JP4533829B2

JP4533829B2 - Connecting terminal

Info

Publication number: JP4533829B2
Application number: JP2005276045A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 六洋田中; 英樹長澤
Original assignee: Union Machinery Co Ltd
Current assignee: Union Machinery Co Ltd
Priority date: 2005-09-22
Filing date: 2005-09-22
Publication date: 2010-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-09-22
Also published as: JP2007087810A

Description

本発明は、ケーブルを圧着する接続端子に関し、より詳細には、本線ケーブル（主ケーブル）に対して分岐ケーブルを電気的に分岐接続するための接続端子に関する。 The present invention relates to a connection terminal for crimping a cable, and more particularly to a connection terminal for electrically branching and connecting a branch cable to a main cable (main cable).

従来、自動車等に配設されるワイヤハーネスには幹線から支線が分岐している箇所が多数存在する。図６にその一例として自動車のインストルメントパネルの内部を示しており、同図に示すように、インストルメントパネル内部には、車載バッテリ等電源に繋がる主線ワイヤハーネス５０１が配設され、主線ワイヤハーネス５０１からは速度計等の計器類のメータ５０３に向けて分岐ワイヤハーネス５０２が分岐されている。主線ワイヤハーネス５０１から分岐された分岐ワイヤハーネス５０２は、メータ５０３の裏面側にコネクタ等により接続される。そして、主線ワイヤハーネス５０１とワイヤハーネス５０２との分岐位置においては、特許文献１にも記載があるように、この分岐位置がズレないように電線群に結束テープ５０４を巻き付けて結束している。
特開２００５−０２７４６３号公報 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are many places where branch lines branch from a main line in a wire harness disposed in an automobile or the like. FIG. 6 shows the inside of an instrument panel of an automobile as an example. As shown in FIG. 6, a main wire harness 501 connected to a power source such as an in-vehicle battery is disposed inside the instrument panel. A branch wire harness 502 is branched from 501 toward a meter 503 of an instrument such as a speedometer. The branch wire harness 502 branched from the main wire harness 501 is connected to the back side of the meter 503 by a connector or the like. Then, at the branch position between the main wire harness 501 and the wire harness 502, as described in Patent Document 1, the binding tape 504 is wound around the electric wire group so that the branch position does not shift.
JP 2005-027463 A

上記のような分岐位置におけるテープの巻き付け作業は熟練を要し、作業者の熟練度合いによって巻き具合にバラツキが発生しやすく、また、ワイヤハーネスの分岐位置の数が多ければ作業時間が掛かるといった問題がある。これは、分岐位置にて主線の絶縁被覆を露出させ、この位置にて分岐線を主線に溶接するような方法により分岐接続するような方法でも同様であり、溶接するために露出した部分に短絡を防止する目的で絶縁性の結束テープを巻いて再度分岐位置近傍を被覆し直さなければならないため、非常に面倒である。さらに、被覆内部の導線同士を溶接する場合には溶接機を用いるため、設備が大型化し、熟練を要する。このように、主線ワイヤハーネスから多くの分岐ワイヤハーネスを分岐接続する場合に、その作業が煩わしい、といった課題があった。 The above-described tape winding work at the branching position requires skill, and the winding degree is likely to vary depending on the skill level of the operator. Also, if the number of branching positions of the wire harness is large, it takes time. There is. The same applies to a method in which the insulation coating of the main line is exposed at the branch position and the branch connection is made by welding the branch line to the main line at this position. In order to prevent this, it is very troublesome because an insulating binding tape must be wound to cover the vicinity of the branching position again. Furthermore, when welding the conducting wires inside the coating, since a welding machine is used, the equipment becomes large and skill is required. As described above, when many branch wire harnesses are branched and connected from the main wire harness, there is a problem that the work is troublesome.

以上のような問題に鑑みて、本発明では、主線ワイヤハーネスから分岐ワイヤハーネスを引き出して分岐させる場合、分岐位置において結束テープ等で結束する従来の作業工程を省き、簡便に分岐接続をできるようにした接続端子を提供することを目的とする。 In view of the above problems, in the present invention, when the branch wire harness is pulled out from the main wire harness and branched, the conventional work process of binding with a binding tape or the like at the branch position can be omitted and the branch connection can be easily performed. An object is to provide a connection terminal.

前記課題を解決するために本発明に係る接続端子は、ケーブルを接続可能なケーブル接続部（例えば、実施形態における基底部１２、芯線圧着片１３および被覆圧着片１４）と、端子接続部（例えば、実施形態におけるコンタクト部２０）とを一体に有して構成され、端子接続部が、ケーブル接続部の前端に繋がって前方に延びる雌嵌合接続部（例えば、実施形態における筒状嵌合部２１）を構成する側壁の一部を加工して構成した雄嵌合接続部（例えば、実施形態における舌片状係合片２２）とからなり、２個の接続端子における一方の接続端子（例えば、実施形態における圧着端子１０）の雌嵌合接続部を他方の接続端子の雄嵌合接続部と前後方向に嵌合接続させて２個の接続端子（例えば、実施形態における圧着端子３０）を接続するように構成された接続端子であって、雌嵌合接続部が、他方の接続端子の雄嵌合接続部を受容可能な嵌合空間が内部に形成された断面略矩形形状の筒状嵌合部を有して構成され、雄嵌合接続部が、筒状嵌合部の略矩形形状を形成する側壁のうちの、一の側壁の一部の個所が一の側壁から打抜かれ、打ち抜かれていない個所から筒状嵌合部の外方に突出形成された係合部から構成され、雌嵌合接続部は、筒状嵌合部内に他方の接続端子の係合部を嵌合保持する嵌合保持部を備え、他方の接続端子の係合部が、嵌合保持部に嵌合保持される。 In order to solve the above problems, the connection terminal according to the present invention includes a cable connection portion (for example, the base portion 12, the core wire crimping piece 13 and the coated crimping piece 14 in the embodiment) and a terminal connection portion (for example, , The contact portion 20 in the embodiment is integrally formed, and the terminal connection portion is connected to the front end of the cable connection portion and extends forward, for example, a female fitting connection portion (for example, the cylindrical fitting portion in the embodiment) 21) and a male fitting connection part (for example, tongue-like engagement piece 22 in the embodiment) formed by processing a part of the side wall constituting one of the two connection terminals (for example, The female fitting connection part of the crimp terminal 10) in the embodiment is fitted and connected in the front-rear direction with the male fitting connection part of the other connection terminal, so that two connection terminals (for example, the crimp terminal 30 in the embodiment) are connected. Connecting A sea urchin configured connection terminals, the female fitting connection portions, the other cylindrical fitting portion of substantially rectangular cross-section shape acceptable fitting space male fitting connection part is formed inside the connection terminal The male fitting connection portion is formed by punching a part of one side wall from the side wall of the side wall forming the substantially rectangular shape of the cylindrical fitting portion. The female fitting connection part is a fitting that fits and holds the engagement part of the other connection terminal in the cylindrical fitting part. An engagement holding portion is provided, and the engagement portion of the other connection terminal is fitted and held in the fitting holding portion.

また、上記構成の接続端子において、雌嵌合接続部が、前後に設けられた開口のうちいずれかの開口から前後方向に嵌入された他方の接続端子（例えば、実施形態における圧着端子３０）の雄嵌合接続部（例えば、実施形態における舌片状係合片３２）を受容可能な嵌合空間が内部に形成され、係合部は、外方に突出形成され略Ｌ字状に曲げられて、係合部の先端側が筒状嵌合部と略平行に延びて舌片状に形成された舌片状係合片からなることが好ましい。 Further, in the connection terminal having the above-described configuration, the female fitting connection portion is connected to the other connection terminal (for example, the crimp terminal 30 in the embodiment) inserted in the front-rear direction from any one of the openings provided in the front-rear direction. A fitting space capable of receiving a male fitting connection portion (for example, the tongue-like engagement piece 32 in the embodiment) is formed inside, and the engagement portion is formed to protrude outward and bent into a substantially L shape. Thus, it is preferable that the distal end side of the engaging portion is formed of a tongue-like engagement piece formed in a tongue-like shape extending substantially parallel to the cylindrical fitting portion.

なお、上記構成の接続端子において、嵌合保持部は、筒状嵌合部の一の側壁に略対向する対向側壁側の内周面から嵌合空間内に延びる付勢部と、断面矩形形状を形成する側壁のうち、一の側壁に略直交するように形成された直交側壁が、直交側壁の一部の個所が打抜かれ、打ち抜かれていない個所で付勢部方向に延びるように曲げられて形成された係止片と、を備え、付勢部と係止片とが嵌合空間に受容された他方の接続端子の舌片状係合片を付勢部の弾性的な付勢により挟持した状態で他方の接続端子と接続されるのが好ましい。
さらに、上記構成の接続端子において、直交側壁は、係止片の形成のために、直交側壁の平面視において対向側壁側であって付勢部を有する側が打抜かれ、曲げられたことによる開口部を有するのが好ましい。 In the connection terminal configured as described above, the fitting holding portion includes an urging portion extending into the fitting space from the inner peripheral surface on the opposite side wall substantially facing one side wall of the cylindrical fitting portion, and a rectangular cross section Among the side walls forming the cross section, the orthogonal side wall formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the one side wall is bent so that a part of the orthogonal side wall is punched and extends in the direction of the urging portion at a part that is not punched. And the urging portion and the engagement piece are received in the fitting space by the elastic engagement of the urging portion. It is preferable to be connected to the other connection terminal in a sandwiched state.
Further, in the connection terminal having the above-described configuration, the orthogonal side wall has an opening portion formed by punching and bending the side having the biasing portion on the opposite side wall in a plan view of the orthogonal side wall in order to form a locking piece. It is preferable to have.

本発明に関する接続端子によれば、２個の接続端子における一方の接続端子の筒状嵌合部に前後方向に嵌合された他方の接続端子を弾性的な付勢により挟持した状態でこれら２個の接続端子と接続される。このとき、一方の接続端子に圧着された一方のケーブルおよび他方の接続端子に圧着された他方のケーブルが互いに接続されたこれら２個の接続端子介して導通される。このような構成の接続端子を端部に圧着したケーブルを複数用意すれば、例えば、主ケーブルに対して一対の分岐ケーブルを分岐接続させたい所望の位置において、主ケーブルを圧着した接続端子の筒状嵌合部に分岐ケーブルを圧着した接続端子の舌片状係合片を嵌合させるといった簡単な作業だけで主ケーブルと一対の分岐ケーブルとをこれらの接続端子を介して分岐接続させることが可能である。このため、ケーブルの絶縁被覆を取り除いて導体同士を溶接するといった煩わしい作業を行うことなく簡便に分岐接続させることができる。 According to the connection terminal according to the present invention, the two connection terminals fitted in the front-rear direction to the cylindrical fitting portion of one connection terminal of the two connection terminals are clamped by elastic urging. Connected to the connecting terminals. At this time, one cable crimped to one connection terminal and the other cable crimped to the other connection terminal are brought into conduction through these two connection terminals connected to each other. If a plurality of cables with crimped connection terminals having such a configuration are prepared, for example, at a desired position where a pair of branch cables are to be branched and connected to the main cable, a cylinder of the connection terminals with the main cable crimped The main cable and a pair of branch cables can be branched and connected via these connection terminals only by a simple operation such as fitting a tongue-like engagement piece of a connection terminal obtained by crimping a branch cable to the shaped fitting portion. Is possible. For this reason, branch connection can be easily performed without performing the troublesome work of removing the insulation coating of the cable and welding the conductors.

また、接続端子同士を直列に複数連結させることも可能であり、連結された複数の他方の接続端子のうちの少なくとも１つの他方の接続端子と一方の接続端子とを上記のようにして嵌合接続させるようにすれば、一方の接続端子に圧着された１本の主ケーブルに対して他方の接続端子に圧着された複数の分岐ケーブルを蛸足状に分岐接続させることが可能である。そして、このような多数の分岐ケーブルの分岐接続は接続端子同士を嵌合接続させるだけでよいために短時間ですることができて、煩わしい作業工程を省くことが可能である。 It is also possible to connect a plurality of connection terminals in series, and at least one other connection terminal and one connection terminal of the plurality of connected connection terminals are fitted as described above. If connected, a plurality of branch cables crimped to the other connection terminal can be branched and connected to one main cable crimped to one of the connection terminals. Further, the branch connection of such a large number of branch cables can be done in a short time because it is only necessary to fit and connect the connection terminals, and it is possible to omit a troublesome work process.

ここで、本発明に係る接続端子の好ましい実施形態について、図１から図５を参照しながら詳細に説明する。なお、以下では接続端子としてケーブルを圧着接続する圧着端子を例に説明するが、本発明に係る接続端子は圧着端子に限られず、例えばケーブルを圧接接続する圧接端子であってもよい。図１に圧着端子１０と、この圧着端子１０に圧着接続されるケーブル１００（被覆電線）とを示している。図に示されている圧着端子１０は先端にコンタクト部２０を有するものであり、この圧着端子１０が同一形状の相手端子と嵌合接続される。 Here, a preferred embodiment of the connection terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a crimp terminal that crimps and connects a cable is described as an example of the connection terminal. However, the connection terminal according to the present invention is not limited to a crimp terminal, and may be, for example, a press contact terminal that press-connects a cable. FIG. 1 shows a crimp terminal 10 and a cable 100 (covered electric wire) that is crimp-connected to the crimp terminal 10. The crimp terminal 10 shown in the figure has a contact portion 20 at the tip, and the crimp terminal 10 is fitted and connected to a mating terminal having the same shape.

圧着端子１０は、前後に延びる筒状の嵌合部を有して構成されるコンタクト部２０と、このコンタクト部２０の後端に連結部１１を介して一体に繋がって後方に延びる板状の基底部１２と、この基底部１２の前部における左右側端から上方に突出した左右一対の芯線圧着片１３，１３と、基底部１２の後部における左右側端から上方に突出した左右一対の被覆圧着片１４，１４と、基底部１２を構成し芯線圧着片１３，１３および被覆圧着片１４，１４の間を繋いで形成され傾斜する連結部１６とを備えて、導電性を有する金属板材を打抜加工および折曲加工されて一体成形される。 The crimp terminal 10 includes a contact portion 20 having a cylindrical fitting portion extending in the front-rear direction, and a plate-like shape extending rearward by being integrally connected to the rear end of the contact portion 20 via a connecting portion 11. A base portion 12, a pair of left and right core wire crimping pieces 13, 13 projecting upward from the left and right side ends of the front portion of the base portion 12, and a pair of left and right coverings projecting upward from the left and right side ends of the rear portion of the base portion 12. A conductive metal plate material comprising crimping pieces 14 and 14 and a connecting portion 16 that forms the base portion 12 and is formed by connecting the core crimping pieces 13 and 13 and the covering crimping pieces 14 and 14 and is inclined. It is stamped and bent and is integrally formed.

上記ような構成において、連結部１６は芯線圧着片１３，１３および被覆圧着片１４，１４の間を繋いで補強する役割を果たす。また、このような構成の圧着端子１０に圧着接続されるケーブル１００は、複数の素線を束ねてなる芯線１０１と、この芯線１０１を覆うＰＶＣ（Polyvinyl Chloride; 塩化ポリビニル）等からなる絶縁性を有した被覆１０２とから構成されている。 In the configuration as described above, the connecting portion 16 serves to connect and reinforce between the core wire crimping pieces 13 and 13 and the coated crimping pieces 14 and 14. Further, the cable 100 to be crimped and connected to the crimping terminal 10 having such a configuration has an insulating property composed of a core wire 101 in which a plurality of strands are bundled and PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) covering the core wire 101. The covering 102 is provided.

圧着端子１０は、図１及び図５に示すように、先端部において図示しない被覆１０２が剥がされて露出した芯線１０１を芯線圧着片１３，１３が左右から包み込んで挟持し、その後部においてケーブル１００の被覆１０２を被覆圧着片１４，１４が左右から包み込んで挟持して、ケーブル１００の先端部に取り付けられる。この取付は、圧着工具を用いて芯線圧着片１３，１３および被覆圧着片１４，１４をそれぞれ図示のように内側に折り曲げ加工されて行われる。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 , the crimp terminal 10 includes a core wire 101 that is exposed by peeling off a coating 102 ( not shown) at a tip portion and is sandwiched by the core wire crimping pieces 13 and 13 from the left and right sides. The covering crimping pieces 14 and 14 are wrapped and sandwiched from the left and right sides, and attached to the distal end portion of the cable 100. This attachment is performed by bending the core crimping pieces 13 and 13 and the covering crimping pieces 14 and 14 inward as shown in the drawing using a crimping tool.

先端にケーブル１００を圧着した圧着端子１０は、そのコンタクト部２０を同一形状の相手端子である圧着端子に嵌合接続して電気接続を行うようになっている。 The crimp terminal 10 having a cable 100 crimped to the tip is electrically connected by fitting and connecting the contact portion 20 to a crimp terminal which is a counterpart terminal of the same shape.

コンタクト部２０は、連結部１１に一体に形成され、芯線圧着片１３，１３や被覆圧着片１４，１４が設けられた基底部１２の延びる方向を長手方向として相手端子と嵌合する嵌合空間２７が内部に形成された断面略矩形状の筒状嵌合部２１と、この筒状嵌合部２１の側壁の一部が略Ｌ字状に曲げられて筒状嵌合部２１の後端側から先端側に向けて筒状嵌合部２１の長手方向と略平行に延びる舌片状に形成された舌片状係合片２２とを有して構成される。舌片状係合片２２には舌片状係合片２２の厚さ方向に貫通する略矩形状の係合孔２３が形成されている。 The contact portion 20 is formed integrally with the connecting portion 11 and is a fitting space in which the base portion 12 provided with the core wire crimping pieces 13 and 13 and the covering crimping pieces 14 and 14 is extended with the mating terminal as a longitudinal direction. A cylindrical fitting part 21 having a substantially rectangular cross section 27 formed therein, and a rear end of the cylindrical fitting part 21 by bending a part of the side wall of the cylindrical fitting part 21 into a substantially L shape. And a tongue-like engagement piece 22 formed in a tongue-like shape extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical fitting portion 21 from the side toward the tip side. The tongue-like engagement piece 22 is formed with a substantially rectangular engagement hole 23 penetrating in the thickness direction of the tongue-like engagement piece 22.

上記のように前後方向を長手方向とする筒状嵌合部２１は、その前端側と後端側に矩形状の開口２８，２８が形成され、相手端子３０の相手側舌片状係合片３２を前後いずれかの開口２８から筒状嵌合部２１の嵌合空間２７に前後方向に嵌入可能に構成されている。 As described above, the cylindrical fitting portion 21 having the longitudinal direction as the longitudinal direction has rectangular openings 28 and 28 formed on the front end side and the rear end side thereof, and the mating tongue-like engagement piece of the mating terminal 30. 32 can be inserted in the front-rear direction into the fitting space 27 of the cylindrical fitting portion 21 from either the front-rear opening 28.

さらに、筒状嵌合部２０には、その上面および下面の一部が折り曲げられて、互いに対向するように嵌合空間２７に延びる一対の係止片２４，２４が形成されている。また、筒状嵌合部２０の内周面からは左右方向を厚さ方向とする平面視略くの字状の付勢部２５が、上記のように互いに対向する一方の係止片２４および他方の係止片２４の先端部間に形成される間隙の方向に延びる（図２（ｂ）および（ｃ）参照）ようにして設けられている。この付勢部２５の屈曲部の外側側面には一対の係止片２４，２４方向に突出する係止突起部２６が設けられている。 Further, the cylindrical fitting portion 20 is formed with a pair of locking pieces 24, 24 extending in the fitting space 27 so that the upper surface and a part of the lower surface thereof are bent. In addition, from the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical fitting portion 20, the substantially U-shaped urging portion 25 having a thickness direction in the left-right direction has one locking piece 24 facing each other as described above and It is provided so as to extend in the direction of the gap formed between the tip portions of the other locking piece 24 (see FIGS. 2B and 2C). On the outer side surface of the bent portion of the urging portion 25, a pair of locking pieces 24 and a locking projection 26 protruding in the direction of 24 are provided.

このように構成される圧着端子１０は、一方の相手端子である圧着端子３０と嵌合接続される。この圧着端子３０は、圧着端子１０と同一形状を有し、筒状嵌合部３１、係合孔３３が形成された舌片状係合片３２、一対の係止片３４，３４、付勢部３５および係止突起部３６等を有して構成され、筒状嵌合部３１の内部には嵌合空間３７が形成され、その前後端に開口３８，３８が形成されている。 The crimp terminal 10 configured as described above is fitted and connected to a crimp terminal 30 which is one of the other terminals. The crimp terminal 30 has the same shape as the crimp terminal 10, and has a cylindrical fitting portion 31, a tongue-like engagement piece 32 in which an engagement hole 33 is formed, a pair of locking pieces 34 and 34, and an urging force. A fitting space 37 is formed inside the cylindrical fitting portion 31, and openings 38, 38 are formed at the front and rear ends thereof.

圧着端子１０の筒状嵌合部２１には、圧着端子３０の舌片状係合片３２を挿入させることが可能であり、圧着端子３０の舌片状係合片３２を筒状嵌合部２１の前端もしくは後端の開口２８からその長手方向に挿入すると、以下のようにして圧着端子３０が圧着端子１０に対して接続固定される。すなわち、筒状嵌合部２１内の相手端子の舌片状係合片３２は、その一方の面が一対の係止片２４，２４に当接し、他方の面が付勢部２５に当接して、付勢部２５の弾性的な付勢により付勢部２５と係止片２４，２４とにより挟持される。このようにして、筒状嵌合部２１に対してその左右方向に筒状嵌合部３１が連結されて圧着端子１０と圧着端子３０とが嵌合接続される。 A tongue-like engagement piece 32 of the crimp terminal 30 can be inserted into the tubular fitting portion 21 of the crimp terminal 10, and the tongue-like engagement piece 32 of the crimp terminal 30 is inserted into the cylindrical fitting portion. When inserted in the longitudinal direction through the opening 28 at the front end or the rear end of 21, the crimp terminal 30 is connected and fixed to the crimp terminal 10 as follows. In other words, the tongue-like engagement piece 32 of the mating terminal in the cylindrical fitting portion 21 has one surface in contact with the pair of locking pieces 24, 24 and the other surface in contact with the biasing portion 25. The urging portion 25 and the locking pieces 24 and 24 are clamped by the urging force of the urging portion 25. In this way, the tubular fitting portion 31 is connected to the tubular fitting portion 21 in the left-right direction, and the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 30 are fitted and connected.

圧着端子１０と圧着端子３０とが嵌合接続された状態では、圧着端子３０の舌片状係合片３２に形成された係合孔３３が圧着端子１０の付勢部２５に形成された係止突起部２６に係合することで、圧着端子１０に嵌合した圧着端子３０が筒状嵌合部２１の前後方向に抜けるのが防止され、圧着端子３０がより確実に圧着端子１０に装着される。 In a state where the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 30 are fitted and connected, the engagement hole 33 formed in the tongue-like engagement piece 32 of the crimp terminal 30 is formed in the biasing portion 25 of the crimp terminal 10. By engaging with the stop protrusion 26, the crimp terminal 30 fitted to the crimp terminal 10 is prevented from coming off in the front-rear direction of the cylindrical fitting part 21, and the crimp terminal 30 is more securely attached to the crimp terminal 10. Is done.

一方、圧着端子１０は、以下のように他方の相手端子である圧着端子４０と嵌合接続される。この圧着端子４０は、圧着端子３０と同様に圧着端子１０と同一形状を有し、筒状嵌合部４１、係合孔４３が形成された舌片状係合片４２、一対の係止片４４，４４、付勢部４５および係止突起部４６等を有して構成され、筒状嵌合部４１の内部には嵌合空間４７が形成され、その前後端に開口４８，４８が形成されている。 On the other hand, the crimp terminal 10 is fitted and connected to the crimp terminal 40 which is the other counterpart terminal as follows. The crimp terminal 40 has the same shape as the crimp terminal 10, like the crimp terminal 30, and has a cylindrical fitting portion 41, a tongue-like engagement piece 42 in which an engagement hole 43 is formed, and a pair of locking pieces. 44, 44, an urging portion 45, a locking projection 46, and the like. A fitting space 47 is formed inside the cylindrical fitting portion 41, and openings 48, 48 are formed at front and rear ends thereof. Has been.

圧着端子４０の筒状嵌合部４１には、圧着端子１０の舌片状係合片２２を挿入させることが可能であり、圧着端子１０の舌片状係合片２２を筒状嵌合部４１の前端もしくは後端の開口４８からその長手方向に挿入すると、以下のようにして圧着端子１０が圧着端子４０に対して接続固定される。すなわち、筒状嵌合部４１内の舌片状係合片２２は、その一方の面が一対の係止片４４，４４に当接し、他方の面が圧着端子４０の付勢部４５に当接して、当該付勢部４５の弾性的な付勢により付勢部４５と係止片４４，４４とにより挟持される。このようにして、筒状嵌合部２１に対してその左右方向に筒状嵌合部４１が連結されて圧着端子１０と圧着端子４０とが嵌合接続される。 The tongue-like engagement piece 22 of the crimp terminal 10 can be inserted into the tubular fitting portion 41 of the crimp terminal 40, and the tongue-like engagement piece 22 of the crimp terminal 10 is inserted into the tubular fitting portion. When inserted in the longitudinal direction through the opening 48 at the front end or the rear end of 41, the crimp terminal 10 is connected and fixed to the crimp terminal 40 as follows. That is, the tongue-like engagement piece 22 in the tubular fitting portion 41 has one surface abutting against the pair of locking pieces 44, 44 and the other surface abutting against the biasing portion 45 of the crimp terminal 40. In contact therewith, the biasing portion 45 and the locking pieces 44, 44 are clamped by the elastic biasing of the biasing portion 45. In this way, the tubular fitting portion 41 is connected to the tubular fitting portion 21 in the left-right direction, and the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 40 are fitted and connected.

圧着端子１０と圧着端子４０とが嵌合接続された状態では、圧着端子１０と圧着端子３０との接続の場合と同様に、圧着端子１０の舌片状係合片２２に形成された係合孔２３が圧着端子４０の付勢部４５に形成された係止突起部４６に係合することで、圧着端子４０に嵌合した圧着端子１０が筒状嵌合部４１の前後方向に抜けるのが防止され、圧着端子１０がより確実に圧着端子４０に装着される。 In the state where the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 40 are fitted and connected, the engagement formed on the tongue-like engagement piece 22 of the crimp terminal 10 is the same as in the case of the connection between the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 30. When the hole 23 engages with the locking projection 46 formed in the urging portion 45 of the crimp terminal 40, the crimp terminal 10 fitted to the crimp terminal 40 comes out in the front-rear direction of the cylindrical fitting portion 41. Is prevented, and the crimp terminal 10 is more securely attached to the crimp terminal 40.

なお、図４では、圧着端子１０の左右両側に相手端子として圧着端子３０および圧着端子４０を接続した例を図示しているが、圧着端子３０にさらに別の圧着端子を矢印Ａ方向に鎖状に接続し、圧着端子４０にさらに別の圧着端子を矢印Ｂ方向に鎖状に接続させることにより、複数の圧着端子を左右に直列に連結させることが可能である。このとき、舌片状係合片の相手端子の筒状嵌合部への挿入方向を変えることにより、すなわち、筒状嵌合部の前後２箇所の開口のうちいずれの開口から挿入するかによって、圧着端子に圧着されるケーブルを延ばす方向を変えることができる。図４では、ケーブル３００はケーブル１００やケーブル４００と逆方向に延びているが、圧着端子３０の圧着端子１０への取付方向を変えることで、ケーブル３００をケーブル１００やケーブル４００と同一の方向に延ばすようにすることができる。 4 illustrates an example in which the crimp terminal 30 and the crimp terminal 40 are connected to the left and right sides of the crimp terminal 10 as mating terminals, but another crimp terminal is connected to the crimp terminal 30 in a chain shape in the arrow A direction. It is possible to connect a plurality of crimp terminals in series on the left and right by connecting another crimp terminal to the crimp terminal 40 in a chain shape in the arrow B direction. At this time, by changing the insertion direction of the mating terminal of the tongue-like engagement piece into the cylindrical fitting portion, that is, depending on which of the two openings before and after the cylindrical fitting portion is inserted. The direction of extending the cable to be crimped to the crimp terminal can be changed. In FIG. 4, the cable 300 extends in the opposite direction to the cable 100 or 400, but the cable 300 is moved in the same direction as the cable 100 or 400 by changing the mounting direction of the crimp terminal 30 to the crimp terminal 10. It can be extended.

また、図４では、３個の圧着端子１０，３０，４０を使用することにより、圧着端子３０に圧着された主ケーブル３００に対して圧着端子１０および圧着端子４０に各々圧着された分岐ケーブル１００，４００を分岐させるような構成であるが、例えば圧着端子３０に圧着端子１０および圧着端子４０のほか、さらに複数の圧着端子を直列に連結させれば、主ケーブル３００に対して、連結された圧着端子の数だけ複数本の分岐ケーブルを分岐させることが可能である。 Further, in FIG. 4, by using three crimp terminals 10, 30, and 40, the branch cable 100 that is crimped to the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 40 to the main cable 300 that is crimped to the crimp terminal 30. 400, for example, in addition to the crimp terminal 10 and the crimp terminal 40 as well as a plurality of crimp terminals connected in series to the crimp terminal 30 are connected to the main cable 300. It is possible to branch a plurality of branch cables by the number of crimp terminals.

ここで、本発明において達成される効果をまとめると下記のようになる。すなわち、本発明に関する接続端子によれば、２個の接続端子における一方の接続端子の筒状嵌合部に前後方向に嵌合された他方の接続端子を弾性的な付勢により挟持した状態でこれら２個の接続端子と接続される。このとき、一方の接続端子に圧着された一方のケーブルおよび他方の接続端子に圧着された他方のケーブルが互いに接続されたこれら２個の接続端子介して導通される。このような構成の接続端子を端部に圧着したケーブルを複数用意すれば、例えば、主ケーブルに対して一対の分岐ケーブルを分岐接続させたい所望の位置において、主ケーブルを圧着した接続端子の筒状嵌合部に分岐ケーブルを圧着した接続端子の舌片状係合片を嵌合させるといった簡単な作業だけで主ケーブルと一対の分岐ケーブルとをこれらの接続端子を介して分岐接続させることが可能である。このため、ケーブルの絶縁被覆を取り除いて導体同士を溶接するといった煩わしい作業を行うことなく簡便に分岐接続させることができる。 Here, the effects achieved in the present invention are summarized as follows. That is, according to the connection terminal according to the present invention, the other connection terminal fitted in the front-rear direction to the cylindrical fitting portion of one connection terminal of the two connection terminals is clamped by elastic bias. These two connection terminals are connected. At this time, one cable crimped to one connection terminal and the other cable crimped to the other connection terminal are brought into conduction through these two connection terminals connected to each other. If a plurality of cables with crimped connection terminals having such a configuration are prepared, for example, at a desired position where a pair of branch cables are to be branched and connected to the main cable, a cylinder of the connection terminals with the main cable crimped The main cable and a pair of branch cables can be branched and connected via these connection terminals only by a simple operation such as fitting a tongue-like engagement piece of a connection terminal obtained by crimping a branch cable to the shaped fitting portion. Is possible. For this reason, branch connection can be easily performed without performing the troublesome work of removing the insulation coating of the cable and welding the conductors.

本発明に係る接続端子の一例である圧着端子の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a crimp terminal which is an example of a connection terminal concerning the present invention. 上記圧着端子を示す図で、（ａ）は平面図で、（ｂ）は背面図で、（ｃ）は正面図で、（ｄ）は左側面図で、（ｅ）は右側面図である。It is a figure which shows the said crimp terminal, (a) is a top view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a front view, (d) is a left side view, (e) is a right side view. . 上記圧着端子の底面図である。It is a bottom view of the said crimp terminal. 上記圧着端子を複数接続することで、主ケーブルに対して複数の分岐ケーブルが分岐接続された状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view showing the state where a plurality of branch cables were branched and connected to the main cable by connecting a plurality of the crimp terminals. 上記圧着端子を複数接続することで、主ケーブルに対して複数の分岐ケーブルが分岐接続された状態を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the several branch cable was branch-connected with respect to the main cable by connecting the said crimp terminal two or more. 自動車等に配設されるワイヤハーネスの一例として自動車のインストルメントパネルの内部の電線を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the electric wire inside the instrument panel of a motor vehicle as an example of the wire harness arrange | positioned in a motor vehicle.

Explanation of symbols

１０圧着端子（一方の接続端子）
１２基底部（ケーブル接続部）
１３芯線圧着片（ケーブル接続部）
１４被覆圧着片（ケーブル接続部）
２０コンタクト部（端子接続部）
２１筒状嵌合部（雌嵌合接続部）
２２舌片状係合片（雄嵌合接続部）
２３係合孔（係合部）
２４係止片
２５付勢部
２６係止突起部
２７嵌合空間
２８開口
３０圧着端子（他方の接続端子）
３１筒状嵌合部（雌嵌合接続部）
３２舌片状係合片（雄嵌合接続部）
３３係合孔（係合部）
３４係止片
３５付勢部
３６係止突起部
３７嵌合空間
３８開口
４０圧着端子
４１筒状嵌合部（雌嵌合接続部）
４２舌片状係合片（雄嵌合接続部）
４３係合孔（係合部）
４４係止片
４５付勢部
４６係止突起部
４７嵌合空間
４８開口
１００分岐ケーブル
３００主ケーブル
４００分岐ケーブル 10 Crimp terminal (one connection terminal)
12 Base (cable connection)
13 Core wire crimping piece (cable connection part)
14 Coated crimping piece (cable connection)
20 Contact part (terminal connection part)
21 Tubular fitting part (female fitting connection part)
22 Tongue-like engagement piece (male fitting connection)
23 engagement hole (engagement part)
24 Locking piece 25 Energizing part 26 Locking projection part 27 Fitting space 28 Opening 30 Crimp terminal (the other connection terminal)
31 Tubular fitting part (female fitting connection part)
32 Tongue-like engagement piece (male fitting connection)
33 Engagement hole (engagement part)
34 Locking piece 35 Energizing part 36 Locking protrusion part 37 Fitting space 38 Opening 40 Crimp terminal 41 Cylindrical fitting part (female fitting connection part)
42 Tongue-like engagement piece (male fitting connection)
43 engagement hole (engagement part)
44 Locking piece 45 Energizing portion 46 Locking projection portion 47 Fitting space 48 Opening 100 Branch cable 300 Main cable 400 Branch cable

Claims

A connection terminal configured integrally with a cable connection portion capable of connecting a cable and a terminal connection portion,
The terminal connection portion is connected to the front end of the cable connection portion and extends forward, a male fitting connection portion formed by processing a part of the side wall constituting the female fitting connection portion, and Consists of
The two connection terminals are connected by fitting and connecting the female fitting connection portion of one of the connection terminals in the two connection terminals in the front-rear direction with the male fitting connection portion of the other connection terminal. a configured connection terminals as,
The female fitting connection portion is configured to have a cylindrical fitting portion having a substantially rectangular cross section in which a fitting space capable of receiving the male fitting connection portion of the other connection terminal is formed.
Among the side walls that form the substantially rectangular shape of the cylindrical fitting part, the male fitting connection part is punched from a part of the one side wall, and is not punched from the part. Consists of an engaging part that protrudes outward from the cylindrical fitting part,
The female fitting connection portion includes a fitting holding portion that fits and holds the engaging portion of the other connection terminal in the cylindrical fitting portion,
The connection terminal, wherein the engagement portion of the other connection terminal is fitted and held in the fitting holding portion.

A fitting space in which the female fitting connection part can receive the male fitting connection part of the other connection terminal inserted in the front-rear direction from any one of the openings provided in the front and rear is formed inside It is,
The engaging portion is formed in a tongue-like shape that protrudes outward and is bent in a substantially L shape, and the distal end side of the engaging portion extends substantially parallel to the cylindrical fitting portion. The connection terminal according to claim 1, comprising an engagement piece.

The fitting holding part is
An urging portion extending into the fitting space from the inner peripheral surface on the opposite side wall substantially facing the one side wall of the cylindrical fitting portion;
Among the side walls forming the rectangular cross-sectional shape, the orthogonal side wall formed so as to be substantially orthogonal to the one side wall is stamped at a part of the orthogonal side wall and is not punched. And a locking piece formed to be bent so as to extend to
In a state where the tongue-like engagement piece of the other connection terminal in which the urging portion and the locking piece are received in the fitting space is clamped by the elastic urging force of the urging portion. The connection terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the connection terminal is connected to the connection terminal.

In order to form the locking piece, the orthogonal side wall has an opening formed by punching and bending the side having the urging portion on the opposite side wall side in a plan view of the orthogonal side wall. The connection terminal according to claim 3, wherein