Press-fit terminal

Abstract

To provide a press-fit terminal that can suppress damage to a board while ensuring contact load.SOLUTION: A press-fit terminal 10 includes a press-fit portion 12 that can be elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The press-fit portion 12 includes a first portion 17 located farther from the axis C than the other portions of the outer periphery in a first cross section 21 on a part of the outer periphery in the first cross section 21 along the direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The press-fit portion 12 includes a second portion 23 located away from the axis C farther from the other portions of the outer periphery in a second cross section 22 in a part of the outer periphery of the second cross section 22 along the direction orthogonal to the axial direction, which is closer to the tip 24 than the first cross section 21. The first portion 17 and the second portion 23 are arranged shifted at different positions in the circumferential direction when the press-fit portion 12 is viewed from the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to press-fit terminals.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a press-fit terminal including a press-fit portion (tip portion, introduction portion, press-fitting and holding portion, and main body portion) extending in the axial direction. The press-fit portion is elastically deformable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and is press-fitted into a through hole of a substrate. This type of press-fit terminal is also disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the press-fit portion is required to contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the substrate with a predetermined contact load. Here, if the contact load is set high, the insertion force of the press-fit terminal into the substrate increases. In particular, under conditions such as when the through hole is silver-plated or when no lubricating oil is applied to the press-fit portion, the insertion force of the press-fit terminal may exceed the allowable level and increase. When the insertion force of the press-fit terminal increases, there is a problem that the damage to the substrate becomes large.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a press-fit terminal capable of suppressing damage to a substrate while ensuring a contact load.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure includes a tapered tip portion located at the axial tip, and a press-fit portion located rearward of the tip portion in the axial direction and elastically deformable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The press-fit portion has a first portion that is located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a first cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and a second portion that is located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a second cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and closer to the tip portion than the first cross section. The first portion and the second portion are arranged offset from each other at different circumferential positions when the press-fit portion is viewed from the axial direction.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a press-fit terminal capable of suppressing damage to the substrate while ensuring the contact load.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure (1) A tapered tip portion located at the axial tip, and a press-fit portion located rearward of the tip portion in the axial direction and capable of elastic deformation in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The press-fit portion has a first portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a first cross-section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and a second portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a second cross-section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and closer to the tip portion than the first cross-section. The first portion and the second portion are displaced and arranged at different circumferential positions when the press-fit portion is viewed from the axial direction.

[0010] When the press-fit portion is inserted into the through-hole of the substrate, at the initial stage of insertion, the second portion contacts the inner peripheral surface (conductive portion) of the through-hole, and the other portions of the outer periphery of the second cross-section do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole, or can contact with a contact pressure lower than that of the second portion. At this stage, due to the action such as adhesion caused by the contact between the second portion and the substrate, the insertion force of the press-fit terminal gradually increases. At the final stage of insertion, the first part contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, and other parts on the outer periphery of the first cross section do not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, or can contact with a contact pressure lower than that of the first part. The insertion force of the second part with respect to the substrate has decreased, and other parts on the outer periphery of the first cross section are arranged in a non-contact or low-contact state on the inner periphery of the through hole. Further, the first part begins to contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. Here, the insertion force of the press-fit terminal can be lowered once. At the stage where the insertion of the press-fit part further proceeds, the first part continuously contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole. Due to the action such as adhesion caused by the contact between the first part and the substrate, although the insertion force of the press-fit terminal increases, the insertion operation of the press-fit terminal can be completed before reaching the allowable level. Therefore, the press-fit terminal of this configuration can secure the contact load with respect to the substrate while suppressing damage to the substrate.

[0011] (2) It is preferable that a plurality of the first parts are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery in the first cross section, and a plurality of the second parts are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery in the second cross section.

[0012] According to the above configuration, each first part and each second part can contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the substrate at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the contact load can be dispersed to each first part and each second part.

[0013] (3) It is good that the first part is formed at two first corners having a curved surface shape among a plurality of corner parts on the outer periphery in the first cross section, and the second part is formed at two second corners having a curved surface shape among a plurality of corner parts on the outer periphery in the second cross section.

[0014] According to the above configuration, each first corner and each second corner having a curved surface shape can contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the substrate at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the contact load can be stably secured.

[0015] (4) It is preferable that the two first corners are arranged at diagonal positions among the four corners of the outer periphery in the first cross section, and the two second corners are arranged at diagonal positions among the four corners of the outer periphery in the second cross section.

[0016] According to the above configuration, each first corner and each second corner arranged at diagonal positions can contact the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the substrate at intervals in the circumferential direction, and the press fit portion can be arranged around the axis of the through hole of the substrate in a well-balanced manner.

[0017] (5) It is preferable that the two first corners have a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corners of the outer periphery in the first cross section, and the two second corners have a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corners of the outer periphery in the second cross section.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the first part of each first corner and the second part of each second corner can be accurately formed by adjusting the radius of curvature during manufacturing.

[0019] (6) It is preferable that the outer periphery of the press fit portion has a creep portion that changes its shape in the axial direction between the first part and the second part in the axial direction.

[0020] According to the above configuration, it can smoothly transition from the stage where the second part contacts the substrate to the stage where the first part contacts the substrate through the creep portion.

[0021] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this example, and is indicated by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0022] <Embodiment 1> The press-fit terminal 10 according to Embodiment 1 forms part of a connector mounted on a vehicle, although not shown in the drawings. The connector includes a synthetic resin housing for mounting the press-fit terminal 10. The press-fit terminal 10 is inserted into a through-hole 91 of a substrate 90 such as a printed circuit board when the connector is mounted on the substrate 90. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91 is composed of a conductive portion 93 made of a conductive material such as copper plating that covers the inner peripheral surface of the hole 92 of the substrate 90.

[0023] The press-fit terminal 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate or the like. The press-fit terminal 10 has an elongated tab shape and includes a substrate connection portion 11 that extends in the axial direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3).

[0024] The substrate connection portion 11 has a tip portion 24 that tapers toward the lower end. The press-fit terminal 10 is inserted into the through-hole 91 of the substrate 90 from the tip portion 24. The substrate connection portion 11 has a press-fit portion 12 above the tip portion 24 (behind the insertion direction with respect to the through-hole 91, in the rear in the axial direction). The press-fit portion 12 of Embodiment 1 has a so-called needle-eye shape and includes a pair of beam portions 13 that bulge to the left and right, and a vertically long slit 14 that penetrates the axial center C between the respective beam portions 13.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, a cross-section (transverse section) of the press-fit portion 12 cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction has a point-symmetrical shape centered on the axial center C and a left-right asymmetrical shape with respect to a symmetrical plane L along the front-rear direction passing through the axial center C. Note that FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the lower part of the press-fit portion 12 cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and is hereinafter referred to as the second cross-section 22. FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the upper part of the press-fit portion 12 cut in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and is hereinafter referred to as the first cross-section 21. The second cross-section 22 is arranged closer to the tip portion 24 than the first cross-section 21.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the press fit portion 12 has four corner portions 15 and 16 on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21. In the case of the first embodiment, each of the corner portions 15 and 16 is formed at the outer peripheral corner on the side opposite to the slit 14 side in each beam portion 13. Each of the corner portions 15 and 16 has a curved surface shape, specifically, an arc shape.

[0027] Among the corner portions 15 and 16, two corner portions (hereinafter referred to as the first corner portion 15) are formed with a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corner portions (hereinafter referred to as the third corner portion 16). Each first corner portion 15 is disposed at one diagonal position on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21. Each third corner portion 16 is disposed at the other diagonal position on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21.

[0028] Each first corner portion 15 has a first portion 17 at the top. The first portion 17 of each first corner portion 15 is disposed at a position farther from the axis C than the top of each third corner portion 16. The first portions 17 of each first corner portion 15 have equal distances from the axis C to each other, and are disposed at the position farthest from the axis C on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the first corner portion 15 is formed to extend axially from the upper and lower central portion side of the press fit portion 12 to a position above the press fit portion 12 in the axial direction.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the press fit portion 12 has four corner portions 18 and 19 on the outer periphery of the second cross section 22, similar to the first cross section 21. Two corner portions (hereinafter referred to as the second corner portion 18) at diagonal positions on the outer periphery of the second cross section 22 are formed with a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corner portions (hereinafter referred to as the fourth corner portion 19). Each second corner portion 18 has a second portion 23 at the top that is farthest from the axis C on the outer periphery of the second cross section 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the second corner portion 18 is formed to extend axially from the upper and lower central portion side of the press fit portion 12 to the tip portion 24 in the axial direction.

[0030] Each fourth corner portion 19 is disposed below each first corner portion 15 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Each second corner portion 18 is disposed below each third corner portion 16. As shown in FIG. 1, when the press-fit terminal 10 is viewed from the axial direction, the second portion 23 of each second corner portion 18 and the first portion 17 of each first corner portion 15 are displaced to different positions in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap each other.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the outer periphery of the press-fit portion 12 has a gradual change portion 25 that gradually changes in shape in the axial direction at the upper and lower intermediate portions between the first corner portion 15 and the second corner portion 18. The gradual change portion 25 has a curved surface shape that continuously connects the outer peripheral shape of the first cross section 21 and the outer peripheral shape of the second cross section 22. In the case of the first embodiment 1, the gradual change portion 25 is shaped to connect the first portion 17 and the fourth corner portion 19 while being inclined with respect to the axial direction, and further to connect the second portion 23 and the third corner portion 16 while being inclined with respect to the axial direction. The gradual change portion 25 is formed at four corner portions on the outer periphery of a cross section (hereinafter referred to as the third cross section 28) obtained by cutting the upper and lower intermediate portions of the press-fit portion 12 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The four corner portions constituting the gradual change portion 25 change the radius of curvature in the axial direction, and as shown in FIG. 4, they can have the same radius of curvature at the third cross section 28 in the upper and lower intermediate portions.

[0032] Next, the operation of the press-fit terminal 10 will be described. The press-fit terminal 10 is inserted into the through hole 91 of the substrate 90 from above with the tip portion 24 facing downward. At the initial stage of insertion when the press-fit portion 12 is inserted into the through hole 91 of the substrate 90, the outer peripheral corners of each beam portion 13 come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91 and are greatly deformed radially inward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion force rises to show the first insertion force peak P1. Thereafter, each beam portion 13 deforms along the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91, and the shape change of each beam portion 13 becomes small, so that the insertion force gradually decreases.

[0033] Also, at the initial stage of insertion, as shown in Fig. 2, the second part 23 of each second corner 18 contacts both radial ends on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91 (hereinafter referred to as the leading sliding part 94). Although each fourth corner 19 faces a part (hereinafter referred to as the trailing sliding part 95) that is circumferentially displaced from the leading sliding part 94 on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91, it either lightly contacts the trailing sliding part 95 or, as shown in Fig. 2, does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91. Then, due to the action such as adhesion caused by the contact between the second part 23 of each second corner 18 and the leading sliding part 94, as shown in Fig. 6, the insertion force rises again to show the second insertion force peak P2. Note that although the insertion force peak P2 is smaller than the insertion force peak P1 in Fig. 6, depending on the shape and various conditions of the press-fit terminal 10, the insertion force peak P2 may be larger than the insertion force peak P1. In the first embodiment, as will be described later, the insertion force peak P2 is prevented from rising as it is and reaching the allowable level PL.

[0034] As the insertion of the press-fit terminal 10 progresses and enters the final stage of insertion, the second part 23 of each second corner 18 no longer strongly contacts the leading sliding part 94, and the insertion force gradually decreases. Here, although the creep part 25 enters the through-hole 91, it either lightly contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91 or, as shown in Fig. 4, does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91.

[0035] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 5, it shifts to the stage where each first corner 15 and each third corner 16 enter the through-hole 91. Although each third corner 16 faces the leading sliding part 94, it either lightly contacts the leading sliding part 94 or, as shown in Fig. 5, does not contact the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91. Although the first part 17 of each first corner 15 contacts the trailing sliding part 95, since each beam part 13 is in a state of being deformed radially inward, it does not strongly contact the trailing sliding part 95. Also, the trailing sliding part 95 that has not contacted the second part 23 has not worn significantly. Therefore, at the initial stage when the first part 17 of each first corner 15 contacts the trailing sliding part 95, the insertion force does not rise.

[0036] As the insertion of the press-fit terminal 10 further proceeds, due to the action such as adhesion caused by the contact between the first part 17 of each first corner part 15 and the trailing sliding part 95, as shown in FIG. 6, the insertion force gradually increases. However, the period during which the first part 17 of each first corner part 15 contacts the trailing sliding part 95 is short, and the insertion operation of the press-fit terminal 10 is completed before the insertion force reaches the allowable level PL. In the state where the insertion of the press-fit terminal 10 is completed, as shown in FIG. 3, the second part 23 of the second corner part 18 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91 on the back side of the substrate 90, and the first part 17 of the first corner part 15 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91 on the front side of the substrate 90. Thus, the press-fit terminal 10 can secure the contact load with respect to the substrate 90.

[0037] In the case of the first embodiment, on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91, the leading sliding part 94 with which the second part 23 of each second corner part 18 contacts and the trailing sliding part 95 with which the first part 17 of each first corner part 15 contacts are displaced and arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction when viewed from the axial direction. For this reason, in the state where the press-fit terminal 10 is connected to the substrate 90, the substrate 90 is not severely damaged.

[0038] Also, in the case of the first embodiment, the second parts 23 of each second corner part 18 are arranged in pairs with a circumferential interval on the outer periphery in the second cross section 22, and the first parts 17 of each first corner part 15 are arranged in pairs with a circumferential interval on the outer periphery in the first cross section 21. For this reason, the contact load with respect to the substrate 90 is dispersed to the second parts 23 of each second corner part 18 and the first parts 17 of each first corner part 15, and the damage to the substrate 90 can be further reduced.

[0039] Further, since the second parts 23 of each second corner part 18 are arranged at diagonal positions on the outer periphery of the second cross section 22 and the first parts 17 of each first corner part 15 are arranged at diagonal positions on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21, the press-fit part 12 is arranged around the axis C in a well-balanced manner in the through hole 91 of the substrate 90.

[0040] Further, each second corner portion 18 has a smaller radius of curvature than each fourth corner portion 19, and by adjusting the radius of curvature, the second portion 23 of each second corner portion 18 can be accurately formed. Similarly, each first corner portion 15 has a smaller radius of curvature than each third corner portion 16, and by adjusting the radius of curvature, the first portion 17 of each first corner portion 15 can be accurately formed. Further, each first corner portion 15 and each second corner portion 18 are both formed so as to extend in the axial direction at the press fit portion 12, and the workability of the press fit terminal 10 is excellent.

[0041] Furthermore, a gradual change portion 25 is formed between the first portion 17 and the second portion 23, and it can smoothly transition through the gradual change portion 25 from the stage where the second portion 23 contacts the substrate 90 to the stage where the first portion 17 contacts the substrate 90. Therefore, the workability of inserting into the through hole 91 of the substrate 90 is excellent.

[0042] <Embodiment 2> The press fit terminal 10A according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. The press fit terminal 10A includes a press fit portion 12A having a shape different from that of the first embodiment. Otherwise, it is the same as the first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0043] The press fit portion 12A has different shapes for the left and right beam portions 13A. As shown in FIG. 9, the first cross section 21 (the upper cross section of the press fit portion 12A) of the press fit portion 12A is asymmetric with respect to the symmetry plane L along the front-rear direction passing through the axis C and has a non-point-symmetric shape. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the second cross section 22 (the lower cross section of the press fit portion 12A) of the press fit portion 12A is asymmetric with respect to the symmetry plane L along the front-rear direction passing through the axis C and has a non-point-symmetric shape.

[0044] The right beam portion 13A in FIG. 9 in the first cross section 21 has a first curved surface portion 34 that is entirely arc-shaped on the outer periphery. The top of the right end of the first curved surface portion 34 is configured as a first portion 17A that is the farthest from the axis C on the outer periphery of the first cross section 21. In the first cross-section 21, the beam portion 13A of FIG. 9 Left side has a pair of front and rear sixth corner portions 35 that project in a curved shape on the outer periphery. Each of the sixth corner portions 35 has the same radius of curvature. The top of each sixth corner portion 35 is configured as a first portion 17A that is farthest from the axial center C on the outer periphery of the first cross-section 21.

[0045] The left beam portion 13A of FIG. 8 in the second cross-section 22 has a second curved surface portion 32 that is entirely arc-shaped on the outer periphery. The top of the left end of the second curved surface portion 32 is configured as a second portion 23A that is farthest from the axial center C on the outer periphery of the second cross-section 22. The right beam portion 13A of FIG. 8 in the second cross-section 22 has a pair of front and rear fifth corner portions 33 that project in a curved shape on the outer periphery. Each of the fifth corner portions 33 has the same radius of curvature. The top of each fifth corner portion 33 is configured as a second portion 23A that is farthest from the axial center C on the outer periphery of the second cross-section 22.

[0046] When the press-fit terminal 10A is viewed from the axial direction, the second portions 23A and the first portions 17A are displaced and arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction so as not to overlap each other. Although not shown in detail, the outer periphery of the press-fit portion 12A has a gradual change portion 25A (see FIG. 7) that continuously connects the outer peripheral shape of the first cross-section 21 and the outer peripheral shape of the second cross-section 22 between the first portion 17A and the second portion 23A.

[0047] At the initial stage of insertion when the press-fit terminal 10A is inserted into the substrate 90, as shown in FIG. 8, the second portion 23A of each fifth corner portion 33 and the second portion 23A of the second curved surface portion 32 respectively contact three circumferentially spaced positions on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91.

[0048] At the final stage of insertion, as shown in FIG. 9, the first portion 17A of each sixth corner portion 35 and the first portion 17A of the first curved surface portion 34 respectively contact three circumferentially spaced positions on the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 91.

[0049] On the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 91, the three locations where each second portion 23A contacts and the three locations where each first portion 17A contacts are displaced and arranged at different circumferential positions when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, similar to Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2 can secure the contact load of the press-fit terminal 10A with respect to the substrate 90, and can further suppress damage to the substrate 90.

[0050] <Embodiment 3> The press-fit terminal 10B according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. The press-fit terminal 10B includes a press-fit portion 12B having a shape different from those of the above-described Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. Otherwise, it is the same as those of the above-described Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0051] The press-fit portion 12B has different shapes of the left and right beam portions 13B. As shown in FIG. 12, the first cross section 21 (the upper cross section of the press-fit portion 12B) of the press-fit portion 12B is asymmetric with respect to the symmetry plane L along the front-rear direction passing through the axis C and has an asymmetric shape. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 11, the second cross section 22 (the lower cross section of the press-fit portion 12B) of the press-fit portion 12B is asymmetric with respect to the symmetry plane L along the front-rear direction passing through the axis C and has an asymmetric shape.

[0052] The beam portion 13B on the right side of FIG. 12 in the first cross section 21 has a larger front-rear dimension (the vertical dimension in FIG. 12) than the beam portion 13B on the left side, and has a pair of front and rear ninth corner portions 38 that project outward in a curved shape on the outer periphery. The top of each ninth corner portion 38 is configured as a first portion 17B that is farthest from the axis C in the first cross section 21.

[0053] The beam portion 13B on the left side of FIG. 12 in the first cross section 21 is Right sideIt has a left - right dimension larger than that of the beam portion 13B, and on its outer periphery, it has a pair of front - and - rear 10th corner portions 39 that project in a curved - surface shape. The top of each 10th corner portion 39 is configured as a first portion 17B that is farthest from the axis C in the first cross - section 21. The 9th corner portion 38 and the 10th corner portion 39 have the same radius of curvature.

[0054] The beam portion 13B on the right side of FIG. 11 in the second cross - section 22 has a left - right dimension larger than that of the beam portion 13B on the left side, and on its outer periphery, it has a pair of front - and - rear 7th corner portions 36 that project in a curved - surface shape. The top of each 7th corner portion 36 is configured as a second portion 23B that is farthest from the axis C in the second cross - section 22.

[0055] The beam portion 13B on the left side of FIG. 11 in the second cross - section 22 has a front - rear dimension (the dimension in the up - down direction of FIG. 11) larger than that of the beam portion 13B on the right side, and on its outer periphery, it has a pair of front - and - rear 8th corner portions 37 that project in a curved - surface shape. The top of each 8th corner portion 37 is configured as a second portion 23B that is farthest from the axis C in the second cross - section 22. The 7th corner portion 36 and the 8th corner portion 37 have the same radius of curvature.

[0056] When the press - fit terminal 10B is viewed in the axial direction, each second portion 23B and each first portion 17B are displaced and arranged at different circumferential positions so as not to overlap each other. Although not shown in detail, the outer periphery of the press - fit portion 12B has a gradual - change portion 25B (see FIG. 10) that continuously connects the outer - peripheral shape of the first cross - section 21 and the outer - peripheral shape of the second cross - section 22 between the first portion 17B and the second portion 23B.

[0057] At the initial stage of insertion when the press - fit terminal 10B is inserted into the substrate 90, the second portion 23B of each 7th corner portion 36 and the second portion 23B of each 8th corner portion 37 come into contact with four circumferentially - spaced positions on the inner - peripheral surface of the through - hole 91, respectively.

[0058] At the final stage of insertion, the first part 17B of each ninth corner 38 and the first part 17B of each tenth corner 39 are each in contact with four circumferentially spaced locations on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 91.

[0059] On the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 91, the four locations where each second part 23B contacts and the four locations where each first part 17B contacts are offset and arranged at different circumferential positions when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, Embodiment 3 can ensure the contact load of the press-fit terminal 10B with respect to the substrate 90, and can further suppress damage to the substrate 90.

[0060] [Other Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] It should be considered that Embodiments 1 to 3 disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. In the case of the above Embodiments 1 to 3, the press-fit terminal includes a needle-eye-shaped press-fit portion having a pair of beam portions on both the left and right sides of the slit. However, as another embodiment, the press-fit terminal may include a press-fit portion that can be elastically deformed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and is not limited to the needle-eye-shaped press-fit portion, and may include a press-fit portion having a C-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, or Z-shaped cross-sectional shape. In the case of the above Embodiments 1 to 3, the first part and the second part were formed so as to extend in the axial direction in the press-fit portion. However, as another embodiment, the first part and the second part may be formed so as to extend in a direction intersecting the axial direction on the outer circumference of the press-fit portion. For example, the first part and the second part may be formed so as to extend spirally on the outer circumference of the press-fit portion. In the case of the above Embodiments 1 to 3, when the press-fit portion was normally inserted into the through hole of the substrate, the second part was in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the through hole. However, as another embodiment, when the press-fit portion is normally inserted into the through hole of the substrate, the second part may come out of the through hole of the substrate and be arranged on the back side of the substrate. [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0061] 10, 10A, 10B… Press-fit terminals 11… Board connection part 12, 12A, 12B… Press-fit part 13, 13A, 13B… Beam part 14… Slit 15… First corner 16… Third corner 17, 17A, 17B… First part 18… Second corner 19… Fourth corner 21… First cross-section 22… Second cross-section 23, 23A, 23B… Second part 24… Tip part 25, 25A, 25B… Creep part 28… Third cross-section 32… Second curved surface part 33… Fifth corner 34… First curved surface part 35… Sixth corner 36… Seventh corner 37… Eighth corner 38… Ninth corner 39… Tenth corner 90… Substrate 91… Through hole 92… Hole 93… Conductive part 94… Leading sliding part 95… Trailing sliding part C… Axis center L… Symmetry plane PL… Allowable level P1, P2… Insertion force peak

Claims

1. a tapered tip portion located at the axial tip; a press-fit portion located rearward of the tip portion in the axial direction and elastically deformable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, wherein the press-fit portion has a first portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a first cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, has a second portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a second cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and closer to the tip portion than the first cross section, the first portion and the second portion are arranged offset from each other at different circumferential positions when the press-fit portion is viewed from the axial direction, and the press-fit portion further has left and right beam portions having different shapes, one of the left and right beam portions in the first cross section has a first curved surface portion whose entire outer periphery is arc-shaped, and the first portion in one of the left and right beam portions is constituted by the top of the first curved surface portion, the other of the left and right beam portions in the first cross section has a pair of sixth corner portions projecting outward in a curved shape on the outer periphery, and the first portion in the other of the left and right beam portions is constituted by the tops of the pair of sixth corner portions, the other of the left and right beam portions in the second cross section has a second curved surface portion whose entire outer periphery is arc-shaped, and the second portion in the other of the left and right beam portions is constituted by the top of the second curved surface portion, one of the left and right beam portions in the second cross section has a pair of fifth corner portions projecting outward in a curved shape on the outer periphery, and the second portion in one of the left and right beam portions is constituted by the tops of the pair of fifth corner portions, a press-fit terminal.

2. a tapered tip portion located at the axial tip; a press-fit portion located rearward of the tip portion in the axial direction and elastically deformable in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, wherein the press-fit portion has a first portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a first cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction, has a second portion located farther from the axis of the press-fit portion than other portions of the outer periphery in a second cross section along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction and closer to the tip portion than the first cross section, When the press - fit portion is viewed from the axial direction, the first portion and the second portion are arranged offset at different circumferential positions. A plurality of the first portions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery in the first cross - section, and are formed at two first corners having a curved surface shape among a plurality of corners on the outer periphery in the first cross - section. A plurality of the second portions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer periphery in the second cross - section, and are formed at two second corners having a curved surface shape among a plurality of corners on the outer periphery in the second cross - section. The two first corners are arranged at diagonal positions among the four corners on the outer periphery in the first cross - section. The two second corners are arranged at diagonal positions among the four corners on the outer periphery in the second cross - section. A press - fit terminal. **Claim 3** The two first corners have a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corners on the outer periphery in the first cross - section. The press - fit terminal according to claim 2, wherein the two second corners have a smaller radius of curvature than the other two corners on the outer periphery in the second cross - section. **Claim 4** The outer periphery of the press - fit portion has a gradual change portion that changes in shape in the axial direction between the first portion and the second portion in the axial direction. The press - fit terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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