Terminal

Abstract

To provide a terminal that can reduce the number of parts.SOLUTION: A terminal 1 includes a terminal connection portion 2 into which a mating terminal 50 is inserted and electrically connected. The terminal connection portion 2 includes a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 5 having a slit portion 12 formed along the axial direction X and an insertion space portion 13 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted, a folded portion 6 that is folded back and bent outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7 that is elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion 5 with the folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The inner peripheral wall portion 5 has through holes 15 and 16 that penetrate in the radial direction. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 includes an outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 that protrudes into the insertion space portion 13 through the through holes 15 and 16. In the inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 comes into contact with and presses the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Some terminals have a cylindrical terminal body into which an electric contact is inserted, and a cylindrical elastic contact member that is housed in the terminal body and applies contact pressure to the electric contact (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-195439 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since conventional terminals are sometimes composed of a terminal body and an elastic contact member, there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the number of parts.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal that can reduce the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a terminal according to the present invention includes a terminal connection portion that is formed in a cylindrical shape along an axial direction, and into which a mating terminal is inserted from one opening toward the other opening for electrical connection, and the terminal connection portion includes a slit portion formed along the axial direction, and a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion that has an insertion space portion that communicates with the outside via the slit portion and into which the mating terminal is inserted from one of the openings, and a folded portion that is formed at each circumferential end portion of the inner peripheral wall portion on the slit portion side along the axis, and that is folded back and bent outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and an outer peripheral wall portion extending from the folded portion along the inner peripheral wall portion in the circumferential direction and formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion using the folded portion as a fulcrum, wherein the inner peripheral wall portion has at least one through hole penetrating the inner peripheral wall portion in the radial direction, and the outer peripheral wall portion has at least one outer peripheral wall contact portion formed to protrude into the insertion space portion through the through hole, and the outer peripheral wall contact portion contacts and presses the mating terminal due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion when the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The terminal according to the present invention has the effect of reducing the number of parts. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the terminal according to the embodiment as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a view of a terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view of a terminal connection portion of a terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment, viewed from below. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing state changes of a terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a view of a terminal according to a second modified example of the embodiment as viewed from the axial direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view of a terminal connection portion of a terminal according to a second modified example of the embodiment, viewed from below. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. That is, the components in the following embodiments include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art or those that are substantially the same, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0010] In the following description, for convenience, the X direction shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 (including FIGS. 5 to 13) will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the Y direction as the "width direction Y," and the Z direction as the "height direction Z." The axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X corresponds to, for example, the extension direction of the terminal or the insertion / removal direction of the mating terminal. Here, one of the axial directions X will be referred to as the insertion direction X1 of the mating terminal 50, and the other will be referred to as the removal direction X2 of the mating terminal 50. Furthermore, one of the height directions Z will be referred to as the first direction Z1, and the other will be referred to as the second direction Z2. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each direction will be described as a direction in a state in which the terminal 1 is fixed to the device 51.

[0011] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view of the terminal according to an embodiment as seen from the axial direction. Fig. 3 is a view of a terminal connection portion of the terminal according to an embodiment as seen from below. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of Fig. 3.

[0012] 1, the terminal 1 is mounted on, for example, a device 51 mounted on a vehicle, and is connected to a mating terminal 50 to electrically connect the mating terminal 50 and the device 51. The mating terminal 50 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is made of a conductive metal member.

[0013] The terminal 1 is made of, for example, a single, integral, conductive metal member. For example, the terminal 1 is formed by forming a single sheet metal into shapes corresponding to each part, such as the terminal connection part 2, the device fixing part 3, and the connecting part 4, by various processes such as punching, pressing, and bending, so that each part is integrally formed three-dimensionally. The terminal 1 is arranged in the axial direction X from the removal direction X2 side toward the insertion direction X1 side, with the terminal connection part 2, the connecting part 4, and the device fixing part 3 lined up and connected to each other in this order.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal connection part 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape along the axial direction X as a whole. A mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection part 2 from one opening 10 toward the other opening 11 to be electrically connected. The terminal connection part 2 is composed of an inner peripheral wall part 5, two folded parts 6, and two outer peripheral wall parts 7.

[0015] 1 to 2 and 4, the inner peripheral wall portion 5 is formed in a cylindrical shape along the axial direction X, and is connected to the outer peripheral wall portions 7 via the folded portions 6. The inner peripheral wall portion 5 has a slit portion 12, an insertion space portion 13, four through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and four inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18.

[0016] The slit portion 12 is a gap formed linearly along the axial direction X of the terminal connection portion 2. The slit portion 12 is formed by a pair of folded portions 6 facing each other in the circumferential direction along the axis XO of the inner circumferential wall portion 5. The slit portion 12 penetrates the inner circumferential wall portion 5 from one opening 10 to the other opening 11, and connects the insertion space portion 13 to the external space.

[0017] The insertion space 13 is formed by the inner peripheral wall 5, communicates with the outside via the slit 12, and is a portion into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted from one opening 10. The insertion space 13 is formed between a pair of openings 10, 11 facing each other in the axial direction X.

[0018] 1 to 3, the through holes 15, 15, 16, 16 are each a through hole that penetrates the inner peripheral wall portion 5 in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. Two of the through holes 15, 15 are formed on the removal direction X2 side, and two of the through holes 16, 16 are formed on the insertion direction X1 side. All of the four through holes 15, 15, 16, 16 are formed in a rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0019] The inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 are each formed to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13, and are portions that come into contact with the mating terminal 50 in an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2. The two inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17 are provided on the removal direction X2 side of the inner peripheral wall portion 5, and are formed at positions that are symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two inner peripheral wall contact portions 18, 18 are provided on the insertion direction X1 side of the inner peripheral wall portion 5, and are formed at positions that are symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0020] 4, the inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 each have a cross-sectional shape that is curved and convex as viewed in the axial direction X, bulging from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13. The inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 each have a cross-sectional shape that is, for example, substantially semicircular as viewed in the axial direction X. The inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 each come into point contact with the mating terminal 50 in an inserted state where the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2.

[0021] The folded portion 6 is formed at the slit portion side end 14 in the circumferential direction along the axis XO of the inner circumferential wall portion 5, and is a portion that is folded back and bent radially outward. In the illustrated example, the folded portion 6 of this embodiment is bent so that the inner circumferential wall portion 5 and the outer circumferential wall portion 7 overlap in the radial direction, although a small gap remains on the inside.

[0022] The outer peripheral wall portion 7 extends circumferentially from each folded portion 6 along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 and is formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion 5, with each folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 faces the inner peripheral wall portion 5 in the radial direction and is located radially outward. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 has an outer peripheral wall main body 20 and four outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22.

[0023] The outer peripheral wall main body 20 is formed along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 in the circumferential direction from the folded portion 6 so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 .

[0024] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 are provided on the inner peripheral wall portion 5 and protrude into the insertion space portion 13 through radially opposed through holes 15, 15, 16, 16. These contact portions come into contact with the mating terminal 50 when the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2. The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 are each formed to protrude from the circumferential end portion 20a of the outer peripheral wall main body 20. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21 are provided on the removal direction X2 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22, 22 are provided on the insertion direction X1 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7 and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0025] 4, the cross-sectional shape of each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 as viewed from the axial direction X is formed into a convex or inverted U-shape, curving so as to bulge toward the insertion space portion 13. In an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 come into contact with and press the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7. In the inserted state, each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 makes line contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X.

[0026] When viewed from the axial direction X in a non-inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is not inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, 21 partially pass through the through holes 15, 15, and the portions that contact the mating terminal 50 protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13. When viewed from the axial direction X in the non-inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 22, 22 partially pass through the through holes 16, 16, and the portions that contact the mating terminal 50 protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13.

[0027] The device fixing portion 3 is a portion that fixes the terminal 1 to the device 51. The device fixing portion 3 is formed in a flat rectangular plate shape, and is formed with several through holes through which fastening members such as bolts are inserted.

[0028] The connecting portion 4 is a portion that connects the device fixing portion 3 and the inner peripheral wall portion 5 together.

[0029] As described above, the terminal 1 according to this embodiment includes the terminal connection portion 2 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted and electrically connected. The terminal connection portion 2 includes a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion 5 having a slit portion 12 formed along the axial direction X and an insertion space portion 13 into which the mating terminal 50 is inserted, a folded portion 6 that is folded back and bent outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7 that is elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion 5 with the folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. The inner peripheral wall portion 5 has through holes 15 and 16 that penetrate in the radial direction. The outer peripheral wall portion 7 has an outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 that protrudes into the insertion space portion 13 through the through holes 15 and 16. In an inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portion 21 contacts and presses the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7.

[0030] When the mating terminal 50 of the terminal 1 is inserted into the insertion space 13 through the opening 10 of the terminal connection portion 2, the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal 50 abuts against the inner peripheral wall contact portions 17 and the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21. When the mating terminal 50 then moves in the insertion direction X1, the mating terminal 50 presses against the inner peripheral wall contact portions 17, and each inner peripheral wall portion 5 elastically deforms radially outward together with each outer peripheral wall portion 7, with the portion radially facing the slit portion 12 as a fulcrum, thereby relatively widening the slit portion 12 in the circumferential direction. At the same time, the mating terminal 50 presses against the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21, and each outer peripheral wall portion 7 elastically deforms radially outward with the folded portion 6 as a fulcrum. When the tip of the mating terminal 50 then moves toward the opening 11, the inner peripheral wall contact portions 18 and the outer peripheral wall contact portions 22 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal 50. When the mating terminal 50 is fully inserted into the terminal connection portion 2, the elastic force of each outer wall portion 7 presses the outer wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 against the mating terminal 50, and the elastic force of each inner wall portion 5 presses the inner wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 against the mating terminal 50, thereby holding the mating terminal 50 to the terminal 1. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the mating terminal 50 comes into contact with the inner wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 and the outer wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22, so that the mating terminal 50 is electrically connected to the terminal 1 through electrical continuity.

[0031] Furthermore, when the mating terminal 50 is fully inserted into the terminal connection portion 2 and the mating terminal 50 is misaligned in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, the terminal 1 works to return the mating terminal 50 to its original position by the elastic forces of the inner peripheral wall portions 5 and the outer peripheral wall portions 7. This allows the terminal 1 to easily suppress the axial misalignment of the mating terminal 50.

[0032] Due to the above configuration, compared to conventional terminals, terminal 1 is able to provide the function of an elastic contact member in the terminal body, so that only the terminal body is required, eliminating the need for an elastic contact member, thereby reducing the number of parts in the terminal.

[0033] Furthermore, in the terminal 1 according to this embodiment, the inner peripheral wall portion 5 is connected to the outer peripheral wall portion 7 via the folded portion 6, so that, compared to conventional terminals, even if the plate thickness of the terminal 1 is set to be thin, it is possible to ensure a constant volume for the entire terminal, and the conductor resistance is less likely to increase.

[0034] Furthermore, in the terminal 1 according to this embodiment, the terminal connection portion 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape in accordance with the mating terminal 50, which is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape. The inner circumferential wall portion 5 has two inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 that protrude toward the insertion space portion 13 and are formed in a position radially opposite the outer circumferential wall contact portion 21, passing through an axis XO along the axial direction X, and that come into contact with the mating terminal 50 in the inserted state. This allows the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21, 21, 22, 22 and the inner circumferential wall contact portions 17, 17, 18, 18 of the terminal 1 to come into contact with the mating terminal 50 from both radial sides, ensuring a balance of pressure between the radially opposing contact points.

[0035] [First Modification] Next, a terminal 1A according to a first modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a view of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment as viewed from the axial direction. Fig. 7 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment as viewed from below. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view showing changes in state of the terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment.

[0036] The terminal 1A according to the first modification differs from the above-described terminal 1 in that a part of the shape of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A of the terminal connection portion 2A is different. As shown in FIG. 5 , the terminal 1A is composed of the terminal connection portion 2A, a connecting portion 4, and a device fixing portion 3.

[0037] The terminal connection portion 2A is composed of an inner peripheral wall portion 5, a folded portion 6, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7A.

[0038] The outer peripheral wall portion 7A has an outer peripheral wall main body 20A, four outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A, and an extending portion 23A.

[0039] The outer peripheral wall main body 20 is formed along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 in the circumferential direction from the folded portion 6 so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 .

[0040] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A are formed to protrude into the insertion space portion 13 via the through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and come into contact with the mating terminal 50 in an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A are provided on the removal direction X2 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22A, 22A are provided on the insertion direction X1 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0041] 8, the cross-sectional shape of each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A when viewed from the axial direction X is bent toward the insertion space portion 13. In an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A come into contact with and press the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7A. In the inserted state, each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A makes line contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X.

[0042] When viewed from the axial direction X, in a non-inserted state where the mating terminal 50 is not inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A have ends that contact the mating terminal 50 and pass through the through holes 15 and part of the ends protrude as a contact point from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13. When viewed from the axial direction X, in the non-inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 22A and 22A have ends that contact the mating terminal 50 and pass through the through holes 16 and part of the ends protrude as a contact point from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the insertion space portion 13.

[0043] The extending portion 23A extends in one circumferential direction from the outer peripheral wall main body 20A and extends from the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the side opposite the slit portion-side end portion 14 in the circumferential direction. As shown in Fig. 7, each extending portion 23A has a through hole 24, 25 in the corresponding outer peripheral wall portion 7A. The through holes 24, 24, 25, 25 correspond to punched holes for forming the so-called outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A.

[0044] The extending portion 23A has a gap S in the radial direction between it and the inner circumferential wall portion 5. That is, the outer circumferential wall portion 7A is provided on the opposite side of the outer circumferential wall portion 7A from the folded-back portion 6 in the circumferential direction, and forms the gap S between it and the inner circumferential wall portion 5. When the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A while being shifted toward the first direction (slit portion 12) Z1, the width L of the slit portion 12 expands to width L1, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 . The expansion of the width of the slit portion 12 causes the inner circumferential wall portion 5 to bend radially outward. However, because there is the gap S between the inner circumferential wall portion 5 and the outer circumferential wall portion 7A including the extending portion 23A, the outer circumferential wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A are directed toward the insertion space portion 13 without the outer circumferential wall portion 7A bending in conjunction with the inner circumferential wall portion 5.

[0045] As described above, the terminal 1A according to the first modified example has the same effects as the terminal 1 according to the above embodiment.

[0046] Furthermore, in the terminal 1A according to the first modification, the outer peripheral wall portion 7A has a gap S between it and the inner peripheral wall portion 5, so the outer peripheral wall portion 7A does not bend radially outward in conjunction with the inner peripheral wall portion 5, and the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A move toward the insertion space portion 13. As a result, even if the mating terminal 50 is inserted in an axially misaligned state shifted toward the first direction (slit portion 12) Z1, the terminal 1A can ensure the ability of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A to follow the mating terminal 50.

[0047] Furthermore, in terminal 1A according to the first modification, outer peripheral wall portion 7A has extension portion 23A that extends from outer peripheral wall contact portions 21A, 21A, 22A, 22A along inner peripheral wall portion 5 toward the side opposite slit portion-side end portion 14 in the circumferential direction. As a result, extension portion 23A increases the surface area of ​​terminal 1A, increasing the heat capacity of terminal 1A and suppressing a temperature rise in terminal 1A when current is applied.

[0048] [Second Modification] Next, a terminal 1B according to a second modified example of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment. Fig. 11 is a view of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment as seen from the axial direction. Fig. 12 is a view of the terminal connection portion of the terminal according to the second modified example of the embodiment as seen from below. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of Fig. 12.

[0049] The terminal 1B according to the second modification differs from the above-described terminal 1 in that the inner diameter of the folded portion 6B in the terminal connecting portion 2B and part of the shape of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B are different. As shown in FIG. 10 , the terminal 1B is composed of the terminal connecting portion 2B, a connecting portion 4, and a device fixing portion 3.

[0050] The terminal connection portion 2B is composed of an inner peripheral wall portion 5, a folded portion 6B, and an outer peripheral wall portion 7B.

[0051] The folded portion 6B is formed at the slit portion side end 14 in the circumferential direction along the axis XO of the inner circumferential wall portion 5, and is a portion that extends radially inward and then bends radially outward. In other words, the folded portion 6B has a relatively larger inner diameter than the above-mentioned folded portion 6, and a large gap T is formed on the inside.

[0052] The outer peripheral wall portion 7B has an outer peripheral wall main body 20B and four outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, and 22B.

[0053] The outer peripheral wall main body 20B is formed along the inner peripheral wall portion 5 in the circumferential direction from the folded portion 6B, and is formed so as to cover a part of the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 5.

[0054] The outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B are formed to protrude into the insertion space portion 13 via the through holes 15, 15, 16, 16, and come into contact with the mating terminal 50 in an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2A. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B are provided on the removal direction X2 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z. The two outer peripheral wall contact portions 22B, 22B are provided on the insertion direction X1 side of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B, and are formed at positions symmetrical in the width direction Y about the axis XO as the central axis when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 13, the cross-sectional shape of each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B is bent toward the insertion space portion 13 when viewed from the axial direction X. In an inserted state in which the mating terminal 50 is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2B, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B come into contact with and press the mating terminal 50 due to elastic deformation of the outer peripheral wall portion 7B. As shown in Figs. 10 to 13, each of the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B in the second modified example has a contact surface with the mating terminal 50 that is formed as a hemispherical surface (or a curved surface). Therefore, unlike the above embodiment and the first modified example, in the inserted state, the outer peripheral wall contact portions 21B, 21B, 22B, 22B make point contact with the mating terminal 50 along the axial direction X, rather than line contact.

[0056] As described above, the terminal 1B according to the second modification provides the same effects as the terminal 1 according to the above embodiment.

[0057] Furthermore, in the terminal 1B according to the second modification, the folded portion 6B is bent radially inward and then radially outward, which prevents cracks from occurring in the folded portion 6B during 180-degree bending even when the terminal 1B is made of a relatively hard metal material (for example, a copper alloy instead of pure copper).

[0058] In the above embodiment and the first and second modifications, the mating terminal 50 is formed in a columnar shape, but is not limited to this and may be formed in a cylindrical shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 terminal 2 terminal connection 3 Equipment fixing part 4 Connecting part 5 Inner peripheral wall 6 Folded section 7 Outer wall 10,11 Opening 12 Slit section 13 Insertion space 14 Slit side end 15,16 Through holes 17,18 Inner peripheral wall contact part 21,22 Outer wall contact part 50 Mating terminal 51 Equipment

Claims

1. a terminal connection portion formed in a cylindrical shape along an axial direction, into which a mating terminal is inserted from one opening toward the other opening for electrical connection; The terminal connection portion is a cylindrical inner peripheral wall portion having a slit portion formed along the axial direction and an insertion space portion communicating with the outside via the slit portion and into which the mating terminal is inserted from one of the openings; a folded portion formed at each end of the inner peripheral wall portion on a slit portion side in a circumferential direction along the axis of the inner peripheral wall portion, the folded portion being folded back and bent outward in a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction; an outer peripheral wall portion extending in the circumferential direction from the folded portion along the inner peripheral wall portion and formed to be elastically deformable so as to move away from the inner peripheral wall portion with the folded portion as a fulcrum, The inner peripheral wall portion is At least one through hole is provided that penetrates the inner circumferential wall portion in the radial direction, The outer peripheral wall portion is At least one outer peripheral wall contact portion is formed to protrude into the insertion space through the through hole, The outer peripheral wall contact portion is When the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion, the outer peripheral wall portion elastically deforms to contact and press the mating terminal. A terminal characterized by:

2. The mating terminal is It is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape, The terminal connection portion is It is formed in a cylindrical shape, The inner peripheral wall portion is the at least one inner peripheral wall contact portion that projects toward the insertion space portion and is formed at a position that faces the outer peripheral wall contact portion in the radial direction through an axis that extends along the axial direction, and that comes into contact with the mating terminal in the inserted state; The terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The outer peripheral wall portion is the outer peripheral wall portion is provided on the opposite side of the folded portion in the circumferential direction, and a gap is formed between the outer peripheral wall portion and the inner peripheral wall portion in the inserted state. The terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The outer peripheral wall portion is an extending portion extending from the outer peripheral wall contact portion along the inner peripheral wall portion toward an opposite side to the slit portion side end portion in the circumferential direction; The terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a device fixing portion that is fixed to and electrically connected to the device; a connecting portion that connects the device fixing portion and the inner circumferential wall portion. The terminal according to claim 1 .

Images