Male terminal and terminal pair provided with male terminal

Abstract

[Task] To easily secure the required contact pressure of the contact point of a terminal pair while reducing micro-sliding wear. [Solution] A male terminal (2) comprises: a bottom wall (21) that extends in the front-rear direction, the male terminal moving in the front-rear direction when connected to and disconnected from a female terminal (3); an upper wall 22 connected to a front end 21A of the bottom wall 21; a left wall 24 connected to a left edge of the upper wall 22; and a right wall 23 connected to a right edge of the upper wall 22, in which the bottom wall 21 and the upper wall 22 are connected by an elastic piece 30 having a shape that extends from a front end 21A of the bottom wall 21 and then is bent backwards to form a U shape; and wherein a pair of contact points 35L 35R, 135R, 235R to be connected to the female terminal 3 are each disposed on a corresponding one of the left wall 24 and the right wall 23.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a male terminal for connecting an electric circuit and a terminal pair provided with the male terminal. BACKGROUND

[0002] Known terminal pairs for connecting an electric circuit each mainly consist of a male terminal and a female terminal. Usually, the surfaces of these terminals are plated to protect the base metal layer.

[0003] While the terminal pair is in use, repeated slight relative movements between the contact points of the mated male and female terminals can cause micro-slip wear. When the plating layer is worn away by this micro-slip wear to produce insulating wear particles, the reliability of the electrical connection achieved by the terminal pair can be affected.

[0004] In view of this problem, some technical ideas have been developed to prevent a decrease in the reliability of the terminal pair caused by micro-slip wear and maintain the electrical connection reliability. For example, one known terminal pair is configured to include a first terminal having a first electrical connection portion, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal and having a second electrical connection portion, wherein the first electrical connection portion has an elastically deformable elastic contact portion, a first cylindrical portion arranged around the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion, an opening formed in the circumferential surface of the first cylindrical portion to expose the elastic contact portion to the outside, and wherein the second electrical connection portion has a second cylindrical portion that can be inserted into the first cylindrical portion, and a contact portion that protrudes inward from the second cylindrical portion and is inserted into the opening and contacts the elastic contact portion (Patent Literature 1).

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: JP 2021-192337 A SUMMARY

[0007] TASK TO BE ACCOMPLISHED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] A terminal pair that achieves the reduction of such micro-slip wear described above requires a structure configured so that, when a force that causes small relative movements between the female and male terminals occurs, the structure is able to absorb the slight relative movements between them (i.e., a structure where one terminal easily follows the movement of the other terminal).

[0009] In the prior art of Patent Literature 1, since the structure is able to absorb the slight relative movements between the terminals, an elastically deformable elastic contact portion is provided on the first terminal. The elastic contact portion is formed of a single member that is continuous with the bottom wall and extends in the longitudinal direction and is formed by folding the single member back toward the bottom wall.

[0010] However, in the elastic contact portion of the above-described prior art, the force with which the elastic contact portion contacts the contacted portion acts on the elastic contact portion in the direction in which the elastic contact portion is bent (i.e., in the direction in which the elastic contact portion elastically deforms), resulting in the possibility that the structure provided to absorb the slight relative movement forcibly restricts the contact pressure of the elastic contact portion by the contacted portion. On the other hand, in the above-described prior art, the terminal is configured so as to secure a greater contact pressure, making it difficult to suppress the slight relative movement between the contact points (i.e., the contacted portion and the elastic contact portion), i.e., making it difficult to achieve the absorption of the microslip.

[0011] The present application has been made in view of these problems in the prior art, and a main object thereof lies in providing a male terminal and a terminal pair provided with the male terminal, which can easily secure a required contact pressure of a contact point while enabling the male terminal to easily follow the relative movement of a female terminal, thereby reducing microslip wear.

[0012] Means for accomplishing the task

[0013] As a solution to the above-described task to be accomplished, one aspect of the present application provides a male terminal (2) to be electrically connected to a female terminal (3), the male terminal including a bottom wall (21) extending in a front-rear direction, the male terminal moving in the front-rear direction when connected to the female terminal and disconnected from the female terminal; an upper wall (22) connected to a front end (21A) of the bottom wall; a left wall (24) connected to a left edge of the upper wall; and a right wall (23) connected to a right edge of the upper wall, wherein the bottom wall and the upper wall are connected by an elastic piece (33) having a shape such that the elastic piece extends from the front end of the bottom wall and then bends backward to form a U shape, and wherein a pair of contact points (35L, 35R, 135R, 235R) to be connected to the female terminal are each disposed on a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall.

[0014] According to this configuration, the male terminal can easily secure a required contact pressure of a contact point while enabling the male terminal to easily follow the relative movement of a female terminal, thereby reducing microslip wear.

[0015] The above-described male terminal can also be configured such that the pair of contact points are each disposed on a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall so as to face each other.

[0016] This configuration can more stably ensure a required contact pressure of a contact point without hindering the displacement of the elastic piece following the relative movement of the female terminal.

[0017] The above-described male terminal can also be configured such that each of the pair of contact points (35L, 35R) is formed on a flat surface on a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall.

[0018] This configuration enables the contact points to be formed on both the right wall and the left wall by a simple structure.

[0019] The male terminal described above can also be configured such that each of the pair of contact points (135R) is formed as a protrusion on a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall, the protrusion projecting outward.

[0020] This configuration enables the contact points to be formed on both the right wall and the left wall by a simple structure.

[0021] The male terminal described above can also be configured such that each of the pair of contact points (235R) is formed as a recess on an outer surface of a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall.

[0022] This configuration enables the contact points (e.g., protrusions) of the female terminal to be easily guided into the contact points of the male terminal that are formed as recesses.

[0023] The male terminal described above can also be configured such that the male terminal further includes at least one limiting piece (27L, 27R) that projects from the bottom wall and limits displacement of the upper wall.

[0024] This configuration enables the contact points to be formed on both the right wall and the left wall by a simple structure.

[0025] The male terminal described above can also be configured such that the male terminal further includes at least one limiting piece (27L, 27R) that projects from the bottom wall and limits displacement of the upper wall.

[0026] This configuration enables the contact points to be formed on both the right wall and the left wall by a simple structure.

[0027] The male terminal described above can also be configured such that the at least one limiting piece has a through-hole (38L, 38R) that extends through in the left-right direction, and wherein a tip of the at least one limiting piece is inserted into the through-hole.

[0028] This configuration enables the contact points to be formed on both the right wall and the left wall by a simple structure.

[0029] The male terminal can be further configured such that the pair of front walls extend in such a direction that the front ends thereof are brought closer together.

[0030] This configuration protects the elastic piece by the pair of front walls, thereby achieving stable deformation of the elastic piece in response to relative movement of the female terminal.

[0031] The male terminal can be further configured such that the pair of front walls extend in such a direction that the front ends thereof are brought closer together.

[0032] This configuration protects the elastic piece by the pair of front walls, thereby achieving easy connection to the female terminal.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention provides a terminal pair (1) including: a male terminal as described above; and a female terminal to be connected to the male terminal, as a solution to the above-described task to be accomplished.

[0034] According to this configuration, the terminal pair can easily secure a required contact pressure of the contact points in contact with each other while enabling the male terminal to easily follow relative movement of the female terminal, thereby reducing micro-slip wear.

[0035] The terminal pair can be further configured such that the female terminal includes an upper wall (64), a bottom wall (61), a left wall (62), and a right wall (63), and wherein a pair of contact points (35L, 36R, 136L) to be connected to the male terminal are each disposed on a corresponding one of the right wall and the left wall of the female terminal.

[0036] According to this configuration, the terminal pair can easily secure a required contact pressure of the contact points in contact with each other while enabling the male terminal to easily follow relative movement of the female terminal, thereby reducing micro-slip wear.

[0037] The male terminal can be further configured such that the left wall and the right wall of the female terminal each include: a pair of slits (71L, 72L) extending in parallel in a front-rear direction, and a flat plate-shaped elastic piece (75L, 75R) formed between the pair of slits, and wherein the pair of contact points to be connected to the male terminal are each disposed on the flat plate-shaped elastic piece on a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall of the female terminal.

[0038] According to this configuration, the terminal pair can more easily secure a required contact pressure of the contact points of the female terminal.

[0039] Effects of the Invention

[0040] According to the above-described embodiment of the present application, the male terminal and the terminal pair provided with the male terminal can easily secure a required contact pressure of the contact point while enabling the male terminal to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal, thereby reducing micro-slip wear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal pair before connecting two terminals; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the terminal pair after connecting two terminals according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a front portion of a male terminal; FIG. 4 is a side view of the front portion of the male terminal; FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the male terminal taken along line V-V in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the male terminal taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of a contact point in a female terminal; FIG. 8 is a front view of the female terminal; FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the terminal pair in a connected state; FIG. 10 is a sectional perspective view of a portion of the contact point of the terminal pair in the connected state; FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing how micro-slip of the terminal pair occurs; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a terminal pair according to a first modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a terminal pair according to a second modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a modified elastic piece of the male terminal of FIG. 3; FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a modified bottom structure of the male terminal of FIG. 3; and FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the male terminal taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Embodiments of a terminal pair according to the present application and male and female terminals forming the terminal pair will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a terminal pair 1 includes a male terminal 2 and a female terminal 3 electrically connectable to each other. FIG. 1 shows the terminal pair 1 before connection, in which the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 are in a state in which they are electrically disconnected from each other (hereinafter referred to as "disconnected state"). FIG. 2 shows the terminal pair 1 after connection, in which the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 are in a state in which they are electrically connected to each other (hereinafter referred to as "connected state").

[0044] For ease of explanation in the following description, in the description regarding the male terminal 2, the term "front" is defined as the side thereof facing the female terminal 3 (i.e., the direction toward which the male terminal 2 is moved relative to the female terminal 3 for connection), and the terms denoting respective sides / directions, i.e., up, down, front, back, left, and right, are all defined based on this term front. In the description regarding the female terminal 3, the term "front" is defined as the side thereof facing the male terminal 2 (i.e., the direction toward which the female terminal 3 is moved relative to the male terminal 2 for connection). The terms front, back, left, and right for the female terminal 3 denote respective sides / directions opposite to those for the male terminal 2. However, the actual directions (i.e., orientations) of the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 in use are not limited by the directions defined herein for convenience. Figure 1

[0045] The male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 are each integrally formed from a plate made of an electrically conductive material (e.g., a metallic or alloy material such as copper or brass) using a known stamping or bending process. The surface of each of the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 is electroplated to form an electroplated layer (not shown) having a predetermined thickness (e.g., several micrometers to several tens of micrometers). The electroplated layer is formed, for example, from a metal or alloy such as tin or nickel.

[0046] The male terminal 2 includes a front portion 11, a back portion 12, and a middle portion 13 connecting the front and back portions.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion 11 of the male terminal 2 includes a bottom wall 21, an upper wall 22 connected to a front end 21A of the bottom wall 21, a right wall 23 connected to a right edge of the upper wall 22, a left wall 24 connected to a left edge of the upper wall 22, and a pair of front walls 25R and 25L connected to the right and left walls 23 and 24, respectively. The front portion 11 further includes a pair of stop pieces 26R and 26L (see also FIG. 5) connected to the left and right edges of the upper wall 22, respectively, and a pair of stop pieces 27R and 27L connected to the left and right edges of the bottom wall 21, respectively. The outer shape of the front portion 11 forms a substantially rectangular shape in the front view (i.e., when viewed from the front side).

[0048] ​The bottom wall 21 extends in the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction in which the male terminal 2 moves when connected to and disconnected from the female terminal 3). The front end 21A of the bottom wall 21 and the front end 22B of the upper wall 22 are connected by the elastic piece 30. The elastic piece 30 has a shape that is formed so as to extend from the front end 21A of the bottom wall 21 and then bend upward and then backward into a U-shape. In this way, as also shown in Fig. 5, in a side view, the elastic piece 30 forms a substantially U-shape (or a substantially C-shape). The lateral width of the elastic piece 30 is set to be smaller than the lateral width of the bottom wall 21 and the upper wall 22. By changing the lateral width of the elastic piece 30, the amount of deformation of the elastic piece 30 (i.e., the amount of displacement of the contact points 35L and 35R, which easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3) can be adjusted.

[0049] In the male terminal 2, the bottom wall 21, the upper wall 22, the right wall 23, and the left wall 24 each form a flat plate shape in a region in front of the slits 37R and 37L (in this embodiment, the contact points 35L, 35R are provided in this region). This means that the male terminal 2 has a substantially rectangular outer shape in cross section (taken along a line perpendicular to the front-rear direction) in this region (see Fig. 16). However, the bottom wall 21, the upper wall 22, the right wall 23, and the left wall 24 in this region can at least partially have a curved shape in cross section. For example, the upper wall 22, the right wall 23, and the left wall 24 each form a curved plate-like shape that curves outwardly convexly.

[0050] The upper wall 22 extends in the front-rear direction, substantially parallel to and above the bottom wall 21. The left wall 24 and the right wall 23 are connected to the left and right edges, respectively, in the front portion of the upper wall 22. A notch 22A of a predetermined size is formed at the rear portion of the upper wall 22.

[0051] The right wall 23 extends from the right edge of the upper wall 22 toward the bottom wall 21. The lower portion of the right wall is bent inwardly (i.e., toward the left wall 24) in an L-shape, thereby forming a protrusion 33R (see Fig. 1). The protrusion 33R extends in parallel to the bottom wall 21. A small gap is formed between the lower surface of the protrusion 33R and the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. In some cases, the lower surface of the protrusion can be in contact (or sliding contact) with the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. The protrusion 33R prevents excessive movement (i.e., displacement downwardly) of the right wall 23 relative to the bottom wall 21.

[0052] A contact point 35R for connecting to the female terminal 3 is provided on the right wall 23. In the present embodiment, the contact point 35R is formed on a flat surface of the right wall 23. More precisely, when the terminal pair 1 is in the connected state (Fig. 2), the contact point 35R is at a position of the surface of the right wall 23 at which the left contact point 36L of the female terminal 3 makes contact.

[0053] The front portion of the right wall 23 is separated from the right edge of the upper wall 22, and has its front end 23A at a position in front of the elastic piece 30. In other words, the right side of the elastic piece 30 is protected by the right wall 23. This feature prevents problems such as damage to the right side of the elastic piece 30 when the elastic piece 30 comes into contact with the female terminal 3 during connection of the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3.

[0054] The left wall 24 is formed substantially symmetrically with the right wall 23. The left wall 24 extends from the left edge of the upper wall 22 toward the bottom wall 21. The lower portion of the left wall 24 is bent inward (i.e., toward the right wall 23) in an L shape, thereby forming a protrusion 33L (see Fig. 6). The protrusion 33L extends in parallel with the bottom wall 21. A small gap is formed between the lower surface of the protrusion 33L and the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. In some cases, the lower surface of the protrusion 33L can be in contact (or sliding contact) with the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. The protrusion 33L prevents excessive movement (i.e., downward displacement) of the left wall 24 relative to the bottom wall 21. The inner end of the protrusion 33L is disposed so as to face the protrusion 33R with a slight gap (or in some cases, contact the protrusion 33R). Figure 5 A contact point 35L for connecting to the female terminal 3 is provided on the left wall 24. In the present embodiment, the contact point 35L is formed on a flat surface of the left wall 24 in a similar manner to the contact point 35R on the right wall 23. Thus, when the terminal pair 1 is in the connected state, the contact point 35L is at a position of the surface of the left wall 24 at which the right contact point 36R of the female terminal 3 makes contact (Figs. 8 and 10).

[0055] The front portion of the left wall 24 is separated from the left edge of the upper wall 22, and has its front end 24A at a position in front of the elastic piece 30 in a similar manner to the front portion of the right wall 23. In other words, the left side of the elastic piece 30 is protected by the left wall 24. This feature prevents problems such as damage to the left side of the elastic piece 30 when the elastic piece 30 comes into contact with the female terminal 3 during connection of the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3.

[0056]

[0057] ​The pair of front walls 25R and 25L are formed symmetrically with respect to each other. The pair of front walls 25R and 25L respectively extend forward from the front ends of the right wall 23 and the left wall 24, thereby disposing them in front of the elastic sheet 30 (Fig. 3). In other words, the front side of the elastic sheet 30 is protected by the front walls 25R and 25L. This feature prevents problems such as damage to the elastic sheet 30 when the elastic sheet comes into contact with the female terminal 3 during connection of the male terminal 2 to the female terminal 3.

[0058] The pair of front walls 25R, 25L extend in such a direction that their front ends are close together, providing inclined surfaces (front surfaces) that are inclined inward toward the front direction. Movement of the male terminal 2 during its connection to the female terminal 3 is guided through these inclined surfaces, which allows an assembler (including work robots and other machines) to easily connect the male terminal 2 to the female terminal 3. The front walls 25R and 25L gradually narrow toward their front ends so as to be smaller in height. This feature facilitates connection of the male terminal 2 to the female terminal 3. In particular, since the male terminal 2 is formed by bending of the sheet material, the front walls 25R and 25L and their peripheral regions can easily deform inward (toward each other). The male terminal 2 thus configured can reduce the mating force while ensuring the required contact pressure between its contact points and those of the female terminal 3 during connection to the female terminal 3, as described later.

[0059] Such features of the front walls 25R and 25L of the male terminal 2 can be employed independently of other components of the male terminal 2 (e.g., the elastic sheet 30, the contact points 35L and 35R). For example, when the male terminal is configured to include a bottom wall extending in the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction along which the male terminal 2 moves when connected to and disconnected from the female terminal 3), an upper wall opposite the bottom wall, a left wall provided on the left edge of the upper wall, a right wall provided on the right edge of the upper wall, and a pair of front walls respectively extending from the front ends of the left and right walls, the above-described features of the front walls 25R and 25L can be employed for the pair of front walls.

[0060] The pair of limiting pieces 26R and 26L are formed symmetrically with respect to each other. The pair of limiting pieces 26R and 26L are disposed behind the right wall 23 and the left wall 24, respectively. Slits 37R and 37L are formed as cutouts extending upward from the lower edges at positions between the left wall 24 and the right wall 23 and the limiting pieces 26R and 26L.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 6, each of the limiting pieces 26R and 26L has an upper portion shaped to curve downward and inward from the left and right edges of the upper wall 22. Each of the limiting pieces 26R and 26L has a lower portion connected to the upper portion, which forms a generally flat plate shape and extends downward toward the bottom wall 21. Each of the limiting pieces 26R and 26L extends downward to form a predetermined gap between a tip thereof and an upper surface of the bottom wall 21.

[0062] The limiting pieces 26R and 26L have respective through-holes 38R and 38L formed therethrough in the left-right direction (Figs. 4 and 5). Each of the through-holes 38R and 38L has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the side. The limiting pieces 26R and 26L are formed at positions that partially overlap the positions of the notches 22A in the upper wall 22 in the front-rear direction.

[0063] The limiting pieces 27R and 27L are symmetrically formed with respect to each other. The limiting pieces 27R and 27L are formed at positions corresponding to the positions of the limiting pieces 26R and 26L, respectively, in the front-rear direction. As also shown in Fig. 6, the limiting pieces 27R and 27L extend upward from the corresponding right and left edges of the bottom wall 21, respectively.

[0064] Each of the limiting pieces 27R and 27L has an upper portion shaped to curve upward and inward to form an insertion portion 41R and 41L, respectively. The insertion portions 41R and 41L extend horizontally (i.e., in the left-right direction), and tips thereof are inserted into the corresponding through-holes 38R and 38L of the limiting pieces 26R and 26L, respectively. The tip of each of the insertion portions 41R and 41L has a generally rectangular cross-section when viewed from the side (see Figs. 4 and 5).

[0065] Further, in the initial state (i.e., a state in which no vibration or the like occurs in the terminal pair 1), the outer peripheral surfaces of the insertion portions 41R and 41L respectively maintain a predetermined gap with respect to the inner peripheral surfaces of the through-holes 38R and 38L. In other words, in the initial state, the outer peripheral surfaces of the insertion portions 41R and 41L respectively do not come into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the through-holes 38R and 38L. As shown in FIG. 5, along the front-rear direction, the insertion portion 41L and the through-hole 38L (and similarly, the insertion portion 41R and the through-hole 38R) form front and rear gaps G1 and G2 having the same size therebetween. Similarly, along the vertical direction, the insertion portion 41L and the through-hole 38L (and similarly, the insertion portion 41R and the through-hole 38R) form upper and lower gaps G3 and G4 having the same size therebetween. However, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of each of the insertion portions 41R, 41L and the inner peripheral surface of the corresponding one of the through-holes 38R, 38L need not necessarily be maintained all around the entire periphery. In other words, in the initial state, the outer peripheral surface (e.g., the lower surface) of each of the insertion portions 41R and 41L can be partially in contact with the inner peripheral surface (e.g., the lower surface thereof) of the corresponding one of the through-holes 38R and 38L.

[0066] The gaps G1 and G2 in the front-rear direction are preferably larger than the gaps G3 and G4 in the vertical direction. This feature allows the male terminal 2 to more easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3, particularly in the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction in which the male terminal 2 moves when connected to and disconnected from the female terminal 3), while suppressing excessive displacement of the upper wall 22.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear portion 12 of the male terminal 2 includes a bottom wall 51, a right wall 52 connected to the right edge of the bottom wall 21, an upper arm wall 53 connected to the upper edge of the right wall 52, and a left wall 54 connected to the left edge of the bottom wall 51.

[0068] Provided at the rear portion of the bottom wall 51 is a guide portion 56. For example, the male terminal 2 is fixed to a substrate (not shown), and the guide portion 56 is electrically connected to that substrate. However, in some cases, the male terminal 2 can not be provided with the guide portion 56, and instead be electrically wired to the rear portion 12.

[0069] The upper wall 53 is shaped so as to extend from the right wall 52 toward the left wall 54 and bend downward while abutting the inner surface of the upper edge of the left wall 54, extend toward the bottom wall 51, and then bend to the right again, extending toward the right wall 52. As a result, the upper wall 53 forms a cylindrical shape having a substantially rectangular cross section.

[0070] The middle portion 13 of the male terminal 2 is arranged to connect the bottom wall 21 of the front portion 11 and the bottom wall 51 of the rear portion 12. The middle portion 13 has a substantially flat plate shape, and its width in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the front portion 11 in the left-right direction and the width of the rear portion 12 in the left-right direction.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female terminal 3 includes a bottom wall 61, a left wall 62 connected to a left edge of the bottom wall 61, a right wall 63 (see FIG. 8) connected to a right edge of the bottom wall 61, and an upper wall 64 connected to both the left wall 62 and the right wall 63. When viewed from the front (i.e., from the front side), the outer shape of the female terminal 3 forms a substantially rectangular shape. Similarly, the inner shape of the female terminal 3 is rectangular, and its inner shape dimensions are set to match the outer shape dimensions of the male terminal 2 (i.e., to allow the male terminal 2 to fit therein).

[0072] As also shown in FIG. 7, the left wall 62 of the female terminal 3 defines a pair of slits 71L and 72L that extend in the front-rear direction. When viewed from the side, each of the slits 71L and 72L forms a substantially horizontally long rectangular shape. The slits 71L and 72L are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. This arrangement forms a flat, plate-like elastic piece 75L that extends in the front-rear direction between the slits 71L and 72L. Similar to the slits 71L and 72L, the elastic piece 75L forms a substantially horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the side.

[0073] The contact point 36L of the female terminal 3 on the left side is disposed at the center of the elastic piece 75L in the front-rear direction. The elastic piece 75L is formed by using a press forming process to have a thickness that is less than the thickness of other components including the left wall 62. The outer surface of the elastic piece 75L is disposed inward relative to the outer surface of the other components including the left wall 62. This configuration reduces the thickness of the elastic piece 75L, thereby preventing the elastic piece from protruding significantly beyond the outer shape of the terminal pair 1 when the contact point 36L contacts the corresponding contact point 35R, causing the elastic piece 75L to be displaced outward. Furthermore, this feature enables easy adjustment of the contact pressure of the contact point 36L of the female terminal 3 on the contact point 35R of the male terminal 2 by adjusting the degree to which the thickness of the elastic piece 75L is reduced.

[0074] During formation of the contact point 36L, the workpiece is first press-formed to reduce the plate thickness at a target region where the elastic piece 75L and the slits 71L and 72L are to be formed to a desired thickness. Subsequently, a region of the target region corresponding to the contact point 36L is press-formed into a generally semispherical protrusion. As a result, the contact point 36L is formed as a protrusion projecting inward in the elastic piece 75L. Finally, regions of the target region corresponding to the slits 71L and 72L are punched out.

[0075] The right wall 63 of the female terminal 3 is formed generally symmetrically with the left wall 62. Although not shown, a pair of slits similar to the slits 71L and 72L in the left wall 62 are formed in the right wall 63. Further, between these slits, a flat elastic piece 75R and a contact point 36R are formed (see Fig. 10).

[0076] As shown in Fig. 8, the contact point 36R on the right wall 63 is disposed symmetrically with respect to the contact point 36L on the left side. Further, the contact point 36R is disposed at the center of the elastic piece 75R in the front-rear direction. The configuration of the elastic piece 75R and the contact point 36R is the same as that of the elastic piece 75L and the contact point 36L on the left wall 62 except for the symmetrical arrangement thereof.

[0077] The upper wall 64 of the female terminal 3 includes a left half 81 connected to the upper edge of the left wall 62 and extending toward the right wall 63, and a right half 82 connected to the upper edge of the right wall 63 and extending toward the left wall 62 (Fig. 7). The left half 81 and the right half 82 are connected to each other by a combination of a protrusion 81A having a generally inverted triangular shape and a recess 82A having a generally triangular shape, which fits and engages with the protrusion 81A, their respective ends contacting each other at the center of the female terminal 3 in the left-right direction.

[0078] The terminal pair 1 of the above-described configuration allows an assembler to move the female terminal 3 in the disconnected state (Fig. 1) forward so as to engage the female terminal 3 with the front portion 11 of the male terminal 2, as shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, when the male terminal 2 is inserted into the female terminal 3 to its proper position, the contact points 36L and 36R of the female terminal 3 come into contact with the corresponding contact points 35R and 35L of the male terminal 2, respectively, at a predetermined contact pressure.

[0079] When the terminal pair 1 is in this connected state as shown in Fig. 10, the elastic pieces 75L and 75R of the female terminal 3 are elastically deformed to bend outward. This ensures that the contact pressure of the contact points 36L and 36R of the female terminal 3 against the contact points 35R and 35L of the male terminal 2 is properly maintained.

[0080] When terminal pair 1 is in use, external forces may act on terminal pair 1 in the above-described connected state for any reason (e.g., relative movement between components forming a circuit on male terminal 2 and components forming a circuit on female terminal 3). Typically, micro-slip wear may occur when such external forces are repeatedly applied to the terminal pair.

[0081] However, in this embodiment, terminal pair 1 allows the male terminal 2 to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3.

[0082] For example, as shown in Figure 11(A), when the female terminal 3 moves in the forward direction relative to the male terminal 2 (see Figure 11(A)...), Figure 11 (The arrow in (A)) causes the elastic sheet 30 of the male terminal 2 to elastically deform and slightly shift backward (Figure 11 (A) shows the elastic sheet 30 in its initial state as indicated by dashed lines and the elastic sheet 30 in its deformed state as indicated by solid lines). This causes the contact point 35L (and similarly, contact point 35R) of the male terminal 2 to move backward, thereby following the forward movement of the contact point 36R (and similarly, contact point 36L) of the female terminal 3. In other words, the terminal pair of this embodiment is configured to suppress relative movement between the contact point 36R of the female terminal 3 and the contact point 35L of the male terminal 2. The shape and size of the elastic sheet 30 (e.g., its width in the left-right direction) are designed to allow the elastic sheet 30 to produce appropriate elastic deformation in response to an external force that causes relative movement of the female terminal 3 relative to the male terminal 2.

[0083] For example, as shown in Figure 11(B), when the female terminal 3 moves backward relative to the male terminal 2 (see the arrow in Figure 11(B)), the elastic sheet 30 of the male terminal 2 undergoes elastic deformation, resulting in a slight forward displacement (Figure 11(B) shows the elastic sheet 30 in its initial state as indicated by dashed lines and the elastic sheet 30 in its deformed state as indicated by solid lines). This causes the contact point 35L (and similarly, contact point 35R) of the male terminal 2 to move forward, thereby following the backward movement of the contact point 36R (and similarly, contact point 36L) of the female terminal 3.

[0084] As shown in Figures 11 (A) and (B), even if a force causing a small relative movement of the female terminal 3 with respect to the male terminal 2 is applied to the terminal pair 1, the terminal 1 can still absorb the micro-slippage. Figure 11The movement of the terminal pair 1 shown in (A) and (B) occurs within a range limited by the displacement restriction piece 27L of the restriction piece 26L (similarly, the displacement restriction piece 27R of the restriction piece 26R). This structure allows the male terminal 2 to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3 while suppressing excessive displacement of the upper wall 22. In some cases, the terminal pair 1 can not be provided with one of the combination of the restriction piece 26L and the displacement restriction piece 27L or the combination of the restriction piece 26R and the displacement restriction piece 27R.

[0085] Therefore, the terminal pair 1 and its components (i.e., the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3) thus configured are able to easily secure the required contact pressure of the contact points 35L, 35R, 36L, and 36R while allowing the male terminal to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3, thereby reducing micro-slip wear. In particular, the terminal pair 1 (or the male terminal 2) has the advantage that the terminal pair is able to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3 in the front-rear direction (i.e., the direction in which the male terminal 2 moves when connected to and disconnected from the female terminal 3). This configuration of the terminal pair 1 (or the male terminal 2) is particularly suitable for a terminal pair (or a male terminal) including a plating layer provided at least at each contact point at which an insulating wear particle is generated due to micro-slip wear.

[0086] Various modifications can be made to the structure of the terminal pair 1 shown in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 12 shows a first modification of the terminal pair 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the right contact point 135R of the male terminal 2 (and similarly, the left contact point thereof) can be configured to protrude from the surface of the right wall 23 to form a substantially hemispherical shape. Therefore, the contact point 135R is formed as a protrusion on the right wall 23. In this case, the contact point 135R can be formed by press molding in a similar manner to the contact points 36L and 36R described above.

[0087] In the first modification, the left contact point 136L of the female terminal 3 (and similarly, the right contact point) can be formed in the flat surface of the elastic piece 75L on the left wall 62 as with the contact points 35R and 35L described above.

[0088] Furthermore, FIG. 13 shows a second variation of the terminal pair 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, in which the right contact point 235R (and similarly, the left contact point) of the male terminal 2 can be formed as a recess on the surface (i.e., the outer surface) of the right wall 23. This configuration allows the contact point 36L (and similarly, the contact point 36R) of the female terminal 3 to be easily guided into the contact point of the male terminal 2 formed as a recess. Furthermore, the recess designed to have an appropriate size can limit the range of movement of the contact points 36L and 36R after the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 are connected. Furthermore, the recess designed to have an appropriate depth can also avoid excessive contact pressure between the contact point 235R of the male terminal 2 and the contact point 36L of the female terminal 3.

[0089] Next, a modified elastic piece 30 of the male terminal 2 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. Figure 14 A cross-sectional view of the male terminal 2 is shown, which is compared with the cross-section shown in FIG. 5.

[0090] In FIG. 14, the modified elastic piece 30 forms a substantially U-shaped configuration in a side view (or cross-section), like the elastic piece 30 shown in FIG. 5. However, while the overall shape of the elastic piece 30 in FIG. 5 is substantially arcuate (i.e., curved in cross-section), the modified elastic piece 30 has a straight portion 30A that is substantially straight in cross-section. Specifically, the modified elastic piece 30 is shaped to have a bottom portion (corresponding to the straight portion 30A) that is substantially straight within the substantially U-shaped portion, with both curved ends of this bottom portion connected to the bottom wall 21 and the upper wall 22, respectively.

[0091] It should be noted that the shape of the elastic piece 30 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 14; various shapes can be employed as long as the male terminal of the terminal pair 1 can be configured to absorb micro-slippage (i.e., the male terminal is configured to easily follow the relative movement of the female terminal 3).

[0092] Next, a modified bottom structure of the male terminal 2 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

[0093] In the above male terminal 2 shown in FIG. 1, the protrusion portion 33R formed in the lower portion of the right wall 23 extends in parallel with the bottom wall 21 above the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion portion 33L formed in the lower portion of the left wall 24 extends in parallel with the bottom wall 21 above the upper surface of the bottom wall 21. In the above male terminal 2, the protrusion portion 33R and the protrusion portion 33L are disposed above the upper side of the bottom wall 21.

[0094] However, as shown in FIG. 15, the modified protrusion 33L formed in the lower portion of the left wall 24 extends parallel to the bottom wall 21 below the lower surface of the bottom wall 21. A small gap is formed between the lower surface of the protrusion 33L and the lower surface of the bottom wall 21. In some cases, the upper surface of the protrusion 33L can be in contact (or sliding contact) with the lower surface of the bottom wall 21. Although not shown, the protrusion 33R formed in the lower portion of the right wall 23 extends parallel to the bottom wall 21 below the lower surface of the bottom wall 21, similar to the protrusion 33L. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the bottom wall 21 is disposed above the modified protrusions 33R and 33L. Figure 15 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the bottom wall 21 is disposed above the modified protrusions 33R and 33L.

[0095] In the male terminal 2 described above, the contact points 35R and 35L (see FIG. 10) that contact the contact points of the female terminal 3 are respectively provided on the right wall 23 and the left wall 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, such contact points can be provided so that one contact point is provided on the upper wall 22 and the other contact point is provided on at least one of the protrusion 33R and the protrusion 33L that forms a substantial bottom wall. In that case, the corresponding contact points 36R and 36L of the female terminal 3 will be respectively provided on the bottom wall 61 and the upper wall 64 (as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 15). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, even if two contact points are provided above and below the male terminal 2, the contact points are provided only on the upper wall 22, which is the wall of the bottom wall 21 and the upper wall 22 that is connected to the elastic piece 30. Thus, the movement of the terminal pair 1 with respect to the female terminal 3 can occur in a similar manner to that shown in (A) and 11 (B); that is, the configuration does not hinder the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 30. Figure 15 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, even if two contact points are provided above and below the male terminal 2, the contact points are provided only on the upper wall 22, which is the wall of the bottom wall 21 and the upper wall 22 that is connected to the elastic piece 30. Thus, the movement of the terminal pair 1 with respect to the female terminal 3 can occur in a similar manner to that shown in (A) and 11 (B); that is, the configuration does not hinder the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 30. Figure 11 (A) and 11 (B); that is, the configuration does not hinder the elastic deformation of the elastic piece 30.

[0096] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments. In the terminal pair 1 and the male terminal 2 and the female terminal 3 of the above-described embodiments, not all of the elements thereof are essential, and at least a person skilled in the art can appropriately remove or change some of these elements without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0097] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 1 terminal pair 2 male terminal 3 female terminal 11 front portion 12 rear portion 13 middle portion 21 bottom wall 21A front end 22 upper wall 22B front end 23 right wall 23A front end 24 left wall 24A front end 25L, 25R front wall 26L, 26R stopper piece 27L, 27R stopper piece 30 elastic piece 33L, 33R protrusion 35L, 35R contact point 36L, 36R contact point 37L, 37R slit 38L, 38R through hole 41L, 41R insertion portion 51 bottom wall 52 right wall 53 upper wall 54 left wall 56 guide portion 61 bottom wall 62 left wall 63 right wall 64 upper wall 71L, 72L slit 75L, 75R elastic piece 81 left half 82 right half 87 electric wire 135R contact point 136L contact point 235R contact point G1-G4 gap

Claims

1. A male terminal for electrical connection to a female terminal, the male terminal comprising: A bottom wall that extends in a front-to-back direction, wherein the male terminal moves in the front-to-back direction when connected to and disconnected from the female terminal; The upper wall, which is connected to the front end of the bottom wall; The left wall, which connects to the left edge of the upper wall; as well as The right wall, which connects to the right edge of the upper wall, The bottom wall and the upper wall are connected by an elastic sheet having a shape in which the elastic sheet extends from the front end of the bottom wall and then bends backward to form a U-shape. Each of the pair of contact points to be connected to the female terminal is located on a corresponding one of the left and right walls.

2. The male terminal according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of contact points are each positioned on a corresponding one of the left and right walls so as to face each other.

3. The male terminal according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the pair of contact points is formed on a flat surface on the corresponding one of the left and right walls.

4. The male terminal according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the pair of contact points is formed as a protrusion on a corresponding one of the left and right walls, the protrusion protruding outwards.

5. The male terminal according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the pair of contact points is formed as a recess on the outer surface of the corresponding one of the left and right walls.

6. The male terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, It also includes at least one limiting piece that protrudes from the bottom wall and restricts the displacement of the upper wall.

7. The male terminal according to claim 6, wherein, It also includes at least one limiting piece, configured such that its displacement is limited by the at least one limiting piece. The at least one limiting piece protrudes from at least one of the left and right edges of the upper wall toward the bottom wall at a position behind the left and right walls.

8. The male terminal according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one limiting piece has a through hole extending in the left-right direction, and The tip of at least one limiting piece is inserted into the through hole.

9. The male terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a pair of front walls, each front wall extending from a front end of a corresponding one of the left wall and the right wall. in, The pair of front walls are positioned in front of the elastic sheet, which is shaped as the U.

10. The male terminal according to claim 9, wherein, The pair of front walls extend in a direction in which their front ends are close together.

11. A terminal pair, comprising: The male terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 5; as well as The female terminal to be connected to the male terminal.

12. The terminal pair according to claim 11, wherein, The female terminal includes an upper wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, and a right wall, and Each of the pair of contact points to be connected to the male terminal is located on a corresponding one of the right wall and the left wall of the female terminal.

13. The terminal pair according to claim 12, wherein, Each of the left and right walls of the female terminal includes: A pair of slits, extending parallel to each other in the front-to-back direction; and A flat, elastic sheet is formed between the pair of slits, and The pair of contact points to be connected to the male terminal are each disposed on a flat elastic sheet on a corresponding one of the left and right walls of the female terminal.

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