Female terminals, connectors, electric wires with terminals, electric wires with connectors, and wire harnesses

Abstract

To provide a female terminal, a connector, an electric wire with a terminal, an electric wire with a connector, and a wire harness capable of improving productivity.SOLUTION: A female terminal 10 has a terminal main body 13 consisting of a base part 20 connected with an electric wire 3 and a spring member 30 attached to the base part 20. The base part 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval into which a male terminal 5 can be inserted. The spring member 30 has: an inner plate 31 provided along an inner lateral face 21a of the one-side side wall 21; and an arm spring 35 extending toward the other-side side wall 21. An inside welding part Wa between the inner lateral face 21a of the one-side side wall 21 and the inner plate 35 is provided. The other-side side wall 21 has a working open part 210 provided at a position relative to the inside welding part Wa.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a female terminal for an electric circuit through which a large current flows, a connector, an electric wire with a terminal, an electric wire with a connector, and a wire harness. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, electrical devices have been configured to configure an electrical circuit by connecting an electric device and a power supply device via a wire harness. The wire harness and the electric device, as well as the wire harness and the power supply device, are connected to each other via connectors attached to each of them.

[0003] For example, the connector shown in Patent Document 1 has a female terminal accommodated in a connector housing. The female terminal has a terminal body formed of a base and a spring member, and a plate for the spring member is provided along a pair of side walls that form the base. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-245701 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the electric circuits of the drive system of an automobile, a large current flows through them, so it is considered to weld the side walls and the longitudinal plate to ensure good electrical conductivity. However, in the narrow gap between a pair of side walls, welding the longitudinal plate to the inner surface of the side walls is very difficult, and there is a problem of reduced productivity.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a female terminal, a connector, an electric wire with a terminal, an electric wire with a connector, and a wire harness with improved productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In this invention, a terminal body is provided by a base portion connected to an electric wire and a spring member attached to the base portion, the base portion has a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined interval into which a male terminal can be inserted, the spring member has a longitudinal plate provided along the inner surface of the side wall on one side and a one-side arm spring extended toward the side wall on the other side, a welded portion is provided between the inner surface of the side wall on one side and the longitudinal plate, and a working opening is provided in the side wall on the other side at a position opposite to the welded portion. The spring member has a side plate provided along the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and a side arm spring extended toward the side wall on one side, and a welded portion is provided between the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and the side plate. It is a female terminal.

[0008] In the present invention, the position facing the welded portion is a concept including not only a position completely facing the welded portion but also a position slightly offset from the welded portion, i.e., a position where the inner surface of one side wall and the installation plate can be welded through a working opening provided in the other side wall.

[0009] The present invention also includes a connector comprising the aforementioned female terminal and a connector housing that accommodates the female terminal, a connector in which a locking claw is provided on the connector housing and the work opening is a locking hole into which the locking claw hooks when the aforementioned female terminal is accommodated inside the connector housing, and an electric wire with a terminal comprising the aforementioned female terminal and the electric wire connected to the base portion of the female terminal.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention includes an electric wire with a connector comprising the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal and a connector housing that accommodates the electric wire with terminal, an electric wire with a connector in which a locking claw is provided on the connector housing and the work opening is a locking hole into which the locking claw is caught when the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal is accommodated inside the connector housing, and a wire harness comprising at least one of the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal and the above-mentioned electric wire with connector.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the productivity of female terminals and connectors equipped with female terminals. More specifically, in the female terminal according to the present invention, a welded portion is provided between the inner surface of one side wall and the installation plate, and a working opening is provided in the other side wall at a position opposite to the welded portion. With this configuration, the welding between the inner surface of the one side wall and the installation plate can be performed through the working opening provided in the other side wall. This makes it easy to weld the installation plate to the inner surface of the side wall, thereby improving productivity.

[0012] In addition, the spring member has a mounting plate arranged along the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and a second arm spring extending toward the side wall on one side, and a welding portion is provided between the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and the mounting plate.

[0013] According to the above-mentioned configuration, before and after welding the inner surface of one side wall to the installation plate, the outer surface of the other side wall to the installation plate can be welded from the same direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to turn over the female terminal or the welding machine (more specifically, the torch). This leads to improved productivity.

[0014] As an aspect of the present invention, the weld between the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and the installation plate may be an outer weld, and the outer weld may be arranged parallel to the direction in which the multiple other-side arm springs extended toward the side wall on one side are arranged.

[0015] According to the present invention, since there is no obstruction to the outer welded portion, the welding machine (more specifically, the torch) can be moved appropriately. Therefore, for example, welding can be completed in a single welding pass (torch movement) in the form of a straight solid line, etc., and the time required for such a welding process can be shortened, thereby improving productivity.

[0016] Furthermore, in a female terminal having an outer welded portion such as a straight solid line or a dotted line corresponding to each other arm spring, the distance from each other arm spring to the outer welded portion is equal, so there is no variation in the electrical resistance of each other arm spring. This structure is particularly suitable for electrical circuits through which large currents flow.

[0017] In addition, when the inner weld and the outer weld are straight solid lines or dotted lines, are close to each other, and are parallel to each other, the amount of movement of the welding machine (more specifically, the torch) required for welding is shortened, and the time required for the welding process is further shortened, thereby further improving productivity.

[0018] As an aspect of the present invention, the weld between the inner surface of the side wall on one side and the installation plate may be an inner weld, and the inner weld and the work opening may be arranged parallel to the direction in which the multiple one-side arm springs extended toward the side wall on the other side are arranged.

[0019] According to this invention, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the side wall, the linear working opening overlaps with the linear inner weld. Therefore, for example, welding can be completed in a single welding pass (torch movement) in the form of a linear solid line, and the time required for such a welding process can be shortened, thereby improving productivity.

[0020] Furthermore, in a female terminal having inner welds such as a straight solid line or a dotted line corresponding to each one-side arm spring, the distance from each one-side arm spring to the inner weld is equal, so there is no variation in the electrical resistance of each one-side arm spring. This structure is particularly suitable for electrical circuits through which large currents flow.

[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, the spring member may have a mounting plate arranged along the outer surface of the other side wall and a second arm spring extending toward the side wall on one side, and a welding portion may be provided between the outer surface of the other side wall and the mounting plate.

[0022] According to this invention, before and after welding the inner surface of one side wall to the installation plate, the outer surface of the other side wall to the installation plate can be welded from the same direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to turn over the female terminal or the welding machine (more specifically, the torch). This leads to improved productivity.

[0023] As a further aspect of the present invention, the working opening may be formed by a difference in position between an edge portion of one side wall and an edge portion of the other side wall. In the present invention, the difference in position means the deviation of the edge portions of the side walls in the insertion direction of the male terminals.

[0024] According to this invention, the shape of the base part, which is cut out from a conductive plate material and formed by bending it, is simplified compared to a case where an opening for working is provided halfway in the side wall, and thus productivity can be improved.

[0025] As a further aspect of the present invention, the working opening may be a notch formed in a midway portion of the other side wall. In the present invention, the cutout portion refers to a slit formed perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal.

[0026] Compared to a case where an open area for working is provided at the edge of the side walls, this invention reduces the exposure of the base plate or the like that fits between the pair of side walls, making it unnecessary to take measures to prevent contact during the production process, etc., thereby improving productivity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Front view of the female terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB and line CC in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a male terminal inserted inside a female terminal. [Figure 10] Assembly instructions for female terminals. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a plan view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a plan view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] 13A and 13B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a state in which a female terminal according to another embodiment is accommodated in a connector housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a connector 1. In Fig. 1, a connector housing 4 that accommodates female terminals 10 is indicated by dashed lines.

[0029] Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal 10. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the female terminal 10. Fig. 4 is a front view of the female terminal 10, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the female terminal 10, and Fig. 6 is a side view of the female terminal 10. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 5, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB and CC in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the state in which the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10, and Fig. 10 is an assembly explanatory diagram of the female terminal 10.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, the connector 1 is attached to the tip portion of electric wires 3 that constitute a wire harness 2. The connector 1 has two female terminals 10 accommodated in parallel in a connector housing 4.

[0031] The wire harness 2 is formed by bundling a plurality of electric wires 3. The electric wires 3 each have a core wire 3a, which is an electric conductor, covered with an insulating coating 3b, and the core wire 3a exposed at the tip portion is connected to a base portion 20 of a female terminal 10.

[0032] The connector housing 4 has an electric wire insertion portion 41 through which the electric wire 3 is inserted, and a terminal accommodating portion 42 that accommodates the female terminal 10. The accommodating space 4S that accommodates the female terminal 10 has a substantially rectangular opening, and a protruding portion of the connector housing that accommodates the male terminal is fitted into this opening. At that time, the male terminal 5 (see FIG. 9) is inserted inside the female terminal 10, and the terminals are electrically connected to each other.

[0033] 2 to 9, the female terminal 10 is composed of an electric wire connecting portion 11 and a terminal connecting portion 12. The electric wire connecting portion 11 and the terminal connecting portion 12 are provided in series on an extension line of the electric wire 3. In the present application, this direction will be described as a longitudinal direction L. Also, the direction along the side surface of the male terminal 5 (see FIG. 9) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L will be described as a height direction H, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H will be described as a width direction W.

[0034] The electric wire connection portion 11 is provided with a connection plate 111 that is perpendicular to the width direction W. The connection plate 111 is a portion to which the core wire 3a exposed at the tip portion of the electric wire 3 is connected. The connection of the core wire 3a is performed by so-called ultrasonic bonding technology, but is not limited to this.

[0035] The terminal connection portion 12 is provided with a terminal body 13 that is electrically connected to the male terminal 5. In the female terminal 10 according to this embodiment, the terminal body 13 is composed of a base portion 20 that is integrally formed with the electric wire connection portion 11, and a spring member 30 that is attached to the base portion 20. The base portion 20 and the spring member 30 will be described in detail below.

[0036] The base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval so that the male terminal 5 can be inserted therein. More specifically, the base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval and perpendicular to the width direction W. The base portion 20 also has a bottom wall 22 connecting lower ends of the side walls 21. Therefore, the base portion 20 is substantially U-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 6).

[0037] Moreover, one side wall 21 of the base part 20 is formed by extending the connecting plate 111 in the longitudinal direction L. The other side wall 21 is formed by bending a plate material (the base material of the base part 20) so as to be spaced a predetermined distance from the one side wall 21 and parallel to the one side side wall 21. Note that there is a deviation (deviation) of a predetermined distance d between the leading edge portion of the one side side wall 21 and the leading edge portion of the other side wall 21 (see FIG. 9).

[0038] In this manner, the base portion 20 is formed by cutting out and bending a conductive plate material (base material of the base portion 20) such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy. The surface of the base portion 20 is not plated, but this is not limiting. Therefore, the surface may be plated with silver plating or tin plating to improve conductivity. Alternatively, the surface may be partially plated. An example of a partially plated portion is one in which one surface of the electric wire connection portion 11 or the terminal connection portion 12 is plated. Alternatively, one in which only the electric wire connection portion 11 or only the terminal connection portion 12 is plated.

[0039] The spring members 30 are a pair of parts fitted to each side wall 21. The spring member 30 on one side has an inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and an outer plate 32 along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. It also has a flange plate 33 connecting the leading edge portions of the inner plate 31 and the outer plate 32. The spring member 30 on the other side also has an inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and an outer plate 32 along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. It also has a flange plate 33 connecting the leading edge portions of the inner plate 31 and the outer plate 32. Note that the inner plates 31 of the spring members 30 may be connected to each other by a bottom plate.

[0040] The inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 on one side extends in the height direction H along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from the inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21 (see FIG. 6). These arm springs 35 all have the same shape, and specifically, they extend obliquely so as to approach the opposing side wall 21 when viewed from the height direction H, and have a shape in which a part including the tip is folded back (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In each arm spring 35, the boundary part with the inner plate 31 is a base part Pb, and the abutting part with the male terminal 5 inserted inside the female terminal 10 is a contact part Pc (see FIG. 9).

[0041] In addition, when the spring member 30 is fitted to one side of the side wall 21, the inner plate 31 is in surface contact with the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. Then, welding is performed along the height direction H in the area of ​​surface contact. Therefore, a linear inner weld Wa is formed along the height direction H on the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 provided along the inner surface 21a (see Figs. 3 and 4). The inner weld Wa refers to a part of the side wall 21 or the inner plate 31 that has melted and cooled and solidified again. A heat-affected region (a part where the base metal structure has changed due to welding heat) is formed around the inner weld Wa. The inner weld Wa is a straight solid line, but it can also be a dotted line or other form.

[0042] Furthermore, the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 on the other side also extends in the height direction H along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from this inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21 (see FIG. 6). These arm springs 35 all have the same shape, and specifically, they extend obliquely so as to approach the opposing side wall 21 when viewed from the height direction H, and have a shape in which a part including the tip is folded back (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In each arm spring 35, the boundary part with the inner plate 31 is a base part Pb, and the abutting part with the male terminal 5 inserted inside the female terminal 10 is a contact part Pc (see FIG. 9).

[0043] In addition, when the spring member 30 is fitted to the other side wall 21, the outer plate 32 is in surface contact with the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. Then, welding is performed along the height direction H in the area of ​​surface contact. Therefore, a linear outer weld Wb is formed along the height direction H on the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 and the outer plate 32 provided along the outer surface 21b (see Figs. 3 and 4). The outer weld Wb also refers to a part of the side wall 21 or the outer plate 32 that has melted and cooled and solidified again. A heat-affected region (a part where the base metal structure has changed due to welding heat) is also formed around the outer weld Wb. The outer weld Wb is also a straight solid line, but it can also be a dotted line or other form.

[0044] In this female terminal 10, the inner weld Wa and the outer weld Wb are the main paths for current to flow. That is, when a current flows from the male terminal 5 to the female terminal 10, the current flows from the contact point Pc that abuts against the male terminal 5, through the base point Pb, and through the inner weld Wa or the outer weld Wb (see arrow A in FIG. 9). Conversely, when a current flows from the female terminal 10 to the male terminal 5, the current flows from the inner weld Wa or the outer weld Wb, through the base point Pb, and through the contact point Pc to the male terminal 5 (see arrow A in FIG. 9).

[0045] 10, the female terminal 10 according to this embodiment is assembled as follows: That is, the spring members 30 are fitted to the respective side walls 21 of the base portion 20 (see FIG. 10(a)), the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side is welded to the inner plate 31 in surface contact with the inner surface 21a (see FIG. 10(b)), and the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side is welded to the outer plate 32 in surface contact with the outer surface 21b (see FIG. 10(c)).

[0046] At this time, welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31 is performed through a working opening 210 formed by the difference in position between the leading edge portion of the side wall 21 on one side and the leading edge portion of the side wall 21 on the other side (see FIG. 10(b)). And welding of the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side to the outer plate 32 is also performed from the same direction by simply moving a welding machine (more specifically, a torch T) in parallel (see FIG. 10(c)). Therefore, both the inner weld Wa and the outer weld Wb are provided on one side in the width direction W.

[0047] In the female terminal 10 according to this embodiment, the six arm springs 35 extending toward the side wall 21 on the other side are aligned along the height direction H, so that the distances from the base points Pb of each arm spring 35 to the inner welded portion Wa are equal. Similarly, the six arm springs 35 extending toward the side wall 21 on one side are aligned along the height direction H, so that the distances from the base points Pb of each arm spring 35 to the outer welded portion Wb are equal. In this regard, it is preferable that the distances from the base points Pb of the arm springs 35 to the outer welded portion Wb are configured to be equal, as is the distance from the base points Pb of the arm springs 35 to the inner welded portion Wa.

[0048] Furthermore, in the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the inner weld Wa and the outer weld Wb are provided at positions offset from each other in parallel, and it is possible to perform welding between the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31 as the forward path, and then perform welding between the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side and the outer plate 32 as the return path. Of course, it is also possible to perform welding between the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side and the outer plate 32 as the forward path, and then perform welding between the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31 as the return path. In this way, the movement distance of the welding machine (more specifically, the torch T) required for welding is shortened, and the time required for the welding process is further shortened, thereby further improving productivity.

[0049] As described above, the female terminal 10 according to this embodiment includes the base portion 20 connected to the electric wire 3 and the spring member 30 attached to the base portion 20, and the terminal body 13 is provided with the base portion 20. The base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval so that the male terminal 5 can be inserted, and the spring member 30 has an inner plate 31 provided along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and an arm spring 35 extended toward the side wall 21 on the other side. An inner welded portion Wa is provided between the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31, and the side wall 21 on the other side is provided with a working opening 210 at a position opposite to the inner welded portion Wa.

[0050] Such a female terminal 10 can improve productivity. More specifically, in the female terminal 10 according to the present invention, an inner weld Wa is provided between the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31, and the side wall 21 on the other side is provided with a work opening 210 at a position opposite to the inner weld Wa. With this configuration, the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31 can be welded through the work opening 210 provided on the side wall 21 on the other side. This makes it easy to weld the inner plate 31 to the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. This in turn improves productivity.

[0051] In addition, in the female terminal 10, the inner weld Wa and the working opening 210 are provided parallel to the direction (height direction H) in which the six arm springs 35 extending toward the other side wall 21 are aligned. The inner weld Wa is a straight solid line, but is not limited to this.

[0052] According to such a female terminal 10, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the side wall 21 (when viewed from the width direction W), the linear working opening 210 overlaps with the linear inner weld Wa. Therefore, for example, welding can be completed in a single welding pass (the torch T moves) in the form of a linear solid line, etc., and the time required for such a welding process can be shortened. As a result, productivity can be improved.

[0053] Furthermore, in the female terminal 10 having the inner welded portion Wa shown by a straight solid line or a dotted line corresponding to each arm spring 35, the distance from each arm spring 35 to the inner welded portion Wa is equal, so there is no variation in the electrical resistance of each arm spring 35. This structure is particularly suitable for an electrical circuit through which a large current flows.

[0054] In addition, in such a female terminal 10, the spring member 30 has an outer plate 32 arranged along the outer surface 21b of the other side wall 21 and an arm spring 35 extending toward the one side wall 21, and an outer welded portion Wb is provided between the outer surface 21b of the other side wall 21 and the outer plate 32.

[0055] According to such a female terminal 10, before and after welding the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31, welding the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side to the outer plate 32 can be performed from the same direction. Therefore, it is not necessary to turn over the female terminal 10 or the welding machine (more specifically, the torch T). This in turn improves productivity.

[0056] In addition, in the female terminal 10, the outer welded portion Wb is provided parallel to the direction (height direction H) in which the six arm springs 35 extending toward one side wall 21 are arranged. The outer welded portion Wb is a straight solid line, but is not limited to this.

[0057] According to such a female terminal 10, since there is no obstruction at all with respect to the outer welded portion, the welding machine (specifically, the torch) can be moved appropriately. Therefore, for example, welding can be completed in a single welding pass (the torch T moves) in the form of a straight solid line, etc., and the time required for such a welding process can be shortened. As a result, productivity can be improved.

[0058] Furthermore, in the female terminal 10 having the outer welded portion Wb, which is a straight solid line or a dotted line corresponding to each arm spring 35, the distance from each arm spring 35 to the outer welded portion Wb is equal, so there is no variation in the electrical resistance of each arm spring 35. Such a structure is particularly suitable for an electrical circuit through which a large current flows.

[0059] In addition, when the inner weld Wa and the outer weld Wb are straight solid lines or dotted lines, etc., close to each other and parallel to each other, the amount of movement of the welding machine (more specifically, torch T) required for welding is shortened, and the time required for the welding process is further shortened, thereby further improving productivity.

[0060] In addition, in the female terminal 10, the working opening 210 is formed by the difference in position between the leading edge portion of one side wall 21 and the leading edge portion of the other side wall 21. In other words, it is formed by the misalignment of the leading edge portions of the respective side walls 21 in the insertion direction of the male terminal 5.

[0061] According to such a female terminal 10, the shape of the base portion 20 formed by cutting out and bending a conductive plate material (base material of the base portion 20) is simplified compared to a case where the working opening 210 is provided in the middle of the side wall 21. As a result, the productivity can be improved.

[0062] In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 on one side, and the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side and the outer plate 32 of the spring member 30 on the other side are welded using a fiber laser welding machine, but welding may be performed using an arc welding machine or the like. Welding may also be performed using a welding machine capable of ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, friction welding, or other welding. Furthermore, brazing and soldering, etc. are also included in the concept of welding.

[0063] In the configuration of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the connector of the present invention corresponds to the connector 1, Similarly, The wire harness corresponds to Wire Harness 2. The wire corresponds to wire 3, The connector housing is compatible with connector housing 4. The male terminal corresponds to the male terminal 5, The female terminal corresponds to the female terminal 10, The terminal body corresponds to terminal body 13, The base portion corresponds to the base portion 20, The side wall corresponds to the side wall 21; The inner surface corresponds to the inner surface 21a. The outer surface corresponds to the outer surface 21b. The spring member corresponds to the spring member 30; The contact plates correspond to the inner plate 31, the outer plate 32, and the flange plate 33. One side arm spring corresponds to arm spring 35, The other arm spring corresponds to arm spring 35, The work opening corresponds to the work opening 210, The inner weld corresponds to the inner weld Wa, Although the outer weld corresponds to the outer weld Wb, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0064] For example, in the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the work opening 210 is formed by the difference in position between the tip edge portion of the side wall 21 on one side and the tip edge portion of the side wall 21 on the other side. However, as shown in Fig. 11, the work opening 210 may be formed by the difference in position between the base end edge portion of the side wall 21 on one side and the base end edge portion of the side wall 21 on the other side.

[0065] In such a female terminal 10, welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31 can also be performed through the working opening 210 in the side wall 21 on the other side. This makes it easy to weld the inner plate 31 to the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. Furthermore, before and after welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31, welding of the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side to the outer plate 32 can be performed from the same direction. This eliminates the need to turn over the female terminal 10 or the welding machine (torch T, in detail). The above-mentioned invention can also be applied to other applications.

[0066] Furthermore, in the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the working opening 210 is formed by the difference in position between the leading edge portion of the side wall 21 on one side and the leading edge portion of the side wall 21 on the other side. However, as shown in Fig. 12, a notch 21n may be provided in the middle of the side wall 21 on the other side. In other words, by providing a notch 21n in the middle of the side wall 21 on the other side, the gap created by this notch 21n may be the working opening 210.

[0067] In such a female terminal 10, welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31 can also be performed through the working opening 210 in the side wall 21 on the other side. This makes it easy to weld the inner plate 31 to the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. Furthermore, before and after welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31, welding of the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side to the outer plate 32 can be performed from the same direction. This eliminates the need to turn over the female terminal 10 or the welding machine (torch T, in detail). The above-mentioned invention can also be applied to other applications.

[0068] In addition, in such a female terminal 10, compared to one in which the working opening 210 is provided at the edge portion (the tip edge portion or the base edge portion) of the side wall 21, the exposure of the inner plate 31 etc. that fits between the pair of side walls 21 is suppressed, so that it is not necessary to take measures to prevent contact during the production process etc., and thus the productivity can be improved.

[0069] Moreover, in the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the other side wall 21 is formed by bending upward a portion (a part of the base material of the base portion 20) extending downward from the side wall 21 on one side. However, as shown in Fig. 13, the other side wall 21 may be formed by bending upward a plate material (a part of the base material of the base portion 20) extending downward from the side wall 21 on one side, and bending downward a portion (a part of the base material of the base portion 20) extending upward from the side wall 21 on one side.

[0070] In such a female terminal 10, too, it is possible to form the working opening 210 by differentiating the position of an edge portion (leading edge portion or base edge portion) of one side wall 21 from that of the other side wall 21 (leading edge portion or base edge portion). Alternatively, it is also possible to form the working opening 210 by providing a notch 21n in the middle of the upper side wall portion 211 and the lower side wall portion 212 that constitute the other side wall 21.

[0071] In such a female terminal 10, welding of the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 on one side to the inner plate 31 can also be performed through the working opening 210 in the side wall 21 on the other side. This makes it easy to weld the inner plate 31 to the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. In addition, in this embodiment, a gap 21g is formed in the butted portion between the upper side wall portion 211 and the lower side wall portion 212 constituting the other side wall 21. Therefore, welding can also be performed along the longitudinal direction L through this gap 21g. The above-mentioned invention can be applied in other ways.

[0072] In addition, in the case where the work opening 210 is provided at the edge portion (the tip edge portion or the base edge portion) of the side wall 21, the shape of the base portion 20, which is formed by cutting out and bending a conductive plate material (the base material of the base portion 20), is simplified, thereby improving productivity. On the other hand, in the case where the work opening 210 is provided at the middle portion of the side wall, the exposure of the inner plate 31 etc. that fits between the pair of side walls 21 is reduced, so that it is not necessary to take measures to prevent contact during the production process etc., thereby improving productivity.

[0073] Furthermore, the working opening 210 defined by the notch 21n also serves as a locking hole 40 into which a locking claw 43 provided on the connector housing 4 is caught. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14, when the female terminal 10 is accommodated inside the connector housing 4, the locking claw 43 provided on the connector housing 4 climbs over the other side wall 21 and is locked in the locking hole 40.

[0074] With this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a separate locking hole 40 for the locking claw 43 to be caught, and this simplifies the locking structure with the connector housing 4, which is the member to be fixed, and ultimately improves productivity.

[0075] Finally, the invention of the present application includes a connector 1 (see FIG. 1) equipped with the aforementioned female terminal 10 and a connector housing 4 that accommodates the female terminal 10, as well as a terminal-attached electric wire 6 (see FIG. 1) equipped with the aforementioned female terminal 10 and an electric wire 3 connected to a base portion 20 of the female terminal 10.

[0076] Furthermore, the invention of the present application includes an electric wire with connector 7 (see FIG. 1) including the electric wire with terminal 6 and a connector housing 4 that accommodates the electric wire with terminal 6, as well as a wire harness 2 (see FIG. 1) including at least one of the electric wire with terminal 6 and the electric wire with connector 7.

[0077] In these cases, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the present invention can be obtained. That is, the productivity can be improved. In addition, the effects according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10 can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1…Connector 2. Wire harness 3…Electric wire 4…Connector housing 5...Male terminal 6…Terminal attached wire 7…Wire with connector 10...Female terminal 13...Terminal body 20…Base 21...Side wall 21a…Inner surface 21b...outer surface 30...Spring member 31…Inner plate 32…Outer panel 33...Tsubara plate 35…Arm spring 210…Opening part for work Wa…Inner weld Wb...Outer welding part

Claims

1. A base portion to be connected to the electric wire; A terminal body is provided by the spring member attached to the base portion, The base portion has a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined interval into which the male terminal can be inserted, The spring member has a plate provided along an inner surface of the side wall on one side and a one-side arm spring extending toward the side wall on the other side, A weld is provided between the inner surface of the side wall on one side and the installation plate, The other side wall is provided with an open working portion at a position opposite to the welded portion, the spring member has a plate provided along an outer surface of the side wall on the other side and a second arm spring extending toward the side wall on one side, A welded portion is provided between the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and the installation plate. Female terminal.

2. The weld between the outer surface of the side wall on the other side and the installation plate is an outer weld, The outer welded portion is provided parallel to a direction in which the plurality of other-side arm springs extending toward the side wall on one side are arranged. The female terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The welded portion between the inner surface of the side wall on one side and the installation plate is defined as an inner welded portion, The inner welded portion and the working opening are provided parallel to a direction in which the plurality of one-side arm springs extending toward the other side wall are arranged. The female terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The working opening is formed by a difference in position between an edge portion of one side wall and an edge portion of the other side wall. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The working opening is a notch formed in the middle of the other side wall. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. A female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a connector housing for accommodating the female terminal. connector.

7. The connector housing is provided with a locking claw, The working opening is a locking hole into which the locking claw is engaged when the female terminal is accommodated inside the connector housing. The connector according to claim 6.

8. A female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The electric wire is connected to the base portion of the female terminal. Wire with terminal.

9. An electric wire with a terminal according to claim 8 ; and a connector housing for accommodating the electric wire with terminal. Wire with connector.

10. The connector housing is provided with a locking claw, The working opening is a locking hole into which the locking claw is hooked when the electric wire with terminal is housed inside the connector housing. The connector-attached electric wire according to claim 9.

11. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 8 and / or the electric wire with connector according to claim 9 or 10 are provided. Wire harness.

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