Interlocking terminals

Abstract

To provide a chain terminal capable of effectively preventing a terminal from being deformed.SOLUTION: A chain terminal 10 includes a plurality of terminals 12, a first protective portion 13, and a second protective portion 14. The first protective portion 13 has a first base end protrusion 24 protruding forward from one side edge 15 of a carrier 11, a first standing portion 25 standing upward from the front end of the first base end protrusion 24, and a first tip protrusion 26 protruding forward from the upper end of the first standing portion 25. The first tip protrusion 26 is disposed adjacent to a portion of the terminal 12 on the side closer to the carrier 11. The second protective portion 14 includes a second base end protrusion 27 protruding forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11 longer than the first base end protrusion, a second standing portion 28 standing upward from the front end of the second base end protrusion 27, and a second tip protrusion 29 protruding forward from the upper end of the second standing portion 28. The second tip protrusion 29 is disposed adjacent to a portion of the terminal 12 on the side farther from the carrier 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , , , , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to chain terminals.

Background Art

[0002] The chain terminals disclosed in Patent Document 1 include a carrier extending in a strip shape, and a plurality of terminals (contact terminals for connectors) protruding side by side forward from one side edge of the carrier. Further, the chain terminal includes a connecting portion protruding forward from one side edge of the carrier, and a terminal deformation preventing piece rising from the connecting portion. The terminal deformation preventing piece has a height equal to or higher than the height of the protruding piece formed on the terminal. According to Patent Document 1, it is said that the deformation of the protruding piece can be prevented by the terminal deformation preventing piece. Techniques for preventing such deformation of terminals are also disclosed in Patent Documents 2-4.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a chain terminal that can effectively prevent deformation of the terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The chain terminal of the present disclosure comprises: a strip-shaped carrier having one side edge extending in the width direction; a plurality of terminals connected at intervals to the one side edge and projecting forward from the one side edge along the strip surface of the carrier; a first protective portion connected to the one side edge alongside the terminals and having a first base end projection projecting forward from the one side edge, a first upright portion rising upward from the front end of the first base end projection, and a first tip projection projecting forward from the upper end of the first upright portion, wherein the first tip projection is positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal closer to the carrier; and a second protective portion connected to the one side edge alongside the terminals and having a second base end projection projecting forward from the one side edge longer than the first base end projection, a second upright portion rising upward from the front end of the second base end projection, and a second tip projection projecting forward from the upper end of the second upright portion, wherein the second tip projection is positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal further from the carrier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a chain terminal that can effectively prevent deformation of the terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a chain terminal according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the chain terminals. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a side view showing magnified views of the upper and lower terminals in a chain of terminals wound on a reel. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of a chain of terminals wound on a reel. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view showing one embodiment of the comparative example. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view showing another aspect of the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, the embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. The chain terminals in this disclosure are (1) A strip-shaped carrier having one side edge extending in the width direction; a plurality of terminals connected at intervals to the one side edge and projecting forward from the one side edge along the strip surface of the carrier; a first protective part connected to the one side edge alongside the terminals and having a first base end projection projecting forward from the one side edge, a first upright portion rising upward from the front end of the first base end projection, and a first tip projection projecting forward from the upper end of the first upright portion, with the first tip projection positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal closest to the carrier; a second protective part connected to the one side edge alongside the terminals and having a second base end projection projecting forward from the one side edge longer than the first base end projection, a second upright portion rising upward from the front end of the second base end projection, and a second tip projection projecting forward from the upper end of the second upright portion, with the second tip projection positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal furthest from the carrier.

[0010] In a state where the interlocking terminals are wound around a reel, one of the two terminals arranged in the vertical direction may take an inclined posture with respect to the other. If one terminal inclines such that the front end side approaches the front end side of the other terminal, the separator paper intervening between the two terminals can contact the second tip protruding portion of the second protective portion adjacent to the other terminal, so that it is possible to avoid the front end side of the other terminal from interfering with the separator paper and being deformed. Further, if one terminal inclines such that the rear end side approaches the rear end side of the other terminal, the separator paper can contact the first tip protruding portion of the first protective portion adjacent to the other terminal, so that it is possible to avoid the rear end side of the other terminal from interfering with the separator paper and being deformed. Therefore, according to the above configuration, in a state where the interlocking terminals are wound around a reel, it is possible to effectively prevent the terminals from being deformed.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), it is preferable that at least a portion of the second base end protruding portion closer to the connecting end connected to the carrier is formed wider than the first base end protruding portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the second base end protruding portion having a long shape in the front-rear direction is difficult to deform, and the rigidity of the second base end protruding portion can be ensured.

[0013] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the terminal has a cylindrical main body portion on the side far from the carrier, the main body portion is disposed above the carrier, and it is preferable that the second tip protruding portion is disposed above the main body portion.

[0014] According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably avoid the separator paper from contacting the main body portion located on the side far from the carrier by the second tip protruding portion.

[0015] (4) In the above (3), it is preferable that the second tip protruding portion is formed longer in the front-rear direction than the first tip protruding portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when one of the terminals arranged in the vertical direction is in an inclined posture with respect to the other, the separator paper is likely to contact the second tip protruding portion of the second protection portion adjacent to the other terminal. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably avoid the separator paper from contacting the main body portion of the other terminal.

[0017] (5) In the above (3) or (4), it is preferable that the second standing portion is tilted forward upward.

[0018] According to the above configuration, compared with the case where the second standing portion stands vertically upward, the total length of the second protection portion continuous with the second base end protruding portion, the second standing portion, and the second tip protruding portion can be shortened. Therefore, waste of material taking can be saved.

[0019] (6) In any of the above (3) to (5), in the developed state of the terminal, the first protection portion, and the second protection portion, it is preferable that the first protection portion is disposed in a dead space formed behind the main body portion and in front of the carrier.

[0020] According to the above configuration, in the developed state of the chain terminal, the first protection portion can be efficiently disposed in the dead space formed behind the main body portion and in front of the carrier. Therefore, waste of material taking can be saved.

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

[0022] <Embodiment 1> The chain terminal 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a carrier 11, a plurality of terminals 12 protruding from the carrier 11, a plurality of first protective parts 13 protruding from the carrier 11, and a plurality of second protective parts 14 protruding from the carrier 11. The chain terminal 10 is transported to a work site where a process such as detaching the terminals 12 from the carrier 11 is performed, while wound on a reel (not shown). In the following description, the width direction is the direction in which the carrier 11 extends, and corresponds to the left-right direction in Figure 2. For the front-rear direction, the direction in which the terminals 12 protrude from the carrier 11 is considered the front. The left side of Figure 3 is the front. The up-down direction is based on the up-down direction in Figure 3. In Figure 1, the width direction is indicated by arrow W, the front is indicated by arrow F, and the top is indicated by the symbol U.

[0023] (Structure of chain terminals) The chain terminal 10 is formed by punching out a conductive metal plate and then bending the terminal 12, the first protective part 13, and the second protective part 14. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal 12, the first protective part 13, and the second protective part 14 are sequentially connected to the carrier 11.

[0024] The carrier 11 extends in a strip shape in the width direction and has a side edge 15 at its front end that also extends in the width direction. Multiple feed holes 16 are formed through the carrier 11 at intervals in the width direction. The feed holes 16 are pilot holes that guide the terminal 12 to a press machine or the like (not shown) that manufactures the terminal 12.

[0025] Each terminal 12 is connected to one side edge 15 of the carrier 11 at a fixed interval and is positioned to protrude forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11. In this specification, terminal 12 corresponds to a terminal element that is directly connected to one side edge 15 of the carrier 11. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, terminal 12 has a rectangular tubular body portion 17 positioned at the front, a strip-shaped extension portion 18 positioned at a lower level than the body portion 17 at the rear, and a curved plate-shaped connecting portion 19 that slopes upward from the extension portion 18 to the body portion 17.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the extension portion 18 is positioned to correspond to the feed hole 16 of the carrier 11. The extension portion 18 is continuous with the carrier 11 without any steps, along the plate surface (strip surface) of the carrier 11.

[0027] The main body portion 17 is formed by folding multiple times in the width direction, as shown from Figure 2 to Figure 1, and as shown in Figure 1, the upper wall has a mating edge 21 that interlocks with the grooves in the center in the width direction. The main body portion 17 has elastically deformable elastic portions 22 on the upper wall, lower wall, and both side walls in the width direction. Each elastic portion 22 is a double-supported beam shape extending in the front-rear direction at the front end of the main body portion 17 and has a contact portion 23 that bends outward in a mountain shape.

[0028] This terminal 12 is disconnected from the carrier 11 and becomes part of the outer conductor of a shielded connector (not shown). Each elastic portion 22 is electrically connected to a mating outer conductor (not shown) by bringing its contact portion 23 into contact with the mating outer conductor. The extension portion 18 is crimped to a cover (not shown) and is electrically connected to the shield portion of a shielded wire, such as the braided wire, via the cover.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each first protective section 13 is connected at a constant interval between adjacent terminals 12 on one side edge 15 of the carrier 11 and is positioned to protrude forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11. The first protective section 13 as a whole is a strip-shaped plate extending with a constant width in the front-rear direction and is positioned in the dead space 34 formed between the main body 17 and the carrier 11 in the deployed state shown in Figure 2.

[0030] The first protective portion 13 is bent in the thickness direction from the unfolded state shown in Figure 2. As a result, the first protective portion 13 has a configuration in which, as shown in Figure 1, a first base end projection 24 projecting forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11, a first upright portion 25 rising upward from the front end of the first base end projection 24, and a first tip projection 26 projecting forward from the upper end of the first upright portion 25 are continuously attached to the carrier 11 along the plate surface of the carrier 11 without any steps.

[0031] The first base projection 24 and the first tip projection 26 are each formed to be shorter in length than the first upright portion 25. As shown in Figure 3, the first upright portion 25 stands vertically with the plate surface facing the front-rear direction. The lower end of the first upright portion 25 is perpendicular to the front end of the first base projection 24, and the upper end of the first upright portion 25 is perpendicular to the rear end of the first tip projection 26. The first protective portion 13 as a whole is positioned on the side of the carrier 11 that is on the extension portion 18 side of the adjacent terminal 12.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, each second protective section 14 is connected at a certain distance between adjacent terminals 12 on one side edge 15 of the carrier 11 and is positioned to protrude forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11.

[0033] The second protective portion 14 is bent in the thickness direction from the unfolded state shown in Figure 2. As a result, the second protective portion 14 has a configuration in which, as shown in Figure 1, a second base end projection 27 protruding forward from one side edge 15 of the carrier 11, a second upright portion 28 rising upward from the front end of the second base end projection 27, and a second tip projection 29 protruding forward from the upper end of the second upright portion 28 are continuously formed.

[0034] The second base projection 27 has a wide portion 31 on the side closer to the carrier 11 and a narrow portion 32 on the side further away from the carrier 11. As shown in Figure 2, the wide portion 31 is positioned adjacent to the first protective portion 13 in the width direction. The narrow portion 32 protrudes forward from the edge of the wide portion 31 on the side of the first protective portion 13 at its front end. In the deployed state shown in Figure 2, a slit 33 is formed between the wide portion 31 and the first protective portion 13, extending in the front-rear direction and opening forward. The portion of the wide portion 31 that protrudes on the side opposite to the first protective portion 13 is positioned in the dead space 35 formed between the main body 17 of the adjacent terminal 12 (the terminal on the opposite side of the first protective portion 13) and the carrier 11. Furthermore, in the unfolded state shown in Figure 2, the narrow portion 32, the second upright portion 28, and the second tip projection portion 29 are arranged in the pitch space 36 between the main body portions 17 of adjacent terminals 12 (the terminal 12 described above and other terminals 12) in the width direction.

[0035] The second upright portion 28 and the second tip projection 29 are formed with the same width dimension as the narrow portion 32. The second upright portion 28 is positioned with its plate surface facing the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figure 3, the second upright portion 28 is shaped to stand up while sloping upward from the front end of the narrow portion 32. The upright dimension (height dimension) of the second upright portion 28 from the second base projection 27 is greater than the upright dimension (height dimension) of the first upright portion 25 from the first base projection 24. The second upright portion 28 is positioned in the width direction alongside the front-to-back intermediate side of the main body portion 17 of the adjacent terminal 12.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the second tip projection 29 extends horizontally forward from the upper end of the second upright portion 28, and is longer than the first tip projection 26. The second tip projection 29 is positioned in the width direction alongside the front end side of the main body portion 17 of the adjacent terminal 12, and corresponds to the upright dimension of the second upright portion 28, and is positioned above the upper surface of the front end side of the main body portion 17. The height dimension of the second protective portion 14, with the upper end surface of the second tip projection 29 as its upper end, is greater than the overall height dimension of the terminal 12. The front end of the second tip projection 29 is positioned in front of the front end of the main body portion 17 of the terminal 12. Each elastic portion 22 of the terminal 12 is positioned within the formation range of the second tip projection 29 in the front-rear direction.

[0037] (The function of the chain terminals) As shown in Figure 4, the chain terminal 10 is wound onto a reel (not shown) when transported to the work site as described above. When wound onto the reel, interlayer paper 60 is interposed between the terminals 12 arranged vertically between each layer of the chain terminal 10, as shown in Figure 3.

[0038] When the chain terminal 10 is wound on a reel, the upper and lower terminals (hereinafter referred to as the upper terminal 12A and the lower terminal 12B) are normally arranged parallel to each other in the front-to-back direction, as shown in Figure 3. However, due to vibrations during transport, one of the upper and lower terminals 12A and 12B may be subjected to a force that causes it to tilt relative to the other. If, unlike in Embodiment 1, the chain terminal 10 is not equipped with the first protective part 13 and the second protective part 14, and a force is applied to the upper terminal 12A that displaces the front end of the main body 17 downward, there is a concern that the interlayer paper 60 pressed by the upper terminal 12A may come into contact with the front end of the main body 17 at the lower terminal 12B, as shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, if, unlike in this embodiment 1, the chain terminal 10 is not equipped with the first protective part 13 and the second protective part 14, and a force is applied to the upper terminal 12A that displaces the rear end side of the main body 17 downward, there is a concern that the interlayer paper 60 pressed by the upper terminal 12A may come into contact with the rear end side of the main body 17 at the lower terminal 12B, as shown in Figure 6.

[0039] In contrast, in the case of this embodiment 1, when a force is applied to the upper terminal 12A that displaces the front end of the main body 17 downward, the interlayer paper 60 pressed by the upper terminal 12A interferes with the second tip projection 29 of the second protective part 14 adjacent to the lower terminal 12B. Therefore, contact between the interlayer paper 60 and the front end of the lower terminal 12B can be avoided. Also, when a force is applied to the upper terminal 12A that displaces the rear end of the main body 17 downward, the interlayer paper 60 pressed by the upper terminal 12A interferes with the first tip projection 26 of the first protective part 13 adjacent to the lower terminal 12B. Therefore, contact between the interlayer paper 60 and the rear end of the lower terminal 12B can be avoided.

[0040] Thus, according to this embodiment 1, when a force that tilts the terminal 12 is applied while the chain terminal 10 is wound on a reel, at least one of the first tip projection 26 and the second tip projection 29 interferes with the interlayer paper 60, thereby effectively preventing the terminal 12 from deforming due to interference with the interlayer paper 60.

[0041] In particular, in this embodiment 1, the main body portion 17 is positioned above the carrier 11, the second tip projection 29 is positioned above the main body portion 17, and furthermore, the second tip projection 29 is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the first tip projection 26. Therefore, even if the main body portion 17 is positioned on the side farther from the carrier 11, deformation of the main body portion 17 can be reliably prevented by the second tip projection 29.

[0042] Furthermore, since the wide portion 31 of the second base protrusion 27 is formed to be wider than the first base protrusion 24, the second base protrusion 27 is less prone to deformation even if it has a shape that extends long in the front-rear direction, and the rigidity of the second base protrusion 27 can be ensured.

[0043] Furthermore, because the second upright portion 28 is tilted forward upward, the overall length of the second protective portion 14, which is continuous with the second base end projection 27, the second upright portion 28, and the second tip projection 29, can be shortened compared to the case where the second upright portion 28 stands vertically upward. As a result, in the unfolded state shown in Figure 2, the front end of the second tip projection 29 does not protrude unnecessarily far beyond the front end of the terminal 12, thus reducing material waste.

[0044] Furthermore, in the deployed shape shown in Figure 2, the first protective section 13 is positioned in a dead space 34 that is located behind the main body 17 and in front of the carrier 11. This allows the first protective section 13 to be efficiently positioned in the dead space 34, thereby reducing material waste more effectively.

[0045] [Other embodiments of this disclosure] Embodiment 1 disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. In the first embodiment described above, a slit was formed between the first base protrusion and the second base protrusion. In contrast, according to other embodiments, a slit may not be formed between the first base protrusion and the second base protrusion, and the first base protrusion and the second base protrusion may be integrally connected. In the first embodiment described above, when the terminal is tilted, at least one of the first tip protrusion and the second tip protrusion is set to interfere with the interlayer paper. In contrast, according to other embodiments, when the terminal is tilted, at least one of the first tip protrusion and the second tip protrusion may be set to interfere with the other terminal or other foreign object. In the first embodiment described above, the first upright portion stood vertically, and the second upright portion tilted upward and forward. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the first upright portion may tilt upward and forward, and the second upright portion may stand vertically. In the first embodiment described above, the second tip projection was formed to be longer in the front-to-back direction than the first tip projection. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the second tip projection may be formed to have the same front-to-back dimensions as the first tip projection, or it may be formed to be shorter in the front-to-back direction than the first tip projection. In the first embodiment described above, the second base projection had a wider portion on the rear end side than the first base projection. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the second base projection may be formed to be wider overall than the first base projection. In the first embodiment described above, the terminal was configured as an outer conductor terminal. In contrast, according to other embodiments, the terminal may be a normal male or female terminal comprising a connecting portion (corresponding to the main body) that can be connected to a mating terminal, and a barrel portion that is crimped and connected to a general electric wire (unshielded electric wire). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 10…chain terminal 11…Career 12… Terminals 12A... Upper terminal 12B...Lower terminal 13…1st protection department 14...Second Protection Department 15...One side edge 16…Feed hole 17...Main body 18...Extending part 19…Connecting part 21... Matching edges 22...Elastic part 23... Contact point 24...First proximal protrusion 25...1st standing part 26...First tip protrusion 27...Second proximal protrusion 28…Second standing part 29…Second tip protrusion 31... Wide part 32...Narrow part 33... Slit 34, 35… Dead space 36…Pitch space 60...Interlayer paper

Claims

1. A strip-shaped carrier having one side edge extending in the width direction, Multiple terminals are connected at intervals to the aforementioned side edge and protrude forward from the aforementioned side edge along the band surface of the carrier, A first protective portion is connected to one side edge alongside the terminal and has a first base end projection that protrudes forward from the one side edge, a first upright portion that rises upward from the front end of the first base end projection, and a first tip projection that protrudes forward from the upper end of the first upright portion, wherein the first tip projection is positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal closest to the carrier, A chain terminal comprising: a second base end projection connected to one side edge alongside the terminal and projecting forward from the one side edge longer than the first base end projection; a second upright portion rising upward from the front end of the second base end projection; and a second tip projection projecting forward from the upper end of the second upright portion, wherein the second tip projection is positioned adjacent to the part of the terminal furthest from the carrier.

2. The chain terminal according to claim 1, wherein at least the portion of the second base end projection closer to the connecting end that is connected to the carrier is formed to be wider than the first base end projection.

3. The chain terminal according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has a cylindrical body portion on the side furthest from the carrier, the body portion is positioned above the carrier, and the second tip projection is positioned above the body portion.

4. The chain terminal according to claim 3, wherein the second tip projection is formed to be longer in the front-rear direction than the first tip projection.

5. The chain terminal according to claim 3, wherein the second upright portion is tilted forward toward upward.

6. The chain terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, in the deployed state of the terminal, the first protective part and the second protective part, the first protective part is located in a dead space formed behind the main body and in front of the carrier.

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