Connector terminal and connector

Abstract

To provide a connector terminal having a compact structure.SOLUTION: A connector terminal 1 is housed in a housing hole 18 of a housing 6 and includes: contact parts 5 which contact with a mating terminal; and vibration stop parts 7 which contact with contacted parts 19 of the housing 6 to prevent vibration of the connector terminal 1 when the connector terminal 1 is housed in the housing hole 18. In the connector terminal 1, each contact part 5 also serves as the vibration stop part 7. The contacted part 19 of the housing 6 is formed protruding on an inner surface of the housing hole 18. The vibration stop parts 7 each serving as the contact part 5 are formed as a pair so as to sandwich the contacted part 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector terminal and a connector including the connector terminal, and more particularly to a connector terminal to be inserted into an accommodating hole of a housing, and a connector including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a terminal fitting to be inserted into a terminal accommodating hole formed in a housing. This terminal fitting has a pair of rectangular stabilizers that stand upright. A guide ridge is formed on the upper surface of the terminal accommodating hole into which the terminal fitting is inserted, protruding in the axial direction. With this configuration, the terminal fitting is inserted into the terminal accommodating hole with the pair of stabilizers straddling the guide ridge so as to sandwich it between them. After the terminal fitting is inserted, the pair of stabilizers straddling the guide ridge so as to sandwich it between them prevents the terminal fitting from rotating. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 6-45269 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the terminal fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed with a stabilizer, which makes the terminal fitting larger. That is, in conventional terminal fittings, a stabilizer is provided in addition to the barrel and contact portion to prevent the terminal fitting from rotating, and the stabilizer increases the length of the terminal fitting.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a terminal that has a compact configuration while maintaining the functionality of the terminal, and a connector including the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inventors conceived the idea that a connector terminal accommodated in a housing accommodation hole, in which the contact portion with the mating terminal doubles as a vibration prevention portion that prevents the connector terminal from vibrating when it comes into contact with the housing, could have a compact configuration, and based on this idea, they came to invent the following new connector terminal and a connector equipped with the same.

[0007] (1) The connector terminal according to the present invention is a connector terminal accommodated in an accommodating hole of a housing, and comprises a contact portion for a mating terminal and a vibration prevention portion that contacts the contacted portion of the housing to prevent the connector terminal from vibrating when the connector terminal is accommodated in the accommodating hole, and the contact portion also serves as the vibration prevention portion.

[0008] (2) The contacted portion may be formed to protrude from the inner surface of the receiving hole, and the vibration prevention portion may be configured as a pair so as to sandwich the contacted portion.

[0009] (3) A connector according to the present invention is a connector comprising a housing having an accommodating hole formed therein and a connector terminal accommodated in the accommodating hole, wherein the housing has a contacted portion formed to protrude from the inner surface of the accommodating hole, and the connector terminal has a contact portion for contacting a mating terminal and a vibration prevention portion that contacts the contacted portion to prevent the connector terminal from vibrating when the connector terminal is accommodated in the accommodating hole, and the contact portion also serves as the vibration prevention portion.

[0010] (4) The contacted portion may be formed along the axial direction of the accommodating hole, and one end of the contacted portion in the axial direction may be located at an opening of the accommodating hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The connector terminal according to the present invention has a contact portion with the mating terminal that also serves as a vibration prevention portion that prevents the connector terminal from vibrating when it comes into contact with the housing, thereby allowing for a compact configuration while maintaining the functionality of the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front perspective view of a connector terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a connector including the connector terminal according to the embodiment, with a portion cut away. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a right side view, partially in cross section, showing an example of a connector including a connector terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a housing in which the connector terminal according to the embodiment is accommodated, with a portion cut away; [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a housing in which the connector terminal according to the embodiment is accommodated. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow XX in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] The connector terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention is a component that constitutes a connector together with a housing, and is formed by bending a plate-like metal material. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connector terminal 1 of this embodiment includes a first connection portion 3 and a second connection portion 4 for connecting an electric wire 2, a contact portion 5 for contacting a mating terminal, and a vibration prevention portion 7 for the connector terminal 1 accommodated in a housing 6.

[0015] In this specification, the direction in which the accommodating hole 18 formed in the housing 6 extends is referred to as the up-down direction, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction in which the first connecting portion 3 (first extension piece 8), second connecting portion 4 (second extension piece 9), and contact portion 5 of the connector terminal 1 accommodated in the accommodating hole 18 extend is referred to as the front-to-back direction, and the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-to-back direction is referred to as the left-to-right direction.

[0016] The first connection portion 3 is located at the upper end of the connector terminal 1. The first connection portion 3 is a plate-like member that is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and opens forward. Specifically, the first connection portion 3 is integrally formed in a generally U-shape by left and right first extension pieces 8, 8 that branch out so as to move away from each other as they extend forward.

[0017] The second connection portion 4 is located below the first connection portion 3. The second connection portion 4 is a plate-like member that is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and opens forward. Specifically, the second connection portion 4 is integrally formed in a generally U-shape by left and right second extension pieces 9, 9 that branch out so as to move away from each other as they extend forward. The extension length of the second extension piece 9 is shorter than the extension length of the first extension piece 8.

[0018] The rear ends of the second connection portion 4 and the first connection portion 3 are connected to each other by a plate-shaped connecting portion 10. Specifically, the lower end of the rear end of the first connection portion 3 is connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 10, and the upper end of the rear end of the second connection portion 4 is connected to the lower end of the connecting portion 10. As a result, the first connection portion 3 and the second connection portion 4 are connected via the connecting portion 10 in a state where they are open forward. As shown in FIG. 1 , gaps 11 that are open forward are formed between the left first extension piece 8 and the left second extension piece 9, and between the right first extension piece 8 and the right second extension piece 9.

[0019] The contact portions 5 are configured as a pair. Each of the pair of contact portions 5, 5 has a roughly rectangular plate shape. The pair of contact portions 5, 5 are positioned spaced apart on the left and right with the plate surfaces facing left and right. In other words, the pair of contact portions 5, 5 are positioned facing each other while spaced apart on the left and right. Each of the pair of contact portions 5, 5 has a protrusion 12 that protrudes inward. The protrusion 12 is roughly mountain-shaped when viewed from the front. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the contact portions 5 also serve as anti-vibration portions 7. In other words, the anti-vibration portions 7 are also configured as a pair.

[0020] The rear ends of the pair of contact portions 5, 5 are connected to each other by a plate-shaped connecting portion 13. Specifically, the rear end of the contact portion 5 located on the left side is connected to the left end of the connecting portion 13, and the rear end of the contact portion 5 located on the right side is connected to the right end of the connecting portion 13. As a result, at the lower end of the connector terminal 1, the pair of contact portions 5, 5 and the connecting portion 13 form a generally U-shaped portion 14 that is open forward.

[0021] The rear ends of the U-shaped portion 14 and the second connection portion 4 are connected by a plate-shaped connecting portion 15. Specifically, the lower end of the rear end of the second connection portion 4 is connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 15, and the upper end of the rear end of the U-shaped portion 14 is connected to the lower end of the connecting portion 15. As a result, the U-shaped portion 14 and the second connection portion 4 are connected via the connecting portion 15 in a state where they are open forward. As shown in FIG. 1 , gaps 16 that are open forward are formed between the left second extension piece 9 and the left contact portion 5, and between the right second extension piece 9 and the right contact portion 5.

[0022] 2, the connecting portion 13, whose plate surface faces forward and backward, has a rectangular cut-and-raised portion 17 cut and raised toward the rear. The cut-and-raised portion 17 slopes upward from the base end toward the rear, and then extends upward.

[0023] The connector terminal 1 having such a configuration is accommodated in a housing 6. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the housing 6 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular block. The housing 6 is formed with a plurality of accommodation holes 18 that are open upward and have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. The plurality of accommodation holes 18 are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0024] A contacted portion 19 that protrudes rearward and comes into contact with the vibration prevention portion 7 is formed on the inner surface of the accommodating hole 18. In this embodiment, the contacted portion 19 is formed along the vertical direction, which is the axial direction of the accommodating hole 18. In the illustrated example, the contacted portion 19 is formed continuously from the lower end to the upper end of the accommodating hole 18. Therefore, the upper end of the contacted portion 19 is located at the upper end, which is the opening of the accommodating hole 18.

[0025] An insertion hole 20 is formed in the bottom wall of the accommodating hole 18, penetrating vertically, for inserting a mating terminal into the accommodating hole 18. A communication hole 21 is formed in the rear wall of the accommodating hole 18, connecting the inside and outside of the accommodating hole 18. The rear wall of the housing 6 is cut out to open downward between adjacent accommodating holes 18 and at both left and right ends, so as to be continuous with this communication hole 21. Therefore, the rear wall of the accommodating hole 18 can elastically deform outward with its upper end serving as a fulcrum.

[0026] Next, the use of the connector terminal 1 according to this embodiment and the connector 22 including the same will be described, along with the operation and effects thereof.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connector 22 of this embodiment includes a connector terminal 1 and a housing 6. When using this connector 22, first, an electric wire 2 is connected to the connector terminal 1. To connect the electric wire 2 to the connector terminal 1, the pair of first extension pieces 8, 8 and the pair of second extension pieces 9, 9 may be crimped in a state in which the electric wire 2 is disposed between the pair of first extension pieces 8, 8 of the first connection portion 3 and between the pair of second extension pieces 9, 9 of the second connection portion 4. Then, the connector terminal 1 connected to the electric wire 2 is inserted from above into the receiving hole 18 of the housing 6. Note that FIGS. 2 and 3 omit the portion of the connector terminal 1 that is crimped to connect the electric wire 2 to the connector terminal 1.

[0028] While the connector terminal 1 is being inserted into the accommodating hole 18, the cut-and-raised portion 17 of the connector terminal 1 comes into contact with the rear wall of the accommodating hole 18, causing the rear wall of the accommodating hole 18 to elastically deform outward with its upper end as a fulcrum. When the connector terminal 1 reaches the bottom wall of the accommodating hole 18, the cut-and-raised portion 17 of the connector terminal 1 is positioned within the communicating hole 21 formed in the rear wall of the housing 6. The rear wall of the accommodating hole 18 then returns to its state before elastic deformation. As a result, when the connector terminal 1 accommodated in the accommodating hole 18 attempts to move in a direction to come out of the accommodating hole 18, the cut-and-raised portion 17 comes into contact with the inner surface of the communicating hole 21 of the housing 6, preventing the connector terminal 1 from coming out of the accommodating hole 18.

[0029] Furthermore, while the connector terminal 1 is being inserted into the accommodating hole 18, the contacted portion 19 of the housing 6 is sandwiched between the pair of contact portions 5, 5, so the connector terminal 1 is guided by the contacted portion 19 and inserted into the accommodating hole 18. Even after the connector terminal 1 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 18, the state in which the contacted portion 19 of the housing 6 is sandwiched between the pair of contact portions 5, 5 is maintained.

[0030] In this way, the connector terminal 1 connected to the electric wire 2 is accommodated in the accommodating hole 18 of the housing 6. Although not shown, the mating terminal of the connector terminal 1 is inserted into the accommodating hole 18 through an insertion hole 20 formed in the bottom wall of the accommodating hole 18. When inserted into the accommodating hole 18, the mating terminal comes into contact with the protrusion 12 formed on the contact portion 5 of the connector terminal 1.

[0031] In this embodiment, when the connector terminal 1 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 18 of the housing 6, the vibration prevention portion 7, which is the contact portion 5, contacts the contacted portion 19 of the housing 6. Specifically, the contacted portion 19 is sandwiched between the pair of vibration prevention portions 7. This prevents the connector terminal 1 from rotating in the horizontal direction, thereby preventing the connector terminal 1 from vibrating. In this way, according to this embodiment, the contact portion 5 for the mating terminal also serves as the vibration prevention portion 7, so that the connector terminal 1 can be made more compact than conventional connector terminals while maintaining its functionality as a terminal.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the contacted portion 19 is formed along the axial direction of the accommodating hole 18 of the housing 6, and one end of the contacted portion 19 in the axial direction is located at the opening of the accommodating hole 18. Therefore, when an attempt is made to insert the connector terminal 1 into the accommodating hole 18 with the U-shaped portion 14 or the like opening rearward, the lower end of the rear end of the connector terminal 1 comes into contact with the upper end of the contacted portion 19 of the housing 6, making it impossible to insert the connector terminal 1 into the accommodating hole 18. Thus, according to this embodiment, the contacted portion 19 not only serves to prevent the connector terminal 1 from vibrating, but also prevents the connector terminal 1 from being inserted into the accommodating hole 18 in an orientation different from the intended orientation, thereby preventing erroneous insertion.

[0033] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention.

[0034] For example, in the above embodiment, the contacted portion 19 of the housing 6 is formed continuously from the lower end to the upper end of the accommodating hole 18, but it may also be formed continuously from a position where it can be sandwiched between a pair of contact portions 5, 5 above the protrusion 12 formed on the contact portion 5 to the upper end. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Connector terminal 5 Contact area 6. Housing 7. Vibration Rest 18 Receiving hole 19 Contacted part 22 Connectors

Claims

[Claim 1] a housing having a receiving hole formed therein; a connector terminal accommodated in the accommodation hole, the housing has a contacted portion formed to protrude from the inner surface of the receiving hole, The connector terminal is a contact portion for contacting a mating terminal; a vibration prevention portion that contacts the contacted portion to prevent the connector terminal from vibrating when the connector terminal is accommodated in the accommodation hole, The contact portion also serves as the vibration prevention portion, the contacted portion is formed along the axial direction of the accommodating hole, A connector, wherein one end of the contacted portion in the axial direction is located at an opening of the accommodating hole on the side into which the connector terminal is inserted.

Images