Terminals and connectors
The terminal design with expanded transition portions addresses the challenge of miniaturization by enhancing buckling strength, enabling smaller size without compromising structural integrity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TE CONNECTIVITY JAPAN GK
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing terminals face challenges in miniaturization while maintaining sufficient buckling strength due to reduced plate thickness, particularly in the radial direction, leading to potential buckling during insertion into connector housings.
The terminal design incorporates expanded regions in the front and rear transition portions, increasing the cross-sectional area through asymmetric and downward extensions, ensuring adequate buckling strength even with thin plate thickness.
This design allows for further miniaturization of the terminal and the connector while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent buckling during insertion and reverse insertion.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a female terminal and an electrical connector including the terminal.
Background Art
[0002] The female terminal includes a terminal portion that mates with a mating terminal and a crimping portion to which an electric wire is crimped (for example, Patent Document 1). The terminal portion is typically formed in a square tube shape, and the mating terminal is inserted inside the terminal portion. Inside the terminal portion, a contact spring that contacts the mating terminal is disposed. The crimping portion extends rearward from the terminal portion by a predetermined length. The terminal portion and the crimping portion are connected via a transition portion that extends linearly.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] There is a demand for further miniaturization of the terminal. Therefore, when attempting to reduce the size of the terminal, particularly when attempting to reduce the size of the terminal portion having an internal structure such as a contact spring in the radial direction, the plate thickness has to be reduced. Then, it is difficult to give the terminal a strength that does not buckle when inserted into the connector housing or the like. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal capable of achieving miniaturization by reducing the plate thickness while ensuring buckling strength, and a connector including the terminal.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The terminal (1) of the present invention comprises a terminal portion (10) extending in the front-rear direction (x), a crimping portion (30) that is crimped to an electric wire behind the terminal portion, and a front transition portion (40) that extends in the front-rear direction and is interposed between the crimping portion and the terminal portion. The front transition section includes a first expanded region (A1) that extends downward with respect to a first imaginary line (VL1) connecting a first starting point (SP1), which corresponds to the foremost lower part (31F) of the crimping section in a side view, and a first ending point (EP1), which corresponds to the rearmost lower part (10R) of the terminal section and is located below the first starting point (SP1).
[0006] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, the side view shape of the first enlarged region (A1) is given by a first starting point side line (SL1) extending from a first starting point (SP1) to a first midpoint (MP1) located below the first imaginary line (VL1), and a first ending point side line (EL1) extending from the first midpoint (MP1) to a first ending point (EP1), wherein the inclination of the first starting point side line (SL1) with respect to the front-rear direction is preferably greater than the inclination of the first ending point side line (EL1) with respect to the front-rear direction.
[0007] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, a bell mouth (313) is formed in the crimping portion (30), and it is preferable that the position of the first midpoint (MP1) in the front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the edge (313F) of the bell mouth in the front-rear direction.
[0008] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, the front transition portion (40) may be formed asymmetrically on the left and right sides.
[0009] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, the crimping portion (30) includes a core wire crimping portion (31) that is crimped to the core wire of the electric wire behind the terminal portion, and a sheathing crimping portion (32) that is crimped to the sheathing of the electric wire behind the core wire crimping portion. The terminal (1) includes a rearward transition portion (50) that extends in the front-rear direction and is interposed between the core wire crimping portion and the sheathing crimping portion. Preferably, the rearward transition portion includes a second expanded region (A2) that expands downward with respect to a second imaginary line (VL2) connecting a second starting point (SP2) corresponding to the rearmost lower part (31R) of the core wire crimping portion and a second ending point (EP2) corresponding to the frontmost lower part (32F) of the sheathing crimping portion and located below the second starting point (SP2), in a side view.
[0010] Furthermore, the terminal (1) of the present invention comprises a terminal portion (10) extending in the front-to-back direction (x), a core wire crimping portion (31) crimped to the core wire of the electric wire behind the terminal portion, a coating crimping portion (32) crimped to the insulation of the electric wire behind the core wire crimping portion, and a rear transition portion (50) extending in the front-to-back direction and interposed between the core wire crimping portion and the coating crimping portion. The rear transition portion includes a second expanded region (A2) that extends downward with respect to a second imaginary line (VL2) connecting a second starting point (SP2) corresponding to the rearmost lower part (31R) of the core wire crimping portion and a second ending point (EP2) corresponding to the frontmost lower part (32F) of the coating crimping portion and located below the second starting point.
[0011] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, the side view shape of the second enlarged region (A2) is given by a second starting point side line (SL2) extending from a second starting point (SP2) to a second midpoint (MP2) located below the second imaginary line (VL2), and a second ending point side line (EL2) extending from the second midpoint (MP2) to a second ending point (EP2), wherein the inclination of the second starting point side line (SL2) with respect to the front-rear direction is preferably greater than the inclination of the second ending point side line (EL2) with respect to the front-rear direction.
[0012] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, a bell mouth (314) is formed in the core wire crimping portion (31), and it is preferable that the position of the second midpoint (MP2) in the front-to-back direction corresponds to the position of the edge (314R) of the bell mouth in the front-to-back direction.
[0013] In the terminal (1) of the present invention, the rear transition portion (50) may be formed asymmetrically on the left and right sides.
[0014] The connector of the present invention comprises the above-described terminal (1) and a housing (6) that holds the terminal (1). [Effects of the Invention]
[0015] According to the terminal of the present invention, by providing an enlarged region in at least one of the front and rear transition portions, the cross-sectional area of the transition portion is increased by the amount of the enlarged region, so that the buckling strength required for the terminal can be ensured even if the plate thickness is thin. This makes it possible to further miniaturize the terminal and promote the miniaturization of the connector equipped with the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0016] [Figure 1] (a) is a perspective view of a female terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. (b) is a plan view of the terminal. [Figure 2] (a) is a bottom view of the terminal shown in Figure 1(a). (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIb in Figure 1(b). [Figure 3] (a) is a side view taken along the arrow IIIa in Figure 1(b). (b) is a side view taken along the arrow IIIb in Figure 1. [Figure 4] (a) is an enlarged view of section IVa in Figure 3(a). (b) is an enlarged view of section IVb in Figure 3(b). [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are schematic side views illustrating in detail the enlarged area in the transition zone. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are schematic side views showing the terminal transition area in the comparative example. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are respectively schematic side views showing transition portions of terminals according to modified examples of the present invention. [Figure 8] (a) and (b) are respectively schematic side views showing transition portions of terminals according to another modified example.
Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention
[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. 〔Overall Configuration of Terminal〕 The terminal 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 extends in one direction as a whole, and the electric wire 2 is crimped thereto. A tab-shaped mating terminal (not shown) is fitted to the terminal 1 along the extending direction. The terminal 1 is integrally formed by punching and bending a thin plate material made of a metal material such as a copper alloy by press working.
[0018] The terminal 1 includes a terminal portion 10 extending in the front-rear direction x and a crimping portion 30 that is crimped to the electric wire 2 behind the terminal portion 10. A single or a plurality of terminals 1 are accommodated and held in a housing 6 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 3(a) and (b). A connector is constituted by including the terminal 1 and the housing 6.
[0019] In this specification, the direction in which the terminal 1 extends is defined as the front-rear direction x. The side where the mating terminal is inserted into the terminal 1 is defined as "front", and the side where the electric wire 2 is crimped is defined as "rear", which are respectively indicated by F and R. The left-right direction y is orthogonal to the front-rear direction x, and the up-down direction z is orthogonal to both the front-rear direction x and the left-right direction y. "Up" and "down" follow the up and down in each figure, which are respectively indicated by U and D. The direction in which the crimping piece provided in the crimping portion 30 protrudes before being crimped to the electric wire 2 corresponds to the upward direction.
[0020] 〔Configuration of Terminal Portion〕 The terminal section 10 is formed in the shape of a rectangular box with an upper wall 12, a lower wall 13, a left wall 14, and a right wall 15, and has a rectangular cross-section. Inside the terminal section 10, a contact spring (not shown) is provided. The contact spring contacts the mating terminal inserted through the opening 11 at the front end of the terminal section 10. The contact spring (not shown) is bent from the upper wall 12 and is supported by a support portion 151 on the right wall 15. The lower wall 13 and the right wall 15 are joined by a dovetail joint (see Figure 2(a)), and the projections 122 and 123 of the upper wall 12 are crimped to the right wall 15 on both sides of the support portion 151, thereby forming the terminal portion 10. The configuration of the terminal section 10 in this embodiment is merely an example and is not limited thereto. The terminal section 10 can be configured as appropriate, as long as it has the function of making contact with the mating terminal and conducting electricity.
[0021] [Composition of the crimping section] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the crimping section 30 is connected to the terminal section 10 from the rear via a front transition section 40. The crimping section 30 includes a core wire crimping section 31 that is crimped to a core wire (not shown) exposed from the insulation 21 of the electric wire 2, and an insulation crimping section 32 that is crimped to the insulation 21 from the rear of the core wire crimping section 31. The core wire crimping section 31 includes a left crimping piece 311 and a right crimping piece 312 that rise from the lower part 310, are wound towards the center in the left-right direction y, and are crimped while biting into the core wire. The insulation crimping section 32 is connected to the core wire crimping section 31 via a rearward transition section 50. The insulation crimping section 32 includes a left crimping piece 321 and a right crimping piece 322 that rise from the lower part 320 and are crimped to the outer circumference of the insulation 21.
[0022] The dimensions of the core wire crimping section 31 are set in the left-right direction (y) and the up-down direction (z) so that it fits within the internal area of the terminal section 10 after crimping. After crimping, the core wire crimping section 31 is smaller in the left-right direction (y) and smaller in the up-down direction (z) relative to both the terminal section 10 and the crimped insulation crimping section 32.
[0023] Preferably, the core wire crimping section 31 has at least one of a front bell mouth 313 that gradually protrudes upward toward the front as the core wire is crimped, and a rear bell mouth 314 that gradually protrudes upward toward the rear. Such bell mouths 313 and 314 allow the stress applied to the core wire by the core wire crimping section 31 to be distributed. In this embodiment, the core wire crimping portion 31 is formed with both a front bell mouth 313 and a rear bell mouth 314. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 4(a), the front bell mouth 313 does not necessarily have to be formed on the core wire crimping portion 31. The same applies to the rear bell mouth 314.
[0024] The front bell mouth 313 is formed on the left crimping piece 311 and the right crimping piece 312, respectively. The rear bell mouth 314 is formed similarly. In this embodiment, the front bell mouth 313 is formed on the upper side of the front transition section 40, but the front bell mouth may also be formed in the core wire crimping section 31, or it may be formed across both sections. In this embodiment, the rear bell mouth 314 is formed on the upper side of the rear transition section 50, but the rear bell mouth may also be formed in the coating crimping section 32, or it may be formed across both sections. Figure 1(b) shows the respective regions of the terminal section 10, the front transition section 40, the core wire crimping section 31, the rear transition section 50, and the insulation crimping section 32, which are divided in the front-to-back direction x with respect to the lower side of terminal 1.
[0025] With the electric wire 2 crimped to the terminal portion 10 by the core wire crimping portion 31 and the insulation crimping portion 32, when the terminal 1 is inserted from the rear into a cavity (not shown) formed in the housing 6, the terminal 1 is locked into a lance (not shown) formed in the housing 6. This embodiment provides a terminal 1 that can be made even thinner while ensuring sufficient strength to prevent buckling when inserted into a cavity, or when reverse insertion occurs in which the terminal portion 10 housed in the cavity is pushed from the front to the rear.
[0026] [Configuration of the front transition section] The front transition section 40 is interposed between the core wire crimping section 31 and the terminal section 10, particularly as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The dimensions of the front transition section 40 gradually increase in the left-right direction (y) and the up-down direction (z) as it moves from the foremost lower part 31F of the core wire crimping section 31 to the rearmost lower part 10R of the terminal section 10. The front transition section 40 includes a lower wall 43, a left wall 44, and a right wall 45 that extend rearward from the lower wall 13, left wall 14, and right wall 15 of the terminal section 10, respectively. A lance (not shown) formed in the housing 6 is positioned between the left wall 44 and the right wall 45, which are open upward. The lower wall 43, left wall 44, and right wall 45 are connected to the lower part 310 of the core wire crimping section 31, the front bell mouth 313 of the left crimping piece 311, and the front bell mouth 313 of the right crimping piece 312, respectively.
[0027] At the front end 313F (edge) of the front bell mouth 313, the front bell mouth 313 protrudes from the upper end 44U of the left wall 44 and the upper end 45U of the right wall 45 by at least the amount necessary for crimping by the core wire crimping section 31. As shown in Figure 4(b), the thickness of the right wall 45 in the vertical direction z is set lower than the thickness of the left wall 44 in the vertical direction z, in line with the position of the projection 122 of the terminal section 10. On the other hand, the left wall 44 gradually increases in height as it moves forward from the front end 313F of the front bell mouth 313. As the height of the left wall 44 increases, the cross-sectional area of the front transition section 40 increases.
[0028] In the case of a typical front transition section 40, even if there are constraints on the thickness or shape in the vertical direction z on either the left or right side due to, for example, the protrusion 122 of the terminal section 10, it is formed symmetrically on both sides. In contrast, in this embodiment, the thickness in the vertical direction z is increased upward on only one side, i.e., only on the left wall 44 side, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the front transition section 40. Therefore, the front transition section 40 in this embodiment is formed asymmetrically on the left and right sides. Furthermore, while the rear transition section 50 is typically formed symmetrically, it is formed asymmetrically, as will be described later. However, the front transition section 40 and the rear transition section 50 may be formed symmetrically, although this is not limited to this embodiment.
[0029] The lower part of the front transition section 40 will now be described. As the dimensions of the front transition section 40 in the vertical direction z expand downwards from the core wire crimping section 31 towards the terminal section 10, the inclination of the lower edge 44E of the left wall 44 with respect to the front-to-back direction x changes in two stages, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 5(a). The shape of the lower edge 44E of the left wall 44 is symmetrically reflected in the lower edge 45E of the right wall 45. In other words, the shape of the lower part of the front transition section 40 is formed symmetrically on both sides.
[0030] To describe in detail the configuration of the lower part of the front transition section 40, we assume a first virtual line VL1. The first virtual line VL1 is a straight line connecting a first starting point SP1, which corresponds to the foremost part 31F on the lower side of the core wire crimping section 31, and a first ending point EP1, which corresponds to the last part 10R on the lower side of the terminal section 10, as shown in the side view of the terminal section 10 in Figures 5(a) and (b). The first ending point EP1 is located below the first starting point SP1.
[0031] The shape of the lower part of the front transition section 40 is given by a first starting point side straight line SL1 extending from the first starting point SP1 to the first intermediate point MP1, and a first ending point side straight line EL1 extending from the first intermediate point MP1 to the first ending point EP1, as shown in Figure 5(b). It is permissible that the straight lines SL1 and EL1 are not strictly straight due to springback after press forming, etc. The first midpoint MP1 is located below the first virtual line VL1. Furthermore, the position of the first midpoint MP1 in the longitudinal direction x corresponds to the position of the front end 313F of the front bell mouth 313 in the longitudinal direction x.
[0032] As shown in Figure 4(a), the angle θ1 of the inclination of the first starting line SL1 with respect to the front-to-back direction x is greater than the angle θ2 of the inclination of the first ending line EL1 with respect to the front-to-back direction x. While maintaining this relationship in terms of the magnitude of the angles, the terminal 1 can be accommodated in the cavity of the housing 6, and the angles θ1 and θ2 can be appropriately changed within a range (0° to 90°) that is also machineable. Due to the first starting point straight line SL1 and the first ending point straight line EL1, the front transition section 40 includes a first expanded region A1 (Figure 5(b)) which is expanded downwards relative to the first imaginary line VL1. The first expanded region A1 is marked with a diagonal pattern. The inclination of the first starting point-side straight line SL1 with respect to the front-rear direction x is set to be equivalent to the inclination of the front bell mouth 313 in a side view with respect to the front-rear direction x. However, this is not limited to this, and the inclination of the front bell mouth 313 and the inclination of the first starting point-side straight line SL1 may be different.
[0033] [Configuration of the rear transition section] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the rear transition section 50 is interposed between the core wire crimping section 31 and the insulation crimping section 32. The dimensions of the rear transition section 50 gradually increase in the left-right direction (y) and the up-down direction (z) as you move from the rearmost part 31R below the core wire crimping section 31 to the frontmost part 32F below the insulation crimping section 32.
[0034] The rear transition section 50 includes a lower section 53, a left wall 54, and a right wall 55 that extend rearward from the lower part 320 of the covering crimp section 32, the rear bell mouth 314 of the left crimp piece 321, and the rear bell mouth 314 of the right crimp piece 322, respectively. The space between the left wall 54 and the right wall 55 is open upward. The lower section 53, the left wall 54, and the right wall 55 are connected to the lower section 320, the left crimping piece 321, and the right crimping piece 322 of the covering crimping section 32, respectively.
[0035] At the rear end 314R (edge) of the rear bell mouth 314, the rear bell mouth 314 protrudes from the upper end 54U of the left wall 54 and the upper end 55U of the right wall 55 by at least the amount necessary for crimping by the covering crimping portion 32. As shown in Figure 3(b), the height of the right wall 55 gradually decreases from the rear end 314R of the rear bell mouth 314 toward the rear, in line with the position of the right crimping piece 322 of the covering crimping portion 32. On the other hand, the left wall 54 gradually increases from the position of the rear end 314R of the rear bell mouth 314 toward the rear. As the height of the left wall 54 increases, the cross-sectional area of the rear transition portion 50 increases.
[0036] The lower part of the rear transition section 50 is configured to have a shape that is symmetrical to the shape of the lower part of the front transition section 40 described above. As shown in Figure 3(a), which illustrates the shape of the lower edge of the left wall 54 of the rear transition section 50, the shape of the lower part of the rear transition section 50 changes in inclination with respect to the front-rear direction x in two stages. The shape of the lower part of the left wall 54 is also symmetrically reflected on the lower part of the right wall 55.
[0037] In a side view of the terminal section 10 as shown in Figure 3(a), a second imaginary line VL2 is shown connecting a second starting point SP2, which corresponds to the rearmost lower part 31R of the core wire crimping section 31, and a second ending point EP2, which corresponds to the frontmost lower part 32F of the insulation crimping section 32. The second ending point EP2 is located below the second starting point SP2.
[0038] The shape of the lower part of the rear transition section 50 is given by a second starting point side straight line SL2 extending from the second starting point SP2 to the second intermediate point MP2, and a second ending point side straight line EL2 extending from the second intermediate point MP2 to the second ending point EP2. The second intermediate point MP2 is located below the second imaginary line VL2. Furthermore, the position of the second intermediate point MP2 in the longitudinal direction x corresponds to the position of the rear end 314R of the rear bell mouth 314 in the longitudinal direction x.
[0039] The slope of the second starting line SL2 with respect to the x-axis direction is greater than the slope of the second ending line EL2 with respect to the x-axis direction. While maintaining this relationship of slope magnitude, the angles of the slopes of the second starting line SL2 and the second ending line EL2 can be changed as appropriate. Due to the second starting point straight line SL2 and the second ending point straight line EL2, the rear transition section 50 includes a second expanded region A2 that is expanded downwards with respect to the second virtual line VL2. The inclination of the second starting point-side straight line SL2 with respect to the front-rear direction x is set to be equivalent to the inclination of the rear bell mouth 314 in a side view with respect to the front-rear direction x. However, this is not necessarily the case, and the inclination of the rear bell mouth 314 and the inclination of the second starting point-side straight line SL2 may be different.
[0040] [Effects of this embodiment] The following explains the effects on the buckling strength of terminal 1, with reference to comparative examples. Figures 6(a) and 6(b) both show comparative examples to this embodiment. The front transition section 40-1 shown in Figure 6(a) is longer in the front-to-back direction x than the front transition section 40 of this embodiment. The dimension of the front transition section 40-2 shown in Figure 6(b) in the front-to-back direction x is equivalent to the dimension of the front transition section 40 in the front-to-back direction x of this embodiment.
[0041] The lower shape of the front transition section 40-1 is given by a straight line L1 extending in one direction at a constant angle with respect to the front-rear direction x. The lower shape of the front transition section 40-2 is also given by a similar straight line L2. Since both straight lines L1 and L2 coincide with the first imaginary line VL1 connecting the first starting point SP1 and the first ending point EP1, neither the front transition section 40-1 nor 40-2 includes the first expanded region A1 which is expanded downwards with respect to the first imaginary line VL1.
[0042] Buckling strength, assuming the same materials are used, is determined by the cross-sectional area and length (dimension x in the front-rear direction). In this embodiment, the terminal 1 expands the cross-sectional area of the front transition portion 40 due to the first expansion region A1. The cross-sectional area of the rear transition portion 50 expands due to the second expansion region A2. Therefore, even if the plate thickness is extremely thin, the buckling strength of the terminal 1 is increased due to the expansion of the cross-sectional area, ensuring sufficient strength to prevent buckling during insertion, etc.
[0043] Buckling is more likely to occur at points where the cross-sectional area is smaller in the longitudinal direction (x), particularly at steps or other points where the cross-sectional area changes abruptly in the longitudinal direction. The front transition portion 40-1 of terminal 1-1 in the comparative example shown in Figure 6(a) is longer in the front-to-back direction x compared to the front transition portion 40 of this embodiment. Furthermore, due to the difference in length of the dashed arrows drawn at the step where the cross-sectional areas of this embodiment and the comparative example switch (Figures 5(a) and 6(a)), the thickness of the front transition portion 40-1 in the vertical direction z is thinner than the thickness of the front transition portion 40 of this embodiment in the vertical direction z, and consequently, the cross-sectional area of the front transition portion 40-1 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the front transition portion 40 of this embodiment. Therefore, if the plate thickness of terminal 1-1 is thin, the necessary buckling strength during insertion, etc., cannot be secured, and the compressive force applied to terminal 1-1 in the front-to-back direction x may cause terminal 1-1 to buckle, for example, with the step as the starting point X1, as shown by the dashed line.
[0044] Even terminal 1-2 in Figure 6(b), which is shorter than terminal 1-1, may buckle if the plate thickness is extremely thin, for example, with the position of the foremost part 31F on the lower side of the core wire crimping portion 31 as the starting point X2. If, similar to this embodiment, a front bell mouth 313 is formed on the rear side of the front transition portion 40-2 as shown by the dashed line, then, for example, terminal 1-2 may buckle with the lower position of the front end of the front bell mouth 313, which is stepped relative to the front transition portion 40-2, as the starting point X3.
[0045] From the difference in length between the dashed arrows in Figure 5(a) and Figure 6(b), the thickness in the vertical z direction of the front transition portion 40 in this embodiment is increased by the amount of the first enlarged region A1 compared to the thickness in the vertical z direction of the front transition portion 40-2. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the front transition portion 40 in this embodiment is larger than the cross-sectional area of the front transition portion 40-1. Consequently, terminal 1 in this embodiment has higher buckling strength compared to terminal 1-2 of the comparative example, which is made of the same material and has the same length.
[0046] Buckling does not necessarily occur between the terminal portion 10 and the core wire crimping portion 31; it may also occur between the core wire crimping portion 31 and the insulation crimping portion 32. Therefore, the buckling strength of the terminal 1 can be ensured by having the rear transition portion 50 configured in the same way as the front transition portion 40, and by including the second enlarged region A2 to enlarge the cross-sectional area.
[0047] As described above, according to the terminal 1 of this embodiment, by providing expanded regions A1 and A2 in at least one of the front and rear transition portions 40 and 50, the terminal 1 can be guaranteed to have sufficient buckling strength even if the plate thickness is extremely thin. Therefore, it is possible to further miniaturize the terminal 1 and promote the miniaturization of the connector equipped with the terminal 1.
[0048] The edge of the first enlarged region A1 (Figure 5(b)) in this embodiment is furthest from the first virtual line VL1 at the first intermediate point MP1, which corresponds to the intersection of the starting line SL1 and the ending line EL1. This first intermediate point MP1 is located at the step 313S between the front bell mouth 313 and the front transition section 40 in the front-rear direction x. Therefore, the front transition section 40 is enlarged to its maximum extent relative to the first virtual line VL1 at the step 313S. Similarly, the rear transition section 50 is also widened to its maximum extent from the second virtual line VL2 at the position of the step 314S between the rear bell mouth 314 and the covering crimped section 32, which corresponds to the position of the second intermediate point MP2. The first intermediate point MP1 or the second intermediate point MP2 is located at points such as steps 313S and 314S where the cross-sectional area changes and buckling is likely to occur, and the cross-sectional area is sufficiently expanded below the virtual lines VL1 and VL2, thereby ensuring greater buckling strength.
[0049] Furthermore, in this embodiment, buckling strength is more sufficiently ensured by increasing the thickness in the vertical direction z upwards on only one side, i.e., on the left wall 44 side or the left wall 54 side, thereby increasing the cross-sectional area of the front transition section 40 and the rear transition section 50.
[0050] Even if the lengths of the transition sections 40 and 50 and the crimped sections 31 and 32 are shortened to ensure buckling strength, there are cases where they cannot be shortened due to the minimum required length for each section related to processing and connection quality. The same applies to the length of the terminal section 10. Here, even if the front transition section 40-1 is long, as shown in Figure 6(a), by setting the lower foremost part 31F-1 of the core wire crimping section 31 behind the upper foremost part 31UF of the core wire crimping section 31, as shown by the dashed line, and by adding an expanded region A1-1 to the imaginary line connecting the starting point SP1-1 and the ending point EP1, which corresponds to the foremost part 31F-1, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area of terminal 1-1 and secure the necessary buckling strength.
[0051] [Variation] In the above embodiment, the position of the first intermediate point MP1 and the position of the front end 313F of the front bell mouth 313 coincide in the longitudinal direction x, but this is not limited to that. The positional relationship between the second intermediate point MP2 and the rear end 314R of the rear bell mouth 314 in the longitudinal direction x is also the same. For example, if the dimensions of the front bell mouth 313 in the front-to-back direction x are shorter as shown in Figure 7(a) or longer as shown in Figure 7(b) compared to the above embodiment (Figure 5(a)), the position of the first midpoint MP1 and the position of the front end 313F of the front bell mouth 313 are shifted in the front-to-back direction x.
[0052] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(a), for example, the angle θ of the inclination of the starting line SL1 with respect to the front-back direction x. 1-1 If the angle of inclination of the starting line SL1 in the above embodiment is greater than the angle of inclination θ1, the shape of the first enlarged region A1 differs from the shape in the above embodiment, and the position of the intermediate point MP1 and the position of the front end 313F of the front bell mouth 313 are shifted in the front-rear direction x.
[0053] Incidentally, the shape of the first enlarged region A1 is not limited to straight lines; it may also be given by curved lines. The same applies to the shape of the second enlarged region A2. The shape of the first enlarged region A1 shown in Figure 8(b) is given by a curved line CL connecting the first starting point SP1 and the first ending point EP1. The curved line CL is curved in a convex shape towards the bottom.
[0054] The configurations shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), and Figures 8(a) and 8(b) can be applied to the front or rear transition sections 40 and 50. In either configuration, the presence of enlarged regions A1, A2, etc., near the point where the cross-sectional area changes in the front-rear direction x increases the cross-sectional area of the transition section, thereby ensuring the buckling strength of the terminal.
[0055] In addition to the above, it is possible to select or replace the configurations listed in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate, as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0056] Terminals 1, 1-1, 1-2 2 electric wire 6 Housing 10 Terminal section 10R Last Place 11 Aperture 12 Upper wall 13 Lower wall 14 Left wall 15 Right wall 21 Covering 30 Crimping section 31 Core wire crimping section 31F Front 31R Last Place 32 Cover crimping part 32F Front 40 Anterior transition section 43 Lower wall 44 Left wall 44E Lower edge 44U top end 45 Right wall 45E Lower edge 45U top end 50 Rear transition section 53 Lower part 54 Left wall 54U top end 55 Right wall 55U top end 122,123 protrusion 151 Support part 310 Lower 311 Left crimp piece 312 Right crimping piece 313 Front Bellmouth 313F Front end (edge) 313S Step 314 Rear bellmouth 314R Rear end (edge) 314S Step 320 Lower 321 Left crimp piece 322 Right crimping piece A1 First enlarged area A2 Second Enlarged Area CL curved line EL1 First end-side straight section EL2 Second end-side straight section EP1 The First End Point EP2 The Second End L1,L2 straight line MP1 First Midpoint MP2 Second Midpoint SL1 First starting point side straight SL2 Second starting point straight SP1 First Starting Point SP2 Second Starting Point VL1 First virtual line VL2 Second virtual line Starting point of X1, X2, X3 x Forward and backward directions y represents the left and right directions. z Up and down directions Angles θ1 and θ2
Claims
1. A terminal portion (10) extending in the front-to-back direction (x), A crimping portion (30) that is crimped to the electric wire behind the terminal portion, It comprises a front transition portion (40) that extends in the front-rear direction and is interposed between the crimping portion and the terminal portion, The aforementioned front transition section, in a side view, The first expanded region (A1) is expanded downward with respect to a first imaginary line (VL1) that connects a first starting point (SP1) corresponding to the foremost lower part (31F) of the crimped portion and a first ending point (EP1) corresponding to the rearmost lower part (10R) of the terminal portion and located below the first starting point (SP1), The side view shape of the first enlarged region (A1) is given by a first starting point side line (SL1) extending from the first starting point (SP1) to a first midpoint (MP1) located below the first imaginary line (VL1), and a first ending point side line (EL1) extending from the first midpoint (MP1) to the first ending point (EP1). Terminal (1), wherein the inclination of the first starting point side straight line (SL1) with respect to the front-rear direction is greater than the inclination of the first ending point side straight line (EL1) with respect to the front-rear direction.
2. A bell mouth (313) is formed in the crimping portion (30). The position of the first midpoint (MP1) in the front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the edge (313F) of the bell mouth in the front-rear direction. The terminal (1) according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned front transition portion (40) is formed asymmetrically on the left and right sides. The terminal (1) according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The crimping portion (30) includes a core wire crimping portion (31) that is crimped to the core wire of the electric wire behind the terminal portion, and a sheathing crimping portion (32) that is crimped to the sheathing of the electric wire behind the core wire crimping portion. The terminal (1) extends in the front-rear direction and includes a rear transition portion (50) interposed between the core wire crimping portion and the insulation crimping portion. The aforementioned rear transition section, in a side view, The second expanded region (A2) is expanded downward with respect to a second imaginary line (VL2) that connects a second starting point (SP2) corresponding to the lower rearmost part (31R) of the core wire crimping portion and a second ending point (EP2) corresponding to the lower frontmost part (32F) of the insulation crimping portion and located below the second starting point (SP2), The terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. A terminal portion (10) extending in the front-to-back direction (x), A core wire crimping section (31) is crimped to the core wire of the electric wire at a location behind the terminal section, A covering crimping portion (32) that is crimped to the covering of the electric wire at a location behind the core wire crimping portion, It comprises a rear transition portion (50) that extends in the front-rear direction and is interposed between the core wire crimping portion and the covering crimping portion, The aforementioned rear transition section, in a side view, The second expanded region (A2) is expanded downward with respect to a second imaginary line (VL2) that connects a second starting point (SP2) corresponding to the lower rearmost part (31R) of the core wire crimping portion and a second ending point (EP2) corresponding to the lower frontmost part (32F) of the insulation crimping portion and located below the second starting point, The side view shape of the second enlarged region (A2) is given by a second starting point side line (SL2) extending from the second starting point (SP2) to a second midpoint (MP2) located below the second imaginary line (VL2), and a second ending point side line (EL2) extending from the second midpoint (MP2) to the second ending point (EP2). Terminal (1) where the inclination of the second starting point line (SL2) with respect to the front-to-back direction is greater than the inclination of the second ending point line (EL2) with respect to the front-to-back direction.
6. A bell mouth (314) is formed in the core wire crimping portion (31). The position of the second midpoint (MP2) in the front-rear direction corresponds to the position of the edge (314R) of the bell mouth in the front-rear direction. Terminal (1) according to claim 5.
7. The aforementioned rear transition portion (50) is formed asymmetrically on the left and right sides. Terminal (1) according to claim 5 or 6.
8. A terminal (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A connector comprising a housing (6) that holds the aforementioned terminals.