Terminal connection structure

Abstract

To reduce heat generation from contact members without increasing the size of a terminal connection structure.SOLUTION: A terminal connection structure may include a columnar male terminal, a female terminal having a hole into which a male terminal is inserted, and a first contact member and a second contact member interposed between the male terminal and a female terminal and electrically connecting the male terminal and the female terminal. The first contact member may be disposed between an outer surface of the male terminal and an inner surface of the female terminal facing the outer surface, and may be elastically deformable in a radial direction in which the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal face each other. The second contact member may be disposed between a second surface of the male terminal other than the outer surface, and a second surface of the female terminal facing the second surface of the male terminal, and may be elastically deformable in a second direction in which the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal face each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a terminal connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a terminal connection structure. The terminal connection structure includes a rod-shaped male terminal and a cylindrical female terminal. Between the male terminal and the female terminal, a contact member for electrically connecting the two terminals is provided. The contact member is disposed between the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal, and is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described terminal connection structure is used, for example, in the power circuit of an electric vehicle. In this case, a relatively large current flows through the terminal connection structure. When a large current flows through the male terminal or the female terminal, the amount of heat generated at the contact member connecting the two terminals increases. To suppress the heat generation of the contact member, it is effective to increase the contact area of the contact member with respect to the male terminal and the female terminal. However, this is accompanied by an increase in the size of the male terminal and the female terminal, which may lead to an increase in the size of the terminal connection structure. This specification provides a technology that can reduce the heat generation of the contact member without increasing the size of the terminal connection structure with respect to this problem.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in a terminal connection structure. This terminal connection structure may include a columnar male terminal, a female terminal having a hole into which the male terminal is inserted, a first contact member and a second contact member that are interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal and electrically connect the male terminal and the female terminal. The first contact member is disposed between the outer surface (first surface) of the male terminal and the inner surface (first surface) of the female terminal facing the outer surface, and may be elastically deformable in the radial direction in which the outer surface of the male terminal faces the inner surface of the female terminal. The second contact member is disposed between a second surface other than the outer surface of the male terminal and a second surface of the female terminal facing the second surface of the male terminal, and may be elastically deformable in a second direction in which the second surface of the male terminal faces the second surface of the female terminal.

[0006] In the above-described terminal connection structure, a plurality of contact members including at least a first contact member and a second contact member are provided between the male terminal and the female terminal. The first contact member is located between the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal and contacts both the male terminal and the female terminal. In addition, the second contact member is located between a second surface different from the outer surface of the male terminal and a second surface of the female terminal facing it, and contacts both the male terminal and the female terminal. According to such a configuration, the two contact members can increase the contact area with the male terminal and the female terminal as a whole. Thereby, heat generation of the contact member can be suppressed without increasing the size of the terminal connection structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] In the first aspect of the present technology, as described above, the terminal connection structure may include a columnar male terminal, a female terminal having a hole into which the male terminal is inserted, and a first contact member and a second contact member that are interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal and electrically connect the male terminal and the female terminal. The first contact member is disposed between the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal facing the outer surface, and may be elastically deformable in the radial direction in which the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal face each other. The second contact member is disposed between a second surface of the male terminal other than the outer surface and a second surface of the female terminal facing the second surface of the male terminal, and may be elastically deformable in a second direction in which the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal face each other.

[0009] In the second aspect of the present technology, in addition to the above first aspect, the first contact member may have a shape in which a plurality of elastic pieces each elastically deformable in the radial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction. In this case, the plurality of elastic pieces may be provided over the entire length in the circumferential direction of the outer surface, or may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction of the outer surface.

[0010] In the third aspect of the present technology, in addition to the above-described second aspect, the first contact member may have an upper end portion extending in the circumferential direction and a lower end portion extending in the circumferential direction. In this case, the plurality of elastic pieces may extend between the upper end portion and the lower end portion. According to such a configuration, while maintaining the elasticity of each elastic piece, the rigidity of the first contact member as a whole is increased.

[0011] In the fourth aspect of the present technology, in addition to the above-described third aspect, the first contact member may contact one of the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal at the upper end portion and the lower end portion. And, at an intermediate portion of each of the plurality of elastic pieces, it may contact the other of the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal. According to such a configuration, the first contact member is stably held between the male terminal and the female terminal. In addition, each of the plurality of elastic pieces functions as a leaf spring supported at both ends, and its elasticity can be stably exhibited.

[0012] In the fifth aspect of the present technology, in addition to any one of the above-described first aspect to the fourth aspect, the second contact member may have a shape in which a plurality of elastic pieces each elastically deformable in the radial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction. In this case, the plurality of elastic pieces may be provided over the entire length in the circumferential direction of the second surface, or may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction of the second surface.

[0013] In the sixth aspect of the present technology, in addition to the above-described fifth aspect, the second contact member may have a first end portion extending in the circumferential direction and a second end portion extending in the circumferential direction. In this case, the plurality of elastic pieces may extend between the first end portion and the second end portion. According to such a configuration, while maintaining the elasticity of each elastic piece, the rigidity of the second contact member as a whole is increased.

[0014] In the seventh aspect of the present technology, in addition to the above sixth aspect, the second contact member may contact one of the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal at the first end portion and the second end portion. And in the middle portion of each of the plurality of elastic pieces, it may contact the other of the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal. According to such a configuration, the second contact member is stably held between the male terminal and the female terminal. In addition, each of the plurality of elastic pieces functions as a leaf spring supported at both ends, and its elasticity can be stably exhibited.

[0015] In the eighth aspect of the present technology, in addition to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect above, the first contact member extends along the circumferential direction, and a gap may be provided between both ends in the circumferential direction. Similarly, the second contact member extends along the circumferential direction, and a gap may be provided between both ends in the circumferential direction. In this case, the gaps at both ends of the first contact member and the gaps at both ends of the second contact member may have different positions in the circumferential direction. According to such a configuration, the first contact member and the second contact member are arranged without bias as a whole in the circumferential direction.

[0016] In the ninth aspect of the present technology, in addition to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect above, the female terminal may have a columnar portion standing upright from the bottom surface of the female terminal. And the male terminal may have a hole portion for receiving the columnar portion of the female terminal. In this case, the second surface of the female terminal may be the outer surface of the columnar portion, and the second surface of the male terminal may be the inner surface of the hole portion facing the outer surface of the columnar portion. According to such a configuration, the second surfaces of the male terminal and the female terminal facing each other can be provided widely, and the contact area where the second contact member contacts the male terminal and the female terminal can be increased.

[0017] In a tenth aspect of the present technology, in addition to the ninth aspect described above, the second direction may be the radial direction. However, as another aspect, the second direction may be a direction that forms an angle with respect to the radial direction.

[0018] In an eleventh aspect of the present technology, in addition to the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect described above, the terminal connection structure may further include a third contact member that is interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal and electrically connects the male terminal and the female terminal. In this case, the third contact member is disposed between the tip surface of the male terminal and the bottom surface of the female terminal facing the tip surface of the male terminal, and may be elastically deformable in a third direction in which the tip surface of the male terminal and the bottom surface of the female terminal face each other. According to such a configuration, while the first contact member (and the second contact member) is interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal in the radial direction, the third contact member is interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal in a direction different from the radial direction. Thereby, even when vibration occurs between the male terminals, regardless of the direction of the vibration, the contact between the male terminals and the female terminals is maintained by these contact members.

[0019] In a twelfth aspect of the present technology, in addition to the eleventh aspect described above, the third direction may be an axial direction parallel to the insertion direction of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal. However, as another aspect, the third direction may be a direction that forms an angle with respect to the axial direction.

[0020] In a thirteenth aspect of the present technology, in addition to any one of the first aspect to the eighth aspect described above, the second surface of the male terminal may be the tip surface of the male terminal. In this case, the second surface of the female terminal may be the bottom surface of the female terminal facing the tip surface of the male terminal. According to such a configuration, while the first contact member is interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal in the radial direction, the second contact member is interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal in a direction different from the radial direction. Thereby, even when vibration occurs between the male terminal and the female terminal, regardless of the direction of the vibration, the contact between the male terminal and the female terminal is maintained by these contact members.

[0021] In a fourteenth aspect of the present technology, in addition to the thirteenth aspect described above, the second direction may be an axial direction parallel to the insertion direction of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal. However, as another aspect, the second direction may be a direction that forms an angle with respect to the axial direction.

[0022] Hereinafter, representative and non-limiting specific examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This detailed description is merely intended to show those skilled in the art the details for implementing preferred examples of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Further, the additional features and inventions disclosed hereinafter can be used separately or together with other features and inventions in order to provide a further improved terminal connection structure.

[0023] Also, the combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description are not essential for implementing the present invention in the broadest sense, and are described only for the purpose of explaining representative specific examples of the present invention in particular. Further, the various features of the above and below representative specific examples, as well as the various features described in the independent and dependent claims, do not have to be combined as described in the specific examples here or in the order listed in order to provide additional and useful embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] All features described in this specification and / or the claims are intended to be disclosed separately and independently of each other as limitations on the initial disclosure and the claimed specific matters, apart from the configurations of the features described in the examples and / or claims. Further, all descriptions regarding numerical ranges and groups or populations are made with the intention of disclosing intermediate configurations as limitations on the initial disclosure and the claimed specific matters.

[0025] (Embodiment) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the terminal connection structure 10 of the embodiment will be described. The terminal connection structure 10 can be used in the power circuit of an electric vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the terminal connection structure 10 includes a male terminal 20, a female terminal 30, a first contact member 40, a second contact member 50, and a third contact member 60. Although it is an example, the male terminal 20 is an output terminal provided on the inverter side, and the female terminal 30 is an input terminal provided on the motor side of the electric vehicle. The female terminal 30 is connected to the bus bar 2 of the motor. Although it is an example, the motor is a motor driven by three-phase alternating current power, and the terminal connection structure 10 of this embodiment has at least three male terminals 20 and three female terminals 30 for at least the U phase, V phase, and W phase. When charging the electric vehicle, in order to use the motor as a boost / buck circuit (so-called neutral point charging), a fourth male terminal 20 and a female terminal 30 for connecting the power converter and the neutral point may be further provided. Note that a part or all of the configuration according to the present technology may be applied to all of the above three pairs of terminals 20, 30 or four pairs of terminals 20, 30, or may be applied to at least one of the terminal pairs 20, 30. Each of the first contact member 40, the second contact member 50, and the third contact member 60 is a member that is interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 and electrically connects the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30.

[0026] The male terminal 20 is generally a columnar member. The male terminal 20 is made of metal. The metal material constituting the male terminal 20 is, for example, copper. In a modified example, the metal material constituting the male terminal 20 may be aluminum. The male terminal 20 has an outer surface 20a and a tip surface 20b located at the tip of the male terminal 20. The male terminal 20 has a hole 22 that opens at the tip surface 20b. The hole 22 has an inner surface 22a and a bottom surface 22b. The inner surface 22a of the hole 22 extends between the tip surface 20b and the bottom surface 22b of the male terminal 20. That is, the male terminal 20 is a columnar member having an annular cross section.

[0027] The female terminal 30 is a member having a hole into which the male terminal 20 is inserted. The female terminal 30 removably receives the male terminal 20. The female terminal 30 is made of metal. The metal material constituting the female terminal 30 is, for example, copper. In a modified example, the material constituting the female terminal 30 may be aluminum. The female terminal 30 has an inner surface 30a facing the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 and a bottom surface 30b facing the tip surface 20b of the male terminal 20. The female terminal 30 has a columnar portion 32 standing upright from the bottom surface 30b. The columnar portion 32 is insertable into and removable from the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 and is formed so as to be received in the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20. The columnar portion 32 has an outer surface 32a and a tip surface 32b located at the tip of the columnar portion 32. The outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 faces the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20. The tip surface 32b of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 faces the bottom surface 22b of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20. That is, the hole of the female terminal 30 has an annular cross section corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the male terminal 20.

[0028] Here, in this specification, a cylindrical coordinate system composed of an axial direction D1, a radial direction D2, and a circumferential direction D3 is defined with respect to the columnar male terminal 20. The axial direction D1 is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the columnar male terminal 20, and its coordinate axis is defined on the central axis C of the male terminal 20. The axial direction D1 coincides with the insertion direction of the male terminal 20 with respect to the female terminal 30. The radial direction D2 is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1 and is defined by a coordinate axis having the central axis C of the male terminal 20 as the origin. And the circumferential direction D3 is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction D1 and the radial direction D2 and is defined by a coordinate axis that circulates around the central axis C of the male terminal 20.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first contact member 40 is interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the radial direction D2. The first contact member 40 is disposed between the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 and the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30.

[0030] The first contact member 40 is generally a cylindrical plate member that extends along the circumferential direction D3. The first contact member 40 has a first upper end portion 42, a first lower end portion 44, and a plurality of first elastic pieces 46. The first upper end portion 42 is located at the upper end of the first contact member 40 and extends in the circumferential direction D3. The first lower end portion 44 is located at the lower end of the first contact member 40 and extends in the circumferential direction D3.

[0031] Each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 is configured to be elastically deformable along the radial direction D2. Each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 extends between the first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44. That is, the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 are connected to each other by the first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44 at both ends thereof. According to such a configuration, while maintaining the elasticity of each first elastic piece 46, the rigidity of the first contact member 40 as a whole is enhanced.

[0032] The first contact member 40 has a shape in which a plurality of first elastic pieces 46 are arranged in the circumferential direction D3. The plurality of first elastic pieces 46 are provided over substantially the entire length of the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20. The "substantially the entire length" in this specification indicates a length of about 70% or more of the entire length of the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 in the circumferential direction D3. However, the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 are not limited thereto and may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction D3 of the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20.

[0033] The first contact member 40 contacts the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 at the first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44. And at the intermediate portion 46a of each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46, it contacts the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30. That is, the male terminal 20 is press-fitted into the female terminal 30, and the first contact member 40 is elastically deformed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. According to such a configuration, the first contact member 40 is stably held between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. In addition, each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 functions as a leaf spring supported at both ends, and its elasticity can be stably exhibited. Although not particularly limited, the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30 has a depression. The first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44 of the first contact member 40 engage with the depression on the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second contact member 50 is interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the radial direction D2. The second contact member 50 is disposed between the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 and the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30.

[0035] The second contact member 50 is generally a cylindrical plate member and extends along the circumferential direction D3. The second contact member 50 has a second upper end portion 52, a second lower end portion 54, and a plurality of second elastic pieces 56. The second upper end portion 52 is located at the upper end of the second contact member 50 and extends in the circumferential direction D3. The second lower end portion 54 is located at the lower end of the second contact member 50 and extends in the circumferential direction D3. That is, although the size of the second contact member 50 is different from that of the first contact member 40, it has the same structure as the structure of the first contact member 40 shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] Each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 is configured to be elastically deformable along the radial direction D2. Each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 extends between the second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54. That is, the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 are connected to each other at their both ends by the second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54. According to such a configuration, while maintaining the elasticity of each second elastic piece 56, the rigidity of the second contact member 50 as a whole is increased.

[0037] The second contact member 50 contacts the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 at the second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54. And at the intermediate portion 56a of each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56, it is in contact with the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20. According to such a configuration, the second contact member 50 is stably held between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. In addition, each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 functions as a leaf spring supported at both ends, and its elasticity can be stably exhibited. Although not particularly limited, the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 has a depression. The second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54 of the second contact member 50 engage with the depression of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20.

[0038] The second contact member 50 has a shape in which each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 is arranged in the circumferential direction D3. In this case, the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 are provided over substantially the entire length in the circumferential direction D3 of the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30. However, the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 are not limited thereto, and may be provided only in a partial section in the circumferential direction D3 of the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, a gap CL1 is provided between both ends in the circumferential direction D3 of the first contact member 40. Similarly to the first contact member 40, a gap CL2 is provided between both ends in the circumferential direction D3 of the second contact member 50. The gap CL1 at both ends of the first contact member 40 and the gap CL2 at both ends of the second contact member 50 are different from each other in position in the circumferential direction D3. According to such a configuration, the first contact member 40 and the second contact member 50 are arranged without bias as a whole in the circumferential direction D3.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and FIG. 5, the third contact member 60 is interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the axial direction D1. The third contact member 60 is disposed between the tip surface 20b of the male terminal 20 and the bottom surface 30b of the female terminal 30. The third contact member 60 is configured to be elastically deformable in the axial direction D1.

[0041] The third contact member 60 is generally a disc-shaped plate member. The third contact member 60 has an inner peripheral end portion 62, a plurality of outer peripheral end portions 64, and a plurality of third elastic pieces 66. The plurality of third elastic pieces 66 extend between the inner peripheral end portion 62 and the plurality of outer peripheral end portions 64. The inner peripheral end portion 62 is located at the inner peripheral end of the third contact member 60 and extends in the circumferential direction D3. The inner peripheral end portion 62 has an annular shape that makes one full turn in the circumferential direction D3. The plurality of outer peripheral end portions 64 are respectively located at the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of third contact members 60 and extend intermittently along the circumferential direction D3. Each of the plurality of third elastic pieces 66 is configured to be elastically deformable in the axial direction D1 between the inner peripheral end portion 62 and the plurality of outer peripheral end portions 64. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and the outer peripheral end portion 64 may have an annular shape that makes one full turn in the circumferential direction D3. In that case, the inner peripheral end portion 62 may be divided into a plurality of parts so as to extend intermittently along the circumferential direction D3.

[0042] In the terminal connection structure 10 of the embodiment, the first contact member 40 and the second contact member 50 are provided between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. The first contact member 40 is located between the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 and the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30 and contacts both the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. In addition, the second contact member 50 is located between the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 different from the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 and the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 facing the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22, and contacts both the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. According to such a configuration, the two contact members 40 and 50 as a whole can widen the contact area with the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. Thereby, heat generation of the contact members 40 and 50 can be suppressed without increasing the size of the terminal connection structure 10.

[0043] In particular, in the present embodiment, the female terminal 30 is provided with a columnar portion 32, and the male terminal 20 is provided with a hole portion 22 for receiving the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30. According to this configuration, the region where the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 face each other can be effectively enlarged, and by arranging the second contact member 50 there, the electrical resistance between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 can be reduced.

[0044] The first contact member 40 is provided in the gap between the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 and the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30. On the other hand, the second contact member 50 is provided in the gap between the inner surface 22a of the hole 22 of the male terminal 20 and the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30. In these two gaps, as the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 undergo thermal deformation (expansion or contraction), their sizes change respectively. Basically, the larger the gap, the smaller the contact area between the male terminal 20 or the female terminal 30 and the contact members 40, 50. In this regard, it is also effective that the linear expansion coefficient of the material constituting the male terminal 20 is different from the linear expansion coefficient of the material constituting the female terminal 30. According to such a configuration, when the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 undergo thermal deformation (expansion or contraction), of the two gaps described above, one gap becomes larger while the other gap becomes smaller. Thereby, even if the contact area between one of the two contact members 40, 50 and the male terminal 20 or the female terminal 30 decreases, the contact area between the other of the two contact members 40, 50 and the male terminal 20 or the female terminal 30 can be increased.

[0045] Furthermore, the terminal connection structure 10 includes, in addition to the first contact member 40 and the second contact member 50, a third contact member 60 interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30. According to such a configuration, the three contact members 40, 50, 60 as a whole can make the contact area with the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 wider.

[0046] In addition, while the first contact member 40 and the second contact member 50 are interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the radial direction D2, the third contact member 60 is interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the axial direction D1 different from the radial direction D2. Thereby, even when vibration occurs between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30, regardless of the direction of the vibration, the contact between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 is maintained by these contact members 40, 50, 60.

[0047] Here, the radial direction D2 is an example of the "second direction". The inner surface 22a of the hole 22 of the male terminal 20 is an example of the "second surface of the male terminal". The outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 is an example of the "second surface of the female terminal". The axial direction D1 is an example of the "third direction". Note that the number of contact members interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 is not limited to three, and as shown in a modification example described later, it may be two or more.

[0048] (Modification Example 1) Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the terminal connection structure 100 of Modification Example 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal connection structure 100 may further include a fourth contact member 170 in addition to the three contact members 40, 50, and 60 of the terminal connection structure 10 of the first embodiment. The fourth contact member 170 may be interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the axial direction D1. In this case, the fourth contact member 170 may be disposed between the bottom surface 22b of the hole 22 of the male terminal 20 and the tip surface 32b of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30. And the fourth contact member 170 may be configured to be elastically deformable in the axial direction D1. According to such a configuration, the four contact members 40, 50, 60, and 170 as a whole can make the contact area with the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 wider.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth contact member 170 may have a central portion 172, a plurality of outer peripheral end portions 174, and a plurality of fourth elastic pieces 176. The plurality of fourth elastic pieces 176 extend between the central portion 172 and the plurality of outer peripheral end portions 174. The central portion 172 may be located at the center of the fourth contact member 170. The central portion 172 may have a circular shape. The plurality of outer peripheral end portions 74 may be respectively located at the outer peripheral ends of the fourth contact member 70 and may extend intermittently along the circumferential direction D3. The plurality of fourth elastic pieces 176 may be configured to be elastically deformable in the axial direction D1 between the central portion 172 and the plurality of outer peripheral end portions 174. The fourth contact member 170 may contact the bottom surface 22b of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 at the plurality of outer peripheral end portions 174, and may contact the tip surface 32b of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 at the central portion 172. In a modified example, the terminal connection structure may include only the first contact member 40 and the fourth contact member 170, and may not include the second contact member 50 and the third contact member 60. In this case, the axial direction D1 corresponds to an example of the "second direction" in the present technology. The bottom surface 22b of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 corresponds to an example of the "second surface of the male terminal". And the tip surface 32b of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 corresponds to an example of the "second surface of the female terminal".

[0050] (Modified Example 2) Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal connection structure 200 of Modified Example 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the terminal connection structure 200 may include only two contact members 40 and 50. The two contact members 40 and 50 may be the first contact member 40 and the second contact member 50 interposed between the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 in the radial direction D2.

[0051] (Modification Example 3) Referring to FIG. 9, the terminal connection structure 300 of Modification Example 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, the positional relationship in the radial direction D2 between the first contact member 340 of the terminal connection structure 300 and the first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44 and the intermediate portion 46a of each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46 may be configured contrary to that of the first contact member 40 of the first embodiment. That is, the first contact member 340 may contact the outer surface 20a of the male terminal 20 at the first upper end portion 42 and the first lower end portion 44, and may contact the inner surface 30a of the female terminal 30 at the intermediate portion 46a of each of the plurality of first elastic pieces 46. According to such a configuration, while maintaining the elasticity of each of the first elastic pieces 46, the rigidity of the first contact member 340 as a whole is increased. In another modification example, the positional relationship in the radial direction D2 between the second contact member and the second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54 and the intermediate portion 56a of each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56 may be configured contrary to that of the second contact member 50 of the first embodiment. That is, in this case, the second contact member may contact the outer surface 32a of the columnar portion 32 of the female terminal 30 at the second upper end portion 52 and the second lower end portion 54, and may contact the inner surface 22a of the hole portion 22 of the male terminal 20 at the intermediate portion 56a of each of the plurality of second elastic pieces 56.

[0052] (Modification Example 4) Referring to FIG. 10, the terminal connection structure 400 of modification example 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal connection structure 400 may include a male terminal 420, a female terminal 430, a first contact member 40, and a third contact member 60. The male terminal 420 may not have a hole that opens at the tip surface 20b. Also, the female terminal 430 may not have a columnar portion that stands upright from the bottom surface 30b. According to such a configuration, while the first contact member 40 is interposed between the male terminal 420 and the female terminal 430 in the radial direction D2, the third contact member 60 is interposed between the male terminal 420 and the female terminal 430 in the axial direction D1, which is different from the radial direction D2. Thereby, even when vibration occurs between the male terminal 420 and the female terminal 430, regardless of the direction of the vibration, the contact between the male terminal 420 and the female terminal 430 is maintained by those contact members 40 and 60. In this case, the inner peripheral end portion 62 of the third contact member 60 may not be in an annular shape and may have a circular shape without a hole. Thereby, regarding the third contact member 60, the contact area with the male terminal 20 and the female terminal 30 can be made wider.

[0053] Here, the axial direction D1 is an example of the "second direction". The tip surface 20b of the male terminal 420 is an example of the "second surface of the male terminal". The bottom surface 30b of the female terminal 430 is an example of the "second surface of the female terminal".

[0054] Note that in this embodiment, the male terminal 20 was a columnar member having an annular cross-section, but it is not limited to this. The male terminal 20 may be a columnar member having a polygonal annular cross-section. The hole of the female terminal 30 is also not limited to the configuration of the embodiment and may not have an annular cross-section. The shape of the hole of the female terminal 30 can be appropriately changed according to the male terminal 20.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0055] 10, 100, 200, 300, 400: Terminal connection structure, 20, 420: Male terminal, 20a: Outer surface, 20b: Front end surface, 22: Hole portion, 22a: Inner surface, 22b: Bottom surface, 30, 430: Female terminal, 30a: Inner surface, 30b: Bottom surface, 32: Columnar portion, 32a: Outer surface, 32b: Front end surface, 40, 340: First contact member, 42: First upper end portion, 44: First lower end portion, 46: First elastic piece, 46a: Intermediate portion, 50: Second contact member, 52: Second upper end portion, 54: Second lower end portion, 56: Second elastic piece, 56a: Intermediate portion, 60: Third contact member, 170: Fourth contact member, C: Central axis, CL1, CL2: Gap, D1: Axial direction, D2: Radial direction, D3: Circumferential direction

Claims

1. a columnar male terminal and a female terminal having a hole into which the male terminal is inserted, a first contact member and a second contact member interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal and electrically connecting the male terminal and the female terminal, comprising the first contact member is disposed between the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal facing the outer surface, and is elastically deformable in the radial direction in which the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal face each other, the second contact member is disposed between a second surface of the male terminal other than the outer surface and a second surface of the female terminal facing the second surface of the male terminal, and is elastically deformable in a second direction in which the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal face each other, a terminal connection structure.

2. The terminal connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the first contact member has a shape in which a plurality of elastic pieces each elastically deformable in the radial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction.

3. The first contact member has an upper end portion extending in the circumferential direction and a lower end portion extending in the circumferential direction, The terminal connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of elastic pieces extend between the upper end portion and the lower end portion.

4. The first contact member contacts one of the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal at the upper end portion and the lower end portion, The terminal connection structure according to claim 3, wherein each intermediate portion of the plurality of elastic pieces contacts the other of the outer surface of the male terminal and the inner surface of the female terminal.

5. The terminal connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the second contact member has a shape in which a plurality of elastic pieces each elastically deformable in the radial direction are arranged in the circumferential direction.

6. The second contact member has a first end portion extending in the circumferential direction and a second end portion extending in the circumferential direction, The terminal connection structure according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of elastic pieces extend between the first end portion and the second end portion.

7. The second contact member contacts one of the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal at the first end portion and the second end portion, The terminal connection structure according to claim 6, wherein each intermediate portion of the plurality of elastic pieces contacts the other of the second surface of the male terminal and the second surface of the female terminal.

8. The first contact member extends along the circumferential direction, and a gap is provided between both ends in the circumferential direction, The second contact member extends along the circumferential direction, and a gap is provided between both ends in the circumferential direction. The gap at both ends of the first contact member and the gap at both ends of the second contact member have different positions in the circumferential direction. The terminal connection structure according to claim 1.

9. The female terminal has a columnar portion standing upright from the bottom surface of the female terminal. The male terminal has a hole portion for receiving the columnar portion of the female terminal. The second surface of the female terminal is the outer surface of the columnar portion. The second surface of the male terminal is the inner surface of the hole portion facing the outer surface of the columnar portion. The terminal connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The second direction is the radial direction. The terminal connection structure according to claim 9.

11. The terminal connection structure further includes a third contact member interposed between the male terminal and the female terminal and electrically connecting the male terminal and the female terminal. The third contact member is disposed between the tip surface of the male terminal and the bottom surface of the female terminal facing the tip surface of the male terminal, and is elastically deformable in a third direction in which the tip surface of the male terminal and the bottom surface of the female terminal face each other. The terminal connection structure according to claim 9.

12. The third direction is an axial direction parallel to the insertion direction of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal. The terminal connection structure according to claim 11.

13. The second surface of the male terminal is the tip surface of the male terminal. The second surface of the female terminal is the bottom surface of the female terminal facing the tip surface of the male terminal. The terminal connection structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

14. The second direction is an axial direction parallel to the insertion direction of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal. The terminal connection structure according to claim 13.

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