Female terminal and terminal unit

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a female terminal capable of suppressing an increase in size of the female terminal and suppressing a risk of deformation during manufacturing of a contact spring portion even when a large current needs to be handled. A female terminal (10) is provided with: a main body part (22) which is a press-processed product of a first metal flat plate (16) and has a connection part (18) and a hollow cylindrical conductor part (20), the connection part (18) being conductively connected to another member; and a contact forming component (26) which is a press-processed product of a second metal flat plate (24) having a plate thickness thinner than that of the first metal flat plate (16) and is conductively assembled to the cylindrical conductor part (20), the cylindrical conductor part (20) having a male terminal insertion port (32) opening toward one end side, the contact forming component (26) having: a frame part (62) assembled to the inner surfaces of wall parts (36a, 36b, 38, 40) of the cylindrical conductor part (20); and a contact spring section (64) which is held by the housing section (62), protrudes toward the inside of the housing section (62), and is crimped to the male terminal (12) inserted from the male terminal insertion opening (32).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a female terminal and a terminal unit. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a female terminal formed by stamping a metal flat plate. A wire connection portion formed by overlapping a pair of flat plate portions is provided on the base end side of the female terminal, and a male terminal mounting barrel portion is provided on the top end side of the female terminal for inserting a flat tab-shaped male terminal, providing a terminal unit consisting of a female terminal and a male terminal. Furthermore, the male terminal mounting barrel portion includes a pair of L-shaped support plates, which protrude from each flat plate portion toward the opposite side of the overlap direction and then protrude toward the top end. Furthermore, the male terminal mounting barrel portion also includes a pair of contact spring portions, which are connected to the protruding ends of the pair of support plates in a cantilever beam-like manner via a semicircular curved portion and protrude toward the base end. The pair of contact spring portions are arranged opposite each other across a gap for inserting the male terminal, and a separate contact pressure applying spring is installed at the top end of the pair of contact spring portions. This contact pressure applying spring applies contact pressure to the male terminal, thereby maintaining a stable connection between the male and female terminals. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-83287 Summary of the Invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, because the female terminal of Patent Document 1 is formed by stamping a metal flat plate, the contact spring portion must also have a thickness corresponding to the current capacity. Therefore, when large currents are required, the contact spring portion must be thicker. Consequently, to ensure that the contact spring portion follows the male terminal, the contact spring portion must be lengthened, leading to a tendency for the female terminal to become larger. Furthermore, because the contact spring portion is open to the side, it is prone to contact with other components and tools during the manufacturing process of the female terminal, potentially causing deformation.

[0005] Therefore, a female terminal and a terminal unit are disclosed, which can suppress an increase in size of the female terminal even when it is necessary to cope with a high current, and can also suppress the risk of deformation of the contact spring portion during manufacturing. Solutions to Problems

[0006] The female terminal disclosed herein comprises: a main body, which is a stamped product of a first metal flat plate, and has a connecting portion and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion, and the connecting portion is conductively connected to other components; and a contact forming part, which is a stamped product of a second metal flat plate having a plate thickness thinner than that of the first metal flat plate, and can be conductively assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion, and the cylindrical conductor portion has a male terminal insertion port open toward one end side, and the contact forming part comprises: a frame portion, which is assembled to the inner surface of the wall portion of the cylindrical conductor portion; and a contact spring portion, which is held in the frame portion, protrudes toward the inner side of the frame portion and is crimped to the male terminal inserted from the male terminal insertion port.

[0007] The terminal unit of the present disclosure is a terminal unit including a female terminal and a male terminal connected to the female terminal, and the female terminal is the female terminal described in the present disclosure. Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a female terminal and a terminal unit that can suppress an increase in size of the female terminal even when it is necessary to cope with a high current, and can also suppress the risk of deformation of the contact spring portion during manufacturing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a state in which the female terminal according to the first embodiment is connected to the male terminal. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the female terminal is shown. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Section III-III in FIG. Figure 4 It will Figure 1 The female terminal shown is a perspective view in a state where it is not connected to the male terminal. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The longitudinal section of the female terminal shown is Figure 3 The corresponding figure. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 VI-VI section view in. Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the female terminal is shown. Figure 8 It shows the composition Figure 1 A perspective view of the contact forming parts of the female terminal is shown. Figure 9 It will constitute Figure 1 The first metal plate of the main body portion of the female terminal is shown in a plan view before being pressed. Figure 10 It will constitute Figure 8 The second metal plate of the contact forming component is shown in a plan view before being pressed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. The female terminal of the present disclosure, (1) It comprises: a main body, which is a stamped product of a first metal flat plate, and has a connecting portion and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion, and the connecting portion is conductively connected to other components; and a contact forming part, which is a stamped product of a second metal flat plate having a plate thickness thinner than that of the first metal flat plate, and can be conductively assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion, and the cylindrical conductor portion has a male terminal insertion port opened toward one end side, and the contact forming part comprises: a frame portion, which is assembled to the inner surface of the wall portion of the cylindrical conductor portion; and a contact spring portion, which is retained in the frame portion, protrudes toward the inner side of the frame portion and is crimped to the male terminal inserted from the male terminal insertion port.

[0011] According to the female terminal disclosed herein, a main body portion having a connection portion for connection to other components and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion and a contact-forming component that can be electrically assembled to the main body portion are formed as separate components. Furthermore, the contact-forming component is formed using a second metal flat plate having a plate thickness thinner than the first metal flat plate forming the main body portion. Thus, when high currents are required, the current carrying capacity can be ensured in the thicker main body portion, and the contact spring portion can be provided with a plate thickness thinner than the main body portion. Therefore, even when high currents are required, the need to increase the length of the contact spring portion to ensure that it follows the male terminal is reduced compared to conventional structures, thereby suppressing the enlargement of the female terminal and enabling the handling of high currents.

[0012] Furthermore, the contact-forming component comprises a frame portion that is assembled to the inner surface of the wall of the cylindrical conductor portion, and a contact spring portion that is crimped to the male terminal. The contact spring portion is formed so as to be retained by the frame portion and protrude inwardly. This allows the frame portion to be held while the contact-forming component is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion of the main body, simplifying assembly. Furthermore, the frame portion reduces the risk of interference between other components and tools and the contact spring portion during assembly, thereby minimizing the risk of deformation of the contact spring portion during manufacture compared to conventional structures.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), it is preferred that the contact forming component has a welding portion, and the welding portion is welded to the welded portion of the cylindrical conductor portion. This is because welding the welding portion of the contact forming component to the welded portion of the cylindrical conductor portion can reduce the resistance between the contact forming component and the cylindrical conductor portion, thereby ensuring a more stable conductive state between the contact forming component and the main body portion.

[0014] (3) In the above (2), it is preferred that the contact forming part is assembled to the cylindrical conductor part by being inserted from the male terminal insertion port on the one end side of the cylindrical conductor part toward the other end side, and the frame portion of the contact forming part has an abutting edge portion that coincides with the end face on the male terminal insertion port side of the cylindrical conductor part, and the insertion end of the contact forming part into the cylindrical conductor part is defined by the abutment between the abutting edge portion and the end face, and the abutting edge portion is welded to the end face, and the welding portion is constituted by the abutting edge portion, and the welded portion is constituted by the end face.

[0015] Since the contact forming component is inserted from the male terminal insertion opening of the cylindrical conductor portion toward the other end and assembled into the cylindrical conductor portion, assembly workability is improved. Furthermore, by aligning and abutting the contact forming component's abutting edge with the end surface of the cylindrical conductor portion on the male terminal insertion opening, the insertion end of the contact forming component into the cylindrical conductor portion is defined, further facilitating assembly work.

[0016] Furthermore, because the abutting edge is welded to the end face, forming the welding portion and the welded portion, it is possible, for example, to orient the male terminal insertion opening of the cylindrical conductor portion upward so that the abutting edge (welding portion) and the end face (welded portion) overlap from above, allowing welding to proceed while the welded portion and welded portion are in close contact due to the weight of the contact-forming component. This allows for stable welding of the cylindrical conductor portion of the contact-forming component, advantageously ensuring a more stable conductive state between the contact-forming component and the main body.

[0017] (4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), it is preferred that the cylindrical conductor portion is in the shape of a rectangular tube having a pair of side walls and an upper wall and a lower wall connected by the pair of side walls, and the frame portion of the contact forming part is in the shape of a rectangular frame having a pair of side portions and an upper portion and a lower portion, the pair of side portions respectively overlap with the pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor portion, and the upper portion and the lower portion respectively overlap with the upper wall and the lower wall of the cylindrical conductor portion, and the contact spring portion is formed in the shape of a cantilever beam by partially cutting up at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion toward the inner side.

[0018] Because the cylindrical conductor portion is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape and the contact-forming component is formed into a rectangular frame, their rigidity is effectively maintained. Furthermore, by partially cutting and raising at least one of the upper and lower portions of the frame portion of the contact-forming component toward the inside of the frame portion, a cantilever-beam-shaped contact spring portion is formed, enabling high yield and easy manufacturing of the contact spring portion. Furthermore, by adjusting the length of the raised portion toward the inside of the upper and lower portions, the spring rigidity and deflection of the contact spring portion can be easily set to desired values, resulting in excellent manufacturability.

[0019] Furthermore, it is more preferable that both the upper and lower portions are partially cut inwardly and formed with a pair of upper and lower contact spring portions facing each other. This allows the pair of upper and lower contact spring portions to contact the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal, thereby improving the connection stability between the male and female terminals.

[0020] (5) In the above (4), it is preferred that the contact forming part is inserted from the male terminal insertion port on the one end side of the cylindrical conductor part toward the other end side and assembled to the cylindrical conductor part, and the pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor part and one of the pair of side parts of the frame part each have a locking hole, and the other of the pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor part and the pair of side parts of the frame part each have a locking claw that engages with the locking hole, and the locking claw is elastically deformed to allow the contact forming part to be inserted toward the other end side, and the locking claw is elastically restored and engaged with the locking hole, so that the contact forming part is maintained in an assembled state assembled to the cylindrical conductor part.

[0021] A pair of opposing side walls and a pair of side portions are cleverly utilized to provide a locking hole and locking claw that maintain the contact-forming component in its assembled state with the cylindrical conductor portion. This allows for stable assembly of the contact-forming component and the cylindrical conductor portion without increasing the size of the female terminal. Furthermore, the locking hole and locking claw can be engaged to prevent the contact-forming component from moving toward the male terminal insertion opening, or to define the contact-forming component's insertion end toward the other end. Multiple configurations of both types can also be provided.

[0022] (6) In the above (4) or (5), preferably, a rear opening window is provided on the other end side of the cylindrical conductor portion, the contact spring portion includes a first contact spring portion and a second contact spring portion, the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion have a pair of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion in an upper and lower direction, the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion are retained by the frame portion on the one end side, and protrude toward the inner side toward the other end side, extending in a cantilever beam shape, and further comprising a contact pressure applying spring, the contact pressure applying spring being arranged in a manner to sandwich the respective protruding ends of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion, and having a size capable of being inserted through the rear opening window, and as the male terminal is pressed between the opposing surfaces of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion, the respective protruding ends are urged by the contact pressure applying spring in a direction approaching each other, and the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion are pressed against the male terminal.

[0023] The protruding ends of the first and second contact spring portions are urged toward each other by a contact pressure-applying spring, resulting in a relatively large contact force between the first and second contact spring portions and the male terminal being pressed between them. This advantageously allows for miniaturization of the female terminal and ensures the flexibility and followability of the contact spring portions while also ensuring contact pressure between the male and female terminals. Furthermore, the contact pressure-applying spring is sized to fit through the rear opening window, allowing it to be inserted through the rear opening window and positioned at the protruding ends of the first and second contact spring portions from the front side of the protruding direction. This improves the ease of assembly of the female terminal compared to existing structures that can only be assembled from a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the first and second contact spring portions, i.e., from the side.

[0024] (7) In the above (6), it is preferred that the contact pressure applying spring is formed by a clamp spring having a connecting plate portion in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and a pair of clamping plate portions, each in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, protruding from both side edges of the connecting plate portion in a direction approaching each other, and when the male terminal is inserted, the protruding end portion of the first contact spring portion and the protruding end portion of the second contact spring portion are clamped between the pair of clamping plate portions of the clamp spring. By adopting the clamp spring as the contact pressure applying spring, a contact pressure applying spring can be constructed with a compact and simple structure: the clamp spring can be arranged toward the protruding end portions of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion, and can apply force to the protruding end portions of the first spring piece and the second spring piece in a direction approaching each other when the male terminal is inserted.

[0025] (8) In the above (7), it is preferred that the contact spring portion includes a plurality of first contact spring portions and a plurality of second contact spring portions, each of which is disposed at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction of the male terminal, and the clamp spring includes a plurality of pairs of clamping plates, each of which is disposed at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction in correspondence with the contact spring portion. When the male terminal is inserted, the protruding end portions of the plurality of first contact spring portions and the protruding end portions of the plurality of second contact spring portions are respectively clamped in pairs by the plurality of clamping plates. The male terminal can be clamped by the plurality of first contact spring portions and the plurality of second contact spring portions disposed at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction. Furthermore, when the male terminal is inserted, the pair of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion are respectively clamped by the pair of clamping plates disposed at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction. Thus, stable tracking of the rotational displacement of the male terminal by the female terminal can be advantageously achieved.

[0026] The terminal unit disclosed herein, (9) is a terminal unit having a female terminal and a male terminal connected to the female terminal, wherein the female terminal is the female terminal described in any one of (1) to (8). In the terminal unit disclosed herein, since the female terminal is configured in the manner described in any one of (1) to (8), a terminal unit can be provided that can achieve the same effect as that achieved by any one of (1) to (8).

[0027] <Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Specific examples of the female terminal and the terminal unit of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to encompass all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0028] <Implementation Method 1> Below, use Figures 1 to 10 The female terminal 10 of embodiment 1 of the present disclosure and the terminal unit 14 having the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 10 are described. The female terminal 10 is a terminal that connects a component on the power supply side such as a battery and a component on the load side such as an electric motor. And, by the female terminal 10 provided on one side of the power supply side and the load side and the male terminal 12 provided on the other side of the power supply side and the load side being in contact with each other, electric power is supplied from a power supply such as a battery to a load such as an electric motor. In addition, the female terminal 10 can be arranged in any direction, but the upper side is set as the lower side. Figure 3 The upper part is Figure 3 Below, in front Figure 2 The left side of the middle, the back side is Figure 2 The right side of the Figure 2 The top and right of Figure 2 In addition, regarding a plurality of identical components, sometimes only some of the components are marked with reference numerals, and the reference numerals are omitted for the other components.

[0029] <Female terminal 10> The female terminal 10 includes a main body 22 having a connection portion 18 for conducting connection with another member (for example, a member on the power supply side such as a battery) and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion 20. The main body 22 is a first metal flat plate 16 (see Figure 9 ) stamped product. In addition, the female terminal 10 includes a contact forming part 26 that can be assembled to the cylindrical conductor part 20 so as to be conductive. The contact forming part 26 is a second metal flat plate 24 (see Figure 10 ) stamping products.

[0030] <Male terminal 12> The male terminal 12 is a tab terminal that is generally plate-shaped. The male terminal 12 is roughly rectangular when viewed from above, has a predetermined width dimension (left-right dimension) and thickness dimension (up-down dimension), and extends roughly straight in the front-to-back direction. In embodiment 1, the male terminal 12 is formed into a laterally elongated shape with a width dimension larger than a thickness dimension. In addition, the end portion (rear end portion) of the male terminal 12 on the front side of the insertion direction into the female terminal 10 is a shape that gradually tapers at the end. The male terminal 12 is conductive and is formed of a metal with low electrical resistance, such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. A bolt insertion hole is provided at the base end portion (front end portion) of the male terminal 12, for example, and the male terminal 12 is fixed to another component (for example, a component on the load side such as an electric motor) by a bolt (not shown). Alternatively, if a bolt insertion hole is not provided, the load-side wire, etc., is fixed to the base end portion of the male terminal 12 by crimping or the like.

[0031] <Connection 18> The connecting portion 18 is generally plate-shaped. Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated configuration, the connecting portion 18 extends generally in the front-to-back direction and, when viewed from the side (left-to-right), has a generally rectangular shape with the front-to-back dimension being larger than the top-to-bottom dimension. A bolt insertion hole 28 is formed at the rear end of the connecting portion 18, extending through the plate thickness (left-to-right). For example, a bolt (not shown) inserted through the bolt insertion hole 28 allows the female terminal 10 to be secured to another component (e.g., a power supply component such as a battery). For example, other components such as a terminal end of an electrical wire (not shown) or a busbar can be connected to the connecting portion 18.

[0032] Furthermore, as described above, the main body portion 22 having the connecting portion 18 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is a stamped product of the first metal flat plate 16 as a single metal flat plate, and the connecting portion 18 has the same plate thickness as that of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Furthermore, the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is integrally connected and provided in front of the connecting portion 18. In other words, the connecting portion 18 extends rearward from the cylindrical conductor portion 20, and in Embodiment 1, extends rearward from the left side wall (left side wall 36a) of the pair of side walls 36, 36 described later constituting the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Also as Figure 9 As shown, a narrow portion 30 having a smaller width dimension (vertical dimension) than the connecting portion 18 and the left side wall 36a is provided at the connecting portion (the front end portion of the connecting portion 18) between the connecting portion 18 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 (the left side wall 36a). This facilitates the stamping process of the first metal plate 16.

[0033] <Cylindrical Conductor Portion 20> The cylindrical conductor portion 20 is generally cylindrical, open in both directions. It includes a male terminal insertion opening 32 that opens toward one longitudinal end (front end) of the cylindrical conductor portion 20, and a rear opening window 34 that opens toward the other longitudinal end (rear end). In the first embodiment, the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is in the shape of a generally laterally elongated rectangular tube. It includes a pair of side walls 36, 36 (a left side wall 36a and a right side wall 36b), and an upper wall 38 and a lower wall 40 connected by these left and right side walls 36a, 36b. Furthermore, the left-right dimensions of the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40 are larger than the vertical dimensions of the left and right side walls 36a, 36b, thereby forming the cylindrical conductor portion 20 in the shape of a generally laterally elongated rectangular tube. Each of the walls that constitute the cylindrical conductor portion 20 (the left and right side walls 36a, 36b, the upper wall 38, and the lower wall 40) is generally rectangular, plate-shaped. In the first embodiment, the front end surfaces 41 of the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40 on the male terminal insertion port 32 side form welded portions to which the welded portions constituted by the contact edge portions 88 of the contact forming component 26 described later are welded.

[0034] In the first embodiment, a fitting protrusion 42 is provided at the front-to-back middle portion of the right end of the upper wall 38, projecting toward the right side wall 36b. Furthermore, a fitting recess 44 is provided at the front-to-back middle portion of the upper end of the right side wall 36b, opening toward the upper wall 38. The length (front-to-back dimension) of the fitting protrusion 42 is substantially equal to the length of the fitting recess 44. Thus, when the first metal plate 16 is subjected to a press process or the like to form the cylindrical conductor portion 20, for example, by fitting the fitting protrusion 42 of the upper wall 38 into the fitting recess 44 of the right side wall 36b in a substantially press-fitted state, it is possible to prevent the upper wall 38 and the right side wall 36b from accidentally separating during the formation of the cylindrical conductor portion 20.

[0035] In the state where the first metal flat plate 16 is bent to form the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the left and right side walls 36a and 36b are opposed to each other in the left-right direction. Figure 6 As shown, positioning protrusions 46 are provided at the rear ends of the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 36a and 36b, which constitute the inner surface of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Furthermore, outwardly opening recesses 48 are formed on the outer surfaces of the left and right side walls 36a and 36b at positions corresponding to the positioning protrusions 46. Furthermore, locking holes 50 are formed in front of the left and right side walls 36a and 36b, extending through the left and right side walls 36a and 36b in the thickness direction (left and right direction). Each locking hole 50 is generally rectangular in side view (left and right direction) and has predetermined dimensions in the front-to-back and top-to-bottom directions. Furthermore, forwardly projecting abutment portions 52 are provided at the front ends of the left and right side walls 36a and 36b. When the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected, each abutment portion 52 abuts against a housing (not shown) that holds the male terminal 12.

[0036] Similarly, when the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed, the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, locking projections 54 are provided at the rear end portions of the outer surfaces of the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40, projecting outward in the opposing direction (outward in the vertical direction). The rear end surface of each positioning projection 46 and the front end surface of each locking projection 54 are vertical surfaces 56 extending in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, inwardly opening recesses 58 are formed on the inner surfaces of the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40, which constitute the inner surface of the cylindrical conductor portion 20, at positions corresponding to the locking projections 54.

[0037] <Main Body 22> Figure 9 The first metal flat plate 16 before the stamping process is shown in FIG. Figure 9 The recesses 48 are formed on the inner side of the paper, so that the inner surface of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed. Figure 9 Each positioning protrusion 46 is formed on the outer side of the paper. In addition, the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40 relative to the first metal flat plate 16 are formed on the inner surface side of the cylindrical conductor part 20. Figure 9 The concave portions 58 are formed outside the paper surface, so that the outer surface side of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed. Figure 9 The locking protrusions 54 are formed to protrude from the back side of the paper.

[0038] like Figure 9As shown, in the state before the first metal flat plate 16 is stamped, the upper wall 38, the left side wall 36a, the lower wall 40 and the right side wall 36b constituting the cylindrical conductor portion 20 are Figure 9 The connecting portion 18 extends from the left side wall 36a through the narrow width portion 30 to the left side wall 36a. Figure 9 And, as Figure 9 As shown by the two-dot chain line, bent portions 60 are provided between the upper wall 38 and the left side wall 36a, the left side wall 36a and the lower wall 40, and the lower wall 40 and the right side wall 36b. By bending each bent portion 60 and engaging the fitting protrusion 42 with the fitting recess 44, the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed in the front portion of the main body 22. The metal material of the first metal plate 16 constituting the main body 22 is not limited, and a metal with excellent electrical conductivity, such as pure copper, can be used.

[0039] <Contact forming part 26> The contact-forming component 26 includes a frame portion 62, which is assembled to the inner surfaces of the walls (left and right side walls 36a, 36b, upper wall 38, and lower wall 40) of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Furthermore, the contact-forming component 26 includes a contact spring portion 64, which is retained by the frame portion 62, protrudes inwardly from the frame portion 62, and is pressed against the male terminal 12 inserted through the male terminal insertion opening 32. In the first embodiment, the contact spring portion 64 includes a first contact spring portion 66, which protrudes inwardly from the upper portion of the frame portion 62, and a second contact spring portion 68, which protrudes inwardly from the lower portion of the frame portion 62. In particular, in the first embodiment, the contact-forming component 26 has a substantially vertically symmetrical shape, allowing it to be assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 regardless of the vertical orientation.

[0040] <Frame 62> like Figure 8 As shown, the frame portion 62 of the contact-forming component 26 has an overall rectangular frame shape. Specifically, the frame portion 62 includes a pair of side portions 70, 70 (left side portion 70a and right side portion 70b) assembled to the side walls 36 (left side wall 36a and right side wall 36b) of the cylindrical conductor portion 20; an upper portion 72 that overlaps with the upper wall 38; and a lower portion 74 that overlaps with the lower wall 40. The left side portion 70a and the right side portion 70b are connected by the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74, respectively. As a result, the frame portion 62 is open in both the front and rear directions, with a front opening 75a and a rear opening 75b.

[0041] A generally rectangular through-window portion 76 is formed in the middle portion of each of the upper and lower portions 72 and 74 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). Each through-window portion 76 extends across the entire left-right length of each of the upper and lower portions 72 and 74. Thus, the upper and lower portions 72 and 74 are divided into two sections, front and back, by each through-window portion 76. Each of the upper and lower portions 72 and 74 includes a front connecting portion 78 connecting the side portions 70 (the left side portion 70a and the right side portion 70b) in the front portion, and a rear connecting portion 80 connecting the side portions 70 in the rear portion. In other words, the left and right sides 70a and 70b are connected in the front portion by the front connecting portions 78 of the upper and lower portions 74, and in the rear portion by the rear connecting portions 80 of the upper and lower portions 72 and 74.

[0042] Figure 10 FIG shows the state before the second metal flat plate 24 is stamped. Figure 8 As shown, in the first embodiment, the portion that abuts against each other when the second metal plate 24 is bent to form the contact-forming component 26 is provided on the left side portion 70a. Specifically, a first left side portion 82a extending downward is provided at the left ends of the front connecting portion 78 and the rear connecting portion 80 of the upper portion 72, and a second left side portion 82b extending upward is provided at the right ends of the front connecting portion 78 and the rear connecting portion 80 of the lower portion 74. The left side portion 70a is formed by the vertical abutment of these first and second left sides 82a and 82b. In particular, in the first embodiment, a downwardly opening engaging recess 84 is provided at the lower end of the first left side portion 82a, and an upwardly projecting engaging projection 86 is provided at the upper end of the second left side portion 82b. Thus, when forming the contact forming component 26, for example, by striking the engaging protrusion 86 from the outside to fit it into the engaging recess 84, the left side portion 70a is formed, and the first left side portion 82a and the second left side portion 82b can be prevented from being accidentally separated.

[0043] In the first embodiment, the contact-forming component 26 includes abutment edges 88 that overlap with the end faces (front ends 41) of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 on the male terminal insertion opening 32 side. These abutment edges 88 are provided on the front connecting portions 78 of the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74 of the contact-forming component 26 and extend vertically and outwardly from the front connecting portions 78. As described later, when the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and the contact-forming component 26 are welded, the overlapping front ends 41 and the abutment edges 88 are welded together, forming the welded portion with the abutment edges 88 and the welded portion with the front ends 41. The method for welding these front ends 41 and the abutment edges 88 is not limited; however, in the first embodiment, laser welding is used.

[0044] Furthermore, in the central portion in the vertical direction of the rear end portion of the left and right side portions 70a, 70b of the contact forming part 26, there is provided a cutout portion 90 which opens rearward and penetrates each side portion 70a, 70b in the thickness direction (left-right direction). In addition, in the front portion of these left and right side portions 70a, 70b, there is formed a substantially rectangular through-hole 92 which penetrates each side portion 70a, 70b in the thickness direction, and in the rear portion of the inner peripheral surface of each through-hole 92, there is provided a locking claw 94 which protrudes forward. Spaces (gaps) are provided on three sides (both sides and the front in the vertical direction) around each locking claw 94, and each locking claw 94 can be elastically deformed in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the contact-forming component 26 is assembled, each locking claw 94 projects in a direction that gradually tilts outward in the left-right direction as it moves forward. Furthermore, as described above, the left side portion 70a is composed of the upper and lower first and second left sides 82a, 82b. Therefore, before the second metal plate 24 constituting the contact-forming component 26 is bent, the left through-hole 92 and locking claw 94 are also separated. Specifically, the left side portion 70a is formed by abutting the first and second left sides 82a, 82b to form the left side portion 70a, thereby forming the left through-hole 92 and locking claw 94.

[0045] <Contact Spring Portion 64 (First Contact Spring Portion 66 and Second Contact Spring Portion 68)> In each of the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74, the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 extend rearward in a cantilevered beam-like manner from the rear ends of the respective front connecting portions 78 that penetrate the interior of the respective windows 76. Specifically, the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 are held by the respective front connecting portions 78 of the frame portion 62 at the front end, and extend inward toward the rear end, at the other end, in a cantilevered beam-like manner. This creates space (gaps) around the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 on three sides (both sides in the left and right directions and the rear), allowing the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 to elastically deform in the vertical direction, with the connection points with the respective front connecting portions 78 at the front end serving as the base points.

[0046] like Figure 8 As shown in , etc., in the assembled state of the contact forming part 26, the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 are inclined in a direction approaching each other (inward in the vertical direction) as they go backward. As a result, these first contact spring portions 66 and second contact spring portions 68 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. In addition, the first contact spring portion 66 has a first contact 96 with the male terminal 12 on the opposite surface (lower surface) to the second contact spring portion 68, and the second contact spring portion 68 has a second contact 98 with the male terminal 12 on the opposite surface (upper surface) to the first contact spring portion 66. In particular, as also shown Figure 5As shown, before the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10, the protruding ends 99 of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 are relatively close to each other, and the first contact 96 and the second contact 98 are in contact with each other or slightly separated from each other in the vertical direction.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 are provided with a bent portion 100 at the protruding tip portion, and the first contact 96 and the second contact 98 are provided at the formation position of each bent portion 100. Figure 3 、 Figure 5 The first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 are formed into a curved arc shape in the longitudinal cross-section shown. The first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 have a predetermined horizontal dimension at their left-right center. The first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 are arranged so as to span both sides in the front-to-back direction, sandwiching a bent portion 100. These first and second contacts 96 and 98 have an oblong shape when viewed from above (vertical projection), with their front-to-back dimension, which is the direction of insertion of the male terminal 12, being larger than their horizontal dimension. This ensures that even when the male terminal 12 inserted into the female terminal 10 is vertically displaced, the contact area between the first and second contacts 96 and 98 and the male terminal 12 is stably maintained. In embodiment 1, the first and second contacts 96 and 98 are formed by stamping the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68, respectively, and recesses 102 are formed at positions corresponding to the first and second contacts 96 and 98 on the outside in the opposing direction (outside in the up-down direction) of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68.

[0048] In the first embodiment, first contact spring portions 66, 66 are provided at multiple locations (two locations) separated from each other in the plate width direction (left-right direction) of male terminal 12 in front connecting portion 78 of upper portion 72, and second contact spring portions 68, 68 are provided at multiple locations (two locations) separated from each other in the plate width direction of male terminal 12 in front connecting portion 78 of lower portion 74. Specifically, slits 104 extending substantially the entire length in the front-back direction are provided at the left-right center of the substantially rectangular portions extending rearward from each front connecting portion 78 to form the first and second contact spring portions. As a result, the pair of first contact spring portions 66, 66 are separated from each other in the left-right direction, and the pair of second contact spring portions 68, 68 are separated from each other in the left-right direction.

[0049] In addition, Figure 10 The double-dashed line indicates the bent portion of the second metal flat plate 24. Figure 10As shown, in the state before the second metal flat plate 24 is stamped, the second left side portion 82b, the lower portion 74, the right side portion 70b, the upper portion 72 and the first left side portion 82a constituting the contact forming part 26 are connected to each other via the bent portion. Figure 10 The metal material of the second metal flat plate 24 constituting the contact forming part 26 is not limited, and a conductive and elastic metal, such as a copper alloy, can be used.

[0050] In the first embodiment, each of the first contact spring portions 66 and each of the second contact spring portions 68 is formed by partially cutting up the wall portions forming the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74. That is, each of the first contact spring portions 66 and each of the second contact spring portions 68 is formed by, for example, cutting up the wall portions forming the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74. Figure 10 The contact forming part 26 is formed by cutting and raising the side close to the paper surface, and protruding toward the inner side of the frame portion 62. Similarly, each locking claw 94 is formed by partially cutting and raising the wall portion constituting the left side portion 70a (the first left side portion 82a and the second left side portion 82b) and the right side portion 70b. That is, each locking claw 94 is formed from the left side portion 70a and the right side portion 70b toward Figure 10 The contact forming part 26 is cut from the inner side of the paper and protrudes outward in the left-right direction in the contact forming part 26 when the contact forming part 26 is formed. In addition, each first contact spring portion 66 or each second contact spring portion 68 and each locking claw 94 may be bent so as to protrude inward or outward in the left-right direction of the frame portion 62 after the contact forming part 26 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0051] <Contact Pressure Applying Spring (Clip Spring 106)> The female terminal 10 includes a clamp spring 106 serving as a contact pressure-applying spring. This clamp spring 106 is disposed at the protruding end 99 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68. When the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10, the protruding end 99 of each first contact spring portion 66 and the protruding end 99 of each second contact spring portion 68 are urged toward each other by the clamp spring 106. The clamp spring 106 is sized to be inserted through the rear opening window 34 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. In particular, in the first embodiment, the clamp spring 106 is sized to be inserted through the rear opening 75b of the contact-forming component 26 disposed within the cylindrical conductor portion 20.

[0052] Specifically, as Figure 7As shown, the clamp spring 106 includes a rectangular, flat connecting plate portion 108 and a pair of rectangular, flat clamping plates 110, 110 that protrude from both side edges (upper and lower side edges) of the connecting plate portion 108 toward each other (inward in the vertical direction). In Embodiment 1, a plurality (two) of clamping plates 110, 110 are provided on either side of the connecting plate portion 108, separated from each other in the left-right direction, which corresponds to the plate width direction of the male terminal 12. A total of four clamping plates 110 are provided in the clamp spring 106. Specifically, another pair of clamping plates 110, 110, facing each other in the vertical direction, are provided at positions separated in the left-right direction. Each of these clamping plates 110 is elastically deformable in the vertical direction, with the connection portion with the connecting plate portion 108 serving as a base point.

[0053] Furthermore, the left-right dimension of each clamping plate portion 110 is larger than the left-right dimension of each recessed portion 102 provided on the upper and lower outer sides of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68. In addition, a bent portion 112 is provided in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of each clamping plate portion 110. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10 and the bent portion 112 of each clamping plate portion 110 abuts against the formation position of each recess 102 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68, the left and right end portions of each clamping plate portion 110 abut against the portion of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 that is closer to the left and right outside of each recess 102.

[0054] Furthermore, because each clamping plate portion 110 has a bent portion 112 disposed midway along its longitudinal direction, the protruding tip portions of each clamping plate portion 110 extend away from the bent portion 112. Consequently, the distance between vertically opposed clamping plates 110 is minimized at the bent portion 112 disposed midway along its longitudinal direction. The gap between these bent portions 112 serves as an insertion opening 114 for inserting and assembling the protruding ends 99 of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68.

[0055] The opening dimensions (vertical dimensions) of the insertion openings 114 of the clamping plate portions 110 of the clamping spring 106 before elastic deformation may be equal to, or slightly larger or smaller than, the vertical dimensions of the protruding tip portions of the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68. The clamping spring 106 is inserted into the interior of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the rear opening window 34 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 (particularly, the rear opening 75b of the contact forming member 26). Furthermore, the protruding top portions of the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68 do not abut against the bent portions 112 located most inwardly in the vertical direction of the clamping plate portions 110, or the protruding top portions of the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68 push the bent portions 112 outwardly in the vertical direction, while the protruding top portions of the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68 are inserted into the insertion openings 114. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the insertion end position of the clamp spring 106 from the rear opening window 34 to the inner side of the cylindrical conductor part 20 is determined by the left and right end portions of the connecting plate portion 108 abutting against the vertical surfaces 56 of the rear ends of the positioning protrusions 46 provided on the inner surfaces of the left side wall 36a and the right side wall 36b.

[0056] Furthermore, as described above, in the female terminal 10 before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the vertical dimension of each insertion opening 114 may be larger than the vertical dimension of the protruding tip portions of each inserted first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68. Furthermore, the distance in the front-to-back direction between each positioning protrusion 46 (vertical surface 56) and a stopper 116 (described later) may be larger than the thickness dimension (front-to-back dimension) of the connecting plate portion 108, and the distance between the opposing inner surfaces of the left and right walls 36a and 36b may be larger than the width dimension (left-to-right dimension) of the connecting plate portion 108. Thus, in the female terminal 10 before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the clamp spring 106 may be free-standing, rather than being fixed to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 in the vertical, front-to-back, and left-to-right directions.

[0057] <Stop body 116> The female terminal 10 further includes a stopper 116, which is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and covers the rear opening window 34 to prevent the clamp spring 106 from falling off. Figure 7 As shown, the stopper 116 is formed by bending a substantially strip-shaped member by press working, etc. The stopper 116 can be formed of, for example, metal or synthetic resin, preferably having sufficient strength (deformation rigidity) and heat resistance, and is formed of stainless steel in the first embodiment.

[0058] When assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the stopper 116 extends in the up-down direction as a whole, and a displacement limiting portion 118 is provided in the central portion in the longitudinal direction. When the female terminal 10 is assembled, the displacement limiting portion 118 is arranged close to the clamp spring 106 and abuts against the clamp spring 106, thereby limiting the displacement of the clamp spring 106 toward the rear opening window 34. The displacement limiting portion 118 is roughly rectangular when viewed from the front (viewed in the front-to-back direction), and is smaller than the rear opening window 34. In particular, in embodiment 1, the displacement limiting portion 118 is slightly smaller than the rear opening portion 75b of the contact forming part 26 arranged inside the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Therefore, when the stopper 116 is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 、 6 As shown, the displacement restricting portion 118 enters the interior of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the rear opening window 34 and covers substantially the entire rear opening portion 75 b of the contact forming component 26 .

[0059] Furthermore, the vertical end portions of the stopper 116 are bent so as to extend forward relative to the displacement restricting portion 118. The forwardly extending portions of these vertical end portions of the stopper 116 constitute fixing portions 120 for fixing the stopper 116 to the cylindrical conductor portion 20. A substantially rectangular locking hole 122 is formed in the front portion of each fixing portion 120, extending through the cylindrical conductor portion 20 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). The stopper 116 is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 by bringing the stopper 116 closer to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 from the rear and engaging the locking protrusions 54 protruding vertically outward in the cylindrical conductor portion 20 with the locking holes 122.

[0060] <Assembly of Female Terminal 10> Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 10 will be described. In addition, the method for assembling the female terminal 10 is not limited to the form described below.

[0061] First, the first metal plate 16 constituting the main body 22 is prepared. Each bent portion 60 is bent, and the engagement recess 44 on the right side wall 36b is fitted into the engagement protrusion 42 on the upper wall 38. This completes the main body 22 having the cylindrical conductor 20 and the connecting portion 18. Separately, the second metal plate 24 constituting the contact forming component 26 is prepared. Each bent portion is bent, and the engagement recess 84 on the first left side portion 82a is fitted into the engagement protrusion 86 on the second left side portion 82b. This completes the contact forming component 26 comprising the frame 62 and the contact spring portion 64 (each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68).

[0062] Then, if Figure 7As shown, the contact forming component 26 and the main body 22 are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction, and the contact forming component 26 is inserted and assembled from one end side (front end side) of the cylindrical conductor portion 20, namely, the male terminal insertion opening 32, toward the other end side (rear end side). When the contact forming component 26 is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20, each abutting edge 88 of the contact forming component 26 overlaps with each front end face 41, which is the end face on the side of the male terminal insertion opening 32 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. In short, the insertion end of the contact forming component 26 into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is determined by the abutment between each abutting edge 88 and each front end face 41. Furthermore, such insertion of the contact forming component 26 into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 can also be performed by inserting the contact forming component 26 from above, for example, with the male terminal insertion opening 32 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 facing upward. As a result, the contact-forming component 26 naturally displaces downward due to gravity inside the cylindrical conductor portion 20 , and the contact edges 88 can be easily overlapped with the front end surfaces 41 substantially without any gap.

[0063] Furthermore, when the contact-forming component 26 is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the inwardly projecting positioning protrusions 46 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 enter the notches 90 provided at the rear end of the contact-forming component 26, thereby preventing interference between the positioning protrusions 46 and the left and right side portions 70a, 70b of the contact-forming component 26. Furthermore, the locking claws 94 projecting outwardly in the left and right directions of the contact-forming component 26 come into contact with the left and right side walls 36a, 36b as the contact-forming component 26 is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion 20, elastically deforming inwardly in the left and right directions. This allows further insertion of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 toward the rear. Furthermore, the locking claws 94 elastically return to their original shape (elastically returning) upon reaching the locking holes 50 of the left and right side walls 36a, 36b, and engage with the locking holes 50. Thus, the locking claws 94 abut the front portion of the inner circumferential surface of the locking holes 50 , thereby preventing the contact forming component 26 from falling forward from the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and maintaining the contact forming component 26 in the assembled state to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 .

[0064] As described above, with the locking claws 94 engaged with the locking holes 50 and the contact-forming component 26 assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the overlapping abutment edges 88 and front end faces 41 are welded. In the first embodiment, this welding is performed by laser welding. In particular, when the contact-forming component 26 is assembled from above with the male terminal insertion opening 32 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 facing upward, the welding (laser welding in the first embodiment) immediately following the insertion of the contact-forming component 26 can also be performed from above on the overlapping portions of the abutment edges 88 and front end faces 41, thereby enabling efficient assembly of the contact-forming component 26 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20.

[0065] Then, the clamp spring 106 is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the rear opening window 34 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 (particularly, the rear opening portion 75b of the contact forming part 26), and the protruding tip portions of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 are inserted into the insertion openings 114 of the clamp spring 106. Thus, the clamp spring 106 is disposed at the protruding end portions 99 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68. Furthermore, the insertion of the clamp spring 106 into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the rear opening window 34 is restricted, for example, by the contact of the connecting plate portion 108 of the clamp spring 106 with the positioning protrusions 46 protruding into the interior of the cylindrical conductor portion 20.

[0066] Furthermore, a stopper 116 is positioned behind the clamp spring 106 and brought close to the cylindrical conductor portion 20. This allows the displacement restricting portion 118 of the stopper 116 to enter the rear opening 75b of the point-forming component 26, and the locking protrusions 54 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 to enter and lock into the locking holes 122 of the fixing portions 120 on the upper and lower sides of the stopper 116. As a result, the stopper 116 is assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 20, completing the assembly of the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0067] <Assembly of Terminal Unit 14> Hereinafter, a specific example of a method of inserting the male terminal 12 into the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment and assembling the terminal unit 14 in a state where the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected will be described.

[0068] First, if Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 assembled as described above are placed opposite each other in the front-to-back direction. Then, the male terminal 12 is inserted into the interior of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the male terminal insertion port 32 and pressed between the opposing surfaces of the first contact 96 and the second contact 98 of the upper and lower first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68. Figure 3 As shown, each first contact 96 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact 98 of each second contact spring portion 68 abut against the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, and each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 are pushed apart from each other.

[0069] Then, the bent portions 100 of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68, which have been pushed outward in the vertical direction, come into contact with the bent portions 112 of the clamping spring 106 from the vertically inner side, causing the clamping plates 110 to elastically deform in the vertically outer direction. The elastic restoring force of the clamping plates 110 clamps the protruding ends 99 of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68, forcing them toward each other. As a result, the first and second contacts 96 and 98 come into pressure contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, which is pressed between the opposing surfaces of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68. As a result, the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10 are brought into electrical conduction, and the terminal unit 14 in which the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected is completed.

[0070] That is, after the male terminal 12 is inserted, the vertical distance A ( Figure 3 Reference) is larger than the vertical dimension B of each insertion opening 114 of the clamp spring 106 before the male terminal 12 is inserted (reference Figure 5 As a result, as the male terminal 12 is inserted, not only the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68 but also the clamping plate portions 110 of the clamping spring 106 are pushed outward in the vertical direction. Consequently, the first contacts 96 and the second contacts 98 are pressed against the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12 not only by the elastic restoring force of the first contact spring portions 66 and the second contact spring portions 68 but also by the elastic restoring force of the clamping plate portions 110.

[0071] In particular, in the first embodiment, a pair of first contact spring portions 66, 66 and a pair of second contact spring portions 68, 68 are provided, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a pair of clamping plates 110, 110, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, are provided on the upper and lower sides of the clamp spring 106. Thus, the first contact spring portion 66 and the second contact spring portion 68 are clamped by the upper and lower clamping plates 110, 110 on both sides in the left-right direction, respectively, and the first contact 96 and the second contact 98 are press-fitted to the male terminal 12.

[0072] According to the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment, a contact-forming component 26 having first contacts 96 and second contacts 98 is provided separately from a main body 22 having a cylindrical conductor portion 20, and the contact-forming component 26 is assembled into the cylindrical conductor portion 20. This allows the contact-forming component 26 to be formed from a second metal plate 24 having a relatively small thickness, compared to conventional structures in which the contacts are formed by bending a metal plate. This allows the female terminal 10 to be miniaturized. Furthermore, since the main body 22 having the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed by bending a first metal plate 16 having a relatively large thickness, it can also handle higher currents, achieving both improved conduction capacity and a reduction in the size of the terminal.

[0073] In particular, the contact forming component 26 includes a frame portion 62 and contact spring portions 64 (first contact spring portions 66 and second contact spring portions 68), with each of the first contact spring portions 66 and second contact spring portions 68 protruding inward from the frame portion 62. This reduces the likelihood of accidental contact with the first contact spring portions 66 and second contact spring portions 68 when the contact forming component 26 is held during assembly with the cylindrical conductor portion 20, and prevents the first contact spring portions 66 and second contact spring portions 68 from deforming during assembly of the contact forming component 26 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20.

[0074] The contact-forming component 26 has a welding portion that is welded to the welded portion of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. In the first embodiment, the welding portion of the contact-forming component 26 is formed by abutting edges 88 extending outward in the vertical direction from the front connecting portion 78 of the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74, and the welded portion of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 is formed by the front end surfaces 41 of the upper wall 38 and the lower wall 40. When the contact-forming component 26 is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the abutting edges 88 abut against the front end surfaces 41 to define the insertion end. By skillfully utilizing the overlapping abutting edges 88 and the front end surfaces 41 to weld them together, the contact-forming component 26 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 can be securely fixed. In particular, since the welding operation of each abutting edge portion 88 and each front end face 41 is performed after the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and the contact forming part 26 are formed by a series of stamping processes, the manufacturing efficiency can be improved compared to the case where the welding operation is performed in the middle of the stamping process.

[0075] The cylindrical conductor portion 20 has a rectangular cylindrical shape with left and right sidewalls 36a and 36b, an upper wall 38, and a lower wall 40. The frame portion 62 of the contact-forming component 26 has a rectangular frame shape with left and right sidewalls 70a and 70b, an upper portion 72, and a lower portion 74. Because both the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and the contact-forming component 26 have rectangular outer shapes, displacement (wobbling, etc.) of the contact-forming component 26 within the cylindrical conductor portion 20 can be suppressed. In particular, because the contact-forming component 26 has a generally vertically symmetrical shape, it can be assembled into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 without determining the vertical position of the contact-forming component 26, thereby improving assembly efficiency. In addition, each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 in the contact forming part 26 is formed by partially cutting up the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74, respectively. Therefore, when forming the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion, no other components separate from the frame portion are used, and the contact forming part 26 can be formed with a good yield.

[0076] The left and right side walls 36a and 36b of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 have locking holes 50, and the left and right side portions 70a and 70b of the contact-forming component 26 have locking claws 94. When the contact-forming component 26 is assembled into the cylindrical conductor portion 20, the locking claws 94 engage with the locking holes 50. Specifically, the contact-forming component 26 is restricted from moving in the insertion direction of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 by the abutment between the abutting edges 88 and the front end surfaces 41. Furthermore, the contact-forming component 26 is restricted from moving in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cylindrical conductor portion 20 by the engagement between the locking claws 94 and the locking holes 50. This allows the contact-forming component 26 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 to be positioned in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, since the abutting edges 88 and the front end faces 41 are welded while the contact forming component 26 and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 are positioned in the front-rear direction, the abutting edges 88 and the front end faces 41 can be welded with substantially no gap therebetween.

[0077] The female terminal 10 includes a clip spring 106, serving as a contact pressure-applying spring. This clip spring 106 is located at the protruding end 99 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 and is sized to be inserted through the rear opening window 34 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Specifically, whereas conventional configurations assemble the clip spring 106 from the side, the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment is configured so that the clip spring 106 is assembled from the rear through the rear opening window 34 of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. Specifically, whereas conventional configurations assemble the clip spring with its opening enlarged, the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment has the vertical dimensions of the protruding end 99 of each first contact spring portion 66 and each second contact spring portion 68 substantially equal to the opening dimensions of the insertion slot 114 of the clip spring 106. This allows assembly without requiring any additional work to enlarge the opening. This improves the workability of assembling the clip spring 106.

[0078] A clip spring 106 is used as a contact pressure-applying spring that applies contact pressure to each of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 when the male terminal 12 is inserted. Thus, the clip spring 106 can be assembled to each of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 by inserting the protruding end portions 99 of each of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68 into the insertion opening 114 of the clip spring 106. In particular, the clip spring 106 can be freely positioned in the cylindrical conductor portion 20 in the vertical, front-back, and left-right directions before the male terminal 12 is inserted. Consequently, even when the male terminal 12 is inserted tilted relative to the female terminal 10, for example, the clip spring 106 can be displaced in accordance with the tilt of the male terminal 12, thereby stably applying contact pressure to each of the first and second contact spring portions 66 and 68.

[0079] A pair of first contact spring portions 66, 66 are provided on the upper portion 72 of the contact-forming component 26, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. A pair of second contact spring portions 68, 68 are provided on the lower portion 74, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Furthermore, two clamping plates 110 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the connecting plate portion 108 of the clamp spring 106, spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Thus, contact pressure can be applied to the first and second contact spring portions 66, 68 by the upper and lower clamping plates 110 on the left and right sides, respectively. As a result, even if the male terminal 12 is rotated and displaced about a central axis extending in the front-to-back direction after insertion into the female terminal 10, problems such as insufficient contact pressure being applied on either side can be avoided.

[0080] <Modification> While Implementation 1 has been described in detail as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Variations and improvements within the scope of achieving the objectives of the present disclosure are encompassed within the present disclosure. For example, variations of the following implementations are also encompassed within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] (1) In the above embodiment, the male terminal 12 is a flat, sheet-shaped terminal, and the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and the contact forming part 26 are each substantially laterally elongated rectangular. However, this is not limiting. For example, if the male terminal is a cylindrical pin terminal, the cylindrical conductor portion and the contact forming part may each be cylindrical. Similarly, if the male terminal is a vertically elongated terminal, the cylindrical conductor portion and the contact forming part may each be substantially vertically elongated rectangular. In this case, the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion constituting the contact spring portion may each be provided on a pair of side portions of the contact forming part.

[0082] (2) In the above embodiment, the cylindrical conductor portion 20 and the contact forming component 26 are fixed by the engagement of the locking holes 50 and the locking claws 94 in addition to welding the abutting edges 88 (welding portions) and the front end faces 41 (welded portions). However, this is not limited to this method. The cylindrical conductor portion and the contact forming component may be fixed by welding alone or by a concave-convex engagement such as the engagement of the locking holes and the locking claws. Alternatively, a fixing method other than welding or concave-convex engagement may be used (for example, fixing with bolts or rivets).

[0083] (3) In the above embodiment, the front end portions of the front connecting portions 78 of the upper portion 72 and the lower portion 74 of the contact forming part 26 are extended outward in the vertical direction to form the respective abutting edges 88 serving as the welding portions, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, depending on the shape of the housing that holds the male terminal, the front end portions of the upper and lower portions may be replaced, or in addition, the abutting edges serving as the welding portions may be extended outward in the left and right directions from the pair of side portions of the contact forming part. In addition, in the above embodiment, the contact forming part 26 is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 through the male terminal insertion opening 32 on the front end side, but the contact forming part may also be inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion through the rear opening window on the rear end side. In this case, the abutting edges serving as the welding portions may also be provided at the rear end portion of at least one of the pair of side portions, the upper portion, and the lower portion of the contact forming part. In addition, as described above, the cylindrical conductor portion and the contact forming part may be fixed by methods other than welding, and the welding portion and the welded portion are not necessarily required in the female terminal involved in this disclosure.

[0084] (4) In the above embodiment, each first contact spring portion 66 is formed by partially cutting and raising the upper portion 72 of the contact forming component 26, and each second contact spring portion 68 is formed by partially cutting and raising the lower portion 74 of the contact forming component 26. However, this is not limiting. In other words, the first contact spring portion and / or the second contact spring portion may be formed separately from the frame portion of the contact forming component and then fixed to the metal plate constituting the frame portion by welding or the like. The contact forming component may then be formed by stamping the metal plate.

[0085] (5) In the above embodiment, locking holes 50 are provided in the cylindrical conductor portion 20, and locking claws 94 are provided in the contact forming part 26, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, instead of the above embodiment, or in addition to it, locking claws can be provided in the cylindrical conductor portion and locking holes can be provided in the contact forming part. In addition, in the above embodiment, each locking claw 94 protrudes in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the contact forming part 26 into the cylindrical conductor portion 20 (from the rear to the front), thereby preventing the contact forming part 26 from shifting relative to the cylindrical conductor portion 20 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the locking claw can protrude in the same direction as the insertion direction of the contact forming part into the cylindrical conductor portion, thereby preventing the contact forming part from shifting relative to the cylindrical conductor portion in the insertion direction. In this case, for example, by inserting the contact forming part into the cylindrical conductor portion with the locking claw pressed inward, it is possible to prevent the locking claw from hooking on the wall of the cylindrical conductor portion during insertion of the contact forming part.

[0086] (6) In the above embodiment, the female terminal 10 includes a clip spring 106 as a contact pressure applying spring. However, in the female terminal of the present disclosure, a contact pressure applying spring is not essential. That is, the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion may be pushed apart in the vertical direction and outward by the insertion of the male terminal, and the first and second contacts of the first and second contact spring portions may be pressed against the male terminal by the elastic restoring force of these first and second contact spring portions. In addition, even when a contact pressure applying spring is used, it does not necessarily need to be a clip spring; a contact pressure applying spring of any structure, such as a coil spring or an annular elastic body, may be used.

[0087] (7) In the above embodiment, a pair of first contact spring portions 66, 66 are provided on the upper portion 72 of the contact forming part 26, and a pair of second contact spring portions 68, 68 are provided on the lower portion 74. However, the number of these first contact spring portions and second contact spring portions is not limited. That is, one or more first contact spring portions may be provided on the upper portion of the contact forming part, and one or more second contact spring portions may be provided on the lower portion of the contact forming part. Similarly, the number of upper and lower clamping plate portions of the clamping spring is not limited, and one or more may be provided respectively. Furthermore, the number of first contact spring portions and the number of upper clamping plate portions may be different from each other, and the number of second contact spring portions and the number of lower clamping plate portions may be different from each other.

[0088] (8) In the above embodiment, the connection portion 18, which is electrically connected to another member, extends rearward from the left side wall 36a of the cylindrical conductor portion 20. However, it may also extend rearward from, for example, the upper or lower wall of the cylindrical conductor portion. In this case, the stopper assembled to the rear end of the cylindrical conductor portion can be assembled in a state extending in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the stopper is not essential in the female terminal of the present disclosure.

[0089] (9) In the embodiment, the portions that abut against each other when the second metal flat plate 24 is subjected to stamping to form the contact forming part 26 are set on the left side portion 70a of the contact forming part 26, but it is not limited to this method. The portions that abut against each other during stamping can be set at any position in the contact forming part. Description of Reference Numerals

[0090] 10 female terminal 12 male terminals 14 terminal units 16 1st metal plate 18 Connection 20 Cylindrical conductor part 22 Main body 24 2nd metal plate 26 Contact forming parts 28 Bolt insertion holes 30 Narrow width section 32 Male terminal insertion port 34 Rear opening window 36 side wall (wall) 36a Left side wall (wall portion) 36b right side wall (wall portion) 38 Upper wall (wall part) 40 lower wall (wall) 41 front end face (end face, welded part) 42 Fitting convex part 44 fitting recess 46 Positioning protrusion 48 recess 50 Locking hole 52 abutment 54 locking protrusion 56 vertical plane 58 recess 60 Bending section 62 frame 64 Contact spring part 66 1st contact spring part 68 2nd contact spring part 70 side (frame) 70a Left side (frame) 70b right side (frame) 72 upper part (frame part) 74 lower part (frame part) 75a Front opening 75b rear opening 76 through the window 78 front connection 80 rear connection 82a 1st left side 82b 2nd left side 84 engagement recess 86 engagement protrusion 88 abutting edge (welding portion) 90 incision 92 through holes 94 Locking claw 96 1st contact 98 Second Contact 99 protruding end 100 bending part 102 concavity 104 Slit 106 clamp spring (contact pressure imparting spring) 108 connecting plate 110 clamping plate 112 bending part 114 Insertion port 116 stop body 118 displacement limiting unit 120 fixed part 122 locking hole

Claims

1. A female terminal comprising: The main body is a stamped product of a first metal flat plate, and has a connecting portion and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion, wherein the connecting portion is conductively connected to other components; and The contact forming part is a stamped product of a second metal flat plate having a plate thickness thinner than that of the first metal flat plate, and can be assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion in a conductive manner. The cylindrical conductor portion has a male terminal insertion opening opened toward one end side, The contact forming component includes: a frame portion assembled to the inner surface of the wall portion of the cylindrical conductor portion; and a contact spring portion held by the frame portion, projecting toward the inside of the frame portion and press-contacting the male terminal inserted from the male terminal insertion port.

2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein The contact-forming component includes a welding portion welded to a welded portion of the cylindrical conductor portion.

3. The female terminal according to claim 2, wherein The contact forming component is inserted from the male terminal insertion opening on the one end side of the cylindrical conductor portion toward the other end side and assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion. The frame portion of the contact forming component has a contact edge portion that overlaps with the end surface of the cylindrical conductor portion on the male terminal insertion port side. The insertion end of the contact forming component into the cylindrical conductor portion is defined by the contact edge portion contacting the end surface. The abutting edge portion is welded to the end surface, and the abutting edge portion constitutes the welding portion, and the end surface constitutes the welded portion.

4. The female terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The cylindrical conductor portion is in the shape of a rectangular cylinder having a pair of side walls and an upper wall and a lower wall connected by the pair of side walls. The frame portion of the contact forming part is in the shape of a rectangular frame having a pair of side portions and an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the pair of side portions overlap with the pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor portion, and the upper portion and the lower portion overlap with the upper wall and the lower wall of the cylindrical conductor portion, respectively. The contact spring portion is formed into a cantilever beam shape by partially cutting and raising at least one of the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion toward the inner side.

5. The female terminal according to claim 4, wherein The contact forming component is inserted from the male terminal insertion opening on the one end side of the cylindrical conductor portion toward the other end side and assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion. The pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor portion and one of the pair of side portions of the frame portion each have a locking hole. The pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor portion and the other of the pair of side portions of the frame portion each have a locking claw that fits into the locking hole. The locking claw is elastically deformed to allow the contact forming component to be inserted toward the other end, and the locking claw is elastically restored and engaged with the locking hole, thereby maintaining the contact forming component in an assembled state to the cylindrical conductor portion.

6. The female terminal according to claim 4, wherein A rear opening window is provided on the other end side of the cylindrical conductor portion. The contact spring portion includes a first contact spring portion and a second contact spring portion, The upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion have a pair of upper and lower first contact spring portions and second contact spring portions, the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion being held by the frame portion at the one end side and protruding inward toward the other end side to extend in a cantilever beam shape. A contact pressure applying spring is further provided, the contact pressure applying spring being arranged so as to sandwich the respective protruding ends of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion and having a size capable of being inserted through the rear opening window. As the male terminal is pressed between the opposing surfaces of the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion, the protruding ends are urged toward each other by the contact pressure imparting spring, and the first contact spring portion and the second contact spring portion are pressed against the male terminal.

7. The female terminal according to claim 6, wherein The contact pressure applying spring is composed of a clamping spring, which has a connecting plate portion in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and a pair of clamping plate portions, each in the shape of a rectangular flat plate, protruding from both side edges of the connecting plate portion in directions approaching each other. When the male terminal is inserted, the protruding end portion of the first contact spring portion and the protruding end portion of the second contact spring portion are clamped between the pair of clamping plate portions of the clamping spring.

8. The female terminal according to claim 7, wherein The contact spring portion includes a plurality of first contact spring portions and a plurality of second contact spring portions, each of which is disposed at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction of the male terminal. The clamp spring includes a plurality of pairs of clamping plate portions, and the plurality of pairs of clamping plate portions are respectively arranged at a plurality of locations separated from each other in the plate width direction in correspondence with the contact spring portion. When the male terminal is inserted, the protruding end portions of each of the plurality of first contact spring portions and the protruding end portions of each of the plurality of second contact spring portions are respectively clamped by the plurality of pairs of clamping plate portions in pairs.

9. A terminal unit comprising a female terminal and a male terminal connected to the female terminal. The female terminal is the female terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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