Terminal member and connector

Abstract

A terminal member is prevented from being plastically deformed by an external force. The terminal member (13) has a cylindrical portion (30), an elastic contact portion (33), and an extension portion (35). The cylindrical portion (30) extends in the front-rear direction and has an open front surface. The elastic contact portion (33) is disposed in the cylindrical portion (30) and extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the elastic contact portion (33) is directly or indirectly connected to the cylindrical portion (30), and the front end is formed as a free end. The extension portion (35) is extended from the cylindrical portion (30) and is disposed opposite the elastic contact portion (33) in the direction of flexure of the elastic contact portion (33). The extension portion (35) is disposed at a position exposed on the front surface side of the cylindrical portion (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to terminal parts and connectors. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal component. This terminal component is a female terminal with a cylindrical connecting portion. An elastic contact piece, folded back diagonally upwards and backwards from the front edge of the base plate of the connecting portion, is housed within the connecting portion. This elastic contact piece is composed of three contact pieces arranged in a left-right direction. Each of the three contact pieces contacts the wider protrusion of the male terminal when the female terminal is connected to the male terminal, and its rear end deforms downwards. The left and right contact pieces of the three contact pieces are prevented from excessively deforming downwards by anti-excessive deformation pieces.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-82158 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, no structure is provided for the central contact piece to prevent excessive downward bending. Therefore, the central contact piece may become excessively bent due to contact with protrusions or foreign objects, undergoing plastic deformation and failing to return to its original shape. Even though the terminal part in Patent Document 1 includes a structure to prevent excessive bending of the central contact piece, the following problem remains: When confirming continuity after inserting the terminal part into the housing, if a probe contacts the front end of the aforementioned contact piece protruding from the front of the housing, the contact piece may undergo plastic deformation and fail to return to its original shape.

[0008] Therefore, this disclosure provides a technique for suppressing plastic deformation of the elastic contact portion of a terminal component under external force.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The terminal component disclosed herein includes: a cylindrical portion extending in a front-rear direction with an open front surface; an elastic contact portion disposed within the cylindrical portion extending in a front-rear direction, having a rear end directly or indirectly connected to the cylindrical portion and a front end formed as a free end; and an extension portion extending from the cylindrical portion and opposing the elastic contact portion in the flexural direction of the elastic contact portion, the extension portion being disposed at a position exposed on the front surface side of the cylindrical portion.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] According to this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the plastic deformation of the elastic contact portion of the terminal component due to external force. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a side sectional view of the connector according to Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a 3D view of the terminal component.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the lower half of the terminal component.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a top view of the lower half of the terminal component.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a side sectional view of the terminal component.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a side sectional view of a terminal part showing the state in which an external force is applied to the elastic contact portion, causing it to contact the extension portion.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a front view of the connector's insertion hole and the area around the release hole.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a side sectional view of the connector showing the state of contact between the probe and the extension portion.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a side sectional view showing a connector with its terminal parts connected to the opposite terminal parts. Detailed Implementation

[0022] [Description of embodiments of this disclosure]

[0023] First, the implementation methods of this disclosure are listed and explained.

[0024] The connector disclosed herein,

[0025] (1) It has: a cylindrical portion extending in a front-rear direction and having an open front surface; an elastic contact portion disposed within the cylindrical portion and extending in a front-rear direction, having a rear end directly or indirectly connected to the cylindrical portion and a front end formed as a free end; and an extension portion extending from the cylindrical portion and facing the elastic contact portion in the flexural direction of the elastic contact portion, the extension portion being disposed at a position exposed on the front surface side of the cylindrical portion.

[0026] According to this structure, excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion can be suppressed by the extension portion. Furthermore, because the front end of the elastic contact portion is made a free end, the extension portion that suppresses the deflection deformation of the elastic contact portion can be exposed on the front surface side of the cylinder. Therefore, by contacting the extension portion with the probe instead of the elastic contact portion to confirm continuity, the elastic contact portion is less susceptible to external forces, or even if it is subjected to external forces, plastic deformation can be suppressed.

[0027] (2) Preferably, the front end of the extension portion is positioned further forward than the front end of the elastic contact portion in its natural state.

[0028] This structure makes it easier to make the probe contact the extension portion instead of the elastic contact portion. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the plastic deformation of the elastic contact portion of the terminal part due to pressure from the probe. Furthermore, the so-called natural state refers to the state in which the elastic sheet does not flex or deform.

[0029] (3) Preferably, the front end of the extension portion is positioned further back than the front end of the cylindrical portion.

[0030] When the extended portion undergoes plastic deformation due to contact with foreign objects, it may impede the function of suppressing excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion. In this regard, according to this structure, the cylindrical portion functions as a protective wall, which can suppress contact between foreign objects and the extended portion, thus preventing the occurrence of the aforementioned problem.

[0031] (4) Preferably, the extension portion is formed to extend from a circumferential portion of the cylindrical portion toward the oblique front.

[0032] In a structure where the extension portion extends perpendicularly to the cylinder, the force of the probe contacting from the front is entirely absorbed by the extension portion, making it prone to plastic deformation. In this respect, the structure allows the force of the probe contacting the extension portion from the front to be distributed to the cylinder, thus suppressing plastic deformation of the extension portion. Therefore, it prevents the following situation from occurring: the plastic deformation of the extension portion hinders the function of suppressing excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion.

[0033] (5) The connector may also include the terminal part and the housing. The housing may also have: a cavity in which the terminal part is disposed; a flexible, spear-shaped portion that holds the terminal part disposed in the cavity; a front wall portion disposed in front of the cavity; and a release hole that opens on the front surface of the front wall portion in front of the spear-shaped portion. The extension portion of the terminal part may also be disposed at a position that can be visually identified from the front of the housing through the release hole.

[0034] According to this structure, by utilizing the demolding hole provided for forming the spear-shaped portion, the extension portion of the terminal part can be exposed at the front of the housing. Therefore, compared with a structure that separately provides a hole for exposing the extension portion, the structure of the housing can be simplified.

[0035] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure]

[0036] Specific examples of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to these examples, but rather, as shown by the claims, includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0037] [Implementation Method 1]

[0038] Figure 1 The connector 10 of Embodiment 1 is disclosed. The connector 10 engages with a counterpart connector (not shown). In the following description, the direction in which the connector 10 engages with the counterpart connector is referred to as the front of the connector 10, and the opposite direction is referred to as the rear of the connector 10. Furthermore, Figure 1 , Figures 5-9 The up-down direction shown is taken as the up-down direction of connector 10. In addition, the left-right direction of connector 10 viewed from the front is taken as the left-right direction of connector 10.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, connector 10 includes housing 11, stop body 12, and terminal part 13.

[0040] <Shell 11>

[0041] The casing 11 is made of synthetic resin. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the housing 11 has a cavity 20, a spear-shaped portion 21, a front wall portion 22, an insertion hole 23, and a demolding hole 24.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the cavity 20 is formed in a shape that extends in the front-rear direction and opens at the rear of the housing 11. The terminal part 13 is inserted into the cavity 20 from the rear.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the spear-shaped portion 21 extends obliquely forward in a cantilever shape from the inner wall (specifically the bottom wall 20A) of the cavity 20, and can be flexed and deformed in the upward and downward directions. The spear-shaped portion 21 locks the terminal part 13 disposed in the cavity 20, preventing it from falling off backward.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the front wall portion 22 is positioned in front of the cavity 20.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the through hole 23 extends through the front wall portion 22 in the front-rear direction. In the front view, the through hole 23 is formed to be elongated in the left-right direction. The opposite-side terminal part 90 (see reference) is inserted through the through hole 23. Figure 9 The opposite-side terminal part 90 is electrically connected to the terminal part 13 disposed in the cavity 20.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 7As shown, the demolding hole 24 opens on the front surface of the front wall portion 22. The demolding hole 24 is formed when the mold that forms the spear-shaped portion 21 is pulled out. The demolding hole 24 is located in front of the spear-shaped portion 21. The demolding hole 24 communicates with the through hole 23 and extends downward from the center of the through hole 23 in the left-right direction. The width dimension of the demolding hole 24 in the left-right direction is smaller than the width dimension of the through hole 23 in the left-right direction.

[0047] <Stop body 12>

[0048] The stop body 12 is made of synthetic resin. The stop body 12 is locked in the housing 11 to prevent the terminal parts 13 disposed in the cavity 20 from falling backward.

[0049] <Terminal Component 13>

[0050] Terminal component 13 is conductive. Terminal component 13 is formed by bending a metal plate. For example... Figures 2 to 5 As shown, the terminal part 13 has a cylindrical part 30, a leg part 31, a connecting part 32, an elastic contact part 33, a protrusion part 34, an extension part 35, a front plate part 36, and a wire connection part 37.

[0051] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cylindrical portion 30 is formed into a cylindrical shape (more specifically, a square cylindrical shape) extending in the front-to-back direction, with openings on both the front and back sides. In the front view, the cylindrical portion 30 is elongated in the left-to-right direction. The cylindrical portion 30 has an upper plate portion 30A and a lower plate portion 30B that are opposed to each other. The front end of the lower plate portion 30B is positioned further rearward than the front end of the upper plate portion 30A. The lower plate portion 30B has a locking hole 30C. The locking hole 30C is formed through the lower plate portion 30B. Figure 8 As shown, the spear-shaped part 21 is locked at the periphery of the locking hole 30C.

[0052] like Figure 3 As shown, the leg 31 extends from the front end of the lower plate portion 30B in the cylindrical portion 30, folds back towards the inside of the cylindrical portion 30, and extends obliquely rearward. The legs 31 are arranged in pairs, spaced apart in the left-right direction. A connecting portion 32 connects the rear ends of the paired legs 31 to each other. An elastic contact portion 33 is disposed between the paired legs 31, protruding forward from the connecting portion 32. That is, the elastic contact portion 33 is shaped to extend along the front-rear direction, with its rear end connected to the front end of the connecting portion 32, and its front end 33A being a free end. The leg 31 flexes and deforms in the up-and-down direction with the portion connected to the cylindrical portion 30 as a fulcrum. The elastic contact portion 33 flexes and deforms in the up-and-down direction with its rear end as a fulcrum.

[0053] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 9As shown, the terminal part 13 has a first contact portion 41, a second contact portion 42, and a third contact portion 43. The first contact portion 41 is provided on the lower surface of the upper plate portion 30A in the cylindrical portion 30. The first contact portions 41 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the left-right direction. The first contact portions 41 extend in the front-back direction. The first contact portions 41 are bent in a downward bulging manner.

[0054] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the second contact portion 42 is disposed on the upper surface of the elastic contact portion 33. The second contact portion 42 is configured as a contact point. The second contact portion 42 is bent in an upward bulging manner. The second contact portion 42 is disposed between the pair of first contact portions 41 when viewed from the top and bottom directions. The second contact portion 42 is disposed between the front end and the rear end of the first contact portion 41 in the front-back direction.

[0055] like Figure 5 , Figure 7 as well as Figure 9 As shown, the third contact portion 43 is provided on the upper surface of the connecting portion 32. The third contact portion 43 is configured as a contact point. The third contact portion 43 is curved upwards. The third contact portions 43 are arranged in pairs at intervals in the left-right direction. The third contact portion 43 is arranged in the left-right direction between the left end of the left first contact portion 41 and the right end of the right first contact portion 41. The third contact portion 43 is arranged in the front-back direction between the front end and the rear end of the first contact portion 41. The third contact portion 43 is arranged rearward than the second contact portion 42. The second contact portion 42 is arranged in the left-right direction between the pairs of third contact portions 43.

[0056] like Figure 9 As shown, the opposite terminal part 90 is inserted while its legs 31 and elastic contact 33 are flexed downwards, and is sandwiched between the first contact 41, the second contact 42, and the third contact 43. Thus, the terminal part 13 is electrically connected to the opposite terminal part 90.

[0057] like Figure 5As shown, the protrusion 34 extends upward from the upper surface of the lower plate portion 30B in the cylindrical portion 30. The protrusion 34 has a first limiting portion 34A and a second limiting portion 34B. The first limiting portion 34A is disposed below the rear end portion of the leg portion 31 and faces the rear end portion of the leg portion 31 in the vertical direction. The first limiting portion 34A inhibits excessive downward deflection of the rear end portion of the leg portion 31. The second limiting portion 34B is disposed behind the rear end portion of the leg portion 31 and below the opposite terminal part 90 connected to the elastic contact portion 33. The second limiting portion 34B inhibits downward displacement and rotation of the opposite terminal part 90. Furthermore, in this specification, "excessive deflection" refers to deflection exceeding the amount of deflection of the elastic contact portion 33 when the terminal part 13 is normally connected to the opposite terminal part 90.

[0058] like Figure 5 As shown, the extension portion 35 extends obliquely forward from the front end of the lower plate portion 30B in the cylindrical portion 30. The front end of the upper plate portion 30A and the front ends of the left and right plate portions 30E constitute the front end 30D of the cylindrical portion 30, and the front end of the lower plate portion 30B is arranged rearward than the front end 30D of the cylindrical portion 30. The front end of the extension portion 35 is arranged rearward than the front end 30D of the cylindrical portion 30. The extension portion 35 is arranged between the paired legs 31 in the left-right direction. The extension portion 35 is arranged below the front end of the elastic contact portion 33 and is opposite to the elastic contact portion 33 in the up-down direction. Figure 6 As shown, when an external force is applied to the elastic contact portion 33 in the direction indicated by the arrow from a foreign object or the like, the extension portion 35 contacts the tip of the elastic contact portion 33 that is being pressed downwards, thus suppressing excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion 33. The front end 35A of the extension portion 35 is positioned forward of the front end 33A of the elastic contact portion 33.

[0059] like Figure 2 As shown, the front plate portion 36 extends orthogonally inward in the left and right directions from the lower end front ends of the left and right plate portions 30E of the cylindrical portion 30. The front plate portion 36 is positioned below the upper plate portion 30A, and a hole is formed between it and the upper plate portion 30A for inserting the opposite-side terminal part 90. The front ends 36A of the front plate portion 36, the front ends of the upper plate portion 30A, and the front ends of the left and right plate portions 30E are aligned in the front-rear direction. Figure 7 As shown, the upper end of the front panel portion 36 is positioned below the upper end of the second contact portion 42 and below the upper end of the third contact portion 43. The extension portion 35 and the second contact portion 42 are exposed between the left and right front panel portions 36 when viewed from the front.

[0060] like Figure 1 As shown, the wire connection portion 37 is positioned rearward of the cylindrical portion 30. The wire connection portion 37 is electrically connected to the conductor 74 of the wire 73 via crimping or the like.

[0061] <Function and Effect of Connector 10>

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal part 13 is disposed within the cavity 20 of the housing 11. The terminal part 13, positioned in its normal insertion position within the cavity 20, is prevented from moving forward by the front wall portion 22 and from moving backward by the spear-shaped portion 21 and the stop 12. With the terminal part 13 disposed within the cavity 20, as... Figure 7 As shown, the elastic contact portion 33 is exposed at the front of the housing 11 through the insertion hole 23 and the demolding hole 24, and the extension portion 35 is exposed at the front of the housing 11 through the demolding hole 24.

[0063] After the terminal part 13 is disposed in the cavity 20, as Figure 8 As shown, probe 92 contacts the front of terminal part 13. The top surface 92A of probe 92 is a flat surface along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Probe 92 is inserted through the insertion hole 23 and the demolding hole 24 of housing 11 and contacts the front end 35A of the extension portion 35 of terminal part 13. By confirming the continuity between probe 92 and terminal part 13, it is determined that terminal part 13 is positioned in the correct insertion position. Furthermore, if terminal part 13 is not positioned in the correct insertion position, probe 92 does not contact terminal part 13, therefore continuity cannot be confirmed, and it is determined that terminal part 13 is not positioned in the correct insertion position. The state in which terminal part 13 is not positioned in the correct insertion position refers to the state in which the spear-shaped portion 21 is not used to prevent terminal part 13 from falling backward.

[0064] In connector 10, which has been confirmed to be conductive, such as Figure 9 As shown, the opposite-side terminal part 90 is electrically connected to the terminal part 13.

[0065] As described above, the terminal component 13 can suppress excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion 33 by means of the extension portion 35. Moreover, since the front end 33A of the elastic contact portion 33 is made a free end, the extension portion 35 that suppresses the deflection deformation of the elastic contact portion 33 can be exposed on the front surface side of the cylindrical portion 30. Therefore, it is not the elastic contact portion 33, but the extension portion 35 that contacts the probe 92 to confirm continuity, and as a result, plastic deformation of the elastic contact portion 33 under external force can be suppressed.

[0066] Furthermore, the front end 35A of the extension portion 35 is positioned further forward than the front end 33A of the elastic contact portion 33 in its natural state. Therefore, it becomes easier to make the probe 92 contact the extension portion 35 instead of the elastic contact portion 33, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the plastic deformation of the elastic contact portion 33 of the terminal part 13 caused by the probe 92 pressing on it.

[0067] Furthermore, the front end 35A of the extension portion 35 is positioned rearward than the front end 30D of the cylindrical portion 30. When the extension portion 35 undergoes plastic deformation due to contact with foreign objects, it may impede the function of suppressing excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion 33. In this regard, according to the terminal part 13, by having the cylindrical portion 30 function as a protective wall, contact between foreign objects and the extension portion 35 can be suppressed, thus preventing the occurrence of the aforementioned problem.

[0068] Furthermore, the extension portion 35 is formed to extend obliquely forward from the cylindrical portion 30. When the extension portion 35 is structured to extend perpendicularly to the cylindrical portion 30, the force of the probe 92 contacting from the front is entirely received by the extension portion 35, making it prone to plastic deformation. In this respect, according to the terminal part 13, the force of the probe 92 contacting the extension portion 35 from the front can also be distributed to the cylindrical portion 30 to decompose the force, thus suppressing plastic deformation of the extension portion 35. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the following situation from occurring: due to plastic deformation of the extension portion 35, the function of suppressing excessive deflection of the elastic contact portion 33 is hindered.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the connector 10, the demolding hole 24 provided for forming the spear-shaped portion 21 allows the extension portion 35 of the terminal part 13 to be exposed at the front of the housing 11. Therefore, compared with a structure that additionally provides a hole for exposing the extension portion 35, the structure of the housing 11 can be simplified.

[0070] [Other embodiments of this disclosure]

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects, and not restrictive.

[0072] (1) In the above embodiment, the front end of the extension portion is disposed in a structure that is forward of the front end of the elastic contact portion in its natural state, but it may also be disposed in a structure that is not forward of the front end of the elastic contact portion in its natural state. For example, the front end of the extension portion may be aligned with the elastic contact portion in its natural state in the front-back direction, or it may be disposed rearward of the front end of the elastic contact portion in its natural state.

[0073] (2) In the above embodiment, the front end of the extension portion is a structure disposed behind the front end of the cylindrical portion, but it may also be a structure not disposed behind the front end of the cylindrical portion. For example, the front end of the extension portion may be aligned with the front end of the cylindrical portion in the front-rear direction, or it may be disposed in front of the front end of the cylindrical portion.

[0074] (3) In the above embodiment, the extension portion is formed to extend obliquely forward from the cylindrical portion, but it may also be in another shape. For example, the extension portion may also be formed to extend perpendicularly to the cylindrical portion.

[0075] (4) In the above embodiment, the elastic contact part is a structure that is indirectly connected to the cylinder part through the leg part and the connecting part, but it can also be a structure that is directly connected to the cylinder part.

[0076] (5) In the above embodiment, the extension portion extends from the front end of the lower plate portion, but it may also extend from a portion of the lower plate portion that is further back than the front end.

[0077] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0078] 10: Connector

[0079] 11: Shell

[0080] 12: Stop body

[0081] 13: Terminal parts

[0082] 20: cavity

[0083] 20A: Bottom wall

[0084] 21: Spear-shaped part

[0085] 22: Anterior wall

[0086] 23: Through hole

[0087] 24: Demolding hole

[0088] 30: Cylinder section

[0089] 30A: Upper plate part

[0090] 30B: Lower plate section

[0091] 30C: Locking hole

[0092] 30D: Front end of the cylinder

[0093] 30E: Left and right side panels

[0094] 31: Legs

[0095] 32: Connecting part

[0096] 33: Elastic contact part

[0097] 33A: Front end of the elastic contact part

[0098] 34: Protrusion

[0099] 34A: First Restriction Section

[0100] 34B: Second Restriction Section

[0101] 35: Extension Department

[0102] 35A: Front end of the extension section

[0103] 36: Front panel

[0104] 36A: Front end of the front panel

[0105] 37: Wire connection part

[0106] 41: First contact part

[0107] 42: Second contact part

[0108] 43: Third contact part

[0109] 73: Electrical wire

[0110] 74: Conductor

[0111] 90: Counterside terminal parts

[0112] 92: Probe

[0113] 92A: Top surface of the probe

Claims

1. A terminal component, comprising: The cylindrical section extends along the front-to-back direction and has an opening on the front surface. A pair of legs, extending from a circumferential portion of the cylindrical portion, folding back toward the inside of the cylindrical portion and extending obliquely rearward; A connecting part connects the rear ends of the pair of legs to each other; An elastic contact portion is disposed inside the cylindrical portion, extends along the front-rear direction, and its rear end is connected to the connecting portion of the cylindrical portion, while its front end is formed as a free end; as well as The extension portion extends obliquely forward from a portion of the circumferential direction in the cylindrical portion, and is opposite the elastic contact portion in the flexural direction of the elastic contact portion. The extension portion is positioned at a point exposed on the front surface side of the cylindrical portion.

2. The terminal component according to claim 1, wherein, The front end of the extension is positioned further forward than the front end of the elastic contact portion in its natural state.

3. The terminal component according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, The front end of the extension is positioned further back than the front end of the cylindrical portion.

4. A connector comprising a terminal component and a housing as described in any one of claims 1 to 3. The housing has: The cavity is in which the terminal component is configured; The flexible, spear-shaped portion will lock the terminal component disposed within the cavity; The front wall portion is located at the front of the cavity; as well as A demolding hole is provided, opening on the front surface of the front wall portion in front of the spear-shaped portion. The extension portion of the terminal component is positioned in a position that can be visually identified from the front of the housing through the demolding hole.

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