Terminal fitting

Abstract

To provide a terminal fitting capable of sufficiently connecting to a mating terminal while absorbing variation in posture of the mating terminal.SOLUTION: A terminal fitting 10 comprises: a square tube-shaped box part 10A having an insertion port 10J into which a mating fitting 50 is inserted; an elastic contact part 10D that is formed to protrude inward from a wall part of the box part 10A and is capable of elastic deformation; and a protrusion 10E that is formed to protrude inward from the wall part of the box part 10A. On the wall part of the box part 10A, the protrusion 10E is positioned closer to the insertion port 10J than the elastic contact part 10D.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a connector set having a first connector with a movable housing and a second connector that fits into the movable housing. The movable housing is supported by an elastic portion of the first terminal, and when the second connector is fitted into the movable housing, the movable housing swings up and down and left and right to absorb variations in the fitting posture of the second connector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-96888 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when mating the second connector with the movable housing, if the second connector is tilted and brought close to the movable housing and the tip of the second terminal is inserted into the opening of the movable housing, there is a concern that the tip of the second terminal will hit the first curved portion or the second curved portion of the first terminal, causing the first curved portion or the second curved portion to buckle.

[0005] The terminal fitting disclosed herein has been completed based on the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a terminal fitting that can be satisfactorily connected to a mating terminal while absorbing variations in the posture of the mating terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The terminal fitting of the present disclosure is a square cylindrical box portion having an insertion opening for inserting a mating terminal; a resilient contact portion formed to protrude inward from a wall portion of the box portion and capable of elastic deformation; A protrusion formed so as to protrude inward from the wall portion; Equipped with The protrusion is disposed on the wall portion at a position closer to the insertion opening than the elastic contact portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to absorb variations in the attitude of the mating terminal and to achieve a satisfactory connection with the mating terminal. [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 perspective view of the terminal fitting with a part of the box portion cut away. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a mating terminal is inserted into the terminal fitting. 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 square cylindrical box portion having an insertion opening for inserting a mating terminal; a resilient contact portion formed to protrude inward from a wall portion of the box portion and capable of elastic deformation; A protrusion formed so as to protrude inward from the wall portion; Equipped with The terminal fitting, wherein the protrusion is disposed on the wall portion at a position closer to the insertion opening than the elastic contact portion.

[0010] In the terminal fitting of (1), when the mating terminal is inserted into the insertion opening of the box portion, the mating terminal first strikes the protrusion and is inserted into the box portion while being guided by the protrusion. At this time, it is possible to prevent the mating terminal from first striking the elastic contact portion, so that it is possible to prevent the elastic contact portion from being deformed or buckled by the mating terminal.

[0011] (2) The elastic contact portion is elongated in an insertion direction of the mating terminal into the box portion, The terminal fitting according to (1), wherein a plurality of the elastic contact portions are arranged in a line in the circumferential direction of the box portion.

[0012] The terminal fitting (2) can reduce the width of each elastic contact portion, reducing the sliding resistance when inserted into the mating terminal. In addition, since multiple contacts can be secured with the mating terminal, the resistance value when current flows between the terminals can be reduced.

[0013] (3) The box portion is open on the opposite side to the insertion opening, The terminal fitting according to (2), wherein when the box portion is viewed from the insertion direction, the protrusion is located between adjacent ones of the elastic contact portions.

[0014] (3) When checking the condition of the elastic contact portion from the insertion opening side, the terminal fitting can prevent the elastic contact portion from being hidden by the protrusion, making it possible to clearly check the condition of the elastic contact portion.

[0015] (4) The wall portion has an opening formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact portion, The terminal fitting according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the protrusion is a portion disposed facing an edge of the opening and pressed into the edge of the opening.

[0016] (4) The protrusion of the terminal fitting is positioned facing the edge of the opening and is formed by pressing the wall portion to deform the edge of the opening, so that the pressing force can be easily reduced compared to when the protrusion is formed at a position away from the edge of the opening.

[0017] [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 5. 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] [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.

[0020] [Terminal metal fitting configuration] The terminal fitting 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate or the like. The terminal fitting 10 is a so-called female terminal fitting. 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 Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the terminal fitting 10 has a box portion 10A, a plurality of folded portions 10B, a plurality of inclined portions 10C, a plurality of elastic contact portions 10D, a plurality of protrusions 10E, a plurality of cover portions 10F, a spring portion 10G, and a connection portion 10H.

[0021] 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. 4). The upper end of the box part 10A is an insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted (see FIGS. 3 and 4). That is, the box part 10A has the insertion opening 10J into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted. Moreover, the lower end of the box part 10A opposite to the insertion opening 10J is open downward.

[0022] Two folded portions 10B are formed on each of a pair of opposing walls among the four walls constituting the box portion 10A (see Figs. 2 and 4). Each folded portion 10B is connected to the opening edge (the opening edge at the upper end) of the insertion opening 10J and is formed by folding back from the opening edge in an outward direction. Each folded portion 10B is curved in an arc (see Fig. 4). Of the outer surface of each folded portion 10B exposed upward, the part that is connected to the opening edge of the insertion opening 10J and faces inward in the left-right direction is a guide surface 10K that guides the mating terminal 50 into the insertion opening 10J.

[0023] The inclined portions 10C are formed one by one on the wall portion of the box portion 10A where the folded portion 10B is provided (see Figs. 2 and 4). Specifically, on one wall portion, the inclined portion 10C is arranged so as to be sandwiched between two folded portions 10B. 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 upwardly inclined (see Fig. 4). Each inclined portion 10C has a guide surface 10L that extends upward (forward in the opening direction of the insertion opening 10J) beyond the guide surface 10K of the folded portion 10B and expands outward in the left-right direction. The inclined portion 10C protrudes forward in the opening direction of the insertion opening 10J beyond the folded portion 10B.

[0024] The elastic contact portions 10D are formed in threes on the wall portion of the box portion 10A where the folded portion 10B is provided. 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 Figs. 3 and 4). In other words, each elastic contact portion 10D is elongated in the insertion direction of the mating terminal 50 into the box portion 10A. The elastic contact portion 10D can be elastically deformed inward and outward of the box portion 10A with the 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).

[0025] 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. Each protrusion 10E is a part of the wall, and is a portion formed by pressing the wall. The lower end of each protrusion 10E is formed so as to be flush with the upper edge 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 arranged facing the edge of the opening 10P that is formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact part 10D, and are formed on the edge of the opening 10P. In other words, the protrusions 10E are arranged in a position closer to the insertion opening 10J than the elastic contact parts 10D are on the wall of the box part 10A. The protrusions 10E are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the box part 10A. The protrusions 10E are formed so as 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 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).

[0026] The cover portion 10F is in the shape of a flat plate and is arranged to cover the elastic contact portion 10D from the outside (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the cover portion 10F is formed in one of the walls constituting the box portion 10A, extending downward so as to be connected to the pair of folded-back portions 10B (see FIG. 4). The lower portion of the cover portion 10F is bent downward so as to be parallel to the outer surface of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 4). The lower end of the cover portion 10F is located lower than the lower end of the elastic contact portion 10D (see FIG. 3). The upper portion of the cover portion 10F is spaced from the outer surface of the wall portion of the box portion 10A, forming an allowable space K (see FIG. 1).

[0027] The spring portion 10G is formed to be continuous with the lower edge of one of the pair of walls of the box portion 10A 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 away from the opposing wall of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 4). Specifically, the spring portion 10G has two bent portions 10M (see FIG. 4). 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.

[0028] The connection portion 10H is formed to be connected to the lower end edge of the spring portion 10G and extend downward (see FIG. 4). The connection portion 10H is formed by folding back so as to overlap in the plate thickness direction (see FIGS. 2 and 4). When the box portion 10A is viewed from above, the connection portion 10H and the spring portion 10G are disposed on the outer side of the box portion 10A (see FIG. 2).

[0029] [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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] [An example of assembling terminal fittings to a housing] As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal fittings 10 are adjusted so that the connection portions 10H are lower than the box portion 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 portions 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 to face the insertion opening 10J, which is one opening of the box portion 10A.

[0032] 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).

[0033] [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).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the mating terminal 50 is inserted from above into the insertion opening 10J of the terminal fitting 10. First, the mating terminal 50 contacts the guide surface 10L of the inclined portion 10C. Next, the mating terminal 50 contacts the guide surface 10K of the folded portion 10B. Thus, the mating terminal 50 is guided to the insertion opening 10J by the guide surface 10L, and is guided to the insertion opening 10J by the guide surface 10K. After that, the mating terminal 50 inserted into the insertion opening 10J contacts each elastic contact portion 10D while being guided by the protrusion 10E. At this time, even if the mating terminal 50 enters the box portion 10A in an inclined state, the protrusion 10E prevents the tip of the mating terminal 50 from hitting the tip of the elastic contact portion 10D. Then, each elastic contact portion 10D is pressed by the mating terminal 50 and elastically deformed so as to move toward the allowable space K formed outside the box portion 10A. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the box portion 10A at an angle, the elastic contact portion 10D may enter the allowable space K. In such a case, the cover portion 10F protects the elastically deformed elastic contact portion 10D and prevents the elastic contact portion 10D from bending excessively.

[0035] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0036] The terminal fitting 10 includes a square cylindrical box portion 10A having an insertion opening 10J for inserting a mating terminal 50, a resilient contact portion 10D formed to protrude inward from the wall of the box portion 10A and capable of elastic deformation, and a protrusion 10E formed to protrude inward from the wall of the box portion 10A. On the wall of the box portion 10A, the protrusion 10E is located closer to the insertion opening 10J than the resilient contact portion 10D.

[0037] According to this configuration, when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion opening 10J of the box part 10A, the mating terminal 50 hits the protrusion 10E first and is inserted into the box part 10A while being guided by the protrusion 10E. At this time, since it is possible to prevent the mating terminal 50 from hitting the elastic contact part 10D first, it is possible to prevent the elastic contact part 10D from being deformed or buckled by the mating terminal 50.

[0038] The elastic contact portion 10D is elongated in the direction in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the box portion 10A, and multiple elastic contact portions 10D are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the box portion 10A. With this configuration, the width dimension of each elastic contact portion 10D can be reduced, and the sliding resistance during insertion into the mating terminal 50 can be reduced. In addition, multiple contact points can be secured with the mating terminal 50, so that the resistance value when a current flows between the terminals can be suppressed.

[0039] The side of box part 10A opposite insertion opening 10J is open, and when box part 10A is viewed from the insertion direction, protrusion 10E is located between adjacent elastic contact parts 10D. With this configuration, when checking the state of elastic contact parts 10D from the insertion opening 10J side, elastic contact parts 10D can be prevented from being hidden by protrusion 10E, so that the state of elastic contact parts 10D can be clearly checked.

[0040] The wall of the box part 10A in which the elastic contact part 10D is arranged has an opening 10P formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact part 10D, and the protrusion 10E is a part that is arranged facing the edge of the opening 10P and is pressed onto the edge of the opening 10P. According to this configuration, the protrusion 10E is arranged facing the edge of the opening 10P and is formed by pressing the wall to deform the edge of the opening 10P, so that it is easier to suppress the pressing force compared to the case where the protrusion 10E is formed at a position away from the edge of the opening 10P.

[0041] [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.

[0042] The number of folded parts, inclined parts, elastic contact parts, protrusions, and bent parts of the spring part are not limited to those in the above embodiment. Also, the folded parts, inclined parts, elastic contact parts, and protrusions may be provided on only one wall part.

[0043] Unlike the above embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a terminal fitting connected to an end of an electric wire.

[0044] Unlike the above embodiment, the spring portion may be bent in a Z-shape or a crank shape.

[0045] Unlike the above embodiment, the resilient contact portion may be elongated diagonally or horizontally with respect to the insertion direction of the mating terminal into the box portion. Also, one resilient contact portion may be disposed on the box portion. Also, the resilient contact portions may be arranged side by side in the insertion direction of the box portion.

[0046] The side of the box portion opposite the insertion opening does not have to be open. Furthermore, when the box portion is viewed from the insertion direction, the protrusions do not have to be located between adjacent elastic contact portions, and may be arranged so as to overlap the elastic contact portions.

[0047] The protrusion may be formed at a position away from the edge of the opening, without facing the edge of the opening. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Connector 10: Terminal fitting 10A: Hakobe 10B: Folded part 10C: Inclined part 10D: Elastic contact part 10E: Projection 10F: Covering section 10G: Spring part 10H: Connection part 10J: Insertion port 10K: Guideway 10L: Induction surface 10M: Bent part 10N: Locking piece 10P: Opening 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 K: Allowable space L: Conductive part S: Circuit board

Claims

1. a square cylindrical box portion having an insertion opening for inserting a mating terminal; a resilient contact portion formed to protrude inward from a wall portion of the box portion and capable of elastic deformation; A protrusion formed so as to protrude inward from the wall portion; Equipped with The terminal fitting, wherein the protrusion is disposed on the wall portion at a position closer to the insertion opening than the elastic contact portion.

2. The resilient contact portion has an elongated shape extending in an insertion direction of the mating terminal into the box portion, The terminal fitting according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the elastic contact portions are arranged side by side in a circumferential direction of the box portion.

3. The box portion has an opening on the opposite side to the insertion opening, The terminal fitting according to claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is located between adjacent ones of the elastic contact portions when the box portion is viewed from the insertion direction.

4. the wall portion has an opening formed by cutting and raising the elastic contact portion, The terminal fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a portion disposed adjacent to an edge of the opening and pressed onto the edge of the opening.

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