Terminal-equipped conductor

Abstract

The invention discloses a conductor with a terminal, which can restrain the expansion of a bending area of a terminal fitting, ensure the bending amount of the terminal fitting, and restrain the enlargement / enlargement of the conductor with the terminal. A terminal-equipped conductor (10) is provided with a terminal fitting (20) having a plurality of flexure pieces (18), and a conductor (22) connected to the terminal fitting (20), the terminal fitting (20) comprising: a connection part (30) in which the base end sides of the plurality of flexure pieces (18) are connected to each other; a counterpart terminal connection part (14) formed by arranging the top end sides of a plurality of flexure pieces (18) as free ends to face each other with a terminal press-fit gap (16) therebetween; and a conductor connection section (32) to which the tip of the conductor (22) is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of flexure pieces (18), the plurality of flexure pieces (18) being deflected and deformed in a direction opposite to the facing direction with the connection section (30) as a fulcrum, allowing press-fitting of the counterpart terminal (12) into the counterpart terminal connection section (14), and the conductor connection section (32) being provided so as to extend further toward the tip than the connection section (30).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal-attached wire (conductor) that connects to the end of a conductor such as an electric wire and includes a mating terminal connection portion for connection to a mating terminal. The terminal component constituting the terminal-attached wire includes a wire connection portion at the base end for connection to the end of the wire, and a mating terminal connection portion located further distal than the wire connection portion. The mating terminal connection portion includes an elastic contact piece that is crimped onto a mating terminal pressed into the mating terminal connection portion, thereby achieving electrical connection with the mating terminal. Prior art literature Patent Literature

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-163250 Summary of the Invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] However, with the recent increase in current consumption in automotive equipment and other applications, the thickness of terminal components has been increasing to reduce on-resistance. This increase in terminal component thickness reduces the flexibility of the elastic contact piece, which can lead to a weakening of its elastic force. Therefore, to prevent this weakening of the elastic force, the elastic contact piece must be lengthened to increase its flexibility, resulting in larger and longer terminal components and wires with terminals.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure relates to a conductor with a terminal that can suppress the growth of a bending region of a terminal part while ensuring the bending amount of the terminal part, thereby suppressing the increase in size and growth of the conductor with a terminal. Solutions to Problems

[0006] The terminal-equipped conductor of the present invention comprises a terminal part and a conductor, wherein the terminal part has a plurality of flexible pieces, and the conductor is connected to the terminal part, and the terminal part includes: a connecting portion, which is formed by connecting the base end sides of the plurality of flexible pieces to each other; a counterpart terminal connecting portion, which is formed by arranging the top end sides of the plurality of flexible pieces as free ends opposite to each other across a terminal press-in gap; and a conductor connecting portion, in which the end of the conductor is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of flexible pieces, and the plurality of flexible pieces are bent and deformed in a direction opposite to the opposing direction with the connecting portion as a fulcrum, allowing the counterpart terminal to be pressed into the counterpart terminal connecting portion, and the conductor connecting portion is arranged to extend toward the top end side than the connecting portion. Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the growth of the bending region of the terminal part while ensuring the bending amount of the terminal part, thereby suppressing the increase in size and growth of the conductor with a terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a state where the conductor with a terminal according to the first embodiment is connected to a mating terminal. Figure 2 It will Figure 1 The illustrated conductor with a terminal is a top view showing a state of being connected to a mating terminal. Figure 3 It will Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the conductor with terminal shown in the state of connection with the other terminal is Figure 4 Section III-III in the figure. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Section IV-IV in Figure 1. Figure 5 It will Figure 1 The illustrated perspective view shows a conductor with a terminal in a state where the conductor is not connected to a mating terminal. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The cross-sectional view of the conductor with terminal is shown in FIG. Figure 3 The corresponding figure. Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Exploded perspective view of a conductor with terminals shown. Figure 8 It shows the composition Figure 5 A perspective view of the terminal part with the terminal conductor is shown. Figure 9 It will Figure 8 The terminal parts shown are shown in a perspective view in an expanded state. Figure 10 It shows the composition Figure 5 A perspective view of a spring member with terminal conductors is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Invention> First, embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The conductor with terminal of the present invention, (1) A terminal part and a conductor, wherein the terminal part has a plurality of flexible pieces, and the conductor is connected to the terminal part, and the terminal part includes: a connecting portion formed by mutually connecting the base end sides of the plurality of flexible pieces; a counterpart terminal connecting portion formed by mutually arranging the top end sides of the plurality of flexible pieces as free ends opposite to each other across a terminal press-in gap; and a conductor connecting portion, wherein the end of the conductor is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of flexible pieces, and the plurality of flexible pieces are bent and deformed in a direction opposite to the opposing direction with the connecting portion as a fulcrum to allow the counterpart terminal to be pressed into the counterpart terminal connecting portion, and the conductor connecting portion is arranged to extend toward the top end side than the connecting portion.

[0010] According to the conductor with terminals of the present invention, in the terminal part, the connecting portion formed by connecting the base end sides of multiple flexible pieces to each other is a free end on the top side, and the top sides of the multiple flexible pieces are arranged opposite to each other with a gap, thereby forming a terminal connection portion of the other party. Each flexible piece uses the connecting portion as a fulcrum and can bend and deform in a direction opposite to the opposite direction on the top side of the connecting portion. In addition, a conductor connection portion for connecting the end of the conductor is provided on the outer surface of at least one flexible piece. Here, because the conductor connection portion is provided to extend toward the top side than the connecting portion, the flexure deformation area of the conductor connection portion and the flexure piece can overlap. In this way, the growth of the flexure area of the terminal part can be suppressed, and at the same time, the flexure amount of the terminal part can be ensured, and the size / growth of the conductor with terminals can be suppressed. In particular, when the thickness of the flexure piece of the terminal part increases with the increase of current, in order to prevent the elastic force of the flexure piece from being weakened, it is necessary to ensure a large length of the flexure piece. In such a case, the structure of the present invention can suppress the growth of the entire terminal component while ensuring the bending area of the flexible piece, and can also reduce the on-resistance of the conductor with terminal itself by shortening the current path.

[0011] Furthermore, as the conductor connected to the terminal fitting, an electric wire whose metal core wire is not covered with insulation, a bus bar, or the like can be used.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), it is preferred that the plurality of flexible pieces include a first flexible piece in the form of a strip and a second flexible piece in the form of a strip arranged opposite to the first flexible piece in the plate thickness direction, the end edges of the base ends of the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece are connected to each other to form the connecting portion, and the top ends of the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece are arranged opposite to each other across the terminal press-in gap in the plate thickness direction to form the counterpart terminal connecting portion. By connecting the base end edges of the first and second flexible pieces in the form of a strip arranged opposite to each other in the plate thickness direction to form the connecting portion, a terminal part is formed, so that a conductor with a terminal connected to a portion of the flexible piece that can bend and deform can be provided with a simple structure.

[0013] (3) In the above (2), it is preferred that the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece are formed by bending the two end portions of a strip-shaped metal flat plate in a manner close to each other in the plate thickness direction, and using the bent portion as the connecting portion. The terminal part can be formed by simply bending the two end portions of a strip-shaped metal flat plate in a manner close to each other in the plate thickness direction. Thus, the terminal part of the present invention can be easily manufactured. In particular, since the first / second flexible piece is composed of a metal flat plate, it is also possible to advantageously achieve a reduction in the on-resistance of the terminal part.

[0014] (4) In the above (2) or (3), it is preferred that the base end side of the first flexible piece overlaps with the base end side of the second flexible piece, the parts other than the connecting portion can be separated from each other, and the end of the conductor is welded to the outer surface of the base end side of the first flexible piece. The end of the conductor is welded to the outer surface of the base end side of the first flexible piece overlapping with the base end side of the second flexible piece. Thus, when the end of the conductor is welded to the outer surface of the base end side of the first flexible piece by any welding technology such as ultrasonic welding, the welding process can be carried out stably. Moreover, the welding process is carried out by adjusting the heat input amount so that the base end side of the first flexible piece does not diffusely bond with the base end side of the second flexible piece, etc., so that the base end sides of the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece that overlap with each other maintain a state that can be separated from each other. Thus, a conductor with a terminal of the present invention in which the conductor connection portion and the flexible area of the flexible piece overlap can be provided while ensuring excellent manufacturability and connection stability between the terminal part and the conductor.

[0015] (5) In any one of the above (2) to (4), it is preferred that the top end side of each of the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece has a first contact plate portion and a second contact plate portion constituting the counterpart terminal connection portion, and the terminal-carrying conductor has a spring component, and the spring component applies force to the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion in a direction approaching each other, and by pressing the counterpart terminal into the counterpart terminal connection portion, the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion overcome the force of the spring component and shift in a direction of separation from each other, and the counterpart terminal is pressed into the counterpart terminal connection portion to a pressing end position, and at the pressing end position, the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion are pressed against the counterpart terminal by the elastic restoring force of the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece and the elastic restoring force of the spring component.

[0016] The first and second contact plate portions, disposed at the respective top ends of the first and second flexible pieces, are urged toward each other by a spring member. Consequently, the first and second contact plate portions can contact the mating terminal with high contact pressure, stably maintaining the conductive state between the terminal-carrying wire and the mating terminal. In particular, when the thickness of the terminal component or the mating terminal increases with increasing current flow, utilizing the force of the spring member to ensure high contact pressure between the terminal component and the mating terminal can advantageously reduce the conductive resistance.

[0017] (6) In the above (5), it is preferred that the opposing terminal is plate-shaped and has a pair of inclined portions on both sides in the plate width direction intersecting with the pressing direction toward the connecting portion of the opposing terminal, the pair of inclined portions being inclined toward the first contact plate portion on the side of the plate thickness direction of the opposing terminal, the first contact plate portion having a pair of first inclined side edges, the pair of first inclined side edges being opposite to the surface of the opposing terminal on the one side in the plate thickness direction and being inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions of the opposing terminal, a first contact portion protruding toward the terminal pressing gap is provided on each of the first inclined side edges, the second contact plate portion having a pair of second inclined side edges, the pair of second inclined side edges being opposite to the surface of the opposing terminal on the other side in the plate thickness direction and being inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions of the opposing terminal, a second contact portion protruding toward the terminal pressing gap is provided on each of the second inclined side edges, The spring member includes a first spring member and a second spring member, the first spring member being arranged on one side in the plate width direction and urging the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion located on the one side in the plate width direction toward each other, the second spring member being arranged on the other side in the plate width direction and urging the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion located on the other side in the plate width direction toward each other, the first spring member pressing the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion located on the one side in the plate width direction toward the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween, and the second spring member pressing the first contact portion and the second contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion located on the other side in the plate width direction toward the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween.

[0018] In a structure in which a mating terminal is clamped and pressed between a first contact plate portion and a second contact plate portion, which are arranged opposite each other with a terminal press-in gap therebetween, the mating terminal has a pair of inclined portions on both sides of the plate width direction of the plate-shaped mating terminal, which is a direction intersecting the press-in direction, and which are inclined toward one side of the plate thickness direction of the mating terminal. Similarly, in the conductor with a terminal of the present invention, the first contact plate portion has a pair of first inclined side edges (first contact portions), the pair of first inclined side edges facing one side of the plate thickness direction of the mating terminal and respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the mating terminal, and the second contact plate portion has a pair of second inclined side edges (second contact portions), the pair of second inclined side edges facing the other side of the plate thickness direction of the mating terminal and respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the mating terminal. Furthermore, the first contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion and the second contact portion of the second inclined side edge portion located on one side of the mating terminal in the board width direction are pressed by the first spring member against the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween. The first contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion and the second contact portion of the second inclined side edge portion located on the other side of the mating terminal in the board width direction are pressed by the second spring member against the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween. Thus, when an external force is applied in the board width direction of the mating terminal, the inclined portion of the mating terminal presses against the first contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion or the second contact portion of the second inclined side edge portion, both sides of the mating terminal in the board width direction, generating a component force directed inward in the board width direction (a reaction force from the first contact portion or the second contact portion). As a result, the force preventing displacement of the mating terminal can be increased relative to the external force directed outward in the board width direction of the mating terminal, thereby suppressing displacement of the mating terminal in the board width direction relative to the terminal component of the present invention.

[0019] Furthermore, by sandwiching the inclined portion of the other terminal between the first and second inclined side edges of the terminal part of the present invention, which are similarly inclined, on both sides of the plate width of the other terminal, contact pressure can be applied from both sides of the plate thickness direction of the inclined portion of the other terminal by independent spring members (the first and second spring members). As a result, the first and second contact portions of the terminal part of the present invention can be pressed against the respective inclined portions of the other terminal with stable contact pressure, which can advantageously further improve the displacement suppression performance relative to external forces in the plate width direction of the other terminal or suppress micro-sliding friction between the terminals. Furthermore, because the first and second inclined side edges of the terminal part, on which the first and second contact portions are provided, are inclined along the inclined portion of the other terminal, a larger contact area between the first and second contact portions of the terminal part and the other terminal can be ensured, and the on-resistance between the terminals can also be reduced.

[0020] Here, regarding the pair of first inclined side edges or the pair of second inclined side edges, the phrase "inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the mating terminal" means that as long as the first inclined side edges or the second inclined side edges are inclined along the inclined portion of the mating terminal, the inclined portion of the mating terminal and the first / second inclined side edges do not necessarily need to be parallel. For example, the inclination angle of the first / second inclined side edges may differ from the inclination angle of the inclined portion of the mating terminal within a range of approximately 0 to 10 degrees.

[0021] Furthermore, because the contact portions (first and second contact portions) of the terminal component that face the mating terminal are distributed along a pair of inclined side edges, and independent spring members are used to press the mating terminal, each spring member can be miniaturized while stably applying the required pressing force to each of the distributed contact portions. In particular, because the first and second spring members are not interposed between the mating terminal and the first and second contact portions of the terminal component, the contact resistance between the mating terminal and the terminal component can be further advantageously reduced.

[0022] <Details of Embodiments of the Invention> Specific examples of the conductor with terminals of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these examples but is defined by the claims, and is intended to encompass all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0023] <Implementation Method 1> Below, use Figures 1 to 10 The conductor with terminal 10 of embodiment 1 of the present invention is described. In embodiment 1, the terminal constituting the conductor with terminal 10 is a female terminal, and the counterpart terminal 12 is a male terminal, and the female terminal (conductor with terminal 10) has a counterpart terminal connection portion 14. The counterpart terminal connection portion 14 has a terminal press-in gap 16, and the counterpart terminal 12 is inserted into the terminal press-in gap 16 in a pressed state and contacts each other, thereby electrically connecting the female terminal (conductor with terminal 10) and the counterpart terminal 12. In addition, the conductor with terminal 10 can be arranged in any direction, but the following is Figure 3 The upper part is the upper part, Figure 3 The lower part in the figure is the lower part, Figure 2 The upper part is the left, Figure 2 The lower part is the right part, Figure 2 The left side is the front, Figure 2 In addition, regarding a plurality of identical components, sometimes only some of the components are marked with reference numerals, and reference numerals are omitted for the other components.

[0024] <Conductor with terminal 10> The conductor 10 with a terminal includes a terminal part 20 and a conductor 22. The terminal part 20 has a plurality of flexible pieces 18, and the conductor 22 is connected to the terminal part 20. In the first embodiment, the plurality of flexible pieces 18 include a first flexible piece 18a in the form of a strip and a second flexible piece 18b in the form of a strip arranged opposite to the first flexible piece 18a in the plate thickness direction (e.g., the vertical direction).

[0025] <Mate terminal 12> like Figure 1 or Figure 5 As shown, the mating terminal 12 connected to the above-mentioned terminal-connected conductor 10 is plate-shaped as a whole, for example, it is composed of a flat plate component not shown. The flat plate component has a generally rectangular shape, has a predetermined plate width and plate thickness, and extends straight. In addition, in the mating terminal 12, the end portion on the top side (rear side) of the pressing direction of the terminal pressing gap 16 of the terminal-connected conductor 10 is a shape that becomes increasingly thinner toward the end. The mating terminal 12 is conductive, for example, formed of a metal with low electrical resistance such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy.

[0026] Furthermore, by bending and tilting the two 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 24, 24 are provided at the two end portions in the plate width direction of the counterpart terminal 12. That is, in the counterpart terminal 12, a pair of inclined portions 24, 24 are provided on both sides of the plate width direction, which is a direction intersecting the pressing direction (from the front toward the rear) into the terminal pressing gap 16, and is a direction orthogonal in the first embodiment. A central flat portion 26 extending flatly is provided in the central portion in the plate width direction between the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 in the plate width direction of the counterpart terminal 12. In addition, the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 may be provided over the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the counterpart terminal 12, or may be provided only at the top end portion in the pressing direction of the terminal pressing gap 16 in the counterpart terminal 12. In the first embodiment, the plate thickness dimension of the counterpart terminal 12 is substantially constant, and the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 and the central flat portion 26 are A (refer to Figure 3 ), however, the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 and the central flat portion 26 may be different from each other.

[0027] The pair of inclined portions 24, 24 are inclined at an angle θ1 relative to the central flat portion 26 (see Figure 3 ). In addition, in the first embodiment, in the mating terminal 12, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 24 on one side (right side) in the board width direction relative to the central flat portion 26 and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 24 on the other side (left side) in the board width direction relative to the central flat portion 26 are equal in magnitude (θ1), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0028] The inclination angle θ1 of the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 relative to the central flat portion 26 is not limited, but is preferably, for example, not less than 5° and not more than 45°, and more preferably not less than 10° and not more than 30°. By having the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portions 24 be not less than 5°, displacement of the mating terminal 12 outward in the board width direction can be suppressed even when an external force outward in the board width direction is applied to the mating terminal 12. By having the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portions 24 be not more than 45°, the vertical dimension of the mating terminal 12, and thus the terminal-attached conductor 10 connected thereto, can be kept small.

[0029] The shape of the mating terminal 12 at the proximal end (front side) in the press-fit direction is not limited. However, in the first embodiment, a through-hole 28 extending straight and penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed. A fastening bolt (not shown) is inserted through the through-hole 28 to electrically connect to and secure the mating terminal 12 to the terminal portion of a device (not shown). Furthermore, the proximal end of the mating terminal 12 in the press-fit direction can have any shape that is compatible with the shape of the terminal portion of the device, a connector, a wire, or other conductor to be electrically connected thereto.

[0030] <Terminal part 20> like Figure 4 or Figure 8 As shown, the terminal part 20 has a connecting portion 30 formed by connecting the base end sides (rear sides) of each of the plurality of flexible pieces 18 (the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b) to each other. In addition, the terminal part 20 has a counterpart terminal connecting portion 14 formed by the top end sides (front sides) of each of the plurality of flexible pieces 18 (the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b) as free ends being arranged opposite to each other with the terminal press-in gap 16 therebetween. Furthermore, the terminal part 20 has a conductor connecting portion 32 for connecting the end of the conductor 22 on the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of flexible pieces 18 (the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b). In embodiment 1, a substantially rectangular conductor connecting portion 32 is formed on the outer surface (upper surface) of the base end side of the first flexible piece 18a.

[0031] The conductor 22 connected to the terminal fitting 20 is not limited to any specific embodiment. However, in the first embodiment, the conductor 22 is formed of a covered wire. Specifically, the conductor 22 is formed by covering a core wire 34 with an insulating coating 36 made of synthetic resin. At the end of the conductor 22, the insulating coating 36 is stripped away, exposing the core wire 34. The exposed core wire 34 is fixed to the conductor connecting portion 32 of the terminal fitting 20 by welding (soldering) or the like, thereby electrically connecting the conductor 22 (covered wire) to the terminal fitting 20. In the first embodiment, the core wire 34 of the conductor 22 and the conductor connecting portion 32 are fixed by ultrasonic welding.

[0032] In particular, in the first embodiment, the heat input for ultrasonic welding is relatively low, set to a heat input level sufficient to secure the first rear end portion 46, which will be described later and the second rear end portion 54, which overlaps the first rear end portion 46, to each other, without ultrasonic welding. Thus, while preventing the first rear end portion 46 and the second rear end portion 54 from being secured, the conductor connecting portion 32 and the core wire 34 are secured. As a result, as will be described later, the conductor connecting portion 32 (first rear end portion 46) and the second rear end portion 54, which secure the conductor 22, can be displaced in a direction away from each other.

[0033] In addition, in the first embodiment, the terminal part 20 is formed by Figure 9 The strip-shaped metal plate 38 shown is formed by bending in the plate thickness direction. That is, the first flexible piece 18a is formed by one end side 40 in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 38, and the second flexible piece 18b is formed by the other end side 42 in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the bending portion of the metal plate 38 forms a connecting portion 30 that connects the base end sides (rear sides) of the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b to each other. In embodiment 1, the connecting portion 30 that connects each of the base end sides of the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b is formed at the end edge of each of the base end sides. Thus, the strip-shaped first flexible piece 18a and the strip-shaped second flexible piece 18b are arranged opposite to each other in the plate thickness direction (up and down direction).

[0034] Here, if Figure 4 or Figure 9 As shown, at one end side 40 in the longitudinal direction of the metal flat plate 38 constituting the first flexible piece 18a, the portion (first contact plate portion 44) on the longitudinal direction outer side that constitutes the top end side of the first flexible piece 18a after bending and the portion (first rear end portion 46) on the longitudinal direction inner side that is on the connecting portion 30 side and constitutes the base end side of the first flexible piece 18a are connected by a connecting portion 48 extending in the plate thickness direction (up and down direction) of the metal flat plate 38. As a result, in the first flexible piece 18a, the first contact plate portion 44 and the first rear end portion 46 are at different positions in the up and down direction, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 3 , when the metal flat plate 38 is bent, the first contact plate portion 44 is located above the first rear end portion 46. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , notches 50, 50 extending inward in the width direction (left-right direction) are provided on one longitudinal end side 40 of the metal flat plate 38 at the middle portion thereof. The widthwise distance between these notches 50, 50 forms a connecting portion 48. Furthermore, by bending the connecting portion 48 in the vertical direction, the vertical positions of the first contact plate portion 44 and the first rear end portion 46 are different.

[0035] Similarly, at the other longitudinal end 42 of the metal plate 38 constituting the second flexible piece 18b, the longitudinally outer portion (second contact plate portion 52) that constitutes the tip of the second flexible piece 18b after bending and the longitudinally inner portion (second rear end portion 54) that is on the side of the connecting portion 30 and constitutes the base of the second flexible piece 18b are connected by a connecting portion 56. Furthermore, in the second flexible piece 18b, the connecting portion 56 extends substantially flat from the second rear end portion 54, and the vertical positions of the second contact plate portion 52 and the second rear end portion 54 are substantially equal. Furthermore, at the other longitudinal end 42 of the metal plate 38, notches 58, 58 extending inward in the width direction (left-right direction) are provided on both sides of the longitudinally intermediate portion. The connecting portion 56 is formed by the widthwise interval between these notches 58, 58.

[0036] And, as Figure 8 As shown, when the metal flat plate 38 is bent, the first rear end portion 46 and the second rear end portion 54 overlap each other, and the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 are arranged to face each other, separated in the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). Thus, the gap between the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 in the vertical direction constitutes the terminal press-in gap 16, and the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 constitute the mating terminal connection portion 14. Furthermore, at the overlapping first rear end portion 46 and second rear end portion 54, the core wire 34 of the conductor 22 is fixedly attached to the first rear end portion 46 in an overlapping manner, so that the upper surface of the first rear end portion 46 constitutes the conductor connection portion 32. In the first embodiment, substantially the entire upper surface of the first rear end portion 46 constitutes the conductor connection portion 32. Therefore, in the terminal-attached conductor 10, the conductor connection portion 32 is provided so as to extend toward the tip side (front side) of the connecting portion 30.

[0037] <First Flexible Piece 18a and Second Flexible Piece 18b> As described above, the first strip-shaped flexible piece 18a is formed by one longitudinal end 40 of the strip-shaped flat metal plate 38, and the first contact plate portion 44 constituting the mating terminal connection portion 14 is formed at the distal end of the first flexible piece 18a. Furthermore, the second strip-shaped flexible piece 18b is formed by the other longitudinal end 42 of the flat metal plate 38, and the second contact plate portion 52 constituting the mating terminal connection portion 14 is formed at the distal end of the second flexible piece 18b.

[0038] <First Contact Plate 44> The first contact plate portion 44 has a pair of first inclined side edges 60, 60. These first inclined side edges 60, 60 face one surface (upper surface) of the mating terminal 12 in the plate thickness direction and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 of the mating terminal 12. In other words, the first contact plate portion 44 has a pair of first inclined side edges 60, 60 at both ends in the plate width direction (lateral direction), bent and inclined toward one side (upper side) in the plate thickness direction relative to the central portion in the plate width direction. Furthermore, the central portion of the first contact plate portion 44 in the plate width direction, located between these first inclined side edges 60, 60, forms a first flat portion 62 that faces and extends flatly along the central flat portion 26 of the mating terminal 12. Furthermore, at the top end of the inner surface of this first contact plate portion 44, an introduction surface 63 is formed, extending substantially along its entire length in the lateral direction, gradually moving away from the second contact plate portion 52 that faces it in the vertical direction.

[0039] Each first inclined side edge portion 60 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ2 (see Figure 3 ) inclination. In the first embodiment, in the first contact plate portion 44, the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge portion 60 on one side (right side) in the plate width direction relative to the first flat portion 62 and the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge portion 60 on the other side (left side) in the plate width direction relative to the first flat portion 62 are equal in magnitude (θ2), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0040] Furthermore, a first contact portion 64 is provided on the inner surface (lower surface) of each first inclined side edge portion 60 so as to protrude toward the terminal press-fitting gap 16 located below. Each of these first contact portions 64 protrudes in the plate thickness direction of each first inclined side edge portion 60 and protrudes obliquely in the vertical direction relative to the plate thickness direction of the first flat portion 62. Figure 9 As shown, each first contact portion 64 has a generally rectangular (particularly, generally square) outer shape, with the protruding tip surface formed into a curved surface that curves in the front-back and left-right directions, so that the center portion of the protruding tip surface is most prominent. In the first embodiment, each first contact portion 64 is provided at the center portion of each first inclined side edge portion 60 in the front-back and left-right directions. An upwardly open recess 66 is formed on the outer surface (top surface) of each first inclined side edge portion 60 at a position corresponding to each first contact portion 64. Each first contact portion 64 is formed by stamping the first contact plate portion 44.

[0041] Furthermore, a through hole 68 is formed in the front-to-back center portion of the first flat portion 62, penetrating the first flat portion 62 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). In the first embodiment, two through holes 68, 68 are provided in the front-to-back center portion of the first flat portion 62, separated from each other, and each through hole 68 has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0042] <Second Contact Plate 52> The second contact plate portion 52 has a pair of second inclined side edges 70, 70. These second inclined side edges 70, 70 face the other side (lower surface) of the mating terminal 12 in the plate thickness direction and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 24, 24 of the mating terminal 12. In other words, the second contact plate portion 52 has a pair of second inclined side edges 70, 70 at both ends in the plate width direction (lateral direction), bent and inclined toward one side (upper side) in the plate thickness direction relative to the central portion in the plate width direction. Furthermore, the central portion of the second contact plate portion 52 in the plate width direction, located between these second inclined side edges 70, 70, forms a second flat portion 72 that faces and extends flatly along the central flat portion 26 of the mating terminal 12. Furthermore, at the top end of the inner surface of this second contact plate portion 52, an introduction surface 74 is formed, extending substantially along its entire length in the lateral direction, gradually moving away from the first contact plate portion 44 that faces it in the vertical direction.

[0043] Each second inclined side edge portion 70 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ3 (see Figure 3 ) inclination. In the first embodiment, in the second contact plate portion 52, the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge portion 70 on one side (right side) in the plate width direction relative to the second flat portion 72 and the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge portion 70 on the other side (left side) in the plate width direction relative to the second flat portion 72 are equal in magnitude (θ3), but the inclination angles on the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0044] The inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge portion 60 relative to the first flat portion 62 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 24 of the mating terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 26, or, even if different, the angle difference is within 10°. This prevents rattling of the mating terminal 12 within the terminal insertion gap 16 when the mating terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal insertion gap 16, thereby ensuring a stable contact area between the mating terminal 12 and the first contact portion 64. Similarly, the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge portion 70 relative to the second flat portion 72 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 24 of the mating terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 26, or, even if different, the angle difference is within 10°. This prevents rattling of the mating terminal 12 within the terminal insertion gap 16 when the mating terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal insertion gap 16, thereby ensuring a stable contact area between the mating terminal 12 and the second contact portion 76, described later.

[0045] In the first embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge portion 60 relative to the first flat portion 62 and the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge portion 70 relative to the second flat portion 72 are substantially equal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second inclined side edge portion 70 on the left extend substantially parallel to each other, and the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second inclined side edge portion 70 on the right extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0046] On the inner surface (top surface) of each second inclined side edge portion 70, a second contact portion 76 is provided, projecting toward the terminal press-fitting gap 16 located above. These second contact portions 76 project in the plate thickness direction of each second inclined side edge portion 70, projecting at an angle in the vertical direction relative to the plate thickness direction of the second flat portion 72. Like the first contact portion 64, the second contact portion 76 has a generally rectangular (particularly, generally square) outer shape. The protruding top surface is formed into a curved surface that curves in the front-to-back and left-to-right directions, so that the center portion of the protruding top surface protrudes most. In the first embodiment, each second contact portion 76 is provided at two locations separated in the front-to-back direction, which is the press-fit direction for the mating terminal 12, in the left-to-right center portion of each second inclined side edge portion 70. A total of four second contact portions 76 are provided on the second contact plate portion 52.

[0047] In embodiment 1, as Figure 4 As shown, each second contact portion 76 is provided at a position different from each first contact portion 64 in the front-back direction, which is the direction in which the mating terminal 12 is pressed. In particular, in the first embodiment, the first contact portion 64 is provided on both sides of the first and second flexible pieces 18a and 18b in the front-back direction between each second contact portion 76. Figure 3 or Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1 , each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 are provided at substantially equal positions in the left-right direction on the left and right sides of the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b. In other words, the projections of each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 in the direction of press-fitting of the mating terminal 12 (in short, the projections showing the cross section) are substantially equal. Figure 3 or Figure 6 ), the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second inclined side edge portion 70 are opposed to each other in the plate thickness direction.

[0048] Furthermore, in the projection of the pressing direction of the other terminal 12, before the other terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal pressing gap 16, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown, the distance between the top of the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 in the opposing direction is B (see Figure 6 The separation distance B between the top of the first contact portion 64 and the top of the second contact portion 76 is smaller than the plate thickness A of the mating terminal 12 , thereby allowing the mating terminal 12 to be press-fitted into the terminal press-fitting gap 16 .

[0049] In addition, a downwardly opening recess 78 is formed on the outer surface (lower surface) of each second inclined side edge portion 70 at a position corresponding to each second contact portion 76. Each second contact portion 76 is formed by stamping the second contact plate portion 52. Furthermore, a through hole 80 is formed in the front-to-back center portion of the second flat portion 72, penetrating the second flat portion 72 in the thickness direction (vertical direction). In the first embodiment, the through hole 80 is formed in the front-to-back center portion of the second flat portion 72 with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0050] <Spring Member 82> The conductor 10 with a terminal includes a spring member 82, which applies force to the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 in a direction approaching each other. The spring member 82 includes a first spring member 82a, which is arranged on one side (right side) in the left-right direction of the plate width direction of the counterpart terminal 12, and applies force to the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second inclined side edge portion 70 located on one side (right side) in the left-right direction, in a direction approaching each other. In addition, the spring member 82 includes a second spring member 82b, which is arranged on the other side (left side) in the left-right direction of the plate width direction of the counterpart terminal 12, and applies force to the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second inclined side edge portion 70 located on the other side (left side) in the left-right direction, in a direction approaching each other. In addition, in embodiment 1, the first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b have the same shape and are used in a left-right reversed state. Therefore, in the following description, the first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b are shown. Figure 10The first spring member 82a will be described below, and in the drawings, the second spring member 82b is denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first spring member 82a, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] <First Spring Member 82a (Second Spring Member 82b)> The first spring member 82a is formed of a leaf spring clip having a first plate portion 84 that overlaps with the outer surface (upper surface) of the first inclined side edge portion 60, a second plate portion 86 that overlaps with the outer surface (lower surface) of the second inclined side edge portion 70, and a connecting plate portion 88 that connects the first plate portion 84 and the second plate portion 86. The first spring member 82a is formed of, for example, a metal that can be stamped, and can be formed by bending a metal flat plate into a predetermined shape.

[0052] The first plate portion 84 and the second plate portion 86 extend from the upper and lower ends of the connecting plate portion 88, respectively, toward one side in the plate thickness direction of the connecting plate portion 88. The first plate portion 84 and the second plate portion 86 are vertically opposed to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. The first plate portion 84 and the second plate portion 86 are elastically deformable in directions moving away from or toward each other, with their connection points with the connecting plate portion 88 serving as base points.

[0053] like Figure 10 As shown in the figures, the first plate portion 84 is in the shape of a roughly rectangular flat plate. A first protrusion 90 is provided in the middle portion of the first plate portion 84 in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction), and the first protrusion 90 extends continuously in the width direction of the first plate portion 84 (i.e., the front-to-back direction as the pressing direction of the counterpart terminal 12) with an arc-shaped cross-section protruding toward the second plate portion 86 opposite in the vertical direction. In Embodiment 1, the first protrusion 90 is provided over the entire width direction of the first plate portion 84. In addition, in Embodiment 1, the first protrusion 90 is formed by stamping, and a recess 92 opening upward is formed on the upper surface of the first plate portion 84 at a position corresponding to the first protrusion 90. Furthermore, since the first protrusion 90 is formed to extend linearly with an arcuate cross section, when the first plate portion 84 overlaps the outer surface of the first inclined side edge portion 60, the top of the first protrusion 90 makes linear contact with the outer surface of the first inclined side edge portion 60, thereby applying a concentrated force to the first inclined side edge portion 60. Furthermore, two locking claws 94, 94 are provided at a front-to-back center portion of the protruding top end portion of the first plate portion 84, spaced apart from each other in the front-to-back direction, projecting toward the opposing second plate portion 86 or the terminal press-fitting gap 16 (lower side).

[0054] Similarly, the second plate portion 86 is a substantially rectangular flat plate, and a second protrusion 96 is provided in the approximate center of the second plate portion 86, protruding inward (upward) in the direction opposite to the first plate portion 84. In the first embodiment, the second protrusion 96 is hemispherical and formed by stamping. Thus, a concave portion 98 (see FIG. 1 ) opening downward is formed on the lower surface of the second plate portion 86 at a position corresponding to the second protrusion 96. Figure 3 ). Furthermore, since the second protrusion 96 is hemispherical, when the second plate portion 86 overlaps with the outer surface of the second inclined side edge portion 70, the top of the second protrusion 96 makes point contact with the outer surface of the second inclined side edge portion 70, thereby applying a concentrated force to the second inclined side edge portion 70. In addition, a locking claw 100 is provided at the central portion in the front-to-back direction of the protruding top end portion of the second plate portion 86, which protrudes toward the opposite first plate portion 84 or the terminal press-fit gap 16 side (upper side). In embodiment 1, the locking claw 100 of the second plate portion 86 is provided between the locking claws 94, 94 of the first plate portion 84 in the front-to-back direction.

[0055] The first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b of this shape are assembled from the right and left sides, respectively. Figure 8 The terminal part 20 is bent in this manner. That is, the locking claws 94 of each first plate portion 84 are locked in the through-holes 68 of the first flat portion 62, and the locking claws 100 of each second plate portion 86 are locked in the through-holes 80 of the second flat portion 72, so that the first and second spring members 82a and 82b are assembled to the terminal part 20. Furthermore, when the first and second spring members 82a and 82b are assembled to the terminal part 20, the first protrusion 90 of each first plate portion 84 abuts against the outer surface (upper surface) of the first inclined side edge portion 60, and the second protrusion 96 of each second plate portion 86 abuts against the outer surface (lower surface) of the second inclined side edge portion 70.

[0056] In embodiment 1, as Figure 8 As shown, when the terminal fitting 20 is bent, the separation distance B between the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 in the opposing direction is maintained. Even when the first and second spring members 82a and 82b are assembled to the terminal fitting 20, the separation distance B between the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 in the opposing direction is maintained. Furthermore, before the first and second spring members 82a and 82b are assembled to the terminal fitting 20, the separation distance between the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 in the opposing direction may be greater than B. Specifically, by assembling the first and second spring members 82a and 82b to the terminal fitting 20, the first and second spring members 82a and 82b may bias the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 toward each other, thereby changing the separation distance B between the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 in the opposing direction.

[0057] Furthermore, when the first and second spring members 82a, 82b are assembled to the terminal part 20, the separation distance in the opposing directions of the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 is B, which is smaller than the plate thickness dimension A of the other terminal 12, so that the other terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal pressing gap 16. That is, by inserting the other terminal 12 into the other terminal connecting portion 14 (terminal pressing gap 16), the separation distance in the opposing directions of the first contact portion 64 and the second contact portion 76 is stretched to A, which is the same as the plate thickness dimension of the other terminal 12. As a result, the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 overcome the force of the spring member 82 (the first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b) and shift in the direction of separation from each other, allowing the other terminal 12 to be pressed into the terminal pressing gap 16. As shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the mating terminal 12 is pressed into the mating terminal connecting portion 14 to the mating terminal. This pressing end position can be determined, for example, by the tip of the mating terminal 12 abutting against the connecting portion 48 located on the inner side of the pressing direction of the terminal pressing gap 16, or by the housing (not shown) that holds the mating terminal 12 abutting against the tip (front end) of the terminal part 20.

[0058] Furthermore, as the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 are displaced in the directions away from each other, the first plate portions 84 and the second plate portions 86 of the first and second spring members 82a and 82b are stretched in the directions away from each other. Figure 4 As shown, when the other terminal 12 is in the pressed-in end position, the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 are pressed against the other terminal 12 by the elastic restoring force of the first contact plate portion 44 (first flexure 18a) and the second contact plate portion 52 (second flexure 18b) in the direction of approaching each other and the elastic restoring force of each first plate portion 84 and each second plate portion 86 of the first and second spring components 82a, 82b in the direction of approaching each other.

[0059] In the first embodiment, the spring member 82 is composed of a first spring member 82a and a second spring member 82b on either side. Thus, the first spring member 82a presses the first contact portion 64 of the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second contact portion 76 of the second inclined side edge portion 70, located on one side (the right side) in the board width direction, against the right-hand inclined portion 24 of the mating terminal 12, which is pressed between them. Furthermore, the second spring member 82b presses the first contact portion 64 of the first inclined side edge portion 60 and the second contact portion 76 of the second inclined side edge portion 70, located on the other side (the left side) in the board width direction, against the left-hand inclined portion 24 of the mating terminal 12, which is pressed between them.

[0060] <Assembly Step of Terminal-Attached Conductor 10> Next, a specific example of the assembly process of the conductor with terminal 10 will be described. In addition, the assembly process of the conductor with terminal 10 is not limited to the following description.

[0061] First, a metal raw material plate constituting the terminal part 20 is subjected to a stamping process or the like to form a Figure 9 The metal flat plate 38 shown. Next, the center portion of the metal flat plate 38 in the longitudinal direction is bent to form the connecting portion 30, and the two ends constituting the longitudinal end side 40 of the first flexible piece 18a and the longitudinal end side 42 of the second flexible piece 18b are brought close to each other. Figure 8 As shown, the terminal part 20 is in a bent state.

[0062] Then, if Figure 7 As shown, the first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b are assembled to the terminal fitting 20 from the left and right, and the core wire 34 at the end of the conductor 22 is fixed to the conductor connecting portion 32 of the terminal fitting 20. In the first embodiment, as described above, the core wire 34 is welded to the conductor connecting portion 32 by ultrasonic welding, and the first rear end portion 46 and the second rear end portion 54, which overlap in the vertical direction, are not fixed to each other. As a result, the conductor 10 with a terminal of the first embodiment is completed.

[0063] The counterpart terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal pressing gap 16 from the opening portion on the top side relative to the terminal conductor 10 assembled as described above. At this time, as described above, the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b are flexed and deformed (elastically deformed) in the direction opposite to the opposing direction (outward in the up and down direction), allowing the counterpart terminal 12 to be pressed into the counterpart terminal connection portion 14 (terminal pressing gap 16). In particular, these first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b are connected at the connecting portion 30 at the end edge portion on the base end side (rear side), and the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b are not connected at other locations. Therefore, when the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b are flexed and deformed, the top side (front side) is deformed in an expanding manner with the connecting portion 30 as a fulcrum. As a result, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 or Figure 4 As shown, before the mating terminal 12 is pressed in, the mating terminal 12 is pressed in between the first rear end portion 46 and the second rear end portion 54 that overlap each other in the vertical direction, thereby forming a gap 102 .

[0064] According to the conductor with terminals 10 of embodiment 1, the conductor connection portion 32 to which the end of the conductor 22 is connected is extended toward the top end side relative to the connection portion 30 connecting the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b. As a result, the conductor connection portion does not extend toward the base end side (the rear side) beyond the connection portion between the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece, thereby enabling miniaturization of the terminal part 20 and, in turn, the size of the conductor with terminals 10. In addition, in the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b, the distance from the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 that are in contact with the other terminal 12 to the conductor connection portion 32 can be shortened, thereby shortening the current path and reducing the on-resistance. As a result, a connection structure of a male terminal (other terminal 12) and a female terminal (conductor with terminals 10) suitable for larger currents can be provided.

[0065] The end edges of the base ends of the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b are connected to each other to form a connecting portion 30, and the top ends of the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b (the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52) are arranged opposite each other in the plate thickness direction across the terminal press-in gap 16 to form the mating terminal connecting portion 14. In this way, by providing the connecting portion 30 at the end edges of the base ends of the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b, the substantially entire terminal component 20 can be formed into a region capable of flexing and deforming, thereby miniaturizing the terminal component 20 and stably pressing the mating terminal 12 into the terminal press-in gap 16.

[0066] By bending a strip-shaped flat metal plate 38, the bent portion forms the connecting portion 30, and the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b are formed by one longitudinal end 40 and the other longitudinal end 42 of the flat metal plate 38, respectively. This eliminates the need for welding or other methods to connect the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b, making it easier to manufacture the terminal component 20 and, in turn, the terminal-attached conductor 10. Furthermore, because the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b are formed from a single flat metal plate 38, the on-resistance can be reduced.

[0067] The first rear end portion 46 of the base end side of the first flexible piece 18a and the second rear end portion 54 of the base end side of the second flexible piece 18b are separably overlapped, and the end of the conductor 22 (core wire 34) is welded to the outer surface (upper surface) of the base end side (first rear end portion 46) of the first flexible piece 18a. As in the first embodiment, by adopting a welding method such as ultrasonic welding with a small heat input, it is possible to Figure 8 By manufacturing the conductor 10 with a terminal by welding the conductor 22 (core wire 34 ) to the conductor connecting portion 32 in a state where the terminal fitting 20 is bent, it is possible to improve manufacturing efficiency.

[0068] The terminal-attached conductor 10 includes a spring member 82 (a first spring member 82a and a second spring member 82b). The spring member 82 urges the first contact plate portion 44, which is located at the distal end of the first flexible piece 18a, and the second contact plate portion 52, which is located at the distal end of the second flexible piece 18b, toward each other. This force of the spring member 82 allows the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 to be pressed against the mating terminal 12, thereby stably maintaining electrical continuity between the terminal-attached conductor 10 and the mating terminal 12.

[0069] In particular, the mating terminal 12 has a pair of inclined portions 24, 24 on either side of the plate width (left-right direction), and the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 have a pair of first inclined side edges 60, 60 and a pair of second inclined side edges 70, 70, respectively, corresponding thereto. Furthermore, each first inclined side edge 60 has a first contact portion 64 that contacts the mating terminal 12 inserted into the press-fit terminal gap 16, and each second inclined side edge 70 has a second contact portion 76 that contacts the mating terminal 12 inserted into the press-fit terminal gap 16. These first contact portions 64 and second contact portions 76 protrude in the plate thickness direction of each inclined portion 24.

[0070] That is, the pressing force F1 of each first contact portion 64 (see Figure 3 ) and the pressing force F2 of each second contact portion 76 (refer to Figure 3 ) act in the same direction as the thickness direction of each inclined portion 24. Therefore, each inclined portion 24 is stably held by each of the first and second contact portions 64 and 76, enabling more reliable electrical conduction between the male terminal (mating terminal 12) and the female terminal (terminated conductor 10). In particular, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the pressing force F1 of each first contact portion 64 acts and the direction in which the pressing force F2 of each second contact portion 76 acts are not aligned with each other in the thickness direction of each inclined portion 24. Specifically, the pressing force F1 of each first contact portion 64 acts on both ends of each inclined portion 24 in the left-right direction, while the pressing force F2 of each second contact portion 76 acts on the left-right inner side of the portion where the pressing force F1 acts. This prevents the pressing forces F1 and F2 from both sides from acting on the same position on each inclined portion 24. As a result, the inclined portions 24 of the mating terminal 12 separate the first contact portions 64 and the second contact portions 76 at a plurality of locations, thereby also reducing the insertion resistance.

[0071] In addition, if Figure 3As shown, the pressing force F1 of each first contact portion 64 acts as a downward force component F1a and a horizontally outward force component F1b, while the pressing force F2 of each second contact portion 76 acts as an upward force component F2a and a horizontally inward force component F2b. Therefore, even if an external force is applied to the mating terminal 12 in the horizontal direction from one direction toward the other (e.g., from the right toward the left), displacement of the mating terminal 12 due to an external force applied in the opposite direction (e.g., force component F1b from the left toward the right) or the horizontally inward force component F2b can be suppressed. In particular, because the downward force component F1a of each first contact portion 64 and the upward force component F2a of each second contact portion 76 oppose each other in the vertical direction, vertical displacement of the mating terminal 12 can be more reliably suppressed. As a result, displacement of the mating terminal 12 relative to the conductor with terminal 10 can be suppressed, and the conductive state between the mating terminal 12 and the conductor with terminal 10 can be stably maintained.

[0072] Furthermore, the spring member 82 that applies these pressing forces F1 and F2 is divided into a first spring member 82a, located on the right, and a second spring member 82b, located on the left. Thus, the pressing forces F1 and F2 on the right can be applied by the first spring member 82a, while the pressing forces F1 and F2 on the left can be applied by the second spring member 82b. This allows the spring member 82 (the first and second spring members 82a, 82b) to be miniaturized while simultaneously providing the pressing forces F1 and F2 acting in different directions independently on the left and right sides.

[0073] Further, if Figure 4 As shown, the first contact portions 64 and the second contact portions 76 are formed at different positions in the front-to-back direction, and the mating terminal 12 is clamped by the first contact portions 64 and the second contact portions 76 at three different locations in the front-to-back direction. This effectively prevents the mating terminal 12 from rocking and shifting in the vertical direction within the terminal press-fit gap 16.

[0074] Furthermore, the first and second flexible pieces 18a, 18b are connected only by the connecting portion 30 at their rear ends. When the mating terminal 12 is pressed into the terminal insertion gap 16, the first and second flexible pieces 18a (particularly the first contact plate portion 44) and 18b (particularly the second contact plate portion 52) tilt in mutually intersecting directions. The protruding top surfaces of each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 are each approximately square in shape, with the center portion of each protruding most. This ensures that even when the mating terminal 12 and the first and / or second contact plate portions 44 and 52 are tilted, each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 can maintain stable contact with the mating terminal 12. In addition, since the protruding top end surfaces of each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 are of the above-mentioned shape, even when the counterpart terminal 12 is shaken and displaced within the terminal pressing gap 16, the contact state between the counterpart terminal 12 and each first contact portion 64 and each second contact portion 76 can be stably maintained.

[0075] <Modification> While the first embodiment has been described in detail as a specific example of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this specific description. Variations and improvements within the scope of the present invention are encompassed within the present invention. For example, variations of the following embodiments are also encompassed within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0076] (1) In the above embodiment, a covered wire is used as the conductor 22. However, this is merely an example. The conductor may be, for example, a busbar, and the end of the busbar may be fixed to the conductor connection portion of the terminal fitting. Furthermore, the busbar may be provided with an insulating coating at necessary locations other than the end fixed to the conductor connection portion.

[0077] (2) In the embodiment, the metal flat plate 38 is bent to form the connecting portion 30 or the first and second flexible pieces 18a and 18b, but it is not limited to this method. That is, for example, the first flexible piece and the second flexible piece formed as separate bodies can also be fixed on their base end sides by welding or the like. In this case, the connecting portion does not have to be provided at the end edge of the base end side of the first and second flexible pieces, and the connecting portion can also be provided at a position separated from the end edge of each base end side by a predetermined distance to the top end side. In addition, in the embodiment, the conductor with terminal 10 has two flexible pieces 18 (the first flexible piece 18a and the second flexible piece 18b), but the number of flexible pieces can be more than one, and can also be more than three. For example, the first flexible piece 18a in the embodiment can also be divided into two in the left-right direction and three flexible pieces can be provided in reality. In this case, it is sufficient to connect the end of the conductor to at least one of the three flexible pieces.

[0078] (3) In the embodiment described above, the terminal part 20 (conductor connecting portion 32) and the conductor 22 (core wire 34) are welded by ultrasonic welding with a relatively small heat input, but the method of connecting the conductor connecting portion of the terminal part and the conductor is not limited to ultrasonic welding. For example, when welding the conductor connecting portion and the conductor, by placing another component with a relatively high melting point between the first rear end portion of the first flexure and the second rear end portion of the second flexure, the first rear end portion and the second rear end portion can be prevented from being fixed, and at the same time, the conductor connecting portion and the conductor can be welded by a welding method with a relatively large heat input (for example, laser welding, resistance welding, etc.). In addition, the conductor connecting portion and the conductor only need to be connected in a mutually conductive state, and can be connected and fixed by any connection method other than welding, for example, riveting, crimping, etc.

[0079] (4) In the embodiment described above, the spring member 82 (the first spring member 82a and the second spring member 82b) that urges the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52 toward each other is formed by a leaf spring clip, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the spring member that urges the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion toward each other may be formed by, for example, a coil spring or an annular rubber elastic body. In addition, in the conductor with terminals of the present invention, such a spring member is not essential. For example, the first flexure and the second flexure that are elastically deformed toward the outside in the opposing direction as the other terminal is pressed in may be pressed against the other terminal by their own elastic restoring force.

[0080] (5) In the embodiment described above, a pair of inclined portions 24, 24 are provided in the counterpart terminal 12, and a pair of first inclined side edges 60, 60 and a pair of second inclined side edges 70, 70 are provided in the first contact plate portion 44 and the second contact plate portion 52, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the conductor with a terminal of the present invention, the above-mentioned inclined portion or the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion are not required. For example, the counterpart terminal may also be a flat protruding piece with a roughly rectangular cross-section, and the counterpart terminal connection portion (terminal press-fit gap) may also be a roughly rectangular cross-section corresponding thereto. In addition, even in the case where the inclined portion or the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion are provided, the sizes of the inclined angle θ1 or the inclined angle θ2 and the inclined angle θ3 may be different from each other. In addition, the central flat portion or the first flat portion and the second flat portion are not required, and the inclined portions or the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion on both sides may also be directly connected to each other.

[0081] (6) The number, shape, etc. of the first and second contact portions are not limited to those described in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the first and second contact portions may both be hemispherical, and one or more contact portions may be provided in the direction of insertion of the mating terminal. Furthermore, the number, shape, etc. of the first and second contact portions may differ from each other.

[0082] (7) The number, shape, etc. of the first or second protrusions provided on the first spring member and the second spring member are not limited. For example, the first and second protrusions may both be hemispherical, or may each be provided with one or more. Alternatively, the first and second protrusions may both have a circular arc cross-section and extend in a straight line. Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 10 Conductors with terminals 12 other terminal 14 Mating terminal connection part 16 Terminal press-in clearance 18 flexure sheet 18a 1st flexure 18b Second flexure 20 terminal parts 22 conductors 24 inclined portion 26 Central flat part 28 through holes 30 Connection 32 Conductor connection part 34 core wire 36 Insulation coating 38 Metal Plate 40 One end in the length direction 42 Other end in the length direction 44 1st contact plate 46 1st rear end 48 connection 50 incision 52 Second contact plate 54 2nd rear end 56 Connection 58 incision 60 First inclined side edge 62 First flat part 63 Imported Surface 64 1st contact part 66 recess 68 through hole 70 Second inclined side edge 72 Second flat part 74 Imported Surface 76 Second contact part 78 recess 80 through hole 82 Spring component 82a First spring member 82b Second spring member 84 Plate 1 86 Section 2 88 connecting plate 90 1st convex part 92 recess 94 locking claw 96 2nd convex part 98 recess 100 locking claws 102 Gap

Claims

1. A conductor with a terminal, comprising a terminal part and a conductor, The terminal part has a plurality of flexible pieces, The conductor is connected to the terminal part, The terminal parts include: a connecting portion formed by connecting the base ends of the plurality of flexible pieces to each other; The mating terminal connecting portion is formed by arranging the free ends of the plurality of flexible pieces to face each other with a terminal press-fitting gap therebetween; and A conductor connecting portion, wherein the end of the conductor is connected to the outer surface of at least one of the plurality of flexures. The plurality of flexible pieces are deformed in a direction opposite to the opposing direction with the connecting portion as a fulcrum, allowing the other terminal to be pressed into the other terminal connecting portion. The conductor connection portion is provided so as to extend toward the distal end side relative to the connection portion.

2. The conductor with a terminal according to claim 1, wherein The plurality of flexible pieces include a first flexible piece in a strip shape and a second flexible piece in a strip shape arranged opposite to the first flexible piece in the plate thickness direction. The end edges of the first and second flexible pieces on the base end sides are connected to each other to form the connection portion. The respective front ends of the first and second flexible pieces are disposed to face each other with the terminal press-fitting gap therebetween in the plate thickness direction to constitute the mating terminal connecting portion.

3. The conductor with a terminal according to claim 2, wherein: The first and second flexible pieces are formed by bending both end portions of a strip-shaped metal flat plate in a plate thickness direction so as to approach each other, and using the bent portions as the connecting portions.

4. The conductor with a terminal according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The base end side of the first flexible piece overlaps with the base end side of the second flexible piece, and portions other than the connecting portion are separable from each other. The terminal end of the conductor is welded to the outer surface on the base end side of the first flexible piece.

5. The conductor with a terminal according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein: The first and second flexible pieces each have a first contact plate portion and a second contact plate portion at the tip end thereof, the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion constituting the mating terminal connecting portion. The conductor with a terminal includes a spring member that urges the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion toward each other. By pressing the other terminal into the other terminal connecting portion, the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion overcome the urging force of the spring member and shift in a direction away from each other, and the other terminal is pressed into the other terminal connecting portion to a pressing end position. At the press-fit end position, the first contact plate portion and the second contact plate portion are press-contacted against the mating terminal by the elastic restoring force of the first and second flexible pieces and the elastic restoring force of the spring member. The conductor with a terminal according to claim 5 , wherein: The mating terminal is plate-shaped and has a pair of inclined portions on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting a pressing direction toward the mating terminal connection portion, the pair of inclined portions being inclined toward the first contact plate portion, which is one side in a plate thickness direction of the mating terminal. The first contact plate portion has a pair of first inclined side edges, the pair of first inclined side edges facing the one side of the plate thickness direction of the counterpart terminal and inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the counterpart terminal, and each of the first inclined side edges is provided with a first contact portion protruding toward the terminal press-fit gap. The second contact plate portion has a pair of second inclined side edges, the pair of second inclined side edges facing the other side of the plate thickness direction of the counterpart terminal and inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the counterpart terminal, and each of the second inclined side edges is provided with a second contact portion protruding toward the terminal press-fit gap. The spring member includes a first spring member and a second spring member, the first spring member being arranged on one side in the plate width direction and biasing the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion located on the one side in the plate width direction toward each other, and the second spring member being arranged on the other side in the plate width direction and biasing the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion located on the other side in the plate width direction toward each other, The first spring member presses the first contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion located on the one side in the plate width direction and the second contact portion of the second inclined side edge portion onto the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween, and the second spring member presses the first contact portion of the first inclined side edge portion located on the other side in the plate width direction and the second contact portion onto the inclined portion of the mating terminal pressed therebetween.

Images