Terminal units and connectors

By designing an insulating component covering the side of the terminal part in the terminal unit, the problem of the installer contacting the terminal main body is solved, and a wide range of contact suppression and disengagement effects are achieved.

CN115088139BActive Publication Date: 2025-08-19SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202180013480.3
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2020-02-21
Filing Date
2021-02-10
Publication Date
2025-08-19
Estimated Expiration
2041-02-10

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the prior art, the fingers of the installer are prone to contact with the side of the width direction of the terminal body, and there is a lack of effective suppression measures.

Method used

A terminal unit is designed, including a plate-shaped terminal part and an insulating member, which covers the side surface and the connecting surface of the terminal part, and the surround part is arranged on the opposite side of the front end, and has an extension part and a surround part to limit relative displacement and cover the side area of ​​the terminal part.

Benefits of technology

It realizes widespread suppression of contact with the installer's fingers, prevents insulating components from being disengaged from terminal parts, and simplifies the installation process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a terminal unit and a connector that can suppress the contact between the installer's fingers and the terminal body over a wide range. The terminal unit (20) comprises: a plate-shaped terminal part (30) including a connection area (353) for electrical connection with a target terminal; and an insulating part (40) mounted on the terminal part (30). The terminal part (30) has a side surface (351) extending along a third direction (X) and a connection surface (352A) extending in a direction intersecting the third direction (X). The insulating part (40) has an extension portion (42) covering an area including a front end (301) and a surrounding portion (41) covering a portion of the connection surface (352A). The connection area (353) is located on the connection surface (352A). The surrounding portion (41) is provided on the opposite side of the front end (301) relative to the connection area (353) in the first direction (Z).
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Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a terminal including a metal terminal body and an insulating member having insulating properties and attached to the terminal body (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The terminal body described in Document 1 includes a plate-shaped main portion and two protruding portions protruding from the front end of the main portion.

[0004] The insulating component also includes an insulating end portion and an auxiliary portion extending from the insulating end portion toward the terminal body and sandwiched between the protrusions. Recesses are provided in the insulating end portion corresponding to the protrusions. The insulating component is secured to the front end of the terminal body by pressing the protrusions into the recesses.

[0005] Such an insulating member prevents the installer's fingers from coming into contact with the terminal body.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-179290 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] However, in the terminal described in Patent Document 1, the insulating member is provided only on the front end side of the terminal body, so there is a concern that the fingers of the installer may come into contact with, for example, the side surfaces in the width direction of the terminal body.

[0011] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal unit and a connector capable of suppressing contact between an installer's fingers and a terminal body.

[0012] Solutions to Problems

[0013] The terminal unit disclosed herein is a terminal unit for electrical connection to an object terminal, comprising: a plate-shaped terminal part, which includes a connection area for electrical connection to the object terminal; and an insulating part, which is mounted on the terminal part, the terminal part having a side surface extending along the plate thickness direction of the terminal part and a connection surface extending along a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction, the insulating part having an extension portion covering an area including the front end of the terminal part in the longitudinal direction and a surrounding portion covering a portion of the connection surface, the connection area is located on the connection surface, and the surrounding portion is arranged on the opposite side of the front end relative to the connection area in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The connector disclosed herein is a connector electrically connectable to a mating connector having mating terminals, and includes the terminal unit and a housing for accommodating the terminal unit.

[0015] Effects of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the contact between the fingers of the installer and the terminal fittings over a wide range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a connector in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the terminal unit of this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a perspective view of the insulating member of this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a front view of the terminal unit of this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 4 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal unit according to this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a perspective view of an insulating member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0024] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0025] [1] The terminal unit disclosed herein is a terminal unit for electrically connecting to an object terminal, comprising: a plate-shaped terminal part including a connection area for electrically connecting to the object terminal; and an insulating part mounted on the terminal part, the terminal part having a side surface extending in a plate thickness direction of the terminal part and a connection surface extending in a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction, the insulating part having an extension portion covering an area including a front end of the terminal part in a longitudinal direction and a surrounding portion covering a portion of the connection surface, the connection area being located on the connection surface, and the surrounding portion being arranged on the opposite side of the front end relative to the connection area in the longitudinal direction.

[0026] According to this configuration, the insulating member includes an extension portion that covers the area of the side surface including the longitudinal end of the terminal fitting. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the installer's fingers from coming into contact with the terminal fitting over a wide area.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the surrounding portion of the insulating member restricts relative displacement of the terminal fitting and the insulating member in the plate thickness direction of the terminal fitting. Therefore, the insulating member can be prevented from being separated from the terminal fitting with a simple configuration.

[0028] [2] Preferably, the extension portion has a recessed portion for accommodating the front end.

[0029] According to this structure, the front end of the connection component is accommodated in the recess formed in the insulating member. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the insulating member from being separated from the terminal component.

[0030] [3] Preferably, the side surface of the terminal part has a first side surface located on one side in the width direction and a second side surface located on the other side in the width direction, wherein the width direction intersects the plate thickness direction and the length direction, and the extension portion of the insulating part has a portion covering the first side surface and a portion covering the second side surface, and the portion covering the first side surface and the portion covering the second side surface are configured to sandwich the terminal part from the first side surface and the second side surface.

[0031] According to this structure, the insulating member sandwiches the terminal fitting from the first side surface and the second side surface by the portion covering the first side surface and the portion covering the second side surface. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the insulating member from being separated from the terminal fitting.

[0032] [4] Preferably, the surrounding portion has: a first protruding portion, which extends from a portion covering the first side surface toward the center of the connecting surface in the width direction; and a second protruding portion, which extends from a portion covering the second side surface toward the center of the connecting surface in the width direction, and an end portion of the first protruding portion is separated from an end portion of the second protruding portion in the width direction.

[0033] According to this structure, compared with a case where the end of the first protruding portion and the end of the second protruding portion are not separated, the insulating member can allow the distance between the portion covering the first side surface and the portion covering the second side surface to vary. Therefore, it is easy to attach the insulating member to the terminal part.

[0034] [5] Preferably, the extending portion is elastically deformable so that a distance between a portion covering the first side surface and a portion covering the second side surface changes in the width direction.

[0035] According to this structure, the insulating member can allow the distance between the portion covering the first side surface and the portion covering the second side surface to vary, thereby facilitating attachment of the insulating member to the terminal fitting.

[0036] [6] Preferably, the connecting surface has a first connecting surface located on one side of the plate thickness direction and a second connecting surface located on the other side of the plate thickness direction, the surrounding portion has a portion covering the first connecting surface and a portion covering the second connecting surface, and the portion covering the first connecting surface and the portion covering the second connecting surface are arranged to sandwich the terminal part from the first connecting surface side and the second connecting surface side.

[0037] According to this configuration, the insulating member can sandwich the terminal fitting from both the first connection surface side and the second connection surface side, and thus it is possible to further suppress detachment of the insulating member from the terminal fitting.

[0038] [7] Preferably, the terminal part has a locking recess formed on the side surface, and the extension portion has a protrusion that is embedded in the locking recess at a position corresponding to the locking recess.

[0039] According to this structure, since the protrusion provided on the insulating member is fitted into the locking recess provided on the terminal fitting, the relative displacement between the terminal fitting and the insulating member is restricted, thereby further suppressing the insulating member from being separated from the terminal fitting.

[0040] [8] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector is provided that is electrically connectable to a target connector having a target terminal. The connector comprises: a terminal unit according to any one of [1] to [7]; and a housing that houses the terminal unit.

[0041] According to this structure, it is possible to achieve the effects based on the effects of the terminal unit described in any one of the above [1] to [7].

[0042] [Detailed Structure of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure]

[0043] Specific examples of the terminal unit and connector disclosed herein are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, for ease of explanation, parts of the structure are sometimes exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the various parts may differ in the various drawings. In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples, but refers to the claims and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. "Orthogonal" in this specification includes not only strictly orthogonal situations, but also situations that are approximately orthogonal within the scope of the effects of the present embodiment. In the following, when it is described as "along...", the angle between the reference direction and the extension direction is preferably less than 10 degrees. In this case, the angle between the reference direction and the extension direction is more preferably less than 5 degrees, more preferably less than 1 degree, and most preferably 0 degrees, that is, parallel. In the following, when it is described as "intersecting", it is preferably intersecting with the reference direction at an angle of more than 80 degrees. In this case, the angle between the reference direction and the extension direction is more preferably more than 85 degrees, more preferably more than 89 degrees, and most preferably 90 degrees, that is, perpendicular.

[0044] <Structure of Connector 10>

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the connector 10 is attached to the housing 120 of the device in a state where a portion thereof protrudes from the housing 120. In addition, the up and down directions in the respective figures do not necessarily indicate the posture of the connector 10 when in use.

[0046] The connector 10 includes a plurality of flat-plate-shaped terminal units 20 and a resin housing 50 that accommodates the terminal units 20. In the present embodiment, two terminal units 20 are accommodated in the housing 50 so as to be aligned.

[0047] <Overall Structure of Terminal Unit 20>

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, each terminal unit 20 includes a metal terminal fitting 30 having a base 31 and a flat connecting end portion 35 extending from the base 31; and an insulating member 40 attached to the connecting end portion 35. The terminal fitting 30 is formed by stamping a metal plate such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The insulating member 40 is formed from, for example, an insulating resin material.

[0049] Hereinafter, the first direction Z is the length direction of the terminal part 30, specifically the connecting end portion 35. The second direction Y is the width direction of the connecting end portion 35, and intersects with the first direction Z. The third direction X is the plate thickness direction of the connecting end portion 35, and intersects with the first direction Z and the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the second direction Y intersects with the first direction Z perpendicularly. In addition, the third direction X intersects with the first direction Z and the second direction Y perpendicularly. In addition, the first direction Z, the second direction Y, and the third direction X intersect with each other perpendicularly, but they do not need to intersect with each other perpendicularly.

[0050] <Structure of Terminal Part 30>

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the base portion 31 has: a first straight portion 32, which extends linearly along the third direction X; a second straight portion 33, which is bent from the first straight portion 32 and extends linearly along the first direction Z; and a third straight portion 34, which extends linearly from the second straight portion 33 along the third direction X. The third straight portion 34 extends toward the first straight portion 32 in the third direction X. A through hole 32a is provided in the first straight portion 32, which passes through in the first direction Z. The connecting end portion 35 has a first connecting surface 352A and a second connecting surface 352B (see FIG. 35 ) intersecting the third direction X. Figure 5 ). The first connection surface 352A is located on one side in the third direction X. The second connection surface 352B is located on the other side in the third direction X. The first connection surface 352A includes a connection area 353 for electrical connection to a terminal of a target connector that can be mounted on the connector 10, that is, a target terminal. Figure 2 In the figure, for ease of explanation, the connection area 353 is an area indicated by a dotted line. In the connection area 353, when the target connector is mounted on the connector 10, an electrical contact is formed between the target terminal and the terminal part 30. In this embodiment, the connection area 353 is formed on the first connection surface 352A of one of the connection surfaces 352A and 352B, and is not formed on the second connection surface 352B of the other. The terminal part 30 has a side surface 351 extending along the third direction X. The side surface 351 includes a first side surface 351A and a second side surface 351B. In addition, the first side surface 351A is located on one side of the side surface 351 in the second direction Y. In addition, the second side surface 351B is located on the other side of the side surface 351 in the second direction Y.

[0052] The locking recesses 36 are provided on the first side surface 351A and the second side surface 351B in the second direction Y of the connection end portion 35 .

[0053] <Structure of the insulating member 40>

[0054] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3As shown, the insulating member 40 includes a surrounding portion 41 that covers the connecting surfaces 352A and 352B, and an extending portion 42 that covers the side surface 351 of the terminal fitting 30, including the front end 301. The surrounding portion 41 surrounds the portion of the connecting end portion 35 on the base 31 side. The extending portion 42 extends from the surrounding portion 41 toward the front end 301 of the connecting end portion 35 in the first direction Z and covers both side surfaces 351A and 351B of the connecting end portion 35 in the second direction Y.

[0055] The extension portion 42 includes a portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and a portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B. Furthermore, the extension portion 42 includes a connecting portion 43 connecting the portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B of the extension portion 42 covering the second side surface 351B. The connecting portion 43 covers the front end surface of the connecting end portion 35. The portions 42A and 42B are provided to sandwich the terminal fitting 30 from the first side surface 351A and the second side surface 351B.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, the surrounding portion 41 is provided on the opposite side of the front end surface relative to the connection region 353 in the first direction Z, which is the longitudinal direction of the terminal part 30. Furthermore, the surrounding portion 41 has a first protruding portion 414A extending from the portion 42A of the extension portion 42 covering the first side surface 351A toward the center of the connection surfaces 352A and 352B in the second direction Y. Furthermore, the surrounding portion 41 has a second protruding portion 414B extending from the portion 42B of the extension portion 42 covering the second side surface 351B toward the center of the connection surfaces 352A and 352B in the second direction Y. In this embodiment, the surrounding portion 41 has a portion 416A covering the first connection surface 352A and a portion 416B covering the second connection surface 352B, and is configured to sandwich the terminal part 30 from both the first connection surface 352A side and the second connection surface 352B side.

[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the maximum dimension of the insulating member 40 in the second direction Y is substantially the same as the maximum dimension of the terminal part 30 in the second direction Y.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, a dividing portion 44 is provided on both sides of the surrounding portion 41 in the third direction X, dividing the surrounding portion 41 in the circumferential direction of the surrounding portion 41. Therefore, in each dividing portion 44, the end edges of the portion of the surrounding portion 41 extending in the second direction Y face each other. In other words, the end of the first protruding portion 414A is separated from the end of the second protruding portion 414B in the second direction Y.

[0059] At least the extension portion 42 of the insulating member 40 has elasticity and can be elastically deformed to change the distance between the portion covering the first side surface 351A and the portion covering the second side surface 351B in the second direction Y. Therefore, the insulating member 40 can be easily attached to the terminal fitting 30 .

[0060] Positioning portions 45 are provided on both sides of the surrounding portion 41 in the third direction X. The positioning portions 45 protrude from the end edges in the third direction X, respectively.

[0061] The inner surface of the extension portion 42 is formed with locking projections 46 that engage with the respective locking recesses 36 of the connection end portion 35. Each locking projection 46 extends obliquely toward the connection portion 43 as it moves inward in the second direction Y from the inner surface of the extension portion 42. The locking projections 46 are provided at positions corresponding to the locking recesses 36. The locking projections 46 are configured to engage with the locking recesses 36. The locking projections 46 are equivalent to the projections described above in the "Description of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure."

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, the connecting portion 43 is formed with a recessed portion 43a for accommodating the front end 301 of the connecting end portion 35. Furthermore, the front end 301 of the connecting end portion 35 is tapered toward the front. The recessed portion 43a corresponds to the recessed portion described in the aforementioned [Description of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure].

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the plate thickness of the connection end portion 35 and the thickness of the extension portion 42 in the third direction X are substantially the same.

[0064] <Structure of Housing 50>

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 50 includes a main body 51 that accommodates the two terminal units 20 and protrudes from the outer shell 120 in the first direction Z, and a flange 52 that protrudes toward the outer periphery over the entire circumference of the main body 51 .

[0066] The flange 52 is provided with a plurality of cylindrical collars 53. Bolts (not shown) are inserted through the collars 53 and screwed into the housing 120, thereby fixing the connector 10 to the housing 120.

[0067] The housing 50 includes an outer wall 54 that covers the connection ends 35 of the two terminal units 20 around an axis along the first direction Z and is open on one side in the second direction Y; an outer top wall 55 that covers the front end 301 side of the two connection ends 35 in the first direction Z; and an opposing wall 56 that opposes the outer top wall 55. The connection end 35 of each terminal unit 20 protrudes from the opposing wall 56.

[0068] The outer wall 54 has a substantially U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the first direction Z and covers both sides of the connection end portion 35 in the third direction X and the other side in the second direction Y.

[0069] The outer top wall 55 is provided to be connected to the front end edge of the outer side wall 54 in the first direction Z.

[0070] The housing 50 also includes two inner side walls 57 that cover the connection ends 35 inside the outer side wall 54 and two inner top walls 58 that cover the front end side of the connection ends 35 in the first direction Z inside the outer top wall 55 .

[0071] Each inner wall 57 has a substantially U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the first direction Z and covers both sides in the third direction X and the other side in the second direction Y of each connection end portion 35 .

[0072] The inner top wall 58 is provided to be connected to the front end edge of the inner side wall 57 in the first direction Z.

[0073] As described above, the outer wall 54 and each inner wall 57 are open on one side in the second direction Y. The connection end portion 35 of each terminal unit 20 is exposed to the outside through the above-mentioned opening.

[0074] The opposing wall 56 is provided with two insertion holes 56a for inserting each terminal unit 20. Although not shown in the figure, a step is provided inside the opposing wall 56 in connection with each insertion hole 56a, and the positioning portion 45 of the insulating member 40 provided in each terminal unit 20 is locked on the step in the first direction Z.

[0075] The operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0076] (1) The terminal unit 20 includes: a plate-shaped terminal part 30 including a connection area 353 for electrically connecting to a counterpart terminal; and an insulating part 40 mounted on the terminal part 30. The terminal part 30 includes a side surface 351 extending along a third direction X and connection surfaces 352A and 352B extending in a direction intersecting the third direction X. The insulating part 40 includes an extension portion 42 covering an area including the front end 301 and a surrounding portion 41 covering a portion of the connection surfaces 352A and 352B. The connection area 353 is located on the connection surface 352A. The surrounding portion 41 is provided on the opposite side of the front end 301 relative to the connection area 353 in the first direction Z.

[0077] With this configuration, the insulating member 40 includes the extending portion 42 covering the side surface 351 including the front end 301 of the terminal fitting 30 in the first direction Z. This prevents the installer's fingers from coming into contact with the terminal fitting 30 over a wide area.

[0078] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the surrounding portion 41 of the insulating member 40 restricts relative displacement between the terminal fitting 30 and the insulating member 40 in the third direction X. Therefore, the insulating member 40 can be prevented from being separated from the terminal fitting 30 with a simple configuration.

[0079] (2) The concave portion 43 a for accommodating the front end 301 of the connection end portion 35 is formed in the coupling portion 43 .

[0080] According to such a structure, the front end 301 of the connection end portion 35 is accommodated in the recessed portion 43a formed in the coupling portion 43 of the insulating member 40. Therefore, the insulating member 40 is further suppressed from being separated from the terminal fitting 30.

[0081] (3) The side surface 351 of the terminal fitting 30 includes a first side surface 351A located on one side in the second direction Y and a second side surface 351B located on the other side in the second direction Y. The extension 42 of the insulating member 40 includes a portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and a portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B. The portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B are provided so as to sandwich the terminal fitting 30 from one side of the first side surface 351A and one side of the second side surface 351B.

[0082] With this structure, the insulating member 40 sandwiches the terminal fitting 30 from both the first side 351A and the second side 351B by the portion 42A covering the first side 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side 351B.

[0083] (4) The surrounding portion 41 includes a first protruding portion 414A extending from a portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A toward the center of the connecting surfaces 352A and 352B in the second direction Y; and a second protruding portion 414B extending from a portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B toward the center of the connecting surfaces 352A and 352B in the second direction Y. The end of the first protruding portion 414A and the end of the second protruding portion 414B are separated in the second direction Y.

[0084] With this structure, compared to a case where the ends of the first protruding portion 414A and the second protruding portion 414B are not separated, the insulating member 40 can accommodate variations in the distance between the portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B. Therefore, the insulating member 40 can be easily attached to the terminal fitting 30.

[0085] (5) The extending portion 42 is elastically deformable so that the distance between the portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B changes in the second direction Y.

[0086] With this structure, the insulating member 40 can accommodate variations in the distance between the portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B. Therefore, the insulating member 40 can be easily attached to the terminal fitting 30 .

[0087] (6) The terminal fitting 30 includes a first connection surface 352A located on one side in the third direction X and a second connection surface 352B located on the other side in the third direction X. The surrounding portion 41 includes a portion 416A covering the first connection surface 352A and a portion 416B covering the second connection surface 352B. The portion 416A covering the first connection surface 352A and the portion 416B covering the second connection surface 352B are provided so as to sandwich the terminal fitting 30 from one side of the first connection surface 352A and one side of the second connection surface 352B.

[0088] According to such a structure, the insulating member 40 can sandwich the terminal fitting 30 from the first connecting surface 352A side and the second connecting surface 352B side, and thus it is possible to further suppress the insulating member 40 from being separated from the terminal fitting 30 .

[0089] (7) The terminal fitting 30 has the locking recess 36 formed on the side surface 351. The extension portion 42 preferably has the locking projection 46 that fits into the locking recess 36 at a position corresponding to the locking recess 36.

[0090] With this structure, the locking projections 46 of the insulating member 40 fit into the locking recesses 36 of the terminal fitting 30, thereby limiting relative displacement between the terminal fitting 30 and the insulating member 40. This further prevents the insulating member 40 from being disengaged from the terminal fitting 30.

[0091] (8) The connector 10 includes the terminal unit 20 and the housing 50 that accommodates the terminal unit 20 .

[0092] According to such a structure, the effects based on the above-mentioned (1) to (7) can be achieved.

[0093] <Change Example>

[0094] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications: This embodiment and the following modifications can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that does not technically conflict.

[0095] The connector 10 may include one terminal unit 20 or three or more terminal units 20 .

[0096] ·like Figure 6As shown, the insulating member 140 can also be used without the separating portion 44. The surrounding portion 141 of the insulating member 140 surrounds the entire circumference of the connection end portion 35. In this case, the locking projection 46 is preferably omitted.

[0097] The lengths of the first protruding portion 414A and the second protruding portion 414B can be appropriately changed within a range that can restrict relative movement of the terminal fitting 30 and the insulating member 40 in the second direction Y and the third direction X.

[0098] The terminal fitting 30 and the insulating member 40 may be locked to each other by providing a locking recess in the extending portion 42 and providing protrusions on the side surfaces 351A and 351B of the connecting end portion 35 to be locked to the locking recess.

[0099] The locking projection 46 may be provided only on one of the portion 42A covering the first side surface 351A and the portion 42B covering the second side surface 351B.

[0100] The recessed portion 43 a of the connecting portion 43 may be omitted, and the front end surface of the connecting end portion 35 may be in surface contact with the inner surface of the connecting portion 43 .

[0101] The insulating member 40 only needs to have insulating properties, and may be formed of a material other than a resin material, such as ceramics.

[0102] A recessed portion may be formed in the extension portion 42 to accommodate the edge of the connection end portion 35 in the second direction Y. In this case, from the perspective of the structure of the mold for manufacturing the insulating member 40, the recessed portion is preferably formed in the portion of the extension portion 42 that is closer to the base end than the locking protrusion 46.

[0103] The terminal fitting 30 may be formed in a shape in which the flat plate-shaped base portion 31 and the connection end portion 35 are connected on the same plane, that is, in a shape in which the entire terminal fitting is flat.

[0104] The term “detached” in this specification includes not only a case where the insulating member 40 is completely separated from the terminal fitting 30 , but also a case where the insulating member 40 is displaced from a proper position relative to the terminal fitting 30 .

[0105] Description of Reference Numerals

[0106] X third direction

[0107] Y second direction

[0108] Z first direction

[0109] 10 Connectors

[0110] 20 terminal units

[0111] 30 terminal parts

[0112] 31 base

[0113] 32 First straight line

[0114] 32a through hole

[0115] 33 Second straight line

[0116] 34 Third straight line

[0117] 35 connection end

[0118] 36 Locking recess

[0119] 40 Insulation parts

[0120] 41 Encirclement

[0121] 42 extension

[0122] Section 42A

[0123] Section 42B

[0124] 43 Connection

[0125] 43a recess

[0126] 44 separate parts

[0127] 45 Positioning unit

[0128] 46 Locking convex part (convex part)

[0129] 50 shell

[0130] 51 Main body

[0131] 52 flange

[0132] 53 Ring

[0133] 54 outer wall

[0134] 55 outer top wall

[0135] 56 Opposing Wall

[0136] 56a through hole

[0137] 57 inner wall

[0138] 58 inner ceiling wall

[0139] 120 housing

[0140] 140 Insulation parts

[0141] 141 Encirclement

[0142] 301 Frontend

[0143] 351 Side

[0144] 351A First side

[0145] 351B Second side

[0146] 352A First connection surface

[0147] 352B Second connection surface

[0148] 353 connection area

[0149] 414A First protrusion

[0150] 414B Second protrusion

[0151] Section 416A

[0152] Section 416B

Claims

1. A terminal unit for electrically connecting to a terminal of a target, comprising: a plate-shaped terminal part including a connection area for electrical connection to the counterpart terminal; and an insulating member mounted on the terminal part, The terminal part has a side surface extending in a plate thickness direction of the terminal part and a connection surface extending in a direction intersecting the plate thickness direction. The insulating member includes an extending portion covering a region including a front end of the terminal part in the longitudinal direction and a surrounding portion covering a portion of the connecting surface. The connection area is located on the connection surface, The surrounding portion is provided on the opposite side of the front end relative to the connecting region in the longitudinal direction. The side surface of the terminal part includes a first side surface located on one side in the width direction and a second side surface located on the other side in the width direction. The width direction intersects the plate thickness direction and the length direction, The extension portion includes a portion covering the first side surface and a portion covering the second side surface. The portion covering the first side surface and the portion covering the second side surface are provided to sandwich the terminal part from the first side surface and the second side surface. The surrounding portion has: a first protruding portion extending from a portion covering the first side surface toward a center of the connecting surface in the width direction; and a second protruding portion extending from a portion covering the second side surface toward a center of the connecting surface in the width direction, An end portion of the first protruding portion is separated from an end portion of the second protruding portion in the width direction.

2. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein The extension portion has a recessed portion for receiving the front end.

3. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein The extending portion is elastically deformable so that a distance between a portion covering the first side surface and a portion covering the second side surface varies in the width direction.

4. The terminal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The connection surface includes a first connection surface located on one side in the plate thickness direction and a second connection surface located on the other side in the plate thickness direction. The surrounding portion includes a portion covering the first connection surface and a portion covering the second connection surface. The portion covering the first connection surface and the portion covering the second connection surface are provided so as to sandwich the terminal fitting from the first connection surface side and the second connection surface side.

5. The terminal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The terminal part has a locking recess formed on the side surface, The extending portion has a convex portion that fits into the locking recessed portion at a position corresponding to the locking recessed portion.

6. A connector capable of being electrically connected to a counterpart connector having a counterpart terminal, comprising: The terminal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and The housing accommodates the terminal unit.

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