Electrical connection terminals

Abstract

The present invention provides an electrical connection terminal that can prevent permanent deformation or damage to the spring piece by limiting the amount of deflection of the spring piece. [Solution] The fuse terminal 1 comprises a bottom wall 4, a pair of side walls 5, 6 rising from both side edges of the bottom wall 4, a spring piece 10 extending from the front end of the side walls 5, 6 by being folded inward at a bent portion 11 and extending toward the rear end, a curved contact portion 13 formed convex toward the tab terminal 50 in the middle portion along the extension direction of the spring piece 10 in order to contact the tab terminal 50 inserted between the pair of side walls 5, 6, a curved portion 15 formed convex toward the inner surface of the side walls 5, 6 to which the spring piece 10 is attached, between the extended end portion 17 along the extension direction of the spring piece 10 and the curved contact portion 13, and a projection 20 formed between the curved contact portion 13 and the curved portion 15 so as to protrude toward the inner surface of the side walls 5, 6 to which the spring piece 10 is attached, and which restricts the amount of deflection δ1 of the spring piece 10 by abutting against the inner surface of the side walls 5, 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, fuse terminals have been used as electrical connection terminals that are housed in pairs inside the housing of an electrical connection box such as a fuse box, and a pair of tab terminals of a fuse are respectively inserted between contact spring pieces (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] For example, the fuse terminal (electrical connection terminal) of Patent Document 1 has a pair of standing side walls formed by bending on a substrate portion, and contact spring pieces (spring pieces) are integrally protruded from each end of the pair of standing side walls. These pair of contact spring pieces have respective bending portions (bending portions) that curve toward the center. The tip side from each of these bending portions can elastically contact the tab terminal of the inserted fuse with their opposing surfaces by spring force.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional fuse terminal did not have a structure for restricting the distance (amount of deflection) that the tip of the spring piece on the side opposite to the bending portion moves. Therefore, there is a risk of excessively deflecting the spring piece when the tab terminal of the fuse is inserted, which may cause problems such as permanent deformation or breakage of the spring piece or the bending portion. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an electrical connection terminal that can prevent permanent deformation or damage of a spring piece by limiting the amount of deflection of the spring piece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the electrical connection terminal according to the present invention is characterized by the following: The bottom wall is flat, A pair of side walls rising upward from both side edges of the bottom wall, A spring piece extending from at least one of the front ends of the side wall, folded inward at the bent portion, and extending toward the rear end, A curved contact portion is formed in a convex shape toward the tab terminal in the intermediate portion along the extending direction of the spring piece in order to contact the tab terminal inserted between the pair of side walls, Between the extended end of the spring piece along the extending direction and the curved contact portion, a curved portion is formed convexly toward the inner surface of the side wall to which the spring piece is connected, A projection is formed between the curved contact portion and the curved portion such that it protrudes toward the inner surface of the side wall on which the spring pieces are connected, and which contacts the inner surface of the side wall to regulate the amount of deflection of the spring pieces, An electrical connection terminal equipped with this feature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the electrical connection terminal of the present invention, by limiting the amount of deflection of the spring piece, permanent deformation or damage to the spring piece can be prevented.

[0008] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by referring to the attached drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main part of an electrical connection terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rearward perspective view of the main part of the electrical connection terminal of this embodiment, which has been partially broken. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the main part of the electrical connection terminal of this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a plan view of the main part showing the state in which the tab terminal is inserted straight into the electrical connection terminal of this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a plan view of the main part showing a state in which a tab terminal is inserted into an electrical connection terminal in an unintended direction. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a plan view of the main part of an electrical connection terminal related to a modified example in which the position of the protrusion differs. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a plan view of the main part showing an electrical connection terminal in a reference example where a tab terminal has been inserted in an unintended direction. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the main parts of the electrical connection terminal of this embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the main parts of an electrical connection terminal as an example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the figures. (Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the main part of a fuse terminal 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the main part of the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment, partially broken, as seen from the rear. Figure 3 is a plan view of the main part of the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment.

[0011] A fuse terminal 1, which serves as an electrical connection terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, is manufactured by bending a conductive member that has been punched into a predetermined shape. The fuse terminal 1 is housed in the cavity of a fuse housing (not shown).

[0012] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are defined. These "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction coincides with the fitting direction of the fuse terminal 1 and the tab terminal 50. The front side in the fitting direction (the side where the tab terminal 50 approaches) as viewed from the fuse terminal 1 is called the "front side", and the release side in the fitting direction (the side where the tab terminal 50 moves away) as viewed from the fuse terminal 1 is called the "rear side".

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fuse terminal (electrical connection terminal) 1 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal connection portion 2 and a wire crimping portion 35. The terminal connection portion 2 has a rear frame body 30 and an electrical contact portion 3 connected to the front of the frame body 30.

[0014] The electrical contact portion 3 is composed of a flat bottom wall 4 and a pair of side walls 5 and 6 rising upward from both side edges of the bottom wall 4. At the left and right positions within the electrical contact portion 3, spring pieces 10 that are folded inward at the bent portions 11 from the tip ends of the respective side walls 5 and 6 and extend to the rear end side are provided on the pair of side walls 5 and 6 respectively. A terminal entry portion 8 is formed on the front surface of the electrical contact portion 3, and a tab terminal 50 of a fuse (not shown) can enter the electrical contact portion 3 from the terminal entry portion 8.

[0015] Each spring piece 10 contacts the tab terminal 50 of the fuse inserted between the pair of side walls 5 and 6 constituting the terminal entry portion 8. Therefore, a curved contact portion 13 formed convexly toward the tab terminal 50 at an intermediate portion along the extending direction (rear direction) of the spring piece 10 folded inward at the bent portion 11, and between the extending end portion 17 along the extending direction of the spring piece 10 and the curved contact portion 13, curved portions 15 formed convexly toward the inner surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6 to which the spring piece 10 is continuously provided are provided respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, each spring piece 10 has a projection 20 formed by bending a projection extending from a part of the side edge of the spring piece 10 perpendicularly toward the inner surface of the respective side walls 5 and 6. The projection 20 is formed between the curved contact portion 13 and the curved portion 15 of each spring piece 10 so as to protrude toward the inner surface of the side walls 5 and 6 to which each spring piece 10 is connected, and is configured to regulate the amount of deflection of the spring piece 10 by contacting the inner surface of the side walls 5 and 6.

[0017] The frame 30 is composed of the rear end of the bottom wall 4, the rear ends of a pair of side walls 5 and 6, a locking portion 33 formed by bending inward at approximately a right angle from the rising end of the rear end of one side wall 5, and a top wall portion 31 extending at approximately a right angle toward the side wall 5 from the rising end of the rear end of the other side wall 6.

[0018] A roughly rectangular locking hole 34 is formed in the locking portion 33, and a roughly rectangular locking piece 32 is provided protruding from the leading edge of the top wall portion 31. When the locking piece 32 is bent downward (towards the bottom wall 4) and locked into the locking hole 34, a frame 30 is formed at the rear end of the terminal connection portion 2, which is closed (continuous) around the entire circumference by the bottom wall 4, the left and right side walls 5 and 6, the locking portion 33, and the top wall portion 31. The frame 30 prevents the terminal connection portion 2 of the fuse terminal 1 from being deformed by external forces.

[0019] The wire crimping section 35 has a bottom wall 36 extending from the bottom wall 4 of the terminal connection section 2, and a pair of wire crimping sections 37, 37 extending from both ends of the bottom wall 36. The wire is crimped by crimping it with these wire crimping sections 37, 37.

[0020] Next, the operation of inserting the fuse tab terminal 50 into the fuse terminal 1 configured in this way will be explained. Figure 4 is a plan view of the main part showing the state in which the tab terminal 50 is inserted straight into the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment. Figure 5 is a plan view of the main part showing the state in which the tab terminal 50 is inserted into the fuse terminal 1 in an unintended direction, and the state before the spring piece 10 bends is illustrated with dashed lines.

[0021] When the tab terminal 50 of the fuse enters the electrical contact portion 3 of the fuse terminal 1 through the terminal entry portion 8, the tab terminal 50 is inserted between the spring pieces 10, 10 between the pair of side walls 5, 6. Then, each spring piece 10 bends, and as shown in Figure 4, the elastic restoring force of the spring pieces 10 keeps the curved contact portion 13 and the tab terminal 50 in constant contact.

[0022] In this case, when the fuse tab terminal 50 is inserted straight between the pair of spring pieces 10, 10, each spring piece 10 elastically deforms evenly on both sides in a direction that separates them from each other, as shown in Figure 4. Therefore, the spring pieces 10 do not bend excessively and come into contact with the projections 20 formed on both side walls 5, 6.

[0023] Furthermore, if the fuse tab terminal 50 is pushed in an unintended direction (for example, diagonally to the left rear) between the pair of spring pieces 10, 10, the left spring piece 10 connected to the side wall 6 will undergo significant elastic deformation in the direction of approaching the side wall 6, as shown in Figure 5. In this case, the projection 20 on the left spring piece 10 that is pushed by the tab terminal 50 will come into contact with the inner surface of the side wall 6, and the amount of deflection of the spring piece 10 (the distance the extended end 17 moves) δ1 will be restricted, thereby suppressing excessive deflection of the left spring piece 10.

[0024] Figure 6 is a plan view of the main part of the fuse terminal 1A according to a modified example in which the protruding position of the projection 20 is different, and the state before the spring piece 10A is bent is illustrated with dashed lines. In the fuse terminal 1 according to the embodiment described above, the projection 20 formed between the curved contact portion 13 and the curved portion 15 of each spring piece 10 is arranged to restrict the amount of deflection δ1 of the spring piece 10 by abutting against the inner surface of the side walls 5 and 6 on which each spring piece 10 is connected.

[0025] Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, when the spring piece 10 elastically deforms and bends in the direction approaching the side wall 6, the projection 20 between the curved contact portion 13 and the curved portion 15 abuts against the inner surface of the side wall 6 in the direction X in which the spring piece 10 moves. As a result, the spring piece 10 only bends until the projection 20 interferes with the inner surface of the side wall 6, thus suppressing excessive bending.

[0026] In contrast, in the modified fuse terminal 1A shown in Figure 6, for example, the projection 20A formed between the extended end 17 and the curved portion 15 of the spring piece 10A is positioned to regulate the amount of deflection of the spring piece 10A by contacting the inner surfaces of the side walls 5A and 6A to which each spring piece 10A is connected.

[0027] Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the spring piece 10A elastically deforms and bends in the direction approaching the side wall 6A, the projection 20A between the extended end 17 and the curved portion 15 is less likely to abut against the inner surface of the side wall 6A in the direction X in which the spring piece 10A moves, and is more likely to slide on the inner surface of the side wall 6A. As a result, the curved portion 15 of the spring piece 10A moves in the extension direction (rear direction) Y of the spring piece 10A, and there is a possibility that it will bend excessively.

[0028] Therefore, according to the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment, the projection 20 formed between the curved contact portion 13 and the curved portion 15 of the spring piece 10 abuts against the inner surface of the side walls 5 and 6 on which each spring piece 10 is connected, thereby restricting the amount of deflection δ1 of the spring piece 10, and thus preventing permanent deformation or damage to the spring piece 10 and the bent portion 11.

[0029] Furthermore, in the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment, spring pieces 10 are provided on a pair of side walls 5 and 6, and the tab terminal 50 of the fuse is inserted between these pairs of spring pieces 10, 10. Therefore, when the tab terminal 50 of the fuse is inserted between these pair of spring pieces 10, 10, each spring piece 10 elastically deforms in a direction that separates them from each other, thereby allowing the insertion of the tab terminal 50 of the fuse. As a result, the spring force acts evenly on each tab terminal 50 of the fuse being inserted, allowing the tab terminal 50 of the fuse to be inserted smoothly.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment, the projection 20 is formed by bending a projection extending from a part of the side edge of each spring piece 10 perpendicularly toward the inner surface of the side walls 5 and 6. Therefore, when forming the fuse terminal 1 from a metal plate of conductive metal (copper or copper alloy, etc.) by press processing (punching, bending), the protrusion 20 can be easily formed at the same time, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs.

[0031] (Reference example) Figure 7 is a plan view of the main part showing the state in which the tab terminal 50 is inserted into the fuse terminal 1B according to the reference example in an unintended direction. Note that the fuse terminal 1B according to the reference example has the same configuration as the fuse terminal 1 of the above embodiment except that the projection 20 is omitted, so similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the fuse terminal 1B, which serves as an electrical connection terminal in the reference example, comprises a terminal connection portion 2B and a wire crimping portion 35. The terminal connection section 2B has a rear frame 30 and an electrical contact section 3B connected to the front of the frame 30.

[0033] The electrical contact portion 3B is composed of a flat bottom wall 4 and a pair of side walls 5B and 6B that rise upward from both side edges of the bottom wall 4.

[0034] Within the electrical contact portion 3B, spring pieces 10B are provided on each of the pair of side walls 5B and 6B, extending inward from the leading edge of each side wall 5B and 6B via a bent portion 11 and towards the rear end. Each spring piece 10B does not have a projection 20 to interfere with the inner surface of the side walls 5B and 6B. A terminal entry portion 8 is formed on the front surface of the electrical contact portion 3B, allowing the tab terminal 50 of a fuse (not shown) to enter the electrical contact portion 3B through the terminal entry portion 8.

[0035] Furthermore, if the fuse tab terminal 50 is pushed in an unintended direction (for example, diagonally to the left and rear) between the pair of spring pieces 10B, 10B, the left spring piece 10B connected to the side wall 6B undergoes a large elastic deformation in the direction toward the side wall 6B, as shown in Figure 7.

[0036] Therefore, the left spring piece 10B is excessively deformed to the point where the curved portion 15 of the left spring piece 10B contacts the inner surface of the side wall 6B by a deflection amount δ2. As a result, the fuse terminal 1B in the reference example may suffer permanent deformation or damage to the spring piece 10B or the bent portion 11.

[0037] (Unfolded diagram) Figure 8 is an exploded view of the main parts of the fuse terminal 1 in this embodiment. Figure 9 is an exploded view of the main parts of the fuse terminal 1A in the reference example shown in Figure 7. The fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment is manufactured by bending a conductive member that has been punched into a predetermined shape as shown in Figure 8. Figures 8 and 9 show the terminal connection portion 2 of the fuse terminal 1 and the terminal connection portion 2B of the fuse terminal 1A, respectively, and the bending portion (region) is shown with dashed lines (two-dot lines).

[0038] In the fuse terminal 1 according to this embodiment, in the terminal deployed state shown in Figure 8, the projection 20 formed on the spring piece 10 is provided in a direction connecting the side walls 5 and 6 to the bottom wall 4 (in a direction where the protruding directions of each are opposite to each other). Therefore, as is clear from a comparison with the terminal deployed state of the fuse terminal 1A according to the reference example shown in Figure 9, the fuse terminal 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the blank area B, which is a waste portion not used in the product, compared to the fuse terminal 1A which does not have the projection 20. Therefore, according to the fuse terminal 1 of this embodiment, the area of ​​material not used in the product can be reduced relative to the area of ​​material used to manufacture the product, thereby improving the yield.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc., as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0040] In the fuse terminal 1 of the embodiment described above, two spring pieces 10 are provided on a pair of side walls 5 and 6, respectively, but the electrical connection terminal of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, one spring piece is provided at the tip of one of the pair of side walls that rise upward from both side edges of the bottom wall, and is folded inward at the bent portion and extends toward the rear end. On the inner surface of the other side wall, a contact projection is provided, which is formed flat along the longitudinal direction of the tab terminal inserted between the pair of side walls. Then, one spring piece biases the tab terminal toward the contact projection, and the tab terminal is sandwiched between the contact projection and the spring piece.

[0041] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the electrical connection terminal according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3]. [1] A flat bottom wall (4), A pair of side walls (5,6) rise upward from both edges of the bottom wall (4), A spring piece (10) extends from the tip side of at least one of the aforementioned side walls (5:6) by being folded inward at the bent portion (11) and extending toward the rear end, In order to contact the tab terminal (50) inserted between the pair of side walls (5,6), the spring piece (10) has a curved contact portion (13) that is convex toward the tab terminal (50) in the middle portion along the extending direction of the spring piece (10), Between the extended end (17) of the spring piece (10) along the extending direction and the curved contact portion (13), there is a curved portion (15) that is convex toward the inner surface of the side wall (5:6) to which the spring piece (10) is connected, A projection (20) is formed between the curved contact portion (13) and the curved portion (15) such that it protrudes toward the inner surface of the side wall (5:6) to which the spring piece (10) is connected, and which contacts the inner surface of the side wall (5:6) to restrict the amount of deflection (δ1) of the spring piece (10), An electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) equipped with the following.

[0042] In the electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) with the configuration described in [1] above, if the tab terminal (50) is pushed in an unintended direction between the pair of side walls (5,6), the spring piece (10) pushed by the tab terminal (50) undergoes a large elastic deformation in the direction approaching the side walls (5:6). As a result, the projection (20) on the spring piece (10) pushed by the tab terminal (50) comes into contact with the inner surface of the side walls (5:6), and the amount of deflection (δ1) of the spring piece (10) pushed by the tab terminal (50) is restricted, thereby preventing the pushed spring piece (10) from deflecting excessively.

[0043] [2] The spring pieces (10) are provided on the pair of side walls (5,6), and the tab terminal (50) is inserted between these pair of spring pieces (10,10). The electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) described in [1] above.

[0044] According to the electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) with the configuration described in [2] above, when a tab terminal (50) is inserted between these pair of spring pieces (10, 10), each spring piece (10) elastically deforms in a direction that separates them from each other, thereby allowing the insertion of the tab terminal (50). As a result, the spring force acts on the inserted tab terminal (50) in a balanced manner on both sides, allowing the tab terminal (50) to be inserted smoothly.

[0045] [3] The projection (20) is formed by bending a projection extending from a part of the side edge of each spring piece (10) perpendicularly toward the inner surface of the side wall (5,6). The electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) as described in [2] above.

[0046] According to the electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) with the configuration described in [3] above, when the electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal 1) is formed by press forming from a metal plate of conductive metal, the protrusion (20) can be easily formed at the same time, thereby suppressing an increase in manufacturing costs. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0047] 1…Electrical connection terminal (fuse terminal) 4…Bottom wall 5,6…Side wall 10... Spring piece 11...Folded part 13... Curved contact section 15…Curved section 17...Extending end 20…Protrusion 50... Tab terminals

Claims

1. The bottom wall is flat, A pair of side walls rising upward from both edges of the bottom wall, A spring piece extending from at least one of the front ends of the side wall, folded inward at the bent portion, and extending toward the rear end, A curved contact portion is formed in a convex shape toward the tab terminal in the intermediate portion along the extending direction of the spring piece in order to contact the tab terminal inserted between the pair of side walls, Between the extended end of the spring piece along the extending direction and the curved contact portion, a curved portion is formed convexly toward the inner surface of the side wall to which the spring piece is connected, A projection is formed between the curved contact portion and the curved portion such that it protrudes toward the inner surface of the side wall on which the spring pieces are connected, and which contacts the inner surface of the side wall to regulate the amount of deflection of the spring pieces, An electrical connection terminal equipped with this feature.

2. The spring pieces are provided on each of the pair of side walls, and the tab terminal is inserted between these pair of spring pieces. The electrical connection terminal according to claim 1.

3. The projections are formed by bending projections extending from a portion of the side edge of each spring piece perpendicularly toward the inner surface of the side wall. The electrical connection terminal according to claim 2.

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