Connector terminal, chain terminal, connector, and manufacturing method of connector terminal

Abstract

To prevent a contact failure and an attachment / detachment failure with a mating connector terminal.SOLUTION: A connector terminal (11) is separated from a chained terminal (1) and inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a connector housing (21). The connector terminal is provided with: a base part (14) attached to the connector housing; a first contact part (12) protruding in one direction from the base part; and a second contact part (13) protruding in the other direction from the base part. The chained terminal is provided with a strip-shaped carrier (5) connecting a large number of terminals in parallel, and the base part is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector terminal, a chain terminal, a connector, and a method for manufacturing a connector terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a connector housing has a plurality of terminal insertion holes formed therein, and a connector is assembled by inserting a plurality of connector terminals into the plurality of terminal insertion holes. The plurality of connector terminals are connected via a carrier, and are detached from the carrier before or after being inserted into the plurality of terminal insertion holes. Connector terminals having pin-shaped contact portions formed on both ends are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). One contact portion of the connector terminal in Patent Document 1 is connected to the carrier, and after the other contact portion is inserted into the terminal insertion hole, the tip of one contact portion is detached from the carrier. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-063101 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the connector terminal described in Patent Document 1 is separated from the carrier, burrs or the like may occur on one contact portion, which may cause poor contact between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal or poor attachment / detachment.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a connector terminal, a chain terminal, a connector, and a method for manufacturing a connector terminal that can prevent poor contact with the mating connector terminal and poor attachment and detachment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A connector terminal of one embodiment of the present invention is a connector terminal that is separated from a chain terminal and inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a connector housing, and comprises a base portion attached to the connector housing, a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion, and a second contact portion protruding in the other direction from the base portion, and the chain terminal is provided with a strip-shaped carrier that connects a large number of terminals in parallel, and the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier, thereby solving the above-mentioned problem. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the connector terminal of the present invention, when the carrier of the chained terminal is cut between the terminals, the connector terminal is separated from the chained terminal and the base portion of the connector terminal is formed. When the carrier is cut, no burrs or cutting defects occur on the first and second contact portions, so poor contact and attachment / detachment between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chained terminal of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector terminal of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams of an assembly operation of the connector of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a connection state between terminals according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Generally, chain terminals are formed by stringing many terminals together on a strip-shaped carrier. The terminals are cut off from the carrier before use, but when they are cut off from the carrier, burrs may form on the cut surface of the terminal or the cut surface may become slanted. If the part connected to the carrier is the lead of a DIP terminal, the lead is soldered to the board, so even if some burrs form on the cut surface of the lead, it has little effect. On the other hand, if the part connected to the carrier is the contact part of a pin terminal, burrs on the fracture surface of the contact part may cause poor contact or problems with connection and disconnection when connecting to the mating connector terminal.

[0010] If the center portions of multiple terminals are connected by a center carrier, no burrs or the like will be formed on the tips of the contact portions even when the center carrier is cut. However, because the center carrier is strip-shaped with a predetermined thickness, the load acting on the cutting tool when cutting the center carrier is large. Incidentally, the center carrier needs to be provided with multiple carrier holes to feed out the chained terminals. In this embodiment, by forming carrier holes between the terminals of the center carrier, the strength of the cutting points between the terminals of the center carrier is reduced, thereby reducing the load acting on the cutting tool.

[0011] The chained terminal and connector terminal of this embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the chained terminal of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the connector terminal of this embodiment. In each drawing, the front side of the terminal is indicated by an arrow FR, the rear side of the terminal by an arrow RE, the upper side of the terminal by an arrow U, the lower side of the terminal by an arrow LO, the left side of the terminal by an arrow L, and the right side of the terminal by an arrow R.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the chained terminal 1 is formed by punching a metal plate into a predetermined shape. The chained terminal 1 is provided with a strip-shaped center carrier (carrier) 5 on which a large number of terminals (connector terminals 11) are arranged in parallel. A first contact portion 12 of each terminal protrudes from the upper edge of the center carrier 5, and a second contact portion 13 of each terminal protrudes from the lower edge of the center carrier 5. The first contact portions 12 of each terminal are arranged at equal intervals in the extension direction of the center carrier 5. The second contact portions 13 of each terminal are arranged at equal intervals in the extension direction of the center carrier 5 to correspond to the first contact portions 12.

[0013] A plurality of carrier holes 7 are formed between the terminals of the center carrier 5 for feeding out the chained terminals 1. The carrier holes 7 are formed in a circular shape, and a feed claw of a transport mechanism (not shown) enters the carrier holes 7 to feed out the chained terminals 1. The carrier holes 7 are located at the boundaries between adjacent terminals, and a cutting line C is set on the center carrier 5 so as to cross the center of the carrier holes 7 in the width direction of the center carrier 5. Because the cutting line C is divided by the carrier holes 7, the cutting width of the center carrier 5 cut with a cutting tool is narrowed by the diameter of the carrier holes 7.

[0014] As shown in Figure 2, connector terminal 11 is formed by being separated from chain terminal 1. Connector terminal 11 is inserted into terminal insertion hole 22 of connector housing 21 (see Figure 3) to assemble the connector. A wide base portion 14 is formed in the center of connector terminal 11, and base portion 14 is attached to connector housing 21. A first contact portion 12 protrudes upward (first direction) from base portion 14, and a second contact portion 13 protrudes downward (second direction) from base portion 14. First and second contact portions 12, 13 are formed in a prismatic shape, and the tips of first and second contact portions 12, 13 are pointed in a truncated pyramid shape.

[0015] The base end side (upper side) of the second contact portion 13 is inserted into the terminal insertion hole 22 of the connector housing 21. A pair of first and second latching claws 15, 16 protrude from both side surfaces of the base end side (upper side) of this second contact portion 13. The first latching claw 15 is positioned lower than the second latching claw 16. The side surface of the first latching claw 15 is inclined so that the protrusion amount increases toward the base end side. The side surface of the second latching claw 16 is inclined in a stepped manner so that the protrusion amount increases toward the base end side. This makes it possible for the second contact portion 13 to be press-fitted into the terminal insertion hole 22, while also making it difficult for the second contact portion 13 to come out of the terminal insertion hole 22.

[0016] The base portion 14 of the connector terminal 11 is formed by cutting the center carrier 5 (see FIG. 1) between the terminals. As described above, because the carrier holes 7 are formed along the intended cutting line C in the center carrier 5, the width of the cut made by the cutting tool is narrowed by the width of the carrier holes 7, thereby reducing the load on the cutting tool. Furthermore, burrs and cutting defects may occur on the cut surface of the center carrier 5, i.e., the side surface of the base portion 14. Because the side surface of the base portion 14 does not come into contact with the connector housing 21 or the mating connector terminal, there is no impact even if burrs or the like occur on the side surface of the base portion 14.

[0017] A pair of press-fit shoulders 17 is formed on the upper surface of the base portion 14 on the side of the first contact portion 12, and a pair of abutment surfaces 18 is formed on the lower surface of the base portion 14 on the side of the second contact portion 13. The pair of press-fit shoulders 17 serve as a pair of pressure-receiving surfaces that receive pressure from a pressing tool (not shown), and the pair of press-fit shoulders 17 are pressed by the pressing tool to insert the second contact portion 13 into the terminal insertion hole 22. The pair of abutment surfaces 18 abut against the bottom surface of the connector housing 21, thereby regulating the insertion amount of the connector terminal 11. In this way, the pair of press-fit shoulders 17 and the pair of abutment surfaces 18 are formed for the connector terminal 11 using the center carrier 5.

[0018] The connector and the method of assembling the connector will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the connector of this embodiment. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram of the assembly operation of the connector of this embodiment. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the connection state of terminals of this embodiment. Note that Figure 3(A) shows a plan view of the connector, Figure 3(B) shows a cross-section of the connector of Figure 3(A) taken along line AA, and Figure 3(C) shows a cross-section of the connector of Figure 3(B) taken along line BB. Also, the housing of the mating connector is omitted from Figure 5.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3(A) to 3(C), the connector 10 is an intermediate connector that connects a pair of mating connectors (not shown). The connector 10 has a resin connector housing 21. A pair of left and right recesses 23 is formed in the top surface of the connector housing 21, and a pair of front and rear terminal insertion holes 22 penetrate from the bottom surface of each recess 23 to the bottom surface of the connector housing 21. The second contact portion 13 of each connector terminal 11 is press-fitted into each terminal insertion hole 22. The first contact portion 12 of each connector terminal 11 protrudes upward from the top surface of the connector housing 21, and the second contact portion 13 of each connector terminal 11 protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the connector housing 21.

[0020] In this case, the depth of the recess 23 is designed to be greater than the height of the base portion 14. More specifically, the top surface of the connector housing 21 is located above the pair of press-fit shoulders 17 of the base portion 14. Because the base portion 14 fits completely into the recess 23, the pair of press-fit shoulders 17 do not interfere with the mating connector even when the mating connector is connected to the first contact portion 12 of the connector 10. In addition, the base portion 14 protrudes laterally beyond the second latching claws 16. Therefore, the lower surface of the base portion 14 functions as an abutment surface 18 that abuts against the bottom surface of the recess 23.

[0021] Next, the manufacture of the connector terminal 11 and the assembly of the connector 10 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a chained terminal 1 is formed by punching a metal plate such as phosphor bronze into a predetermined shape (step of forming the chained terminal). After the chained terminal 1 is punched out of the metal plate, a plating process such as a base plating process is performed on the chained terminal 1. After plating, the chained terminal 1 is fed into a manufacturing line. In the manufacturing line, the carrier holes 7 of the center carrier 5 are hooked onto a feed claw, and the feed claw sequentially feeds the chained terminal 1 toward a cutting tool.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the chained terminal 1 is cut between the terminals to separate the connector terminals 11 from the chained terminal 1 (step of separating the connector terminals). The center carrier 5 is cut along the planned cutting line C with a cutting tool, and the connector terminals 11 are separated from the chained terminal 1. As described above, carrier holes 7 are formed between the terminals, and the cut width of the center carrier 5 is narrowed by the diameter of the carrier holes 7, reducing resistance when cutting the center carrier 5 with the cutting tool. The cut surfaces of the connector terminals 11 are free of plating, and the base material, such as phosphor bronze, is exposed from the cut surfaces.

[0023] Next, the connector terminal 11 is positioned above the connector housing 21 and inserted into the terminal insertion hole 22 (see FIG. 3(C)) of the connector housing 21 by a pressing tool. At this time, the pressing tool is brought into contact with a pair of press-fit shoulders 17 of the connector terminal 11, and the second contact portion 13 of the connector terminal 11 is pressed into the terminal insertion hole 22 of the connector housing 21. The pressing of the pressing tool is stopped when the pair of abutment surfaces 18 of the connector terminal 11 abut against the bottom surface of the recess 23 of the connector housing 21. The second contact portion 13 is press-fit into the terminal insertion hole 22, and the first and second latching claws 15, 16 of the second contact portion 13 bite into the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole 22, thereby preventing the connector terminal 11 from coming out.

[0024] 5, a mating connector terminal 31 is brought close to a first contact portion 12 of a connector terminal 11, and the first contact portion 12 of the connector terminal 11 fits between a pair of contact pieces 32 of the connector terminal 31. The first contact portion 12 is sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 32, and the connector terminal 11 and the mating connector terminal 31 are connected. Furthermore, a mating connector terminal 35 is brought close to a second contact portion 13 of the connector terminal 11, and the second contact portion 13 of the connector terminal 11 fits between a pair of contact pieces 36 of the connector terminal 35. The second contact portion 13 is sandwiched between the pair of contact pieces 36, and the connector terminal 11 and the mating connector terminal 35 are connected.

[0025] As described above, because connector terminal 11 is cut by center carrier 5, no burrs or cutting defects occur on the tips of first and second contact portions 12, 13. Therefore, a pair of contact pieces 32 of mating connector terminal 31 makes good contact with first contact portion 12 of connector terminal 11, and a pair of contact pieces 36 of mating connector terminal 35 makes good contact with second contact portion 13 of connector terminal 11. Various wiring such as power lines and signal lines are connected to mating connector terminals 31, 35, and various wiring connected to mating connector terminals 31, 35 is electrically connected via connector terminal 11.

[0026] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the center carrier 5 of the chained terminal 1 is cut between the terminals, the connector terminal 11 is separated from the chained terminal 1 and the base portion 14 of the connector terminal 11 is formed. When the center carrier 5 is cut, no burrs or cutting defects occur on the first and second contact portions 12, 13, so poor contact and attachment / detachment between the connector terminal 11 and the mating connector terminals 31, 35 can be prevented.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first and second contact portions are formed in a rectangular column shape, but the shape of the first and second contact portions is not particularly limited as long as they are formed so as to protrude from the base portion.

[0028] In addition, in this embodiment, the carrier holes are formed in a circular shape, but the shape of the carrier holes is not particularly limited.

[0029] In addition, in the present embodiment, the connector terminal is inserted into the connector housing after being separated from the chained terminal, but the connector terminal may be inserted into the connector housing before being separated from the chained terminal.

[0030] As described above, the first aspect is a connector terminal (11) that is separated from a chained terminal (1) and inserted into a terminal insertion hole (22) of a connector housing (21). The connector terminal (11) includes a base portion (14) attached to the connector housing, a first contact portion (12) protruding in one direction from the base portion, and a second contact portion (13) protruding in the other direction from the base portion. The chained terminal is provided with a strip-shaped carrier (center carrier 5) that connects multiple terminals in parallel, and the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier. With this configuration, when the carrier of the chained terminal is cut between the terminals, the connector terminal is separated from the chained terminal and the base portion of the connector terminal is formed. When the carrier is cut, no burrs or cutting defects occur on the first and second contact portions, preventing poor contact and connection / detachment between the connector terminal and the mating connector terminal.

[0031] In the second embodiment, in the first embodiment, carrier holes (7) for feeding out chained terminals are formed between the terminals of the carrier, and a cutting line (C) is set in the carrier so as to cross the carrier holes in the width direction of the carrier. With this configuration, the cutting width by the cutting tool is narrowed by the amount of the carrier holes, thereby reducing the load acting on the cutting tool when cutting the carrier.

[0032] In the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, a pair of press-fit shoulders (17) is formed on the first contact portion side of the base portion, and the pair of press-fit shoulders is pressed by a pressing tool to insert the second contact portion into the terminal insertion hole. With this configuration, it is possible to form press-fit shoulders that receive the pressing force from the pressing tool by using the carrier of the chain terminal.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the base end side of the second contact portion is inserted into the terminal insertion hole, a pair of latching claws (15, 16) protrude from both side surfaces of the base end side of the second contact portion, and the side surfaces of the pair of latching claws are inclined so that the protrusion amount increases toward the base end side. With this configuration, the second contact portion can be press-fitted into the terminal insertion hole, while the second contact portion can be made less likely to come out of the terminal insertion hole.

[0034] A fifth aspect is a chained terminal including a number of connector terminals to be inserted into terminal insertion holes of a connector housing and a strip-shaped carrier that connects the number of connector terminals in parallel, wherein the number of connector terminals includes a base portion attached to the connector housing, a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion, and a second contact portion protruding in the other direction from the base portion, and the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier. This configuration can prevent poor contact and poor attachment / detachment between the connector terminals cut off from the chained terminal and the mating connector terminal.

[0035] A sixth aspect is a connector (10) comprising connector terminals separated from a chained terminal and a connector housing having a terminal insertion hole into which the connector terminals are inserted, wherein the connector terminals have a base portion attached to the connector housing, a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion, and a second contact portion protruding in the other direction from the base portion, and the chained terminal is provided with a strip-shaped carrier that connects many connector terminals in parallel, and the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier. This configuration makes it possible to prevent poor contact and poor attachment / detachment between the connector terminals and the mating connector terminals when the connectors are connected to each other.

[0036] A seventh aspect is a method for manufacturing a connector terminal to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a connector housing, the method comprising the steps of forming a chained terminal by punching a flat plate into a predetermined shape, and separating connector terminals from the chained terminal, the chained terminal having a strip-shaped carrier connecting a large number of connector terminals in parallel, the connector terminals having a base portion attached to the connector housing, a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion, and a second contact portion protruding in the other direction from the base portion, and the step of separating the connector terminals cuts between the terminals of the carrier to form the base portion. This configuration makes it possible to manufacture connector terminals that can prevent poor contact with and problems with attachment and detachment of mating connector terminals.

[0037] Although the present embodiment has been described, other embodiments may be obtained by combining the above-described embodiments and modifications in whole or in part.

[0038] Furthermore, the technology of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be variously changed, substituted, or modified within the scope of the spirit of the technical idea. Furthermore, if the technical idea can be realized in a different way due to technological advances or other derived technologies, it may be implemented using that method. Therefore, the claims cover all embodiments that may fall within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1: Chain terminal 5: Center carrier (carrier) 7: Carrier hole 10: Connector 11: Connector terminal 12: First contact part 13: Second contact part 14: Base part 17: Press-fit shoulder 21: Connector housing 22: Terminal insertion hole

Claims

1. A connector terminal that is separated from a chain terminal and inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a connector housing, a base portion attached to the connector housing; a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion; a second contact portion protruding in another direction from the base portion, The chained terminal is provided with a belt-shaped carrier that connects a number of terminals in parallel, The connector terminal is characterized in that the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier.

2. A carrier hole is formed between the terminals of the carrier for feeding out the chain terminals, 2. The connector terminal according to claim 1, wherein a cutting line is set on the carrier so as to cross the carrier hole in the width direction of the carrier.

3. a pair of press-fit shoulders are formed on the first contact portion side of the base portion; 3. The connector terminal according to claim 1, wherein the pair of press-fit shoulders are pressed by a pressing tool to insert the second contact portion into the terminal insertion hole.

4. a base end side of the second contact portion is inserted into the terminal insertion hole, A pair of latching claws protrude from both side surfaces of the base end of the second contact portion, 3. The connector terminal according to claim 1, wherein the side surfaces of the pair of latching claws are inclined so that the amount of protrusion increases toward the base end.

5. A chained terminal including a number of connector terminals to be inserted into terminal insertion holes of a connector housing, and a strip-shaped carrier that connects the number of connector terminals in parallel, The plurality of connector terminals are a base portion attached to the connector housing; a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion; a second contact portion protruding in another direction from the base portion, The chained terminal is characterized in that the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier.

6. A connector comprising: a connector terminal separated from a chain terminal; and a connector housing having a terminal insertion hole into which the connector terminal is inserted, The connector terminal is a base portion attached to the connector housing; a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion; a second contact portion protruding in another direction from the base portion, The chained terminal is provided with a belt-shaped carrier that connects a number of the connector terminals in parallel, A connector, characterized in that the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier.

7. A method for manufacturing a connector terminal to be inserted into a terminal insertion hole of a connector housing, comprising: forming a chain terminal by stamping a flat plate into a predetermined shape; and disconnecting the connector terminal from the chained terminal; The chain terminals include: a strip-shaped carrier is provided that connects a large number of the connector terminals in parallel; The connector terminal has: a base portion attached to the connector housing; a first contact portion protruding in one direction from the base portion; a second contact portion protruding in another direction from the base portion, The method for manufacturing a connector terminal, wherein in the step of separating the connector terminals, the base portion is formed by cutting between the terminals of the carrier.

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