Terminal unit, female terminal, and male terminal

Abstract

To provide a terminal unit that can suppress displacement of a male terminal relative to a female terminal in a board width direction and suppress increase in contact resistance value due to minute sliding friction between female and male terminals.SOLUTION: A terminal unit 10 includes a male terminal 12 and a female terminal 14. The female terminal 14 has a first contact portion 18 and a second contact portion 20, and the male terminal 12 has a pair of inclined portions 22. The first contact portion 18 has a pair of first inclined side edges 36, the second contact portion 20 has a pair of second inclined side edges 46, and the pair of first inclined side edges 36 or the pair of second inclined side edges 46 has a contact forming fitting 28 formed by a separate thin metal sheet conductively fixed thereto. The contact forming fitting 28 has a pair of first contact portions 56. With the male terminal 12 press-fitted into a male terminal press-fit gap 16, elastic restoring force of the first contact portions 56 causes the first contact portions 56 to be pressed against the inclined portions 22 respectively, and the inclined portions 22 to be held between the first and second inclined side edges 36 and 46 respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal unit consisting of a plate-like male terminal, which may be described as tab-shaped, and a female terminal to be connected to the male terminal. The female terminal has a pair of walls arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, one of which is provided with an elastic contact piece that presses the male terminal against the other wall, and the other wall has multiple contacts protruding therefrom. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-204396 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the terminal unit of Patent Document 1, the flat male terminal is sandwiched between a pair of walls of the female terminal, so the gripping force against an external force in the plate width direction of the male terminal is small. Therefore, it is considered that micro-sliding friction occurs between the male and female terminals due to vibration, etc., and the contact resistance value increases. Therefore, further improvement of the terminal unit is required.

[0005] Therefore, we disclose a terminal unit and a female terminal and a male terminal used in the terminal unit that can suppress displacement of the male terminal relative to the female terminal in the plate width direction and suppress an increase in contact resistance due to micro-sliding friction between the female and male terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A terminal unit according to the present disclosure includes a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, the female terminal having a first contact portion and a second contact portion disposed opposite each other across a male terminal press-fitting gap into which the male terminal is press-fitted, the male terminal having a pair of inclined portions inclined to one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting a press-fitting direction into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the first contact portion of the female terminal faces a surface on the one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and has a pair of first inclined side edge portions each inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, the second contact portion of the female terminal faces a surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and has a pair of second inclined side edge portions each inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, A contact-forming fitting formed from a separate metal sheet that is thinner and more easily deformed than the first and second inclined side edges is fixed conductively to at least one of the pair of second inclined side edges, the contact-forming fitting having a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-fit gap, the male terminal being allowed to be pressed into the male terminal press-fit gap by the bending deformation of the pair of first contact portions, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fit gap, the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal causes the pair of first contact portions to be pressed against the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, respectively, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are clamped between the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges of the female terminal, respectively.

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

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

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal unit and female terminals and male terminals used in the terminal unit, which can suppress displacement of the male terminal relative to the female terminal in the plate width direction and suppress an increase in contact resistance due to micro-sliding friction between the female and male terminals. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal unit according to a first embodiment in a fitted state between a male terminal and a female terminal. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal unit shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the terminal unit shown in FIG. 1, taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a female terminal constituting the terminal unit shown in FIG. 1 in an unfitted state with a male terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a vertical cross section of the female terminal shown in FIG. 6 together with a male terminal, and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the female terminal shown in FIG. 6 in a developed state before being bent. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a contact-forming fitting constituting the female terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the terminal unit according to the second embodiment in a fitted state between the male terminal and the female terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the terminal unit shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XII-XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a female terminal main body constituting the female terminal shown in FIG. 10 in a developed state before being bent. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a contact-forming fitting constituting the female terminal shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The terminal unit of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A male terminal having a plate shape and a female terminal to be connected to the male terminal, the female terminal having a first contact portion and a second contact portion arranged opposite each other across a male terminal press-fitting gap into which the male terminal is press-fitted, the male terminal having a pair of inclined portions inclined to one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting a press-fitting direction into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the first contact portion of the female terminal facing a surface on the one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and having a pair of first inclined side edge portions each inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, the second contact portion of the female terminal facing a surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and having a pair of second inclined side edge portions each inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, A contact-forming fitting formed from a separate metal sheet that is thinner and more easily deformed than the first inclined side edge portion and the second inclined side edge portion is fixed conductively to at least one of the inclined side edges, the contact-forming fitting having a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap, the male terminal being allowed to be pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap by the bending deformation of the pair of first contact portions, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal causes the pair of first contact portions to be respectively pressed against the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are respectively clamped between the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions of the female terminal.

[0012] According to the terminal unit of the present disclosure, the female terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion arranged opposite each other across the male terminal press-fitting gap, and has a structure in which the male terminal pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap is sandwiched between the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The male terminal has a pair of inclined portions inclined to one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in the plate width direction of the male terminal, which is a direction intersecting the press-fitting direction into the male terminal press-fitting gap. Similarly, the first contact portion of the female terminal faces a surface on one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and has a pair of first inclined side edges that respectively incline along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second contact portion of the female terminal faces a surface on the other side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and has a pair of second inclined side edges that respectively incline along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal. Furthermore, a contact-forming fitting formed of a separate thin metal plate that is thinner and easier to flex than the first and second sloping side edges is fixed to at least one of the pair of first sloping side edges and the pair of second sloping side edges. The contact-forming fitting has a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap. Therefore, the male terminal is allowed to be pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap by the flexural deformation of the pair of first contact portions, while in a state in which the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the pair of first contact portions are pressed into contact with the pair of sloping portions of the male terminal by the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal, and the pair of sloping portions of the male terminal can be clamped between the pair of first sloping side edges and the pair of second sloping side edges of the female terminal.

[0013] As a result, when an external force is applied to the male terminal in the plate width direction, the inclined portions of the male terminal on both sides of the male terminal in the plate width direction are pressed against the similarly inclined first and second inclined side edges of the female terminal, generating a component force (a reaction force from the first and second inclined side edges) directed inward in the plate width direction. As a result, compared to the conventional structure, it is possible to increase the force that prevents displacement of the male terminal against an external force directed outward in the plate width direction of the male terminal, and it is possible to suppress displacement of the male terminal in the plate width direction relative to the female terminal.

[0014] Moreover, at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges is formed of a separate metal sheet that is thinner and more easily deformed by bending than the first and second inclined side edges, so that the pair of first contact parts can be easily pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap by bending deformation of the pair of first contact parts, thereby reducing the insertion force. Moreover, the pair of inclined parts of the male terminal pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap can be held in a state where they are sandwiched between the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges of the female terminal by the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact parts. Therefore, the contact pressure between the female and male terminals can be secured and the connection state of the female and male terminals can be advantageously maintained without the need for a separate clip spring that biases the first and second contact parts in the approaching direction. In particular, because the pair of first contact portions are constructed using contact-forming fittings formed from separate metal sheets that are thinner and more easily deformed than the first and second inclined side edges of the female terminal, the contact area of ​​the first contact portions with the male terminal can be increased and the ability of the first contact portions to follow the displacement of the male terminal can be improved compared to when the first contacts are provided directly on the first and second inclined side edges. Moreover, because the first contact portions can be provided using separate contact-forming fittings, the design freedom of the first contact portions can be improved and multiple contacts can be easily provided in optimal locations and shapes to suit the conditions of use.

[0015] Here, with regard to the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges, "respectively inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal" means that the first inclined side edge and the second inclined side edge are inclined so as to follow the inclined portions of the male terminal, and the inclined portions of the male terminal and the first / second inclined side edges do not necessarily have to be parallel. For example, the inclination angle of the first / second inclined side edges may differ from the inclination angle of the inclined portions of the male terminal by about 0 to 10°.

[0016] The pair of first contact portions may be provided on either one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges, or on both. Any shape may be adopted for each of the first contact portions as long as the first contact portions are pressed by a male terminal press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap, bend and deform outwardly of the male terminal press-fitting gap, and elastically return to their original shape inwardly of the male terminal press-fitting gap.

[0017] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the female terminal has a connecting plate portion that electrically connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the second contact portion has an external connection portion, the contact-forming metal fitting is fixed to the pair of first inclined side edges of the first contact portion of the female terminal, and a pair of second contact portions is provided on the pair of second inclined side edges of the second contact portion of the female terminal, the second contact portions being formed by partially protruding each of the second inclined side edges toward the male terminal press-fitting gap, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are pressed against the pair of second contact portions of the female terminal by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions.

[0018] The second contact portion of the female terminal is provided with an external connection portion to which an external electric wire terminal or circuit terminal is connected, and a second contact portion formed by partially protruding a part of the same second contact portion is provided on the second contact portion. The pair of inclined portions of the male terminal can be pressed against such second contact portion by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portion, and it is possible to achieve both ensuring the contact pressure between the male and female terminals and reducing the contact resistance between the male and female terminals with a small number of parts.

[0019] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that the contact-forming metal has a welded fixing portion that is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by welding. The contact-forming metal is fixed to each of the first inclined side edges and / or each of the second inclined side edges by welding at the welded fixing portion. This advantageously reduces the electrical resistance of the first contact portion of the contact-forming metal to each of the first inclined side edges and / or each of the second inclined side edges and achieves a stable fixed state.

[0020] (4) In the above (3), it is preferable that the contact-forming fitting of the female terminal has a band shape extending in the direction of pressing the male terminal into the male terminal press-fit gap, the contact-forming fitting has the welded fixing portion provided in the central portion of the longitudinal direction, and a forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece protruding in a cantilever-like manner from the welded fixing portion toward both ends in the longitudinal direction, the forward-projecting tongue piece and the rearward-projecting tongue piece extend in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fit gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward-projecting tongue piece and the rearward-projecting tongue piece.

[0021] The contact-forming fitting extends in a band shape in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal, and a welded fixing portion is provided in the center of the longitudinal direction. A forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece can be cantilevered from the welded fixing portion toward both sides in the longitudinal direction (the press-fitting direction of the male terminal), and a first contact portion is provided on each of the tongue pieces. This advantageously improves the ability of the first contact portion to follow the displacement of the male terminal in the front-rear direction (the press-fitting direction).

[0022] Moreover, the forward protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue extend in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fitting gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue. This advantageously ensures the amount of deflection deformation of the first contact portion, further improving the ability to follow the deformation of the male terminal and increasing the contact area. In particular, due to the curved shape of the rear protruding tongue, the amount of projection of the protruding end of the rear protruding tongue into the male terminal press-fitting gap is smaller than the first contact portion, and the function of guiding the male terminal toward the press-fitting gap can be exhibited while reducing the risk of the male terminal hitting the male terminal when the male terminal is inserted.

[0023] (5) In any one of the above (1) to (4), it is preferable that the contact-forming metal has a crimp fixing portion that is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by crimping. The contact-forming metal is fixed to each of the first inclined side edges and / or each of the second inclined side edges by crimping at the crimp fixing portion. This allows the first contact portion of the contact-forming metal to be easily fixed while ensuring conductivity to each of the first inclined side edges and / or each of the second inclined side edges.

[0024] (6) In (5) above, it is preferable that the contact-forming fitting of the female terminal has a band shape extending in the direction of pressing the male terminal into the male terminal press-fit gap, the contact-forming fitting has the crimping fixing portion provided in the central portion of the longitudinal direction, and a forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece protruding in a cantilever-like manner from the crimping fixing portion toward both ends in the longitudinal direction, the forward-projecting tongue piece and the rearward-projecting tongue piece extending in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fit gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward-projecting tongue piece and the rearward-projecting tongue piece.

[0025] The contact-forming metal fitting extends in a band shape in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal, and a crimping portion is provided in the center of the longitudinal direction. A forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece can be cantilevered from the crimping portion toward both sides in the longitudinal direction (the press-fitting direction of the male terminal), and a first contact portion is provided on each of the tongue pieces. This advantageously improves the ability of the first contact portion to follow the displacement of the male terminal in the front-rear direction (the press-fitting direction).

[0026] Moreover, the forward protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue extend in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fitting gap in a side view, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward protruding tongue and the rear protruding tongue. This advantageously ensures the amount of deflection deformation of the first contact portion, further improving the ability to follow the deformation of the male terminal and increasing the contact area. In particular, due to the curved shape of the rear protruding tongue, the amount of projection of the protruding end of the rear protruding tongue into the male terminal press-fitting gap is smaller than the first contact portion, and the function of guiding the male terminal toward the press-fitting gap can be exhibited while reducing the risk of the male terminal hitting the male terminal when the male terminal is inserted.

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

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

[0029] The female terminal of the present disclosure comprises: (8) It is used in the terminal unit according to any one of (1) to (7) above.

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

[0031] The male terminal of the present disclosure comprises: (9) A terminal unit used in any one of the above items (1) to (7).

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

[0033] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the terminal unit of the present disclosure and the female terminal and male terminal used in the terminal unit will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0034] <Embodiment 1> A terminal unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. The terminal unit 10 includes a plate-shaped male terminal 12 and a female terminal 14 connected to the male terminal 12. The female terminal 14 has a first contact portion 18 and a second contact portion 20 that are arranged opposite each other across a male terminal press-fit gap 16 into which the male terminal 12 is press-fitted. The male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 in the female terminal 14 in a press-fit state and comes into contact with the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20, thereby electrically connecting the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14. The terminal unit 10 can be arranged in any direction, but in the following description, the upper side refers to the upper side in Fig. 4, the lower side refers to the lower side in Fig. 4, the left side refers to the upper side in Fig. 2, the right side refers to the lower side in Fig. 2, the front side refers to the right side in Fig. 2, and the rear side refers to the left side in Fig. 2. In addition, in the case of multiple identical components, reference numerals may be given to only some of the components and the reference numerals may be omitted for the other components.

[0035] <Male terminal 12> The male terminal 12 is generally plate-shaped and is constructed using a flat metal fitting (not shown). The flat metal fitting is generally generally rectangular, has a given plate width and thickness, and extends straight. The male terminal 12 is press-fitted from the rear to the front into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 in the female terminal 14, and the portion of the male terminal 12 that is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 (the front portion) is tapered compared to the rear portion (see Figures 1 and 2, etc.). The male terminal 12 is conductive and is formed from a metal with low electrical resistance, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy.

[0036] Then, by bending and inclining both end portions in the plate width direction (left and right direction) of the flat metal fitting to one side (upward) in the plate thickness direction, a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 is provided at both end portions in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12. That is, in the male terminal 12, a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 is provided on both sides in the plate width direction, which is a direction intersecting the press-fitting direction (direction from rear to front) into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, and which is a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction in the first embodiment. A flat central flat portion 24 is provided in a central portion in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12 located between the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 in the plate width direction. The pair of inclined portions 22, 22 may be provided over the entire length of the male terminal 12 in the longitudinal direction, or may be provided only in a portion of the male terminal 12 that is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 (a tapered front portion). In embodiment 1, the plate thickness dimension of the male terminal 12 is approximately constant, and the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and the central flat portion 24 are each A (see Figures 4 and 5), but the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and the central flat portion 24 may be different from each other.

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

[0038] The inclination angle θ1 of the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 relative to the central flat portion 24 is not limited, but is preferably, for example, 5° to 45°, and more preferably 10° to 30°. By setting the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portions 22 to 5° or more, it is possible to suppress outward displacement of the male terminal 12 in the plate width direction even when an external force is input to the male terminal 12 in the plate width direction. By setting the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portions 22 to 45° or less, it is possible to keep the vertical dimension of the male terminal 12, and therefore the terminal unit 10, small.

[0039] In the male terminal 12, the rear side of the tapered front portion extends straight and may be provided with a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and extend rearward as shown in Fig. 1, etc., or may extend rearward in a generally flat shape without being provided with a pair of inclined portions 22, 22. The rear side portion of the male terminal 12 is adapted to have an electric wire fixed thereto by, for example, crimping or welding, or to have a bolt insertion hole provided therein so that it can be fixed to a terminal portion of an equipment.

[0040] <Female terminal 14> As shown in Fig. 8, the female terminal 14 includes a female terminal body 26 made of a single metal plate and a pair of contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28 fixed to the female terminal body 26, and the female terminal 14 is formed by bending the female terminal body 26 to which each contact-forming metal fitting 28 is fixed into a predetermined shape described below. That is, the female terminal body 26 has a first contact portion 18 and a second contact portion 20 that form the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, and further has a connecting plate portion 30 that connects the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 so that they can be electrically connected. The female terminal body 26 also has an external connection portion 32 to which a core wire of an electric wire (not shown) is fixed or to which a bus bar or the like that constitutes an internal circuit of an apparatus (not shown) is connected. In the first embodiment, the external connection portion 32 is provided at a front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20.

[0041] A crimping piece 34 is formed on the front end 31 of the second contact portion 20, and this crimping piece 34 prevents the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 from being displaced in the opening direction (separation) in the female terminal body 26 bent into a predetermined shape. Such a female terminal body 26 can be formed using various metallic materials that are conductive and can be processed by pressing, punching, etc., such as brass, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc. In the first embodiment, the female terminal body 26 is formed from pure copper, which has excellent conductivity.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 before bending are each substantially rectangular in plan view and are arranged side by side in their respective plate width directions (left-right directions), and a front end portion 35 of the first contact portion 18 and a front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20 are connected by a connecting plate portion 30. A crimping piece 34 is provided protruding from the front end portion 31 of the second contact portion 20 on the side opposite (left side) to the side on which the connecting plate portion 30 is provided. The connecting plate portion 30 is then bent so that the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 face each other in the up-down direction, and are crimped and fixed by the crimping piece 34, thereby maintaining the female terminal body 26 in a predetermined bent shape. In other words, in the female terminal 14, one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 (respective front ends 35, 31) are connected by the connecting plate portion 30, and the first contact portion 18 and the second contact portion 20 each protrude backward in a cantilever shape from the connected front ends 35, 31. In addition, the front end portion of the second contact portion 20 extends forward beyond the connecting portion with the first contact portion 18, forming an external connection portion 32 in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate.

[0043] <First contact part 18> The first contact portion 18 before bending is generally in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and extends substantially straight in the front-rear direction. The shape of the first contact portion 18 after bending will be described below. The first contact portion 18 has a pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 that face one side surface (upper surface 12a) of the male terminal 12 in the plate thickness direction and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 of the male terminal 12. Each of these first inclined side edges 36 is formed by bending both end portions in the plate width direction (left-right direction) of the first contact portion 18 to one side (upward) in the plate thickness direction with respect to the central portion in the plate width direction. In the first contact portion 18, a first flat portion 38 is provided between the pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 in the plate width direction, facing the central flat portion 24 of the male terminal 12 and extending flat along the central flat portion 24.

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

[0045] Further, the front end 35 of the first contact portion 18 is located below the first flat portion 38 provided at the rear portion of the first contact portion 18, and a transition portion 40 that gradually changes while curving downward toward the front is provided at the front-rear middle portion of the first contact portion 18. The first inclined side edges 36 are not provided at both left-right end portions of the front end 35 of the first contact portion 18, and the front end 35 of the first contact portion 18 spreads out approximately parallel to the first flat portion 38. That is, the left-right end portions of the front end 35 have an inclination angle of 0 with respect to the left-right central portion, and the left-right end portions of the transition portion 40 not only change downward toward the front, but also have an inclination angle with respect to the left-right central portion that gradually decreases from θ2 to 0.

[0046] In the first contact portion 18, the end portion on the outer side in the left-right direction of each first inclined side edge portion 36 (i.e., the end portion on the left-right opposite side to the side connected to the first flat portion 38) is provided with first end edges 42, 42 extending approximately parallel to the first flat portion 38. Each first end edge portion 42 is provided over the entire length of each first inclined side edge portion 36 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), and extends in the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the up-down direction).

[0047] 5 to 7, the inner surface of the rear end of the first contact portion 18 is provided with a guide surface 44 that gradually moves away from the second contact portion 20 facing it in the vertical direction toward the rear, i.e., gradually approaches the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 on the inside toward the front. Similarly, as described later, the inner surface of the rear end of the second contact portion 20 is provided with a guide surface 54, and when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the female terminal 14, these guide surfaces 44, 54 guide the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in the female terminal 14. Such guide surfaces 44, 54 are formed, for example, by pressing when the female terminal body 26 is in the expanded state shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, the guide surface 44 is provided over substantially the entire length of the first contact portion 18 in the left-right direction, that is, across the first end edge portions 42 on both the left and right sides, the first inclined side edge portions 36, and the first flat portion 38.

[0048] <Second contact part 20> The second contact portion 20 before bending is generally in the shape of a rectangular flat plate and extends substantially straight in the front-rear direction. The shape of the second contact portion 20 after bending will be described below. The second contact portion 20 has a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 that face the other side surface (lower surface 12b) of the male terminal 12 in the plate thickness direction and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 22, 22 of the male terminal 12. Each of these second inclined side edges 46 is formed by bending both end portions in the plate width direction (left-right direction) of the second contact portion 20 to one side (upward) in the plate thickness direction with respect to the central portion in the plate width direction. In the second contact portion 20, a second flat portion 48 is provided between the pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 in the plate width direction, facing the central flat portion 24 of the male terminal 12 and extending flat along the central flat portion 24.

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

[0050] It is preferable that the inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge 36 relative to the first flat portion 38 be the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 24, or if different, the angle difference be within 10°. Similarly, it is preferable that the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge 46 relative to the second flat portion 48 be the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 relative to the central flat portion 24, or if different, the angle difference be within 10°. This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the male terminal 12 in the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16.

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

[0052] Furthermore, the front end 31 of the second contact portion 20 is located at approximately the same vertical position as the second flat portion 48 of the second contact portion 20, and transition portions 50, 50 in which only the inclination angle with respect to the second flat portion 48 (front end 31) changes are provided at both left and right end portions in the front-rear intermediate portion of the second contact portion 20. That is, the inclination angle of each transition portion 50 of the second contact portion 20 with respect to the left-right central portion gradually decreases from θ3 to 0 toward the front.

[0053] In the second contact portion 20, second edges 52, 52 bent upward are provided at the ends on the outer side in the left-right direction of each second inclined side edge 46 (i.e., the ends on the left-right opposite side to the side connected to the second flat portion 48). Each second edge 52 is provided over the entire length of each second inclined side edge 46 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) and spreads in the vertical direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 etc., when the female terminal body 26 is bent, each first edge 42 and each second edge 52 abut against each other in the vertical direction or face each other with a small distance therebetween.

[0054] 5 to 7, the inner surface at the rear end of the second contact portion 20 is provided with a guide surface 54 which gradually moves away from the opposing first contact portion 18 in the up-down direction toward the rear, i.e., which gradually moves closer to the inward male terminal press-fitting gap 16 toward the front. As described above, the guide surface 54 is formed by pressing or the like when the female terminal body 26 is in the expanded state shown in Fig. 8, for example, and therefore the guide surface 54 is provided over substantially the entire length in the left-right direction of the second contact portion 20, i.e., across the second end edge portions 52, the second inclined side edge portions 46 and the second flat portion 48 on both the left and right sides.

[0055] <Contact forming fitting 28> A pair of contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28 are fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 and the pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 on the inner surface of the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 so as to be conductive. Each contact-forming metal fitting 28 is formed of a metal sheet separate from each of the first inclined side edges 36, 36 and each of the second inclined side edges 46, and is thinner than each of the first inclined side edges 36, 36 and is easily deformed (elastically deformed). In the first embodiment, the pair of contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28 are fixed to the inner surface of each of the pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36. Each of the pair of contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28 has a pair of first contact portions 56, 56 protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16. In the first embodiment, since each of the contact-forming metal fittings 28 has the same shape, the shape of one of the contact-forming metal fittings 28 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 and the like.

[0056] The contact-forming metal 28 has a band shape extending in the front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16. The contact-forming metal 28 can be made of a metal having electrical conductivity and springiness, and in the first embodiment, is made of a copper alloy having springiness. In the first embodiment, the contact-forming metal 28 is fixed to the first inclined side edge 36 by welding, and a welded fixing portion 58 is provided in the center of the contact-forming metal 28 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). The welded fixing portion 58 spreads substantially flat on the contact-forming metal 28, and is formed over substantially the entire length of the contact-forming metal 28 in the width direction (left-right direction). The method of welding the contact-forming metal 28 to the first inclined side edge 36 is not limited, but laser welding, for example, may be used.

[0057] <First contact portion 56> The contact-forming metal fitting 28 has a forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and a rear-projecting tongue piece 62 that project in a cantilever shape from the welded fixed portion 58 toward both ends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). The forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and the rear-projecting tongue piece 62 extend in the front-rear direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in a side view. The first contact portion 56 is provided at the front-rear middle portion of each of the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and the rear-projecting tongue piece 62. Specifically, the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 is curved so as to be convex on one side in the thickness direction of the contact-forming metal fitting 28 as a whole, and has a bent portion 64 at the front-rear middle portion. That is, the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 extends in a direction gradually moving away from the welded fixed portion 58 in the thickness direction of the contact-forming metal fitting 28 as it moves forward from the welded fixed portion 58, and is bent at the bent portion 64 and extends in a direction gradually approaching the welded fixed portion 58 in the thickness direction of the contact-forming metal fitting 28 as it moves forward. A first contact portion 56 is provided at the widthwise (left-right) central portion of the forward-projecting tongue piece 60, protruding in the same direction as the curved convex direction of the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 (one side of the thickness direction of the contact-forming metal fitting 28).

[0058] The first contact portion 56 is formed in a curved arc shape in the vertical cross section of the contact-forming metal fitting 28 shown in Fig. 7, and is formed across both front-rear direction portions including the bent portion 64. That is, the first contact portion 56 is formed in a generally elliptical shape in which the lengthwise dimension (front-rear dimension) is greater than the widthwise dimension (left-right dimension) in a plan view (up-down projection). Such a first contact portion 56 can be formed by, for example, hammering, and a recess 66 is formed at a position corresponding to the first contact portion 56 on the surface of the forward-protruding tongue piece 60 opposite to the surface from which the first contact portion 56 protrudes.

[0059] The rearward protruding tongue 62 has the same shape as the forward protruding tongue 60. That is, the rearward protruding tongue 62 has a curved shape that is convex in the same direction as the forward protruding tongue 60 as a whole, and has a bent portion 64 in the middle portion in the front-rear direction. In the left-right center portion of the rearward protruding tongue 62, a first contact portion 56 that protrudes in the same direction as the first contact portion 56 of the forward protruding tongue 60 is provided across both the front and rear portions including the bent portion 64. Therefore, in the contact forming metal fitting 28, a pair of first contact portions 56, 56 are provided spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. In addition, a recess 66 is formed in the surface of the rearward protruding tongue 62 opposite to the surface on which the first contact portion 56 protrudes, at a position corresponding to the first contact portion 56.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 8, the contact-forming metal fittings 28 having such a shape are fixed by laser welding, for example, in the expanded state of the female terminal body 26, with the welded fixing portion 58 of each contact-forming metal fitting 28 overlapping with the portion constituting the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36. In this state, the forward protruding tongue piece 60 and the rearward protruding tongue piece 62 are curved so as to be convex upward, and each first contact portion 56 protrudes upward. Then, the female terminal body 26 to which each contact-forming metal fitting 28 is fixed is bent as described above to form the female terminal 14, so that each first contact portion 56 protrudes downward, specifically in the lower right and lower left directions. In the first embodiment, each contact-forming metal fitting 28 is fixed to each first inclined side edge portion 36 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, so that a total of four first contact portions 56 are provided in the first contact portion 18, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear and left-right directions.

[0061] 7, when the contact-forming fittings 28 are fixed to the inner surface of each first inclined side edge 36, the front end 68 of the forward protruding tongue 60 and the rear end 70 of the rear protruding tongue 62 are slightly spaced from the inner surface of each first inclined side edge 36, and the front end 68 of the forward protruding tongue 60 and the rear end 70 of the rear protruding tongue 62 are free ends. Then, as described later, when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, the upper surfaces 22a of the inclined portions 22 of the male terminal 12 come into contact with the first contact portions 56 of the forward protruding tongue 60 and the rear protruding tongue 62, so that the forward protruding tongue 60 and the rear protruding tongue 62 are elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding dimension of each first contact portion 56 in the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 becomes smaller. As a result, the front end 68 of the forward-protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear end 70 of the rear-protruding tongue piece 62 are displaced forward and rearward, respectively, from before the elastic deformation, so that the forward-protruding tongue piece 60 and the rear-protruding tongue piece 62 are elongated and deformed so that their length dimensions in the fore-and-aft direction are increased.

[0062] 7, in a state in which each contact-forming fitting 28 is fixed to the inner surface of each first inclined side edge 36, the portion of the rearwardly protruding tongue 62 from the first contact portion 56 to the rear end portion 70 is inclined in a direction away from the opposing second inclined side edge 46 as it moves rearward. In other words, in each rearwardly protruding tongue 62, from the rear end portion 70 to the first contact portion 56, it gradually approaches the inward male terminal press-fit gap 16 as it moves forward, and this portion can also act to guide the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fit gap 16.

[0063] <Second contact portion 72> In the first embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, etc., a pair of second contact portions 72, 72 formed to partially protrude toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 are provided on the inner surface of the pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 of the second contact portion 20. Each of these second contact portions 72 protrudes in the plate thickness direction of each second inclined side edge 46, and protrudes upward, specifically in the upper right and upper left directions. Like each of the first contact portions 56, each of the second contact portions 72 has a larger front-rear dimension, which is the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12, compared to its left-right dimension, and the protruding tip surface is a curved surface.

[0064] Although the specific shape of each second contact portion 72 is not limited, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7 and the like, the outer portion in the front-rear direction of the protruding tip surface of each second contact portion 72 is a curved surface having a relatively large inclination angle with respect to the inner surface of each second inclined side edge portion 46, and the inner portion in the front-rear direction is a curved surface having a relatively small inclination angle with respect to the inner surface of each second inclined side edge portion 46. In the first embodiment, each second contact portion 72 has the same shape, and is provided at two locations on each second inclined side edge portion 46 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, which is the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12. Therefore, a total of four second contact portions 72 are provided on the second contact portion 20, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

[0065] In particular, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 etc., the second contact portions 72 are provided at positions corresponding to the first contact portions 56 in the up-down direction, so that the first contact portions 56 and the second contact portions 72 overlap each other when projected in the up-down direction. Also, when projected in the thickness direction of the first inclined side edges 36 and the second inclined side edges 46, the tops of the first contact portions 56 and the second contact portions 72 are misaligned, so that the first contact portions 56 and the second contact portions 72 partially overlap each other.

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

[0067] Each second contact portion 72 is formed, for example, by performing press working or the like on each second inclined side edge portion 46. As shown in FIG. 4, at a position corresponding to each second contact portion 72 on the outer surface (lower surface) of each second inclined side edge portion 46, a recess 74 that opens downward is formed.

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

[0069] First, press working or the like is performed on a metal thin plate to form each contact forming fitting 28 shown in FIG. 9. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, a metal flat plate constituting the female terminal body 26 is prepared in a developed state, and the welding fixing portion 58 of each contact forming fitting 28 is overlapped on the inner surface of each first inclined side edge portion 36 in the first contact portion 18 and fixed by laser welding. Further, press working or the like is performed on each second inclined side edge portion 46 in the second contact portion 20 to form each second contact portion 72 on each second inclined side edge portion 46. Then, the female terminal body 26 to which each contact forming fitting 28 is fixed is bent into the aforementioned shape to form the female terminal 14 shown in FIG. 6.

[0070] 7, the male terminal 12 bent into the above-mentioned shape and the female terminal 14 are brought close to each other in the front-rear direction. Then, the male terminal 12 is inserted from behind into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in the female terminal 14. At this time, since the separation distance B between each of the first contact portions 56 and each of the second contact portions 72 is set smaller than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12, the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in a press-fit state. The separation distance between the first flat portion 38 and the second flat portion 48 is set sufficiently larger than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12 (the central flat portion 24), and the central flat portion 24 is inserted between the first flat portion 38 and the second flat portion 48 in the vertical direction without contacting either of them.

[0071] 4 and 5, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, the first contact portions 56 come into contact with the upper surfaces 22a of the inclined portions 22, and the second contact portions 72 come into contact with the lower surfaces 22b of the inclined portions 22. Since the contact-forming metal fittings 28 are thin and prone to elastic deformation, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, the forward protruding tongues 60 and the rearward protruding tongues 62 are elastically deformed in a direction in which the protruding dimension of the first contact portions 56 in the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 becomes smaller. This allows the male terminal 12 to be inserted (pressed) into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16. The elastic restoration deformation of the forward protruding tongues 60 and the rearward protruding tongues 62 causes the first contact portions 56 to be pressed against the upper surfaces 22a of the inclined portions 22. Furthermore, the inclined portions 22 urged downward by the first contact portions 56 are pressed against the second contact portions 72 .

[0072] That is, in a state where the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, the first contact portions 56 are pressed against the inclined portions 22 of the male terminal 12 by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions 56, and the inclined portions 22 of the male terminal 12 are sandwiched between the first inclined side edges 36 and the second inclined side edges 46 of the female terminal 14. In the first embodiment, in a state where the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions 56 presses the inclined portions 22 against the second contact portions 72, whereby the inclined portions 22 are sandwiched between the first inclined side edges 36 and the second inclined side edges 46.

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

[0074] In the terminal unit 10 in which the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 are engaged, the pressing force F1 (see Figure 4) by the first contact portion 56 and the pressing force F2 (reaction force against the pressing force exerted from each inclined portion 22 to each second contact portion 72, see Figure 4) by the second contact portion 72 both act in the same direction as the plate thickness direction of each inclined portion 22, so that each inclined portion 22 is stably clamped by the first and second contact portions 56, 72, thereby more reliably establishing electrical conductivity between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14. In particular, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the pressing force F1 by the first contact portion 56 acts and the direction in which the pressing force F2 by the second contact portion 72 acts are not opposed to each other in the thickness direction of each inclined portion 22. Specifically, the pressing force F1 by the first contact portion 56 acts on both left and right end portions of each inclined portion 22, while the pressing force F2 by the second contact portion 72 acts on an area inward in the left and right direction from the portion on which the pressing force F1 acts. This prevents the pressing forces F1 and F2 from both the top and bottom sides from acting on the same position on each inclined portion 22. As a result, each inclined portion 22 of the male terminal 12 presses the gap between the first contact portion 56 and the second contact portion 72 at multiple positions, thereby reducing the insertion resistance.

[0075] 4, the pressing force F1 by the first contact portion 56 acts as a downward component force F1a and an outward component force F1b in the left-right direction, and the pressing force F2 by the second contact portion 72 acts as an upward component force F2a and an inward component force F2b in the left-right direction. Here, even if an external force from one side to the other in the left-right direction (e.g., from right to left) is applied to the male terminal 12, the displacement of the male terminal 12 due to the input external force is suppressed by the component force in the opposite direction (e.g., the component force F1b from left to right) or the inward component force F2b in the left-right direction. In particular, since the downward component force F1a by the first contact portion 56 and the upward component force F2a by the second contact portion 72 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction, the vertical displacement of the male terminal 12 is also more reliably suppressed. As a result, displacement of the male terminal 12 relative to the female terminal 14 is suppressed, and the conductive state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 can be stably maintained.

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

[0077] In the terminal unit 10 of the first embodiment, the contact forming metal fittings 28, which are thin and easily elastically deformable, are fixed to the first inclined side edges 36 that form the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, and the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 while the first contact portions 56 formed on the contact forming metal fittings 28 are elastically deformed. This reduces the insertion resistance when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16. Even when an external force that swings the male terminal 12 in the up-down direction is applied to the male terminal 12, or when an external force that rotates the male terminal 12 around a central axis extending in the front-rear direction is applied to the male terminal 12, the first contact portions 56 deform following the displacement of the male terminal 12, so that the clamping state of the inclined portions 22 by the first contact portions 56 and the second contact portions 72 can be stably maintained. As a result, when an external force is applied to the male terminal 12, the risk of the electrical connection state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 14 being deteriorated can be reduced.

[0078] In particular, since each contact forming fitting 28 that exerts each pressing force F1, F2 on each inclined portion 22 is provided inside the male terminal press-fit gap 16, it is possible to avoid enlarging the female terminal 14 and, ultimately, the terminal unit 10, compared to, for example, a case in which a spring member that exerts each pressing force F1, F2 on each inclined portion is provided outside the male terminal press-fit gap.

[0079] In the female terminal 14, the first contact parts 56 are formed by fixing the separate contact-forming metal fittings 28 to the first contact part 18, and the second contact parts 72 are formed integrally with the second contact part 20. The second contact part 20 is provided at its front end with an external connection part 32 to which an external electric wire or the like is connected. That is, the contact-forming metal fittings 28 and the female terminal body 26 can be formed of different materials, and the contact-forming metal fittings 28 can be formed of a material having electrical conductivity and spring properties, while the female terminal body 26 can be formed of a material having better electrical conductivity. Since the second contact parts 72 and the external connection part 32 are formed in the female terminal body 26 (second contact part 20) having better electrical conductivity, the conductive path from the external electric wire or the like to the male terminal 12 can be set to be short, improving the electrical conductivity.

[0080] Each contact-forming metal fitting 28 has a welded fixing portion 58 that is fixed by welding to each first inclined side edge portion 36. This makes it possible to fix each contact-forming metal fitting 28 to each first inclined side edge portion 36 in a small space while minimizing the effect on the electrical conductivity of each contact-forming metal fitting 28 to each first inclined side edge portion 36.

[0081] In particular, each contact-forming metal fitting 28 has a welded fixed portion 58 in the center in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction), and a forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and a rear-projecting tongue piece 62 that project in a cantilever shape from the welded fixed portion 58 toward both longitudinal ends. This allows both the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and the rear-projecting tongue piece 62 to be stably elastically deformed even when the male terminal 12 press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 swings and displaces in the up-down direction, and allows each first contact portion 56 to stably deform in response to the displacement of the male terminal 12. Also, each first contact portion 56 is provided in the longitudinal (front-rear direction) middle portion of the forward-projecting tongue piece 60 and the rear-projecting tongue piece 62. As a result, for example, even when the tip of the male terminal 12 is displaced to face upward or downward, that is, even when the tip is swung in either the up or down direction, the first contact portion 56 of each forward protruding tongue piece 60 and the first contact portion 56 of each rearward protruding tongue piece 62 can be stably brought into contact with the male terminal 12. Therefore, the state in which the male terminal 12 is sandwiched by each first contact portion 56 and each second contact portion 72 can be maintained even more stably.

[0082] The male terminal 12 has a pair of inclined portions 22, 22 and a central flat portion 24 between the inclined portions 22. The female terminal 14 has a pair of first inclined side edges 36, 36 and a first flat portion 38 between the first inclined side edges 36, and also has a pair of second inclined side edges 46, 46 and a second flat portion 48 between the second inclined side edges 46. As a result, each inclined portion 22 is sandwiched between the opposing first inclined side edges 36 and the opposing second inclined side edges 46, and thus, as described above, displacement of the male terminal 12 due to an external force in the left-right direction can be effectively suppressed. In addition, by making the male terminal 12 and the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 have shapes corresponding to each other, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the female terminal 14 while avoiding contact with the male terminal 12 at points other than the first contact portions 56 and the second contact portions 72, and thus to reduce the risk of an increase in the insertion resistance of the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16.

[0083] <Embodiment 2> Next, a terminal unit 80 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 14. In the second embodiment, a male terminal 12 having the same shape as in the first embodiment is also employed, and the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fit gap 16 in the female terminal 82 to form the terminal unit 80. The female terminal 82 of the second embodiment has a basic structure similar to that of the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment, but whereas the pair of contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28 are fixed to the female terminal body 26 by welding in the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment, in the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment, one contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed to the female terminal body 84 by crimping.

[0084] In Fig. 13, the female terminal body 84 is shown in an unfolded state before being bent. In Fig. 14, the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is shown in a state fixed to the bent female terminal body 84 (the female terminal body 84 is not shown), and the state before the male terminal 12 is inserted and before the contact-forming metal fitting 86 (each forward-projecting tongue piece 92 and each rearward-projecting tongue piece 94 described below) is elastically deformed is shown. In the following description, differences between the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment and the female terminal 14 of the first embodiment will be described, and detailed description of members and parts that are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings as those of the first embodiment.

[0085] <Female terminal 82> In the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment, a contact-forming metal fitting 86 having a first contact portion 88 is fixed to the first contact portion 18. As described above, the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18 by crimping, and a through hole 90 for fixing the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is formed in the first contact portion 18 at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the first flat portion 38 and each of the first inclined side edges 36. As shown in FIG. 13, each of the through holes 90 is substantially rectangular, and in the female terminal body 84 before bending, each of the through holes 90 is formed by penetrating the first flat portion 38 and each of the first inclined side edges 36 in the plate thickness direction. In the second embodiment, the through hole 90a provided in the first flat portion 38 is provided in the center portion in the left-right direction of the first flat portion 38, and each of the through holes 90b provided in each of the first inclined side edges 36 is provided in the outer end portion in the left-right direction of each of the first inclined side edges 36.

[0086] In addition, in embodiment 2, each second inclined side edge 46 of the second contact portion 20 is provided with a pair of second contact portions 72, 72 formed to partially protrude toward the male terminal press-fit gap 16, as in embodiment 1.

[0087] <Contact forming metal fitting 86> In the first embodiment, the contact-forming metal fittings 28 fixed to the first inclined side edges 36 are provided separately, but the contact-forming metal fitting 86 in the second embodiment has a structure in which the contact-forming metal fittings 28 in the first embodiment are connected in the left-right direction. That is, the contact-forming metal fitting 86 in the second embodiment has a band-shaped portion extending in the press-fitting direction (front-rear direction) of the male terminal 12 into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16, and has a forward-projecting tongue piece 92 and a rear-projecting tongue piece 94 that project in a cantilever shape from a central portion in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) toward both ends in the longitudinal direction. The forward-projecting tongue pieces 92 and the rear-projecting tongue pieces 94 are connected at a connection portion 96 in the central portion in the front-rear direction, and a pair of connection portions 96, 96 provided on both sides in the left-right direction are connected by a connection portion 98 in the center in the left-right direction. When the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18, the linking portion 98 extends in the left-right direction along the first flat portion 38, and each connecting portion 96 extends in a direction inclining upward as it moves outward in the left-right direction along each first inclined side edge portion 36. Therefore, when the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18, each connecting portion 96 is bent upward with respect to the linking portion 98.

[0088] Then, the left end of the connecting portion 96 on the left side, the right end of the connecting portion 96 on the right side, and both front and rear sides of the connecting portion 98 are provided with crimped fixing pieces 100 protruding upward toward the first contact portion 18 side. When the contact forming metal fitting 86 having such a shape is fixed to the first contact portion 18, the crimped fixing pieces 100a provided on both front and rear sides of the connecting portion 98 are inserted into the through holes 90a provided in the first flat portion 38, and the protruding tip portions of the crimped fixing pieces 100a are bent outward in the front-rear direction to form the crimped fixing portion 102. Also, the crimped fixing pieces 100b provided on both left and right sides are inserted into the through holes 90b provided in the first inclined side edge portions 36, and the protruding tip portions of the crimped fixing pieces 100b are bent inward in the left-right direction to form the crimped fixing portion 102.

[0089] In short, in the contact-forming metal fitting 86, the crimp fixing portions 102 fixed by crimping to the first flat portion 38 and each of the first inclined side edges 36 of the first contact portion 18 are provided at three locations (the left-right central portion and both left-right end portions) in the front-rear central portion. Then, from the front-rear central portion where the crimp fixing portions 102 are provided, the forward-projecting tongue pieces 92 on both the left and right sides and the rearward-projecting tongue pieces 94 on both the left and right sides protrude forward and rearward in a cantilever-like manner, respectively. The shapes of the forward-projecting tongue pieces 92 and the rearward-projecting tongue pieces 94 in the second embodiment are similar to the shapes of the forward-projecting tongue pieces 60 and the rearward-projecting tongue pieces 62 in the first embodiment, respectively.

[0090] That is, each of the forward protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rearward protruding tongue pieces 94 extends in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in a side view, and each of the forward protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rearward protruding tongue pieces 94 is provided with a first contact portion 88 at a front-rear middle portion. Specifically, each of the forward protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rearward protruding tongue pieces 94 is curved so as to be convex toward the side away from the first contact portion 18, and has a bent portion 64 at a front-rear middle portion. Each of the forward protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rearward protruding tongue pieces 94 has a first contact portion 88 formed across both front-rear portions including the bent portion 64. A recess 66 is formed at a position corresponding to each of the first contact portions 88 on a surface of each of the forward protruding tongue pieces 92 and each of the rearward protruding tongue pieces 94 opposite to the side from which each of the first contact portions 88 protrudes.

[0091] <Assembly process of terminal unit 80> Next, a specific example of the process of assembling the terminal unit 80 will be described. Note that the process of assembling the terminal unit 80 is not limited to the following description.

[0092] First, a metal sheet is pressed or the like to form the contact-forming fitting 86. At this point, the connection portions 96 are not bent relative to the coupling portion 98, and the pair of contact-forming fittings 28, 28 shown in Fig. 8 above are connected by the coupling portion 98 at the center in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the protruding tips of the crimped fixing pieces 100a, 100b are not bent, and they extend straight out from the connection portions 96 and the coupling portion 98.

[0093] Thereafter, the female terminal body 84 in the expanded state shown in Fig. 13 is prepared, and the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is placed on the inner surface of the first contact portion 18. Then, each crimping piece 100a is inserted into the through hole 90a in the center in the left-right direction, and the protruding tip of each crimping piece 100a is bent outward in the front-rear direction to form the crimping portion 102. Also, each crimping piece 100b is inserted into the through hole 90b on both left-right sides, and the protruding tip of each crimping piece 100b is bent inward in the left-right direction to form the crimping portion 102. As a result, the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed to the first contact portion 18 by crimping.

[0094] Then, the female terminal body 84 to which the contact-forming metal fitting 86 is fixed is bent into the shape described above to form the female terminal 82 of the second embodiment. At this time, the linking portion 98 and each connecting portion 96 overlapping the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36 are bent together with the first flat portion 38 and each first inclined side edge portion 36, so that each connecting portion 96 is bent relative to the linking portion 98. Note that the contact-forming metal fitting 86 may be formed in a state in which each connecting portion 96 is bent relative to the linking portion 98 as shown in FIG. 14, and then crimped and fixed to the first contact portion 18 in a state in which each first inclined side edge portion 36 is bent relative to the first flat portion 38, thereby attaching the contact-forming metal fitting 86 to the first contact portion 18.

[0095] Similarly to the first embodiment, the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fitting gap 16 in the female terminal 82 thus formed, thereby completing the terminal unit 80 of the second embodiment.

[0096] The terminal unit 80 of the second embodiment has the contact-forming fittings fixed by crimping instead of by welding in the first embodiment, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. In particular, since the contact-forming fittings 86 are fixed to the first contact portions 18 by crimping, no device or equipment required for welding is required, and the contact-forming fittings 86 can be fixed to the first contact portions 18 more easily.

[0097] <Modification> Although the first and second embodiments have been described above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of the present disclosure that can achieve the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

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

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

[0100] (3) The number, shapes, etc. of the first contact portions and the second contact portions are not limited to the aspects described in the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the first contact portions 56, 88 and the second contact portions 72 are each shaped such that the front-rear dimension is larger than the left-right dimension, but for example, the first contact portions and the second contact portions may each be hemispherical, or one or three or more may be provided on each of the left and right sides of the female terminal in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal. In addition, the number, shapes, etc. of the first contact portions and the second contact portions may be different from each other, and the first contact portions and the second contact portions may be provided at positions shifted from each other in the front-rear direction.

[0101] (4) In the above embodiment, the contact-forming metal fittings 28, 28, 86 are fixed to the first contact portion 18, but it is sufficient that the contact-forming metal fittings are fixed to at least one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and the contact-forming metal fittings may be fixed to the second contact portion or to both the first contact portion and the second contact portion. When the contact-forming metal fittings are fixed to both the first contact portion and the second contact portion, for example, one of the contact portions may be fixed by welding and the other by crimping. Even when the contact-forming metal fittings are fixed to one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, they may be fixed by a combination of welding and crimping.

[0102] (5) In the above embodiment, the first contact portions 56, 88 are formed by hammering out the forward-projecting tongue pieces 60, 92 and the rearward-projecting tongue pieces 62, 94, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the first contact portions may be formed, for example, by cutting and raising. Also, in the above embodiment 1, the welded fixing portion 58 is provided in the center portion in the front-rear direction of each contact-forming fitting 28, but the welded fixing portion may be provided at both ends in the front-rear direction. In that case, the first contact portion may be provided, for example, in the center portion in the front-rear direction of the contact-forming fitting by cutting and raising as described above.

[0103] (6) In the second embodiment, the portions of the contact-forming metal fittings 86 that are fixed to the first inclined side edges 36 are connected by the connecting portions 98, but instead of providing connecting portions, portions that are fixed to the first inclined side edges may be provided separately as in the first embodiment. In that case, crimped fixing pieces (crimped fixing portions) may be provided on both left and right sides of each contact-forming metal fitting, or crimped fixing pieces (crimped fixing portions) may be provided on both front-rear end portions of each contact-forming metal fitting, and a first contact portion may be provided in the front-rear central portion by cutting and raising, for example.

[0104] (7) The first contact portion and / or the second contact portion may be provided with a member or portion that prevents the first contact portion and the second contact portion from moving apart (displacement in the opening direction) when the male terminal is press-fitted into the male terminal press-fit gap. Such a member or portion may be provided integrally with the first contact portion and / or the second contact portion, or may be formed separately and then assembled. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 10 Terminal unit (embodiment 1) 12 male terminal 12a (Male terminal) Top surface 12b (Male terminal) bottom surface 14 Female terminal 16 Male terminal press-fit gap 18 1st contact part 20 Second contact part 22 Slope 22a (upper surface of inclined portion) 22b (Inclined portion) lower surface 24 Central flat area 26 Female terminal body 28 Contact forming metal fitting 30 Connecting plate part 31 (of the second contact portion) 32 External connection part 34 Crimping piece 35 (First contact part) front end 36 1st slope side edge 38 1st flat part 40 Transition 42 First edge 44 Inviting Surface 46 2nd slope side edge 48 2nd flat part 50 Transition 52 Second edge 54 Inviting Surface 56 First contact part 58 Welded Fixture 60 Forward protruding tongue piece 62 Posteriorly protruding tongue piece 64 Bend section 66 Recess 68 Front end 70 Rear end 72 Second contact part 74 Recess 80 Terminal unit (embodiment 2) 82 Female terminal 84 Female terminal body 86 Contact forming metal fitting 88 First contact part 90,90a,90b through hole 92 Forward protruding tongue piece 94 Posteriorly protruding tongue piece 96 Connection 98 Connecting part 100, 100a, 100b Crimping piece 102 Crimping fixing part

Claims

1. A plate-shaped male terminal; a female terminal to be connected to the male terminal, the female terminal has a first contact portion and a second contact portion disposed opposite each other across a male terminal press-fitting gap into which the male terminal is press-fitted, the male terminal has a pair of inclined portions inclined to one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting a press-fitting direction into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the first contact portion of the female terminal faces the one side surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a pair of first inclined side edge portions that are inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second contact portion of the female terminal faces the other side surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a pair of second inclined side edge portions that are inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, a contact-forming metal fitting formed of a separate thin metal plate that is thinner and more easily deformed than the first inclined side edge portions and the second inclined side edge portions is fixed conductively to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions; the contact-forming metal fitting has a pair of first contact portions protruding toward the male terminal press-fitting gap, The flexible deformation of the pair of first contact portions allows the male terminal to be pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, and when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the elastic restoring force of the pair of first contact portions of the female terminal presses the pair of first contact portions against the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, respectively, and the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are clamped between the pair of first inclined side edge portions and the pair of second inclined side edge portions of the female terminal, respectively. Terminal unit.

2. the female terminal has a connecting plate portion that electrically connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the second contact portion having an external connection portion, the contact-forming metal fitting is fixed to the pair of first inclined side edges of the first contact portion of the female terminal, a pair of second contact points are provided on the pair of second inclined side edges of the second contact portion of the female terminal, the pair of second contact points being formed by partially protruding the second inclined side edges toward the male terminal press-fitting gap, 2. The terminal unit as described in claim 1, wherein when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal are pressed into contact with the pair of second contact portions of the female terminal by the elastic restoring force of the first contact portions.

3. 3. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact-forming metal fitting has a welded fixing portion that is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by welding.

4. the contact-forming fitting of the female terminal has a band shape extending in a direction in which the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the contact-forming metal fitting has the welded fixing portion provided in a central portion in a longitudinal direction, and a forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece projecting in a cantilever shape from the welded fixing portion toward both ends in the longitudinal direction, 4. The terminal unit as described in claim 3, wherein the forward protruding tongue and the rearward protruding tongue extend in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fit gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward protruding tongue and the rearward protruding tongue.

5. 3. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact-forming metal fitting has a crimping fixing portion that is fixed to at least one of the pair of first inclined side edges and the pair of second inclined side edges by crimping.

6. the contact-forming fitting of the female terminal has a band shape extending in a direction in which the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap, the contact-forming metal fitting has the crimped fixing portion provided in a central portion in a longitudinal direction, and a forward-projecting tongue piece and a rearward-projecting tongue piece projecting in a cantilever shape from the crimped fixing portion toward both ends in the longitudinal direction, The terminal unit described in claim 5, wherein the forward protruding tongue and the rearward protruding tongue extend in the longitudinal direction in a curved shape that is convex toward the male terminal press-fit gap when viewed from the side, and the first contact portion is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of each of the forward protruding tongue and the rearward protruding tongue.

7. the male terminal has a central flat portion disposed between the pair of inclined portions in the plate width direction, the first contact portion of the female terminal is disposed between the pair of first inclined side edges in the plate width direction and has a first flat portion extending along and facing the central flat portion of the male terminal; 3. A terminal unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second contact portion of the female terminal is arranged between the pair of second inclined side edges in the plate width direction and has a second flat portion extending opposite to and along the central flat portion of the male terminal.

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

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

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