Method for manufacturing a female terminal, female terminal, wire with terminal, and wire with connector

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a female terminal that allows a spring member to be easily assembled to a desired position on the inner surface of the side wall of the base portion, a female terminal, a connector, a wire with a terminal, and a wire with a connector. [Solution] A pair of flat plate portions 421 are provided on a flat plate base portion 40, and a spring member 30, which is stacked on the flat plate base portion 40, is provided with a base portion 31 that is fixed to the flat plate portion 421, and the base portion 31 is provided with a protruding portion 311 that protrudes in the width direction W from the stacked flat plate portion 421. Then, in the stacking step s1 in which the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 are stacked, a holding member 50 that holds the protruding portion 311 is placed on the outside of the width direction W of the protruding portion 311 and in a holding space R that spans both the stacked base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 in the height direction H, thereby stacking the base portion 31 on the flat plate portion 421.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a female terminal for an electric circuit through which a large current flows, a female terminal, an electric wire with a terminal, and an electric wire with a connector. Background Art

[0002] Electric devices mounted on a vehicle and a wire harness form an electric circuit by connecting connectors respectively mounted thereon. For example, the electric wire with a connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a female terminal housed in a connector housing, and the female terminal is provided with a base portion connected to an electric wire and a spring member attached to the base portion. The base portion is arranged at a predetermined interval and includes a pair of side walls that form an insertion / extraction space into which a male terminal, specifically a blade of a male terminal, can be inserted and extracted. The spring member includes a base portion fixed to the inner surface of the side wall and an arm spring that abuts against the blade of the male terminal.

[0003] Incidentally, in the female terminal disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the spring member is fitted into the base portion having a U-shaped cross section provided with a pair of side walls, the spring member is fixed to the base portion by welding the distal end surface of the side wall, the distal end surface of the spring member and the abutting portion. However, it is necessary to fit the spring member into the base portion formed in a U-shaped cross section, which causes a problem that the assembling work for assembling the base portion and the spring member is complicated. Prior Art Literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2023-18355 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a female terminal that allows a spring member to be easily assembled to a desired position on the inner surface of a side wall provided on a base, a female terminal, a wire with a terminal, and a wire with a connector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a female terminal into which a male terminal can be inserted and removed, by attaching a spring member to a base portion to which an electric wire is connected, wherein the base portion comprises a flat plate base portion comprising a pair of flat plate portions spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the width direction and a connecting portion connecting the pair of flat plate portions in the width direction, the spring member comprising a base portion fixed to the flat plate portion and an arm spring extending from the base portion so as to be spaced apart from the flat plate portion along the thickness direction of the flat plate base portion when the spring member is fixed to the flat plate portion, and at least a part of one of the flat plate portion and the base portion is provided with a projection that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction from the other stacked portion when the spring member is fixed to the flat plate portion, The lamination step is characterized by stacking the base portion and the flat plate portion by holding the protruding portion and stacking the flat plate portion and the base portion in close proximity to each other; fixing the base portion and the flat plate portion and attaching the spring member to the flat plate portion; and facing the flat plate portion so that the spring members face each other and an insertion / removal space is formed into which the male terminal can be inserted and removed, wherein the lamination step is characterized by placing a holder that holds the protruding portion in a holding space that is located outside the orthogonal direction of the protruding portion and spans both the base portion and the flat plate portion to be stacked in the thickness direction, or penetrates the other in the thickness direction, and in which at least a part of the protruding portion is located in the thickness direction, thereby stacking the base portion on the flat plate portion.

[0007] Furthermore, this invention is characterized in that a female terminal is provided with a base portion connected to an electric wire and a spring member attached to the base portion, the base portion is provided with a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined distance apart and forming an insertion / removal space into which a male terminal can be inserted and removed, the spring member is provided with a base portion fixed to the inner surface of the side wall and an arm spring extending from the base portion toward the opposing side wall, at least a part of one of the stacked base portion and side wall is provided with a projection that protrudes from the other in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the opposing side wall, and the female terminal has a holding space on the outside of the projection in the orthogonal direction that straddles both the stacked base portion and side wall in the thickness direction, or penetrates the other in the thickness direction, and at least a part of the projection is arranged in the thickness direction.

[0008] Furthermore, this invention is characterized by being a wire with a terminal, comprising the female terminal described above and the wire connected to the base portion of the female terminal. Furthermore, this invention is characterized by being a wire with a connector, comprising the aforementioned wire with terminals and a connector housing for housing the wire with terminals.

[0009] The protruding portion is a portion of at least one of the stacked base portion and the flat plate portion (the side wall composed of the flat plate portion) that protrudes in the orthogonal direction compared to the other. For example, the protruding portion includes cases where it protrudes in the orthogonal direction from the outer edge of the other of the stacked base portion and the side wall, cases where one protrudes from the edge of the other that is partially recessed, and cases where it protrudes from the inner edge of a through hole that penetrates the other in the thickness direction toward the through hole.

[0010] The term "laminated" refers to the area where the base portion and the side wall are in contact. For example, if the other portion is provided with a protruding portion that extends from the outer edge of the other portion and a portion that is separated by a predetermined distance in the thickness direction, the portion of the other portion that is not laminated with the other portion may protrude more than the protruding portion in the direction perpendicular to the direction.

[0011] The holding space located outside the protruding portion in the orthogonal direction, and spanning both the stacked base portion and the flat plate portion (side wall) in the thickness direction, includes spaces formed outside the outer edge of the base portion or the flat plate portion (side wall) in the orthogonal direction, and spaces formed outside the protruding portion that protrudes toward a through hole penetrating the other in the thickness direction.

[0012] Furthermore, the holding space located on the outer side of the protruding portion in the orthogonal direction, and spanning both the stacked base portion and the flat plate portion (side wall) in the thickness direction, is formed over at least a portion of the stacked base portion and the flat plate portion (side wall) having the protruding portion and the other portion not having the protruding portion. That is, the holding space is formed in the portion where the protruding portion is formed, not only from one end to the other in the thickness direction of the one and the other, but also includes cases where it is formed from one end to the other in the thickness direction of the protruding portion, and over at least a portion from one end to the other end of the other stacked on the other end side of the one.

[0013] The holding space described above, which penetrates the other part in the thickness direction and in which at least a portion of the protrusion is positioned in the thickness direction, is formed by a through hole that penetrates the other part in the thickness direction, and refers to a space in which one side is blocked by at least a portion of the protrusion.

[0014] This invention makes it possible to easily assemble a spring member to a desired position on the inner surface of the side wall provided on the base. More specifically, the flat plate base is provided with a pair of flat plate sections arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction via a connecting section. The flat plate sections also have a spring member attached to which an arm spring has been extended in the thickness direction, and form side walls spaced at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction. Furthermore, one of the stacked base section and flat plate sections (side walls composed of flat plate sections) is provided with a projection that protrudes from the other. Moreover, there is a holding space located on the outside of the projection in the direction perpendicular to it, which straddles both the stacked base section and flat plate sections in the thickness direction, or penetrates the other in the thickness direction, and in which at least a part of the projection is positioned in the thickness direction.

[0015] Therefore, when stacking spring members on the flat plate portion that forms the side wall of an insertion / removal space for inserting and removing male terminals by facing each other, a holder can be placed in the holding space to hold the edge of the protrusion on the outside of the protrusion, or to hold the protrusion by holding it in the thickness direction of the plate. This allows one to be moved in the thickness direction until it is stacked on the other without the holder interfering with the other. Thus, the base portion can be easily and accurately positioned at the desired location on the flat plate portion.

[0016] Furthermore, since the holder can hold the protruding portion, the spring member can be laminated on the flat plate portion without the holder touching the arm spring. In other words, it is possible to prevent a decrease in conductivity due to deformation caused by the arm spring touching the holder. Therefore, it is possible to reliably ensure conductivity with the male terminal inserted into the insertion / removal space formed by the pair of side walls.

[0017] In an embodiment of this invention, the protruding portion may protrude outward in the width direction, and in the lamination process, the holder that holds the protruding portion may be placed in the holding space that is on the outside of the protruding portion in the width direction and spans both the base portion and the flat plate portion to be laminated in the thickness direction, thereby laminating the base portion onto the flat plate portion.

[0018] This invention allows the protruding portion that extends in the width direction to be held by a holder when stacking spring members on a flat plate. In other words, since there is no need to form a through hole to form a holding space on the other side, stable conductivity can be ensured between the base portion and the spring member. The protruding portion that extends outward in the width direction will be formed in the insertion / removal direction in the female terminal.

[0019] In another aspect of this invention, a through portion is provided between the pair of flat plate portions, which penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate and forms the holding space, and the protruding portion may be provided on both sides in the width direction. This invention allows a holder that holds protruding portions in both width directions and clamps the protruding portions in both width directions to be positioned in a holding space formed on both sides in the width direction. Therefore, the spring members can be stably stacked on the flat plate portion that forms the side wall by facing each other without the holders interfering with each other. Consequently, the base portion can be positioned more precisely at a desired location on the flat plate portion.

[0020] Furthermore, holding the protruding portion that protrudes in both the width direction as described above includes cases where the outer ends of the protruding portion in the width direction are clamped in the thickness direction of the plate, and cases where the outer ends of the protruding portion in the width direction are clamped and held in the width direction.

[0021] In another aspect of this invention, the holding space formed by the through portion has a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and the plate thickness direction, and in the lamination process, the spring member may be laminated on each of the pair of flat plate portions.

[0022] The holding space formed by the through portion described above has a predetermined length in a direction orthogonal to the width direction and the plate thickness direction, which means that the length of the holding space along the direction orthogonal to the width direction and the plate thickness direction is not less than a length sufficient to allow the holding body to be fully inserted. It is preferable that the predetermined length in the direction orthogonal to the width direction and the plate thickness direction described above is a length such that at least two holding bodies for holding the protruding portion can be arranged side by side.

[0023] According to the present invention, the protruding portion can be held in a state having a sufficient extra length in the direction orthogonal to the width direction and the plate thickness direction, so that the spring members can be laminated more stably. Furthermore, when the through portion has a length such that at least two holding bodies for holding the protruding portion can be arranged side by side, the two holding bodies for holding the protruding portion can be arranged in the holding space. Therefore, when laminating the spring members on the flat plate portions, the spring members can be simultaneously laminated on each of the pair of flat plates. Accordingly, the efficiency of the work of laminating the spring members on the flat plate portions can be improved.

[0024] Furthermore, as an aspect of the present invention, the other member is provided with a recess recessed toward the inner side in the orthogonal direction, and at least a part of the protruding portion may protrude outward beyond the groove bottom of the recess. According to the present invention, the amount by which the protruding portion protrudes from other portions of the other member can be reduced, so that the size in the orthogonal direction can be reduced.

[0025] Furthermore, as an aspect of the present invention, at least one of the flat plate portion and the base portion may be provided with a position regulating portion that regulates movement of the spring member relative to the flat plate portion in a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction. According to the present invention, after the base portion is arranged on the flat plate portion, movement of the base portion relative to the flat plate portion in a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction can be regulated. Thereby, the base portion can be fixed at a desired position on the side wall. Accordingly, a female terminal with stable quality can be manufactured. [Advantageous Effects of Invention]

[0026] This invention provides a method for manufacturing a female terminal that allows a spring member to be easily assembled to a desired position on the inner surface of the side wall of the base portion, as well as a female terminal, a connector, a wire with a terminal, and a wire with a connector. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0027] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view of a female connector. [Figure 2] A schematic perspective view of an electric wire with terminals. [Figure 3] Diagram illustrating a wire with terminals. [Figure 4] Flowchart of the manufacturing method for female terminals. [Figure 5] Diagram illustrating the flat base section. [Figure 6] Diagram illustrating the spring component. [Figure 7] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 9] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 10] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 11] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 12] Diagram illustrating the lamination process. [Figure 13] Diagram illustrating the welding process. [Figure 14] An explanatory diagram of a flat base and spring member according to another embodiment. [Figure 15] Diagram illustrating the lamination process according to another embodiment. [Figure 16] Diagram illustrating the lamination process according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] One embodiment of this invention will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 13. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of the female connector 100, and Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the wire with terminals 6. Figure 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the wire with terminals 6. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the manufacturing method S for the female terminal 10. Figure 5 shows an explanatory diagram of the flat base portion 40, and Figure 6 shows an explanatory diagram of the spring member 30. Figures 7 to 13 show explanatory diagrams of the manufacturing method S for the female terminal 10.

[0029] Figures 3, 5, and 6 will be described in detail. Figure 3(a) shows a schematic side view of the terminal-equipped wire 6 as seen from the front side Wf, and Figure 3(b) shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the terminal-equipped wire 6 when the central part in the width direction W is cut with a cross section perpendicular to the width direction W. Figure 5(a) shows a schematic perspective view of the flat plate base 40, and Figure 5(b) shows a plan view of the flat plate base 40. Figure 5(c) shows a cross-sectional view taken along arrow AA in Figure 5(b), and Figure 5(d) shows a cross-sectional view taken along arrow BB in Figure 5(b). Figure 6(a) shows a schematic perspective view of the spring member 30, and Figure 6(b) shows a plan view of the spring member 30.

[0030] Figures 7 to 13 will be described in detail. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic perspective views illustrating the lamination process s1. Figure 9(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state before the spring member 30 held by the holding member 50 is laminated onto the flat base portion 40. Figure 9(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state after the spring member 30 held by the holding member 50 is laminated onto the flat base portion 40. Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the state after the spring member 30 held by the holding member 50 is laminated onto the flat base portion 40. Figure 11 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the state after the spring member 30 held by the holding member 50 is laminated onto the flat portion 421. Figure 12(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the state when the holding member 50 is removed in the lamination process s1. Figures 12(b) and 12(c) are enlarged schematic cross-sectional views of the area enclosed by the dashed-dotted circle in Figures 9(b) and 12(a).

[0031] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the welding process s2. Figure 13(a) shows a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the welding process s2, and Figure 13(b) shows a schematic plan view of the state in which the flat plate portion 421 and the spring member 30 are welded together. Figures 9, 11, 12, and 13(a) show schematic cross-sectional views corresponding to the section viewed along arrow BB in Figure 5(b).

[0032] Figures 14 to 16 show other embodiments. Figure 14(a) shows a schematic plan view of the flat base portion 40 in another embodiment, and Figure 14(b) shows a schematic plan view of the state in which the spring member 30 held by the holding member 50 is laminated on the flat base portion 40 in another embodiment. Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show schematic plan views of the flat base portion 40 and the spring member 30 in another embodiment, and Figures 15(c) and 15(d) show schematic cross-sectional views and enlarged schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the lamination process s1 in another embodiment. Figures 16(a) and 16(b) show explanatory diagrams of the lamination process s1 in yet another embodiment. Figures 15(c), 15(d), and 16 show schematic cross-sectional views corresponding to the section viewed along the CC arrow in Figure 15(b).

[0033] The female connector 100 houses two female terminals 10 inside the connector housing 1, into which the blades 2a of the male terminal 2 are inserted. Below, the female connector 100 will be briefly described, and the female terminals 10 will be described in detail.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the female connector 100 houses a vertical connection type female terminal 10 in which the blade 2a of the male terminal 2 is inserted perpendicular to the direction of extension of the insulated wire 3 connected to the base end of the female terminal 10. In such a female connector 100, the connector housing 1 has a housing portion 1a that houses the female terminal 10 and a wire insertion portion 1b through which the insulated wire 3 connected to the female terminal 10 is inserted.

[0035] The housing portion 1a of the connector housing 1 houses two female terminals 10. An opening is provided on the side end face of the housing portion 1a to allow the blades 2a of the male terminal 2 to be inserted into the female terminals 10 that house them (see Figure 1).

[0036] The wire insertion portion 1b of the connector housing 1 holds the insulated wire 3 extending from the female terminal 10 housed in the casing portion 1a of the connector housing 1 (see Figure 1). The insulated wire 3 connected to the female terminal 10 is a high-current round wire in which a core wire 4, made of bundled strands of copper or copper alloy, is covered with an insulating coating 5. The core wire 4 may be made of bundled strands of aluminum or aluminum alloy, or it may be a so-called single wire regardless of the material.

[0037] The female terminal 10 is a so-called vertical connection type into which the blade 2a of the male terminal 2 is inserted, and as shown in Figure 2, it has a base portion 20 that is connected to the insulated wire 3 and a spring member 30 attached to the base portion 20. Functionally, the female terminal 10 can be divided into a wire connection portion 11 that is connected to the insulated wire 3 and a terminal connection portion 12 to which the blade 2a of the male terminal 2 is connected (see Figure 2). Here, the female terminal 10 to which the insulated wire 3 is connected is referred to as the terminal-equipped wire 6.

[0038] In the following explanation, the direction in which the wire connection part 11 and the terminal connection part 12 are arranged in series is referred to as the longitudinal direction L, the side on which the wire connection part 11 is provided is referred to as the base end side Lb, and the opposite side as the tip side Lt. Also, in Figure 2, the vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is referred to as the height direction H, the side on which the opening is provided is referred to as the upper side Hu, and the opposite side as the lower side Hd. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H is referred to as the width direction W, the left side of the width direction W in Figure 2 is referred to as the back side Wb, and the opposite side as the front side Wf.

[0039] The wire connection portion 11, which is the base end Lb of the female terminal 10, is the part of the female terminal 10 to which the insulated wire 3 is connected, as shown in Figure 2, and is composed of a part of the base portion 20. More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the wire connection portion 11 is composed of a connection portion 21, which is a part of the base end Lb of the base portion 20. The connection portion 21 has a connection plate 211 having a main surface facing the height direction H, and a connection side plate 212 that is erected from the outer edge of the connection plate 211 in the width direction W upward Hu by a predetermined height.

[0040] In other words, the connection portion 21 is formed in a concave cross-section with an opening of a predetermined width on the upper side Hu, and the female terminal 10 and the insulated wire 3 are electrically connected by welding the core wire 4 exposed from the insulating coating 5 to the connection portion 21.

[0041] The terminal connection portion 12, which is the tip side Lt of the female terminal 10, has an opening on the upper side Hu and an insertion / removal space D that allows the blade 2a of the male terminal 2 to be inserted and removed in the height direction H (see Figure 3(b)). The terminal connection portion 12 will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the terminal connection portion 12 consists of a tip portion of a base portion 20 having a pair of side walls 22 separated by a predetermined distance, and a spring member 30 fixed to the inside in the width direction W of the opposing side walls 22.

[0042] Each side wall 22 is formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and is arranged to face each other with a predetermined distance between them in the width direction W. A spring member 30 is welded to the inner surface of each side wall 22. Between the pair of side walls 22 (spring member 30) configured in this way, an insertion / removal space D is formed through which the blade 2a can be inserted and removed (see Figure 3(b)). Furthermore, the lower end Hd of the side wall 22 and the upper end Hu of the side wall 22 are connected via a lower end connecting part 23 and a spacing holding part 24, as shown in Figures 2 and 3(b).

[0043] As shown in Figure 3(b), the lower end connecting portion 23 connects the lower ends Hd of the opposing side walls 22 and both ends in the longitudinal direction L in the width direction W. That is, a rectangular through-hole in the height direction H is provided between the lower end connecting portions 23.

[0044] The spacing-holding portion 24 consists of a locking projection 241 provided on the rear side wall Wb of the pair of side walls 22, and an extended locking piece 242 extending in the width direction W from the front side wall Wf of the side wall 22 (see Figure 2). The locking projection 241 protrudes convexly upward Hu from both ends in the longitudinal direction L of the side wall 22 of the rear side Wb. The extended locking piece 242 provided on the side wall 22 of the front side Wf ​​extends toward the rear side Wb from a position opposite the locking projection 241 and has a fitting hole 243 at its tip that fits into the locking projection 241. The extended locking piece 242 connects the opposing side walls 22 by fitting the locking projection 241 into the fitting hole 243.

[0045] As described above, the spacing sections 24 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction L. That is, between the spacing sections 24, an opening is formed in the upper Hu of the terminal connection section 12, allowing the blade 2a to be inserted and removed. In addition, the spacing sections 24 that connect the upper Hu of the side walls 22 suppress the separation of the pair of side walls 22 due to stress relaxation. Furthermore, a flat plate-shaped connecting and holding portion 25 is provided at the base end Lb of the side wall 22, which connects to the tip end Lt of the connecting portion 21 (see Figure 3(a)).

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the female terminal 10 configured in this way is manufactured by fixing a spring member 30 to a flat plate base portion 40 that constitutes the base portion 20, and by bending the flat plate base portion 40 to which the spring member 30 is fixed. The manufacturing method S of the female terminal 10 will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 13.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, the female terminal 10 is manufactured by performing a lamination process s1 in which spring members 30 are laminated onto a flat base portion 40, followed by a welding process s2 in which the laminated spring members 30 and the flat base portion 40 are welded together and fixed. Then, a press forming process s3 is performed to bend the flat base portion 40 to which the spring members 30 are fixed. In other words, the female terminal 10 is manufactured by a manufacturing method S for the female terminal 10 which consists of a lamination process s1, a welding process s2, and a press forming process s3.

[0048] First, let's describe the flat base portion 40 that constitutes the base portion 20. As shown in Figure 5, the flat base portion 40 is configured in a flat plate shape and includes a base end portion 41 corresponding to the connection portion 21, a tip portion 42 corresponding to the terminal connection portion 12, and a pair of connecting plate portions 43 that connect the base end portion 41 and the tip portion 42 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the base end portion 41 is a rectangular flat plate in plan view, with its width W being longer than its length L. The length in the width W of the base end portion 41 is sufficiently longer than the outer diameter of the core wire 4 connected to the wire connection portion 11. More specifically, the length in the width W of the base end portion 41 is at least about twice the outer diameter of the core wire 4.

[0050] The tip portion 42 is a flat plate with a substantially rectangular through hole in the central part in the thickness direction (height direction H), and as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), it has a pair of flat plate portions 421 spaced apart in the width direction W, and a connecting portion 422 that connects the flat plate portions 421 together in the width direction W.

[0051] The flat plate portions 421 are formed in a flat plate shape that extends in the longitudinal direction L and the width direction W, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction W. Two positioning protrusions 423 that project upward Hu are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction L in the central portion of each flat plate portion 421 in the width direction W.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5(b) to 5(d), the positioning projection 423 protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape toward the upper side Hu. More specifically, the positioning projection 423 is formed by pushing out the central portion in the width direction W of the flat plate portion 421 and the vicinity of the end in the longitudinal direction L from the back side (lower side Hd) toward the front side (upper side Hu). The height of the positioning projection 423 is approximately equal to the plate thickness of the spring member 30.

[0053] On the flat plate portion 421 located on the rear side Wb, both ends in the longitudinal direction L are provided with substantially rectangular plate-shaped protrusions 424 that project outward in the width direction W (towards the rear side Wb) (see Figure 5(b)). On the other hand, on the flat plate portion 421 located on the front side Wf, both ends in the longitudinal direction L are provided with extension pieces 425 that extend outward in the width direction W (towards the front side Wf).

[0054] As shown in Figure 5(b), the extension piece 425 is a substantially rectangular projection piece that extends in the width direction W by a length approximately the same as the distance between the flat plate portions 421 that are spaced apart in the width direction W, and a substrate fitting hole 426 into which the plate-shaped protrusion 424 can be fitted is provided at the tip.

[0055] The pair of flat plates 421 configured in this way constitute a pair of side walls 22 facing each other in the width direction W of the female terminal 10, which is manufactured by bending the flat plate base portion 40. The plate-shaped projection 424 and the extension piece 425 correspond to the locking projection 241 and the extension locking piece 242.

[0056] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the connecting portion 422 connects the ends in the longitudinal direction L of two flat plate portions 421 that are arranged at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction W. More specifically, in a plan view, the connecting portion 422 has a rectangular shape in which the length in the longitudinal direction L is shorter than the length in the width direction W, and is provided in pairs in the longitudinal direction L. That is, the connecting portion 422 paired in the longitudinal direction L and the flat plate portions 421 paired in the width direction W form a tip-side penetrating portion 427 that penetrates in the height direction H between the flat plate portions 421.

[0057] In the tip portion 42 configured in this way, a space is formed in the rear Wb of the flat plate portion 421 located on the rear Wb, the front Wf of the flat plate portion 421 located on the front Wf, and the tip-side penetrating portion 427, as shown in Figure 5(d).

[0058] The connecting plate portion 43 connects the outer edge in the width direction W of the base end portion 41 to the end portion Lb of the base end portion 421, and as shown in Figure 5(b), it widens inward in the width direction W as it moves from the base end portion Lb towards the tip end portion Lt. That is, a base end through portion 431 is provided between the base end portion 41 and the tip end portion 42, forming a through hole that is approximately isosceles trapezoidal in plan view. The tip end portion Lt of the base end through portion 431 is wider than the width of the tip end through portion 427.

[0059] The spring members 30 are mounted symmetrically on the inner surfaces of each of the pair of side walls 22, so that they are positioned facing each other (see Figures 2 and 3). These spring members 30 are used in pairs, and a biasing force acts to clamp the blade 2a inserted into the insertion / removal space D. The spring members 30 will be described below with reference to Figure 6. Note that the pair of spring members 30 are formed to be the same shape.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the spring member 30 is formed from a substantially rectangular metal plate with thickness in the height direction H. The spring member 30 comprises a base portion 31 fixed to the inner surface of the side wall 22, and a plurality of arm springs 32 extending from the base portion 31 toward the opposing side wall 22 so as to be able to contact the blade 2a.

[0061] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the base portion 31 is a roughly rectangular frame with its central part extending through in the thickness direction. The length of the long side of the base portion 31 (length L in the longitudinal direction in Figure 6(b)) is slightly shorter than the distance between the plate-shaped protrusions 424. On the other hand, the length of the short side of the base portion 31 is slightly longer than the width W of the flat plate portion 421. That is, when the spring member 30 is laminated on the flat plate portion 421, protrusions 311 that slightly protrude outward in the width direction W are provided at both ends in the width direction W. The outer edges of the four corners of the base portion 31 are rounded.

[0062] Furthermore, a positioning hole 33 is provided in the central part of the short side of the base portion 31 (see Figures 6(a) and 6(b)). The positioning hole 33 is a semicircular notch formed by penetrating the inner edge of the base portion 31 in the thickness direction (height direction H), and has an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the positioning projection 423. These positioning holes 33 are provided at locations corresponding to each of the positioning projections 423 provided on the flat plate portion 421 when the spring member 30 is placed on the flat plate portion 421.

[0063] As shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the arm spring 32 extends inward in the width direction W from the long side of the base portion 31, which is positioned in the width direction W. More specifically, the arm spring 32 is a cantilever support plate having an arm portion 321 that extends upward Hu as it moves inward in the width direction W from the long side of the base portion 31, and an arm tip portion 322 that is bent from the tip in the extension direction of the arm portion 321 and gradually extends downward Hd. A contact portion 323 is provided at the boundary between the arm portion 321 and the arm tip portion 322, which protrudes upward Hu and contacts the insulated wire 3.

[0064] The arm spring 32 configured in this way consists of two stages: an upper arm spring 32u extending from the long side of the base portion 31 located on the rear side Wb to the front side Wf, and a lower arm spring 32d extending from the long side of the base portion 31 located on the front side Wf ​​to the rear side Wb (see Figure 6(b)).

[0065] As shown in Figure 6(b), multiple upper arm springs 32u and lower arm springs 32d are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction L. In this embodiment, the spring member 30 is equipped with a total of 12 arm springs 32, six on the top and six on the bottom.

[0066] In plan view, the centers of the upper arm spring 32u and the lower arm spring 32d are slightly offset in the longitudinal direction L. That is, the center of the lower arm spring 32d is positioned slightly towards the tip Lt relative to the center of the upper arm spring 32u.

[0067] Next, the manufacturing method S for the female terminal 10 will be explained based on Figures 7 to 13. First, the spring member 30 is held by a pair of holding members 50 in the width direction W, and the spring member 30 is positioned on the upper side Hu of the flat plate portion 421, as shown in Figures 7 and 9(a).

[0068] Here, as shown in Figure 9(a), the retaining member 50 is formed in a claw shape when viewed from the front, with a portion of it protruding in the width direction W when viewed from the tip side Lt. More specifically, the retaining member 50 consists of a box-shaped base 51 and an arrangement portion 52 that protrudes in the width direction W from the lower end side of the base 51.

[0069] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the base 51 is a rectangular prism in plan view with a long side along the longitudinal direction L. The vertical width of the base 51 (length along the longitudinal direction L) is about one-third of the vertical width of the tip-side penetration portion 427, and the horizontal width of the base 51 (length in the width direction W) is sufficiently shorter than the horizontal width of the tip-side penetration portion 427.

[0070] As shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), the placement portion 52 protrudes from the lower end Hd of the base portion 51 toward the opposing holding member 50. Here, the vertical width (length along the longitudinal direction L) of the placement portion 52 and the base portion 51 are equal. The horizontal width (length in the width direction W) of the placement portion 52 is approximately equal to the length in the width direction W of the protruding portion 311, so the protruding portion 311 can be placed on the placement portion 52. On the other hand, the horizontal width (length in the width direction W) of the holding member 50, that is, the sum of the horizontal widths of the base portion 51 and the placement portion 52, is shorter than half the horizontal width of the tip-side through portion 427. For this reason, the tip-side through portion 427 can be inserted through the holding member 50 in the height direction H (see Figure 9(b)).

[0071] The retaining members 50 configured in this way are provided in pairs such that their arrangement portions 52 face each other (see Figures 9(a) and 9(b)). Furthermore, two pairs of retaining members 50 are arranged in the width direction W (see Figures 7 and 8). The two pairs of retaining members 50 are arranged with a predetermined distance between them in the longitudinal direction L so that the retaining members 50 positioned on the inside in the width direction W do not interfere with each other.

[0072] The outer edge of the spring member 30, more specifically the projection 311 provided on the outer side of the base portion 31 in the width direction W, can be placed on the upper surface of the opposing arrangement portions 52 (see Figures 9(a) and 9(b)). This allows the pair of retaining members 50 to hold the spring member 30. The pair of retaining members 50 holding the spring member 30 in this manner are positioned so that each spring member 30 is positioned on the upper side Hu of the flat plate portion 421. The retaining member 50 positioned on the outer side in the width direction W is positioned outside the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421, and the retaining member 50 positioned on the inner side Hu of the width direction W is positioned on the upper side Hu of the tip-side through portion 427 (see Figures 8 and 10).

[0073] Then, by moving the pair of holding members 50 that hold the spring member 30 toward the flat plate base 40, the spring member 30 held by the pair of holding members 50 is stacked on the flat plate 421, as shown in Figures 8, 9(b), and 10 (stacking process s1).

[0074] In this case, the retaining member 50 that holds the spring member 30 so as to be outside the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421 moves to a space formed outside the width direction W of the flat plate portion 421 (see Figures 9(b) and 10). On the other hand, the retaining member 50 that holds the spring member 30 so as to be above the upper Hu of the tip-side through-port 427 is positioned in a space formed inside the width direction W of the flat plate portion 421 by the tip-side through-port 427.

[0075] In this manner, when the spring member 30 is stacked on the flat plate portion 421, a holding space R is formed on the outside in the width direction W from which the protruding portion 311 protrudes relative to the flat plate portion 421, and so as to span both the stacked base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 in the height direction H (see Figure 11). More specifically, an outer holding space Ro is formed at a location corresponding to the outside in the width direction W of the flat plate portion 421, and an inner holding space Ri is formed at a location corresponding to the tip-side penetrating portion 427 between the flat plate portions 421.

[0076] Therefore, even if the retaining member 50 is moved downward Hd so that the spring member 30 can be stacked on the flat plate portion 421, the retaining member 50 is positioned in the retaining space R formed outside the flat plate portion 421, thus preventing the retaining member 50 from coming into contact with the flat plate portion 421 (see Figures 12(a) and 12(b)). Thus, the retaining member 50 can be moved downward Hd until the spring member 30 is stacked on the flat plate portion 421, allowing the spring member 30 to be easily and reliably stacked at the desired position on the flat plate portion 421. Specifically, the spring member 30 can be stacked on the flat plate portion 421 by moving the retaining member 50 downward Hd so that the positioning hole 33 fits into the positioning projection 423 (see Figures 12(a) and 12(b)). This prevents the positioning hole 33 from moving in a direction intersecting the height direction H relative to the flat plate portion 421.

[0077] Then, after positioning the spring member 30 at the desired location on the flat plate portion 421, the retaining members 50 are moved outward in the width direction W, as shown in Figure 12(a), so that the pair of retaining members 50 are separated from the flat plate portion 421 in the retaining space R. This moves the tip position of the placement portion 52 on which the protrusion 311 is mounted outward from the outer edge of the protrusion 311, and the retention of the spring member 30 by the retaining members 50 can be released (see Figures 12(b) and 12(c)). Note that the width of the lower end portion of the retaining member 50 is sufficiently shorter than the width of the tip-side through portion 427, so that the retaining member 50 positioned in the space formed by the tip-side through portion 427 does not move outward in the width direction W and interfere with the flat plate portion 421.

[0078] Next, the retaining member 50, from which the spring member 30 is released, is moved to the upper side Hu (see Figure 12(a)). Then, the outer portion of the base portion 31 in the width direction W, more specifically, the portion of the base portion 31 that is inside the width direction W of the protruding portion 311 and laminated on the flat plate portion 421, is welded using the welding device X as shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b) (welding process s2). This allows the spring member 30 to be easily fixed to the flat plate portion 421. The portion of the spring member 30 welded to the flat plate portion 421 is referred to as the welded portion 34.

[0079] Then, with the spring members 30 welded to the flat plate portion 421, the connecting portion between the flat plate portion 421 and the connecting portion 422 is bent by press work so that the spring members 30 welded to the flat plate portion 421 face each other, forming a side wall 22 on which the spring members 30 are fixed to the inner surface. In addition, the extension piece 425 is bent toward the opposing flat plate portion 421 and the plate-shaped protrusion 424 is fitted into the substrate fitting hole 426 to form a spacing holding portion 24. Similarly, the base end portion 41 is bent to form a connecting portion 21 comprising a connecting flat plate 211 and a connecting side plate 212. This forms a terminal connecting portion 12 composed of the spring members 30 fixed to the inner surface of the side wall 22 and the base portion 20, and also forms a wire connecting portion 11 to which the insulated wire 3 can be connected (press forming process s3).

[0080] Thus, by manufacturing method S, which involves a lamination process s1, a welding process s2, and a press forming process s3 in this order, a female-type terminal 10 composed of a base portion 20 and a spring member 30 can be manufactured. Here, in the laminated state of the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421, a holding space R (outer holding space Ro and inner holding space Ri) is provided on the outside in the width direction W of the protruding portion 311 so that the spring member 30 does not interfere with the flat plate portion 421 (see Figure 11). As a result, the holding member 50 can be moved until the flat plate base portion 40 and the spring member 30 are laminated, so that manufacturing method S can easily and accurately manufacture the female-type terminal 10. Therefore, manufacturing method S is also suitable for automating the manufacturing of the female-type terminal 10.

[0081] Furthermore, compared to the case where the base portion 20 is formed by press working so that the side walls 22 face each other, and then the spring member 30 is joined to the side walls 22, the spring member 30 can be easily joined to the flat plate portion 421, and the spring member 30 can be formed so that they face each other.

[0082] Furthermore, the female terminal 10 manufactured by laminating the spring member 30 onto the flat base portion 40 described above has a protruding portion 311 that protrudes from both ends of the upper Hu and lower Hd of the side wall 22 (see Figures 3(a) and 3(b)). In addition, an outer holding space Ro and an inner holding space Ri are formed on the outer edge in the width direction W of the flat portion 421 and on the tip-side penetrating portion 427 (see Figure 3(b)).

[0083] The tip-side through-hole 427, configured in this way, not only improves the ease of assembly of the base portion 20, but also makes it easier to bend the side walls 22 so that they face each other during press forming after welding the spring member 30 to the flat plate portion 421. This helps to suppress the breakage of the connecting plate portion 43.

[0084] Thus, the manufacturing method S is a method for manufacturing a female terminal 10 into which a male terminal 2 can be inserted and removed by attaching a spring member 30 to a base portion 20 to which an insulated electric wire 3 is connected. The base portion 20 is made up of a flat plate base portion 40 which is provided with a pair of flat plate portions 421 spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the width direction W, and a connecting portion 422 which connects the pair of flat plate portions 421 in the width direction W. The spring member 30 is also provided with a base portion 31 which is fixed to the flat plate portion 421, and an arm spring 32 which extends from the base portion 31 so as to be spaced apart from the flat plate portion 421 along the height direction H of the flat plate base portion 40 when it is fixed to the flat plate portion 421. Furthermore, at least a part of the base portion 31 is provided with a projection 311 which, when fixed to the flat plate portion 421, protrudes in the width direction W perpendicular to the height direction H from the flat plate portion 421 to which the spring member 30 is stacked. The manufacturing method S includes a lamination step s1 in which the protruding portion 311 is held and the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 are brought close together and the flat plate portion 421 and the base portion 31 are laminated; a welding step s2 in which the base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 are fixed and the spring member 30 is attached to the flat plate portion 421; and a press forming step s3 in which the spring member 30 faces each other and the flat plate portion 421 is opposed so as to form an insertion / removal space D into which the male terminal 2 can be inserted and removed. In the lamination step s1, the base portion 31 is laminated onto the flat plate portion 421 by arranging the holding member 50 that holds the protruding portion 311 in a holding space R that is on the outside of the width direction W of the protruding portion 311 and spans both the base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 to be laminated in the height direction H.

[0085] The female terminal 10 is provided with a base portion 20 connected to the insulated wire 3 and a spring member 30 attached to the base portion 20. The base portion 20 is provided with a pair of side walls 22 arranged at a predetermined distance apart, forming an insertion / removal space D into which the male terminal 2 can be inserted and removed in the height direction H (see Figure 3(b)). The spring member 30 is provided with a base portion 31 fixed to the inner surface of the side wall 22 and an arm spring 32 extending from the base portion 31 toward the opposing side wall 22. At least a part of the stacked base portion 31 is provided with a projection 311 that protrudes from the side wall 22 in the height direction H perpendicular to the width direction W of the opposing side wall 22. Furthermore, the female terminal 10 has a holding space R that is outside the height direction H of the projection 311 and spans both the stacked base portion 31 and the side walls 22 in the width direction W.

[0086] The terminal-equipped wire 6 is provided with a female terminal 10 and an insulated wire 3 connected to the base portion 20 of the female terminal 10 (see Figure 2). The female connector 100 is provided with the aforementioned terminal-equipped wire 6 and a male terminal 2 that accommodates the terminal-equipped wire 6 (see Figure 1).

[0087] This manufacturing method S allows the spring member 30 to be easily assembled to a desired position on the inner surface of the side wall 22 provided on the base portion 20. More specifically, the flat plate base portion 40 connected to the insulated electric wire 3 is provided with a pair of flat plate portions 421 arranged at a predetermined distance in the width direction W via a connecting portion 422. The flat plate portions 421 fix a spring member 30 which has an arm spring 32 that extends in the height direction H to a base portion 31, and also constitute side walls 22 spaced at predetermined distances in the height direction H. The base portion 31 is provided with a protruding portion 311 that protrudes from the stacked flat plate portions 421 (side walls 22 composed of the flat plate portions 421). Furthermore, a holding space R is provided on the outside of the protruding portion 311 in the direction perpendicular to it, and which spans both the stacked base portion 31 and the flat plate portions 421 in the height direction H.

[0088] Therefore, when stacking the spring member 30 on the flat plate portion 421, which forms the side wall 22 that creates an insertion / removal space D through which the male terminal 2 can be inserted and removed by facing each other, the retaining member 50 that holds the edge of the protrusion 311 on the outside of the protrusion 311 can be positioned in the retaining space R (see Figures 9(b) and 11). As a result, the retaining member 50 can be moved in the height direction H until the spring member 30 is stacked on the flat plate portion 421 without interfering with the flat plate portion 421. Thus, the base portion 31 can be easily and accurately positioned at a desired location on the flat plate portion 421.

[0089] Furthermore, since the holding member 50 can hold the protruding portion 311, the spring member 30 can be stacked on the flat plate portion 421 without the holding member 50 touching the arm spring 32. In other words, it is possible to prevent a decrease in conductivity due to deformation caused by the holding member 50 touching the arm spring 32. Therefore, it is possible to reliably ensure conductivity with the male terminal 2 inserted into the insertion / removal space D formed by the pair of side walls 22.

[0090] Furthermore, the protruding portion 311 protrudes outward in the width direction W. In the manufacturing method S, during the lamination process s1, a holding member 50 that holds the protruding portion 311 is placed in a holding space R that spans both the base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 to be laminated in the height direction H, on the outside of the protruding portion 311 in the width direction W, thereby laminating the base portion 31 onto the flat plate portion 421 (see Figure 12(b)). The protruding portion 311 that protrudes outward in the width direction W is formed in the height direction H for inserting and removing the blade 2a in the female terminal 10 which is formed by bending the flat plate base portion 40.

[0091] As a result, when the spring member 30 is laminated onto the flat plate portion 421, the protruding portion 311 that protrudes in the width direction W can be held by the holding member 50, and the holding member 50 can be positioned on the outside of the flat plate portion 421 in the width direction W. Therefore, as in the case where the portion of the spring member 30 that is laminated with the flat plate portion 421 is held by the holding member 50, it is not necessary to provide a through hole in the central part of the flat plate portion 421 through which the holding member 50 that holds the spring member 30 can be inserted in the height direction H. Consequently, stable conductivity can be ensured between the base portion 31 and the spring member 30.

[0092] Furthermore, a tip-side penetrating portion 427 is provided between the pair of flat plate portions 421, penetrating in the height direction H and forming a holding space R, and the protruding portions 311 are provided on both sides in the width direction W (see Figures 7, 8 and 9(a)). This allows the holding member 50, which holds the protruding portions 311 protruding on both sides in the width direction W, to be positioned in the holding space R formed on both sides in the width direction W.

[0093] Therefore, the spring member 30 can be stably stacked on the flat plate portion 421, which forms the side wall 22 by facing each other, without the holding member 50 interfering with the flat plate portion 421. Consequently, the base portion 31 can be positioned more precisely at a desired location on the flat plate portion 421.

[0094] Furthermore, the holding space R formed by the tip-side through-hole 427 has a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the width direction W and height direction H, and in the lamination process s1, the spring member 30 is laminated on each of the pair of flat plate portions 421 (see Figure 8). This allows the protruding portion 311 to be held with sufficient excess length in the longitudinal direction L, so that the spring member 30 can be laminated more stably.

[0095] Furthermore, since the tip-side through-hole 427 is long enough to accommodate at least two holding members 50 that hold the protruding portion 311 side by side, the two holding members 50 that hold the protruding portion 311 can be moved to the holding space R (see Figure 8). This allows the spring members 30 to be stacked on each of the pair of flat plates simultaneously when stacking the spring members 30 on the flat plate portion 421. Therefore, the efficiency of the work of stacking the spring members 30 on the flat plate portion 421 can be improved.

[0096] Furthermore, at least one of the flat plate portion 421 and the base portion 31 is provided with a positioning hole 33 and a positioning projection 423 that restrict the movement of the spring member 30 relative to the flat plate portion 421 in a direction perpendicular to the height direction H (see Figure 10). This restricts the movement of the base portion 31 relative to the flat plate portion 421 in a direction perpendicular to the height direction H after the base portion 31 has been placed on the flat plate portion 421. This allows the base portion 31 to be fixed in a desired position on the side wall 22. Therefore, female terminals 10 of stable quality can be manufactured.

[0097] In the above embodiment, when the spring member 30 is laminated on the flat plate portion 421, the protruding portion 311 that extends W from the flat plate portion 421 is provided from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L. However, it is not necessary to provide the protruding portion 311 from one end to the other in the longitudinal direction L; only a portion of the longitudinal direction L may protrude from the flat plate portion 421.

[0098] Furthermore, when the spring member 30 is laminated on the flat plate portion 421, the protruding portion 311 protrudes W from the flat plate portion 421. The protruding portion 311 that protrudes from the flat plate portion 421 in this way may be made to protrude from a recess 428 (see Figure 14(a)) which is recessed inward in the width direction W on a part of the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421. In this case, by holding the protruding portion 311 corresponding to the recess 428 with the holding member 50, the spring member 30 can be positioned at the desired position on the flat plate portion 421 without interference between the holding member 50 and the flat plate portion 421. When the spring member 30 is laminated on the flat plate portion 421, the outer edge of the base portion 31, excluding the part corresponding to the recess 428, can be flush with the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421 (see Figure 14(b)).

[0099] In the spring member 30 and flat plate base 40 configured in this way, a recess 428 is provided in the flat plate portion 421, recessed inward in the width direction W, and at least a portion of the protruding portion 311 protrudes outward from the bottom of the groove of the recess 428. This reduces the amount of protrusion of the protruding portion 311 from other parts of the flat plate portion 421, thus enabling compactness in the orthogonal direction. In other words, the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 can be made the same size. Therefore, when manufacturing the female terminal 10, it is possible to suppress the protrusion of a portion of the spring member 30 onto the upper side Hu of the female terminal 10. Thus, the female terminal 10 can be made more compact.

[0100] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the manufacturing method S for the female terminal 10, the retaining member 50, which is arranged in the outer retaining space Ro and the inner retaining space Ri, holds the spring member 30 by placing the protruding portion 311 on the arrangement portion 52, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the retaining member 50 may be configured to hold the spring member 30 by sandwiching the protruding portion 311, which is provided on the outside in the width direction W, in the height direction H. Alternatively, the retaining member 50 may hold only one side of the protruding portion 311, which is provided on both sides in the width direction W.

[0101] For example, if the retaining member 50 is configured to hold only the protruding portion 311 that protrudes outward in the width direction W, it is not necessary to place the retaining member 50 in the inner retaining space Ri formed by the tip-side through-portion 427. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide retaining spaces R on both sides in the width direction W of the flat plate portion 421, which improves the design flexibility of the base portion 20.

[0102] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the holding space R is provided outside the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421, but it is not necessarily required to be outside the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421. For example, as shown in Figures 15(a) and 15(b), a portion of the flat plate portion 421 is provided with an inner penetration portion 429 that penetrates in the thickness direction, and similarly, a plate material penetration portion 35 that penetrates in the thickness direction is provided at a position corresponding to the inner penetration portion 429 in the spring member 30. When the spring member 30 is laminated on the flat plate portion 421, a protrusion 311 may be provided on the plate material penetration portion 35 so as to protrude inward in the width direction W from the inner edge of the inner penetration portion 429.

[0103] In the above embodiment, when the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 are stacked, a holding space R is formed on the outside of the direction in which the protruding portion 311 protrudes from the inner edge of the inner through portion 429, straddling both the inner through portion 429 and the protruding portion 311 (see Figures 15(c) and 15(d)). As a result, the holding member 50 that holds the spring member 30 by placing the protruding portion 311 on it can be moved to the lower side Hd and positioned in the holding space R, so that the holding member 50 does not interfere with the flat plate portion 421, and the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 can be stacked easily and accurately.

[0104] In the example shown in Figure 15, an inner through-hole 429 is provided through which a retaining member 50 holding the protruding portion 311 can be inserted. However, for example, if a pair of clamping bodies 60, which are rod-shaped and pass through the inner through-hole 429, clamp the protruding portion 311 in the height direction H, blocking at least a part of the inner through-hole 429, the inner through-hole 429 forms a retaining space R that prevents interference between the clamping bodies 60 and the flat plate portion 421 (see Figures 16(a) and 16(b)). In other words, there is no need to provide a retaining space R on the outside of the protruding portion 311 that protrudes to block the through-hole formed by the inner through-hole 429, through which the clamping bodies 60 can pass; the structure can simply be made to clamp the protruding portion 311 from both sides in the height direction H. In addition, since there is no need to form a retaining space R on the outside of the inner through-hole 429 for removing the retaining member 50 upward Hu, the shape of the inner through-hole 429 can be made smaller.

[0105] In the above-described case, in the lamination step s1, the manufacturing method S has at least a portion of the protrusion 311 positioned on the upper side Hu of the inner penetration portion 429 that penetrates the flat plate portion 421. That is, the manufacturing method S allows the base portion 31 to be laminated onto the flat plate portion 421 by positioning the clamping body 60 holding the protrusion 311 in the holding space R formed by the inner penetration portion 429. This makes it possible to easily assemble the spring member 30 to a desired position on the inner surface of the side wall 22 provided on the base portion 20.

[0106] More specifically, the flat plate base portion 40 connected to the insulated electric wire 3 is provided with a pair of flat plate portions 421 arranged at a predetermined distance apart via a connecting portion 422. A spring member 30, which has a base portion 31 on which an arm spring 32 extends in the height direction H, is fixed to the flat plate portion 421, and a side wall 22 is formed at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction W. The stacked base portion 31 is provided with a projection 311 that protrudes from an inner penetration portion 429 provided in the flat plate portion 421 (side wall 22 composed of the flat plate portion 421) toward the side of the through hole. Furthermore, the inner penetration portion 429 has a holding space R through which at least a part of the projection 311 is positioned in the height direction H.

[0107] Therefore, when stacking the spring member 30 on the flat plate portion 421, the clamping body 60 that holds the protruding portion 311 in the height direction H can be moved to the holding space R formed by the inner through portion 429 (see Figures 16(a) and 16(b)). As a result, the clamping body 60 can be moved in the height direction H until the spring member 30 is stacked on the flat plate portion 421 without interfering with the flat plate portion 421. Thus, the base portion 31 can be easily and accurately positioned at a desired location on the flat plate portion 421.

[0108] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, or other embodiments, The electric wire corresponds to the insulated electric wire 3, and similarly, The base portion corresponds to the base portion 20, The spring member corresponds to the spring member 30. The male connector corresponds to male connector 2. The female terminal corresponds to the female terminal 10. The manufacturing method corresponds to manufacturing method S. The width direction corresponds to the width direction W. The flat base portion corresponds to the flat base portion 40, The flat plate portion corresponds to the flat plate portion 421, The connecting section corresponds to the connecting section 422. The base part corresponds to the base part 31. The thickness direction corresponds to the height direction H. The arm spring corresponds to arm spring 32. The protruding portion corresponds to the protruding portion 311, The lamination process corresponds to lamination process s1, The fixing process corresponds to the welding process s2. The insertion / extraction space corresponds to insertion / extraction space D, The opposing process corresponds to the press forming process s3. The retention space corresponds to the retention space R, The retaining body corresponds to the retaining member 50 and the clamping body 60, The through-hole corresponds to the tip-side through-hole 427. The recess corresponds to recess 428, The position regulating section corresponds to the positioning hole 33 and the positioning projection 423. The side wall corresponds to the side wall 22, The insertion / removal direction corresponds to the height direction H. The orthogonal direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction L, The wire with terminals corresponds to the wire with terminals 6. The connector housing corresponds to connector housing 1, The wire with connector corresponds to the female connector 100, but this invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0109] For example, in welding process s2, the welding method for creating the welded joint 34 between the side wall 22 and the base portion 31 is not limited to laser welding, but may also be used, for example, various arc welding, electron beam welding, various resistance welding, and various ultrasonic bonding techniques. Furthermore, laser welding does not depend on the oscillator such as fiber laser, YAG laser, CO2 laser, or semiconductor laser, the wavelength of the laser light, the oscillation mode: continuous oscillation, pulsed oscillation, frequency modulation of continuous oscillation, laser welding using multiple wavelengths, or pattern control of various focused spots of the laser light. Moreover, when performing laser welding, welding techniques such as so-called wobbling welding or weaving welding, in which at least a part scans while drawing a fine pattern such as a circle, may also be used.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 311 is provided on the spring member 30 so as to protrude outward in the width direction W relative to the stacked flat plate portion 421. However, it is not necessarily required that it be provided on the spring member 30; at least one of the flat plate portion 421 and the spring member 30 may be provided with a configuration that protrudes from the other. For example, the flat plate portion 421 stacked with the spring member 30 may be provided with a configuration that serves as a substitute for the protrusion 311 so as to protrude from the stacked spring member 30.

[0111] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protruding portion 311 protrudes from the flat plate portion 421 (side wall 22) at the point where the base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 (side wall 22) are in contact. It is sufficient that the protruding portion 311 protrudes from the laminated portion between the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421, and it is not necessarily required that it protrudes completely from the flat plate portion 421. For example, consider the case where the flat plate portion 421 has a portion that is separated from the protruding portion 311 protruding from the outer edge of the flat plate portion 421 by a predetermined distance in the height direction H, that is, the flat plate portion 421 has a stepped cross-section. In this case, the portion of the stepped flat plate portion 421 that is not laminated with the spring member 30 may protrude outward in the width direction W than the protruding portion 311.

[0112] Furthermore, the holding space R, which is formed on the outside of the width direction W of the protruding portion 311 and spans both the stacked base portion 31 and the flat plate portion 421 (side wall 22) in the height direction H, includes not only the case where both the protruding portion 311 and the flat plate portion 421 are provided from one end to the other in the height direction H, as in this embodiment, but also the case where it is formed from one end to the other in the height direction H of the protruding portion 311 and from one end to the middle of the other in the height direction H of the flat plate portion 421. In other words, the holding space R is a space that can be formed so that a holding member 50 or clamping body 60 that holds at least one of the spring member 30 and the flat plate portion 421 can be positioned without interfering with the other.

[0113] Furthermore, the retaining space R formed by the tip-side through-hole 427 may be provided continuously in the longitudinal direction L perpendicular to the width direction W and height direction H, as in this embodiment, or it may be provided in multiple locations in the longitudinal direction L so that the retaining member 50 can be inserted through it. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1…Connector housing 2... Male terminal 3...Insulated wires 6…Electric wire with terminals 10…Female terminal 20... Base 22…Side wall 30... Spring component 31...Base section 32... Arm spring 33…Positioning holes 40...Flat base part 50…Retaining member 60…Holding body 100...Female connector 311...Protrusion 421...Flat plate part 422...Connection part 423...Positioning protrusion 427...Through-hole at the tip 428…recess D... Insertion / removal space H...height direction L...longest direction S…Manufacturing method R…Holding space W...Width direction s1...Lamination process s2...Welding process s3…Press forming process

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a female terminal, comprising attaching a spring member to a base to which an electric wire is connected, and manufacturing a female terminal that can be inserted into and removed from a male terminal, The flat plate base portion that constitutes the base portion, A pair of flat plates spaced at a predetermined distance in the width direction, A connecting portion is provided that connects the pair of flat plate portions in the width direction, The spring member includes: A base portion fixed to the aforementioned flat plate portion, In a state where it is fixed to the flat plate portion, an arm spring is provided that extends from the base portion so as to be spaced apart from the flat plate portion along the thickness direction of the flat plate base portion. At least a portion of either the flat plate portion or the base portion is provided with a projection that, when the spring member is fixed to the flat plate portion, protrudes from the other stacked portion in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the plate. A lamination step in which the protruding portion is held and the flat plate portion and the base portion are stacked together while bringing one of the two portions close together, A fixing step of fixing the base portion and the flat plate portion and attaching the spring member to the flat plate portion, The process involves facing the flat plate portions so that the spring members face each other and form an insertion / removal space through which the male terminal can be inserted and removed. The lamination process involves placing a holder that holds the protrusion in a holding space located on the outside of the protrusion in the orthogonal direction, which spans both the base portion and the flat plate portion to be laminated in the thickness direction, or penetrates the other in the thickness direction, and in which at least a part of the protrusion is positioned in the thickness direction, thereby laminating the base portion onto the flat plate portion. A method for manufacturing female terminals.

2. The aforementioned protrusions extend outward in the width direction, In the lamination process, the holder that holds the protrusion is placed in the holding space located on the outside of the protrusion in the width direction and spanning both the base portion and the flat plate portion to be laminated in the thickness direction, thereby laminating the base portion onto the flat plate portion. A method for manufacturing a female terminal as described in claim 1.

3. Between the pair of flat plate portions, a through portion is provided that penetrates in the thickness direction of the plate and forms part of the holding space. The aforementioned protrusions are provided on both sides in the width direction. A method for manufacturing a female terminal as described in claim 2.

4. The holding space formed by the through portion has a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the width direction and the thickness direction. In the lamination process, the spring member is laminated onto each of the pair of flat plates. A method for manufacturing a female terminal as described in claim 3.

5. The other side is provided with a recess that is indented toward the inward direction in the orthogonal direction, At least a portion of the protruding portion protrudes outward from the bottom of the groove of the recess. A method for manufacturing a female terminal according to claim 2 or claim 3.

6. A position restricting portion is provided on at least one of the flat plate portion and the base portion to restrict the movement of the spring member relative to the flat plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction. A method for manufacturing a female terminal as described in claim 1.

7. The base part that connects to the power line, A spring member is provided which is attached to the base portion. The base portion is provided with a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined distance apart, forming an insertion / removal space through which a male terminal can be inserted and removed. The spring member includes: A base portion fixed to the inner surface of the side wall, An arm spring extending from the base portion toward the opposing side wall is provided, A projection is provided on at least a portion of one of the stacked base portion and the side wall, projecting in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the opposing side wall from the other side. The protruding portion has a holding space that is located on the outer side in the orthogonal direction and spans both the stacked base portion and the side wall in the thickness direction, or penetrates the other in the thickness direction, and at least a part of the protruding portion is positioned in the thickness direction. Female connector.

8. The aforementioned protrusion protrudes in the insertion / removal direction for inserting and removing the male terminal. The female terminal according to claim 7.

9. The base portion is provided with a through portion that penetrates in the insertion / removal direction and forms part of the holding space. The aforementioned protrusions protrude in both directions of insertion and removal. The female terminal according to claim 8.

10. The holding space formed by the through portion has a predetermined length in the orthogonal direction. The female terminal according to claim 9.

11. The other side is provided with a recess that is indented toward the inward direction in the orthogonal direction, At least a portion of the protruding portion protrudes outward from the bottom of the groove of the recess. The female terminal according to claim 8 or claim 9.

12. A position restricting portion is provided on at least one of the side wall and the base portion to restrict the movement of the spring member along the side wall relative to the side wall. The female terminal according to claim 7.

13. The female terminal described in claim 7, The female terminal is provided with the electric wire connected to the base portion. Electrical wire with terminals.

14. A wire with terminals as described in claim 13, The device is equipped with a connector housing for accommodating the aforementioned wire with terminals. Electrical wire with connector.

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