JP6746357B2 - Connector terminals and connectors - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector terminal and a connector for electrically connecting an electric wire and a device or an electric wire and an electric wire.

In Patent Document 1 below, a terminal insertion opening into which a male terminal on the other side is inserted is formed on the front end side, and a rectangular tubular terminal connecting portion connected to the male terminal, and a terminal connecting portion of this terminal connecting portion. There is described a female terminal fitting which is disposed on the rear end side and integrally formed with an electric wire connecting portion connected to an electric wire. In this female terminal fitting, the terminal connecting portion is formed by bending the metal plate in a tubular shape while overlapping the edge portion of the metal plate, and the edge portions of the terminal connecting portion which are doubly overlapped are arranged along the axial direction. And a pair of elastic contact pieces formed by bending toward the opposing cylindrical walls while extending. Further, according to this document, according to the female terminal fitting having the above-mentioned configuration, a spring force is applied to the mating male terminal by the pair of elastic contact pieces superposed on each other. It is described that a larger spring force can be obtained as compared with the elastic contact piece.

JP, 2011-154944, A

In the female terminal fitting described in Patent Document 1, the pair of elastic contact pieces are configured such that the edge portions of the metal plates are vertically stacked, the overlapped edge portions are extended forward, and the overlapped edge portions are bent downward. It is formed by That is, the pair of elastic contact pieces are formed by exactly overlapping the two bent metal plates.

However, in practice, it is not easy to exactly stack two bent metal plates. That is, even if the bending angles of the respective metal plates are set so that the two bent metal plates are exactly overlapped with each other on the design drawing, each metal may be actually manufactured, for example, due to an error caused in bending or the like. Since the bending angles of the plates vary, it is difficult to exactly overlap the two bent metal plates as designed.

For example, as a result of actually manufacturing the female terminal fitting, the downward bending angle of the upper metal plate is smaller than the downward bending angle of the lower metal plate, and therefore, the pair of elastic contact Frequently, the pieces tend to move away from each other as they reach their tips. In such a state of the pair of elastic contact pieces, the following phenomenon occurs when connecting the male terminal to the female terminal fitting.

That is, when the distance between the tips of the pair of elastic contact pieces is large, when the male terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion opening of the female terminal fitting, the lower elastic contact piece contacts the male terminal. However, the upper elastic contact piece may remain separated from the lower elastic contact piece. In this state, the lower elastic contact piece is pushed up by the male terminal and elastically deformed, but the upper elastic contact piece does not elastically deform and maintains the original shape. Therefore, the force applied to the male terminal is only the elastic force (spring force) of the lower elastic contact piece. As a result, the electrical connection between the male terminal and the female terminal fitting may become unstable.

If the distance between the tips of the pair of elastic contact pieces is small, when the male terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion opening of the female terminal fitting, the lower elastic contact piece is elastically deformed while the male contact is inserted. The upper elastic contact piece comes into contact with the die terminal, and also contacts the lower elastic contact piece while the upper elastic contact piece is elastically deformed. Therefore, both elastic forces are applied to the male terminal. However, when the downward bending angle of the upper elastic contact piece is smaller than the angle on the design drawing, the elastic force of the upper elastic contact piece applied to the male terminal is smaller than the designed value. It is getting smaller. As a result, the electrical connection between the male terminal and the female terminal fitting may become uncertain.

It is conceivable that the angle of downward bending of each elastic contact piece is designed to be large so that the pair of elastic contact pieces are practically exactly overlapped with each other. However, the bending angle of each elastic contact piece needs to be set so that the deformation of each elastic contact piece does not exceed the elastic range when it contacts the male terminal. That is, it is necessary to prevent the elastic contact piece from returning to its original shape due to the deformation of the elastic contact piece exceeding the elastic range, resulting in a decrease in elastic force. Therefore, there is a limit to the bending angle that can be set in each elastic contact piece, and the angle range is small. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the angle of downward bending of each elastic contact piece in terms of design so that the pair of elastic contact pieces can easily overlap each other practically.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, for example, the problem of the present invention, even if a structural error occurs in the actual manufacturing, of a pair of metal pieces formed by bending the metal plate It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector terminal and a connector that can apply both elastic forces to a mating connector terminal to form a reliable and stable electrical connection with the mating connector terminal.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the connector terminal of the present invention has a tubular terminal insertion portion into which a mating connector terminal is inserted at the front end side, and an electric wire attachment portion at which a wire is attached to the rear end side. In the connector terminal, the terminal inserting portion includes a lower wall portion, a first side wall portion that extends upward from an edge portion of the lower wall portion on one side in the left-right direction, and a first side wall portion. A first upper wall portion extending from the upper edge portion to the other side in the left-right direction, a second side wall portion extending upward from the edge portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the lower wall portion, and a second side wall portion of the second side wall portion. A second upper wall portion that extends above the first upper wall portion from the upper edge portion to one side in the left-right direction and overlaps the first upper wall portion, and a front end portion of the first upper wall portion are It is formed by separating from the front end portion of the first side wall portion and bending downward at the first bending position, and applying pressure to the counterpart connector terminal in a state where the counterpart connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. The contact piece that is in contact with the second upper wall portion and the front end portion of the second upper wall portion are separated from the front end portion of the second side wall portion and are downward at the second bending position located on the front side of the first bending position. And a reinforcing piece that is formed by bending and contacts the contact piece that contacts the mating connector terminal in the state where the mating connector terminal is inserted in the terminal inserting section, while applying a pressure to the contact piece. A portion of the reinforcing piece at the second bending position and a portion of the contact piece that vertically opposes the second bending position portion of the reinforcing piece in a state where the mating connector terminal is not inserted. A gap is formed between them, and the reinforcing piece approaches the contact piece as it goes forward from the portion at the second bending position, and the lower surface of the front end side portion of the contact piece is provided in the terminal insertion portion. A contact portion that comes into contact with the counterpart connector terminal when the counterpart connector terminal is inserted is provided, and a position in the front-rear direction of the front end of the reinforcing piece reaches a position in the front-rear direction of the contact portion in the contact piece, The front end of the reinforcing piece contacts the upper surface of the contact piece when the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal inserting portion .

Further, in the above-described connector terminal of the present invention, in a state where the counterpart connector terminal is not inserted in the terminal insertion portion, a portion of the reinforcing piece on the front end side of the second bending position is separated from the contact piece. ing.

In this aspect of the invention, the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is set ahead of the first bending position of the contact piece. A gap is formed between the portion of the reinforcing piece at the second bending position and the portion of the contact piece that vertically opposes the portion of the reinforcing piece at the second bending position. Furthermore, the reinforcing piece approaches the contact piece as it goes forward from the portion at the second bending position. With such a structure, when the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion, the contact piece elastically deforms to contact the mating connector terminal while applying pressure, and the reinforcing piece elastically deforms the contact piece. Contact while applying pressure. As a result, the elastic force of both the contact piece and the reinforcing piece forms an electrical connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal. Therefore, the stability and reliability of the electrical connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal can be improved.

Further, the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is set in front of the first bending position of the contact piece, and the second bending position of the reinforcing piece and the second bending position of the reinforcing piece in the contact piece are In the structure of the present invention in which the gap is formed between the portion and the portion facing in the vertical direction, the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is different from that of the conventional structure in which the contact piece and the reinforcing piece overlap each other. The contact piece is arranged at a position ahead of the first bending position. As a result, the length from the second bending position to the front end of the reinforcing piece in the structure of the present invention can be made shorter than the length from the second bending position to the front end of the reinforcing piece in the conventional structure. Therefore, in the structure of the present invention, when the downward bending angle at the second bending position of the reinforcing piece becomes smaller than the designed value due to an error in manufacturing, the front end of the reinforcing piece formed thereby is formed. It is possible to reduce the vertical positional deviation of the compared with the conventional structure. As a result, it is possible to prevent the distance between the front end of the reinforcing piece and the contact piece from increasing due to the error. As described above, according to this aspect of the present invention, due to an error in manufacturing, the elastic force of both the contact piece and the reinforcing piece is not applied as designed to the counterpart connector terminal inserted in the terminal insertion portion (that is, the reinforcing piece). The distance between the front end of the piece and the contact piece increases more than the set value, and the elastic force of the reinforcing piece does not act on the mating connector terminal as designed.) It is possible to suppress deterioration of the stability or reliability of the connection.

In addition, in the structure of the present invention, the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is arranged in front of the first bending position of the contact piece, as compared with the conventional structure in which the contact piece and the reinforcing piece are exactly overlapped with each other. Therefore, even if the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is displaced rearward or the first bending position of the contact piece is displaced forward due to an error in manufacturing, the contact piece and the reinforcing piece are separated from each other. Can be prevented from interfering with each other. Therefore, even if such an error occurs during manufacturing, the elastic force of both the contact piece and the reinforcing piece is applied to the mating connector terminal to ensure reliable and stable electrical connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal. Can be formed.

In the structure of the present invention, the position of the front end of the reinforcing piece in the front-rear direction reaches the position of the contact portion in the front-rear direction of the contact piece, and the front end of the reinforcing piece is inserted when the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. Contact the upper surface of the contact piece. With this structure, it is possible to reliably apply the elastic force of the reinforcing piece to the mating connector terminal inserted in the terminal insertion part, and to reliably form a stable electrical connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal. it can.

In the connector terminal of the present invention described above, the angle at which the reinforcing piece bends downward is greater than the angle at which the contact piece bends downward when the mating connector terminal is not inserted into the terminal insertion portion. Is preferred.

According to this aspect of the invention, the second bending position of the reinforcing piece is set ahead of the first bending position of the contact piece, and the portion of the second bending position of the reinforcing piece and the reinforcing piece in the contact piece. A gap is formed between the portion at the second bending position and the portion facing in the vertical direction. The angle at which the reinforcing piece bends downward at the second bending position is larger than the angle at which the contact piece bends downward at the first bending position. As a result, the reinforcing piece approaches the contact piece as it goes forward from the portion at the second bending position. As a result, the elastic force of both the contact piece and the reinforcing piece can be reliably applied to the mating connector terminal inserted in the terminal insertion portion. Therefore, it is possible to reliably form a stable electrical connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal. Further, by increasing the bending angle of the reinforcing piece, the elastic force of the reinforcing piece applied to the mating connector terminal can be increased, and the reliability of the connection between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal can be increased.

Further, in the above-described connector terminal of the present invention, in the metal plate spreading to the front, rear, left, and right, the middle portion in the left-right direction becomes the first wall forming portion, and one side in the left-right direction of the first wall forming portion is the first side. The second wall forming part is one side in the left-right direction of the second wall forming part, and the one side edge in the left-right direction of the metal plate is the third wall forming part, and the left and right sides of the first wall forming part. The other side in the direction serves as a fourth wall forming portion, the other side in the left and right direction of the fourth wall forming portion and the other side edge in the left and right direction of the metal plate serves as a fifth upper wall forming portion, and the lower wall portion Is formed by the first wall forming portion, and the first side wall portion is configured such that the second wall forming portion has one surface of the metal plate inside the first wall forming portion. Is bent by 90 degrees, and the first upper wall section is bent by 90 degrees so that the third wall forming section is inside one of the surfaces with respect to the second wall forming section. The second side wall portion is formed by bending the fourth wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that the one surface is inside with respect to the first wall forming portion. It is preferable that the second upper wall portion is formed by bending the fifth upper wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that the one surface is on the inner side with respect to the fourth wall forming portion.

In this aspect of the present invention, the metal plate is bent into a tubular shape having a rectangular cross section, and one side edge portion of the metal plate in the left-right direction and the other side edge portion in the left-right direction of the metal plate overlap each other, whereby the first upper portion of the metal plates overlaps each other. A wall portion and a second upper wall portion are formed. The contact piece and the reinforcing piece are formed at the front end portions of the first upper wall portion and the second upper wall portion, respectively. According to such a structure, the rear end of the first upper wall portion that supports the contact piece can be pressed from the upper side by the rear end of the second upper wall portion. As a result, when the counterpart connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion and the contact piece is pushed upward by the counterpart connector terminal, the rear end portion of the first upper wall portion that supports the contact piece is displaced upward. This can be prevented by the rear end portion of the second upper wall portion. Therefore, the elastic force of the contact piece can be reliably applied to the mating connector terminal.

Further, in the above-described connector terminal of the present invention, the front end portion of the contact piece is directed downward and frontward where the tip portion of the counterpart connector terminal hits when the counterpart connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. It is preferable that the surface is formed.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the tip end portion of the mating connector terminal inserted into the terminal insertion portion abuts the introduction surface facing downward and forward, so that the front end side of the contact piece can be smoothly pushed upward.

Further, in the above-described connector terminal of the present invention, in the terminal insertion portion, an upper part of a front end portion located on the front side of the introduction surface is directed downward and forward to guide the counterpart connector terminal into the terminal insertion portion. It is preferable that a guide surface is formed and a position of an upper end portion of the introduction surface is higher than a position of a lower end portion of the guide surface.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the mating connector terminal guided by the guide surface into the terminal insertion portion can be reliably applied to the introduction surface, and the mating connector terminal can be smoothly inserted into the terminal insertion portion.

In order to solve the above-mentioned subject, the connector of the present invention is provided with a connector housing and the above-mentioned connector terminal of the present invention provided in the connector housing.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to realize a connector that can exhibit the action of the connector terminal of the invention described above.

According to the present invention, even if a structural error occurs in the connector terminal in the actual manufacturing, the elastic force of the pair of metal pieces formed by bending the metal plate, that is, both the contact piece and the reinforcing piece, is applied to the mating connector. In addition to the terminals, a reliable and stable electrical connection with the mating connector terminal can be formed.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a connector provided with connector terminals and a mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector and the other party connector seen from the arrow II-II direction in FIG. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a connector terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector terminal seen from the arrow IV-IV direction in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector terminal as seen from the direction of arrow VV in FIG. 4. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which expanded the terminal insertion part of the connector terminal by embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the contact piece and the reinforcement piece of the connector terminal by embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation|movement of the connector terminal by embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the connector terminal by a comparative example.

1 and 2 show a connector provided with connector terminals and a mating connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the connector terminal and the mating connector, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector and the mating connector as viewed in the direction of the arrow II-II in FIG.

The connector 1 includes a connector housing 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and further includes a connector terminal 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG.

The connector housing 2 is formed in a box shape with an insulating material such as resin. The front end portion of the connector housing 2 serves as a fitting portion 3 for fitting into the fitting hole 23 of the mating connector 21. In addition, a locking piece 4 for locking the connector 1 to the mating connector 21 is provided on the upper surface of the connector housing 2.

Further, the connector 1 includes a plurality of connector terminals 36. Inside the connector housing 2, a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 5 (only one is shown) for accommodating the connector terminals 36 are formed. The terminal accommodating chambers 5 are divided into an upper stage and a lower stage, and a plurality of terminals are arranged in each stage. The connector terminals 36 housed in the upper terminal housing chambers 5 are turned upside down from the connector terminals 36 housed in the lower terminal housing chambers 5. Further, a plurality of electric wire insertion holes 6 (only one is shown) for passing the electric wires 12 to which the connector terminals 36 are attached are formed on the surface of the connector housing 2 on the proximal end side, and each electric wire insertion hole 6 is a terminal. It communicates with the storage chamber 5. In addition, a plurality of terminal insertion holes 7 for inserting the mating connector terminals 24 of the mating connector 21 are formed on the front surface of the connector housing, and each terminal inserting hole 7 communicates with the terminal accommodating chamber 5. ..

A plurality of lances 8 (only one is shown) for holding the connector terminals 36 in the terminal accommodating chamber 5 are formed in the lower portion of the connector housing 2, and the tip of each lance 8 is a lower terminal accommodating chamber. 5 protrudes upward from the lower surface of the connector 5 and enters the lance locking hole 54 formed in the connector terminal 36. A plurality of lances 8 are also formed on the upper portion of the connector housing 2, and the tip of each lance 8 projects downward from the upper surface of the upper terminal accommodating chamber 5 and enters the lance locking hole 54 of the connector terminal 36. There is.

Further, a retainer insertion hole 9 is formed in the connector housing 2. The retainer insertion hole 9 extends in the left-right direction inside the connector housing 2. A retainer 10 is inserted in the retainer insertion hole 9. The retainer 10 is in contact with a retainer contact portion 55 formed on each connector terminal 36. As a result, the retainer 10 fixes each connector terminal 36 in the terminal accommodating chamber 5 so as not to be displaced or dropped.

On the other hand, the mating connector 21 connected to the connector 1 includes a connector housing 22 formed of an insulating material such as resin, and the connector housing 22 has a fitting hole 23 into which the fitting portion 3 of the connector 1 is fitted. Are formed. A mating connector terminal 24, which is connected to the connector terminal 36, is provided in the fitting hole 23. A plurality of counterpart connector terminals 24 are provided so as to correspond to the connector terminals 36. Further, each mating connector terminal 24 is a male type terminal formed of a conductive material in a pin shape. Further, a locking hole 25 for locking the locking piece 4 of the connector 1 is formed in the upper portion of the connector housing 22.

3 to 5 show a connector terminal 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the connector terminal 36, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector terminal 36 seen from the arrow IV-IV direction in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an arrow in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the connector terminal 36 seen from the VV direction. In the following description of the connector terminal 36, the front, rear, left, right, upper and lower directions follow the arrows shown in the lower right part of FIGS. 3 to 9 for convenience of description.

The connector terminal 36 is a terminal that electrically connects electric wires and devices or electric wires. In the present embodiment, the connector terminal 36 is provided on the connector 1 as shown in FIG. 2, and when the connector 1 is fitted into the mating connector 21, it electrically connects with the mating connector terminal 24 of the mating connector 21. Connected.

In FIG. 3, the connector terminal 36 is formed of a conductive material such as a copper alloy. Moreover, the connector terminal 36 includes a terminal insertion portion 37 and an electric wire attachment portion 56.

The terminal insertion portion 37 is formed on the front end side of the connector terminal 36. The terminal insertion portion 37 is a portion that electrically connects the connector terminal 36 and the counterpart connector terminal 24 by inserting the counterpart connector terminal 24 from the insertion opening 38 formed at the front end thereof.

The terminal insertion portion 37 is formed in a tubular shape having a rectangular cross section. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the terminal insertion portion 37 includes a lower wall portion 41 that extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction at a lower portion of the terminal insertion portion 37, and extends upward from a left edge portion of the lower wall portion 41. A left wall portion 42, an inner upper wall portion 43 extending rightward from an upper edge portion of the left wall portion 42, a right wall portion 44 extending upward from a right edge portion of the lower wall portion 41, and a right wall portion. An outer upper wall portion 45 extending leftward from the upper edge portion of the upper portion 44. The left wall portion 42 and the right wall portion 44 rise vertically from the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the lower wall portion 41, respectively. Therefore, the left wall portion 42 and the right wall portion 44 are parallel to each other. Also, the inner upper wall portion 43 is perpendicular to the left wall portion 42, and the outer upper wall portion 45 is perpendicular to the right wall portion 44, and therefore, the inner upper wall portion 43 and the outer upper wall portion 45. Are parallel to each other, and they are parallel to the lower wall portion 41. The outer upper wall portion 45 is located above the inner upper wall portion 43 and overlaps the inner upper wall portion 43.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the terminal insertion portion 37 includes a contact piece 48. The contact piece 48 is a portion that contacts the upper surface of the counterpart connector terminal 24 while applying pressure when the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37. In the contact piece 48, the front end portion of the inner upper wall portion 43 is separated from the front end portion of the left wall portion 42, and the separated front end portion of the inner upper wall portion 43 is at a predetermined position (bending position P1 in FIG. 4). It is formed by bending downward. The front end of the inner upper wall portion 43 and the front end of the left wall portion 42 are separated from each other by forming a notch 46 between the front end portion of the inner upper wall portion 43 and the front end portion of the left wall portion 42. ing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the contact piece 48 bends downward at the bending position P1, linearly extends downward and forward, then bends upward, and then extends upward and forward. The lowermost surface of the contact piece 48 serves as a contact portion 49. When the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37, the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48 contacts the upper surface of the counterpart connector terminal 24. In addition, the front end portion of the contact piece 48 that extends upward and forward is the introduction portion 50. The introducing part 50 has an introducing surface 50A facing downward and forward. When the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal inserting portion 37, the tip end of the mating connector terminal 24 abuts against the introducing surface 50A of the introducing portion 50 and pushes the front end side of the contact piece 48 upward.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the terminal insertion portion 37 includes a reinforcing piece 51. The reinforcing piece 51 is a portion that contacts the upper surface of the contact piece 48 that contacts the counterpart connector terminal 24 while applying pressure when the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37. As shown in FIG. 3, in the reinforcing piece 51, the front end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45 is separated from the front end portion of the right wall portion 44, and the separated front end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45 is at a predetermined position (FIG. 4). It is formed by bending downward at a middle bending position P2). The front end of the outer upper wall portion 45 and the front end of the right wall portion 44 are separated from each other by forming a notch 47 between the front end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45 and the front end portion of the right wall portion 44. ing.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the reinforcing piece 51 is bent downward at the bending position P2 and then linearly extends downward and forward. In the front-rear direction, the position P4 of the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 reaches the position of the contact piece 48 that contacts the mating connector terminal 24 inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37, that is, the position of the contact portion 49. Further, when the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37, the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 contacts the upper surface of the contact piece 48.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a protruding portion 52 that protrudes upward is formed on the upper surface of the lower wall portion 41 on the front end side near the insertion opening 38. The protruding portion 52 is formed over a wide range in the front-rear direction, including below the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48. A pair of protrusions 52 are formed as shown in FIG. 5, and are arranged in the left-right direction. When the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal inserting portion 37, the upper end of the projecting portion 52 contacts the lower surface of the mating connector terminal 24.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a guide portion 53 is formed above the front end portion of the terminal insertion portion 37. The guide portion 53 has a function of smoothly guiding the mating connector terminal 24 into the terminal insertion portion 37. The guide portion 53 has a guide surface 53A facing downward and forward. For example, when the tip of the mating connector terminal 24 is displaced upward, the tip of the mating connector terminal 24 hits the guide surface 53A of the guide portion 53, slides on the guide surface 53A, and moves downward and rearward. It goes into the terminal insertion portion 37.

Further, the height position H1 of the upper end portion of the introduction surface 50A of the introduction portion 50 is higher than the height position H2 of the lower end portion of the guide surface 53A of the guide portion 53. As a result, the mating connector terminal 24 guided by the guide portion 53 into the terminal inserting portion 37 surely hits the introduction surface 50A, so that the mating connector terminal 24 can smoothly enter the terminal inserting portion 37. That is, if the tip of the mating connector terminal 24 hits the edge of the front end of the introducing portion 50, the mating connector terminal 24 cannot push up the contact piece 48, and the mating connector terminal 24 goes further into the terminal inserting portion 37. You will not be able to enter, but there is no such thing.

Further, the lower wall portion 41 is formed with a lance locking hole 54 into which the lance 8 of the connector housing 2 is inserted. Further, the outer upper wall portion 45 is formed with a retainer contact portion 55 with which the retainer 10 abuts. The retainer contact portion 55 is formed by protruding a part of the rear end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45 upward.

On the other hand, the wire attachment portion 56 of the connector terminal 36 is formed on the rear end side of the connector terminal 36. The electric wire attachment portion 56 is a portion for attaching the connector terminal 36 to the electric wire 12. In the present embodiment, the electric wire 12 is a single-core cable formed by covering one core wire with an insulating coating. When the connector terminal 36 is attached to the electric wire 12, the insulating coating on the end portion of the electric wire 12 is removed. The electric wire mounting portion 56 includes an electric wire crimping portion 57 and a core wire crimping portion 58. The electric wire crimping portion 57 is a portion for connecting and fixing the connector terminal 36 and the electric wire 12. The electric wire caulking portion 57 caulks and fixes a portion of the electric wire 12 that is slightly apart from the end portion thereof and the insulating coating is not removed. The core wire crimping portion 58 is a portion that electrically connects the connector terminal 36 and the core wire. The core wire caulking portion 58 caulks and fixes the core wire exposed by removing the insulating coating at the end portion of the electric wire 12.

FIG. 6 shows a state where the terminal insertion portion 37 of the connector terminal 36 is expanded. The terminal insertion portion 37 is formed by bending a metal plate 60 that is cut or punched into the shape shown in FIG.

In a generally rectangular metal plate 60 that spreads to the front, rear, left, and right, the middle portion in the left-right direction is the first wall forming portion 61, and the left side of the first wall forming portion 61 is the second wall forming portion. The wall forming portion 62 is the left side of the second wall forming portion 62, and the left edge portion of the metal plate 60 is the third wall forming portion 63. The right side of the first wall forming part 61 is the fourth wall forming part 64, and the right edge of the metal plate 60 is the fifth wall forming part 65 on the right side of the fourth wall forming part 64. is there.

In the terminal insertion portion 37, the lower wall portion 41 is formed by the first wall forming portion 61 of the metal plate 60. Further, in the left wall portion 42, the second wall forming portion 62 of the metal plate 60 has one surface 60A (the front surface in FIG. 6) of the metal plate 60 inside the first wall forming portion 61. It is formed by bending 90 degrees. In addition, the inner upper wall portion 43 is formed by bending the third wall forming portion 63 of the metal plate 60 by 90 degrees so that the surface 60</b>A is on the inside of the second wall forming portion 62. The right wall portion 44 is formed by bending the fourth wall forming portion 64 of the metal plate 60 by 90 degrees so that the surface 60A is inside the first wall forming portion 61. Further, the outer upper wall portion 45 is formed by bending the fifth wall forming portion 65 of the metal plate 60 by 90 degrees so that the surface 60A is on the inner side of the fourth wall forming portion 64. Further, by overlapping the third wall forming portion 63, which is the left edge portion of the metal plate 60, with the fourth wall forming portion 64 that is the right edge portion of the metal plate 60, the outer side is formed on the inner upper wall portion 43. A structure is formed in which the upper wall portion 45 overlaps.

Further, in the metal plate 60, a cut 46 is formed between the front end portion of the second wall forming portion 62 and the front end portion of the third wall forming portion 63 by cutting or punching. The front end of the third wall forming portion 63 is separated from the front end of the second wall forming portion 62. The contact piece 48 is formed by bending the front end portion 51A of the separated third wall forming portion 63 so that the front surface 60A faces inward. Further, the length of the contact piece 48 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the notch 46 in the front-rear direction, and thus the elastic characteristic of the contact piece 48 can be adjusted.

Further, in the metal plate 60, a cut 47 is formed between the front end portion of the fourth wall forming portion 64 and the front end portion of the fifth wall forming portion 65 by cutting or punching. The front end of the wall forming portion 65 of No. 5 is separated from the front end of the fourth wall forming portion 64. The reinforcing piece 51 is formed by bending the front end portion 51A of the separated fifth wall forming portion 65 so that the front surface 60A faces inward. Further, the length of the reinforcing piece 51 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the notch 47 in the front-rear direction, and thus the elastic characteristic of the reinforcing piece 51 can be adjusted.

The lance locking hole 54 is formed by punching a part of the first wall forming portion 61 of the metal plate 60. Further, each protrusion 52 is formed on the front portion of the first wall forming portion 61 of the metal plate 60 by molding. Further, the retainer contact portion 55 is formed on the rear end portion of the fifth wall forming portion 65 of the metal plate 60 by molding. Further, a developed shape of the guide portion 53 is formed by cutting or punching on the right portion on the front end side of the fourth wall forming portion 64 of the metal plate 60. The part is formed by bending so that the surface 60A faces inward.

FIG. 7 shows the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 in an enlarged manner. As shown in FIG. 7, the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 are formed by bending the front end portions of the inner upper wall portion 43 and the outer upper wall portion 45 that overlap each other and extend in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other downward. Has been done. The reinforcing piece 51 is located above the contact piece 48.

The contact piece 48 is formed by bending the front end portion of the inner upper wall portion 43 downward at the bending position P1. The reinforcing piece 51 is formed by bending the front end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45 downward at the bending position P2. The bending position P2 is located ahead of the bending position P1. A distance D is set between the bending position P2 and the bending position P1. The angle β of the reinforcing piece 51 with respect to the outer upper wall portion 45 is larger than the angle α of the contact piece 48 with respect to the inner upper wall portion 43. In this way, the reinforcing piece 51 is bent downward at a position in front of the contact piece 48 and is larger than the contact piece 48.

A gap C1 is formed between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48. The reinforcing piece 51 approaches the contact piece 48 as it goes forward from the bending position P2. The size of the gap C1 between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 in the up-down direction decreases toward the front. That is, the vertical size E1 of the gap between the portion of the reinforcing piece 51 at the bending position P2 and the portion of the contact piece 48 that opposes the portion of the reinforcing piece 51 at the bending position P2 in the vertical direction is defined by the reinforcing piece 51. The vertical size E2 of the gap between the portion at the position P3 in the front-rear direction of the lower edge of the end surface of the front end portion 51A of the front end portion and the portion of the contact piece 48 facing the position P3 of the reinforcing piece 51 in the vertical direction. Greater than. The distance D, the angle α, and the angle β are set so that a gap C1 is formed between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48, the size of which in the up-down direction decreases toward the front.

Further, the distance D, the angle α, and the angle β have a magnitude in the vertical direction between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 even if an error within a predetermined allowable range occurs in the actual manufacturing of the connector terminal 36. It is desirable to set the gap C1 so that the gap C1 becomes smaller toward the front. Further, in the case where it is designed to allow a constant gap C2 to be formed between the outer upper wall portion 45 and the inner upper wall portion 43, the gap C1 between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 is The distance D, the angle α, and the angle β may be set such that the size E1 on the rear end side is larger than the size E3 of the gap C2 between the outer upper wall portion 45 and the inner upper wall portion 43. desirable. Further, even when an error within a predetermined allowable range in actual manufacturing occurs, the distance D, the angle α, and the distance D are set so that the size E2 on the front end side of the gap C1 between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 becomes 0 or more. It is desirable to set the angle β.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the connector terminal 36 when the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37 of the connector terminal 36. As shown in FIG. 8(1), in a state before the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37 of the connector terminal 36, neither the contact piece 48 nor the reinforcing piece 51 is elastically deformed and is reinforced. A gap C1 is formed between the piece 51 and the contact piece 48, the size of which in the vertical direction decreases toward the front. Further, the mating connector terminal 24 has a shape in which the diameter dimension of the tip end portion 24A becomes smaller toward the tip end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 8(2), when the insertion of the mating connector terminal 24 into the terminal insertion portion 37 is started, the tip end portion 24A of the mating connector terminal 24 inclines above the introduction portion 50 of the contact piece 48. To contact. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the mating connector terminal 24 is pushed toward the back of the terminal insertion portion 37, the contact piece 48 is pushed by the tip end portion 24A of the mating connector terminal 24 and elastically deforms. The upper end of the contact piece 48 comes into contact with the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 8(4), when the mating connector terminal 24 is pushed into the back of the terminal insertion portion 37, the contact piece 48 is pushed by the mating connector terminal 24 and the contact piece 48 is further elastically deformed. Move further up. At the same time, the mating connector terminal 24 passes under the contact piece 48, the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48 contacts the upper surface of the mating connector terminal 24 at the base end side of the tip end portion, and Elastic force is applied to the upper surface of the mating connector terminal 24. At the same time, the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 that contacts the upper surface of the contact piece 48 is pushed by the contact piece 48 that moves upward, and the reinforcing piece 51 elastically deforms and moves upward. As a result, the elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 is applied to the upper surface of the contact piece 48, and as a result, the elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 is applied to the upper surface of the mating connector terminal 24.

When the mating connector terminal 24 is pushed into the terminal insertion portion 37 as shown in FIG. 8 (4 ), the contact piece 48 contacts the upper surface of the mating connector terminal 24, and the reinforcing piece 51 of the contact piece 48. The elastic force of both the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 is applied to the upper surface of the mating connector terminal 24 while contacting the upper surface. As a result, a reliable and stable electrical connection is formed between the connector terminal 36 and the mating connector terminal 24. Therefore, the electrical connection between the connector terminal 36 and the mating connector terminal 24 can be maintained even when a large vibration is frequently applied to the mating connector terminal 36 and the mating connector terminal 24.

Here, in the connector terminal 36 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the bending position is formed between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 so that a gap C1 that becomes smaller in the vertical direction toward the front is formed. A distance D between P1 and the bending position P2, a bending angle α of the contact piece 48, and a bending angle β of the reinforcing piece 51 are set. As a result, according to the connector terminal 36, a reliable and stable electrical connection is formed between the connector terminal 36 and the mating connector terminal 24 due to a structural error that has occurred in the connector terminal 36 during actual manufacturing. It is possible to prevent the effect of this from being impaired or reduced.

Assuming that the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 do not overlap each other and form a gap therebetween, the distance D between the bending position P1 and the bending position P2, the bending angle α of the contact piece 48, and the reinforcement When the bending angle β of the piece 51 is set, the bending angle β of the reinforcing piece 51 becomes smaller than the bending angle α of the contact piece 48 due to a structural error that occurs in the connector terminal 36 during actual manufacturing. Therefore, the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 may be separated from each other as they go forward. When the vertical separation distance between the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 caused by such an error is large, the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal inserting portion 37 of the connector terminal 36. At this time, although the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48 comes into contact with the mating connector terminal 24, the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 may remain separated from the contact piece 48. As a result, the force applied to the mating connector terminal 24 is only the elastic force of the contact piece 48, and the electrical connection between the mating connector terminal 24 and the connector terminal 36 may become unstable.

Further, when the vertical separation distance between the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 caused by the above-described error is small, the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal inserting portion 37 of the connector terminal 36. When the contact piece 48 is elastically deformed, the contact portion 49 contacts the mating connector terminal 24, and the reinforcing piece 51 contacts the contact piece 48 in the elastically deformed state. Both elastic forces are applied to the mating connector terminal 24. However, when the bending angle β of the reinforcing piece 51 is smaller than the designed value due to an error, the elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 applied to the mating connector terminal 24 is smaller than the designed value. The electrical connection between the mating connector terminal 24 and the connector terminal 36 may become uncertain.

However, in the connector terminal 36 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the bending position P2 of the reinforcing piece 51 is larger than the bending position P1 of the contact piece 48 so that the gap C1 is formed between the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48. It is located far in front. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the length L from the bending position P2 of the reinforcing piece 51 to the front end portion 51A is set to P1, P2, D, α so that the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 are exactly overlapped with each other. It can be shortened compared to the case where β is set. Therefore, when the bending angle β at the bending position P2 of the reinforcing piece 51 becomes smaller than the designed value due to an error during manufacturing, the vertical displacement of the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 formed thereby is generated. Can be made smaller. As a result, it is possible to prevent the vertical distance between the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 and the contact piece 48 from increasing due to the error.

Therefore, according to the connector terminal 36, even when the bending angle β becomes smaller than the designed value due to an error during manufacturing, when the mating connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37, the reinforcing piece. The front end portion 51A of 51 can be surely brought into contact with the contact piece 48 to elastically deform the reinforcing piece 51, and the elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 can be surely applied to the mating connector terminal 24. Further, the magnitude of the elastic force applied to the mating connector terminal 24 can be reduced to a small extent due to an error in manufacturing, and a sufficient elastic force applied from the reinforcing piece 51 to the mating connector terminal 24 can be secured. ..

Further, according to the connector terminal 36, the bending position P2 of the reinforcing piece 51 makes contact as compared with the case where P1, P2, D, α, and β are set so that the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 are exactly overlapped with each other. Since the bending position P1 of the piece 48 is arranged in front of the bending position P1, the bending position P2 of the reinforcing piece 51 is displaced rearward or the bending position P1 of the contact piece 48 is moved forward due to an error in manufacturing. Even if they are displaced, it is possible to prevent the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 from interfering with each other. Therefore, even if such an error occurs during manufacturing, it is possible to reliably apply a sufficient elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 to the mating connector terminal 24.

As described above, according to the connector terminal 36 of the embodiment of the present invention, the effect of forming a reliable and stable electrical connection between the connector terminal 36 and the mating connector terminal 24 is impaired due to an error in manufacturing. Alternatively, it is possible to suppress the decrease.

Further, according to the connector terminal 36, the bending angle β of the reinforcing piece 51 is increased as compared with the case where P1, P2, D, α and β are set so that the contact piece 48 and the reinforcing piece 51 are exactly overlapped with each other. In addition, the degree of freedom in setting the angle β is increased. As a result, the elastic force of the reinforcing piece 51 applied to the mating connector terminal 24 can be increased within the elastic range, and such an angle β can be easily set.

In addition, the connector terminal 36 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the following effects. That is, in the connector terminal 36, as shown in FIG. 6, the metal plate 60 is bent into a tubular shape having a rectangular cross-section, and the left edge portion and the right edge portion of the metal plate 60 overlap with each other, which results in FIG. As shown, the inner upper wall portion 43 and the outer upper wall portion 45 are formed so as to overlap each other. A contact piece 48 and a reinforcing piece 51 are formed at the front end portions of the inner upper wall portion 43 and the outer upper wall portion 45, respectively. With such a structure, the rear end of the inner upper wall portion 43 that supports the contact piece 48 can be pressed from the upper side by the rear end portion of the outer upper wall portion 45. As a result, when the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 37 and the contact piece 48 is pushed upward by the counterpart connector terminal 24, the rear end portion of the inner upper wall portion 43 that supports the contact piece 48 ( Especially, the rear end of the outer upper wall 45 (especially the rear end of the outer upper wall 45 and the rear end of the right wall 44) may be displaced upward. It can be prevented by a corner where the end is connected. Therefore, the elastic force of the contact piece 48 can be reliably applied to the mating connector terminal 24.

For example, in the connector terminal 336 according to the comparative example shown in FIG. 9, the left upper edge portion of the metal plate is bent by 180 degrees, so that the inner upper wall portion 343 and the outer upper wall portion 345 that overlap each other are formed. In the case of such a structure, the rear end portion of the inner upper wall portion 343 supporting the contact piece 348 cannot be pressed from the upper side by the rear end portion of the outer upper wall portion 345. Therefore, when the counterpart connector terminal 24 is inserted into the terminal insertion portion 337 and the contact piece 348 is pushed upward by the counterpart connector terminal 24, the contact piece 348, the inner upper wall portion 343 supporting the contact piece 348, and the reinforcing piece. , And the outer upper wall portion 345 supporting the same, rotate so as to rise upward with the upper edge portion of the left wall portion 342 as a base point. As a result, the elastic force of the contact piece 348 cannot be sufficiently applied to the mating connector terminal 24. This is not the case with the connector terminal 36 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

In the connector terminal 36 according to the above-described embodiment, the position P4 of the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 in the front-rear direction reaches the position of the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48. However, the position of the front end portion 51A of the reinforcing piece 51 in the front-rear direction may be set to the front side or the rear side of the position of the contact portion 49 of the contact piece 48.

In the connector terminal 36 according to the above-described embodiment, the inner upper wall portion 43 extends rightward from the upper edge portion of the left wall portion 42, and the outer upper wall portion 45 moves leftward from the upper edge portion of the right wall portion 44. Although the inner upper wall portion extends leftward from the upper edge portion of the right wall portion, the outer upper wall portion may extend rightward from the upper edge portion of the left wall portion.

Further, the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and the connector terminal and the connector accompanied by such modification are also the technology of the present invention. Included in thought.

1 Connector 2 Connector Housing 3 Fitting Part 12 Electric Wire 24 Opposite Connector Terminal 36 Connector Terminal 37 Terminal Insertion Part 41 Lower Wall Part 42 Left Wall Part (First Side Wall Part)
43 Inner Upper Wall (First Upper Wall)
44 Right Wall (Second Side Wall)
45 Outer upper wall portion (second upper wall portion)
48 Contact piece 49 Contact part 50 Introductory part 50A Introductory surface 51 Reinforcing piece 53 Guide part 53A Guide surface 56 Electric wire mounting part 60 Metal plate 61 First wall forming part 62 Second wall forming part 63 Third wall forming part 64 Fourth wall forming portion 65 Fifth wall forming portion C1 Gap P1, P2 Bending position (first bending position, second bending position)
α, β bending angle

Claims (6)

A connector terminal in which a tubular terminal insertion portion into which a mating connector terminal is inserted is formed on the front end side, and an electric wire attachment portion to which an electric wire is attached is formed on the rear end side,
The terminal insertion portion,
The lower wall,
A first side wall portion extending upward from an edge portion on one side in the left-right direction of the lower wall portion;
A first upper wall portion extending from the upper edge portion of the first side wall portion to the other side in the left-right direction;
A second side wall portion extending upward from an edge portion on the other side in the left-right direction of the lower wall portion;
A second upper wall portion extending from the upper edge portion of the second side wall portion to the one side in the left-right direction on the upper side of the first upper wall portion and overlapping with the first upper wall portion;
The front end portion of the first upper wall portion is formed by separating from the front end portion of the first side wall portion and bent downward at the first bending position, and the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. A contact piece that comes into contact with the mating connector terminal while applying pressure to the mating connector terminal,
A front end portion of the second upper wall portion is separated from a front end portion of the second side wall portion and is bent downward at a second bending position located on the front side of the first bending position; A reinforcing piece that comes into contact with the contact piece that contacts the mating connector terminal while applying pressure to the mating connector terminal when the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion,
In a state in which the counterpart connector terminal is not inserted into the terminal insertion portion, a portion of the reinforcing piece at the second bending position and a portion of the contact piece at the second bending position of the reinforcing piece in the vertical direction. A gap is formed between the contact piece and a portion facing each other, and the reinforcing piece approaches the contact piece as it goes forward from the portion at the second bending position,
In a state where the counterpart connector terminal is not inserted into the terminal insertion portion, a portion of the reinforcing piece on the front end side of the second bending position is separated from the contact piece,
The lower surface of the front end portion of the contact piece is provided with a contact portion that comes into contact with the counterpart connector terminal when the counterpart connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion, and the front end position of the reinforcement piece in the front-rear direction. Is characterized in that the front end of the reinforcing piece comes into contact with the upper surface of the contact piece when the contact piece reaches the position in the front-rear direction of the contact piece and the mating connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. Connector terminal to be used. In a state where the mating connector terminal to the terminal insertion portion is not inserted, the angle of the reinforcing piece bends downward connector of claim 1, wherein the contact pieces being greater than the angle bend downward Terminal. In the metal plate spreading front, rear, left, and right, the middle portion in the left-right direction serves as the first wall forming portion, and one side in the left-right direction of the first wall forming portion serves as the second wall forming portion, and the second wall forming portion One side in the left-right direction of the wall forming part and one side edge in the left-right direction of the metal plate becomes a third wall forming part, and the other side in the left-right direction of the first wall forming part becomes a fourth wall forming part The other side in the left-right direction of the fourth wall forming part and the other side edge in the left-right direction of the metal plate becomes a fifth upper wall forming part,
The lower wall portion is formed by the first wall forming portion,
The first side wall portion is formed by bending the second wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that one surface of the metal plate is inside with respect to the first wall forming portion,
The first upper wall portion is formed by bending the third wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that the one surface is inward with respect to the second wall forming portion,
The second side wall portion is formed by bending the fourth wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that the one surface is inside with respect to the first wall forming portion,
The second upper wall portion is formed by bending the fifth upper wall forming portion by 90 degrees so that the one surface is inward with respect to the fourth wall forming portion. The connector terminal according to claim 1 or 2 . The front end portion of the contact piece is formed with a lead-in surface that faces downward and frontward against which a tip portion of the counterpart connector terminal abuts when the counterpart connector terminal is inserted into the terminal insertion portion. claims 1 to connector terminal according to any one of the three. In the terminal insertion portion, a guide surface facing the lower front for guiding the mating connector terminal into the terminal insertion portion is formed at the upper part of the front end portion located on the front side of the introduction surface, and the upper end of the introduction surface. The connector terminal according to claim 4 , wherein the position of the portion is higher than the position of the lower end portion of the guide surface. A connector housing,
A connector comprising the connector terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5 provided in the connector housing.

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