Terminal spring retention structure

Abstract

To provide a holding structure for a terminal spring which can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing the processing cost.SOLUTION: A holding structure for a terminal spring comprises: a connection terminal 10 which is made of a conductive metal plate and is formed into a cylindrical shape by press work; an annular terminal spring 30 which is obtained by bending a conductive coil spring into an annular shape and bonding its both ends to each other; and an insulation cap 20 which is fixed to one opening end 11a of the connection terminal 10 so as to sandwich the annular terminal spring 30 between itself and an opening end surface 15 of the opening end 11a. An outer circumferential part of the annular terminal spring 30 protrudes outward along an outer circumferential surface of the connection terminal 10 and an outer circumferential surface of the insulation cap 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding structure for a terminal spring. [Background technology]

[0002] High-voltage connectors used in electric vehicles, such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, are divided into female connectors and male connectors. The male connector and female connector house male terminals and female terminals, respectively, that allow current to flow and insertion / removal, and these male terminals and female terminals are electrically connected via terminal springs. More specifically, the male connector houses a rod-shaped male terminal, and the female connector houses a cylindrical female terminal.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a contact device in which a hollow portion (female terminal) of one of a pair of conductors is fitted with a small diameter portion (male terminal) of the other conductor to pass current through a spring contact. This spring contact is formed as an annular spring contact (annular terminal spring) in which a wire is wound in a spiral shape at an angle to the winding axis and both ends are joined. The annular spring contact is fitted and housed in a groove formed along the circumferential direction of one of the fitting surfaces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-204634 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the contact device of Patent Document 1, a groove for holding the annular spring contact must be machined on the mating surface, which increases the processing cost. Also, when fitting the annular spring contact (annular terminal spring) into the groove provided on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion (male terminal), the annular spring contact must be expanded in diameter before being fitted into the groove, which may cause undesirable deformation of the spring contact.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. A terminal spring holding structure comprising: a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate; an annular terminal spring formed by bending a conductive coil spring into a ring shape and joining both ends; and an insulating cap fixed to one open end of the conductive member and clamping the annular terminal spring between the insulating cap and the open end face of the one open end, wherein the outer periphery of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along the outer periphery of the conductive member and the outer periphery of the insulating cap. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before an annular terminal spring is attached to the connection terminal. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the annular terminal spring shown in FIG. 1 attached to a connection terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the connection terminal shown in FIG. 2 is fitted to a mating connection terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before an annular terminal spring is attached to the connection terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the connection terminal shown in FIG. 4 is fitted to a mating connection terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a mating state between a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a mating connection terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before an annular terminal spring is attached to the connection terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the connection terminal shown in FIG. 7 is fitted to the mating connection terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a connection terminal 10 as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a state before an annular terminal spring 30 is attached to the connection terminal 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the annular terminal spring 30 shown in Fig. 1 is attached to the connection terminal 10. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fitted state of the connection terminal 10 and a mating connection terminal 50 shown in Fig. 2.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal spring holding structure according to the first embodiment includes a connection terminal 10 which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20, and an annular terminal spring 30. As shown in FIG. The connection terminal 10 is configured to include a terminal connection portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape and a conductor connection portion 13 . The connection terminal 10 is a male terminal formed by pressing a conductive metal plate (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) having good electrical conductivity through punching, bending, etc., so that the cylindrical terminal connection portion 11 and the conductor connection portion 13 are integrally formed.

[0013] The conductor connection part 13 extending from the other open end 11b of the terminal connection part 11 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is electrically connected to a conductor (bus bar, LA terminal, etc.) by bolts, nuts, etc. The conductor connection part 13 can be connected to the conductor end of the electric wire by various connection means such as crimping or crimping.

[0014] 1, one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 is formed with locking holes 17 for locking the locking portions 25 of the flexible locking pieces 23 of the insulating cap 20. The pair of locking holes 17 correspond to the locking portions 25 of the pair of flexible locking pieces 23 and are disposed opposite each other at diametric positions of the one open end 11a.

[0015] 1, the insulating cap 20 has a cap body 21 that faces the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a and holds the annular terminal spring 30 therebetween, and a plurality of (a pair in this embodiment) flexible locking pieces 23 that are integrally provided on the cap body 21 and extend along the inner circumferential surface of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10) toward the other opening end 11b of the terminal connection part 11. The insulating cap 20 is made of synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties, and is fixed to the tip of the connection terminal 10 to provide a function of preventing touching of the connection terminal 10 by fingers.

[0016] The cap body 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the terminal connection part 11, and the outer peripheral edge of the annular rear end face 21a faces the annular opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a. A pair of flexible locking pieces 23 are vertically attached to the inner peripheral edge of the rear end face 21a. The outer peripheral surface of the flexible locking pieces 23 has a curved surface corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection part 11. A locking part 25 that is locked into the locking hole 17 of the terminal connection part 11 is protruded from the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the flexible locking piece 23.

[0017] The annular terminal spring 30 is formed in an annular shape, with an inner periphery having an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 11, and an outer periphery having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the terminal connection portion 11. This annular terminal spring 30 is made of a coil spring formed by spirally winding a filament made of a conductive and elastic metal material such as spring steel, and this coil spring is bent into an annular shape, and both ends of the filament are joined by welding or the like.

[0018] The insulating cap 20 is inserted from the front into one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10) with the pair of flexible locking pieces 23 penetrating the annular terminal spring 30. Then, the flexible locking pieces 23, whose locking portions 25 abut against the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection part 11, move within the one open end 11a in a state of being bent inward. When the locking portions 25 reach the locking holes 17 formed in the one open end 11a, the flexible locking pieces 23 elastically return to their original position and the locking portions 25 are locked into the locking holes 17, so that the insulating cap 20 is fixed to the one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11.

[0019] The insulating cap 20 fixed to one of the opening ends 11a has an outer peripheral edge of a rear end face 21a that faces the opening end face 15 of the one of the opening ends 11a, and holds the annular terminal spring 30 between the rear end face 21a and the opening end face 15. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30 is held at the one of the opening ends 11a without expanding in diameter. As shown in FIG. 2, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one opening end 11a has its inner periphery supported by a pair of flexible locking pieces 23 (see FIG. 3), and its outer periphery protrudes radially outward along the outer periphery of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) and the outer periphery of the cap main body portion 21 (insulating cap 20).

[0020] Next, the fitting operation of the connection terminal 10 and the mating connection terminal 50 configured as above will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50 is a cylindrical fitting space and has an inner diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the terminal connection portion 11 and smaller than the outer diameter of the outer periphery of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0021] When one open end 11a of the connection terminal 10, which is a male terminal, is inserted into the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a female terminal, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one open end 11a elastically deforms and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the electrical contact portion 51. This electrically connects the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10 and the mating connection terminal 50 via the annular terminal spring 30.

[0022] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment, the connection terminal 10 as a cylindrical conductive member is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove for holding the annular terminal spring 30. Thus, the connection terminal 10 can reduce processing costs.

[0023] The annular terminal spring 30 is sandwiched between the insulating cap 20 and the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10. Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring 30 to the terminal connection portion 11, the annular terminal spring 30 does not need to be expanded in diameter, so that the annular terminal spring 30 is less likely to be deformed undesirably. As a result, the annular terminal spring 30 can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal 50.

[0024] Furthermore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment, the pair of flexible locking pieces 23 of the insulating cap 20 are inserted from the front into one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection part 11, whereby the locking parts 25 are locked in the locking holes 17 formed in the one of the opening ends 11a. When the locking parts 25 of the flexible locking pieces 23 are locked in the locking holes 17, the insulating cap 20 is fixed to the one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection part 11. As a result, the annular terminal spring 30 is sandwiched between the opening end face 15 of the terminal connection part 11 and the rear end face 21a of the cap body part 21, and is fixed to the one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection part 11.

[0025] In the terminal spring holding structure according to the first embodiment, the flexible locking piece 23 of the insulating cap 20, which penetrates the annular terminal spring 30, is inserted and locked into one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11, thereby making it possible to hold the annular terminal spring 30 at one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11. Thus, the annular terminal spring 30 can be easily attached to one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0026] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment, it is possible to configure the connection terminal 10 having a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal 10A as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in a state before an annular terminal spring 30 is attached to the connection terminal 10A. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fitted state between the connection terminal 10A shown in Fig. 4 and a mating connection terminal 50. Note that the components of the connection terminal 10A in this second embodiment that are similar to those of the connection terminal 10 in the first embodiment above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal spring holding structure according to the second embodiment includes a connection terminal 10A, which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20A, and an annular terminal spring 30. As shown in FIG. The connection terminal 10A includes a terminal connection portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape and a conductor connection portion 13. Like the connection terminal 10, the connection terminal 10A is a male terminal formed by pressing a conductive metal plate (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) having good conductivity through punching, bending, etc., so that the cylindrical terminal connection portion 11 and the conductor connection portion 13 are integrally formed.

[0029] 4, the insulating cap 20A has a cap body 21A that faces the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a and holds the annular terminal spring 30 therebetween, and a press-fitting protrusion 24 that protrudes integrally with the cap body 21A and is press-fitted into one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A). The insulating cap 20A is made of synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties, similar to the insulating cap 20 described above, and is fixed to the tip of the connection terminal 10A to provide a function of preventing touching of the connection terminal 10A by fingers.

[0030] The cap body 21A is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the terminal connection portion 11, and the outer peripheral edge of the circular rear end face 21a faces the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a. The press-fit protrusion 24 is vertically provided in the center of the rear end face 21a. The outer peripheral surface of the press-fit protrusion 24 has a cylindrical surface corresponding to the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection portion 11. The press-fit protrusion 24 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 11.

[0031] The insulating cap 20A is inserted from the front into one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10) with the press-in protrusion 24 penetrating the annular terminal spring 30. Then, the press-in protrusion 24, which has an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the terminal connection part 11, is press-fitted and fixed into the one open end 11a. Thus, the insulating cap 20A is fixed to the one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11.

[0032] The insulating cap 20A fixed to one opening end 11a has an outer peripheral edge of a rear end face 21a facing the opening end face 15 of the one opening end 11a, which holds the annular terminal spring 30 between the opening end face 15. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30 is held at the one opening end 11a without expanding in diameter. The annular terminal spring 30 held at one of the opening ends 11a has its inner periphery supported by the base of the press-fit protrusion 24 (see Figure 4), and its outer periphery protruding radially outward along the outer periphery of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) and the outer periphery of the cap main body portion 21A (insulating cap 20A).

[0033] Next, the fitting operation of the connection terminal 10A having the above-mentioned configuration and the mating connection terminal 50 will be described. 4, when one open end 11a of the connection terminal 10A, which is a male terminal, is inserted into the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a female terminal, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one open end 11a elastically deforms and comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the electrical contact portion 51. As a result, the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10A and the mating connection terminal 50 are electrically connected via the annular terminal spring 30.

[0034] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the second embodiment, by press-fitting and fixing the press-fit protrusion 24 of the insulating cap 20A into one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A), the annular terminal spring 30 can be sandwiched between the opening end face 15 of the one opening end 11a and the cap body part 21A and held at the one opening end 11a. Thus, the annular terminal spring 30 can be easily attached to the one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0035] Moreover, the insulating cap 20A is fixed simply by pressing the press-in projection 24 into one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) from the front. Therefore, the insulating cap 20A can facilitate automation of attachment of the annular terminal spring 30 to the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A).

[0036] 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a fitting state between a connection terminal 10B as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention and a mating connection terminal 50. Note that components of the connection terminal 10B in this third embodiment that are similar to those of the connection terminal 10A in the second embodiment above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, the terminal spring holding structure according to the third embodiment includes a connection terminal 10B, which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20B, and an annular terminal spring 30. As shown in FIG. The insulating cap 20B has a cap main body portion 21B that faces the opening end face 15 of one of the opening ends 11a and clamps the annular terminal spring 30, and a press-in protrusion 24B that protrudes from the cap main body portion 21B and is press-fitted into one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10B).

[0038] The cap main body 21B, formed from an electrically insulating synthetic resin, is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the terminal connection portion 11, and the outer peripheral edge of the circular rear end face 21a faces the opening end face 15 of one of the opening ends 11a.

[0039] The press-in protrusion 24B made of a conductive metal material is formed into a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 11. The press-in protrusion 24B is integrally formed with the cap main body 21B by insert molding, but it can also be integrally formed by being press-fitted into a recess formed in the rear end surface 21a of the cap main body 21B.

[0040] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the third embodiment, the press-in protrusion 24B of the insulating cap 20B is formed from a conductive metal material, so that the annular terminal spring 30 has a conductive path between the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10B) and the outer peripheral surface of the press-in protrusion 24B. Therefore, in addition to the advantageous effects of the terminal spring holding structure of the second embodiment described above, the terminal spring holding structure of the third embodiment can reduce the contact resistance of the contact portion between the annular terminal spring 30 and the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10B), thereby maintaining a stable low electrical resistance.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal 10C as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in a state before an annular terminal spring 30 is attached to the connection terminal 10C. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mating state of the connection terminal 10C shown in Fig. 7 and the mating connection terminal 50. Note that the components of the connection terminal 10C in this fourth embodiment that are similar to those of the connection terminal 10A in the second embodiment above are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 7, the terminal spring holding structure according to the fourth embodiment includes a connection terminal 10C which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20C, and an annular terminal spring 30. As shown in FIG. Like the connection terminal 10A, the connection terminal 10C is a male terminal formed integrally with the cylindrical terminal connection portion 11 and the conductor connection portion 13 by pressing a conductive metal plate (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) having good conductivity through punching, bending, etc. An internal thread portion (thread portion) 19 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of one opening end portion 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10C).

[0043] The insulating cap 20C has a cap body 21C that faces the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a and holds the annular terminal spring 30 therebetween, and a screw protrusion 26 that protrudes from the cap body 21C and is screwed into a female screw portion 19 formed on one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10C). The insulating cap 20C has the cap body 21C and the screw protrusion 26 integrally formed from an electrically insulating synthetic resin.

[0044] The cap body 21C is formed in a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the terminal connection portion 11, and the outer peripheral edge of the circular rear end face 21a faces the opening end face 15 of one opening end 11a. The screw protrusion 26 is vertically provided in the center of the rear end face 21a. The screw protrusion 26 has a male screw portion 28 that screws into the female screw portion 19 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection portion 11.

[0045] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the fourth embodiment, by screwing the screw protrusion 26 of the insulating cap 20C into one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10C), the annular terminal spring 30 can be sandwiched between the opening end face 15 of the one opening end 11a and the cap body part 21C and held at the one opening end 11a. Thus, the annular terminal spring 30 can be easily attached to the one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10C) without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0046] Moreover, by adjusting the screwing amount (rotation amount) of the insulating cap 20C, it is possible to adjust the clamping force on the annular terminal spring 30. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the terminal spring holding structure according to the second embodiment, the terminal spring holding structure according to the fourth embodiment allows the insulating cap 20C to hold the annular terminal spring 30 well without crushing it more than necessary, regardless of the dimensional tolerance of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0047] The screw protrusion 26 of the insulating cap 20C can also be made of a conductive metal material. By integrally forming the metal screw protrusion 26 by insert molding into the cap body 21C, the annular terminal spring 30 has a conductive path between the opening end surface 15 of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10C) and the outer circumferential surface at the base of the screw protrusion 26. Therefore, similarly to the terminal spring holding structure according to the third embodiment, the contact resistance of the contact portion between the annular terminal spring 30 and the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10C) can be reduced, and a stable low electrical resistance can be maintained.

[0048] Here, the features of the embodiments of the terminal spring holding structure according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [6]. [1] A conductive member (connection terminal 10, 10A, 10B, 10C) formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate; an annular terminal spring (30) in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined; an insulating cap (20, 20A, 20B, 20C) fixed to one open end (11a) of the conductive member and sandwiching the annular terminal spring between the insulating cap and an open end face (15) of the one open end; Equipped with an outer circumferential portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along an outer circumferential surface of the conductive member and an outer circumferential surface of the insulating cap; A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

[0049] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above configuration [1], the cylindrical conductive member (connection terminals 10, 10A, 10B, 10C) is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove for holding the annular terminal spring 30. Therefore, the processing cost of the conductive member can be reduced. The annular terminal spring is sandwiched between the opening end surface (15) of one opening end (11a) of the conductive member and the insulating cap (20). Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring to the conductive member, the annular terminal spring does not need to be expanded in diameter to be attached, so that the annular terminal spring is less likely to be deformed undesirably. As a result, the annular terminal spring can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal (50).

[0050] [2] The insulating cap (20) has a cap body portion (21) that faces the opening end face (15) of the one opening end (11a) and holds the annular terminal spring (30) therebetween, and a plurality of flexible locking pieces (23) that protrude from the cap body portion and extend along an inner circumferential surface of the conductive member (connection terminal 10) toward the other opening end (11b) of the conductive member, One open end of the conductive member has a locking hole (17) for locking the lock portion (25) of the flexible locking piece. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1],

[0051] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the configuration [2] above, the flexible locking piece (23) of the insulating cap (20) is inserted from the front into one open end (11a) of the conductive member (connection terminal 10), whereby the locking portion (25) is locked into the locking hole (17) formed in the one open end. When the locking portion of the flexible locking piece is locked into the locking hole, the insulating cap is fixed to the one open end of the conductive member. As a result, the annular terminal spring (30) is sandwiched between the open end face (15) and the cap body portion (21) and fixed to the one open end of the conductive member. In the terminal spring holding structure of this configuration, the annular terminal spring can be held at one open end of the conductive member by inserting and locking the flexible locking piece of the insulating cap into one open end of the conductive member, so that the annular terminal spring can be easily attached to one open end of the conductive member without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring.

[0052] [3] The insulating cap (20A) has a cap body portion (21A) that faces the opening end surface (15) of the one opening end (11a) and holds the annular terminal spring (30) therebetween, and a press-fitting protrusion (24) that protrudes from the cap body portion and is press-fitted into the one opening end. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1],

[0053] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the configuration [3] above, the press-in projection (24) of the insulating cap (20A) is press-fitted into one open end (11a) of the conductive member (connection terminal 10A), whereby the annular terminal spring (30) can be sandwiched between the open end face (15) of the one open end and the cap body (21A) and held at the one open end. Thus, the annular terminal spring can be easily attached to one open end of the conductive member (connection terminal 10B) without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring. In addition, since the insulating cap can be fixed simply by press-fitting the press-in projection into one open end of the conductive member from the front, it is easy to automate the attachment of the annular terminal spring to the conductive member.

[0054] [4] The press-fit protrusion (24B) is formed of a conductive metal material. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above item [3].

[0055] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the configuration [4] above, the press-fit protrusion (24B) of the insulating cap (20B) is made of a conductive metal material, so that the annular terminal spring (30) has a conductive path between the open end face (15) of one open end (11a) of the conductive member (connection terminal 10B) and the outer circumferential surface of the press-fit protrusion. This reduces the contact resistance of the contact portion between the annular terminal spring and the conductive member, and maintains a stable low electrical resistance.

[0056] [5] The insulating cap (20C) has a cap body portion (21C) that faces the opening end face (15) of the one opening end (11a) and holds the annular terminal spring (30) therebetween, and a screw protrusion (26) that protrudes from the cap body portion and is screwed into one opening end (11a) of the conductive member (connection terminal 10C), The inner peripheral surface of the one opening end has a threaded portion (female threaded portion 19) that screws into the threaded protrusion. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1],

[0057] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the configuration [5] above, by screwing the screw protrusion (26) of the insulating cap (20C) into one open end (11a) of the conductive member (connection terminal 10C), the annular terminal spring (30) can be sandwiched between the open end face (15) of the one open end and the cap body (21C) and held at one open end. Thus, the annular terminal spring can be easily attached to one open end of the conductive member without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring. In addition, by adjusting the screwing amount (rotation amount) of the insulating cap, the clamping force on the annular terminal spring can be adjusted, and the annular terminal spring can be well clamped without being crushed more than necessary, regardless of the dimensional tolerance of the annular terminal spring.

[0058] [6] The conductive member is a cylindrical connection terminal (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) that is fitted into and electrically connected to a mating connection terminal (50). The terminal spring holding structure according to any one of the above [1] to [5].

[0059] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above configuration [6], it is possible to form a connection terminal (10, 10A, 10B, 10C) having a terminal spring holding structure that can obtain high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

[0060] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10...Connection terminal (conductive member) 11a...One open end 15...Opening end surface 20…Insulating cap 30...Annular terminal spring

Claims

1. a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate; an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined; an insulating cap fixed to one open end of the conductive member and sandwiching the annular terminal spring between the insulating cap and an open end face of the one open end; Equipped with an outer circumferential portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along an outer circumferential surface of the conductive member and an outer circumferential surface of the insulating cap; A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

2. the insulating cap has a cap body portion facing an opening end face of the one opening end and sandwiching the annular terminal spring, and a plurality of flexible locking pieces protruding from the cap body portion and extending along an inner circumferential surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end side of the conductive member, One open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece.

2. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring.

3. The insulating cap has a cap body portion facing an opening end surface of the one opening end and sandwiching the annular terminal spring, and a press-fitting protrusion protruding from the cap body portion and press-fitted into the one opening end.

2. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring.

4. The press-fit protrusion is formed of a conductive metal material.

4. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 3, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring.

5. the insulating cap has a cap body portion facing an opening end face of the one opening end and sandwiching the annular terminal spring, and a screw protrusion protruding from the cap body portion and screwed into the one opening end of the conductive member, The inner circumferential surface of the one opening end has a threaded portion that screws into the threaded protrusion.

2. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring.

6. The conductive member is a cylindrical connection terminal that is fitted into and electrically connected to a mating connection terminal.

6. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring holding structure.

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