Electrical connection components and electrical connection assemblies

Abstract

The objective is to provide an electrical connection member that can effectively prevent or reduce misalignment of a male conductive terminal member and effectively maintain the connection state. [Solution] The electrical connection member of the present invention comprises a peripheral wall forming a hollow portion, one or more slits formed in the peripheral wall that open to the tip side, and a contact portion provided on the tip side portion of the peripheral wall so as to protrude radially inward. The tip side portion is configured to be elastically deformable radially such that, in an initial state when no external force is applied, the outer diameter of the insertable space defined by the apex of the contact portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member, and in response to an external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space becomes larger than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a female electrical connection member electrically connected to a male conductive terminal member, and an electrical connection assembly including the electrical connection member.

Background Art

[0002] A female electrical connection member electrically connected to a male conductive terminal member such as a terminal for charging an electric vehicle or a connection terminal of a substrate on which an IC chip is mounted is suitably used as a probe, for example.

[0003] Patent Document 1 below discloses, as the prior art of Patent Document 1, a probe (hereinafter referred to as the first conventional configuration) including a cylindrical conductive barrel having openings on both sides in the axial direction, a coil spring built in the barrel, and a pair of first and second plungers arranged on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the coil spring.

[0004] The first plunger is axially movably accommodated in the barrel in a state where the base end portion abuts on one end portion in the axial direction of the coil spring and the tip end portion protrudes outward from the barrel on one side in the axial direction. The second plunger is axially movably accommodated in the barrel in a state where the base end portion abuts on the other end portion in the axial direction of the coil spring and the tip end portion protrudes outward from the barrel on the other side in the axial direction.

[0005] In the first conventional configuration, the tip end portion of the first plunger acts as an electrical connection portion with the inspection target member, and the tip end portion of the second plunger acts as an electrical connection portion with the inspection device. Specifically, in a state where the coil spring is compressed by the first and second plungers, the tip end portion of the first plunger abuts on the electrode of the inspection target member, and the tip end portion of the second plunger abuts on the wiring portion electrically connected to the inspection device, so that the tip end portions of the first and second plungers are pressed against the electrode and the wiring portion, respectively, by the biasing force of the coil spring.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a probe (hereinafter referred to as the second conventional configuration) comprising: a cylindrical conductive barrel having openings on both sides in the axial direction and a hole formed on the side surface in the middle of the axial direction; a plunger housed in the barrel so as to be axially movable, with its base end located inside the barrel and its tip protruding outward from one side of the barrel in the axial direction; and an elastic body to which the base end of the plunger abuts, the elastic body being provided so as to extend both inside and outside the barrel through the hole.

[0007] In the second conventional configuration described above, the tip of the plunger acts as an electrical connection point with the member to be inspected, and the base end of the conductive barrel acts as an electrical connection point with the inspection device. Specifically, with the elastic body compressed in the axial direction by the plunger and the conductive barrel, the tip of the plunger is in contact with the electrode of the member to be inspected, and the base end of the conductive barrel is in contact with the wiring electrically connected to the inspection device, so that the biasing force of the elastic body presses the tip of the plunger and the base end of the conductive barrel against the electrode and the wiring, respectively.

[0008] Both the first and second conventional configurations described above are effective in that the tip of the corresponding plunger is pressed against the electrode of the member to be inspected by the biasing force of the corresponding biasing member, thereby ensuring an electrical connection between the tip of the corresponding plunger and the electrode. However, there is room for improvement in the following respects.

[0009] In other words, since the tip of the corresponding plunger and the electrode are free in the lateral direction perpendicular to the axial direction, there is a problem that they are prone to misalignment in the lateral direction.

[0010] Furthermore, there is no structure that maintains a state in which the tip of the corresponding plunger is pressed against the electrode by the biasing force of the corresponding biasing member (the coil spring or the elastic body) and the two are electrically connected; therefore, such a holding structure must be provided separately. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-337994 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the prior art, and aims to provide an electrical connection member and an electrical connection assembly that are electrically connected to a male conductive terminal member, which can effectively prevent or reduce misalignment of the electrical connection member with respect to the terminal member, and can effectively maintain the electrical connection state of the terminal member and the electrical connection member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a conductive female electrical connector having a hollow portion open at least towards the tip, to which a male conductive terminal member is electrically connected, comprising: a peripheral wall forming the hollow portion; one or more slits formed in the peripheral wall so as to open towards the tip of the peripheral wall; and a contact portion provided on the tip portion of the peripheral wall located at the same axial position as the slits so as to protrude radially inward, wherein the tip portion is configured to be elastically deformable radially such that, in an initial state without external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space defined by the apex of the contact portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member, and in response to external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space becomes larger than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member.

[0014] Preferably, the contact portion is configured to generate a cam action between the conductive terminal member and the contact portion, causing the tip portion to elastically deform radially outward from its initial state when the electrical connection member and the conductive terminal member are moved relative to each other so that the conductive terminal member is inserted into the hollow portion.

[0015] Preferably, a plurality of the slits are formed in the peripheral wall. In this case, the multiple slits are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the contact portion is formed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the tip portion.

[0017] In other embodiments, the contact portion is provided with a protrusion formed at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the tip portion. In the aforementioned other embodiments, preferably, the contact portion may have a plurality of protrusions arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention provides an electrical connection assembly comprising an electrical connection member relating to any of the various configurations described above, and a ring spring fitted onto the peripheral wall, wherein the ring spring is radially elastically deformable so as to allow the tip portion to be externally supported by its own inherent elasticity relative to the peripheral wall in its initial state, while also allowing the tip portion to be elastically deformed radially outward from its initial state.

[0019] In one embodiment, the ring spring is a coil spring. In other configurations, the ring spring is a C-ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the electrical connection member and electrical connection assembly of the present invention, misalignment with respect to a conductive terminal member can be effectively prevented or reduced, and the electrical connection state with the conductive terminal member can be effectively maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] Figures 1(a) and (b) are respectively a front view and a side view of an electrical connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1(b), and Figure 2(b) is a front view of an electrical connection member according to a modification of the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view of an electrical connection member according to another modification of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the electrical connection member is connected to a male conductive terminal member, and shows the state before the electrical connection member is connected to the conductive terminal member. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the electrical connection member is connected to a male conductive terminal member, and shows the state during the connection of the electrical connection member to the conductive terminal member. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the electrical connection member is connected to a male conductive terminal member, and shows the state after the electrical connection member is connected to the conductive terminal member. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of part VII in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view of an electrical connection assembly in which a ring spring formed by a coil spring is externally inserted into the electrical connection member. [Figure 9] Figures 9(a) and (b) are respectively a front view and a side view of an electrical connection assembly in which a ring spring formed by a C-ring is externally inserted into the electrical connection member.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electrical connection member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1(a) and (b) show respectively a front view and a side view of an electrical connection member 1A according to the present embodiment. Furthermore, Figure 2(a) shows a cross-sectional view along the line II-II in Figure 1(b).

[0023] The electrical connection member 1A in this embodiment is a female member that is detachably connected to a male electrical component terminal 100 (see Figures 4 to 6 below, etc.), such as an electric vehicle charging terminal or a connection terminal on a circuit board on which an IC chip is mounted. In this embodiment, the case in which the electrical connection member 1A is used as a test plunger for conductivity testing of electric vehicle charging terminals will be described as an example.

[0024] The electrical connection member 1A is formed from various conductive metal members such as copper.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical connection member 1A has a peripheral wall 10 that forms a hollow portion 15 that is open at least towards the tip, and one or more slits 20 formed in the peripheral wall 10.

[0026] In the electrical connection member 1A according to this embodiment, the base end side of the peripheral wall 10 is closed. In other words, the electrical connection member 1A further has a base end wall 19 that closes the base end side of the peripheral wall 10.

[0027] Alternatively, the peripheral wall 10 can be deformed to open the base end side. Figure 3 shows a side view of an electrical connection member 1B according to a modified example, in which the base end of the peripheral wall 10 is also open in addition to the tip end.

[0028] Reference numeral 150 in Figure 1 and reference numeral 152 in Figure 3 are relay members that electrically connect the base ends of the electrical connection members 1A and 1B to the inspection device (not shown).

[0029] The slit 20 is formed in the peripheral wall 10 so as to open towards the tip side of the peripheral wall 10. In this embodiment, two slits 20 are formed in the peripheral wall 10, but it is also possible to form one or more slits in the peripheral wall 10 instead.

[0030] In this embodiment, where multiple slits 20 (two in this embodiment) are provided, the multiple slits 20 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In other words, the circumferential positions of the multiple slits 20 are set such that the circumferential lengths of the multiple tip-side portions 12 located in the same axial position as the slits 20 within the peripheral wall 10 are the same.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical connection member 1A further has a contact portion 30 provided on the tip portion 12 of the peripheral wall 10 so as to protrude radially inward.

[0032] In this embodiment, the contact portion 30 protrudes radially inward along the entire circumference of the peripheral wall 10. This contact portion 30, which extends along the entire circumference, is suitably formed by roll processing.

[0033] Alternatively, the contact portion 30 can be modified to have one or more protrusions 35 formed at predetermined circumferential positions on the tip portion 12. Figure 2(b) shows a front view of modified example 1C in which the contact portion 30 is formed by a protrusion 35. In the modified example 1C shown in Figure 2(b), the contact portion 30 has four of the protrusions 35.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2(b), in the configuration in which the contact portion 30 is formed by a plurality of protrusions 35, the plurality of protrusions 35 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0035] Figures 4 to 6 show cross-sectional views illustrating the method of connecting the electrical connection member 1A to the male conductive terminal member 100. Figures 4 to 6 show the state of the electrical connection member 1A before connection to the conductive terminal member 100, the state during connection, and the state after connection, respectively.

[0036] The tip portion 12 is designed to be elastically deformable in the radial direction such that, in an initial state where it is not subjected to external force (see Figure 4), the outer diameter of the insertable space defined by the apex (innermost radial end) of the contact portion 30 is smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member 100, and in response to external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space becomes larger than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal 100 (see Figures 5 and 6).

[0037] With the electrical connection member 1A configured in this way, when connected to the conductive terminal member 100 (see Figure 6), the contact portion 30 is pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the conductive terminal member 100 by the elasticity retained by the tip portion 12 which is elastically deformed radially outward. Therefore, the electrical connection state between the electrical connection member 1A and the conductive terminal member 100 can be effectively manifested and maintained.

[0038] Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of section VII in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, the contact portion 30 is configured to generate a cam action between the conductive terminal member 100 and the contact portion 30 that causes the tip portion 12 to elastically deform radially outward from its initial state when the electrical connection member 1A and the conductive terminal member 100 are moved relative to each other so that the conductive terminal member 100 is inserted into the hollow portion 15.

[0039] More specifically, the contact portion 30 has a cam inclined surface 32 that is positioned radially inward as it moves from the tip side to the base end side of the tip portion 12.

[0040] With this configuration, the connection state between the electrical connection member 1A and the conductive terminal member 100 can be revealed by moving the electrical connection member 1A relative to the conductive terminal member 100 in the axial direction.

[0041] Preferably, the electrical connection member 1A can work in cooperation with the ring spring 60, which is fitted onto the peripheral wall 10, to form an electrical connection assembly.

[0042] The ring spring 60 is externally supported by its own inherent elasticity relative to the peripheral wall 10 when the tip portion 12 is in its initial state, and is designed to be elastically deformable in the radial direction so as to allow the tip portion 12 to elastically deform radially outward from its initial state.

[0043] According to the aforementioned electrical connection assembly, the connection state of the electrical connection member 1A and the conductive terminal member 100 can be maintained more reliably.

[0044] The ring spring 60 may be a coil spring 62 or a C-ring 65. Figure 8 shows a side view of the electrical connection assembly 50A, which includes the ring spring 60 formed by the coil spring 62. Furthermore, Figures 9(a) and (b) show a front view and a side view, respectively, of the electrical connection assembly 50B equipped with the ring spring 60 formed by the C-ring 65. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1A~1C Electrical connection components 10 Peripheral wall 12 Tip side part 15 Hollow part 20 slits 30 Contact part 35 Convex part 50A, 50B Electrical Connection Assembly 60 Ring springs 62 Coil springs 65 C-ring 100 Conductive terminal member

Claims

1. A conductive female electrical connector having a hollow portion open at least towards the tip, to which a male conductive terminal member is electrically connected, The peripheral wall forming the hollow portion, One or more slits formed in the peripheral wall so as to open towards the tip side of the peripheral wall, The peripheral wall comprises a contact portion provided on the tip side portion located at the same axial position as the slit, so as to protrude radially inward, The tip portion is configured to be elastically deformable in the radial direction such that, in an initial state where it is not subjected to external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space defined by the apex of the contact portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member, and in response to an external force, the outer diameter of the insertable space becomes larger than the outer diameter of the conductive terminal member.

2. The electrical connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion is configured to generate a cam action between the conductive terminal member and the contact portion, which causes the tip portion to elastically deform radially outward from its initial state when the electrical connection member and the conductive terminal member are moved relative to each other so that the conductive terminal member is inserted into the hollow portion.

3. Multiple slits are formed in the peripheral wall. The electrical connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of slits are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

4. The electrical connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion is formed over the entire circumferential area of ​​the tip portion.

5. The electrical connection member according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact portion has a protrusion formed at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the tip portion.

6. The electrical connection member according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact portion has a plurality of protrusions arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

7. An electrical connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The ring spring is fitted onto the peripheral wall, The ring spring is characterized in that its tip portion is externally supported by its own inherent elasticity relative to the peripheral wall in its initial state, while being elastically deformable in the radial direction so as to allow the tip portion to elastically deform radially outward from its initial state.

8. The electrical connection assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the ring spring is a coil spring.

9. The electrical connection assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the ring spring is a C-ring.

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