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 outer circumferential flange 40 which is protrudingly provided on an outer circumferential surface of one opening end 11a of the connection terminal 10; 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 the opening end 11a of the connection terminal 10 so as to restrict, between itself and the outer circumferential flange 40, axial movement of the annular terminal spring 30 fitted around an outer circumference of the connection terminal 10. An outer circumferential part of the annular terminal spring 30 protrudes outward along a tip end surface 43 of the outer circumferential flange 40 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; a spring limiting protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of one open end of the conductive member; 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 attaching the annular terminal spring to the outer periphery of the conductive member between the spring limiting protrusion and the insulating cap, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along the tip surface of the spring limiting protrusion and the outer peripheral surface 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 a main portion of the annular terminal spring shown in FIG. 1 in a state where it is 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. 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 main part 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 Figures 1 and 2, the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a connection terminal 10 which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20, an annular terminal spring 30, and an outer peripheral flange (spring restricting protrusion) 40. 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, an outer peripheral flange 40 is provided as a spring restricting protrusion on the outer peripheral surface of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11. The outer peripheral flange 40 is a flange portion formed in an annular shape extending in the circumferential direction along the outer peripheral surface of one opening end 11a, and has a rectangular cross section. A front surface 41 of the outer peripheral flange 40 is an annular surface perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of one opening end 11a, and a tip surface 43 of the outer peripheral flange 40 is a cylindrical surface parallel to the outer peripheral surface of one opening end 11a.

[0015] The connection terminal 10 and the outer peripheral flange 40 are integrally formed by insert molding the connection terminal 10 into the outer peripheral flange 40 made of a synthetic resin material. Instead of the synthetic resin outer peripheral flange 40, a conductive metal outer peripheral flange may be formed and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of one of the opening ends 11a by welding or the like. In this case, since the conductive metal outer peripheral flange is used, the annular terminal spring 30 has a conductive path between the outer peripheral surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) and the front surface 41 of the outer peripheral flange 40. This reduces the contact resistance of the contact portion between the annular terminal spring 30 and the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10), and maintains a stable low electrical resistance.

[0016] The insulating cap 20 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape having a cylindrical fitting recess 22 into which one open end 11a is inserted. The fitting recess 22 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the terminal connection portion 11. The insulating cap 20, with one open end 11a pressed into the fitting recess 22, is press-fitted and fixed to one open end 11a. 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.

[0017] The annular terminal spring 30 is formed in an annular shape, with an inner periphery having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the terminal connection portion 11, and an outer periphery having an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral flange 40. This annular terminal spring 30 is made of a coil spring formed by spirally winding a filament made of a metal material having electrical conductivity and elasticity, 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] With the annular terminal spring 30 fitted in one of the opening ends 11a, the insulating cap 20 is placed on one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) from the front. Then, the one of the opening ends 11a is pressed into the fitting recess 22, so that the insulating cap 20 is fixed to the one of the opening ends 11a of the terminal connection portion 11.

[0019] The insulating cap 20 fixed to one of the opening ends 11a has an opening end face 21 facing the front face 41 of the outer peripheral flange 40, which sandwiches the annular terminal spring 30 between the opening end face 21 and the front face 41 of the outer peripheral flange 40. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30 is held at the one of the opening ends 11a without expanding in diameter.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one opening end 11a has its inner periphery supported by the outer periphery surface of one opening end 11a (see FIG. 3), and its outer periphery protrudes radially outward along the tip surface 43 of the outer periphery flange 40 and the outer periphery surface of the insulating cap 20.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The annular terminal spring 30 is sandwiched between the insulating cap 20 and a front surface 41 of an outer peripheral flange 40 protruding from the outer peripheral surface 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 to be attached, 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.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment, one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) is press-fitted and fixed into the fitting recess 22, and the insulating cap 20 is placed over the one open end 11a, so that the annular terminal spring 30 can be sandwiched between the front surface 41 of the outer circumferential flange 40 and the open end face 21 of the insulating cap 20 and held at the one open end 11a. Thus, the annular terminal spring 30 can be easily attached to the one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring 30.

[0026] Moreover, the insulating cap 20 is fixed simply by pressing the fitting recess 22 into one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) from the front. Therefore, the insulating cap 20 can facilitate automation of attachment of the annular terminal spring 30 to the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10).

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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. Note that 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 are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] 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 20, an annular terminal spring 30, and a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces (spring restricting protrusions) 60. 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.

[0030] 4, a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces 60 serving as spring restricting protrusions are provided on the outer peripheral surface of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11. The cut-and-raised pieces 60 are provided to form a protruding row at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A).

[0031] The cut-and-raised pieces 60 are cut and raised in a rectangular shape so as to rise outward from the outer circumferential surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A). The cut-and-raised pieces 60 are cut and raised perpendicularly to the outer circumferential surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A). As a result, the cut-and-raised pieces 60 have a front surface 61 perpendicular to the outer circumferential surface of one opening end 11a and a tip surface 63 parallel to the outer circumferential surface of one opening end 11a. The height of the cut-and-raised pieces 60 is smaller than the winding diameter d of the annular terminal spring 30. These cut-and-raised pieces 60 are formed, for example, during press working to form the conductive metal plate constituting the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) into a cylindrical shape.

[0032] Thus, the insulating cap 20 fixed to one of the opening ends 11a has an opening end face 21 facing the front face 61 of the cut-and-raised piece 60, which sandwiches the annular terminal spring 30 between the opening end face 21 and the front face 61 of the cut-and-raised piece 60. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30 is held at the one of the opening ends 11a without expanding in diameter.

[0033] The annular terminal spring 30 held at one of the opening ends 11a has its inner periphery supported by the outer periphery surface of the one of the opening ends 11a, and its outer periphery protruding radially outward along the tip surface 63 of the cut-and-raised piece 60 and the outer periphery surface of the insulating cap 20.

[0034] 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. This electrically connects the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10A and the mating connection terminal 50 via the annular terminal spring 30.

[0035] Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the second embodiment, like the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment described above, it is possible to construct a connection terminal 10A having a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while reducing processing costs. Furthermore, the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) can be provided with a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces 60 as spring restricting protrusions for holding the annular terminal spring 30 by cutting and raising the conductive metal plate during press working to form it into a cylindrical shape. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced while the annular terminal spring 30 can be well held, resulting in high connection reliability. Furthermore, since the spring restricting protrusion is formed from a part of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) made of conductive metal, the annular terminal spring 30 has a conductive path between the outer circumferential surface of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) and the front surface 61 of the cut-and-raised piece 60. Therefore, the contact resistance of the contact part between the annular terminal spring 30 and the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) can be reduced, and a stable low electrical resistance can be maintained.

[0036] 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 [4]. [1] A conductive member (connection terminal 10, 10A) formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate, and a spring restricting protrusion (peripheral flange 40, cut-and-raised piece 60) protruding from an outer peripheral surface of one open end (11a) of the conductive member, 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) fixed to one open end of the conductive member and configured to restrict axial movement of the annular terminal spring attached to the outer periphery of the conductive member between the insulating cap and the spring restricting protrusion; Equipped with The outer periphery of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along the tip surface (43, 63) of the spring restricting protrusion and the outer periphery of the insulating cap. A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

[0037] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above-mentioned [1], the cylindrical conductive member (connection terminal 10, 10A) 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 insulating cap (20) and a spring restricting protrusion (peripheral flange 40, cut-and-raised piece 60) protruding from the outer peripheral surface of one open end (11a) of the conductive member. 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). [2] The spring restricting protrusion is an outer peripheral flange (40) protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the conductive member (connection terminal 10), The insulating cap (20) is placed on one open end (11a) of the conductive member. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1],

[0038] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the configuration [2] above, by covering one of the open ends (11a) with the insulating cap (20), the annular terminal spring (30) can be sandwiched between the front surface (41) of the outer peripheral flange (40) and the open end face (21) of the insulating cap and held at one of the open ends. Thus, the annular terminal spring can be easily attached to one of the open ends of the conductive member (connection terminal 10) without expanding the diameter of the annular terminal spring.

[0039] [3] The spring restricting protrusion is a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces (60) formed by cutting and raising outward from the outer circumferential surface of the conductive member (connection terminal 10A), The insulating cap (20) is placed on one open end (11a) of the conductive member. The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1],

[0040] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above-mentioned [3], the conductive member (connection terminal 10A) can be provided with a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces (60) for holding the annular terminal spring (30) by cutting and forming the conductive metal plate during the press working for forming the plate into a cylindrical shape. Thus, the number of parts can be reduced while the annular terminal spring is well held, resulting in high connection reliability.

[0041] [4] The conductive member is a cylindrical connection terminal (10, 10A) 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 [3],

[0042] According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above configuration [4], it is possible to form a connection terminal (10, 10A) having a terminal spring holding structure that can obtain high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

[0043] 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. For example, in the above embodiment, the insulating cap 20 is press-fitted and fixed to one of the opening ends 11a, but the present invention is not limited to this. The insulating cap may be fixed to one of the opening ends 11a by a locking mechanism formed of a locking protrusion, a locking hole, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10...Connection terminal (conductive member) 11a...One open end 20…Insulating cap 21...Opening end surface 30...Annular terminal spring 40...Outer flange (spring restriction protrusion) 41...Front 43…Tip surface

Claims

1. a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate; and a spring restricting protrusion protruding from an outer peripheral surface of one open end of the conductive member; 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 configured to restrict axial movement of the annular terminal spring attached to the outer periphery of the conductive member between the insulating cap and the spring restricting protrusion; Equipped with an outer circumferential portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes outward along a tip end surface of the spring restricting projection and an outer circumferential surface of the insulating cap; A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

2. The spring restricting protrusion is an outer peripheral flange protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the conductive member, The insulating cap is placed over one open end of the conductive member.

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

3. The spring restriction protrusion is a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces formed by cutting and raising the outer circumferential surface of the conductive member so as to rise outward, The insulating cap is placed over one open end of the conductive member.

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

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

4. 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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