Connector and terminal

Abstract

To provide a connector and a terminal capable of establishing both of improvement of workability of connector connection and improvement of strength of a terminal body.SOLUTION: A connector includes a terminal 2 to be fixed to a tip of an electric wire. The terminal 2 includes a terminal body 26 having a cylinder part 30 into which a mating terminal of a mating connector is to be inserted from an opening 29. The terminal 2 includes a spring-like elastic piece 39 inside the cylinder part 30, the elastic piece making the mating terminal inserted in the cylinder part 30 be conducted to the terminal body 26. The elastic piece 39 has a caulking and fixing part 41 that is caulked and fixed to a support wall 28 of the cylinder part 30. The caulking and fixing part 41 is arranged at an end closer to the opening 29 of both ends of an elastic piece body 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, connectors including a plurality of terminals and a housing having a plurality of terminal holding portions for respectively holding the plurality of terminals are well known. These terminals include a terminal body having a tubular portion, and an elastic piece that is crimped and fixed to the tubular portion so as to be located within the tubular portion. The terminal body has a pair of crimping portions used to fix the elastic piece to the tubular portion. The pair of crimping portions are plastically deformed to cover the elastic piece, thereby fixing the elastic piece to the tubular portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-33945 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of a structure in which the crimping portion is provided on the terminal body, the crimping portion is present at one of the ends of the elastic piece, which is located at a recessed position in the tubular portion. In this case, when the mating terminal is inserted into the tubular portion, the deformation of the elastic piece during insertion is supported by the crimping portion, so the insertion load is concentrated on the crimping portion. This makes it difficult for the elastic piece to bend, so it is necessary to apply an insertion force when connecting the connector. This has led to concerns that the workability of connecting the connector is poor.

[0005] In addition, in the case of a structure in which a crimping portion is provided on the terminal body, for example, a cut is made in a part of the terminal body, and the cut portion is bent and crimped to the elastic piece, thereby fixing the elastic piece to the terminal body. However, in the case of this structure, after the crimping process, a hole is formed in the terminal body where the crimping portion was located before bending. Therefore, there is a concern that the strength of the terminal body will be reduced due to the presence of the hole.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a connector and a terminal that can achieve both improved workability in connecting the connector and improved strength of the terminal body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The connector that solves the above problem comprises an electric wire having a terminal at a tip, and a connector body to which the mating terminal of the mating connector is electrically connected when the mating connector is connected, wherein the terminal comprises a terminal body having a tubular portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from an opening, and a spring-like elastic piece that is arranged inside the tubular portion and connects the mating terminal inserted into the tubular portion to the terminal body, the elastic piece having a crimping fixing portion that is crimped and fixed to the support wall of the tubular portion, and the crimping fixing portion is arranged at one of both ends of the elastic piece body that is closer to the opening. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure can improve both the workability of connector connection and the strength of the terminal body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the connector. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the tip portion of the terminal. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the terminal body base material. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the elastic piece base material. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory diagrams of the press working. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing the structure of a conventional terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The connector of the present disclosure comprises an electric wire having a terminal at a tip, and a connector body to which the mating terminal of the mating connector is electrically connected when the mating connector is connected, wherein the terminal comprises a terminal body having a tubular portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from an opening, and a spring-like elastic piece disposed inside the tubular portion and conducting the mating terminal inserted into the tubular portion to the terminal body, the elastic piece having a crimp fixing portion crimped and fixed to a support wall of the tubular portion, and the crimp fixing portion is disposed at one of both ends of the elastic piece body which is closer to the opening.

[0011] According to this configuration, the crimping portion for fixing the elastic piece to the terminal body is disposed at the end closer to the opening of the tube of the terminal body, so that the end of the elastic piece opposite the crimping portion can move freely. Therefore, when the elastic piece is elastically deformed by the mating terminal when the mating connector is connected, the elastic piece can be easily deflected, so that the load applied to the elastic piece from the mating terminal can be released. Therefore, the connector and the mating connector can be smoothly connected without applying excessive force. In addition, since the crimping portion is provided on the elastic piece, the hole that exists when the crimping portion is provided on the terminal body in the conventional terminal is not necessary. Therefore, the strength of the terminal body can be improved.

[0012] [2] In the above [1], the elastic piece body is formed in an arch shape with a raised center and both ends in contact with the inner surface of the support wall. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure contact pressure when the elastic piece contacts the mating terminal.

[0013] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the cylindrical portion has a lance engagement portion that engages with the lance of the connector, and the crimp fixing portion is disposed inside the lance engagement portion by being attached to the support wall provided inside the lance engagement portion. With this configuration, it is possible to protect the crimp fixing portion by covering it from above with the lance engagement portion.

[0014] [4] In any one of the above items [1] to [3], the support wall has an engagement groove formed by a cutout for hooking the crimped fixing part. According to this configuration, the position of the crimped fixing part can be maintained by engagement with the engagement groove, making it possible to prevent the crimped fixing part from becoming displaced.

[0015] [5] In any one of the above [1] to [4], the crimp fixing portion is a pair of fixing pieces provided on both sides of the elastic piece main body in the width direction, and is engaged so as to sandwich the support wall by crimping. According to this configuration, by crimping the pair of fixing pieces so as to sandwich the support wall, it is possible to firmly fix the elastic piece to the support wall.

[0016] [6] In any one of the above [1] to [5], the elastic piece has an extension portion disposed at a position closer to the opening than the crimp fixing portion and formed to contact the inner surface of the support wall. With this configuration, the end of the elastic piece is supported by the support wall by the extension portion, making it easier to maintain the state in which the elastic piece is in contact with the support wall.

[0017] [7] In any one of the above items [1] to [6], the elastic piece is formed to be thicker than the terminal body. With this configuration, it is possible to bring the elastic piece into contact with the terminal body with a high contact pressure.

[0018] [8] In any one of the above [1] to [7], the tubular portion is formed by arranging a plurality of wall portions of the terminal body in sequence in the circumferential direction, and the support wall is arranged inside the tubular portion. With this configuration, it is possible to manufacture a terminal of a desired shape by a simple process of, for example, bending a single base material of the terminal body to have the tubular portion.

[0019] [9] The terminal of the present disclosure is fixed to the tip of an electric wire attached to a connector, and is electrically connected to a mating terminal of the mating connector when the connector and a mating connector are connected, and has a terminal body having a tubular portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from an opening, and a spring-like elastic piece that is arranged inside the tubular portion and conducts the mating terminal inserted into the tubular portion to the terminal body, and the elastic piece has a crimping fixing portion that is crimped and fixed to a support wall of the tubular portion, and the crimping fixing portion is arranged at one of both ends of the elastic piece body that is closer to the opening.

[0020] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from the actual ones.

[0021] (Connector 1) 1 and 2, the connector 1 includes an electric wire 3 having a terminal 2 at its tip, and a connector body 4 to which the electric wire 3 is attached. In this example, a plurality of electric wires 3 are attached to the connector body 4. As shown in Fig. 2, when a mating connector 5 is connected to the connector body 4, a mating terminal 6 of the mating connector 5 is electrically connected to the terminal 2.

[0022] (Connector body 4) 1, the connector body 4 includes a housing 8, a retainer 9, a first seal member 10, and a second seal member 11. The housing 8 has a main body 12, a first terminal holding portion 13 that is integrally formed with the main body 12 and disposed in an upper stage, and a second terminal holding portion 14 that is integrally formed with the main body 12 and disposed in a lower stage. A plurality of electric wire insertion portions 15 for inserting terminals 2 and electric wires 3 are provided inside the housing 8. The plurality of electric wire insertion portions 15 are arranged in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 1, etc.) and the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 1, etc.).

[0023] 2, the first terminal holding portion 13 has a lance 17 that engages the terminal 2 with the connector body 4. In this example, a plurality of lances 17 are provided in the housing 8, one for each electric wire insertion portion 15. The lances 17 are formed in a shape that protrudes inward of the electric wire insertion portion 15. The electric wire 3 is attached to a required electric wire insertion portion 15 among the plurality of electric wire insertion portions 15.

[0024] The retainer 9 has a first accommodating chamber 18 that accommodates the first terminal holding portion 13, a second accommodating chamber 19 that accommodates the second terminal holding portion 14, and a partition wall 20 that partitions the first accommodating chamber 18 and the second accommodating chamber 19. The retainer 9 is attached to the housing 8 such that the partition wall 20 is inserted laterally (in the -Y axis direction in FIG. 2, etc.) into a groove portion 21 between the first terminal holding portion 13 and the second terminal holding portion 14. The retainer 9 is attached to the housing 8 so as to cover the periphery of the first terminal holding portion 13 and the second terminal holding portion 14, thereby preventing the terminal 2 attached to the first terminal holding portion 13 and the second terminal holding portion 14 from falling off.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the first seal member 10 is formed in an annular shape. The inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the first seal member 10 are formed in a lip shape. As shown in Fig. 2, the first seal member 10 is attached to a seat portion 22 that supports the first terminal holding portion 13 and the second terminal holding portion 14 in the main body portion 12. Specifically, the first seal member 10 is attached to the seat portion 22 that is formed in a stepped shape on the outer surface of the main body portion 12.

[0026] 1, the second seal member 11 is attached inside a hood portion 23 formed on an end surface of the main body portion 12. The second seal member 11 is formed with a plurality of electric wire insertion portions 24 for inserting the electric wires 3. Each of the plurality of electric wire insertion portions 24 is formed to pair with each of the electric wire insertion portions 15 of the housing 8. The outer circumferential surface of the second seal member 11 is formed, for example, in a lip shape.

[0027] (Terminal 2) As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the terminal 2 has a terminal body 26 to which the tip of the electric wire 3 is attached and fixed. The terminal body 26 is made of, for example, metal. The terminal body 26 has a plurality of walls 27. The walls 27 in this example include a first wall 27a, a second wall 27b, a third wall 27c, a fourth wall 27d, and a support wall 28. The first wall 27a is a wall that extends over the entire length of the terminal body 26 (the entire area in the X'-axis direction in Fig. 3). The second wall 27b and the third wall 27c are walls that stand upright from each end of the first wall 27a. The fourth wall 27d is a wall that is disposed opposite the first wall 27a. The support wall 28 is a wall that is bridged between the second wall 27b and the third wall 27c on the back side of the fourth wall 27d.

[0028] The terminal body 26 has a tubular portion 30 into which the mating terminal 6 is inserted from an opening 29. The tubular portion 30 is formed in a tubular shape by arranging the multiple wall portions 27 of the terminal body 26 in sequence in the circumferential direction. The tubular portion 30 in this example is composed of a part of the first wall portion 27a, a part of the second wall portion 27b, a part of the third wall portion 27c, and a fourth wall portion 27d. The tubular portion 30 is formed in a quadrangular shape when viewed from the axial direction of the opening 29.

[0029] The cylindrical portion 30 has a lance engagement portion 32 that engages with the lance 17 of the connector 1. The lance engagement portion 32 is formed, for example, in a shape that protrudes toward the lance 17. A hole 33 that exposes the support wall 28 to the outside of the cylindrical portion 30 is formed in the fourth wall portion 27d of the cylindrical portion 30 at the base end of the lance engagement portion 32.

[0030] The terminal body 26 has an electric wire fixing portion 34 for fixing the electric wire 3. The electric wire fixing portion 34 has a plurality of fixing tongues 34a that are crimped to the electric wire 3 attached to the terminal body 26. The electric wire fixing portion 34 fixes the electric wire 3 to the terminal body 26, for example, by being crimped with the electric wire 3 disposed inside the terminal body 26.

[0031] The support wall 28 is disposed inside the tubular portion 30. The support wall 28 is formed integrally with the second wall portion 27b by bending an end portion of the second wall portion 27b. The support wall 28 has a plurality of protrusions 35 formed on an end edge thereof, which are inserted into slits 36 formed in pairs in the third wall portion 27c.

[0032] (Elastic piece 39) 5 and 6, the terminal 2 has an elastic piece 39 that comes into contact with the mating terminal 6 inserted from the opening 29 when the mating connector 5 is connected. The elastic piece 39 is disposed inside the tubular portion 30, and electrically connects the mating terminal 6 inserted into the tubular portion 30 to the terminal body 26. The elastic piece 39 is made of, for example, a metal. The elastic piece 39 is formed to be thicker than the terminal body 26. That is, the thickness "W1" of the elastic piece 39 is formed to be greater than the thickness "W2" of the terminal body 26.

[0033] The elastic piece 39 has a generally plate-like elastic piece body 40 extending along the axis L1 direction of the opening 29. The elastic piece body 40 is formed in an arch shape with a protruding center and both ends in contact with the inner surface of the support wall 28. When the elastic piece 39 is fixed to the terminal body 26, the tip and base ends of the elastic piece body 40 contact the support wall 28 and the center is separated from the support wall 28.

[0034] The elastic piece 39 has a crimping fixing portion 41 which is crimped and fixed to the support wall 28 of the tube portion 30. The crimping fixing portion 41 is disposed at one of both ends of the elastic piece main body 40 which is closer to the opening 29. The crimping fixing portion 41 is disposed inside the lance engagement portion 32 by being attached to the support wall 28 provided inside the lance engagement portion 32. The crimping fixing portion 41 is a pair of fixing pieces 41a provided on both sides in the width direction of the elastic piece main body 40 (both ends in the Y'-axis direction shown in FIG. 5 etc.), and is engaged so as to sandwich the support wall 28 by crimping.

[0035] The elastic piece 39 has an extension portion 42 that is disposed at a position closer to the opening 29 than the crimping fixing portion 41 and is formed so as to contact the inner surface of the support wall 28. The extension portion 42 is, for example, a protruding piece that protrudes a predetermined amount from the base end of the elastic piece main body 40.

[0036] 7, the support wall 28 has an engagement groove 43 formed by cutting out the engagement groove 43 for hooking the crimping fixing portion 41. A pair of engagement grooves 43 are formed on both sides in the width direction of the support wall 28. The engagement grooves 43 prevent the engaged crimping fixing portion 41 from moving in the longitudinal direction of the terminal body 26.

[0037] Next, the operation of the connector 1 (terminal 2) of this embodiment will be described. (Manufacturing procedure for terminal 2) 8, when manufacturing the terminal 2, a base material (terminal body base material 46) of the terminal body 26 is prepared. The terminal body base material 46 has, for example, a plurality of terminal body materials 47 formed as the terminal body 26, and a connecting plate 48 connecting the plurality of terminal body materials 47. The terminal body base material 46 is a material before the press bending process is performed, and therefore has a flat shape.

[0038] 9, when manufacturing the terminal 2, a base material (elastic piece base material 50) of the elastic piece 39 is prepared. The elastic piece base material 50 has, for example, a plurality of elastic piece materials 51 formed as the elastic pieces 39, and a connecting plate 52 connecting the plurality of elastic piece materials 51. The elastic piece base material 50 is a material before the press working for crimping is performed, and therefore has a flat shape.

[0039] 10(a), a terminal body base material 46 set in a press machine (not shown) is conveyed in the conveying direction of arrow R1, and an elastic piece base material 50 also set in the press machine (not shown) is conveyed in the conveying direction of arrow R2, so that the terminal body base material 46 and the elastic piece base material 50 are overlapped. The conveying direction of the terminal body base material 46 and the conveying direction of the elastic piece base material 50 are set to be orthogonal to each other, for example.

[0040] First, the terminal body material 47 at the head of the terminal body base material 46 in the transport direction and the elastic piece material 51 at the head of the elastic piece base material 50 in the transport direction are overlapped. In addition, when they are overlapped, the crimping fixing portion 41 of the elastic piece base material 50 is aligned with the support wall 28 of the terminal body material 47.

[0041] 10(b), after the terminal body base material 46 and the elastic piece base material 50 are aligned, the terminal body material 47 is cut from the terminal body base material 46 and the elastic piece material 51 is cut from the elastic piece base material 50 at the same time. The terminal body material 47 is cut from the connecting plate 48 at P1, which is the boundary between the terminal body material 47 and the connecting plate 48. The elastic piece material 51 is cut from the connecting plate 52 at P2, which is the boundary between the elastic piece material 51 and the connecting plate 52.

[0042] Furthermore, crimping of the crimp fixing portion 41 is also performed simultaneously with cutting of the terminal body material 47 and the elastic piece material 51. Specifically, the pair of fixing pieces 41a of the crimp fixing portion 41 are crimped to the support wall 28 by a crimping jig (not shown) of a press machine, thereby fixing the elastic piece 39 to the terminal body 26.

[0043] As described above, the cutting of the terminal body material 47, the cutting of the elastic piece material 51, and the crimping process of the crimp fixing portion 41 are carried out simultaneously. Then, the terminal 2 is manufactured by performing a bending process to form the tubular portion 30 in the terminal body 26. Thereafter, the same process is repeated to form the terminals 2 one by one in sequence.

[0044] (Structural advantages of terminal 2) As shown in Fig. 11, a conventional terminal 61 has a structure in which an elastic piece 64 is fixed to a terminal body 62 by a crimping portion 63 provided on the terminal body 62. In this structure, the inner end of the elastic piece 64 is supported by the crimping portion 63. Therefore, when the mating terminal 6 is inserted into the terminal 61, the deformation of the elastic piece 64 is supported by the crimping portion 63, so that the insertion load is concentrated on the crimping portion 63. This makes it difficult for the elastic piece 64 to bend, and therefore it is necessary to apply an insertion force when connecting the connectors. This leads to a deterioration in workability when connecting the connector 1 and the mating connector 5.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, a crimping portion 41 is provided on the end of the elastic piece 39 closer to the opening 29 of the tube portion 30, and the crimping portion 41 is crimped and fixed to the support wall 28 of the terminal body 26. This allows the end of the elastic piece 39 opposite the crimping portion 41 to move freely, so that the elastic piece 39 is easily bent when the mating terminal 6 is inserted into the opening 29 and comes into contact with the elastic piece 39. This allows the load applied from the mating terminal 6 to the elastic piece 39 when the mating terminal 6 comes into contact with the elastic piece 39 to be released. This allows the connectors to be connected smoothly without applying excessive force.

[0046] Moreover, when the crimping portion 41 is provided on the elastic piece 39 instead of the terminal body 26, there is no hole 65 (see FIG. 11) that is created when the crimping portion 63 is formed on the terminal body 62 as in the conventional terminal 61. This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the terminal body 26. Furthermore, since the crimping portion 41 is not located on the path of the mating terminal 6 inside the tubular portion 30, it is possible to secure a large space for accommodating the mating terminal 6 inside the tubular portion 30.

[0047] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the configuration of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) Connector 1 includes electric wire 3 having terminal 2 at its tip, and connector body 4 in which, when mating connector 5 is connected, mating terminal 6 of mating connector 5 is electrically connected to terminal 2. Terminal 2 includes terminal body 26 having tubular portion 30 into which mating terminal 6 is inserted from opening 29, and spring-like elastic piece 39 disposed inside tubular portion 30 and electrically connects mating terminal 6 inserted into tubular portion 30 to terminal body 26. Elastic piece 39 has crimped fixing portion 41 that is crimped and fixed to support wall 28 of tubular portion 30. Crimped fixing portion 41 is disposed at one of both ends of elastic piece body 40 that is closer to opening 29.

[0048] According to this configuration, the crimping fixing portion 41 for fixing the elastic piece 39 to the terminal body 26 is disposed at the end closer to the opening 29 of the tube portion 30 of the terminal body 26, so that the end opposite to the crimping fixing portion 41 of the elastic piece 39 can move freely. Therefore, when the elastic piece 39 is elastically deformed by the mating terminal 6 when the mating connector 5 is connected, the elastic piece 39 can be easily deflected, so that the load applied to the elastic piece 39 from the mating terminal 6 can be released. Therefore, the connector 1 and the mating connector 5 can be smoothly connected without applying excessive force. In addition, since the crimping fixing portion 41 is provided on the elastic piece 39, the hole 65 that existed when the crimping portion 63 was provided on the terminal body 62 in the conventional terminal 61 is not required. Therefore, the strength of the terminal body 26 can be improved.

[0049] (2) The elastic piece body 40 is formed in an arch shape with a raised center and both ends in contact with the inner surface of the support wall 28. With this configuration, the contact pressure when the elastic piece 39 contacts the mating terminal 6 can be secured.

[0050] (3) The cylindrical portion 30 has a lance engagement portion 32 that engages with the lance 17 of the connector 1. The crimping fixing portion 41 is attached to a support wall 28 provided inside the lance engagement portion 32, and is thereby disposed inside the lance engagement portion 32. According to this configuration, the lance engagement portion 32 can cover and protect the crimping fixing portion 41 from above.

[0051] (4) The support wall 28 has an engagement groove 43 formed by cutting out the engagement groove 43 for hooking the crimped fixing portion 41. According to this configuration, the position of the crimped fixing portion 41 can be maintained by engagement with the engagement groove 43, so that the crimped fixing portion 41 can be made less likely to become displaced.

[0052] (5) The crimping fixing portion 41 is a pair of fixing pieces 41a provided on both sides in the width direction of the elastic piece main body 40, and is engaged by crimping to sandwich the support wall 28. According to this configuration, by crimping the pair of fixing pieces 41a to the support wall 28 so as to sandwich the pair of fixing pieces 41a, the elastic piece 39 can be firmly fixed to the support wall 28.

[0053] (6) The elastic piece 39 has an extension portion 42 that is disposed closer to the opening 29 than the crimping fixing portion 41 and is formed to contact the inner surface of the support wall 28. According to this configuration, the end portion of the elastic piece 39 is supported by the support wall 28 by the extension portion 42, making it easier to maintain the state in which the elastic piece 39 contacts the support wall 28.

[0054] (7) The elastic piece 39 is formed to be thicker than the terminal body 26. With this configuration, the elastic piece 39 can be brought into contact with the terminal body 26 with a high contact pressure. (8) The tubular portion 30 is formed into a tubular shape by arranging a plurality of walls 27 (in this example, the first wall 27a to the fourth wall 27d) of the terminal body 26 in sequence in the circumferential direction. The support wall 28 is disposed inside the tubular portion 30. With this configuration, a terminal 2 having a desired shape can be manufactured by a simple process of, for example, bending a single base material of the terminal body 26 (in this example, the terminal body base material 46) so as to have the tubular portion 30.

[0055] (9) Since there is no need to provide the crimping portion 41 on the terminal body 26, the yield of the terminal body 26 can be improved. (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0056] The elastic piece body 40 is not limited to an arched shape, and may be changed to another shape, such as a V-shape or a wave shape. The crimping fixing portion 41 is not limited to being provided in pair on both sides of the elastic piece 39 in the width direction, but may be provided on only one side.

[0057] The crimp fixing portion 41 may be a single portion provided at the position of the extension portion 42. In this case, the crimp fixing portion 41 fixes the elastic piece 39 to the terminal body 26 in a cantilever manner. The crimping fixing portion 41 may be structured to be crimped by being inserted into a slit provided in the support wall 28. In this case, the engagement groove 43 is not limited to a notch and may be, for example, a slit.

[0058] The crimp fixing portion 41 may be disposed at a position other than the inside of the lance engagement portion 32 . The terminal body 26 and the elastic piece 39 may have the same thickness. The extension portion 42 of the elastic piece 39 may be omitted.

[0059] The tube portion 30 is not limited to being formed into a tube shape by bending a single plate, and may be structured to have a tube shape by joining other members together. One of the fourth wall portion 27d and the support wall 28 may be omitted, and the elastic piece 39 may be attached to the other.

[0060] The structures of the connector 1 and the terminal body 26 may be changed to structures other than those in the embodiment. The connector 1 and the terminal 2 may be used in devices other than vehicles. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiment, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or structure. The present disclosure also includes various modifications and modifications within the scope of equivalents. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and concept of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1 Connector 2 Terminal 3 electric wire 4 Connector body 5 Mating Connector 6 Mating terminal 8. Housing 9 Retainer 10 First seal member 11 Second seal member 12 Main body 13 First terminal holding part 14 2nd terminal holding part 15 Wire insertion part 17. Lance 18 Containment Cell No. 1 19 Second Containment Cell 20 Compartment Wall 21 Groove 22 Seat area 23 Food Section 24 Wire insertion part 26 Terminal body 27 Wall 27a 1st wall section 27b 2nd wall section 27c 3rd wall section 27d 4th wall 28 Supporting wall 29 Aperture 30 Cylinder part 32 Lance engagement part 33 holes 34 Wire fixing part 34a Fixed tongue piece 35 Protrusion 36 Slit 39 Elastic piece 40 Elastic piece body 41 Crimping fixing part 41a Fixed piece 42 Extension section 43 Engagement groove 46 Terminal body base material 47 Terminal body material 48 Connecting plate 50 Elastic piece base material 51 Elastic strip material 52 Connecting plate 61 Terminal 62 Terminal body 63 Crimping part 64 Elastic piece 65 holes W1, W2 thickness R1, R2 Transport direction

Claims

1. A connector comprising: an electric wire having a terminal at a tip; and a connector body in which, when a mating connector is connected, a mating terminal of the mating connector is electrically connected to the terminal, The terminal includes a terminal body having a cylindrical portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from an opening, and a spring-like elastic piece that is disposed inside the cylindrical portion and electrically connects the mating terminal inserted into the cylindrical portion to the terminal body, The elastic piece has a crimping portion that is crimped and fixed to the support wall of the cylindrical portion, The crimping portion is disposed at one of both ends of an elastic piece body, the end closer to the opening.

2. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece body is formed in an arch shape with a central protrusion and both ends contacting the inner surface of the support wall.

3. the cylindrical portion has a lance engagement portion that engages with a lance of the connector, 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the crimp fixing portion is attached to the support wall provided inside the lance engagement portion, and thereby disposed inside the lance engagement portion.

4. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the support wall has an engagement groove formed by a notch for engaging the crimping fixing portion.

5. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the crimp fixing portion is a pair of fixing pieces provided on both sides in the width direction of the elastic piece main body, and is engaged with the support wall by crimping so as to sandwich the support wall.

6. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic piece has an extension portion that is disposed at a position closer to the opening than the crimping fixing portion and that is formed so as to contact an inner surface of the support wall.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic piece is formed to be thicker than the terminal body.

8. The cylindrical portion is formed in a cylindrical shape by arranging a plurality of wall portions of the terminal body in sequence in a circumferential direction, The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the support wall is disposed inside the cylindrical portion.

9. A terminal that is fixed to a tip of an electric wire attached to a connector and is electrically connected to a mating terminal of the mating connector when the connector and the mating connector are connected, a terminal body having a cylindrical portion into which the mating terminal is inserted from an opening; and a spring-like elastic piece that is disposed inside the cylindrical portion and electrically connects the mating terminal inserted into the cylindrical portion to the terminal body, The elastic piece has a crimping portion that is crimped and fixed to the support wall of the cylindrical portion, The crimping portion is disposed at one of both ends of an elastic piece body, the end closer to the opening.

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