JP7114053B2 - female terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to female terminals. In particular, the present invention relates to the structure of a female terminal having a connecting portion electrically connected to a male terminal on the distal end side and a wire connection portion for connecting an electric wire on the proximal end side.

For example, a female terminal has a rectangular tube-shaped connection part electrically connected to a male terminal on the distal end side, and a connection part for connecting an electric wire on the proximal end side. In such a female terminal, a connection portion and a wire connection portion are formed by bending a development plate made of a conductive metal plate.

The connecting portion of such a female terminal is configured in a rectangular tube shape surrounded by a belt-shaped bottom plate, a pair of side plates bent substantially at right angles to both sides of the bottom plate, and a top plate bent inward from the pair of side plates. is doing. Further, the connecting portion of the female terminal has an elastic contact piece extending toward the top plate in an inclined state from the bottom plate inside the connecting portion in the shape of a rectangular tube. By inserting a mating blade-shaped male terminal between the tip of the elastic contact piece and the top plate, the male terminal and the female terminal can be electrically connected.

Such a female terminal is known in which the elastic contact piece is inverted from the end of the bottom plate toward the inside of the connecting portion. However, in a female terminal having an inverted elastic contact piece, the elastic contact piece protrudes from the end of the bottom plate in the state of the development plate, so the area of the rectangular development plate before the external shape processing becomes large, and that much. There was a problem that a lot of materials were wasted.

In order to solve the problem described above, a female terminal has been disclosed in which the top plate and the elastic contact piece are arranged substantially parallel to each other in the state of the development plate (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, a small-sized female terminal has also been disclosed that can avoid the front end face of the mating blade-shaped male terminal from colliding with the contact portion of the elastic contact piece (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-3-93175 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-123720

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing the configuration of a female terminal according to the first prior art, FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the female terminal, FIG. 8B is a plan view of the female terminal, and FIG. ) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the female terminal, and FIG. 8D is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the female terminal. 8A to 8D of the present application correspond to FIGS. 1 to 4 of Patent Document 1. FIG.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the configuration of the development plate for the female terminal according to the first prior art, FIG. 9A is a state diagram before bending the development plate for the female terminal, and and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a state in which the elastic contact piece is superimposed on the top plate from the state shown in FIG. 9A. 9A and 9B of the present application correspond to FIGS. 5 and 6 of Patent Document 1. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, the female terminal 8 according to the first prior art has a connecting portion 81 and a wire connecting portion 82 in the shape of a rectangular tube. A blade-like male terminal (not shown) can be introduced into the connecting portion 81 from an opening in the front surface of the female terminal 8 . The connection portion 82 can connect ends of electric wires (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 8, the connection portion 82 has a U-shaped open conductor barrel 82c and a U-shaped open insulation barrel 82i. The conductor barrel 82c can be electrically connected to the conductor wire by introducing a conductor wire (not shown) inside and crimping the opposing pieces. The insulation barrel 82i can hold an electric wire by introducing an electric wire (not shown) into the interior in a state of being covered with insulation and crimping the opposing pieces.

Referring to FIG. 8 or 9, the connecting portion 81 has a strip-shaped bottom plate 83 and a pair of side plates 84 and 85 bent substantially at right angles on both sides of the bottom plate 83 . The connecting portion 81 also has a top plate 86 and a band-like elastic contact piece 87 . The top plate 86 bends the upper part of one side plate 84 at a substantially right angle. The elastic contact piece 87 is partially continuous with the top plate 86 and folded back toward the top plate 86 . The connecting portion 81 is configured in a rectangular tubular shape surrounded by a bottom plate 83 , a pair of side plates 84 and 85 , and a top plate 86 .

Referring to FIG. 8 or 9, the elastic contact piece 87 forms a bent contact point 87b by extending an intermediate portion between a base end portion continuous to the top plate 86 and a free end portion 87a toward the inside of the connection portion 81. there is A free end 87 a of the elastic contact piece 87 is locked in a locking hole 87 h opened in the top plate 86 at its tip. A base end portion of the elastic contact piece 87 is pressed by a pressing piece 86 b folded back from the front edge of the top plate 86 .

Referring to FIG. 8(C) or FIG. 8(D), the bottom plate 83 forms a pair of contact portions 83a, 83a protruding toward the contact 87b. By inserting a mating male terminal (not shown) between the contact 87b and the pair of contact portions 83a, 83a, the female terminal 8 and the male terminal (not shown) can be electrically connected.

Also, referring to FIG. 8 or 9, the other side plate 85 has a U-shaped folded piece 85a formed at the top. The tip edge of the folded piece 85a is in contact with the outer wall of the top plate 86 (see FIG. 8A). An end portion of the top plate 86 is engaged with a locking hole 85h opened in the other side plate 85. As shown in FIG.

Incidentally, referring to FIG. 8, the top plate 86 has a convex portion 86c that bulges toward the inside of the connecting portion 81. As shown in FIG. As a result, excessive deformation of the elastic contact piece 87 can be prevented when a male terminal (not shown) is inserted between the contact 87b and the contact portion 83a.

Before the female terminal 8 is bent and formed, a development plate 8e made of a conductive metal plate is punched into a shape as shown in FIG. 9(A). In addition, the broken line described in FIG. 9(A) indicates the bent portion.

In order to form the connection portion 81 shown in FIG. 8 from the deployment plate 8e shown in FIG. 9A, first, as shown in FIG. The contact 87b is formed by bending the elastic contact piece 87 so that the middle portion with the free end 87a becomes the vertex (see FIG. 8(C)).

Next, referring to FIG. 9(A), the partial connecting portion between the elastic contact piece 87 and the top plate 86 is bent so that the base end portion of the elastic contact piece 87 is in close contact with the top plate 86 (see FIG. 9 ( B)), and the base end of the elastic contact piece 87 is superimposed on the top plate 86 (closely bent).

Next, referring to FIG. 9(B), the tip of the free end 87A of the elastic contact piece 87 is locked in the locking hole 86h, and the pressing piece 86b is folded back from the front edge of the top plate 86, The base end of the elastic contact piece 87 is fixed.

Next, referring to FIG. 9A, a pair of side plates 84 and 85 on both sides of the bottom plate 83 are bent inward substantially at right angles, and a top plate 86 continuous with one of the side plates 84 is bent into an elastic contact piece 87. Next, referring to FIG. Both are folded inward (see FIG. 9(B)). Next, by engaging the projecting piece 86d of the top plate 86 with the locking hole 85h, the connecting portion 81 in the shape of a rectangular tube can be formed.

However, although the female terminal according to Patent Document 1 can reduce wasteful material removal of the deployment plate, the base end of the elastic contact piece is bent tightly against one of the side plates, so the base end of the elastic contact piece is plastic. I am worried that it is deformed. If the mating male terminal is repeatedly inserted into and pulled out of the connecting portion of the female terminal, there is a concern that cracks may occur in the tightly bent portion of the elastic contact piece. There is a need for a female terminal that does not damage the elastic contact piece.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a female terminal according to the second prior art, and is a diagram showing the state in which the female terminal is connected to a contact carrier.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing the configuration of a female terminal according to the second prior art, FIG. 11A is a longitudinal sectional view of the female terminal according to the second prior art, and FIG. A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA. 10 and 11 of the present application correspond to FIGS. 1 and 2 of Patent Document 2. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10 or 11, the female terminal 9 according to the second prior art has a connecting portion 91 and a wire connecting portion 92 in the shape of a rectangular tube. A blade-like male terminal (not shown) can be introduced into the connecting portion 91 from an opening in the front surface of the female terminal 9 . The connection part 92 can connect ends of electric wires (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 10 or 11, the female terminal 9 is formed by punching and bending a development plate made of a conductive metal plate. Referring to FIG. 10, the female terminal 9 is continuously connected to the contact carrier C at a portion of its base end, but can be separated from the contact carrier C after the development plate is formed.

Referring to FIG. 10 or 11, the connecting portion 91 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape so that a blade-shaped male terminal (not shown) can be introduced through an opening on the front surface. The connection portion 91 has a strip-shaped bottom plate 93 and a pair of side plates 94 and 95 bent substantially at right angles on both sides of the bottom plate 93 . Also, the connecting portion 91 has a pair of a first top plate 96 and a second top plate 97 . The first top plate 96 bends the upper part of one side plate 94 at a substantially right angle. The second top plate 97 bends the upper part of the other side plate 95 at a substantially right angle. The first top plate 96 is arranged so as to overlap the upper surface of the second top plate 97 . The connecting portion 91 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape surrounded by a bottom plate 93 , a pair of side plates 94 and 95 , and a pair of first top plate 96 and second top plate 97 .

10 or 11, the connection portion 92 has a U-shaped open conductor barrel 92c and a U-shaped open insulation barrel 92i. The conductor barrel 92c can be electrically connected to the electric wire by introducing a conductor wire (not shown) inside and crimping the opposing pieces. The insulation barrel 92i can hold an electric wire by introducing an electric wire (not shown) into the interior in a state in which it is covered with an insulating coating, and crimping the opposing pieces. The conductor barrel 92c has a confirmation hole 92h for confirming the position of the conductor.

Referring to FIG. 10 or FIG. 11(A), the first top plate 96 projects a half-moon-shaped first locking projection 961 forward. In addition, the first top plate 96 protrudes a half-moon-shaped second locking projection 962 to the rear. When the connecting portion 91 is mounted in a cavity of a plug housing (not shown), the first locking projection 961 and the second locking projection 962 can be locked to the inner wall of the cavity of the plug housing (not shown).

10 or 11, a part of the front end portion of the second top plate 97 is folded back toward the inner wall side of the second top plate 97 so that the base end portion 98c of the elastic contact piece 98, which will be described later, is brought into close contact. Support. Thereby, the base end portion 98 c of the elastic contact piece 98 is fixed to the second top plate 97 .

11, the female terminal 9 has an elastic contact piece 98 and an elastic receiving piece 99. As shown in FIG. The elastic contact piece 98 is arranged in a downwardly inclined state from the opening side of the connecting portion 91 toward the bottom plate 93 . The elastic contact piece 98 forms a contact 98a on the tip side.

Referring to FIG. 11, the elastic receiving piece 99 is arranged in a downwardly inclined state from the rear end portion of the second top plate 97 toward the bottom plate 93 . The tip side of the elastic receiving piece 99 is arranged between the tip side of the elastic contact piece 98 and the first top plate 96 (see FIG. 11A). Thereby, when the elastic contact piece 98 is bent upward, the tip side of the elastic contact piece 98 can be supported.

Referring to FIG. 11(A), the bottom plate 93 forms a contact portion 93a raised toward the contact 98a. By inserting a mating male terminal (not shown) between the contact 98a and the pair of contact portions 93a, the female terminal 9 and the male terminal (not shown) can be electrically connected.

Referring to FIG. 11, the elastic contact piece 98 has a hemispherical projection 98b protruding from its middle portion. When a male terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection portion 91, the projection 98b can displace the tip of the elastic contact piece 98 upward before the tip of the male terminal comes into contact with the contact 98a. Further, the projection 98b has a height defined so as not to contact the male terminal when the insertion of the male terminal (not shown) is completed and the male terminal contacts the contact 98a.

Referring to FIG. 10 or 11, the female terminal 9 according to Patent Document 2 has a projection 98b on an elastic contact piece 98 that displaces the contact 98a from the initial position before the tip surface of the male terminal (not shown) contacts the contact 98a. Therefore, before the tip surface of the male terminal (not shown) abuts against the contact 98a, the projection 98b displaces the contact 98a from the initial position, and the tip surface of the male terminal (not shown) collides with the contact 98a of the elastic contact piece 98. It is said that this can be avoided.

However, in the female terminal 9 according to Patent Document 2, a part of the front end portion of the second top plate 97 is folded back toward the inner wall side of the second top plate 97, and the base end portion of the elastic contact piece 98 is tightly supported. , there is a concern that the base end of the elastic contact piece 98 is plastically deformed. If the mating male terminal is repeatedly inserted into and pulled out of the connecting portion of the female terminal, there is a concern that cracks may occur in the tightly bent portion of the elastic contact piece. There is a need for a female terminal that does not damage the elastic contact piece.

There is a demand for a female terminal that does not damage the elastic contact piece even when the mating male terminal is repeatedly inserted into and removed from the connecting portion of the female terminal. And the above can be said to be the subject of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a female terminal in which the elastic contact piece is not damaged.

The inventors of the present invention have configured a connecting portion in a cylindrical shape with a bottom plate, a pair of side plates, a first top plate, a second top plate, and a band-shaped connecting piece, and the base end of the elastic contact piece is the tip of the connecting piece By bending at a substantially right angle from the part, cracking due to close contact bending of the base end of the elastic contact piece is prevented, and the connecting piece is arranged in a state where the connecting piece is introduced into the front notch of one side plate. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the enlargement in the width direction, and based on this, the following new female terminals have been invented.

(1) A female terminal according to the present invention is a female terminal having a tubular connecting portion containing therein an elastic contact piece to be electrically connected to a male terminal, and a connecting portion capable of connecting an end of an electric wire, the female terminal comprising: The connecting portion includes a bottom plate extending continuously from the bottom portion of the connection portion in a strip shape, a pair of side plates bent substantially perpendicularly to both sides of the bottom plate, and an upper portion of one of the side plates bent substantially perpendicularly to the bottom plate. a first top plate arranged to face each other; a second top plate arranged so as to overlap an inner wall of the first top plate by bending an upper portion of the other side plate at a substantially right angle; a strip-shaped connecting piece partially extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the bottom plate extends from the plate, bending at a substantially right angle from an end portion of the second top plate, and disposed close to the front edge of one of the side plates; , wherein the base end of the elastic contact piece is bent at a substantially right angle from the tip end of the connecting piece, and is inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate so that the connection located inside the unit.

(2) Preferably, the connecting piece is arranged on one of the side plates, and the inner and outer walls of the connecting piece are arranged flush with the inner and outer walls of the one of the side plates.

(3) The bottom plate has a first pressing piece that protrudes from the front edge and presses the base end of the elastic contact piece from the bottom side, and the first top plate protrudes from the front edge and the second The other side plate has a second pressing piece that presses the front part of the top plate, and the other side plate has a third pressing piece that presses the base end of the elastic contact piece from the upper surface side with the plate thickness surface in the front part. is preferred.

The female terminal according to the present invention comprises a bottom plate, a pair of side plates, a first top plate, a second top plate, and a belt-like joint piece to form a connecting portion in a cylindrical shape, and a base end portion of the elastic contact piece is connected to the joint piece. By bending at a substantially right angle from the distal end, cracking caused by close contact bending of the base end of the elastic contact piece is prevented, and the connecting piece is inserted into the front notch of one of the side plates. By arranging them, it is possible to prevent enlargement in the width direction.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a female terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a state in which an electric wire is connected to a connection portion; FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the female terminal, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the female terminal, and FIG. A left side view, FIG. 2(D) is a front view of the female terminal, and FIG. 2(E) is a bottom view of the female terminal. 3(A) is a perspective view of the female terminal, FIG. 3(B) is a longitudinal sectional view of the female terminal, and FIG. It is an AA cross-sectional view. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the female terminal according to the embodiment, and is a diagram showing a state in which the female terminal is connected to the contact carrier. 5A is a perspective view of the female terminal, FIG. 5B is a front view of the female terminal, and FIG. B) AA arrow cross-sectional view, FIG. 5(D) is a right side view of the female terminal, FIG. 5(E) is a plan view of the female terminal, and FIG. 5(F) is a left side of the female terminal. FIG. 5(F) is a bottom view of the female terminal, both of which are states before the wire is connected to the connection portion. FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of the female terminal according to the embodiment, FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the female terminal, and FIG. Fig. 4 is a previous state diagram; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the development plate of the female terminal according to the embodiment; 8A is a perspective view of the female terminal, FIG. 8B is a plan view of the female terminal, and FIG. 8C is a female terminal. A longitudinal sectional view of the terminal, and FIG. 8(D) is a transverse sectional view of the female terminal. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing the configuration of the development plate for the female terminal according to the first prior art, FIG. 9A is a state diagram before bending the development plate for the female terminal, and and FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a state in which the elastic contact piece is superimposed on the top plate from the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a female terminal according to the second prior art, and is a state diagram showing the state in which the female terminal is connected to a contact carrier. 11(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal according to the second prior art, and FIG. -A arrow directional cross-sectional view.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Configuration of female terminal]
First, the configuration of the female terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(overall structure)
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a female terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has a connecting portion 1 and a connecting portion 2 in the shape of a rectangular tube. A blade-shaped male terminal (not shown) can be introduced into the connecting portion 1 from an opening in the front surface of the female terminal 10 . The wire connection portion 2 can wire ends of the wires W (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

1 to 3, in the embodiment, a waterproof cap 3 made of rubber is attached to the end of the wire W. As shown in FIG. When the female terminal 10 is attached to a cavity of a plug housing (not shown) with the waterproof cap 3 attached to the end of the wire W, the plug housing (not shown) can be waterproofed.

Referring to FIG. 7, the female terminal 10 is formed by punching and bending a development plate 10e made of a conductive metal plate. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the female terminal 10 has a part of its proximal end continuously connected to the first contact carrier C1. When the wire W is crimped to the connection portion 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), the female terminal 10 can be separated from the first contact carrier C1. Further, the female terminal 10 has a part of the tip portion continuously connected to the second contact carrier C2. The development plate 10e is connected to the second contact carrier C2 when the development plate 10e is punched with a press die, but the development plate 10e is separated from the second contact carrier C2 when the development plate 10e is bent.

(Structure of connection part)
Next, the structure of the connection part 2 is demonstrated. 4 to 6, the connection portion 2 has a pair of U-shaped open conductor barrels 2c, 2c and a pair of U-shaped open insulation barrels 2i, 2i. By introducing the conductor wire Wc of the electric wire W into the inside of the pair of conductor barrels 2c, 2c and crimping the pair of conductor barrels 2c, 2c, it is possible to electrically connect with the conductor wire Wc. (See Figures 1-3).

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a wire W with an insulation coating Wi is introduced into a pair of insulation barrels 2i and 2i, and the pair of insulation barrels 2i and 2i are crimped so that the end of the wire W is It can be held in the connection part 2 (see FIGS. 1 to 3).

(Structure of connection part)
Next, the configuration of the connecting portion 1 will be described. 1 to 7, the connecting portion 1 has a strip-shaped bottom plate 11 and a pair of side plates 12 and 13. As shown in FIG. The bottom plate 11 extends continuously from the bottom of the connection portion 2 in a belt shape. The pair of side plates 12 and 13 are bent substantially at right angles to both sides of the bottom plate 11 .

1 to 7, the connecting portion 1 has a pair of first top plate 14 and second top plate 15. As shown in FIG. The first top plate 14 is arranged so as to face the bottom plate 11 by bending an upper portion of one side plate 12 at a substantially right angle. The second top plate 15 is arranged such that the upper portion of the other side plate 13 is bent at a substantially right angle and overlaps the inner wall of the first top plate 14 (see FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 5(C)).

1 to 6, the connecting portion 1 has a rectangular tubular shape surrounded by a bottom plate 11, a pair of side plates 12 and 13, and a pair of first top plate 14 and second top plate 15. Configure.

Further, referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, the connecting portion 1 has a strip-shaped connecting piece 16 and an elastic contact piece 17. As shown in FIG. The connecting piece 16 partially extends from the front portion of the second top plate 15 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction in which the bottom plate 11 extends. Also, the connecting piece 16 is bent substantially at a right angle from the end of the second top plate 15 and arranged close to the front edge of one of the side plates 12 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting piece 16 is arranged at the front portion of one side plate 12 via a front notch portion formed in the front portion of the one side plate 12 . In addition, the inner wall and outer wall of the connecting piece 16 are arranged flush with the inner wall and outer wall of the one side plate 12 .

Referring to FIG. 3(B) or FIG. 5(C), the elastic contact piece 17 is housed inside the connecting portion 1 . The elastic contact piece 17 has a base end portion 17a that is bent at a substantially right angle from the tip end portion of the connecting piece 16. As shown in FIG. The elastic contact piece 17 is arranged inside the connecting portion 1 while being inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate 15 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the connecting portion 1 is formed in a square tubular shape so that a blade-shaped male terminal (not shown) can be introduced through an opening on the front surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment includes a bottom plate 11, a pair of side plates 12 and 13, a first top plate 14, a second top plate 15, and a connecting portion 1 with a belt-like connecting piece 16. is configured in a square tube shape, the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 is bent at a substantially right angle from the tip portion of the connecting piece 16, and the elastic contact piece 17 is inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate 15. By arranging the elastic contact piece 17 inside the connecting portion 1 in this state, the elastic contact piece 17 is prevented from being damaged because the base end portion of the elastic contact piece is not tightly bent.

Next, the configuration of the connecting portion 1 will be explained. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the first top plate 14 protrudes a hemispherical first locking projection 141 forward. In addition, the first top plate 14 protrudes rearwardly from a hemispherical second locking projection 142 . When the connecting part 1 is mounted in a cavity of a plug housing (not shown), the first locking projection 141 and the second locking projection 142 can be locked to the inner wall of the cavity of the plug housing (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3B or FIG. 5 , the connecting portion 1 further has assist spring pieces 18 . The assist spring piece 18 is arranged inside the connection portion 1 while being inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate 15 . The tip of the assist spring piece 18 is arranged below the tip of the elastic contact piece 17 . As a result, when a male terminal (not shown) is inserted into the connection portion 1, excessive bending of the elastic contact piece 17 can be suppressed.

1 to 6, the connecting portion 1 has a first pressing piece 11a, a second pressing piece 14a, and a third pressing piece 13a. The first pressing piece 11 a protrudes from the front edge of the bottom plate 11 . Also, the first pressing piece 11a presses the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 from its bottom side.

1 to 6, the second pressing piece 14a protrudes from the front edge of the first top plate 14. As shown in FIG. Also, the second pressing piece 14 a presses the front portion of the second top plate 15 . The third pressing piece 13a is formed on the front portion of the other side plate 13. As shown in FIG. The third pressing piece 13a presses the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 with the plate thickness surface of the other side plate 13 from its upper surface side.

1 to 6, the connecting portion 1 presses the lower surface of the front portion of the connecting portion 1 with a first pressing piece 11a, and presses the upper surface of the front portion of the connecting portion 1 with the second pressing piece 14a. . Further, the connection portion 1 presses the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 from the upper surface side thereof with the plate thickness surface of the other side plate 13 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment has a first pressing piece 11a, a second pressing piece 14a, and a third pressing piece 13a that press the front portion of the connection portion 1. Therefore, distortion of the front portion of the connecting portion 1 can be reduced.

[Action of female terminal]
Next, the action and effect of the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment includes a bottom plate 11, a pair of side plates 12 and 13, a first top plate 14, a second top plate 15, and a connecting portion 1 with a belt-like connecting piece 16. is configured in a square tube shape, the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 is bent at a substantially right angle from the tip portion of the connecting piece 16, and the elastic contact piece 17 is inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate 15. By arranging the elastic contact piece 17 inside the connecting portion 1 in this state, the elastic contact piece 17 is prevented from being damaged because the base end portion of the elastic contact piece is not tightly bent.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment has a first pressing piece 11a, a second pressing piece 14a, and a third pressing piece 13a that press the front portion of the connection portion 1. Therefore, distortion of the front portion of the connecting portion 1 can be reduced.

1 to 3, the joint piece 16 is arranged in the front part of one side plate 12 via a front notch formed in the front part of the one side plate 12, and the inner wall and the outer wall of the joint piece 16 are arranged. are arranged flush with the inner and outer walls of one of the side plates 12, so that the female terminal 10 can be prevented from becoming large in the width direction.

Referring to FIG. 3B or FIG. 5C, the elastic contact piece 17 according to the embodiment is arranged on the bottom plate 11 side, but the elastic contact piece 17 is arranged on the second top plate 15 side. good too. Moreover, although the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 is arranged on the opening side of the connecting portion 1, the base end portion 17a of the elastic contact piece 17 may be arranged in the inner portion of the connecting portion 1. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3B or FIG. 5C, the female terminal 10 according to the embodiment has the assist spring piece 18, but the assist spring piece 18 can be deleted from the configuration. Although the elastic contact piece 17 according to the embodiment is supported in a cantilever manner, another form in which the elastic contact piece 17 is supported at both ends is also possible.

The female terminal according to the present invention can be made smaller in the width direction than conventional female terminals. As a result, it can be expected that the size of the plug housing in which a plurality of female terminals according to the present invention are mounted can be reduced.

Reference Signs List 1 connecting portion 2 connecting portion 10 female terminal 11 bottom plate 12, 13 pair of side plates 14 first top plate 15 second top plate 16 connecting piece 17 elastic contact piece 17a base end portion of elastic contact piece W electric wire

Claims (2)

A female terminal having a cylindrical connecting portion that accommodates an elastic contact piece electrically connected to a male terminal, and a connecting portion that can connect ends of electric wires,
The connecting part is
a bottom plate continuously extending from the bottom of the connecting portion in a strip shape;
a pair of side plates bent substantially at right angles to both sides of the bottom plate;
a first top plate having an upper portion of one of the side plates bent at a substantially right angle and arranged in a state facing the bottom plate;
a second top plate arranged in a state in which the upper portion of the other side plate is bent at a substantially right angle and overlaps the inner wall of the first top plate;
A belt-like member partially extending from the second top plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the bottom plate extends, bent at a substantially right angle from an end portion of the second top plate, and disposed close to the front edge of one of the side plates. and a connecting piece of
The elastic contact piece is disposed inside the connecting portion in a state in which the base end portion thereof is bent at a substantially right angle from the tip end portion of the connecting piece and is inclined upward toward the inner wall of the second top plate. is,
The female terminal , wherein the connecting piece is arranged on one of the side plates, and the inner wall and the outer wall of the connecting piece are arranged flush with the inner wall and the outer wall of the one side plate . the bottom plate has a first pressing piece that protrudes from the front edge thereof and presses the base end of the elastic contact piece from the bottom side;
The first top plate has a second pressing piece that protrudes from its front edge and presses the front part of the second top plate,
2. The female terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the other side plate has a third pressing piece on the front portion thereof for pressing the base end portion of the elastic contact piece from the upper surface side with a plate thickness surface.

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