terminals

Abstract

To provide a terminal that can reduce the number of parts.SOLUTION: A terminal 1 includes a terminal connection portion 2 into which a mating terminal 50 is inserted and electrically connected. The terminal connection portion 2 includes a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 5 having a slit portion 12 formed along the axial direction X and an insertion space portion 13 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted, a folded portion 6 that is folded back and bent outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7 that is elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion 5 with the folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The inner peripheral wall portion 5 has through holes 15 and 16 that penetrate in the radial direction. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 includes an outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 that protrudes into the insertion space portion 13 through the through holes 15 and 16. In the inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 comes into contact with and presses the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Some terminals include a cylindrical terminal main body into which an electrical contact is inserted, and a cylindrical elastic contact member that is housed in the terminal main body and applies contact pressure to the electrical contact (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [[Prior Art Documents]] [[Patent Documents]]

[0003] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-195439 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] Incidentally, conventional terminals are often constituted by a terminal main body and an elastic contact member, so there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the number of components.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal capable of reducing the number of components. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal according to the present invention includes a terminal connection portion formed in a cylindrical shape along an axial direction, into which a mating terminal is inserted from one opening toward the other opening and electrically connected, wherein the terminal connection portion includes: a slit portion formed along the axial direction; a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion having an insertion space that communicates with the outside via the slit portion and into which the mating terminal is inserted from one of the openings; and each formed at a slit portion side end in a circumferential direction along the axis of the inner peripheral wall portion, bent by folding back outward in a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction and a pair of slit portions facing each other in the circumferential direction a folded portion; eachFrom the folded portion along the inner circumferential wall portion in the circumferential direction Each It extends and is formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner circumferential wall portion with the folded portion as a fulcrum. a pair The device comprises an outer peripheral wall portion and an inner peripheral wall portion having at least one through hole penetrating the inner peripheral wall portion in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral wall portion having at least one outer peripheral wall contact portion formed protruding into the insertion space portion through the through hole, wherein the outer peripheral wall contact portion contacts and presses against the mating terminal due to the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion when the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal according to the present invention has the effect of reducing the number of components. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a view of the terminal according to the embodiment, seen from the axial direction. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the embodiment, seen from below. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA, as seen from the arrow in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the terminals according to the first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a view of the terminal according to the first modified embodiment, as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a view from below of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the first modified embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram showing the change in the state of the terminals according to the first demonstration of the embodiment. [Figure 10]Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the terminals according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a view of the terminal according to a second modified embodiment, as seen from the axial direction. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a view from below of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along the line CC as seen by the arrow in Figure 12. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. That is, the components in the embodiments described below include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art, or that are substantially the same, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0010] For convenience, in the following explanation, the X direction shown in Figures 1 to 4 (including Figures 5 to 13) will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the Y direction as the "width direction Y," and the Z direction as the "height direction Z." The axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are orthogonal to each other. The axial direction X corresponds, for example, to the extension direction of the terminal or the insertion / removal direction of the mating terminal. Here, one of the axial directions X is designated as the insertion direction X1 of the mating terminal 50, and the other as the removal direction X2 of the mating terminal 50. Also, one of the height directions Z is designated as the first direction Z1 and the other as the second direction Z2. Unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following explanation refer to the directions when terminal 1 is fixed to the device 51.

[0011] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of a terminal according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a view of the terminal according to the embodiment from the axial direction. Figure 3 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the embodiment from below. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 3.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 1 is assembled to, for example, a device 51 mounted on a vehicle, and electrically connects the mating terminal 50 and the device 51 by being connected to the mating terminal 50. The mating terminal 50 is formed in a columnar shape and is constituted by a conductive metal member.

[0013] The terminal 1 as a whole is, for example, integrally formed of a conductive metal member. For example, the terminal 1 is formed by forming a single sheet metal into a shape corresponding to each part such as the terminal connection part 2, the device fixing part 3, and the connecting part 4 through various processes such as punching, pressing, and bending, whereby each part is integrally formed three-dimensionally. The terminal 1 is arranged and connected to each other in the order of the terminal connection part 2, the connecting part 4, and the device fixing part 3 along the axial direction X from the removal direction X2 side toward the insertion direction X1 side.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal connection part 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole along the axial direction X. The mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection part 2 from one opening 10 toward the other opening 11 and is electrically connected thereto. The terminal connection part 2 is constituted by an inner peripheral wall part 5, two folded parts 6, and two outer peripheral wall parts 7.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and 4, the inner peripheral wall part 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axial direction X, and is connected to each outer peripheral wall part 7 via each folded part 6. The inner peripheral wall part 5 includes a slit part 12, an insertion space part 13, four through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and four inner peripheral wall contact parts 17, 17, 18, 18.

[0016] The slit part 12 is a gap formed linearly along the axial direction X of the terminal connection part 2. The slit part 12 is formed by a pair of folded parts 6 opposed to each other in the circumferential direction around the axis XO of the inner peripheral wall part 5. The slit part 12 is formed to penetrate from one opening 10 to the other opening 11 of the inner peripheral wall part 5, and communicates the insertion space part 13 with the external space.

[0017] The insertion space 13 is formed by the inner circumferential wall 5 and communicates with the outside through the slit 12, and is the part into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted from one of the openings 10. The insertion space 13 is formed between a pair of openings 10 and 11 that face each other in the axial direction X.

[0018] The through holes 15, 15, 16, and 16 are, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, through holes that penetrate the inner circumferential wall portion 5 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. The two through holes 15, 15 are formed on the side of the removal direction X2, and the two through holes 16, 16 are formed on the side of the insertion direction X1. All four through holes 15, 15, 16, and 16 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0019] The inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 are each formed protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13, and are the portions that contact the mating terminal 50 when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2. The two inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17 are provided on the side of the inner circumferential wall portion 5 in the removal direction X2, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two inner circumferential wall contact portions 18, 18 are provided on the side of the inner circumferential wall portion 5 in the insertion direction X1, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 all have a cross-sectional shape that curves outward from the inner surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13, as viewed from the axial direction X. The inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 all have a cross-sectional shape that is, for example, approximately semicircular, as viewed from the axial direction X. The inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 all make point contact with the mating terminal 50 when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2.

[0021] The folded portion 6 is formed at the circumferential slit-side end 14 of the inner circumferential wall portion 5 along the axis XO, and is a portion that is folded back and bent radially outward. In the illustrated example of this embodiment, the folded portion 6 leaves a small gap on the inside, but is bent so that the inner circumferential wall portion 5 and the outer circumferential wall portion 7 overlap radially.

[0022] The outer peripheral wall portion 7 extends circumferentially from each folded portion 6 along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 and is formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion 5 with each folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 is radially opposite to the inner peripheral wall portion 5 and is located radially outward. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 has an outer peripheral wall body 20 and four outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22.

[0023] The outer peripheral wall body 20 is formed circumferentially from the folded portion 6 along the inner peripheral wall portion 5, and is formed to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5.

[0024] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 are provided on the inner peripheral wall portion 5 and are formed to protrude into the insertion space portion 13 through radially opposing through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and are the portions that contact the mating terminal 50 when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2. Each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 is formed to protrude from the circumferential end 20a of the outer peripheral wall body 20. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21 are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7 in the removal direction X2 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22, 22 are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7 in the insertion direction X1 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0025] As shown in Figure 4, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 are all formed in a convex or inverted U-shape, with a cross-sectional shape that curves outward toward the insertion space portion 13 when viewed from the axial direction X. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 contact and press against the mating terminal 50 due to the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7. In the above insertion state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 all make linear contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X.

[0026] When the mating terminal 50 is not inserted into the terminal connection part 2, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, when viewed from the axial direction X, partially pass through the through holes 15, 15, and the portion that contacts the mating terminal 50 protrudes from the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13. When the outer peripheral wall contact portions 22, 22 are viewed from the axial direction X in the above non-insertion state, partially pass through the through holes 16, 16, and the portion that contacts the mating terminal 50 protrudes from the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13.

[0027] The equipment fixing portion 3 is the part that fixes the terminal 1 to the equipment 51. The equipment fixing portion 3 is formed in a flat rectangular shape and has several through holes through which fastening members such as bolts are inserted.

[0028] The connecting portion 4 is the part that connects the equipment fixing portion 3 and the inner peripheral wall portion 5.

[0029] As described above, the terminal 1 according to this embodiment includes a terminal connection portion 2 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted and electrically connected. The terminal connection portion 2 includes a cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion 5 having a slit portion 12 formed along the axial direction X and an insertion space portion 13 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted, a folded portion 6 that is folded back and bent outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, and an outer circumferential wall portion 7 that is elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner circumferential wall portion 5 with the folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The inner circumferential wall portion 5 has through holes 15 and 16 that penetrate in the radial direction. The outer circumferential wall portion 7 has an outer circumferential wall contact portion 21 that protrudes into the insertion space portion 13 through the through holes 15 and 16. When inserted, the outer circumferential wall contact portion 21 contacts and presses against the mating terminal 50 due to the elastic deformation of the outer circumferential wall portion 7.

[0030] When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion space 13 from the opening 10 of the terminal connection part 2, the outer circumferential surface of the mating terminal 50 comes into contact with the inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17 and the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21, 21. Subsequently, as the mating terminal 50 moves toward the insertion direction X1, the inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17 are pressed by the mating terminal 50, and each inner circumferential wall portion 5, together with each outer circumferential wall portion 7, elastically deforms radially outward, with the portion facing radially opposite the slit portion 12 as the pivot point, causing the slit portion 12 to widen relatively in the circumferential direction. At the same time, the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21, 21 are pressed by the mating terminal 50, and each outer circumferential wall portion 7 elastically deforms radially outward, with the folded portion 6 as the pivot point. Subsequently, as the tip of the mating terminal 50 moves toward the opening 11, the inner circumferential wall contact portions 18, 18 and the outer circumferential wall contact portions 22, 22 come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the mating terminal 50. When the mating terminal 50 is fully inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 press against the mating terminal 50 due to the elastic force of each outer peripheral wall portion 7, and the inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 press against it due to the elastic force of each inner peripheral wall portion 5, thereby holding the mating terminal 50 to terminal 1. At this time, the mating terminal 50 is electrically connected to terminal 1 by electrical conductivity established between the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal 50 and the inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 and the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22.

[0031] Furthermore, when the mating terminal 50 is fully inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, terminal 1 works to return the mating terminal 50 to its original position through the elastic force of each inner circumferential wall portion 5 and each outer circumferential wall portion 7 if the mating terminal 50 is misaligned in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. In this way, terminal 1 can easily suppress the axial misalignment of the mating terminal 50.

[0032] With the above configuration, terminal 1 can incorporate the function of an elastic contact member into the terminal body, compared to conventional terminals. As a result, the elastic contact member is not required, and the number of parts in the terminal can be reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the inner peripheral wall portion 5 of the terminal 1 is connected to the outer peripheral wall portion 7 via the folded portion 6, compared to conventional terminals, it is possible to secure a certain volume for the entire terminal even if the plate thickness of the terminal 1 is set to be thinner, and thus the conductor resistance can be made less likely to increase.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal connection portion 2 of the terminal 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape in accordance with the mating terminal 50 which is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape. The inner circumferential wall portion 5 protrudes toward the insertion space portion 13, and the outer circumferential wall contact portion 21 ,21,22,22 It is formed at a position facing radially through an axis XO along the axial direction X, and in the above insertion state, it contacts the mating terminal 50. 4 The terminal 1 has inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18. This allows the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 and the inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 to contact the mating terminal 50 from both radial sides, ensuring a pressing balance between radially opposing contacts.

[0035] [First variation] Next, terminal 1A according to the first modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment. Figure 6 is a view of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment from the axial direction. Figure 7 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment from below. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the change in state of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment.

[0036] The terminal 1A according to the first modified example differs from the terminal 1 described above in that a part of the shape of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A of the terminal connection portion 2A is different. As shown in Figure 5, terminal 1A consists of a terminal connection portion 2A, a connecting portion 4, and an equipment fixing portion 3.

[0037] The terminal connection section 2A is composed of an inner circumferential wall section 5, a folded-over section 6, and an outer circumferential wall section 7A.

[0038] The outer periphery wall portion 7A has an outer periphery wall body 20A, four outer periphery wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A, and an extended portion 23A.

[0039] Outer wall body 20A It is formed circumferentially along the inner circumferential wall portion 5 from the folded portion 6, and is formed to cover a part of the outer circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 5.

[0040] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A are formed to protrude into the insertion space portion 13 through through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and contact the mating terminal 50 when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A in the removal direction X2 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22A, 22A are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A in the insertion direction X1 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, and 22A are all formed with a cross-sectional shape that is bent toward the insertion space portion 13 when viewed from the axial direction X. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, and 22A contact and press against the mating terminal 50 due to the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A. In the above insertion state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, and 22A all make linear contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X.

[0042] In the non-inserted state where the mating terminal 50 is not inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A, when viewed from the axial direction X, the ends of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A that contact the mating terminal 50 pass through the through holes 15, 15, and a part of these ends protrude from the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13 as contacts. In the non-inserted state described above, when viewed from the axial direction X, the ends of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 22A, 22A that contact the mating terminal 50 pass through the through holes 16, 16, and a part of these ends protrude from the inner surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13 as contacts.

[0043] The extended portion 23A extends from the outer peripheral wall body 20A in one direction in the circumferential direction and extends from the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the opposite side of the slit portion end 14 in the circumferential direction. Each extended portion 23A has through holes 24, 25 in relation to each outer peripheral wall portion 7A, as shown in Figure 7. The through holes 24, 24, 25, 25 correspond to punched holes for forming the so-called outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A.

[0044] The extended portion 23A has a radial gap S between it and the inner circumferential wall portion 5. In other words, the outer circumferential wall portion 7A is provided on the side opposite to the folded portion 6 in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential wall portion 7A, forming a gap S between it and the inner circumferential wall portion 5. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A with the mating terminal 50 shifted toward the first direction (slit portion 12) Z1 side, the width L of the slit portion 12 expands to a width L1, as shown in Figures 6 and 9. As the width of the slit portion 12 expands, the inner circumferential wall portion 5 bends radially outward, but because there is a gap S between the inner circumferential wall portion 5 and the outer circumferential wall portion 7A including the extended portion 23A, the outer circumferential wall portion 7A does not bend in conjunction with the inner circumferential wall portion 5, and the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A face toward the insertion space portion 13 side.

[0045] As described above, the terminal 1A according to the first modified example obtains the same effects as the terminal 1 according to the above embodiment.

[0046] Furthermore, in the terminal 1A according to the first modified example, the outer peripheral wall portion 7A has a gap S between it and the inner peripheral wall portion 5, so that the outer peripheral wall portion 7A does not bend radially outward in conjunction with the inner peripheral wall portion 5, and the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A face toward the insertion space portion 13. As a result, even if the mating terminal 50 is inserted in an axially misaligned state shifted toward the first direction (slit portion 12) Z1 side, for example, it is possible to ensure that the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A follow the mating terminal 50.

[0047] Furthermore, in the first modified example, the terminal 1A has an extended portion 23A on the outer peripheral wall portion 7A that extends from the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the opposite side of the slit portion end portion 14 in the circumferential direction. As a result, the surface area of ​​the terminal 1A is increased by the extended portion 23A, which increases the heat capacity of the terminal 1A and suppresses the temperature rise of the terminal 1A when energized.

[0048] [Second variation] Next, terminal 1B according to a second modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment. Figure 11 is a view of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment from the axial direction. Figure 12 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment from below. Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in Figure 12.

[0049] The second modified example, terminal 1B, differs from terminal 1 described above in that the inner diameter of the folded portion 6B in the terminal connection portion 2B and a part of the shape of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B are different. As shown in Figure 10, terminal 1B consists of a terminal connection portion 2B, a connecting portion 4, and an equipment fixing portion 3.

[0050] The terminal connection portion 2B is composed of an inner peripheral wall portion 5, a folded portion 6B, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7B.

[0051] The folded portion 6B is formed at the circumferential slit end 14 along the axis XO of the inner circumferential wall portion 5, and is a portion that bends radially inward before folding back radially outward. In other words, the folded portion 6B has a relatively larger inner diameter than the folded portion 6 described above, and a large gap T is formed on the inside.

[0052] The outer perimeter wall portion 7B has an outer perimeter wall body 20B and four outer perimeter wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B.

[0053] The outer peripheral wall body 20B is formed circumferentially along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 from the folded portion 6B, and is formed to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5.

[0054] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B are formed to protrude into the insertion space portion 13 through through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and the mating terminal 50 is the terminal connection portion 2BIn the inserted state, it makes contact with the mating terminal 50. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B in the removal direction X2 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22B, 22B are provided on the side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B in the insertion direction X1 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y with respect to the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0055] As shown in Figure 13, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B are all formed with a cross-sectional shape that curves toward the insertion space portion 13 when viewed from the axial direction X. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2B, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B contact and press against the mating terminal 50 due to the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B. In the second modified example, as shown in Figures 10 to 13, the contact surfaces of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B with respect to the mating terminal 50 are all formed as hemispherical (or curved) surfaces. Therefore, unlike the above embodiment and the first modified example, in the above inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B make point contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X, rather than line contact.

[0056] As described above, the terminal 1B according to the second modified example obtains the same effects as the terminal 1 according to the above embodiment.

[0057] Furthermore, in the second modified example, the terminal 1B has a folded portion 6B that bends radially inward and then folds radially outward. As a result, even when using a relatively hard metal material (for example, a copper alloy rather than pure copper), the occurrence of cracks in the folded portion 6B during 180-degree bending can be suppressed.

[0058] In the above embodiment and the first and second modifications, the mating terminal 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but it is not limited to this and may be formed in a cylindrical shape. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1 terminal 2 Terminal connection section 3 Equipment fixing part 4 Connecting part 5 Inner peripheral wall 6. Folded section 7 Outer wall 10,11 Openings 12 Slit section 13 Insertion space 14 End portion on the slit side 15,16 Through holes 17,18 Inner peripheral wall contact part 21,22 Outer wall contact part 50 Reciprocal terminal 51 Equipment

Claims

1. It is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axial direction and has a terminal connection portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from one opening to the other opening and electrically connected. The aforementioned terminal connection section is A cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion having a slit portion formed along the axial direction, and an insertion space portion that communicates with the outside through the slit portion and into which the mating terminal is inserted from one of the openings, A pair of folded portions are formed at the circumferential slit portion-side ends of the inner circumferential wall portion along the axis, and are bent outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and are facing the circumferential direction to form the slit portion, Each of the folded portions extends in the circumferential direction along the inner circumferential wall portion, and is formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner circumferential wall portion with the folded portion as a fulcrum, The inner circumferential wall portion is, The inner circumferential wall portion has at least one through hole that penetrates in the radial direction, The aforementioned outer peripheral wall portion is It has at least one outer peripheral wall contact portion that protrudes from the insertion space through the through hole, The outer peripheral wall contact portion is, When the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion, the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall causes it to contact and press against the mating terminal. A terminal characterized by the following features.

2. The aforementioned mating terminal is, It is formed in a cylindrical or cylindrical shape, The aforementioned terminal connection section is It is formed in a cylindrical shape, The inner circumferential wall portion is, It protrudes toward the insertion space and is formed at a position opposite to the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral wall contact portion, passing along an axis along the axial direction, and has at least one inner peripheral wall contact portion that contacts the mating terminal in the inserted state. The terminal according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned outer peripheral wall portion is It is provided on the circumferential side of the outer peripheral wall portion opposite to the folded portion, and in the inserted state, it forms a gap between it and the inner peripheral wall portion. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned outer peripheral wall portion is It has an extended portion that extends from the outer peripheral wall contact portion along the inner peripheral wall portion toward the opposite side of the slit portion end in the circumferential direction. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Equipment fixing part that is fixed to the equipment and electrically connected, The device further comprises a connecting portion that connects the equipment fixing portion and the inner peripheral wall portion. The terminal according to claim 1.

6. A terminal connection portion formed in a cylindrical shape along the axial direction, wherein a mating terminal is inserted from one opening toward the other opening and electrically connected, The aforementioned terminal connection section is A cylindrical inner circumferential wall portion having a slit portion formed along the axial direction, and an insertion space portion that communicates with the outside through the slit portion and into which the mating terminal is inserted from one of the openings, A folded portion is formed at the circumferential end of the slit portion along the axis of the inner circumferential wall portion, and is bent outward in the radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The system comprises an outer peripheral wall portion that extends circumferentially from the folded portion along the inner peripheral wall portion and is formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion with the folded portion as a fulcrum, The inner circumferential wall portion is, The inner circumferential wall portion has at least one through hole that penetrates in the radial direction, The aforementioned outer peripheral wall portion is At least one outer peripheral wall contact portion is formed protruding from the insertion space through the through hole, It has an extending portion that extends from the outer peripheral wall contact portion along the inner peripheral wall portion toward the opposite side of the slit portion end in the circumferential direction, The outer peripheral wall contact portion is, When the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion, the elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall causes it to contact and press against the mating terminal. A terminal characterized by the following features.

Images