Female terminal, terminal unit, and male terminal

Abstract

To provide a female terminal which can ensure followability or contact pressure of an elastic contact piece to a male terminal while suppressing an increase in size of the female terminal, even when measures against an increased current is required.SOLUTION: A female terminal 10 comprises: a body part 22 including a first wall part 18 and a second wall part 20; a first contact 24 provided on the first wall part 18; an elastic contact piece 28 assembled to the second wall part 20, having a plate thickness thinner than that of the body part 22, protruding toward the first wall part 18 so as to be elastically deformable to the second wall part 20 side, and having a second contact 26; and a press spring 30 assembled to the second wall part 20, and biasing the elastic contact piece 28 to the first wall part 18 side when press-fitting a male terminal 12 into a male terminal insertion gap 16. With respect to the male terminal 12 press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16, the second contact 26 of the elastic contact piece 28 makes press-contact with the male terminal 12 by elastic return force of the elastic contact piece 28 to the first wall part 18 side and biasing force of the press spring 30, thereby pressing the male terminal 12 against the first contact 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a female terminal, and a terminal unit and a male terminal using the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal unit consisting of a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal 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] The female terminal in the terminal unit of Patent Document 1 is formed by pressing a single metal plate, and the resilient contact piece is also formed with the same thickness as the metal plate, which is set according to the current capacity. Therefore, when a large current needs to flow, the thickness of the resilient contact piece also becomes thicker, and the resilient contact piece is less able to follow the male terminal. As a result, the resilient contact piece is likely to separate from the male terminal, and there is a risk of problems such as the resilient contact piece not being able to obtain the necessary contact pressure with the male terminal. To address this issue, it is possible to ensure the followability by increasing the length of the resilient contact piece, but this would increase the size of the female terminal, and is not a desirable solution.

[0005] Therefore, we disclose a female terminal, a terminal unit using the same, and a male terminal that can ensure the conformability and contact pressure of the elastic contact piece to the male terminal while preventing the female terminal from becoming larger, even when it is necessary to accommodate larger currents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The female terminal of the present disclosure comprises a main body portion including a first wall portion and a second wall portion arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap into which a male terminal is press-fitted, a first contact provided on the first wall portion and protruding toward the second wall portion, a resilient contact piece assembled to the second wall portion, having a thickness thinner than the main body portion, protruding toward the first wall portion, elastically deformable toward the second wall portion, and having a second contact, and a pressure spring assembled to the second wall portion, which urges the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal insertion gap, and the second contact of the resilient contact piece is pressed against the male terminal by the elastic return force of the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion and the urging force of the pressure spring against the male terminal pressed into the male terminal insertion gap, pressing the male terminal against the first contact.

[0007] The terminal unit of the present disclosure is a terminal unit including a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, the female terminal being the female terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0008] The male terminal of the present disclosure is a male terminal that is pressed into the male terminal insertion gap of a female terminal relating to the embodiment (2) described later of the present disclosure, and has a pair of inclined portions that are inclined to one side in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in the plate width direction that intersects the pressing-in direction. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a female terminal, a terminal unit using the same, and a male terminal that can ensure the conformability and contact pressure of the elastic contact piece to the male terminal while preventing the female terminal from becoming larger, even when it is necessary to accommodate larger currents. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a female terminal according to a first embodiment in a connected state with a male terminal. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the female terminal shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the III-III section in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the female terminal shown in FIG. 1 in a non-connected state with the male terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 5 and corresponds to FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the metal flat plate constituting the main body of the female terminal shown in FIG. 5 in a state prior to press working. 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 female terminal of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A male terminal insertion gap is disposed between a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first contact being provided on the first wall portion and protruding toward the second wall portion; a resilient contact piece assembled to the second wall portion, having a thickness thinner than the main body portion, protruding toward the first wall portion, being resiliently deformable toward the second wall portion, and having a second contact; and a pressure spring assembled to the second wall portion, for urging the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal insertion gap, the second contact of the resilient contact piece being pressed against the male terminal by the elastic return force of the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion and the urging force of the pressure spring against the male terminal pressed into the male terminal insertion gap, thereby pressing the male terminal against the first contact.

[0012] According to the female terminal of the present disclosure, a resilient contact piece having a thickness thinner than that of the main body and separate from the main body is attached to the second wall portion disposed opposite to the first wall portion of the main body. The resilient contact piece protrudes toward the first wall portion on which the first contact point is provided, and is pushed by the male terminal pressed into the male terminal insertion gap and elastically deforms toward the second wall portion, thereby allowing the male terminal to be pressed into the male terminal insertion gap. The second contact point provided on the resilient contact piece is first pressed against the male terminal inserted into the male terminal insertion gap by the elastic return force of the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion. Here, since the resilient contact piece has a thickness thinner than that of the main body, it is easier to bend and deform compared to the conventional structure in which the resilient contact piece is formed by a part of the main body. Therefore, when it is necessary to respond to a large current, it is possible to ensure the current carrying capacity in the main body portion having a large thickness dimension, while ensuring the followability to the male terminal by the resilient contact piece having a thickness thinner than that of the main body. In other words, since the elastic contact piece can be made to conform to the male terminal without being made longer, even when it is necessary to accommodate larger currents, the necessary conformity of the elastic contact piece to the male terminal can be ensured while preventing the female terminal from becoming larger.

[0013] In addition, since a pressure spring is attached to the second wall of the main body for biasing the resilient contact piece toward the first wall when the male terminal is pressed into the male terminal insertion gap, the biasing force of the pressure spring can advantageously improve the contact pressure of the second contact of the resilient contact piece with the male terminal. Moreover, the male terminal is pressed against the first contact by the resilient contact piece biased by the pressure spring, and the contact state with the first and second contacts is stably maintained, advantageously maintaining the stability of conduction between the female and male terminals.

[0014] In addition, since the elastic deformation of the elastic contact piece caused by the press-fitting of the male terminal does not involve elastic deformation of the main body, there is no need to provide a deformation accommodation gap between the connector housing that accommodates the female terminal, which makes the design easier and also enables the connector equipped with the female terminal to be made smaller. Furthermore, since the pressing spring only needs to have a biasing force capable of pressing the elastic contact piece, which is more easily deformed than the main body, the pressing spring can be made smaller than when it must bias an elastic contact piece of the same plate thickness as the main body.

[0015] (2) In the above (1), the male terminal to be pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap 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, the first wall portion faces the other side surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a pair of first inclined side edge portions inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, the first contact points are provided on each of the first inclined side edge portions, the second wall portion faces the one side surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a front It is preferable that the male terminal has a pair of second inclined side edge portions which are inclined respectively along the pair of inclined portions, and the resilient contact piece is arranged on each of the second inclined side edge portions, and the pressure spring has a first spring portion which urges the resilient contact piece arranged on one side in the plate width direction toward the first inclined side edge portion located on the one side in the plate width direction, and a second spring portion which urges the resilient contact piece arranged on the other side in the plate width direction toward the first inclined side edge portion located on the other side in the plate width direction.

[0016] 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 with the press-fitting direction into the male terminal press-fitting gap. Similarly, the first wall portion of the female terminal faces the other side surface in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal and has a pair of first inclined side edges (first contacts) that respectively incline along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the second wall portion of the female terminal faces the one side surface 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, and a resilient contact piece is disposed on each of them. Furthermore, the resilient contact piece disposed on the second inclined side edge portion of the female terminal located on one side in the plate width direction of the male terminal is pressed against the inclined portion of the male terminal by the first spring portion, and the resilient contact piece disposed on the second inclined side edge portion of the female terminal located on the other side in the plate width direction of the male terminal is pressed against the inclined portion of the male terminal by the second spring portion. 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 in the plate width direction of the male terminal are pressed by the first contact of the similarly inclined first inclined side edge portion of the female terminal and the second contact of the elastic contact piece arranged on the second inclined side edge portion, generating a component force (reaction force from the first contact portion and the second contact portion) directed inward in the plate width direction. As a result, compared to when the first and second wall portions of the male terminal and female terminal are flat, 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 to suppress displacement of the male terminal in the plate width direction relative to the female terminal.

[0017] In addition, the inclined portions of the male terminal are inclined on both sides of the male terminal in the plate width direction. By sandwiching the male terminal between the elastic contact pieces arranged on the first and second inclined side edges, contact pressure can be applied from both sides in the thickness direction of the inclined portion of the male terminal by separate pressure springs (first spring portion and second spring portion).As a result, the state in which the first and second contacts of the female terminal are pressed against the respective inclined portions of the male terminal can be maintained with a stable contact pressure, which further improves the displacement suppression performance of the male terminal against an external force in the plate width direction and more effectively suppresses micro-sliding friction between the male and female terminals.

[0018] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that a male terminal insertion opening continuous with the male terminal insertion gap is provided at the tip side of the male terminal insertion gap of the main body portion, the resilient contact piece is supported by a first assembly part assembled to the second wall portion, the first assembly part has a first base placed on the outer surface of the second wall portion on the male terminal insertion opening side, and a first connecting plate part protruding from the first base toward the first wall portion and positioned opposite an end face of the second wall portion constituting the male terminal insertion opening, and the resilient contact piece is connected in a cantilever manner to the protruding edge part of the first connecting plate part and protruding inwardly into the male terminal insertion gap and toward the first wall portion.

[0019] The resilient contact piece is supported by a first assembly part having a first base placed on the outer surface of the second wall part and a first connecting plate part protruding from the first base toward the first wall part and arranged to face the end face of the male terminal insertion opening side of the second wall part, and by assembling the first assembly part to the second wall part, the resilient contact piece can be assembled to the second wall part in a state in which it protrudes inward from the male terminal insertion opening side and protrudes in a cantilever shape toward the first wall part. This makes it easy to arrange the resilient contact piece in the male terminal insertion gap, which is elastically deformed when pressed by the male terminal pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap. Moreover, the resilient contact piece connected in a cantilever shape to the first connecting plate part of the first assembly part can be easily formed by pressing a single metal flat plate, thereby improving manufacturability.

[0020] (4) In the above (3), it is preferable that the first connecting plate of the first assembly part is welded to the end face of the second wall part on the male terminal insertion opening side. Since the first connecting plate of the first assembly part to which the elastic contact piece is connected is welded to the end face of the second wall part of the main body part, the contact resistance therebetween can be reduced, making it easier to handle large currents.

[0021] (5) In the case of (3) according to (2) above, it is preferable that the first assembly part has a pair of the first connecting plate parts arranged to face the end faces of the pair of second inclined side edges on the male terminal insertion opening side, the resilient contact pieces are connected to the protruding edge parts of the pair of first connecting plate parts in a cantilever shape, and the pair of resilient contact pieces are biased toward the first inclined side edges separately by the first spring part and the second spring part. Since the pair of resilient contact pieces respectively connected and supported by the pair of first connecting plate parts of the first assembly part are biased toward the opposing first inclined side edges separately by the first spring part and the second spring part of a pressure spring, it is possible to further improve the followability of the resilient contact pieces to the male terminal and maintain the contact pressure.

[0022] (6) In any one of the above (3) to (5), it is preferable that one of the opposing surfaces of the first assembly part and the second wall part has an elastically deformable first locking claw, and the other of the opposing surfaces of the first assembly part and the second wall part has a first locking hole, and the first locking claw is elastically deformed to allow the first assembly part to be assembled to the second wall part, and the first locking claw is elastically restored to fit into the first locking hole, so that the first assembly part is assembled to the second wall part in an undetachable manner. The first locking claw and the first locking hole disposed between the opposing surfaces of the first assembly part and the second wall part can maintain the assembly state of the assembly part to the second wall part, and can prevent the resilient contact piece from unexpectedly coming off from the main body part.

[0023] (7) In any one of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable that a rear opening continuous with the male terminal insertion gap is provided on the base end side of the main body portion relative to the male terminal insertion gap, the pressure spring has a tongue shape and is supported by a second assembly part assembled to the second wall portion, the second assembly part has a second base placed on the outer surface of the second wall portion on the rear opening side, and a second connecting plate part protruding from the second base toward the first wall portion and positioned opposite an end surface of the second wall portion constituting the rear opening, the pressure spring is connected in a cantilever manner to a protruding edge part of the second connecting plate part and protrudes inwardly into the male terminal insertion gap and toward the first wall portion, and the protruding end part of the pressure spring presses the end part of the elastic contact piece toward the first wall portion.

[0024] The resilient contact piece is supported by a second assembly part having a second base placed on the outer surface of the second wall part and a second connecting plate part protruding from the second base toward the first wall part and disposed opposite the end face of the rear opening side of the second wall part, and by assembling the second assembly part to the second wall part, the tongue-shaped pressure spring can be assembled to the second wall part in a state in which it protrudes inward from the rear opening part and protrudes in a cantilever manner toward the first wall part, with the protruding end of the pressure spring pressing the end of the resilient contact piece toward the first wall part. This makes it easy to arrange the pressure spring that presses the resilient contact piece toward the first wall part in the male terminal insertion gap. Moreover, the tongue-shaped pressure spring connected in a cantilever manner to the second connecting plate part of the second assembly part can be easily formed by pressing a single metal plate, thereby improving manufacturability.

[0025] (8) In the case of (7) according to the above (2), it is preferable that the second assembly part has a pair of the second connecting plate parts arranged to face the end faces of the rear opening side of the pair of second inclined side edge parts, and the pressure spring is cantilever-connected to the protruding edge parts of the pair of second connecting plate parts to form the first spring part and the second spring part. Since the pair of resilient contact pieces connected and supported by the pair of connecting plate parts of the assembly part are biased toward the opposing first inclined side edge parts by the first spring part and the second spring part of the pressure spring, it is possible to further improve the followability of the resilient contact pieces to the male terminal and maintain the contact pressure.

[0026] (9) In the above (7) or (8), it is preferable that one of the opposing surfaces of the second assembly part and the second wall part has an elastically deformable second locking claw, and the other of the opposing surfaces of the second assembly part and the second wall part has a second locking hole, and the second assembly part is allowed to be assembled to the second wall part by elastic deformation of the second locking claw, and the second assembly part is assembled to the second wall part so as not to be detached by the second locking claw returning to its original state and fitting into the second locking hole. The second assembly part can be maintained in an assembled state to the second wall part by the second locking claw and the second locking hole disposed between the opposing surfaces of the second assembly part and the second wall part, and the pressure spring can be prevented from being unexpectedly detached from the main body part.

[0027] The terminal unit of the present disclosure comprises: (10) A terminal unit comprising a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, the female terminal being any one of the female terminals described in (1) to (9) above.

[0028] In the terminal unit of the present disclosure, since the female terminal is configured in any one of the manners (1) to (9) above, it is possible to provide a terminal unit that can achieve the same effect as that obtained by any one of the manners (1) to (9) above.

[0029] The male terminal of the present disclosure comprises: (11) A male terminal to be pressed into the male terminal press-fitting gap of the female terminal described in (2) above, the male terminal having a pair of inclined portions on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting the press-fitting direction, the inclined portions inclining to one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal.

[0030] When the male terminal of the present disclosure is used in combination with the female terminal described in (2) above, the same effect as (2) above can be achieved.

[0031] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the female terminal, terminal unit, and male terminal of the present disclosure 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 of the claims.

[0032] <Embodiment 1> Hereinafter, the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure and the terminal unit 14 including the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. The female terminal 10 is a terminal that connects between a power source side member such as a battery and a load side member such as a motor. The female terminal 10 provided on one side of the power source side and the load side and the male terminal 12 provided on the other side of the power source side and the load side are in contact with each other to be in a conductive state, so that power is supplied from the power source such as a battery to the load such as a motor. The female terminal 10 can be arranged in any direction, but in the following, the upper side will be described as the upper side in Fig. 3, the lower side will be described as the lower side in Fig. 3, the front side will be described as the left side in Fig. 2, the rear side will be described as the right side in Fig. 2, the left side will be described as the upper side in Fig. 2, and the right side will be described as the lower side in Fig. 2. In addition, for multiple identical members, only some of the members may be labeled with a reference symbol, and the reference symbols may be omitted for the other members.

[0033] <Female terminal 10> The female terminal 10 includes a main body 22 including a first wall 18 and a second wall 20 that are arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap 16 into which the male terminal 12 is press-fitted. The female terminal 10 also includes a first contact 24 that is provided on the first wall 18 and protrudes toward the second wall 20. The female terminal 10 also includes a resilient contact piece 28 that protrudes toward the first wall 18, is resiliently deformable toward the second wall 20, and has a second contact 26. The resilient contact piece 28 is assembled to the second wall 20 and has a plate thickness thinner than that of the main body 22. The female terminal 10 also includes a pressure spring 30 that biases the resilient contact piece 28 toward the first wall 18 when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16. The pressure spring 30 is assembled to the second wall 20.

[0034] <Male terminal 12> The male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 10 is generally plate-shaped as shown in Fig. 5 and the like, and is formed, for example, by using a flat metal fitting (not shown). This flat metal fitting is generally generally rectangular, has a given plate width and thickness, and extends straight. The end of the male terminal 12 on the tip side (rear side) in the press-fitting direction into the male terminal insertion gap 16 of the female terminal 10 is tapered. 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.

[0035] 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 32, 32 are provided at both end portions in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12. That is, in the male terminal 12, a pair of inclined portions 32, 32 is provided on both sides in the plate width direction, which is a direction intersecting the press-fitting direction (direction from front to rear) into the male terminal insertion gap 16, and which is a direction perpendicular to the press-fitting direction in the first embodiment. A flat central flat portion 34 is provided in a central portion in the plate width direction of the male terminal 12 located between the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 in the plate width direction. The pair of inclined portions 32, 32 may be provided over the entire length of the male terminal 12 in the length direction, or may be provided only at the tip portion in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12 that is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16. 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 32, 32 and the central flat portion 34 are each A (see Figures 3 and 4), but the thickness dimensions of the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 and the central flat portion 34 may be different from each other.

[0036] The inclination angle of the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 with respect to the central flat portion 34 is θ1 (see FIG. 3). Note that in the first embodiment, in the male terminal 12, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 32 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction with respect to the central flat portion 34 and the inclination angle of the inclined portion 32 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction with respect to the central flat portion 34 are equal (θ1), but the inclination angles on both the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0037] The inclination angle θ1 of the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 relative to the central flat portion 34 is not limited, but is preferably, for example, 5° to 45°, more preferably 10° to 30°. By setting the inclination angle θ1 of the inclined portions 32 to 5° or more, it is possible to suppress the 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 32 to 45° or less, it is possible to keep the vertical dimension of the male terminal 12, and therefore the female terminal 10 connected to the male terminal 12, small.

[0038] In the male terminal 12, the shape of the base end side (front side) in the press-fitting direction is not limited, but in the first embodiment, the base end side extends substantially straight, and a through hole 36 penetrating in the plate thickness direction is formed in the straight extending portion. Then, the male terminal 12 is conductively connected and fixed to a terminal part of an equipment (not shown) by a fastening bolt (not shown) inserted into the through hole 36. Note that the base end side in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal 12 may adopt any shape that fits the shape of the terminal part of the equipment, a connector, a conductor such as an electric wire, etc., that is conductively connected thereto.

[0039] <Main body portion 22> The aforementioned male terminal insertion gap 16 is provided in the front portion of main body 22, and male terminal insertion gap 16 extends in the front-rear direction. The front portion of main body 22 is generally tubular extending in the front-rear direction, and a male terminal insertion opening 38 continuing into male terminal insertion gap 16 is provided at the tip side (front end side) of male terminal insertion gap 16 in main body 22. Also, a rear opening 40 continuing into male terminal insertion gap 16 is provided at the base end side (rear end side) of male terminal insertion gap 16 in main body 22.

[0040] In short, the portion (front portion) constituting the male terminal insertion gap 16 in the main body portion 22 includes the above-mentioned first wall portion 18 which is a lower wall portion, the above-mentioned second wall portion 20 which is an upper wall portion, and a pair of side walls 42, 42 connecting the first wall portion 18 and the second wall portion 20. The male terminal insertion opening 38 in the male terminal insertion gap 16 is configured to include front end faces 18a, 20a, 42a, 42a as end faces of the first wall portion 18, the second wall portion 20, and the pair of side walls 42, 42. The rear opening 40 in the male terminal insertion gap 16 is configured to include rear end faces 20b, 42b, 42b as other end faces of the second wall portion 20 and the pair of side walls 42, 42. This male terminal insertion gap 16 is shaped to approximately correspond to the male terminal 12 to be press-fitted.

[0041] At the front end of the second wall 20 constituting the male terminal insertion opening 38, a front accommodating recess 41a is provided in which each first connecting plate 78 of the first assembly part 74 is accommodated when the first assembly part 74 described later is assembled. This front accommodating recess 41a is formed over substantially the entire length of the second wall 20 in the left-right direction, and the front end face 20a of the second wall 20 is located rearward compared to the other three faces of each front end face 18a, 20a, 42a, 42a constituting the male terminal insertion opening 38. Note that each front end face 18a, 42a, 42a located forward of the front end face 20a of the second wall 20 can also be brought into contact with a housing (not shown) that holds the male terminal 12 when the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected to each other, for example.

[0042] Similarly, a rear accommodating recess 41b is provided at the rear end of the second wall 20 constituting the rear opening 40, in which each second connecting plate 98 of the second assembly portion 94 is accommodated when the second assembly portion 94 described later is assembled. This rear accommodating recess 41b is formed over substantially the entire length of the second wall 20 in the left-right direction, and at each of the rear end faces 20b, 42b, 42b constituting the rear opening 40, the rear end face 20b of the second wall 20 is located forward of the rear end faces 42b of each of the side wall portions 42.

[0043] Furthermore, a connecting portion 43 having a generally rectangular flat plate shape is provided at the rear portion of the main body 22, extending rearward from the first wall portion 18, which is the lower wall portion of the male terminal insertion gap 16. To this connecting portion 43, for example, an end of an electric wire can be welded or crimped, or a conductive member such as a bus bar can be fixed by a bolt or the like.

[0044] <First wall section 18> The first wall portion 18 faces the other surface (lower surface) of the male terminal 12 in the plate thickness direction, and has a pair of first inclined side edges 44, 44 that are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 of the male terminal 12. In other words, the first wall portion 18 has a pair of first inclined side edges 44, 44 at both ends in the plate width direction (left and right direction) that are bent and inclined toward one side (upper side) in the plate thickness direction with respect to the center portion in the plate width direction. The center portion in the plate width direction of the first wall portion 18 located between the pair of first inclined side edges 44, 44 in the plate width direction is a first flat portion 46 that faces the center flat portion 34 of the male terminal 12 and spreads flat along the center flat portion 34. The tip portion of the inner surface of the first wall portion 18 has a guide surface 47 that gradually moves away from the second wall portion 20 that faces the tip side in the up and down direction over approximately the entire length in the left and right direction.

[0045] Each first inclined side edge 44 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ2 (see FIG. 3) with respect to the first flat portion 46. In the first embodiment, in the first wall portion 18, the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge 44 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction with respect to the first flat portion 46 and the inclination angle of the first inclined side edge 44 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction with respect to the first flat portion 46 are equal to each other (θ2), but the inclination angles on both the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0046] Further, the first contacts 24 are provided on the inner surface (upper surface) of each first inclined side edge 44, protruding toward the male terminal insertion gap 16 located above. Each of these first contacts 24 protrudes in the plate thickness direction of each first inclined side edge 44, and protrudes at an incline with respect to the up-down direction, which is the plate thickness direction of the first flat portion 46. In the first embodiment, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a protrusion 48 having a predetermined width dimension (left-right dimension) and length dimension (front-rear dimension) is provided on the inner surface of each first inclined side edge 44, and a recess 50 is provided in the center of the length of the protrusion 48. As a result, two first contacts 24, 24 are formed on the protrusion 48, spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Note that these protrusions 48 and recesses 50 are formed by continuous curved surfaces, and each first contact 24 is formed by the top of the curved surface, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0047] In particular, in the first embodiment, each protrusion 48 is provided in a left-right central portion of each first inclined side edge 44, and each first contact 24 is formed at a position approximately corresponding to each other in the front-rear direction on each of the left and right first inclined side edges 44. That is, a total of four first contacts 24 are provided on the first wall portion 18, spaced apart from each other in the left-right and front-rear directions. A recessed groove portion 52 opening downward is formed on the outer surface (lower surface) of each first inclined side edge 44 at a position corresponding to each protrusion 48, and each protrusion 48 and each first contact 24 are formed by pressing the first inclined side edge 44.

[0048] <Second wall section 20> The second wall portion 20 has a pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 that face one side (upper surface) in the plate thickness direction of the male terminal 12 and are inclined along the pair of inclined portions 32, 32 of the male terminal 12. In other words, the second wall portion 20 has a pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 that are bent and inclined toward one side (upper side) in the plate thickness direction with respect to the central portion in the plate width direction at both ends in the plate width direction (left and right direction). Each of the first inclined side edges 44 of the first wall portion 18 and each of the second inclined side edges 54 of the second wall portion 20 are connected by the side wall portion 42 at both ends in the left and right direction. The central portion in the plate width direction of the second wall portion 20, which is located between the pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 in the plate width direction, is a second flat portion 56 that faces the central flat portion 34 of the male terminal 12 and spreads flat along it.

[0049] Each second inclined side edge 54 is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle θ3 (see FIG. 3) with respect to the second flat portion 56. In the first embodiment, in the second wall portion 20, the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge 54 on one side (left side) in the plate width direction with respect to the second flat portion 56 and the inclination angle of the second inclined side edge 54 on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction with respect to the second flat portion 56 are equal to each other (θ3), but the inclination angles on both the left and right sides may be different from each other.

[0050] The inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge 44 with respect to the first flat portion 46 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 32 of the male terminal 12 with respect to the central flat portion 34, or if different, the angle difference is within 10°. This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the male terminal 12 in the male terminal insertion gap 16 when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16 and to stably secure the contact area between the male terminal 12 and each first contact 24. Similarly, the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge 54 with respect to the second flat portion 56 is preferably the same as the inclination angle θ1 of each inclined portion 32 of the male terminal 12 with respect to the central flat portion 34, or if different, the angle difference is within 10°. This makes it possible to suppress rattling of the male terminal 12 in the male terminal insertion gap 16 and to stably secure the contact area between the male terminal 12 and the second contact 26 when the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16.

[0051] In the first embodiment, the inclination angle θ2 of each first inclined side edge 44 relative to the first flat portion 46 and the inclination angle θ3 of each second inclined side edge 54 relative to the second flat portion 56 are substantially equal. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the first inclined side edge 44 and the second inclined side edge 54 on the left extend substantially parallel to each other, and the first inclined side edge 44 and the second inclined side edge 54 on the right extend substantially parallel to each other.

[0052] As described below, a resilient contact piece 28 is assembled and positioned on each of such second inclined side edges 54, so that second contacts 26 are formed on the inner surface (lower surface) of each second inclined side edge 54, protruding toward the male terminal insertion gap 16 located below.

[0053] Further, a through hole 58 penetrating in the thickness direction is formed in the central portion in the front-rear direction of each second inclined side edge portion 54. Furthermore, a first lock hole 60 and a second lock hole 62 penetrating in the thickness direction (up-down direction) are formed in the central portion in the front-rear direction of the second flat portion 56, spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The first lock hole 60 is provided forward of the second lock hole 62. In the first embodiment, the through hole 58, the first lock hole 60 and the second lock hole 62 are all formed in a substantially rectangular shape. Particularly in the first embodiment, the through holes 58 on both the left and right sides are formed between the first lock hole 60 and the second lock hole 62 in the front-rear direction of the second wall portion 20.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the main body 22 having the above-mentioned shape is formed by pressing a single metal plate 64 having a predetermined thickness. FIG. 8 shows the state of the metal plate 64 before pressing. As shown in FIG. 7 and other figures, in the first embodiment, the second flat portion 56 of the second wall 20 has portions that are butted together when the metal plate 64 is folded to form the main body 22. That is, the second flat portion 56 is divided in the left-right direction and is composed of a left second flat portion 56a and a right second flat portion 56b. In short, the left side portion 66 of the second wall 20 is connected to the side of the left side wall 42 opposite to the side connected to the first wall 18, and the left side portion 66 is composed of the left second inclined side edge 54 and the left second flat portion 56a extending continuously from the second inclined side edge 54. In addition, on the right side wall portion 42, the side opposite to the side connected to the first wall portion 18 is connected to a right portion 68 of the second wall portion 20, and the right portion 68 is composed of a right second inclined side edge portion 54 and a right second flat portion 56b.

[0055] As a result, as shown in Fig. 8, in the metal plate 64 before press working, the left portion 66 of the second wall portion 20 (the left second flat portion 56a and the second inclined side edge portion 54), the left side wall portion 42, the first wall portion 18, the right side wall portion 42, and the right portion 68 of the second wall portion 20 (the second inclined side edge portion 54 and the right second flat portion 56b) are continuously provided in the up-down direction in Fig. 8. In addition, the connection portion 43 extends from the first wall portion 18 to the right in Fig. 8. Then, the metal plate 64 is folded at the portion shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 8, and the left and right second flat portions 56a, 56b are butted against each other to form the second flat portion 56, thereby forming the main body portion 22.

[0056] 8, the first lock hole 60 and the second lock hole 62 are divided in the left-right direction, and the left-side second flat portion 56a and the right-side second flat portion 56b are butted against each other to form the first and second lock holes 60, 62. The metal material of the metal plate 64 constituting the main body 22 is not limited, but a metal with excellent electrical conductivity can be used, for example, pure copper.

[0057] <Elastic contact piece 28> As described above, the resilient contact pieces 28 are provided on the left and right second inclined side edges 54, 54, and the female terminal 10 is provided with a pair of resilient contact pieces 28, 28 spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The resilient contact pieces 28 have the same shape, and as shown in Fig. 7, each resilient contact piece 28 is generally formed into a substantially rectangular plate shape. When each resilient contact piece 28 is attached to each second inclined side edge 54, each resilient contact piece 28 extends in the front-rear direction, and a bent portion 70 is provided at the protruding tip portion (rear portion) of each resilient contact piece 28. The above-mentioned second contact 26 is provided on the lower surface of each resilient contact piece 28 at the position where each bent portion 70 is formed.

[0058] Each of the second contacts 26 is formed in a curved arc shape in the cross section shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. 6, has a predetermined width dimension in the center of each resilient contact piece 28 in the plate width direction, and is provided so as to straddle both sides in the front-rear direction of each resilient contact piece 28 with a bent portion 70 therebetween. Each of the second contacts 26 is formed in an elliptical shape in which the dimension in the front-rear direction, which is the insertion direction of the male terminal 12, is larger than the width dimension when projected in the plate thickness direction of each resilient contact piece 28. This makes it possible to stably secure the contact area between each of the second contacts 26 and the male terminal 12 even when the male terminal 12 inserted into the female terminal 10 oscillates and displaces in the up-down direction. In the first embodiment, as described later, a first assembly portion 74 supporting each of the resilient contact pieces 28 is formed by pressing a single metal plate, and a recess 72 is formed on the upper surface of each of the resilient contact pieces 28 at a position corresponding to each of the second contacts 26.

[0059] <First assembly section 74> The elastic contact piece 28 is supported by a first assembly part 74 assembled to the second wall part 20. The first assembly part 74 has a first base 76 placed on the outer surface (upper surface) of the second wall part 20 on the male terminal insertion opening 38 side, and a first connecting plate part 78 protruding from the first base 76 downward toward the first wall part 18 side and disposed opposite to an end surface (front end surface 20a) of the second wall part 20 constituting the male terminal insertion opening 38. The elastic contact piece 28 is connected to the protruding edge part (lower edge part) of the first connecting plate part 78 in a cantilever shape, and in a state where the first assembly part 74 is assembled to the second wall part 20, the elastic contact piece 28 protrudes inward (rearward) of the male terminal insertion gap 16 and toward the first wall part 18 side (lower side). This allows the elastic contact piece 28 to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction with the connecting part with the first connecting plate part 78 as a base point. In addition, the first base 76 and the elastic contact piece 28 face each other at a distance in the thickness direction of their respective plates by the amount of the first connecting plate portion 78, and the rear opening portion between the first base 76 and the elastic contact piece 28 forms an insertion port 79 for inserting the first assembly portion 74 into the front end of the second wall portion 20.

[0060] In the first embodiment, the pair of elastic contact pieces 28, 28 are provided at a distance from each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, the pair of first bases 76, 76 and the pair of first connecting plate parts 78, 78 are provided at a distance from each other in the left-right direction, and the elastic contact pieces 28 are connected in a cantilever shape to the protruding edge part (lower edge part) of each first connecting plate part 78. The pair of first connecting plate parts 78, 78 are respectively arranged to face the end faces (in other words, the front end faces 20a) of the pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 on the male terminal insertion opening 38 side. Then, the first bases 76 are connected to each other by the first connecting parts 80 in the first assembly part 74. Each first base 76 has a predetermined dimension in the front-rear direction, and the first connecting parts 80 are formed over substantially the entire length of each first base 76 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the pair of first bases 76, 76 are placed on the second inclined side edges 54 of the second wall portion 20, and the first connection portion 80 is placed on the second flat portion 56 of the second wall portion 20. Therefore, each first base 76 is connected to the first connection portion 80 at an incline, and the inclination angle of each first base 76 with respect to the first connection portion 80 is equal to or somewhat close to the inclination angle (θ3) of each second inclined side edge 54 with respect to the second flat portion 56.

[0061] A substantially rectangular through window 82 is formed in the middle of the first connecting portion 80 in the front-rear direction, penetrating the first connecting portion 80 in the thickness direction (up-down direction), and a first locking claw 84 is provided in the rear part of the inner peripheral surface of the through window 82, protruding forward. The first locking claw 84 is formed by cutting and raising, and the first locking claw 84 protrudes at a gradual downward incline toward the front. Spaces (gaps) are provided on three sides (both left-right sides and the front) around the first locking claw 84, so that the first locking claw 84 can elastically deform in the up-down direction. In short, the first locking claw 84 is provided on one of the opposing surfaces (the lower surface of the first connecting portion 80 and the upper surface of the second flat portion 56) of the first assembly portion 74 and the second wall portion 20, and the first locking hole 60 is provided on the other.

[0062] When the first assembly part 74 having the above-mentioned shape is assembled to the second wall part 20, the front end of the second wall part 20 is inserted into each insertion opening 79, and the first assembly part 74 is slid backward relative to the second wall part 20. As a result, the front end of the second flat part 56 abuts against the first lock claw 84 from the rear, elastically deforming the first lock claw 84 upward, and as a result, the first assembly part 74 is permitted to slide backward further. Then, when the first lock claw 84 reaches the first lock hole 60 in the second flat part 56, the first lock claw 84 is elastically deformed (elastically restored), and the first assembly part 74 is assembled to the second wall part 20 in a state in which it cannot be separated from the second wall part 20. 6, in a state in which the first assembly portion 74 is assembled to the second wall portion 20 (a state before the male terminal 12 is inserted), the second inclined side edge portion 54 and the resilient contact piece 28 face each other in the plate thickness direction of the second inclined side edge portion 54. The resilient contact piece 28 protrudes from the first connecting plate portion 78 at a gradually downward incline toward the rear, and the facing distance between the second inclined side edge portion 54 and the resilient contact piece 28 gradually increases toward the rear.

[0063] Moreover, as described above, by assembling the first assembly part 74 to the second wall part 20, each of the first connecting plate parts 78 in the first assembly part 74 is accommodated in the front accommodation recess 41a provided at the front end of the second wall part 20. In the first embodiment, the end faces (front end faces 20a) of the second wall part 20 on the male terminal insertion opening 38 side and each of the first connecting plate parts 78, which are overlapped with each other, are welded to each other, and in the first embodiment in particular, they are welded by laser welding. This more reliably prevents the first assembly part 74 from falling off the main body part 22, and prevents the left second flat part 56a and the right second flat part 56b, which are abutted against each other by press molding, from being displaced in a direction away from each other. In addition, by accommodating each of the first connecting plate parts 78 in the front accommodation recess 41a, the first assembly part 74 is prevented from protruding forward from the main body part 22, or the amount of protrusion is suppressed to be small.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the first assembly part 74 having the above-mentioned shape is formed by pressing a single flat metal plate, and the flat metal plate constituting the first assembly part 74 has a thickness thinner than that of the flat metal plate 64 constituting the main body part 22. The metal material of the single flat metal plate constituting the first assembly part 74 is not limited, but a metal having electrical conductivity and spring properties can be used, for example, a copper alloy or the like.

[0065] <Compression spring 30> The pressing spring 30 has a first spring portion 86 that biases the elastic contact piece 28 arranged on one side (left side) in the plate width direction against the first inclined side edge portion 44 on the left side, and a second spring portion 88 that biases the elastic contact piece 28 arranged on the other side (right side) in the plate width direction against the first inclined side edge portion 44 on the right side. In the first embodiment, the first spring portion 86 and the second spring portion 88 have the same shape, and each is formed into a substantially rectangular tongue shape. Specifically, when the first and second spring portions 86, 88 are attached to the second wall portion 20, the first and second spring portions 86, 88 extend in the front-rear direction, and a curved portion 90 is provided at the protruding tip portion (front portion) of the first and second spring portions 86, 88. As a result, the front end portions 92 of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 protrude upward.

[0066] <Second assembly section 94> The pressure spring 30 is supported by a second assembly part 94 assembled to the second wall part 20. The second assembly part 94 has a second base 96 placed on the outer surface (upper surface) of the second wall part 20 on the rear opening part 40 side, and a second connecting plate part 98 protruding downward from the second base 96 toward the first wall part 18 side and disposed opposite to an end surface (rear end surface 20b) of the second wall part 20 constituting the rear opening part 40. The pressure spring 30 is connected in a cantilever shape to a protruding edge part (lower edge part) of the second connecting plate part 98, and in a state where the second assembly part 94 is assembled to the second wall part 20, the pressure spring 30 protrudes inward (forward) of the male terminal insertion gap 16 and toward the first wall part 18 side (lower side). This allows the pressure spring 30 to be elastically deformed in the vertical direction with the connecting part with the second connecting plate part 98 as a base point. In addition, the second base 96 and the compression spring 30 face each other at a distance in the thickness direction of their respective plates by the second connecting plate portion 98, and the front opening portion between the second base 96 and the compression spring 30 forms an insertion port 100 for inserting the second assembly portion 94 into the rear end of the second wall portion 20.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the pressure spring 30 has a first spring portion 86 and a second spring portion 88 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, a pair of second bases 96, 96 and a pair of second connecting plate portions 98, 98 are provided spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and a pair of tongue-shaped pressure springs 30, 30 are connected in a cantilever shape to the protruding edge portion (lower edge portion) of each second connecting plate portion 98, respectively, to form the first spring portion 86 and the second spring portion 88. The pair of second connecting plate portions 98, 98 are disposed opposite to the end faces (in other words, the rear end faces 20b) of the pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 on the rear opening 40 side. Then, the second bases 96 are connected to each other by the second connecting portions 102 in the second assembly portion 94. Each second base 96 has a predetermined dimension in the front-rear direction, and the second connection portion 102 is formed over substantially the entire length in the front-rear direction of each second base 96. Specifically, the pair of second bases 96, 96 are placed on the second inclined side edge portions 54 of the second wall portion 20, and the second connection portion 102 is placed on the second flat portion 56 of the second wall portion 20. Therefore, each second base 96 is connected to the second connection portion 102 at an incline, and the inclination angle of each second base 96 with respect to the second connection portion 102 is equal to or somewhat close to the inclination angle (θ3) of each second inclined side edge portion 54 with respect to the second flat portion 56.

[0068] A substantially rectangular through window 104 is formed in the middle of the second connecting portion 102 in the front-rear direction, penetrating the second connecting portion 102 in the thickness direction (up-down direction), and a second locking claw 106 is provided in the front part of the inner peripheral surface of the through window 104, protruding rearward. The second locking claw 106 is formed by cutting and raising, and the second locking claw 106 protrudes at a gradual downward incline toward the rear. Spaces (gaps) are provided on three sides (both left-right sides and rear) around the second locking claw 106, so that the second locking claw 106 can elastically deform in the up-down direction. In short, the second locking claw 106 is provided on one of the opposing surfaces (the lower surface of the second connecting portion 102 and the upper surface of the second flat portion 56) of the second assembly portion 94 and the second wall portion 20, and the second locking hole 62 is formed on the other side.

[0069] When the second assembly part 94 having the above-mentioned shape is assembled to the second wall part 20, the rear end of the second wall part 20 is inserted into each insertion opening 100, and the second assembly part 94 is slid forward relative to the second wall part 20. As a result, the rear end of the second flat part 56 abuts against the second locking claw 106 from the front, elastically deforming the second locking claw 106 upward, and as a result, the second assembly part 94 is permitted to slide forward further. Then, when the second locking claw 106 reaches the second locking hole 62 in the second flat part 56, the second locking claw 106 is elastically deformed to its original shape (elastic return), and the second assembly part 94 is assembled to the second wall part 20 in a state in which it cannot be separated from the second wall part 20.

[0070] In a state where the first and second mounting parts 74, 94 are assembled to the second wall part 20 (before the male terminal 12 is inserted), as shown in Fig. 6, the protruding tip parts (front parts) of the first and second spring parts 86, 88 are inserted between the opposing second inclined side edges 54 and the respective resilient contact pieces 28. In the first embodiment, the protruding ends (curved parts 90) of the first and second spring parts 86, 88 abut against the protruding ends (bent parts 70) of the respective resilient contact pieces 28 from behind and above. The protruding ends of the pressure spring 30 (first and second spring parts 86, 88) may abut against the protruding ends of the respective resilient contact pieces 28 in a zero-touch manner, or may press the protruding ends of the respective resilient contact pieces 28 toward the first wall part 18 (lower side). In this state, the front ends 92 of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 are located below the through holes 58 provided in the second inclined side edges 54, respectively.

[0071] Moreover, by assembling the second assembly part 94 to the second wall part 20 as described above, each second connecting plate part 98 of the second assembly part 94 is accommodated in the rear accommodation recess 41b provided at the rear end of the second wall part 20. This prevents the second assembly part 94 from protruding rearward from the main body part 22, or keeps the amount of protrusion small.

[0072] The material of the second assembly part 94 is not limited as long as the compression spring 30 (first and second spring parts 86, 88) has spring properties, and may be made of metal or synthetic resin, for example. In the first embodiment, the second assembly part 94 having the above-mentioned shape is formed by pressing a single metal flat plate. When the second assembly part 94 is formed of a single metal flat plate, a metal having spring properties can be used, such as stainless steel or copper alloy. The metal flat plate constituting the second assembly part 94 can have a thickness approximately equal to that of the metal flat plate constituting the first assembly part 74, for example.

[0073] In addition, in a state where the first and second mounting parts 74, 94 are assembled to the second wall part 20, the second contacts 26 provided on the lower surface of each elastic contact piece 28 are provided at positions different from the first contacts 24 provided on the first inclined side edge parts 44 of the first wall part 18 in the front-rear direction, which is the press-fit direction of the male terminal 12. In the first embodiment, each second contact 26 is located at a middle part of each first contact 24 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 3, each second contact 26 is provided inward in the left-right direction from each first contact 24. That is, each first contact 24 and each second contact 26 face each other in the plate thickness direction of each inclined part 32 of the male terminal 12 when projected in the press-fit direction of the male terminal 12 (in other words, in the state of FIG. 3 showing the cross section).

[0074] 6, before the male terminal 12 is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16, the separation distance between the top of each first contact 24 and the second contact 26 in the opposing direction is B (see FIG. 6). The separation distance B between the top of the first contact 24 and the top of the second contact 26 is smaller than the plate thickness dimension A of the male terminal 12, thereby allowing the male terminal 12 to be press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16.

[0075] <Assembly of female terminal 10> The following describes a specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 10. However, the method for assembling the female terminal 10 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0076] First, one metal flat plate 64 is bent into the above-mentioned shape to form the main body 22. Similarly, one metal flat plate is bent into the above-mentioned shape to form the first assembly portion 74 and the second assembly portion 94. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the first assembly portion 74 is disposed facing the front of the second wall portion 20 constituting the male terminal insertion gap 16, and the first assembly portion 74 and the second wall portion 20 are brought close to each other. As a result, the front end of the second wall portion 20 is inserted into each insertion opening 79 in the first assembly portion 74, and each first base 76 is placed on the upper surface of each second inclined side edge portion 54. Then, the first assembly portion 74 is displaced backward with respect to the main body 22 to bring the first lock claw 84 into contact with the second flat portion 56, and the first lock claw 84 is elastically deformed upward. The first lock claws 84 that have reached the first lock holes 60 are elastically restored (elastically restored) to fit into the first lock holes 60. Furthermore, the first connecting plate portions 78 of the first assembly portion 74 are accommodated in the front accommodating recesses 41a of the second wall portion 20, and the first connecting plate portions 78 and the front end faces 20a of the second wall portion 20 are overlapped with each other. Thereafter, the first connecting plate portions 78 and the front end faces 20a are welded by laser welding to fix the first assembly portion 74 to the main body portion 22.

[0077] Further, the second assembly portion 94 is disposed facing the rear of the second wall portion 20 constituting the male terminal insertion gap 16, and the second assembly portion 94 and the second wall portion 20 are brought close to each other. As a result, the rear end of the second wall portion 20 is inserted into each insertion opening 100 in the second assembly portion 94, and each second base 96 is placed on the upper surface of each second inclined side edge portion 54. Then, the second assembly portion 94 is displaced forward with respect to the main body portion 22, so that the second lock claw 106 abuts against the second flat portion 56, and the second lock claw 106 is elastically deformed upward. The second lock claw 106 that has reached the second lock hole 62 is elastically restored (elastically restored) and fitted into the second lock hole 62. Also, each second connecting plate portion 98 in the second assembly portion 94 is accommodated in the rear accommodation recess 41b in the second wall portion 20. As a result, the second assembly portion 94 is fixed to the main body portion 22, and the female terminal 10 is completed.

[0078] In the completed state of the female terminal 10, as described above, the protruding tip portions of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 abut against the protruding tip portions of each elastic contact piece 28 from behind and above, and the separation distance between each first contact 24 and each second contact 26 is B.

[0079] <Assembly of terminal unit 14> Hereinafter, a specific example of a method for assembling terminal unit 14 in a state in which female terminal 10 and male terminal 12 are connected by inserting male terminal 12 into female terminal 10 will be described.

[0080] First, the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 assembled as described above are opposed to each other in the front-rear direction as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Then, the tip portion of the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 16 through the male terminal insertion port 38 and pressed between the opposing surfaces of the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26. As a result, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first and second contacts 24, 26 come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the inclined portions 32 of the male terminal 12, and the male terminal 12 expands the gap between the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26 until the separation distance between the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26 becomes A, which is the thickness dimension of the inclined portions 32 of the male terminal 12. Specifically, the upper surfaces of the inclined portions 32 elastically deform the elastic contact pieces 28 and the pressure springs 30 (the first and second spring portions 86, 88) upward. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the tip portion of the male terminal 12 is permitted to be press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16.

[0081] Then, due to the elastic restoring force of each elastic contact piece 28 and the pressing spring 30 (first and second spring portions 86, 88), each second contact 26 is pressed against the upper surface of each inclined portion 32, and the tip portion of each male terminal 12 is pressed downward, so that each first contact 24 is pressed against the lower surface of each inclined portion 32. As a result, the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10 are electrically connected to each other, and the terminal unit 14 is completed in a state in which the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected. As shown in FIG. 4, each front end portion 92 of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 elastically deformed upward enters the through hole 58 in each second inclined side edge portion 54, and the deformation of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 is prevented from being hindered by the abutment of each front end portion 92 with each second inclined side edge portion 54.

[0082] That is, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10, not only the resilient contact pieces 28 but also the first and second spring portions 86, 88 are pressed upward, and the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26 are pressed against both the upper and lower surfaces of the inclined portions 32 of the male terminal 12 by not only the elastic restoring force of each resilient contact piece 28 but also the elastic restoring force of the first and second spring portions 86, 88. In other words, when the male terminal 12 is pressed into the male terminal insertion gap 16, the elastic restoring force of the first and second spring portions 86, 88 elastically deformed upward is applied to the resilient contact pieces 28 as a downward biasing force. Then, the elastic return force of each elastic contact piece 28 toward the first wall portion 18 (lower side) and the biasing force of the pressure spring 30 (first and second spring portions 86, 88) press each second contact 26 of each elastic contact piece 28 against the male terminal 12, further pressing the male terminal 12 against each first contact 24.

[0083] According to the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment, the elastic contact piece 28, which is elastically deformable when the male terminal 12 is pressed in, is assembled to the second wall 20 as a separate body from the main body 22 of the female terminal 10, and is configured to protrude inwardly into the male terminal insertion gap 16. The elastic contact piece 28, which has spring properties, is thinner than the main body 22 and can easily elastically deform when the male terminal 12 is pressed in. This eliminates the need for the main body 22 of the female terminal 10 to have spring properties, and allows the main body 22 to be made thicker and made of a material with excellent electrical conductivity. In addition, a pressure spring 30 is disposed behind and above the elastic contact piece 28, so that when the male terminal 12 is pressed in, the elastic contact piece 28 and the pressure spring 30 elastically deform upward, and the male terminal 12 is pressed downward by the elastic restoring force against this elastic deformation, so that the male terminal 12 is more reliably pressed against the first and second contacts 24, 26. As a result, the conductive state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10 is stably maintained, making it possible to provide a female terminal 10 that can withstand a larger current.

[0084] In particular, the portion of main body 22 of female terminal 10 that constitutes male terminal insertion gap 16 is relatively thick-walled and is generally cylindrical, so that main body 22 of female terminal 10 is hardly deformed even when male terminal 12 is press-fitted into male terminal insertion gap 16. Therefore, there is no need to take deformation of main body 22 into consideration when designing a housing that holds female terminal 10, and the shape of the housing can be simplified and the housing can be made smaller.

[0085] In particular, the male terminal 12 has a pair of inclined portions 32, 32 on both sides in the plate width direction (left-right direction), and the first wall portion 18 and the second wall portion 20 have a pair of first inclined side edges 44, 44 and a pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54 corresponding thereto. Each of the first inclined side edges 44 has a first contact point 24 that contacts the male terminal 12 press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16, and each of the second inclined side edges 54 has a second contact point 26 that contacts the male terminal 12 press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap 16. Each of the first contact point 24 and each of the second contact points 26 protrudes in the plate thickness direction of each of the inclined portions 32 and faces each other with each of the inclined portions 32 in between.

[0086] That is, since the pressing force F1 (see FIG. 3) by each of the first contacts 24 and the pressing force F2 (see FIG. 3) by each of the second contacts 26 act in the same direction as the plate thickness direction of each of the inclined portions 32, each of the inclined portions 32 is stably clamped by each of the first and second contacts 24, 26, and electrical continuity between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10 can be more reliably achieved. In particular, in the first embodiment, the direction in which the pressing force F1 by each of the first contacts 24 acts and the direction in which the pressing force F2 by each of the second contacts 26 acts are opposed in the plate thickness direction of each of the inclined portions 32, sandwiching each of the inclined portions 32 therebetween, and each of the first and second contacts 24, 26 can more reliably clamp each of the inclined portions 32.

[0087] 3, the pressing force F1 by each first contact 24 acts as an upward component force F1a and an inward component force F1b in the left-right direction, and the pressing force F2 by each second contact 26 acts as a downward component force F2a and an outward 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 external force input by the component force in the opposite direction (e.g., component force F2b from left to right) or the inward component force F1b in the left-right direction is suppressed. As a result, the displacement of the male terminal 12 relative to the female terminal 10 is suppressed, and the conductive state between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10 can be stably maintained.

[0088] As spring members for applying the pressing force F2, the resilient contact pieces 28 and the first and second spring portions 86, 88 are provided, and the resilient contact pieces 28 and the first and second spring portions 86, 88 are arranged on both the left and right sides. As a result, the pressing force F2 on the left side can be obtained by the elastic restoring force of the left resilient contact piece 28 and the first spring portion 86, and the pressing force F2 on the right side can be obtained by the elastic restoring force of the right resilient contact piece 28 and the second spring portion 88. Therefore, pressing forces F2 acting in different directions can be obtained separately on the left and right sides, improving the ability to follow the displacement of the male terminal 12.

[0089] 4, the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26 are formed at different positions in the front-to-rear direction, so that the male terminal 12 is clamped by the first contacts 24 and the second contacts 26 at three different positions in the front-to-rear direction. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the male terminal 12 from being displaced by swinging in the up-down direction within the male terminal insertion gap 16.

[0090] The first assembly part 74 has a first base 76 and a first connecting plate part 78, and the resilient contact piece 28 is connected in a cantilever shape to a lower edge part of the first connecting plate part 78. In particular, in the first embodiment, the resilient contact piece 28 is provided on both the left and right sides, and the first assembly part 74 has a structure in which the first connecting plate parts 78 and the first bases 76 similarly provided on both the left and right sides are connected by the first connection part 80. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the first assembly part 74 even when the resilient contact piece 28 is provided on both the left and right sides, and also makes it possible to reduce the size of the first assembly part 74.

[0091] Similarly, the second assembly part 94 has a second base 96 and a second connecting plate part 98, and the pressure spring 30 is connected in a cantilever shape to the lower edge part of the second connecting plate part 98. In particular, in the first embodiment, the pressure spring 30 has a first spring part 86 and a second spring part 88 on both the left and right sides, and the second assembly part 94 has a structure in which the second connecting plate parts 98 and the second bases 96 similarly provided on both the left and right sides are connected by the second connecting part 102. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the second assembly part 94 even when the first spring part 86 and the second spring part 88 are provided on both the left and right sides, and also makes it possible to reduce the size of the second assembly part 94.

[0092] The first assembly portion 74 and the second assembly portion 94 each include a first locking claw 84 and a second locking claw 106, which fit into a first locking hole 60 and a second locking hole 62 provided in the second wall portion 20, respectively, so that the first and second assembly portions 74, 94 are assembled to the main body portion 22. This allows the first and second assembly portions 74, 94 to be easily assembled to the main body portion 22, and therefore allows the elastic contact pieces 28 and the first and second spring portions 86, 88 to be easily provided inside the male terminal insertion gap 16.

[0093] In particular, each of the first connecting plate portions 78 in the first assembly portion 74 is overlapped with the front end surface 20a of the second wall portion 20, and each of the first connecting plate portions 78 and the front end surface 20a are welded to each other. This not only effectively prevents the first assembly portion 74 from falling off the main body portion 22, but also reduces the contact resistance between the first assembly portion 74 and the main body portion 22, thereby providing a female terminal 10 suitable for a larger current. In addition, when the main body portion 22 is a press-formed product made of a single metal flat plate 64 as in the first embodiment, by providing the second wall portion 20 with portions that butt against each other, the effect of preventing the press-formed main body portion 22 from opening by welding the first assembly portion 74 can be achieved.

[0094] <Modification> Although the first embodiment has been described above as a specific example of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to this specific description. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modified examples of the embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0095] (1) In the above embodiment, the male terminal 12 has a pair of inclined portions 32, 32, and the first wall portion 18 and the second wall portion 20 of the female terminal 10 each have a pair of first inclined side edges 44, 44 and a pair of second inclined side edges 54, 54, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the male terminal may be flat tab-shaped, and in that case, the portion forming the male terminal insertion gap in the female terminal may be substantially rectangular tubular. Similarly, the male terminal may be pin-shaped, and in that case, the portion forming the male terminal insertion gap in the female terminal may be substantially cylindrical. Note that even when the inclined portions, the first inclined side edges, and the second inclined side edges are provided, the inclination angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 may be different from each other. Also, the central flat portion, the first flat portion, and the second flat portion are not essential, and the inclined portions, the first inclined side edges, and the second inclined side edges on both sides may be directly connected to each other.

[0096] (2) In the above embodiment, each of the main body 22, the first assembly part 74, and the second assembly part 94 is formed by pressing a single metal plate, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, at least one of the main body, the first assembly part, and the second assembly part may be formed, for example, by being composed of a plurality of members and being welded together. Note that even when the main body is formed by pressing a metal plate, the abutting portions do not need to be provided in the second wall portion, and may be set at any position in the main body.

[0097] (3) In the above embodiment, the first assembly portion 74 is assembled to the main body portion 22 by welding and by fitting the first lock hole 60 and the first lock claw 84, but it may be assembled by one of welding and fitting, and for example, the first lock hole and the first lock claw are not essential to the female terminal according to the present disclosure. Similarly, the second assembly portion may be fixed to the main body portion by welding, and the second lock hole and the second lock claw are not essential to the female terminal according to the present disclosure. Note that, when the first lock hole and the first lock claw are provided, they may be provided in the opposite manner to the above embodiment, that is, the first lock hole may be provided in the first connection portion of the first assembly portion, and the first lock claw may be provided in the second flat portion of the second wall portion. Similarly, the second lock hole and the second lock claw may be provided in the opposite manner to the above embodiment, and the second lock hole may be provided in the second connection portion of the second assembly portion, and the second lock claw may be provided in the second flat portion of the second wall portion.

[0098] (4) In the above embodiment, the pressing spring 30 (the first and second spring parts 86, 88) is configured as a leaf spring formed by bending a metal plate, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pressing spring may be configured as an elastic body such as rubber or a coil spring. In the above embodiment, the protruding tip part (curved part 90) of the pressing spring 30 (the first and second spring parts 86, 88) abuts against the protruding tip part (bent part 70) of each elastic contact piece 28 from behind and above in the initial state before the male terminal 12 is inserted, but the protruding tip part of the pressing spring and the protruding tip part of the elastic contact piece may be slightly separated from each other in the initial state. That is, it is sufficient that the pressing spring is arranged behind and above the elastic contact piece inside the male terminal insertion gap, elastically deforms together with the elastic contact piece when the male terminal is pressed in, and applies its elastic restoring force together with the elastic contact piece to the male terminal.

[0099] (5) The number, shapes, etc. of the first contacts and the second contacts are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. For example, the first contacts and the second contacts may both be hemispherical, and one or more contacts may be provided in the press-fitting direction of the male terminal. In addition, the number, shapes, etc. of the first contacts and the second contacts may be the same or different from each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 female terminal 12 male terminal 14 Terminal Unit 16 Male terminal insertion gap 18 1st wall section 18a Front end surface 20 Second wall section 20a Front end surface 20b Rear end surface 22 Main body 24 First Contact 26 Second Contact 28 Elastic contact piece 30 Compression spring 32 Slope 34 Central flat area 36 Through hole 38 Male terminal insertion port 40 Rear opening 41a Front storage recess 41b Rear storage recess 42 Side wall 42a Front end surface 42b Rear end surface 43 Connection 44 1st slope side edge 46 1st flat part 47 Inviting Surface 48 Protrusion 50 Recess 52 Groove 54 2nd slope side edge 56 2nd flat part 56a Second flat part on the left side 56b 2nd flat section on the right side 58 Through hole 60 First lock hole 62 Second lock hole 64 Metal flat plate 66 Left side part 68 Right side part 70 Bend 72 Recess 74 1st assembly section 76 First Base 78 1st connecting plate part 79 Insertion port 80 First connection part 82 Through window 84 First locking claw 86 First spring part 88 Second spring part 90 Curved section 92 Front end 94 2nd assembly section 96 2nd Base 98 2nd connecting plate part 100 Insertion port 102 Second connection part 104 Through window 106 Second locking claw

Claims

1. a main body including a first wall portion and a second wall portion disposed opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap into which the male terminal is press-fitted; a first contact provided on the first wall portion and protruding toward the second wall portion; a resilient contact piece attached to the second wall portion, having a plate thickness thinner than that of the main body portion, protruding toward the first wall portion, being resiliently deformable toward the second wall portion, and having a second contact; a pressure spring attached to the second wall portion and biasing the elastic contact piece toward the first wall portion when the male terminal is press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap, The second contact of the resilient contact piece is pressed against the male terminal by the elastic return force of the resilient contact piece toward the first wall portion and the biasing force of the compression spring, pressing the male terminal against the first contact.

2. The male terminal to be press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap has a pair of inclined portions inclined toward one side in a plate thickness direction of the male terminal on both sides in a plate width direction intersecting a press-fitting direction, the first wall portion faces the other surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a pair of first inclined side edge portions inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the first contacts are provided on each of the first inclined side edge portions; the second wall portion faces the one side surface of the male terminal in the plate thickness direction and has a pair of second inclined side edge portions inclined along the pair of inclined portions of the male terminal, and the elastic contact piece is disposed on each of the second inclined side edge portions; 2. The female terminal as described in claim 1, wherein the pressure spring has a first spring portion that urges the elastic contact piece arranged on one side of the plate width direction toward the first inclined side edge portion located on the one side of the plate width direction, and a second spring portion that urges the elastic contact piece arranged on the other side of the plate width direction toward the first inclined side edge portion located on the other side of the plate width direction.

3. a male terminal insertion opening continuous with the male terminal insertion gap is provided at a tip side of the male terminal insertion gap of the main body, The elastic contact piece is supported by a first assembly portion that is assembled to the second wall portion, the first assembly portion has a first base placed on an outer surface of the second wall portion on the male terminal insertion opening side, and a first connecting plate portion protruding from the first base toward the first wall portion and disposed opposite an end surface of the second wall portion constituting the male terminal insertion opening, 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic contact piece is connected in a cantilever manner to the protruding edge portion of the first connecting plate portion and protrudes inwardly into the male terminal insertion gap and toward the first wall portion.

4. The female terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the first connecting plate portion of the first attachment portion is welded to the end face of the second wall portion on the male terminal insertion opening side.

5. the first assembly portion has a pair of the first connecting plate portions arranged to face the end faces of the pair of second inclined side edges on the male terminal insertion opening side, A female terminal as described in claim 3 when claim 2 is applicable, wherein the resilient contact piece is connected in a cantilever manner to each of the protruding edge portions of the pair of first connecting plate portions, and the pair of resilient contact pieces are each biased toward the first inclined side edge portion by the first spring portion and the second spring portion.

6. a first lock claw that is elastically deformable is provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the first assembly portion and the second wall portion, and a first lock hole is provided on the other of the opposing surfaces of the first assembly portion and the second wall portion; 4. The female terminal according to claim 3, wherein the first locking claw elastically deforms to allow the first assembly portion to be assembled to the second wall portion, and the first locking claw elastically returns to its original shape to fit into the first locking hole, thereby non-detachably assembling the first assembly portion to the second wall portion.

7. a rear opening portion that is continuous with the male terminal insertion gap is provided on a base end side of the male terminal insertion gap of the main body portion, The pressure spring has a tongue shape and is supported by a second assembly portion that is assembled to the second wall portion, the second attachment portion has a second base placed on an outer surface of the second wall portion on the rear opening side, and a second connecting plate portion protruding from the second base toward the first wall portion and disposed opposite an end surface of the second wall portion that constitutes the rear opening, 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the pressure spring is connected in a cantilever manner to the protruding edge portion of the second connecting plate portion and protrudes inwardly into the male terminal insertion gap and toward the first wall portion, and the protruding end portion of the pressure spring presses the end portion of the elastic contact piece toward the first wall portion.

8. the second attachment portion includes a pair of second connecting plate portions disposed to face end surfaces of the pair of second inclined side edges on the rear opening side, A female terminal as described in claim 7 when claim 2 applies, wherein the pressure spring is connected in a cantilever manner to the protruding edge portions of each of the pair of second connecting plate portions to form the first spring portion and the second spring portion.

9. a second locking claw that is elastically deformable is provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the second assembly portion and the second wall portion, and a second locking hole is provided on the other of the opposing surfaces of the second assembly portion and the second wall portion; 8. The female terminal according to claim 7, wherein the second locking claw elastically deforms to allow the second assembly portion to be assembled to the second wall portion, and the second locking claw elastically returns to its original shape to fit into the second locking hole, thereby non-detachably assembling the second assembly portion to the second wall portion.

10. A terminal unit including a plate-shaped male terminal and a female terminal connected to the male terminal, A terminal unit, wherein the female terminal is the female terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A male terminal to be press-fitted into the male terminal insertion gap of the female terminal according to claim 2, A 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.

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