Terminals

Abstract

To provide a terminal which is hardly deformed by an external force and capable of ensuring connection reliability with a mating terminal under a vibration environment.SOLUTION: A terminal 10 includes a rectangular tube portion 11 into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece 15 provided inside, and a receiver. The rectangular tube portion 11 includes a first wall, a second wall 13, and a pair of side walls 14. At least one of the pair of side walls 14 includes a resilient piece 23 that presses a side edge of the tab inward of the rectangular tube portion 11 in a first direction and prevents the tab from moving in the first direction. The rectangular tube portion 11 includes a stopper 22 for a tip 23A of the resilient piece 23. The resilient piece 23 includes a contact portion 27 arranged to face the stopper 22 in the first direction. The stopper 22 is disposed between the resilient contact piece 15 and the resilient piece 23 in the first direction. The contact portion 27 comes into contact with the stopper 22, thereby preventing the tip 23A of the resilient piece 23 from coming into contact with the resilient contact piece 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] A terminal fitting described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-54504 (Patent Document 1) has been known as a terminal fitting used in automobiles and the like. This terminal fitting includes a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front. A resilient contact piece is provided on the bottom wall of the rectangular tube portion, and a receiving portion protruding downward is provided on the top wall of the rectangular tube portion. A pair of resilient pieces extending diagonally rearward in a cantilevered manner is formed on the left and right side walls of the rectangular tube portion. The tab inserted into the rectangular tube portion is sandwiched between the resilient contact piece and the receiving portion in the thickness direction and between the pair of resilient pieces in the width direction. The resilient pressing force of the pair of resilient pieces suppresses movement of the tab in the width direction, thereby suppressing wear on the tab, the resilient contact piece, and the receiving portion. This ensures reliable connection between the terminal fitting and the mating terminal even in a vibration environment such as an automobile. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-54504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above configuration, there is a possibility that the elastic piece may be bent inwardly of the rectangular tube portion by an external force, which may cause deformation of the elastic contact piece or hinder insertion of the mating terminal into the rectangular tube portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The terminal of the present disclosure is a terminal including a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece provided within the rectangular tube portion, and a receiving portion provided within the rectangular tube portion and clamping the tab together with the resilient contact piece, wherein the rectangular tube portion includes a first wall on which the resilient contact piece is provided, a second wall on which the receiving portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting both side edges of the first wall and both side edges of the second wall, the direction in which the pair of side walls face each other is a first direction, and at least one of the pair of side walls is configured to support the tab toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction. and a resilient piece that presses the side edge of the tab to prevent the tab from moving in the first direction, the square tube portion has a stopper portion that prevents the tip of the resilient piece from moving inward of the square tube portion in the first direction, the resilient piece has an abutment portion that is arranged opposite the stopper portion in the first direction, the stopper portion is arranged between the resilient contact piece and the resilient piece in the first direction, and the abutment portion and the stopper portion prevent the tip of the resilient piece from coming into contact with the resilient contact piece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal that is resistant to deformation due to external forces and that can ensure connection reliability with a mating terminal in a vibration environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front view of the terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, showing a state in which the tab of the mating terminal is inserted into the rectangular tube portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a view showing a state in which the tab of the mating terminal is inserted into the rectangular tube portion in the CC cross section of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a left side view of the terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a front view of the terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE of FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a view showing a state in which the tab of the mating terminal begins to be inserted into the rectangular tube portion and comes into contact with the tip of the elastic piece in the EE cross section of FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a view showing a state in which the tab of the mating terminal is inserted into the rectangular tube portion in the EE cross section of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0009] (1) A terminal disclosed herein includes a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece provided within the rectangular tube portion, and a receiving portion provided within the rectangular tube portion and clamping the tab together with the resilient contact piece. The rectangular tube portion includes a first wall on which the resilient contact piece is provided, a second wall on which the receiving portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting both side edges of the first wall and both side edges of the second wall. The direction in which the pair of side walls face each other is a first direction, and at least one of the pair of side walls faces inward of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction. the rectangular tube portion has a stopper portion that prevents the tip of the elastic piece from moving inward of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction, the elastic piece has a contact portion that is arranged opposite the stopper portion in the first direction, the stopper portion is arranged between the elastic contact piece and the elastic piece in the first direction, and the contact portion and the stopper portion come into contact with each other to prevent the tip of the elastic piece from coming into contact with the elastic contact piece.

[0010] With this configuration, the resilient piece prevents the tab from moving in the first direction, thereby preventing wear on the tab, resilient contact piece, and receiving portion even in a vibration environment, ensuring reliable connection between the terminal and the mating terminal. The abutment between the abutting portion of the resilient piece and the stopper portion of the rectangular tube portion prevents the tip of the resilient piece from moving inwardly of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction. The stopper portion is disposed between the resilient contact piece and the resilient piece in the first direction, preventing the tip of the resilient piece from contacting the resilient contact piece. This prevents deformation of the resilient contact piece and poor connection between the terminal and the mating terminal.

[0011] (2) It is preferable that either the first wall or the second wall has the stopper portion.

[0012] With this configuration, at least one of the pair of side walls has an elastic piece, and either the first wall or the second wall has a stopper portion, so that the abutment portion of the elastic piece and the stopper portion can be easily arranged opposite each other.

[0013] (3) It is preferable that the second wall has the stopper portion.

[0014] According to this configuration, since the stopper portion is provided on the second wall that does not have the resilient contact piece, it is easy to prevent contact between the resilient piece and the resilient contact piece.

[0015] (4) The elastic piece preferably has a main body portion that is long in the front-to-rear direction and an extension portion that extends from the tip of the main body portion in a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the front-to-rear direction, and the extension portion preferably has the abutment portion.

[0016] This configuration makes it easy to increase the area where the abutting portion and the stopper portion abut, thereby further preventing the elastic piece from coming into contact with the elastic contact piece.

[0017] (5) It is preferable that the rectangular tube portion has a recessed portion that is recessed in the first direction, the recessed portion has the stopper portion, and the extending portion is disposed inside the recessed portion.

[0018] According to this configuration, the extending portion is disposed inside the recessed portion, so that the tip end of the elastic piece can be disposed inside the rectangular tube portion in the first direction relative to the side wall on which the elastic piece is provided.

[0019] (6) It is preferable that only one of the pair of side walls has the elastic piece, and the other of the pair of side walls has a pressing portion that, together with the elastic piece, holds the tab in the first direction.

[0020] With this configuration, the elastic piece and the pressing portion prevent the tab from moving in the first direction, ensuring connection reliability between the terminal and the mating terminal even in a vibration environment. Because the elastic piece is provided on only one of the pair of side walls, the tip of the elastic piece is less likely to move inwardly of the rectangular tube portion than when elastic pieces are provided on both of the pair of side walls.

[0021] (7) The terminal of the present disclosure is a terminal including a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece provided within the rectangular tube portion, and a receiving portion provided within the rectangular tube portion and clamping the tab together with the resilient contact piece, wherein the rectangular tube portion includes a first wall on which the resilient contact piece is provided, a second wall on which the receiving portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting both side edges of the first wall and both side edges of the second wall, the direction in which the pair of side walls face each other is a first direction, and one of the pair of side walls includes an resilient piece that presses the side edge of the tab toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction, preventing the tab from moving in the first direction, and a protrusion disposed in front of the resilient piece and protruding toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion.

[0022] With this configuration, the elastic piece prevents the tab from moving in the first direction, thereby reducing wear on the tab, elastic contact piece, and receiving portion even in a vibration environment, ensuring reliable connection between the terminal and the mating terminal. Because the protrusion is provided in front of the elastic piece, when the tab is inserted into the rectangular tube portion, the tab contacts the protrusion before the elastic piece. This prevents the elastic piece from coming into contact with the tab and deforming it.

[0023] (8) It is preferable that the elastic piece extends in the front-to-rear direction, the rear end of the elastic piece is connected to one of the pair of side walls, and a pressing portion that presses the tab is located near the front end of the elastic piece.

[0024] With this configuration, the pressing portion of the elastic piece is disposed near the protruding portion, which makes it easier to suppress deformation of the elastic piece.

[0025] (9) It is preferable that the protruding portion sandwiches the tab inserted into the rectangular tube portion between itself and the other of the pair of side walls.

[0026] With this configuration, the tab is sandwiched between the protruding portion and the other of the pair of side walls, so that wear of the tab, the elastic contact piece, etc., in a vibration environment can be further suppressed.

[0027] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to exemplary embodiments. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0028] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10. A terminal 10 of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile and used in a vibration environment where vibrations occur. In the following description, the direction indicated by arrow Z is defined as upward, the direction indicated by arrow X as forward, and the direction indicated by arrow Y as rightward.

[0029] Terminal The terminal 10 is formed by pressing and bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in Fig. 1, the terminal 10 includes a rectangular tube portion 11 that opens in the front-rear direction in approximately the front half of the terminal 10, and a wire barrel B1 and an insulation barrel B2 that are disposed behind the rectangular tube portion 11. As shown in Fig. 6, a tab 41 of a mating terminal 40 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11 from the front. The wire barrel B1 is crimped onto the core wire of a covered electric wire (not shown), and the insulation barrel B2 is crimped onto the insulating coating of the covered electric wire (not shown).

[0030] [Rectangular tube, first wall, second wall, pair of side walls] 3 and 8, the rectangular tube portion 11 includes a first wall 12 disposed below the rectangular tube portion 11, a second wall 13 opposed to the first wall 12, and a pair of side walls 14 connecting both side edges of the first wall 12 and the second wall 13. The pair of side walls 14 face each other in the left-right direction (an example of a first direction). One of the pair of side walls 14 is a third wall 14A disposed on the left side of the rectangular tube portion 11. The other of the side walls 14 is a fourth wall 14B disposed on the right side of the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0031] [Elastic contact piece, contact point] As shown in FIG. 7, a resilient contact piece 15 is provided at the front end of the first wall 12, folded back toward the rear. The resilient contact piece 15 extends obliquely upward and rearward in a cantilevered manner within the rectangular tube portion 11, and is capable of bending downward. A contact portion 16 protruding upward is provided on the upper surface of the resilient contact piece 15. The contact portion 16 is formed by hammering and has an overall spherical shape. As shown in FIG. 9, when the tab 41 of the mating terminal 40 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11, the lower surface of the tab 41 (the surface facing the first wall 12) comes into contact with the vertex of the contact portion 16.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 8, below the resilient contact piece 15 of the first wall 12, an excessive deflection prevention portion 17 is provided to suppress downward deformation of the resilient contact piece 15. A pair of excessive deflection prevention portions 17 are formed by cutting and raising below the right and left ends of the resilient contact piece 15. As shown in Fig. 7, the first wall 12 has a locking portion 18 for locking the terminal 10 to a housing (not shown).

[0033] [Receiving part] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the second wall 13 has a receiving portion 19 that protrudes downward from the underside of the second wall 13. The receiving portion 19 is formed by hammering downward. The receiving portion 19 comprises a pair of ridges 20 aligned in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the ridges 20 extend in the front-rear direction. The vertical distance between the lower end of the ridge 20 and the apex of the contact portion 16 is set smaller than the vertical dimension of the tab 41. As shown in FIG. 9, when the tab 41 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11, the receiving portion 19 vertically clamps the tab 41 between itself and the contact portion 16 of the resilient contact piece 15. This electrically connects the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40.

[0034] [Recess, stopper] As shown in FIG. 2, the second wall 13 has a recess 21 formed at its left end portion so as to be recessed to the right. The recess 21 is disposed forward of the center position of the second wall 13 in the front-to-rear direction. The recess 21 has a front surface 21A disposed on the front side, a rear surface 21B disposed on the rear side, and a stopper portion 22 connecting the right end of the front surface 21A to the right end of the rear surface 21B. The stopper portion 22 has a surface that is approximately parallel to the third wall 14A. The stopper portion 22 is disposed between the elastic contact piece 15 and an elastic piece 23 (described later) in the left-right direction (see FIG. 10).

[0035] [Elastic piece] As shown in FIG. 1, the third wall 14A is provided with an elastic piece 23 by cutting and raising. The elastic piece 23 is cantilevered and extends forward from the rear of the third wall 14A. The elastic piece 23 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction, with the base end of the rear end serving as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic piece 23 is positioned so that it is positioned more inward, i.e., rightward, of the rectangular tube portion 11 as it extends forward. The front end of the elastic piece 23, i.e., the tip portion 23A, is bent outward, i.e., leftward, from the rectangular tube portion 11. The rightmost portion of the elastic piece 23 serves as a pressing portion 24. The pressing portion 24 is located close to the contact portion 16 of the elastic contact piece 15 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the pressing portion 24 presses the side edge of the tab 41 inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0036] [Main body, extension] 4, the elastic piece 23 has a generally L-shape in side view and includes a main body 25 that is long in the front-rear direction, and an extension 26 that extends upward (an example of a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the front-rear direction) from the tip of the main body 25. The extension 26 is an upper portion of the tip 23A of the elastic piece 23.

[0037] 1 and 2, the extension 26 is disposed inside the recess 21 of the second wall 13. This allows the tip 23A of the elastic piece 23 to be disposed inside (to the right of) the square tube portion 11 relative to the third wall 14A on which the elastic piece 23 is provided. This makes it easy to position the pressing portion 24 of the elastic piece 23 in a position that contacts the left edge of the tab 41. Furthermore, because the elastic piece 23 is disposed so as not to protrude outward (to the left) from the square tube portion 11, the elastic piece 23 is less susceptible to external forces.

[0038] [Contact part] 10, the extension portion 26 has an abutment portion 27 disposed opposite the stopper portion 22 in the left-right direction. When the tip portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 moves rightward due to an external force, the abutment portion 27 and the stopper portion 22 come into contact with each other.

[0039] [Holding part] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 8, the fourth wall 14B is provided with a retaining portion 28 that protrudes leftward from the left surface of the fourth wall 14B. The retaining portion 28 is formed by hammering out the left side. The retaining portion 28 has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction and short in the up-down direction. As shown in Figure 8, the retaining portion 28 and the pressing portion 24 of the elastic piece 23 are disposed in the up-down direction from the lower end of the receiving portion 19 to a position slightly below the upper surface of the elastic contact piece 15. The distance between the retaining portion 28 and the pressing portion 24 in the left-to-right direction is set to be slightly smaller than the left-to-right dimension of the tab 41.

[0040] 6 and 9, when the tab 41 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11, the holding portion 28 clamps the tab 41 in the left-right direction between the holding portion 28 and the pressing portion 24. This makes it possible to suppress left-right movement of the tab 41 even in a vibration environment such as in an automobile. This prevents wear on the tab 41, the elastic contact piece 15, and the receiving portion 19 due to left-right movement of the tab 41, and ensures connection reliability between the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40.

[0041] 3 and 4, a pair of side walls 14 are each provided at the rear with a protrusion 29 that protrudes downward from the rectangular tube portion 11. When the terminal 10 is accommodated in a housing (not shown), the protrusion 29 enters a groove provided in the housing, thereby preventing the terminal 10 from being inserted upside down into the housing and guiding the insertion of the terminal 10 into the housing.

[0042] [Stopper and contact parts prevent the tip of the elastic piece from moving] The configuration of the terminal 10 according to this embodiment has been described above. The movement of the tip 23A of the elastic piece 23 of the terminal 10 in the left-right direction will now be described. The elastic piece 23 of the terminal 10 is provided by cutting and raising the third wall 14A, and is exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is conceivable that the tip 23A of the elastic piece 23 will move inward of the rectangular tube portion 11 when subjected to an external force.

[0043] In this embodiment, an abutting portion 27 is provided on the tip end 23A of the elastic piece 23, and a stopper portion 22 is provided on the second wall 13, facing the abutting portion 27 in the left-right direction. As a result, even if the tip end 23A of the elastic piece 23 moves inward (to the right) of the rectangular tube portion 11 in the left-right direction due to an external force, the abutting portion 27 abuts against the stopper portion 22, thereby preventing the tip end 23A of the elastic piece 23 from moving inward (to the right) of the rectangular tube portion 11 beyond the stopper portion 22. Furthermore, because the stopper portion 22 is disposed between the elastic contact piece 15 and the elastic piece 23 in the left-right direction, the tip end 23A of the elastic piece 23 is prevented from contacting the elastic contact piece 15. Therefore, bending the elastic piece 23 inward (to the right) of the rectangular tube portion 11 can be prevented from deforming the resilient contact piece 15 or from impeding insertion of the tab 41 of the mating terminal 40 into the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0044] [Effects of the First Embodiment] According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The terminal 10 according to this embodiment is a terminal 10 including a rectangular tube portion 11 into which a tab 41 of a mating terminal 40 is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece 15 provided in the rectangular tube portion 11, and a receiving portion 19 provided in the rectangular tube portion 11 and sandwiching the tab 41 together with the resilient contact piece 15. The rectangular tube portion 11 includes a first wall 12 on which the resilient contact piece 15 is provided, a second wall 13 on which the receiving portion 19 is provided, and a pair of side walls 14 connecting both side edges of the first wall 12 and both side edges of the second wall 13. The direction in which the pair of side walls 14 face each other is a first direction, and at least one of the pair of side walls 14 is The tab 41 is provided with an elastic piece 23 that presses the side edge of the tab 41 inwardly into the square tube portion 11, preventing the tab 41 from moving in a first direction, and the square tube portion 11 is provided with a stopper portion 22 that prevents the tip portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 from moving inwardly into the square tube portion 11 in the first direction, and the elastic piece 23 is provided with an abutment portion 27 that is arranged opposite the stopper portion 22 in the first direction, and the stopper portion 22 is arranged between the elastic contact piece 15 and the elastic piece 23 in the first direction, and the abutment between the abutment portion 27 and the stopper portion 22 prevents the tip portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 from contacting the elastic contact piece 15.

[0045] With this configuration, the resilient piece 23 prevents the tab 41 from moving in the first direction, thereby preventing wear on the tab 41, the resilient contact piece 15, and the receiving portion 19 even in a vibration environment, ensuring the reliability of the connection between the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40. The abutment portion 27 of the resilient piece 23 and the stopper portion 22 of the rectangular tube portion 11 abut against each other, preventing the tip portion 23A of the resilient piece 23 from moving inward of the rectangular tube portion 11 in the first direction. The stopper portion 22 is disposed between the resilient contact piece 15 and the resilient piece 23 in the first direction, preventing the tip portion 23A of the resilient piece 23 from contacting the resilient contact piece 15. This prevents deformation of the resilient contact piece 15, poor connection between the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40, and the like.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second wall 13 includes a stopper portion 22 .

[0047] With this configuration, at least one of the pair of side walls 14 is provided with the elastic piece 23, and the second wall 13 is provided with the stopper portion 22, so it is easy to arrange the abutment portion 27 of the elastic piece 23 facing the stopper portion 22. In addition, since the stopper portion 22 is provided on the second wall 13 that does not have the elastic contact piece 15, it is easy to prevent contact between the elastic piece 23 and the elastic contact piece 15.

[0048] In this embodiment, the elastic piece 23 comprises a main body portion 25 that is long in the front-to-rear direction, and an extension portion 26 that extends from the tip of the main body portion 25 in a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the front-to-rear direction, and the extension portion 26 has an abutment portion 27.

[0049] This configuration makes it easy to increase the area where the abutting portion 27 abuts against the stopper portion 22. Therefore, the elastic piece 23 can be further prevented from contacting the elastic contact piece 15.

[0050] In this embodiment, the rectangular tube portion 11 has a recess 21 that is recessed in the first direction, the recess 21 has a stopper portion 22, and the extension portion 26 is disposed inside the recess 21.

[0051] With this configuration, the extension portion 26 is arranged inside the recess 21, so that the tip portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 can be positioned inside the angular tube portion 11 in the first direction further inward than the side wall 14 (third wall 14A) on which the elastic piece 23 is provided.

[0052] In this embodiment, only one of the pair of side walls 14 (third wall 14A) has an elastic piece 23, and the other of the pair of side walls 14 (fourth wall 14B) has a pressing portion 28 that clamps the tab 41 in the first direction together with the elastic piece 23.

[0053] With this configuration, the elastic piece 23 and the pressing portion 28 suppress movement of the tab 41 in the first direction, thereby ensuring connection reliability between the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40 even in a vibration environment. Because the elastic piece 23 is provided on only one of the pair of side walls 14 (the third wall 14A), the tip portion 23A of the elastic piece 23 is less likely to move inward of the rectangular tube portion 11 than when elastic pieces are provided on both of the pair of side walls.

[0054] <Embodiment 2> A second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. Similar to the first embodiment, the terminal 110 of this embodiment is intended for use in a vibration environment where vibrations occur. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow Z is defined as upward, the direction indicated by the arrow X as forward, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y as rightward. In addition, in the configuration of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of these components may be omitted.

[0055] Terminal The terminal 110 is formed by pressing and bending a conductive metal plate. As shown in Fig. 11, the terminal 110 includes a rectangular tube portion 11 that opens in the front-to-rear direction, and a wire barrel B1 and an insulation barrel B2 that are disposed behind the rectangular tube portion 11. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, a tab 41 of a mating terminal 40 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11 from the front.

[0056] [Rectangular tube, first wall, second wall, pair of side walls] 13, the rectangular tube portion 11 includes a first wall 12, a second wall 13 facing the first wall 12, and a pair of side walls 14. The pair of side walls 14 face each other in the left-right direction (an example of a first direction). One of the pair of side walls 14 is a third wall 14A located on the left side of the rectangular tube portion 11. The other of the side walls 14 is a fourth wall 14B located on the right side of the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0057] [Elastic contact piece, receiving part] A resilient contact piece 15 is provided inside the rectangular tube portion 11. A contact portion 16 is provided on the upper surface of the resilient contact piece 15. A receiving portion 19 is provided on the second wall 13, protruding downward from the lower surface of the second wall 13. The receiving portion 19 is made up of a pair of protruding portions 20 that extend in the front-rear direction and are aligned in the left-right direction. The receiving portion 19 holds the tab 41 in the up-down direction between itself and the contact portion 16 of the resilient contact piece 15. This electrically connects the terminal 10 and the mating terminal 40.

[0058] [Elastic piece] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, an elastic piece 123 is provided on the third wall 14A by cutting and raising. The elastic piece 123 is formed long in the front-rear direction and is connected to the third wall 14A at its rear end. The elastic piece 123 is elastically deformable in the left-right direction with the base end of the rear end serving as a substantial fulcrum. As shown in Figure 14, the elastic piece 123 is positioned so that it is positioned more inward, i.e., to the right, of the rectangular tube portion 11 as it moves forward. The tip portion 123A, which is the front end of the elastic piece 123, is bent outward, i.e., to the left, of the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0059] [Pressing part] A pressing portion 124 is provided at a position near the front end of the elastic piece 123. The pressing portion 124 is located on the rightmost side of the elastic piece 123. The pressing portion 124 is disposed at a position close to the contact portion 16 of the elastic contact piece 15 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 16 , the pressing portion 124 presses the side edge of the tab 41 inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11. When the elastic piece 123 is in its natural state, the distance in the left-right direction between the fourth wall 14B and the pressing portion 124 is set to be slightly smaller than the dimension of the tab 41 in the left-right direction.

[0060] 16, when the tab 41 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11 at the correct position, the tab 41 is clamped in the left-right direction between the fourth wall 14B and the pressing portion 124. This makes it possible to prevent the tab 41 from moving in the left-right direction even in a vibration environment such as in an automobile. This prevents the tab 41, the elastic contact piece 15, and the receiving portion 19 from wearing out due to the left-right movement of the tab 41, and ensures the reliability of the connection between the terminal 110 and the mating terminal 40.

[0061] [Protrusion] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the third wall 14A on the front side of the elastic piece 123 has a protrusion 130 that protrudes from the third wall 14A inward (here, to the right) of the rectangular tube portion 11. The protrusion 130 is formed by hammering out the protrusion 130 to the right. The protrusion 130 is disposed at approximately the same height as the elastic piece 123. It is preferable that the distance in the left-right direction between the fourth wall 14B and the protrusion 130 is set to be substantially the same as the dimension of the tab 41 in the left-right direction. Here, "substantially the same" means "the same" when manufacturing tolerances and the like are not taken into consideration.

[0062] It is preferable that the protrusion 130 is formed to extend in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the protrusion 130 extends rearward to the edge of the opening formed by cutting and raising the elastic piece 123.

[0063] When the insertion of the tab 41 into the rectangular tube portion 11 begins, the tab 41 first hits the protrusion 130 on the front side of the elastic piece 123. Then, as the tab 41 is further inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11, the tab 41 hits the elastic piece 123, as shown in Figure 15. In other words, the front of the elastic piece 123 is protected by the protrusion 130, so it is less likely to deform due to contact with the tab 41.

[0064] Unlike this embodiment, if the protrusion 130 is not provided, for example, when the tab 41 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11 while sliding against the third wall 14A, the tab 41 may come into contact with the elastic piece 123 facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, possibly deforming the elastic piece 123. However, in this embodiment, the protrusion 130 contacts the tab 41 before the elastic piece 123, thereby adjusting the position at which the tab 41 contacts the elastic piece 123. This makes it possible to prevent deformation of the elastic piece 123 due to inappropriate contact by the tab 41.

[0065] In this embodiment, the elastic piece 123 is cantilevered and extends forward, and the pressing portion 124 is located at the front end of the elastic piece 123, so that the pressing portion 124 is located near the protruding portion 130. With this arrangement, even if the insertion posture of the tab 41 becomes oblique, the elastic piece 123 is unlikely to be pushed outward by the tab 41 from the rectangular tube portion 11. Therefore, deformation of the elastic piece 123 can be further suppressed.

[0066] 16, when the distance in the left-right direction between the fourth wall 14B and the protruding portion 130 is substantially the same as the dimension of the tab 41 in the left-right direction, the tab 41 is sandwiched in the left-right direction between the protruding portion 130 and the fourth wall 14B. Furthermore, when the protruding portion 130 extends in the front-rear direction, the protruding portion 130 comes into line contact with the tab 41. Therefore, the protruding portion 130 can prevent the insertion posture of the tab 41 from becoming oblique. Therefore, the protruding portion 130 can further easily prevent deformation of the elastic piece 123.

[0067] As described above, when the tab 41 is sandwiched in the left-right direction between the protrusion 130 and the fourth wall 14B, the tab 41 can be prevented from vibrating left-right within the rectangular tube portion 11 in a vibrating environment. This reduces wear on the tab 41, the elastic contact piece 15, and the receiving portion 19 due to vibration, further improving the connection reliability of the terminal 110. Furthermore, by suppressing vibration of the tab 41, it is possible to prevent repeated stress from being applied to the elastic piece 123. This prevents the elastic piece 123 from becoming worn even in a vibrating environment.

[0068] [Effects of Embodiment 2] According to this embodiment, the following actions and effects are achieved. The terminal 110 of this embodiment is a terminal 110 comprising a rectangular tube portion 11 into which a tab 41 of a mating terminal is inserted from the front, a resilient contact piece 15 provided within the rectangular tube portion 11, and a receiving portion 19 provided within the rectangular tube portion 11 and clamping the tab 41 together with the resilient contact piece 15. The rectangular tube portion 11 comprises a first wall 12 on which the resilient contact piece 15 is provided, a second wall 13 on which the receiving portion 19 is provided, and a pair of side walls 14 connecting both side edges of the first wall 12 and both side edges of the second wall 13, the direction in which the pair of side walls 14 face each other is defined as a first direction, and one of the pair of side walls 14 (third wall 14A) comprises an elastic piece 123 that presses the side edge of the tab 41 toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion 11 in the first direction, thereby preventing the tab 41 from moving in the first direction, and a protrusion 130 arranged in front of the elastic piece 123 and protruding toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion 11.

[0069] With this configuration, the elastic piece 123 suppresses movement of the tab 41 in the first direction, thereby suppressing wear on the tab 41, elastic contact piece 15, and receiving portion 19 even in a vibration environment, ensuring connection reliability between the terminal 110 and the mating terminal 40. Because the protrusion 130 is provided in front of the elastic piece 123, when the tab 41 is inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11, the tab 41 hits the protrusion 130 before the elastic piece 123. This prevents the elastic piece 123 from coming into contact with the tab 41 and deforming it.

[0070] In this embodiment, the elastic piece 123 extends in the front-to-rear direction, the rear end of the elastic piece 123 is connected to one of the pair of side walls, and a pressing portion 124 that presses the tab 41 is arranged at a position near the front end of the elastic piece 123.

[0071] With this configuration, the pressing portion 124 of the elastic piece 123 is disposed near the protruding portion 130, so that deformation of the elastic piece 123 can be more easily suppressed.

[0072] In this embodiment, the protruding portion 130 is configured to sandwich the tab 41 inserted into the rectangular tube portion 11 between itself and the other of the pair of side walls 14 (the fourth wall 14B).

[0073] With this configuration, the tab 41 is clamped between the protrusion 130 and the other of the pair of side walls 14, thereby further reducing wear on the tab 41, the elastic contact piece 15, and the receiving portion 19 in a vibration environment.

[0074] <Other embodiments> (1) In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the elastic piece 23 is provided only on the third wall 14A, and the pressing portion 28 is provided on the fourth wall 14B, but this is not limited to this. An elastic piece may be provided on each of the pair of side walls, and the tab may be clamped in the first direction by the pair of elastic pieces. (2) In the above embodiment 1, the stopper portion 22 is configured to be provided on the second wall 13, but this is not limited to this, and the stopper portion may be provided on any of the first wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall. (3) In the above embodiments 1 and 2, the elastic pieces 23, 123 are cantilevered and extend forward from the rear of the third wall 14A, but this is not limited to this. For example, the elastic pieces may be cantilevered and extend backward from the front of the third wall.

[0075] (4) In the above-mentioned embodiment 2, the distance between the fourth wall 14B and the protrusion 130 in the left-right direction was substantially the same as the left-right dimension of the tab 41, but this is not limited to this. For example, the distance between the fourth wall and the protrusion in the left-right direction may be slightly larger than the left-right dimension of the tab. (5) In the second embodiment, the protrusion 130 extends in the front-rear direction. However, this is not limitative, and the protrusion does not have to extend in the front-rear direction. (6) In the second embodiment, the fourth wall 14B does not include the pressing portion 28 of the first embodiment, but this is not limitative, and the fourth wall may include a pressing portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10: Terminal 11: Square tube part 12: 1st wall 13: Second wall 14: Side wall 14A: Third Wall 14B: Fourth Wall 15: Elastic contact piece 16: Contact area 17: Excessive deflection prevention part 18: Locking part 19: Receiving part 20: Projection part 21: Recess 21A: Front 21B: Back 22: Stopper part 23: Elastic piece 23A: Tip 24: Pressing part 25: Main body 26: Extension 27: Contact part 28: Clamp 29: Protrusion 40: Mating terminal 41: Tab 110: Terminal 123: Elastic piece 123A: Tip 124: Pressing part 130: Protrusion B1: Wire barrel B2: Insulation barrel

Claims

1. a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front; a resilient contact piece provided within the rectangular tube portion; a receiving portion provided in the rectangular tube portion and configured to sandwich the tab together with the resilient contact piece, the rectangular tube portion includes a first wall on which the resilient contact piece is provided, a second wall on which the receiving portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting both side edges of the first wall and both side edges of the second wall, a direction in which the pair of side walls face each other is a first direction; At least one of the pair of side walls includes an elastic piece that presses a side edge of the tab toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction and suppresses movement of the tab in the first direction, the rectangular tube portion includes a stopper portion that prevents the tip end of the elastic piece from moving inward of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction, the elastic piece includes a contact portion disposed opposite the stopper portion in the first direction, the stopper portion is disposed between the resilient contact piece and the resilient piece in the first direction, The terminal wherein the abutting portion and the stopper portion abut against each other, thereby preventing the tip of the elastic piece from contacting the elastic contact piece.

2. The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first wall and the second wall includes the stopper portion.

3. the elastic piece includes a main body portion that is long in the front-rear direction, and an extension portion that extends from a tip end of the main body portion in a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the front-rear direction, The terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extending portion has the abutting portion.

4. Only one of the pair of side walls has the elastic piece, The terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the other of the pair of side walls includes a pressing portion that, together with the elastic piece, holds the tab in the first direction.

5. a rectangular tube portion into which a tab of a mating terminal is inserted from the front; a resilient contact piece provided within the rectangular tube portion; a receiving portion provided in the rectangular tube portion and configured to sandwich the tab together with the resilient contact piece, the rectangular tube portion includes a first wall on which the resilient contact piece is provided, a second wall on which the receiving portion is provided, and a pair of side walls connecting both side edges of the first wall and both side edges of the second wall, a direction in which the pair of side walls face each other is a first direction; one of the pair of side walls includes an elastic piece that presses a side edge of the tab toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion in the first direction and prevents the tab from moving in the first direction, and a protrusion that is disposed in front of the elastic piece and protrudes toward the inside of the rectangular tube portion, The elastic piece extends in the front-rear direction, a rear end of the elastic piece connected to one of the pair of side walls; a pressing portion that presses the tab is disposed near the front end of the elastic piece; the pressing portion is disposed in the vicinity of the protruding portion, The terminal, wherein the protrusion is arranged at a position aligned with the elastic piece in a direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the front-rear direction.

6. The terminal according to claim 5 , wherein the protruding portion sandwiches the tab inserted into the rectangular tube portion between the other of the pair of side walls.

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