Press-fit terminal

Abstract

Provided is a press-fit terminal having a terminal connection part and board connection parts, the press-fit terminal making it possible to reduce twisting of the board connection parts when a load is applied to the terminal connection part.　The press-fit terminal 1 comprises: a terminal connection part 2 that is electrically connected to a counterpart terminal; a plurality of board connection parts 3A, 3B that each have a press-fit part 31 and are press-fitted and connected to through-holes of a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction; and a plurality of shaft parts 4 that integrally connect each of the plurality of board connection parts 3A, 3B to the terminal connection part 2. The plurality of board connection parts 3A, 3B include a first group of board connection parts 3A in which the width direction of the press-fit part 31 is oriented in a first direction x, and a second group of board connection parts 3B in which the width direction of the press-fit part 31 is oriented in a second direction y different from the first direction x.

Description

Press-fit terminals

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

[0002] A press-fit terminal has a board connection portion at one end with a press-fit portion that is press-fitted into a through-hole in a circuit board, and a terminal connection portion at the other end that can be connected to a mating terminal. When the board connection portion of the press-fit terminal is press-fitted into a through-hole in a circuit board and an operation is performed to connect or disconnect the terminal connection portion to a mating connection terminal, a load is applied to the board connection portion or the shaft connecting the board connection portion and the terminal connection portion, which may cause damage to these parts. A structure has been proposed to avoid damage caused by the application of such loads.

[0003] For example, in the electrical terminal pin (press-fit terminal) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the resilient portion (press-fit part) has a tapered transition portion extending from the axial end to the widened region that forms the contact portion with the inner surface of the through-hole. Furthermore, the resilient portion has an S-shaped cross-sectional shape in the transverse direction. This tapered structure and S-shaped cross-sectional shape are intended to allow the resilient portion to withstand a certain degree of bending and / or twisting after insertion into the through-hole. In other words, they are intended to prevent the pin from breaking immediately above the printed circuit board due to bending or twisting of the mating portion of the pin.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-241775

[0005] As in the embodiment of Patent Document 1, in a press-fit terminal, by providing a tapered structure or forming an S-shaped cross section in the press-fit portion constituting the board connection portion, damage such as breakage or bending to the board connection portion or shaft portion due to the load applied to the press-fit terminal when attaching or detaching a mating terminal to the terminal connection portion on the opposite side can be suppressed. However, the impact of the load applied to the terminal connection portion on the press-fit terminal can include not only damage to the press-fit terminal itself, such as breakage or bending, but also poor connection at the connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole of the circuit board. For example, when a load is applied to the press-fit terminal, prying may occur at the connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole. Prying is a phenomenon in which external force is unevenly applied to the connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole, and prying can increase contact resistance and reduce the retention force holding the board connection portion in the through-hole. Providing a tapered structure in the press-fit portion or adopting an S-shaped cross-section, as in Patent Document 1, is difficult to effectively reduce the impact of prying.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a press-fit terminal having a terminal connection portion and a board connection portion, which can reduce twisting that occurs in the board connection portion when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion.

[0007] The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure has a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal, a plurality of board connection portions each having a press-fit portion that is press-fit connected to a through-hole of a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction, and a plurality of axial portions that integrally connect each of the plurality of board connection portions to the terminal connection portion, and the plurality of board connection portions include a first group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0008] The press-fit terminal according to the present disclosure is a press-fit terminal having a terminal connection portion and a board connection portion, and is capable of reducing twisting that occurs in the board connection portion when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a press-fit terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a bottom view showing the press-fit terminal. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the press-fit terminal of Figs. 1 and 2 with a reduced number of board connection portions. Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the press-fit terminal of Figs. 1 and 2 in a state before assembly.

[0010] [Description of the embodiment of the present disclosure] First, the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0011] [1] The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure comprises a terminal connection portion electrically connected to a mating terminal, a plurality of board connection portions each having a press-fit portion that is press-fit connected to a through-hole of a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction, and a plurality of shaft portions that integrally connect each of the plurality of board connection portions to the terminal connection portion, wherein the plurality of board connection portions include a first group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

[0012] In the press-fit terminal, multiple board connection portions are coupled to a common terminal connection portion via respective shanks. The board connection portions include a first group and a second group of board connection portions with the width directions of the press-fit portions oriented in different first and second directions. By providing the board connection portions with the width directions of the press-fit portions oriented in different directions, when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion while the board connection portions are press-fitted into the through-holes of a circuit board, the load is distributed among the multiple board connection portions with the press-fit portions oriented in different directions. This reduces the likelihood of concentrated load application to some board connection portions or in certain directions, and thus reduces the likelihood of significant twisting at the connections between each board connection portion and the through-hole. This reduced twisting reduces the likelihood of problems caused by twisting, such as increased contact resistance and reduced holding force, between the board connection portions and the through-holes.

[0013] [2] In the aspect [1] above, it is preferable that the first group and the second group each include a plurality of the board connection portions, and that the plurality of board connection portions constituting the first group are aligned along the first direction, and the plurality of board connection portions constituting the second group are aligned along the second direction. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions, with the width directions of the press-fit portions oriented in different directions, distribute the load applied to the terminal connection portions, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing prying at each board connection portion.

[0014] [3] In the above-described aspects [1] or [2], the first direction and the second direction may be orthogonal to each other. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions can effectively distribute loads applied to the terminal connection portions in various directions. Furthermore, the terminal connection portions can be more easily supported in a balanced manner by the multiple board connection portions. In addition, in a typical circuit board, through holes are arranged in vertical and horizontal directions that are orthogonal to each other, making it easier to align the arrangement of the through holes with the arrangement of the board connection portions.

[0015] [4] In the embodiment [3] above, the cross section of the terminal connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft portions extend may have a rectangular outer shape, with the rectangle having a first pair of sides parallel to the first direction and a second pair of sides parallel to the second direction. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions are arranged with the width direction of the press-fit portion parallel to the first pair of sides and the second pair of sides of the terminal connection portion, respectively. This structure effectively distributes the load applied to the terminal connection portion having a rectangular cross section among the first and second groups of board connection portions. Furthermore, the effect of supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner among the board connection portions is enhanced. In addition, the overall structure of the press-fit terminal is simplified, allowing it to be easily manufactured from raw material stamped out of a flat metal material. Note that the term "rectangle" also includes a square.

[0016] [5] In the aspect [4] above, it is preferable that each of the first group and the second group includes a plurality of the board connection portions, the board connection portions of the first group being arranged facing each of the pair of sides, and the board connection portions of the second group being arranged facing each of the second pair of sides. In this case, the board connection portions of the first group and the second group are particularly effective in distributing the load applied to the terminal connection portions and in supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner.

[0017] [6] In the above aspect [5], it is preferable that the first group of board connection portions and the second group of board connection portions are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center of gravity of the rectangle. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions are more effective in distributing the load applied to the terminal connection portions and in supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner.

[0018] [7] In any of the above aspects [1] to [6], the terminal connection portion may as a whole constitute the electrical connection portion of a single mating female terminal. In this case, a single terminal connection portion is physically supported and electrically connected to a circuit board by multiple board connection portions facing in different directions, making it easier to configure the terminal connection portion large and to accommodate the application of large currents. Even when connecting a mating male terminal to a large mating female terminal, the load is distributed across the multiple board connection portions, effectively suppressing prying at each board connection portion.

[0019] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] A press-fit terminal according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, terms related to shape and arrangement, such as "parallel" and "orthogonal," are not limited to strict geometrical concepts, but also include forms with tolerances within the range normally tolerated for press-fit terminals. The tolerance range is, for example, approximately ±10% in terms of length and angle.

[0020] <Structure of Press-Fit Terminal> Figures 1 and 2 show the structure of a press-fit terminal 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 is a perspective view, and Figure 2 is a bottom view, i.e., a view from the tip side of board connection portions 3A and 3B. Figure 3 shows the structure of the press-fit terminal 1 in Figure 1, excluding the board connection portions 3A and 3B located at the back, so that the structure can be more easily understood.

[0021] The press-fit terminal 1 integrally includes one terminal connection portion 2, multiple board connection portions 3A and 3B, and multiple shanks 4. Each of the multiple board connection portions 3A and 3B is connected to the common terminal connection portion 2 via the shank 4. The press-fit terminal 1 is entirely made of metal. While the type of metal constituting the press-fit terminal 1 is not particularly limited, copper, copper alloys, or materials with a metal layer such as tin formed on their surfaces are preferred from the standpoint of conductivity. In Figures 1 to 3, the direction in which the shank 4 extends is the vertical direction (z direction), the direction in which the terminal connection portion 2 is connected to the shank 4 is the upward direction (+z direction), and the direction in which the board connection portions 3A and 3B are connected is the downward direction (-z direction). Furthermore, within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, one direction is the horizontal direction (x direction), and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is the depth direction (y direction).

[0022] The terminal connection portion 2 is a portion electrically connected to a mating terminal. The terminal connection portion 2 may have a structure similar to that of a known electrical connection terminal, and its type and specific structure are not particularly limited. Here, the terminal connection portion 2 is configured as an electrical connection portion of a mating female terminal. Specifically, the terminal connection portion 2 has a clamping portion 21 in the shape of a rectangular tube with an open top. Specifically, the terminal connection portion 2 has a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the shank 4, i.e., the vertical direction (z direction), that is, a rectangular shape. A first pair of sides 2a of the rectangle extend along the horizontal direction (x direction), and a second pair of sides 2b extend along the depth direction (y direction). The term "rectangle" also includes a square. In the terminal connection portion 2, a resilient contact piece 22 integrally formed with the wall surface of the clamping portion 21 is provided inside the clamping portion 21 and protrudes inward. The opposing male terminal can be inserted into the clamping portion 21 from above, and the inserted male terminal is clamped and held between the elastic contact piece 22 and the opposing wall surface of the clamping portion 21, thereby fitting and connecting the male terminal to the terminal connection portion 2 having the structure of a female terminal.

[0023] The board connection portions 3A, 3B constituting the press-fit terminal 1 can be press-fitted into through holes in a circuit board, and when press-fitted, form an electrical connection with the inner wall surfaces of the through holes. Each of the board connection portions 3A, 3B has a press-fit portion 31. The press-fit portion 31 has a shape that protrudes on both sides in the width direction at a midpoint in the up-down direction. The board connection portions 3A, 3B are press-fitted into the through holes while the press-fit portion 31 is elastically deformed in the width direction by being compressed. In the illustrated embodiment, the press-fit portion 31 has a needle-eye press-fit structure and includes a pair of resilient contact pieces that protrude outward in the width direction. A hole-like opening is provided between the pair of resilient contact pieces.

[0024] In the press-fit terminal 1 according to this embodiment, multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are coupled to a common terminal connection portion 2 via respective shaft portions 4, but not all of the board connection portions 3A, 3B face the same direction. Specifically, the press-fit terminal 1 includes a first group of board connection portions 3A in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 faces a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions 3B in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 faces a second direction. The first and second directions are mutually different. While the specific directions are not particularly limited, in the embodiment shown here, the first and second directions are mutually orthogonal. Specifically, the first direction corresponds to the horizontal direction (x direction) of the press-fit terminal 1 as a whole, and the second direction corresponds to the depth direction (y direction) of the press-fit terminal 1 as a whole.

[0025] The number of board connection portions 3A / 3B constituting the first and second groups is not particularly specified, but preferably a plurality of each. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second groups each include four board connection portions 3A / 3B. Furthermore, as long as the width direction of each board connection portion 3A / 3B faces the first or second direction, there are no particular limitations on the arrangement position; each board connection portion 3A / 3B may be arranged in a position that allows it to be press-fitted into a through-hole in the board. In the illustrated embodiment, multiple board connection portions 3A constituting the first group are aligned with each other in the first direction, i.e., the horizontal direction (x direction). Multiple board connection portions 3B constituting the second group are aligned with each other in the second direction, i.e., the depth direction (y direction). Here, "multiple board connection portions aligned in a certain direction" refers to a state in which the straight lines connecting the tips of the board connection portions face in that direction.

[0026] More specifically, in the press-fit terminal 1 according to this embodiment, two of each of the first group of board connection portions 3A are arranged facing a first pair of sides 2a of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. Two of each of the second group of board connection portions 3B are arranged facing a second pair of sides 2b of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. Here, "board connection portions 3A / 3B facing the sides of the rectangle" refers to a state in which the board connection portions 3A / 3B are arranged with the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 parallel to the sides of the rectangle, immediately inside the sides, specifically, with the faces of the press-fit portions 31 flush with the sides. Preferably, each of the first group of board connection portions 3A and each of the second group of board connection portions 3B are arranged symmetrically about the center of gravity O (a vertical axis passing through the center of gravity O; the same applies hereinafter) of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. 2, one board connection portion 3A of the first group and another board connection portion 3A of the first group may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the center of gravity O of the rectangle, as shown by the dashed line in one example. The same applies to the board connection portions 3B of the second group.

[0027] The press-fit terminal 1 in the illustrated form is made entirely of metal material, and the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are all integrally connected to the common terminal connection portion 2 via the shaft portion 4. Therefore, each board connection portion 3A, 3B is electrically continuous with the terminal connection portion 2. When each board connection portion 3A, 3B is inserted into a through-hole of the circuit board and a mating male terminal is connected to the terminal connection portion 2, an electrical connection is formed via the press-fit terminal 1 between the mating male terminal and the through-hole into which each board connection portion 3A, 3B is inserted.

[0028] <Method of Manufacturing Press-Fit Terminal> Here, a brief description will be given of an example of a method of manufacturing the press-fit terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the structure of which has been described above. The press-fit terminal 1 described above has the terminal connection portion 2 configured as the electrical connection portion of a mating female terminal having a rectangular cross section, and the board connection portions 3A, 3B arranged along each side of the terminal connection portion 2, and therefore can be easily assembled and manufactured from raw material that has been punched out flat.

[0029] FIG. 4 shows the structure of a planar blank 1' before assembly. In the blank 1', four continuous face portions 2' constitute each side of the clamping portion 21 of the terminal connection portion 2, with two shanks 4 protruding from each face portion 2'. A board connection portion 3 equipped with a press-fit portion 31 is formed at the tip of each of the shanks 4. A total of eight board connection portions 3 are integrally connected at their tips by a continuous strip-shaped carrier 5. Furthermore, one of the face portions 2' has a tongue-shaped portion that protrudes opposite the shank 4 and serves as the resilient contact piece 22 of the terminal connection portion 2. Additionally, a locking portion 6 is provided on the end face portion 2'. The blank 1' is constructed by punching out a planar plate material into a shape that includes these respective portions in a continuous manner.

[0030] After punching a metal plate to produce the punched blank 1', the blank 1' is bent at the boundaries between adjacent face portions 2' to form a rectangular cylindrical clamping portion 21 from the four face portions 2'. The face portions 2' at both ends can be locked using the locking portions 6 as needed to stably maintain the rectangular cylindrical shape of the clamping portion 21. Furthermore, the resilient contact pieces 22 can be bent inside the rectangular tube. When the terminal connection portion 2 having a rectangular cylindrical shape is formed in this manner, the board connection portions 3 protruding from each face portion 2' are oriented in two different directions that are perpendicular to each other as the face portions 2' are bent. As a result, the board connection portions 3, which were all formed on the same plane, are divided into a first group of board connection portions 3A and a second group of board connection portions 3B, with the width directions of the press-fit portions 31 oriented in mutually perpendicular directions, and are arranged facing each side of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. For example, in the punched raw material 1', the board connection portions 3 protruding from the first and third face portions 2' from the left become a first group of board connection portions 3A, and the board connection portions 3 protruding from the second and fourth face portions 2' from the left become a second group of board connection portions 3B. The carriers 5 may be appropriately separated from the board connection portions 3 before or while bending the face portions 2'.

[0031] <Characteristics of Press-Fit Terminal> In the press-fit terminal 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, a plurality of board connection portions 3A, 3B are coupled to the common terminal connection portion 2, and these board connection portions 3A, 3B include a first group of board connection portions 3A and a second group of board connection portions 3B in which the width directions of the press-fit portion 31 are oriented in mutually different directions. This structure of the press-fit terminal 1 can reduce prying of the board connection portions 3A, 3B that occurs when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2. The mechanism is as follows.

[0032] When a mating male terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2 of the press-fit terminal 1 with the board connection portions 3A, 3B press-fitted into the through-holes of the circuit board to form a mating connection, or when the mated male terminal is removed, a load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2. This load is likely to be applied not only in the vertical direction (z-direction) but also in directions other than the vertical direction. Furthermore, it is likely to be applied in an uneven direction. When an uneven load, including components other than the vertical direction, is applied to the terminal connection portion 2, the load is transmitted via the shanks 4 to the board connection portions 3A, 3B and to the contact points between the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through-holes of the circuit board. This transmitted load may cause prying at the connection points between the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through-holes. In other words, an external force may be applied unevenly to the connection points.

[0033] However, the press-fit terminal 1 according to this embodiment has multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B connected to a common terminal connection portion 2. Therefore, even if an uneven load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2 in a certain direction due to insertion or removal of a mating terminal, the load is transmitted in parts to the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B. Moreover, because the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are oriented in different width directions, the load is distributed in multiple directions. As a result, the load applied to the terminal connection portion 2 is less likely to be concentrated at the contact points between some of the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through-holes or in a specific direction. Therefore, localized large prying is less likely to occur at the contact points of each board connection portion 3A, 3B with the through-holes, reducing the prying effect. Reducing the prying effect reduces the occurrence of prying-related phenomena, such as increased contact resistance and a decrease in the retention force of the board connection portions 3A, 3B in the through-holes.

[0034] As long as the press-fit terminal 1 has at least one first group of board connection portions 3A whose width direction is oriented in a first direction and at least one second group of board connection portions 3B whose width direction is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, the effect of suppressing twisting can be achieved even if the number, orientation, and arrangement of the board connection portions 3A, 3B are varied. However, as described above, by adopting a structure in which multiple board connection portions 3A constituting the first group are aligned along the first direction and multiple board connection portions 3B constituting the second group are aligned along the second direction, the effect of suppressing twisting can be enhanced. Furthermore, by arranging the first and second directions perpendicular to each other, the load can be distributed, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing twisting. Circuit boards typically have a large number of through holes arranged in perpendicular vertical and horizontal directions, which facilitates the alignment of the board connection portions 3A, 3B relative to the circuit board.

[0035] Furthermore, when the terminal connection portion 2 is configured to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape as in the above embodiment, if the rectangle has a first pair of sides 2a parallel to the first direction, i.e., the horizontal direction (x direction), and a second pair of sides 2b parallel to the second direction, i.e., the depth direction (y direction), the load applied to the terminal connection portion 2 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape can be effectively distributed to the two groups of board connection portions 3A, 3B. This also facilitates balanced support of the terminal connection portion 2 on the circuit board. These effects can be particularly enhanced by arranging the first group of board connection portions 3A facing each of the first pair of sides 2a of the rectangle and the second group of board connection portions 3B facing each of the second pair of sides 2b, i.e., by arranging the board connection portions 3A, 3B facing each of the four sides of the rectangle. Furthermore, these effects can be further enhanced by arranging the board connection portions 3A, 3B in symmetrical positions about the center of gravity O of the rectangle.

[0036] In the embodiment described above, the terminal connection portion 2 as a whole constitutes a single electrical connection portion of a mating female terminal, and all of the board connection portions 3A, 3B are electrically connected to that single terminal connection portion 2. By configuring the entire terminal connection portion 2 as a single electrical connection portion in this manner, the large terminal connection portion 2 can be physically and stably held on the circuit board using multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B, and a conductive path with a large total cross-sectional area can be secured between the terminal connection portion 2 and the circuit board. This makes the press-fit terminal 1 suitable for use as a terminal for supplying large current from an external circuit board. However, in another embodiment, the terminal connection portion 2 may be partitioned into multiple electrically independent regions, with each region electrically connected to a different portion of the entire board connection portion 3A, 3B. In this case, each region functions as an independent electrical connection portion. That is, each region can be connected to a different mating terminal and used as a different conductive path.

[0037] In the embodiment described above, the press-fit portion 31 of each of the board connecting portions 3A, 3B has a simple planar needle-eye structure, but it may be configured with any press-fit structure, such as one having an S-shaped cross section as disclosed in Cited Document 1. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the width directions of the press-fit portions 31 of the multiple board connecting portions 3A, 3B are limited to the first direction and the second direction, but a configuration in which board connecting portions facing in three or more directions coexist may also be used.

[0038] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0039] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 press-fit terminal 1' punched material 2 terminal connection portion 21 clamping portion 22 elastic contact piece of terminal connection portion 2a first pair of sides 2b second pair of sides 2' surface portion 3 board connection portion 31 press-fit portion 3A first group of board connection portions 3B second group of board connection portions 4 shaft portion 5 carrier 6 locking portion O center of gravity of rectangle x horizontal direction y depth direction z up-down direction

Claims

1. A press-fit terminal having: a terminal connection portion electrically connected to a mating terminal; a plurality of board connection portions each having a press-fit portion that is press-fit connected to a through-hole in a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction; and a plurality of shaft portions that integrally join each of the plurality of board connection portions to the terminal connection portion, wherein the plurality of board connection portions include: a first group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a first direction; and a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

2. A press-fit terminal as described in claim 1, wherein the first group and the second group each include a plurality of the board connection portions, and the plurality of board connection portions constituting the first group are aligned with each other along the first direction, and the plurality of board connection portions constituting the second group are aligned with each other along the second direction.

3. A press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

4. A press-fit terminal as described in claim 3, wherein the cross section of the terminal connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the multiple shanks extend has a rectangular outer shape, and the rectangle has a first pair of sides parallel to the first direction and a second pair of sides parallel to the second direction.

5. A press-fit terminal according to claim 4, wherein the first group and the second group each include a plurality of the board connection portions, the board connection portions of the first group being arranged facing each of the pair of sides, and the board connection portions of the second group being arranged facing each of the second pair of sides.

6. A press-fit terminal as described in claim 5, wherein each of the first group of board connection portions and each of the second group of board connection portions are arranged at symmetrical positions around the center of gravity of the rectangle.

7. A press-fit terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the terminal connection portion as a whole constitutes the electrical connection portion of a single mating female terminal.

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