JPH1154186A - Female terminal fitting and connector incorporating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a male terminal fitting from colliding with a female terminal fitting in a connector with reliability. SOLUTION: This female terminal fitting F1 is formed with a connection cylinder at its forward portion. The cylinder is box-shaped, the ceiling 6 of which is made of two pieces 6A and 6B superimposed one on the other. The ceiling 6 is partly cut up at its forward edge where both the two pieces 6A and 6B are superimposed so as to have a release cutout T1. Even if a male terminal fitting M is inserted diagonally upward, the cutout T1 formed in this way avoids a collision of the tip of the male terminal fitting M.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a female terminal fitting. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved device capable of avoiding interference (collision) due to abutment of a male terminal fitting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a female terminal fitting 30 has a connecting tubular portion 32 formed at a front portion thereof for connection with a male terminal fitting 31 (see FIG. 6). The connection tube part 32 is formed by erecting both side surfaces from the bottom surface and then bending it so as to overlap inward to form a ceiling surface 33, and has a box shape as a whole.

[0003] When the female terminal fitting 30 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 35 of the connector housing 34, the connecting tube 32 faces coaxially with the terminal insertion opening 36 opened at the front end of the terminal accommodating chamber 35, and the male terminal terminal is connected. The metal fitting 31 can be received. However, when the male terminal fitting is inserted, the fitting may not be correctly made along the axis, and may enter the terminal insertion port 36 from, for example, a diagonally lower side. Then, the tip of the male terminal fitting 31 abuts on the front end edge of the ceiling surface 33 of the female terminal fitting 30, which may cause a situation in which the connecting tubular portion 32 and the male terminal fitting 31 are deformed.

To solve this problem, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No.
No. 117672. In this case, as described above, the ceiling surface of the female terminal fitting is formed by laminating two pieces, but only the lower piece has its front end cut out, that is, the inner ceiling surface. Only a predetermined dimension is positioned inside to avoid collision with the tip of the male terminal fitting.

[0005]

By the way, when the connecting tube is bent into a box shape, the connecting tube is not formed into a box shape due to manufacturing variations, and the inner and outer pieces forming the ceiling surface are not correctly formed. May not overlap. In such a case, if a normal female terminal fitting is used, it can be visually observed that the two pieces are correctly overlapped without being shifted back and forth at the front edge of the ceiling surface. Can be excluded in advance as a defective product. However, in the case where the front edge of the inner object is retracted as described above, this situation is difficult to grasp from the outside. Therefore, one opportunity is lost in the elimination of defective products for the terminal fittings.

Further, in avoiding collision with the male terminal fittings, only the inner part of the ceiling is cut out and the outer part is not cut off. The possibility of collision with the outer piece cannot be ruled out.

As a countermeasure against collision with the male terminal fitting,
As shown in FIG. 7, it is conceivable to lengthen the depth dimension (L dimension) of the terminal insertion port 37 to correct the insertion posture of the male terminal fitting. However, in such a measure, the entire length of the connector housing 34 'is extended to increase the size, and the end portion (tab) of the male terminal fitting must be made longer than necessary. In this case, the problem of deformation is likely to occur.

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to check whether or not a connection cylinder is properly processed and to use a male mold. An object of the present invention is to provide a female terminal fitting capable of reliably avoiding collision with a terminal fitting and a connector incorporating the same.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thin metal plate which is folded in a box shape so that the ceiling surfaces thereof overlap with each other. A female terminal fitting having a connection tubular portion capable of receiving a male terminal fitting therein, wherein the front end edges of the upper and lower pieces overlapping on the ceiling surface of the connection tubular portion are both cut off, A relief recess is formed to avoid abutment with the tip of the male terminal fitting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising the female terminal fitting and a connector housing having a terminal accommodating chamber capable of accommodating the female terminal fitting. A terminal insertion opening through which a terminal fitting can be inserted is opened in alignment with the connection tube portion, and a rear end of an opening edge of the escape recess fitted into the escape recess on a ceiling surface of the terminal accommodating chamber. A protection portion for protecting the portion from abutment with the male terminal fitting is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the device according to the second aspect, the protection portion extends from an opening edge of the terminal insertion port in a direction in which the male terminal fitting is inserted. The mold terminal fitting is formed so as to be able to be corrected to a normal insertion posture.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the ceiling surface of the female terminal fitting is formed so as to form an escape recess by notching both the inside and the outside, the opening edge of the escape recess is formed by the inside and outside pieces. Can be visually confirmed from the outside. In other words, by visually checking whether or not the inner and outer edges are aligned at the opening edge of the relief recess, it is easy to check whether or not the connection cylinder has been correctly processed. In addition, since the relief recess is formed by cutting both the inside and the outside, it is superior in avoiding collision with the male terminal fitting as compared with the related art.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a protective portion is provided on the ceiling surface of the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing to protect the opening edge of the escape recess of the female terminal fitting. This can more reliably avoid collision with the male terminal fitting than that of the above.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the male terminal fitting enters from the terminal insertion port, the male terminal fitting enters along the protection portion. In other words, even when the male terminal fittings enter obliquely, the male terminal fittings are corrected to the normal posture by the protection portion, so that not only abutment is avoided but also the female terminal fittings are smoothly fitted.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. -First Embodiment- Figs. 1 and 2 show a female terminal fitting (hereinafter simply referred to as a terminal fitting) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The terminal fitting F1 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate.
It is formed so that it can be inserted into. In addition, a connection tube 3 that can receive a male terminal fitting M (not shown) is formed in the front half of the terminal fitting F1. Further, a barrel portion for connection with the electric wire W is arranged in the latter half thereof. The barrel portion includes a wire barrel 4 for caulking a core portion exposed at the tip of the electric wire W, and an insulation barrel 5 for caulking the wire covering portion.

The above-mentioned connecting tube portion 3 has a rectangular tube shape. Specifically, after bending both side edges of the bottom surface at right angles to form a pair of side walls, the upper edges of both side walls are further bent inward. The ceiling surface 6 is formed such that their entire surfaces overlap.

A lance hole 7 is opened in the bottom surface of the connection tube portion 3 so that the lance hole 7 can be elastically engaged with the lance 8 of the connector housing 1. Further, a tongue piece 9 for conduction with the male terminal fitting M is formed in the connection cylinder portion 3 by being bent back from the front edge of the bottom surface. The portion 9A is bulged. On the other hand, the top surface of the tongue piece 9 is set so that the ceiling surface 6 of the connection tubular portion 3, more specifically, the innermost one of the pieces 6 A and 6 B which are overlapped inside and outside to form the ceiling surface 6, is disposed. Holding part 1
0 is formed, and the male terminal fitting M is sandwiched between the holding portion 10 and the tongue piece 9 with elastic force to obtain a predetermined contact pressure.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the central portion of the front edge of the ceiling surface 6 of the connecting cylinder 3 is cut out in a U-shape, so that abutment with the male terminal fitting M can be avoided. The relief recess T1 has a depth dimension. The relief recess T1 is formed by cutting out the inner and outer pieces 6A and 6B of the ceiling surface 6 with a common size, and when the connecting tube portion 3 is correctly bent, the entire opening edge thereof is formed. They will be flushed.

In the connector housing 1 in which the above-mentioned terminal fitting F1 is incorporated, a terminal receiving chamber 2 for receiving the terminal fitting F1 is formed so as to penetrate forward and backward, and a front end side thereof is a terminal insertion into which the male terminal fitting M enters. The mouth 11. A lance 8 is cantilevered toward the insertion port 11 at a position near the terminal insertion port 11 on the bottom surface of the terminal accommodating chamber 2. The lance 8 is capable of bending and deforming in the vertical direction, and has a locking portion 8A formed at the tip end thereof, which can be locked to the lance hole 7 of the terminal fitting F1.

Next, the operation and effect of the first embodiment configured as described above will be specifically described. When the terminal fitting F1 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 2, the lance 8 is moved to the lance hole 7
The terminal fitting F1 is retained in the terminal accommodating chamber 2 in a state where the terminal fitting F1 is locked. When the male and female connector housings 1 are fitted together, the distal ends of the male terminal fittings M enter through the terminal insertion ports 11. When the connectors are properly fitted in the housings, the male terminal fittings M are connected to the holding portions 10. It is sandwiched between the tongue pieces 9 to obtain a conductive state.

When the male terminal fitting M is inserted into the terminal insertion port 11, the male terminal fitting M may enter obliquely from below as shown in FIG. However, even in such a case, since the escape recess T1 is formed in the terminal fitting F1 and the front edge of the ceiling surface 6 is retracted inward, the abutment with the tip of the male terminal fitting M is made. Can be avoided, and deformation of the terminal fitting F1 and the male terminal fitting M can be avoided. In the present embodiment, the relief recess T1 is formed by cutting out both the inner and outer pieces 6A, 6B forming the ceiling surface 6, so that the inner and outer pieces 6A, 6 at the opening edge thereof.
The overlapping state of B can be visually recognized from the outside. For this reason, if it is checked whether or not the terminal fitting F1 alone is aligned and overlapped, it is easy to check that the connection tube portion 3 is correctly bent. -Second Embodiment-Fig. 3 shows a terminal fitting F2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the relief recess T1 is formed by cutting out a part of the front edge of the ceiling surface 6, but in this embodiment, the relief recess T2 is formed by cutting the front edge over the entire width. Even if formed in this way, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given in the drawings and the description is omitted. -Third Embodiment- Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Also in the present embodiment, the terminal fitting F1 of the first embodiment (the terminal fitting of the second embodiment may be used) is used.
The difference lies in the ceiling surface 6 of the terminal housing 2 of the connector housing 1. That is, the protection portion 12 is formed so as to protrude from the upper opening edge of the terminal insertion port 11 so as to be continuous inward. The protection portion 12 is formed with an upwardly tapered surface 13 from the upper opening edge of the terminal insertion port 11,
The terminal fitting F1 is formed so as to fit into the relief recess T1. Further, the back end of the protection portion 12 is located slightly forward of the back portion 14 of the opening edge of the escape recess T1, so that the male terminal fitting can be brought into contact with the back portion 14 of the opening edge of the escape recess T1. Conflicts are reliably avoided. -Fourth Embodiment- FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As the terminal fitting F1, the same one as in the third embodiment is used. The connector housing 1 is formed so that the lower surface thereof is not parallel to the axis, instead of the protection portion 15 having a tapered shape.

In the above configuration, the protection unit 15
Of the male terminal fitting M can be avoided and the approaching operation can be corrected and guided to a normal state, as well as avoiding collision of the male terminal fitting M. This also means that the swing of the male terminal fitting M can be restricted even after the male terminal fitting M is connected to the female terminal fitting F1. That is, when vibrations are transmitted to the connector, the male terminal fitting M swings up and down, and a force acts to deform the tongue piece 9 in a downward direction. However, if the lower surface of the protection portion 15 is formed straight to restrict the angular range of the deflection of the male terminal fitting M, the advantage that the load on the tongue piece 9 can be reduced can be obtained. .

The present invention can be variously modified.
The following modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, the protection portion is formed continuously from the terminal insertion port 11. However, the protection portion does not necessarily have to be formed continuously. For example, the protection portion may be formed in front of the depth of the opening edge of the relief recess T1. May be protruded so as to be located at

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector housing is assembled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a main part of a connector according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a main part of a connector according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a conventional problem.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing another conventional problem.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector housing 2 ... Terminal accommodating chamber 3 ... Connection cylinder part 6 ... Ceiling surface 11 ... Terminal insertion port 12, 15 ... Protective part F1, F2 ... Female terminal fitting M ... Male terminal fitting T1, T2 ... Escape recess

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A female terminal which is formed by folding a metal thin plate material into a box shape so that its ceiling surface is overlapped, and which has a connection tube portion capable of receiving a male terminal fitting therein. In the metal fittings, by cutting out both front edges of the upper and lower pieces overlapping on the ceiling surface of the connection cylindrical portion, a relief recess is formed to avoid collision with the tip of the male terminal metal fitting. A female terminal fitting characterized by: 2. A connector comprising a female terminal fitting and a connector housing having a terminal receiving chamber capable of receiving the female terminal fitting, wherein a male terminal fitting can be inserted into a front end of the terminal receiving chamber. The terminal insertion port to be opened is aligned with the connection cylinder portion, and is fitted into the escape recess on the ceiling surface of the terminal accommodating chamber, and the inner end of the opening edge of the escape recess is formed into a male terminal. A connector, wherein a protection portion for protecting against abutment with metal fittings is formed. 3. The protection portion is formed so as to extend from an opening edge of the terminal insertion port along an insertion direction of the male terminal fitting so that the male terminal fitting can be corrected to a normal insertion posture. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein