Terminal assembly structure

Abstract

A terminal assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a crimping terminal having a crimping portion and a fastening portion, wherein the crimping portion is configured to crimp and connect a core wire of an electric wire, and the fastening portion is configured to be fastened by a fastening member; and a retainer having a base portion configured to support the crimping terminal when the crimping terminal is fastened to the retainer. The retainer has a detection rib on the base portion at a position opposite to the crimping portion of the crimping terminal, and the detection rib is configured to interfere with the crimping portion when the crimping terminal is incorrectly assembled with the front and back sides facing the retainer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal assembly structure in which a terminal is fastened to a holder by a fastening member such as a bolt. Background Art

[0002] Patent document JPH10-223272A describes a conventional terminal assembly structure. In the terminal assembly structure described in patent document JPH10-223272A, one crimping terminal having a hole for connection to one wire and another crimping terminal having a hole for connection to another wire are fastened in an overlapping manner by passing the two terminals through bolts erected on a box body and fastening the two terminals with nuts. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the conventional terminal assembly structure, each terminal may be assembled upside down. Therefore, in the conventional terminal assembly structure, there is a concern about incorrect assembly of the terminals, and improvement in assembly workability is desired.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal assembly structure that can easily and reliably detect incorrect assembly of a terminal and can improve assembly workability of the terminal.

[0005] A terminal assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a crimping terminal having a crimping portion and a fastening portion, the crimping portion being configured to crimp and connect a core wire of an electric wire, and the fastening portion being configured to be fastened by a fastening member; and a retainer having a base configured to support the crimping terminal when the crimping terminal is fastened to the retainer. The retainer has a detection rib on the base at a position opposite to the crimping portion of the crimping terminal, the detection rib being configured to interfere with the crimping portion when the front and back sides of the crimping terminal are incorrectly assembled to the retainer.

[0006] The base may have a terminal placement base portion at an upper section thereof, the terminal placement base portion being configured to carry a fastening portion of the crimping terminal. A pair of the detection ribs may be arranged at a distance narrower than the total width of the crimping portion on the front side of the terminal placement base portion.

[0007] The base may have an inclined rib disposed between the pair of detection ribs. The inclined rib may be configured to guide a fastening portion of the crimping terminal to the terminal placement base.

[0008] The fastening portion of the crimping terminal may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having an arc-shaped end and may have a fastening oblong hole formed in the center thereof and configured to allow a bolt as the fastening member to be inserted therethrough.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the terminal assembly structure can easily and reliably detect incorrect assembly of the terminal, and can improve the assembly workability of the terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of an example of an assembled state of a terminal assembly structure according to one or more embodiments;

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a retainer configured to assemble a terminal according to the above-described terminal assembly structure;

[0012] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the crimp terminal;

[0013] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional image of another terminal;

[0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a base on which a crimp terminal is placed;

[0015] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bolt configured to secure a crimp terminal to a retainer;

[0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover configured to cover an opening of a holder;

[0017] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a seal sealing between an opening of the retainer and a cover;

[0018] Figure 9 is a top view showing a state where the crimping terminal is being assembled to the retainer;

[0019] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure showing a state in which a crimping terminal is being assembled to a retainer;

[0020] Figure 11 is a top view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state before the crimping terminal is assembled to the holder and fastened with a bolt;

[0021] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a terminal assembly structure, showing a state before the crimping terminal is assembled to a retainer and fastened with a bolt;

[0022] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure showing a state in which a crimping terminal is incorrectly assembled to a retainer;

[0023] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state in which the cover is attached to the opening of the holder; and

[0024] Figure 15 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state in which a cover with a seal incorrectly assembled thereto is attached to an opening of a holder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Various embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Hereinafter, a terminal assembly structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of an example of an assembled state of a terminal assembly structure according to one or more embodiments. Figure 2 1 is a perspective view of a retainer configured to assemble a terminal according to the above-described terminal assembly structure. Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a crimp terminal. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of another terminal. Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the base on which the crimp terminal is placed. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a bolt configured to fasten a crimp terminal to a retainer. Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover configured to cover the opening of the holder. Figure 8 is a perspective view of a seal sealing between the opening of the retainer and the cover. Figure 9 It is a plan view showing a state where the terminal is being assembled to the holder. Figure 10 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure showing a state in which the crimping terminal is being assembled to the holder. Figure 11 This is a top view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state before the crimping terminal is assembled to the holder and fastened with a bolt. Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state before the crimping terminal is assembled to the holder and fastened with a bolt. Figure 13 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure showing a state in which the crimping terminal is incorrectly assembled to the retainer. Figure 14 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state in which the cover is attached to the opening of the holder. Figure 15 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the terminal assembly structure, showing a state in which a cover with a seal incorrectly assembled thereto is attached to an opening of a holder.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the terminal assembly structure 1 includes: a crimping terminal 10 having a substantially rectangular plate-shaped portion with a hole formed therein; a cylindrical DC (direct current) terminal 15; a retainer 20 made of resin; an insulator (base) 30 made of resin; a cover 40 made of resin; and a seal 50 made of rubber.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the crimping terminal 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate. The crimping terminal 10 has a crimping portion 11 and a fastening portion 12. The core wire (conductor) 13b exposed from the end of the insulating coating 13a of the electric wire 13 is crimped and connected to the crimping portion 11. The fastening portion 12 is used for fastening with a bolt (fastening member) 14.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the crimping portion 11 of the crimping terminal 10 has a pair of crimping pieces 11b on both sides of the bottom 11a. The core wire 13b exposed from the end of the insulating coating 13a of the electric wire 13 is crimped by the pair of crimping pieces 11b and connected to the pair of crimping pieces 11b. The fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 is formed into a roughly rectangular plate with an arc-shaped end 12a, and the side portions 12b of the fastening portion 12 extend parallel to each other. An oblong hole 12b for fastening is formed in the center of the fastening portion 12. The oblong hole 12b for fastening is constructed to allow a bolt 14 to be inserted. The crimping terminal 10 is assembled from the barrel 22 on the upper side of the retainer 20 described later to the peripheral wall 21 of the retainer 20. The electric wire 13 crimped and connected to the crimping portion 11 of the crimping terminal 10 is a high-voltage electric wire through which a high-voltage current can flow. Here, the "oblong" described in the present application refers to a rounded rectangle (rounded rectangular shape) obtained by replacing the opposing short sides of a rectangle with semicircles (oblong) or replacing the four corners of a rectangle with arc curves, and may further be an ellipse.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the DC terminal 15 includes a cylindrical wire connection portion 15a and a cylindrical mating side connection portion 15c formed integrally with the wire connection portion 15a. The wire connection portion 15a is arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction of the DC terminal 15. The wire connection portion 15a has a plurality of long slits 15b extending along the longitudinal direction of the DC terminal 15. An electric wire (not shown) is connected to the wire connection portion 15a. The mating side connection portion 15c is arranged on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the DC terminal 15. A mating side terminal (not shown) is connected to the mating side connection portion 15c. The DC terminal 15 is assembled into the peripheral wall 21 of the retainer 20 from the lower side of the cylindrical portion 23 of the retainer 20 described later.

[0032] like Figure 2As shown, the retainer 20 integrally includes: a peripheral wall 21 having an oblong cylindrical shape; a pair of cylindrical portions 22, 23 protruding vertically from the peripheral wall 21; and a mounting flange 24 protruding at the four corners of the lower end of the peripheral wall 21. An opening 21a is provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 21. On each side in the longitudinal direction of the outer peripheral surface 21c of the peripheral wall 21, a pair of locked portions 21d are provided. Each locked portion 21d protrudes from the outer peripheral surface 21c and has a frame-like shape. A pair of cylindrical portions 22, 23 are arranged on one side in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 21 having an oblong cylindrical shape, and protrude from the peripheral wall 21 to be locked in the vertical direction (from the top to the bottom). Figure 2 When viewed in the direction of the Y arrow in the figure, they overlap. Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 2 , the base end of the upper cylindrical portion 22 is located inside the peripheral wall 21. Figure 1 、 Figure 10 As shown in FIG. 1 , a recess 22a having a recessed upper surface is formed in the lower portion of the base end of the cylindrical portion 22. A mounting hole 24a is formed in each mounting flange 24. The mounting hole 24a is configured to receive a bolt for mounting the retainer 20 on a vehicle body panel or the like (not shown). The upper and lower ends of the peripheral wall 21 are Figure 2 The "four corners" of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21 described in this application may be four corners of a rectangle that are replaced by semicircular or arcuate curves to form an oblong.

[0033] exist Figure 2 、 Figure 9 and Figure 12 In the illustrated retainer 20, an elongated cylindrical portion 25 extending in the vertical direction Y is integrally formed on the inner side of the peripheral wall 21, at the center in the width direction of the peripheral wall 21 and on the other side in the longitudinal direction. The fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 is fastened and fixed to an elongated cylindrical base 29 with a bolt 14 via a flat washer 18. The base 29 is fitted into and fixed to the elongated cylindrical portion 25. The base 29 can be made of metal or hard resin.

[0034] like Figure 2 、 Figures 9 to 12As shown, on the inner circumferential surface 21b of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21, a plurality of positioning ribs 26 extending in the up-down direction Y are integrally formed from the barrel 22 side to the oblong cylindrical portion 25 side. The plurality of positioning ribs 26 are formed at predetermined intervals and arranged opposite to each other. The plurality of positioning ribs 26 position and fix the insulator 30. The plurality of positioning ribs 26 are integrally formed to protrude from the inner circumferential surface 21b of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21 and serve as reinforcing ribs. In this embodiment, the fastening direction of the bolt (fastening component) 14 is the up-down direction Y. A cutout 21e having a rectangular shape is formed in the lower center of the front side of the peripheral wall 21. The wires of the mating terminal, etc. connected to the DC terminal 15 are led out from the cutout 21e.

[0035] A plurality of ribs 27, 28 extending in the up-down direction Y are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface 21b of the peripheral wall 21 having an oblong cylindrical shape around the long cylindrical portion 25. The plurality of ribs 27, 28 are formed to be arranged around the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 fastened to the base 29. The plurality of ribs 27, 28 positions the fastening portion 12 on the terminal placement base 33 of the insulator 30. The plurality of ribs 27, 28 are integrally formed to protrude from the inner peripheral surface 21b of the peripheral wall 21 having an oblong cylindrical shape and function as reinforcing ribs. The plurality of ribs 27, 28 include: a plurality of guide ribs 27, which are configured to abut and guide both sides 12b of the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10; and a plurality of abutting ribs 28, which are configured to abut against the arc-shaped end 12a of the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10. More specifically, as Figure 2 、 9 As shown in FIG12 , guide ribs 27 are integrally formed to protrude at equal intervals of three from the opposing inner peripheral surfaces 21 b of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21. Abutment ribs 28 are integrally formed to protrude at equal intervals of three from the center of the arcuate inner peripheral surface 21 b on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the peripheral wall 21. Furthermore, abutment ribs 28 are integrally formed radially on the inner peripheral surface 21 b on both sides of the three abutment ribs 28, one abutment rib 28 on each side.

[0036] like Figure 5 and Figure 10 As shown, the insulator (base) 30 has a bottom wall 31 and a pair of side walls 32 standing upright from both sides of the bottom wall 31. The insulator 30 is constructed to guide the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled and fastened to the retainer 20. The terminal placement base 33 is integrally formed on the bottom wall 31 via the upright wall 34. The terminal placement base 33 forms the upper section of the insulator 30 at the rear of the insulator 30. When the crimping terminal 10 is assembled in the retainer 20, the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 is mounted on the terminal placement base 33. Note that the insulator 30 is assembled from the opening 21a of the peripheral wall 21 to the inside of the retainer 20. At this time, as shown Figure 10As shown, the insulator 30 is positioned between the plurality of positioning ribs 26. The insulator 30 is fixed by fitting the curved front portion 31a of the bottom wall 31 into the recess 22a formed at the lower portion of the base end of the cylindrical portion 22 on the upper side.

[0037] like Figure 5 and Figures 9 to 12 As shown, when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled in the retainer 20, a pair of side walls 32 of the insulator 30 are positioned at a position opposite to a pair of crimping pieces 11b of the crimping portion 11 of the crimping terminal 10. A pair of detection ribs 35 are provided at a position in the pair of side walls 32 that is opposite to the pair of crimping pieces 11b of the crimping terminal 10 when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled in the retainer 20. The pair of detection ribs 35 are constructed to interfere with the crimping portion 11 when incorrect assembly occurs on the front and back sides of the crimping terminal 10. The pair of detection ribs 35 protrude from the upright wall 34 located at the front side of the terminal placement base 33. The pair of detection ribs 35 are arranged at intervals narrower than the total width of the pair of crimping pieces 11b of the crimping portion 11. A pair of inclined ribs 36 that are constructed to guide the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 to the terminal placement base 33 are protrudingly provided between the pair of detection ribs 35 provided on the upright wall 34. In addition, as Figure 13 As shown, when the crimping terminal 10 is incorrectly assembled, the pair of crimping pieces 11b of the crimping portion 11 are located on the lower side, and the ends of the pair of crimping pieces 11b on the fastening portion 12 side come into contact with the pair of detection ribs 35. Therefore, incorrect assembly of the crimping terminal 10 is detected. A plurality of inclined portions 37 are formed to protrude from the pair of side walls 32 at positions extending from the front sides of the respective inner surfaces 32a of the pair of side walls 32 to the upright walls 34. The plurality of inclined portions 37 support the two side portions 12b of the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 so as to clamp the two side portions 12b when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled in the holder 20.

[0038] like Figure 1 、 Figure 7 and Figure 14As shown, the cover 40 covers the opening 21a of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21 of the retainer 20. The cover 40 has an oblong plate-shaped top wall portion 41, an oblong cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 42, and an oblong cylindrical outer peripheral wall portion 43. The inner peripheral wall portion 42 and the outer peripheral wall portion 43 are arranged so that when the cover 40 covers the opening 21a of the peripheral wall 21, the inner peripheral wall portion 42 and the outer peripheral wall portion 43 sandwich the peripheral wall 21. On the two long sides of the outer peripheral wall portion 43, a pair of locking pieces 44 protrude so as to face each other. Each locking piece 44 has a locking protrusion 44a. The locking protrusions 44a of the pair of locking pieces 44 of the cover 40 are locked to the locked portion 21d of the peripheral wall 21. Thus, the cover 40 is assembled and attached to the retainer 20 to cover the opening 21a of the peripheral wall 21. The top wall portion 41 of the cover 40 has a locking hole 45 configured to secure the seal 50 at each center position in the front-rear and left-right directions of the inner peripheral wall portion 42 when the seal is assembled to the cover 40. The cover 40 is reinforced by an oblong annular wall 46 and a cross-shaped partition wall 47 provided inside the inner peripheral wall portion 42.

[0039] like Figure 1 、 Figure 8 and Figure 14 As shown, the seal 50 is formed into an oblong ring shape. The seal 50 is assembled between the inner peripheral wall portion 42 and the outer peripheral wall portion 43 of the cover 40 to seal between the cover 40 and the opening 21a of the holder 20. The top surface 51 of the seal 50 has locking protrusions 52 at the center positions of the front, back, left and right. The locking protrusions 52 enter the locking holes 45 of the cover 40 and are locked. Figure 1 and Figure 14 As shown, when the front and rear surfaces of the seal 50 are normally assembled, the locking protrusion 52 enters the locking hole 45 of the cover 40 to be locked, so that the seal 50 is assembled and attached to the cover 40. Figure 15 As shown, when the front and rear surfaces of the seal 50 are misassembled, the locking protrusion 52 interferes with the upper end 28 a of the abutment rib 28 , thereby detecting the misassembly of the seal 50 .

[0040] In the terminal assembly structure 1 of this embodiment, when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled to the holder 20, the insulator 30 is inserted through the opening 21a of the oblong cylindrical peripheral wall 21 of the holder 20. The insulator 30 is positioned and fixed in the peripheral wall 21 by the positioning ribs 26.

[0041] The DC terminal 15 is assembled into the peripheral wall 21 from the lower barrel portion 23 of the holder 20. The crimping terminal 10 is assembled into the peripheral wall 21 from the upper barrel portion 22 of the holder 20. Figure 9 As shown by the arrow in , the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 is introduced into the interior of the peripheral wall 21 and moves. Figure 10As shown, the distal end 12 a of the fastening portion 12 comes into contact with the inclined rib 36 of the insulator 30 , and the fastening portion 12 is guided onto the terminal placement base 33 .

[0042] Furthermore, the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 is introduced into the interior of the peripheral wall 21. Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the end 12a of the fastening portion 12 presses against the abutment rib 28 positioned around the base 29 of the peripheral wall 21. At this time, the end 12a of the fastening portion 12 presses against the abutment rib 28, and at the same time, the two side portions 12b of the fastening portion 12 are positioned between the guide ribs 27 of the peripheral wall 21. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the end 12a of the fastening portion 12 and the abutment rib 28 making violent contact. When the end 12a of the fastening portion 12 abuts against the abutment rib 28, the position of the fastening portion 12 is corrected. Therefore, the screw hole 29b in the base 29 can be seen from the oblong hole 12c used to fasten the fastening portion 12. This construction makes it possible to screw the crimping terminal 10 to the retainer 20 without further adjusting the position of the crimping terminal 10.

[0043] Thus, when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled into the peripheral wall 21 of the retainer 20, the distal end 12a of the fastening portion 12 presses against the abutment rib 28, while the side portion 12b of the fastening portion 12 is positioned by the guide rib 27. Consequently, in the terminal assembly structure 1, bolt fastening is facilitated, and assembly workability is improved. In other words, the crimping terminal 10 can be simply and reliably positioned within the peripheral wall 21 of the retainer 20 and fastened using the bolt 14. Furthermore, by providing the guide rib 27 and abutment rib 28 on the peripheral wall 21, the rigidity of the retainer 20 can be increased.

[0044] In addition, if Figure 13 As shown, when the retainer 20 is in a state of being assembled with the insulator 30 and the DC terminal 15 and when the crimping terminal 10 is assembled to the retainer 20 in an upside-down orientation, the pair of crimping pieces 11b of the crimping terminal 10 come into contact with the pair of detection ribs 35 on the insulator 30. With such a configuration, incorrect assembly of the crimping terminal 10 can be detected.

[0045] As described above, the detection ribs 35 of the insulator 30 eliminate the possibility of incorrect assembly of the crimping terminal 10, and the inclined ribs 36 of the insulator 30 smoothly guide the fastening portion 12 of the crimping terminal 10 to the upper surface 29a of the base, thereby improving assembly workability. The weight of the insulator 30 is reduced, and only the detection ribs 35 and inclined ribs 36 are retained as necessary components to avoid affecting their functions. As a result, the weight of the entire terminal assembly structure 1 can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, if Figure 14As shown, when the opening 21a of the holder 20 is covered by the cover 40 with the seal 50 attached, the seal 50 is held on the upper surface of the upper end 28a of the abutment rib 28 of the holder 20 to ensure waterproofness. Figure 15 As shown, when the seal 50 is assembled to the cover 40 in an upside-down orientation, the locking protrusion 52 interferes with the upper end 28a of the abutment rib 28, and an incorrect assembly state of the seal 50 is detected. Therefore, the upper end 28a of the abutment rib 28 of the retainer 20 can easily retain the seal 50 assembled to the cover 40 and detect incorrect assembly.

[0047] The present embodiment has been described above, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0048] That is, in the above embodiment, the oblong hole formed in the fastening portion of the crimping terminal is a bolt insertion portion for the bolt to be inserted. However, the bolt insertion portion is not limited to an oblong hole having an oblong shape, but may be a hole having a circular shape or may be a C-shaped opening.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the oblong cylindrical base, which is made of metal or hard resin and is configured to fasten the crimp terminal, is assembled and fixed to the oblong cylindrical portion of the retainer. However, as the base, a metal base may be insert-molded into the retainer, or a resin base may be integrally molded with the retainer.

[0050] Although specific embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been disclosed by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The appended claims and their equivalents are intended to cover any implementation or modification that falls within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A terminal assembly structure, comprising: a crimping terminal having a crimping portion configured to crimp and connect a core wire of an electric wire and a fastening portion configured to be fastened by a fastening member; as well as A retainer having a base configured to carry the crimp terminal when the crimp terminal is secured to the retainer, wherein The retainer has a detection rib on the base at a position opposite to the crimping portion of the crimping terminal, the detection rib being configured to interfere with the crimping portion when the crimping terminal is incorrectly assembled with its front and back faces facing the retainer. wherein the base has a terminal placement base at an upper section of the base, the terminal placement base being configured to carry the fastening portion of the crimping terminal, and A pair of the detection ribs are arranged at a distance narrower than a total width of the crimping portion on the front side of the terminal placement base.

2. The terminal assembly structure according to claim 1, wherein: The base has an inclined rib disposed between the pair of detection ribs, and the inclined rib is configured to guide the fastening portion of the crimping terminal to the terminal placement base.

3. The terminal assembly structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The fastening portion of the crimping terminal is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with an arc-shaped end and has a fastening oblong hole formed in the center thereof and configured to allow a bolt serving as the fastening member to pass therethrough.

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