Female terminal

Abstract

To provide a female terminal that can reduce conduction resistance and improve heat dissipation performance, prevent a spring member from coming off a cylindrical connection portion, and suppress a decrease in the contact pressure of the female terminal to a male terminal.SOLUTION: A female terminal 10 includes a cylindrical connecting portion 18, an electric wire connecting portion 24, a connecting portion 26, and a spring member 30. The cylindrical connecting portion 18 includes an arc-shaped first peripheral wall portion 60 and a second peripheral wall portion 64. The electric wire connecting portion 24 is formed by overlapping a first other end portion 96 and a second other end portion 98. The connecting portion 26 includes a first wall portion 102 and a second wall portion 104. The first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are overlapped with each other, and the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second peripheral wall portion 64 are arranged opposite each other to form the cylindrical connecting portion 18. The spring member 30 biases the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second peripheral wall portion 64 in a direction toward each other. At least one of the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104 includes a detachment prevention protrusion 110 that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface 28 of the cylindrical connecting portion 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrical connection structure using male and female terminals, consisting of a male terminal having a substantially cylindrical columnar connecting portion, known as a pin terminal or the like, and a female terminal having a substantially cylindrical tubular connecting portion, known as a sleeve terminal or the like. The tubular connecting portion of the female terminal is fitted with a plurality of C-shaped spring members that urge the tubular connecting portion radially inward, thereby improving the contact pressure of the female terminal with the male terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-22644 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the structure of Patent Document 1, only a portion of the circumferential area of ​​the tubular connecting portion is directly connected to the wire connecting portion to which the core wire of the insulated electric cable is connected. As a result, the conductive path to the wire connecting portion is long in the remaining circumferential area of ​​the tubular connecting portion, resulting in a deterioration of the conductive resistance and heat dissipation performance of the female terminal. Furthermore, repeated insertion and removal of the male terminal into the female terminal can cause the spring member to displace in the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion and become detached from the tubular connecting portion, which can make it difficult to maintain the desired contact pressure between the female terminal and the male terminal.

[0005] Therefore, we disclose a female terminal that can reduce electrical resistance and improve heat dissipation performance, prevent the spring member from coming off the cylindrical connecting portion, and suppress a decrease in the contact pressure of the female terminal against the male terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The female terminal of the present disclosure comprises a tubular connecting portion that is electrically connected to the pillar-shaped connecting portion of a male terminal, an electric wire connecting portion to which the core wire of an electric wire is connected, a connecting portion that connects the tubular connecting portion and the electric wire connecting portion, and a spring member attached to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion, the tubular connecting portion including a first circumferential wall portion that is provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped first flat plate fitting into an arc, and a second circumferential wall portion that is provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped second flat plate fitting into an arc, the wire connecting portion being configured by overlapping a first other end portion that is the other end of the first flat plate fitting and a second other end portion that is the other end of the second flat plate fitting, and the connecting portion is located between the first circumferential wall portion and the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and is the first wall portion bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first circumferential wall portion, and a second wall portion located between the second circumferential wall portion and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the second circumferential wall portion, the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting being overlapped with each other and the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion being arranged opposite each other to form the tubular connecting portion, the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion being urged by the spring member in directions in which they approach each other in the opposing directions, and at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a separation prevention protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The female terminal of the present disclosure can reduce electrical resistance and improve heat dissipation performance, prevent the spring member from coming off the tubular connecting portion, and suppress a decrease in the contact pressure of the female terminal against the male terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a female connector including a female terminal according to a first embodiment is fitted to a male terminal. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the female connector shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female connector shown in FIG. 1, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is an exploded perspective view of the male terminal and female connector shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a female terminal fitting constituting the female terminal shown in FIG. 1 in a separate state before a spring member is attached. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the female terminal fitting shown in FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view showing a female terminal that constitutes the female connector shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a front view showing the female connector shown in FIG. 1 in a state before mating with the male terminal. [Figure 13] 13 is a rear view of the female connector shown in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a female connector including a female terminal according to the second embodiment in a mated state with a male terminal, taken along the line XIV-XIV in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XV-XV in FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a female connector including a female terminal according to the third embodiment in a mated state with a male terminal, taken along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XVII-XVII in FIG. [Figure 18] 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a female connector including a female terminal according to the fourth embodiment in a mated state with a male terminal, taken along the line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The female terminal of the present disclosure comprises: (1) A connector comprising: a tubular connecting portion that is electrically connected to the columnar connecting portion of a male terminal; an electric wire connecting portion to which the core wire of an electric wire is connected; a coupling portion that couples the tubular connecting portion and the electric wire connecting portion; and a spring member attached to the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion, wherein the tubular connecting portion includes a first circumferential wall portion that is provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped first flat plate fitting into an arc; and a second circumferential wall portion that is provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped second flat plate fitting into an arc; the wire connecting portion is configured by overlapping a first other end portion that is the other end of the first flat plate fitting and a second other end portion that is the other end of the second flat plate fitting; and the coupling portion is located between the first circumferential wall portion and the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and is attached to the first circumferential wall portion. and a second wall portion located between the second circumferential wall portion and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the second circumferential wall portion, wherein the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting are overlapped with each other and the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion are arranged opposite each other to form the tubular connecting portion, the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion are urged by the spring member in directions in which they approach each other in the opposing directions, and at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a separation prevention protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion.

[0010] According to the female terminal of the present disclosure, the tubular connecting portion is formed by arranging first and second circumferential wall portions, which are formed by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped metal flat plate into an arc, facing each other. Furthermore, the wire connecting portion is formed by overlapping a first other end portion of a first flat plate fitting, one end of which is provided with the first circumferential wall portion, and a second other end portion of a second flat plate fitting, one end of which is provided with the second circumferential wall portion. Therefore, the entire first and second circumferential wall portions that form the tubular connecting portion are directly connected to the wire connecting portion, which makes it possible to reduce the electrical resistance of the female terminal and improve heat dissipation performance compared to the conventional structure described in Patent Document 1, in which only a partial area of ​​the tubular connecting portion is connected to the wire connecting portion.

[0011] In addition, the connecting portion that connects the tubular connecting portion and the electric wire connecting portion is constituted by a first wall portion located between the first circumferential wall portion and the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting, and a second wall portion located between the second circumferential wall portion and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting. The first wall portion and the second wall portion are bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion (tubular connecting portion), and a separation-preventing protrusion is constituted by at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion. In other words, the separation-preventing protrusion is provided by a portion of at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, which are bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, protruding outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion. Therefore, even if the spring member attached to the outer surface of the tubular connecting portion is displaced toward the base end of the tubular connecting portion as the male terminal and female terminal are inserted or removed, the spring member interferes with the anti-detachment protrusion, preventing the spring member from detaching from the tubular connecting portion and suppressing a decrease in the contact pressure of the female terminal against the male terminal.

[0012] The first flat plate fitting and the second flat plate fitting may be separated from each other, or may be connected to each other at their respective other ends. Furthermore, "the first other end and the second other end are overlapped" does not mean that the first other end and the second other end are in close contact over their entire surfaces, as long as they are positioned adjacent to each other and facing each other, and this also includes a state in which part or all of them are facing each other with a gap between them.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that the first wall portion has a first base-end connecting portion rising from the first other end in the intersecting direction, and a first tip-end connecting portion having a width dimension smaller than that of the first base-end connecting portion, extending from a widthwise central portion of the first base-end connecting portion toward the first peripheral wall portion and being connected to a circumferential central portion of the first peripheral wall portion, wherein both widthwise end portions of the first base-end connecting portion protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular connecting portion to form the pair of anti-detachment protrusions, and the second wall portion has a second base-end connecting portion rising from the second other end in the intersecting direction, and a second tip-end connecting portion having a width dimension smaller than that of the second base-end connecting portion, extending from a widthwise central portion of the second base-end connecting portion toward the second peripheral wall portion and being connected to the circumferential central portion of the second peripheral wall portion, wherein both widthwise end portions of the second base-end connecting portion protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular connecting portion to form the pair of anti-detachment protrusions.

[0014] The first and second wall portions each have first and second base-end connecting portions that bend from the wire connecting portion and rise in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, and first and second tip-end connecting portions that are smaller in width and connect to circumferential central portions of the first and second circumferential wall portions. This facilitates the processing of bending one end of the flat metal fitting when forming the circumferential central portions of the first and second circumferential wall portions. Furthermore, the first and second tip-end connecting portions that protrude from the widthwise central portions of the first and second base-end connecting portions are connected to the circumferential central portions of the curved first and second circumferential wall portions. This ensures that both widthwise end portions of the first and second base-end connecting portions protrude outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion formed by the first and second circumferential wall portions. This allows a pair of separation prevention protrusions to be provided on both widthwise sides of the first and second wall portions, thereby achieving both improved manufacturability of the female terminal and stable retention of the spring member.

[0015] (3) In the above (1) or (2), it is preferable that at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a window portion formed therethrough in the plate thickness direction. During the manufacture of the female terminal, for example, it is necessary to inspect the state of the contacts inside the tubular connecting portion from the tip opening of the tubular connecting portion, but the presence of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, which are bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the tubular connecting portion, limits the amount of light inside the tubular connecting portion. In this aspect, since at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a window portion formed therethrough in the plate thickness direction, an adequate amount of light is advantageously ensured, making it possible to advantageously inspect the internal contacts of the tubular connecting portion.

[0016] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the first flat plate fitting and the second flat plate fitting are formed from a single strip-shaped flat metal plate in which the first other end and the second other end are connected to each other via a connecting portion, the first circumferential wall portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second circumferential wall portion of the second flat plate fitting are provided at both end portions of the metal plate, and the connecting portion of the metal plate is bent in the plate thickness direction so that the first other end of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end of the second flat plate fitting are overlapped to form the electric wire connection portion, and the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion provided at the both end portions are arranged opposite each other to form the tubular connection portion. The tubular connecting portion and the wire connecting portion can be easily manufactured by simply pressing the first and second peripheral wall portions at both ends of a strip-shaped flat metal plate, bending the connecting portion provided in the central part of the flat metal plate in the thickness direction, and folding the flat metal plate in half in the length direction, thereby further improving manufacturability and handleability.

[0017] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, it is preferable that the spring member includes a metal ring member notched at one location in the circumferential direction, and that the inner peripheral surface of the ring member is attached with pressure contact to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular connecting portion. The spring member can be easily configured using a metal ring member notched at one location in the circumferential direction. Moreover, since the ring member is attached to the tubular connecting portion with the inner peripheral surface of the ring member being pressed against the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second circumferential wall portions, it is possible to stably apply contact pressure to the tubular connecting portion with a simple structure.

[0018] (6) In the above (5), it is preferable that the axial dimension of the ring member is 2 / 3 to 1.5 times the axial dimension of the cylindrical connecting part. Since the axial length of the ring member constituting the spring member is 2 / 3 to 1.5 times the axial dimension of the cylindrical connecting part, the spring member can not only apply contact pressure to the cylindrical connecting part but also perform a protective function of suppressing interference between the cylindrical connecting part and other parts.

[0019] (7) In any one of (1) to (6) above, it is preferable that a bent portion bent radially outward is provided at a circumferential end portion of at least one of the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion, and the bent portion is fitted into a fitting hole of the spring member. Simply by bending the circumferential end portion of at least one of the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion radially outward to provide a bent portion and fitting the bent portion into a fitting hole provided in the spring member, displacement of the spring member in at least one of the axial and circumferential directions can be advantageously suppressed. This allows the spring member to stably apply contact pressure.

[0020] (8) In any one of (1) to (7) above, it is preferable that at least one of the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion is provided with an approach restriction protrusion protruding toward the other, and that the approach restriction protrusion abuts against the other when the spring member biases the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion toward each other in the opposing direction. The approach restriction protrusion provided on at least one of the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion abuts against the other, thereby suppressing the amount of displacement of the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion in the approach direction against the biasing force of the spring member. This reduces insertion resistance when inserting the male terminal into the female terminal.

[0021] <Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure> Specific examples of the female terminal of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> A female terminal 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13. FIGS. 1 to 13 show a female connector 12 including the female terminal 10 of the present disclosure and a male terminal 14 electrically connected to the female terminal 10. The male terminal 14 protrudes from the housing of an on-board device, such as a high-voltage battery (not shown), and is electrically connected to a female connector 12 (female terminal 10) provided at the end of a covered electric wire 20 (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) connected to another on-board device, such as an inverter, thereby electrically connecting the on-board devices. The female terminal 10 can be oriented in any direction. In the following description, the upper side will be referred to as the upper side in FIG. 2, the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 2, the left side as the left side in FIG. 2, the right side as the right side in FIG. 2, the front side as the left side in FIG. 3, and the rear side as the right side in FIG. 3. In addition, when multiple identical components are illustrated, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals for the other components will be omitted.

[0023] <Female terminal 10> The female terminal 10 includes a tubular connecting portion 18 that is electrically connected to the columnar connecting portion 16 of the male terminal 14, an electric wire connecting portion 24 to which a core wire 22 of a coated electric wire 20 serving as an electric wire is connected, a connecting portion 26 that connects the tubular connecting portion 18 and the electric wire connecting portion 24, and a ring member 30 that serves as a spring member attached to an outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18. In the first embodiment, as will be described later, the female terminal fitting 32 is formed by bending a strip-shaped metal flat plate, and this female terminal fitting 32 includes the tubular connecting portion 18, the electric wire connecting portion 24, and the connecting portion 26. The ring member 30 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18 of the female terminal fitting 32, thereby forming the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment.

[0024] <Female connector 12> The female connector 12 includes the female terminals 10 and an insulating housing 34 that accommodates the female terminals 10. The housing 34 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the front-to-rear direction as a whole and is made of an insulating synthetic resin or the like. That is, the housing 34 has a hollow, generally cylindrical main body 36, and a front opening 38 and a rear opening 40 are defined at both front-to-rear ends of the main body 36. In the first embodiment, an annular front cover 42 that protrudes inwardly is integrally formed at the front end of the housing 34, and the front opening 38 is defined by an inner hole in the front cover 42.

[0025] In the front-rear direction middle portion of the main body portion 36, elastic pieces 44 that are elastically deformable in the radial direction (left-right direction) are provided on both left and right sides. That is, gaps 46 are provided on three sides (circumferential both sides and the front) of each elastic piece 44 in the main body portion 36, and each elastic piece 44 is connected to the main body portion 36 at its base end (rear end). Each elastic piece 44 is elastically deformable in the radial direction relative to the main body portion 36, with this rear end as the base point. Furthermore, a locking protrusion 48 that protrudes inward from the protruding end (front end) of each elastic piece 44 is formed to be locked into each locking hole 130 in the ring member 30, as described below. Furthermore, a positioning protrusion 50 that protrudes forward is provided at a radial middle portion of each locking protrusion 48. Each of these locking protrusions 48 and positioning protrusions 50 has a predetermined circumferential dimension. The distance between the inner peripheral surfaces of the positioning protrusions 50 in the opposing direction (left-right direction) is set to be approximately equal to the outer diameter dimension of the ring member 30. As a result, when the locking protrusions 48 are locked in the locking holes 130, the inner peripheral surface of each positioning protrusion 50 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 30, thereby suppressing left-right displacement of the ring member 30 (female terminal 10) relative to the main body 36 (housing 34).

[0026] 6 and other figures, the inner peripheral surface of the main body 36 is provided with inner peripheral protrusions 51 that protrude inward. In the first embodiment, a plurality of inner peripheral protrusions 51 are provided spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the main body 36, and when the female terminal 10 is housed inside the main body 36, the protruding end face of each inner peripheral protrusion 51 abuts against or is slightly spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the female terminal 10 (i.e., the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 30). This effectively prevents the female terminal 10 from tilting within the housing 34.

[0027] <Male terminal 14> The male terminal 14 is made by cutting or pressing a metal with relatively low electrical resistance, such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy, into a predetermined shape. The male terminal 14 integrally includes a fixing portion 52 that is fixed and connected to an equipment-side connecting portion provided in the housing of an on-board device, such as a high-voltage battery (not shown), and a substantially cylindrical columnar connecting portion 16 that protrudes from the fixing portion 52 toward the outside (rear) of the housing. The fixing portion 52 is provided with a bolt fastening hole 54 into which a fastening bolt (not shown) for fastening to the equipment-side connecting portion is fastened. In addition, a resin cap 56 made of synthetic resin is fixedly attached to the protruding tip (rear end) of the columnar connecting portion 16.

[0028] <Cylindrical connecting part 18> The tubular connecting portion 18 includes a first circumferential wall portion 60 formed by bending one end of a band-shaped first flat plate fitting 58 into an arc, and a second circumferential wall portion 64 formed by bending one end of a band-shaped second flat plate fitting 62 into an arc. In Embodiment 1, the first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62 extend in the front-to-rear direction, and the first circumferential wall portion 60, which is one end of the first flat plate fitting 58, and the second circumferential wall portion 64, which is one end of the second flat plate fitting 62, are provided at the front ends of the first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8 and other figures, the first and second circumferential wall portions 60, 64 each have a circumferential dimension of approximately half the circumference, and are each semi-cylindrical overall. The tubular connecting portion 18 is formed by arranging the circumferential ends of the first and second circumferential wall portions 60, 64 facing each other so that they butt against each other in the up-down direction. As will be described later, when the ring member 30 serving as a spring member is attached to the tubular connecting portion 18, the tubular connecting portion 18 has an inner diameter dimension that is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the columnar connecting portion 16 of the male terminal 14, and the columnar connecting portion 16 can be inserted into the tubular connecting portion 18 in a substantially press-fit state.

[0029] <First peripheral wall section 60> In the first embodiment, a first slit 66 is provided in a circumferential central portion (upper portion) of the first circumferential wall portion 60. The first slit 66 extends in the front-rear direction and penetrates the first circumferential wall portion 60 in the thickness direction. The first slit 66 extends from the front end of the first circumferential wall portion 60 over substantially the entire length of the first circumferential wall portion 60 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). As a result, the first circumferential wall portion 60 is divided into two on both circumferential sides sandwiching the first slit 66, forming a pair of first divided wall portions 68, 68 each having a circumferential dimension of approximately one-quarter of the circumference. As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, an inward protrusion 70 that protrudes radially inward is provided in a longitudinal (front-rear direction) central portion of each of the first divided wall portions 68. As will be described later, the tubular connecting portion 18 (female terminal fitting 32) is formed by pressing a strip-shaped metal flat plate, and therefore an outer recess 72 that is concave radially outward is formed on the outer surface (i.e., the outer surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18) at a location (central portion in the front-to-rear direction) corresponding to the inner protrusion 70 of each first dividing wall portion 68.

[0030] In particular, in the first embodiment, the circumferential curvature of the inner circumferential surface 74 of the inward protrusion 70 of each first partition wall 68 varies from part to part. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 , the circumferential curvature of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each first partition wall 68 is smaller (the radius of curvature is larger) at both circumferential side portions than at the circumferential central portion. As a result, the circumferential side portions of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each first partition wall 68 protrude more inward than in a case where the curvature of the inner circumferential surface 74 is constant due to the curvature of the circumferential central portion. As a result, when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted into the tubular connecting portion 18, as will be described later, the portions of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 with reduced curvature at both circumferential side portions come into contact with the columnar connecting portion 16.

[0031] Therefore, in the first embodiment, first contact portions 76, 76 that come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted are provided on both circumferentially separated portions of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each first partition wall portion 68. Also, a first non-contact portion 78 that does not come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted is provided in a circumferentially central portion of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each first partition wall portion 68. Therefore, a gap 80 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 and the first non-contact portion 78 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted.

[0032] Furthermore, a bent portion 82 bent radially outward is provided at a circumferential end of the first circumferential wall portion 60. In the first embodiment, bent portions 82, 82 are provided at both circumferential ends of the rear end portion of the first circumferential wall portion 60. In particular, in the first embodiment, as described above, the first slits 66 are provided in the circumferential central portion of the first circumferential wall portion 60 to divide it into each of the first partition wall portions 68, and therefore, at the rear end of each of the first partition wall portions 68, a bent portion 82 is provided at the circumferential end opposite the first slits 66. The front end surface of each bent portion 82 is an inclined surface 83 that gradually slopes rearward as it approaches the outer periphery.

[0033] An approach restriction protrusion 84 that protrudes downward toward the second peripheral wall portion 64 is provided at a circumferential end of the first peripheral wall portion 60. In the first embodiment, the approach restriction protrusions 84, 84 are provided at both circumferential ends of the front end portion of the first peripheral wall portion 60. In particular, in the first embodiment, as described above, the first slits 66 are provided in the circumferential central portion of the first peripheral wall portion 60 to divide it into each of the first partition wall portions 68, and therefore, at the front end portion of each of the first partition wall portions 68, the approach restriction protrusion 84 is provided at the circumferential end portion opposite the first slits 66.

[0034] A flat portion 85 extending in the horizontal direction (a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction) is formed at the rear end (i.e., the rear portion of the first slit 66) in the circumferential central portion (upper portion) of the first circumferential wall portion 60. In other words, this flat portion 85 is provided in the vicinity of the connection portion between the first circumferential wall portion 60 and a first tip-side coupling portion 108, which will be described later. By providing such a flat portion 85 on the first circumferential wall portion 60, the worker can easily grasp the circumferential position of the female terminal fittings 32 (particularly the upper portion) when attaching the ring member 30 to the female terminal fittings 32.

[0035] <Second peripheral wall section 64> In the first embodiment, a second slit 86 that extends in the front-rear direction and penetrates the second circumferential wall portion 64 in the thickness direction is provided in a circumferential central portion (lower portion) of the second circumferential wall portion 64. The second slit 86 is formed in a shape similar to the first slit 66 in the first circumferential wall portion 60 described above. As a result, the second circumferential wall portion 64 is divided into two on both circumferential sides sandwiching the second slit 86, thereby forming a pair of second divided wall portions 88, 88. An inward protrusion 70 that protrudes radially inward is provided in a central portion in the length direction (front-rear direction) of each of these second divided wall portions 88, similar to the first circumferential wall portion 60 (each first divided wall portion 68). In addition, an outer recess 72 that is concave radially outward is formed on the outer surface (i.e., the outer surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18) at a location (central portion in the fore-and-aft direction) corresponding to the inward protrusion 70 of each second dividing wall portion 88, similar to the first peripheral wall portion 60 (each first dividing wall portion 68).

[0036] In particular, in the first embodiment, the radially inward protrusion of the inward protrusion 70 of each second partition wall 88 varies along the length (front-rear direction) of the second partition wall 88. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 , the radially inward protrusion of each inward protrusion 70 of each second partition wall 88 is greater at both front-rear sides than at the front-rear center. In other words, the radially inward protrusion of each inward protrusion 70 of each second partition wall 88 is smaller at the front-rear center than at both front-rear sides. Accordingly, the depth of each outer recess 72 of each second partition wall 88 from the outer peripheral surface (the outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18) is smaller at the front-rear center. In other words, the bottom surface of the outer recess 72 of each second partition wall 88 protrudes radially outward at the front-rear center than at both front-rear sides. As a result, when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted into the cylindrical connecting portion 18 as described below, the portions of each inner protrusion 70 that have an increased radially inward protrusion dimension come into contact.

[0037] Therefore, in the first embodiment, second contact portions 90, 90 that come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted are provided on both front-rear direction side portions of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each second partition wall portion 88 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The protruding tip surface of each second contact portion 90 has a substantially curved arc shape, and in the cross section shown in FIG. 5 , each second contact portion 90 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 at one point. Furthermore, a second non-contact portion 92 that does not come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted is provided in a central portion in the front-rear direction of the inner circumferential surface 74 of each inner protrusion 70 of each second partition wall portion 88. Therefore, a gap 94 is formed between the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 and the second non-contact portion 92 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted. In the first embodiment, each second partition wall portion 88 is formed with a substantially constant curvature in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted, each second contact portion 90 makes linear contact with the columnar connecting portion 16 over approximately the entire circumferential length of each second dividing wall portion 88, and each gap 94 with the columnar connecting portion 16 is formed over approximately the entire circumferential length of each second dividing wall portion 88.

[0038] Furthermore, a bent portion 82 bent radially outward is provided at a circumferential end of the second circumferential wall portion 64. Similar to the bent portions 82 of the first circumferential wall portion 60, the bent portions 82 of the second circumferential wall portion 64 are provided at the circumferential end opposite the second slits 86, at the rear end portions of the second divided wall portions 88, 88. In each of the bent portions 82 of the second circumferential wall portion 64, the front end surface also forms an inclined surface 83.

[0039] Furthermore, an approach restriction protrusion 84 that protrudes upward toward the first peripheral wall portion 60 is provided at a circumferential end of the second peripheral wall portion 64. Similar to the approach restriction protrusion 84 of the first peripheral wall portion 60, the approach restriction protrusion 84 of the second peripheral wall portion 64 is provided at the circumferential end opposite the second slit 86 at the front end of each second divided wall portion 88, 88.

[0040] <Wire connection part 24> The electric wire connecting portion 24 is configured by overlapping a first other end portion 96, which is the other end portion (rear end portion in embodiment 1) of the first flat plate fitting 58, and a second other end portion 98, which is the other end portion (rear end portion in embodiment 1) of the second flat plate fitting 62. In particular, in embodiment 1, as will be described later, the first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62 are formed by pressing a single strip-shaped flat metal plate, and the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are connected to each other at their respective rear ends via a connecting portion 100.

[0041] The first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are each shaped like a substantially rectangular plate in a plan view, and the wire connecting portion 24 also has a substantially rectangular plate shape as a whole. The first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are stacked in the vertical direction, and the core wire 22 exposed at the front end of the insulated electric wire 20 is fixed to the upper surface of the first other end portion 96, thereby electrically connecting the wire connecting portion 24 (female terminal fitting 32) and the insulated electric wire 20. In the first embodiment, the width direction dimension (left-right direction dimension) of the first other end portion 96 is larger than that of the second other end portion 98. This allows the core wire 22 to be fixed over a wider area.

[0042] The method for fixing the core wire 22 to the first other end 96 is not limited, and may be, for example, by adhesive bonding or crimping, or by welding such as ultrasonic welding. The electric wire connection portion 24 according to the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment, and the first other end 96 and the second other end 98 may have the same widthwise dimension, or the second other end 98 may have a larger widthwise dimension. Furthermore, the first other end 96 and the second other end 98 may be fixed to each other by welding, for example, when fixing the core wire 22, or may be disposed opposite each other with a small gap between them without being fixed to each other.

[0043] <Connection part 26> The connecting portion 26 includes a first wall portion 102 located in the first flat plate fitting 58 between the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the first other end portion 96 (in the front-to-rear direction) and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction (front-to-rear direction) of the first circumferential wall portion 60, and a second wall portion 104 located in the second flat plate fitting 62 between the second circumferential wall portion 64 and the second other end portion 98 (in the front-to-rear direction) and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction (front-to-rear direction) of the second circumferential wall portion 64. In Embodiment 1, the first wall portion 102 is bent in a direction (up-down direction) substantially perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and extends substantially in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the second wall portion 104 is bent in a direction (up-down direction) substantially perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and extends substantially in the up-down direction. In particular, in embodiment 1, the front-to-rear position of the first wall portion 102 in the first flat plate fitting 58 and the front-to-rear position of the second wall portion 104 in the second flat plate fitting 62 are approximately equal, and the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104 in the female terminal fitting 32 are arranged so as to be approximately continuous in the vertical direction.

[0044] Furthermore, the vertical dimension of the first wall portion 102 is larger than the vertical dimension of the second wall portion 104. As a result, the wire connection portion 24, which is composed of the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98, is located below the vertical center of the female terminal fitting 32. As a result, as shown in Fig. 3 and other figures, the space above the wire connection portion 24 within the female connector 12 is larger than the space below the wire connection portion 24, and a region for fastening the core wire 22 of the insulated wire 20 to the upper surface of the first other end portion 96 can be stably secured.

[0045] <First wall section 102> The first wall portion 102 has a first base end connecting portion 106 that rises from the first other end portion 96 in a direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction (in embodiment 1, a direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction, upward), and a first tip end connecting portion 108 that has a widthwise (left-right) dimension smaller than that of the first base end connecting portion 106, extends from the widthwise central portion of the first base end connecting portion 106 toward the first circumferential wall portion 60, and is connected to the circumferential central portion of the first circumferential wall portion 60.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the first base-end coupling portion 106 has a plate shape that is generally rectangular when viewed in the front-rear direction and has a predetermined width dimension. Specifically, the width dimension of the first base-end coupling portion 106 is smaller than that of the first other end portion 96 and larger than the width dimension (left-right dimension) of the first circumferential wall portion 60 (cylindrical connecting portion 18). As a result, both widthwise end portions of the first base-end coupling portion 106 protrude outward in the left-right direction beyond the outer circumferential surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18. As a result, the widthwise end portions of the first base-end coupling portion 106 form separation prevention protrusions 110 that prevent separation of the spring member (ring member 30) when the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fitting 32, as will be described later.

[0047] The first wall 102 is also formed with a first window 112 as a window penetrating through in the plate thickness direction. In the first embodiment, the first window 112 is formed in the widthwise central portion of the first base-end coupling portion 106, and has predetermined left-right and up-down dimensions. Specifically, the first window 112 extends from the lower portion (first other end 96) of the first base-end coupling portion 106 to the vertical central portion of the first base-end coupling portion 106, and the upper end portion is curved in an arc shape.

[0048] <Second wall section 104> The second wall portion 104 has a second base end side connecting portion 114 that rises from the second other end portion 98 in a direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction (in embodiment 1, a direction perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction, downward), and a second tip end side connecting portion 116 that has a widthwise (left-right) dimension smaller than that of the second base end side connecting portion 114, extends from the widthwise central portion of the second base end side connecting portion 114 toward the second circumferential wall portion 64 and is connected to the circumferential central portion of the second circumferential wall portion 64.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the second base-end coupling portion 114 has a plate shape that is generally rectangular when viewed in the front-rear direction and has a predetermined width dimension. Specifically, the width dimension of the second base-end coupling portion 114 is smaller than that of the second other end portion 98 and larger than that of the second circumferential wall portion 64 (the tubular coupling portion 18). As a result, both widthwise end portions of the second base-end coupling portion 114 protrude outward in the left-right direction beyond the outer circumferential surface 28 of the tubular coupling portion 18. As a result, the widthwise end portions of the second base-end coupling portion 114 also form the separation prevention protrusions 110 that prevent the above-described ring member 30 from separating.

[0050] The second wall 104 is also formed with a second window 118 as a window penetrating through in the plate thickness direction. In the first embodiment, the second window 118 is formed in the widthwise central portion of the second base-end coupling portion 114, and has predetermined left-right and up-down dimensions. Specifically, the second window 118 extends from the upper portion (second other end 98) of the second base-end coupling portion 114 to the up-down central portion of the second base-end coupling portion 114, and the lower end portion is curved in an arc shape.

[0051] In particular, in the first embodiment, the first window 112 in the first wall 102 and the second window 118 in the second wall 104 are formed at approximately equal positions in the left-right direction, and the first window 112 and the second window 118 are connected in the up-down direction. As a result, the first window 112 and the second window 118 are formed as a generally oval shape extending in the up-down direction as a whole when viewed in the front-to-back direction (projected in the front-to-back direction).

[0052] <Female terminal fitting 32 (first flat plate fitting 58 and second flat plate fitting 62)> The first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62 shaped as described above are formed from a single strip-shaped flat metal plate in which the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are connected to each other via a connecting portion 100. That is, the female terminal fitting 32 is formed by bending this single strip-shaped flat metal plate into the above-described shape, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 , and the flat metal plate before bending has the connecting portion 100 provided in the longitudinal center portion and the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second peripheral wall portion 64 provided at both ends of the flat metal plate. Then, by bending the connecting portion 100 of the flat metal plate in the thickness direction, the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 are overlapped to form the wire connecting portion 24, and the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second peripheral wall portion 64 are arranged opposite each other to form the tubular connecting portion 18. In the first embodiment, the tubular connecting portion 18 extends in the front-rear direction, the connecting portion 26 and the electric wire connecting portion 24 are formed behind the tubular connecting portion 18, and the tubular connecting portion 18 is open forward (has a front opening 119). The first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 can be deformed, particularly in a direction such that their front ends move toward or away from each other, using the connection portion with the connecting portion 26 (particularly the first tip-side connecting portion 108 and the second tip-side connecting portion 116) as a base point. The single strip-shaped metal flat plate constituting the female terminal fitting 32 is formed from, for example, copper (including copper alloys) or aluminum (including aluminum alloys).

[0053] <Spring member (ring member 30)> The spring member includes a metal ring member 30 with a notch cut out at one location in the circumferential direction. In the first embodiment, the entire spring member is a ring member 30 that is substantially cylindrical and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The ring member 30 is formed, for example, from a springy stainless steel or the like, by pressing a metal plate such as the springy stainless steel or the like. The ring member 30 has a notch 120 formed at one location in the circumferential direction, i.e., on the lower side, and the notch 120 is formed over the entire length of the ring member 30 in the longitudinal direction (front-to-rear direction). The ring member 30 is formed to have a predetermined radial dimension, but is elastically expandable and deformable so as to increase the widthwise dimension (circumferential dimension) of the notch 120. As a result, the ring member 30 is attached to the outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18, as described above. The axial dimension (front-rear dimension) A (see FIG. 3) of this ring member 30 is preferably 2 / 3 or more and 1.5 or less times the axial dimension B (see FIG. 3) of the tubular connecting portion 18. In the first embodiment, the tubular connecting portion 18 is covered by the ring member 30 over substantially the entire length in the front-rear direction, and the ring member 30 covers the tubular connecting portion 18 from the front end portion thereof past the rear end portion thereof to the first tip-side connecting portion 108 and the second tip-side connecting portion 116 of the connecting portion 26. Note that the position of the rear end portion of the tubular connecting portion 18 (the boundary portion with the connecting portion 26) is not clearly defined, but the rear end portion of the flat portion 85 may be the rear end portion of the tubular connecting portion 18, for example.

[0054] Specifically, when the ring member 30 is in a standalone state before being attached to the tubular connecting portion 18, the inner diameter dimension of the ring member 30 is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter dimension of the tubular connecting portion 18. To attach the ring member 30 to the tubular connecting portion 18, for example, the front end portion of the tubular connecting portion 18 is inserted into the rear end portion of the ring member 30. Thereafter, the ring member 30 is slid rearward relative to the tubular connecting portion 18, whereby the ring member 30 is fitted onto the tubular connecting portion 18.

[0055] Furthermore, fitting holes 122 into which the bent portions 82 bent outward from the tubular connecting portion 18 fit are formed on both left and right sides of the rear portion of the ring member 30. In the first embodiment, the bent portions 82 are provided at both circumferential ends of the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64, and a total of four bent portions 82 are provided in the tubular connecting portion 18. The fitting holes 122 in the ring member 30 are formed at positions corresponding to the bent portions 82, and two fitting holes 122 are provided on each left and right side of the rear portion of the ring member 30, thereby forming a total of four fitting holes 122 in the ring member 30. When the ring member 30 is slid rearward and attached to the tubular connecting portion 18, the rear end of the ring member 30 abuts against the inclined surfaces 83 of the bent portions 82, causing the rear end of the ring member 30 to be expanded and deformed along the inclined surfaces 83, allowing further rearward displacement. Furthermore, as the rear end of the ring member 30 climbs over each of the bent portions 82, the rear end of the ring member 30 elastically restores its original shape, and each bent portion 82 enters and fits into each of the fitting holes 122.

[0056] As described above, the left and right ends of the first base-end coupling portion 106 and the second base-end coupling portion 114 of the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104 located rearward of the tubular connecting portion 18 protrude outward in the left and right direction beyond the tubular connecting portion 18, and each form a separation prevention protrusion 110. Therefore, rearward displacement of the ring member 30 relative to the tubular connecting portion 18 is limited by the rear end of the ring member 30 abutting against the separation prevention protrusions 110 of the female terminal fittings 32. When the rear end of the ring member 30 abuts against the separation prevention protrusions 110 and attachment of the ring member 30 to the tubular connecting portion 18 is complete, the bent portions 82 are fitted into the fitting holes 122 as described above. In other words, the wall portions 124 on both left and right sides of the rear end of the ring member 30 are held between the bent portions 82 and the separation prevention protrusions 110 in the front-rear direction.

[0057] In addition, in the first embodiment, the inner peripheral surface 125 of the front portion of the ring member 30 is provided with press-contact projections 126 that protrude inward and press against the outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18. The ring member 30 is provided with a plurality (four) of press-contact projections 126, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. As shown in Fig. 6, the press-contact projections 126 are arranged at approximately equal intervals (approximately every 90 degrees) in the circumferential direction. That is, the inner diameter of the ring member 30 is reduced at the positions where the press-contact projections 126 are formed, and the inner diameter of the ring member 30 at the positions where the press-contact projections 126 are formed (the inner diameter of an imaginary circle that passes through the protruding tip surfaces of the press-contact projections 126) is reduced compared to the outer diameter of the tubular connecting portion 18. The ring member 30 is formed by, for example, press working, and therefore has recesses 128 that open outward at positions on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 30 that correspond to the pressure-contact protrusions 126 .

[0058] When the ring member 30 is attached to the cylindrical connecting portion 18, the pressure-contact protrusions 126 enter the outer recesses 72 in the first and second peripheral wall portions 60, 64 and press against the bottom surfaces of the outer recesses 72 that constitute the outer peripheral surface 28 of the cylindrical connecting portion 18 from the radially outward direction. As a result, the pressure-contact protrusions 126 press the first divided wall portions 68 that constitute the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second divided wall portions 88 that constitute the second peripheral wall portion 64 inward. 10, when the ring member 30 is attached to the tubular connecting portion 18, the ring member 30 urges the first circumferential wall portion 60 (each of the first divided wall portions 68) and the second circumferential wall portion 64 (each of the second divided wall portions 88) in directions that bring them closer to each other, and the approach restriction protrusions 84 provided on both circumferential ends of the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 abut against each other. This prevents the inner diameter dimension of the front opening 119 of the tubular connecting portion 18 from becoming smaller than necessary when the ring member 30 is attached to the tubular connecting portion 18 (before the male terminal 14 is inserted).

[0059] Furthermore, a locking hole 130 is formed in the ring member 30 at a longitudinal (front-rear) intermediate portion thereof, penetrating the ring member 30 in the thickness direction. The locking hole 130 is provided on both the left and right sides of the ring member 30. Each of the locking holes 130 has a predetermined circumferential dimension and is generally rectangular when viewed in the left-right direction. In the first embodiment, each of the locking holes 130 is provided forward of each of the fitting holes 122 and rearward of each of the insulation displacement projections 126 (respective recesses 128). As described above, the locking projections 48 provided on each of the elastic pieces 44 of the housing 34 are engaged with each of the locking holes 130, thereby fixing the housing 34 to the female terminal 10.

[0060] 11 , the inner circumferential surface 125 of the rear portion of the ring member 30 is provided with inner circumferential protrusions 132 that protrude inward. Because the ring member 30 is formed by, for example, press working, recesses 134 that open outward are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ring member 30 at positions corresponding to the inner circumferential protrusions 132. When the ring member 30 is attached to the tubular connecting portion 18, the inner circumferential protrusions 132 abut against the outer circumferential surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18 (first circumferential wall portion 60 and second circumferential wall portion 64) or are separated from each other via a small gap, thereby preventing the rear portion of the tubular connecting portion 18 from tilting relative to the ring member 30.

[0061] The ring member 30 in embodiment 1 has a flat wall portion 136 that extends horizontally in a circumferential central portion (upper portion). This flat wall portion 136 has a predetermined width dimension (left-right dimension) and is formed over the entire length of the ring member 30. Therefore, the ring member 30 in embodiment 1 has a shape in which curved wall portions 138 having a predetermined circumferential dimension extend downward from both left-right end portions of this flat wall portion 136. As a result, when the ring member 30 expands in diameter and deforms, the circumferential ends (ends on the notch 120 side) of the curved wall portions 138 deform so as to move away from each other, starting from the connection points between the flat wall portion 136 and each curved wall portion 138.

[0062] By providing such a flat wall portion 136, an operator can easily grasp the circumferential position of the ring member 30 (particularly the upper portion) when attaching the ring member 30 to the female terminal fittings 32. In particular, by combining it with the flat portion 85 of the female terminal fittings 32, the attachment work can be performed while aligning the circumferential positions of the ring member 30 and the female terminal fittings 32. Note that if the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fittings 32 in the up-down direction, the lower end portion of the second circumferential wall portion 64 will come into contact with the flat wall portion 136 of the ring member 30, allowing the operator to grasp incorrect assembly, which can also be effective in preventing incorrect assembly.

[0063] <Assembly of the female terminal 10 and the female connector 12> Below, we will explain one specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 10 and the female connector 12 including the female terminal 10. Note that the method for assembling the female terminal 10 and the female connector 12 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0064] First, the female terminal fittings 32 and the ring member 30 are formed by pressing each of a single metal plate. Then, the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fitting 32 from the front, with the rear end of the ring member 30 abutting against the anti-detachment projections 110 of the female terminal fitting 32, and the bent portions 82 of the female terminal fitting 32 fitting into the fitting holes 122 of the ring member 30. As a result, the wall portions 124 on both the left and right sides of the rear end of the ring member 30 are held between the bent portions 82 and the anti-detachment projections 110 in the front-rear direction, and the ring member 30 is assembled to the female terminal fitting 32. As a result, the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment is completed, as shown in FIG. 10 . In the female terminal 10 manufactured in this manner, the pressing force of the pressure-contact projections 126 is exerted on the first and second partition walls 68 and 88, urging the first and second partition walls 68 and 88 inward. As a result, the approach restriction protrusions 84 provided at the circumferential ends at the front ends of the first partition wall portions 68 and the second partition wall portions 88 come into contact with each other in the up-down direction. The core wire 22 of the insulated wire 20 is fixed to the wire connecting portion 24 of the female terminal fitting 32 at any timing.

[0065] Next, as shown in FIG. 7 , the housing 34 is positioned facing the female terminal 10 manufactured as described above, and the female terminal 10 is inserted through the rear opening 40 of the housing 34. By inserting the female terminal 10 into the main body 36, the front end of the ring member 30 abuts against the locking projections 48 projecting inward from the main body 36, causing the elastic pieces 44 of the main body 36 to elastically deform outward, allowing further insertion of the female terminal 10. As the female terminal 10 is further inserted and the locking projections 48 reach the locking holes 130 in the ring member 30, the elastic pieces 44 elastically restore their original shape, causing the locking projections 48 to enter and lock into the locking holes 130. Furthermore, the restoration of the elastic pieces 44 causes the inner peripheral surfaces of the positioning projections 50 to abut against the outer peripheral surface of the ring member 30. This prevents the female terminal 10 from slipping out of the housing 34. Insertion of the female terminals 10 into the main body 36 is restricted by the front ends of the female terminals 10 abutting against the front cover portion 42 that protrudes inward at the front end of the main body 36. As a result, the female terminals 10 and the housing 34 are assembled together, completing the female connector 12, as shown in Figures 12 and 13 .

[0066] In the female connector 12 manufactured in this manner, the columnar connecting portion 16 of the male terminal 14 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 18 from the front opening 119 of the female terminal fitting 32 through the front opening 38 of the main body 36. Each of the first partition wall portions 68 and each of the second partition wall portions 88 constituting the tubular connecting portion 18 is provided with an inner protrusion 70 that protrudes radially inward, and the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 contacts each inner protrusion 70, elastically deforming each of the first partition wall portions 68 and each of the second partition wall portions 88 outward, while the columnar connecting portion 16 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 18. In particular, as described above, each of the first partition wall portions 68 has first contact portions 76 at two circumferential locations on the inner circumferential surface 74, and each of the second partition wall portions 88 has second contact portions 90 at two locations on the inner circumferential surface 74 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the inner peripheral surface of the tubular connecting portion 18 and the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 are in contact with each other at the first contact portions 76 and the second contact portions 90. This establishes electrical continuity between the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 14. Note that insertion of the male terminal 14 into the female connector 12 is restricted by, for example, abutment between a male connector housing (not shown) that holds the male terminal 14 and the housing 34 of the female connector 12.

[0067] In particular, the pressure contact projections 126 projecting inward from the ring member 30 are located on the outer circumferential side of each of the inner protrusions 70, and as each of the first divided wall portions 68 and each of the second divided wall portions 88 elastically deforms outward, the ring member 30 elastically deforms outward. Due to this elastic restoration deformation toward the inner circumferential side that accompanies the elastic deformation toward the outer circumferential side of the ring member 30, each of the inner protrusions 70 is pressed inward by each of the pressure contact projections 126, and contact pressure is maintained at each of the first contact portions 76 and each of the second contact portions 90.

[0068] In the female terminal 10 of Embodiment 1 having the above-described structure, the first flat plate fitting 58 has the first circumferential wall portion 60, the first wall portion 102, and the first other end portion 96, and the second flat plate fitting 62 has the second circumferential wall portion 64, the second wall portion 104, and the second other end portion 98. The first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 form the tubular connecting portion 18, and the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98 form the electric wire connecting portion 24. The tubular connecting portion 18 and the electric wire connecting portion 24 are connected by a connecting portion 26 formed by the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104. In other words, the section from the tubular connecting portion 18 to the electric wire connecting portion 24, i.e., the entire female terminal fitting 32, is formed by including the first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62, each of which is made into a single piece, and therefore, good electrical conductivity and heat dissipation performance are exhibited.

[0069] Furthermore, the left and right end portions of the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104 that constitute the connecting portion 26 of the female terminal fitting 32 form anti-detachment projections 110 that prevent the ring member 30 from detaching from the female terminal fitting 32. That is, when the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fitting 32, the ring member 30 is inserted from the front of the female terminal fitting 32, and the ring member 30 abuts against the anti-detachment projections 110, preventing the ring member 30 from detaching from the female terminal fitting 32. Furthermore, even when the columnar connecting portion 16 is press-fitted into the tubular connecting portion 18 and the tubular connecting portion 18 undergoes diametrical deformation, the ring member 30 is prevented from detaching rearward from the female terminal fitting 32. Therefore, the anti-detachment projections 110 can maintain the ring member 30 attached to the female terminal fitting 32, ensuring stable contact pressure of the first contact portions 76 and the second contact portions 90 against the columnar connecting portions 16.

[0070] The first wall portion 102 is configured to include a first base-end connecting portion 106 and a first tip-end connecting portion 108, and the second wall portion 104 is configured to include a second base-end connecting portion 114 and a second tip-end connecting portion 116. The separation prevention protrusions 110 are configured by both widthwise end portions of the first base-end connecting portion 106 and the second base-end connecting portion 114. In the first embodiment, the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104 are both configured to expand in the up-down direction, and this makes it possible to keep the front-to-back dimensions of the first wall portion 102 and the second wall portion 104, and therefore the female terminal fitting 32, small compared to, for example, an embodiment in which the first wall portion and the second wall portion are inclined forward as they approach the outer periphery.

[0071] Furthermore, by dividing the first wall portion 102 into the first base-end connecting portion 106 and the first tip-end connecting portion 108, it is possible to stably realize the arc-shaped bending deformation of the first circumferential wall portion 60 connected to the first tip-end connecting portion 108 while ensuring a large width dimension at the first base-end connecting portion 106, and to stably form each separation prevention protrusion 110. Similarly, by dividing the second wall portion 104 into the second base-end connecting portion 114 and the second tip-end connecting portion 116, it is possible to stably realize the arc-shaped bending deformation of the second circumferential wall portion 64 connected to the second tip-end connecting portion 116 while ensuring a large width dimension at the second base-end connecting portion 114, and to stably form each separation prevention protrusion 110.

[0072] A first window 112 as a window portion is formed so as to penetrate through the first wall portion 102 in the plate thickness direction, and a second window 118 as a window portion is formed so as to penetrate through the second wall portion 104 in the plate thickness direction. This ensures a sufficient amount of light inside the tubular connecting portion 18 through the first window 112 and the second window 118, making it easy to check the contacts (for example, each of the first contact portions 76 and each of the second contact portions 90) during the manufacture of the female terminal 10.

[0073] The first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62 are made from a single band-shaped flat metal plate, that is, in embodiment 1, the entire female terminal fitting 32 is made from a single flat metal plate. This can improve the manufacturing efficiency of the female terminal fittings 32, and ultimately the female terminals 10 and female connectors 12. It also further improves electrical conductivity and heat dissipation performance.

[0074] The spring member includes a metal ring member 30 with one circumferential notch, and is attached such that an inner peripheral surface 125 of the ring member 30 is pressed against an outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18 is formed to include the bottom surfaces of the outer recesses 72 provided in the tubular connecting portion 18, and each of the pressure-contact protrusions 126 protrudes inward from the inner peripheral surface 125 of the ring member 30 and is in pressure contact with the bottom surface of the outer recesses 72. In particular, each of the inner protrusions 70 protruding inward in the tubular connecting portion 18 is provided at a position corresponding to each of the outer recesses 72, and each of the inner protrusions 70 includes a first contact portion 76 and a second contact portion 90 that come into contact with the post-shaped connecting portion 16 when the male terminal 14 is inserted. As a result, the pressing force of each pressure-contact protrusion 126 can be stably applied to each first contact portion 76 and each second contact portion 90, and the contact pressure of each first contact portion 76 and each second contact portion 90 against the columnar connection portion 16 can be stably ensured.

[0075] The axial dimension A of the ring member 30 is set to be 2 / 3 or more and 1.5 or less times the axial dimension B of the tubular connecting portion 18. This not only ensures the contact pressure at each of the first contact portions 76 and each of the second contact portions 90 as described above, but also provides the ring member 30 with the effect of protecting the tubular connecting portion 18. In other words, by giving the ring member 30 this shape, interference between the tubular connecting portion 18 and other members can be prevented.

[0076] Both circumferential ends of the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 are provided with bent portions 82 bent radially outward, and the bent portions 82 are fitted into fitting holes 122 in the ring member 30. By fitting the bent portions 82 into the fitting holes 122, relative displacement between the ring member 30 and the female terminal fittings 32 in the axial direction (front-rear direction) and circumferential direction can be prevented. In particular, the bent portions 82 and the fitting holes 122 are provided at the rear end portions of the cylindrical connecting portion 18 and the ring member 30, respectively. When the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fittings 32, the wall portions 124 on both the left and right sides of the rear end portion of the ring member 30 are held between the bent portions 82 and the separation prevention protrusions 110 in the front-rear direction. As a result, displacement between the ring member 30 and the female terminal fittings 32 in the front-rear direction can be more reliably prevented.

[0077] Approach restriction protrusions 84 are provided on both circumferential ends of the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64, and when the ring member 30 is attached to the female terminal fitting 32, the approach restriction protrusions 84 provided on the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the approach restriction protrusions 84 provided on the second circumferential wall portion 64 abut against each other. This prevents the inner diameter dimension of the front opening 119 of the tubular connecting portion 18 from becoming too small before the male terminal 14 is inserted, and prevents the insertion resistance of the male terminal 14 from becoming excessively large.

[0078] <Embodiment 2> Next, a female terminal 140 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14 and 15. The basic structure of the female terminal 140 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of each first contact portion 144 in the tubular connecting portion 142 differs from that of the first embodiment. The configuration of each second contact portion 90 in the tubular connecting portion 142 is similar to that of the first embodiment. The shapes of the ring member 30 attached to the female terminal fitting 146 and the housing 34 attached to the female terminal 140 are similar to those of the first embodiment. Below, differences from the first embodiment will be described, and detailed description of components and parts that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings.

[0079] <Cylindrical connecting portion 142> Similar to the first embodiment, the cylindrical connecting portion 142 includes a first peripheral wall portion 60 and a second peripheral wall portion 64. The first peripheral wall portion 60 is circumferentially divided into two first partition wall portions 68, 68 by a first slit 66 in the circumferential center portion. Each first partition wall portion 68 is provided with an inner protrusion 148 that protrudes radially inward. The radially inward protrusion dimension of each inner protrusion 148 varies in the front-rear direction, with the radially inward protrusion dimension of each inner protrusion 148 being larger at both front-rear direction portions than at the front-rear direction central portion. Furthermore, the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 150 of each inner protrusion 148 at both front-rear direction portions varies circumferentially. The change in circumferential curvature at both front-rear direction portions of each inner protrusion 148 is similar to the first embodiment, with the circumferential curvature being smaller (the radius of curvature being larger) at both front-rear direction portions than at the circumferential center portion.

[0080] Therefore, in the second embodiment, the first contact portions 144 are provided on both front-rear direction side portions and both circumferential direction side portions of the inner protrusion 148 of each first divided wall portion 68, and the first contact portions 144 are configured at a total of four locations on the inner peripheral surface 150 of each inner protrusion 148. In short, first non-contact portions 152 are configured in the front-rear direction middle portion of each inner protrusion 148 and the circumferential direction middle portions of both front-rear direction side portions, and gaps 154 are formed between the columnar connecting portion 16 and each first non-contact portion 152 when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted.

[0081] The female terminal 140 of the second embodiment having the above-described structure differs from the first embodiment only in the arrangement of the first contact portion 144, and therefore can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0082] <Embodiment 3> Next, a female terminal 160 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 16 and 17. The basic structure of the female terminal 160 according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment, but the configuration of each first contact portion 164 and each second contact portion 166 in the tubular connecting portion 162 differs from that according to the first embodiment. Note that the shapes of the ring member 30 attached to the female terminal fitting 168 and the housing 34 attached to the female terminal 160 are similar to those according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] <Cylindrical connecting portion 162> Similar to the first embodiment, the cylindrical connecting portion 162 includes a first circumferential wall portion 60 and a second circumferential wall portion 64. The first circumferential wall portion 60 is divided in the circumferential direction into two first partition wall portions 68, 68 by a first slit 66 in the circumferential center portion, and the second circumferential wall portion 64 is divided in the circumferential direction into two second partition wall portions 88, 88 by a second slit 86 in the circumferential center portion.

[0084] 17, an inner protrusion 170 that protrudes radially inward is provided in a central portion in the length direction (front-rear direction) of each first partition wall portion 68. In the third embodiment, the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 172 of the inner protrusion 170 is substantially constant in the circumferential direction, and the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 172 of the inner protrusion 170 is smaller (the radius of curvature is larger) than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16. As a result, the inner peripheral surface 172 of each inner protrusion 170 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 at one point in the circumferential center portion, and as shown in FIG. 16, each first contact portion 164 is formed by the circumferential center portion of the inner peripheral surface 172 of each inner protrusion 170. In other words, the first non-contact portion 174 is formed on the inner surface 172 of each inner protrusion 170 by a portion other than the circumferential central portion, and when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted, a gap 176 is formed between the outer surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 and each first non-contact portion 174.

[0085] The shape of each inner protrusion 170 provided on each second partition wall portion 88 is basically the same as in the first embodiment, and second contact portions 166 are provided on both front-rear direction sides of the inner peripheral surface 172 of each inner protrusion 170 of each second partition wall portion 88. In the first embodiment, the protruding tip surface of each second contact portion 90 is substantially curved arc-shaped, and in the cross section shown in Fig. 5, each second contact portion 90 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 at one point. However, in the third embodiment, the protruding tip surface of each second contact portion 166 is substantially flat, and in the cross section shown in Fig. 17, each second contact portion 166 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 in a region extending substantially straight. In the third embodiment, each second partition wall portion 88 is formed with a substantially constant curvature in the circumferential direction. As a result, when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted, each second contact portion 166 comes into contact with the columnar connecting portion 16 in a substantially planar manner having a predetermined front-rear dimension over substantially the entire circumferential length of each second partition wall portion 88. As in the first embodiment, a second non-contact portion 92 is provided in the middle portion of each inner protrusion 170 in the front-rear direction, and when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted, each gap 94 is formed between each second non-contact portion 92 and the outer circumferential surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 over substantially the entire circumferential length of each second partition wall portion 88.

[0086] In the female terminal 160 of embodiment 3 having the above-described structure, the only difference compared to embodiment 1 is the shape of each first contact portion 164 and each second contact portion 166, and therefore the same effects as embodiment 1 can be achieved.

[0087] <Embodiment 4> Next, a female terminal 180 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. The basic structure of the female terminal 180 according to the fourth embodiment is similar to that of the female terminal 160 according to the third embodiment, but the configuration of each first contact portion 184 in the tubular connecting portion 182 differs from that according to the third embodiment. Note that the shapes of the ring member 30 attached to the female terminal fitting 186 and the housing 34 attached to the female terminal 180 are similar to those according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0088] <Cylindrical connecting portion 182> As in the third embodiment, the cylindrical connecting portion 182 includes a first circumferential wall portion 60 and a second circumferential wall portion 64, and the first circumferential wall portion 60 is circumferentially divided into two first divided wall portions 68, 68 by a first slit 66 in the circumferential center portion. Each first divided wall portion 68 is provided with an inward protrusion 188 that protrudes radially inward, and the radially inward protrusion dimension of each inward protrusion portion 188 differs in the front-to-rear direction, and the radially inward protrusion dimension of each inward protrusion portion 188 is larger at both front-to-rear direction portions than at the front-to-rear direction central portion.

[0089] Moreover, the circumferential curvature of the inner peripheral surface 190 is substantially constant at both front-rear direction portions of each of the inner protrusions 188. The circumferential curvature of the inner peripheral surface 190 of each of the inner protrusions 188 is the same as in the third embodiment, and is smaller (has a larger radius of curvature) than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16. As a result, the inner peripheral surface 190 at both front-rear direction portions of each of the inner protrusions 188 abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 at one point in the circumferential center portion, and as shown in Fig. 18 , each of the first contact portions 184 is formed by the circumferential center portion of the inner peripheral surface 190 at both front-rear direction portions of each of the inner protrusions 188. In other words, the first non-contact portion 192 is formed by the portions other than the circumferential central portion on both front-to-rear sides of each inner protrusion 188 and the front-to-rear central portion, and when the columnar connecting portion 16 is inserted, a gap 194 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the columnar connecting portion 16 and each first non-contact portion 192.

[0090] The female terminal 180 of the fourth embodiment having the above-described structure differs from the third embodiment only in the arrangement of the first contact portion 184, and therefore can achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0091] <Modification> Although Embodiments 1 to 4 have been described above as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc., within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure, are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0092] (1) In the above embodiment, the separation prevention protrusions 110 that prevent the spring member (ring member 30) from separating from the female terminal fitting 32 are provided at both widthwise (left-right) ends of the first base-end connecting portion 106 of the first wall portion 102 and at both widthwise (left-right) ends of the second base-end connecting portion 114 of the second wall portion 104, but this is not limited to this. The separation prevention protrusions may be provided, for example, on at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and may also be provided on one widthwise end of at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion.

[0093] (2) In the above embodiment, the first wall portion 102 is provided with the first window portion 112 as a window portion, and the second wall portion 104 is provided with the second window portion 118 as a window portion, but this is not limited to this embodiment, and the window portion may be provided in only one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion. Note that in the female terminal according to the present disclosure, the window portion provided in the first wall portion or the second wall portion is not essential.

[0094] (3) In the above embodiment, the first flat plate fitting 58 and the second flat plate fitting 62 were formed from a single strip-shaped flat metal plate, but this is not limited to this form. The first flat plate fitting and the second flat plate fitting may be formed as separate bodies, and the first other end of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end of the second flat plate fitting may be fixed by welding or the like.

[0095] (4) In the above embodiment, the spring member is configured as a metal ring member 30 with a notch cut out at one location (lower portion) in the circumferential direction. However, this is not limited to this. The spring member may be an annular member formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the axial dimension (front-rear dimension) A of the ring member 30 is between 2 / 3 and 1.5 times the axial dimension B of the tubular connecting portion 18, 142, 162, 182, and each press-contact protrusion 126 protruding inward from the ring member 30 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface 28 of the tubular connecting portion 18, 142, 162, 182. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the axial dimension of the spring member (e.g., ring member) may be less than 2 / 3 or more than 1.5 times the axial dimension of the tubular connecting portion. Alternatively, the spring member may be pressed against the tubular connecting portion along its entire axial length.

[0096] (5) In the first to fourth embodiments, the number and shapes of the first contact portions provided on the first peripheral wall portion and the second contact portions provided on the second peripheral wall portion were different. However, the number and shapes of the first contact portions and the second contact portions shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to these. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the first peripheral wall portion 60 and the second peripheral wall portion 64 were respectively divided into a pair of first dividing wall portions 68, 68 and a pair of second dividing wall portions 88, 88 by the first slits 66 and the second slits 86. However, this is not a limitation. The first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion do not have to have slits, and the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion do not have to be divided. Furthermore, even if the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion have slits, they are not limited to being divided into two, and may be divided into three or more dividing wall portions.

[0097] (6) In the above embodiment, the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 each have a bent portion 82 protruding radially outward at both circumferential ends at their rear ends, but the bent portion may be provided on only one of the first circumferential wall portion or the second circumferential wall portion, or even if the bent portion is provided on both the first circumferential wall portion or the second circumferential wall portion, the bent portion may be provided on only one of the circumferential ends. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the first circumferential wall portion 60 and the second circumferential wall portion 64 each have an approach restriction protrusion 84 protruding inward in the opposing direction at both circumferential ends at their front ends, but the approach restriction protrusion may be provided on only one of the first circumferential wall portion or the second circumferential wall portion, or even if the bent portion is provided on both the first circumferential wall portion or the second circumferential wall portion, the bent portion may be provided on only one of the circumferential ends.

[0098] (7) In the above embodiment, the first base-end connecting portion 106 in the first wall portion 102 and the second base-end connecting portion 114 in the second wall portion 104 extend perpendicularly from the first other end portion 96 and the second other end portion 98, respectively. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and the first wall portion including the first base-end connecting portion and the second wall portion including the second base-end connecting portion may be inclined forward as they extend outward in the vertical direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10 Female terminal (embodiment 1) 12 female connectors 14 male terminal 16 Pillar joint 18 Tubular joint 20. Insulated wire (electric wire) 22 core wire 24 Wire connection 26 Connecting part 28 Outer surface 30 Ring member (spring member) 32 Female terminal fitting 34 Housing 36 Main body 38 Front opening 40 Rear opening 42 Front cover part 44 Elastic piece 46 Gap 48 Locking protrusion 50 Positioning protrusion 51 Inner peripheral protrusion 52 Fixed part 54 Bolt fastening holes 56 Resin cap 58 First flat plate fitting 60 1st peripheral wall part 62 Second flat plate fitting 64 Second peripheral wall part 66 First slit 68 1st dividing wall 70 Inner protrusion 72 Outer recess 74 Inner surface 76 First contact part 78 First non-contact part 80 gap 82 Bend 83 Slope 84 Access control protrusion 85 Flat area 86 Second slit 88 Second dividing wall 90 Second contact point 92 Second non-contact section 94 Gap 96 First other end 98 Second other end 100 Connection part 102 1st wall section 104 2nd wall section 106 First proximal connection part 108 1st tip side connection part 110 Anti-detachment protrusion 112 First window section (window section) 114 Second proximal connection part 116 2nd tip side connection part 118 Second window section (window section) 119 Front opening 120 notch 122 mating hole 124 (Walls on both sides in the left and right direction at the rear end of the ring member) 125 Inner surface 126 Pressure welding protrusion 128 recess 130 Locking hole 132 Inner peripheral protrusion 134 recess 136 Flat wall section 138 Curved wall 140 Female terminal (embodiment 2) 142 Tubular joint 144 First contact part 146 Female terminal fitting 148 Inner protrusion 150 Inner surface 152 First non-contact part 154 Gap 160 female terminal (embodiment 3) 162 Tubular joint 164 First contact part 166 Second contact part 168 Female terminal fitting 170 Inner protrusion 172 Inner surface 174 First non-contact section 176 Gap 180 Female terminal (Embodiment 4) 182 Tubular joint 184 First contact part 186 Female terminal fittings 188 Inner protrusion 190 Inner surface 192 First non-contact section 194 Gap

Claims

1. a cylindrical connection portion that is electrically connected to the columnar connection portion of the male terminal; a wire connection portion to which a core wire of the electric wire is connected; a connecting portion that connects the cylindrical connecting portion and the electric wire connecting portion; a spring member attached to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical connecting portion, the tubular connecting portion includes a first circumferential wall portion provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped first flat plate fitting into an arc, and a second circumferential wall portion provided by bending and deforming one end of a band-shaped second flat plate fitting into an arc, the electric wire connection portion is configured by overlapping a first other end portion which is the other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and a second other end portion which is the other end portion of the second flat plate fitting, the connecting portion includes a first wall portion located between the first circumferential wall portion and the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the first circumferential wall portion, and a second wall portion located between the second circumferential wall portion and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting and bent in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the second circumferential wall portion, The first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting are overlapped with each other, and the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion are arranged opposite each other, thereby forming the tubular connecting portion, The spring member biases the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion in a direction in which they approach each other in opposing directions, At least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a separation prevention protrusion that protrudes outward from the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion. Female terminal.

2. the first wall portion has a first base end side connecting portion that rises in the intersecting direction from the first other end portion, and a first tip end side connecting portion that has a width dimension smaller than that of the first base end side connecting portion, extends from a width direction central portion of the first base end side connecting portion toward the first circumferential wall portion, and is connected to a circumferential direction central portion of the first circumferential wall portion, both widthwise end portions of the first base end coupling portion protrude outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion to form a pair of separation prevention protrusions, the second wall portion has a second base end side connecting portion that rises in the intersecting direction from the second other end portion, and a second tip end side connecting portion that has a width dimension smaller than that of the second base end side connecting portion, extends from a width direction central portion of the second base end side connecting portion toward the second circumferential wall portion, and is connected to a circumferential direction central portion of the second circumferential wall portion, 2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein both widthwise end portions of the second base end side coupling portion protrude outward beyond the outer circumferential surface of the tubular connecting portion, thereby forming a pair of separation prevention protrusions.

3. 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first wall portion and the second wall portion has a window portion formed therethrough in a thickness direction.

4. the first flat plate fitting and the second flat plate fitting are constituted by a single band-shaped metal flat plate in which the first other end and the second other end are connected to each other via a connecting portion, the first peripheral wall portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second peripheral wall portion of the second flat plate fitting are provided at both ends of the metal flat plate, 3. The female terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting portion of the metal flat plate is bent in the plate thickness direction, thereby causing the first other end portion of the first flat plate fitting and the second other end portion of the second flat plate fitting to overlap each other to form the wire connecting portion, and the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion provided at both end portions are arranged opposite each other to form the tubular connecting portion.

5. the spring member includes a metal ring member having one circumferential notch cut out, 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the ring member is pressure-welded to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular connecting portion.

6. 6. The female terminal according to claim 5, wherein the axial dimension of said ring member is between 2 / 3 and 1.5 times the axial dimension of said tubular connecting portion.

7. 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein a bent portion bent radially outward is provided at the circumferential end of at least one of the first circumferential wall portion and the second circumferential wall portion, and the bent portion is fitted into a fitting hole of the spring member.

8. 3. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion is provided with an approach restriction protrusion that protrudes toward the other, and when the spring member urges the first peripheral wall portion and the second peripheral wall portion in a direction toward each other in opposing directions, the approach restriction protrusion abuts against the other.

Images