JP3402025B2 - Terminal cap - 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 cap for covering a conductive portion of a terminal connected to an end of an electric wire, and more particularly to a terminal cap capable of preventing the terminal from slipping out of the cap.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a terminal is connected to a conductor of an electric wire in order to connect the electric wire to an external connecting member. It is often used to attach a terminal cap having an insulating property in order to prevent adhesion and ensure safety.

An example of this type of terminal cap is shown in FIG. In this terminal cap 1, the crimping portion 8 of the crimping terminal 7 crimped (bonded) to the conductor of the electric wire 6 with the coating removed is housed in the tubular tube portion 2, and the terminal portion 9 is housed in the hemispherical sphere portion 3. It is designed to prevent interference from the outside. The crimp terminal 7 has a round or Y-shaped terminal portion 9 connected to another electric component. It should be noted that this terminal cap 1 may have an insulating property,
For example, it may be formed of resin or the like, but in general, silicone rubber or EPDM (ethylene-propylene terpolyme
It is molded from a rubber material such as r).

[0004]

However, in such a conventional terminal cap, the tip of the terminal portion 9 of the crimp terminal 7 abuts against the inner surface of the spherical portion 3 in the inserting direction of the electric wire 6 and comes off. Although it does not happen, the crimping portion 8 has a larger outer diameter than the electric wire 6 in the pulling-out direction, and therefore the crimping portion 8 comes off. Therefore, there is a problem that the crimping portion 8 is exposed to the outside of the terminal cap 1 and the original function cannot be sufficiently fulfilled.

In addition, the crimp terminal 7 connects the electric wire 6 to the tube portion 2
Also, the terminal cap 1 is attached in a state in which the crimping portion 8 and the terminal portion 9 are accommodated inside by crimping with the and the ball portion 3 inserted, and then pulling back the electric wire 6. If it is pulled too much, the crimp portion 8 will be exposed to the outside. For this reason, there is a problem that attention must be paid during the mounting work and that the presence or absence of the exposure must be checked after the work.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent the terminals from being exposed to the outside by limiting the movement of the terminals in the pulling-out direction, and to improve the reliability and workability. .

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems] For the purpose achieved, the
The invention is a cap for a terminal, which is attached to a terminal having a coupling part for coupling an electric wire and a connecting part connected to an external connecting member, and covers the coupling part and the connecting part. A second cover part, which includes a cover part and a second cover part which is adjacent to the first cover part and which separates from the connection part together with the coupling part side and which covers an electric wire in the vicinity of the rear end side of the connecting part. The rear end side of the second cover is slidably in contact with the electric wire in the second cover portion, and abuts on the rear end surface of the coupling portion to limit the movement when the electric wire moves relatively to the electric wire in the direction of the connecting portion of the terminal. It is characterized in that a stop portion is provided.

In the present invention , the electric wire for connecting the terminals is
After being inserted into both cover parts while slidingly contacting the stop part, the connecting part of the terminal is connected and then pulled back while slidingly contacting the stop part, the connecting part reaches the rear end side of the second cover part. Occasionally, the rear end surface of the connecting portion comes into contact with the stop portion, and further relative movement is restricted, and the mounting operation is completed. Therefore,
In this attached state, the connection part side of the terminal is the first cover part,
The electric wires near the coupling portion side and the rear end side are covered with the second cover portion, and even if a force in the pull-out direction is applied to the electric wires, movement in that direction is restricted.

According to the present invention , in addition to the structure of the above-mentioned invention, the second cover portion is formed in a tubular shape, and the stop portion is formed along with the first cover portion so as to traverse the inside of the cylinder. It is formed by integrally molding a material, and the stop portion is elastically deformed according to the diameter of the electric wire to be inserted. this
According to the invention , the stop portion is integrally molded with the insulating elastic material so as to traverse the inside of the second cover portion. Therefore, even if the stopper portion is elastically deformed and the diameter of the wire changes to some extent, the stopper portion can be brought into sliding contact with the outer surface of the stopper portion and abut on the rear end surface of the coupling portion of the terminal to restrict the movement of the wire in the pullback direction.

According to the present invention , in addition to the structure of the invention described in the above paragraph [0009] , a pair of hitting portions are provided in the second cover portion so as to face each other, and an electric wire is inserted between the facing surfaces. It is characterized by that. In this invention , both of the pair of stoppers are elastically deformed according to the diameter of the electric wire, and the electric wire is in sliding contact with the facing surface of the stopper. Therefore, it is possible to allow the insertion of the electric wire having a larger outer diameter, and at the time of pulling back the electric wire, both of the stop portions are brought into contact with the rear end surface of the joint portion to restrict the movement thereof.

In addition to the structure of the invention described in the paragraph [0009] , the present invention has a plate-like shape in the second cover portion so that the first cover portion side is closer to the inner surface of the second cover portion. Is provided, and an electric wire is inserted between the stop portion closer to the first cover portion side and the inner surface of the second cover portion. According to the present invention , one stop portion is formed such that the first cover portion side is inclined toward the electric wire side, and is elastically deformed according to the diameter of the electric wire, and the electric wire is the inner surface of the stop portion and the second cover portion. Slide on. Therefore, when the electric wire is pulled back, the stopper portion surely abuts the rear end surface of the joint portion, and the movement thereof is restricted.

The present invention provides the above-mentioned [0007] and [0].
In addition to the structure of the invention described in any one of paragraphs 009] to [0011], a part of the stopper is formed in an arc shape having an inner peripheral surface on a side through which an electric wire is inserted. It is a thing. According to the present invention , the sliding contact surface of the stopper portion is formed in an arc shape like an electric wire having a circular cross section. Therefore,
In the case of an electric wire having a circular cross-sectional shape, the area held by the stopper portion becomes large, and the contact area that makes contact with the rear end surface of the joint portion becomes large.

The present invention provides the above-mentioned [0007] and [0].
In addition to the structure of the invention described in any one of paragraphs [009] to [0012] , a surface of the stopper portion that is in sliding contact with the electric wire is formed so that a contact area with the electric wire is small. is there. In the present invention , the contact area on the sliding contact surface of the stopper portion with which the electric wire slides is reduced. Therefore, the sliding resistance at the time of inserting and pulling back the electric wire becomes small.

The present invention is described in paragraph [0013] above.
In addition to the configuration of the invention, the surface of the stopper portion that comes into sliding contact with the electric wire is textured. From this
In the case of light, the sliding contact surface of the stopper against which the electric wire slides is textured. Therefore, the contact area with the electric wire is reduced, and the sliding resistance at the time of inserting / retracting the electric wire is reduced.

The present invention is described in paragraph [0013] above.
In addition to the structure of the invention, a plurality of ribs for separating the electric wire from the sliding contact surface are formed on a surface of the hitting portion which is in sliding contact with the electric wire. According to the present invention , a plurality of ribs for separating the electric wire from the sliding contact surface are formed on the sliding contact surface of the stopper portion with which the electric wire slides. Therefore, the contact area with the electric wire is reduced, and the sliding resistance at the time of inserting / retracting the electric wire is reduced.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are views showing a first embodiment of a terminal cap according to the present invention . First, the configuration will be described.

1 to 3, reference numeral 11 denotes a terminal cap, and the terminal cap 11 has a tube portion 12 formed in a tubular shape (tubular shape) and a tube having a partially cut spherical opening. Hemispherical spherical portion that communicates adjacent to the portion 12
A pair of ribs 14 and 15 having a predetermined width in the direction of the spherical portion 13 are formed in parallel inside the rear end side that is open to the outside of the tube portion 12 so as to cross the opening. The terminal cap 11 is made of an elastic material having an insulating property (for example,
Synthetic rubber such as silicone rubber or EPDM or natural rubber) is integrally molded, and the tube portion 12 and the ball portion 13
Even if the ribs 14 and 15 are provided, they can be easily die-cut because they are elastically deformed.

The terminal cap 11 is, as shown in FIG.
In the same manner as in the conventional example, the crimping terminal 8 side of the crimping terminal 7 crimped (bonded) to the electric wire 6 with the sheath removed and the electric wire 6 in the vicinity thereof are housed in the tube portion 12, and the terminal portion 9 side is housed in the spherical portion 13. (Cover) In addition to preventing interference from the outside, in this state, the ribs 14 and 15 are elastically deformed so that the outer surface of the electric wire 6 faces the facing surface 14a,
15a holds in contact. The ribs 14 and 15 are formed to have a width such that they are adjacent to the rear end side of the crimp portion 8 which is separated from the terminal portion 9 of the crimp terminal 7 in the mounted state.
The tips 14b and 15b face each other, and the tips 14b and 15b come into contact with the rear end surface 8a when the crimp terminal 7 relatively moves in the pullback direction of the electric wire 6. That is, the crimp portion 8 of the crimp terminal 7 is
The terminal portion 9 constitutes a connecting portion, and the ball portion 13 of the terminal cap 11
Constitutes a first cover portion, the tube portion 12 constitutes a second cover portion, and the ribs 14 and 15 constitute a pair of stop portions. In FIG. 5, 8b is a crimping piece that is crimped and fixed to the outer cover of the electric wire 6 of the crimping portion 8.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be explained. First, as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), the electric wire 6 is elastically deformed by the ribs 14 and 15 of the terminal cap 11, and the tube portion 12 is inserted between the opposing surfaces 14a and 15a.
After inserting into the inside and pulling out the tip from the opening of the ball portion 13, the coating of the electric wire 6 is cut off and the crimp portion 8 of the crimp terminal 7 is crimped to the conductor. At this time, the electric wire 6 is inserted while slidingly contacting the facing surfaces 14a, 15a of the ribs 14, 15.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 4 (d) and 5, the electric wire 6 is pulled out from the terminal cap 11 so that the crimping portion 8 is housed in the tube portion 12 and the terminal portion. 9 is housed in the ball portion 13 to cover the entire conductive portion of the crimp terminal 7. At this time, the electric wire 6 is
The ribs 14 and 15 are pulled back while slidingly contacting the facing surfaces 14a and 15a of the ribs 14 and 15 in the direction opposite to the direction of insertion.

Then, the crimp terminal 7 reaches the rear end side of the tube portion 12, and the rear end surface 8a of the crimp portion 8 has tips of the ribs 14 and 15.
When they come into contact with 14b and 15b, the movement of the crimp terminal 7 relative to the relative position or more is restricted, so that the withdrawal of the electric wire 6 is stopped and the mounting operation is completed. This is the same except during the mounting work, and even if the electric wire 6 is pulled in the pulling direction, the relative movement of the crimp terminal 7 beyond the position is restricted.

This operation is the same even if the outer diameter of the electric wire 6 is different, and the terminal cap 11 is elastically deformed to the extent that the ribs 14 and 15 shown in FIG.
To the extent that the ribs 14 and 15 shown in (b) are elastically deformed until they come close to the inner surface of the tube portion 12, that is, the terminal cap 11 is inserted into the tube portion 12 with the ribs 14 and 15 elastically deformed. It can be commonly used for possible electric wires 6.

Thus, in this embodiment, the rib 1
The tubes 4 and 15 come into contact with the rear end surface 8a of the crimp portion 8 and
Since the crimp terminal 7 is restricted from moving in the pulling-out direction beyond the rear end, the crimping portion 8 is not pulled out from the tube portion 12 and exposed to the outside, and a load is applied to pulling back the electric wire 6 during mounting work. If the work is completed when there is (limitation), the entire crimp terminal 7 can be covered with the terminal cap 11.

Further, since the pair of ribs 14 and 15 elastically deforms to slide on the outer surface of the electric wire 6 and both tips 14b and 15b abut on the rear end surface 8a of the crimp portion 8, the crimp terminal 7 is firmly moved. Can be restricted. Further, since the wires 14 having different outer diameters can be commonly used by adding the elastic deformation amounts of the ribs 14 and 15, it is not necessary to align the terminal caps 11 according to the outer diameters of the wires 6, and management is possible. It is possible to reduce the labor to do.

As another aspect corresponding to the invention of this embodiment, there may be one stop portion provided inside the rear end side of the tube portion 12, and one stop portion as in this embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, it is more advantageous to form the rib 16 with the tip on the side of the ball 13 inclined toward the insertion side of the electric wire 6 (downward in the figure). By configuring in this way,
Since one of the ribs 16 is used as the stopper, the force that restricts the movement of the crimp terminal 7 in the pull-out direction becomes small, and the outer diameter of the wire 6 that can be used in common becomes the elastic deformation amount of the rib 16 so that it is small. However, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as the present embodiment. Further, when one of the stoppers is inclined toward the outer surface of the electric wire 6 like the rib 16, the electric wire 6 can be easily inserted into the tube portion 12 as shown in FIG. When pulling out, the tip 16 is attached to the rear end face 8a of the crimping portion 8.
Since b is firmly abutted, the movement of the crimp terminal 7 in the pull-out direction can be effectively limited.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the stopper is a ball portion.
It is advantageous to form the rib 17 having a thick wall on the 13 side, and even in this case, the rear end surface 8a of the crimping portion 8 when the electric wire 6 is pulled out.
The tip 17b is firmly abutted against the contact to effectively limit the movement of the crimp terminal 7 in the pulling-out direction. It is needless to say that also in this embodiment, the ribs 14 and 15 may be inclined or formed to be thick like the ribs 16 and 17.

Next, FIG. 10 is a view showing a second embodiment of the terminal cap according to the present invention . In this embodiment,
Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.
In FIG. 10, reference numerals 24a and 25a are the facing surfaces of the ribs 14 and 15, and the facing surfaces 24a and 25b (only 25a is shown in the drawing).
Is subjected to so-called texturing so that the surface becomes rough, and is formed so that the substantial contact area with the outer surface of the electric wire 6 becomes small. Further, as another aspect corresponding to the invention of the present embodiment , as shown in FIG. 11, the facing surfaces of the ribs 14 and 15 are
Convex extending portion 26 that extends in a convex shape in the inserting / pulling-out direction of the electric wire 6 to 14a and 15b (or the direction that intersects the electric wire 6)
It is possible to form a plurality of wires, and also by configuring in this way, since the outer surface of the electric wire 6 can be separated from the facing surfaces 14a and 15b and the contact area can be reduced, the same effect can be obtained. . In addition, since the processing cost of the mold is less than that of the embossing, it can be formed at a low cost.

In the present embodiment, the facing surfaces (sliding contact surfaces) of the ribs 14 and 15 which come into sliding contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 6 when the electric wire 6 is inserted and pulled out.
Since 24a and 25a are formed so as to have a small contact area, sliding resistance at the time of insertion and withdrawal is reduced. Therefore, the electric wire 6 can be slippery and easily inserted, and the load when the tips 14b and 15b of the ribs 14 and 15 abut the rear end surface 8a of the crimp portion 8 greatly changes. It can be surely known that 7 has reached the rear end side of the tube portion 12 of the terminal cap 11.

As another mode corresponding to the invention of claim 8 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A plurality of convex extending portions 26 extending in a convex shape in the inserting / pulling-out direction of the electric wire 6 (or the direction intersecting the electric wire 6) may be formed on the facing surfaces 14a, 15b of the four and fifteen. With this configuration as well, the outer surface of the electric wire 6 can be separated from the facing surfaces 14a and 15b, and the contact area can be reduced, so that the same effect can be obtained. In addition, since the processing cost of the mold is less than that of the embossing, it can be formed at a low cost.

It is needless to say that reducing the contact area with the outer surface of the electric wire 6 as in this embodiment can be applied to other aspects of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. Nor. Next, FIGS. 12 and 13 are views showing a third embodiment of the terminal cap according to the present invention . Since the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration as that of the above-described first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and only the characteristic portions thereof will be described.

In FIG. 12, 34 and 35 are a pair of ribs formed inside the rear end side of the tube portion 12, and opposed faces 34a and 35a of the ribs 34 and 35 (only 35a is shown in the figure). Is
It is formed in an arc shape so as to follow the outer surface of the electric wire 6 which passes through the vicinity of the center. In the present embodiment, the center of the facing surface (sliding contact surface) of the ribs 34, 35 is formed in an arc shape like the electric wire 6 having a circular cross section, so that the electric wire 6 contacts the entire inner peripheral surface thereof. Although not shown in the drawing, the tips of the ribs 34, 35 on the side of the spherical portion 13 contact the rear end surface 8a of the crimping portion 8 of the crimping terminal 7 in an arcuate shape and have a large area.
Therefore, the electric wire 6 can be stably held, and the movement of the crimp terminal 7 in the pull-out direction can be more firmly restricted. Further, since the ribs 34 and 35 are also elastically deformable, as shown in FIG. 13, the ribs 34 and 35 can be elastically deformed largely by the amount formed in the arc shape, and the outer diameter range of the electric wire 6 that can be commonly used is limited. Can be large.

Needless to say, the contact area with the outer surface of the electric wire 6 may be reduced as in the second embodiment. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the elastic material is integrally formed is described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also effective to form a stopper portion that is in sliding contact with the outer surface of the wire according to the outer diameter of the wire by using resin or the like. It goes without saying that the crimp terminal can be prevented from being exposed to the outside.

[0033]

According to the present invention , the stopper portion abuts on the rear end surface of the connecting portion of the terminal to restrict the relative movement of the rear end of the second cover portion or more in the pulling direction, so that the terminal moves in the pulling direction. The connecting part will not be exposed further by moving and if the pulling back work of the wire is restricted even during installation work, if the pulling back work is completed, the connecting part and the connecting part of the terminal will be covered with both cover parts. It can be in a closed state.
Therefore, reliability and workability can be improved.

According to the present invention , since the stopper portion is elastically deformed by traversing the inside of the second cover portion, it is slidably contacted with the outer surface of the electric wire having a different outer diameter, and the terminal is pulled out in the pulling direction beyond the rear end of the second cover portion. Relative movement can be restricted. Therefore, even electric wires having different outer diameters can be commonly used, and the management work can be reduced and the workability can be improved.

According to the present invention , since the electric wire is slidably contacted with the opposing surfaces of the pair of stop portions which are elastically deformed while traversing the inside of the second cover portion, the electric wire can be used for an electric wire having a larger outer diameter. , The movement of the terminal can be more firmly restricted. Therefore, the reliability and workability can be further improved. According to the present invention , since the electric wire slides in contact with the opposing surfaces of the pair of stop portions that are elastically deformed across the inside of the second cover portion, the electric wire can be used for an electric wire having a larger outer diameter and at the same time, the terminal Movement can be restricted more strongly. Therefore, the reliability and workability can be further improved.

According to the invention , the first cover in the second cover part
Since the cover is slid toward the electric wire side through which the cover part is inserted, and the electric wire slides into one stopper part that elastically deforms, the electric wire can be easily inserted, and when the retracting part is securely connected to the terminal part, Firmly abut. Therefore, the movement of the terminal can be effectively limited even with one stop portion, and the reliability and workability can be further improved.

According to the present invention , since the sliding contact surface of the stopper portion is formed in an arc shape, the area for holding the electric wire having a circular sectional shape is large and the contact area for contacting the rear end surface of the joint portion is large. Therefore, the holding of the electric wire is stable and the movement of the terminal can be more firmly restricted. In addition, when formed of an elastic material, the arcuate portion is elastically deformed and can be used for an electric wire having a larger outer diameter. Therefore, the reliability and workability can be further improved.

According to the present invention , since the contact area of the stop portion in sliding contact with the electric wire is made small by, for example, texturing or forming a rib, sliding resistance with the electric wire can be made small. Workability can be further improved. Further, when the surface has a shape such as a rib, it can be formed at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a terminal cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view from one direction, (a) is a plan view thereof, (b) is a front view thereof, and (c) is a side view thereof.

3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 2 (c).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the mounting work, (a) to
(D) is a state diagram showing a state in each step.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the attached state.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation and effect, (a)
It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state by the electric wire with which outer diameter differs with (b).

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another aspect.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the attached state.

9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another aspect different from FIG.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment of a terminal cap according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a main part of another aspect.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the terminal cap according to the present invention.

[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is an explanatory diagram explaining its action and effect, (a)
It is a perspective view which shows the attachment state by the electric wire with which outer diameter differs with (b).

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view showing a conventional example in an attached state.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 electric wires 7 Crimp terminal 8 Crimping part (coupling part) 9 Terminal part (connection part) 11 terminal cap 12 Tube part (second cover part) 13 Ball (first cover) 14, 15, 16, 17, 34, 35 ribs (stop) 14a, 15a, 25a Opposing surface (sliding surface) 14b, 15b, 16b, 17b Tip 26 Convex extension 35a Opposed surface (inner surface)

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A terminal cap which is attached to a terminal having a connecting portion for connecting electric wires and a connecting portion connected to an external connecting member and covers the connecting portion and the connecting portion, the terminal cap covering the connecting portion side of the terminal. A first cover part and a second cover part that is adjacent to the first cover part and covers the electric wire in the vicinity of the rear end side of the coupling part that is separated from the connection part together with the coupling part side, The rear end side of the cover portion slidably contacts the electric wire in the second cover portion, and when the electric wire moves relative to the electric wire in the direction of the connecting portion of the terminal, it abuts on the rear end surface of the joint portion to limit the movement. Is provided, the second cover portion is formed in a tubular shape, and the stopper portion is formed in the tubular shape.
Insulating elastic material together with the first cover part so as to traverse inside
It is formed by integral molding of the material, and the stopper part is elastically deformed according to the diameter of the inserted wire.
Cap for terminals characterized by. To wherein in said second cover portion, arranged so as to face the pair of衝止portion, the terminal cap according to claim 1, wherein the inserting the wires between the opposed surfaces. 3. A plate-like hitting portion is provided in the second cover portion so that the first cover portion side is closer to the inner surface of the second cover portion, and the first cover portion side is provided. more衝止portion and the terminal cap according to claim 1, wherein the inserting the wires between the inner surface of the second cover part adjacent. 4. A portion of the衝止portion, the terminal cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that formed in an arc shape to the inner peripheral surface of the side to be inserted through the wire . 5. The terminal cap according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a surface of the hitting portion that comes into sliding contact with the electric wire is formed so that a contact area with the electric wire is small. 6. The terminal cap according to claim 5, wherein a surface of the hitting portion that comes into sliding contact with the electric wire is textured. 7. The terminal cap according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of ribs for separating the electric wire from the sliding contact surface are formed on a surface of the hitting portion that comes into sliding contact with the electric wire.