Terminal

Abstract

To provide a terminal capable of enlarging a displaceable amount of a contact portion while avoiding enlargement of the terminal in a connection direction which is orthogonal to a circuit board.SOLUTION: A terminal 1 consists of two terminal members 10 and 20 which are formed by bending a metal plate member in a plate thickness direction. The two terminal members 10 and 20 include extension parts 11 and 21 extending along a mounting surface P1 of a circuit board P in a posture where a plate surface is in parallel with a connection direction. The extension parts 11 and 21 include base portions 12 and 22 and arm portions 13 and 23 extending from the base portions 21 and 22. The arm portions 13 and 23 include bent portions, which are bent to the same side around an axis extending in the connection direction at a plurality of positions in an extension direction; and contact portions 13H and 23H which can be in contact with a mating terminal 2 in a direction in parallel with the mounting surface P1 on the other end side in the extension direction. The contact portion 13H and the contact portion 23H are disposed so as to be opposed while defining a predetermined direction, which is parallel to the mounting surface P1, as an opposition direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal to be mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal that is mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board and to which a mating terminal is connected, with the connection direction being perpendicular to the mounting surface and extending up and down. The terminal is made by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction, and has a substantially rectangular tubular main body extending up and down, a pair of elastic pieces (a first elastic piece and a second elastic piece) that are folded back at the upper edge of the main body and extend downward, and a lead portion that extends from a vertically intermediate portion of the main body along the mounting surface. A terminal configured in this manner is placed on a circuit board with approximately its lower half inserted from above into a hole formed in the circuit board, and is mounted on the circuit board by soldering the lead portion to a corresponding circuit portion on the mounting surface.

[0003] The elastic pieces extend downward from the upper ends of a pair of opposing walls of the main body, and are elastically deformable in the opposing direction of the walls. Contact portions capable of contacting a mating terminal are formed at the lower portions of the elastic pieces. When connecting a terminal and a mating terminal, the mating terminal is inserted between the pair of elastic pieces from above. At this time, the pair of elastic pieces are elastically deformed so as to be pushed apart by the mating terminal, and the contact portions provided at the lower portions of each elastic piece clamp the mating terminal, contacting the mating terminal with contact pressure. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, even if the mating terminal is inserted from above between the pair of elastic pieces while shifting from its normal position in the opposing direction, each elastic piece elastically deforms to absorb the shift in position of the mating terminal, thereby displacing the contact portions toward a position where they can clamp the mating terminal, thereby ensuring contact between the contact portions and the mating terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-019423 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a terminal in which a contact portion is provided on an elastically deformable elastic piece, it is desirable for the contact portion to have a large amount of displacement in order to ensure a large tolerance for misalignment of the mating terminal. To increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion, it is necessary to elongate the elastic piece, thereby increasing the so-called spring length of the elastic piece. Furthermore, for terminals mounted on the mounting surface of a circuit board, miniaturization in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface is often required. However, in the terminal of Patent Document 1, the elastic piece extends in the vertical direction, so if the elastic piece is lengthened to increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion, the terminal will become larger in the vertical direction perpendicular to the circuit board.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal that can increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion while avoiding an increase in size in the connection direction perpendicular to the circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The terminal according to the present invention is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board, and a mating terminal is connected in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.

[0008] In such a terminal, in the present invention, the terminal is composed of two terminal members each having a shape obtained by bending a metal plate member in a plate thickness direction, and each of the two terminal members has an extension portion that extends along the mounting surface with its plate surface parallel to the connection direction, and a connection portion that can be connected to the circuit board, and the extension portion has a base portion provided on one end side in the extension direction, and an arm portion that extends from the base portion and is elastically deformable at least in the plate thickness direction, and the connection portion is provided extending from the base portion, and the arm portion is elastically deformable in the connection direction at a plurality of positions in the extension direction. The terminal members have bent portions bent to the same side around the extending axis, and a contact portion at the other end in the extending direction that can contact the mating terminal in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, and the two terminal members are arranged so that the contact portion of one terminal member and the contact portion of the other terminal member face each other with a predetermined direction parallel to the mounting surface as the opposing direction, and the contact portion of one terminal member contacts one surface of the mating terminal, and the contact portion of the other terminal member contacts the other surface of the mating terminal.

[0009] In the invention (1) above, in each of the two terminal members, the arm having the contact portion is provided as part of an extension portion that extends along the mounting surface of the circuit board, so even if the arm is made longer in the extension direction to increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion, the arm does not become larger in the connection direction, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board.

[0010] (2) In the invention of (1), the two terminal members may be arranged such that a portion of the extending portion of one terminal member and a portion of the extending portion of the other terminal member are positioned adjacent to each other in the opposing direction, and when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal and the extending portion of each terminal member elastically deforms in the opposing direction, the portion of the extending portion of the one terminal member and the portion of the extending portion of the other terminal member can come into contact with each other.

[0011] In the invention (2) above, when the terminal and the mating terminal are connected, the extension portions of the two terminal members are elastically deformed in the opposing direction, and a part of the extension portion of one terminal member comes into contact with a part of the extension portion of the other terminal member, thereby forming a current transmission path (electrical path) through the contact portion between the two parts. Therefore, compared to when the parts of the extension portions do not come into contact with each other, the electrical path is shorter, and it is possible to suppress a temperature rise caused by the transmission of current in the terminal.

[0012] (3) In the invention of (2), at least one of the part of the extending portion of the one terminal member and the part of the extending portion of the other terminal member may have a protrusion protruding in the opposing direction, and may be able to come into contact with each other via the protrusion. By providing such a protrusion, the part of the extending portion of the one terminal member and the part of the extending portion of the other terminal member can be in good contact with each other.

[0013] (4) In any of the inventions (1) to (3), the extending portion of the terminal member has a regulated portion protruding in the extending direction from the free end of the contact portion, and a notched regulating portion formed in a portion connected to the end opposite the free end of the contact portion via a bent portion, and the regulating portion of one terminal member accommodates the regulated portion of the other terminal member, and the regulating portion of the other terminal member accommodates the regulated portion of the one terminal member, and each regulating portion may be capable of regulating movement of the regulated portion in the opposing direction beyond a predetermined amount.

[0014] In the invention (4) above, the restricting portions of the two terminal members restrict movement of the restricted portions housed in the restricting portions in the opposing direction within a predetermined range. Therefore, when the terminal and the mating terminal are connected, the contact portions of the two terminal members do not excessively move away from each other. As a result, the contact pressure when the mating terminal is clamped by the two contact portions can be increased, making it easier to maintain a stable contact state with the mating terminal.

[0015] (5) The terminal of the present invention, which is different from the invention of (1), is mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board, and the mating terminal is connected in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.

[0016] In the present invention, the terminal is configured by one terminal member having a shape obtained by bending a metal plate member in a plate thickness direction, and the terminal member has an extension portion that extends along the mounting surface with the plate surface parallel to the connection direction, and a connection portion that can be connected to the circuit board, and the extension portion has a base portion provided on one end side in the extension direction, and an arm portion that extends from the base portion and is elastically deformable at least in the plate thickness direction, and the connection portion is provided extending from the base portion, and the arm portion has a plurality of positions in the extension direction, and is configured to be in contact with the front and rear ends of the base portion. The connector has a bent portion bent to the same side around an axis extending in the connection direction, and a contact portion at the other end in the extension direction that can contact the mating terminal in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, the contact portion having a first contact portion and a second contact portion that face each other with a predetermined direction parallel to the mounting surface as the opposing direction, the first contact portion and the second contact portion being connected via a connecting portion, so that the first contact portion contacts one side of the mating terminal and the second contact portion contacts the other side of the mating terminal.

[0017] In the invention (5) above, in the terminal member, the arm having the contact portion is provided as part of an extension extending along the mounting surface of the circuit board, so even if the arm is made longer in the extension direction to increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion, the arm does not become larger in the connection direction, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board.

[0018] (6) In the invention of (5), the terminal member may have a part of the extending portion and another part positioned adjacent to each other in the opposing direction, and when the first contact portion and the second contact portion come into contact with the mating terminal, causing the extending portion to elastically deform in the opposing direction, the part and the other part may be able to come into contact with each other.

[0019] In the invention (6) above, when the terminal and the mating terminal are connected, the extension portion of the terminal member elastically deforms in the opposing direction, and one part of the extension portion comes into contact with another part, thereby forming a current transmission path (electrical path) through the contact part between the one part and the other part. Therefore, compared to when the one part of the extension portion does not come into contact with the other part, the electrical path is shorter, and it is possible to suppress a temperature rise due to the transmission of current in the terminal.

[0020] (7) In the invention of (6), at least one of the first and second portions of the extending portion of the terminal member may have a protrusion protruding in the opposing direction, and the first and second portions may be able to contact each other via the protrusion. By providing such a protrusion, the first and second portions of the extending portion of the terminal member can be in good contact with each other.

[0021] (8) In any of the inventions (1) to (7), the terminal may have a guide portion extending from an end of the contact portion in the connection direction, and the guide portions may be formed so that the distance between them in the opposing direction increases as they move away from the end of the contact portion in the connection direction, thereby making it possible to guide the mating terminal to a contact position with the contact portion. By providing such a guide portion, it becomes easier to move the mating terminal to a contact position with the contact portion.

[0022] (9) In any of the inventions (1) to (8), the terminal may have a leg extending from the extension toward the mounting surface in the connection direction, and the tip of the leg may be able to abut against the mounting surface. In the invention (9), the tip of the leg abuts against the mounting surface of the circuit board, stabilizing the posture of the terminal, and as a result, making it easier to ensure a good connection between the terminal and the mating terminal.

[0023] (10) In any of the inventions (1) to (9), the contact portion may have a contact point portion that protrudes in the opposing direction and is capable of contacting the mating terminal at the contact point. In the invention (10), the contact point portion protrudes in the opposing direction, so that when the terminal and the mating terminal are connected, even if the mating terminal is in a slightly angled position around an axis extending in the connection direction, the mating terminal can make good contact with the contact point portion. As a result, it is easier to ensure a stable connection between the terminal and the mating terminal.

[0024] (11) In any of the inventions (1) to (10), the connection portion may extend from the base portion toward the circuit board in the connection direction and be inserted into a hole formed in the circuit board, and a locking portion may be provided at the tip of the connection portion that can be locked onto the surface of the circuit board opposite the mounting surface. In the invention (11) above, when the terminal is placed on the mounting surface of the circuit board, the connection portion of the terminal is inserted into the hole from the mounting surface side of the circuit board, and the locking portion provided at the tip of the connection portion is able to be locked onto the surface opposite the mounting surface. As a result, the terminal can be temporarily fixed to the circuit board, facilitating the subsequent soldering operation between the connection portion and the corresponding circuit part of the circuit board. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The present invention can provide a terminal that can increase the amount of displacement of the contact portion while avoiding an increase in the size of the terminal in the connection direction perpendicular to the circuit board. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a terminal of a first embodiment of the present invention together with a circuit board and a mating terminal, in which (A) shows the state just before connection when the mating terminal is inserted and connected from above, as viewed from above, and (B) shows the state just before connection when the mating terminal is inserted and connected from below, as viewed from below. [Figure 2]1A and 1B are perspective views of a terminal according to a first embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 1B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 3] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the terminal of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. [Figure 4] 4A to 4C are perspective views showing a process of mounting the terminal of the first embodiment on a circuit board. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are perspective views showing a terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention together with a circuit board, where FIG. 5A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 5B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are perspective views of a terminal according to a second embodiment, in which FIG. 10A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 10B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 7] FIG. 6A is a plan view of a terminal according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIB-VIIB of FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a process of mounting a terminal of a second embodiment on a circuit board. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention together with a circuit board, where FIG. 10A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 10B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are perspective views of one terminal member of a third embodiment, where FIG. 10A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 10B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 11] FIG. 10A is a plan view of a terminal according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIB-XIB of FIG. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a process of mounting a terminal of a third embodiment on a circuit board. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention together with a circuit board, where FIG. 10A shows a state seen from above, and FIG. 10B shows a state seen from below. [Figure 14] FIG. 10A is a plan view of a terminal according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XIVB-XIVB of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] First Embodiment 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views showing a terminal 1 of this embodiment together with a circuit board P and a mating terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the terminal 1 is mounted on a mounting surface P1 (the upper surface in FIG. 1(A)) of the circuit board P. A mating terminal 2 is connected to the terminal 1, with the connection direction being the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the mounting surface P1. The mating terminal 2 has a plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and is connected to the terminal 1 by contacting the terminal 1 with plate surfaces (rolled surfaces) on both sides (X1 side and X2 side) perpendicular to the plate thickness direction (X-axis direction). The mating terminal 2 can be inserted into the terminal 1 from above (see FIG. 1(A)) or can be inserted into the terminal 1 from below (see FIG. 1(B)).

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1B, the circuit board P is formed with a receiving hole P2 that allows insertion of the mating terminal 2 from below. The receiving hole P2 has a generally rectangular shape that fits the mating terminal 2 when viewed in the vertical direction, and penetrates the circuit board P in the vertical direction. The circuit board P also has a connection hole P3 that receives connection portions 16 and 26 of the terminal 1 (described later) from above, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. One connection hole P3 is formed on each side of the receiving hole P2 in the X-axis direction, and each connection hole P3 has a circular shape when viewed in the vertical direction and penetrates the circuit board P in the vertical direction. A metal layer that is electrically connected to the conductive pattern (not shown) of the circuit board P is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connection hole P3, and the connection portions 16 and 26 of the terminal 1 are connected to the metal layer via solder.

[0030] 2(A) and (B) are perspective views of terminal 1, with FIG. 2(A) showing the state as seen from above and FIG. 2(B) showing the state as seen from below. FIG. 3(A) is a plan view of terminal 1, and FIG. 3(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3(A). As shown in FIGS. 1(A) and (B) to 3(A) and (B), terminal 1 is composed of two terminal members 10 and 20 formed by bending a metal plate member in the thickness direction. Terminal member 10 and terminal member 20 are separate members having the exact same shape, and are arranged point-symmetrically when viewed in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3(A).

[0031] As shown in Figures 1(A), (B) to 3(A), (B), the terminal member 10 has an extension portion 11 that extends along the mounting surface P1 (see Figure 1(A)) with its plate surface (rolled surface) parallel to the vertical direction, guide portions 14 and 15 for guiding the mating terminal 2, a connection portion 16 that can be connected to the circuit board P, and leg portions 17, 18, and 19 that are supported by the circuit board P.

[0032] The extension portion 11 has a base portion 12 provided at one end side in the extension direction of the extension portion 11, and an arm portion 13 extending from the base portion 12 and elastically deformable in the thickness direction and the up-down direction of the extension portion 11. In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "extension direction" is the longitudinal direction of the extension portion 11, and is the direction in which the extension portion 11 extends in a spiral shape along the mounting surface P1 when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0033] The base 12 is plate-shaped with a plate surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The base 12 has a protrusion 12A (see FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B)) protruding from the plate surface toward the X1 side at an intermediate position in the Y-axis direction. The protrusion 12A is formed by press working and forms a ridge that extends linearly over almost the entire range of the base 12 in the vertical direction.

[0034] The arm 13 is formed by being bent to the same side around an axis extending in the up-down direction at a plurality of positions (four positions in this embodiment) in the extension direction. The arm 13 is elastically deformable in the thickness direction of the arm 13, with the entire length in the extension direction being the arm length, with the connecting portion with the base 12 as a fulcrum. In other words, the arm 13 is elastically deformable within an XY plane parallel to the mounting surface P1 of the circuit board P. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the arm 13 is also elastically deformable in the up-down direction with the connecting portion with the base 12 as a fulcrum.

[0035] 2(A) and 3(A), the arm portion 13 has three intermediate portions (first intermediate portion 13B, second intermediate portion 13D, and third intermediate portion 13F described below), four bent portions (first bent portion 13A, second bent portion 13C, third bent portion 13E, and fourth bent portion 13G described below), and one contact portion (contact portion 13H described below). Specifically, in the extension direction, the first bent portion 13A, first intermediate portion 13B, second bent portion 13C, second intermediate portion 13D, third bent portion 13E, third intermediate portion 13F, fourth bent portion 13G, and contact portion 13H are provided in this order from the connecting position side with the base portion 12.

[0036] The first bent portion 13A is bent at a right angle toward the X1 side at the end on the Y2 side of the base portion 12. The first intermediate portion 13B extends from the first bent portion 13A toward the X1 side and has a plate surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. As shown in Figures 2(A) and 2(B), the first intermediate portion 13B has a smaller dimension in the up-down direction than the base portion 12.

[0037] The second bent portion 13C is bent at a right angle toward the Y1 side at the end on the X1 side of the first intermediate portion 13B. The second intermediate portion 13D extends toward the Y1 side from the second bent portion 13C and has a plate surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The second intermediate portion 13D is formed to be longer than the base portion 12 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the Y1-side end of the second intermediate portion 13D is located closer to the Y1 side than the Y1-side end of the base portion 12.

[0038] The third bent portion 13E is bent at a right angle toward the X2 side at the end on the Y1 side of the second intermediate portion 13D. The third intermediate portion 13F extends toward the X2 side from the third bent portion 13E and has a plate surface perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The third intermediate portion 13F is formed shorter than the first intermediate portion 13B in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the X2-side end of the third intermediate portion 13F is located closer to the X1 side than the X2-side end of the first intermediate portion 13B.

[0039] The fourth bent portion 13G is bent at a right angle toward the Y2 side at the end of the third intermediate portion 13F on the X2 side. The fourth bent portion 13G has a smaller vertical dimension than the second intermediate portion 13D, the third bent portion 13E, and the third intermediate portion 13F.

[0040] The contact portion 13H is provided on the other end side of the extending portion 11 in the extension direction, i.e., on the opposite side from the base portion 12. The contact portion 13H extends from the fourth bent portion 13G toward the Y2 side and has a plate surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The contact portion 13H is formed shorter in the X-axis direction than the second intermediate portion 13D. Therefore, the Y2-side end of the contact portion 13H is located closer to the Y1 side than the Y2-side end of the second intermediate portion 13D. The flat plate surface of the contact portion 13H on the X1 side forms a contact surface, and this contact surface can contact the mating terminal 2 from the X2 side.

[0041] The guide portions 14, 15 include an upper guide portion 14 extending from the upper end of the contact portion 13H and a lower guide portion 15 extending from the lower end of the contact portion 13H. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the upper guide portion 14 is bent at the upper end of the contact portion 13H and is inclined upward toward the X2 side, extending above the upper end of the second intermediate portion 13D. When the mating terminal 2 is inserted from above (see FIG. 1(A)), the upper guide portion 14 guides the mating terminal 2 to a contact position with the contact portion 13H. As shown in FIG. 3(B), the lower guide portion 15 is bent at the lower end of the contact portion 13H and is inclined downward toward the X2 side, extending below the lower end of the second intermediate portion 13D. When the mating terminal 2 is inserted from below (see FIG. 1(B)), the lower guide portion 15 guides the mating terminal 2 to a contact position with the contact portion 13H.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the connection portion 16 extends linearly downward from the lower end of the base portion 12 and includes two connection pieces 16A arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction. These two connection pieces 16A are positioned with a gap between them in the Y-axis direction and are elastically deformable in the Y-axis direction within the gap. Furthermore, the distal ends, i.e., the lower ends, of the two connection pieces 16A are formed with locking portions 16B that protrude away from each other in the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the terminal member 10 is placed on the mounting surface P1 of the circuit board P, the connection portion 16 is inserted from above into the connection hole P3 of the circuit board P. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1B, the lower ends of the connection pieces 16A extend downward from the lower surface of the circuit board P (the surface opposite the mounting surface P1). The locking portion 16B can be locked from below against the lower surface of the circuit board P, so that the terminal member 10 can be temporarily fixed to the circuit board P before the connecting portion 16 is soldered to the circuit board P.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A and 2B, the legs 17, 18, and 19 include a first leg 17, a second leg 18, and a third leg 19 extending downward from the lower end of the extension portion 11. The first leg 17 is formed in a range extending from the Y1 side of the base 12 in the extension direction of the extension portion 11. The second leg 18 is formed in a range extending from the Y2 side of the base 12 to the X2 side of the first intermediate portion 13B in the extension direction of the extension portion 11. In other words, the second leg 18 is provided in a range including the first bent portion 13A in the extension direction and has a substantially L-shaped bent shape when viewed in the vertical direction. The third leg 19 is formed in a range extending from the Y1 side of the second intermediate portion 13D to the X1 side of the third intermediate portion 13F in the extension direction of the extension portion 11. That is, the third leg portion 19 is provided in a range including the third bent portion 13E in the extending direction, and has a shape that is bent in a substantially L-shape when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0044] When the terminal member 10 is placed on the mounting surface P1 of the circuit board P, the distal end surfaces, i.e., the lower end surfaces, of the legs 17, 18, and 19 abut against the mounting surface P1 (see the first leg 17 and the second leg 18 shown in FIG. 1A and the third leg 29 of the terminal member 20 shown in FIG. 4). In this manner, the legs 17, 18, and 19 abut against the mounting surface P1 and are supported by the mounting surface P1 from below. This facilitates stabilizing the orientation of the terminal member 10, thereby ensuring a good connection between the terminal member 10 and the mating terminal 2. In particular, the third leg 19 is located away from the base 12 in the extension direction, which prevents the arm 13 from being displaced downward due to its own weight, significantly contributing to stabilizing the orientation of the arm 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the legs 18 and 19 are bent in a generally L-shape when viewed in the vertical direction, thereby increasing the strength of the legs 18 and 19 themselves. Therefore, the legs 18, 19 are less likely to deform even when they come into contact with the mounting surface P1, so that the posture of the terminal member 10 can be stabilized favorably.

[0045] The terminal member 20 has exactly the same shape as the previously described terminal member 10. Regarding the configuration of the terminal member 20, parts corresponding to those of the terminal member 10 are given reference numerals that add "10" to the reference numerals of the terminal member 10 (for example, "extension portion 21" for the extension portion 11 of the terminal member 10), and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0046] 3A, when mounted on a circuit board P, the terminal 1, i.e., the terminal members 10 and 20, are arranged point-symmetrically as viewed in the up-down direction. In this state, the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the contact portion 23H of the terminal member 20 face each other, with the X-axis direction as the facing direction. The dimension of the gap in the X-axis direction formed between the contact portions 13H and 23H is slightly smaller than the plate thickness dimension of the mating terminal 2 (dimension in the X-axis direction).

[0047] Also, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A), in the terminal member 10, the contact portion 13H is located between the contact portion 23H and the second intermediate portion 23D of the terminal member 20 in the X-axis direction, the second intermediate portion 13D is located between the contact portion 23H and the base portion 22 of the terminal member 20 in the X-axis direction, and the third intermediate portion 13F is located between the contact portion 23H and the first intermediate portion 23B of the terminal member 20 in the Y-axis direction.

[0048] Also, as shown in Figures 2(A) and 3(A), in the terminal member 20, the contact portion 23H is located between the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the second intermediate portion 13D in the X-axis direction, the second intermediate portion 23D is located between the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the base portion 12 in the X-axis direction, and the third intermediate portion 23F is located between the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the first intermediate portion 13B in the Y-axis direction.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3(B), the upper guide portions 14, 24 are arranged so that the distance between them in the X-axis direction increases as they move upward from the upper ends of the contact portions 13H, 23H, and the lower guide portions 15, 25 are arranged so that the distance between them in the X-axis direction increases as they move downward from the lower ends of the contact portions 13H, 23H.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3A, the protrusion 12A provided on the base 12 protrudes toward the X1 side toward the second intermediate portion 23D of the terminal member 20 adjacent to the base 12 in the X-axis direction. When the arm portion 23 of the terminal member 20 elastically deforms and the second intermediate portion 23D is displaced toward the X2 side, the protrusion 12A can come into contact with the X2-side plate surface of the second intermediate portion 23D. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the protrusion 22A provided on the base 22 protrudes toward the X2 side toward the second intermediate portion 13D of the terminal member 10 adjacent to the base 22 in the X-axis direction. When the arm portion 13 of the terminal member 10 elastically deforms and the second intermediate portion 13D is displaced toward the X1 side, the protrusion 22A can come into contact with the X1-side plate surface of the second intermediate portion 13D.

[0051] The terminal 1, i.e., the terminal members 10 and 20, is mounted on the circuit board P in the following manner. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the process of mounting the terminal 1 of this embodiment on the circuit board P. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the terminal member 20 is placed from above on the mounting surface P1 of the circuit board P before the terminal member 10. At this time, the connection portion 26 of the terminal member 20 is inserted from above into the connection hole P3 of the circuit board P (see FIG. 1(B)). During the process of inserting the connection portion 26 into the connection hole P3, the locking portions 26B provided on each of the pair of connection pieces 26A come into contact with and are pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the connection hole P3. As a result, the connection pieces 26A are elastically deformed so as to approach each other, allowing further insertion. When the locking portion 26B passes through the connection hole portion P3 and reaches a position below the lower surface of the circuit board P, the connection piece 26A returns to a free state, and the locking portion 26B is able to lock onto the lower surface of the circuit board P from below (see FIG. 1(B)). As a result, the terminal member 20 is temporarily fixed to the circuit board P.

[0052] Next, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 , terminal member 10 is placed from above on mounting surface P1 of circuit board P. At this time, connection portion 16 of terminal member 10 is inserted into connection hole portion P3 of circuit board P from above. As a result, terminal member 10 is temporarily fixed to circuit board P in the same manner as terminal member 20. Next, connection portion 16 of terminal member 10 and connection portion 26 of terminal member 20 are solder-connected to the conductive layers on the inner circumferential surfaces of connection hole portion P3, respectively, and as a result, terminal members 10 and 20, i.e., terminal 1, are mounted on circuit board P. In this embodiment, the soldering operation is performed with terminal members 10 and 20 temporarily fixed to circuit board P, so that terminal members 10 and 20 can be easily solder-connected to circuit board P.

[0053] In the present embodiment, the terminal member 20 is attached to the circuit board P before the terminal member 10, but the order in which the terminal members 10, 20 are attached to the circuit board P is not limited to this, and for example, the terminal member 10 may be attached first, or the terminal members 10 and 20 may be attached at the same time. Also, in the present embodiment, both the terminal members 10 and 20 are attached to the circuit board P before being soldered together, but instead, the soldering may be performed each time each terminal member (terminal member 10 or terminal member 20) is attached.

[0054] The terminal 1 is used as follows. First, the terminal 1 is mounted on the circuit board P in the manner described above. Next, when connecting the mating terminal 2 to the terminal 1 from above, as shown in FIG. 1(A), the mating terminal 2 is positioned above the terminal 1 and then moved downward (see the arrow in FIG. 1(A)) and inserted between the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the contact portion 23H of the terminal member 20. At this time, the mating terminal 2 is smoothly guided between the contact portions 13H and 23H by the upper guide portions 14 and 24 of the terminal members 10 and 20.

[0055] When the mating terminal 2 is inserted between the contact portions 13H, 23H, the mating terminal 2 pushes the contact portions 13H, 23H apart, displacing them apart in the X-axis direction. The displacement of the contact portions 13H, 23H is accommodated by the elastic deformation of the arms 13, 23 in the X-axis direction. When the mating terminal 2 is inserted in this manner, the contact portions 13H, 23H clamp the mating terminal 2 in the X-axis direction based on the elastic force (restoring force) of the arms 13, 23. Therefore, the contact portion 13H comes into contact with the X2-side plate surface of the mating terminal 2 with pressure, and the contact portion 23H comes into contact with the X1-side plate surface of the mating terminal 2 with pressure. As a result, the mating terminal 2 is electrically conductive with the terminal members 10, 20, completing the insertion and connection of the mating terminal 2.

[0056] When connecting the mating terminal 2 to the terminal 1 from below, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the mating terminal 2 is positioned below the circuit board P and then moved upward (see the arrow in FIG. 1(B)) and inserted into the receiving hole P2 of the circuit board P, and further inserted between the contact portion 13H of the terminal member 10 and the contact portion 23H of the terminal member 20. At this time, the mating terminal 2 is smoothly guided between the contact portions 13H, 23H by the lower guide portions 15, 25 of the terminal members 10, 20. Then, in the same manner as described above when the terminal 1 is inserted from above, the contact portions 13H, 23H clamp the mating terminal 2 and come into contact with the mating terminal 2.

[0057] In this embodiment, even when the terminal 1 and the mating terminal 2 are used in an environment where vibrations occur, the arms 13, 23 of the terminal members 10, 20 elastically deform in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, thereby absorbing the effects of the vibrations, and the connection state between the terminal 1 and the mating terminal 2 can be maintained in a good condition.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the terminal 1 and the mating terminal 2 are connected, the second intermediate portion 13D of the terminal member 10 is displaced in the X1 direction and its X1-side plate surface comes into contact with the protrusion 22A provided on the base 22 of the terminal member 20. As a result, a current transmission path (electrical path) is formed through the contact portion between the second intermediate portion 13D and the protrusion 22A. The second intermediate portion 23D of the terminal member 20 is displaced in the X2 direction and its X2-side plate surface comes into contact with the protrusion 12A provided on the base 12 of the terminal member 10. As a result, an electrical path is formed through the contact portion between the second intermediate portion 23D and the protrusion 12A. Therefore, the electrical path is shorter than when the second intermediate portion 13D and the protrusion 22A, and the second intermediate portion 23D and the protrusion 12A are not in contact with each other, thereby suppressing a temperature rise due to current transmission in the terminal 1. The effect of suppressing a temperature rise by shortening the electrical path is particularly effective when a large current, such as a power supply current, is passed through the terminal 1.

[0059] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the bases 12 and 22 are provided with protrusions 12A and 22A, which are capable of contacting the second intermediate portions 23D and 13D, thereby more reliably forming a short electrical path. Forming a short electrical path can suppress heat generation even when a large current flows. Providing the protrusions 12A and 22A on the bases 12 and 22 is not essential. For example, the second intermediate portions 13D and 23D may be provided with protrusions that protrude toward the bases 22 and 12. Alternatively, protrusions may be provided on both the bases 12 and 22 and the second intermediate portions 23D and 13D, so that the protrusions on the bases 12 and 22 contact the plate surfaces of the second intermediate portions 23D and 13D, and the protrusions on the second intermediate portions 23D and 13D contact the plate surfaces of the bases 12 and 22. Furthermore, the plate surfaces of the bases 12, 22 may be in contact with the plate surfaces of the second intermediate portions 23D, 13D without providing any protrusions on either the bases 12, 22 or the second intermediate portions 23D, 13D.

[0060] Furthermore, in the terminal 1 of this embodiment, in the terminal member 10, 20, the arm portions 13, 23 having the contact portions 13H, 23H are provided as part of the extending portions 11, 21 extending along the mounting surface P1 of the circuit board P. Therefore, even if the arm portions 13, 23 are lengthened in the extending direction to increase the amount of displacement of the contact portions 13H, 23H, the arm portions 13, 23 do not increase in size in the connection direction, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the circuit board P. As a result, the amount of displacement of the contact portions 13H, 23H can be increased while avoiding an increase in the size of the terminals 10, 20 in the connection direction.

[0061] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, the contact portions 13H, 23H of the terminal members 10, 20 contact the mating terminal 2 at flat contact surfaces, but in the present invention, the shape of the contact portions is not limited to this. Also, in the first embodiment, the arm portions 13, 23 of the terminal members 10, 20 have three intermediate portions (first intermediate portion 13B, second intermediate portion 13D, and third intermediate portion 13F) and four bent portions (first bent portion 13A, second bent portion 13C, third bent portion 13E, and fourth bent portion 13G), but in the present invention, the number of intermediate portions and bent portions is not limited to this. Also, in the first embodiment, the third leg portion 19 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed in the up-down direction, but in the present invention, the shape of the third leg portion is not limited to this.

[0062] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a convexly curved contact portion is provided on the contact portion, the arm portion has two intermediate portions and three bent portions, and the second leg portion has a rectangular column shape. The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5(A), (B) to 8, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Note that in the terminal 101 of the second embodiment, parts common to the terminal 1 of the first embodiment are designated by the reference numerals in the first embodiment plus "100." Furthermore, in the circuit board of the present embodiment, parts common to the circuit board of the first embodiment are designated by the reference numerals in the first embodiment, with "P" replaced by "Q."

[0063] 5(A) and (B) are perspective views showing the terminal 101 of this embodiment together with the circuit board Q, with FIG. 5(A) showing the state as seen from above and FIG. 5(B) showing the state as seen from below. The terminal 101 is composed of separate terminal members 110 and 120 having the same shape. As in the first embodiment, the terminal members 110 and 120 are arranged on the mounting surface Q1 of the circuit board Q so as to be point-symmetrical when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0064] 6(A) and 6(B), the terminal member 110 has an extending portion 111, guide portions 114, 115 (upper guide portion 114 and lower guide portion 115) for guiding the mating terminal 2, a connecting portion 116 connectable to a circuit board P, and leg portions 117, 118, 119 (first leg portion 117, second leg portion 118, and third leg portion 119) supported by the circuit board P. The extending portion 111 has a base portion 112 and an elastically deformable arm portion 113 extending from the base portion 112.

[0065] In this embodiment, the base 112 is disposed at a position where its plate surface is perpendicular to the Y-axis direction, i.e., perpendicular to the plate surface of the contact portion 113H. In this embodiment, the base 112 does not have a portion corresponding to the protrusion 12A of the first embodiment, and the entire plate surface is flat.

[0066] The arm portion 113 is bent to the same side around an axis extending in the up-down direction at multiple positions (three positions in this embodiment) in the extension direction, and is elastically deformable in the plate thickness direction and the up-down direction with the connection portion with the base portion 112 as a fulcrum. As shown in FIGS. 6(A), (B), and 7(A), the arm portion 113 has, in the extension direction, a first bent portion 113A, a first intermediate portion 113B, a second bent portion 113C, a second intermediate portion 113D, a third bent portion 113E, and a contact portion 113H, in this order from the connection position side with the base portion 112. That is, the arm portion 113 has, in addition to the contact portion 113H, two intermediate portions (the first intermediate portion 113B and the second intermediate portion 113D) and three bent portions (the first bent portion 113A, the second bent portion 113C, and the third bent portion 113E). In this way, the number of intermediate portions and bent portions provided on the arm portion 113 of this embodiment is one less than the number of intermediate portions and bent portions provided on the arm portion 13 of the first embodiment.

[0067] The contact portion 113H has a contact point portion 113H-1 protruding toward the X1 side at a central position in the vertical direction. The contact point portion 113H-1 is formed by press working. The protruding surface of the contact point portion 113H-1 is a convex curved surface, and as shown in FIG. 7A, is arc-shaped when viewed in the vertical direction. The contact portion 113H is formed over almost the entire range of the contact portions 113H and 123H in the Y-axis direction, and the convex curved surface serves as the contact surface.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 6(B), the third leg portion 119 has a rectangular columnar shape extending straight downward from the lower end of the second intermediate portion 113D. When the terminal member 110 is placed on the mounting surface Q1 of the circuit board Q, the tip surface (lower end surface) of the third leg portion 119 abuts against the mounting surface Q1. At this time, the tip surface is supported by the mounting surface Q1 at a position between the receiving hole Q2 and the connection hole Q3 (see the third leg portion 129 of the terminal member 120 shown in Fig. 8).

[0069] The terminal member 120 has exactly the same shape as the previously described terminal member 110. Regarding the configuration of the terminal member 120, parts corresponding to those of the terminal member 110 are assigned reference numerals that add "10" to the reference numerals of the terminal member 110 (for example, "extension portion 121" for the extension portion 111 of the terminal member 110), and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0070] 8, in the terminal 101 of this embodiment, similarly to the terminal 1 of the first embodiment, the terminal member 120 is attached to the mounting surface Q1 of the circuit board Q, and then the terminal member 110 is attached to the mounting surface Q1. Also, similarly to the first embodiment, the order of attachment of the terminal members 110 and 120 is not limited to this.

[0071] When a mating terminal (not shown) is connected to terminal 101, the mating terminal is inserted between contact portion 113H-1 of terminal member 110 and contact portion 123H-1 of terminal member 120 and is clamped by contact portions 113H-1 and 123H-1. In this embodiment, contact portions 113H-1 and 123H-1 are provided to protrude in the opposing direction (X-axis direction) of contact portions 113 and 123. Therefore, even if the mating terminal is slightly angled about an axis extending in the vertical direction when terminal 101 is connected to the mating terminal, the mating terminal will make good contact with contact portions 113H-1 and 123H-1. As a result, a stable connection between terminal 101 and the mating terminal can be easily ensured. In addition, when the mating terminal is in an angled position around the above axis, the direction in which the contact portions 113H-1, 123H-1 clamp the mating terminal is inclined by the above angle with respect to the X-axis direction when viewed from the top to bottom.

[0072] Furthermore, in the terminal 101 of this embodiment, the arm portions 113, 123 having the contact portions 113H, 123H in the terminal members 110, 120 are provided as part of the extending portions 111, 121 extending along the mounting surface Q1 of the circuit board Q. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the amount of possible displacement of the contact portions 113H, 123H can be increased while avoiding an increase in the size of the terminal 101 in the connection direction perpendicular to the mounting surface Q1.

[0073] Third Embodiment The terminal 201 of the third embodiment has, in the terminal members 210, 220, restricted portions 210A, 220A protruding from the contact portions 213H, 223H and restricting portions 213D-1, 223D-1 restricting movement of the restricted portions 210A, 220A, and in this respect, differs from the second embodiment, which does not have restricted portions and restricting portions. Also, the terminal 201 of this embodiment is configured so that the connection portions 216, 226 of the terminal members 210, 220 are soldered to and face-to-face with the corresponding circuit portion (pad) R4 on the mounting surface R1 of the circuit board R, and in this respect, differs from the second embodiment, in which the connection portions 116, 126 are inserted into the connection hole Q3 of the circuit board Q.

[0074] 9(A), (B) to 12, the present embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the second embodiment. Note that, in the terminals of the third embodiment, parts common to the terminal 101 of the second embodiment are assigned reference numerals obtained by adding "100" to the reference numerals of the second embodiment. Furthermore, in the circuit board of the present embodiment, parts common to the circuit board of the second embodiment are assigned reference numerals obtained by replacing "Q" with "R" in the reference numerals of the second embodiment.

[0075] 9(A) and (B) are perspective views showing the terminal 201 of this embodiment together with the circuit board R, with FIG. 9(A) showing the state as seen from above and FIG. 9(B) showing the state as seen from below. The terminal 201 is composed of terminal members 210 and 220 having the same shape. As in the second embodiment, the terminal members 210 and 220 are arranged on the mounting surface R1 of the circuit board R so as to be point-symmetrical when viewed in the up-down direction.

[0076] 10(A) and 10(B), the arm portion 213 of the terminal member 210 has a regulated portion 210A that protrudes toward the Y2 side from an upper portion of a free end portion (end portion on the Y2 side) of the contact portion 213H in the extension direction. Furthermore, the second intermediate portion 213D of the terminal member 210, i.e., the portion connected to the end portion (end portion on the Y1 side) opposite the free end portion of the contact portion 213H via the third bent portion 213E, has a notched regulating portion 213D-1 that opens upward at its upper end. The regulating portion 213D-1 is formed larger than the regulated portion 210A in the X-axis direction and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction).

[0077] 10(A) and 10(B), the connection portion 216 of the terminal member 210 is bent at a right angle at the lower end of the base portion 212 and extends in the Y2 direction. The connection portion 216 is adapted to be soldered to a corresponding circuit portion (pad) R4 on the mounting surface R1 of the circuit board R in face-to-face contact.

[0078] The terminal member 220 has exactly the same shape as the already-described terminal member 210. Regarding the configuration of the terminal member 220, parts corresponding to those of the terminal member 210 are assigned reference numerals that add "10" to the reference numerals of the terminal member 210 (for example, "extension portion 221" for extension portion 211 of the terminal member 210), and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 12, in the terminal 201 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 226 is soldered to one corresponding circuit portion R4 of the circuit board R, thereby mounting the terminal member 220 on the mounting surface R1, and then the connecting portion 216 is soldered to the other corresponding circuit portion R4 of the circuit board R, thereby mounting the terminal member 210 on the mounting surface R1. Also, as in the second embodiment, the order of mounting the terminal members 210 and 220 is not limited to this.

[0080] The regulated portion 210A of the terminal member 210 is accommodated in the regulating portion 223D-1 of the terminal member 220 when the terminal members 210, 220 are placed on the circuit board R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11(A), the regulated portion 210A is positioned with a gap formed between it and the inner wall surface of the regulating portion 223D-1 in the X-axis direction. The regulating portion 223D-1 allows a predetermined amount of movement of the regulated portion 210A in the X-axis direction within the range of the gap, and regulates movement of the regulated portion 210A beyond the predetermined amount by the inner wall surface (a surface perpendicular to the X-axis direction) of the regulating portion 223D-1. As a result of regulating the movement of the regulated portion 210A in this way, movement of the contact portion 213H in the X-axis direction beyond the predetermined amount is also regulated.

[0081] Furthermore, the restricting portion 213D-1 of the terminal member 210 accommodates the restricted portion 220A of the terminal member 220 when the terminal members 210, 220 are placed on the circuit board R. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11A , the restricted portion 220A is positioned with a gap formed between it and the inner wall surface of the restricting portion 213D-1 in the X-axis direction. The restricting portion 213D-1 allows the restricted portion 220A to move a predetermined amount in the X-axis direction within the range of the gap, while the inner wall surface of the restricting portion 213D-1 restricts movement of the restricted portion 220A beyond the predetermined amount. As a result of restricting movement of the restricted portion 220A in this manner, movement of the contact portion 223H in the X-axis direction beyond the predetermined amount is also restricted.

[0082] In this embodiment, as described above, movement of the contact portions 213H, 223H of the terminal members 210, 220 in the X-axis direction is restricted. Therefore, when the terminal 201 is connected to a mating terminal (not shown), the contact portions 213H, 223H are not excessively displaced in directions away from each other. As a result, the contact pressure when the mating terminal is clamped by the contact portions 213H, 223H can be increased, making it easier to maintain a stable contact state with the mating terminal.

[0083] Furthermore, in the terminal 201 of this embodiment, the arm portions 213, 223 having the contact portions 213H, 223H in the terminal members 210, 220 are provided as part of the extending portions 211, 221 extending along the mounting surface R1 of the circuit board R. Therefore, similar to the second embodiment described above, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to increase the amount of displacement of the contact portions 213H, 223H while avoiding an increase in the size of the terminal 201 in the connection direction perpendicular to the mounting surface R1.

[0084] <Fourth embodiment> In this embodiment, the terminal 301 is made up of only one terminal member, which is different from the third embodiment in that the terminal is made up of two terminal members.

[0085] 13(A), (B) and 14(A), (B), the present embodiment will be described below, focusing on the differences from the third embodiment. Regarding the terminals of the fourth embodiment, parts common to those of the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment, but with "100" added. Regarding the circuit board of the present embodiment, parts common to those of the circuit board of the third embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment, but with "R" replaced by "S."

[0086] The terminal 301 of this embodiment has a shape similar to that of the terminal member 210 of the third embodiment, with the addition of a contact portion (a second contact portion 313J described below) in addition to the contact portion 213H. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13(A) and 14(A) and (B), the arm portion 313 of the terminal 301 has contact portions 313H and 313J and a connecting portion 313K in addition to a first bent portion 313A, a first intermediate portion 313B, a second bent portion 313C, a second intermediate portion 313D, and a third bent portion 313E. The contact portions 313H and 313J each have a first contact portion 313H and a second contact portion 313J. The connecting portion 313K connects the Y2-side ends of the first contact portion 313H and the second contact portion 313J.

[0087] The second contact portion 313J is provided to face the first contact portion 313H from the X1 side. The second contact portion 313J has a contact protrusion 313J-1 formed at a position close to the end on the Y1 side. The contact protrusion 313J-1 is formed by press working, and protrudes from the plate surface on the X2 side of the second contact portion 313J and extends in the vertical direction.

[0088] When a mating terminal (not shown) is inserted between the contact portions 313H and 313J, the contact portions 313H and 313J elastically deform away from each other in the X-axis direction, using the connecting portion with the connecting portion 313K as a fulcrum, and clamp the mating terminal. Therefore, the first contact portion 313H contacts the X2-side surface of the mating terminal, and the second contact portion 313J contacts the X1-side surface of the mating terminal. At this time, the second contact portion 313J contacts the mating terminal at the contact protrusion 313J-1, which tends to stabilize the contact state between the contact portions 313H and 313J and the mating terminal.

[0089] Furthermore, in terminal 301 of this embodiment, arm portion 313 having contact portions 313H, 313J in terminal member 310 is provided as part of extension portion 311 extending along mounting surface S1 of circuit board S. Therefore, similar to the third embodiment, in this embodiment as well, it is possible to increase the amount of displacement of contact portions 313H, 313J while avoiding an increase in the size of terminal 301 in the connection direction perpendicular to mounting surface S1.

[0090] The number of intermediate portions and bent portions provided on the terminal member of the terminal according to the present invention is not limited to the numbers in the first to fourth embodiments described above, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0091] In the first embodiment, the extending portions 11, 21 of the terminal members 10, 20 are configured so that adjacent portions in the X-axis direction can come into contact with each other when the arm portions 13, 23 are elastically deformed. This configuration can also be applied to the second to fourth embodiments. In this case, in the fourth embodiment, a single terminal member can be configured so that adjacent portions in the X-axis direction, such as the second contact portion 313J and the second intermediate portion 313B, can come into contact with each other. Furthermore, when the configuration of the first embodiment is applied to the second to fourth embodiments, a protrusion (corresponding to the protrusion 12A of the first embodiment) protruding in the X-axis direction may be provided on the aforementioned portion, as in the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1,101,201,301 terminals 2 Mating terminal 10,20,110,120,210,220,310 Terminal material 11,21,111,121,211,221,311 Extension part 12,22,112,122,212,222,312 base 12A,22A protrusion 13,23,113,123,213,223,313 Arm 13H,23H,113H,123H,213H,223H Contact part 14,24,114,124,214,224,314 Upper guide part 15,25,115,125,215,225,315 Lower guide part 16,26,116,126,216,226,316 Connections 16B,26B,116B,126B Locking part 17,27,117,127,217,227 First leg 18,28,118,128,218,228 Second leg 19,29,119,129,219,229,319 Third leg 113H-1,123H-1 Contact part 213D-1,223D-1 Regulation Department 210A,220A Regulated part 313H First contact part 313J Second contact part 313K connection part P,Q,R,S circuit board P1, Q1, R1, S1 mounting surface P3, Q3, R3, S3 connection holes

Claims

1. A terminal that is mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board and to which a mating terminal is connected with a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, The terminal is composed of two terminal members each formed by bending a metal plate member in a thickness direction, each of the two terminal members has an extension portion extending along the mounting surface with a plate surface parallel to the connection direction, and a connection portion connectable to the circuit board; the extension portion has a base portion provided at one end side in the extension direction, and an arm portion extending from the base portion and elastically deformable at least in a plate thickness direction, The connection portion is provided extending from the base portion, the arm portion has bent portions bent to the same side around an axis extending in the connection direction at a plurality of positions in the extension direction, and a contact portion at the other end in the extension direction that is capable of contacting the mating terminal in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, The two terminal members are arranged so that the contact portion of one terminal member and the contact portion of the other terminal member face each other in a predetermined direction parallel to the mounting surface, and the contact portion of one terminal member contacts one surface of the mating terminal, and the contact portion of the other terminal member contacts the other surface of the mating terminal.

2. 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the extending portion of one terminal member and a portion of the extending portion of the other terminal member are positioned adjacent to each other in the opposing direction, and when the contact portion comes into contact with the mating terminal, causing the extending portions of each terminal member to elastically deform in the opposing direction, the portion of the extending portion of the one terminal member and the portion of the extending portion of the other terminal member can come into contact with each other.

3. 3. The terminal according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the portion of the extending portion of the one terminal member and the portion of the extending portion of the other terminal member has a protrusion that protrudes in the opposing direction, and the terminals are capable of contacting each other via the protrusion.

4. the extending portion of the terminal member has a restricted portion that protrudes in the extending direction from a free end portion of the contact portion, and a notched restricting portion that is formed at a portion that is connected to an end portion of the contact portion opposite to the free end portion via a bent portion, 2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the regulating portion of the one terminal member accommodates the regulated portion of the other terminal member, and the regulating portion of the other terminal member accommodates the regulated portion of the one terminal member, and each regulating portion is capable of regulating movement of the regulated portion in the opposing direction beyond a predetermined amount.

5. A terminal that is mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board and to which a mating terminal is connected with a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the terminal is formed of a single terminal member formed by bending a metal plate member in a thickness direction, the terminal member has an extending portion extending along the mounting surface with a plate surface parallel to the connection direction, and a connecting portion connectable to the circuit board, the extension portion has a base portion provided at one end side in the extension direction, and an arm portion extending from the base portion and elastically deformable at least in a plate thickness direction, The connection portion is provided extending from the base portion, the arm portion has bent portions bent to the same side around an axis extending in the connection direction at a plurality of positions in the extension direction, and a contact portion at the other end in the extension direction that is capable of contacting the mating terminal in a direction parallel to the mounting surface, the contact portion has a first contact portion and a second contact portion that face each other with a predetermined direction parallel to the mounting surface as a facing direction, A terminal characterized in that the first contact portion and the second contact portion are connected via a connecting portion, and the first contact portion contacts one surface of the mating terminal, and the second contact portion contacts the other surface of the mating terminal.

6. The terminal member is configured such that a portion of the extending portion and another portion are positioned adjacent to each other in the opposing direction, and when the first contact portion and the second contact portion contact the mating terminal, causing the extending portion to elastically deform in the opposing direction, the portion and the other portion can come into contact with each other.

7. The terminal according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the first and second extending portions of the terminal member has a protrusion protruding in the opposing direction, and the first and second extending portions are capable of contacting each other via the protrusion.

8. the terminal has a guide portion extending from an end of the contact portion in the connection direction, A terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the guide portions are formed so that the spacing between them in the opposing direction increases as they move away from the end of the contact portion in the connection direction, thereby making it possible to guide the mating terminal into a contact position with the contact portion.

9. the terminal has a leg portion extending from the extension portion toward the mounting surface in the connection direction, 8. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion has a tip end that can abut against the mounting surface.

10. 8. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion has a contact point portion that protrudes in the opposing direction, and the contact point portion is capable of coming into contact with the mating terminal.

11. A terminal as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connection portion extends from the base portion toward the circuit board in the connection direction and is adapted to be inserted into a hole formed in the circuit board, and a locking portion is provided at the tip side of the connection portion so as to be able to lock onto the surface of the circuit board opposite the mounting surface.

Images