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 preventing breakage of a welding part between a base part and a spring member and securing conductivity with stability.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 extension plate (inner plate 31) provided at least along an inner lateral face 21a of the side wall 21; and an arm spring 35 extending from the extension plate (inner plate 31) toward the opposed side wall 21. At least the one-side side wall 21 is formed with two or more welding parts Pt and Ps where the side wall 21 and extension plates (a collar plate 33 and an outer plate 32) are welded.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 when a male terminal is inserted, an arm spring that is part of the spring member is deformed so as to bend. [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, and therefore it is considered to weld the base and the spring member to ensure good conductivity. However, when the arm spring is significantly deformed, or when the spring member is formed of a thick base material to improve conductivity, the flexibility of the arm spring decreases, and an excessive load acts on the weld between the base and the spring member. As a result, there is a risk that the weld between the base and the spring member will be damaged, resulting in unstable conductivity.

[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 that can prevent damage to the welded joint between a base portion and a spring member and can stably ensure conductivity. [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 at least a longitudinal plate provided along the inner surface of the side wall and an arm spring extending from the longitudinal plate toward the opposing side wall, and at least one of the side walls has two or more welds formed by welding the side wall and the longitudinal plate. A plurality of the arm springs are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction, and the welded portion closest to the base point of each of the arm springs is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction. It is a female terminal.

[0008] The present invention also includes a connector having the aforementioned female terminal and a connector housing that accommodates the female terminal, as well as an electric wire with a terminal having the aforementioned female terminal and the electric wire connected to the base portion of the female terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention includes an electric wire with a connector including the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal and a connector housing that accommodates the electric wire with terminal, as well as a wire harness including at least one of the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal and the above-mentioned electric wire with a connector.

[0010] According to this invention, damage to the welded portion between the base portion and the spring member can be prevented, and electrical conductivity can be stably ensured. More specifically, in the female terminal etc. according to the present invention, at least one side wall and the longitudinal plate are welded to form two or more welds. With this configuration, even if the arm spring is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load is transmitted to the longitudinal plate, the load acts in a distributed manner on each weld. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the welds between the base part and the spring member from being damaged. Furthermore, even if a load is concentrated on a specific weld and this weld is damaged, it is possible to prevent all the welds from being damaged at once. Therefore, it is possible to stably ensure conductivity.

[0011] Further, the arm springs are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction, and the welded portion closest to the base point of each of the arm springs is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the distance from each arm spring to the welded portion is short, so the welded portion becomes the main path for the current to flow. That is, when the current flows from the male terminal to the female terminal, the current flows from the contact portion that abuts the male terminal to the side wall through the arm spring and the welded portion. Conversely, when the current flows from the female terminal to the male terminal, the current flows from the welded portion that welds the side wall and the longitudinal plate to the male terminal through the arm spring and the contact portion. Therefore, the electrical resistance in these terminals can be kept low. This structure is particularly suitable for electric circuits through which large current flows.

[0012] The weld closest to the base point of the arm spring is the main path for current flow and can be called a conductive weld. The other welds can be called fixing welds for more firmly fixing the base and the spring member. However, even the conductive welds have the function of fixing the base and the spring member, and even the fixing welds have the function of serving as a path for current flow.

[0013] As an aspect of the present invention, the side wall may have a tip end surface along which the installation plate is provided, and the welded portion may include a tip end surface welded portion at which the tip end surface of the side wall and the installation plate are welded together. In the present invention, the tip surface refers to a surface on at least one of the pair of side walls that intersects with the insertion direction of the male terminal. Also, the installation plate in the present invention is a part of the spring member installed along the side wall so as to cover the tip surface of the side wall, and is configured integrally with the installation plate installed along the inner surface of the side wall. In the present invention, two or more welds are formed on the installation plate covering the inner surface and tip surface of the side wall, and at least one of the welds (tip surface weld) is formed in the part covering the tip surface of the side wall.

[0014] According to this invention, even if the arm spring is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load is transmitted to the installation plate along the inner surface of the side wall, the portion (installation plate) along the tip surface of the side wall formed by bending the installation plate is hardly deformed. That is, the installation plate covering the inner surface of the side wall to the tip surface has one curved portion, and the portion covering the tip surface is arranged perpendicular to the portion covering the inner surface of the side wall, so that the portion covering the tip surface is hardly deformed due to the absorption of the load by the elastic deformation of the curved portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded portion between the tip surface of the side wall and the installation plate. In addition, it is possible to prevent the welded portion between the base portion and the spring member from being damaged, and it is possible to ensure stable conductivity.

[0015] In addition, since the tip surface of the side wall and the longitudinal plate along this tip surface are surfaces that intersect with the insertion direction of the male terminal, the welding machine that performs the welding can be moved close to each other or moved freely. Therefore, the welding process can be easily realized. In this respect, since the portion where the longitudinal plate overlaps with the tip surface of the side wall has a narrow width and a long length, it is preferable to perform linear or dotted welding. Note that, before bending the base material of the base to form the pair of side walls, a spring member may be welded in advance to the portion that will become the tip surface of the side wall.

[0016] As a further aspect of the present invention, the installation plate may be provided along an outer surface of the side wall, and the welded portion may include an outer surface welded portion at which the outer surface of the side wall and the installation plate are welded together. In the present invention, the outer surface refers to the surface opposite to the surface of at least one of the pair of side walls that faces the side surface of the male terminal. Also, the installation plate in the present invention is a part of the spring member installed along the outer surface of the side wall so as to cover the outer surface of the side wall, and is configured integrally with the installation plate installed along the inner surface and tip surface of the side wall. In the present invention, it is limited that two or more welds are formed on the installation plate covering the inner surface, tip surface, and outer surface of the side wall, and at least one of the welds (outer surface weld) is formed in the part covering the outer surface of the side wall.

[0017] According to this invention, even if the arm spring is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load is transmitted to the installation plate along the inner surface of the side wall, the portion (installation plate) along the outer surface of the side wall formed by bending the installation plate is hardly deformed. That is, the installation plate covering the inner surface to the outer surface of the side wall has two curved portions, and the portion covering the outer surface is arranged parallel to the portion covering the inner surface of the side wall at a predetermined distance, so that the portion covering the outer surface is hardly deformed due to the absorption of the load by the elastic deformation of the two curved portions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded portion between the outer surface of the side wall and the installation plate. In addition, it is possible to prevent the welded portion between the base portion and the spring member from being damaged, and it is possible to ensure stable conductivity.

[0018] In addition, since the outer surface of the side wall and the installation plate along this outer surface are opposite surfaces of the surface facing the side surface of the inserted male terminal, the welding machine that performs the welding can be moved close to and moved freely. Therefore, the welding process can be easily realized. In this respect, the portion where the installation plate overlaps with the outer surface of the side wall has a wide and long shape, so that any welding mode can be applied. Note that, before bending the base material of the base part to form the pair of side walls, a spring member may be welded in advance to the portion that will become the outer surface of the side wall.

[0019] As a further aspect of the present invention, the welded portion may include an inner surface welded portion at which an inner surface of the side wall and the along plate are welded to each other. In the present invention, the inner surface refers to a surface of at least one of the pair of side walls that faces the side surface of the male terminal. In addition, the installation plate in the present invention refers to a part of a spring member installed along the inner surface of the side wall, regardless of the presence or absence of an installation plate installed along the tip surface or outer surface of the side wall. In the present invention, when the installation plate covers only the inner surface of the side wall, it is limited that two or more welds are formed on this installation plate. In addition, when the installation plate covers the tip surface etc. in addition to the inner surface of the side wall, it is limited that two or more welds are formed on these installation plates, and at least one of the welds (inner surface weld) is formed in the part covering the inner surface of the side wall.

[0020] According to this invention, even if the arm spring is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load is transmitted to the installation plate along the inner surface of the side wall, the side wall and the installation plate are welded together, so that the part (the installation plate) is hardly deformed. In other words, the fact that the side wall and the installation plate are welded together means that the side wall and the installation plate covering it are in contact with each other and are integrated, and the rigidity of the installation plate is improved so that the part is hardly deformed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded part between the side wall and the installation plate. In addition, it is possible to prevent the welded part between the base part and the spring member from being damaged, and it is possible to ensure stable conductivity.

[0021] In addition, since the inner surface of the side wall and the plate along the inner surface are surfaces that face the side of the inserted male terminal, it is difficult to approach or move the welding machine that welds them. Therefore, this welding process can be easily performed by welding obliquely from the open end of the base part using a laser welding machine. Note that, before bending the base material of the base part to form the pair of side walls, the spring member may be welded in advance to the part that will become the inner surface of the side wall.

[0022] As a further aspect of the present invention, the welded portions may be formed linearly, and at least one of the welded portions may be formed in a direction intersecting with the other welded portions. In the present invention, the direction intersecting with other welds refers to all directions that are not parallel to the direction of the weld lines of other welds.

[0023] According to this invention, even if a load is transmitted to the side plate on which the welded portion is formed, the load is distributed and acts on each welded portion because the directions of the weld lines are different. Also, the magnitude of the load acting on each welded portion is different. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welded portions from being damaged at once, and it is possible to stably ensure conductivity.

[0024] As a further aspect of the present invention, the welded portions may be formed linearly, and at least one of the welded portions may be formed to have a different width from the other welded portions. In the present invention, the term "different width from other welds" refers to all thicknesses that are not equal to the thickness of the weld line of other welds.

[0025] According to the present invention, even if a load is transmitted to the base plate on which the welds are formed, the thickness of the weld line is different, so that the magnitude of the load that each weld can withstand is different. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welds from breaking at once, and to stably ensure conductivity. For example, if the weld line is made thicker than the thickness of the other welds, it will break later than the other welds, so it is possible to prevent all the welds from breaking at once. Conversely, if the weld line is made thinner than the thickness of the other welds, it will break earlier than the other welds, so it is possible to prevent all the welds from breaking at once.

[0026] In a further aspect of the present invention, the welded portion may be formed in a linear shape, and at least one of the welded portions may be formed in a curved or broken line shape. In the present invention, the term "curved or folded line" refers to a weld line that is curved or folded. For example, this term includes sine wave, triangular wave, rectangular wave, and other shapes.

[0027] According to this invention, even if a load is transmitted to the longitudinal plate on which the welded portion is formed, the overall length of the weld line is different, so that the load is distributed and acts not only on each welded portion but also on each predetermined section of the curved or folded welded portion. Moreover, the magnitude of the load acting on each welded portion is different, as well as on each predetermined section of the curved or folded welded portion. Moreover, the magnitude of the load that can be withstood is different, as well as on each welded portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welded portions from being damaged at once, and to stably ensure conductivity.

[0028] As a further aspect of the present invention, the welded portion may be formed in a linear shape, and at least one of the welded portions may be formed in a dotted line shape. In the present invention, the dotted line refers to a line that is not continuous, and includes, for example, a dashed line, a one-dot chain line, a two-dot chain line, and the like.

[0029] According to this invention, even if a load is transmitted to the longitudinal plate on which the welds are formed, the load is distributed and acts on each weld, as well as on each weld point in the dotted welds, because the weld lines are not connected. Moreover, the magnitude of the load acting on each weld, as well as on each weld point in the dotted welds, differs. Moreover, the magnitude of the load that can be withstood by each weld, as well as on each weld point in the dotted welds, differs. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welds from being damaged at once, and to ensure stable conductivity.

[0030] As a further aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the arm springs may be arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction, and the welded portion closest to base points of the arm springs may be formed parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0031] According to this invention, the distance from each arm spring to the welded portion is short, so the welded portion becomes the main path for the current to flow. That is, when the current flows from the male terminal to the female terminal, the current flows from the contact portion that abuts the male terminal, through the arm spring, and through the welded portion to the side wall. Conversely, when the current flows from the female terminal to the male terminal, the current flows from the welded portion that welds the side wall and the longitudinal plate, through the arm spring, and through the contact portion to the male terminal. Therefore, the electrical resistance in these terminals can be kept low. This structure is particularly suitable for electrical circuits through which large currents flow.

[0032] The weld closest to the base point of the arm spring is the main path for current flow and can be called a conductive weld. The other welds can be called fixing welds for more firmly fixing the base and the spring member. However, even the conductive welds have the function of fixing the base and the spring member, and even the fixing welds have the function of serving as a path for current flow. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] Front view of the female terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6. [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] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a female terminal according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 side view of the female terminal 10, Fig. 5 is a front view of the female terminal 10, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the female terminal 10. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 6, 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 2 to 10, the female terminal 10 is composed of an electric wire connection portion 11 and a terminal connection portion 12. The electric wire connection portion 11 and the terminal connection 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, a direction parallel to the direction in which the male terminal 5 (see FIG. 9) is inserted will be described as a height direction H, and a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H will be described as a width direction W.

[0040] The electric wire connection portion 11 is provided with a connection plate 111 that is perpendicular to the width direction W. In addition, an upper end and a lower end of the connection plate 111 are bent to provide guide pieces 112. Each guide piece 112 has a role of suppressing the spread of the core wire 3a welded to the connection plate 111.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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. 4).

[0043] Moreover, one side wall 21 of the base portion 20 is formed by extending the connection plate 111 in the longitudinal direction L. The other side wall 21 is formed by folding back a plate material (the base material of the base portion 20) to the side where the guide piece 112 is formed. Therefore, the base portion 20 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction H (see FIG. 6). In this way, the base portion 20 realizes a compact female terminal 10 by forming the other side wall 21 on the side where the guide piece 112 is formed.

[0044] Furthermore, the upper guide piece 112 of the base part 20 is formed by bending the upper end part of the connecting plate 111, and a notch 11a is provided so that the side wall 21 does not warp when the guide piece 112 is formed. Similarly, the lower guide piece 112 of the base part 20 is formed by bending the lower end part of the connecting plate 111, and a notch 11b is provided so that the side wall 21 does not warp when the guide piece 112 is formed. Note that a part of the spring member 30 is exposed at the notch 11b, and it is possible to remove the spring member 30 by pushing it out from the lower side (see FIG. 5).

[0045] In addition, the base portion 20 is formed by cutting out and bending a conductive plate material such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy. The surface of the base portion 20 is not plated, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the surface may be plated with silver plating or tin plating to improve the 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, only the electric wire connection portion 11 or only the terminal connection portion 12 is plated.

[0046] The spring member 30 has an inner plate 31 that fits along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 when fitted between the pair of side walls 21. It also has an outer plate 32 that fits along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. It also has a flange plate 33 that connects upper ends of the inner plate 31 and the outer plate 32. It also has a bottom plate 34 that connects lower ends of the inner plates 31. Therefore, the spring member 30 is substantially M-shaped when viewed from the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 4).

[0047] Moreover, the inner plate 31 on one side of the spring member 30 extends in the longitudinal direction L along the opening edge of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from this inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21 (see FIG. 7). These arm springs 35 all have the same shape, and specifically, when viewed from the longitudinal direction L, they extend obliquely downward so as to approach the opposing side wall 21, and have a shape in which a part including the tip edge is folded back (see FIG. 8).

[0048] The arm spring 35 provided on one of the inner plates 31 extends from the lower edge of the inner plate 31 along the opening edge of the side wall 21, and the boundary portion with the inner plate 31 is the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 (see FIG. 8). In the present female terminal 10, the base point portion Pb is located with a small gap from the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. However, when the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10, it may come into contact with the base point portion Pb as the male terminal 5 is deformed.

[0049] Furthermore, the inner plate 31 on the other side of the spring member 30 also extends in the longitudinal direction L along the opening edge of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from this inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21 (see FIG. 7). These arm springs 35 all have the same shape, and specifically, when viewed from the longitudinal direction L, they extend obliquely downward so as to approach the opposing side wall 21, and have a shape in which a part including the tip edge is folded back (see FIG. 8).

[0050] The arm spring 35 provided on the other inner plate 31 also extends from the lower edge of the inner plate 31 along the opening edge of the side wall 21, and the boundary portion with the inner plate 31 is the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 (see FIG. 8). In the present female terminal 10, the base point portion Pb is located with a small gap from the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. However, when the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10, it may come into contact with the base point portion Pb as the male terminal 5 is deformed.

[0051] In addition, the spring member 30 is in a state where the flange plate 33 is in surface contact with the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21. Then, welding is performed along the longitudinal direction L in the area of ​​this surface contact. Therefore, a linear welded portion Pt is formed along the longitudinal direction L in the flange plate 33 (see Figs. 3 and 6). The welded portion Pt is closest to each arm spring 35 and is equally distant from each arm spring 35. The welded portion Pt refers to a portion where a part of the side wall 21 or the flange plate 33 melts and cools and hardens again. A heat-affected region (a portion where the base material structure has changed due to welding heat) is formed around the welded portion Pt. The welded portion Pt may be a so-called wobbling weld in which a fine pattern such as a circle or a line is drawn while scanning.

[0052] In addition, the spring member 30 is in a state where the outer plate 32 is in surface contact with the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. Then, welding is performed in the area of ​​surface contact along the height direction H. Therefore, a linear welded portion Ps is formed in the outer plate 32 along the height direction H (see Figs. 3 and 5). The welded portion Ps is formed perpendicular to the welded portion Pt, and the weld line is formed thicker than the welded portion Pt. The welded portion Ps also refers to a portion where a part of the side wall 21 or the outer plate 32 melts and then cools and solidifies again. A heat-affected region (a portion where the base material structure has changed due to the welding heat) is also formed around the welded portion Ps. The welded portion Ps may be a so-called wobbling weld in which the welding is performed by scanning while drawing a fine pattern such as a circle or a line.

[0053] 10, the female terminal 10 according to this embodiment is assembled as follows: The spring member 30 is fitted between a pair of side walls 21 of the base portion 20 (see FIG. 10(a)), the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 and the flange plate 33 in surface contact with the tip surface 21c are welded (see FIG. 10(b)), and the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 and the outer plate 32 in surface contact with the outer surface 21b are welded (see FIG. 10(c)).

[0054] The female terminal 10 is configured such that, when the width dimension from the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on one side to the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 on the other side is d, and the width dimension from the inner surface 32b of the outer plate 32 on one side to the inner surface 32b of the outer plate 32 on the other side is D, the relationship d≧D is satisfied. Also, when the height dimension from the inner surface 22d of the bottom wall 22 to the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 is h, and the height dimension from the outer surface 34d of the bottom plate 34 to the inner surface 33c of the flange plate 33 is H, the relationship h≧H is satisfied. Therefore, rattling of the spring member 30 can be suppressed, a wide contact area can be secured, and the outer plate 32 and the flange plate 33 can be reliably brought into surface contact.

[0055] 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 therein, and the spring member 30 has an inner plate 31 provided along at least the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and an arm spring 35 extending from the inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21. At least one side wall 21 has two or more welded parts Pt, Ps formed by welding the side wall 21 to the flange plate 33 and the side wall 21 to the outer plate 32.

[0056] According to such a female terminal 10, damage to the welded parts Pt, Ps between the base part 20 and the spring member 30 can be prevented, and electrical conductivity can be stably ensured. More specifically, in the female terminal 10 according to the present invention, the side wall 21, the flange plate 33, and the outer plate 32 are welded to form two or more welds Pt, Ps. With this configuration, even if the arm spring 35 is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 (see arrow F in FIG. 9) and a load is transmitted to the inner plate 31, the load acts in a distributed manner on each of the welds Pt, Ps. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the welds Pt, Ps between the base portion 20 and the spring member 30 from being damaged. Also, even if a load is concentrated on a specific weld Pt, Ps and this weld Pt, Ps is damaged, it is possible to prevent all of the welds Pt, Ps from being damaged at once. Therefore, it is possible to stably ensure conductivity.

[0057] In addition, in the female terminal 10, a flange plate 33 is provided along the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21, and the welded parts Pt, Ps include a single welded part Pt on one side where the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 is welded to the flange plate 33. The welded part Pt is linear in the longitudinal direction L (see FIGS. 3 and 6).

[0058] According to such a female terminal 10, even if the arm spring 35 is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 (see arrow F in FIG. 9), and a load is transmitted to the inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, the portion (flange plate 33) along the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 formed by bending the inner plate 31 is hardly deformed. That is, the inner plate 31 and the flange plate 33 covering the inner surface 21a to the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 have one curved portion, and the portion (flange plate 33) covering the tip surface 21c is disposed perpendicular to the portion (inner plate 31) covering the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, so that the portion (flange plate 33) covering the tip surface is hardly deformed due to the absorption of the load by the elastic deformation of the one curved portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded portion Pt between the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 and the flange plate 33. As a result, damage to the welded portion Pt between the base portion 20 and the spring member 30 can be prevented, and electrical conductivity can be stably ensured.

[0059] In addition, the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 and the flange plate 33 along the tip surface 21c are surfaces that intersect with the insertion direction of the male terminal 5, so that the welding machine that performs the welding can approach and move freely. Therefore, the welding process can be easily realized. In this regard, since the portion where the flange plate 33 overlaps with the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 has a narrow width and a long length, it is preferable to perform linear or dotted welding. Note that, before the base material of the base portion 20 is bent to form the pair of side walls 21, the spring member 30 may be welded in advance to the portion that will become the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21.

[0060] In addition, in the female terminal 10, an outer plate 32 is provided along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21, and the welded parts Pt, Ps include four welded parts Ps on one side where the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 is welded to the outer plate 32. Each of the welded parts Ps is linear in the height direction H (see Figs. 3 and 6).

[0061] According to such a female terminal 10, even if the arm spring 35 is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 (see arrow F in FIG. 9), and a load is transmitted to the inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, the portion (outer plate 32) along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 formed by bending the inner plate 31 is hardly deformed. That is, the inner plate 31, the outer plate 32, and the flange plate 33 covering the inner surface 21a to the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 have two curved portions, and the portion (outer plate 32) covering the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 is arranged parallel to the portion (inner plate 31) covering the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 at a predetermined interval, so that the portion (outer plate 32) covering the outer surface 21b is hardly deformed due to the absorption of the load by the elastic deformation of the two curved portions. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded portion Ps between the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 and the outer plate 32. As a result, damage to the welded portion Ps between the base portion 20 and the spring member 30 can be prevented, and electrical conductivity can be stably ensured.

[0062] In addition, since the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 and the outer plate 32 along the outer surface 21b are opposite surfaces of the surface facing the side surface of the inserted male terminal 5, the welding machine that performs the welding can be moved close to each other or moved freely. Therefore, the welding process can be easily realized. In this regard, the portion where the outer plate 32 overlaps with the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 has a wide and long shape, so that any welding mode can be applied. Note that, before the base material of the base portion 20 is bent to form the pair of side walls 21, the spring member 30 may be welded in advance to the portion that will become the outer surface of the side wall 21.

[0063] In the female terminal 10, the welds Pt, Ps are formed linearly, and four welds Ps on one side are formed in a direction intersecting the welds Pt. In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the welds Pt are formed in a direction (direction along the height direction H) perpendicular to the direction of the weld line (direction along the longitudinal direction L).

[0064] According to such a female terminal 10, even if a load is transmitted to the flange plate 33 and the outer plate 32 on which the welded parts Pt, Ps are formed, the load acts in a distributed manner on each of the welded parts Pt, Ps because the directions of the weld lines are different. Also, the magnitude of the load acting on each of the welded parts Pt, Ps differs. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all of the welded parts Pt, Ps from being damaged at once, and it is possible to stably ensure conductivity.

[0065] In addition, in the female terminal 10, the welds Pt, Ps are formed linearly, and the four welds Ps on one side are formed to have different widths from the welds Pt. In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the welds Pt are formed thicker than the weld line (thickness of the portion that has melted and cooled and solidified again).

[0066] According to such a female terminal 10, even if a load is transmitted to the flange plate 33 and the outer plate 32 on which the welds Pt, Ps are formed, the welds Pt, Ps will be able to withstand different loads because the weld lines are different in thickness. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welds Pt, Ps from breaking at once, and to stably ensure conductivity. In other words, since the weld lines are made thicker than the weld line of the weld Pt, they break later than the weld Pt, and therefore it is possible to prevent all the welds Pt, Ps from breaking at once.

[0067] In the female terminal 10, the arm springs 35 are arranged in parallel along the longitudinal direction L, and the welded portions Pt closest to the base points Pb of the arm springs 35 are formed parallel to the longitudinal direction L.

[0068] According to such a female terminal 10, the distance from each arm spring 35 to the welded portion Pt is short, so the welded portion Pt becomes the main path when the current flows. That is, when the current flows from the male terminal 5 to the female terminal 10, the current flows from the contact portion Pc that abuts against the male terminal 5 through the arm spring 35, through the welded portion Pt to the side wall 21 (see arrow A in FIG. 9). On the other hand, when the current flows from the female terminal 10 to the male terminal 5, the current flows from the welded portion Pt that welds the side wall 21 and the flange plate 33 to the male terminal 5 through the arm spring 35, through the contact portion Pc (see arrow A in FIG. 9). Therefore, the electrical resistance in these terminals can be kept low. Such a structure can be said to be particularly suitable for an electric circuit through which a large current flows.

[0069] The weld Pt closest to the base point Pb of the arm spring 35 can be represented as a conductive weld, since it is the main path through which current flows. The other welds Ps can be represented as fixing welds for more firmly fixing the base 20 and the spring member 30. However, even the conductive welds have the function of fixing the base 20 and the spring member 30, and even the fixing welds have the function of serving as a path through which current flows.

[0070] In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the side wall 21 and the flange plate 33, and the side wall 21 and the outer plate 32 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.

[0071] 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 tip surface corresponds to tip surface 21c, 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. The arm spring is compatible with the arm spring 35. The base point corresponds to the base point Pb, The tip surface weld corresponds to the weld Pt, The outer surface weld corresponds to the weld Ps. Although the inner surface welded portion corresponds to the welded portion Pu, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many other embodiments can be obtained.

[0072] For example, in the female terminal 10 according to the above embodiment, the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 is welded to the flange plate 33 to form one weld Pt on one side, and the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 is welded to the outer plate 32 to form four welds Ps on one side. However, at least one of the welds Pt, Ps may be formed in a curved or folded line shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 11(a), one weld Ps on one side may be formed in a curved line shape. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11(b), one weld Ps on one side may be formed in a folded line shape.

[0073] According to such a female terminal 10, even if a load is transmitted to the flange plate 33 and the outer plate 32 on which the welded parts Pt, Ps are formed, the load is distributed and acts on each welded part Pt, Ps as well as on each predetermined section of the curved or folded welded part Ps because the total length of the weld line is different. In addition, the magnitude of the load acting on each welded part Pt, Ps as well as on each predetermined section of the curved or folded welded part Ps is different. In addition, the magnitude of the load that can be withstood by each welded part Pt, Ps as well as on each predetermined section of the curved or folded welded part Ps is different. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welded parts Pt, Ps from being damaged at once, and to stably ensure conductivity.

[0074] In addition, in the female terminal 10 according to the above embodiment, all the welded parts Pt, Ps are formed in a continuous straight line. However, at least one of the welded parts Pt, Ps may be formed in a dotted line. For example, as shown in Fig. 12(a), four welded parts Ps on one side may be formed in a dotted line. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 12(b), one welded part Pt on one side may be formed in a dotted line.

[0075] According to such a female terminal 10, even if a load is transmitted from one direction to a group of welded parts Pt, Ps, the load is distributed and acts on each welded part Pt, Ps as well as each welded point in the dotted welded part Ps because the weld lines are not connected. Moreover, the magnitude of the load acting on each welded part Pt, Ps as well as each welded point in the dotted welded part Ps differs. Furthermore, the magnitude of the load that can be withstood by each welded part Pt, Ps as well as each welded point in the dotted welded part Ps differs. Therefore, it is possible to prevent all the welded parts Pt, Ps from being damaged at once, and to ensure stable conductivity.

[0076] In addition, in the female terminal 10 shown in Fig. 12(b), the welding points are arranged on the extension lines of the respective arm springs 35, so a parallel circuit is formed in which there is no variation in the electrical resistance of each arm spring 35. Therefore, the electrical resistance of these terminals can be kept low. This structure is also particularly suitable for electrical circuits through which large currents flow.

[0077] Furthermore, in the female terminal 10 according to the above embodiment, the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 is welded to the flange plate 33, and the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 is welded to the outer plate 32. However, as shown in Fig. 13(a), the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 may be welded to the flange plate 33, and the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 may be welded to the inner plate 31. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the tip surface 21c of the side wall 21 may be welded to the flange plate 33, the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 may be welded to the outer plate 32, and the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 may be welded to the inner plate 31. All or part of these welds Pt, Ps, Pu may be welded by so-called wobbling welding, which is performed by scanning while drawing fine patterns such as circles and lines.

[0078] According to such a female terminal 10, even if the arm spring 35 is pressed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 and a load is transmitted to the inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 are welded together, so that the portion (the inner plate 31) is hardly deformed. In other words, the fact that the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 are welded together means that the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 covering it are integrated in a state of abutment, and the rigidity of the inner plate 31 is improved, so that the portion (the inner plate 31) is hardly deformed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive load from acting on the welded portion Pu between the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31. In addition, it is possible to prevent the welded portion Pu between the base portion 20 and the spring member 30 from being damaged, and it is possible to stably ensure conductivity.

[0079] In addition, since the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 along the inner surface 21a are surfaces that face the side surface of the inserted male terminal 5, it is difficult for the welding machine to approach or move freely. For this reason, this welding process can be easily performed by performing welding obliquely from the open end of the base part 20 using a laser welding machine. Note that, before bending the base material of the base part 20 to form the pair of side walls, the spring member 30 may be welded in advance to the portion that will become the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21.

[0080] Finally, the present invention includes a connector 1 (see FIG. 1) having 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) having the aforementioned female terminal 10 and an electric wire 3 connected to a base portion 20 of the female terminal 10.

[0081] Furthermore, the present invention 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.

[0082] These also provide the same effects as the female terminal 10 according to the present invention. That is, since the side wall 21 and the adjacent plates (the inner plate 31, the outer plate 32, and the flange plate 33) are welded to form two or more welded parts Pt, Ps, it is possible to prevent the welded parts Pt, Ps between the base part 20 and the spring member 30 from being damaged, and it is possible to stably ensure conductivity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 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 21c…Tip surface 30...Spring member 31…Inner plate 32…Outer panel 33...Tsubara plate 35…Arm spring Pb…Base point Pt…weld Ps…Welded section Pu…Welded 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 at least an installation plate provided along an inner surface of the side wall and an arm spring extending from the installation plate toward the opposing side wall, Two or more welds are formed in at least one of the side walls by welding the side wall and the installation plate, A plurality of the arm springs are arranged in parallel along a longitudinal direction, The welded portion closest to the base portion of each of the arm springs is formed parallel to the longitudinal direction. Female terminal.

2. The side wall has a tip end surface on which the plate is provided, The welded portion includes a tip surface welded portion where the tip surface of the side wall and the installation plate are welded. The female terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The installation plate is provided along the outer surface of the side wall, The welded portion includes an outer surface welded portion where the outer surface of the side wall and the installation plate are welded. The female terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The welded portion includes an inner surface welded portion where the inner surface of the side wall and the installation plate are welded. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The weld is formed linearly, At least one of the welds is formed in a direction intersecting with the other welds. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The weld is formed linearly, At least one of the welded portions is formed with a different width from the other welded portions. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The weld is formed linearly, At least one of the welds is formed in a curved or broken line shape. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The weld is formed linearly, At least one of the welds is formed in a dotted line shape. The female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a connector housing for accommodating the female terminal. connector.

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

11. An electric wire with a terminal according to claim 10; and a connector housing for accommodating the electric wire with terminal. Wire with connector.

12. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 10 or the electric wire with connector according to claim 11 is provided. Wire harness.

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