Connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which allows improvement in workability when connecting a mating terminal to a rod-like terminal.SOLUTION: A connector 1A comprises: a rod-like terminal 10A; and a housing 20A which internally houses the terminal 10A. The terminal 10A has: a first contact part 12 which can be electrically connected to a mating terminal 10B; a second contact part 11 which is coupled to the first contact part 12 such that it is aligned with the first contact part 12 in an axial direction of the terminal 10A, and which has a hole 17 that allows a bolt 40A to be screwed therein around a shaft of the terminal 10A; and a conductive member 16 which brings the first contact part 12 into conductive connection with the second contact part 11. The first contact part 12 and the second contact part 11 are components separate from each other, and they are joined together via a joint structure (a joint part 12h and a bearing part 11a) which joins them in such a manner that one of the first contact part 12 and the second contact part 11 may be swingable with respect to the other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector including a rod-shaped terminal and a housing that houses the terminal therein.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been proposed to use a rod-shaped terminal for electrical connection in an electric circuit. For example, in one of the conventional examples, as this type of rod-shaped terminal, a cylindrical male terminal and a hollow cylindrical female terminal are used. Then, the male terminal is inserted into the hollow portion of the female terminal, and the spring-like contact mounted within the hollow portion of the female terminal presses against the male terminal so that both terminals are electrically connected. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1.).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional example, the male terminal is attached to one end of the support portion fixed to the terminal block, and an external terminal is connected to a connection socket (hole portion) provided at the other end of the support portion. For example, an annular external terminal (so-called LA terminal) is bolted to the connection socket. Since the connection socket is sufficiently firmly fixed to the terminal block, inclination of the connection socket or the male terminal is prevented. However, when the male terminal is firmly fixed to the terminal block via the connection socket in this way, if an axial misalignment or inclination occurs between the terminals when connecting the male terminal and the female terminal, due to an increase in the frictional force generated between the terminals, the force required for the connection operation (so-called insertion force) increases. The workability of the connection operation may be impaired due to the increase in the insertion force.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a connector capable of improving workability when connecting a mating terminal to a rod-shaped terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the connector according to the present invention is characterized as follows.

[0007] A connector including a rod-shaped terminal and a housing that houses the terminal therein, wherein the terminal has a first contact portion electrically connectable to a mating terminal, a second contact portion connected to the first contact portion so as to be aligned with the first contact portion in the axial direction of the terminal and having a hole into which a bolt can be screwed, and a conductive member that electrically connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion, wherein the first contact portion and the second contact portion are separate members from each other and are connected via a joint structure that connects them such that one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion can swing relative to the other, and is a connector.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a rod-shaped terminal includes a first contact portion that is a contact with a mating terminal, a second contact portion that is connected to the first contact portion so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the terminal, and a conductive member that electrically connects the first contact portion and the second contact portion. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are separate members, and are connected via a joint structure that connects them such that one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion can swing relative to the other. Therefore, when an external terminal is bolted to a hole provided in the second contact portion, even if the second contact portion that receives the fastening force is strongly pressed against the inner wall of the housing and becomes immovable relative to the housing, the first contact portion can be displaced so as to swing due to the action of the joint structure. Thus, when connecting the first contact portion and the mating terminal, even if the mating terminal (for example, the hollow cylindrical female terminal described above) approaches the first contact portion in an inclined state, the first contact portion can swing according to the inclination, thereby maintaining the posture of the first contact portion in a posture suitable for connection. As a result, the force required for connecting the terminals (i.e., the insertion force) can be reduced. In this way, according to the connector of the present invention, even if an external terminal is directly bolted to the rod-shaped terminal, the rod-shaped terminal and the mating terminal can be easily inserted and removed. Therefore, the connector of this configuration can improve the workability when connecting the rod-shaped terminal to the mating terminal. It should be noted that the same effect is exhibited when separating the connected terminals from each other.

[0009] Furthermore, the connector with the above configuration has other effects. Specifically, a tip cover (so-called protective cap) may be attached to the tip of the first contact portion of the terminal to prevent the tip from contacting an operator's finger or surrounding components. In order to exhibit such a protective function, the tip cover usually has a shape such that the outer peripheral end of the tip cover is slightly outside the outer peripheral end of the tip of the first contact portion, or the outer peripheral ends of both are substantially in the same position. That is, the tip cover entirely covers the tip of the first contact portion. However, due to such a shape of the tip cover, when separating the terminal from the mating terminal, if the mating terminal is tilted or the like, the mating terminal may get caught on the outer peripheral end of the tip cover. This catching may cause an increase in the working force required for separating the terminals and an unintentional detachment of the tip cover. On the other hand, the connector of the present invention can keep the posture of the rod-shaped terminal suitable for insertion and extraction with respect to the tilt of the mating terminal or the like, so that the occurrence of such problems can be suppressed.

[0010] As described above, the present invention has been briefly explained. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, a connector unit 2 including a male connector 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector unit 2 includes a male connector 1A and a female connector 1B. As shown in FIG. 2, an external terminal 30A to which an electric wire 31A is connected is connected to a male terminal 10A included in the male connector 1A, and an external terminal 30B to which an electric wire 31B is connected is bolted to a female terminal 10B included in the female connector 1B. By fitting the male housing 20A of the male connector 1A to which the external terminal 30A is connected and the female housing 20B of the female connector 1B to which the external terminal 30B is bolted, the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B function to electrically connect the external terminals 30A and 30B to each other.

[0013] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the "front-rear direction", the "up-down direction", and the "left-right direction" are defined. The "front-rear direction", the "up-down direction", and the "left-right direction" are orthogonal to each other. The up-down direction coincides with the fitting direction between the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B.

[0014] The male connector 1A and the female connector 1B have the same structure except that the types and structures of the built-in terminals (male terminal 10A and female terminal 10B) are different, the locking structures between the built-in terminals and the housings are different, and the up-down directions are opposite. For this reason, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, for the female terminal 10B and the female housing 20B of the female connector 1B, the parts corresponding to the respective parts of the male terminal 10A and the male housing 20A of the male connector 1A are assigned the same reference numerals as those assigned to the male terminal 10A and the male housing 20A.

[0015] Hereinafter, first, the male connector 1A will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the male connector 1A includes a male terminal 10A and a male housing 20A that houses the male terminal 10A. Hereinafter, each component constituting the male connector 1A will be described in order.

[0016] First, the male terminal 10A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 etc., the male terminal 10A has a rod-like shape extending in the up-down direction, and is composed of a base portion 11 and a contact portion 12 that is separate from the base portion 11 and is connected to the base portion 11 so as to be arranged above the base portion 11. Each of the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 is formed, for example, by performing cutting processing on a rod-shaped member made of metal.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 3 and the like, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A has a substantially columnar shape having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 12a extending in the vertical direction. An annular groove portion 12b that is recessed radially inward over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction is formed at a predetermined position in the vertical direction of the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12. A locking portion 12c that protrudes upward is integrally provided on the upper end surface of the contact portion 12, and an annular protrusion 12d that protrudes radially outward is provided at the upper end of the locking portion 12c.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 3 and the like, a joint portion 12h that protrudes downward is integrally provided on the lower end surface (surface) 12g of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. In this example, the joint portion 12h has a substantially spherical shape with the upper part of the sphere removed, and has an "arc-shaped shape with a missing upper part" when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the vertical direction (for example, the front-rear direction or the left-right direction). The joint portion 12h functions to connect the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A and the contact portion 12 by engaging with a bearing portion 11a (to be described later) of the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A. In other words, the joint portion 12h and the bearing portion 11a have a so-called ball bearing-like structure.

[0019] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a protective cap 19 is attached to the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. The resin-made protective cap 19 has an outer shape of a substantially frustum of a cone that narrows upward. Inside the protective cap 19, a hollow cylindrical hollow portion 19a that opens downward and extends in the vertical direction is formed (see Figs. 3 and 7). An annular locking protrusion 19b that protrudes radially inward is formed at the lower end portion of the inner wall surface of the hollow portion 19a (see Fig. 7).

[0020] The protective cap 19 is mounted on the locking portion 12c from above such that the locking portion 12c is inserted into the hollow portion 19a and the annular locking projection 19b is engaged with the annular projection 12d (see FIG. 7). In the state where the protective cap 19 is completely mounted, as shown in FIG. 7, the protective cap 19 is disposed at the tip (upper end) of the contact portion 12, and the engagement of the annular locking projection 19b and the annular projection 12d prevents the protective cap 19 from coming off upward from the locking portion 12c. The outer diameter of the lower end portion (the outermost diameter portion) of the protective cap 19 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12. The protective cap 19 functions to prevent the tip of the contact portion 12 from directly contacting the fingers of the operator or peripheral components.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A has a quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction, and includes a pair of outer walls 13 disposed opposite to each other in the left-right direction and parallel to each other, and a pair of outer walls 14 disposed opposite to each other in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other as outer peripheral side walls. At the upper end edge of each outer wall 13, a flange portion 15 having a ridge shape protruding outward in the left-right direction and extending in the front-rear direction is formed (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a concave bearing portion 11a for receiving the joint portion 12h of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A is formed on the upper end surface (surface) 11c of the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A. In this example, the bearing portion 11a is a groove extending in the front-rear direction over the entire front-rear direction of the upper end surface 11c of the base portion 11. The cross section of the bearing portion 11a orthogonal to the front-rear direction has an arc shape with a missing upper portion that is similar to and slightly enlarged in diameter from the arc shape with a missing upper portion of the joint portion 12h. In this way, the bearing portion 11a is open in both the front and rear directions and also open upward.

[0023] On the upper end surface 11c of the base 11 of the male terminal 10A, as further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of left and right arc-shaped groove portions 11b are formed. The pair of groove portions 11b have a pair of arc-shaped shapes obtained by dividing an annular groove portion by the bearing portion 11a (= groove). The arc radius of the inner groove surface 11bb in the radial direction of the groove portion 11b (see FIG. 8) substantially coincides with the arc radius of the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A (see FIG. 8). The lower regions of the spring-like contacts 16, which will be described later, are to be inserted into the pair of groove portions 11b (see FIG. 8 and the like).

[0024] On the lower end surface of the base 11, as shown in FIG. 7, a bolt hole 17 into which a bolt can be screwed is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction. The upper end opening of the bolt hole 17 communicates with the bearing portion 11a (see FIG. 4). A bolt 40A (see FIGS. 2 and 7 and the like) for bolt-fastening the external terminal 30A is to be screwed into the bolt hole 17.

[0025] The base 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A are connected to each other such that the contact portion 12 is aligned above the base 11 in the vertical direction by inserting the joint portion 12h of the contact portion 12 into the bearing portion 11a of the base 11 while sliding the joint portion 12h of the contact portion 12 in the front-rear direction as indicated by the white arrow in FIG. 4 (see FIG. 7). In the connected state of the base 11 and the contact portion 12, the engagement between the joint portion 12h and the bearing portion 11a prevents the base 11 and the contact portion 12 from separating in the direction of moving away from each other in the vertical direction.

[0026] In the connected state of the base 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A, as shown in FIG. 8, when the upper end surface 11c of the base 11 and the lower end surface 12g of the contact portion 12 are abutted against each other, a gap h exists throughout between the outer surface of the joint portion 12h facing each other and the groove inner surface of the bearing portion 11a. Due to the existence of this gap h, the contact portion 12 can swing in an arbitrary circumferential direction by the amount of the gap h with respect to the base 11 (see FIG. 12).

[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, a spring-like contact 16 for electrically connecting the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A that are connected to each other is attached thereto. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the metal spring-like contact 16 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The spring-like contact 16 has a structure in which a plurality of plate-like conductors 16a are arranged in the circumferential direction of the male terminal 10A, and the upper and lower ends of these conductors 16a are connected by an annular band 16b.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the spring-like contact 16 is attached to the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A that are connected to each other such that the lower region of the spring-like contact 16 is inserted into a pair of groove portions 11b of the base portion 11 from above, and the upper edge (upper annular band 16b) of the spring-like contact 16 engages with the annular groove portion 12b of the contact portion 12 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). By attaching the spring-like contact 16 to the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 that are connected to each other, the assembly of the male terminal 10A is completed, and the male terminal 10A shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[0029] In the state where the spring-like contact 16 is completely attached, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the spring-like contact 16 is arranged so as to surround the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 around the axis such that the inside of the cylinder of the spring-like contact 16 (conductor 16a) elastically contacts both the radially inner groove inner surface 11bb of the pair of groove portions 11b and the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12. For this reason, even if the contact portion 12 swings with respect to the base portion 11, as shown in FIG. 12, the spring-like contact 16 itself elastically deforms so that the upper region swings with respect to the lower region of the spring-like contact 16, and thus the state in which the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 are electrically connected is maintained.

[0030] In the state where the spring-like contact 16 is completely mounted, the inside and outside of the cylinder in the lower region of the spring-like contact 16 (conductor 16a) are in elastic contact with the radially inner groove inner surface 11bb and the radially outer groove inner surface 11ba of the pair of groove portions 11b, respectively. In other words, the lower region of the spring-like contact 16 is radially sandwiched between the radially inner groove inner surface 11bb and the radially outer groove inner surface 11ba of the pair of groove portions 11b. Therefore, when the contact portion 12 swings with respect to the base portion 11 (see FIG. 12), the spring-like contact 16 can be prevented from separating from the base portion 11.

[0031] In the state where the spring-like contact 16 is completely mounted, the upper edge of the spring-like contact 16 (the upper annular band 16b) is engaged with the annular groove portion 12b of the contact portion 12. Therefore, when the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B are inserted and removed, the spring-like contact 16 can be prevented from unintentionally coming off from the contact portion 12.

[0032] Next, the male housing 20A will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 and the like, the male housing 20A is a resin molded product having a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The male housing 20A integrally has a terminal housing portion 21 and a fitting portion 22 located above the terminal housing portion 21.

[0033] The fitting portion 22 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction that surrounds the outer periphery of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A accommodated in the male housing 20A with a gap (see FIG. 7), and functions to protect the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. Further, the fitting portion 22 of the male housing 20A has a shape that can be inserted into the cylindrical fitting portion 22 of the female housing 20B (see FIG. 7), and functions to be fitted into the fitting portion 22 of the female housing 20B.

[0034] The terminal housing portion 21 has a cylindrical shape that defines a substantially square columnar terminal housing chamber extending in the vertical direction corresponding to the outer shape of the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A (see FIG. 7), and functions to accommodate the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A. A substantially rectangular opening 21a is formed at the lower end of the terminal housing portion 21 (see FIG. 7).

[0035] On a pair of inner walls arranged opposite to each other in the left - right direction of the terminal housing portion 21, as shown in FIG. 7, a pair of locking pieces 23 are formed so as to extend upward in the left - right direction and face each other from a pair of edge portions arranged opposite to each other in the left - right direction of the opening 21a. Each locking piece 23 is elastically deformable in the left - right direction. At the tip of each locking piece 23, a protrusion 24 protruding inward in the left - right direction is formed.

[0036] As can be understood from FIGS. 7 and 10, the pair of locking pieces 23 function to prevent the male terminal 10A accommodated in the terminal housing portion 21 from coming out downward by engaging with a pair of flange portions 15 of the male terminal 10A. The distance in the left - right direction between the pair of locking pieces 23 (when not elastically deformed) is slightly wider than the distance in the left - right direction between the tips of the pair of flange portions 15. The distance in the left - right direction between the tips of the protrusions 24 of the pair of locking pieces 23 (when not elastically deformed) is slightly narrower than the distance in the left - right direction between the tips of the pair of flange portions 15 and slightly wider than the distance in the left - right direction between the pair of outer walls 13. The pair of inner walls arranged opposite to each other in the front - rear direction of the terminal housing portion 21 are a pair of parallel planes. The above describes each component constituting the male connector 1A.

[0037] Next, the assembly of the connector 1A will be described. The connector 1A is formed by accommodating the male terminal 10A (base portion 11 + contact portion 12 + spring - like contact 16) in the male housing 20A. More specifically, the male terminal 10A is inserted into the male housing 20A from below through the opening 21a. This insertion continues until the contact portion 12 moves from the inside of the terminal housing portion 21 to the inside of the fitting portion 22 and the pair of flange portions 15 engage with the protrusions 24 of the pair of locking pieces 23 that have temporarily elastically deformed outward in the left - right direction due to the pressing from the pair of flange portions 15 (see FIG. 7). When the pair of flange portions 15 engage with the protrusions 24 of the pair of locking pieces 23, the assembly of the male terminal 10A to the male housing 20A is completed, and the connector 1A shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

[0038] In the assembled state of the male connector 1A, as described above, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A can swing in any circumferential direction with respect to the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A. As a result, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A can swing in any circumferential direction with respect to the male housing 20A (terminal housing portion 21) (see the white arrow in FIG. 11).

[0039] Furthermore, in the assembled state of the male connector 1A, the rotation of the male terminal 10A around the axis with respect to the male housing 20A is restricted by the engagement between the pair of outer walls 14 of the male terminal 10A and the pair of inner walls disposed opposite to each other in the front-rear direction of the terminal housing portion 21 of the male housing 20A.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an external terminal 30A to which an electric wire 31A is connected is bolted to the lower end of the male terminal 10A of the assembled male connector 1A. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the external terminal 30A has a rectangular flat plate-like portion at its tip, and a through hole 32 is formed in this rectangular flat plate-like portion (see FIG. 7). The external terminal 30A is fastened and fixed to the male terminal 10A in a direction in which its substrate side extends leftward by screwing a bolt 40A inserted into the through hole 32 into the bolt hole 17 of the male terminal 10A (see FIG. 7). The male connector 1A has been described above.

[0041] Next, the female connector 1B will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the female connector 1B includes a female terminal 10B and a female housing 20B that houses the female terminal 10B. As described above, the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B have the same structure except that the types and structures of the built-in terminals (male terminal 10A and female terminal 10B) are different, the locking structures between the built-in terminals and the housing are different, and the vertical directions are opposite. Therefore, hereinafter, the detailed description of the female terminal 10B and the female housing 20B will be omitted except for the structure of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B and the locking structure between the female terminal 10B and the female housing 20B.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the female terminal 10B has a shape extending in the vertical direction and integrally has a base portion 11 and a contact portion 12 located below the base portion 11. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B has a hollow cylindrical shape opening downward. When the connectors are fitted (the state where the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B are completely fitted, see FIG. 1), the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A is to be inserted into the hollow portion 12e of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B. For this reason, the hollow portion 12e has a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, spring-like contacts 18 are provided on the inner wall surface 12f defining the hollow cylindrical hollow portion 12e.

[0043] The metal spring-like contact 18 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 11, similar to the spring-like contact 16 described above. A plurality of plate-like conductors 18a are arranged in the circumferential direction of the female terminal 10B, and the upper and lower ends of these conductors 18a are connected by an annular band 18b.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the base portion 11 of the female terminal 10B has a quadrangular prism shape extending in the vertical direction. As outer peripheral side walls, it includes a pair of outer walls 13 arranged parallel to each other and facing in the left-right direction, and a pair of outer walls 14 arranged parallel to each other and facing in the front-back direction. A portion corresponding to the flange portion 15 of the male terminal 10A is not provided on the base portion 11 of the female terminal 10B (see FIG. 2). Further, a portion corresponding to the pair of locking pieces 23 (pair of protrusions 24) provided on the male housing 20A is not provided on the female housing 20B. Instead of these, press-fit protrusions 25 are formed on each of the four inner walls defining the quadrangular prism-shaped terminal accommodation chamber of the terminal accommodation portion 21 of the female housing 20B (see FIG. 7). The female terminal 10B is fixed to the female housing 20B by press-fitting the base portion 11 into the terminal accommodation portion 21 so that the four outer wall surfaces of the base portion 11 having a substantially quadrangular prism shape are respectively pressed into contact with the corresponding press-fit protrusions 25 (see FIG. 7).

[0045] Even in the assembled female connector 1B, similar to the male connector 1A, rotation of the female terminal 10B around the axis with respect to the female housing 20B is restricted by the engagement of a pair of outer walls 14 of the female terminal 10B, a pair of inner walls disposed opposite in the front-rear direction of the terminal accommodating portion 21 of the female housing 20B, and a pair of outer walls 13 of the female terminal 10B and a pair of inner walls disposed opposite in the left-right direction of the terminal accommodating portion 21 of the female housing 20B.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an external terminal 30B to which an electric wire 31B is connected is bolted to the upper end of the female terminal 10B of the connector 1B whose assembly is completed. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the external terminal 30B has a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion at its tip, and a through hole 32 is formed in this rectangular flat plate-shaped portion (see FIG. 7). The external terminal 30B is fastened and fixed to the female terminal 10B in a direction in which its substrate side extends to the right by screwing a bolt 40B inserted into the through hole 32 into a bolt hole 17 (see FIG. 7) of the female terminal 10B. The above describes the female connector 1B.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, the male connector 1A to which the external terminal 30A is connected and the female connector 1B to which the external terminal 30B is fastened are fitted such that the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A is inserted into the hollow portion 12e of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B and the fitting portion 22 of the male housing 20A is inserted into the fitting portion 22 of the female housing 20B. Thereby, the connector unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained.

[0048] When the connectors are fitted (a state where the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B are completely fitted, see FIG. 1), as shown in FIG. 7, the spring-like contact 18 provided on the inner wall surface 12f of the hollow portion 12e of the female terminal 10B is elastically pressed and clamped in the radial direction between the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A and the inner wall surface 12f of the contact portion 12 of the female terminal 10B, whereby the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B are electrically connected. As a result, the external terminal 30A (i.e., the electric wire 31A) and the external terminal 30B (i.e., the electric wire 31B) are electrically connected via the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B.

[0049] When the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B are connected, even if the female terminal 10B approaches the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A in an inclined state, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A swings while elastically deforming the spring-like contact 16 according to the inclination of the female terminal 10B (see the white arrows in FIGS. 11 and 12), so that the posture of the contact portion 12 (that is, the male terminal 10A) can be maintained in a posture suitable for connection with the female terminal 10B. As a result, the force (that is, the insertion force) required for fitting the male connector 1A and the female connector 1B can be reduced.

[0050] When separating the fitted male connector 1A and female connector 1B, if the female terminal 10B is inclined with respect to the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A, the inner wall surface 12f of the hollow portion 12e of the female terminal 10B may be caught by the lower end portion (the outermost diameter portion) of the protective cap 19. Due to this catching, an increase in the working force required for separating the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B, or an unintentional detachment of the protective cap 19 may occur. In this regard, in the connector unit 2, by the same mechanism as described above, the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A swings according to the inclination of the female terminal 10B, so that the posture of the contact portion 12 (that is, the male terminal 10A) can be maintained in a posture suitable for connection with respect to the inclination of the female terminal 10B and the like. As a result, the occurrence of such problems can be suppressed.

[0051] <Function and Effect> As described above, according to the male connector 1A according to the present embodiment, the male terminal 10A has a contact portion 12 which is a contact with the female terminal 10B, and a base portion 11 which is connected to the contact portion 12 in the axial direction of the male terminal 10A. The contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 are separate members, and are connected via a joint structure that connects them so that one of the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 can swing relative to the other, and are conductively connected to each other by the spring-like contact 16. Therefore, when the external terminal 30A is bolted to the bolt hole 17 provided in the base portion 11, even if the base portion 11 receiving the fastening force is strongly pressed against the inner wall of the terminal housing portion 21 of the male housing 20A and becomes immovable relative to the male housing 20A, due to the function of the joint structure, the contact portion 12 can be displaced so as to swing. Thus, when connecting the contact portion 12 and the female terminal 10B, even if the hollow cylindrical female terminal 10B approaches the contact portion 12 in an inclined state, the contact portion 12 can swing according to the inclination of the female terminal 10B, so that the posture of the contact portion 12 can be maintained in a posture suitable for connection. Thereby, the force (i.e., insertion force) required for connecting the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B can be reduced. In this way, according to the male connector 1A according to the present embodiment, even if the external terminal 30A is directly bolted to the male terminal 10A, the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B can be easily inserted and removed. Therefore, the male connector 1A according to the present embodiment can improve the workability when connecting the female terminal 10B to the male terminal 10A. It should be noted that the same effect will be exhibited when separating the connected terminals from each other.

[0052] Furthermore, when separating the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B, when the female terminal 10B is inclined or the like, the female terminal 10B may be caught by the outer peripheral end portion of the protective cap 19. Due to this catching, an increase in the working force required for separating the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B from each other, or an unintentional detachment of the protective cap 19 may occur. On the other hand, since the male connector 1A according to the present embodiment can maintain the posture of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A in a posture suitable for insertion and removal with respect to the inclination of the female terminal 10B or the like, the occurrence of such problems can be suppressed.

[0053] Furthermore, the spring-like contact 16 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged to surround the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 such that the inside of the cylinder of the spring-like contact 16 elastically contacts both the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11. Therefore, even if the contact portion 12 swings with respect to the base portion 11, the spring-like contact 16 elastically deforms, maintaining the state in which the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 are conductively connected.

[0054] Furthermore, the spring-like contact 16 is sandwiched by the radially inner groove inner surface 11bb and the radially outer groove inner surface 11ba of the groove portion 11b of the base portion 11, and the spring-like contact 16 elastically contacts both of these contacts. Therefore, even when the contact portion 12 swings with respect to the base portion 11, the spring-like contact 16 is suppressed from separating from the base portion 11, and the state in which the base portion 11 and the spring-like contact 16 are conductively connected can be maintained more appropriately.

[0055] Furthermore, the contact portion 12 has an annular groove portion 12b on the outer peripheral surface 12a of the contact portion 12 with which the spring-like contact 16 engages. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the spring-like contact 16 from unintentionally coming off from the contact portion 12 (i.e., the male terminal 10A) when the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B are inserted and removed.

[0056] Furthermore, the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 are connected via a ball bearing-like structure having a spherical joint portion 12h and a concave bearing portion 11a, and the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 are in contact with each other's end faces 12g and 11c in the axial direction. Furthermore, a gap h with a predetermined interval is provided between the joint portion 12h and the bearing portion 11a. Therefore, when the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B are connected, even if an external force in the axial direction (downward in the figure) is exerted on the contact portion 12 from the female terminal 10B, the contact between the contact portion 12 and the base portion 11 can resist the external force. Furthermore, even if an external force inclined with respect to the axial direction is exerted on the contact portion 12, the contact portion 12 can swing so as to tilt by the amount of the gap h between the joint portion 12h and the bearing portion 11a, thereby keeping the posture of the contact portion 12 in a posture suitable for connection. In addition, when disconnecting the connection between the male terminal 10A and the female terminal 10B, even if an external force in the axial direction (upward in the figure) is exerted on the contact portion 12 from the female terminal 10B, the engagement between the joint portion 12h and the bearing portion 11a can resist the external force.

[0057] <Other embodiments> Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the material, shape, dimensions, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as the present invention can be achieved, and are not limited.

[0058] For example, in the above embodiment, a concave bearing portion 11a is provided at the upper end of the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A, and a spherical joint portion 12h is provided at the lower end of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A. The base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A are connected by the engagement of the bearing portion 11a and the joint portion 12h. In contrast, a spherical joint portion may be provided at the upper end of the base portion 11 of the male terminal 10A, a concave bearing portion may be provided at the lower end of the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A, and the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A may be connected by the engagement of the bearing portion and the joint portion.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a spring-like contact 16 having a structure in which a plurality of plate-like conductors 16a are connected by an annular band 16b is mounted on the male terminal 10A as a conductive member. In contrast, the conductive member mounted on the male terminal 10A may be any member that can achieve electrical connection between the base portion 11 and the contact portion 12 of the male terminal 10A, and does not necessarily have to be the spring-like contact 16 shown in the embodiment.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the male terminal 10A has a cylindrical shape, and the female terminal 10B has a hollow cylindrical shape having an inner portion within the cylinder. In contrast, the male terminal 10A only needs to have a rod-like shape, and for example, may have a polygonal prism shape. When the male terminal 10A has a polygonal prism shape, the female terminal 10B only needs to have a hollow cylindrical shape having an inner surface of a polygonal cylindrical shape corresponding to the outer peripheral shape of the male terminal 10A.

[0061] Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the connector 1A according to the present invention are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [5].

[0062] [1] A connector (1A) including a rod-shaped terminal (10A) and a housing (20A) that houses the terminal (10A) therein, wherein the terminal (10A) has a first contact portion (12) that can be electrically connected to a mating terminal (10B), a second contact portion (11) that is connected to the first contact portion (12) so as to be aligned with the first contact portion (12) in the axial direction of the terminal (10A) and has a hole portion (17) into which a bolt (40A) can be screwed, and a conductive member (16) that electrically connects the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11), wherein the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11) are separate members from each other, and are connected via a joint structure (12f, 11a) that connects them so that one of the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11) can swing relative to the other, connector (1A).

[0063] According to the connector having the configuration of [1] above, the rod-shaped terminal has a first contact portion that is a contact with the mating terminal, and a second contact portion that is connected to the first contact portion in the axial direction of the terminal. The first contact portion and the second contact portion are separate members, and are connected via a joint structure that connects them so that one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion can swing relative to the other, and are conductively connected to each other by a conductive member. Therefore, when the external terminal is bolted to the hole provided in the second contact portion, even if the second contact portion receiving the fastening force is strongly pressed against the inner wall of the housing and becomes immovable relative to the housing, the first contact portion can be displaced so as to swing by the action of the joint structure. Thus, when connecting the first contact portion and the mating terminal, even if the mating terminal (for example, the hollow cylindrical female terminal described above) approaches the first contact portion in an inclined state, the first contact portion swings according to the inclination, so that the posture of the first contact portion can be maintained in a posture suitable for connection. Thereby, the force required for connecting the terminals (that is, the insertion force) can be reduced. As described above, according to the connector of the present invention, even if the external terminal is directly bolted to the rod-shaped terminal, the insertion and extraction of the rod-shaped terminal and the mating terminal can be easily performed. Therefore, the connector of this configuration can improve the workability when connecting the mating terminal to the rod-shaped terminal. Note that the same effect is exhibited also when separating the connected terminals from each other.

[0064] Furthermore, the connector with the above configuration has other effects. Specifically, a tip cover (so-called protective cap) may be attached to the tip of the first contact portion of the terminal to prevent the tip from contacting the fingers of the operator or surrounding components. The tip cover usually has a shape such that the outer peripheral end of the tip cover is slightly outside the outer peripheral end of the tip of the first contact portion, or the outer peripheral ends of both are substantially in the same position, in order to exhibit such a protective function. That is, the tip cover entirely covers the tip of the first contact portion. However, due to such a shape of the tip cover, when separating the terminal from the mating terminal, if the mating terminal is tilted, etc., the mating terminal may get caught on the outer peripheral end of the tip cover. This catching may cause an increase in the working force required for separating the terminals and an unintended detachment of the tip cover. On the other hand, the connector of the present invention can keep the posture of the rod-shaped terminal suitable for insertion and extraction with respect to the tilt of the mating terminal, etc., so that such problems can be suppressed.

[0065] [2] In the connector (1A) described in the above [1], The conductive member (16) has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged to surround the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11) around the axis so that the inside of the cylinder inside the conductive member (16) elastically contacts both the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11). Connector (1A).

[0066] According to the connector having the configuration of the above [2], the conductive member has a cylindrical shape and is arranged to surround the first contact portion and the second contact portion so that the inside of the cylinder of the conductive member elastically contacts both the first contact portion and the second contact portion. Therefore, even if the first contact portion swings with respect to the second contact portion, the elastic deformation of the conductive member maintains the state where the first contact portion and the second contact portion are conductively connected.

[0067] [3] In the connector (1A) described in the above [2], The second contact portion (11) is provided with an inner cylinder contact point (11bb) that elastically contacts the inside of the cylinder of the conductive member (16) and an outer cylinder contact point (11ba) that elastically contacts the outside of the cylinder in the radial direction of the conductive member (16), and the conductive member (16) is sandwiched between the inner cylinder contact point (11bb) and the outer cylinder contact point (11ba). Connector (1A).

[0068] According to the connector having the configuration of [3] above, the conductive member is sandwiched between the inner cylinder contact point and the outer cylinder contact point of the second contact portion, and the conductive member elastically contacts both of these contact points. Therefore, even when the first contact portion swings with respect to the second contact portion, the conductive member is suppressed from separating from the second contact portion, and the state in which the second contact portion and the conductive member are conductively connected can be maintained more appropriately.

[0069] [4] In the connector according to any one of [1] to [3] above, the first contact portion (12) is provided with an uneven portion (12b) with which the conductive member (16) engages on the outer peripheral surface (12a) of the first contact portion (12). Connector (1A).

[0070] According to the connector having the configuration of [4] above, the first contact portion has an uneven portion with which the conductive member engages on the outer peripheral surface of the first contact portion. Thereby, when inserting and removing the rod-shaped terminal and the mating terminal, etc., it is possible to prevent the conductive member from unintentionally coming out of the first contact portion (i.e., the rod-shaped terminal).

[0071] [5] In the connector (1A) according to any one of [1] to [4] above, the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11) are connected in a state where their surfaces (12g, 11c) are abutted against each other in the axial direction, and the joint structure is A spherical joint portion (12h) protruding from the surface (12g) of one (12) of the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11), and provided on the surface (11c) of the other (11) of the first contact portion (12) and the second contact portion (11) A concave bearing portion (11a) for receiving the joint portion (12h), In a state where the surfaces (12g, 11c) are abutted against each other, there is a gap (h) having an interval only allowing the rocking between the outer surface of the joint portion (12h) and the groove inner surface of the bearing portion (11a). Connector (1A).

[0072] According to the connector having the configuration of [5] above, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are connected via a ball bearing-like structure having a spherical joint portion and a concave bearing portion, and the first contact portion and the second contact portion are axially connected in a state where their surfaces are in contact with each other. Further, a gap having a predetermined interval is provided between the joint portion and the bearing portion. Therefore, when connecting the rod-shaped terminal and the mating terminal, even if an external force in a direction pressing the first contact portion in the axial direction is exerted from the mating terminal to the first contact portion, the contact between the first contact portion and the second contact portion can resist the external force. Further, even if an external force inclined with respect to the axial direction is exerted on the first contact portion, the first contact portion can swing so as to incline by the amount of the gap between the joint portion and the bearing portion, and the posture of the first contact portion can be maintained in a posture suitable for connection. In addition, when disconnecting the connection between the rod-shaped terminal and the mating terminal, even if an external force in a direction pulling out the first contact portion in the axial direction is exerted from the mating terminal to the first contact portion, the engagement between the joint portion and the bearing portion can resist the external force.

Explanation of Signs

[0073] 1A Male connector (connector) 10A Male terminal (terminal) 10B Female terminal (mating terminal) 11 Base (second contact portion) 11a Bearing portion 11ba Radial outer groove inner surface (outer cylinder contact) 11bb Radial inner groove inner surface (inner cylinder contact) 11c Upper end surface (surface) 12 Contact part (first contact part) 12a Outer peripheral surface 12b Annular groove part (concave-convex part) 12g Lower end surface (surface) 12h Joint part 16 Spring-like contact (conductive member) 17 Bolt hole (hole part) 20A Male housing (housing) 40A Bolt h Gap

Claims

1. A connector comprising a rod-shaped terminal and a housing for accommodating the terminal therein, wherein the terminal has a first contact portion electrically connectable to a mating terminal, a second contact portion connected to the first contact portion so as to be aligned with the first contact portion in the axial direction of the terminal and having a hole into which a bolt can be screwed, and a conductive member for conductively connecting the first contact portion and the second contact portion, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are separate members from each other and are connected via a joint structure that connects them such that one of the first contact portion and the second contact portion is swingable with respect to the other, connector.

2. In the connector according to claim 1, the conductive member has a cylindrical shape and is arranged so as to surround the first contact portion and the second contact portion around the axis such that the inside of the cylinder, which is radially inside the conductive member, elastically contacts both the first contact portion and the second contact portion, connector.

3. In the connector according to claim 2, the second contact portion has an inner cylinder contact portion elastically contacted by the inside of the cylinder of the conductive member and an outer cylinder contact portion elastically contacted by the outside of the cylinder, which is radially outside the conductive member, and sandwiches the conductive member between the inner cylinder contact portion and the outer cylinder contact portion, connector.

4. In the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the first contact portion has an uneven portion on the outer peripheral surface of the first contact portion with which the conductive member engages, connector.

5. In the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the first contact portion and the second contact portion Connected in a state where their surfaces face each other in the axial direction, The joint structure is, a spherical joint portion protruding from one of the surfaces of the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and a concave bearing portion provided on the other surface of the first contact portion and the second contact portion for receiving the joint portion, In a state where the surfaces face each other, there is a gap with a space that allows only the rocking between the outer surface of the joint portion and the groove inner surface of the bearing portion, Connector.

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