Female terminal, connector, wire with terminal, wire with connector, and wire harness

Abstract

To provide a female terminal, a connector, an electric wire with a terminal, an electric wire with a connector, and a wire harness capable of welding between side walls of a base part and a connection plate of a spring member with certainty and preventing breakage of such a welding part, and by extension of securing excellent conductivity.SOLUTION: A female terminal 10 has a terminal main body 13 consisting of a base part 20 connected with an electric wire 3 and a spring member 30 attached to the base part 20. The base part 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval into which a male terminal 5 can be inserted. The spring member 30 has: an extension plate (inner plate 31) provided along the one-side side wall 21; and an arm spring 35 extending from the extension plate (inner plate 31) toward the other-side side wall 21. The side walls 21 and the extension plate (inner plate 31) are welded via a contact part 36 making them abut on each other. The extension plate (inner plate 31) is provided with a locking part 37 for locking between the side walls 21 and the extension plate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to female terminals, connectors, electric wires with terminals, electric wires with connectors, and wire harnesses for electric circuits through which a large current flows.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, electrical equipment has constituted an electrical circuit by connecting an electric motor device and a power supply device with a wire harness. The wire harness and the electric motor device, and the wire harness and the power supply device are connected to each other via connectors attached thereto.

[0003] For example, the connector shown in Patent Document 1 houses a female terminal in a connector housing. Such a female terminal has a terminal body constituted by a base portion and a spring member, and a plate extending along the spring member is provided along a pair of side walls constituting the base portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, in an electrical circuit such as a drive system in an automobile, since a large current flows, it is conceivable to weld the side wall and the plate extending along the side wall in order to ensure good conductivity. However, when the spring member is formed of a thick plate material in order to ensure better conductivity, the flexibility of the spring member decreases, so that a gap may be generated between the spring member and the side wall due to a slight strain or the like, and the welding may become uncertain. Further, when a male terminal is inserted and the arm spring is pushed, and a load acts on the plate extending along the side wall, the load may concentrate on the welded portion due to deformation or displacement of the plate extending along the side wall, and the welded portion may be damaged.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a female terminal, a connector, a wire with a terminal, a wire with a connector, and a wire harness that can reliably weld the side wall of the base portion and the extending plate of the spring member, prevent damage to the welded portion, and thus ensure good electrical conductivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In the present invention, a terminal body is provided with a base portion connected to a wire and a spring member attached to the base portion. The base portion has a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined interval into which a male terminal can be inserted. The spring member has an extending plate arranged along one of the side walls and an arm spring extending from the extending plate toward the other side wall. The side wall and the extending plate are welded via a contact portion where they contact each other. The contact portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal. On the end face of the side wall in the perpendicular direction, there is provided a recessed portion which is a concave groove with a part being recessed. On the extending plate, there is provided a locking portion extending from the extending plate and passing through the recessed portion. The arm spring is arranged on one side of the insertion direction with respect to the contact portion, and the locking portion is arranged on the other side of the insertion direction. It is a female terminal. Both End face of each is provided with a recessed portion which is a concave groove with a part being recessed. On the extending plate, there is provided a locking portion extending from the extending plate and passing through the recessed portion. , on both sides in the direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned installed plate is provided. The locking portion fits into the recessed portion, and its tip is bent and hooked on the outer surface of the side wall, The arm spring is arranged on one side of the insertion direction with respect to the contact portion, and the locking portion is arranged on the other side of the insertion direction. , at least in a state where the male terminal is inserted, the base portion of the arm spring abuts against the side wall, and the distance from the contact portion to the end portion on the other side in the insertion direction at the locking portion is set to be longer than the distance from the contact portion to the base portion of the arm spring It is a female terminal.

[0008] The present invention also includes a connector provided with the aforementioned female terminal and a connector housing for housing the female terminal, and a wire with a terminal provided with the aforementioned female terminal and the wire connected to the base portion of the female terminal.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention includes a wire with a connector provided with the aforementioned wire with a terminal and a connector housing for housing the wire with a terminal, and a wire harness provided with at least one of the aforementioned wire with a terminal and the aforementioned wire with a connector.

[0010] Note that one side of the insertion direction in the present invention means the upstream side or the downstream side of the insertion direction. Also, the other side of the insertion direction in the present invention means the side opposite to one side.

[0011] According to this invention, the side wall of the base portion and the extending plate of the spring member can be reliably welded, damage to such a welded portion can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. Specifically, in the female terminal and the like according to the present invention, a contact portion is provided so that the side wall and the extending plate are in contact with each other without a gap, and further, a locking portion is provided so that the state of being in contact without a gap can be maintained. Therefore, even when welding heat is applied, no gap is generated, and further, the welding heat is evenly transmitted from the extending plate to the side wall to form an appropriate melting region, so that the occurrence of welding defects due to the gap can be prevented. Also, when the male terminal is inserted, even if the arm spring is pushed and a load acts on the extending plate, the deformation and displacement of the extending plate are suppressed by the locking portion that locks the side wall and the extending plate, so that the load can be prevented from concentrating on the welded portion. Therefore, the side wall of the base portion and the extending plate of the spring member can be reliably welded, damage to such a welded portion can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured.

[0012] Also, the contact portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal, the arm spring is disposed on one side of the insertion direction with respect to the contact portion, and the locking portion is disposed on the other side of the insertion direction.

[0013] Therefore, even when the arm spring is pushed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load that pushes outward acts on one side portion of the extending plate, the operation of pushing the other side portion of the extending plate inward can be restricted by the rotational force (moment) centered on the contact portion by the locking portion. As a result, the deformation and displacement of the extending plate are suppressed, so that the load can be prevented from concentrating on the welded portion. Therefore, damage to the welded portion between the side wall of the base portion and the extending plate of the spring member can be prevented, and good electrical conductivity can be ensured.

[0014] In addition, the locking portion is configured to extend from the longitudinally provided plate and lock to the back surface of the side wall, and a recessed portion through which the locking portion passes is provided on the peripheral end surface of the side wall. Therefore, since the locking portion provided on the longitudinally provided plate also locks to the side surface of the recessed portion, for example, it is possible to prevent the spring member from shifting due to the detachment or the like of the male terminal. Further, since the locking portion fits into the peripheral end surface of the side wall, it is possible to prevent problems such as the locking portion being caught and bent when fixing such a female terminal to a connector housing or the like.

[0015] Also, at least in a state where the male terminal is inserted, the base portion of the arm spring abuts against the side wall. Note that the base portion of the arm spring in the present invention refers to the boundary portion between the installed plate and the arm spring extending from this installed plate.

[0016] Therefore, even when the arm spring is pushed by the insertion of the male terminal and a load that pushes outward acts on one side portion of the installed plate, the base portion of the arm spring abuts against the side wall and does not displace. Thus, deformation and displacement in the other side portion of the installed plate are suppressed compared to such a base portion. This can prevent the load from concentrating on the welded portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the welded portion between the side wall of the base portion and the installed plate of the spring member and ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0017] As an aspect of the present invention, the contact portion may be a convex portion protruding toward the side of the side wall provided on the longitudinally provided plate or a convex portion protruding toward the side of the longitudinally provided plate provided on the side wall. Note that the convex portion in the present invention refers to a locally protruding portion provided on the side wall or the longitudinally provided plate. However, the shape thereof is not limited.

[0018] According to the present invention, when the contact portion is provided on the longitudinally provided plate, the apex portion of the contact portion contacts the side wall, so that no gap is generated between them. That is, no gap is generated between the side wall and the longitudinally provided plate. When the contact portion is provided on the side wall, the apex portion of the contact portion contacts the longitudinally provided plate, so that no gap is generated between them. That is, no gap is generated between the side wall and the longitudinally provided plate. Therefore, the side wall of the base portion and the longitudinally provided plate of the spring member can be reliably welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0019] In addition, since the contact portion is a convex portion, the heat capacity at the apex portion thereof is reduced. Then, during welding, the welding heat is transmitted from the inner plate 31 to the side wall without dissipating, and an appropriate melting region is formed. Therefore, the side wall of the base portion and the longitudinally provided plate of the spring member can be reliably welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0020] As an aspect of the present invention, a concave portion into which the abutting portion fits may be provided at a position facing the abutting portion. Note that, in the present invention, the position facing the abutting portion means the opposing position on the side wall when the abutting portion is provided on the extending plate, and the opposing position on the extending plate when the abutting portion is provided on the side wall. Further, the concave portion in the present invention refers to a locally recessed portion provided on the side wall or the extending plate. However, the shape thereof is not limited.

[0021] According to the present invention, since the concave portion fits into the convex portion which is the abutting portion, the function of positioning the spring member with respect to the base portion can be ensured. Further, since the convex portion enters the concave portion, the gap generated between them can be filled. That is, no gap is generated between the side wall and the extending plate. Therefore, the side wall of the base portion and the extending plate of the spring member can be surely welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0022] In addition, when the outer surface of the convex portion and the inner surface of the concave portion come into contact (surface contact) due to the fitting of the convex portion which is the abutting portion and the concave portion, a wide contact area can be ensured. Therefore, the electrical resistance in these terminals can be surely kept low. Such a structure can be said to be a structure particularly suitable for an electric circuit through which a large current flows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] One embodiment of this invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing the connector 1. In FIG. 1, the connector housing 4 that houses the female terminal 10 is represented by a dashed line.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female terminal 10. FIG. 4 is a front view of the female terminal 10, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the female terminal 10, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the female terminal 10. Also, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 6. Furthermore, FIG. 9 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the female terminal 10, and FIG. 10 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the state where the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10. And FIG. 11 is an assembly explanatory drawing of the female terminal 10.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector 1 is attached to the tip portion of the electric wire 3 that constitutes the wire harness 2. The connector 1 houses two female terminals 10 in parallel in the connector housing 4.

[0027] The wire harness 2 is constituted by bundling a plurality of electric wires 3. The electric wire 3 is formed by covering the core wire 3a, which is a conductor, with an insulating coating 3b, and the core wire 3a exposed at the tip portion thereof is connected to the base portion 20 of the female terminal 10.

[0028] The connector housing 4 has a wire insertion portion 41 through which the wire 3 is inserted and a terminal accommodation portion 42 that accommodates the female terminal 10. The accommodation space 4S in which the female terminal 10 is accommodated is opened in a substantially rectangular shape, and a protruding portion of the connector housing that accommodates the male terminal 5 (see FIG. 10) is fitted into this opening. At that time, the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10, and the terminals are electrically connected to each other.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, the female terminal 10 is composed of a wire connection portion 11 and a terminal connection portion 12. The wire connection portion 11 and the terminal connection portion 12 are provided in series on the extension line of the wire 3. In the present application, such a direction will be described as the longitudinal direction L. Further, the direction along the side surface of the male terminal 5 (see FIG. 10) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is defined as the height direction H, and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and the height direction H will be described as the width direction W.

[0030] The wire connection portion 11 is provided with a connection plate 111 perpendicular to the width direction W. The connection plate 111 is a portion where the core wire 3a exposed at the tip of the wire 3 is connected. The connection of the core wire 3a is performed by, for example, ultrasonic bonding technology, but is not limited thereto.

[0031] The terminal connection portion 12 is provided with a terminal body 13 that is electrically connected to the male terminal 5. In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, the terminal body 13 is composed of a base portion 20 integrally formed including the wire connection portion 11 and a spring member 30 attached to the base portion 20. Hereinafter, the base portion 20 and the spring member 30 will be described in detail.

[0032] The base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval into which the male terminal 5 can be inserted. More specifically, the base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 spaced apart by a predetermined interval perpendicular to the width direction W. Further, the base portion 20 has a bottom wall 22 connecting the lower end portions of the respective side walls 21. Therefore, the base portion 20 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section when viewed from the longitudinal direction L (see FIG. 6).

[0033] Further, one side wall 21 of the base portion 20 is formed by extending the connection plate 111 in the longitudinal direction L. The other side wall 21 is formed by bending a plate material (the base material of the base portion 20) at a predetermined interval from the one side wall 21 and parallel to the one side wall 21. Note that the one side wall 21 is provided with recessed portions 27 which are concave grooves on its upper end surface 21c and lower end surface 21d (see FIG. 2). Since the length of the other side wall 21 in the longitudinal direction L is short, the contact portion 36 described later is exposed when viewed from the width direction W (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0034] Thus, the base portion 20 is formed by being cut out from a plate material (the base material of the base portion 20) having conductivity such as a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy and being bent. The base portion 20 is not limited to being not subjected to plating treatment on its surface. Therefore, it may be subjected to plating treatment such as silver plating or tin plating to improve conductivity on its surface. Alternatively, it may be partially plated. What is partially plated may be, for example, a case where plating treatment is performed on one surface of the wire connection portion 11 or the terminal connection portion 12. Alternatively, a case where plating treatment is performed only on the wire connection portion 11 or a case where plating treatment is performed only on the terminal connection portion 12 is conceivable.

[0035] The spring member 30 has an inner plate 31 provided along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 in a state of being arranged at a predetermined position. The inner plate 31 extends in the height direction H along the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from the inner plate 31 toward the opposing side wall 21 (see FIG. 7). These arm springs 35 all have the same shape. Specifically, they obliquely extend so as to approach the opposing side wall 21 when viewed from the height direction H, and a part including their tip portions is folded back (see FIG. 8). Note that in each arm spring 35, the boundary portion with the inner plate 31 is taken as the base point portion Pb, and the contact portion with the male terminal 5 inserted inside the female terminal 10 is taken as the contact point portion Pc (see FIG. 10).

[0036] Also, on the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30, a contact portion 36 is provided from the upper edge portion to the lower edge portion at the central portion in the longitudinal direction L. More specifically, a contact portion 36 that protrudes toward the inner surface 21a side of the side wall 21 is provided from the upper edge portion to the lower edge portion at the central portion in the longitudinal direction L. The contact portion 36 is provided along the height direction H that is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal 5, and its cross-sectional shape is an arc shape that protrudes outward in the width direction W. Therefore, the apex portion of the contact portion 36 contacts (line contact) the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21. Then, by performing welding along the contact portion 36, a welded portion Pw is formed. Note that the welded portion Pw is a straight solid line, but it may be in a dotted line state or the like.

[0037] Furthermore, on the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30, locking portions 37 are provided at the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the proximal end side portion 31R in the longitudinal direction L. More specifically, locking portions 37 are provided at the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the proximal end side portion 31R, which is the opposite side of the distal end side portion 31T where the arm spring 35 extends. The locking portion 37 at the upper edge portion extends along the width direction W, and the tip portion bent downward is caught by the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. The locking portion 37 at the lower edge portion extends along the width direction W, and the tip portion bent upward is caught by the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21. Note that these locking portions 37 are accommodated in the recessed portion 27 provided in the side wall 21 except for their respective tip portions.

[0038] With such a configuration, when the male terminal 5 is inserted and the arm spring 35 is pushed, and a load F that pushes the tip-side portion 31T of the inner plate 31 outward acts (see Fig. 10), the base-end side portion 31R of the inner plate 31 tends to be pushed inward by a rotational force (moment M) centered on the contact portion 36. However, such an operation can be restricted by the locking portion 37. In this regard, when the distance from the contact portion 36 of the inner plate 31 to the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 is L1, and the distance from the contact portion 36 of the inner plate 31 to the outermost locking end of the locking portion 37 is L2, it is configured such that the relationship L1 < L2 holds. With such a configuration, the operation of the base-end side portion 31R of the inner plate 31 being pushed inward can be restricted with a margin. As a result, deformation and displacement of the inner plate 31 can be suppressed.

[0039] In addition, in the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, although the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 is positioned with a slight gap with respect to the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21, in a state where the male terminal 5 is inserted inside the female terminal 10, it is designed such that the base point portion Pb contacts the inner side surface 21a (see Figs. 9 and 10). For this reason, when the arm spring 35 is pushed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 and a load F that pushes the tip-side portion 31T of the inner plate 31 outward acts, the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 contacts the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21 at an early stage and no longer displaces. Therefore, deformation and displacement in the base-end side portion 31R of the inner plate 31 with respect to such a base point portion Pb are suppressed. Further, since the reaction force from the side wall 21 acts on the arm spring 35 via the base point portion Pb, it becomes possible to bring the contact portion Pc of the arm spring 35 into close contact with the side surface of the male terminal 5.

[0040] Incidentally, as shown in Fig. 11, the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment is assembled as follows. That is, the spring member 30 is disposed at a predetermined position on one side wall 21 (see Fig. 11(a)), the locking portion 37 is bent and locked to each other in a state where the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the contact portion 36 of the inner plate 31 are in contact (see Fig. 11(b)), and the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21 and the contact portion 36 of the inner plate 31 are welded using a laser welding machine W via this contact portion 36 for assembly (see Fig. 11(c)).

[0041] In the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, a contact portion 36 is provided on the inner plate 31, and the apex portion of the contact portion 36 is in contact with the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21 without a gap, so that these can be reliably welded.

[0042] Further, in the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, a concave portion 38 into which the contact portion 36 is fitted may be provided at a position facing the contact portion 36 on the side wall 21 (see FIGS. 11(a) to (C)). The concave portion 38 is a recess formed along the height direction H on the inner side surface 21a of the side wall 21. Specifically, it is a recess having an arcuate cross-sectional shape formed by transferring the shape of the convex portion which is the contact portion 36. With such a configuration, when the spring member 30 is disposed at a predetermined position on the side wall 21, the convex portion (contact portion 36) and the concave portion 38 are fitted, and further, the outer side surface of the convex portion (contact portion 36) and the inner side surface of the concave portion 38 are in contact (surface contact), so that a wide contact area can be ensured.

[0043] As described above, the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment is provided with a terminal body 13 including a base portion 20 connected to the electric wire 3 and a spring member 30 attached to the base portion 20. The base portion 20 has a pair of side walls 21 arranged at a predetermined interval into which the male terminal 5 can be inserted, and the spring member 30 has an inner plate 31 provided along one side wall 21 and an arm spring 35 extending from the inner plate 31 toward the other side wall 21. The side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 are welded via a contact portion 36 where they contact each other, and the inner plate 31 is provided with a locking portion 37 for locking the side wall 21.

[0044] According to such a female terminal 10, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured.

[0045] Specifically, in the female terminal 10 according to the invention of the present application, a contact portion 36 is provided such that the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 are in contact without a gap, and further, a locking portion 37 is provided so as to maintain the state of being in contact without a gap. Therefore, even when welding heat is applied, no gap is generated, and furthermore, since the welding heat is evenly transmitted from the inner plate 31 to the side wall 21 to form an appropriate penetration region, the occurrence of welding defects due to the gap can be prevented. Also, when the male terminal 5 is inserted, even if the arm spring 35 is pushed and a load F acts on the inner plate 31, the deformation and displacement of the inner plate 31 are suppressed by the locking portion 37 that locks the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31, so that the load can be prevented from concentrating on the welding portion Pw. Therefore, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded, and breakage of such a welding portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured.

[0046] Also, in such a female terminal 10, the contact portion 36 is a convex portion that protrudes toward the side wall 21 provided on the inner plate 31. Such a convex portion is formed by bending the inner plate 31, and its cross-sectional shape is an arc shape protruding outward in the width direction W.

[0047] According to such a female terminal 10, since the contact portion 36 is provided on the inner plate 31 and the apex portion of the contact portion 36 contacts the side wall 21, no gap is generated between them. That is, no gap is generated between the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31. Therefore, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0048] In addition, since the contact portion 36 is a convex portion, the heat capacity at the apex portion thereof becomes small. Then, during welding, the welding heat is transmitted from the inner plate 31 to the side wall 21 without dissipation to form an appropriate penetration region. Therefore, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0049] Also, in such a female terminal 10, a concave portion 38 into which the contact portion 36 fits may be provided at a position facing the contact portion 36. The position facing the contact portion 36 is the opposing position on the side wall 21. The concave portion 38 is a concave groove formed in the side wall 21 by cutting, and its cross-sectional shape is an arc shape sunken outward in the width direction W.

[0050] According to such a female terminal 10, since the concave portion 38 fits into the convex portion (contact portion 36) which is the contact portion 36, the function of positioning the spring member 30 with respect to the base portion 20 can be ensured. Further, since the convex portion (contact portion 36) enters the concave portion 38, the gap generated between them can be crushed. That is, no gap is generated between the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31. Therefore, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded to ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0051] In addition, by the fitting of the convex portion which is the contact portion 36 and the concave portion 38, if the outer surface of the convex portion (contact portion 36) and the inner surface of the concave portion 38 are in contact (surface contact), a wide contact area can be ensured. Therefore, the electrical resistance in these terminals can be reliably kept low. Such a structure can be said to be a structure particularly suitable for an electric circuit through which a large current flows.

[0052] Also, in such a female terminal 10, the contact portion 36 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal 5, the arm spring 35 is arranged on one side in the insertion direction with respect to the contact portion 36, and the locking portion 37 is arranged on the other side in the insertion direction. One side in the insertion direction means the upstream side in the insertion direction, and the other side in the insertion direction means the downstream side.

[0053] According to such a female terminal 10, even when the arm spring 35 is pushed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 and a load F that pushes the tip-side portion 31T of the inner plate 31 outward acts, the locking portion 37 can regulate the operation in which the base-end side portion 31R of the inner plate 31 is pushed inward by the rotational force (moment M) centered on the contact portion 36. As a result, since the deformation and displacement of the inner plate 31 are suppressed, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on the welding portion Pw. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the welding portion Pw between the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 and ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0054] Further, in such a female terminal 10, the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 abuts on the side wall 21 in a state where the male terminal 5 is inserted. The base point portion Pb refers to the boundary portion between the inner plate 31 and the arm spring 35 extending from the inner plate 31.

[0055] According to such a female terminal 10, even when the arm spring 35 is pushed by the insertion of the male terminal 5 and a load F that pushes the tip-side portion 31T of the inner plate 31 outward acts, since the base point portion Pb of the arm spring 35 abuts on the side wall 21 and does not displace, the deformation and displacement of the base-end side portion 31R of the inner plate 31 relative to such a base point portion Pb are suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on the welding portion Pw. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the welding portion Pw between the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 and ensure good electrical conductivity.

[0056] Further, in such a female terminal 10, the locking portion 37 is configured to extend from the inner plate 31 and lock to the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21, and a recessed portion 27 through which the locking portion 37 passes is provided on the upper end surface 21c and the lower end surface 21d of the side wall 21. The recessed portion 27 is a concave groove in which a part of the upper end surface 21c and the lower end surface 21d is recessed.

[0057] According to such a female terminal 10, since the locking portion 37 provided on the inner plate 31 also locks to the side surface of the recessed portion 27, for example, it is possible to prevent the spring member 30 from being displaced due to the detachment or the like of the male terminal 5. Further, since the locking portion 37 fits into the upper end surface 21c and the lower end surface 21d of the side wall 21, it is possible to prevent problems such as the locking portion 37 being caught and bent when fixing such a female terminal 10 to the connector housing 4 or the like.

[0058] In addition, in the female terminal 10 according to the present embodiment, although the side wall 21 and the inner plate 31 are welded using a laser welding machine W, welding may be performed using an arc welding machine or the like. Further, welding may be performed using a welding machine capable of ultrasonic welding, resistance welding, friction welding, or other welding. Furthermore, brazing such as soldering or brazing is also included in the concept of welding.

[0059] In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the connector of the present invention corresponds to the connector 1, Similarly hereinafter, the wire harness corresponds to the wire harness 2, the electric wire corresponds to the electric wire 3, the connector housing corresponds to the connector housing 4, the male terminal corresponds to the male terminal 5, the female terminal corresponds to the female terminal 10, the terminal body corresponds to the terminal body 13, the base portion corresponds to the base portion 20, the side wall corresponds to the side wall 21, the recessed portion corresponds to the recessed portion 27, the spring member corresponds to the spring member 30, the along - provided plate corresponds to the inner plate 31, the arm spring corresponds to the arm spring 35, the contact portion corresponds to the contact portion 36, the locking portion corresponds to the locking portion 37, the concave portion corresponds to the concave portion 38, The base point portion of the arm spring corresponds to the base point portion Pb, The present invention is not limited only to the configurations of the foregoing embodiments, and many embodiments can be obtained.

[0060] For example, in the female terminal 10 according to the foregoing embodiment, a linear contact portion 36 is provided from the upper end edge to the lower end edge of the inner plate 31. However, the contact portion 36 may be in a dotted line shape, a dot shape, or the like.

[0061] Also, in the female terminal 10 according to the foregoing embodiment, a locking portion 37 is provided in the proximal end side portion 31R in the longitudinal direction L of the inner plate 31. However, the locking portion 37 may be provided at other positions in addition to or instead of the proximal end side portion 31R.

[0062] In addition, in the female terminal 10 according to the foregoing embodiment, the spring member 30 is attached to one side wall 21. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the spring member 30 may also be attached to the other side wall 21. Such a spring member 30 has an outer plate 32 provided along the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21, and six arm springs 35 extend from a portion that wraps around the inner surface 21a of the side wall 21 toward the opposing side wall 21.

[0063] Also, the outer plate 32 of the spring member 30 is provided with a contact portion 36 that protrudes toward the outer surface 21b side of the side wall 21 from the upper end edge to the lower end edge. Further, the outer plate 32 is provided with locking portions 37 at the upper end edge and the lower end edge. That is, also in such a female terminal 10, a linear contact portion 36 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal 5, an arm spring 35 is disposed on one side of the contact portion 36, and a locking portion 37 is disposed on the other side of the contact portion 36. Specifically, the arm spring 35 is disposed on the inner surface 21a side of the side wall 21 with respect to the contact portion 36, and the locking portion 37 is disposed on the outer surface 21b side of the side wall 21.

[0064] In the female terminal 10 having such a configuration, with respect to the spring member 30 attached to the other side wall 21, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the above-described embodiment are achieved. That is, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the outer plate 32 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. In addition, the same effects can be obtained according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10.

[0065] Note that the contact portion 36 may be configured to contact not the outer surface 21b of the side wall 21 but the side end surface 21e of the side wall 21 and be welded to the side end surface 21e via the contact portion 36. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the above-described embodiment are achieved. That is, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the outer plate 32 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. In addition, the same effects can be obtained according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10.

[0066] In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the technical idea of the present invention can also be applied to a female terminal 10 in which the insertion direction of the male terminal 5 is equal to the direction along the height direction H. Also in such a female terminal 10, the contact portion 36 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal 5, the arm spring 35 is disposed on one side of the contact portion 36, and the locking portion 37 is disposed on the other side of the contact portion 36. Specifically, the arm spring 35 is disposed on the inner surface 21a side of the side wall 21 with respect to the contact portion 36, and the locking portion 37 is disposed on the outer surface 21b side of the side wall 21.

[0067] Also in the female terminal 10 having such a configuration, with respect to the spring member 30 attached to at least one side wall 21, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the above-described embodiment are achieved. That is, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the flange plate 33 of the spring member 30 can be reliably welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. In addition, the same effects can be obtained according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10.

[0068] Note that the contact portion 36 may be configured to contact not the upper end surface 21c of the side wall 21 but the outer side surface 21b of the side wall 21 and be welded to the outer side surface 21b via the contact portion 36. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the above-described embodiment can be obtained. That is, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the outer plate 32 of the spring member 30 can be surely welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. In addition, the same effects can be obtained according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10.

[0069] Finally, the invention of the present application includes the connector 1 (see FIG. 1) including the above-described female terminal 10 and the connector housing 4 that houses the female terminal 10, and the wire harness 2 (see FIG. 1) including the above-described female terminal 10 and the electric wire 3 connected to the base portion 20 of the female terminal 10.

[0070] Furthermore, the invention of the present application includes the wire harness with connector 7 (see FIG. 1) including the above-described electric wire with terminal 6 and the connector housing 4 that houses the electric wire with terminal 6, and the wire harness 2 (see FIG. 1) including at least one of the above-described electric wire with terminal 6 and the above-described wire harness with connector 7.

[0071] Also in these cases, the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 according to the invention of the present application can be obtained. That is, the side wall 21 of the base portion 20 and the inner plate 31 of the spring member 30 can be surely welded, and breakage of such a welded portion Pw can be prevented, and thus good electrical conductivity can be ensured. In addition, the same effects can be obtained according to the embodiment of the female terminal 10.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0072] 1... Connector 2... Wire harness 3... Electric wire 4... Connector housing 5... Male terminal 6... Electric wire with terminal 7... Electric wire with connector 10... Female terminal 13... Terminal body 20... Base portion 21... Side wall 27... Depressed portion 30... Spring member 31... Inner plate 35... Arm spring 36... Contact portion 37... Locking portion 38... Concave portion Pb... Base point portion

Claims

1. A base portion connected to a wire, and a spring member attached to the base portion, whereby a terminal body is provided, the base portion has a pair of side walls arranged at a predetermined interval into which a male terminal can be inserted, the spring member has a plate extending along one of the side walls and an arm spring extending from the plate toward the other side wall, the side wall and the plate are welded via a contact portion where they abut against each other, the contact portion is provided in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the male terminal, a recessed portion, which is a concave groove with a part recessed, is provided at each of both end faces of the side wall in the perpendicular direction, locking portions extending from the plate and passing through the recessed portion are provided on both sides of the plate in the perpendicular direction, the locking portions fit into the recessed portion and the tip ends thereof are bent and hooked on the outer surface of the side wall, the arm spring is arranged on one side of the insertion direction with respect to the contact portion and the locking portions are arranged on the other side of the insertion direction, at least in a state where the male terminal is inserted, a base point portion of the arm spring abuts against the side wall, set such that the distance from the contact portion to the end portion on the other side of the insertion direction at the locking portion is longer than the distance from the contact portion to the base point portion of the arm spring female terminal.

2. The contact portion is a convex portion protruding toward the side wall provided on the plate or a convex portion protruding toward the plate provided on the side wall The female terminal according to claim 1.

3. A concave portion into which the contact portion fits is provided at a position facing the contact portion The female terminal according to claim 2.

4. A connector comprising the female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a connector housing for housing the female terminal. connector.

5. A wire with a terminal comprising the female terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a wire connected to the base portion of the female terminal. wire with a terminal.

6. A wire with a connector comprising the wire with a terminal according to claim 5, and a connector housing for housing the wire with a terminal. wire with a connector.

7. A wire harness comprising at least one of the wire with a terminal according to claim 5 and the wire with a connector according to claim 6. wire harness.

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