KR20160006005A

KR20160006005A - Terminal fitting

Info

Publication number: KR20160006005A
Application number: KR1020140085268A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 요시지 키노시타
Original assignee: 메구로 셋케이 고우도우 카이샤
Priority date: 2014-07-08
Filing date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2016-01-18

Abstract

The present invention provides a terminal metal fitting for a connector capable of maintaining a desired contact force. The terminal metal fitting (W) comprises: a hollow container shaper box portion (10) in which a male terminal (T) of a counterpart side is inserted, and which includes a lower wall (11), an upper wall (13), and both sidewalls (12); and an elastic contact piece (14) which comes in contact with the male terminal (T) when the male terminal (T) is inserted inside the box portion (10). The elastic contact piece (14) is extended by being bent in a U shape toward a rear end side from a front end of the lower wall (11), and an approximately middle portion of a longitudinal direction thereof is formed in a へ shape convexly bent toward the upper wall. A free end thereof is supported to be slid on an upper side of the lower wall (11), and pinches the male terminal (T) in a space with the upper wall (13) by biasing the male terminal (T) on the upper wall (13) when the male terminal (T) is inserted. A top portion of a へ shape and a central area (15) near the top portion are formed in a bigger size than the size of the width direction except for the central area (15) of the elastic contact piece (14).

Description

{TERMINAL FITTING}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a female terminal fitting to which male terminals are inserted, and more particularly to a female terminal fitting of an automotive connector used for connection of a wire harness.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Automobile connectors used for connection of wire harnesses and the like are required to have high reliability and are required to have a structure capable of maintaining a large contact force as compared with connection terminals (general terminals) of personal computers and home appliances. Therefore, the automotive connector is designed to maintain the contact force of a desired size. For example, the contact force between the male terminal and the female terminal is designed to be about 10 times larger than that of the common terminal.

Here, the structure of the connection terminal of the prior art automotive connector will be described with reference to Fig. Fig. 13 is a schematic view for explaining a connecting terminal of a conventional automobile connector, wherein Fig. 13 (a) is a schematic view showing a male terminal and a female terminal (terminal fitting) constituting a connecting terminal of a vehicle connector, (b) is a schematic view showing the elastic connecting piece of the terminal metal fitting viewed from above at an angle.

The terminal metal fitting 200 shown in the figure is formed with a box portion 210 having a normal hollow angle on the front end side and a wire connecting portion 220 for connecting the end portion of the electric wire to the rear end side. The box portion 210 is composed of a bottom wall 211 and a top wall 213 and both left and right side walls 212. An opening 210a through which the male terminal 300 is inserted is formed at the front end thereof. When the male terminal 300 is inserted into the opening 210a on the upper surface of the bottom wall 211 of the box portion 210, the elastic contact pieces (not shown) that sandwich the male terminal 300 between the male terminal 300 and the upper wall 213 Elastic contact springs) 214 are provided.

The resilient contact piece 214 is formed by folding the spring piece (a spring piece in the shape of a strip having the same width dimension) extending from the front end of the bottom wall 211 upward at its base end portion, And the free end (tip end) of the spring piece is bent in the shape of a letter "H" so as to be convexly convex toward the upper wall 213 in the middle in the longitudinal direction, As shown in Fig.

When the male terminal 300 is inserted into the terminal fitting 200 in the direction of the arrow in the drawing (X direction), the male terminal 300 is inserted into the top of the elastic contact piece 214 bent in the " The resilient contact piece 214 is elastically displaced downward. The male terminal 300 inserted in the terminal fitting 200 is biased toward the upper wall 213 by the elastic force of the resilient contact piece 214 resiliently displaced and the elastic contact piece 214 and the upper wall 213 are biased toward each other, (Thereby electrically connecting the male terminal 300 and the terminal fitting 300).

A terminal fitting having an elastic contact piece 214 having the same structure as that of the terminal fitting 200 shown in Fig. 13 is described in Fig. 8 of Patent Document 1, for example.

8B of Japanese Patent No. 5065976

However, when the male terminal 300 is inserted, the terminal fitting 200 of the conventional art described above is deformed by the stress generated by the load applied to the top of the female terminal 300, There is a technical problem that there is a case in which a part is pushed and permanently deformed. As a result, in the automotive connector employing the above-described terminal bracket 200, for example, the elastic contact pieces 214 are pressed in the midst of use, and the desired contact force can not be maintained in some cases.

That is, the above-described conventional terminal fitting 200 is configured such that the resilient contact piece 214 is formed by bending a spring-like spring piece in the same width into a spiral shape (see FIG. 13 (b)), When the male terminal 300 is inserted, it can not sufficiently cope with the stress generated by the load applied to the top portion of the helical phase, so that the top of the elastic contact piece 214 is pressed and permanently deformed.

In addition, in recent years, automotive connectors tend to be miniaturized, and accordingly, the size of the terminal metal fittings of the connectors is also reduced. When the above-described conventional terminal metal fitting 200 is miniaturized, the size of the resilient contact piece 214 becomes small, so that its strength is lowered, and the resilient contact piece 214 is more likely to be permanently deformed . That is, the terminal metal fitting 200 of the related art has a structure that can not sufficiently cope with the demand for miniaturization.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal metal bracket for a connector which can maintain a desired contact force with a mating terminal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising: a hollow box portion having a bottom wall, a top wall, and both side walls to which a male terminal of a counterpart is inserted; The resilient contact piece is bent in a U-shape from the front end of the bottom wall toward the rear end side and extends while being bent in a convexly curved shape toward the upper wall. The free end is slidably supported on the upper surface of the bottom wall, and when the male terminal is inserted, the male terminal is biased to the upper wall side so that the male terminal And the resilient contact piece has a top portion of the helical phase and a top portion of the first region in the vicinity of the top portion, Wherein a dimension in the width direction is formed to a dimension larger than a dimension in the width direction other than the first area of the elastic contact piece, and a thick portion protruding in the thickness direction of the elastic contact piece is formed on the upper surface of the first region Wherein the thicker portion is formed in a rectangular shape having a short diameter in the width direction of the elastic contact piece or a rectangular shape having an angle of roundness and the dimension of the short diameter is substantially the same as the dimension in the width direction other than the first region, Or a dimension larger than the dimension in the width direction other than the first region.

In the present invention, the elliptical shape means an elliptical shape or a racetrack shape (a shape having a pair of rectilinear portions facing each other and a pair of arcuate portions connecting both ends of the rectilinear portion).

In the present invention, the dimension of the "top portion of the elastic contact piece and the region (first region) near the top portion" in which the maximum stress occurs when the male terminal is inserted is smaller than the dimension in the width direction of the region other than the first region And is formed into a large dimension. With this configuration, even if the terminal metal fitting is downsized, the thick portion protruding in the thickness direction of the elastic contact piece can be formed on the upper surface of the first area. According to the above configuration, the thick portion is formed into a rectangular shape having a small diameter in the width direction of the elastic contact piece or a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the dimension of the small diameter is set to a dimension in the width direction other than the first region Dimension larger than the dimension in the width direction other than the first dimension ", and the strength of the first region in which the maximum stress is generated in the elastic contact strip can be increased.

In addition, since the terminal fitting of the present invention has a structure in which the strength of the first region in which the maximum stress is generated in the elastic contact pieces is increased, compared with the above-described conventional technique (see Fig. 13), when the elastic contact piece is pushed and permanently deformed . In addition, according to the present invention, a terminal fitting capable of maintaining a desired contact force is provided, and a connector in which a desired contact force is maintained by using the terminal fitting is obtained.

Further, since the terminal metal fitting of the present invention has a structure in which the strength of the elastic contact piece is higher than that of the above-mentioned conventional connection terminal (see Fig. 13), the elastic contact piece is prevented from being pushed and permanently deformed, It is possible to cope with the demand.

It is preferable that the thick section of the thick section is formed in a shape which is a target before and after the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece with respect to the top section. It is preferable that the first region is formed such that the center thereof is located at the top of the elastic contact piece and that the dimension in the width direction gradually increases from the positions at both the front and rear ends of the first region towards the respective portions Do.

As described above, the cross section of the thick portion is formed in the shape of the object before and after the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece with reference to the apex portion of the elastic contact piece of the horny phase for the following reason. More specifically, when male terminals are inserted into the terminal fittings of the present invention, the male terminals come into contact with the top of the elastic contact pieces of the female terminal. Then, the top contact portion of the resilient contact piece becomes a load point, and undergoes a load in the downward direction (direction from the top wall to the bottom wall), and is elastically displaced downward. At this time, stress is generated on both sides of the elastic contact piece in the longitudinal direction centering on the load point (apex portion). Therefore, in the present invention, a thick portion having a cross-sectional shape targeted at both the front and rear sides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the load point (top portion) of the elastic contact piece is provided, and this stress can be effectively coped with.

(Effects of the Invention)

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal bracket for a connector that can maintain a desired contact force with a mating terminal.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1 (a) is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of the terminal metal fitting according to the present embodiment, and Fig. 1 .
2 is a plan view of a terminal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a side view of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a front view of the terminal metal fitting according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a schematic view for explaining the configuration of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic view showing a state in which the upper wall of the box portion is removed. Fig.
6 is a schematic view showing a section of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a schematic view for explaining an elastic contact piece of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Fig. 7 (a) is a schematic view of the elastic contact piece obliquely from above and Fig. 7 , (c) are schematic side views of the elastic contact piece.
Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing a terminal circular plate before press working of the terminal bracket according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.
Fig. 9 is a schematic view for explaining the operation of the terminal fitting according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 (a) is a schematic view showing the terminal fitting before the male terminal is inserted, Fig.
10 is a schematic view for explaining a load direction applied to an elastic contact piece of a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a schematic view for explaining a connecting terminal of a conventional automotive connector. Fig. 13 (a) is a schematic view showing the male terminal and the female terminal constituting the connecting terminal of the automotive connector, Is a schematic view of the contact piece viewed from above at an angle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a terminal metal fitting according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the terminal metal fitting of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7 and Fig.

As shown in the drawing, the terminal metal fitting W of this embodiment is constituted by a conductive member such as a metal, and is provided with a hollow angular box portion (see FIG. 9) into which a male terminal T 10 is formed, and a wire connecting portion 50 for connecting the end portion of the wire to the rear end side is formed. An elastic contact piece (elastic contact spring) 14 is formed in the box part 10 to contact the male terminal T inserted therein. The terminal fittings W are inserted into a connector housing (not shown) of an automotive connector, for example, and are used as automotive connectors. Since the wire connecting portion 50 has the same structure as that of the wire connecting portion 220 (see Fig. 13) of the related art and is realized by a well-known technique, the description thereof will be omitted below, And the elastic contact pieces 14 will be described in detail.

First, the box section 10 will be described in detail.

Specifically, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the box portion 10 includes a bottom wall 11, a top wall 13 opposed to the bottom wall 11, And an opening 10a into which a male terminal T is inserted is formed at a front end portion thereof. An elastic contact piece (elastic contact spring) sandwiching the male terminal T between the male terminal T and the upper wall 13 when the male terminal T is inserted is formed on the upper surface side of the bottom wall 11 in the box portion 10. [ (Not shown).

4 and 6, the upper wall 13 has an upper wall 13a which is bent at a substantially right angle from the upper end of one of the side walls 12 and a lower wall 13b which is substantially inward from the upper end of the other side wall 12 And an upper wall 13b bent at a right angle, and the upper wall 13a is superimposed on the upper wall 13b. The upper wall 13b is provided with a terminal contact portion 13b1 that contacts the male terminal T to be inserted. The plate piece 17a bent from the front end of one side wall 12 to the side of the other side wall 12 and the other side piece 12a of the other side wall 12 are provided on the lower side (the bottom wall 11 side) And a plate piece 17b bent from the front end to one side wall 12 side is formed (see Figs. 1 and 4).

Each of the left and right side walls 12 of the box portion 10 is provided with a hole 12a penetrating the side wall 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 6). A wide-width portion 15a of a resilient contact piece 14 to be described later is movably inserted into the hole 12a so that the wide-width portion 15a of the resilient contact piece 14 does not interfere with the side wall 12 . In the example shown in the drawing, the hole 12a is formed in a rectangular shape with rounded corners, but this shape is merely an example.

Next, the structure of the resilient contact piece 14 will be described.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the resilient contact piece 14 is bent in a U-shape from the front end to the rear end of the bottom wall 11 and extends in a middle portion thereof in the longitudinal direction toward the upper wall 13 As shown in Fig. The free end of the resilient contact piece 14 is slidably supported on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11.

In the elastic contact piece 14, for example, a band-shaped spring piece extending from the front end of the bottom wall 11 is folded upward at its base end portion, the free end thereof is bent toward the rear side, And the spring piece bent backward is bent in a staggered shape such that the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction thereof is convexly convex toward the upper wall 13.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the resilient contact pieces 14 are arranged in the width direction of the apex portion of the dorsal phase and the central region 15 (the hatched portion in Figs. 7 (b) and 7 (c) (First area) 15 of the resilient contact piece 14 is larger than the dimension in the width direction other than the central area (first area) The central region 15 is formed so as to extend over a first inclined face 14a extending from the convex top portion to the front end side and a second inclined face 14b extending from the top portion to the rear end side 7 (c)).

The center region 15 is formed such that the center of the central region 15 is positioned at the top of the elastic contact piece 14. [ As shown in Fig. 7 (b), the central region 15 gradually increases in dimension in the width direction from the positions 15b and 15c at both ends of the central region 15 toward the apex portion thereof .

The reason why the elastic contact pieces 14 are provided with the central region 15 having a large length in the width direction is adopted for the following reason.

More specifically, when the male terminal T is inserted into the terminal metal fitting W, the male terminal T is brought into contact with the top portion of the helical-shaped resilient contact piece 14, the top portion becomes a load point, A load in a direction from the upper wall 13 toward the bottom wall 11 is applied to the piece 14 and the elastic contact piece 14 is elastically displaced downward. At this time, in the elastic contact piece 14, stress is generated on both sides in the longitudinal direction centering on the load point (top portion). That is, when the male terminal T is inserted into the terminal metal fitting W, the maximum stress is generated in the region near the top and the top of the elastic contact piece 14. [

For this reason, in the present embodiment, a central region 15 having a large length in the width direction is formed so as to extend to both sides in the longitudinal direction around the load point (top portion) of the elastic contact piece 14, Described thick portion 16 for improving the strength of the resilient contact piece 14 can be formed on the surface of the elastic contact piece 14. [

The central region 15 is formed with a wide-width portion 15a (second region) having a dimension in the width direction larger than the dimension in the width direction of the box portion 10 (dimension in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 11) . The wide-width portion 15a is movably inserted in a hole 12a formed in the right and left side walls 12 of the box portion 10 12a in the vertical direction). With this configuration, when the elastic contact piece 14 comes into contact with the male terminal T inserted therein and is elastically displaced into the box portion 10 to operate in the vertical direction, 12).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the dimension in the width direction of the elastic contact piece 14 can be set without being limited by the dimension in the width direction of the box portion 10. [ That is, according to the present embodiment, the strength of the resilient contact piece 14 can be increased without being limited to the dimension in the width direction of the box portion 10.

5 to 7, the central region 15 is provided with a thick portion 16 (an upper wall 13 on the upper surface side of the elastic contact piece 14) protruding in the thickness direction of the elastic contact piece 14, (The thick portion 16 protruding to the side of the body). The thick portion 16 includes a first inclined surface 14a extending from the convex top portion of the resilient contact piece 14 to the front end side like the central region 15 and a second inclined surface 14b extending from the top portion toward the rear end side 14b.

In the illustrated example, the thick portion 16 is formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in plan view. More specifically, the thicker portion 16 is formed into a rectangular shape having a long diameter in the longitudinal direction and a short diameter in the width direction, and as shown in Fig. 5, the size (d2) (D1? D2), which is substantially the same as the dimension d1 in the width direction other than the central region 15 of the first electrode 12a. The cross-section of the thicker portion 16 is formed in the shape of the object in the front-rear direction of the elastic contact piece 14 with reference to the top portion (see Fig. 7 (c)). In the present embodiment, the elliptical shape refers to a shape such as an elliptical shape, a race track shape (a shape having a pair of straight portions facing each other and a pair of arcuate portions connecting both ends of the straight portion).

In the illustrated example, the dimension d2 of the minor diameter is formed to have substantially the same dimension as the dimension d1 in the width direction other than the central region 15 of the elastic contact piece 14, but the present invention is not limited thereto . The thick portion 16 may be formed such that the dimension d2 of the minor diameter is larger than the dimension d1 in the width direction other than the central region 15 of the elastic contact piece 14 (d1 <d2).

In the illustrated example, the thick portion 16 is formed in a rectangular shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the thicker portion 16 may be formed in an " round rectangular shape " having a long diameter in the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece 14 and a short diameter in the width direction. For example, the thick portion 15 may be formed in a rectangular shape (in this case, the long side is formed in the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece 14, and the short side is formed in the width direction).

By forming the thick portion 16 in the central region 15 as described above, it is possible to increase the strength of the top portion and the vicinity of the top portion of the elastic contact piece 14. As a result, the elastic contact piece 14 And can be effectively prevented from being pushed and permanently deformed.

6, the free end 14c of the elastic contact piece 14 according to the present embodiment is formed with a circular arc portion 14c curved in an arcuate convex shape with respect to the upper surface of the bottom wall 11, 14c are slidably in contact with the bottom wall 11. As a result, the elastic contact pieces 14 can smoothly move on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11.

Next, a method of manufacturing the terminal metal fitting W of this embodiment will be described with an example.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the terminal fittings W can be formed by pressing one piece of the terminal circular plate A by press working. Hereinafter, the terminal circular plate A will be described using the names after press working for convenience of explanation. 8 is a schematic view showing the terminal circular plate of the terminal bracket of the present embodiment before press working.

Specifically, the terminal circular plate A includes a bottom wall 11, a pair of side walls 12 extending to both sides of the bottom wall 11, a pair of side walls 12 extending in the side ends of the pair of side walls 12, A pair of plate pieces 17a and 17b extending to the front end of the pair of side walls 12 and a pair of plate-like springs 17a and 17b extending from one end (front end) of the bottom wall 11, (A spring plate on a strip-like plate to be the elastic contact piece 14). Further, the pair of side walls 12 are formed with holes 12a, respectively. A terminal contact portion 13b1 protruding in a rectangular convex shape is formed on the upper wall 13b. The terminal circular plate A is bent by a predetermined bending process by press working to form a terminal metal fitting W having the structure shown in Fig.

Next, the operation of the terminal metal fitting W of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

Fig. 9 is a schematic view for explaining the operation of the terminal bracket according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 (a) is a schematic view showing a terminal bracket before a male terminal is inserted, Fig. 10 is a schematic view for explaining a load direction applied to the elastic contact piece of the terminal metal fitting according to the present embodiment.

More specifically, when the male terminal T is inserted into the opening 10a of the terminal fitting W, the male terminal T is brought into contact with the top portion of the resilient contact piece 14 and the resilient contact piece 14 ) Is urged downward and elastically displaced downward. That is, as shown in Fig. 10, a load F is applied to the top of the elastic contact piece 14 in the downward direction, and the elastic contact piece 14 is elastically displaced. In accordance with this elastic displacement, the circular arc portion 14c at the free end moves in the X direction shown while sliding on the upper surface of the bottom wall 11. [ At this time, the male contact T inserted into the elastic contact piece 14 toward the terminal contact portion 13b1 of the upper wall 13b by the reaction against the load applied to the top portion (by the elastic force) Singing. The male terminal T is sandwiched between the elastic contact piece 14 and the terminal contact portion 13b1 of the upper wall 13b (Fig. 9 (b)).

In the present embodiment, the dimension in the width direction of the convex top portion and the top portion (central region 15) of the resilient contact piece 14 is smaller than the dimension in the width direction of the elastic contact pieces 14 Is larger than the dimension in the width direction of the region. A thick portion 16 protruding in the thickness direction of the elastic contact piece 14 is formed in the central region 15. With this configuration, when the male terminal T is inserted, the strength of the region where the maximum stress occurs in the elastic contact piece 14 (the region near the top of the convex portion and the region near the top portion) is increased. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the top of the resilient contact piece 14 is effectively prevented from being pushed and permanently deformed. In other words, since the terminal fitting W of the present embodiment has a structure in which the pressing of the elastic contact piece 14 is prevented, it is possible to provide the terminal fitting W capable of maintaining a desired contact force.

In the present embodiment, in the central region 15 of the resilient contact piece 14, a wide-width portion 15a larger than the dimension in the width direction of the box portion 10 (the dimension in the width direction of the bottom wall portion 11) . Holes 12a are provided in the right and left side walls 12 of the box portion 10 and the wide portions 15a are movably inserted into the holes 12a of the left and right side walls 12, So that the light portion 15a and the box portion 10 do not interfere with each other.

With this configuration, the dimension in the width direction of the elastic contact piece 14 can be designed without being limited by the dimension in the width direction of the box portion 10. [ In other words, by providing the holes 12a in the left and right side walls 12, the dimension in the width direction of the elastic contact pieces 14 can be made larger than the width direction of the box portion 10, and the strength of the elastic contact pieces can be increased .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, compared with the above-described conventional technique, the terminal fitting W having the increased strength of the resilient contact piece 14 is provided. As a result, The terminal metal fitting W of the second embodiment is provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

11, the free end of the resilient contact piece 14 and the contact portion on the side of the bottom wall 11 of the box portion 10 can be deformed as shown in Fig. 11 in the terminal metal fitting W of the above- good. Here, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a first modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

More specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, a cut standing up piece 18 is formed on the bottom wall 11 of the box portion 10 by cutting it obliquely upward (toward the top wall 13) from the bottom wall 11, And the free end of the elastic contact piece 14 may be slidably supported at the free end of the cutting upright piece 18. [ In this case, an arc-shaped convex curved portion 18a is formed at the free end (tip end portion) of the cut and standing piece 18 so that the curved portion 18a and the free ends of the elastic contact piece 14 are brought into contact with each other. Also in this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

According to this configuration, as the elastic contact piece 14 is deformed, stress is also generated in the root of the cut standing piece 18, which is cut, so that the strength received by the male terminal T is reduced. However, 15) is reduced, a low stress value as a whole can be obtained and a stable performance can be obtained.

12, the free end of the resilient contact piece 14 and the contact portion on the side of the bottom wall 11 of the box portion 10 can be deformed as shown in Fig. 12, for example, in the terminal metal fitting W of the above- do. Here, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a second modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the free end of the elastic contact piece 14 is provided with a circular arc portion 19 formed by curving in a C-shape as seen from the end face, and the circular arc portion 19 is formed in a box portion 10 so as to be slidable. Also in this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

According to this configuration, stress is also generated in the arc portion 19 in accordance with the deformation of the resilient contact piece 14. Therefore, as in the first modification, the stress occurring in the vicinity of the central region 15 is reduced And a low stress value is obtained as a whole, so that a stable performance can be obtained.

In the present embodiment, the resilient contact piece 14 has a configuration in which one end portion extends from the bottom wall 11, but is not limited thereto. The elastic contact pieces 14 may have a structure in which one end portion thereof is fixed to the front end portion of the bottom wall 11. For example, one end portion of the elastic contact piece 14 and the front end of the bottom wall 11 are fixed .

W: Terminal bracket T: Male terminal
A: Terminal circular plate 10: Box part
10a: opening 11: bottom wall
12: side wall 12a: hole
13, 13a, 13b: upper wall 13b1:
14: Elastic contact piece 14a: First inclined surface (elastic contact piece)
14b: second inclined surface (elastic contact piece) 14c: circular arc portion
15: central region (elastic contact piece) 15a: wide-width portion (elastic contact piece)
16: thick portion (elastic contact piece) 17a, 17b:
50:

Claims

A terminal metal bracket having a hollow cylindrical box portion into which a male terminal of a counterpart is inserted and which has a bottom wall, an upper wall and both side walls, and an elastic contact piece which is in contact with the male terminal when the male terminal is inserted into the box portion,
Wherein the resilient contact piece extends in a U-shape from the front end to the rear end side of the bottom wall and has a substantially middle portion in the longitudinal direction is formed in a cantilevered shape bent toward the upper wall in a convex shape, And the male terminal is sandwiched between the male terminal and the upper wall by biasing the male terminal toward the upper wall when the male terminal is inserted,
Wherein the resilient contact piece has a dimension in the width direction of the first region near the apex portion and apex portion of the helical phase being larger than a dimension in the width direction other than the first region of the resilient contact piece,
A thick portion protruding in a thickness direction of the elastic contact piece is formed on an upper surface of the first region of the elastic contact piece,
Wherein the thicker portion is formed in a rectangular shape having a small diameter in the width direction of the elastic contact piece or in a rectangular shape with an angle of roundness and the dimension of the small diameter is substantially the same as the dimension in the width direction other than the first region of the elastic contact piece, And the dimension of the terminal metal is larger than the dimension in the width direction other than the first region.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a section of the thicker portion is formed in a shape which is a target before and after the longitudinal direction of the elastic contact piece with respect to the top portion.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein the first region is formed such that the center thereof is positioned at the top of the elastic contact piece and the dimension in the width direction is gradually increased from the positions of the front and rear ends of the first region toward the top portion, Terminal fittings.