JP5019625B2

JP5019625B2 - Connecting terminal

Info

Publication number: JP5019625B2
Application number: JP2008092468A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 洋司田尻; 年寛吉田; 康晴駿河; 祐樹佐藤; 寛一郎山本
Original assignee: THE FURUKAW ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc
Current assignee: THE FURUKAW ELECTRIC CO., LTD.; Furukawa Automotive Systems Inc
Priority date: 2008-03-31
Filing date: 2008-03-31
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-31
Also published as: JP2009245823A

Description

本発明は、自動車用の電気接続箱に用いられるバスバー等の接続端子に関する。 The present invention relates to a connection terminal such as a bus bar used in an electric junction box for automobiles.

例えば自動車用の電気接続箱に用いられるバスバーは、特許文献１に開示のように、基板部の一端に、バッテリに接続される電線を圧着するバレルからなる電線圧着部を備える一方、基板部の他端に、複数の音叉状端子を所定間隔をおいて並列に突設したものとなっている。特にここでは、電線圧着部に電線を圧着して電気接続箱に収容するまでのワイヤハーネス製造工程において、音叉状端子が外力によって変形することを防止するために、音叉状端子を挟む左右両側に、音叉状端子の突出量以上となる端子変形防止板を突設する構成を採用している。また、当該端子変形防止板の端部間を架橋部によって連結することで、音叉状端子を側方及び上方から保護する例も提示している（同文献図５）。 For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a bus bar used for an electric junction box for an automobile includes an electric wire crimping portion including a barrel for crimping an electric wire connected to a battery at one end of the substrate portion. At the other end, a plurality of tuning fork terminals are projected in parallel at a predetermined interval. In particular, here, in order to prevent the tuning fork terminal from being deformed by an external force in the wire harness manufacturing process from crimping the electric wire to the electric wire crimping portion and accommodating it in the electrical junction box, In addition, a configuration is adopted in which a terminal deformation prevention plate that protrudes beyond the amount of protrusion of the tuning fork terminal is provided. Moreover, the example which protects a tuning fork-shaped terminal from a side and upper direction by connecting between the edge parts of the said terminal deformation | transformation prevention board by a bridge | bridging part is also shown (FIG. 5 of the same literature).

特開２００５−１９２５９号公報JP 2005-19259 A

しかし、特許文献１のバスバーでは、端子変形防止板を所謂スタビライザ（透孔を備えており、電気接続箱に収容する際に位置決め部として機能する）に連設しているため、音叉状端子の変形防止を図ることはできるものの、スタビライザの変形防止としての機能は備えていない。したがって、架橋部を切断するまでの搬送や保管の間に、外力によってスタビライザが変形し、上記位置決めとしての機能を奏し得なくなるおそれがある。また、より大きく変形したような場合には、電気接続箱内へ収容すらできなくなる事態も考えられる。特に、バスバーは、プレス機による打ち抜き加工で製造される際に、プレス機から連続して排出される多数のバスバーを製品受納ボックス等で積み重ね状態で受け取ってそのまま搬送することが多いため、受け取りや搬送の際にスタビライザが変形する事態は十分に考えられ、スタビライザの確実な変形防止には至っていない。 However, in the bus bar of Patent Document 1, the terminal deformation preventing plate is connected to a so-called stabilizer (having a through hole and functioning as a positioning portion when housed in an electrical junction box). Although it can prevent deformation, it does not have a function to prevent deformation of the stabilizer. Therefore, the stabilizer may be deformed by an external force during transportation or storage until the bridge portion is cut, and the function as the positioning may not be achieved. Moreover, when it deform | transforms more greatly, the situation which cannot be accommodated in an electrical junction box can also be considered. In particular, when a bus bar is manufactured by punching with a press machine, a large number of bus bars continuously discharged from the press machine are often received in a stacked state in a product receiving box etc. It is fully conceivable that the stabilizer is deformed during transportation and the stabilizer is not reliably prevented from being deformed.

そこで、本発明は、音叉状端子のような分岐端子のみならず係止部の変形までもを確実に防止することができる接続端子を提供することを目的としたものである。 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal that can surely prevent not only a branch terminal such as a tuning fork-shaped terminal but also deformation of a locking portion.

上記目的を達成するために、請求項１に記載の発明は、分岐端子の並設方向の外側に、係止片が係止する透孔を開設した係止部を分岐端子と同方向へ突設するとともに、分岐端子及び係止部の突出方向前方を非接触で横切る第１保護部と、当該第１保護部に連設され、分岐端子及び係止部を含む導電性金属板の両端の更に外方に位置する一対の第２保護部と、当該第２保護部の第１保護部に連結されていない側の端部と導電性金属板の分岐端子を突設していない側の端縁とを連結する一対の連結部と、を備えて分岐端子及び係止部の外側を同一平面上で囲み、分岐端子の使用時には切断除去されるプロテクタを連設したことを特徴とするものである。
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１の構成において、連結部に、断面Ｖ字状の溝を導電性金属板の端縁に沿って刻設したことを特徴とするものである。 In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a locking portion having a through hole for locking the locking piece is provided in the same direction as the branch terminal on the outside of the parallel arrangement direction of the branch terminals. A first protection part that crosses the front of the branch terminal and the locking part in the protruding direction in a non-contact manner, and is connected to both ends of the conductive metal plate that is connected to the first protection part and includes the branch terminal and the locking part. Furthermore, a pair of second protective portions located on the outer side, an end portion of the second protective portion that is not connected to the first protective portion, and an end portion on which the branch terminal of the conductive metal plate is not provided. A pair of connecting portions that connect the edges, and the outside of the branch terminal and the locking portion is enclosed on the same plane, and a protector that is cut off and removed when the branch terminal is used is provided. is there.
The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the configuration of claim 1, a groove having a V-shaped cross section is formed in the connecting portion along the edge of the conductive metal plate.

請求項１に記載の発明によれば、保管や搬送の際等に、分岐端子に対しては勿論、係止部に対しても不用意に外力が加わるおそれがなく、分岐端子及び係止部の変形が確実に防止可能となる。
請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１の効果に加えて、導電性金属板の端縁から折り取るようにしてプロテクタを取り除く際の作業が非常に容易となる。 According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no possibility that an external force is inadvertently applied not only to the branching terminal but also to the locking part during storage or transportation. It is possible to reliably prevent the deformation of.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the work for removing the protector so as to be folded off from the edge of the conductive metal plate becomes very easy.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。
図１は、接続端子の一例であるバスバーの斜視図、図２はバスバーの説明図で、右が正面、左が左側面、下が底面となっている。このバスバー１は、導電性金属板をプレス加工してなり、背景技術で説明したものと同様に、自動車用の電気接続箱へ電源分配用に設けられる。２は、バスバー１の下端で長手方向の中央に突設される圧着部で、バッテリに接続される図示しない電線が圧着される。一方、バスバー１の上端には、先端中央から切込み４を夫々形成した分岐端子としての音叉状端子３，３・・が、所定間隔をおいて複数個（ここでは１１個）並列に突設されている。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bus bar which is an example of a connection terminal, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the bus bar. The right side is the front, the left is the left side, and the bottom is the bottom. This bus bar 1 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and is provided for power distribution to an electric junction box for automobiles, as described in the background art. Reference numeral 2 denotes a crimping portion projecting from the lower end of the bus bar 1 at the center in the longitudinal direction, and an electric wire (not shown) connected to the battery is crimped. On the other hand, at the upper end of the bus bar 1, a plurality of (for example, 11) tuning fork-like terminals 3, 11,. ing.

また、バスバー１の上端において、音叉状端子３，３・・の左右両側には、帯状のスタビライザ（係止部）５，５が、音叉状端子３と平行に形成されると共に、スタビライザ５の上方部分には、四角形状の透孔（係止孔）６が形成されている。このスタビライザ５は、上端が音叉状端子３の上端よりも低くなるように形成され、バスバー１を電気接続箱に収容する際に、電気接続箱のハウジングに形成された収容溝に差し込まれて位置決めされるもので、このとき透孔６には、収容溝に設けられた矢尻状の係止片（ランス）が係止してバスバー１を抜け止めするようになっている。 Further, at the upper end of the bus bar 1, strip-shaped stabilizers (locking portions) 5, 5 are formed in parallel to the tuning fork terminal 3 on both the left and right sides of the tuning fork terminals 3, 3. A rectangular through hole (locking hole) 6 is formed in the upper part. The stabilizer 5 is formed such that the upper end is lower than the upper end of the tuning fork terminal 3, and when the bus bar 1 is accommodated in the electrical junction box, the stabilizer 5 is inserted into the accommodation groove formed in the housing of the electrical junction box. At this time, in the through hole 6, an arrowhead-like locking piece (lance) provided in the accommodation groove is locked to prevent the bus bar 1 from coming off.

さらに、バスバー１において音叉状端子３の下方には、補強リブ７が形成されている。この補強リブ７は、プレス機の金型による半押しでバスバー１の一方の面側へ突出形成されるもので、左右のスタビライザ５，５を除く音叉状端子３，３・・の形成領域に亘って長手方向に形成される横リブ８と、その横リブ８の中央から圧着部２の根元部分まで下向きに形成される縦リブ９とからなるＴ字状となっている。 Further, a reinforcing rib 7 is formed below the tuning fork terminal 3 in the bus bar 1. The reinforcing rib 7 is formed so as to protrude to one surface side of the bus bar 1 by half-pressing with a die of a press machine. In the formation area of the tuning fork terminals 3, 3... Except for the left and right stabilizers 5, 5. It has a T-shape including a horizontal rib 8 formed in the longitudinal direction and a vertical rib 9 formed downward from the center of the horizontal rib 8 to the root portion of the crimping portion 2.

そして、バスバー１の略全体、特に音叉状端子３，３・・とスタビライザ５，５とを同一平面上で囲むように、プロテクタ１０が設けられている。このプロテクタ１０は、音叉状端子３の上方を非接触で左右方向に横切る第１保護部１１と、その第１保護部１１の両端から下方に連設され、左右のスタビライザ５の夫々外側に位置する一対の第２保護部１２，１２と、各第２保護部１２の下端部とバスバー１の下端縁で圧着部２の左側（若しくは右側）とを連結する一対の連結部１３，１３とからなる。 A protector 10 is provided so as to surround substantially the entire bus bar 1, in particular, the tuning fork terminals 3, 3... And the stabilizers 5, 5 on the same plane. The protector 10 is connected to the first protector 11 that crosses the upper side of the tuning fork-shaped terminal 3 in the left-right direction in a non-contact manner, and is continuously provided downward from both ends of the first protector 11, and is positioned outside the left and right stabilizers 5. A pair of second protection parts 12 and 12 and a pair of connection parts 13 and 13 that connect the lower end of each second protection part 12 and the left side (or right side) of the crimping part 2 at the lower edge of the bus bar 1. Become.

また、各連結部１３とバスバー１の下端縁との連結位置には、横断面がＶ字状のノッチ（溝）１４が夫々刻設されて、ノッチ１４，１４の位置でプロテクタ１０を折り取れるようになっている。さらに、スタビライザ５の上端には、先端が半円状となる突部１５，１５が、上方へ突出するように形成されている。加えて、各音叉状端子３の上端部は、一対の面取部１６，１６によって上端へ行くほど幅が狭くなるテーパ状に形成されている。 In addition, a notch (groove) 14 having a V-shaped cross section is formed at the connecting position between each connecting portion 13 and the lower end edge of the bus bar 1 so that the protector 10 can be folded at the positions of the notches 14 and 14. It is like that. Furthermore, the upper end of the stabilizer 5 is formed with protrusions 15, 15 having a semicircular tip, protruding upward. In addition, the upper end portion of each tuning fork-shaped terminal 3 is formed in a tapered shape whose width becomes narrower toward the upper end by the pair of chamfered portions 16 and 16.

以上の如く構成されたバスバー１においては、周知のプレス機によってプロテクタ１０が連設された状態で製造される。従って、音叉状端子３，３・・及びスタビライザ５，５は、プロテクタ１０により上方及び左右側方から保護された格好となる。つまり、プロテクタ１０の第１保護部１１により音叉状端子３，３・・が、第２保護部１２によりスタビライザ５，５が夫々保護されるため、プレス機から排出された際にそのまま積み重ねるように製品受け箱等に収納されても、音叉状端子３やスタビライザ５が外力によって変形するおそれは非常に少なくなる。 The bus bar 1 configured as described above is manufactured in a state where the protector 10 is continuously provided by a known press machine. Therefore, the tuning fork-like terminals 3, 3... And the stabilizers 5, 5 are protected from the upper and left and right sides by the protector 10. That is, the tuning fork terminals 3, 3,... Are protected by the first protection part 11 of the protector 10, and the stabilizers 5, 5 are protected by the second protection part 12, so that they are stacked as they are discharged from the press. Even if the tuning fork terminal 3 or the stabilizer 5 is housed in a product receiving box or the like, the possibility that the tuning fork terminal 3 and the stabilizer 5 are deformed by an external force is extremely reduced.

そして、電気接続箱に組み込む際には、左右のノッチ１４，１４の部分で連結部１３，１３をバスバー１の下端縁から折り取るようにしてプロテクタ１０を取り除くと、図４に示すように音叉状端子３，３・・が露出して使用可能となる。
このとき、ノッチ１４，１４によってプロテクタ１０の切断除去が簡単に行えると共に、突部１５，１５がスタビライザ５の上端から上方へ突出する格好となるため、突部１５，１５によって係止片１７が確実にスタビライザ５に案内される。 When the protector 10 is removed by assembling the connecting portions 13 and 13 from the lower end edge of the bus bar 1 at the left and right notches 14 and 14 when incorporated in the electric junction box, the tuning fork as shown in FIG. The shaped terminals 3, 3,... Are exposed and can be used.
At this time, the notches 14 and 14 can easily cut and remove the protector 10, and the protrusions 15 and 15 protrude upward from the upper end of the stabilizer 5. It is surely guided to the stabilizer 5.

一方、バスバー１には、横リブ８が設けられているので、音叉状端子３，３・・が多数並設されて左右方向に長くなっても強度が確保でき、変形のおそれが少なくなる。特に、横リブ８は、スタビライザ５，５に達しない長さで形成されているため、スタビライザ５，５による位置決め機能に影響を与えることなく強度アップが達成可能となっている。加えて、ここでは縦リブ９も設けられているので、圧着部２の根元部分での強度も高くなり、全体に変形に強いバスバー１が得られる。 On the other hand, the bus bar 1 is provided with the horizontal ribs 8. Therefore, even if a large number of tuning fork terminals 3, 3,... In particular, since the lateral rib 8 is formed with a length that does not reach the stabilizers 5, 5, the strength can be increased without affecting the positioning function of the stabilizers 5, 5. In addition, since the vertical ribs 9 are also provided here, the strength at the base portion of the crimping portion 2 is increased, and the bus bar 1 that is resistant to deformation as a whole is obtained.

このように、上記形態のバスバー１によれば、音叉状端子３，３・・及びスタビライザ５，５の突出方向前方を非接触で横切る第１保護部１１と、当該第１保護部に連設され、音叉状端子３，３・・及びスタビライザ５，５の更に左右外方に位置する一対の第２保護部１２，１２と、当該第２保護部１２，１２の下端部とバスバー１の下端縁とを連結する一対の連結部１３，１３と、を備えて音叉状端子３，３・・及びスタビライザ５，５の外側を同一平面上で囲み、音叉状端子３の使用時には切断除去されるプロテクタ１０を連設したことで、保管や搬送の際等に、音叉状端子３，３・・に対しては勿論、スタビライザ５，５に対しても不用意に外力が加わるおそれがなく、音叉状端子３，３・・及びスタビライザ５，５の変形が確実に防止可能となる。
また、各連結部１３とバスバー１の下端縁との連結位置に、横断面がＶ字状のノッチ１４を夫々刻設しているため、バスバー１の下端縁から折り取るようにしてプロテクタ１０を取り除く際の作業が非常に容易となる。 Thus, according to the bus bar 1 of the above embodiment, the tuning fork-like terminals 3, 3... And a pair of second protection parts 12, 12 positioned further left and right outside the tuning fork terminals 3, 3... And the stabilizers 5, 5, a lower end part of the second protection part 12, 12 and a lower end of the bus bar 1. A pair of connecting portions 13, 13 that connect the edges, and surround the tuning fork terminals 3, 3... And the stabilizers 5, 5 on the same plane, and are cut off when the tuning fork terminal 3 is used By providing the protector 10 continuously, there is no risk of inadvertent external force being applied to the stabilizers 5, 5 as well as the tuning fork terminals 3, 3. Deformation of the shaped terminals 3, 3,. It can become.
Further, since the notch 14 having a V-shaped cross section is formed at the connecting position between each connecting portion 13 and the lower end edge of the bus bar 1, the protector 10 is folded from the lower end edge of the bus bar 1. The removal work becomes very easy.

なお、上記形態では、第１保護部と分岐端子の先端との隙間や第２保護部とスタビライザとの隙間について何ら規定していないが、当該隙間を導電性金属板の厚みよりも狭く形成するように構成しても良い。当該構成を採用することで、接続端子の運搬時等に、それら隙間へ他の接続端子が入り込む事態を防止することができ、分岐端子やスタビライザの変形をより確実に防止することができる。
また、分岐端子も上記形態に限らず、数の増減は勿論、先端に面取部を設けない形状であってもよい。さらに、係止部も上記形態に限らず、収容する電気接続箱の係止片の位置に応じて、分岐端子の左右の何れか一方にのみ設けたとしても何ら問題はない。
その他、上記形態では、下端に圧着部を備えて電線が圧着されるバスバーで説明しているが、下端に基板への接続端子部を突設したヒューズ用のバスバー等、他の接続端子であっても本発明は適用可能である。 In the above embodiment, the gap between the first protective portion and the tip of the branch terminal and the gap between the second protective portion and the stabilizer are not defined at all, but the gap is formed narrower than the thickness of the conductive metal plate. You may comprise as follows. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to prevent a situation in which other connection terminals enter the gaps during transportation of the connection terminals, and it is possible to more reliably prevent the branch terminals and the stabilizer from being deformed.
Further, the branch terminal is not limited to the above-described form, and may be of a shape in which the chamfered portion is not provided at the tip as well as the number of the terminals is increased or decreased. Furthermore, the locking portion is not limited to the above-described configuration, and there is no problem even if it is provided only on either the left or right side of the branch terminal according to the position of the locking piece of the electrical connection box to be accommodated.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the bus bar having a crimping portion at the lower end and the electric wire being crimped, but other connection terminals such as a bus bar for a fuse projecting a connection terminal portion to the substrate at the lower end. However, the present invention is applicable.

バスバーの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of a bus bar. バスバーの説明図で、右が正面、左が側面、下が底面を夫々示す。It is explanatory drawing of a bus bar, the right shows the front, the left shows the side, and the bottom shows the bottom. バスバーの部分拡大図である。It is the elements on larger scale of a bus bar. プロテクタを切断除去したバスバーの斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the bus bar which cut and removed the protector. スタビライザへの係止片の係止状態を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the latching state of the latching piece to a stabilizer.

Explanation of symbols

１・・バスバー、２・・圧着部、３・・音叉状端子、５・・スタビライザ、６・・透孔、７・・補強リブ、８・・横リブ、９・・縦リブ、１０・・プロテクタ、１１・・第１保護部、１２・・第２保護部、１３・・連結部、１４・・ノッチ、１５・・突部、１６・・面取部。 1 .... Bus bar, 2 .... Crimp part, 3 .... Tuning fork terminal, 5 .... Stabilizer, 6 .... Through hole, 7 .... Reinforcement rib, 8 .... Horizontal rib, 9 .... Vertical rib, 10 .... Protector, 11... First protection part, 12... Second protection part, 13 .. Connection part, 14 .. Notch, 15 .. Projection part, 16.

Claims

A connection terminal that is formed of a conductive metal plate and is juxtaposed with a plurality of branch terminals protruding in a predetermined shape from one end edge, and accommodated in an electrical connection box having a locking piece. And
While projecting in the same direction as the branch terminal on the outside of the parallel arrangement direction of the branch terminals, a latching portion having a through hole for latching the latching piece,
A first protection part that crosses the branch terminal and the front of the locking part in a non-contact manner, and both ends of the conductive metal plate that is connected to the first protection part and includes the branch terminal and the locking part A pair of second protection portions positioned further outward, an end portion of the second protection portion that is not connected to the first protection portion, and the branch terminal of the conductive metal plate A pair of connecting portions that connect the edges of the branch terminals, and the outside of the branch terminal and the locking portion is enclosed on the same plane, and a protector that is cut and removed when the branch terminal is used is provided continuously. A connection terminal characterized by that.

The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein a groove having a V-shaped cross section is formed in the coupling portion along an edge of the conductive metal plate.