WO2023132239A1

WO2023132239A1 - Press-fit terminal and substrate equipped with press-fit terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2023132239A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/047094
Authority: WO
Inventors: 瑞歩川島; 茂荻原
Original assignee: 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所; 住友電装株式会社; 住友電気工業株式会社
Priority date: 2022-01-07
Filing date: 2022-12-21
Publication date: 2023-07-13

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to enable a plating-formed portion in a press-fit terminal to more reliably contact an inner surface of a through-hole. The press-fit terminal is inserted into a through-hole formed in a substrate, the press-fit terminal comprising a distal end section, a proximal end section, and a press-fit section between the distal end section and the proximal end section, wherein: plating layers are formed on at least both sides in the thickness direction in the pres-fit section; the press-fit section includes two contact pieces facing each other with an elongated hole therebetween; the two contact pieces protrude toward sides opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the press-fit section; and the press-fit section includes a thickness-wise abutment section of which the thickness-direction dimension is greater than the width-direction dimension.

Description

Press-fit terminals and substrates with press-fit terminals

The present disclosure relates to press-fit terminals and substrates with press-fit terminals.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-100000 discloses a substantially vertically long rectangular through hole extending in the length direction of the terminal fitting at the central portion of the terminal fitting in the plate width direction, and a pair of elastic pressure contact pieces separated on both sides in the plate width direction by the through holes. and a terminal fitting. The pair of elastic pressure contact pieces are separated from each other in the plate width direction via the through holes. Also, the lengthwise central portions of the pair of elastic pressure contact pieces are deformed so as to protrude to both sides of the terminal fitting in the plate thickness direction. The terminal fitting is formed by press-punching a metal plate such as a copper plate whose surface is plated with tin or the like.

JP 2017-216078 A

According to the terminal fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is conceivable that plating is formed mainly on both sides in the thickness direction of the pair of elastic compression pieces and on the corners connected to the sides. It is desired that the plated portions of the pair of elastic compression pieces make more reliable contact with the inner surface of the through hole.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to enable the plated portion of the press-fit terminal to more reliably contact the inner surface of the through hole.

A press-fit terminal of the present disclosure is a press-fit terminal that is inserted into a through hole formed in a substrate, and includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a press-fit portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion. and a plated layer is formed on at least both sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion, the press-fit portion includes two contact pieces facing each other across an elongated hole, and the two contact pieces project to opposite sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion, and the press-fit portion includes a thickness-direction pressing portion having a thickness-direction dimension larger than a width-direction dimension.

According to the present disclosure, the plated portion of the press-fit terminal can more reliably contact the inner surface of the through hole.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a press-fit terminal according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a press-fit terminal. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a press-fit terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the contact piece in the IV-IV line cross section of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the contact piece in a cross section taken along the line VV of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the contact piece in a cross section taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a deformed state of a contact piece in a comparative example. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a substrate with press-fit terminals in which press-fit terminals are press-fitted into the substrate.

[Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]
First, the embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described.

The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure is as follows.

(1) A press-fit terminal to be inserted into a through-hole formed in a substrate, the press-fit terminal including a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a press-fit portion between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion, at least Plating layers are formed on both sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion, and the press-fit portion includes two contact pieces facing each other across an elongated hole, and the two contact pieces are connected to the press-fit portion. and the press-fit portion includes a thickness-direction pressing portion having a thickness-direction dimension larger than a width-direction dimension.

According to this press-fit terminal, the press-fit portion includes the thickness-direction pressing portion whose thickness-direction dimension is greater than its width-direction dimension. In this thickness direction pressing portion, the outer surface in the thickness direction of each of the two contact pieces and the corner portion connected to the surface can be easily pressed against the inner surface of the through hole. As a result, the plated portion of the press-fit terminal can more reliably contact the inner surface of the through hole.

(2) In the press-fit terminal of (1), each of the two contact pieces is located outside of the press-fit portion in the width direction and in the middle of the contact piece in the extending direction of the press-fit portion. The press-fit portion may have a recess that is recessed toward the center in the width direction, and the thickness-direction pressing portion may be positioned in a section of the press-fit portion in which the recess is formed in the extending direction of the press-fit portion.

Thereby, each of the two contact pieces has a recess that is recessed toward the center in the width direction of the press-fit portion at the outer side of the press-fit portion in the width direction and at the middle in the extending direction of the contact piece. , in the extending direction of the press-fit portion, the thickness-direction pressing portion is positioned within the section of the press-fit portion in which the recess is formed. In this case, it is easy to set the width of both ends of the contact piece in the extending direction to be larger than the width of the central portion of the contact piece in the extending direction. easy to secure.

(3) In the press-fit terminal of (1) or (2), the thickness-direction pressing portion may include a linearly continuous portion along the extending direction of the press-fit portion. This allows the thickness direction pressing portion to stably contact the inner surface of the through hole.

(4) The press-fit terminal according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the press-fit portion extends outward in the width direction of the press-fit portion as it moves toward the base end portion. two width direction insertion guide surfaces, and two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces directed outward in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion toward the base end side, wherein the two width direction insertion guide surfaces The two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces may be positioned closer to the proximal end than the two.

As a result, the timing at which the two width direction insertion guide surfaces are pressed against the inner surface of the through hole can be shifted from the timing at which the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces are pressed against the inner surface of the through hole, thereby reducing the maximum insertion load. can be made smaller.

(5) In the press-fit terminal of (4), the distal end of the thickness direction insertion guide surface is located closer to the proximal end than the proximal end of the width direction insertion guide surface. You may have

In this case, when the press-fit terminal is inserted into the through hole, the press-fit portion is deformed by the thickness direction insertion guide surface after the width direction insertion guide surface deforms the press fit portion. Therefore, the insertion load can be reduced.

(6) In the press-fit terminal of (4) or (5), the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces are closer to the extending direction of the press-fit portion than the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces. It may be steeply slanted.

Thereby, the deformation of the contact piece for forming the thickness direction insertion guide surface can be performed at a position distant from the end of the elongated hole. As a result, the amount of deformation in the thickness direction can be increased by increasing the inclination of the thickness direction insertion guide surface while suppressing cracks at the end of the elongated hole.

(7) The press-fit terminal according to any one of (1) to (6) may have a plate thickness of 0.5 mm or less.

If the plate thickness is 0.5 mm or less, cracks are likely to occur during press working. In such a case, the occurrence of cracks can be effectively suppressed by deforming the two contact pieces facing each other across the elongated hole so as to protrude in opposite directions in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion.

The substrate with press-fit terminals of the present disclosure is as follows.

(8) A substrate with press-fit terminals, comprising: a substrate in which a through hole is formed; and the press-fit terminal in which the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the through hole.

As a result, it is possible to obtain a substrate with press-fit terminals in which the plated portions of the press-fit terminals are more reliably pressed against the inner surfaces of the through holes.

[Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure]
Specific examples of the press-fit terminal and the substrate with press-fit terminal of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the scope of the claims.

[Embodiment]
A press-fit terminal according to an embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a press-fit terminal 20 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the press-fit terminal 20. FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a press-fit terminal. In FIGS. 1 to 3, the portion connected to the base end portion of the press-fit terminal 20 is omitted. 2 and 3 show cross sections of the substrate 12 formed with the through holes 13 into which the press-fit terminals 20 are to be inserted.

The press-fit terminal 20 is a terminal that is press-fitted into a through-hole 13 formed in the substrate 12 .

Here, the substrate 12 is formed of an insulating plate such as a glass epoxy plate. A through-hole 13 is formed in the substrate 12 so as to penetrate the front and back. The through hole 13 is, for example, a circular hole. A conductive layer 13f made of metal such as copper is formed on the inner surface of the through hole 13 . While the press-fit terminal 20 is press-fitted into the through-hole 13, the press-fit terminal 20 contacts the conductive layer 13f and is electrically connected to the conductive layer 13f. The conductive layer 13f may be connected to a circuit formed on the surface of the substrate 12 or the like.

The press-fit terminal 20 is made of metal such as copper or copper alloy. The press-fit terminal 20 is formed, for example, by pressing a metal plate. It is assumed that a plated layer 20f of tin, tin alloy, or the like is formed on the surface of the press-fit terminal 20 . The plate thickness of the press-fit terminal 20 may be 0.5 mm or less, or may be 0.4 mm or less. The plate thickness of the press-fit terminal 20 may be 0.3 mm or more. The plate thickness of the press-fit terminal 20 is the thickness of each portion without considering bending deformation in the thickness direction of the contact piece 42 to be described later. It is the thickness of the part that is not covered. By setting the plate thickness of the press-fit terminal 20 to 0.5 mm or less or 0.4 mm or less, it is possible to accommodate a small through-hole 13 . If the through-holes 13 and the press-fit terminals 20 can be miniaturized, the press-fit terminals 20 can meet the demand for higher density and multi-polarization. The upper limit value or lower limit value of the plate thickness may be a value that allows a deviation within a manufacturing error range. The manufacturing error may be within ±20% or within ±10% from the reference value, for example.

Pre-plating and post-plating are conceivable as methods of plating the press-fit terminals 20 . Pre-plating is a processing method in which a plate material is plated before being pressed. Post-plating is a method of plating the surface of the press-fit terminal after press working. From the viewpoint of cost reduction, pre-plating is preferable because the plate material before press working can be plated collectively. In this case, the plated layers 20 f are formed on both sides of the press-fit terminal 20 in the thickness direction. In addition, it is assumed that the plated layer on the surface of the plate material is pulled inward from the surface of the plate material by the shear blades entering from the surface of the plate material to the center in the thickness direction during press working. Therefore, it is assumed that the plated layer 20f is also formed on the corners of the press-fit terminal 20 that are connected to both sides in the thickness direction. It is assumed that there is no plating layer 20f on the side surface of the press-fit terminal 20 to be cut, particularly the center region in the thickness direction of the side surface, and the base material is exposed. In order to improve electrical connection between press-fit terminal 20 and conductive layer 13 f on the inner surface of through hole 13 , it is preferable that plated layer 20 f is in contact with the inner surface of through hole 13 . The press-fit terminal 20 according to the present embodiment is a terminal suitable for bringing the inner surfaces of the through holes 13 into contact with both surfaces in the thickness direction of the press-fit terminal 20 and the corners connected to the surfaces.

The press-fit terminal 20 is formed in a shape extending linearly as a whole. Press-fit terminal 20 includes a distal end 30 , a proximal end 60 , and a press-fit portion 40 between distal end 30 and proximal end 60 . As described above, the plated layer 20f is formed at least on both sides of the press-fit portion 40 in the thickness direction.

In the description of this embodiment, the extending direction of the press-fit terminal 20 or the press-fit portion 40 is the direction in which the distal end portion 30, the press-fit portion 40, and the base end portion 60 are connected. The distal end side of the press-fit terminal 20 or the press-fit portion 40 is the side where the distal end portion 30 is located, and the proximal end side is the side where the proximal end portion 60 is located. The thickness direction of the press-fit terminal 20 or the press-fit portion 40 is the direction from the portion where the shape of the plate remains, assuming that the press-fit terminal 20 or the press-fit portion 40 is formed by pressing a plate. This is the grasped thickness direction. For example, the distal end portion 30 and the proximal end portion 60 have two surfaces that are parallel to each other and face opposite to each other, connected to both edges of the outer surface that is the shear surface. The direction connecting the two surfaces is the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 coincides with the axial direction of an eyehole 41 to be described later. The width direction of the press-fit terminal 20 or the press-fit portion 40 is a direction orthogonal to both the extension direction and the thickness direction.

The tip portion 30 is a portion extending from the press-fit portion 40 to the tip side. The tip portion 30 is a portion that is first inserted into the through-hole 13 when the press-fit terminal 20 is inserted into the through-hole 13 . In this embodiment, the tip portion 30 is formed in a shape that gradually narrows toward the tip side. It is easily inserted into hole 13 . The tip portion 30 is inserted into the through-hole 13 with a gap from the inner surface of the through-hole 13 .

The base end portion 60 includes a rectangular plate-like portion with continuous portions of the same width. Edges on both sides in the width direction of the rectangular plate-like portion are parallel to each other. The base end portion does not have to be rectangular plate-shaped.

The press-fit portion 40 is provided between the distal portion 30 and the proximal portion 60 . The press-fit portion 40 includes two contact pieces 42 facing each other across an eye hole 41 . The eyehole 41 is an elongated hole in the direction connecting the distal end portion 30 and the proximal end portion 60 . Specific examples of the shape of the eyehole 41 include a perfect circle, an oval shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, and the like. The eyehole 41 is preferably elongated in the direction in which the press-fit terminal is inserted. In this embodiment, the eyehole 41 has an elongated shape surrounded by a pair of inner peripheral edges parallel to each other and a pair of V-shaped edges connected to both ends of the pair of inner peripheral edges. The apex of the V-shaped edge is rounded. One ends of the two contact pieces 42 are connected to the tip portion 30 . The other ends of the two contact pieces 42 are connected to the base end 60 .

The width dimension of the press-fit portion 40 is the distance between the outward side surfaces of the two contact pieces 42 facing opposite sides. The maximum width dimension of the press-fit portion 40 is larger than the diameter of the through hole 13 . Therefore, when the press-fit portion 40 is inserted into the through hole 13, the press-fit portion 40 is compressed in the width direction. As a result, a force is applied to press the press-fit portion 40 against the inner surface of the through hole 13 along the width direction.

The two contact pieces 42 protrude to opposite sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 . That is, one contact piece 42 protrudes to one thickness direction side of the press-fit portion 40 , and the other contact piece 42 protrudes to the other thickness direction side of the press-fit portion 40 . The dimension in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 is defined as the distance between the protruding side surfaces of the contact pieces 42 in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 . In other words, the dimension in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 is defined as the one surface of the one contact piece 42 in the thickness direction and the other surface in the thickness direction of the other contact piece 42 in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 . distance from the side surface. The maximum thickness dimension of the press-fit portion 40 is larger than the diameter of the through hole 13 . Therefore, when the press-fit portion 40 is inserted into the through hole 13, the press-fit portion 40 is compressed in the thickness direction. As a result, a force is applied to press the press-fit portion 40 against the inner surface of the through hole 13 along the thickness direction.

In the present embodiment, the maximum width portion 45 of the press-fit portion 40, which is the maximum width, is located near the distal end portion 30 and the proximal end portion 60 of the press-fit portion 40 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). ). A maximum thickness portion 46 of the press-fit portion 40 is positioned between the two maximum width portions 45 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The dimension of the section of the press-fit portion 40 where the

portions

45 and 46 exist is shorter than the thickness dimension D of the substrate 12 . Therefore, the

portions

45 and 46 can be accommodated in the through hole 13 while the press-fit terminal 20 is inserted into the through hole 13 .

The press-fit portion 40 includes a thickness-direction pressing portion 47 having a thickness-direction dimension t2 larger than a width-direction dimension w2 (see FIG. 6). In this embodiment, the portion including the maximum thickness portion 46 is the thickness direction pressing portion 47 . In the through hole 13, the thickness direction pressing portion 47 is compressed more in the thickness direction than in the width direction. Therefore, it is assumed that the thickness-direction pressing portion 47 is pressed against the inner surface of the through-hole 13 with a larger force in the thickness direction than in the width direction.

The thickness direction pressing portion 47 is formed by forming a concave portion 48 in each of the two contact pieces 42 . That is, each of the two contact pieces 42 has a concave portion 48 that is recessed toward the center in the width direction of the press-fit portion 40 at the outer side in the width direction of the press-fit terminal 20 and at the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the contact piece 42 . are doing. In the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 , the thickness-direction pressing portion 47 is positioned within the section of the press-fit portion 40 in which the recessed portion 48 is formed. That is, the thickness direction pressing portion 47 is formed by reducing the width of the press-fit portion 40 by the recess 48 .

Since the thickness direction pressing portion 47 is formed by the concave portion 48, the tip side portion and the proximal side portion of the two contact pieces 42 are wider than the portion where the concave portion 48 is formed. can be thickened. That is, the portion of the two contact pieces 42 connected to the distal end portion 30 and the proximal end portion 60 can be thickened. This makes it easier to maintain the strength with which the contact piece 42 is pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

The recessed portion 48 has a bottom surface along the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 at an intermediate portion in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 . The surfaces of the recess 48 on the distal side and the proximal side are directed toward the distal side and the proximal side while being inclined outward with respect to the extension direction from the side surface. Since the bottom surface of the recessed portion 48 extends along the direction in which the press-fit portion 40 extends, the thickness direction pressing portion 47 includes a straight-shaped portion that continues linearly in the direction in which the press-fit terminal 20 extends. In other words, the thickness-direction pressing portion 47 is a portion in which the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction of the press-fit terminal 20 continues in the same shape in the extending direction. In this embodiment, the linearly continuous straight portion is the maximum thickness portion 46 . It is expected that this straight portion is stably pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

The maximum width dimension and maximum thickness dimension of the press-fit portion 40 are larger than the diameter of the through hole 13 . In order to allow the press-fit portion 40 to be smoothly inserted into the through-hole 13, the press-fit portion 40 has guide surfaces 50, 54 that slope outward from the distal end portion 30 toward the maximum width portion 45 or the maximum thickness portion 46. have. Each

guide surface

50, 54 will be described.

That is, the press-fit portion 40 has two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 directed outward in the width direction of the press-fit portion 40 toward the base end portion 60 side. In this embodiment, the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 are located between the tip portion 30 and the maximum width portion 45 on the outward side surface of the portion of the contact piece 42 closer to the tip. The two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 are directed from both outer side surfaces of the tip portion 30 to the outward side surfaces of the widest portion 45 . In this embodiment, the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 extend at the same inclination from both outer side surfaces of the distal end portion 30 . The two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 continue to the maximum width portion 45 while gradually becoming less inclined with respect to the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 .

The press-fit portion 40 has two proximal-side inclined surfaces 52 that extend inward in the width direction of the press-fit portion 40 toward the proximal side and continue to both side surfaces of the proximal portion 60 . For example, the two proximal side inclined surfaces 52 may be symmetrical with respect to the widthwise insertion guide surface 50 with the center of the press-fit portion 40 in the extending direction as a symmetrical surface.

In addition, the press-fit portion 40 has two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 directed outward in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 toward the base end portion 60 side. In the present embodiment, the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are located on the tip side of the contact piece 42 with respect to the maximum thickness portion 46 . The thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 on one side is formed on the surface on the one side in the thickness direction of the contact piece 42 protruding to the one side in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 among the two contact pieces 42 . The thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 on the one side extends from the portion of the contact piece 42 on the one side near the distal end portion 30 toward the base end portion 60 toward the one side in the thickness direction (the contact piece on the one side). 42 protruding) and reaches a maximum thickness portion 46 . Of the two contact pieces 42 , the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 on the other side is formed on the surface on the other thickness direction side of the contact piece 42 protruding to the other thickness direction side of the press-fit portion 40 . The thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 on the other side extends from the portion of the contact piece 42 on the other side near the distal end portion 30 toward the base end portion 60 toward the other side in the thickness direction (the contact piece on the other side). 42 protruding) and reaches a maximum thickness portion 46 . That is, the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are inclined outward on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 as they move from the tip-side portion toward the maximum thickness portion 46 in each contact piece 42 . there is Note that the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 continue to the distal end side portion or the proximal end side portion while the inclination with respect to the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 gradually becomes gentle.

Note that the press-fit portion 40 has two proximal-side inclined surfaces 56 directed inward in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 as it goes toward the proximal side. The two proximal side inclined surfaces 56 may be symmetrical with respect to the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54, for example, with the center in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 as a symmetrical surface.

The two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are located closer to the base end side than the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 are. The positions of the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces 50 and the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 may be based on, for example, positions P1 and P2 at which the width or thickness begins to contact the through hole 13 .

For example, focusing on the width direction of the press-fit portion 40, the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces 50 begin to contact the inner surface of the through-hole 13 at the point where the width of the press-fit portion 40 is the same as the diameter of the through-hole 13. . Therefore, the position P1 where the width of the press-fit portion 40 is the same as the diameter of the through hole 13 in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 is set as the reference position of the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 .

Further, for example, focusing on the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40, the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 come into contact with the inner surface of the through-hole 13 where the thickness of the press-fit portion 40 is the same as the diameter of the through-hole 13. Begin to. Therefore, the position P<b>2 where the thickness of the press-fit portion 40 is the same as the diameter of the through hole 13 in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 is set as the reference position of the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 .

It may be understood that the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are located closer to the base end side than the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 with respect to P1 and P2.

If the distal end of the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 is positioned closer to the proximal end than the proximal end of the width direction insertion guide surface 50, the through hole 13 to be inserted It can be said that the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are positioned closer to the proximal end than the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces 50, regardless of the diameter. The proximal end of the width direction insertion guide surface 50 and the distal end of the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 are the ends that are connected to the plane parallel to the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 . You can think of it.

The two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 with respect to the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 may be more inclined than the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces 50 . The inclination β of the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces 54 with respect to the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 is, for example, the flat portion of the middle portion of the thickness-direction insertion guide surface 54 in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 or the central position. inclination (see FIG. 3). The inclination α of the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces 50 with respect to the extension direction of the press-fit portion 40 is, for example, the flat portion of the intermediate portion of the width-direction insertion guide surface 50 in the extension direction of the press-fit portion 40 or the center position of the width direction insertion guide surface 50 . inclination (see FIG. 2).

Since the inclination β of the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 is large, the existence range of the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 can be reduced in the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 . This makes it easy to set the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 at positions away from the end of the eyehole 41 .

The operation of inserting the press-fit terminal 20 configured in this way into the through-hole 13 and the state after insertion will be described.

When the press-fit terminal 20 is inserted into the through-hole 13 , the tip portion 30 is first placed inside the through-hole 13 . When the position P<b>1 of the press-fit portion 40 reaches the entrance side opening of the through hole 13 , both widthwise side portions of the press-fit portion 40 begin to contact the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

When the portion corresponding to the position P1 enters the through-hole 13, the width direction both side portions of the maximum width portion 45 come into contact with the inner surface of the through-hole 13. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the contact piece 42 in the through hole 13 in the IV-IV line cross section of FIG. As shown in the figure, since the maximum width of the maximum width portion 45 is larger than the diameter of the through hole 13, the width direction outside portion of the maximum width portion 45 contacts the inner surface of the through hole 13, and the width of the eye hole 41 is reduced. The two contact pieces 42 are deformed so as to narrow. This reaction force pushes the widthwise outer portions of the two contact pieces 42 toward the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

FIG. 5 is a view showing the deformed state of the contact piece 42 inside the through hole 13 in the cross section taken along the line VV in FIG. Furthermore, when the press-fit portion 40 is inserted into the through-hole 13 , the inclined portion in the thickness direction (thickness-direction insertion guide surface 54 portion) of the two contact pieces 42 enters the through-hole 13 . Then, both sides of the two contact pieces 42 in the thickness direction, here, the outer corner portions in the width direction of the two contact pieces 42 , which are connected to the outward surfaces in the thickness direction, start contacting the inner surface of the through hole 13 . Thereby, the contact piece 42 is pushed inward in the width direction and inward in the thickness direction. It is conceivable that the position where the two contact pieces 42 are pushed inward in the thickness direction is a position closer to the tip side than the position P2.

At the initial stage when the contact pieces 42 are pushed inward in the width direction and inward in the thickness direction, it is conceivable that the tip side portion of the two contact pieces 42 that protrudes less in the thickness direction is pressed against the through hole 13 . For example, it is conceivable that the portion of the two contact pieces 42 where the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 is formed and whose width direction dimension w1 is larger than the thickness direction dimension t1 is pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 . . In this case, it is conceivable that the force F1 that pushes the two contact pieces 42 inward in the width direction is greater than the force F2 that pushes the two contact pieces 42 inward in the thickness direction. As a result, a turning force F3 (clockwise turning force F3 in FIG. 5) acts on the press-fit portion 40 to rotate it around its axis.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the deformed state of the contact piece 42 inside the through hole 13 in the VI-VI line cross section of FIG. Further, when the press-fit portion 40 is inserted into the through-hole 13, the amount of protrusion of the contact piece 42 in the thickness direction increases, and the portion of the two contact pieces 42 where the dimension t2 in the thickness direction is larger than the dimension w2 in the width direction. is pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 . That is, the thickness direction pressing portion 47 of the press-fit portion 40 is pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 . At this portion, the outwardly facing surfaces in the thickness direction of the two contact pieces 42 or the outer corners connected to the outwardly facing surfaces are likely to be pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

Also, in this portion, it is conceivable that the force F5 that pushes the two contact pieces 42 inward in the thickness direction is greater than the force F4 that pushes the two contact pieces 42 inward in the width direction. As a result, a turning force F6 (counterclockwise turning force F6 in FIG. 6) that rotates the press-fit portion 40 about its axis in the opposite direction to the force F3 acts.

It is conceivable that the press-fit portion 40 is acted upon by the turning force F3 and the turning force F6 in the opposite direction. Since the turning forces F3 and F6 cancel out each other, the turning of the press-fit portion 40 is suppressed. As a result, the outwardly facing surface in the thickness direction of the thickness direction pressing portion 47 or the outer corner portion connected to the outwardly facing surface is easily maintained in a state of being pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the contact piece 142 in the through-hole 13 assuming a configuration without the thickness direction pressing portion 47 as a comparative example. In this case, it is conceivable that the width dimension w3 is larger than the thickness dimension t3 even in the portion of the press-fit portion 140 where the thickness dimension is the largest.

In this case, compared to the case shown in FIG. 6, the portion of the two contact pieces 142 closer to the outward surface in the width direction is more likely to be pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 . Also, at this portion, it is conceivable that the force F7 that pushes the two contact pieces 142 inward in the width direction is greater than the force F8 that pushes the two contact pieces 142 inward in the thickness direction. As a result, a turning force F9 (clockwise turning force F9 in FIG. 7) that rotates the press-fit portion 140 about its axis in the same direction as the force F3 acts. Therefore, the press-fit portion 140 is twisted clockwise, and there is a possibility that the inner surface of the through hole 13 tends to press the portion of the two contact pieces 142 closer to the outward surface in the width direction.

The press-fit portion 40 according to this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, as follows.

First, both sides of the base plate are plated. After that, the outer shape of the press-fit terminal 20 is punched out. At the same time or before and after this, the eyehole 41 is punched. Thereafter, the contact piece 42 portion of the punched press-fit terminal-shaped plate is extruded in the plate thickness direction to form an uneven shape in the plate thickness direction.

For example, if a plate material with a thickness of 0.5 mm or less, particularly 0.4 mm or less is subjected to shearing for separating two contact pieces and extrusion processing in the opposite direction of the plate thickness at the same time, eyeholes It is conceivable that an unnecessary portion of the film may be torn off beyond the edge of the film.

As described above, by extruding the two contact pieces 42 in opposite directions after the eyeholes 41 are formed, there is an advantage that the press-fit terminal 20 having a desired shape can be easily manufactured.

According to the press-fit terminal 20 configured in this manner, the press-fit portion 40 includes the thickness direction pressing portion 47 having a thickness direction dimension t2 larger than the width direction dimension w2. In the thickness direction pressing portion 47 , the outer surface in the thickness direction of each of the two contact pieces 42 and the corners connected to the surface can be easily pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 . As a result, the plated portion of the press-fit terminal 20 can more reliably contact the inner surface of the through hole 13, and the press-fit terminal 20 and the conductive layer 13f on the inner surface of the through hole 13 are electrically connected. condition stabilizes.

It is conceivable that the turning force F6 in the thickness direction pressing portion 47 is opposite to the turning force F3 in the portion where the width direction dimension w1 is larger than the thickness direction dimension t1 on the distal end side. Therefore, the press-fit portion 40 as a whole is prevented from turning, and the portion of the two contact pieces 42 on which the plated layer 20 f is formed can be stably pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 .

Further, each of the two contact pieces 42 has a concave portion 48 which is recessed toward the center in the width direction of the press-fit portion 40 at the outer side in the width direction of the press-fit portion 40 and at the intermediate portion in the extending direction of the contact piece 42 . are doing. In the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 , the thickness-direction pressing portion 47 is positioned within the section of the press-fit portion 40 in which the recessed portion 48 is formed. That is, the thickness direction pressing portion 47 is formed by forming the concave portion 48 . In this case, the width of both ends of the contact piece 42 in the extending direction is set wider than the portion where the concave portion 48 is formed in the center portion of the contact piece 42 in the extending direction, so that the strength can be easily secured. As a result, it is easy to secure the force for pressing the contact piece 42 against the inner surface of the through hole 13 at both ends of the contact piece 42 .

In addition, since the thickness direction pressing portion 47 includes a linearly continuous portion along the extending direction of the press-fit portion 40 , the thickness direction pressing portion 47 can stably contact the inner surface of the through hole 13 . can be done.

In addition, since the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are positioned closer to the base end side than the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50, the timing at which the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 are pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 , and the timing at which the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are pressed against the inner surface of the through hole 13 can be shifted. Thereby, the maximum insertion load when inserting the press-fit terminal 20 into the through hole 13 can be reduced.

The two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are formed by deforming the two contact pieces 42 so as to protrude in opposite directions in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40 . If the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are positioned closer to the base end side than the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50, the deformation of the contact piece 42 for forming the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 is It does not have to be performed at the end of the eyehole 41 . Thereby, cracks in the eyehole 41 are suppressed.

In particular, since the distal end of the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 is positioned closer to the proximal end than the proximal end of the width direction insertion guide surface 50 , the press-fit terminal 20 to the through hole 13 is , the press-fit portion 40 is deformed by the thickness-direction insertion guide surface 54 after the width-direction insertion guide surface 50 deforms the press-fit portion 40 . Therefore, the insertion load of the press-fit terminal 20 can be reduced more reliably.

Further, since the two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 are inclined more than the two width direction insertion guide surfaces 50 , the deformation of the contact piece 42 for forming the thickness direction insertion guide surfaces 54 is caused by the eye hole 41 . can be done away from the edge of the As a result, while suppressing cracks at the end of the eyehole 41, the inclination of the thickness direction insertion guide surface 54 can be increased to increase the amount of deformation in the thickness direction.

If the plate thickness is 0.5 mm or less, cracks are likely to occur during press working. In such a case, by deforming the two contact pieces 42 facing each other across the eyehole 41 so as to protrude in opposite directions in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion 40, the occurrence of cracks can be effectively suppressed. .

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a substrate 90 with press-fit terminals in which the press-fit terminals 20 are press-fitted into the substrate 92. FIG.

A substrate 90 with press-fit terminals includes a substrate 92 and press-fit terminals 20 . The press-fit terminal 20 is a connector terminal. The connector 98 includes press-fit terminals 20 and a connector housing 99 . A connector terminal portion 97 is integrally connected to the base end portion 60 of the press-fit terminal 20 . The connector terminal portion 97 is connected to the base end portion 60 while being bent (in this case, being bent at right angles). The connector terminal portion 97 may be linearly connected to the base end portion 60 . The base end portion 60 and the connector terminal portion 97 of the press-fit terminal 20 are incorporated in the connector housing 99 of the connector 98 . Proximal end 60 may exit connector housing 99 . The connector terminal portion 97 is arranged to protrude from the bottom of the space inside the connector housing 99 toward the opening. Here, the connector housing 99 supports a plurality of press-fit terminals 20 . Therefore, in the connector housing 99, a plurality of connector terminal portions 97 are arranged at intervals. A plurality of press-fit portions 40 protrude from the outer surface of the connector housing 99 . A plurality of press-fit portions 40 protruding from the outer surface of the connector housing 99 are press-fitted into the plurality of through-holes 93 at the same time. A plurality of through holes 93 are formed in the substrate 92 . The connector 98 is mounted and fixed to the substrate 92 while the plurality of press-fit portions 40 are press-fitted into the plurality of through holes 93 . A substrate in which the connector 98 is mounted and fixed to the substrate 92 may be called a connector-equipped substrate. The substrate with press-fit terminals 90 may be accommodated in the case 95 with the opening of the connector 98 exposed to the outside.

It should be noted that the configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

12 Substrate 13 Through hole 13f Conductive layer 20 Press-fit terminal 20f Plating layer 30 Tip 40 Press-fit portion 41 Eye hole 42 Contact piece 45 Maximum width portion 46 Maximum thickness portion 47 Thickness direction pressing portion 48 Recess 50 Width direction insertion guide surface 52 proximal side inclined surface 54 thickness direction insertion guide surface 56 proximal side inclined surface 60 base end portion 90 substrate with press-fit terminal 92 substrate 93 through hole 95 case 97 connector terminal portion 98 connector 99 connector housing 140 press-fit portion 142 contact Side D Substrate thickness dimensions F1, F4, F7 Width direction forces F2, F5, F8 Thickness direction forces F3, F6, F9 Turning forces t1, t2, t3 Thickness direction dimensions w1, w2, w3 Width direction dimensions α, β tilt

Claims

A press-fit terminal inserted into a through hole formed in a substrate,
comprising a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a press-fit portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion;
A plated layer is formed on at least both sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion,
The press-fit portion includes two contact pieces facing each other across an elongated hole,
the two contact pieces protrude to opposite sides in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion;
The press-fit terminal, wherein the press-fit portion includes a thickness-direction pressing portion whose thickness-direction dimension is larger than its width-direction dimension.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1,
each of the two contact pieces has a concave portion recessed toward the center in the width direction of the press-fit portion at the outer side of the press-fit portion in the width direction and at the middle in the extending direction of the contact piece;
The press-fit terminal, wherein the thickness-direction pressing portion is positioned within the recessed section of the press-fit portion in the extending direction of the press-fit portion.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The press-fit terminal, wherein the thickness-direction pressing portion includes a linearly continuous shape portion along the extending direction of the press-fit portion.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2,
The press-fit portion is
two width direction insertion guide surfaces that face outward in the width direction of the press-fit portion as they go toward the base end portion;
two thickness direction insertion guide surfaces directed outward in the thickness direction of the press-fit portion as they go toward the base end portion;
has
A press-fit terminal, wherein the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces are located closer to the base end side than the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 4,
A press-fit terminal, wherein a distal end of the thickness direction insertion guide surface is positioned closer to the proximal end than a proximal end of the width direction insertion guide surface.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 4,
The press-fit terminal, wherein the two thickness-direction insertion guide surfaces are inclined more than the two width-direction insertion guide surfaces with respect to the extending direction of the press-fit portion.
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2,
A press-fit terminal having a plate thickness of 0.5 mm or less.
a substrate in which through holes are formed;
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the press-fit portion is press-fitted into the through hole;
A substrate with press-fit terminals.