Female terminal and terminal unit

Abstract

Disclosed is a female terminal capable of reducing the likelihood of separation of a clip spring from a contact spring portion without any increase in the number of components.　A female terminal 10 comprises a male terminal mounting portion 16 into which a male terminal 12 is inserted to achieve continuity therewith. The male terminal mounting portion 16 includes a male terminal insertion opening 22, contact spring portions 26 opposing each other across a male terminal insertion gap 24, and a clip spring 32 that biases free-end portions 34 toward each other. At least one of the contact spring portions 26 includes an integrally provided engaging protrusion portion 62. The clip spring 32 includes, as an integrated unit: a mounting guide portion 76 which presses the engaging protrusion portion 62 as the clip spring 32 is mounted to the free-end portions 34, the mounting guide portion 76 thereby permitting the clip spring 32 to move forward in the mounting direction; and an engaged portion 78 which engages with the engaging protrusion portion 62 that has separated from the mounting guide portion 76. Engagement between the engaging protrusion portion 62 and the engaged portion 78 prevents displacement of the clip spring 32 in the separating direction from the contact spring portion 26.

Description

Female terminals and terminal units

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a female terminal and a terminal unit.

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a female terminal to which a flat tab-shaped male terminal is connected. The female terminal has a male terminal mounting portion into which the male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, and the female terminal and male terminal are used as a terminal unit. The male terminal mounting portion has a pair of support plate portions arranged opposite each other across a gap, and a pair of contact spring portions connected in a cantilevered manner to one end of the pair of support plate portions that define the male terminal insertion opening and protruding toward the other end. The pair of contact spring portions are arranged opposite each other across the male terminal insertion gap, and a separate clip spring is attached to each free end of the pair of contact spring portions to bias the free ends toward each other. The clip spring applies contact pressure to the pair of contact spring portions against the male terminal when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion portion, maintaining a stable connection between the male and female terminals.

[0003] JP 2022-83287 A

[0004] In the female terminal of Patent Document 1, engaging protrusions provided on each free end of a pair of contact spring portions are positioned in through holes formed in the connecting plate portion of the clip spring, thereby preventing the contact spring portions of the clip spring from displacing in the width direction. However, the combination of the engaging protrusions and the through holes cannot prevent displacement in the attachment direction of the clip spring to the contact spring portions, which is the direction in which the contact spring portions protrude. Therefore, there is a risk that the clip spring may become displaced in the attachment direction to the contact spring portions due to deformation of the pair of contact spring portions when inserting or removing a male terminal, or vibration during vehicle installation, and thus become detached from the contact spring portions. While it is possible to address this issue by adding an additional component to prevent the clip spring from disengaging from the contact spring portions, this would increase the number of parts, making it less desirable.

[0005] Therefore, a female terminal and a terminal unit are disclosed that can reduce the risk of the clip spring coming off the contact spring portion without increasing the number of parts.

[0006] The female terminal of the present disclosure includes a male terminal mounting portion into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting portion having a male terminal insertion opening provided on one end side, a pair of contact spring portions connected to the one end side in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end side, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, a connecting plate portion and a pair of clamping plate portions protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edge portions of the connecting plate portion, and the free ends of the pair of contact spring portions are mounted between the pair of clamping plate portions, and when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, the self-connecting portion is connected to the male terminal insertion opening provided on one end side, a pair of contact spring portions connected to the one end side in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end side, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, a connecting plate portion and a pair of clamping plate portions and a clip spring that urges the free ends toward each other, at least one of the pair of contact spring portions has an integrally formed engaging protrusion, and the clip spring has an integral attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as it is attached to the free ends, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion.

[0007] Also, a female terminal according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes a male terminal mounting portion into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting portion having a male terminal insertion opening provided on one end side, a pair of contact spring portions connected to the one end side in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end side, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, a connecting plate portion and a pair of clamping plate portions protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate portion, the pair of contact spring portions being disposed and mounted between the pair of clamping plate portions, and a clip spring that urges the contact spring portions in directions approaching each other when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, and At least one of the clip springs has an integrally formed engaging protrusion, and the clip spring has an attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as it is attached to the contact spring portion, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing in the direction of detachment from the contact spring portion, so that when the male terminal is not inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, the clip spring assembled to the pair of contact spring portions can be displaced in the opposing direction of the pair of contact spring portions.

[0008] The terminal unit of the present disclosure is a terminal unit including a female terminal and a male terminal connected to the female terminal, wherein the female terminal is a female terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a female terminal and a terminal unit that can reduce the risk of the clip spring coming off the contact spring portion without increasing the number of parts.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a female terminal according to a first embodiment in a connected state with a male terminal. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the female terminal shown in FIG. 1 in a disconnected state with a male terminal. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 4, corresponding to FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the female terminal shown in FIG. 4 in a state in which a clip spring is being attached to a pair of contact spring portions. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. 7, corresponding to the cross-section taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a female terminal according to a second embodiment in a connected state with a male terminal. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the female terminal shown in FIG. 9 in a disconnected state with a male terminal. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 12 and corresponds to FIG. 11 . FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 12 . FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a contact-forming fitting constituting the female terminal shown in FIG. 12 . FIG. 16 is an explanatory view for explaining the state in which a clip spring is attached to a pair of contact spring portions in the female terminal shown in FIG. 12 . FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a first metal flat plate constituting the main body of the female terminal shown in FIG. 12 before press working. FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a second metal flat plate constituting the contact-forming fitting shown in FIG. 15 before press working. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a female terminal according to a third embodiment in a connected state with a male terminal. FIG. 20 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 19 and corresponds to FIG. 3 . FIG. 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 19 in a disconnected state with a male terminal and corresponds to FIG. 5 . FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the female terminal shown in FIG. 21 . Fig. 23 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in the middle of mounting a clip spring to a pair of contact spring portions in the female terminal shown in Fig. 21, and is a view corresponding to the cross section XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 21. Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing the clip spring constituting the female terminal shown in Fig. 21 in a separate state before being assembled to the contact spring portions.

[0011] <Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. A female terminal of the present disclosure includes: (1) a male terminal mounting portion into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting portion having a male terminal insertion opening provided on one end side, a pair of contact spring portions connected to the one end side in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end side, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, a connecting plate portion, and a pair of clamping plate portions protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate portion, and the free ends of the pair of contact spring portions are mounted by being sandwiched between the pair of clamping plate portions, and when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, the free ends and a clip spring that urges the contact spring portions toward each other, and at least one of the pair of contact spring portions has an integrally formed engaging protrusion, and the clip spring has an integral attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as the clip spring is attached to the free end, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion.

[0012] According to the female terminal of the present disclosure, at least one of the pair of contact springs has an engaging protrusion integrally formed therewith, and the clip spring has an attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion to allow the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion. The engaging protrusion engages with the engaged portion, preventing the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion. This eliminates the need for a retainer or other additional component to prevent the clip spring from detaching, and provides a female terminal that reduces the risk of the clip spring detaching from the contact spring portion without increasing the number of parts.

[0013] (2) In the above (1), the connecting plate portion of the clip spring is disposed opposite to the protruding end surfaces of the pair of contact spring portions, and the clip spring is attached to the pair of contact spring portions so that the pair of clamping plate portions of the clip spring protrude from the connecting plate portion in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the pair of contact spring portions, and the opposite direction is the mounting direction of the clip spring, and the opposite side edge portions of each of the contact spring portions have the engaging portions protruding toward the opposing clamping plate portions and extending outward in the width direction of the contact spring portions. It is preferable that the engaging portion is formed integrally with each of the clamping plate portions of the clip spring, and that each of the clamping plate portions of the clip spring is integrally provided with an attachment guide portion that gradually protrudes outward in the width direction from the front side to the rear side in the attachment direction, and a recess portion that is connected to the rear end of the attachment guide portion and is recessed inward in the width direction more than the rear end to accommodate the engaging protrusion, and that the engaged portion is formed by a first step surface between the rear end of the attachment guide portion and the recess portion, and a bottom surface of the recess portion.

[0014] The clip spring can be attached to the free end of the contact spring portions from the protruding end faces of the contact spring portions in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the contact spring portions, with the connecting plate portion facing the protruding end faces of the pair of contact spring portions. This makes it easy to attach the clip spring to the pair of contact spring portions.

[0015] In addition, engaging protrusions are provided on both side edges of the pair of contact springs, and both side edges of the pair of clamping plates of the clip spring arranged opposite the pair of contact springs are integrally provided with, on the front side in the installation direction, an installation guide portion that gradually protrudes outward in the width direction from the front side to the rear side and a recessed portion that is connected to the rear end of the installation guide portion and recessed inward in the width direction relative to the rear end. As a result, as the clip spring inserted from the protruding end faces of the pair of contact springs is moved forward in the installation direction, the installation guide portions that gradually expand outward in the width direction, provided on both side edges of the pair of clamping plates, can stably press the engaging protrusions provided on both side edges of the pair of contact springs outward in the width direction. Then, when the clip spring is moved further forward in the installation direction, the engaging protrusions that have climbed over the installation guide portions are quickly accommodated in the recessed portion that is connected to the rear end of the installation guide portion and recessed inward in the width direction relative to the rear end. In this state, even if the clip spring attempts to displace in the direction opposite to the installation direction, the engaging protrusion engages with the first step surface between the rear end of the installation guide portion and the recessed portion, which constitutes the engaged portion, preventing the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion in the direction opposite to the installation direction. Furthermore, even if the clip spring attempts to displace in both width directions intersecting the installation direction, the engaging protrusions engage with the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions in the engaged portion on both sides in the width direction. This prevents the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion on both sides in the width direction intersecting the installation direction. This achieves both improved assembly ease and stable retention of the clip spring. In particular, the engagement of the engaging protrusions and the engaged portions at both side edges of the pair of contact spring portions and the pair of clamping plate portions prevents the clip spring from displacing in the direction opposite to the installation direction and in both width directions. This allows for a simple structure that prevents the female terminal from becoming larger, while more stably preventing the clip spring from displacing from the contact spring portion even when the male terminal is displaced.

[0016] (3) In the above (2), it is preferable that the engaging protrusion protrude beyond the clamping plate portion. By having the engaging protrusion protrude beyond the clamping plate portion, the engagement margin between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion (the first step surface and the bottom surface of the recessed portion) can be maximized, and the effect of the engaging protrusion in preventing the clip spring from coming off can be stably ensured.

[0017] (4) In the above (2) or (3), it is preferable that, when the engaging protrusion is housed in the recess, the protruding end surfaces of the pair of contact spring portions face the connecting plate portion of the clip spring so as to be able to abut against the connecting plate portion of the clip spring. When the engaging protrusion is housed in the recess, i.e., when the clip spring is completely attached to the pair of contact spring portions, the protruding end surfaces of the contact spring portions face the connecting plate portion of the clip spring so as to be able to abut against the connecting plate portion of the clip spring. This allows the protruding end surfaces of the contact spring portions to utilize the connecting plate portion of the clip spring to define the forward movement end of the clip spring in the attachment direction of the contact spring portions. Moreover, by bringing the connecting plate portion of the clip spring as close as possible to the protruding end surfaces of the contact spring portions, it is possible to advantageously reduce the length of the female terminal.

[0018] (5) In the above (2) or (3), it is preferable that the recessed portion has a second stepped surface that is connected to the rear end of the bottom surface and protrudes outward in the width direction, the second stepped surface being spaced forward from the connecting plate portion in the installation direction, and the rear end surface of the engaging protrusion faces the second stepped surface of the recessed portion when the engaging protrusion is accommodated in the recessed portion and is capable of abutting against the second stepped surface of the recessed portion. When the engaging protrusion is accommodated in the recessed portion, i.e., when the clip spring is fully attached to the pair of contact spring portions, the second stepped surface of the recessed portion faces the rear end surface of the engaging protrusion so as to be capable of abutting against the second stepped surface of the recessed portion. This allows the abutment of the second stepped surface of the recessed portion against the rear end surface of the engaging protrusion to determine the forward movement limit of the clip spring in the installation direction relative to the contact spring portions. Moreover, the second stepped surface of the recessed portion is located forward in the installation direction relative to the connecting plate portion of the clip spring. This allows the insertion allowance of the male terminal into the female terminal to be secured by the distance between the second step surface and the connecting plate portion in the mounting direction without increasing the protruding length of the pair of contact spring portions, and the insertion amount of the male terminal can be increased without increasing the size of the contact spring portions.

[0019] (6) In any one of (2) to (5) above, it is preferable that each of the contact spring portions extends in the protruding direction by penetrating its respective central widthwise portion in the plate thickness direction, and is divided into a first tongue piece and a second tongue piece that can be displaced independently of each other by a spring portion-side slit that opens on the protruding end surface, and each of the clamping plate portions of the clip spring extends in the protruding direction by penetrating its respective central widthwise portion in the plate thickness direction, and is divided into a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece that can be displaced independently of each other by a clip-side slit that opens on the protruding end surface, and that a pair of the first tongue pieces that are arranged opposite each other between a pair of the oppositely arranged first clamping pieces are clamped by the pair of first clamping pieces with the male terminal therebetween, and that a pair of the second tongue pieces that are arranged opposite each other between a pair of the oppositely arranged second clamping pieces are clamped by the pair of second clamping pieces with the male terminal therebetween.

[0020] Each contact spring portion is divided by a spring portion-side slit into first and second tongue pieces that can be displaced independently of each other, and each clamping plate portion is divided by a clip-side slit into first and second clamping pieces that can be displaced independently of each other. A pair of first tongue pieces that face each other with the male terminal therebetween can be clamped by a pair of first clamping pieces, and a pair of second tongue pieces that face each other with the male terminal therebetween can be clamped by a pair of second clamping pieces. As a result, the ability of the contact spring portion and the clamping plate portion to follow the displacement of the male terminal is improved, the first tongue pieces and the second tongue pieces can be advantageously maintained in a pressure-contact state in response to the rotational displacement of the male terminal, and the connection stability between the male and female terminals can be reliably ensured.

[0021] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), it is preferable that the male terminal mounting portion has a pair of support plate portions arranged opposite each other with a gap therebetween, the male terminal insertion opening is defined between the one end sides of each of the pair of support plate portions, and each of the contact spring portions is connected in a cantilevered manner to the one end side of each of the support plate portions via a curved portion. Because the contact spring portions are connected in a cantilevered manner to the one end sides of the support plate portions via the curved portions, it is possible to form the contact spring portions supported in a cantilevered manner on the support plate portions by press-bending a single metal flat plate, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0022] (8) In any one of (1) to (7) above, a main body is a pressed product of a first metal flat plate, the main body having a connection portion that is electrically connected to another member and a hollow tubular conductor portion, and a contact-forming metal fitting is a pressed product of a second metal flat plate that is thinner than the first metal flat plate and is inserted into and assembled to the tubular conductor portion, the male terminal mounting portion is configured to include the tubular conductor portion and the contact-forming metal fitting, the tubular conductor portion has a rectangular tubular shape with a pair of side walls and an upper wall and a lower wall connected by the pair of side walls, the male terminal insertion opening is provided on one end side, and the frame portion of the contact-forming metal fitting is configured to include the pair of tubular conductor portions. It is preferable that the male terminal mounting portion has a rectangular frame shape having a pair of side portions that are superimposed on each of the side walls, and an upper portion and a lower portion that are superimposed on the upper wall and the lower wall of the cylindrical conductor portion, and that the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion have a pair of contact spring portions that are held by the frame portion at one end and protrude inward toward the other end side in a cantilever-like manner, and that the upper portion and the lower portion of the frame portion are connected to the upper wall and the lower wall, so that the pair of contact spring portions are each connected in a cantilever-like manner to one end side of the male terminal mounting portion, and that the clip spring is attached to the free end portion of the pair of contact spring portions.

[0023] The main body, which has a connection portion for connecting to another component and a hollow tubular conductor, and the contact-forming fitting, which is electrically conductively attached to the tubular conductor of the main body, are constructed as separate components. Furthermore, the contact-forming fitting is formed using a second metal plate having a thickness thinner than that of the first metal plate forming the main body. This allows the contact spring to be thinner than the main body, while ensuring current-carrying capacity in the thicker main body. Therefore, even when high currents are required, the need to increase the length of the contact spring to ensure compliance with the male terminal is reduced compared to conventional structures, allowing for high currents without increasing the size of the female terminal. Furthermore, the tubular conductor is formed in a rectangular tube shape, and the contact-forming fitting is formed in a rectangular frame shape, advantageously ensuring their rigidity. Furthermore, by partially cutting and raising the upper and lower parts of the frame body of the contact-forming fitting toward the inside of the frame body, a pair of upper and lower cantilever-shaped contact spring parts are provided, which makes it possible to easily manufacture the contact spring parts with high yield.

[0024] Furthermore, by connecting the upper and lower parts of the frame body of the contact-forming fitting to the upper and lower walls of the tubular conductor part, respectively, the pair of contact spring parts can be supported in a cantilevered manner on the upper and lower walls, thereby ensuring stable rigidity of the pair of contact spring parts.

[0025] A female terminal according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: (9) a male terminal mounting portion into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting portion having a male terminal insertion opening provided at one end, a pair of contact spring portions connected to the one end in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap, a connecting plate portion and a pair of clamping plate portions protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate portion, the pair of contact spring portions being disposed and mounted between the pair of clamping plate portions, and a clip spring that urges the contact spring portions in directions approaching each other when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, and at least one of the pair of contact spring portions The clip spring has an integrally formed engaging protrusion, and the clip spring has an attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as the clip spring is attached to the contact spring portion, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing in the direction of detachment from the contact spring portion, so that when the male terminal is not inserted in the male terminal insertion gap, the clip spring assembled to the pair of contact spring portions can be displaced in the opposing direction of the pair of contact spring portions.

[0026] This aspect achieves the same effects and advantages as the aspect (1). Furthermore, when a male terminal is not inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, the clip springs attached to the pair of contact spring portions can be displaced in the opposing direction of the pair of contact spring portions. As a result, in the initial stage of mating when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, only the contact pressure of the pair of contact spring portions is applied to the male terminal, thereby suppressing contact wear. Then, in the later stage of mating when the male terminal has been inserted further, or in the fully mated state, contact pressure is applied by the clip spring, ensuring stable conduction between the male and female terminals. Therefore, by adopting the female terminal of this aspect in products in which male terminals are inserted and removed frequently, contact wear can be effectively suppressed, improving product durability, etc. Furthermore, because the clip spring can be displaced in response to the male terminal during insertion, the tracking ability of the pair of clamping plate portions and the pair of contact spring portions relative to the male terminal can be improved.

[0027] The terminal unit of the present disclosure is (10) a terminal unit comprising a female terminal and a male terminal connected to the female terminal, wherein the female terminal is the female terminal described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

[0028] In the terminal unit of the present disclosure, since the female terminal is configured in any of the aspects (1) to (9) above, it is possible to provide a terminal unit that can achieve the same effects as those obtained by any of the aspects (1) to (9) above.

[0029] <Details of the Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> Specific examples of the female terminal and terminal unit of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0030] First Embodiment A female terminal 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and a terminal unit 14 including the female terminal 10 and a male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 . The female terminal 10 is a terminal that connects a power source, such as a battery, to a load, such as a motor. The female terminal 10, which is provided on one side of the power source or the load, and the male terminal 12, which is provided on the other side of the power source or the load, are in contact with each other to establish electrical continuity, thereby supplying power from a power source, such as a battery, to a load, such as a motor. While the female terminal 10 can be oriented in any direction, in the following description, the upper side will be referred to as the upper side in FIG. 3 , the lower side as the lower side in FIG. 3 , the front side as the left side in FIG. 2 , the rear side as the right side in FIG. 2 , the left side as the upper side in FIG. 2 , and the right side as the lower side in FIG. 2 . In addition, when multiple identical components are illustrated, only some of the components will be designated by reference numerals, and the reference numerals will be omitted for the other components.

[0031] <Female Terminal 10> The female terminal 10 includes a male terminal attachment portion 16 into which the male terminal 12 is inserted for electrical connection. In particular, the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment has a clip spring 32 attached to a female terminal body 17 formed by bending a single metal flat plate as described below, and the male terminal attachment portion 16 is configured to include a portion (particularly a front portion) of the female terminal body 17 and the clip spring 32.

[0032] <Male Terminal 12> The male terminal 12 is a tab terminal having an overall plate shape. The male terminal 12 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, a predetermined width dimension (left-right dimension) and thickness dimension (up-down dimension), and extends substantially straight in the front-rear direction. In the first embodiment, the male terminal 12 has a horizontally elongated shape in which the width dimension is greater than the thickness dimension. The forward end portion (rear end portion) of the male terminal 12 in the insertion direction into the female terminal 10 is tapered. The male terminal 12 is conductive and formed from a metal with low electrical resistance, such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. A bolt insertion hole, for example, is provided in the base end portion (front end portion) of the male terminal 12, and the male terminal 12 is fixed to another component (e.g., a load-side component such as a motor) with a bolt (not shown). Alternatively, if a bolt insertion hole is not provided, a load-side electric wire or the like is fixed to the base end portion of the male terminal 12 by crimping, welding, or the like.

[0033] <Male terminal mounting portion 16> The male terminal mounting portion 16 has a male terminal insertion opening 22 provided at one end (front end) and a pair of contact spring portions 26, 26 (first contact spring portion 26a and second contact spring portion 26b) connected to the one end in a cantilevered manner, protruding toward the other end (rear end), and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap 24. In embodiment 1, the male terminal mounting portion 16 has a pair of support plate portions 20, 20 (upper support plate portion 20a and lower support plate portion 20b) arranged opposite each other across a gap 18, and the support plate portions 20a, 20b are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction across the gap 18. The male terminal insertion opening 22 is defined by including one end side (front end side) of each support plate portion 20a, 20b. The contact spring portions 26a, 26b are arranged facing each other in the vertical direction across the male terminal insertion gap 24, with the upper side being the first contact spring portion 26a and the lower side being the second contact spring portion 26b.

[0034] Furthermore, the male terminal mounting portion 16 is equipped with a clip spring 32 having a connecting plate portion 28 and a pair of clamping plates 30, 30 protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate portion 28. This clip spring 32 is attached by clamping the free end portions 34 (i.e., rear end portions) of each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b between the pair of clamping plates 30, 30, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, the free end portions 34, 34 are urged in directions approaching each other.

[0035] <Support Plate 20 (Upper Support Plate 20a and Lower Support Plate 20b)> The upper support plate 20a and the lower support plate 20b are each a flat plate that is generally rectangular in plan view and is larger in the front-to-back direction than in the left-to-right direction. In the first embodiment, the upper and lower support plates 20a, 20b are formed by pressing a single flat metal plate. The upper and lower support plates 20a, 20b face each other across a gap 18 having a predetermined vertical dimension and are connected to each other at the rear portions of the support plates 20a, 20b by a connecting portion 36. Furthermore, a rearward extending portion 38 extending rearward is provided at the rear end portion of each support plate 20a, 20b. The rearward extending portion 38 on the upper support plate 20a side and the rearward extending portion 38 on the lower support plate 20b side are overlapped with each other in the vertical direction. A bolt insertion hole 40 is formed in the overlapping portion of each of these rear extensions 38, passing through in the vertical direction, and each support plate portion 20a, 20b, i.e., the female terminal 10, is fixed to a member on the power source side, such as a battery, by a bolt (not shown) inserted into the bolt insertion hole 40. The single metal flat plate constituting the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b can be made of a metal that is conductive and springy, such as a copper alloy.

[0036] Furthermore, the front portions of the upper and lower support plates 20a, 20b, which are one end side, are folded back in a direction in which they approach each other (inward in the opposing direction, i.e., inward in the up-down direction), and these folded back portions extend toward the rear side, which is the other end side. The portion of the upper support plate 20a that is folded back toward the rear side is the first contact spring portion 26a described above, and the portion of the lower support plate 20b that is folded back toward the rear side is the second contact spring portion 26b described above. The end faces of the upper and lower support plates 20a, 20b facing outward in the opposing direction (outward in the up-down direction) are each flat and smooth 43.

[0037] <Contact spring portion 26 (first contact spring portion 26a and second contact spring portion 26b)> A curved portion 44 is provided at the front end of each support plate portion 20a, 20b. That is, the first contact spring portion 26a is connected in a cantilevered manner to the front end of the upper support plate portion 20a via the curved portion 44 and protrudes toward the rear end, and the second contact spring portion 26b is connected in a cantilevered manner to the front end of the lower support plate portion 20b via the curved portion 44 and protrudes toward the rear end. Therefore, the rear ends of the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b are each defined as a free end portion 34.

[0038] The vertical space between the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b defines a male terminal insertion gap 24 into which the male terminal 12 is inserted, and the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24 from the front. That is, the male terminal insertion opening 22 is defined by including the front end sides of the support plate portions 20a, 20b. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, before the insertion of the male terminal 12, the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b extend in directions that gradually approach each other toward the rear. As a result, the opening dimension of the male terminal insertion gap 24 (the vertical opposing distance between the contact spring portions 26a, 26b) gradually decreases from the male terminal insertion opening 22 on the front end side toward the rear.

[0039] In the first embodiment, each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b penetrates the central portion in the width direction (left-right direction) in the plate thickness direction (approximately the up-down direction) and extends in the protruding direction (direction from front to rear), and is divided into a first tongue 50 and a second tongue 52 that can be displaced independently of each other by a spring portion-side slit 48 that opens in the protruding end face (rear end face) 46. In particular, in the first embodiment, the left portions of each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b are the first tongues 50, 50, and the right portions of each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b are the second tongues 52, 52. As a result, the first tongues 50, 50 of each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b face each other in the up-down direction, and the second tongues 52, 52 of each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b face each other in the up-down direction.

[0040] Furthermore, a first contact 54 and a second contact 56 that come into contact with the male terminal 12 when the male terminal 12 is inserted are provided on the inner surfaces of the first and second tongues 50, 52 of each contact spring portion 26a, 26b in the opposing direction. That is, the first contacts 54, 54 are provided on the surfaces (lower surfaces) facing the second contact spring portion 26b of the first and second tongues 50, 52 of the second contact spring portion 26b, and the second contacts 56, 56 are provided on the surfaces (upper surfaces) facing the first contact spring portion 26a of the first and second tongues 50, 52 of the second contact spring portion 26b.

[0041] 5 , before the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10, the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 abut against each other or face each other slightly apart in the vertical direction, and the vertical distance between the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 is smaller than the thickness (vertical dimension) of the male terminal 12. As a result, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24 through the male terminal insertion opening 22, the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 abut against the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, while the first and second tongues 50, 52 are pushed outward in the vertical direction, and the male terminal 12 is press-fit between the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 in the male terminal insertion gap 24.

[0042] In embodiment 1, each of the first tongue pieces 50 and each of the second tongue pieces 52 in the first and second contact spring portions 26a, 26b has a bent portion 58 at the protruding tip portion, and each of the bent portions 58 forms each of the first contacts 54 and each of the second contacts 56.

[0043] <Engaging Protrusions 62> At least one of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) has an integrally formed engaging protrusion 62. In the first embodiment, each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52 is provided with an engaging protrusion 62, resulting in a total of four engaging protrusions 62 in the female terminal 10. Each engaging protrusion 62 protrudes outward in the vertical direction by a predetermined protrusion dimension from both side edges of each contact spring portion 26a, 26b, i.e., from the rear end (free end 34) of each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52, outward in the horizontal direction, toward the corresponding clamping plate portion 30 of the clip spring 32. Each engaging protrusion 62 is generally rectangular in side view (horizontal view).

[0044] <Clip Spring 32> As described above, the clip spring 32 includes a connecting plate 28 and a pair of clamping plates 30, 30 that protrude toward each other from both side edges of the connecting plate 28. The connecting plate 28 and each clamping plate 30 are each shaped like a substantially rectangular flat plate. The clip spring 32 having such a shape can also be formed, for example, by pressing a single metal flat plate. When the clip spring 32 is attached to each of the contact spring portions 26 a, 26 b, the clamping plates 30 protrude forward from both vertical ends of the connecting plate 28 and are inclined toward each other (inward in the vertical direction).

[0045] In the first embodiment, each clamping plate 30 penetrates the central portion in the width direction (left-right direction) in the plate thickness direction (approximately the up-down direction) and extends in the protruding direction (from rear to front). A clip-side slit 66 opening in the protruding end surface (front end surface) 64 divides each clamping plate 30 into a first clamping piece 68 and a second clamping piece 70 that can be displaced independently of each other. In particular, in the first embodiment, the left portion of each clamping plate 30 is the first clamping piece 68, and the right portion of each clamping plate 30 is the second clamping piece 70. As a result, the first clamping pieces 68, 68 of each clamping plate 30 face each other in the up-down direction, and the second clamping pieces 70, 70 of each clamping plate 30 face each other in the up-down direction. These first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 are elastically deformable in the up-down direction, with the connection point with the connecting plate 28 as the base point.

[0046] The left-right dimension of each of the first clamping pieces 68 and second clamping pieces 70 is larger than the left-right dimension of each of the recesses 60 provided outward in the up-down direction of each of the first tongue pieces 50 and second tongue pieces 52. Furthermore, each of the first clamping pieces 68 and second clamping pieces 70 has a bent portion 72 provided in a longitudinally intermediate portion thereof. As a result, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10 and the bent portions 72 of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 abut against the positions where the recesses 60 are formed in each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52, both left-right end portions of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 abut at portions outward in the left-right direction from the recesses 60 in each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52.

[0047] Furthermore, because a bent portion 72 is provided in the longitudinally intermediate portion of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70, the protruding tip portions, including the protruding end faces 64, of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 extend outward in the vertical direction from the bent portion 72. Therefore, the opposing distance between the first clamping pieces 68, 68 and the second clamping pieces 70, 70, which face each other in the vertical direction, is smallest at the bent portions 72 provided in the longitudinally intermediate portions. The gap between these vertically opposing bent portions 72 is an insertion opening 74 for inserting and assembling the free ends 34 of the first and second contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52). That is, when the clip spring 32 is attached, the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 32 is disposed opposite the protruding end faces 46 of the contact spring portions 26 a, 26 b, and the clamping plate portions 30 of the clip spring 32 protrude from the connecting plate portion 28 in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the contact spring portions 26 a, 26 b. The direction opposite to the protruding direction of the contact spring portions 26 a, 26 b is the attachment direction of the clip spring 32.

[0048] <Attachment Guide Portion 76 and Engaged Portion 78> Here, the clip spring 32 has attachment guide portions 76 that abut (press) against (press against) the engaging protrusions 62 as the clip spring 32 is attached to the free ends 34 of the first and second contact spring portions 26 a, 26 b (the first and second tongues 50, 52), elastically deforming the engaging protrusions 62 and allowing movement of the clip spring 32 forward in the attachment direction (from rear to front). The clip spring 32 also has engaged portions 78 that engage with the engaging protrusions 62 that have disengaged from the attachment guide portions 76. The attachment guide portions 76 and engaged portions 78 are provided integrally with the clip spring 32.

[0049] Specifically, the mounting guide portions 76 are provided on both side edges of each clamping plate portion 30 of the clip spring 32, i.e., on the outer left-right sides of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70, in the middle portion in the front-rear direction (more specifically, the portion rearward of each bent portion 72). Thus, four mounting guide portions 76 are provided in the clip spring 32. Each of these mounting guide portions 76 is shaped to gradually protrude outward in the width direction (left-right direction) from the front side to the rear side in the mounting direction of the clip spring 32 (from left to right in FIG. 8 ).

[0050] The clip spring 32 has recessed portions 82 that are connected to the rear end portions 80 of each mounting guide portion 76, recessed inward in the width direction (left-right direction) relative to the rear end portions 80, and accommodate each engaging protrusion 62. That is, the clip spring 32 is provided with four recessed portions 82, and in embodiment 1, each recessed portion 82 is provided so as to be open toward the rear of the clip spring 32. In particular, in embodiment 1, the engaged portion 78 is configured by a first step surface 84 between the rear end portion 80 of each mounting guide portion 76 and each recessed portion 82, and a bottom surface 86 of each recessed portion 82.

[0051] In the stand-alone state before the clip spring 32 is attached, the maximum vertical dimension of the clip spring 32 is smaller than the vertical dimension of the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b, and the clip spring 32 can be inserted from the side (right) into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 6. By inserting the clip spring 32 from the right into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b, the clip spring 32 is positioned behind the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first tongues 50 and the second tongues 52), as shown in Fig. 7.

[0052] The clip spring 32 is assembled to each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) by being moved forward from a state in which the clip spring 32 is positioned behind each of the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) as shown by the white arrows in Fig. 7. The state in which the clip spring 32 is assembled to each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) by moving it forward will be described with reference to Fig. 8.

[0053] 8 , the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first tongues 50 and the second tongues 52) are inserted into the insertion openings 74 of the clip spring 32. At the same time, the mounting guide portions 76 provided on the clamping plate portions 30 (the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70) of the clip spring 32 come into contact with the engaging protrusions 62 provided on the protruding ends (free ends 34) of the first and second tongues 50, 52. Because the mounting guide portions 76 gradually increase in outward projection in the width direction from the front to the rear, the engaging protrusions 62 are elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction along the inclined surfaces of the mounting guide portions 76, and / or the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70, including the mounting guide portions 76, are elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction. In particular, a spring portion side slit 48 is provided in the widthwise central portion of the first and second contact spring portions 26a, 26b, and since they are divided into the left and right first and second tongue portions 50, 52, the elastic deformation of each engaging protrusion 62 outward in the left-right direction is not caused by only each engaging protrusion 62 elastically deforming, but rather by the rear end side (free end portion 34 side) of each of the first and second tongue portions 50, 52 including each engaging protrusion 62 elastically deforming outward in the left-right direction.

[0054] The above-described elastic deformation of each engaging protrusion 62 outward in the left-right direction and / or the elastic deformation of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 inward in the left-right direction allows further forward movement of the clip spring 32. In addition, each engaging protrusion 62 climbs over the rear end portion 80 of each mounting guide portion 76 and disengages from each mounting guide portion 76, causing each engaging protrusion 62 and / or each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 to elastically restore their original deformation (elastic return). 4 and other figures, the engaging protrusions 62 engage with the engaged portions 78 formed by the first stepped surfaces 84 and the bottom surfaces 86 of the recessed portions 82, and the clip spring 32 is attached with the free ends 34 of the first and second contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first and second tongues 50, 52) sandwiched between the clamping plate portions 30 (the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70). As a result, the clip spring 32 is prevented from displacing from the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (from the front to the rear).

[0055] In particular, in embodiment 1, when each engaging protrusion 62 is engaged with each engaged portion 78, each engaging protrusion 62 protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond each clamping plate portion 30 (each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70) of the clip spring 32.

[0056] Furthermore, forward movement of the clip spring 32 relative to the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (first and second tongues 50, 52) may be limited by the rear ends (free ends 34) of the first and second tongues 50, 52 abutting against the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 32. That is, in the first embodiment, with the engaging protrusions 62 housed in the recesses 82, the protruding end surfaces 46 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (first and second tongues 50, 52) face each other in the front-rear direction so as to be able to abut against the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 32. The method of restricting the forward movement of the clip spring 32 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the forward movement of the clip spring 32 may be restricted, for example, by the inner surface (inner surface in the vertical direction) of each bent portion 72 of the clip spring 32 abutting against the outer surface (outer surface in the vertical direction) of each contact spring portion 26a, 26b (each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52).

[0057] Here, the opening dimensions (vertical dimensions) of each insertion opening 74 in the clip spring 32 in a standalone state (before elastic deformation) may be equal to, or slightly larger or smaller than, the vertical distance between the outer surfaces (vertical outer surfaces) of the free ends 34 of each contact spring portion 26 a, 26 b (each first tongue 50 and each second tongue 52). When the clip spring 32 is attached, the inner surfaces (vertical inner surfaces) of each bent portion 72 in the clip spring 32 may be spaced a small distance from the outer surfaces (vertical outer surfaces) of each contact spring portion 26 a, 26 b (each first and second tongue 50, 52). Alternatively, each contact spring portion 26a, 26b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) may be inserted into each insertion port 74 of the clip spring 32 so as to push each clamping plate portion 30 (each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70) outward in the vertical direction, in which case the elastic restoring force of each clamping plate portion 30 (each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70) urges each contact spring portion 26a, 26b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) in a direction in which they approach each other (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) in the vertical direction.

[0058] In particular, as described above, when the engaging protrusions 62 are engaged with the engaged portions 78 and the clip spring 32 is attached, the inner surfaces of the bent portions 72 do not have to abut against the outer surfaces of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first and second tongues 50, 52). In this case, the clip spring 32 is attached to the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first and second tongues 50, 52) with a certain degree of play, i.e., with a certain degree of freedom. This allows the clip spring 32 to displace in response to the male terminal 12 when the male terminal 12 is inserted, improving its ability to follow the male terminal 12. A specific example in which the inner surfaces of the bent portions 72 do not abut against the outer surfaces of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b and have a certain degree of play before the male terminal 12 is inserted will be described in detail in Embodiment 3 below.

[0059] <Assembly of Female Terminal 10> A specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 10 will be described below. Note that the method for assembling the female terminal 10 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0060] First, a single metal plate is bent into the aforementioned shape to form the female terminal body 17. Then, as shown in Fig. 6, the clip spring 32 is placed on the side (right side) of the female terminal body 17 and inserted into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7, the clip spring 32 is positioned behind the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) in the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b.

[0061] 8, the clip spring 32 is moved forward to insert the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first and second tongues 50, 52) into the insertion openings 74. This causes the engaging protrusions 62 to come into contact with the mounting guide portions 76, which then press against the engaging protrusions 62, causing the engaging protrusions 62 (or the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 50, 52) to elastically deform outward in the left-right direction and / or the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 to elastically deform inward in the left-right direction. As a result, clip spring 32 is permitted to move further forward, causing each engaging protrusion 62 (or each free end 34 of each of first and second tongues 50, 52) and / or each of first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 to elastically restore and deform, and each engaging protrusion 62 engages with each engaged portion 78. In this way, clip spring 32 is assembled to female terminal body 17, and the female terminal 10 of embodiment 1 is completed.

[0062] <Assembly of Terminal Unit 14> A specific example of a method for inserting the male terminal 12 into the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment to assemble the terminal unit 14 in a state in which the female terminal 10 and the male terminal 12 are connected will be described below.

[0063] First, the female terminal 10 and male terminal 12 assembled as described above are positioned opposite each other in the front-to-rear direction as shown in Figures 4 to 6. Then, the tip portion of the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24 through the male terminal insertion opening 22 and press-fit between the opposing surfaces of the first contacts 54 and second contacts 56 provided on the first and second tongues 50, 52 of each contact spring portion 26a, 26b. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the first and second contacts 54, 56 come into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, and the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first tongues 50, 50 and the second tongues 52, 52) are pushed apart in directions separating them from each other.

[0064] Then, the bent portions 58 of the first and second tongues 50, 52, which have been spread outward in the vertical direction, abut against the bent portions 72 of the clip spring 32 from the inside in the vertical direction, causing the clamping plates 30 (the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70) to elastically deform outward in the vertical direction. The elastic restoring force of the clamping plates 30 (the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70) clamps the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 50, 52, and urges the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 toward each other. As a result, the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 are pressed into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, which is press-fit between the opposing surfaces of the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b. As a result, the male terminals 12 and the female terminals 10 are electrically connected to each other, completing the terminal unit 14 in which the female terminals 10 and the male terminals 12 are connected to each other.

[0065] In other words, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 10, not only the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b but also each clamping plate portion 30 of the clip spring 32 is pushed outward in the vertical direction, and each first contact 54 and each second contact 56 is pressed against both the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12 not only by the elastic restoring force of the first contact spring portion 26a and the second contact spring portion 26b but also by the elastic restoring force of each clamping plate portion 30.

[0066] In particular, in the first embodiment, the first and second contact spring portions 26a, 26b are each divided in the left-right direction into first tongues 50 and second tongues 52, and each clamping plate portion 30 is each divided in the left-right direction into first clamping pieces 68 and second clamping pieces 70. Therefore, between a pair of first clamping pieces 68, 68 arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the pair of opposed first tongues 50, 50 are clamped by each of the first clamping pieces 68 with the male terminal 12 sandwiched therebetween, and between a pair of second clamping pieces 70, 70 arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, the pair of opposed second tongues 52, 52 are clamped by each of the second clamping pieces 70 with the male terminal 12 sandwiched therebetween.

[0067] According to the female terminal 10 of the first embodiment, the contact spring portions 26a, 26b of the female terminal body 17 are provided with engaging protrusions 62, and the clip spring 32 is provided with engaged portions 78, and the engaging protrusions 62 engage with the engaged portions 78 to prevent the clip spring 32 from falling off. This makes it possible to prevent the clip spring 32 from falling off without providing a separate member for preventing the clip spring from falling off, and avoids an increase in the number of parts.

[0068] The clip spring 32 is provided with mounting guide portions 76 that gradually protrude outward in the left-right direction from the front to the rear, and recessed portions 82 that connect to rear end portions 80 of the mounting guide portions 76, and each engaged portion 78 is formed by a first step surface 84 between each rear end portion 80 and each recessed portion 82, and a bottom surface 86 of each recessed portion 82. As a result, when each engaging protrusion 62 engages with each engaged portion 78, the first step surface 84 abuts against each engaging protrusion 62, thereby restricting rearward displacement of the clip spring 32, and the bottom surface 86 abuts against each engaging protrusion 62, thereby restricting left-right displacement of the clip spring 32. In particular, since the female terminal body 17 and the clip spring 32 are each formed by pressing a single metal plate, each engaging protrusion 62 and each engaged portion 78 can be easily provided, and the simple configuration can more reliably prevent the clip spring 32 from falling off.

[0069] When the clip spring 32 is attached to the female terminal body 17 (each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b), each of the engaging protrusions 62 protrudes outward in the vertical direction beyond each of the clamping plate portions 30 of the clip spring 32. This allows the engagement between each of the engaging protrusions 62 and each of the engaged portions 78 to be stably maintained.

[0070] Each contact spring portion 26a, 26b is divided by a spring portion-side slit 48 into a first tongue 50 and a second tongue 52 on both left and right sides, and each clamping plate portion 30 is divided by a clip-side slit 66 into a first clamping piece 68 and a second clamping piece 70 on both left and right sides. As a result, a biasing force is exerted by each first clamping piece 68 on the upper and lower first tongues 50, and a biasing force is exerted by each second clamping piece 70 on the upper and lower second tongues 52. As a result, the first and second tongues 50, 52 can apply pressure to the male terminal 12 separately on the left and right sides, and even when the male terminal 12 is rotationally displaced about a central axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, the first and second tongues 50, 52 can stably follow the male terminal 12, thereby stably maintaining electrical continuity between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 10.

[0071] In particular, in the first embodiment, when assembling the clip spring 32 to the contact spring portions 26a, 26b, the engaging protrusions 62 must climb over the mounting guide portions 76 to reach the engaged portions 78. Here, the provision of the spring portion-side slits 48 in the widthwise central portions of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b facilitates the outward displacement of the free ends 34 of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52 in the left-right direction as the engaging protrusions 62 contact the mounting guide portions 76. Similarly, the provision of the clip-side slits 66 in the widthwise central portions of the clamping plate portions 30 facilitates the inward displacement of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 in the left-right direction as the engaging protrusions 62 contact the mounting guide portions 76. Therefore, due to the outward displacement of each free end 34 of each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52 in the left-right direction and the inward displacement of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 in the left-right direction, each engaging protrusion 62 can easily overcome each mounting guide portion 76, and the clip spring 32 can be assembled to each contact spring portion 26a, 26b with relatively little force.

[0072] A curved portion 44 is provided at the front end of each of the support plate portions 20a, 20b, and each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b is connected in a cantilever manner via the curved portion 44. This allows each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b to be formed integrally with each of the support plate portions 20a, 20b, and in particular, as in the first embodiment, the entire female terminal body 17 can be formed from a single flat metal plate.

[0073] 9 to 18 , a female terminal 90 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and a terminal unit 92 including the female terminal 90 and a male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 90 are described below. The basic configuration of the female terminal 90 and terminal unit 92 according to the second embodiment is the same as that according to the first embodiment. For example, the female terminal 90 provided on one of the power supply side and the load side and the male terminal 12 provided on the other of the power supply side and the load side are in contact with each other to establish electrical conduction, thereby supplying power from a power source such as a battery to a load such as a motor. In the following description, components or parts that are substantially the same as those in the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0074] <Female Terminal 90> The female terminal 90 includes a connecting portion 94 that is conductively connected to another component (e.g., a component on the power source side, such as a battery) and a main body 98 that has a hollow tubular conductor 96. The main body 98 is a pressed product of a first metal plate 100 (see FIG. 17). The female terminal 90 also includes a contact-forming fitting 102 that is electrically conductively assembled to the tubular conductor 96. The contact-forming fitting 102 is a pressed product of a second metal plate 104 (see FIG. 18) that is thinner than the first metal plate 100. In the second embodiment, the male terminal mounting portion 105 includes the tubular conductor 96 and the contact-forming fitting 102.

[0075] <Connection Portion 94> The connection portion 94 is generally plate-shaped, and when the female terminal 90 is arranged as shown in Figures 9 to 11, the connection portion 94 extends in the front-rear direction as a whole and has a generally rectangular shape in which the front-rear dimension is greater than the up-down dimension in a side view (left-right view). A bolt insertion hole 106 penetrating in the plate thickness direction (left-right direction) is formed at the rear end of the connection portion 94, and the female terminal 90 can be fixed to another member (e.g., a member on the power source side, such as a battery) by, for example, a bolt (not shown) inserted into the bolt insertion hole 106. In the second embodiment, the connection portion 94 extends rearward from the left side wall (left side wall 112a) of a pair of side walls 112, 112 (described later) that constitute the tubular conductor portion 96.

[0076] <Typical conductor portion 96> The tubular conductor portion 96 is generally tubular overall, with openings on both front and rear sides, and includes a male terminal insertion opening 108 that opens toward one longitudinal end (front end) of the tubular conductor portion 96, and a rear opening window 110 that opens toward the other longitudinal end (rear end). In embodiment 2, the tubular conductor portion 96 has a generally horizontally elongated rectangular tubular shape and includes a pair of side walls 112, 112 (a left side wall 112a and a right side wall 112b) and an upper wall 114 and a lower wall 116 connected by the left and right side walls 112a, 112b. The horizontal dimensions of the upper wall 114 and the lower wall 116 are larger than the vertical dimensions of the left and right side walls 112a, 112b, thereby forming the tubular conductor portion 96 into a generally horizontally elongated rectangular tubular shape. Each wall (left and right side walls 112a, 112b, upper wall 114, and lower wall 116) constituting the tubular conductor portion 96 is a substantially rectangular plate. In the second embodiment, welded portions are formed on the front end faces 118 of the upper wall 114 and lower wall 116, which are the end faces on the male terminal insertion opening 108 side, and are adapted to be welded to welded portions formed by contact edges 160 (described later) of the contact-forming fitting 102.

[0077] In the second embodiment, a fitting protrusion 120 that protrudes toward the right side wall 112b is provided in a front-to-rear middle portion of the right end portion of the top wall 114, and a fitting recess 122 that opens toward the top wall 114 is provided in a front-to-rear middle portion of the upper end portion of the right side wall 112b. The length dimension (front-to-rear dimension) of the fitting protrusion 120 is set to be approximately equal to the length dimension of the fitting recess 122. As a result, when forming the tubular conductor 96 by performing a press work or the like on the first flat metal plate 100, for example, by fitting the fitting protrusion 120 on the top wall 114 in a substantially press-fit state into the fitting recess 122 on the right side wall 112b, it is possible to prevent the top wall 114 and the right side wall 112b from unintentionally separating from each other when the tubular conductor 96 is formed.

[0078] Furthermore, the left and right side walls 112a, 112b are formed with locking holes 124 penetrating the left and right side walls 112a, 112b in the thickness direction (left-right direction) at their front-to-rear intermediate portions. Each locking hole 124 is generally rectangular in side view (left-to-right view) and has predetermined front-to-rear and up-to-down dimensions. The left and right side walls 112a, 112b are provided with abutment portions 126 protruding forward at their front ends. When the female terminals 90 and male terminals 12 are connected, each abutment portion 126 abuts against a housing (not shown) that holds the male terminals 12.

[0079] <Main Body 98 (First Metal Plate 100)> Figure 17 shows the first metal plate 100 before press working. As shown in Figure 17, before press working the first metal plate 100, the upper wall 114, left side wall 112a, lower wall 116, and right side wall 112b that constitute the tubular conductor 96 are continuously provided in the up-down direction in Figure 17, and the connection portion 94 extends to the right from the left side wall 112a in Figure 17. As indicated by the two-dot chain lines in Figure 17, bent portions 128 are provided between the upper wall 114 and the left side wall 112a, between the left side wall 112a and the lower wall 116, and between the lower wall 116 and the right side wall 112b, respectively. By bending each bent portion 128 and engaging the mating protrusion 120 with the mating recess 122, the tubular conductor 96 is formed in the front portion of the main body 98. The metal material of the first metal plate 100 constituting the main body 98 is not limited, but any metal with excellent conductivity can be used, such as pure copper.

[0080] <Contact-forming fitting 102> The contact-forming fitting 102 has a frame body 130 that is assembled to the inner surfaces of the walls (left and right side walls 112a, 112b, upper wall 114, and lower wall 116) of the tubular conductor portion 96. The contact-forming fitting 102 also has a pair of contact spring portions 132 that are held by the frame body 130, protrude inward from the frame body 130, and are pressed into contact with the male terminal 12 inserted through the male terminal insertion opening 108. In the second embodiment, the pair of contact spring portions 132 is composed of a first contact spring portion 132a that protrudes inward from an upper portion of the frame body 130, and a second contact spring portion 132b that protrudes inward from a lower portion of the frame body 130. In particular, in the second embodiment, the contact-forming metal fitting 102 has a substantially vertically symmetrical shape, and can be assembled to the cylindrical conductor portion 96 regardless of the vertical orientation.

[0081] 15 , the frame 130 of the contact-forming metal fitting 102 has an overall rectangular frame shape. That is, the frame 130 has a pair of side portions 138, 138 (a left portion 138a and a right portion 138b) that are superimposed on the side walls 112 (a left side wall 112a and a right side wall 112b) of the tubular conductor 96, an upper portion 140 that is superimposed on the upper wall 114, and a lower portion 142 that is superimposed on the lower wall 116. The left portion 138a and the right portion 138b are connected by the upper portion 140 and the lower portion 142, respectively. As a result, the frame 130 is open on both front and rear sides, providing a front opening 144 and a rear opening 146.

[0082] A generally rectangular through-window 148 penetrating the upper and lower portions 140 and 142 in the thickness direction (up-down direction) is formed in the middle of each portion in the front-to-rear direction, and each through-window 148 is formed over the entire length of each portion in the left-to-right direction. Thus, the upper and lower portions 140 and 142 are divided into front and rear portions by each through-window 148, and each of the upper and lower portions 140 and 142 includes a front connection portion 150 connecting the respective side portions 138 (left portion 138a and right portion 138b) at their front portions and a rear connection portion 152 connecting the respective side portions 138 at their rear portions. In other words, the left portion 138a and the right portion 138b are connected at their front portions by the respective front connection portions 150 of the upper and lower portions 140 and 142, and are connected at their rear portions by the respective rear connection portions 152 of the upper and lower portions 140 and 142.

[0083] FIG. 18 shows the second metal plate 104 in a state before press-forming. As also shown in FIG. 15 , in the second embodiment, the left side portion 138a has portions that butt together when the second metal plate 104 is bent to form the contact-forming fitting 102. That is, a first left side portion 154a extending downward is provided at the left ends of the front connection portion 150 and the rear connection portion 152 in the upper portion 140, and a second left side portion 154b extending upward is provided at the right ends of the front connection portion 150 and the rear connection portion 152 in the lower portion 142. The first left side portion 154a and the second left side portion 154b are butted together in the vertical direction to form the left side portion 138a. In particular, in the second embodiment, a locking recess 156 opening downward is provided at the lower end of the first left side portion 154a, and a locking protrusion 158 protruding upward is provided at the upper end of the second left side portion 154b. As a result, when forming the contact-forming fitting 102, the left side portion 138a is formed, for example, by striking the locking protrusion 158 from the outside and fitting it into the locking recess 156, thereby preventing the first left side portion 154a and the second left side portion 154b from unintentionally separating.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the contact-forming fitting 102 has abutting edges 160 that mate with the end faces (front end faces 118) of the tubular conductor 96 on the male terminal insertion opening 108 side. These abutting edges 160 are provided on the front connection portions 150 of the upper and lower portions 140 and 142 of the contact-forming fitting 102, and extend outward in the vertical direction from the front connection portions 150. When the tubular conductor 96 and the contact-forming fitting 102 are welded to each other, as described below, the overlapping front end faces 118 and the abutting edges 160 are welded together, with the abutting edges 160 forming a welded portion and the front end faces 118 forming a welded portion. While the welding method for the front end faces 118 and the abutting edges 160 is not limited, in the second embodiment, they are welded by laser welding.

[0085] Furthermore, a generally rectangular through-hole 162 is formed in the front-rear middle of each of the left and right side portions 138a, 138b, penetrating each side portion 138a, 138b in the thickness direction. A locking claw 164 protruding forward is provided at the rear portion of the inner circumferential surface of each through-hole 162. Spaces (gaps) are provided on three sides (both vertically and forward) around each locking claw 164, allowing each locking claw 164 to elastically deform in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 15 and other figures, in the assembled state of the contact-forming fitting 102, each locking claw 164 protrudes in a direction gradually inclined outward in the left-right direction toward the front. As described above, the left side portion 138a is composed of the upper and lower first left side portions 154a and second left side portions 154b. Therefore, the left through-hole 162 and locking claw 164 are also separated before the second metal plate 104 constituting the contact-forming fitting 102 is bent. That is, the left side portion 138a is formed by butting the first left side portion 154a and the second left side portion 154b together, thereby forming the left through-hole 162 and the locking claw 164.

[0086] <Contact spring portion 132 (first contact spring portion 132a and second contact spring portion 132b)> In each of the upper portion 140 and the lower portion 142, the first contact spring portion 132a and the second contact spring portion 132b extend rearward in a cantilevered manner from the rear ends of the front connection portions 150 inside the respective through windows 148. That is, the first contact spring portion 132a and the second contact spring portion 132b are held by the respective front connection portions 150 of the frame body portion 130 at one end, or the front side, and extend inward in a cantilevered manner toward the other end, or the rear side. As a result, spaces (gaps) are provided on three sides (both left and right sides and rear) around the first contact spring portion 132a and the second contact spring portion 132b, and the first contact spring portion 132a and the second contact spring portion 132b are each capable of elastic deformation in the vertical direction, with the connection points with each front connection portion 150 at their front ends as base points.

[0087] In the second embodiment as well, each of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b penetrates the central portion in the width direction (left-right direction) in the plate thickness direction (approximately the up-down direction) and extends in the protruding direction (direction from front to rear), and is divided into a first tongue piece 170 on the left side and a second tongue piece 172 on the right side which are capable of independent displacement by a spring portion-side slit 168 which opens in the protruding end face (rear end face) 166. As a result, the first tongue pieces 170, 170 of each of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b face each other in the up-down direction, and the second tongue pieces 172, 172 of each of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b face each other in the up-down direction.

[0088] The shapes of the first tongues 170 and the second tongues 172 of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, the first and second tongues 170, 172 have bent portions 58 at their respective protruding tip portions. Furthermore, the first and second contacts 54, 56 are provided on the inner surfaces in the up-down direction at the positions where the bent portions 58 are formed in the first tongues 170 and the second tongues 172. In the second embodiment, the first and second contacts 54, 56 are formed in a curved arc shape in the vertical cross section shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 , have a predetermined left-right dimension at the left-right central portions of the first tongues 170 and the second tongues 172, and are provided so as to straddle both front-rear directions of the first tongues 170 and the second tongues 172, sandwiching the bent portions 58 therebetween. The first and second contacts 54, 56 have an oval shape in a plan view (up-down projection) that is larger in the front-to-rear direction, which is the insertion direction of the male terminal 12, than in the left-to-right direction. This ensures a stable contact area between the first and second contacts 54, 56 and the male terminal 12 even when the male terminal 12 inserted into the female terminal 10 pivots and displaces in the up-and-down direction. In the second embodiment, the contact-forming fitting 102 is formed by pressing a single metal plate (second metal plate 104) as described above, and recesses 173 are formed on the outer side of each of the first and second tongues 170, 172 in the opposing direction (outer side in the up-and-down direction) at positions corresponding to the first and second contacts 54, 56. As also shown in Figure 13, before the male terminal 12 is inserted into the female terminal 90, the free ends 34 of the first and second contact spring portions 132a, 132b are relatively close to each other, and each first contact 54 and each second contact 56 abuts against each other or faces each other in the vertical direction with a slight space between them.

[0089] Also in the second embodiment, the first and second tongues 170, 172 of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b are each provided with an engaging protrusion 174. That is, the engaging protrusions 174 protrude outward in the up-down direction by a predetermined protrusion distance from both side edges of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b, i.e., from the rear ends (free ends 34) of the first tongues 170 and the second tongues 172, outward in the left-right direction, toward clamping plate portions 180 of a clip spring 176 (described later).

[0090] In Fig. 18, the bent portion of the second metal plate 104 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. As shown in Fig. 18, before the second metal plate 104 is pressed, the second left side portion 154b, the lower portion 142, the right side portion 138b, the upper portion 140, and the first left side portion 154a that constitute the contact-forming fitting 102 are provided continuously in the up-down direction in Fig. 18 via the bent portion. The metal material of the second metal plate 104 that constitutes the contact-forming fitting 102 is not limited, but a metal that is conductive and springy can be used, such as a copper alloy.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the first contact spring portions 132a and the second contact spring portions 132b are formed by partially cutting and raising the walls constituting the upper and lower portions 140 and 142. That is, the first contact spring portions 132a and the second contact spring portions 132b are cut and raised from the upper and lower portions 140 and 142, respectively, toward the front side of the page in FIG. 18 , so that they protrude inward from the frame portion 130 when the contact-forming fitting 102 is formed. Similarly, the locking claws 164 are formed by partially cutting and raising the walls constituting the left side portion 138a (first left side portion 154a and second left side portion 154b) and the right side portion 138b. That is, the locking claws 164 are cut and raised from the left side portion 138a and the right side portion 138b, respectively, toward the rear side of the page in FIG. 18 , so that they protrude outward in the left-right direction from the contact-forming fitting 102 when the contact-forming fitting 102 is formed. In addition, each first contact spring portion 132a, each second contact spring portion 132b, and each lock claw 164 may be bent so as to protrude inward or outward in the left-right direction of the frame body portion 130 after the contact forming metal fitting 102 is formed into an approximately cylindrical shape.

[0092] <Clip Spring 176> The clip spring 176 of the second embodiment has the same shape as that of the first embodiment and is attached to the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b. That is, the clip spring 176 includes a connecting plate portion 178 and a pair of clamping plate portions 180. A clip-side slit 182 is provided in the center of each clamping plate portion 180 in the width direction, and each clamping plate portion 180 includes a first clamping piece 184 on the left side and a second clamping piece 186 on the right side. As a result, the first clamping pieces 184 on each clamping plate portion 180 face each other in the up-down direction, and the second clamping pieces 186 on each clamping plate portion 180 face each other in the up-down direction. A bent portion 72 is provided at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the first and second clamping pieces 184, 186, and an insertion opening 74 is formed between the upper and lower bent portions 72.

[0093] The clip spring 176 of the second embodiment has a different recessed portion shape from the clip spring 32 of the first embodiment. That is, the clip spring 176 of the second embodiment includes the mounting guide portions 76 and the first stepped surfaces 84, as in the first embodiment. However, in a recess 188 connected to the rear end 80 of each mounting guide portion 76, a second stepped surface 190 is provided that is connected to the rear end of the bottom surface 86 and protrudes outward in the width direction (left-right direction). This second stepped surface 190 is spaced forward, which is the direction in which each clamping plate portion 180 protrudes from the connecting plate portion 178. In other words, while each recess 82 in the first embodiment is open rearward, in the second embodiment, a wall is provided at the rear of each recess 188, and each recess 188 is located forward of the connecting plate portion 178. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the first step surfaces 84, the bottom surfaces 86 of the recesses 188, and the second step surfaces 190 form engaged portions 192 with which the engaging protrusions 174 engage.

[0094] The method of assembling this clip spring 176 to the contact spring portions 132a, 132b is the same as in embodiment 1. That is, as shown in Fig. 16 , when the contact-forming fitting 102 and the clip spring 176 are opposed to each other in the front-to-rear direction, the clip spring 176 is moved forward, causing the engaging protrusions 174 to climb over the mounting guide portions 76 and be accommodated in the recesses 188. This causes the engaging protrusions 174 to engage with the engaged portions 192. With the engaging protrusions 174 accommodated in the recesses 188 in this manner, the rear end surfaces of the engaging protrusions 174 face each other in the front-to-rear direction so as to be able to abut against the second step surfaces 190 of the recesses 188. As a result, each engaging protrusion 174 abuts against each first step surface 84, the bottom surface 86 of each recess 188, and each second step surface 190, thereby preventing displacement of the clip spring 176 relative to each contact spring portion 132a, 132b (contact forming fitting 102) in the rearward, left-right, and forward directions.

[0095] <Assembly of Female Terminal 90> A specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 90 will be described below. Note that the method for assembling the female terminal 90 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0096] First, a first metal plate 100 constituting the main body 98 is prepared, and each bent portion 128 is bent, and the mating protrusion 120 of the top wall 114 is fitted into the mating recess 122 of the right side wall 112b. This forms the main body 98 having the tubular conductor 96 and the connecting portion 94. Next, a second metal plate 104 constituting the contact-forming fitting 102 is prepared, and each bent portion is bent, and the locking protrusion 158 of the second left side portion 154b is fitted into the locking recess 156 of the first left side portion 154a. This forms the contact-forming fitting 102 having the frame body 130 and the contact spring portions 132a, 132b.

[0097] 14 and 16, the contact-forming fitting 102 and the clip spring 176 are then arranged opposite each other in the front-to-rear direction, and the clip spring 176 is then moved forward to insert the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b (the first and second tongues 170, 172) into the insertion openings 74. This causes the engaging protrusions 174 to come into contact with the mounting guide portions 76, causing the engaging protrusions 174 (or the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 170, 172) to elastically deform outward in the left-right direction, and / or the first and second clamping pieces 184, 186 to elastically deform inward in the left-right direction. As a result, the clip spring 176 is allowed to move further forward, causing each engaging protrusion 174 (or each free end 34 of each first and second tongue 170, 172) and / or each first and second clamping piece 184, 186 to elastically restore and deform, and each engaging protrusion 174 engages with each engaged portion 192.

[0098] Next, the contact-forming fitting 102 with the clip spring 176 assembled thereto and the main body 98 are positioned facing each other in the front-to-rear direction, and the contact-forming fitting 102 is inserted from the male terminal insertion opening 108, which is one end (front end) of the tubular conductor 96, toward the other end (rear end). When the contact-forming fitting 102 is assembled to the tubular conductor 96, the abutting edges 160 of the contact-forming fitting 102 are aligned with the front end faces 118, which are the end faces of the tubular conductor 96 facing the male terminal insertion opening 108. In other words, the insertion end of the contact-forming fitting 102 into the tubular conductor 96 is defined by the abutment of the abutting edges 160 against the front end faces 118. The insertion of the contact-forming fitting 102 into the tubular conductor 96 may be performed, for example, by inserting the contact-forming fitting 102 from above with the male terminal insertion opening 108 of the tubular conductor 96 facing upward. As a result, the contact-forming fitting 102 naturally displaces downward due to gravity inside the cylindrical conductor portion 96, allowing each abutting edge portion 160 to easily overlap each front end face 118 with almost no gap.

[0099] Note that the locking claws 164 protruding outward in the left-right direction from the contact-forming fitting 102 abut against the left and right side walls 112 a, 112 b and elastically deform inward in the left-right direction as the contact-forming fitting 102 is inserted into the tubular conductor 96, thereby allowing further insertion rearward into the tubular conductor 96. When the locking claws 164 reach the locking holes 124 in the left and right side walls 112 a, 112 b, they elastically restore their original shape (elastic recovery) and engage with the locking holes 124. As a result, the locking claws 164 abut against the front portions of the inner circumferential surfaces of the locking holes 124, preventing the contact-forming fitting 102 from slipping forward from the tubular conductor 96 and maintaining the contact-forming fitting 102 attached to the tubular conductor 96.

[0100] With the locking claws 164 fitted into the locking holes 124 as described above and the contact-forming fitting 102 assembled to the tubular conductor 96, the overlapping abutment edges 160 and front end faces 118 are welded together. In the second embodiment, this welding is performed by laser welding. In particular, when the contact-forming fitting 102 is assembled from above with the male terminal insertion opening 108 of the tubular conductor 96 facing upward, welding (laser welding in the second embodiment) subsequent to insertion of the contact-forming fitting 102 can also be performed from above on the overlapping portions of the abutment edges 160 and front end faces 118, thereby efficiently assembling the contact-forming fitting 102 and the tubular conductor 96. As a result, the contact-forming fitting 102 and the clip spring 176 are assembled to the tubular conductor 96, completing the assembly of the female terminal 90 of the second embodiment. When the female terminal 90 is assembled, the upper and lower portions 140 and 142 of the frame portion 130 are connected to the upper wall 114 and lower wall 116 of the tubular conductor portion 96, respectively, and therefore each contact spring portion 132a, 132b is connected in a cantilever manner to one end side (front end side) of the male terminal mounting portion 105.

[0101] <Assembly of Terminal Unit 92> A specific example of a method for assembling a terminal unit 92 in a state in which the female terminal 90 and the male terminal 12 are connected by inserting the male terminal 12 into the female terminal 90 of the second embodiment will be described below.

[0102] First, the female terminal 90 and male terminal 12 assembled as described above are positioned opposite each other in the front-to-rear direction as shown in Figures 12 and 13. Then, the male terminal 12 is inserted into the tubular conductor portion 96 through the male terminal insertion opening 108 and press-fit between the opposing surfaces of the first contacts 54 and second contacts 56 of the upper and lower first contact spring portions 132a and second contact spring portions 132b (first and second tongues 170, 172). As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the first contacts 54 of the first tongue portions 170 and the second contacts 56 of the second tongue portions 172 abut against the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, and the first contact spring portions 132a and second contact spring portions 132b are pushed apart in directions separating them from each other.

[0103] Then, the bent portions 58 of the first contact spring portions 132a and the second contact spring portions 132b, which have been spread outward in the vertical direction, come into contact with the bent portions 72 of the clip spring 176 from the inside in the vertical direction, causing the clamping plates 180 to elastically deform outward in the vertical direction. The elastic restoring force of the clamping plates 180 causes the clamping plates 180 to clamp the free ends 34 of the first contact spring portions 132a and the second contact spring portions 132b, and urge the free ends 34 of the first contact spring portions 132a and the second contact spring portions 132b in directions approaching each other. As a result, the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 are pressed into contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12 that is press-fitted between the opposing surfaces of the first contact spring portion 132a and the second contact spring portion 132b. As a result, the male terminals 12 and the female terminals 90 are electrically connected to each other, completing the terminal unit 92 in which the female terminals 90 and the male terminals 12 are connected to each other.

[0104] In the female terminal 90 of embodiment 2, the engaging protrusions 174 provided on each contact spring portion 132a, 132b (each of the first and second tongues 170, 172) engage with the engaged portions 192 on the clip spring 176, preventing the clip spring 176 from falling off, thereby achieving the same effect as in embodiment 1.

[0105] In particular, in the second embodiment, each engaged portion 192 includes, in addition to each first stepped surface 84 and the bottom surface 86 of each recessed portion 188, each second stepped surface 190 connected to the rear end of each recessed portion 188. Therefore, when each engaging protrusion 174 abuts against each second stepped surface 190, the clip spring 176 can be prevented from displacing not only rearward and left-right, but also forward. That is, by changing the position of each recessed portion in the clip spring, the front-to-rear distance between the protruding end surface of each contact spring portion and the connecting plate portion of the clip spring can be adjusted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, by providing each recessed portion 188 further forward in each clamping plate portion 180 than in the first embodiment, the front-to-rear distance between the protruding end surface 166 of each contact spring portion 132 a, 132 b and the connecting plate portion 178 can be increased. As a result, for example, if the male terminal 12 can be inserted until it abuts against the connecting plate portion 178, the male terminal 12 can be inserted further rearward.

[0106] Furthermore, the contact-forming fitting 102 having the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 is provided separately from the main body 98 having the tubular conductor 96, and the contact-forming fitting 102 is assembled inside the tubular conductor 96. This allows the member constituting the contact (contact-forming fitting 102) to be formed from the second metal plate 104, which has a relatively small thickness, thereby reducing the size of the female terminal 90. Furthermore, because the main body 98 having the tubular conductor 96 is formed by bending the first metal plate 100, which has a relatively large thickness, it can accommodate larger currents, achieving both an improved current-carrying capacity and avoiding an increase in the size of the terminal.

[0107] 19 to 24 , a female terminal 200 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and a terminal unit 202 including the female terminal 200 and a male terminal 12 connected to the female terminal 200 are described below. The basic structures of the female terminal 200 and terminal unit 202 according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the female terminal 200 according to the third embodiment, the inner surfaces of the bent portions 72 do not abut against the outer surfaces of the contact spring portions 220 a, 220 b (described later) before the male terminal 12 is inserted, and the clip spring 204 is assembled to the contact spring portions 220 a, 220 b with a certain degree of play. Differences from the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment are described below. Components or parts that are substantially the same as those in the female terminal 10 according to the first embodiment are designated in the drawings with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] <Female Terminal Body 206> In the third embodiment, the female terminal body 206 is also formed by pressing a single flat metal plate. In the third embodiment, the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b are connected to a rear cylindrical portion 208 provided at the rear end of the female terminal body 206. The rear cylindrical portion 208 has a cylindrical shape that extends substantially straight in the front-rear direction and includes a peripheral wall portion 214 having a front opening 210 and a rear opening 212 serving as a clip spring insertion port. In the third embodiment, the rear cylindrical portion 208 (peripheral wall portion 214) has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape when viewed in the front-rear direction. As a result, the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b each extend forward from the upper and lower walls that constitute the peripheral wall portion 214 at the periphery of the front opening 210, and the inner hole of the rear cylindrical portion 208 communicates with the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b in the front-rear direction. In other words, the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20 a, 20 b opens at the rear opening 212 through the inner hole of the rear cylindrical portion 208 .

[0109] In particular, in the third embodiment, the opening areas of the front opening 210 and the rear opening 212 as viewed in the front-rear direction are larger than the maximum area of ​​the clip spring 204 as projected in the front-rear direction, allowing the clip spring 204 to be inserted through the front opening 210 and the rear opening 212. This allows the clip spring 204 to be inserted from the rear opening 212 in the rear cylindrical portion 208 through an inner hole of the rear cylindrical portion 208 into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b. That is, in the third embodiment, the rear opening 212 forms a clip spring insertion port for inserting the clip spring 204 into the female terminal body 206.

[0110] Furthermore, a crimping portion 216 is provided on a portion of the circumference of rear cylindrical portion 208, so as to maintain female terminal body 206, which is formed by pressing a single flat metal plate, in a desired shape. Specifically, in embodiment 3, the upper wall portion and the right wall portion that constitute peripheral wall portion 214 are butted against each other by pressing a single flat metal plate, and crimping portion 216 is provided on the upper right corner of rear cylindrical portion 208. By crimping and fixing at crimping portion 216, female terminal body 206 including rear cylindrical portion 208 is maintained in a predetermined shape.

[0111] In particular, in the third embodiment, a plurality of crimping pieces 218 are provided in the front-rear direction in the crimping portion 216, and a central crimping piece 218a that protrudes toward the right wall is provided in the front-rear center portion of the upper wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 214. In addition, a pair of end crimping pieces 218b, 218b that protrude toward the upper wall are provided at both front-rear end portions of the right wall that constitutes the peripheral wall 214. By crimping these crimping pieces 218a, 218b, crimping in two directions that face opposite each other is achieved, and the shape of the female terminal body 206, including the rear tubular portion 208, can be more stably maintained.

[0112] <Contact spring portion 220 (first contact spring portion 220a and second contact spring portion 220b)> The shape of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b in embodiment 3 is the same as that in embodiment 1, and each contact spring portion 220a, 220b is cantilever-shaped and connected to the front ends of the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b via each curved portion 44, so that each contact spring portion 220a, 220b protrudes toward the rear end. Since the first contact spring portion 220a and the second contact spring portion 220b face each other in the up-down direction, the lower surface of the first contact spring portion 220a and the upper surface of the second contact spring portion 220b form the respective facing surfaces 222, 222. In particular, the lower surface of the first contact spring portion 220a is the first opposing surface 222a, which is the upper opposing surface 222, and the upper surface of the second contact spring portion 220b is the second opposing surface 222b, which is the lower opposing surface 222.

[0113] The space between the first contact spring portion 220a and the second contact spring portion 220b in the vertical direction (between the opposing surfaces of the first and second opposing surfaces 222a, 222b) is the male terminal insertion gap 24 into which the male terminal 12 is inserted. As described above, the first contact spring portion 220a and the second contact spring portion 220b are provided with the first contact 54 and the second contact 56 that come into contact with the male terminal 12 when the male terminal 12 is inserted.

[0114] Furthermore, the first and second tongues 50, 52 of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b have tip extensions 224 that extend from the first and second contacts 54, 56 toward the free ends 34, which are the protruding tips. That is, the tip extensions 224 of the first and second contact spring portions 220a, 220b face each other in the vertical direction, and the lower surfaces of the tip extensions 224 of the first contact spring portion 220a also form the first opposing surfaces 222a. Similarly, the upper surfaces of the tip extensions 224 of the second contact spring portion 220b also form the second opposing surfaces 222b. In other words, each opposing surface 222a, 222b includes first and second contacts 54, 56 that protrude toward the male terminal insertion gap 24, and tip extensions 224 that extend from the first and second contacts 54, 56 toward the free end portions 34.

[0115] 21 , in the state before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the tip extension portions 224 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend in the front-to-rear direction, so that the tip extension portions 224 extend parallel to each other across the male terminal insertion gap 24. Therefore, in each tip extension portion 224, specifically from the rear end portion to the free end portion 34 of each first contact point 54 and each second contact point 56, the separation distance A (see FIG. 21 ) of the inner surfaces in the opposing direction is substantially constant.

[0116] Before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the free ends 34 extend in the front-rear direction, causing the protruding end faces 46 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 to expand in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. These protruding end faces 46 are disposed opposite the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 204, which expands in the same direction as the free ends 34, as will be described later. In the third embodiment, substantially the entire surface of each protruding end face 46 abuts against the connecting plate portion 28.

[0117] That is, in embodiment 3, the separation distance between the inner surfaces of the opposing male terminal insertion gap 24 formed between each contact spring portion 220a, 220b is largest at the front end, the male terminal insertion port 22, and gradually becomes smaller as it moves rearward from the male terminal insertion port 22.

[0118] In particular, in the third embodiment, the thickness dimension (vertical dimension) B (see FIG. 21 ) of the male terminal 12 is larger than the separation distance A at the rear portion (each tip extension portion 224) of the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56. As a result, when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24 through the male terminal insertion opening 22, the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 abut against the upper and lower surfaces of the male terminal 12, while the first and second tongues 50, 52 are pushed outward in the vertical direction, and the male terminal 12 is press-fit between the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56 in the male terminal insertion gap 24. When the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, as shown in FIG. 20 , the male terminal 12 comes into contact only with the first contacts 54 and the second contacts 56.

[0119] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the first and second tongues 50, 52 of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b have a smaller width dimension at the other end (rear end) that protrudes compared to the one end (front end) that is cantilevered to the curved portion 44. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 23 (described later), in each contact spring portion 220a, 220b, the inner surfaces 226 of the first tongue 50 and the second tongue 52 in the opposing direction (left-right direction) are positioned substantially entirely outward in the opposing direction, compared to the first and second tongues 50, 52 in the first and second embodiments (shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 23) in which the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend with a substantially constant width dimension in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the outer surfaces 228 of the first and second tongues 50 and 52 in the opposing direction (left-right direction) are positioned substantially entirely inward in the opposing direction, compared to the first and second tongues 50, 52 in the front-rear direction, where the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend with a substantially constant widthwise dimension in the front-rear direction, as in Embodiments 1 and 2. In particular, in Embodiment 3, the widthwise dimensions of the first and second tongues 50, 52 gradually decrease from the curved portion 44 at the front end to the bent portion 58 at the middle portion in the front-rear direction, and the widthwise dimensions are substantially constant from the bent portion 58 toward the protruding tip (rear end). As a result, the widthwise dimensions of the first and second tongues 50, 52 are smaller at the rear end than at the front end.

[0120] <Engaging Protrusions 230> In the third embodiment, each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) has an engaging protrusion 230 similar to that in the first embodiment. In particular, in the third embodiment, each of the engaging protrusions 230 is provided a predetermined distance forward of the rear end (free end 34) of each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52 (the case in which the engaging protrusions are provided from the rear end of each tongue, as in the first and second embodiments, is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 23). This allows the longitudinal dimension of each engaging protrusion 230 to be kept small, and also allows the widthwise dimension of the rear end (free end 34) of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52 to be kept small.

[0121] Furthermore, each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52 is provided with an outward protrusion 232 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction at a position a predetermined distance forward of the rear end (free end 34), and each of the outward protrusions 232 is provided with the above-mentioned engaging protrusions 230 at the protruding end (outer end in the left-right direction) of each of the outward protrusions 232. As a result, the engaging protrusions 230 provided on both the left and right sides of each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b face each other at a predetermined distance in the left-right direction.

[0122] <Clip spring 204> The clip spring 204 of embodiment 3 has the same shape as embodiment 1, and includes a connecting plate portion 28 and a pair of clamping plate portions 30, 30 that protrude in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate portion 28. This clip spring 204 is attached with the free end portions 34 (i.e., rear end portions) of each of the contact spring portions 220 a, 220 b disposed between the pair of clamping plate portions 30, 30, and as shown in Figures 19 and 20, when a male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, the contact spring portions 220 a, 220 b are biased in directions approaching each other.

[0123] In particular, in the third embodiment, the clip-side slits 234 that divide each clamping plate 30 into the first clamping piece 68 and the second clamping piece 70 are formed over the entire length (front-rear direction) of each clamping piece 68, 70, and the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234, which are opposite to the opening side (front side), are positioned beyond the clamping pieces 68, 70 and on the connecting plate 28. In other words, as shown in FIG. 24 , the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234 provided on the upper clamping plate 30 are located in the central portion of the connecting plate 28 in the width direction (left-right direction) of each clamping plate 30 and extend downward from the upper end of the connecting plate 28. In addition, the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234 provided on the lower clamping plate 30 are located in the central portion of the connecting plate 28 in the left-right direction and extend upward from the lower end of the connecting plate 28. As a result, the base end 236 of one (upper) clip-side slit 234 and the base end 236 of the other (lower) clip-side slit 234 are disposed in the center in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the connecting plate portion 28. The base ends 236 are disposed opposite each other in a direction (up-down direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0124] The clip spring 204 of the third embodiment also has the same attachment guide portions 76 and engaged portions 78 as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the third embodiment, the clip spring 204 also has attachment guide portions 76 that press the engaging protrusions 230 as the clip spring 204 is attached to the free ends 34, and also has recessed portions 82 that are connected to the rear end portions 80 of the attachment guide portions 76 and are recessed inward in the width direction (left-right direction) relative to the rear end portions 80 to accommodate the engaging protrusions 230. A first step surface 84 is provided between each rear end portion 80 and each recessed portion 82, and each engaged portion 78 is formed by each first step surface 84 and a bottom surface 86 of each recessed portion 82.

[0125] In a standalone state before the clip spring 204 is attached, the maximum area of ​​the clip spring 204 as projected in the front-to-rear direction is larger than the opening area of ​​the rear cylindrical portion 208 as viewed in the front-to-rear direction (the opening area of ​​the front opening 210 and the rear opening 212). This allows the clip spring 204 to be inserted from the rear, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 22 , from the rear opening 212, which serves as a clip spring insertion port, through the inner hole of the rear cylindrical portion 208, and into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b. By inserting the clip spring 204 from the rear into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b, the clip spring 204 is positioned rearward of the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b (the first tongues 50 and the second tongues 52), as shown in Fig. 23 .

[0126] Such clip spring 204 is assembled to each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) by being moved forward from a state in which it is positioned behind each free end 34 of each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52). The state in which the clip spring 204 is assembled by moving it forward to each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52) will be described with reference to FIG. 23 .

[0127] 23 (white arrow R1 in FIG. 23 ), the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (first tongues 50 and second tongues 52) are inserted into the insertion openings 74 of the clip spring 204. At the same time, the attachment guide portions 76 provided on the clamping plate portions 30 (first clamping pieces 68 and second clamping pieces 70) of the clip spring 204 come into contact with the engaging protrusions 230 provided on the protruding ends (free ends 34) of the first and second tongues 50, 52. Since the outward protrusion dimension of each mounting guide portion 76 gradually increases from the front to the rear, each engaging protrusion 230 is elastically deformed outward in the left-right direction along the inclined surface of each mounting guide portion 76 (white arrow R2 in Figure 23), and each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 including each mounting guide portion 76 is elastically deformed inward in the left-right direction (white arrow R3 in Figure 23).

[0128] In particular, the clip-side slits 234 are provided between the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70 of each clamping plate portion 30, which facilitates inward elastic deformation in the left-right direction in each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70. Furthermore, as described above, the widthwise dimension of each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52 is smaller at the rear end side than at the front end side, which makes it easier for the rear end sides (free end portions 34 sides) of each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52 to elastically deform outward in the left-right direction.

[0129] The above-described elastic deformation of each engaging protrusion 230 outward in the left-right direction and the elastic deformation of each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 inward in the left-right direction permit further forward movement of the clip spring 204. In addition, when each engaging protrusion 230 climbs over the rear end portion 80 of each mounting guide portion 76 and disengages from each mounting guide portion 76, the rear end portions of each of the first tongues 50 and second tongues 52, including each engaging protrusion 230, and each of the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 elastically deform to their original state (elastic return). 19 and other figures, the engaging protrusions 230 engage with the engaged portions 78 formed by the first stepped surfaces 84 and the bottom surfaces 86 of the recessed portions 82, and the clip spring 204 is attached with the free ends 34 of the first and second contact spring portions 220a, 220b (the first and second tongues 50, 52) positioned between the clamping plate portions 30 (the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70). As a result, the engaging protrusions 230 engage with the engaged portions 78, preventing the clip spring 204 from displacing from the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (from the front to the rear).

[0130] Further, forward movement of the clip spring 204 relative to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b (each first and second tongue 50, 52) is limited by the rear end portion (each free end portion 34) of each first and second tongue 50, 52 abutting against the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 204. Note that the method for limiting the forward movement of the clip spring 204 is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the first and second tongues 50, 52 may be provided with protrusions that protrude outward in the vertical direction, or the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b may be provided with protrusions that protrude inward in the vertical direction, so that the front end portion (e.g., each protruding end surface 64) of the clip spring 204 moving forward abuts against the protrusions, thereby limiting the forward movement of the clip spring 204.

[0131] Here, the opening dimension (vertical dimension) C (see FIG. 21) of each insertion port 74 in the clip spring 204 in a standalone state (before elastic deformation) is larger than the vertical distance D (see FIG. 21) between the outer surfaces (vertical outer surfaces) of the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first tongues 50 and each of the second tongues 52). As a result, when the engaging protrusions 230 engage with the engaged portions 78 and the clip spring 204 is attached to the contact spring portions 220a, 220b, as shown in FIG. 21, a slight gap 238 is formed between the inner surface of each bent portion 72 in the clip spring 204 and the outer surface of each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52). That is, when no male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, the clip spring 204 attached to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b can be displaced in the opposing direction (up and down direction) of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b. In this case, the clip spring 204 is attached to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) with a certain amount of play, allowing it to move freely to a certain extent.

[0132] 22 , before the clip spring 204 is attached, the rear end portions of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend in the front-rear direction, and the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend substantially parallel to each other. As a result, before the clip spring 204 is attached, the free ends 34 extend in the front-rear direction, and the protruding end faces 46 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Therefore, when the protruding end faces 46 abut against the connecting plate 28 to restrict the forward movement of the clip spring 204, substantially the entire surface of each protruding end face 46 abuts against the connecting plate 28, which more reliably restricts the forward movement of the clip spring 204.

[0133] Furthermore, because gaps 238 are provided between the inner surface of each bent portion 72 and the outer surfaces of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52, even after the clip spring 204 is attached, when a male terminal 12 is not inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, the clamping plate portions 30 of the clip spring 204 are not pushed outward in the opposing direction and are not elastically deformed. Therefore, the elastic restoring force associated with this elastic deformation is not applied to the contact spring portions 220a, 220b as a biasing force in a direction toward each other. Therefore, after the clip spring 204 is attached and before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the contact spring portions 220a, 220b are not elastically deformed inward in the opposing direction, and the rear portions of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend in the front-to-rear direction.

[0134] <Assembly of Female Terminal 200> A specific example of a method for assembling the female terminal 200 will be described below. Note that the method for assembling the female terminal 200 is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0135] First, a single metal plate is bent into the aforementioned shape to form the female terminal body 206. At this time, the rear tubular portion 208 is stably formed by crimping each crimping piece 218 (the central crimping piece 218a and each end crimping piece 218b), and the female terminal body 206 is maintained in a predetermined shape. Then, as shown in FIG. 22 , the clip spring 204 is positioned behind the female terminal body 206 and inserted into the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b through the rear opening 212 (clip spring insertion opening) and the inner hole of the rear tubular portion 208. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23 , the clip spring 204 is positioned behind the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52) in the gap 18 between the upper and lower support plate portions 20a, 20b.

[0136] 23 , the clip spring 204 is moved forward to insert the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b (the first and second tongues 50, 52) into the insertion openings 74. This causes the engaging protrusions 230 to come into contact with the mounting guide portions 76, which then press against the engaging protrusions 230, causing the engaging protrusions 230 (or the rear portions of the first and second tongues 50, 52) to elastically deform outward in the left-right direction, and the first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 to elastically deform inward in the left-right direction. In particular, the reduced width of the rear portions of the first and second tongues 50, 52 and the formation of the clip-side slits 234 extending to the connecting plate portion 28 allow for stable elastic deformation. As a result, clip spring 204 is permitted to move further forward, causing each engaging protrusion 230 (or the rear portions of each of first and second tongues 50, 52) and each of first and second clamping pieces 68, 70 to elastically restore and deform, and each engaging protrusion 230 engages with each engaged portion 78. In this way, clip spring 204 is assembled to female terminal body 206, and the female terminal 200 of embodiment 3 is completed.

[0137] The clip spring 204 can be attached to each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b as described above by a worker manually or mechanically by holding the clip spring 204 with a jig (not shown). Since the clip spring 204 is inserted through the rear cylindrical portion 208, the attachment can be performed using the rear cylindrical portion 208, which is generally rectangular in rear view, as a guide or mark. In particular, the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234 of the clip spring 204 are located on the connecting plate portion 28, and the attachment can be performed by holding each base end 236 located on the connecting plate portion 28 with the jig.

[0138] In the female terminal 200 of embodiment 3 having the above-described structure, the male terminal 12 is inserted through the male terminal insertion port 22 as in embodiment 1, and the female terminal 200 and the male terminal 12 are mated together, thereby electrically connecting the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 200.

[0139] The basic structure of the female terminal 200 of embodiment 3 is similar to that of embodiment 1, and the same effects as those of the female terminal 10 of embodiment 1 can be achieved. In particular, in the female terminal 200 of embodiment 3, when the clip spring 204 is attached and before the male terminal 12 is inserted, the inner surface of each bent portion 72 of the clip spring 204 has a small gap 238 with respect to the outer surface of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b (each of the first and second tongues 50, 52). This allows the clip spring 204 attached to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b to be displaced in the opposing direction (up and down) of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b when the male terminal 12 is not inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24. As a result, when the male terminal 12 is inserted, the clip spring 204 can be displaced in accordance with the male terminal 12, improving its ability to follow the male terminal 12. In addition, by providing the gap 238, the insertion resistance can be further reduced, which suppresses contact wear and improves the stability of conduction between the male terminal 12 and the female terminal 200.

[0140] Furthermore, before the clip spring 204 is attached, the male terminal insertion gap 24 provided between the opposing contact spring portions 220a, 220b has a predetermined size, and the opposing gap between the tip extension portions 224 rearward of the first and second contacts 54, 56 is approximately constant at A. The opposing distance C between the inner surfaces of the bent portions 72 of the clip spring 204 (the opening dimension of the insertion openings 74) is set larger than the vertical distance D between the outer surfaces of the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 50, 52. As a result, the size of the opposing gap A between the first and second contacts 54, 56 (between the tip extension portions 224) is maintained even after the clip spring 204 is attached to the contact spring portions 220a, 220b. Therefore, in the female terminal 200 of embodiment 3, the clip spring 204 can be easily attached to the female terminal body 206, and the male terminal insertion gap 24 can be maintained at a predetermined size even after the clip spring 204 is attached, thereby reducing the insertion resistance of the male terminal 12. In particular, the size of the opposing gap A between the first and second contacts 54, 56 is made smaller than the plate thickness dimension B of the male terminal 12, and when the male terminal 12 is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap 24, the opposing gap between the first and second contacts 54, 56 is expanded to the size B, and the opposing gap between the tip extensions 224 becomes larger than B. As a result, the male terminal 12 can abut only at the first and second contacts 54, 56, making it easy to manage and adjust the contact pressure.

[0141] The distal extensions 224 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend parallel to each other, and the protruding end surfaces 46 of the free ends 34 are in contact with the connecting plate portion 28 of the clip spring 204 over substantially the entire surface. As a result, for example, when attaching the clip spring 204 to the free ends 34 of the first and second tongues 50, 52, the protruding end surfaces 46 come into contact with the connecting plate portion 28, thereby restricting forward displacement of the clip spring 204. In particular, because the protruding end surfaces 46 and the connecting plate portion 28 can be in surface contact with each other, forward displacement of the clip spring 204 can be more reliably restricted.

[0142] In the third embodiment, each clip-side slit 234 extends beyond each clamping plate portion 30 to the connecting plate portion 28. As a result, the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70 are more easily elastically deformed inward in the opposing direction, making it easier to separate the engaging protrusions 230 from the mounting guide portions 76 and to engage the engaging protrusions 230 with the engaged portions 78. Therefore, by positioning the base end portions 236 of each clip-side slit 234 on the connecting plate portion 28 as in the third embodiment, it is possible to improve the ease of assembling the clip spring 204 to the contact spring portions 220 a, 220 b. Furthermore, since each first clamping piece 68 and each second clamping piece 70 can be easily elastically deformed inward in the opposing direction, when assembling the clip spring 204 to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b, for example, the clip spring 204 does not need to be pushed forward with a relatively strong force, and buckling deformation in each of the first and second tongue pieces 50, 52 can be prevented.

[0143] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234 extend to the connecting plate portion 28, and therefore the clip spring 204 can be held between the base ends 236 by a jig (not shown). That is, by positioning the base ends 236 of the clip-side slits 234 on the connecting plate portion 28 as in the present disclosure, the central portion of the connecting plate portion 28 in the left-right direction can be held. This prevents the jig from coming into contact with the female terminal 200 (particularly the rear tubular portion 208) compared to when work is performed by holding both the left and right ends of the connecting plate portion with a jig, and thus also enables the rear tubular portion 208 to be made smaller.

[0144] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the rear portion of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52 is smaller in width than the front portion. This reduces the weight of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52, and allows the rear portions of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52 to more easily elastically deform outward in the opposing direction (left-right direction) when assembling the clip spring 204 to each of the first and second tongues 50, 52. This also improves the ease of assembling the clip spring 204 to each of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b and prevents buckling deformation of each of the first and second tongues 50, 52.

[0145] The female terminal body 206 constituting the male terminal mounting portion 16 has a rear opening 212 at the other end (rear end) thereof as a clip spring insertion port, and the clip spring 204 can be inserted into the female terminal body 206 through this rear opening 212 to attach the clip spring 204 to each free end 34 of each contact spring portion 220a, 220b. That is, according to the female terminal 200 of the third embodiment, the clip spring 204 can be attached to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b by pushing the clip spring 204 forward through the rear clip spring insertion port (rear opening 212). As a result, the ease of assembling the clip spring 204 to each contact spring portion 220a, 220b, and therefore the manufacturing efficiency of the female terminal 200, can be improved.

[0146] <Modifications> Although Embodiments 1 to 3 have been described above in detail as specific examples of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific descriptions. Modifications, improvements, etc. within the scope of achieving the object of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure. For example, the following modifications of the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0147] (1) In the first embodiment, the engaging protrusions 62 are provided on the first and second tongues 50, 52 of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b, respectively. However, the engaging protrusions may be provided on only one of the upper and lower contact spring portions, or on only one of the left and right tongue portions. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0148] (2) In the first and third embodiments, the rear of the recessed portion 82 in the clip spring 32, 204 is open, and in the second embodiment, the rear of the recessed portion 188 in the clip spring 176 is closed (a wall portion is provided behind the recessed portion 188), but this is not limited to this. That is, a clip spring of a type in which the rear of the recessed portion is closed may be attached to each of the contact spring portions 26a, 26b, 220a, 220b in the first and third embodiments, or a clip spring of a type in which the rear of the recessed portion is open may be attached to each of the contact spring portions 132a, 132b in the second embodiment. In short, as described above, the insertion amount of the male terminal can be adjusted depending on the position of the recessed portion provided in the clip spring, and therefore, a clip spring according to the desired insertion amount of the male terminal can be arbitrarily employed.

[0149] (3) In the above-described first and third embodiments, the female terminal body 17, 206 was formed by bending a single flat metal plate. However, for example, the pair of support plate portions may be separate members, and the rearward extending portions of each may be overlapped and fixed by welding or the like.

[0150] (4) In the first embodiment, the spring portion slits 48 are provided in the widthwise center of each contact spring portion 26a, 26b, forming the first tongues 50 and the second tongues 52 on both the left and right sides. However, this is not limited to this configuration. That is, each contact spring portion may have multiple slits spaced apart in the widthwise direction, or each contact spring portion may be divided into three or more tongues in the widthwise direction. Such slits may not be provided, and each contact spring portion may not be divided into multiple tongues. In such cases, when the clip spring is assembled, only the engaging protrusion may elastically deform when pressed against the guide mounting portion. Furthermore, the number of tongues in the upper contact spring portion may differ from the number of tongues in the lower contact spring portion. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0151] (5) In the first embodiment, the clip-side slit 66 is provided in the widthwise center of each clamping plate 30, forming the first clamping pieces 68 and the second clamping pieces 70 on both sides of the widthwise direction. However, this is not limited to this. That is, each clamping plate may have multiple slits spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction, or each clamping plate may be divided into three or more clamping pieces in the widthwise direction. Such slits may not be provided, and each clamping plate may not be divided into multiple clamping pieces. Furthermore, the number of clamping pieces on the upper clamping plate and the number of clamping pieces on the lower clamping plate may differ from each other, and the number of clamping pieces on each clamping plate may not correspond to the number of tongue pieces on each contact spring. The same applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0152] (6) In the above embodiment, the male terminal 12 is a flat tab terminal, but is not limited to this. For example, the male terminal may be a cylindrical pin terminal. In this case, each contact spring portion constituting the male terminal insertion gap may be cylindrical as a whole.

[0153] (7) In the second embodiment, the tubular conductor 96 and the contact-forming fitting 102 are secured together by welding the abutment edges 160 to the front end faces 118 and by fitting the lock holes 124 to the lock claws 164. However, this is not limited to this configuration. The tubular conductor and the contact-forming fitting may be secured together by welding alone, or by a concave-convex fit, such as fitting the lock holes to the lock claws. Alternatively, a securing method other than welding or concave-convex fit (e.g., bolts or rivets) may be used. Note that when the tubular conductor and the contact-forming fitting are secured together by welding, the welding locations are not limited. Similarly, in the third embodiment, the upper and right walls constituting the peripheral wall 214 of the rear tubular portion 208 of the female terminal body 206 are secured together by crimping using the crimping pieces 218a, 218b. However, they may be secured together by welding, bolts, or the like.

[0154] (8) In the second embodiment, the clip spring 176 is assembled to the contact spring portions 132 a, 132 b of the contact-forming fitting 102, and then the contact-forming fitting 102 is inserted into the tubular conductor portion 96. However, this is not limiting. That is, the contact-forming fitting may be inserted into the male terminal insertion opening at the front of the tubular conductor portion and assembled thereto, and then the clip spring may be inserted into the rear opening window at the rear of the tubular conductor portion and assembled to each contact spring portion.

[0155] (9) In the third embodiment, the clip-side slits 234 in the clip spring 204 extend beyond the clamping plates 30 and reach the connecting plate 28. However, as in the first and second embodiments, the length may extend to the longitudinal (front-rear) middle of each clamping plate. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the clip spring 204 is attached to the free ends 34 of the contact spring portions 220a, 220b from the rear through the rear cylindrical portion 208. However, as in the first embodiment, the clip spring 204 may be inserted into the female terminal body from the side and then pushed forward. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, before the insertion of the male terminal 12, the distal extensions 224 of the first and second tongues 50, 52 extend in the front-rear direction and are parallel to each other. However, as in the first embodiment, the distal extensions may be inclined toward each other as they approach the protruding distal ends (rearward). In this case, by attaching a clip spring to the free end of each contact spring portion, the clamping plates may apply a biasing force to the free end portions in a direction that brings them closer to each other. Alternatively, when attaching the clip spring to the free end portions of each contact spring portion, the clamping plates of the clip spring may be arranged in a zero-touch manner or with a slight gap relative to the contact spring portions, so that the clamping plates do not apply a biasing force to the free end portions in a direction that brings them closer to each other.

[0156] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Female terminal (first embodiment) 12 Male terminal 14 Terminal unit 16 Male terminal mounting portion 17 Female terminal body 18 Gap 20 Support plate portion 20a Upper support plate portion 20b Lower support plate portion 22 Male terminal insertion opening 24 Male terminal insertion gap 26 Contact spring portion 26a First contact spring portion 26b Second contact spring portion 28 Connecting plate portion 30 Clamping plate portion 32 Clip spring 34 Free end portion 36 Connection portion 38 Rearward extending portion 40 Bolt insertion hole 43 Flat surface 44 Curved portion 46 Protruding end surface 48 Spring portion side slit 50 First tongue 52 Second tongue 54 First contact 56 Second contact 58 Bent portion 62 Engaging convex portion 64 Protruding end surface 66 Clip side slit 68 First clamping piece 70 Second clamping piece 72 Bent portion 74 Insertion opening 76 Mounting guide portion 78 Engaged portion 80 Rear end portion 82 Recessed portion 84 First stepped surface 86 Bottom surface 90 Female terminal (second embodiment) 92 Terminal unit 94 Connection portion 96 Cylindrical conductor portion 98 Main body portion 100 First metal flat plate 102 Contact-forming metal fitting 104 Second metal flat plate 105 Male terminal mounting portion 106 Bolt insertion hole 108 Male terminal insertion opening 110 Rear opening window 112 Side wall (wall portion) 112a Left side wall (wall portion) 112b Right side wall (wall portion) 114 Upper wall (wall portion) 116 Lower wall (wall portion) 118 Front end surface (welded portion) 120 Fitting convex portion 122 Fitting recess 124 Lock hole 126 Abutment portion 128 Bent portion 130 Frame portion 132 Contact spring portion 132a First contact spring portion 132b Second contact spring portion 138 Side portion (frame portion) 138a Left side portion (frame portion) 138b Right side portion (frame portion) 140 Upper portion (frame portion) 142 Lower portion (frame portion) 144 Front opening 146 Rear opening 148 Through window portion 150 Front connecting portion 152 Rear connecting portion 154a First left side portion 154b Second left side portion 156 Locking recess 158 Locking protrusion 160 Abutment edge portion (welded portion) 162 Through hole 164 Locking claw 166 Protruding end surface 168 Spring portion side slit 170 First tongue 172 Second tongue 173 Recess 174 Engaging protrusion 176 Clip spring 178 Connecting plate 180 Clamping plate 182 Clip-side slit 184 First clamping piece 186 Second clamping piece 188 Recess 190 Second stepped surface 192 Engaged portion200 Female terminal (third embodiment) 202 Terminal unit 204 Clip spring 206 Female terminal body 208 Rear cylindrical portion 210 Front opening 212 Rear opening (clip spring insertion port) 214 Peripheral wall portion 216 Crimping portion 218 Crimping piece 218a Central crimping piece 218b End crimping piece 220 Contact spring portion 220a First contact spring portion 220b Second contact spring portion 222 Opposing surface 222a First opposing surface 222b Second opposing surface 224 Tip extension portion 226 Inner surface (in the opposing direction of the first tongue piece and the second tongue piece) 228 Outer surface (in the opposing direction of the first tongue piece and the second tongue piece) 230 Engaging protrusion 232 Outward protrusion 234 Clip side slit 236 Base end 238 Gap

Claims

1. A male terminal mounting section into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting section comprising: a male terminal insertion opening provided at one end; a pair of contact spring sections each connected to the one end in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap; a connecting plate section and a pair of clamping plate sections protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate section, and a clip spring attached with the free ends of the pair of contact spring sections sandwiched between the pair of clamping plate sections, which urges the free ends in directions approaching each other when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap; at least one of the pair of contact spring sections has an engaging protrusion provided integrally therewith; The clip spring has an integral attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as the clip spring is attached to the free end, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing in the direction of detachment from the contact spring portion.

2. The connecting plate portion of the clip spring is disposed opposite to the protruding end faces of the pair of contact spring portions, and the clip spring is attached to the pair of contact spring portions so that the pair of clamping plate portions of the clip spring protrude from the connecting plate portion in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the pair of contact spring portions, the opposite direction being the attachment direction of the clip spring, and the engaging protrusions are integrally provided on both side edges of each of the contact spring portions, protruding toward the opposing clamping plate portion and outward in the width direction of the contact spring portion, and the attachment guide portions, which are shaped to gradually protrude outward in the width direction from the front side to the rear side in the attachment direction, and recesses, which are connected to the rear side ends of the attachment guide portions and are recessed inward in the width direction relative to the rear side ends and which accommodate the engaging protrusions, are integrally provided on both side edges of each of the clamping plate portions of the clip spring, 2. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the engaged portion is formed by a first step surface between the rear end of the mounting guide portion and the recessed portion, and a bottom surface of the recessed portion.

3. The female terminal according to claim 2, wherein said engaging projection projects beyond said clamping plate portion.

4. A female terminal as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein when the engaging protrusion is accommodated in the recess, the protruding end faces of the pair of contact spring portions face each other so as to be able to abut against the connecting plate portion of the clip spring.

5. A female terminal as set forth in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the recessed portion has a second stepped surface that is connected to the rear end of the bottom surface and protrudes outward in the width direction, the second stepped surface being spaced forward in the mounting direction from the connecting plate portion, and when the engaging protrusion is housed in the recessed portion, the rear end surface of the engaging protrusion faces the second stepped surface of the recessed portion so as to be able to abut against it.

6. A female terminal as set forth in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein each of the contact spring portions extends in the protruding direction, penetrating its respective central portion in the width direction in the plate thickness direction, and is divided into first and second tongue portions that can be displaced independently of each other, by spring portion-side slits that open on the protruding end surface; each of the clamping plate portions of the clip spring extends in the protruding direction, penetrating its respective central portion in the width direction in the plate thickness direction, and is divided into first and second clamping pieces that can be displaced independently of each other, by clip-side slits that open on the protruding end surface; a pair of first tongue portions that are arranged oppositely between a pair of opposed first clamping pieces are clamped by the pair of first clamping pieces, with the male terminal therebetween, and a pair of second tongue portions that are arranged oppositely between a pair of opposed second clamping pieces are clamped by the pair of second clamping pieces, with the male terminal therebetween.

7. A female terminal as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the male terminal mounting portion has a pair of support plate portions arranged opposite each other with a gap between them, the male terminal insertion opening is defined between the one end sides of each of the pair of support plate portions, and each of the contact spring portions is connected in a cantilever manner to the one end side of each of the support plate portions via a curved portion.

8. A device comprising: a main body portion which is a pressed product of a first metal plate and which has a connection portion electrically connected to another member and a hollow cylindrical conductor portion; and a contact-forming metal fitting which is a pressed product of a second metal plate thinner than the first metal plate and which is inserted into the cylindrical conductor portion and assembled thereto; wherein the male terminal mounting portion is constituted by the cylindrical conductor portion and the contact-forming metal fitting; the cylindrical conductor portion has a rectangular cylindrical shape with a pair of side walls and an upper wall and a lower wall connected by the pair of side walls, and the male terminal insertion opening is provided at one end side; the frame portion of the contact-forming metal fitting has a rectangular frame shape with a pair of side portions which are superimposed on the pair of side walls of the cylindrical conductor portion, respectively, and an upper part and a lower part which are superimposed on the upper wall and the lower wall of the cylindrical conductor portion, and the upper part and the lower part of the frame portion have the pair of contact spring portions which are held by the frame portion at one end side and protrude inward towards the other end side in a cantilevered manner; 4. The female terminal according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower portions of the frame body are connected to the upper wall and the lower wall, so that the pair of contact spring portions are each connected in a cantilevered manner to the one end side of the male terminal mounting portion, and the clip spring is attached to the free end of the pair of contact spring portions.

9. A male terminal mounting section into which a male terminal is inserted for electrical connection, the male terminal mounting section having: a male terminal insertion opening provided at one end; a pair of contact spring sections each connected to the one end in a cantilevered manner and protruding toward the other end, and arranged opposite each other across a male terminal insertion gap; a connecting plate section and a pair of clamping plate sections protruding in directions approaching each other from both side edges of the connecting plate section, the pair of contact spring sections being disposed and attached between the pair of clamping plate sections, and a clip spring that urges the contact spring sections in directions approaching each other when the male terminal is inserted into the male terminal insertion gap; at least one of the pair of contact spring sections having an engaging protrusion provided integrally therewith; The clip spring integrally has an attachment guide portion that presses against the engaging protrusion as the clip spring is attached to the contact spring portion, allowing the clip spring to move forward in the attachment direction, and an engaged portion that engages with the engaging protrusion that has detached from the attachment guide portion, and the engagement between the engaging protrusion and the engaged portion prevents the clip spring from displacing in the direction of detachment from the contact spring portion when the male terminal is not inserted into the male terminal insertion gap, and the clip spring assembled to the pair of contact spring portions can be displaced in the opposing direction of the pair of contact spring portions.

10. A terminal unit comprising a female terminal and a male terminal to be connected to said female terminal, wherein said female terminal is a female terminal as defined in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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