Terminal fitting

Abstract

To provide a terminal fitting which uses a plate with tip-plating applied and can be satisfactorily connected to a circuit board through soldering.SOLUTION: A terminal fitting 10 is composed of a metal plate (plate) with plate surfaces plated except for a cross section 10S. The terminal fitting 10 comprises: a connection part 10H that is inserted into an open hole H in a circuit board S and fixed to the circuit board S through soldering; a first folding part 10Q which extends from one side edge out of a pair of side edges parallel to the direction of insertion into the open hole H at the connection part 10H and is folded to overlap with the connection part 10H; and a second folding part 10R which extends from the other side edge out of the pair of side edges and is folded to overlap with the connection part 10H. The cross section 10S of the extending side edge of the first folding part 10Q and the cross section 10S of the extending side edge of the second folding part 10R face each other to be butted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector equipped with a fixing member having a board fixing portion that is fixed to a circuit board by soldering. The fixing member of this connector is punched out by a die after plating the plate material (i.e., pre-plating is performed). Therefore, the cut surface cut by the die is not plated. Solder does not easily adhere to the unplated portion. For this reason, Patent Document 1 folds the board fixing portion so as to gather the unplated area (i.e., the cut surface) in one place, thereby ensuring an area on the outer surface of the board fixing portion where solder can easily adhere. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-103171 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, if the cut surface is coated with plating by plating after punching out the plate material with a die (i.e., post-plating), the cut surface becomes easier for solder to adhere to and spread. However, when plating after punching out the plate material with a die, it is necessary to perform plating while taking care not to deform or damage the fixing members after punching, which is time-consuming.

[0005] The connector of the present disclosure was completed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a terminal fitting that can be satisfactorily connected to a circuit board using solder while using pre-plated sheet material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The terminal fitting of the present disclosure is A terminal fitting made of a plate material having at least a part of its plate surface, excluding the cut surface, plated, a connection portion that is inserted into a through hole of a circuit board and fixed to the circuit board by soldering; a first folded portion extending from one of a pair of side edges of the connection portion parallel to an insertion direction into the through hole and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; a second folded portion extending from the other of the pair of side edges and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; Equipped with The cut surface of the extended end edge of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extended end edge of the second folded portion face each other so as to abut against each other. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a pre-plated plate material can be used and satisfactorily connected to a circuit board using solder. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal fitting as viewed from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the connector as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection portion is connected to the circuit board by soldering. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connection portion in another embodiment, in which the folded-back length of a first folded-back portion is made shorter than that of a second folded-back portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connection portion in another embodiment, illustrating a state where only the first folded portion is provided and folded back. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A terminal fitting made of a plate material having at least a part of its surface, excluding the cut surface, plated, a connection portion that is inserted into a through hole of a circuit board and fixed to the circuit board by soldering; a first folded portion extending from one of a pair of side edges of the connection portion parallel to an insertion direction into the through hole and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; a second folded portion extending from the other of the pair of side edges and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; Equipped with The cut surface of the extended end edge of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extended end edge of the second folded portion face each other so as to abut against each other.

[0010] In the terminal fitting (1), the cut surfaces of the first folded portion and the second folded portion are opposed to each other so that they face each other, so that the cut surfaces do not face the inner surface of the through hole of the circuit board. Therefore, even if the cut surfaces are not plated, the entire outer peripheral surfaces of the connection portion, the first folded portion, and the second folded portion that face the inner surface of the through hole can be plated to allow solder to adhere and spread easily.

[0011] (2) A valley portion having a valley-shaped valley surface that becomes deeper toward the connection portion is formed on an outer surface of the extended end of the first folded portion and an outer surface of the extended end of the second folded portion, The terminal fitting according to (1), wherein the surface of the valley face is plated.

[0012] In the terminal fitting (2), the valley surface is coated with plating, so that the solder adheres and spreads easily. Therefore, the solder also flows around the valley portion, and the solder adheres to the valley surface of the first folded portion and the valley surface of the second folded portion so as to rise toward each other, and the raised solder at the bottom of the valley portion approaches each other and is easily joined. This makes it possible to adhere the solder to the outer surface of the first folded portion and the outer surface of the second folded portion so as to be connected to each other, making it easy for the solder to spread.

[0013] (3) A terminal fitting as described in (1) or (2), in which the distance between the cut surface of the extended end of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extended end of the second folded portion is smaller than the plate thickness dimension of the first folded portion and the second folded portion.

[0014] (3) The terminal fitting brings the extending ends of the first folded portion and the second folded portion closer together, making it easier to seamlessly connect the solder attached to the outer surface of the first folded portion and the solder attached to the outer surface of the second folded portion.

[0015] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of a connector 1 having a terminal fitting 10 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6. In the drawings, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "right side", and "left side" are represented by "F", "B", "U", "D", "R", and "L", respectively. Note that the directional references are defined for convenience, and do not necessarily coincide with the directions when the connector 1 including the terminal fitting 10 is mounted on a vehicle or the like. For example, the up-down direction is not limited to the direction of gravity.

[0016] 1, the connector 1 is capable of connecting a mating terminal 50 of a mating connector (not shown) to a terminal fitting 10 accommodated in a housing 30. The connector 1 has a pair of terminal fittings 10 and a housing 30. The connector 1 is attached to a circuit board S.

[0017] [Circuit board configuration] The circuit board S is in the shape of a flat plate. Electronic components (not shown) are mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the circuit board S. A pair of through holes H are formed penetrating the circuit board S in the plate thickness direction. A conductive portion L is provided on the lower surface of the circuit board S so as to surround the through holes H. A connection portion 10H of a terminal fitting 10 that is inserted into the through holes H and protrudes from the lower surface of the circuit board S is connected and fixed to the conductive portion L by soldering.

[0018] [Terminal metal fitting configuration] The terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing a metal plate, which is a conductive plate material. The terminal fitting 10 is a so-called female terminal fitting. The metal plate used for the terminal fitting 10 is plated before being pressed. That is, the metal plate is pre-plated. Therefore, in the terminal fitting 10 formed by pressing the metal plate, the cut surface 10S cut by the press working is not plated. In other words, the terminal fitting 10 is made of a plate material whose entire plate surface except for the cut surface 10S is plated.

[0019] The pair of terminal fittings 10 have the same shape and are different only in the position in which they are arranged. Therefore, the terminal fittings 10 will be described with reference to one of the terminal fittings 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the terminal fitting 10 has a box portion 10A, a plurality of inclined portions 10C, a plurality of elastic contact portions 10D, a plurality of protrusions 10E, a spring portion 10G, and a connection portion 10H.

[0020] The box part 10A has a rectangular cylindrical shape, its axis is oriented in the vertical direction, and its upper and lower ends are open (see FIG. 3). The upper end of the box part 10A is an insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted (see FIG. 3). That is, the box part 10A has the insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted.

[0021] The inclined portions 10C are provided one by one and connected to the upper ends of a pair of opposing walls of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 1). Each inclined portion 10C is connected to the opening edge portion (the opening edge portion at the upper end) of the insertion opening 10J and extends outward in the left-right direction and upward at an incline (see FIG. 1). The inclined portion 10C has a guide surface 10L that extends upward (forward in the opening direction of the insertion opening 10J) and is connected to the opening edge portion so as to widen (see FIG. 1).

[0022] The elastic contact portions 10D are formed in threes on the wall portion of the box portion 10A where the inclined portion 10C is continuous. Each elastic contact portion 10D is a part of the wall portion, and is formed by cutting and raising the wall portion so as to protrude inward from the wall portion. Each elastic contact portion 10D is formed to extend upward in a cantilever shape (see FIG. 3). In other words, each elastic contact portion 10D is elongated and extends in the insertion / removal direction of the mating terminal 50. The elastic contact portion 10D can be elastically deformed inward and outward of the box portion 10A with its lower end as a base point. Each elastic contact portion 10D is arranged in a line in the circumferential direction of the box portion 10A. Each elastic contact portion 10D is formed to be inclined so as to protrude inward from the wall portion of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 1). The tip portion (upper end portion) of each elastic contact portion 10D is inclined outward in the left-right direction and upward (see FIG. 1).

[0023] The protrusions 10E are formed in the wall of the box part 10A where the elastic contact parts 10D are arranged, so as to protrude inward, two at a time (see FIG. 2). Each protrusion 10E is a part of the wall, and is formed by hammering the wall. The lower end of each protrusion 10E is flush with the upper end of the opening 10P that opens along the upper end of the elastic contact part 10D (see FIG. 3). That is, the protrusions 10E are formed on the edge of the opening 10P that is formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact part 10D. In other words, the protrusions 10E are arranged in a position on the wall closer to the insertion opening 10J than the elastic contact parts 10D. The protrusions 10E are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the box part 10A (see FIG. 2). Each protrusion 10E is formed to protrude inward from the wall of the box part 10A (see FIG. 2). The upper part of each protrusion 10E is inclined downward toward the opposing wall (see FIG. 1). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, each protrusion 10E is disposed so as to correspond to a space between adjacent elastic contact portions 10D (see FIG. 2). The distance between the protrusions 10E facing each other in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the elastic contact portions 10D facing each other in the left-right direction (see FIG. 2).

[0024] The spring portion 10G is formed in the box portion 10A so as to be continuous with the lower edge of one of the pair of walls on which the elastic contact portion 10D is formed. The spring portion 10G is formed in a band shape and extends in an S-shape in a direction away from the opposing wall portion of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the spring portion 10G has two bent portions 10M (see FIG. 1). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, the spring portion 10G is disposed outside the box portion 10A (see FIG. 2). A pair of locking pieces 10N are formed at the lower end of the spring portion 10G so as to protrude in the width direction.

[0025] The connection portion 10H is formed to be continuous with the lower end edge of the spring portion 10G and extend downward (see FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 10H has a first folded portion 10Q and a second folded portion 10R. The first folded portion 10Q extends from one of a pair of side edges of the connection portion 10H parallel to the insertion direction (up-down direction) of the circuit board S into the through hole H, and is folded back so as to overlap the connection portion 10H. The second folded portion 10R extends from the other of a pair of side edges of the connection portion 10H parallel to the insertion direction of the circuit board S into the through hole H, and is folded back so as to overlap the connection portion 10H in the same direction as the first folded portion 10Q is folded back.

[0026] The cut surfaces 10S of the extending edges of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R face each other so as to be butted together at a predetermined distance. For example, it is preferable that the distance between the opposed cut surfaces 10S is smaller than the plate thickness of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R. The cut surfaces 10S are not plated.

[0027] A valley portion 10T is formed between the extending ends of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R. The valley portion 10T has a pair of valley faces 10U. These valley faces 10U are formed on the outer surfaces of the extending ends of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R in a valley shape that deepens toward the connecting portion 10H. For example, these valley faces 10U are formed by a surface pressing process in which the plate is pressed in a thickness direction during pressing. Therefore, the surface of each valley face 10U is in a plated state. When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, the connecting portion 10H and the spring portion 10G are disposed outside the box portion 10A (see FIG. 2).

[0028] [Housing configuration] The housing 30 is made of synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 30 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape extending in the vertical direction. The housing 30 has a partition wall 30A. The partition wall 30A is arranged so as to divide the space inside the housing 30 into a left side and a right side. A terminal fitting 10 is arranged in each of the left and right spaces inside the housing 30 divided by the partition wall 30A. These spaces are accommodation spaces A that accommodate the terminal fittings 10. An insertion hole 30B is formed in the upper end of the housing 30 corresponding to each accommodation space A.

[0029] A pair of protrusions 30C are formed in the lower part of the housing 30 so as to protrude outward in the left-right direction so that the storage space A expands outward in the left-right direction. A pair of locking grooves 30D are formed in each of the protrusions 30C. In one of the protrusions 30C, the pair of locking grooves 30D are formed so as to extend upward from the lower end of each of a pair of walls whose plate thickness direction faces a direction intersecting the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Only one of the pair of locking grooves 30D is shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] [An example of assembling terminal fittings to a housing] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal fittings 10 are adjusted so that the connection parts 10H are lower than the box part 10A, and the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the accommodation spaces A from below the housing 30. At this time, the terminal fittings 10 are accommodated in the accommodation spaces A with the connection parts 10H of the terminal fittings 10 facing away from each other. Then, the locking pieces 10N are press-fitted into the locking grooves 30D of the housing 30 from below. In this way, the assembly of the housing 30 and the terminal fittings 10 is completed, and the connector 1 is completed. The insertion hole 30B of the housing 30 is formed so as to face the insertion opening 10J, which is one opening of the box part 10A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, when the connector 1 is viewed from above (opening direction), a part of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 30B is located inside the outer peripheral surface of the box part 10A.

[0031] In the completed connector 1, the terminal fittings 10 are disposed spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing 30. That is, the terminal fittings 10 are in a non-contact state, not touching the housing 30, except for the locking pieces 10N. Therefore, the box portion 10A of the terminal fittings 10 can swing left and right, with the end of the spring portion 10G connected to the locking pieces 10N as a base point, within a range that does not contact the inner surface of the housing 30 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] [An example of assembling a connector to a circuit board] The connecting portion 10H of the terminal fitting 10 is inserted into the through hole H of the circuit board S. At this time, the connecting portion 10H is inserted into the through hole H from the upper surface side of the circuit board S. Then, while keeping the lower end surface of the housing 30 in contact with the upper surface of the circuit board S, the connecting portion 10H is connected and fixed to the conductive portion L of the circuit board S using solder. In this manner, the connector 1 is assembled to the circuit board S (see FIG. 1).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 10H is connected and fixed to the conductive portion L of the circuit board S by applying solder to the entire circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface facing the inner surface of the through hole H. In the valley portion 10T, the solder is applied to the valley surface 10U of the first folded portion 10Q and rises up so as to approach the second folded portion 10R, and the solder is applied to the valley surface 10U of the second folded portion 10R and rises up so as to approach the first folded portion 10Q. Then, at the bottom of the valley portion 10T, the solder applied to the valley surface 10U of the first folded portion 10Q and the solder applied to the valley surface 10U of the second folded portion 10R are joined. In this way, the solder can be applied and spread so as to be smoothly continuous over the entire outer circumference of the connecting portion 10H while the connection between the solder applied to the outer surface of the first folded portion 10Q and the outer surface of the second folded portion 10R is not broken.

[0034] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0035] The terminal fitting 10 is made of a metal plate (sheet material) whose plate surface except for the cut surface 10S is plated. The terminal fitting 10 includes a connection portion 10H that is inserted into a through hole H of a circuit board S and fixed to the circuit board S by soldering, a first folded portion 10Q that extends from one of a pair of side edges parallel to the insertion direction of the connection portion 10H into the through hole H and is folded back so as to overlap the connection portion 10H, and a second folded portion 10R that extends from the other of the pair of side edges and is folded back so as to overlap the connection portion 10H. The cut surface 10S of the extending edge of the first folded portion 10Q and the cut surface 10S of the extending edge of the second folded portion 10R face each other so as to be butted against each other.

[0036] According to this configuration, the cut surfaces 10S of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R are opposed to each other so as to be butted against each other, so that the cut surfaces 10S do not face the inner surface of the through hole H of the circuit board S. Therefore, even if the cut surfaces 10S are not plated, the entire outer circumferential surfaces of the connection portion 10H, the first folded portion 10Q, and the second folded portion 10R that face the inner surface of the through hole H of the circuit board S can be made into plated surfaces to which solder can easily adhere and spread.

[0037] The outer surface of the extending end of the first folded portion 10Q and the outer surface of the extending end of the second folded portion 10R are formed with a valley portion 10T having a valley-shaped valley surface 10U that deepens toward the connecting portion 10H, and the surface of the valley surface 10U is plated. According to this configuration, the valley surface 10U is coated with plating, so that solder adheres and spreads easily. Therefore, the solder also flows around the valley portion 10T, and the solder adheres to the valley surface 10U of the first folded portion 10Q and the valley surface 10U of the second folded portion 10R so as to rise toward each other, and the raised solder at the bottom of the valley portion 10T approaches each other and is easily joined, so that the solder can be adhered to the outer surface of the first folded portion 10Q and the outer surface of the second folded portion 10R so as to be connected to each other, making it easy to spread.

[0038] The distance between the cut surface 10S of the extending end of the first folded portion 10Q and the cut surface 10S of the extending end of the second folded portion 10R is smaller than the plate thickness dimension of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R. With this configuration, the extending ends of the first folded portion 10Q and the second folded portion 10R are brought closer to each other, so that the solder attached to the outer surface of the first folded portion 10Q and the solder attached to the outer surface of the second folded portion 10R can be easily connected without interruption.

[0039] [Other embodiments] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0040] Unlike the above embodiment, the shape of the connection part may be as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. For example, as in the connection part 110H shown in Fig. 7, the folded length of the first folded part 110Q may be made shorter than that of the second folded part 110R, thereby shifting the position of the valley part 110T. Also, as in the connection part 210H shown in Fig. 8, only the first folded part 210Q may be folded. In this case, it is considered that the extending end part of the first folded part 210Q and the edge part of the connection part 210H where the extending end part of the first folded part 210Q is adjacent to each other may be subjected to surface pressing processing from the plate thickness direction.

[0041] The number of inclined portions, the number of elastic contact portions, the number of protrusions, and the number of bent portions of the spring portion are not limited to those in the above embodiment.

[0042] Unlike the above embodiment, the spring portion may be bent in a Z-shape or a crank shape.

[0043] Unlike the above embodiment, the distance between the cut surface of the extended end edge of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extended end edge of the second folded portion may be greater than the plate thickness dimension of the first folded portion and the second folded portion.

[0044] The terminal fitting may be a male terminal fitting.

[0045] Unlike the above embodiment, a valley surface may be formed only on either the extending end portion of the first folded portion or the extending end portion of the second folded portion, or a configuration in which no valley surface is provided may be used.

[0046] Unlike the above embodiment, the terminal fitting may be made of a plate material having a plated surface only on a part of the plate surface excluding the cut surface. Specifically, the connection portion, the first folded portion, the outer peripheral surface of the second folded portion, and the valley surface may be plated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1: Connector 10: Terminal fitting 10A: Hakobe 10C: Inclined part 10D: Elastic contact part 10E: Projection 10G: Spring part 10H, 110H, 210H: Connection 10J: Insertion port 10L: Induction surface 10M: Bent part 10N: Locking piece 10P: Opening 10Q, 110Q, 210Q: First fold 10R, 110R: Second turn-up section 10S: Cut surface 10T, 110T: Tanibe 10U: Valley side 30: Housing 30A: Partition wall 30B: Through hole 30C:Protrusion 30D: Locking groove 50: Terminal of the other side A: Storage space H:Through hole L: Conductive part S: Circuit board

Claims

1. A terminal fitting made of a plate material having at least a part of its plate surface, excluding the cut surface, plated, a connection portion that is inserted into a through hole of a circuit board and fixed to the circuit board by soldering; a first folded portion extending from one of a pair of side edges of the connection portion parallel to an insertion direction into the through hole and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; a second folded portion extending from the other of the pair of side edges and folded back so as to overlap the connection portion; Equipped with The cut surface of the extended end edge of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extended end edge of the second folded portion face each other so as to abut against each other.

2. A valley portion having a valley-shaped valley surface that becomes deeper toward the connection portion is formed on an outer surface of an extended end of the first folded portion and an outer surface of an extended end of the second folded portion, The terminal fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the valley face is plated.

3. 3. The terminal fitting according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the cut surface of the extending end of the first folded portion and the cut surface of the extending end of the second folded portion is smaller than a plate thickness dimension of the first folded portion and the second folded portion.

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