Slotted terminal

Abstract

To obtain a slotted terminal maintaining low contact resistance stably.SOLUTION: A slotted terminal 1 includes a terminal body 10 and an elastic member 30. The terminal body 10 includes a metal terminal part 20 and a connection 70, and the metal terminal part 20 includes a plurality of contact pieces 21 (slits 20A). The elastic member 30 is a member attached to the tip of the metal terminal part 20 and comprising an elastic material. The elastic member 30 shown in Figure 1 is formed of elastic metal and has a C-ring shape having a notch 30A where an annular shape is cut at one point in a circumferential direction. Herein, the elastic member 30 has a circular shape when no external force is applied.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure of a slotted terminal in which terminals are connected to each other by a plurality of slotted contact pieces. [Background technology]

[0002] A slotted terminal is a terminal used to connect wires together. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of this slotted terminal 9. The slotted terminal 9 is made of elastic metal and has an approximately cylindrical metal terminal portion 80 and a plate-like connecting portion 90 that is provided for fixing the slotted terminal 9 and for electrical connection with wires, integrated together.

[0003] The metal terminal portion 80 is a terminal having an approximately cylindrical structure with one end open, and multiple slits 80A are formed in the circumferential direction from the tip of the terminal, parallel to the central axis and at a certain length, making the metal terminal portion 80 easily deformable (elastically deformable) in the radial direction at the tip side.

[0004] As a result, when a rod-shaped terminal (another terminal) to be connected to this slot terminal 9 is inserted tip-first, the area between the slits 80A becomes contact pieces 81 that come into contact with the other terminal. In this case, as shown in the figure, if the outer diameter (inner diameter) of this metal terminal portion 80 is set to gradually decrease toward the tip so that the tips of the contact pieces 81 point toward the central axis and the diameter of the other terminal is set slightly larger than the diameter of the opening surrounded by the contact pieces 81 at the tip of the metal terminal portion 80 in the state of Figure 7 (the diameter of the inscribed circle of all the contact pieces 81), the other terminal can be firmly fixed by the radially inward elastic force of the contact pieces 81 (metal terminal portion 80), and the other terminal and this slot terminal 9 are electrically connected via each contact piece 81.

[0005] Such a slotted terminal can be manufactured inexpensively, and a manufacturing method thereof is described in, for example, Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-4839 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] As described above, the other terminals are fixed to the slotted terminal by the elastic force of each contact piece (metal terminal portion) and are electrically connected to the metal terminal portion by abutting against each contact piece. In other words, each contact piece has two functions: to fix the other terminal by elastic force and to be electrically connected to the other terminal.

[0008] 8 is a diagram showing two types of cross sections perpendicular to the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 80 when another terminal 100 having a circular cross section is connected to the slotted terminal 9. Here, the number of contact pieces 81 (the number of slits 80A) is eight. Also, although the cross section of the contact pieces 81 is a simple rectangle, in reality this shape is appropriately set depending on the shape of the metal terminal portion 80 before the slits 80A are formed.

[0009] 8(a) shows an ideal case in which the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 80 and the central axis C2 of the other terminal 100 are aligned. When the other terminal 100 is not connected (when no force is applied to the contact pieces 81), the diameters of the inscribed circles of all the contact pieces 81 are set slightly smaller than the diameters of the other terminals 100. Therefore, when the other terminal 100 is connected, the other terminal 100 is fixed by the elastic forces of all the contact pieces 81 acting radially inward and abuts against all the contact pieces 81, increasing the contact area between the other terminal 100 and the metal terminal portion 80 (slot terminal 9) and reducing the contact resistance. In other words, the other terminal 100 is stably fixed to the metal terminal portion 80 with low contact resistance.

[0010] On the other hand, FIG. 8(b) similarly shows a case in which the other terminal 100 is inserted with the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 80 and the central axis C2 of the other terminal 100 misaligned. As described above, the other terminal 100 is fixed by the inward elastic force of the contact pieces 81. Therefore, especially when there are a large number of contact pieces 81, it may be fixed by abutting only some of the contact pieces 81 (the upper four in FIG. 8(b)). On the other hand, in this case, the other terminal 100 does not abut the four lower contact pieces 81. Therefore, no force is applied from the four lower contact pieces 81. Furthermore, the contact area between the other terminal 100 and the metal terminal portion 80 is smaller, and the contact resistance is higher than in the case of FIG. 8(a). That is, in this case, the other terminal 100 is stably fixed to the slot terminal 9 with high contact resistance.

[0011] That is, conventional slotted terminals sometimes have high contact resistance, and therefore there is a demand for slotted terminals that have a stable low contact resistance.

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention is a slotted terminal made of an elastic conductor, having an approximately cylindrical outer wall with an opening formed at one end along the central axis, in which a plurality of slits are formed circumferentially from the one end along the central axis, and having a metal terminal portion that abuts and supports another terminal inserted into the opening with the elastic force exerted toward the central axis by contact pieces in the area between adjacent slits, and an elastic member is attached at the one end side of the metal terminal portion that surrounds the plurality of contact pieces from the outside around the central axis and exerts an elastic force on the contact pieces toward the central axis when the other terminal is inserted. When the other terminal is not inserted, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the multiple contact pieces when viewed from the one end side along the central axis may be set to be smaller than the maximum diameter of the other terminal. An elastic member locking portion for locking the elastic member may be formed on an outer surface of the contact piece as viewed from the central axis at the end side of the one end of the contact piece. The elastic member may be made of metal and have a C-ring shape surrounding the central axis. The elastic member may have a ring shape surrounding the central axis. The elastic member may have a spiral shape that winds around the central axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to obtain a slotted terminal with a stable low contact resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a slotted terminal according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1A is a perspective view of the periphery of an elastic member and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of only a metal terminal portion in a state where the elastic member is attached in a slotted terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between a contact piece and an elastic member in the slotted terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which another terminal is connected to the split terminal of the embodiment with the central axis in common, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the central axis of the other terminal is deviated from the central axis of the slot terminal when connected. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first modified example of the slotted terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second modified example of the slotted terminal according to the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional slotted terminal. [Figure 8] 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional slotted terminal connected to another terminal with the same central axis, and FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional slotted terminal connected to another terminal with the central axis of the other terminal shifted from that of the slotted terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A slotted terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of this slotted terminal 1. This slotted terminal 1 comprises a terminal body 10 and an elastic member 30. Here, the terminal body 10 has a structure similar to that of the conventional slotted terminal 9 described above. That is, like the slotted terminal 9, the terminal body 10 comprises a metal terminal portion 20 and a connecting portion 70, and like the metal terminal portion 80, the metal terminal portion 20 comprises a plurality (eight) of contact pieces 21 (slits 20A). Therefore, other terminals can be connected to this slotted terminal 1 in the same way as in the slotted terminal 9 described above.

[0017] The elastic member 30 is a member made of an elastic body and attached to the tip of the metal terminal portion 10. The elastic member 30 shown in FIG. 1 is made of elastic metal and has a C-ring shape with a notch 30A cut at one location in the circumferential direction. Here, the elastic member 30 has a shape that conforms to the circle when no external force is applied. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the elastic member 30, for example, a force that expands the radius of the elastic member 30 or an external force that makes it elliptical, an elastic force acts to return the elastic member 30 to its original circular shape.

[0018] Fig. 2(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the elastic member 30 and its surroundings in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2(b) is a perspective view showing only the metal terminal portion 20 in Fig. 2(a). As described above, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the metal terminal portion 20 are set to taper toward the tip. As a result, when another terminal 100 is connected, each contact piece 21 is urged toward the other terminal 100 (toward the central axis) by elastic force.

[0019] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the radial direction as viewed from the central axis of the metal terminal 20, showing the positional relationship between a single contact piece 21 and the elastic member 30 (a portion other than the notch 30A). The contact piece 21 is provided with an elastic member locking portion 21A whose outer surface as viewed from the central axis curves radially outward at the tip. This prevents the elastic member 30 from falling off the tip of the metal terminal 20, and ensures that the elastic member 30 is stably attached to the tip of the metal terminal 20.

[0020] Figure 4 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 8 in this case, and Figure 4(a) shows a case where the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 20 and the central axis C2 of the other terminal 100 are aligned, while Figure 4(b) shows a case where the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 20 and the central axis C2 of the other terminal 100 are misaligned.

[0021] The state shown in Figure 4(a) is essentially the same as the state shown in Figure 8(a). That is, the other terminals 100 are stably fixed with low contact resistance due to the elastic force of all of the contact pieces 21. On the other hand, in the state shown in Figure 4(b), the elastic member 30 is deformed so as to be stretched in the vertical direction in the figure, as shown, and stress is generated accordingly. Therefore, in this state where the central axis is shifted, no external force is applied to the four lower contact pieces 81 in the case of Figure 8(b), whereas in the state shown in Figure 4(b), a force is applied to the elastic member 30 as indicated by the arrows in the figure, and a force is applied upward in the figure to the four lower contact pieces 21 that are separated from the other terminals 100.

[0022] That is, a force toward the central axis C1 (toward the other terminals 100) acts on each contact piece 21 that is not in contact with the other terminals 100 by the elastic member 30, and this biases the other terminals 100 so that their central axes C2 approach the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 20. As a result, even in this case, it is possible to finally achieve a shape similar to that shown in Fig. 4(a) (a shape in which the central axes C1 and C2 are aligned).

[0023] That is, even if the central axis C1 of the metal terminal portion 20 and the central axis C2 of the other terminal 100 are misaligned, the elastic member 30 urges the contact pieces 21 toward the other terminal 100, and they are eventually brought into alignment, allowing all of the contact pieces 21 to abut against the other terminal 100. This allows the contact resistance between the other terminal 100 and this slotted terminal 1 to be stably low.

[0024] In the above example, the elastic member 30 is made of an elastic metal, and therefore the elastic member 30 itself is a conductor. In this case, the elastic member 30 functions to electrically connect the multiple contact pieces 21 together, which also reduces the electrical resistance.

[0025] 2(a), a notch 30A is provided in the elastic member 30. Therefore, if the notch 30A is made large, it is possible to use the elastic member 30 by attaching it to the tip of the metal terminal 20 after connecting another terminal 100 to the metal terminal 20 without the elastic member 30 attached.

[0026] 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4(a) showing the structure of a slotted terminal 2, which is a modification of the slotted terminal 1. Here, a closed annular (O-ring) elastic member 40 is used instead of the C-ring-shaped elastic member 30. In this case, unlike the metallic elastic member 30, the elastic member 40 is made of an elastic material such as rubber that is softer and more easily deformed than the metallic material that makes up the elastic member 30. It is clear that a force similar to that shown in FIG. 4(b) can also be applied to the contact piece 21 in this case.

[0027] When the elastic member 30 having the notch 30A is used, it is difficult to apply a strong force to the contact pieces 21 located near the notch 30A in Fig. 4(b), whereas in this case, since the closed annular elastic member 40 is used, it is possible to apply a similar force to all of the contact pieces 21 distributed in the circumferential direction in Fig. 4(b). Therefore, the effect shown in Fig. 4(b) is greater than when the elastic member 30 is used, and the other terminal 100 can be more securely fixed to the slot terminal 2.

[0028] On the other hand, in this case, it is generally difficult to select a material for the elastic member 40 that has a low electrical resistivity equivalent to that of the material for the elastic member 30, and it may be difficult to make the elastic member 40 itself a current path, as in the case of the elastic member 30. However, even in this case, the contact resistance can be reduced by the effect of having all the contact pieces 21 abut against other terminals 100, as shown in Figure 4(b). Also, in this case, it becomes particularly easy to attach the elastic member 40 to the metal terminal portion 10.

[0029] 6 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 2(a) showing the structure of a further modified slot terminal 3. This slot terminal 3 also uses the same metal terminal portion 20 as described above, but here it is provided with an elastic member 50, which is a spiral spring that winds the metal terminal portion 20 (all of the contact pieces 21) around the central axis C1.

[0030] When elastic members 30 and 40 are used, the contact pieces 21 distributed in the circumferential direction in Fig. 4(a) receive force from these elastic members at the same position in the direction of the central axis C1 perpendicular to the paper surface. However, when elastic member 50 is used, the contact pieces 21 receive force from elastic member 50 at different positions in the direction of the central axis C1, corresponding to the spiral shape. However, the effect shown in Fig. 4 can also be obtained by elastic member 50. Furthermore, elastic member 50 can be easily attached to metal terminal portion 20.

[0031] In the above examples, the metal terminal portion 20 (contact piece 21) uses an elastic member locking portion 21A that is curved radially outward as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Such an elastic member locking portion 21A can be easily formed by sheet metal processing. As another form of elastic member locking portion, for example, a shallow groove into which the elastic member fits in the structure shown in FIG. 3 may be formed on the outer surface of the contact piece (upper side in the figure). Such a groove can also be easily formed on the contact piece (metal terminal portion) by grinding. Its configuration can also be appropriately set in accordance with, for example, the spiral-shaped elastic member 50 described above. In this way, the shape of the elastic member locking portion is appropriately set depending on the shape of the elastic member. Alternatively, if the elastic member is shaped to be less likely to fall off the end of the metal terminal portion (contact piece), the elastic member locking portion is not necessary.

[0032] 1 and other figures, the contact pieces 21 are shaped so that they are inclined toward the central axis C1 toward the end of the metal terminal portion 20 on which the contact pieces 21 are provided, narrowing the opening of the metal terminal portion 20. This allows the elastic force of the contact pieces 21 to particularly firmly support the other terminal 100 when it is connected, with the other terminal 100 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the inscribed circle of all the contact pieces 21. In the above example, the cross section of the other terminal 100 is circular, but even if the cross section is not circular, the same applies as long as the diameter of the inscribed circle of the contact pieces 21 as viewed from the central axis C1 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the other terminal 100. Furthermore, as long as the other terminal can be fixed by the elastic force of the contact pieces, it is clear that the configuration using an elastic member as described above is effective even if such a configuration is not adopted.

[0033] In addition, the shape and configuration of the elastic member may be other than those described above, as long as it can bias each contact piece toward the central axis and can be attached to one end of the metal terminal when another terminal is connected to the metal terminal. In this case, as described above, the material constituting the elastic member may be either a conductor or an insulator. Furthermore, the shape of the tip end of the metal terminal (contact piece) can be appropriately set depending on the form of the attached elastic member.

[0034] The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1~3, 9 slotted terminals 10 Terminal body 20, 80 Metal terminal part 20A, 80A slit 21, 81 contact piece 21A Elastic member locking portion 30, 40, 50 Elastic member 30A notch 70, 90 connection part 100 Other terminals

Claims

1. A slotted terminal is made of an elastic conductor, has a generally cylindrical outer wall with an opening formed at one end along a central axis, has a plurality of slits formed in a circumferential direction from the one end along the central axis, and has a metal terminal portion that abuts and supports another terminal inserted into the opening by the elastic force exerted by contact pieces in a region between adjacent slits toward the central axis, A slotted terminal characterized in that an elastic member is attached to the one end side of the metal terminal portion, surrounding the multiple contact pieces from the outside around the central axis, and exerting an elastic force on the contact pieces toward the central axis when the other terminal is inserted.

2. The slotted terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that when the other terminal is not inserted, the diameter of the inscribed circle of the multiple contact pieces when viewed from the one end side along the central axis is set to be smaller than the maximum diameter of the other terminal.

3. A slotted terminal as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an elastic member engaging portion for engaging the elastic member is formed on the end side of the one end of the contact piece on the outer surface of the contact piece as viewed from the central axis.

4. 3. The slotted terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is made of metal and has a C-ring shape surrounding the central axis.

5. 3. The slotted terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has a ring shape surrounding the central axis.

6. 3. The slotted terminal according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member has a spiral shape wound around the central axis.

Images