Terminal unit, female terminal, and male terminal

Abstract

The invention discloses a terminal unit capable of suppressing displacement of a male terminal relative to a female terminal in a plate width direction and suppressing an increase in a contact resistance value caused by micro sliding friction between the male terminal and the female terminal. A terminal unit (10) is provided with a male terminal (12) and a female terminal (14), the female terminal (14) having a first contact part (18) and a second contact part (20), the male terminal (12) having a pair of inclined parts (22), the first contact part (18) having a pair of first inclined side edge parts (36), the second contact part (20) having a pair of second inclined side edge parts (46), and the first inclined side edge parts (36) and the second inclined side edge parts (46) are connected to each other. A pair of first inclined side edge portions (36) or a pair of second inclined side edge portions (46) are fixed with a contact forming component (28) formed by a split metal thin plate in a conductive manner, the contact forming component (28) is provided with a pair of first contact portions (56), and in a state that the male terminal (12) is pressed into the male terminal press-fit gap (16), the first contact portions (56) are respectively pressed on the inclined portions (22) through the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions (56), and the first contact portions (56) are pressed on the inclined portions (22) through the elastic restoring force of the second contact portions (56) in a state that the male terminal (12) is pressed into the male terminal press-fit gap (16). The inclined parts (22) are respectively clamped between the first inclined side edge part (36) and the second inclined side edge part (46).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal unit and a female terminal and a male terminal used in the terminal unit. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a terminal unit, which is composed of a male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, wherein the male terminal is formed in a plate shape such as a protruding piece. The female terminal has a pair of wall portions arranged opposite to each other with a gap for inserting the male terminal therebetween, an elastic contact piece for pressing the male terminal to the other wall portion is provided on one wall portion, and a plurality of contacts are protrudingly provided on the other wall portion. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-204396 Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] In the terminal unit of Patent Document 1, a flat plate-shaped male terminal is sandwiched between a pair of wall portions of a female terminal, so the male terminal has a small holding force relative to an external force in the plate width direction. Therefore, it is also considered that micro sliding friction is generated between the male and female terminals due to vibration, etc., thereby increasing the contact resistance value. Therefore, further improvement of the terminal unit is required.

[0005] Therefore, a terminal unit and a female terminal and a male terminal used in the terminal unit are disclosed: displacement of the male terminal relative to the female terminal in the plate width direction can be suppressed, and increase in contact resistance value caused by micro-sliding friction between the male and female terminals can be suppressed. Solutions to Solve Problems

[0006] The terminal unit of the present invention comprises a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, the female terminal comprising a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are arranged opposite to each other with a male terminal press-in gap therebetween, the male terminal being press-in arranged in the male terminal press-in gap, the male terminal comprising a pair of inclined portions on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting with a press-in direction into the male terminal press-in gap, the pair of inclined portions being inclined toward one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal, the first contact portion of the female terminal comprising a pair of first inclined side edges, the pair of first inclined side edges being opposite to a surface on the one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal, and being inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, the second contact portion of the female terminal comprising a pair of second inclined side edges, the pair of second inclined side edges being opposite to a surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal, and being inclined respectively along the pair of The inclined portion is inclined, and a contact forming part is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges so as to be conductively connected, the contact forming part being formed by a separate metal thin plate which is thinner and easier to flex and deform than the first inclined side edges and the second inclined side edges, the contact forming part having a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal pressing gap, and the male terminal is allowed to be pressed into the male terminal pressing gap through the flexural deformation of the pair of first contact portions, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal pressing gap, the pair of first contact portions are respectively crimped to the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal through the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are respectively clamped between the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges of the female terminal.

[0007] The female terminal of the present invention is a female terminal used in the terminal unit of the present invention.

[0008] The male terminal of the present invention is a male terminal used in the terminal unit of the present invention. Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the following terminal unit and the female and male terminals used in the terminal unit can be provided: the displacement of the male terminal relative to the female terminal in the board width direction can be suppressed, and the increase in contact resistance value caused by micro-sliding friction between the male and female terminals can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the terminal unit according to the first embodiment in a fitted state of a male terminal and a female terminal. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the terminal unit is shown. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the terminal unit shown is Figure 4 Section view III-III in FIG. Figure 4 Yes Figure 2 The IV-IV section is shown enlarged in a transverse cross-sectional view. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 VV section view in. Figure 6 It will constitute Figure 1 The illustrated perspective view is a state in which the female terminal of the terminal unit is not engaged with the male terminal. Figure 7 Yes Figure 6 The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown together with the male terminal is the same as Figure 5 The corresponding figure. Figure 8 Yes Figure 6 The female terminal shown is a perspective view in an unfolded state before being bent. Fig. 9 It shows the composition Figure 6 A perspective view of the contact forming parts of the female terminal is shown. Fig.10 This is a perspective view showing the terminal unit according to the second embodiment in a fitted state of a male terminal and a female terminal. Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A top view of the terminal unit is shown. Fig.12 yes Fig.11 Section view XII-XII in. Fig.13 It will constitute Fig.10 The female terminal body of the female terminal shown is a perspective view in an expanded state before being bent. Fig.14 It shows the composition Fig.10 A perspective view of the contact forming parts of the female terminal is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] <Description of Embodiments of the Invention> First, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The terminal unit of the present invention, (1) A method of manufacturing a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, wherein the female terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are arranged opposite to each other with a male terminal press-in gap therebetween, the male terminal being press-in arranged in the male terminal press-in gap, the male terminal having a pair of inclined portions on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting with a press-in direction into the male terminal press-in gap, the pair of inclined portions being inclined toward one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal, the first contact portion of the female terminal having a pair of first inclined side edges which are opposite to a surface on the one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and are respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second contact portion of the female terminal having a pair of second inclined side edges which are opposite to a surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and are respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal. The part is inclined, and a contact forming part is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edge parts and the pair of second inclined side edge parts so as to be conductively connected, and the contact forming part is formed by a separate metal thin plate which is thinner and easier to bend and deform than the first inclined side edge part and the second inclined side edge part, and the contact forming part has a pair of first contact parts protruding toward the male terminal pressing gap, and the male terminal is allowed to be pressed into the male terminal pressing gap through the bending deformation of the pair of first contact parts. When the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal pressing gap, the pair of first contact parts are respectively crimped to the pair of inclined parts of the male terminal through the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact parts of the female terminal, and the pair of inclined parts of the male terminal are respectively clamped between the pair of first inclined side edge parts and the pair of second inclined side edge parts of the female terminal.

[0012] According to the terminal unit of the present invention, the female terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are arranged opposite to each other with a male terminal press-in gap therebetween, and has a structure in which the male terminal pressed into the male terminal press-in gap is clamped between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. Here, the male terminal has a pair of inclined portions inclined toward one side of the plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides of the plate width direction of the male terminal in a direction intersecting the press-in direction of the male terminal press-in gap. Similarly, the first contact portion of the female terminal has a pair of first inclined side edges, the pair of first inclined side edges are opposite to the surface on one side of the plate thickness direction of the male terminal, and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, respectively, and the second contact portion of the female terminal has a pair of second inclined side edges, the pair of second inclined side edges are opposite to the surface on the other side of the plate thickness direction of the male terminal, and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, respectively. Furthermore, a contact forming part is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges, and the contact forming part is formed by a separate metal thin plate that is thinner and easily flexed and deformed than the first inclined side edges and the second inclined side edges. The contact forming part has a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-in gap. Therefore, the male terminal is allowed to be pressed into the male terminal press-in gap by the flexural deformation of the pair of first contact portions. On the other hand, when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap, the pair of first contact portions are respectively crimped to the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal by the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal can be clamped between the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges of the female terminal.

[0013] Thus, when an external force is applied to the male terminal in the plate width direction, the inclined portion of the male terminal presses against the first inclined side edge portion or the second inclined side edge portion of the female terminal which is similarly inclined on both sides of the male terminal in the plate width direction, generating a component force (reaction force from the first inclined side edge portion or the second inclined side edge portion) directed inward in the plate width direction. As a result, compared with the conventional structure, the force preventing the male terminal from being displaced with respect to the external force directed outward in the plate width direction of the male terminal can be increased, and displacement of the female terminal in the plate width direction of the male terminal can be suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, since a pair of first contact portions are provided on at least one of a pair of first inclined side edges and a pair of second inclined side edges, and the pair of first contact portions are formed by a separate metal thin plate that is thinner and easier to bend and deform than the first inclined side edges and the second inclined side edges, the male terminal can be easily pressed into the male terminal pressing gap by the bending deformation of the pair of first contact portions, and the insertion force can be reduced. Furthermore, by the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions, the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal pressed into the male terminal pressing gap can be maintained in a state where they are respectively clamped between the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges of the female terminal. Therefore, there is no need for a separate clamp spring that applies force to the first contact portion and the second contact portion in the approaching direction, and the contact pressure between the male and female terminals can be ensured, which is beneficial for maintaining the connection state of the male and female terminals. In particular, since the pair of first contact portions are formed using a separate contact forming part formed of a thin metal plate that is thinner than the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion of the female terminal and is easily deformed, the contact area between the first contact portion and the male terminal can be increased, and the first contact portion can improve the followability of the male terminal displacement compared to the case where the first contacts are directly provided on the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion. In addition, since the first contact portion is provided using a separate contact forming part, the design freedom of the first contact portion can be improved, and a plurality of contacts that meet the use conditions can be easily provided in the optimal position and shape.

[0015] Here, regarding the pair of first inclined side edges or the pair of second inclined side edges, the so-called "inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal" means that the first inclined side edge or the second inclined side edge is inclined along the inclined portion of the male terminal, and the inclined portion of the male terminal and the first / second inclined side edge are not necessarily parallel. For example, the inclination angle of the first / second inclined side edge may be different from the inclination angle of the inclined portion of the male terminal within a range of about 0 to 10 degrees.

[0016] In addition, the pair of first contact portions may be provided on either one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges, or on both. The shape of each first contact portion may be any shape as long as it is pressed by the male terminal pressed into the male terminal press-in gap and deformed toward the outside of the male terminal press-in gap and elastically returns to the inside of the male terminal press-in gap.

[0017] (2) In the above (1), preferably, the female terminal has a connecting plate portion that connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion so that they can be conductively connected, the second contact portion has an external connecting portion, the contact forming part is fixed to the pair of first inclined side edges of the first contact portion of the female terminal, and a pair of second contact portions are provided on the pair of second inclined side edges of the second contact portion of the female terminal, the pair of second contact portions are formed by each of the second inclined side edges partially protruding toward the male terminal pressing gap, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal pressing gap, the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are crimped onto the pair of second contact portions of the female terminal by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portion.

[0018] The second contact portion of the female terminal is provided with an external connection portion connected to an external wire terminal or circuit terminal, and the second contact portion is provided with a second contact portion formed by partially protruding a part of the same second contact portion. The pair of inclined portions of the male terminal can be crimped to such a second contact portion by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portion, and the contact pressure of the male and female terminals and the reduction of the contact resistance between the male and female terminals can be achieved at the same time with a small number of parts.

[0019] (3) In the above (1) or (2), preferably, the contact forming part has a welding fixing portion, and the welding fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by welding. The contact forming part is fixed to each first inclined side edge and / or each second inclined side edge by welding at the welding fixing portion. As a result, it is advantageously possible to achieve a reduction in the on-resistance of the first contact portion of the contact forming part relative to each first inclined side edge and / or each second inclined side edge and a stable fixed state.

[0020] (4) In the above (3), preferably, the contact forming part of the female terminal has a band shape extending along the pressing direction of the male terminal into the male terminal pressing gap, and the contact forming part has the welding fixing part arranged in the central part of the long side direction, and the front protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue protruding in a cantilever beam shape from the welding fixing part toward the two ends of the long side direction, and the front protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue extend along the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal pressing gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact part is provided in the middle part of the long side direction of each of the front protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue.

[0021] The contact forming part extends in a strip shape along the press-in direction of the male terminal, and a welding fixing portion is provided at the central portion in the long side direction. The front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece can be made to protrude from the welding fixing portion in a cantilever beam shape toward both sides in the long side direction (press-in direction of the male terminal), and the first contact portion is provided at each of these locations. Therefore, the tracking property of the first contact portion relative to the displacement in the front-rear direction (press-in direction) of the male terminal can be advantageously improved.

[0022] Furthermore, the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece extend in the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-in gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact portion is provided in the middle portion of the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece in the long side direction. Thus, the bending deformation amount of the first contact portion can be advantageously ensured, and the further improvement of the followability relative to the deformation of the male terminal and the increase of the contact area can be achieved. In particular, due to the curved shape of the rear protruding tongue piece, the protrusion amount of the protruding end of the rear protruding tongue piece toward the male terminal press-in gap is reduced compared with the first contact portion, and the function of reducing the risk of the male terminal and the throat when the male terminal is inserted and guiding the male terminal toward the press-in gap can be played.

[0023] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), it is preferred that the contact forming part has a tightening and fixing portion, and the tightening and fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by tightening. The contact forming part is fixed to each first inclined side edge and / or each second inclined side edge by tightening at the tightening and fixing portion. Thus, the conductivity of the first contact portion of the contact forming part relative to each first inclined side edge and / or each second inclined side edge can be ensured and can be easily fixed.

[0024] (6) In the above (5), preferably, the contact forming part of the female terminal has a band shape extending along the pressing direction of the male terminal into the male terminal pressing gap, and the contact forming part has the tightening and fixing portion arranged in the central part of the long side direction, and the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece protruding in a cantilever beam shape from the tightening and fixing portion toward the two ends of the long side direction, and the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece extend along the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal pressing gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact portion is provided in the middle part of the long side direction of each of the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece.

[0025] The contact forming part extends in a band shape along the press-in direction of the male terminal, and a tightening and fixing portion is provided at the central portion in the long side direction. The front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece can be made to protrude from the tightening and fixing portion in a cantilever beam shape toward both sides in the long side direction (press-in direction of the male terminal), and the first contact portion is provided at each of these locations. Therefore, the tracking property of the first contact portion relative to the displacement in the front-rear direction (press-in direction) of the male terminal can be advantageously improved.

[0026] Furthermore, the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece extend in the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-in gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact portion is provided in the middle portion of the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece in the long side direction. Thus, the bending deformation amount of the first contact portion can be advantageously ensured, and the further improvement of the followability relative to the deformation of the male terminal and the increase of the contact area can be achieved. In particular, due to the curved shape of the rear protruding tongue piece, the protrusion amount of the protruding end of the rear protruding tongue piece toward the male terminal press-in gap is reduced compared with the first contact portion, and the function of reducing the risk of the male terminal and the throat when the male terminal is inserted and guiding the male terminal toward the press-in gap can be played.

[0027] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), it is preferred that the male terminal has a central flat portion, the central flat portion is arranged between the pair of inclined portions in the plate width direction, the first contact portion of the female terminal has a first flat portion, the first flat portion is arranged between the pair of first inclined side edges in the plate width direction, is opposite to the central flat portion of the male terminal and extends along the central flat portion, and the second contact portion of the female terminal has a second flat portion, the second flat portion is arranged between the pair of second inclined side edges in the plate width direction, is opposite to the central flat portion of the male terminal and extends along the central flat portion.

[0028] The male terminal has a central flat portion and a pair of inclined portions on both sides thereof that are inclined toward the same side in the plate thickness direction, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the female terminal are arranged on both sides of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and have a shape similar to that of the male terminal. That is, the first contact portion has a first flat portion extending along the central flat portion of the male terminal, and a first inclined side edge portion arranged on both sides of the first flat portion and inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second contact portion has a second flat portion extending along the central flat portion of the male terminal, and a second inclined side edge portion arranged on both sides of the second flat portion and inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal. In this way, since the first / second contact portions of the male terminal and the female terminal have similar shapes to each other and are arranged opposite to each other, no useless gap is generated in the terminal unit itself, and the terminal unit can be miniaturized.

[0029] The female terminal of the present invention, (8) The terminal unit is used in any one of the terminal units described in (1) to (7).

[0030] According to the female terminal of the present invention, by connecting the male terminal to form a terminal unit, any one of the effects (1) to (7) described above can be achieved.

[0031] The male terminal of the present invention, (9) The terminal unit is used in any one of the terminal units (1) to (7) above.

[0032] According to the male terminal of the present invention, by being connected with the female terminal to form a terminal unit, any one of the effects (1) to (7) described above can be achieved.

[0033] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention> The following describes the terminal unit of the present invention and the specific examples of the female terminal and the male terminal used in the terminal unit with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0034] <Implementation Method 1> Below, use Figures 1 to 9 The terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described. The terminal unit 10 includes a plate-shaped male terminal 12 and a female terminal 14 connected to the male terminal 12. The female terminal 14 includes a first contact portion 18 and a second contact portion 20 that are arranged opposite to each other with a male terminal press-in gap 16 therebetween, and the male terminal 12 is press-in arranged in the male terminal press-in gap 16. Furthermore, the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-in gap 16 in the female terminal 14 in a press-in state and contacts the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20, thereby electrically connecting the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14. In addition, the terminal unit 10 can be arranged in any orientation, but in the following, it is assumed that the upper side is Figure 4 The top of the middle and the bottom of the middle Figure 4 Below, on the left is Figure 2 The top of the middle and the right Figure 2 Below, in front Figure 2 The right side of the middle, the back side is Figure 2 In addition, regarding a plurality of identical components, sometimes only some of the components are marked with reference numerals, and the reference numerals are omitted for the other components.

[0035] <Male terminal 12> The male terminal 12 is plate-shaped as a whole and is formed using a flat plate component not shown. The flat plate component has a generally rectangular shape as a whole, has a predetermined plate width and plate thickness, and extends straight. In addition, the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16 in the female terminal 14 from the rear toward the front, and the portion of the male terminal 12 pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16 (the front portion) is formed to be tapered compared to the rear portion (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 1 , 2 The male terminal 12 has conductivity and is formed of a metal with low resistance, such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0036] Furthermore, by bending and tilting both end portions of the flat plate part in the plate width direction (left-right direction) toward one side (upward) in the plate thickness direction, a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 are provided at both end portions in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12. That is, in the male terminal 12, a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 are provided on both sides in the plate width direction, and the plate width direction is a direction intersecting with the pressing direction (from the rear to the front) into the male terminal press-in gap 16, and in the first embodiment, it is a direction orthogonal. A central flat portion 24 extending flatly is provided in the central portion in the plate width direction between the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12. In addition, the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 may be provided over the entire length of the male terminal 12 in the longitudinal direction, or may be provided only in the portion of the male terminal 12 pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16 (the front portion formed into a shape with a gradually tapering end). In the first embodiment, the plate thickness of the male terminal 12 is substantially constant, and the thickness of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and the central flat portion 24 are respectively A (refer to Figure 4 , 5 ), however, the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and the central flat portion 24 may be different from each other.

[0037] The pair of inclined portions 22, 22 are inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to the central flat portion 24 (see Figure 4 ). In addition, in the first embodiment, in the male terminal 12, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 22 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction relative to the central flat portion 24 and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 22 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction relative to the central flat portion 24 are equal in magnitude (θ1), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0038] The inclination angle θ1 of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 relative to the central flat portion 24 is not limited, but is preferably, for example, 5° or more and 45° or less, and more preferably 10° or more and 30° or less. When the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portion 22 is 5° or more, even when an external force is input to the male terminal 12 in the outer side in the plate width direction, the displacement of the male terminal 12 in the outer side in the plate width direction can be suppressed. When the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portion 22 is 45° or less, the vertical dimension of the male terminal 12 and thus the terminal unit 10 can be suppressed to be small.

[0039] In the male terminal 12, compared with the front portion formed into a tapered shape, the rear side extends straight, for example, a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 may be provided to Figure 1 The rear side portion of the male terminal 12 is fixed to the terminal portion of the device by, for example, crimping, welding, etc., or by providing a bolt insertion hole.

[0040] <Female terminal 14> Also like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the female terminal 14 is constituted to include a female terminal body 26 and a pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 fixed to the female terminal body 26. The female terminal body 26 is constituted by a sheet of metal flat plate, and the female terminal body 26 to which the contact forming parts 28 are fixed is bent into a predetermined shape described below to form the female terminal 14. That is, the female terminal body 26 has a first contact portion 18 and a second contact portion 20 constituting the male terminal press-fit gap 16, and also has a connecting plate portion 30 that can connect the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 in a conductive manner. In addition, the female terminal body 26 has an external connection portion 32, and a core wire of an unillustrated electric wire or a bus bar that is connected to an internal circuit of an unillustrated device or the like is fixed to the external connection portion 32. In the first embodiment, the external connection portion 32 is provided at the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20.

[0041] Furthermore, a clamping piece 34 is formed at the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20, and the clamping piece 34 can prevent the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 from shifting in the opening direction (separation displacement) in the female terminal body 26 bent into a predetermined shape. In addition, such a female terminal body 26 has electrical conductivity and can be formed using various metal materials that can be subjected to stamping, punching, etc., such as brass, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc. In the first embodiment, the female terminal body 26 is formed of pure copper with excellent electrical conductivity.

[0042] Specifically, if Figure 8As shown in the figure, the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 before bending are respectively substantially rectangular in a plan view, arranged in parallel in the respective plate width directions (left-right directions), and the front end portion 35 of the first contact portion 18 and the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20 are connected by the connecting plate portion 30. In addition, a tightening piece 34 is protrudingly provided on the side (left side) opposite to the side provided with the connecting plate portion 30 in the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20. And, by bending the connecting plate portion 30 so that the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction and tightening and fixing them by the tightening piece 34, the female terminal body 26 is maintained in a predetermined bent shape. In other words, in the female terminal 14, the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 are connected at one end side (the front end portions 35, 31) in the longitudinal direction by the connecting plate portion 30, and the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 protrude backward in a cantilever beam shape from the connected front end portions 35, 31. In addition, the front end portion of the second contact portion 20 extends to the front of the connection portion connected to the first contact portion 18, forming a substantially rectangular flat plate-shaped external connection portion 32.

[0043] <First Contact Portion 18> The first contact portion 18 before bending is generally in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and extends approximately straight in the front-rear direction. The shape of the first contact portion 18 after bending is described below. The first contact portion 18 has a pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36, which are opposite to the surface (upper surface 12a) on one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal 12 and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 of the male terminal 12. These first inclined side edges 36 are formed by bending the two end portions in the plate width direction (left-right direction) of the first contact portion 18 to one side (upper) in the plate thickness direction relative to the central portion in the plate width direction. In addition, in the first contact portion 18, a first flat portion 38 is provided between the pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 in the plate width direction, and the first flat portion 38 is opposite to the central flat portion 24 of the male terminal 12 and extends flatly along the central flat portion 24.

[0044] In the first embodiment, each first inclined side edge portion 36 is provided over a predetermined length from the rear end of the first contact portion 18. Each first inclined side edge portion 36 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ2 (see Figure 4 ). In addition, in the first embodiment, in the first contact portion 18, the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge portion 36 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction relative to the first flat portion 38 and the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge portion 36 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction relative to the first flat portion 38 are equal to each other (θ2), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0045] In addition, the front end portion 35 of the first contact portion 18 is located below the first flat portion 38 provided at the rear portion of the first contact portion 18, and a transition portion 40 is provided at the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the first contact portion 18, and the transition portion 40 is gradually bent and changed downward toward the front. In addition, the first inclined side edge portions 36 are not provided at the left and right end portions of the front end portion 35 of the first contact portion 18, and the front end portion 35 of the first contact portion 18 extends substantially parallel to the first flat portion 38. That is, the inclination angle of the left and right end portions of the front end portion 35 relative to the left and right center portion is 0, and the left and right end portions of the transition portion 40 not only change downward toward the front, but also the inclination angle relative to the left and right center portion gradually decreases from θ2 to 0.

[0046] Furthermore, in the first contact portion 18, first edge portions 42, 42 extending substantially parallel to the first flat portion 38 are provided at the end portions on the outside in the left-right direction of each first inclined side edge portion 36 (i.e., the end portions on the side opposite to the side connected to the first flat portion 38 in the left-right direction). Each first edge portion 42 is provided over the entire length of each first inclined side edge portion 36 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), and extends in the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the up-down direction).

[0047] In addition, Figures 5 to 7 As shown, an introduction surface 44 is provided on the inner surface of the rear end portion of the first contact portion 18, and the introduction surface 44 gradually moves away from the second contact portion 20 opposite in the vertical direction as it moves backward, that is, it gradually approaches the inner male terminal pressing gap 16 as it moves forward. Similarly, as described later, an introduction surface 54 is provided on the inner surface of the rear end portion of the second contact portion 20, and when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the female terminal 14, the male terminal 12 is guided into the male terminal pressing gap 16 of the female terminal 14 by these introduction surfaces 44, 54. Such introduction surfaces 44, 54 are, for example, Figure 8 The female terminal body 26 is shown in the expanded state by press working, etc. Therefore, the introduction surface 44 is provided across substantially the entire length of the first contact portion 18 in the left-right direction, that is, the first end edge portions 42 on both sides, the first inclined side edge portions 36 and the first flat portion 38.

[0048] <Second Contact Portion 20> The second contact portion 20 before bending is generally in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and extends approximately straight in the front-back direction. The shape of the second contact portion 20 after bending is described below. The second contact portion 20 has a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46, which are opposite to the surface (lower surface 12b) on the other side of the plate thickness direction of the male terminal 12 and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 of the male terminal 12. These second inclined side edges 46 are formed by bending the two end portions of the second contact portion 20 in the plate width direction (left-right direction) to one side (upper) in the plate thickness direction relative to the central portion in the plate width direction. In addition, in the second contact portion 20, a second flat portion 48 is provided between the pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 in the plate width direction, and the second flat portion 48 is opposite to the central flat portion 24 of the male terminal 12 and extends flatly along the central flat portion 24.

[0049] In the first embodiment, each second inclined side edge portion 46 is provided over a predetermined length from the rear end of the second contact portion 20. Each second inclined side edge portion 46 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ3 (see FIG. 1 ) with respect to the second flat portion 48 at the rear end portion of the second contact portion 20. Figure 4 ). In addition, in the first embodiment, in the second contact portion 20, the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge portion 46 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction relative to the second flat portion 48 and the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge portion 46 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction relative to the second flat portion 48 are equal to each other (θ3), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0050] The inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge portion 36 relative to the first flat portion 38 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 24, or even if they are different, the angle difference is within 10°. Similarly, the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge portion 46 relative to the second flat portion 48 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 24, or even if they are different, the angle difference is within 10°. Thus, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, the shaking of the male terminal 12 in the male terminal press-in gap 16 can be suppressed.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge portion 36 relative to the first flat portion 38 and the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge portion 46 relative to the second flat portion 48 are substantially equal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the first inclined side edge portion 36 and the second inclined side edge portion 46 on the left extend substantially in parallel, and the first inclined side edge portion 36 and the second inclined side edge portion 46 on the right extend substantially in parallel.

[0052] In addition, the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20 is located at a substantially equal vertical position to the second flat portion 48 of the second contact portion 20, and transition portions 50, 50 whose inclination angles are changed only with respect to the second flat portion 48 (front end portion 31) are provided at both ends in the left-right direction of the middle portion in the front-back direction of the second contact portion 20. That is, the inclination angles of the transition portions 50 of the second contact portion 20 with respect to the left-right central portion gradually decrease from θ3 to 0 toward the front.

[0053] In addition, in the second contact portion 20, second end edges 52, 52 bent upward are provided at the end portions of each second inclined side edge portion 46 on the outside in the left-right direction (i.e., the end portions on the side opposite to the side connected to the second flat portion 48 in the left-right direction). Each second end edge portion 52 is provided over the entire length of each second inclined side edge portion 46 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) and extends in the up-down direction. Figure 1 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the female terminal body 26 is bent, each first end edge portion 42 and each second end edge portion 52 abut against each other in the up-down direction or face each other with a small separation distance.

[0054] In addition, Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the inner surface of the rear end of the second contact portion 20 is provided with an introduction surface 54, and the introduction surface 54 gradually moves away from the first contact portion 18 opposite in the vertical direction as it moves backward, that is, it gradually approaches the inner male terminal press-fit gap 16 as it moves forward. Figure 8 The female terminal body 26 shown in the expanded state is formed by stamping, etc., so the introduction surface 54 is provided across substantially the entire length of the second contact portion 20 in the left-right direction, that is, the second end edge portions 52 on both sides, the second inclined side edge portions 46 and the second flat portion 48.

[0055] <Contact forming part 28> On the inner surface of the male terminal press-fit gap 16, a pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 are respectively fixed to at least one of a pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 and a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 so as to be conductive. Each contact forming part 28 is formed by a metal thin plate that is separate from each first inclined side edge 36 and each second inclined side edge 46, and is thinner and easier to bend and deform (elastically deform) than each first inclined side edge 36 and each second inclined side edge 46. In embodiment 1, a pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 are fixed to the inner surface of each of the pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36. Furthermore, the pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 respectively have a pair of first contact portions 56, 56 protruding toward the male terminal press-fit gap 16. In addition, in embodiment 1, each contact forming part 28 is formed in the same shape as each other, so the following shows Fig. 9The shape of one contact forming part 28 will be described below.

[0056] The contact forming part 28 as a whole has a band shape extending in the front-to-back direction, that is, the direction in which the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16. The contact forming part 28 can be formed of a metal having conductivity and spring properties, and in the first embodiment, it is formed of a copper alloy having spring properties. In addition, in the first embodiment, the contact forming part 28 is fixed to the first inclined side edge portion 36 by welding, and a welding fixing portion 58 is provided in the central portion of the long side direction (front-to-back direction) of the contact forming part 28. The welding fixing portion 58 extends approximately flat in the contact forming part 28, and is formed over approximately the entire length of the width direction (left-right direction) of the contact forming part 28. In addition, the method of welding the contact forming part 28 to the first inclined side edge portion 36 is not limited, and for example, laser welding or the like can be used.

[0057] <First Contact Portion 56> The contact forming part 28 has a front protruding tongue piece 60 and a rear protruding tongue piece 62 protruding in a cantilever beam shape from the welding fixing part 58 to both ends in the long side direction (front-back direction). The front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 extend in the front-back direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 when viewed from the side. In addition, the first contact part 56 is provided at the middle part in the front-back direction of each of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62. Specifically, the front protruding tongue piece 60 is curved in a shape protruding toward one side in the thickness direction of the contact forming part 28 as a whole, and has a bent portion 64 in the middle part in the front-back direction. That is, the front protruding tongue piece 60 extends in a direction gradually away from the welding fixing part 58 in the thickness direction of the contact forming part 28 as it moves forward from the welding fixing part 58, and is bent at the bent portion 64, and extends in a direction gradually approaching the welding fixing part 58 in the thickness direction of the contact forming part 28 as it moves forward. Furthermore, a first contact portion 56 is provided at the center portion of the front protruding tongue piece 60 in the width direction (left-right direction), and the first contact portion 56 protrudes in the same direction as the bending and bulging direction of the front protruding tongue piece 60 (one side in the thickness direction of the contact forming part 28).

[0058] The first contact portion 56 is Figure 7The contact forming part 28 shown is formed in a curved arc shape in the longitudinal section, and is formed across both sides of the front-back direction including the bent portion 64. That is, in a plan view (in a projection in the up-down direction), the first contact portion 56 is formed in a substantially oblong shape with a lengthwise dimension (fore-and-aft dimension) larger than a widthwise dimension (left-right dimension). Such a first contact portion 56 can be formed, for example, by knocking out, and a recessed portion 66 is formed at a position corresponding to the first contact portion 56 on the surface of the front protruding tongue piece 60 on the side opposite to the surface on the protruding side of the first contact portion 56.

[0059] The rear protruding tongue piece 62 has the same shape as the front protruding tongue piece 60. That is, the rear protruding tongue piece 62 is generally curved in a shape protruding in the same direction as the front protruding tongue piece 60, and has a bent portion 64 in the middle portion in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the first contact portion 56 is provided in the left-right central portion of the rear protruding tongue piece 62, and the first contact portion 56 spans the front and rear side portions including the bent portion 64 and protrudes in the same direction as the first contact portion 56 of the front protruding tongue piece 60. Therefore, in the contact forming part 28, a pair of first contact portions 56, 56 are provided to be separated from each other in the front-to-back direction. In addition, a recessed portion 66 is formed at a position corresponding to the first contact portion 56 on the surface of the rear protruding tongue piece 62 on the side opposite to the surface on the protruding side of the first contact portion 56.

[0060] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the contact forming parts 28 formed in such a shape overlap the welding fixing parts 58 of each contact forming part 28 with the inner surface of each first inclined side edge part 36 when the female terminal body 26 is in the unfolded state, and are fixed by laser welding. In this state, the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are bent so as to protrude upward, and each first contact part 56 protrudes upward. And, the female terminal body 26 to which each contact forming part 28 is fixed is bent as described above to form the female terminal 14, so that each first contact part 56 protrudes downward, specifically, to the lower right and lower left directions. In the first embodiment, since each contact forming part 28 is fixed to each first inclined side edge part 36 separated from each other in the left-right direction, a total of four first contact parts 56 are provided in the first contact part 18 separated from each other in the front-back direction and the left-right direction.

[0061] In addition, Figure 7As shown in FIG. 1 , in a state where each contact forming part 28 is fixed to the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36, the front end portion 68 of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear end portion 70 of the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are slightly separated from the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36, and the front end portion 68 of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear end portion 70 of the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are respectively formed as free ends. And, as described later, by pressing the male terminal 12 into the male terminal pressing gap 16, the upper surface 22a of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 abuts against each first contact portion 56 of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62, so that the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding dimension of each first contact portion 56 in the male terminal pressing gap 16 becomes smaller. As a result, the front end portion 68 of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear end portion 70 of the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are respectively displaced forward and backward compared to before elastic deformation, and the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 are respectively stretched and deformed in such a way that the length dimension in the front-rear direction becomes larger.

[0062] In particular, Figure 7 As shown in the figure, in a state where each contact forming part 28 is fixed to the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36, the portion of the rear protruding tongue piece 62 from the first contact portion 56 to the rear end portion 70 is inclined in a direction away from the opposite second inclined side edge portion 46 as it goes backward. In other words, in each rear protruding tongue piece 62, from the rear end portion 70 to the first contact portion 56, as it goes forward, it gradually approaches the inner male terminal press-in gap 16, and this portion can also play a role in guiding the male terminal 12 to the male terminal press-in gap 16.

[0063] <Second Contact Portion 72> In embodiment 1, Figures 3 to 5 As shown in the figures, a pair of second contact portions 72, 72 are provided on the inner surface of a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 of the second contact portion 20, and the pair of second contact portions 72, 72 are formed so as to partially protrude toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16. Each of these second contact portions 72 protrudes in the plate thickness direction of each second inclined side edge portion 46, and protrudes upward, specifically, in the upper right and upper left directions. Each of the second contact portions 72 is similar to each of the first contact portions 56, and the dimension in the front-to-back direction in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12 is larger than the dimension in the left-to-right direction, and the protruding top end surface is formed as a curved surface.

[0064] In addition, the specific shape of each second contact portion 72 is not limited, but in the first embodiment, Figure 7As shown in [figures], on the protruding top surface of each second contact portion 72, the portion on the outer side in the front-rear direction is formed as a curved surface with a relatively large inclination angle with respect to the inner surface of each second inclined side edge portion 46, and the portion on the inner side in the front-rear direction is formed as a curved surface with a relatively small inclination angle with respect to the inner surface of each second inclined side edge portion 46. In addition, in Embodiment 1, each second contact portion 72 has the same shape and is provided at two positions separated from each other in the front-rear direction in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12 on each second inclined side edge portion 46. Therefore, in the second contact portion 20, a total of four second contact portions 72 are provided separately from each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0065] In particular, in Embodiment 1, as also shown in Figure 4 figures, each second contact portion 72 is provided at a position corresponding to each first contact portion 56 in the up-down direction, and in the projection in the up-down direction, each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 overlap each other. In addition, in the projection in the thickness direction of each first inclined side edge portion 36 or each second inclined side edge portion 46, the top portions of each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 are offset in position, and each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 partially overlap.

[0066] And, in the state before the male terminal 12 is inserted (before each first contact portion 56 is elastically deformed), in the thickness direction of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 (that is, the thickness direction of each first inclined side edge portion 36 or each second inclined side edge portion 46), the separation distance between the top portion of each first contact portion 56 and the top portion of each second contact portion 72 is B (refer to Figure 7 ). This separation distance B between the top portion of each first contact portion 56 and the top portion of each second contact portion 72 is smaller than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12 (B < A), whereby the male terminal 12 can be press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16.

[0067] In addition, each second contact portion 72 is formed, for example, by performing stamping processing or the like on each second inclined side edge portion 46. As shown in Figure 4 figures, a recess 74 opening downward is formed at a position corresponding to each second contact portion 72 on the outer surface (lower surface) of each second inclined side edge portion 46.

[0068] <Assembly process of the terminal unit 10> Next, a specific example of the assembly process of the terminal unit 10 will be described. In addition, the assembly process of the terminal unit 10 is not limited to the following description.

[0069] First, stamping processing or the like is performed on a metal thin plate to form Fig. 9 each contact forming part 28 as shown in figures. Then, as shown in Figure 8As shown in FIG. 1 , the metal plate constituting the female terminal body 26 is prepared in an expanded state, and the welding fixing portion 58 of each contact forming part 28 is overlapped with the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36 of the first contact portion 18, and fixed by laser welding. In addition, each second inclined side edge portion 46 of the second contact portion 20 is subjected to a stamping process or the like, and each second contact portion 72 is formed on each second inclined side edge portion 46. Then, the female terminal body 26 to which each contact forming part 28 is fixed is bent into the above-mentioned shape to form Figure 6 The female terminal 14 is shown.

[0070] Then, if Figure 7 As shown, the male terminal 12 bent into the aforementioned shape and the female terminal 14 are brought close to each other in the front-to-back direction. Then, the male terminal 12 is inserted from the rear into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 in the female terminal 14. At this time, the separation distance B between each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 is smaller than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12, so the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 in a pressed state. In addition, the separation distance between the first flat portion 38 and the second flat portion 48 is sufficiently larger than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12 (central flat portion 24), and the central flat portion 24 does not contact any of the first flat portion 38 and the second flat portion 48, but is inserted between these first flat portions 38 and the second flat portions 48 in the up-down direction.

[0071] Therefore, it is also like Figure 4 , 5 As shown, the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, so that each first contact portion 56 contacts the upper surface 22a of each inclined portion 22, and each second contact portion 72 contacts the lower surface 22b of each inclined portion 22. Since each contact forming part 28 is thin-walled and easily elastically deformed, the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, so that each front protruding tongue piece 60 and each rear protruding tongue piece 62 are elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding dimension of each first contact portion 56 in the male terminal press-in gap 16 becomes smaller. Thus, the male terminal 12 is allowed to be inserted (pressed) into the male terminal press-in gap 16. And, through the elastic restoration deformation of these each front protruding tongue piece 60 and each rear protruding tongue piece 62, each first contact portion 56 is pressed to the upper surface 22a of each inclined portion 22. In addition, the inclined portions 22 urged downward by the first contact portions 56 are pressed against the second contact portions 72 .

[0072] That is, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, the first contact portions 56 are pressed against the inclined portions 22 of the male terminal 12 by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions 56, and the inclined portions 22 of the male terminal 12 are clamped between the first inclined side edge portions 36 and the second inclined side edge portions 46 of the female terminal 14. In the first embodiment, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, the inclined portions 22 are pressed against the second contact portions 72 by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions 56, and thus the inclined portions 22 are clamped between the first inclined side edge portions 36 and the second inclined side edge portions 46.

[0073] As a result, the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 of the female terminal 14 , and the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 are electrically connected, thereby completing the terminal unit 10 .

[0074] In the terminal unit 10 in which the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 are in the mating state, the pressing force F1 (see Figure 4 ) and the pressing force F2 of the second contact portion 72 (the reaction force of the pressing force applied from each inclined portion 22 to each second contact portion 72, refer to Figure 4 ) act in the same direction as the plate thickness direction of each inclined portion 22, so each inclined portion 22 is stably clamped by the first and second contact portions 56 and 72, and the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 can be more reliably connected. In particular, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the pressing force F1 of the first contact portion 56 acts and the direction in which the pressing force F2 of the second contact portion 72 acts are not opposite in the plate thickness direction of each inclined portion 22. Specifically, the pressing force F1 of the first contact portion 56 acts on both end portions of each inclined portion 22 in the left-right direction, while the pressing force F2 of the second contact portion 72 acts on the left-right inner side of the portion where the pressing force F1 acts. As a result, it is avoided that the pressing forces F1 and F2 from the upper and lower sides act on the same position of each inclined portion 22. As a result, each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 opens the first contact portion 56 and the second contact portion 72 at multiple positions, so that the insertion resistance can also be reduced.

[0075] In addition, if Figure 4As shown in FIG. 1 , the pressing force F1 of the first contact portion 56 acts as a downward force component F1a and a force component F1b in the left-right direction, and the pressing force F2 of the second contact portion 72 acts as an upward force component F2a and a force component F2b in the left-right direction. Here, for example, when an external force is applied to the male terminal 12 from one direction to the other direction in the left-right direction (for example, from the right to the left), the male terminal 12 can be suppressed from being displaced by an external force inputted by a force component in the opposite direction (for example, a force component F1b from the left to the right) or a force component F2b in the left-right direction. In particular, since the downward force component F1a of the first contact portion 56 and the upward force component F2a of the second contact portion 72 are opposed to each other in the vertical direction, the vertical displacement of the male terminal 12 can be suppressed more reliably. As a result, displacement of the male terminal 12 relative to the female terminal 14 can be suppressed, and the conductive state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 can be stably maintained.

[0076] In particular, these pressing forces F1 and F2 are generated by the elastic restoring force of each first contact portion 56, and each contact forming component 28 having each first contact portion 56 is provided on both the left and right sides of the first contact portion 18. Thus, the left pressing forces F1 and F2 can be obtained by the left contact forming component 28 (each first contact portion 56), and the right pressing forces F1 and F2 can be obtained by the right contact forming component 28 (each first contact portion 56). As a result, the magnitudes of the left and right pressing forces F1 and F2 can be set separately.

[0077] In addition, in the terminal unit 10 of the first embodiment, each contact forming part 28 which is thin and easily elastically deformed is fixed to each first inclined side edge portion 36 constituting the male terminal press-in gap 16, and the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16 with the elastic deformation of each first contact portion 56 formed in each contact forming part 28. As a result, it is possible to reduce the insertion resistance when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-in gap 16. In addition, when an external force such as swinging in the up-and-down direction or rotating around the central axis extending in the front-and-back direction is applied to the male terminal 12, each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 can stably maintain the clamping state of each inclined portion 22 by following the displacement of the male terminal 12. As a result, when an external force is applied to the male terminal 12, the possibility of deterioration of the electrical connection state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 can be reduced.

[0078] In particular, since the contact forming parts 28 that apply the pressing forces F1 and F2 to the inclined portions 22 are arranged inside the male terminal pressing gap 16, the enlargement of the female terminal 14 and then the terminal unit 10 can be avoided compared to the case where, for example, the spring components that apply the pressing forces F1 and F2 to the inclined portions are arranged outside the male terminal pressing gap.

[0079] In the female terminal 14, each first contact portion 56 is formed by fixing each separate contact forming part 28 to the first contact portion 18, and each second contact portion 72 is integrally formed on the second contact portion 20. In addition, an external connection portion 32 for connecting to an external electric wire or the like is provided at the front end portion of the second contact portion 20. That is, each contact forming part 28 and the female terminal body 26 can be formed of different materials, each contact forming part 28 can be formed of a material having conductivity and spring properties, and the female terminal body 26 can be formed of a material having higher conductivity. In addition, since each second contact portion 72 and the external connection portion 32 are formed in the female terminal body 26 (second contact portion 20) having higher conductivity, the conductive path from the external electric wire or the like to the male terminal 12 can be set shorter, and the conductive performance can be improved.

[0080] Each contact forming part 28 has a welding fixing portion 58 fixed to each first inclined side edge portion 36 by welding. Thus, the influence of each contact forming part 28 on the conductive performance of each first inclined side edge portion 36 can be suppressed, and each contact forming part 28 and each first inclined side edge portion 36 can be fixed in a small space.

[0081] In particular, each contact forming part 28 has a welding fixing portion 58 at the center portion in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), and has a front protruding tongue piece 60 and a rear protruding tongue piece 62 that protrude in a cantilever beam-like manner from the welding fixing portion 58 toward both ends in the longitudinal direction. Thus, even if the male terminal 12 pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 is swung and displaced in the vertical direction, both the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 can be elastically deformed stably, and each first contact portion 56 can be deformed stably following the displacement of the male terminal 12. In addition, each first contact portion 56 is provided at the center portion of the front protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear protruding tongue piece 62 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). Thus, for example, even when the tip of the male terminal 12 is displaced upward or downward, that is, when it is swing-displaced in either the up and down directions, the first contact portion 56 of each front protruding tongue piece 60 and the first contact portion 56 of each rear protruding tongue piece 62 can stably contact the male terminal 12. Therefore, the clamping state of each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 on the male terminal 12 can be further stably maintained.

[0082] The male terminal 12 includes a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and a central flat portion 24 between the inclined portions 22. In addition, the female terminal 14 includes a pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 and a first flat portion 38 between the first inclined side edges 36, and includes a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 and a second flat portion 48 between the second inclined side edges 46. Thus, each inclined portion 22 is clamped between the first inclined side edges 36 and the second inclined side edges 46, so that the displacement of the male terminal 12 due to the external force in the left and right direction can be effectively suppressed as described above. In addition, by making the male terminal 12 and the male terminal press-fit gap 16 into shapes corresponding to each other, the enlargement of the female terminal 14 can be suppressed, and the contact with the male terminal 12 at a position other than the first contact portion 56 and the second contact portion 72 can be avoided, and the possibility of an increase in the insertion resistance of the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 can be reduced.

[0083] <Implementation Method 2> Next, use Figures 10 to 14 The terminal unit 80 of the second embodiment of the present invention is described. In the second embodiment, the male terminal 12 of the same shape as that of the first embodiment is also used, and the terminal unit 80 is formed by pressing the male terminal 12 into the male terminal pressing gap 16 in the female terminal 82. The basic structure of the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment. In the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment, a pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 are fixed to the female terminal body 26 by welding, while in the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment, a contact forming part 86 is fixed to the female terminal body 84 by tightening.

[0084] In addition, Fig.13 In FIG. 8 , the female terminal body 84 is shown in an expanded state before being bent. Fig.14 , the contact forming part 86 is shown in a state fixed to the bent female terminal body 84 (the female terminal body 84 is omitted in the illustration), and the state before the male terminal 12 is inserted and before the contact forming part 86 (each front protruding tongue piece 92 and each rear protruding tongue piece 94 described later) is elastically deformed is shown. In the following description, the difference between the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment and the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment is described, and the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment are marked in the figure for the components and parts that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted.

[0085] <Female terminal 82> In the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment, the contact forming component 86 having the first contact portion 88 is also fixed to the first contact portion 18. As described above, the contact forming component 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18 by tightening, and a through hole 90 for fixing the contact forming component 86 is formed in the first flat portion 38 and the first inclined side edge portions 36 in the first contact portion 18 in the front-back direction. Fig.13 As shown, each through hole 90 is a substantially rectangular shape, and in the female terminal body 84 before bending, each through hole 90 is formed by penetrating the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36 in the plate thickness direction. In the second embodiment, the through hole 90a provided in the first flat portion 38 is provided in the left-right central portion of the first flat portion 38, and the through hole 90b provided in each first inclined side edge portion 36 is provided at the end portion of each first inclined side edge portion 36 on the outside in the left-right direction.

[0086] In the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a pair of second contact portions 72 , 72 is provided on each second inclined side edge portion 46 of the second contact portion 20 , and the pair of second contact portions 72 , 72 is formed to partially protrude toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 .

[0087] <Contact forming part 86> In the first embodiment, the contact forming parts 28 fixed to the first inclined side edge portions 36 are separately provided, but the contact forming part 86 of the second embodiment has a structure in which the contact forming parts 28 are connected in the left-right direction like the first embodiment. That is, the contact forming part 86 of the second embodiment has a portion formed in a strip shape extending along the direction (front-back direction) in which the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap 16, and has a front protruding tongue piece 92 and a rear protruding tongue piece 94 that protrude in a cantilever beam shape from the central portion in the long-side direction (front-back direction) toward both ends in the long-side direction. Each front protruding tongue piece 92 and each rear protruding tongue piece 94 are connected at a connecting portion 96 in the central portion in the front-back direction, and a pair of connecting portions 96, 96 provided on both sides in the left-right direction are connected by a connecting portion 98 in the center in the left-right direction. Furthermore, when the contact forming part 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18, the connecting portion 98 extends in the left-right direction along the first flat portion 38, and each connecting portion 96 extends in a direction inclined upward as it moves outward in the left-right direction along each first inclined side edge portion 36. Therefore, when the contact forming part 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18, each connecting portion 96 is bent upward relative to the connecting portion 98.

[0088] Furthermore, tightening fixing pieces 100 are provided at the left end of the left connecting portion 96, the right end of the right connecting portion 96, and the front and rear sides of the connecting portion 98, respectively, and the tightening fixing pieces 100 protrude upward toward the first contact portion 18 side. When the contact forming part 86 formed in such a shape is fixed to the first contact portion 18, the tightening fixing pieces 100a provided at the front and rear sides of the connecting portion 98 are inserted into the through holes 90a provided in the first flat portion 38, and the protruding top end of each tightening fixing piece 100a is bent outward in the front and rear direction, thereby forming a tightening fixing portion 102. In addition, the tightening fixing pieces 100b provided at the left and right sides are inserted into the through holes 90b provided in the first inclined side edge portions 36, and the protruding top end of each tightening fixing piece 100b is bent inward in the left and right direction, thereby forming a tightening fixing portion 102.

[0089] In summary, in the contact forming part 86, the clamping and fixing portions 102 that are clamped and fixed to the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36 of the first contact portion 18 are provided at three locations in the central portion in the front-rear direction (the central portion in the left-right direction and the two end portions in the left-right direction). In addition, each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 on the left and right sides and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94 on the left and right sides protrude in a cantilever beam shape toward the front and rear, respectively, from the central portion in the front-rear direction where the clamping and fixing portions 102 are provided. The shapes of each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94 in the second embodiment are respectively the same as the shapes of each of the front protruding tongue pieces 60 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 62 in the first embodiment.

[0090] That is, each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94 extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 when viewed from the side, and each of the first contact portions 88 is provided in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94. Specifically, each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94 is a curved shape protruding toward the side away from the first contact portion 18, and has a bent portion 64 in the middle portion in the front-rear direction. In addition, each of the first contact portions 88 is formed in a portion spanning both sides in the front-rear direction including each bent portion 64 in each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94. On the surface of each of the front protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rear protruding tongue pieces 94 on the side opposite to the side where each of the first contact portions 88 protrudes, a recessed portion 66 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the first contact portions 88.

[0091] <Assembly Process of Terminal Unit 80> Next, a specific example of the assembly process of the terminal unit 80 will be described. In addition, the assembly process of the terminal unit 80 is not limited to the following description.

[0092] First, a metal sheet is subjected to a press process or the like to form the contact forming part 86. In addition, at this point in time, each connecting portion 96 is not bent relative to the connecting portion 98, and the aforementioned Figure 8 The pair of contact forming parts 28, 28 shown are connected at the center in the front-rear direction by a connecting portion 98. In addition, the protruding tips of the clamping fixing pieces 100a, 100b are not bent, but extend straightly from the connecting portions 96 and the connecting portion 98.

[0093] Then, prepare Fig.13 The female terminal body 84 in the expanded state shown in the figure makes the contact forming part 86 overlap with the inner surface of the first contact portion 18. And, by inserting each tightening and fixing piece 100a through the through hole 90a in the central part in the left-right direction, the protruding top end of each tightening and fixing piece 100a is bent outward in the front-back direction to form the tightening and fixing part 102. In addition, each tightening and fixing piece 100b is inserted through the through hole 90b on both sides in the left-right direction, and the protruding top end of each tightening and fixing piece 100b is bent inward in the left-right direction to form the tightening and fixing part 102. Thus, the contact forming part 86 is tightened and fixed to the first contact portion 18.

[0094] Then, the female terminal body 84 to which the contact forming part 86 is fixed is bent into the above-mentioned shape to form the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment. At this time, the connecting portion 98 and each connecting portion 96 overlapping the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36 are bent together with the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36, so that each connecting portion 96 is bent relative to the connecting portion 98. In addition, it is also possible to Fig.14 As shown, the contact forming part 86 is formed in a state where each connecting portion 96 is bent relative to the connecting portion 98, and is tightened and fixed to the first contact portion 18 in a state where each first inclined side edge portion 36 is bent relative to the first flat portion 38, so that the contact forming part 86 is mounted on the first contact portion 18.

[0095] By press-fitting the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 of the female terminal 82 formed in this way in the same manner as in the first embodiment, the terminal unit 80 of the second embodiment is completed.

[0096] The terminal unit 80 of the second embodiment fixes the contact forming part fixed by welding in the first embodiment by clamping, so it can exert the same effect as the first embodiment. In particular, since the contact forming part 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18 by clamping, the device or equipment required for welding is not required, and the contact forming part 86 can be fixed to the first contact portion 18 more easily.

[0097] <Modification> As a specific example of the present invention, embodiments 1 and 2 are described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the specific description. Variations and improvements within the scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. For example, the following variations of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0098] (1) In the above embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 24, the inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge portion 36 of the first contact portion 18 relative to the first flat portion 38, and the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge portion 46 of the second contact portion 20 relative to the second flat portion 48 are substantially equal, and each inclined portion 22, each first inclined side edge portion 36, and each second inclined side edge portion 46 are substantially parallel, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, the inclination angle θ2 or θ3 may be different from the above-mentioned inclination angle θ1. In this case, for example, the formation position or shape of the first contact portion or the second contact portion may be adjusted so that the protruding direction of the first contact portion or the second contact portion protruding from each first inclined side edge portion or each second inclined side edge portion is parallel to the plate thickness direction of each inclined portion of the male terminal.

[0099] (2) In the above embodiment, the male terminal 12, the first contact portion 18, and the second contact portion 20 respectively have the central flat portion 24, the first flat portion 38, and the second flat portion 48. However, for example, at least one of the central flat portion, the first flat portion, and the second flat portion may not be provided, and a pair of inclined portions or a pair of first inclined side edge portions and a pair of second inclined side edge portions may be directly connected to each other without passing through the central flat portion or the first flat portion or the second flat portion.

[0100] (3) The number, shape, etc. of the first contact portion and the second contact portion are not limited to the manner described in the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, each of the first contact portions 56, 88 and each of the second contact portions 72 is formed into a shape whose dimension in the front-to-back direction is larger than that in the left-to-right direction. For example, the first contact portion or the second contact portion may be both hemispherical, or one or more than three may be provided on both sides of the left-to-right direction of the female terminal in the direction of the male terminal being pressed. In addition, the number, shape, etc. of the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be different from each other, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion may be provided at positions offset from each other in the front-to-back direction.

[0101] (4) In the above embodiment, the contact forming parts 28, 28, 86 are fixed to the first contact portion 18, but as long as the contact forming parts are fixed to at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the contact forming parts may be fixed to the second contact portion or to both the first contact portion and the second contact portion. In addition, in the case where the contact forming parts are fixed to both the first contact portion and the second contact portion, for example, one of them may be fixed by welding and the other may be fixed by clamping. In addition, even in the case where the contact forming parts are fixed to one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, welding and clamping may be combined for fixing.

[0102] (5) In the above embodiment, each first contact portion 56, 88 is formed by knocking out each front protruding tongue piece 60, 92 and each rear protruding tongue piece 62, 94, but the present invention is not limited to this method, and the first contact portion may be formed by, for example, cutting out and raising. In addition, in the above embodiment 1, the welding fixing portion 58 is provided in the central portion in the front-back direction of each contact forming part 28, but the welding fixing portion may be provided at both end portions in the front-back direction. In this case, for example, the first contact portion may be provided in the central portion in the front-back direction of the contact forming part by cutting out and raising, as described above.

[0103] (6) In the second embodiment, the contact forming part 86 is a shape in which the parts fixed to the first inclined side edge parts 36 are connected by the connecting part 98, but the connecting part may not be provided, and the parts fixed to the first inclined side edge parts may be provided separately as in the first embodiment. In this case, tightening fixing pieces (tightening fixing parts) may be provided on both sides in the left-right direction of each contact forming part, or tightening fixing pieces (tightening fixing parts) may be provided on both ends in the front-back direction of each contact forming part, and the first contact part may be provided in the central part in the front-back direction by cutting out and raising.

[0104] (7) A member or part that prevents the first contact part and / or the second contact part from being displaced apart (displaced in the opening direction) when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal pressing gap may be provided on the first contact part and / or the second contact part. Such a member or part may be provided integrally with the first contact part and / or the second contact part, or may be formed in a separate form and assembled later. Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 10-terminal unit (Implementation 1) 12 male terminals 12a Upper surface (of male terminal) 12b (male terminal) bottom surface 14 Female terminal 16 Male terminal press-in clearance 18 1st contact part 20 Second contact part 22 inclined portion 22a Upper surface (of inclined portion) 22b Lower surface (of inclined portion) 24 Central flat part 26 Female terminal body 28 Contact forming parts 30 Connecting plate 31 Front end portion (of second contact portion) 32 External connection 34 Tightening tablets 35 Front end portion (of first contact portion) 36 1st inclined side edge 38 1st flat part 40 Transition 42 1st edge 44 Import surface 46 second inclined side edge 48 2nd flat part 50 Transition 52 2nd end edge 54 Import surface 56 1st contact part 58 Welding fixing part 60 Front protruding tongue 62 Rear protruding tongue 64 Bending Department 66 recess 68 front end 70 rear end 72 Second contact part 74 concavity 80 terminal unit (Implementation 2) 82 Female terminal 84 Female terminal body 86 Contact forming parts 88 1st contact part 90, 90a, 90b through holes 92 Front protruding tongue 94 Rear protruding tongue 96 Connection 98 Connection 100, 100a, 100b tightening fixing sheet 102 tightening and fixing part

Claims

1. A terminal unit, wherein: A plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal are provided. The female terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion which are arranged opposite to each other with a male terminal press-in gap therebetween, and the male terminal is press-in arranged in the male terminal press-in gap. The male terminal has a pair of inclined portions on both sides of the plate width direction intersecting with the pressing direction of the male terminal into the gap, and the pair of inclined portions are inclined toward one side of the plate thickness direction of the male terminal. The first contact portion of the female terminal has a pair of first inclined side edges, the pair of first inclined side edges are opposite to the surface of the male terminal on the one side in the plate thickness direction, and are respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second contact portion of the female terminal has a pair of second inclined side edges, the pair of second inclined side edges are opposite to the surface of the male terminal on the other side in the plate thickness direction, and are respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, A contact forming part is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges in a conductive manner, and the contact forming part is formed by a separate metal thin plate that is thinner than the first inclined side edges and the second inclined side edges and is easily deformed. The contact forming part has a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap, The pair of first contact portions are flexed and deformed to allow the male terminal to be pressed into the male terminal pressing gap. When the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal pressing gap, the pair of first contact portions are respectively crimped onto the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal by the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are respectively clamped between the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions of the female terminal.

2. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein: The female terminal has a connecting plate portion that connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion so as to be electrically conductive, and the second contact portion has an external connection portion. The contact forming part is fixed to the pair of first inclined side edges of the first contact portion of the female terminal. A pair of second contact portions are provided on the pair of second inclined side edges of the second contact portion of the female terminal, and the pair of second contact portions are formed by partially protruding the second inclined side edges toward the male terminal press-fit gap. In a state where the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-in gap, the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are pressed against the pair of second contact portions of the female terminal by elastic restoring force of the first contact portion.

3. The terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The contact forming component includes a welding fixing portion fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions by welding.

4. The terminal unit according to claim 3, wherein: The contact forming part of the female terminal has a strip shape extending along the direction in which the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap. The contact forming part comprises the welding fixing portion provided at the center portion in the longitudinal direction, and a front protruding tongue piece and a rear protruding tongue piece protruding in a cantilever beam shape from the welding fixing portion toward both ends in the longitudinal direction. The front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece extend along the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided at a middle portion of each of the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece in the long side direction.

5. The terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The contact forming component includes a clamping and fixing portion fixed by clamping to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions.

6. The terminal unit according to claim 5, wherein: The contact forming part of the female terminal has a strip shape extending along the direction in which the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap. The contact forming part comprises the tightening and fixing portion provided at the central portion in the long side direction, and a front protruding tongue piece and a rear protruding tongue piece protruding in a cantilever beam shape from the tightening and fixing portion toward both ends in the long side direction. The front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece extend along the long side direction in a curved shape protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided at a middle portion of each of the front protruding tongue piece and the rear protruding tongue piece in the long side direction.

7. The terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: The male terminal has a central flat portion, and the central flat portion is arranged between the pair of inclined portions in the plate width direction. The first contact portion of the female terminal has a first flat portion, the first flat portion is arranged between the pair of first inclined side edges in the plate width direction, faces the central flat portion of the male terminal and extends along the central flat portion, The second contact portion of the female terminal has a second flat portion that is disposed between the pair of second inclined side edge portions in the plate width direction, faces the central flat portion of the male terminal, and extends along the central flat portion.

8. A female terminal used in the terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. A male terminal used in the terminal unit according to claim 1 or claim 2.

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