Terminal module

Abstract

To make it possible to reduce force required for connecting a terminal module and a mating terminal to each other.SOLUTION: A terminal module 20 is a terminal module to be connected to a mating terminal 10, and includes a spring receiving portion 30 having a base portion 32, an electrical contact member 40 that has a contact portion 42 arranged to be spaced from the base portion and is movably supported by the spring receiving portion, and a shape memory coil spring 50 interposed between the base portion and the contact portion. The contact portion is movable between an initial position and a pressed-in position closer to the base portion than the initial position, and the shape memory coil spring 50 is configured by a shape memory alloy that has been memorized in a shape such that force biasing the contact portion from the pressed-in position to the initial position increases with increase in a temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal module. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal module including a metal case and a coil spring. The case has a top wall, a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, and a pair of retaining pieces. The top wall, the pair of side walls, and the pair of retaining pieces form a spring receiving portion that receives the top wall side end of the coil spring. The bottom wall forms an electrical contact member that is electrically connected to the mating contact, and is movable between an initial position and a connection position.

[0003] When the terminal module is connected to the mating terminal, the coil spring is compressed, and in the connected state between the terminal module and the mating terminal, the bottom wall is pressed against the mating terminal by the biasing force of the coil spring. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-198323 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable to reduce the force required to connect a terminal module to a mating terminal.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to reduce the force required to connect a terminal module and a mating terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The terminal module of the present disclosure is a terminal module to be connected to a mating terminal, and comprises: an electrical contact member having a spring receiving portion having a base, a contact portion arranged at a distance from the base and movably supported by the spring receiving portion, and a shape memory coil spring interposed between the base and the contact portion, wherein the contact portion is movable between an initial position and a pushed-in position closer to the base than the initial position, and the shape memory coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy that has been shape-memorized so as to increase the force urging the contact portion from the pushed-in position toward the initial position when the temperature rises. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the force required to connect the terminal module and the mating terminal can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal module according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the terminal module. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal module accommodated in a connector housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the terminal module and the mating terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal module according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal module according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the terminal module. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a terminal module according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0011] The terminal module of the present disclosure is as follows.

[0012] (1) A terminal module to be connected to a mating terminal, comprising: an electrical contact member having a spring receiving portion with a base, a contact portion arranged at a distance from the base and movably supported by the spring receiving portion; and a shape memory coil spring interposed between the base and the contact portion, wherein the contact portion is movable between an initial position and a pushed-in position closer to the base than the initial position, and the shape memory coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy that has been shape-memorized so as to increase the force urging the contact portion from the pushed-in position toward the initial position when the temperature rises.

[0013] According to this terminal module, the force required for the connection can be reduced by connecting the terminal module to the mating terminal while elastically deforming the shape memory coil spring before the temperature rises. Also, the force urging the contact portion from the pressed-in position toward the initial position increases due to the temperature rise after the connection, and the contact pressure between the contact portion and the mating terminal increases, thereby achieving high connection reliability.

[0014] (2) In the terminal module of (1), a portion of the shape memory coil spring that contacts the contact portion may have a contact plane that is in surface contact with the contact portion.

[0015] In this case, when the temperature of the electrical contact member rises due to Joule heat, the heat is easily transferred to the shape memory coil spring, which makes it easier for the temperature of the shape memory coil spring to rise and for the contact pressure to be increased.

[0016] (3) A terminal module according to (1) or (2), wherein the spring receiving portion has a pair of side walls protruding from opposite side edges of the base toward the contact portion, each of the pair of side walls has a guide slit extending from the tip of the side wall toward the base, each of the pair of side edges of the contact portion has a guided protrusion protruding therefrom that is movable along the guide slit, and the guided protrusions of each of the pair of side edges of the contact portion move along the guide slits of each of the pair of side walls, thereby supporting the contact portion so as to be movable between the initial position and the pushed-in position.

[0017] In this case, the pair of guided protrusions move along the pair of guide slits, so that the contact portion is supported movably between the initial position and the pushed-in position. The guide slit extending from the tip of the side wall toward the base portion can be easily formed compared to an opening that is closed on all four sides in the middle of the side wall. This makes it easy to machine the spring receiving portion.

[0018] (4) A terminal module as in (3), wherein a slip-out prevention protrusion protruding at a position away from the guided protrusion is formed on each of a pair of side edges of the contact portion, and a restricting piece protruding from each of the pair of side walls at a position away from the guide slit in the extension direction of the guide slit and capable of contacting the slip-out prevention protrusion from the opposite side to the base may be provided.

[0019] In this way, the restricting piece located away from the extension direction of the guide slit restricts the stopper projection from moving in a direction away from the base, thereby restricting the contact portion from coming out of the initial position to the opposite side from the base.

[0020] (5) In the terminal module according to any one of (1) to (4), the base portion or the contact portion may have a positioning protrusion or a positioning recess for positioning the shape memory coil spring.

[0021] This allows the shape memory coil spring to be positioned by the positioning protrusion or positioning recess.

[0022] (6) In the terminal module according to any one of (1) to (5), only one of the shape memory coil springs may be interposed between the base portion and the contact portion.

[0023] This allows the terminal module to have a simple configuration.

[0024] (7) The terminal module according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising an additional coil spring interposed between the base portion and the contact portion.

[0025] This makes it easy to adjust the biasing force at room temperature and the biasing force at high temperature separately by combining the shape memory coil spring and the additional coil spring.

[0026] (8) In the terminal module of (7), the shape memory coil spring and the additional coil spring may be arranged concentrically.

[0027] This allows the shape memory coil spring and the additional coil spring to be arranged in a compact space.

[0028] (9) In the terminal module of (8), the shape memory coil spring may be disposed on an outer circumferential side of the additional coil spring.

[0029] This makes it easy to set the shape memory coil spring to a large thickness, which can generate a large biasing force at high temperatures and thus achieve higher connection reliability.

[0030] (10) A terminal module according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the shape memory coil spring may be shape-memorized to increase the biasing force upon a temperature increase from a temperature range of 25° C.±15° C. to 50° C. or higher.

[0031] In this case, the connection work between the terminal module and the mating terminal can be easily performed by performing the connection work within a temperature range of 25° C.±15° C. When the temperature of the shape memory coil spring rises to 50° C. due to Joule heat or the like, the contact pressure between the electrical contact member and the mating terminal increases, resulting in high connection reliability.

[0032] (11) In the terminal module according to any one of (1) to (10), the shape memory coil spring may be made of a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy.

[0033] This allows the electrical contact member to return to its original shape due to shape memory as the temperature rises, and also allows the elastic modulus to be increased to increase the contact pressure between the electrical contact member and the mating terminal.

[0034] (12) In a terminal module according to any one of (1) to (10), the shape memory coil spring may generate a spring force that increases the contact area of ​​the contact portion with the mating terminal upon increasing temperature.

[0035] In this case, since the contact area of ​​the contact portion with the mating terminal is relatively small before the temperature rises, the contact point between the mating terminal and the contact portion is likely to heat up when electricity is applied. This heat generation causes the shape memory coil spring to generate a larger biasing force. This increases the contact area of ​​the contact portion with the mating terminal, resulting in high connection reliability.

[0036] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the terminal module 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.

[0037] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a terminal module according to embodiment 1 will be described. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing a terminal module 20. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal module 20. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1.

[0038] The terminal module 20 is a terminal module to be connected to a mating terminal, and includes a spring receiving portion 30, an electrical contact member 40, and a shape memory coil spring 50.

[0039] The spring receiving portion 30 has a base 32 and a pair of side walls 34. The base 32 is formed in a plate shape, here a rectangular plate shape. The pair of side walls 34 protrude from a pair of opposing side edges of the base 32 towards the contact portion 42 of the electrical contact member 40. The pair of side walls 34 face each other in the width direction of the base 32.

[0040] The width of the base 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50. The distance between the pair of side walls 34 is also larger than the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50. Therefore, with the base end of the shape memory coil spring 50 disposed on the base 32, the shape memory coil spring 50 is disposed between the pair of side walls 34.

[0041] The base end portion of the side wall 34, which is close to the base 32, is formed in a rectangular shape. Bent portions 35a are formed on both side edges of the base end portion. A rib portion 35b that protrudes toward the inside of the spring receiving portion 30 is formed in the middle of the width direction of the base end portion. The bent portions 35a and the rib portions 35b reinforce the base end portion so that it is less likely to bend in the thickness direction.

[0042] A guide slit 35s is formed in the tip portion of the side wall 34 far from the base 32. The guide slit 35s faces from the tip of the side wall 34 toward the base 32. The electrical contact member 40 is movably supported by the guide slit 35s. Restriction pieces 34p1 and 34p2 protrude from the tip portion of the side wall 34. The restriction pieces 34p1 and 34p2 restrict the position of the electrical contact member 40 in a direction away from the base 32. The configuration in which the guide slit 35s and the restriction pieces 34p1 and 34p2 guide the electrical contact member 40 while restricting its position will be described in further detail later.

[0043] The spring stop pieces 38 extend from two front and rear edges of the periphery of the base 32 other than the side edges from which the pair of side walls 34 extend. The front-rear length of the base 32 is greater than the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50, and the distance between the front and rear spring stop pieces 38 is greater than the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50. With the base end of the shape memory coil spring 50 disposed on the base 32, the shape memory coil spring 50 is disposed between the pair of side walls 34 and the front and rear spring stop pieces 38. This prevents the base end of the shape memory coil spring 50 from falling off the base 32.

[0044] The protruding length of the front and rear spring stop pieces 38 is set to be smaller than the protruding length of the pair of side walls 34, for example, to an extent not to reach the guide slits 35s. When the electrical contact member 40 approaches the base 32, interference between the contact parts 42 and the spring stop pieces 38 is suppressed.

[0045] The electrical contact member 40 is made of a conductive material. The electrical contact member 40 is formed by pressing a metal plate material such as copper or a copper alloy. The electrical contact member 40 has a contact portion 42 and an extended connection piece 46. The contact portion 42 is plate-shaped, here, a rectangular plate-shaped. The extended connection piece 46 is plate-shaped, here, a rectangular plate-shaped. The extended connection piece 46 extends from a straight edge around the contact portion 42 to one side in the thickness direction of the contact portion 42. The electrical contact member 40 is generally L-shaped. The plate thickness of the electrical contact member 40 is set to a size according to the current capacity required for the terminal module 20. In addition, the electrical contact member 40 has a rigidity that is not deformed by the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 50.

[0046] The width and front-rear length of the contact portion 42 are set to be larger than the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50. With the tip of the shape memory coil spring 50 in contact with one side of the contact portion 42 in the thickness direction, the tip is disposed inside the periphery of the shape memory coil spring 50 within the contact portion 42 in plan view.

[0047] The electrical contact member 40 is movably supported by the spring bearing portion 30. In this supported state, the contact portion 42 is disposed with a gap therebetween with respect to the base portion 32.

[0048] More specifically, a guided protrusion 42q is provided protrudingly on each of a pair of side edges of the contact portion 42. The width of the guided protrusion 42q is smaller than the width of the guide slit 35s, and the guided protrusion 42q can move along the guide slit 35s.

[0049] The guide slit 35s includes a portion extending in a diagonal direction relative to a direction perpendicular to the base 32. In this embodiment, the guide slit 35s is surrounded by one slit edge 35s1, the other slit edge 35s2, and a slit inner edge 35s3 located on the inner side of the slit edges 35s1 and 35s2. The guide slit 35s is open on the side opposite the slit inner edge 35s3, i.e., the side opposite the base 32.

[0050] The slit rear edge 35s3 extends parallel to the base 32. The entire slit edge 35s1 extends obliquely relative to the slit rear edge 35s3. The base end portion of the slit edge 35s2 is perpendicular to the slit rear edge 35s3, and the tip end portion of the slit edge 35s2 is inclined toward the same side as the slit edge 35s1 relative to the slit rear edge 35s3.

[0051] The guided protrusions 42q move along the guide slits 35s, thereby guiding the contact portion 42 to move toward and away from the base 32. The guided protrusions 42q on the pair of side edges of the contact portion 42 move along the pair of guide slits 35s, thereby supporting the contact portion 42 so that it can move between an initial position P1 and a pushed-in position P2. Here, the initial position P1 is the position of the contact portion 42 before the terminal module 20 is connected to the mating terminal 10 (see FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5). The pushed-in position P2 is a position closer to the base 32 than the initial position P1.

[0052] When the guided protrusion 42q approaches the base 32, the guided protrusion 42q is pressed against the slit edge 35s1. As a result, the guided protrusion 42q is displaced in the front-rear direction, which is the width direction of the side wall 34, according to the inclination of the slit edge 35s1.

[0053] Further, a retaining protrusion 42p is formed on each of a pair of side edges of the contact portion 42. The retaining protrusion 42p protrudes at a position separated from the guided protrusion 42q in the direction along the side edges of the contact portion 42. In other words, since the guided protrusion 42q moves along the guide slit 35s, the retaining protrusion 42p protrudes at a distance corresponding to the portion of the side wall 34 that forms the guide slit 35s. In this embodiment, the retaining protrusion 42p is located on the opposite side of the extended connecting piece 46 with respect to the guided protrusion 42q.

[0054] Further, a stopper projection 46p is also provided on one side edge of the extension connection piece 46.

[0055] Restriction pieces 34p1 and 34p2 are provided on each of the pair of side walls 34 at a position away from the extension of the guide slit 35s in the extending direction. The restriction pieces 34p1 and 34p2 extend in opposite directions from the tip of the side wall 34. The restriction piece 34p1 extends on the opposite side of the contact portion 42 to the side where the extended connection piece 46 is connected, and the restriction piece 34p2 extends to the extended connection piece 46 side. In a side view, a recess in which the retaining protrusion 42p can be disposed is formed in a portion of the side wall 34 closer to the base 32 than the restriction piece 34p1, and a recess in which the retaining protrusion 46p can be disposed is formed in a portion of the side wall 34 closer to the base 32 than the restriction piece 34p2.

[0056] With the guided projection 42q positioned within the guide slit 35s, the anti-slip projection 42p is positioned within the recess on the base 32 side of the regulating piece 34p1, and the anti-slip projection 46p is positioned within the recess on the base 32 side of the regulating piece 34p2.

[0057] When the guided protrusion 42q moves away from the base 32 toward the opening of the guide slit 35s, the restricting pieces 34p1 and 34p2 come into contact with the retaining protrusions 42p and 46p from the side opposite the base 32. This restricts the guided protrusion 42q from coming out toward the opening of the guide slit 35s. The position where the restricting pieces 34p1 and 34p2 come into contact with the retaining protrusions 42p and 46p is the initial position P1 of the contact portion 42.

[0058] When the guided protrusion 42q moves to the rear side of the guide slit 35s, the guided protrusion 42q comes into contact with the rear edge 35s3 of the guide slit 35s, and the retaining protrusion 42p comes into contact with the restricting edge 34p3 located on the base 32 side relative to the restricting piece 34p1. This restricts the position at which the contact portion 42 approaches the base 32 side. This position is the push-in position P2 of the contact portion 42.

[0059] The extended connection piece 46 is formed by bending from the rear edge of the contact portion 42 at a right angle to the contact portion 42. The rear surface of the extended connection piece 46 (the surface opposite to the shape memory coil spring 50) serves as a connection surface 46f to which the braided wire 48 is connected.

[0060] The braided wire 48 is made by braiding conductive metal wires such as copper. One end of the braided wire 48 is connected to the connection surface 46f of the extension connection piece 46 by resistance welding or other welding. The other end of the braided wire 48 is connected to an external connection member 49 by resistance welding or other welding.

[0061] The external connection member 49 is formed into a flat plate shape by pressing a metal plate material such as a copper alloy. The external connection member 49 is disposed outside the spring receiving portion 30, and extends in the same direction as the extension connection piece 46 on the extension of the extension connection piece 46. The braided wire 48 is connected to one end of the external connection member 49, and an external wiring or the like is connected to the other end.

[0062] The extension connection piece 46 and the external connection member 49 are disposed apart from each other. The middle portion of the braided wire 48 is disposed between the extension connection piece 46 and the external connection member 49 with an excess length. When the electrical contact member 40 and the external connection member 49 move relative to each other, the middle portion of the braided wire 48 deforms in response to the movement. This allows the electrical contact member 40 to be displaced while the external connection member 49 is disposed in a fixed position.

[0063] The connection between the braided wire 48 and the extended connection piece 46, or the connection structure between the braided wire 48 and the external connection member 49 is not limited to the above example. The connection may be made by crimping, soldering, or screwing, for example. The extension direction of the external connection member 49 is not limited to the above example. The external connection member may extend in an oblique direction relative to the extended connection piece.

[0064] The shape memory coil spring 50 is interposed between the base 32 and the contact portion 42. The spring length of the shape memory coil spring 50 is set to be greater than the distance between the base 32 and the contact portion 42 at the initial position P1. Therefore, the shape memory coil spring 50 constantly biases the base 32 and the contact portion 42 in the direction away from each other.

[0065] In this embodiment, only one shape memory coil spring 50 is interposed between the base 32 and the contact portion 42. In other words, the terminal module 20 includes only one shape memory coil spring 50 as a member that biases the base 32 and the contact portion 42 in the direction away from each other.

[0066] The shape memory coil spring 50 is made of a shape memory alloy that has its shape memorized so that a rise in temperature increases the force urging the contact portion 42 from the pressed-in position P2 toward the initial position P1.

[0067] The temperature before the biasing force is increased is, for example, the temperature at which the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 are connected, and is, for example, a temperature that falls within the normal temperature range. The normal temperature is, for example, 25° C.±15° C. In the following, when temperature is mentioned, it is the temperature in Celsius.

[0068] The temperature at which the biasing force is increased is a temperature higher than the temperature at which the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 are connected. The temperature at which the biasing force is increased may be, for example, a temperature higher than room temperature. The temperature at which the biasing force is increased may be, for example, a temperature in which the terminal module 20 is used in accordance with the influence of heating due to Joule heat or the like is added. The temperature at which the biasing force is increased may be, for example, a temperature of 50 degrees or higher.

[0069] In other words, the shape memory coil spring 50 may be shape-memorized so as to increase the contact pressure when the temperature rises from a temperature range of 25°±15° to 50° or higher.

[0070] The shape memory may be such that the spring changes its shape or changes its physical properties in response to a rise in temperature, thereby increasing the spring force. For example, the shape memory coil spring 50 may be shape-memorized so that the elastic modulus, which is an example of a physical property, increases in response to a rise in temperature, thereby increasing the spring load.

[0071] The shape memory alloy may be, for example, a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy. If it is a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy, it can change shape by changing the temperature from a temperature range of 25°±15° to 50° or more, and can memorize the shape so as to increase the elastic modulus. This allows the force of the shape memory coil spring 50 to urge the contact portion 42 toward the contact portion 42 at the initial position P1 to be increased by the increase in temperature.

[0072] The shape memory alloy may be an alloy other than a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy.

[0073] The portion of the shape memory coil spring 50 that contacts the contact portion 42 may be formed into a contact plane 50f. The contact plane 50f is a surface that can come into surface contact with the back surface of the contact portion 42. The contact plane 50f may be formed by cutting or the like. When the coil spring is a member processed from a round wire rod, the coil spring is considered to make an arc-shaped line contact with the contact portion. When the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 on the contact portion 42 side is processed into the contact plane 50f, the contact area with the contact portion 42 can be made larger than when it is not processed. This allows heat to be easily transferred from the electrical contact member 40 to the shape memory coil spring 50.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal module 20 of this embodiment is accommodated inside a connector housing 80 provided in a case 70 of an electric device.

[0075] The connector housing 80 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The connector housing 80 has a storage section 82 that stores the combination of the spring receiving portion 30 and the electrical contact member 40, and a draw-out storage section 84 that stores the braided wire 48 and the external connection member 49 extending from the combination.

[0076] The spring receiving portion 30 is supported at a fixed position within the storage portion 82. The storage portion 82 has an opening 82a that opens on the opposite side to the drawer storage portion 84. The electrical contact member 40 that is movably supported by the spring receiving portion 30 is exposed to the outside through the opening 82a. When positioned within the storage portion 82, the electrical contact member 40 can move between an initial position P1 and a pushed-in position P2 at the back side of the opening 82a.

[0077] A space large enough to allow the braided wire 48 to deform is formed inside the draw-out storage section 84. The external connection member 49 is drawn out from the tip of the draw-out storage section 84. The external connection member 49 is supported at a fixed position at the tip of the draw-out storage section 84.

[0078] When the terminal module 20 is set in the connector housing 80, the contact portion 42 faces the outside of the case 70 through the opening 82a.

[0079] The mating terminal 10 is supported by a mating connector housing 92. The mating terminal 10 is made of a conductive metal, and is formed into an L-shape by bending an end of a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. A portion of the mating terminal 10 facing the electrical contact member 40 is formed into a plate-like contact portion 12 that can contact the contact portion 42 in a parallel position. The contact portion 12 has a partially protruding contact portion, here a contact portion 12a that protrudes in an elongated shape.

[0080] The mating terminal 10 is held in the mating connector housing 92 by insert molding. The mating connector housing 92 has a mating protrusion 93 that can enter the opening 82a. The contact portion 12 of the mating terminal 10 is exposed at the tip side of the mating protrusion 93. The mating protrusion 93 enters the opening 82a, and thereby the contact portion 12 is pressed against the contact portion 42.

[0081] With the mating terminals 10 connected to the terminal module 20, the mating connector housing 92 is fixed to the case 70 by screws S or the like.

[0082] When the mating terminal 10 is brought close to the terminal module 20, the contact portion 12 enters the opening 82a together with the fitting protrusion 93, and the contact portion 12 is pressed against the contact portion 42. This causes the electrical contact member 40 to be displaced from the initial position P1 toward the pushed-in position P2.

[0083] When the electrical contact member 40 is displaced from the initial position P1 toward the pushed-in position P2, the electrical contact member 40 is also displaced in the front-rear direction according to the inclination of the guide slit 35s. At this time, the contact portion 12a rubs against the contact portion 42, so that foreign matter is removed from the apex of the contact portion 12a. In addition, the apex of the contact portion 12a is scraped to form a fresh surface from which the sulfide film, oxide film, or the like has been removed. Therefore, the fresh surface of the apex of the contact portion 12a is pressed against the contact portion 42 with the foreign matter removed.

[0084] Then, while the shape memory coil spring 50 is kept in the compressed and deformed state, the mating connector housing 92 is fixed to the device casing 70 or the like by means of screws.

[0085] During the above connection operation, the electrical contact member 40 is subjected to a biasing force by the shape memory coil spring 50. Therefore, the mating terminal 10 is pushed in against the biasing force. In addition, the screw fastening operation is performed while applying a force to keep the mating terminal 10 in the pushed-in state against the biasing force.

[0086] As a result, the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 are connected to each other as shown in Fig. 6. In this state, the contact portion 42 may be located at the push-in position P2, or may be located closer to the initial position P1 than the push-in position P2.

[0087] According to this embodiment, the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 50 during the connection operation is smaller than the biasing force after the temperature rises. Therefore, the force required to connect the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 can be reduced, and the connection operation can be easily performed.

[0088] In addition, when the connection operation between the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 is completed, the contact portion 42 is biased toward the mating terminal 10 by the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 50 at room temperature.

[0089] When the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 are used as a relay connection point of an electric circuit, it can be considered that a power source 100 is electrically connected to one of the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10, and a load 102 is electrically connected to the other, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, a current flows between the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10.

[0090] When a current flows between the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10, the temperature of the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10 rises due to Joule heat. It is also considered that the temperature is likely to rise due to Joule heat at the contact point between the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10. The heat between the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10 is transmitted to the shape memory coil spring 50, and the temperature of the shape memory coil spring 50 also rises. As a result, the shape memory coil spring 50 is deformed into a memorized shape, or the physical properties such as the elastic coefficient of the shape memory coil spring 50 are changed, and the spring load of the shape memory coil spring 50 increases. Then, the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 50 becomes larger than the biasing force at room temperature. Therefore, the contact pressure between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10 also increases. As a result, the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10 are kept in stable contact even under vibration conditions. Furthermore, the electrical resistance between the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10 decreases, and excessive heat generation at the contact point is suppressed.

[0091] For example, when the terminal module 20 is applied to a power supply circuit or a circuit to which high voltage is applied, heat generation due to Joule heat is expected. High voltage is, for example, 60V or higher, and more preferably, 90V or higher.

[0092] However, the terminal module 20 may also be applied to a signal circuit or a circuit to which a low voltage is applied.

[0093] The temperature rise of the shape memory coil spring 50 may be caused by heat other than Joule heat in the electrical contact member 40 and the mating terminal 10. For example, the temperature rise of the shape memory coil spring 50 may be caused by heat of a control device or a drive circuit around the shape memory coil spring 50, heat of an internal combustion engine, or heat of a battery.

[0094] According to the terminal module 20 configured as above, the shape memory coil spring 50 is interposed between the base 32 and the contact portion 42, and the shape memory coil spring 50 is made of a shape memory alloy that has been shaped so as to increase the force urging the contact portion 42 from the push-in position P2 toward the initial position P1 as the temperature rises. Therefore, by performing the connection work between the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 while elastically deforming the shape memory coil spring 50 in a state before the temperature rise, the force required for the connection work can be reduced. In addition, the force applied between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10 during connection can be reduced, and the plating of the contact portion 42 or the mating terminal 10 can be suppressed from wearing away. In addition, by keeping the urging force of the shape memory coil spring 50 small at room temperature, the load applied to the surrounding components can be reduced. Furthermore, the force urging the contact portion 42 from the push-in position P2 toward the initial position P1 increases as the temperature rises after connection, so the contact pressure between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10 increases, and high connection reliability can be obtained.

[0095] In addition, since the portion of the shape memory coil spring 50 that contacts the contact portion 42 has a contact plane 50f that is in surface contact with the connection portion, when the temperature of the electrical contact member 40 increases due to Joule heat, the heat is easily transferred to the shape memory coil spring 50. This makes it easier for the temperature of the shape memory coil spring 50 to increase, and the contact pressure to be increased.

[0096] In addition, a guide slit 35s is formed in each of the pair of side walls 34, and the guided protrusion 42q of the contact portion 42 moves along the guide slit 35s, thereby supporting the contact portion 42 so that it can move between the initial position P1 and the pushed-in position P2.

[0097] The guide slit 35s as described above can be easily formed compared to an opening that is closed on all four sides in the middle of the side wall, and therefore the spring receiving portion 30 can be easily processed.

[0098] In addition, the restricting piece 34p1 located away from the extension direction of the guide slit 35s restricts the stopper protrusion 42p of the contact portion 42 from moving in a direction away from the base portion 32. This restricts the contact portion 42 from slipping out from the initial position P1 to the opposite side of the base portion 32. In addition, by providing the restricting piece 34p1, the guide slit 35s, which is not an opening closed on all four sides, can restrict the moving direction and moving range of the contact portion 42.

[0099] Furthermore, since only one shape memory coil spring 50 is interposed between the base 32 and the contact portion 42, the terminal module 20 can be configured simply compared to a case in which multiple biasing members are required to bias the electrical contact member.

[0100] Furthermore, by configuring the shape memory coil spring 50 so that its shape is memorized so that the biasing force increases as the temperature rises from a temperature range of 25°C ±15°C to 50°C or higher, the connection work between the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 can be easily performed by performing the connection work within a temperature range of 25°C ±15°C. Furthermore, when the temperature of the shape memory coil spring 50 rises to 50°C due to Joule heat or the like, the contact pressure between the terminal module 20 and the mating terminal 10 increases, thereby achieving high connection reliability.

[0101] Furthermore, by forming the shape memory coil spring 50 from a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy, it can return to its original shape through shape memory when the temperature rises, and the elastic modulus can be increased to increase the contact pressure between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10.

[0102] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal module 20B according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0103] As shown in the figure, a base portion 32B corresponding to the base portion 32 or a contact portion 42B corresponding to the contact portion 42 may be formed with a positioning protrusion 32Bp or a positioning recess 42Bg for positioning the shape memory coil spring 50.

[0104] In this modification, a positioning protrusion 32Bp that fits into the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 is formed on the base 32B. The positioning protrusion 32Bp is a circular protrusion that protrudes toward the contact portion 42B side, and its outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50. Therefore, by fitting the positioning protrusion 32Bp into the end of the shape memory coil spring 50, the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 is positioned relative to the base 32 so as not to shift.

[0105] The positioning protrusion may be disposed on the outer circumferential side of the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 to position the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 .

[0106] Further, a positioning recess 42Bg into which the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 fits is formed in the contact portion 42B. The positioning recess 42Bg is an annular recess formed on the surface of the contact portion 42 facing the base portion 32. The positioning recess 42Bg is formed in an annular shape equivalent to the central diameter of the shape memory coil spring 50, and by fitting the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 into the positioning recess 42Bg, the end of the shape memory coil spring 50 is positioned so as not to shift with respect to the contact portion 42B.

[0107] According to this modification, the shape memory coil spring 50 can be positioned by the positioning protrusion 32Bp or the positioning recess 42Bg.

[0108] [Embodiment 2] A terminal module 120 according to embodiment 2 will be described. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the terminal module 120. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing the terminal module 120. In Fig. 9, electrical contact members 40 are shown by virtual lines. In the description of this embodiment, the same components as those described in embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The terminal module 120 further includes an additional coil spring 156 interposed between the base portion 32 and the contact portion 42 .

[0110] That is, the shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 are interposed between the base portion 32 and the contact portion.

[0111] The shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 may be arranged in any manner. The shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 may be arranged concentrically, or may be arranged in parallel at separate positions. In this embodiment, an example in which the shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 are arranged concentrically will be described.

[0112] There is no particular limitation on the number of the shape memory coil springs 150 and the number of the additional coil springs 156. In this embodiment, an example in which one shape memory coil spring 150 and one additional coil spring 156 are concentrically arranged will be described.

[0113] Either the shape memory coil spring 150 or the additional coil spring 156 may be arranged on the outer periphery side. In this embodiment, an example in which a shape memory coil spring is arranged on the outer periphery side of the additional coil spring 156 will be described. If the shape memory coil spring 150 is arranged on the outer periphery side of the additional coil spring 156, the outer diameter of the shape memory coil spring 150 can be made larger than the outer diameter of the additional coil spring 156. This makes it easier to set the wire diameter of the spring material of the shape memory coil spring 150 larger than the wire diameter of the spring material of the additional coil spring 156. By increasing the wire diameter of the spring material of the shape memory coil spring 150, it is easier to set the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 150 to be large. Note that the shape memory coil spring may be arranged on the inner periphery side of the additional coil spring.

[0114] The terminal module 120 according to the second embodiment provides the same effects as the terminal module 20 according to the first embodiment, except for the significance of having only one shape memory coil spring 50.

[0115] In addition, a biasing force can be generated against the contact portion 42 by combining the shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156. This makes it easy to separately adjust the biasing force at room temperature and the biasing force at high temperature.

[0116] Furthermore, by arranging the shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 concentrically, the shape memory coil spring 150 and the additional coil spring 156 can be arranged in a compact space.

[0117] Furthermore, by arranging the shape memory coil spring 150 on the outer periphery side, it is easy to set a thick wire diameter for the spring material of the shape memory coil spring 150. By making the spring material of the shape memory coil spring 150 thicker, a strong biasing force can be generated at high temperatures, and higher connection reliability can be obtained.

[0118] [Variations] As in the terminal module 220 according to the modified example shown in FIG. 10, the shape memory coil spring 50 may generate a biasing force that increases the contact area of ​​the contact portion 42 with the mating terminal 10 as the temperature rises. In this case, before the temperature rises, for example, at room temperature, the biasing force of the shape memory coil spring 50 is small, and the force pressing the contact portion 42 against the mating terminal 10 is small. Therefore, it is assumed that the contact portion 42 is inclined with respect to the contact surface of the mating terminal 10, and the mating terminal 10 and the contact portion 42 are in point contact or line contact. In this state, the contact resistance between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10 is large. In this state, when electricity flows, the contact point between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10 is likely to generate heat. This heat causes the shape memory coil spring 50 to generate a larger biasing force. Then, the contact portion 42 is pressed against the mating terminal 10 with a strong force. Then, for example, the contact portion 42 is displaced so as to follow the contact surface of the mating terminal 10, and comes into surface contact with the contact surface of the mating terminal 10, or is pressed with a strong force against the tops of the contacts of the mating terminal 10 to increase the contact area, or is pressed simultaneously against multiple contacts of the mating terminal 10. The contact portion 42 may change its position as the entire electrical contact member 40, or may change its position by changing the bending angle with respect to the extended connecting piece 46. This makes it possible to obtain high connection reliability between the contact portion 42 and the mating terminal 10.

[0119] In other words, the temperature of the shape memory coil spring can rise quickly after the start of current flow. In addition, after the temperature rises, the contact portion 42 displaces to fit the contact surface of the mating terminal 10, which increases the contact area and is expected to improve connection reliability.

[0120] The configurations described in the above embodiment and modifications can be combined as appropriate as long as they are not mutually inconsistent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 10 Counterpart terminal 12 Contact part 12a Contact part 20, 20B, 120, 220 Terminal Module 30 Spring support 32, 32B base 32Bp Positioning protrusion 34 Side wall 34p1, 34p2 regulation piece 34p3 Regulatory Edge 35a Bending section 35b Rib section 35s guide slit 35s1, 35s2 Slit edge 35s3 Slit back edge 38 Spring stopper 40 Electrical contact member 42, 42B contact part 42Bg Positioning recess 42p, 46p Stopper protrusion 42q Guided protrusion 46 Extension connector 46f Connection surface 48 Braided wire 49 External connection parts 50, 150 Shape memory coil spring 50f contact plane 70 Case 80 Connector housing 82 Storage area 82a aperture 84 Drawer storage area 92 Mating connector housing 93 Fitting protrusion 100 power supply 102 Load 156 Additional coil spring P1 initial position P2 push position S Screw

Claims

1. A terminal module to be connected to a mating terminal, a spring receiving portion having a base; an electrical contact member having a contact portion spaced apart from the base portion and movably supported by the spring bearing portion; a shape memory coil spring interposed between the base portion and the contact portion; Equipped with the contact portion is movable between an initial position and a pressed-in position closer to the base portion than the initial position; The shape memory coil spring is made of a shape memory alloy that has its shape memorized so that a force urging the contact portion from the pressed-in position toward the initial position increases with an increase in temperature.

2. 2. The terminal module according to claim 1, A terminal module, wherein a portion of the shape memory coil spring that contacts the contact portion has a contact plane that is in surface contact with the contact portion.

3. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, The spring receiving portion has a pair of side walls that protrude from both side edges of the base toward the contact portion in an opposing relationship, A guide slit is formed in each of the pair of side walls, the guide slit extending from a tip of the side wall toward the base portion, a guided protrusion movable along the guide slit is provided on each of a pair of side edges of the contact portion, A terminal module in which the guided protrusions on each of a pair of side edges of the contact portion move along the guide slits on each of the pair of side walls, thereby supporting the contact portion so that it can be moved between the initial position and the pushed-in position.

4. 4. The terminal module according to claim 3, A pair of side edges of the contact portion are each formed with a retaining projection that projects away from the guided projection, A terminal module in which a restricting piece protrudes from each of the pair of side walls at a position away from the guide slit in the extension direction of the guide slit and can contact the anti-pullout protrusion from the opposite side to the base.

5. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, A terminal module, wherein the base portion or the contact portion has a positioning protrusion or a positioning recess for positioning the shape memory coil spring.

6. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, A terminal module, wherein only one of the shape memory coil springs is interposed between the base portion and the contact portion.

7. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, The terminal module further comprises an additional coil spring interposed between the base portion and the contact portion.

8. 8. The terminal module according to claim 7, A terminal module, wherein the shape memory coil spring and the additional coil spring are concentrically arranged.

9. 9. The terminal module according to claim 8, The shape memory coil spring is disposed on an outer circumferential side of the additional coil spring.

10. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, The shape memory coil spring is shaped to memorize the shape so as to increase the biasing force when the temperature rises from a temperature range of 25° C.±15° C. to 50° C. or higher.

11. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, The shape memory coil spring is a Ni-Ti alloy or a Ni-Ti-Cu alloy.

12. The terminal module according to claim 1 or 2, The shape memory coil spring generates a biasing force that increases the contact area of ​​the contact portion with the mating terminal upon a rise in temperature.

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