Female terminal and connector

Abstract

To provide a female terminal and a connector capable of suppressing temperature rise.SOLUTION: A female terminal 31 includes a wire connection part 32 to which a wire is connected, and a tubular connection part 60 into which a columnar connection part of a male terminal is inserted inside and electrically connected. The wire connection part 32 and the tubular connection part 60 are provided side by side along a first direction X1. An axial direction of the tubular connection part 60 extends along a second direction Z1 intersecting the first direction X1. A first dimension L1 of the wire connection part 32 along the second direction Z1 is larger than a second dimension L2 of the tubular connection part 60 along the second direction Z1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to female terminals and connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a connector equipped in a vehicle includes a female terminal and a housing for holding the female terminal. A columnar connection portion of a male terminal is inserted into a cylindrical connection portion of the female terminal, and the columnar connection portion is electrically connected to the female terminal. This type of female terminal uses a biasing force of a biasing member such as a coil spring to stably ensure contact pressure against the columnar connection portion of the male terminal (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-28903 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above connector, it is desirable to suppress a rise in temperature of the female terminal when electricity is applied. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a female terminal and a connector capable of suppressing temperature rise. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The female terminal of the present disclosure comprises an electric wire connection portion to which an electric wire is connected, and a tubular connection portion into which a columnar connection portion of a male terminal is inserted and to which the columnar connection portion is electrically connected, the electric wire connection portion and the tubular connection portion are arranged side by side along a first direction, the axial direction of the tubular connection portion extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a first dimension of the electric wire connection portion along the second direction is larger than a second dimension of the tubular connection portion along the second direction. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The female terminal and connector of the present disclosure have the advantage of being able to suppress temperature rise. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIGS. 5 and 6) showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIGS. 5 and 6) showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a female terminal of one embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a female terminal of one embodiment (a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in FIGS. 5 and 6). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a female terminal of one embodiment (a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10). [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a female terminal of one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a female terminal of one embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a female terminal of one embodiment. [Figure 15]FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the wire harness of one embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a housing main body according to one embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 19) showing a housing main body of one embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a part of the wire harness of one embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line 19-19 in FIG. 15) showing a part of the wire harness of the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a part of the wire harness of one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] A female terminal of the present disclosure comprises an electric wire connection portion to which an electric wire is connected, and a tubular connection portion into which a columnar connection portion of a male terminal is inserted and to which the columnar connection portion is electrically connected, the electric wire connection portion and the tubular connection portion are arranged side by side along a first direction, an axial direction of the tubular connection portion extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a first dimension of the electric wire connection portion along the second direction is greater than a second dimension of the tubular connection portion along the second direction.

[0009] According to this configuration, the first dimension of the electric wire connecting portion along the second direction, i.e., the width dimension of the electric wire connecting portion, is formed to be larger than the second dimension of the cylindrical connecting portion along the second direction. Therefore, the volume of the female terminal can be increased compared to when the first dimension and the second dimension are equal to each other. This increases the heat capacity of the female terminal, and reduces the amount of heat generated by the female terminal when electricity is applied. As a result, the temperature rise of the female terminal when electricity is applied can be suitably suppressed.

[0010] [2] In the above item [1], the electric wire connection portion may have a joint portion to which the electric wire is joined, and a first width expansion portion extending from the joint portion in the second direction. According to this configuration, the first width expansion portion is provided, so that the volume of the female terminal can be increased, thereby increasing the heat capacity of the female terminal and suitably suppressing a temperature rise of the female terminal when electricity is applied.

[0011] [3] In the above [2], the wire connection portion may have a second width expansion portion extending from the joint portion in a second opposite direction that is opposite to the second direction. According to this configuration, by providing the first and second enlarged width portions, the volume of the female terminal can be preferably increased, thereby preferably increasing the heat capacity of the female terminal and more preferably suppressing the temperature rise of the female terminal when current is applied.

[0012] [4] In any of [1] to [3] above, the female terminal may further include a terminal connection portion having the tubular connection portion, and a connecting portion connecting the terminal connection portion and the wire connection portion, and the first dimension may be greater than a third dimension of the connecting portion along the second direction.

[0013] According to this configuration, the first dimension of the electric wire connecting portion along the second direction is larger than the third dimension of the connecting portion along the second direction, i.e., the width dimension of the connecting portion. Therefore, the volume of the female terminal can be preferably increased compared to a case in which the first dimension and the third dimension are equal to each other. This makes it possible to more preferably suppress the temperature rise of the female terminal when electricity is applied.

[0014] [5] In the above [4], the first dimension may be greater than a fourth dimension that is a maximum dimension of the terminal connection portion along the second direction, and the fourth dimension may be greater than the third dimension.

[0015] According to this configuration, the first dimension of the electric wire connection portion along the second direction is larger than the fourth dimension of the terminal connection portion along the second direction, i.e., the largest width dimension of the terminal connection portion. Therefore, the volume of the female terminal can be preferably increased compared to a case where the first dimension and the fourth dimension are equal to each other. This makes it possible to more preferably suppress the temperature rise of the female terminal when electricity is applied.

[0016] [6] In the above [5], the terminal connection portion has a first peripheral wall having a first cylindrical portion, a second peripheral wall having a second cylindrical portion opposite the first cylindrical portion, the tubular connection portion constituted by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion, and a winding pressure portion that limits the distance between a first inner surface of the first cylindrical portion and a second inner surface of the second cylindrical portion, the winding pressure portion being integrally formed with the first peripheral wall, and the winding pressure portion extending from the first peripheral wall and folded back while embracing an edge of the second peripheral wall inward, and may be in contact with an outer surface of the second peripheral wall.

[0017] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal is press-fitted into the cylindrical connecting portion, the winding presser restricts the separation distance between the first inner surface constituting the cylindrical connecting portion and the second inner surface constituting the cylindrical connecting portion from becoming large. This restriction by the winding presser allows the first inner surface and the second inner surface to be suitably contacted with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion. As a result, the contact state between the cylindrical connecting portion and the columnar connecting portion can be stably maintained. Furthermore, the winding presser is integrally formed with the first peripheral wall. Therefore, the contact state between the cylindrical connecting portion and the columnar connecting portion can be maintained with a simpler structure than when a separate part such as a coil spring is used. In other words, the structure of the female terminal can be simplified compared to when a separate part such as a coil spring is used.

[0018] [7] In the above item [6], the first circumferential wall extends along the first direction, the second circumferential wall extends along the first direction and is provided at a position from the first circumferential wall toward a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, the terminal connection portion further has a connecting portion connecting the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall, the connecting portion being formed integrally with the first circumferential wall and the second circumferential wall, and the winding pressing portion extends from an end face of the first circumferential wall in the second direction toward the the connecting portion is formed by folding back from an end face of the first peripheral wall in a second opposite direction that is opposite to the second direction toward an end face of the second peripheral wall in the second opposite direction, and the fourth dimension may be the longest distance along the second direction from a protruding tip of the connecting portion protruding from the end face of the first peripheral wall in the second opposite direction toward the second opposite direction to a protruding tip of the winding pressure portion protruding from the end face of the first peripheral wall in the second direction toward the second direction.

[0019] According to this configuration, the first dimension of the electric wire connecting portion along the second direction is formed to be larger than the fourth dimension, which is the longest distance along the second direction from the protruding tip of the connecting portion to the protruding tip of the winding pressing portion, thereby making it possible to preferably increase the volume of the female terminal and more preferably suppress the temperature rise of the female terminal during current flow.

[0020] [8] In the above [6] or [7], the second tubular portion may have a plurality of divided tubular portions divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, and each of the plurality of divided tubular portions may have a protrusion that protrudes in a cross-sectional arc shape from the second inner surface toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion.

[0021] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion of the male terminal is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion, the protrusions provided on the second inner surface of each of the plurality of divided tubular portions come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion. Therefore, in the tubular connecting portion, the plurality of protrusions come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion at a plurality of points spaced apart in the axial direction. As a result, even if a swing is transmitted to the male terminal, the displacement of the male terminal due to the swing can be suitably prevented by the contact of the plurality of protrusions with the columnar connecting portion. In other words, compared to the case where only one protrusion is provided on the second inner surface of the second tubular portion, the displacement of the columnar connecting portion inside the tubular connecting portion can be suppressed by the contact pressure of the plurality of protrusions.

[0022] [9] In any of [6] to [8] above, the connecting portion may be formed integrally with the first peripheral wall, and the connecting portion may extend from an end of the first peripheral wall in a first opposite direction that is opposite to the first direction toward the first opposite direction, and the electric wire connection portion may be formed integrally with the connecting portion, and the electric wire connection portion may extend from an end of the connecting portion in the first opposite direction toward the first opposite direction.

[0023] According to this configuration, the connecting portion is formed integrally with the first peripheral wall, and the connecting portion is formed integrally with the electric wire connecting portion, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts of the female terminal and simplify the structure of the female terminal.

[0024]

[10] The connector of the present disclosure comprises a female terminal as described in [2] or [3] above, and a housing that holds the female terminal therein when it is inserted along the first direction, the housing having a housing main body having an accommodating space for accommodating the female terminal, and a retainer attached to the housing main body, the accommodating space having a guide groove into which the first width expansion portion is fitted, the guide groove extending along the first direction, and the end face of the first width expansion portion in the first direction is configured to be engageable with the rear end of the guide groove in the first direction.

[0025] According to this configuration, the same effect as the female terminal of [1] above can be obtained. Furthermore, the end face in the first direction of the first width expansion part of the electric wire connection part of the female terminal is provided so as to be engageable with the inner end of the guide groove provided in the accommodation space of the housing main body. By engaging the first width expansion part with the inner end of the guide groove, the female terminal can be easily positioned in the first direction when it is inserted into the accommodation space.

[0026] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Specific examples of the female terminal and connector of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, for convenience of explanation, some of the configurations may be exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part may differ in each drawing. In this specification, "parallel," "orthogonal," and "vertical" do not only mean strictly parallel, orthogonal, or vertical, but also include roughly parallel, orthogonal, or vertical within the scope of the action and effect of this embodiment. "Cylindrical" as used in the description of this specification includes not only those in which a peripheral wall is formed continuously around the entire circumference, but also those in which a plurality of parts are combined to form a cylindrical shape, and those having a notch in a part of the circumference such as a C-shape or U-shape. The shape of "cylindrical" includes, but is not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon with sharp or rounded corners. In this specification, "facing" refers to faces or members being in front of each other, and includes not only cases in which they are completely in front of each other, but also cases in which they are partially in front of each other. In addition, in this specification, "opposite" includes both a case where a member other than the two parts is interposed between the two parts and a case where nothing is interposed between the two parts. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. in this specification are used simply to distinguish objects and do not rank the objects. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0027] (Overall configuration of wire harness W1) As shown in FIG. 1, the wire harness W1 includes one or more (two in this embodiment) electric wires 20 and a connector C1 attached to an end of the electric wire 20. The wire harness W1 electrically connects, for example, electric devices for a vehicle to each other. Examples of electric devices for a vehicle include an inverter and a motor for driving wheels. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the connector C1 is electrically connected to a mating connector provided in the electric device. The mating connector includes, for example, one or more (two in this embodiment) male terminals 200 (see FIG. 4) that are mating terminals, and a mating housing that holds the two male terminals 200. Note that the directions in each drawing do not necessarily represent the postures of the connector C1 and the wire harness W1 when in use.

[0028] (Overall configuration of connector C1) As shown in FIG. 2, the connector C1 includes a housing 30 and a plurality of female terminals 31 connected to ends of a plurality of electric wires 20. The housing 30 holds the plurality of electric wires 20 and the plurality of female terminals 31. The housing 30 includes a housing body 120 that houses the plurality of female terminals 31 therein, and a retainer 150 that is attached to the housing body 120. Each drawing illustrates an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are mutually perpendicular. Each drawing illustrates a first direction X1 that is one direction in the X-axis direction along the X-axis, and a first opposite direction X2 that is the opposite direction of the first direction X1. Each drawing illustrates a second direction Z1 that is one direction in the Z-axis direction along the Z-axis, and a second opposite direction Z2 that is the opposite direction of the second direction Z1. Each drawing illustrates a third direction Y1 that is one direction in the Y-axis direction along the Y-axis, and a third opposite direction Y2 that is the opposite direction of the third direction Y1. The directions described above are directions in a state in which the connector C1 is assembled to the end of the electric wire 20, unless otherwise specified.

[0029] The female terminals 31 and the electric wires 20 are inserted into the housing body 120 along the first direction X1. A retainer 150 is attached to the housing body 120 along the second direction Z1. For example, a mating connector is connected to the connector C1 along the second direction Z1. For example, a male terminal 200 (see FIG. 4) of the mating connector is inserted into the housing body 120 along the second direction Z1.

[0030] (Configuration of electric wire 20) Each electric wire 20 has a conductive core wire 21 and an insulating coating 22 that surrounds the outer periphery of the core wire 21 and has insulating properties. For example, a stranded wire made of a plurality of metal wires twisted together or a single-core wire made of a single conductor can be used as the core wire 21. For example, the insulating coating 22 covers the outer periphery of the core wire 21 over the entire circumferential direction.

[0031] An end portion of the core wire 21 in the first direction X1 is exposed from the insulating coating 22. A female terminal 31 is connected to the end portion of the core wire 21 in the first direction X1 exposed from the insulating coating 22. 3, an end portion of the electric wire 20 in the first direction X1 is accommodated inside the housing body 120. The electric wire 20 is led out from an end portion of the housing body 120 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0032] (Overall configuration of female terminal 31) As shown in Fig. 2, the two female terminals 31 are electrically connected to the two electric wires 20, respectively. The two female terminals 31 are arranged side by side along the Y-axis direction, for example. The two female terminals 31 have, for example, the same structure as each other. Here, the description will be focused on the female terminal 31 arranged on the third direction Y1 side out of the two female terminals 31.

[0033] Each female terminal 31 has an electric wire connecting portion 32 connected to an end of the electric wire 20, a terminal connecting portion 33, and a connecting portion 34 connecting the electric wire connecting portion 32 and the terminal connecting portion 33. The electric wire connecting portion 32 is connected to an end of the core wire 21 exposed from the insulating coating 22. The electric wire connecting portion 32, the connecting portion 34, and the terminal connecting portion 33 are arranged side by side along the first direction X1. Each female terminal 31 is, for example, a single component in which the electric wire connecting portion 32, the connecting portion 34, and the terminal connecting portion 33 are continuously and integrally formed. Each female terminal 31 of this embodiment is formed by bending a single metal plate material. Each female terminal 31 is, for example, made of metal. For example, a copper-based or aluminum-based metal material can be used as the material of each female terminal 31.

[0034] (Configuration of terminal connection portion 33) 4, the terminal connection portion 33 is provided at a position facing the first direction X1 from the electric wire connection portion 32. The terminal connection portion 33 is a female terminal portion to be connected to a male terminal 200 of a mating connector. Here, the male terminal 200 has a columnar connection portion 201. The columnar connection portion 201 of this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0035] The terminal connection part 33 has a peripheral wall 40 having a cylindrical portion 41, a peripheral wall 50 having a cylindrical portion 51 facing the cylindrical portion 41, and a cylindrical connection part 60. The terminal connection part 33 has, for example, a coupling part 70, a protruding part 80, a winding pressing part 90, and a protective part 100. The peripheral walls 40 and 50 face each other in the Y-axis direction.

[0036] (Configuration of peripheral wall 40 and peripheral wall 50) As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2 is connected to the end of the connecting portion 34 in the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 40 is formed in a band shape extending along the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 40 extends from the end of the connecting portion 34 in the first direction X1 toward the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 40 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. As shown in Fig. 4, the peripheral wall 40 has an inner surface facing the peripheral wall 50 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface in the Y-axis direction.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, the peripheral wall 50 is formed in a band shape extending along the first direction X1. The peripheral wall 50 is formed in, for example, a flat plate shape. As shown in Fig. 4, the peripheral wall 50 has an inner surface facing the inner surface of the peripheral wall 40 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface in the Y-axis direction. The inner surface of the peripheral wall 50 is provided spaced apart from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 40 in the Y-axis direction. The peripheral wall 50 is provided at a position facing the third direction Y1 from the peripheral wall 40. The peripheral wall 50 extends, for example, parallel to the peripheral wall 40.

[0038] Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is provided at a middle position in the X-axis direction of the peripheral walls 40, 50. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is provided between the winding pressing portion 90 and the protective portion 100 in the X-axis direction. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 is formed into a semi-split cylinder shape as a whole. Each of the cylindrical portions 41, 51 extends along the Z-axis direction over the entire length of the peripheral walls 40, 50 in the Z-axis direction.

[0039] The cylindrical portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 51 are curved toward the direction in which they are separated from each other. The cylindrical portion 41 and the cylindrical portion 51 form a cylindrical connection portion 60. The cylindrical connection portion 60 is a portion into which the columnar connection portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is inserted along the second direction Z1 and to which the columnar connection portion 201 is electrically connected. The axial direction of the cylindrical connection portion 60 extends in a direction intersecting the direction in which the peripheral walls 40, 50 extend (here, the X-axis direction), and in this embodiment, extends along the Z-axis direction. The cylindrical connection portion 60 is open at both ends in the Z-axis direction.

[0040] 7, the tubular connecting part 60 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape as a whole. The tubular connecting part 60 has, for example, a maximum inner diameter dimension smaller than the maximum outer diameter dimension of the columnar connecting part 201. In other words, the tubular connecting part 60 is configured so that the columnar connecting part 201 is press-fitted into the inside of the tubular connecting part 60.

[0041] The cylindrical portion 41 has an inner surface 42 facing the third direction Y1 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface 42. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 41 is formed into a curved surface in which the cross section obtained by cutting the cylindrical portion 41 with a plane parallel to the X-axis direction is curved in an arc shape. The outer surface of the cylindrical portion 41 protrudes in an arc shape in cross section toward the radially outward direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60. Similarly, the inner surface 42 of the cylindrical portion 41 is formed to be recessed in an arc shape in cross section toward the radially outward direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60.

[0042] The inner surface 42 of the tubular portion 41 is provided with a plurality of (two in this embodiment) linear contact portions 43 that protrude from the inner surface 42 toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The two linear contact portions 43 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The two linear contact portions 43 partially face each other in, for example, the X-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 5, each linear contact portion 43 extends, for example, along the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60.

[0043] 7, the curvature of the inner surface 42 having the two linear contact portions 43 is set to be smaller than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200. This allows the two linear contact portions 43 to be suitably brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. At this time, each linear contact portion 43 is brought into linear contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 along the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. That is, each linear contact portion 43 is in linear contact with the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 201.

[0044] 6, the tubular portion 51 has a plurality of (two in this embodiment) divided tubular portions 52 divided in the axial direction of the tubular connection portion 60, and a slit 53 dividing the two divided tubular portions 52. The two divided tubular portions 52 are provided spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the tubular connection portion 60, with the slit 53 therebetween. The two divided tubular portions 52 have, for example, the same structure as each other.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 8, each divided tubular portion 52 has an inner surface 54 facing the third opposite direction Y2 and an outer surface provided on the opposite side of the inner surface 54. As shown in Fig. 7, the outer surface of each divided tubular portion 52 is formed into a curved surface in which the cross section obtained by cutting the divided tubular portion 52 with a plane parallel to the X-axis direction is curved in an arc shape. The outer surface of the divided tubular portion 52 protrudes in an arc shape in cross section toward the radial outward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. Similarly, the inner surface 54 of the divided tubular portion 52 is formed so as to be recessed in an arc shape in cross section toward the radial outward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8, the outer surface of each split tubular portion 52 is provided with a recess 55 recessed from the outer surface toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. As shown in Fig. 6, the planar shape of the recess 55 as viewed from the Y-axis direction is, for example, rectangular. The recess 55 is formed, for example, over the entire length of the split tubular portion 52 in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] 8, the inner surface 54 of each divided tubular portion 52 is provided with a protrusion 56 that protrudes from the inner surface 54 toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. The protrusion 56 is provided, for example, on the inner surface 54 of the divided tubular portion 52 in a portion where the recessed portion 55 is formed. The protrusion 56 can be formed, for example, by embossing. The protrusion 56 is formed in an embossed shape by pressing the outer surface of the divided tubular portion 52 with a mold.

[0048] The protrusion 56 is formed, for example, in a shape in which a cross section of the protrusion 56 cut by a plane parallel to the axial direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the tubular connecting part 60 protrudes in an arc shape radially inward of the tubular connecting part 60. The protrusion 56 protrudes in an arc shape cross section radially inward of the tubular connecting part 60 from the inner surface 54. The protrusion 56 extends along the circumferential direction of the tubular connecting part 60. The protrusion 56 extends along the axial direction of the tubular connecting part 60. The protruding tip 56A of the protrusion 56 is in point contact with, for example, the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting part 201 of the male terminal 200.

[0049] Each protruding tip 56A is provided, for example, at the center in the axial direction (here, the Z-axis direction) of the divided tubular portion 52. Each protruding tip 56A is provided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the center of the tubular connecting portion 60 in the axial direction.

[0050] 9, the slit 53 penetrates the tubular part 51 in the Y-axis direction. The slit 53 is provided, for example, at the center position of the tubular connecting part 60 in the axial direction of the tubular connecting part 60.

[0051] The slits 53 extend along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 51 over the entire circumferential length of the cylindrical portion 51. For example, the slits 53 extend from an end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 along the first opposite direction X2 to a position in the first opposite direction X2 beyond the divided cylindrical portion 52. The slits 53 open in the first direction X1. That is, the slits 53 are formed so as to be cut out from the end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 toward the first opposite direction X2.

[0052] The end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 is formed in a bifurcated structure by the slit 53. That is, the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 has two divided portions 57 formed in a bifurcated shape. Each divided portion 57 has a divided tubular portion 52. Each divided portion 57 is formed, for example, so as to be supported in a cantilever manner by the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first opposite direction X2. The two divided portions 57 have, for example, the same structure as each other. The two divided portions 57 are formed symmetrically with respect to a virtual plane that includes the center of the slit 53 in the Z-axis direction and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0053] (Configuration of connecting portion 70) 4, the connecting portion 70 connects the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50. The connecting portion 70 connects an end portion of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Z2 to an end portion of the peripheral wall 50 in the second opposite direction Z2. The connecting portion 70 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40 and is also formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. The connecting portion 70 is formed so as to be folded back from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Z2 toward the end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the second opposite direction Z2.

[0054] The connecting portion 70 extends in the first direction X1, for example, from the end portions in the first opposite direction X2 of the peripheral walls 40, 50. The connecting portion 70 protrudes in the second opposite direction Z2 beyond the end faces in the second opposite direction Z2 of the peripheral walls 40, 50.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, the connecting portion 70 has an extending portion 71 extending in the second opposite direction Z2 from an end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Z2, and an extending portion 72 extending in the second opposite direction Z2 from an end face of the peripheral wall 50 in the second opposite direction Z2. The connecting portion 70 has a folded portion 73 connecting the extending portion 71 and the extending portion 72. The folded portion 73 is formed so as to be folded back from an end of the extending portion 71 toward the extending portion 72 and the peripheral wall 50. The folded portion 73 is folded back in a U-shape from an end of the extending portion 71 toward the second direction Z1, for example. The connecting portion 70 has a U-shaped folded shape that is convex toward a direction away from the peripheral walls 40, 50 (here, the second opposite direction Z2) by the extending portion 71, the folded portion 73, and the extending portion 72. The connecting portion 70 is folded back so that the peripheral wall 50 faces the peripheral wall 40. In other words, in the terminal connection portion 33, the peripheral wall 50 is folded in two by the connecting portion 70 toward the upper side of the peripheral wall 40.

[0056] (Configuration of protrusion 80) As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 80 is provided on the end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the second direction Z1. The protrusion 80 has, for example, a protrusion base 81 extending in the second direction Z1 from the end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the second direction Z1, and a protrusion 82 extending in the second direction Z1 from a part of the protruding tip surface of the protruding base 81. The protrusion base 81 is formed continuously and integrally with the peripheral wall 50. The protrusion base 81 extends along the first direction X1 from the end surface of the peripheral wall 50 in the first opposite direction X2. The protrusion 82 is formed continuously and integrally with the protrusion base 81. The protrusion 82 protrudes toward the second direction Z1 beyond the protruding tip surface of the protrusion base 81, here the end surface in the second direction Z1. The protrusion 82 is provided only at the middle position of the protrusion base 81 in the X-axis direction. The protrusion 82 is formed such that, in a plan view seen from the Y-axis direction, the width along the X-axis direction becomes smaller as one approaches the protrusion tip surface of the protrusion 82 from the protrusion base 81, for example.

[0057] (Configuration of the winding pressing unit 90) As shown in FIG. 4, the roll pressing portion 90 is formed so as to limit the separation distance between the inner surface 42 of the cylindrical portion 41 and the inner surface 54 of the cylindrical portion 51. The roll pressing portion 90 limits the separation distance between the inner surface 42 and the inner surface 54 from increasing. The roll pressing portion 90 limits the opening of the connecting portion 70. The roll pressing portion 90 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40. The roll pressing portion 90 is provided, for example, at the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the second direction Z1. The roll pressing portion 90 is formed, for example, so as to extend from the peripheral wall 40 and fold back while holding the edge of the peripheral wall 50 inward. The roll pressing portion 90 is formed, for example, so as to fold back from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second direction Z1 while placing the end face of the peripheral wall 50 inward in the second direction Z1. The roll pressing portion 90 is in contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50.

[0058] The winding pressing portion 90 extends in the first direction X1 from an end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2. The winding pressing portion 90 is provided at a position overlapping with the connecting portion 70 in a plan view seen from the Z-axis direction. For example, the winding pressing portion 90 is provided on the opposite side of the connecting portion 70 in the Z-axis direction, with the peripheral wall 40 therebetween.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the winding pressing part 90 has an extending part 91 extending in the second direction Z1 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second direction Z1, a folded part 92 provided at the end of the extending part 91, and a pressing part 93 extending from the end of the folded part 92 toward the peripheral wall 50. The folded part 92 is formed so as to be folded back from the end of the extending part 91 in the second direction Z1 toward the peripheral wall 50. The folded part 92 is folded back in a U-shape from the end of the extending part 91 toward the second opposite direction Z2. The pressing part 93 extends in the second opposite direction Z2 from the folded part 92 toward the protruding part 80 and the peripheral wall 50. The extending part 91, the folded part 92, and the pressing part 93 form a U-shaped folded shape that is convex toward the direction away from the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50 (here, the second direction Z1).

[0060] The pressing portion 93 is provided so as to press the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50 from the outside. The pressing portion 93 is provided so as to press, for example, the outer surface of the protruding base portion 81 from the outside. The pressing portion 93 has an opposing surface 94 that faces the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The opposing surface 94 extends, for example, parallel to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The opposing surface 94 is in surface contact with the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50, for example.

[0061] 4, the winding pressing portion 90 has a through hole 95 into which the protrusion 82 fits. The through hole 95 penetrates the winding pressing portion 90 in the thickness direction. The through hole 95 extends, for example, from the middle position of the folded-back portion 92 to the middle position of the pressing portion 93. The through hole 95 is formed to a size that allows the protrusion 82 to fit therein.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 12, the winding presser part 90 defines a through hole 95 and has an engagement surface 96 that engages with the protrusion 82. The engagement surface 96 faces, for example, in the third direction Y1. The engagement surface 96 faces the inner surface of the protrusion 82 in the Y-axis direction. The engagement surface 96 extends, for example, parallel to the inner surface of the protrusion 82. The engagement surface 96 is in surface contact with the inner surface of the protrusion 82. The outer surface of the protrusion 82 is exposed from the winding presser part 90 by the through hole 95.

[0063] In the terminal connection portion 33 of this embodiment, the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50 is pressed from the outside by the pressing portion 93 of the winding pressing portion 90, and the engagement surface 96 of the winding pressing portion 90 is pressed from the outside by the protrusion 82 of the protruding portion 80. This makes it possible to stably limit the increase in the separation distance between the peripheral wall 40 and the peripheral wall 50.

[0064] (Configuration of protection unit 100) 4, the protective portion 100 is provided so as to protect the end portion in the first direction X1 of the terminal connection portion 33. The protective portion 100 is provided at the end portion in the first direction X1 of the peripheral wall 40. The protective portion 100 is formed, for example, integrally with the peripheral wall 40. The protective portion 100 is formed so as to be folded back from the end portion in the first direction X1 of the peripheral wall 40 while locating the end portion in the first direction X1 of the peripheral wall 50 inside.

[0065] The protective part 100 has an extension part 101 extending from an end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1 toward the third direction Y1, and a protective wall 102 extending from an end of the extension part 101 in the third direction Y1 toward the peripheral wall 50. The protective part 100 has a U-shaped folded shape that is convex toward a direction away from the peripheral wall 50 (here, the first direction X1) by the extension part 101 and the protective wall 102. The protective wall 102 is provided so as to face the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 in the Y-axis direction. The protective wall 102 is provided at a distance from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. That is, a gap is provided between the protective wall 102 and the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50. The protective wall 102 is provided at a distance from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 50, for example, in a state in which the columnar connection part 201 is inserted into the cylindrical connection part 60.

[0066] (Configuration of Engagement Portion 110) 13, the female terminal 31 has an engagement portion 110. The engagement portion 110 is provided, for example, on the connecting portion 34. The engagement portion 110 is provided, for example, on the peripheral wall 40. The engagement portion 110 extends, for example, along the X-axis direction from the connecting portion 34 to an end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2. The engagement portion 110 is provided, for example, so as to partially overlap with the connecting portion 70 and the winding pressing portion 90 in a plan view seen from the Z-axis direction. The engagement portion 110 is provided at the center position of the peripheral wall 40 in the Z-axis direction.

[0067] The engagement portion 110 protrudes outward from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40, i.e., the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Y2, specifically in a direction away from the peripheral wall 50 (here, in the third opposite direction Y2). The engagement portion 110 is an engagement protrusion that protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40 and the outer surface of the connecting portion 34. The engagement portion 110 is formed, for example, in a shape obtained by cutting and raising a part of the peripheral wall 40 and a part of the connecting portion 34. The engagement portion 110 can be formed, for example, by a cutting and raising process.

[0068] The engagement portion 110 has, for example, a protruding tip surface 111, an inclined surface 112, and an engagement surface 113. The protruding tip surface 111 is provided at a position of the engagement portion 110 that is farthest from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40. The protruding tip surface 111 is formed in a flat surface. The protruding tip surface 111 is formed in a flat surface that extends in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, for example.

[0069] 7, the inclined surface 112 is provided to connect the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40 and the protruding tip surface 111. The inclined surface 112 faces, for example, in the first direction X1. The inclined surface 112 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and is inclined with respect to the third direction Y1. For example, the inclined surface 112 is inclined toward the first opposite direction X2 from the end of the inclined surface 112 in the third direction Y1 connected to the outer surface of the peripheral wall 40 toward the end of the inclined surface 112 in the third opposite direction Y2 connected to the protruding tip surface 111.

[0070] The engagement surface 113 faces the first opposite direction X2. The engagement surface 113 is provided on an end surface of the engagement portion 110 in the first opposite direction X2. The engagement surface 113 is formed to extend perpendicularly to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31 into the housing 30 (see FIG. 1), for example. The engagement surface 113 extends from the end of the protruding tip surface 111 in the first opposite direction X2 along a third direction Y1 perpendicular to the first direction X1. As shown in FIG. 13, the engagement surface 113 is not connected to, for example, the outer surface of the connecting portion 34. A space is provided between the engagement surface 113 and the outer surface of the connecting portion 34.

[0071] 7, the amount of protrusion of the engagement portion 110 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Y2 is greater than the amount of protrusion of the cylindrical portion 41 from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the third opposite direction Y2. For this reason, the protruding tip surface 111 of the engagement portion 110 is provided at a position toward the third opposite direction Y2 with respect to the protruding tip of the cylindrical portion 41.

[0072] 13, the female terminal 31 has, for example, a through hole 115. The through hole 115 is provided in the connecting portion 34 so as to be adjacent to the engaging portion 110 in the X-axis direction. The through hole 115 is provided, for example, in the first opposite direction X2 from the engaging surface 113 of the engaging portion 110. The through hole 115 penetrates the connecting portion 34 in the Y-axis direction. The through hole 115 is formed, for example, to improve workability when forming the engaging portion 110 by cutting and raising a part of the peripheral wall 40 and a part of the connecting portion 34.

[0073] (Configuration of connecting portion 34) As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 34 is formed to connect the terminal connection portion 33 including the tubular connection portion 60 and the electric wire connection portion 32. The connecting portion 34 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The connecting portion 34 is formed, for example, integrally with the peripheral wall 40. The connecting portion 34 extends, for example, in a strip shape along the X-axis direction. The connecting portion 34 extends from the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first opposite direction X2. The connecting portion 34 has a width extending in the Z-axis direction.

[0074] (Configuration of electric wire connection portion 32) The electric wire connection portion 32 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape. The electric wire connection portion 32 is formed, for example, continuously and integrally with the connecting portion 34. The electric wire connection portion 32 extends, for example, in a band shape along the X-axis direction. The electric wire connection portion 32 extends from an end portion of the connecting portion 34 in the first opposite direction X2 toward the first opposite direction X2. The electric wire connection portion 32 has a width extending in the Z-axis direction. The electric wire connection portion 32 is joined to the core wire 21 by welding such as ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, or laser welding, or by soldering. This electrically and mechanically connects the electric wire connection portion 32 and the core wire 21.

[0075] The electric wire connection part 32 has, for example, a joint part 35 to which the core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 is joined, a width expansion part 36 extending from the joint part 35 in the second direction Z1, and a width expansion part 37 extending from the joint part 35 in the second opposite direction Z2. In the electric wire connection part 32, the joint part 35, the width expansion part 36, and the width expansion part 37 are continuously and integrally formed. The electric wire connection part 32 has a width extending in the Z-axis direction. The electric wire connection part 32 is formed to have a width larger than that of the tubular connection part 60 by providing the width expansion part 36 and the width expansion part 37.

[0076] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the first dimension L1 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 along the second direction Z1 is larger than the second dimension L2 of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 along the second direction Z1. The first dimension L1 is, for example, larger than the third dimension L3 of the connecting portion 34 along the second direction Z1. The first dimension L1 is, for example, larger than the fourth dimension L4, which is the maximum dimension of the terminal connecting portion 33 along the second direction Z1. Here, the fourth dimension L4 is the longest distance along the second direction Z1 from the protruding tip of the connecting portion 70 to the protruding tip of the winding pressing portion 90. The protruding tip of the connecting portion 70 is provided at a position furthest from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Z2 toward the second opposite direction Z2. The protruding tip of the winding pressing portion 90 is provided at a position furthest from the end face of the peripheral wall 40 in the second direction Z1 toward the second direction Z1. The fourth dimension L4 is larger than the third dimension L3.

[0077] The width expanded portion 36 is formed so as to protrude in the second direction Z1 further than the end face in the second direction Z1 of the tubular connecting portion 60. The width expanded portion 36 is formed, for example, so as to protrude in the second direction Z1 further than the end face in the second direction Z1 of the connecting portion 34. The width expanded portion 36 is formed, for example, so as to protrude in the second direction Z1 further than the protruding tip of the winding pressing portion 90. The width expanded portion 36 extends over the entire length of the joint portion 35 along the longitudinal direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the joint portion 35.

[0078] The width expanded portion 37 is formed so as to protrude in the second opposite direction Z2 further than the end face in the second opposite direction Z2 of the tubular connecting portion 60. The width expanded portion 37 is formed, for example, so as to protrude in the second opposite direction Z2 further than the end face in the second opposite direction Z2 of the linking portion 34. The width expanded portion 37 is formed, for example, so as to protrude in the second opposite direction Z2 further than the protruding tip of the coupling portion 70. The width expanded portion 37 extends over the entire length of the joint portion 35 along the longitudinal direction (here, the X-axis direction) of the joint portion 35.

[0079] (Configuration of housing body 120) 3, the housing body 120 holds the female terminals 31 such that the electric wires 20 are led out in the first opposite direction X2. The housing body 120 accommodates two female terminals 31 therein. The housing body 120 is formed, for example, in a box shape as a whole. The housing body 120 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0080] The housing body 120 has an opening 121 that opens in the first opposite direction X2. The electric wire 20 connected to the female terminal 31 is drawn out of the housing body 120 through the opening 121. The housing body 120 has, for example, a peripheral wall 122 provided in the second opposite direction Z2 and a tubular portion 123 provided on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 122. The tubular portion 123 is a fitting tubular portion into which a mating housing of a mating connector (not shown) is fitted. The tubular portion 123 is provided at an end of the peripheral wall 122 in the first direction X1. The tubular portion 123 protrudes from the outer surface of the peripheral wall 122 toward the radial outside of the housing body 120 (here, the second opposite direction Z2). The tubular portion 123 is formed, for example, in a rectangular tubular shape.

[0081] The cylindrical portion 123 has an insertion hole 124. The insertion hole 124 is formed so as to communicate between the inside and the outside of the housing body 120. For example, the insertion hole 124 penetrates the cylindrical portion 123 in the Z-axis direction and also penetrates the peripheral wall 122 in the Z-axis direction. The insertion hole 124 is formed so as to expose the female terminals 31 housed in the housing body 120. Here, each female terminal 31 housed inside the housing body 120 is provided so that an open end of the cylindrical connecting portion 60 is exposed from the insertion hole 124.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, the housing main body 120 has a partition wall 125 provided in the internal space of the housing main body 120. As shown in Fig. 16, the partition wall 125 is formed so as to divide the internal space of the housing main body 120 into two accommodation spaces 126. In other words, the housing main body 120 has two accommodation spaces 126 divided by the partition wall 125. The partition wall 125 is provided, for example, at the center position of the housing main body 120 in the Y-axis direction. The partition wall 125 extends along the X-axis direction. Two female terminals 31 (see Fig. 15) are respectively accommodated in each of the two accommodation spaces 126.

[0083] Each of the accommodating spaces 126 has, for example, a pair of guide grooves 130. The pair of guide grooves 130 are provided, for example, on the inner surface of the accommodating space 126 facing the second direction Z1 and the inner surface of the accommodating space 126 facing the second opposite direction Z2, respectively. The pair of guide grooves 130 are provided so as to overlap with each other in a plan view seen from the Z-axis direction. Each of the guide grooves 130 extends along the first direction X1 from an end of the accommodating space 126 in the first opposite direction X2. Each of the guide grooves 130 is formed to a size that allows the width expansion portions 36, 37 (see FIG. 14) of the female terminal 31 to be fitted therein. Each of the guide grooves 130 opens in the first opposite direction X2.

[0084] 17, each guide groove 130 has, for example, a first groove 131 and a second groove 132. The first groove 131 and the second groove 132 are in communication with each other. The first groove 131 is provided at a position facing the first opposite direction X2 more than the second groove 132. The first groove 131 has a larger opening width, specifically, an opening width along the Y-axis direction, than the second groove 132.

[0085] Each guide groove 130 has a guide surface 133. The guide surface 133 is provided at an end of the first groove 131 in the first direction X1. The guide surface 133 is provided, for example, on only one of the inner surfaces of the first groove 131 in the Y-axis direction. The guide surface 133 is formed such that the opening width of the first groove 131 becomes smaller as it approaches the second groove 132. The guide surface 133 is formed, for example, as an inclined surface that inclines radially inward of the guide groove 130 as it approaches the second groove 132.

[0086] As shown in Fig. 18, the female terminal 31 is inserted into each accommodating space 126 along the first direction X1. At this time, the expanded width portions 36, 37 (only the expanded width portion 36 is shown in Fig. 18) of the electric wire connecting portion 32 are inserted into the pair of guide grooves 130 of each accommodating space 126 along the first direction X1. The expanded width portions 36, 37 are inserted into the guide grooves 130 from the opening of the first groove 131 in the first opposite direction X2, and are guided into the second groove 132 along the guide surface 133. The end faces of the expanded width portions 36, 37 in the first direction X1 are provided so as to be engageable with the inner ends of the second grooves 132 in the first direction X1.

[0087] 19, when the width enlarged portions 36, 37 are fitted into the pair of second grooves 132, the width enlarged portions 36, 37 are engaged with the inner surface of the second groove 132 in the Z-axis direction, and the width enlarged portions 36, 37 are engaged with the inner surface of the second groove 132 in the Y-axis direction. This restricts the movement of the female terminal 31 in the Z-axis direction, and restricts the movement of the female terminal 31 in the Y-axis direction. As a result, rattling of the female terminal 31 in the accommodation space 126 can be suppressed.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 15, the housing main body 120 has one or more (two in this embodiment) engaging portions 140. The two engaging portions 140 are provided corresponding to the two female terminals 31, respectively. The two engaging portions 140 are provided, for example, on an end face of the partition wall 125 facing the female terminals 31, here, on an end face of the partition wall 125 in the Y-axis direction. Each of the two engaging portions 140 is provided so as to protrude from the end face of the partition wall 125 in the Y-axis direction toward the female terminal 31. The two engaging portions 140 have, for example, the same structure as each other. Here, the description will be given focusing on the engaging portion 140 provided on the third direction Y1 side out of the two engaging portions 140.

[0089] 20, the engaging portion 140 is, for example, an engaging piece formed to protrude in the third direction Y1 from an end face of the partition wall 125 in the third direction Y1 and then extend in the first opposite direction X2. The engaging portion 140 is formed in a cantilever shape with a base end connected to the partition wall 125 as a fixed end and a tip end located on the opposite side of the base end in the X-axis direction as a free end. The engaging portion 140 has spring properties. The engaging portion 140 is configured to be able to bend in the Y-axis direction by elastic deformation, for example.

[0090] The tip end of the engagement portion 140, i.e., the end in the first opposite direction X2, has an engagement protrusion 141 that protrudes toward the third direction Y1. The engagement protrusion 141 protrudes toward the female terminal 31. The engagement protrusion 141 is provided so as to be able to engage with the engagement portion 110 of the female terminal 31 in the first direction X1.

[0091] The engaging protrusion 141 has, for example, an engaging surface 142 and an inclined surface 143. The engaging surface 142 faces the first direction X1. The engaging surface 142 is formed so as to be engageable with the engaging surface 113 of the engaging portion 110 in the first direction X1. The engaging surface 142 is formed so as to extend perpendicularly to the first direction X1, which is the insertion direction of the female terminal 31. The engaging surface 142 extends, for example, parallel to the engaging surface 113. The engaging surface 142 extends, for example, along the third direction Y1.

[0092] The inclined surface 143 faces the first opposite direction X2. The inclined surface 143 is a surface that comes into contact with the inclined surface 112 of the engagement portion 110 of the female terminal 31 when the female terminal 31 is inserted into the housing 30 along the first direction X1. The inclined surface 143 is inclined with respect to the first direction X1 and the third direction Y1. For example, the inclined surface 143 is inclined toward the first direction X1 from the end of the inclined surface 143 in the third opposite direction Y2 toward the end of the inclined surface 143 in the third direction Y1. That is, the inclined surface 143 is inclined toward the first direction X1 toward the tip of the engagement protrusion 141. The inclined surface 143 is formed by the engagement protrusion 141 becoming thinner toward the tip of the engagement protrusion 141. The inclined surface 143 is formed, for example, as a curved surface curved in an arc shape.

[0093] The female terminal 31 is inserted into the internal space of the housing body 120 along the first direction X1. At this time, the inclined surface 112 of the engagement portion 110 of the female terminal 31 facing the first direction X1 comes into contact with the inclined surface 143 of the engagement portion 140 of the housing body 120. As the insertion of the female terminal 31 progresses, the inclined surface 112 moves along the inclined surface 143, and the protruding tip surface 111 of the engagement portion 110 comes into contact with the tip of the engagement protrusion 141. Then, the protruding tip surface 111 presses the engagement portion 140, and the engagement portion 140 is elastically deformed so as to bend toward the partition wall 125. After that, when the engagement portion 110 rides over the engagement protrusion 141 of the engagement portion 140, the engagement portion 140 elastically returns to its original shape. As a result, the engagement surface 113 of the engagement portion 110 is engaged with the engagement surface 142 of the engagement portion 140. Such engagement between the engagement surface 113 and the engagement surface 142 can prevent the female terminal 31 from coming off from the housing main body 120. For example, when assembling the connector C1, specifically before the retainer 150 is attached to the housing main body 120, the female terminal 31 can be prevented from coming off from the housing main body 120. Also, as shown in FIG. 18, the end faces in the first direction X1 of the width expansion portions 36, 37 are engaged with the inner ends of the second grooves 132. This makes it easy to position the female terminal 31 in the X-axis direction when inserting the female terminal 31 into the housing main body 120. This improves the ease of assembly of the connector C1.

[0094] (Configuration of the retainer 150) 3, the retainer 150 is attached to the tubular portion 123 of the housing body 120. The retainer 150 has a main body portion 151 and one or more (two in this embodiment) restricting portions 152 that restrict movement of the female terminals 31 in the first opposite direction X2. The retainer 150 is, for example, a single component in which the main body portion 151 and the restricting portions 152 are continuously and integrally formed. The retainer 150 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin.

[0095] The main body 151 is formed, for example, in a frame shape as a whole. The outer periphery of the main body 151 is formed, for example, in a quadrangular shape when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The main body 151 is formed, for example, so as to cover the end face of the tube portion 123 in the second opposite direction Z2.

[0096] The main body 151 has one or more (two in this embodiment) insertion holes 153. Each insertion hole 153 penetrates the main body 151 in the Z-axis direction. Each insertion hole 153 is formed so as to communicate with the insertion hole 124 of the tubular portion 123. The two insertion holes 153 are formed, for example, so as to expose the open ends of the tubular connecting portions 60 of the two female terminals 31 accommodated in the housing main body 120, respectively.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 2, two restricting portions 152 are provided corresponding to two female terminals 31, respectively. The two restricting portions 152 are provided, for example, side by side along the Y-axis direction. Each restricting portion 152 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape in which a part of the female terminal 31 is accommodated. When the retainer 150 is attached to the housing main body 120 along the second direction Z1, the female terminal 31 is inserted into the internal space of the restricting portion 152. When the retainer 150 is attached to the housing main body 120, the restricting portion 152 restricts the movement of the female terminal 31 in the first opposite direction X2.

[0098] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The female terminal 31 includes an electric wire connecting portion 32 to which an electric wire 20 is connected, and a tubular connecting portion 60 into which a columnar connecting portion 201 of a male terminal 200 is inserted and to which the columnar connecting portion 201 is electrically connected. The electric wire connecting portion 32 and the tubular connecting portion 60 are arranged side by side along a first direction X1. The axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60 extends along a second direction Z1 intersecting with the first direction X1. A first dimension L1 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 along the second direction Z1 is larger than a second dimension L2 of the tubular connecting portion 60 along the second direction Z1.

[0099] According to this configuration, the first dimension L1 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 along the second direction Z1, i.e., the width dimension of the electric wire connecting portion 32, is formed to be larger than the second dimension L2 of the tubular connecting portion 60 along the second direction Z1. Therefore, the volume of the female terminal 31 can be increased compared to a case where the first dimension L1 and the second dimension L2 are equal to each other. This can increase the heat capacity of the female terminal 31, and reduce the amount of heat generated by the female terminal 31 when electricity is applied. As a result, the temperature rise of the female terminal 31 when electricity is applied can be suitably suppressed.

[0100] (2) The electric wire connection portion 32 has a joint portion 35 to which the electric wire 20 is joined, a width expansion portion 36 extending from the joint portion 35 in the second direction Z1, and a width expansion portion 37 extending from the joint portion 35 in the second opposite direction Z2. With this configuration, the width expansion portions 36, 37 are provided, so that the volume of the female terminal 31 can be suitably increased. This allows the heat capacity of the female terminal 31 to be suitably increased, and the temperature rise of the female terminal 31 during current flow can be more suitably suppressed.

[0101] (3) Furthermore, by providing the width enlarged portions 36, 37, it is possible to easily accommodate dimensional constraints on a jig when joining the electric wire 20 and the electric wire connection portion 32. That is, the area of ​​the electric wire connection portion 32 that can be fixed by a jig can be increased by the amount of the width enlarged portions 36, 37. Therefore, even if there are severe dimensional constraints on a jig when joining the electric wire 20 and the electric wire connection portion 32, it is possible to easily accommodate the dimensional constraints.

[0102] (4) The first dimension L1 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 along the second direction Z1 is larger than the third dimension L3 of the connecting portion 34 along the second direction Z1, i.e., the width dimension of the connecting portion 34. This makes it possible to suitably increase the volume of the female terminal 31 compared to a case in which the first dimension L1 and the third dimension L3 are equal to each other. This makes it possible to more suitably suppress the temperature rise of the female terminal 31 during current flow.

[0103] (5) When the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is press-fitted into the cylindrical connecting portion 60, the winding presser 90 restricts the distance between the inner surface 42 constituting the cylindrical connecting portion 60 and the inner surface 54 constituting the cylindrical connecting portion 60 from increasing. This restriction by the winding presser 90 allows the protrusion 56 and the linear contact portion 43 to be suitably contacted with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. As a result, the pressure-contact state between the cylindrical connecting portion 60 and the columnar connecting portion 201 can be stably maintained. Furthermore, the winding presser 90 is integrally formed with the peripheral wall 40. Therefore, the pressure-contact state between the cylindrical connecting portion 60 and the columnar connecting portion 201 can be maintained with a simple structure compared to the case where a separate part such as a coil spring is used. That is, the structure of the female terminal 31 can be simplified compared to the case where a separate part such as a coil spring is used.

[0104] (6) The first dimension L1 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 along the second direction Z1 is larger than the fourth dimension L4, which is the longest distance along the second direction Z1 from the protruding tip of the coupling portion 70 to the protruding tip of the winding pressing portion 90. Therefore, the volume of the female terminal 31 can be suitably increased compared to a case in which the first dimension L1 and the fourth dimension L4 are equal to each other. This makes it possible to more suitably suppress the temperature rise of the female terminal 31 during current flow.

[0105] (7) Furthermore, the expanded width portion 36 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 can be formed to protrude in the second direction Z1 beyond the protruding tip of the winding pressing portion 90. The expanded width portion 37 of the electric wire connecting portion 32 can be formed to protrude in the second opposite direction Z2 beyond the protruding tip of the connecting portion 70. This allows only the expanded width portions 36, 37 of the female terminal 31 to be suitably fitted into the guide groove 130 of the housing body 120.

[0106] (8) The tubular portion 51 has a plurality of divided tubular portions 52 that are divided in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion 60. Each of the plurality of divided tubular portions 52 has a protrusion 56 that protrudes from the inner surface 54 toward the radially inward direction of the tubular connecting portion 60 and has an arc-shaped cross section.

[0107] According to this configuration, when the columnar connecting portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 60, the protrusions 56 provided on the inner surface 54 of each of the plurality of divided tubular portions 52 are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 201. Therefore, in the tubular connecting portion 60, the plurality of protrusions 56 are pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 201 at a plurality of locations spaced apart in the axial direction. As a result, even if a swing is transmitted to the male terminal 200, the displacement of the male terminal 200 due to the swing can be suitably prevented by the contact of the plurality of protrusions 56 with the columnar connecting portion 201. That is, compared to the case where only one protrusion 56 is provided on the inner surface 54 of the tubular portion 51, the displacement of the columnar connecting portion 201 inside the tubular connecting portion 60 can be suppressed by the contact pressure of the plurality of protrusions 56.

[0108] (9) The slit 53 that divides the two divided tubular parts 52 is provided at the center of the tubular connecting part 60 in the axial direction. At this time, when the columnar connecting part 201 of the male terminal 200 inserted into the tubular connecting part 60 is displaced, the columnar connecting part 201 rotates around the center of the tubular connecting part 60 in the axial direction as the center of rotation. If a contact part between the protrusion 56 and the columnar connecting part 201 is provided at such a rotation center, the contact pressure of the protrusion 56 on the columnar connecting part 201 cannot be made to act as a force that suppresses the displacement of the columnar connecting part 201. In contrast, in the female terminal 31 of this embodiment, the protrusion 56 is provided at a position different from the slit 53 provided at the center of the tubular connecting part 60 in the axial direction. Therefore, the protrusion 56 can be brought into contact with the columnar connecting part 201 at a position different from the rotation center of the displacement of the columnar connecting part 201. This allows the contact pressure of the protrusions 56 on the columnar connecting part 201 to act preferably as a force that suppresses the displacement of the columnar connecting part 201. As a result, the contact pressure of the multiple protrusions 56 can preferably suppress the displacement of the columnar connecting part 201 inside the tubular connecting part 60.

[0109] (10) The connecting portion 34 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40, and the connecting portion 34 is formed integrally with the electric wire connecting portion 32. Therefore, the number of parts of the female terminal 31 can be reduced, and the structure of the female terminal 31 can be simplified.

[0110] (11) The end faces in the first direction X1 of the width expansion portions 36, 37 of the wire connection portion 32 of the female terminal 31 are provided so as to be engageable with the inner end of the guide groove 130 provided in the accommodation space 126 of the housing body 120. By engaging the width expansion portions 36, 37 with the inner end of the guide groove 130, the female terminal 31 can be easily positioned in the first direction X1 when inserting the female terminal 31 into the accommodation space 126. This improves the ease of assembly of the connector C1.

[0111] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that no technical contradiction occurs.

[0112] The first dimension L1 in the above embodiment can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first dimension L1 may be equal to the third dimension L3 or may be smaller than the third dimension L3 if it is larger than the second dimension L2. For example, the first dimension L1 may be equal to the fourth dimension L4 or may be smaller than the fourth dimension L4 if it is larger than the second dimension L2.

[0113] Although the electric wire connection portion 32 in the above embodiment has the joint portion 35, the width expansion portion 36, and the width expansion portion 37, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one of the width expansion portions 36, 37 in the electric wire connection portion 32 may be omitted. In other words, the electric wire connection portion 32 may be modified to a structure in which it protrudes in only one of the second direction Z1 and the second opposite direction Z2.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the engagement structure between the engagement portion 110 of the female terminal 31 and the engagement portion 140 of the housing 30 can be modified as appropriate. For example, the engagement portion 110 may be modified to an engagement hole penetrating the connecting portion 34 in the thickness direction, and the engagement hole may be engaged with the engagement portion 140.

[0115] The engaging portion 110 in the above embodiment may be provided only on the connecting portion 34. That is, the engaging portion 110 in this case is not provided on the peripheral wall 40. The engaging portion 110 of the female terminal 31 may be omitted.

[0116] The through hole 115 of the female terminal 31 may be omitted. The structure of the female terminal 31 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate. In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, the inner surface 42 of the tubular portion 41 is provided with a plurality of linear contact portions 43, and the tubular portion 51 has a plurality of divided tubular portions 52 and the protrusions 56 provided on the inner surface 54 thereof, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the tubular portion 51 may have a plurality of linear contact portions 43.

[0117] In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, the protrusions 56 may be provided only at the middle positions of the split tubular portion 52 in the axial direction. In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, the winding pressing portion 90 may be provided at the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the second opposite direction Z2, and the connecting portion 70 may be provided at the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the second direction Z1.

[0118] There is no particular limitation on the number of divided tubular portions 52 included in the tubular portion 51 of the above embodiment. For example, the tubular portion 51 may have three or more divided tubular portions 52. The structure of the slit 53 in the above embodiment can be modified as appropriate.

[0119] The slit 53 may be omitted. In this case, the cylindrical portion 51 is not divided in the axial direction of the cylindrical connecting portion 60, for example, and has one protrusion 56 on the inner surface 54. The protective portion 100 in the above embodiment may be formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. In this case, the protective portion 100 is formed, for example, so as to be folded back from the end of the peripheral wall 50 in the first direction X1 toward the end of the peripheral wall 40 in the first direction X1.

[0120] The protective portion 100 of the female terminal 31 may be omitted. The position of the winding pressing portion 90 in the female terminal 31 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the winding pressing portion 90 may be provided at a position different from the connecting portion 70 in the X-axis direction.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the contact pressure against the columnar connection part 201 is ensured by restricting the separation distance between the inner surface 42 and the inner surface 54 by the winding pressing part 90, but this is not limiting. For example, the contact pressure against the columnar connection part 201 may be ensured by using a biasing member such as a coil spring separate from the peripheral walls 40, 50.

[0122] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 34 is formed integrally with the peripheral wall 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the connecting portion 34 may be formed integrally with the peripheral wall 50. The connecting portion 34 of the female terminal 31 may be omitted. In this case, for example, the electric wire connecting portion 32 and the terminal connecting portion 33 are directly connected to each other.

[0123] In the female terminal 31 of the above embodiment, among the electric wire connecting portion 32, the terminal connecting portion 33, and the connecting portion 34, only the terminal connecting portion 33 is formed in a structure in which the peripheral wall 50 is folded in half onto the peripheral wall 40. However, without being limited thereto, for example, all of the electric wire connecting portion 32, the terminal connecting portion 33, and the connecting portion 34 may be formed in a structure in which two plates are folded over one another.

[0124] The housing body 120 in the above embodiment may have other structures that can accommodate the female terminals 31. For example, the engaging portion 140 may be provided on a wall of the housing body 120 other than the partition wall 125. For example, the engaging portion 140 may be omitted.

[0125] The structure of the retainer 150 in the above embodiment may be modified as appropriate. For example, the restricting portion 152 may be omitted. In the above embodiment, the columnar connection portion 201 of the male terminal 200 is embodied in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto. For example, the columnar connection portion 201 may be formed in a columnar shape other than a cylindrical shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar connection portion 201 may be formed in an elliptical shape or a polygonal shape.

[0126] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 20...electric wire, 21...core wire, 22...insulating coating, 30...housing, 31...female terminal, 32...electric wire connection portion, 33...terminal connection portion, 34...connecting portion, 35...joint portion, 36...width expansion portion (first width expansion portion), 37...width expansion portion (second width expansion portion), 40...circumferential wall (first peripheral wall), 41...cylindrical portion (first cylindrical portion), 42...inner surface (first inner surface), 43...linear contact portion, 50...circumferential wall (second peripheral wall), 51...cylindrical portion (second cylindrical portion) , 52... divided cylindrical portion, 53... slit, 54... inner surface (second inner surface), 55... recessed portion, 56... protrusion, 56A... protruding tip, 57... divided portion, 60... cylindrical connecting portion, 70... connecting portion, 71... extending portion, 72... extending portion, 73... folded portion, 80... protruding portion, 81... protruding base portion, 82... protrusion, 90... winding pressing portion, 91... extending portion, 92... folded portion, 93... pressing portion, 94... opposing surface, 95... through hole, 96... engaging surface, 1 00...protective portion, 101...extending portion, 102...protective wall, 110...engaging portion, 111...projecting tip surface, 112...inclined surface, 113...engaging surface, 115...through hole, 120...housing body, 121...opening, 122...circumferential wall, 123...tubular portion, 124...insertion hole, 125...partition wall, 126...accommodating space, 130...guide groove, 131...first groove, 132...second groove, 133...guiding surface, 140...engaging portion, 141...engaging protrusion , 142...engagement surface, 143...inclined surface, 150...retainer, 151...main body portion, 152...regulating portion, 153...insertion hole, 200...male terminal, 201...columnar connection portion, C1...connector, L1...first dimension, L2...second dimension, L3...third dimension, L4...fourth dimension, W1...wire harness, X1...first direction, X2...first opposite direction, Z1...second direction, Z2...second opposite direction, Y1...third direction, Y2...third opposite direction.

Claims

1. a wire connection portion to which the wire is connected; a cylindrical connection portion into which the columnar connection portion of the male terminal is inserted and to which the columnar connection portion is electrically connected, The electric wire connection portion and the cylindrical connection portion are arranged side by side in a first direction, an axial direction of the tubular connecting portion extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction, A female terminal, wherein a first dimension of the wire connection portion along the second direction is greater than a second dimension of the tubular connection portion along the second direction.

2. The female terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the electric wire connection portion has a joint portion to which the electric wire is joined, and a first width expansion portion extending from the joint portion in the second direction.

3. The female terminal according to claim 2 , wherein the electric wire connection portion has a second width expansion portion extending from the joint portion in a second opposite direction that is opposite to the second direction.

4. The female terminal is a terminal connection portion having the cylindrical connection portion; A connecting portion that connects the terminal connection portion and the electric wire connection portion is further provided, The female terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the first dimension is greater than a third dimension of the connecting portion along the second direction.

5. The first dimension is greater than a fourth dimension that is a maximum dimension of the terminal connection portion along the second direction, The female terminal of claim 4 , wherein said fourth dimension is greater than said third dimension.

6. The terminal connection portion is a first peripheral wall having a first cylindrical portion; a second peripheral wall having a second cylindrical portion facing the first cylindrical portion; the cylindrical connection portion being constituted by the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion; a winding pressing portion that limits a distance between a first inner surface of the first cylindrical portion and a second inner surface of the second cylindrical portion, The winding pressing portion is integrally formed with the first peripheral wall, The female terminal according to claim 5 , wherein the presser portion extends from the first peripheral wall, is folded back while embracing an edge of the second peripheral wall inward, and is in contact with an outer surface of the second peripheral wall.

7. The first peripheral wall extends along the first direction, the second peripheral wall extends along the first direction and is provided at a position extending from the first peripheral wall toward a third direction intersecting both the first direction and the second direction, The terminal connection portion further includes a connecting portion that connects the first peripheral wall and the second peripheral wall, The connecting portion is integrally formed with the first peripheral wall and is integrally formed with the second peripheral wall, The winding pressing portion is folded back from an end surface of the first peripheral wall in the second direction toward the second peripheral wall, The connecting portion is formed by folding back from an end surface of the first peripheral wall in a second opposite direction, which is a direction opposite to the second direction, toward an end surface of the second peripheral wall in the second opposite direction, 7. The female terminal according to claim 6, wherein the fourth dimension is the longest distance along the second direction from a protruding tip of the connecting portion protruding toward the second opposite direction from an end face of the first peripheral wall in the second opposite direction to a protruding tip of the winding pressure portion protruding toward the second direction from an end face of the first peripheral wall in the second direction.

8. the second tubular portion has a plurality of divided tubular portions that are divided in the axial direction of the tubular connection portion, The female terminal according to claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of divided tubular portions has a protrusion that protrudes radially inwardly from the second inner surface of the tubular connecting portion and has an arcuate cross section.

9. The connecting portion is integrally formed with the first peripheral wall, The connecting portion extends from an end portion of the first peripheral wall in a first opposite direction, the first opposite direction being a direction opposite to the first direction, toward the first opposite direction, The electric wire connection portion is integrally formed with the connecting portion, The female terminal according to claim 6 , wherein the electric wire connecting portion extends in the first opposite direction from an end of the connecting portion in the first opposite direction.

10. The female terminal according to claim 2 or 3, a housing that holds the female terminal therein and that is inserted along the first direction, The housing includes: a housing body having an accommodating space for accommodating the female terminal; a retainer attached to the housing body, the accommodation space has a guide groove into which the first width expansion portion is fitted, The guide groove extends along the first direction, a connector, wherein an end surface of the first width expansion portion in the first direction is provided so as to be engageable with a rear end of the guide groove in the first direction.

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