69 are bent substantially perpendicularly to the side plate portions 13 and 15 in the same direction. At this time, the hook 77
Is bent at a substantially right angle.

From this state, the side protection plate 53 is bent substantially at right angles to the bottom plate 11, and the side plate 13,
The side plate 15 is bent with respect to the bottom plate 11. At this time, the side plate portion 13 is first bent at a substantially right angle, and then the side plate portion 15 is bent, so that the hook portion 77 is
And the hooking portion 7 is attached to the opening edge 75a of the locking hole 75.
7 engage. Thereby, the lower plate portion 69 and the upper plate portion 7
1 are overlapped to form a top plate 63. Further, by folding the side plate portions 13 and 15 with respect to the bottom plate portion 11, the front protection plate portions 55 and 57 are arranged on the front side of the side protection plate portion 53.

According to this embodiment, the side protection plate 53 comes into contact with the inner walls of the side plates 13 and 15 against the external force F3 which tries to deform the side plates 13 and 15 inward. Rigidity is increased. Therefore, the side plates 13, 15
Is not inadvertently deformed inward.

In addition, the hook 77 of the connecting portion 73 is engaged with the opening edge 75a of the locking hole 75 against an external force F4 that tends to deform the elastic contact portion 5 in the expanding direction. The elastic contact portion 5 does not spread.

Further, since the top plate 63 is provided for the external force F5 from above the terminal fitting 51, the terminal fitting 51 is not entirely deformed by the force in this direction, and the elasticity is reduced. The contact portion 5 is not deformed.

Further, the rear protection plate portions 59 and 61 and the front end portion 69a of the lower plate portion 69 abut against the inner wall of the upper plate portion 71 against an external force F6 in the direction of compressing the side plate portions 13 and 15. As a result, the rigidity in this direction is increased, so that the space between the side plates 13 and 15 is not inadvertently deformed.

The external force F7 from the front of the terminal fitting 51 is
In contrast, the front protection plate portions 55 and 57 receive the external force in this direction, so that the external force is not directly applied to the elastic contact portion 5 and the deformation of the elastic contact portion 5 can be prevented.

[0061]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the front end portion of the elastic contact portion is protected by the front protection plate portion, and the pair of side plate portions is protected by the side protection plate. You. In this case, even if a force in the direction of pressing the pair of side plates inward is applied, the top plate extends from one side protection plate and is locked to the other side protection plate. The rigidity is high with respect to the force in this direction, and the shape of the entire protection plate portion is not deformed. In addition, a force from the upper side of the elastic contact portion is received by the top plate portion, and the elastic contact portion is protected. Also in this case, since the top plate portion extends from one side protection plate portion and is locked to the other side protection plate portion, the top plate portion is rigid against a force applied to the top plate portion from above. And the shape of the entire protection plate is not easily deformed. Therefore, the terminal fitting of the present invention is not easily deformed, and the elastic contact portion is reliably protected.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the top plate is supported by the pair of support walls even when a force is applied to the top plate from above, the rigidity of the top plate is high. Difficult to be deformed by force.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even if a force for deforming the side protection plate portion inward is applied, the other side protection plate portion is inserted into the notch provided at the tip of the top plate portion. By inserting the projection, the rigidity is strong against the force in this direction, and the side protection plate is not easily deformed inward. In addition, even if a force that deforms the side protection plate portion is applied outward, the hook portion of the top plate portion is formed so as to fold outside the other protection plate portion. Strong and difficult to deform.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when a force in the direction of pressing inward is applied to one of the side plates, the side protection plate prevents the one side plate from being deformed. The front side of the elastic contact portion is protected by the front protection plate, and the rear side is protected by the rear protection plate. In this case, even if a force in the direction of pressing the pair of side plate portions inward is applied, the top plate portions are overlapped and connected, so the rigidity is high with respect to the force in this direction,
The pair of side plates are not deformed. Further, a force from above the elastic contact portion is received by the top plate portion, and the elastic contact portion is protected. Furthermore, the tip of the rear protective wall abuts against the force in the direction of compressing the elastic contact portion, so that the elastic contact portion is deformed in the compression direction because of high rigidity against the force in this direction. There is no. Therefore, the terminal fitting of the present invention is not easily deformed, and the elastic contact portion is reliably protected.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the upper plate portion and the lower plate portion receive the force from above in the elastic contact portion, the rigidity against the force in this direction is received. And the shape of the entire terminal fitting is not deformed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a force is applied in a direction of expanding the space between the two side plates, the hook of the upper plate is engaged with the opening edge of the locking hole of the lower plate. Therefore, the spread between both side plate portions is prevented.

Conversely, when a compressive force is applied to both side plate portions, the lower plate portion abuts against the inner wall of one of the upper plate portions on the side plate portion side, so that the deformation of both side plate portions is prevented. .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the side protection plate and the front protection plate receive this force against the force from the front side to protect the elastic contact portion.

According to the invention of claim 8, the protection plate portion is formed integrally with the front side of the bottom plate portion in a flattened state, and the side protection plate portions on both sides of the front protection plate portion are connected to the side plate portion. After bending the front protection plate to the elastic contact portion side and stacking the side protection plate outside the side plate, the top plate of one side protection plate is turned to the other. Bends toward the side protection plate, and the top end of the top plate is locked to the other side protection plate, so that the protection plate for protecting the elastic contact part is manufactured together with the molding of the terminal fittings. Thus, the manufacturing cost is not increased, and the elastic contact portion is reliably protected by the protective plate portion.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a terminal fitting of a first embodiment according to the present invention,
(A) is a perspective view, (b) is a perspective view which expanded a part of (a).

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a method of manufacturing the terminal fitting of the first embodiment according to the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a perspective view showing a state in which the side protection plate is bent,
(C) is a perspective view showing a state where the front protection plate is bent.

FIG. 3 shows a terminal fitting of a second embodiment according to the present invention;
(A) is a perspective view, (b) is a perspective view seen from the back side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an expanded state of the terminal fitting of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a terminal fitting of a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the inside of the terminal fitting of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional terminal fitting.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another conventional terminal fitting.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Electric wire connection part 5 Elastic contact part 11 Bottom plate part 13, 15 Side plate part 27, 51 Terminal fitting 29 Protection plate part 31, 55, 57 Front part protection plate part 33, 35, 53 Side part protection plate part 39 Slit 41 Notch 47 Support walls 59, 61 Rear protective plate 63 Top plate 69 Lower plate 71 Upper plate 73 Connection 75 Locking hole 77 Hook

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-315778 (JP, A) JP-A-1-202328 (JP, A) JP-A 52-22593 (JP, U) JP-A 3-322 97869 (JP, U) JP-A-2-117767 (JP, U) JP-A 63-65970 (JP, U) JP-A 2-52274 (JP, U) JP-B 52-42239 (JP, B2) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H01R 13/10-13/115 H01R 43/16 H01R 4/18

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An electric wire connection portion connected to a terminal of the electric wire;
A terminal fitting having an elastic contact portion in which the distal end portions of a pair of opposed side plate portions bent in the same direction from both sides of the bottom plate portion are bent inwardly in an inverted U-shape, respectively, and a front side of the elastic contact portion. A front protection plate portion provided integrally with the bottom plate portion,
Both side portions of the front protection plate portion are bent toward the wire connection portion side, and a pair of side protection plate portions surrounding the outside of the side plate portion, and one side between the wire connection portion and the elastic contact portion. A terminal fitting provided with a protection plate portion extending from a portion protection plate portion and a top plate portion having a tip portion locked to the other side protection plate portion. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein between the wire connection portion and the elastic contact portion, both sides of the bottom plate portion are bent in the same direction as the side plate portion, and the top plate portion is bent. A terminal fitting provided with a pair of support walls that abut on a lower surface and support a top plate portion. 3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein a notch is provided at a tip portion of the top plate portion, and a convex portion to be inserted into the notch is provided on the other side protection plate portion, and the other side is provided. A terminal fitting characterized in that a hook portion overlapping the outside of the side protection plate portion is bent at the tip of the top plate portion. 4. An electric wire connection portion connected to an end of the electric wire,
A terminal fitting having elastic contact portions in which the tip portions of a pair of opposed side plate portions bent in the same direction from both sides of the bottom plate portion are respectively bent inward in an inverted U-shape, between the pair of side plate portions. A side protection plate portion bent from the front side of the bottom plate portion in an intersecting state, and a pair of front portions bent from the front side of the pair of side plate portions and surrounding the front side of the side protection plate portion A protection plate portion, a pair of rear protection plate portions bent and formed in a direction approaching each other from the wire connection portion side of the side plate portion, and each extending from the pair of side plate portions between the wire connection portion and the elastic contact portion. A terminal fitting having a top plate portion that is put out and overlapped and connected. 5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the top plate portion extends from one side plate portion and is bent toward the other side plate portion, and extends from the other side plate portion. A terminal fitting comprising an upper plate portion provided and bent to one side plate portion side and superimposed on the lower plate portion, wherein the lower plate portion and the upper plate portion are connected by a connecting portion. 6. The locking device according to claim 5, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a locking hole provided on one side plate portion side of the lower plate portion and a locking hole provided at a tip of an upper plate portion. A terminal fitting comprising a hook inserted into the hole and engaged with an opening edge of the locking hole. 7. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the side protection plate and the pair of front protection plates receive an external force from a front side. A terminal fitting for protecting an elastic contact portion. 8. An electric wire connection portion connected to a terminal of the electric wire,
A method for manufacturing a terminal fitting, comprising: a pair of side plate portions opposed to each other bent in the same direction from both sides of a bottom plate portion; A front protection plate portion bent to the front side of the front protection plate portion, a pair of side protection plate portions provided on both sides of the front protection plate portion and superposed on the outside of the side plate portion side, and one side protection portion A side plate provided on the plate portion and a top plate bent to the other side protection plate portion side in a flat developed state, and provided on both sides of the front protection plate portion. The plate portion is bent in the same direction as the side plate portion, and the front protection plate portion integrally provided on the front side of the bottom plate portion is bent in the same direction as the side plate portion, so that the side protection plate portion becomes the side plate. After overlapping on the outside of the portion, the top plate portion extending from one side protection plate portion is attached to the other side protection plate portion behind the elastic contact portion. Only bent, the production method of the terminal fitting, characterized by locking the distal end portion of the top plate portion on the other side protective plate.