Connection structure of electric wire and terminal

Abstract

To provide a connection structure for electric wire and terminal that can improve assemblability.SOLUTION: A connection structure 1 for electric wire and terminal comprises an electric wire 3 and a terminal 5 electrically connected to the electric wire 3, wherein the terminal 5 has a base plate 7, a deformation plate 15 which has a free end 13 capable of deforming away from a fixed end 9, and a plurality of insertion holes 17 provided penetrating the deformation plate 15, a relay terminal 21 which has an electric connection part 19 inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 17 from the side of the fixed end 9 to the side of the free end 13 to come into contact with the deformation plate 15 as the deformation plate 15 deforms to be electrically connected to the terminal 5 is electrically connected to the electric wire 3, and a deformation part 23 which abuts on the electric connection part 19 inserted into the plurality of insertion holes 17 to cause the deformation plate 15 to deform to move the free end 13 away from the fixed end 9 is provided on the side of the free end 13 of the deformation plate 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal is known that includes an electric wire and a terminal electrically connected to the electric wire (see Patent Document 1). In this connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal, an elastic connection piece is formed in the terminal as a deformable plate having an electric wire insertion hole that is folded back toward the base plate from a folded portion as a fixed end of the base plate.

[0003] The elastic connection pieces are provided as a pair, inclined toward each other in a mountain-like shape from the folded-back portion. When pressure is applied to the peaks of the mountain-like shape, the free ends of the pair of elastic connection pieces opposite the folded-back portion are deformed in a direction away from the folded-back portion.

[0004] In such a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal, an electric wire is inserted into an electric wire insertion hole of a pair of elastic connection pieces from the folded portion side toward the free end side. In this state, by applying pressure to the peaks of the mountains, the pair of elastic connection pieces deform, and the electric wire comes into contact with the base plate and the pair of elastic connection pieces, thereby electrically connecting the electric wire to the terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-9600 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, in the connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the electric wire is inserted into a plurality of insertion holes of the deformable plate, and pressure is applied to the top of the deformable plate to deform the deformable plate and electrically connect the electric wire and the terminal. Therefore, in the connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the work of inserting the electric wire into the plurality of insertion holes and the work of deforming the deformable plate are performed separately, which requires a large number of work steps and reduces the ease of assembly.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional techniques, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal that can improve the ease of assembly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal in this embodiment comprises an electric wire and a terminal electrically connected to the electric wire, the terminal having a base plate, a deformable plate which is integral with the base plate via a fixed end, has at least one apex and is deformable in a direction such that its free end is away from the fixed end, and a plurality of insertion holes which penetrate the deformable plate between the fixed end and the apex and between the apex and the free end of the deformable plate, the electric wire is electrically connected to an intermediate terminal which is inserted through the plurality of insertion holes from the fixed end side toward the free end side, comes into contact with the deformable plate due to deformation of the deformable plate, and has an electrical connection portion which is electrically connected to the terminal, and the free end side of the deformable plate is provided with a deformation portion which abuts against the electrical connection portion inserted through the plurality of insertion holes and deforms the deformable plate so as to move the free end away from the fixed end.

[0009] It is preferable that the connector further comprises a housing in which the terminals are accommodated and the relay terminals are inserted, and the housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the relay terminal and maintains the position of the relay terminal relative to the housing when the deformable plate is deformed.

[0010] It is preferable that a detection member be attached to the housing so that the detection member can be attached in a state in which the deformation plate is deformed and the deformation plate and the electrical connection portion are electrically connected to each other.

[0011] It is preferable that a bent portion is provided between adjacent insertion holes of the deformable plate, the bent portion being bent so as to have an apex protruding toward the electrical connection portion, and the apex of the bent portion is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion by deformation of the deformable plate.

[0012] It is preferable that edges of the plurality of insertion holes that come into contact with the electrical connection portions are provided with curved portions formed with a curved surface.

[0013] It is preferable that a curved surface portion formed with a curved surface is provided on the edge portion facing the apex of the bent portion across the electrical connection portions of the multiple insertion holes, and that the curved surface portion comes into contact with the electrical connection portions due to deformation of the deformable plate.

[0014] It is preferable that the detection member is provided with a holding portion that comes into contact with the deformed deformation plate and holds the deformed state of the deformation plate.

[0015] It is preferable that the free end side of the deformation plate is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion in a state where the electrical connection portion has passed over the free end side of the deformation plate.

[0016] The terminal is accommodated in a housing into which the relay terminal is inserted, the housing having a recess formed so as to be spaced apart from the electrical connection portion, and the free end side of the deformable plate is provided with a first bent portion bent so as to have an apex protruding toward the electrical connection portion, and a second bent portion is arranged on the fixed end side of the first bent portion, is continuous with the first bent portion, and is bent so as to have an apex protruding toward the opposite side to the apex of the first bent portion, and it is preferable that the apex of the first bent portion is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion due to deformation of the deformable plate, and the apex of the second bent portion is accommodated in the recess due to deformation of the deformable plate. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal that can improve the ease of assembly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 3 is a side view of the deformation plate of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment before deformation. FIG. [Diagram 2] 4 is a side view of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment after the deformation plate has been deformed. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view of a terminal of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which the terminal is accommodated in the housing. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the second embodiment when the relay terminal is in a partially inserted state. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the third embodiment, in which the relay terminal is in a partially inserted state. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the electric wire-terminal connection structure according to the fourth embodiment when a relay terminal is being inserted. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, the connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0020] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0021] The connection structure 1 between an electric wire and a terminal according to this embodiment includes an electric wire 3 and a terminal 5 electrically connected to the electric wire 3.

[0022] The terminal 5 also has a base plate 7 and a deformable plate 15 which is integral with the base plate 7 via a fixed end 9, has at least one apex 11, and is deformable in a direction such that a free end 13 moves away from the fixed end 9. The terminal 5 also has a plurality of insertion holes 17 which penetrate the deformable plate 15 between the fixed end 9 and the apex 11 of the deformable plate 15 and between the apex 11 and the free end 13.

[0023] In addition, the electric wire 3 is electrically connected to a relay terminal 21 having an electrical connection portion 19 that is inserted through a plurality of insertion holes 17 from the fixed end 9 side toward the free end 13 side, comes into contact with the deformable plate 15 due to deformation of the deformable plate 15, and is electrically connected to the terminal 5.

[0024] A deformation portion 23 is provided on the free end 13 side of the deformable plate 15, which abuts against an electrical connection portion 19 inserted through the multiple insertion holes 17 and deforms the deformable plate 15 so as to move the free end 13 away from the fixed end 9.

[0025] Moreover, the electric wire-terminal connection structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 25 in which the terminal 5 is accommodated and the relay terminal 21 is inserted. The housing 25 is provided with a locking lance 27 that engages with the relay terminal 21 and maintains the position of the relay terminal 21 relative to the housing 25 when the deformable plate 15 is in a deformed state.

[0026] Furthermore, a detection member 29 is attached to the housing 25 so that it can be attached in a state in which the deformation plate 15 is deformed and the deformation plate 15 and the electrical connection portion 19 are electrically connected to each other.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the connection structure 1 for connecting an electric wire and a terminal includes an electric wire 3, a relay terminal 21, a terminal 5, a housing 25, and a detection member 29.

[0028] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the electric wire 3 is a coated electric wire having a core wire made of a conductive material and an insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the core wire. The core wire may be a stranded wire in which a plurality of strands are twisted together or a single wire. One end side of the electric wire 3 is electrically connected to, for example, an apparatus or a power source. The other end side of such an electric wire 3 is subjected to terminal processing in which a predetermined length of the insulating coating is stripped off to expose the core wire. A relay terminal 21 is electrically connected to the core wire of the electric wire 3.

[0029] 1, 2 and 4, the relay terminal 21 is made of a conductive material and includes an electric wire connection portion 31 and an electrical connection portion 19. The electric wire connection portion 31 includes a coating crimping portion 33 and a core wire crimping portion 35.

[0030] The cover crimping portion 33 is made up of a pair of crimping pieces, and crimps the insulating cover of the electric wire 3 at the end portion of the electric wire 3. The intermediate terminal 21 is fixed to the electric wire 3 by crimping the cover crimping portion 33 to the insulating cover of the electric wire 3.

[0031] The core wire crimping portion 35 is made of a pair of crimping pieces provided between the electrical connection portion 19 and the covering crimping portion 33, and is used to crimp the core wire exposed from the insulating covering of the electric wire 3 at the end portion of the electric wire 3 by crimping the core wire crimping portion 35 to the core wire of the electric wire 3, whereby the relay terminal 21 is electrically connected to the electric wire 3.

[0032] The electrical connection part 19 is formed of one member continuous with the electric wire connection part 31, and is a male connection part extending in a rod shape along the length direction of the electric wire 3. This electrical connection part 19 is disposed with respect to the terminal 5 by being inserted through the multiple insertion holes 17 from the fixed end 9 side toward the free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15, and is electrically connected to the terminal 5 by coming into contact with the deformed deformation plate 15.

[0033] 1 to 5, the terminal 5 is made of a conductive material and includes a base plate 7, a deformation plate 15, a plurality of insertion holes 17, and a deformation portion 23. In this embodiment, the terminal 5 is a joint terminal that electrically connects a plurality of electric wires 3.

[0034] The base plate 7 is formed in a rectangular shape, with its short sides arranged along the length direction of the electric wires 3 and its long sides arranged along the arrangement direction of the electric wires 3. The base plate 7 has slits 8 formed along the insertion direction of the electrical connection parts 19 of the relay terminals 21 into the insertion holes 17, opening toward one long side and bottoming near the center. A plurality of the slits 8 are arranged along the long side of the base plate 7. The intervals between the arrangement of the plurality of slits 8 are set so that the electrical connection parts 19 of the relay terminals 21 do not interfere with the slits 8 when the electrical connection parts 19 of the relay terminals 21 are inserted through the insertion holes 17. In addition, the intervals between the plurality of slits 8 are set so that when one deformation plate 15 deforms, the adjacent deformation plates 15 are prevented from deforming in conjunction with each other. On one long side of the base plate 7 on which such slits 8 are provided, a plurality of deformation plates 15 are formed of a single member that is continuous with each other via a fixed end 9.

[0035] Each of the multiple deformation plates 15 has a first inclined plate 37 and a second inclined plate 39 .

[0036] The first inclined plate 37 is formed of one member that is continuous with the base plate 7 via the fixed end 9. The first inclined plate 37 connects the fixed end 9 and the top portion 11 so as to have an upward inclination from the fixed end 9 toward the top portion 11.

[0037] The second inclined plate 39 is formed of one member that is continuous with the first inclined plate 37 via the top 11. The second inclined plate 39 connects the top 11 and the free end 13 so as to have a symmetrical downward slope with respect to the first inclined plate 37 from the top 11 toward the free end 13.

[0038] With the base plate 7 fixed, the deformable plate 15 is deformed so as to increase the angle of the apex 11 formed between the first inclined plate 37 and the second inclined plate 39 by pressing the free end 13 in a direction away from the fixed end 9. The deformation of the deformable plate 15 may be plastic deformation in which the deformed state is maintained, or elastic deformation in which the free end 13 is restored toward the fixed end 9 by releasing the pressure on the free end 13 side. A plurality of insertion holes 17 are provided in the deformable plate 15.

[0039] The multiple insertion holes 17 are formed in the deformation plate 15, one each penetrating the first inclined plate 37 and the second inclined plate 39, and a pair is provided throughout the deformation plate 15. The width of the insertion hole 17 is set to be equal to the diameter of the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 so that the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 can be inserted therethrough. The shape of the insertion hole 17 is formed in an elliptical shape extending in the length direction of the first inclined plate 37 and the second inclined plate 39 so that the deformation plate 15 can be deformed when the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 is inserted therethrough. Note that, if the width of the deformation plate 15 has a margin sufficient to maintain the rigidity of the deformation plate 15, the insertion hole 17 may be formed in a perfect circle larger than the diameter of the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21.

[0040] The multiple insertion holes 17 are provided in the first inclined plate 37 and the second inclined plate 39 so as to coincide when viewed from the insertion direction of the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 before the deformation plate 15 is deformed. The electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 is inserted and arranged in the multiple insertion holes 17 from the fixed end 9 side to the free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15.

[0041] In this state, when the deformable plate 15 is deformed so that the free end 13 is separated from the fixed end 9, the edges of the multiple insertion holes 17 come into contact with the electrical connection parts 19, and the electric wires 3 and the terminals 5 are electrically connected via the relay terminals 21. Such deformation of the deformable plate 15 is performed by a deformation part 23 provided on the free end 13 side.

[0042] The deformation portion 23 is formed of one member that is continuous with the deformation plate 15 via the free end 13. The deformation portion 23 is bent from the free end 13 toward the top portion 11. Such a deformation portion 23 comes into contact with the tip of the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 that has been inserted through the multiple insertion holes 17. When the electrical connection portion 19 is continued to be inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17 with the deformation portion 23 and the electrical connection portion 19 in contact with each other, the deformation portion 23 is pressed in a direction away from the fixed end 9.

[0043] Pressing of the deformation portions 23 by the electrical connection portions 19 causes the deformation plate 15 to deform so that the free end 13 moves away from the fixed end 9. This deformation of the deformable plate 15 brings the edges of the multiple insertion holes 17 into contact with the electrical connection portions 19, and the electric wires 3 and the terminals 5 are electrically connected via the relay terminals 21. By providing the deformation portions 23 in the deformable plate 15 in this manner, the operation of inserting the electrical connection portions 19 into the multiple insertion holes 17 and the operation of deforming the deformable plate 15 can be performed simultaneously, improving the ease of assembly.

[0044] Here, when the deformable plate 15 is deformed, the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 preferably have three electrical contact points. In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 preferably have three electrical contact points: a contact point between the electrical connection portion 19 and the deformable portion 23, and a contact point between the electrical connection portion 19 and the edge portions of the top 11 side of the multiple (here, two) insertion holes 17, 17. By bringing the edge portions of the insertion holes 17, 17 on the top 11 side into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 in this way, the edge portions of the insertion holes 17, 17 on the base plate 7 side and the electrical connection portion 19 are spaced apart. By separating the edge portions of the insertion holes 17, 17 on the base plate 7 side from the electrical connection portion 19 in this way, the electrical connection portion 19 is not caught by the edge portions of the base plate 7 side when the electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into the insertion holes 17, 17. Therefore, the ease of inserting the electrical connection portion 19 into the insertion hole 17 can be improved.

[0045] Such a terminal 5 is accommodated in a housing 25 .

[0046] 4 and 5, the housing 25 is made of an insulating material and is formed into a case shape capable of accommodating the terminal 5 and a plurality of relay terminals 21. The housing 25 includes a terminal accommodating portion 41 and a plurality of relay accommodating portions 43.

[0047] In the terminal accommodating section 41, the deformable plates 15 of the terminals 5 are arranged, and one surface (here, the upper surface) is open. A plurality of locking projections 42 that engage with the bottoms of the plurality of slits 8 are protrudingly provided on the bottom wall of the housing 25 located on the terminal accommodating section 41 side. The locking projections 42 are remaining portions of the partition wall 46 located at the bottoms of the engagement grooves 48 when the engagement grooves 48 are formed in the partition wall 46. The locking projections 42 engage with the bottoms of the slits 8, thereby restricting the terminals 5 from moving toward the terminal accommodating section 41 side within the housing 25. In such a terminal accommodating section 41, a deformation space is provided that allows deformation of the deformable plate 15 when the locking projections 42 and the slits 8 are engaged with each other.

[0048] Both side walls of the terminal accommodating portion 41 are formed with engagement grooves 44 that are formed to be equal in thickness to the base plate 7 of the terminal 5. The engagement grooves 44 engage with the base plate 7 to restrict movement of the terminal 5 in the height direction of the housing 25 (thickness direction of the base plate 7) within the housing 25. In addition, the bottom of the engagement groove 44 on the terminal accommodating portion 41 side comes into contact with the end face of the base plate 7 on the terminal accommodating portion 41 side, thereby restricting movement of the terminal 5 toward the terminal accommodating portion 41 side within the housing 25.

[0049] Each of the multiple relay accommodating portions 43 is formed in a rectangular tubular shape with an opening on the terminal accommodating portion 41 side and on the opposite side to the terminal accommodating portion 41 in the longitudinal direction so as to communicate with the terminal accommodating portion 41. The multiple relay accommodating portions 43 are partitioned by partition walls 46. The relay terminals 21 are inserted into the multiple relay accommodating portions 43 from the opening on the opposite side to the terminal accommodating portion 41.

[0050] Partition walls 46 that partition the multiple relay accommodating sections 43 and both side walls of the housing 25 are each formed with an engagement groove 48 that is formed to be the same thickness as the base plate 7 of the terminal 5. The engagement grooves 48 on both side walls of the housing 25 communicate with the engagement grooves 44 of the terminal accommodating sections 41. The engagement grooves 48 engage with the base plate 7 to restrict movement of the terminals 5 in the height direction of the housing 25 (thickness direction of the base plate 7) within the housing 25. The engagement grooves 48 are open on the side where the relay terminals 21 are inserted.

[0051] In such a housing 25, the terminals 5 are inserted toward the terminal accommodating portion 41 side with the multiple deformable plates 15 arranged in the openings of the multiple intermediate accommodating portions 43 and the base plate 7 arranged in the openings of the engagement grooves 48, and the terminals 5 are accommodated. Here, press-fitting protrusions 10 are protruding from both sides of the base plate 7 of the terminals 5. With the base plate 7 inserted into the engagement grooves 48, the press-fitting protrusions 10 are press-fitted into the inner surfaces of the engagement grooves 48 on both side walls of the housing 25. By pressing the press-fitting protrusions 10 into the engagement grooves 48, the movement of the terminals 5 toward the multiple intermediate accommodating portions 43 in the housing 25 is restricted, and the terminals 5 are prevented from falling off from the housing 25. In addition, by pressing the press-fitting protrusions 10 into the engagement grooves 48, the movement of the terminals 5 in the housing 25 in the width direction of the housing 25 is restricted.

[0052] With the terminal 5 accommodated in the housing 25, the relay terminal 21 is inserted into the relay accommodating portion 43 from the opening. By inserting the relay terminal 21, the electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17 of the deformation plate 15 and comes into contact with the deformation portion 23, deforming the deformation plate 15, and the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 are electrically connected via the relay terminal 21.

[0053] At this time, the relay terminal 21 is engaged with a locking lance 27 provided flexibly within the relay accommodating portion 43, and is prevented from coming out of the relay accommodating portion 43, and its arrangement position with respect to the housing 25 is maintained. Therefore, even if the deformable plate 15 elastically deforms, the deformed state of the deformable plate 15 can be maintained, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 can be maintained. A detection member 29 is attached to the housing 25.

[0054] Here, when the relay terminal 21 is engaged with the locking lance 27, as described above, there are three electrical contact points with the electrical connection portion 19: the deformation portion 23 and the edge portions of the insertion holes 17, 17 on the apex 11 side. Even if a tensile force is applied to the electric wire 3 at such an electrical contact point, the locking lance 27 bends, the electrical connection portion 19 moves in a direction to come out of the insertion hole 17, and the deformation plate 15 is restored, the angle of the apex 11 is set so that the contact at the contact point is maintained.

[0055] In detail, the angle formed by the first inclined plate 37 and the second inclined plate 39 of the top 11 is set to be larger than the minimum angle at which the electrical connection portion 19 contacts the edge of the insertion hole 17, 17 on the top 11 side when the relay terminal 21 is engaged with the locking lance 27. By setting the angle of the top 11 in this manner, even if the electrical connection portion 19 moves in a direction to come out of the insertion hole 17 and the angle of the top 11 becomes narrow, the deformation portion 23 relative to the electrical connection portion 19 can maintain contact with the edge of the insertion hole 17, 17 on the top 11 side. Therefore, the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 can be maintained. Note that, by setting the electrical contact points to three points as described above, electrical connection reliability and ease of insertion can be achieved at the same time, which is preferable, but the electrical contact points are not limited to the three points as described above, and may be two or less, or four or more.

[0056] 4, the detection member 29 is made of an insulating material and is formed into a shape capable of closing an opening on one side of the housing 25. The detection member 29 is attached to the housing 25 via a plurality of locking portions 45 formed between the detection member 29 and the housing 25. A detection portion 47 is provided on the surface of the detection member 29 facing the housing 25.

[0057] The detection portions 47 are arranged on the surface of the detection member 29 facing the housing 25 at positions corresponding to the tops 11 of the deformation plates 15 of the terminal 5. The detection portions 47 are provided as a single member continuous with the detection member 29, protruding from the surface of the detection member 29 facing the housing 25 toward the housing 25 side.

[0058] When the deformation of the deformable plate 15 is insufficient, i.e., when the contact between the electrical connection portion 19 and the deformable plate 15 is insufficient, the detection portion 47 comes into contact with the top portion 11 of the deformable plate 15. When the detection portion 47 comes into contact with the top portion 11, the multiple locking portions 45 cannot be engaged, and the detection member 29 cannot be assembled to the housing 25.

[0059] On the other hand, when the deformation plate 15 is completely deformed, that is, when the electrical connection portion 19 and the deformation plate 15 are in sufficient contact with each other, the detection portion 47 does not come into contact with the top portion 11 of the deformation plate 15. Therefore, the multiple locking portions 45 can be engaged with each other, and the detection member 29 can be assembled to the housing 25.

[0060] In this way, the detection member 29 can detect the deformation state of the deformation plate 15 and detect the contact state between the electrical connection portion 19 and the deformation plate 15 depending on whether or not it can be assembled to the housing 25. By assembling such a detection member 29 to the housing 25, it is possible to maintain the reliability of the electrical connection between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5. Note that, with the detection member 29 assembled to the housing 25, the detection portion 47 may be abutted against the top portion 11 of the deformation plate 15 to maintain the deformation state of the deformation plate 15.

[0061] In assembling such an electric wire-terminal connection structure 1, first, the terminal 5 is accommodated in the housing 25. Next, the relay terminal 21 is inserted into the relay accommodation portion 43 of the housing 25, and the electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17 of the deformation plate 15. Next, the insertion of the relay terminal 21 is continued, and the tip of the electrical connection portion 19 is brought into contact with the deformation portion 23, deforming the deformation plate 15, and electrically connecting the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 via the relay terminal 21. Then, the detection member 29 is assembled into the housing 25, and the electrical connection state between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 is confirmed depending on whether the detection member 29 can be assembled or not.

[0062] In such a connection structure 1 between an electric wire and a terminal, a relay terminal 21 having an electrical connection portion 19 electrically connected to the terminal 5 is electrically connected to the electric wire 3. A deformation portion 23 is provided on the free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15, which abuts against the electrical connection portion 19 inserted through the multiple insertion holes 17 and deforms the deformation plate 15 so as to separate the free end 13 from the fixed end 9.

[0063] Therefore, the insertion of the electrical connection portions 19 into the insertion holes 17 and the deformation of the deformable plate 15 can be performed simultaneously, reducing the number of steps required for the work. Therefore, in the electric wire-terminal connection structure 1, the ease of assembly can be improved.

[0064] In addition, by electrically connecting the electric wires 3 and the terminals 5 via the relay terminals 21, it is not necessary to insert the electric wires 3 into a plurality of insertion holes 17. Therefore, electric wires 3 of various sizes can be electrically connected to the terminals 5 without changing the shape of the insertion holes 17.

[0065] Furthermore, the housing 25 is provided with locking lances 27 that engage with the relay terminals 21 when the deformed plate 15 is in a deformed state, and hold the position of the relay terminals 21 relative to the housing 25. This makes it possible to stably hold the deformed state of the deformable plate 15 caused by the relay terminals 21, thereby maintaining the reliability of the electrical connection between the electric wires 3 and the terminals 5.

[0066] Furthermore, a detection member 29 that can be attached to the housing 25 when the deformation plate 15 is deformed and electrically connected to the electrical connection portion 19 is attached to the housing 25. Therefore, the electrical connection state between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 can be detected depending on whether the detection member 29 can be attached to the housing 25 or not.

[0067] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0068] In the connection structure 101 between an electric wire and a terminal according to this embodiment, a bent portion 105 is provided between adjacent insertion holes 17, 17 of a deformable plate 15, the bent portion 105 being bent so as to have an apex 103 protruding toward an electrical connection portion 19. The apex 103 of the bent portion 105 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 due to the deformation of the deformable plate 15.

[0069] Further, the edges of the plurality of insertion holes 17 that come into contact with the electrical connection portions 19 are provided with curved portions 107 formed with a curved surface.

[0070] Furthermore, a curved surface portion 107 formed by a curved surface is provided on an edge portion facing the top portion 103 of the bent portion 105 across the electrical connection portion 19 of the multiple insertion holes 17. The curved surface portion 107 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 due to the deformation of the deformable plate 15.

[0071] In addition, the same symbols are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and explanations of the configurations and functions are omitted and refer to the first embodiment, but since the configuration is the same as the first embodiment, the effects obtained are the same.

[0072] 6 to 12, the terminal 5 is made of a conductive material and includes a base plate 109, a deformation plate 15, a plurality of insertion holes 17, and a deformation portion 23. In this embodiment, the terminal 5 is a joint terminal that electrically connects a plurality of electric wires 3.

[0073] The base plate 109 is formed in a rectangular shape, with its short sides arranged along the length direction of the electric wires 3 and its long sides arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of electric wires 3. Both sides of the base plate 109 in the length direction are engaged with the engagement grooves 44 of the terminal accommodating portion 41 of the housing 25. The engagement between the base plate 109 and the engagement grooves 44 restricts the movement of the terminals 5 in the height direction, front-rear direction, and left-right direction within the housing 25. The base plate 109 may be press-fitted into the engagement grooves 44. The base plate 109 is formed of a single member to which the plurality of deformable plates 15 are connected via the fixed ends 9.

[0074] Each of the multiple deformable plates 15 has a first inclined plate 37, a second inclined plate 39, and a bent portion 105. The bent portion 105 is disposed between adjacent insertion holes 17, 17, and includes a third inclined plate 111, a fourth inclined plate 113, and a top portion 103.

[0075] The third inclined plate 111 is formed of one member that is continuous with the first inclined plate 37 via the top 115. The third inclined plate 111 is bent toward the electrical connection portion 19 at the top 115, so that it is inclined symmetrically with the first inclined plate 37 so as to have a downward inclination from the top 115 toward the free end 13.

[0076] The fourth inclined plate 113 is formed of one member that is continuous with the second inclined plate 39 via the top 117. The fourth inclined plate 113 is bent toward the electrical connection portion 19 at the top 117, so that it is inclined symmetrically with the second inclined plate 39 so as to have a downward inclination from the top 117 toward the fixed end 9.

[0077] The top 103 connects the third inclined plate 111 and the fourth inclined plate 113 on the side opposite to the top 115 of the third inclined plate 111 and the top 117 of the fourth inclined plate 113. The top 103 protrudes toward the electrical connection portion 19 by bending the third inclined plate 111 and the fourth inclined plate 113 toward the electrical connection portion 19. The surface of the top 103 on the electrical connection portion 19 side is formed into a curved shape. The top 103 is disposed between adjacent insertion holes 17, 17.

[0078] The terminal 5 having the deformed plate 15 provided with such a bent portion 105 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 41 of the housing 25 by engaging the base plate 109 with the engagement groove 44. When the relay terminal 21 is inserted into the housing 25, the terminal 5 accommodated in the housing 25 has the electrical connection portion 19 of the relay terminal 21 inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17. The tip of the electrical connection portion 19 that has passed through the multiple insertion holes 17 comes into contact with the deformed portion 23. When the electrical connection portion 19 and the deformed portion 23 are in contact with each other, the electrical connection portion 19 is continued to be inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17, and the deformed portion 23 is pressed in a direction away from the fixed end 9.

[0079] Pressing of the deformation portion 23 by the electrical connection portion 19 causes the deformation plate 15 to deform so that the free end 13 moves away from the fixed end 9. The deformation of the deformable plate 15 causes the top 103 of the bent portion 105 to come into contact with the electrical connection portion 19. In addition, the deformation of the deformable plate 15 causes edges of the multiple insertion holes 17 that face the top 103 of the bent portion 105 across the electrical connection portion 19 to come into contact with the electrical connection portion 19. The contact of the top 103 of the bent portion 105 and the edges of the multiple insertion holes 17 with the electrical connection portion 19 electrically connects the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 via the relay terminal 21.

[0080] In such a terminal 5, when the deformed plate 15 is deformed, the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 have four electrical contact points. In detail, the electrical connection portion 19 is in contact with four points, namely, the deformed portion 23, the edge portion of the multiple (here, two) insertion holes 17, 17 facing the apex 103 of the bent portion 105, and the apex 103 of the bent portion 105. By providing the bent portion 105 that contacts the electrical connection portion 19 in the deformed plate 15 in this way, the electrical contact points between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 can be increased, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 can be improved. In addition, by making the apex 103 of the bent portion 105 the contact point, the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 come into contact with each other, and an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material can be prevented. In addition, by forming the apex 103 of the bent portion 105 into a curved shape, it is possible to suppress scratches and generation of wear powder due to contact with the electrical connection portion 19. In addition, the edges of the plurality of insertion holes 17 that face the apex 103 of the bent portion 105 are in contact with the electrical connection portions 19, sandwiching the electrical connection portions 19. Therefore, when the deformable plate 15 is deformed, the electrical connection portions 19 can be sandwiched between the edges of the plurality of insertion holes 17 and the apex 103 of the bent portion 105, and the reliability of the electrical connection can be maintained.

[0081] Here, the edge of the insertion hole 17 that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 may have the base material exposed, and there is a possibility that the resistance will increase due to oxidation of the base material. In addition, if the edge of the insertion hole 17 that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 is sharp, there is a possibility that scratches or generation of wear powder will occur when the edge of the insertion hole 17 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19. Therefore, the edge of the insertion hole 17 that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 is provided with a curved surface portion 107 formed by a curved surface.

[0082] The curved surface portion 107 is provided at the edge of the insertion hole 17 at a portion that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 when the deformable plate 15 is deformed (here, the portion facing the apex 103 of the bent portion 105 across the electrical connection portion 19). The curved surface portion 107 is formed into a curved shape by forming the portion that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 of the insertion hole 17 into a flange shape and bending the flange-shaped portion. By making the portion that comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 of the insertion hole 17 into the curved surface portion 107 in this way, the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 come into contact with each other, and it is possible to prevent an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material. In addition, when the edge of the insertion hole 17 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19, it is possible to suppress scratches and generation of wear powder.

[0083] The bending direction of curved surface portion 107 is set so that the flange-shaped end portion is positioned to avoid interference with electrical connection portion 19 when electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into multiple insertion holes 17. In detail, curved surface portion 107 is bent toward bent portion 105 so that the end portion is bent away from electrical connection portion 19. By performing bending in this manner, when electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into multiple insertion holes 17, the end portion of curved surface portion 107 does not interfere with electrical connection portion 19, and electrical connection portion 19 can be stably inserted into multiple insertion holes 17.

[0084] After the relay terminal 21 is inserted into the housing 25 accommodating such terminal 5, the detection member 29 is attached to the housing 25. The detection member 29 is provided so as to be able to open and close the terminal accommodating portion 41 of the housing 25 via a hinge 119.

[0085] As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, when the intermediate terminal 21 is not fully inserted into the housing 25, the locking lance 27 is not engaged with the intermediate terminal 21. When the locking lance 27 is not engaged with the intermediate terminal 21, the deformation of the deformable plate 15 is insufficient, and the height of the tops 115, 117 of the deformable plate 15 in the terminal accommodating portion 41 is high. When the detection member 29 is assembled to the housing 25 in a state in which the height of the tops 115, 117 of the deformable plate 15 is high, the detection portion 47 comes into contact with the tops 115, 117 (only the top 117 in this case). When the detection portion 47 comes into contact with the top 117, the multiple locking portions 45 cannot be engaged, and the detection member 29 cannot be assembled to the housing 25. Therefore, it can be detected that the deformation of the deformable plate 15 is insufficient and the electrical connection state between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 is insufficient.

[0086] As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, when the intermediate terminal 21 is sufficiently inserted into the housing 25, the locking lance 27 engages with the intermediate terminal 21. When the locking lance 27 engages with the intermediate terminal 21, the deformation plate 15 is sufficiently deformed, and the height of the tops 115, 117 of the deformation plate 15 in the terminal accommodating portion 41 is low. When the detection member 29 is assembled to the housing 25 in a state in which the height of the tops 115, 117 of the deformation plate 15 is low, the detection portion 47 does not abut against the tops 115, 117. When the detection portion 47 does not abut against the tops 115, 117, the multiple locking portions 45 can be engaged, and the detection member 29 can be assembled to the housing 25. Therefore, it can be detected that the deformation of the deformation plate 15 is sufficient, and the electrical connection state between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 is sufficient. In addition, with the detection member 29 attached to the housing 25, the detection portion 47 may be brought into contact with the tops 115, 117 of the deformation plate 15 to maintain the deformation state of the deformation plate 15.

[0087] In such a connection structure 101 between an electric wire and a terminal, a bent portion 105 is provided between adjacent insertion holes 17, 17 of the deformable plate 15, the bent portion 105 being bent so as to have an apex 103 protruding toward the electrical connection portion 19. The apex 103 of the bent portion 105 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 due to the deformation of the deformable plate 15.

[0088] This makes it possible to increase the number of electrical contact points between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21. Furthermore, by making the contact point the top 103 of the bent portion 105, the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 come into contact with each other, making it possible to prevent an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material.

[0089] In addition, the edges that come into contact with the electrical connection parts 19 of the multiple insertion holes 17 are provided with curved parts 107. This allows the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminals 5 and relay terminals 21 to come into contact with each other, preventing an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material. In addition, when the edges of the insertion holes 17 come into contact with the electrical connection parts 19, scratches and the generation of wear powder can be suppressed.

[0090] Furthermore, curved surface portion 107 formed with a curved surface is provided on an edge portion facing apex 103 of bent portion 105 across electrical connection portion 19 of multiple insertion holes 17. Curved surface portion 107 is brought into contact with electrical connection portion 19 due to deformation of deformable plate 15. Therefore, when deformable plate 15 is deformed, electrical connection portion 19 can be sandwiched between curved surface portion 107 of multiple insertion holes 17 and apex 103 of bent portion 105, and electrical connection reliability can be maintained.

[0091] Third embodiment The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0092] In the electric wire-terminal connection structure 201 according to this embodiment, the detection member 29 is provided with a holding portion 203 that comes into contact with the deformed deformation plate 15 and holds the deformed state of the deformation plate 15.

[0093] In addition, the same symbols are used for configurations that are the same as those in other embodiments, and explanations of the configurations and functions are omitted and refer to the other embodiments, but since the configuration is the same as that of other embodiments, the effects obtained are the same.

[0094] As shown in Figs. 13 to 15, the detection member 29 is provided with a holding portion 203 that protrudes from the detection portion 47 toward the terminal accommodating portion 41. The holding portion 203 is provided with an abutment surface 205 that is inclined so as to have the same inclination as the first inclined plate 37 when the deformation plate 15 is deformed. When the detection member 29 is assembled to the housing 25, the abutment surface 205 of the holding portion 203 abuts against the first inclined plate 37 of the deformed deformation plate 15 from the fixed end 9 side. Due to the abutment between the holding portion 203 and the first inclined plate 37, the deformed deformation plate 15 does not return to its original state toward the fixed end 9 side, and the deformed state of the deformation plate 15 can be maintained. Therefore, the deformed state of the deformation plate 15 can be stably maintained, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 can be maintained.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 15, when the deformation of the deformation plate 15 is insufficient, when the detection member 29 is assembled to the housing 25, the tip of the holding portion 203 comes into contact with the top portion 115 of the deformation plate 15. In a state in which the holding portion 203 comes into contact with the top portion 115, the multiple locking portions 45 (see Fig. 12) cannot be engaged, and the detection member 29 cannot be assembled to the housing 25. For this reason, it is possible to detect that the deformation of the deformation plate 15 is insufficient and that the electrical connection state between the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 is insufficient. Although the detection member 29 is not connected to the housing 25 via a hinge 119 (see Fig. 9), the detection member 29 may be connected to the housing 25 via the hinge 119.

[0096] In such a connection structure 201 between an electric wire and a terminal, the detection member 29 is provided with a holding portion 203 that comes into contact with the deformed deformable plate 15 and holds the deformed state of the deformable plate 15. Therefore, the deformed state of the deformable plate 15 can be stably held, and the reliability of the electrical connection between the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 can be maintained.

[0097] (Fourth embodiment) The fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0098] In the electric wire-to-terminal connection structure 301 according to this embodiment, the free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 in a state in which the electrical connection portion 19 has moved over it.

[0099] The housing 25 is provided with a recess 303 formed to be spaced apart from the electrical connection portion 19. The free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15 is provided with a first bent portion 307 bent to have an apex 305 protruding toward the electrical connection portion 19. The free end 13 side of the deformation plate 15 is provided with a second bent portion 311 bent to have an apex 309 protruding toward the opposite side to the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307, which is disposed closer to the fixed end 9 side than the first bent portion 307 and is continuous with the first bent portion 307. The apex 305 of the first bent portion 307 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 by the deformation of the deformation plate 15. The apex 309 of the second bent portion 311 is accommodated in the recess 303 by the deformation of the deformation plate 15.

[0100] In addition, the same symbols are used for configurations that are the same as those in other embodiments, and explanations of the configurations and functions are omitted and refer to the other embodiments, but since the configuration is the same as that of other embodiments, the effects obtained are the same.

[0101] 16 to 18, the terminal accommodating portion 41 of the housing 25 is provided with a recess 303 formed to be spaced apart from the electrical connection portion 19. The recess 303 is formed with an inclined surface 313 that slopes downward from the fixed end 9 side to the free end 13 side of the deformable plate 15. The terminal 5 is accommodated in the terminal accommodating portion 41 having the recess 303.

[0102] The terminal 5 is provided with a first bent portion 307 and a second bent portion 311 on the free end 13 side. The first bent portion 307 is formed by bending the tip side of the deformation portion 23 to have an apex 305 protruding toward the electrical connection portion 19. The surface of the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307 on the electrical connection portion 19 side is formed in a curved shape. The second bent portion 311 is provided between the deformation portion 23 and the second inclined plate 39, which is closer to the fixed end 9 side than the first bent portion 307, and is continuous with the first bent portion 307. The second bent portion 311 is formed by bending between the deformation portion 23 and the second inclined plate 39 to have an apex 309 protruding toward the recessed portion 303 side, which is the opposite side to the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307.

[0103] In the terminal 5 having such a first bent portion 307 and a second bent portion 311, when the electrical connection portion 19 is inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17, the deformation portion 23 and the electrical connection portion 19 come into contact with each other. The abutment of the deformation portion 23 and the electrical connection portion 19 causes the deformation plate 15 to deform so that the free end 13 moves away from the fixed end 9. When the electrical connection portion 19 continues to be inserted into the multiple insertion holes 17, the electrical connection portion 19 climbs over the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307. When the electrical connection portion 19 climbs over the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307, the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307 comes into contact with the electrical connection portion 19. By bringing the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307 into contact with the electrical connection portion 19, the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 come into contact with each other, and an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material can be prevented. In addition, by forming the top 305 of the first bent portion 307 into a curved surface, it is possible to suppress scratches and generation of abrasion powder due to contact with the electrical connection portion 19.

[0104] On the other hand, when the electrical connection portion 19 climbs over the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307, the deformation of the deformable plate 15 causes the apex 309 of the second bent portion 311 to slide against the inclined surface 313 and be accommodated in the recess 303. When the apex 309 of the second bent portion 311 is accommodated in the recess 303, the electrical connection portion 19 comes into contact with three points, namely, the apex 103 of the bent portion 105, the curved surface portion 107 of the insertion hole 17 of the first inclined plate 37, and the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307. This contact electrically connects the electric wire 3 and the terminal 5 via the relay terminal 21. The deformed state of the deformable plate 15 is maintained by the engagement of the locking lance 27 with the relay terminal 21.

[0105] In this way, the electrical connection portion 19 climbs over the free end 13 side of the deformed plate 15, so that the deformation force of the deformed plate 15 caused by the abutment between the deformed portion 23 and the electrical connection portion 19 can be reduced, and the insertion force of the relay terminal 21 can be reduced. In addition, by deforming the deformed plate 15 so that the apex 309 of the second bent portion 311 is accommodated in the recess 303, the deformation force of the deformed plate 15 can be further reduced, and the insertion force of the relay terminal 21 can be further reduced. Note that the housing 25 may not be provided with the recess 303, and the electrical connection portion 19 may climb over the free end 13 side of the deformed plate 15. In this case, when the electrical connection portion 19 climbs over the free end 13 side, the electrical connection portion 19 comes into contact with four points, namely the apex 103 of the bent portion 105, the curved surface portions 107 of the multiple (here, two) insertion holes 17, and the apex 305 of the first bent portion 307. Although the detection member 29 is not connected to the housing 25 via a hinge 119 (see FIG. 9), the detection member 29 may be connected to the housing 25 via a hinge 119.

[0106] In such a connection structure 301 between an electric wire and a terminal, the free end 13 side of the deforming plate 15 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 with the electrical connection portion 19 climbing over it. Therefore, the deformation force of the deforming plate 15 caused by the abutment between the deforming portion 23 and the electrical connection portion 19 can be reduced, and the insertion force of the relay terminal 21 can be reduced.

[0107] Moreover, the top 305 of the first bent portion 307 is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion 19 due to the deformation of the deformable plate 15. Furthermore, the top 309 of the second bent portion 311 is accommodated in the recess 303 due to the deformation of the deformable plate 15. This makes it possible to further reduce the deformation force of the deformable plate 15 and to further reduce the insertion force of the relay terminal 21. In addition, by bringing the top 305 of the first bent portion 307 into contact with the electrical connection portion 19, the plating applied to the surfaces of the terminal 5 and the relay terminal 21 come into contact with each other, making it possible to prevent an increase in resistance due to oxidation of the base material.

[0108] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0109] For example, in the connection structure between the electric wire and the terminal according to the present embodiment, the terminal is a joint terminal, but is not limited thereto. For example, the terminal may be a connection terminal in which a base plate is provided with an electric wire connection part to which the electric wire is electrically connected, or a relay terminal in which a base plate is provided with an electrical connection part to which a mating terminal is connected.

[0110] Also, although there are two insertion holes, this is not limited to the above, and three or more insertion holes may be provided, for example, by providing multiple inclined plates with multiple apexes on the deformable plate and providing an insertion hole in each of the multiple inclined plates. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1,101,201,301 Connection structure between electric wire and terminal 3 electric wire 5 Terminal 7,109 Base plate 9 Fixed end 11,115,117 top 13 Free end 15 Deformed plate 17 Insertion hole 19 Electrical connections 21 Relay terminal 23 Deformation section 25 Housing 27 Locking Lance 29 Detection member 103 Top of bend 105 Bend 107 Curved surface part 203 Holding part 303 Recess 305 Top of the first bend 307 1st bending part 309 Top of the second bend 311 2nd bending part

Claims

1. Electric wires and a terminal electrically connected to the electric wire; Equipped with The terminal has a base plate, a deformable plate that is integral with the base plate via a fixed end, has at least one apex, and is deformable such that a free end of the deformable plate is deformable in a direction away from the fixed end, and a plurality of insertion holes that are provided through the deformable plate between the fixed end and the apex and between the apex and the free end of the deformable plate, a relay terminal having an electrical connection portion that is inserted through the insertion holes from the fixed end side toward the free end side and that comes into contact with the deformation plate due to deformation of the deformation plate and is electrically connected to the terminal, A connection structure between an electric wire and a terminal, in which a deformation portion is provided on the free end side of the deformable plate, which abuts against the electrical connection portion inserted through the multiple insertion holes and deforms the deformable plate so as to move the free end away from the fixed end.

2. a housing in which the terminals are accommodated and into which the relay terminals are inserted, 2. The electric wire and terminal connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a locking lance that engages with the intermediate terminal and maintains the position of the intermediate terminal relative to the housing when the deformable plate is in a deformed state.

3. 3. The connection structure of claim 2, wherein a detection member is attached to the housing so that the detection member can be attached when the deformation plate is deformed and the deformation plate and the electrical connection portion are electrically connected to each other.

4. a bent portion bent to have an apex protruding toward the electrical connection portion is provided between adjacent insertion holes of the deformable plate, 4. The connection structure for an electric wire and a terminal according to claim 1, wherein the top of the bent portion is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion by deformation of the deformable plate.

5. 5. The electric wire-terminal connection structure according to claim 1, wherein edges of the plurality of insertion holes that come into contact with the electrical connection portion are provided with curved portions formed with a curved surface.

6. a curved surface portion formed by a curved surface is provided on an edge portion of the plurality of insertion holes that faces the apex of the bent portion across the electrical connection portion, 5. The connection structure for connecting an electric wire and a terminal according to claim 4, wherein the curved surface portion is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion by deformation of the deformable plate.

7. 4. The connection structure of an electric wire and a terminal according to claim 3, wherein the detection member is provided with a holding portion that abuts against the deformed deformation plate and holds the deformed state of the deformation plate.

8. The connection structure for an electric wire and a terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the free end side of the deformable plate is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion in a state in which the electrical connection portion has passed over the free end side of the deformable plate.

9. a housing in which the terminals are accommodated and into which the relay terminals are inserted, The housing is provided with a recess formed to be spaced apart from the electrical connection portion, a first bent portion bent to have an apex protruding toward the electrical connection portion, and a second bent portion bent to have an apex protruding toward an opposite side to the apex of the first bent portion, the second bent portion being disposed closer to the fixed end than the first bent portion and continuing from the first bent portion; an apex of the first bent portion is brought into contact with the electrical connection portion by deformation of the deformable plate; The connection structure for connecting an electric wire and a terminal according to claim 8 , wherein an apex of the second bent portion is accommodated in the recess by deformation of the deformable plate.

Images