JP2019008878A - Terminal connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a terminal connection structure capable of regulating movement of a rod-like part after mating suitably, while reducing insertion force during insertion of a male terminal.SOLUTION: A terminal connection structure 1 includes a male terminal 10 having a columnar rod-like part 11, a female terminal 20 having a cylinder part 21 into which the rod-like part 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted, and an elastic member 30 attached in the cylinder part 21 of the female terminal 20, and energizing the rod-like part 11 of the male terminal 10 when the rod-like part 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the cylinder part 21 of the female terminal 20. The elastic member 30 has multiple leaf springs 33 bending inward of the cylinder part 21, where the position of the maximum protrusion protruding most to the inside of the cylinder part 21 by bending inward of the cylinder part 21 is misaligned for other leaf springs 33 in the axial direction of the cylinder part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal connection structure.

  Conventionally, a male terminal having a columnar rod-shaped portion, a female terminal having a cylindrical portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted, and an elastic member attached in the cylindrical portion of the female terminal, the elastic force of the elastic member Has proposed a terminal connection structure in which the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is held in the cylindrical portion of the female terminal. In this terminal connection structure, the elastic member is designed to have a spring structure, and the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the female terminal, so that it is biased toward the central axis side of the cylindrical portion by the spring structure. (See, for example, FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-2072

  However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, when vibration exceeding the spring reaction force occurs, it is impossible to suppress the relative movement of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal. For this reason, it is conceivable to set a large spring reaction force. However, if the spring reaction force is increased, the peak of the insertion force at the initial stage of terminal fitting where the rod-shaped portion and the spring come into contact becomes excessive. Since this excessive insertion force becomes a pressing force to the rod-shaped portion, the plating on the surface of the rod-shaped portion may be scraped to expose the base, or a contact failure may occur.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem. The object of the present invention is to suitably regulate the relative movement of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal, An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal connection structure capable of reducing the possibility of contact failure.

  The terminal connection structure according to the present invention is attached to a male terminal having a cylindrical rod-shaped portion, a female terminal having a cylindrical portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted, and the cylindrical portion of the female terminal, An elastic member that urges the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal when the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted into the tube portion of the female terminal, and the elastic member is disposed inside the tube portion. And at least one of the plurality of leaf springs has a position of the largest protrusion that protrudes most inside the cylinder due to the inward bending of the cylinder. The leaf spring is displaced in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion.

  According to the terminal connection structure according to the present invention, at least one of the plurality of leaf springs is displaced in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion with respect to the other leaf springs. For this reason, by shifting the maximum protrusion in the axial direction without weakening the spring reaction force caused by each of the plurality of leaf springs, the peak position of the insertion force is shifted as a whole by shifting the peak position of the insertion force for the displaced leaf spring. It will be. Therefore, the relative movement of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal is preferably restricted, and the possibility of base exposure and contact failure due to plating scraping can be reduced.

  Further, in the terminal connection structure according to the present invention, it is preferable that each of the plurality of leaf springs is displaced in the axial direction with respect to all the other leaf springs.

  According to this terminal connection structure, since each of the plurality of leaf springs is displaced in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion with respect to all the other leaf springs, the spring reaction caused by each of the plurality of leaf springs. Without weakening the force, the peak position of the load can be distributed by shifting the peak position of the insertion force for each leaf spring. Therefore, the relative movement of the male terminal with respect to the female terminal can be suitably restricted, and the possibility of base exposure and contact failure due to plating shaving can be further reduced.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while aiming at reduction of the insertion force at the time of insertion of a male terminal, the terminal connection structure which can control suitably the motion of the rod-shaped part after a fitting can be provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the terminal connection structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the female terminal shown in FIG. It is an expanded view of the elastic member shown in FIG. It is a side view when the elastic member of the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3 is seen from the side. It is the schematic which shows the mode of terminal connection. It is a perspective view which shows the elastic member in the terminal connection structure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the mode of the terminal connection which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an expanded view of the elastic member in the terminal connection structure which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a side view when the elastic member in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 8 is viewed from the side.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described according to preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment shown below, there are places where illustration and description of a part of the configuration are omitted, but the details of the omitted technology are within the scope that does not conflict with the contents described below. It goes without saying that known or well-known techniques are applied as appropriate.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal connection structure 1 according to the first embodiment includes a male terminal 10, a female terminal 20, and an elastic member 30.

  The male terminal 10 is formed of a conductive metal material, and is a so-called round pin type terminal. The male terminal 10 has a cylindrical rod-shaped portion 11 and a fastening portion 12 that is connected to the rod-shaped portion 11 and is bolted together with other conductor portions. The male terminal 10 may include a barrel portion or the like to which a conductor portion such as an electric wire is crimped instead of the fastening portion 12.

  The outer diameter of the rod-shaped part 11 is made smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical part (reference numeral 21 described later) of the female terminal 20, and the bar-shaped part 11 is configured to be inserted into the cylindrical part. The tip 11a of the rod-shaped portion 11 has a tapered shape, and can be smoothly inserted into the cylindrical portion. In the present embodiment, the male terminal 10 (at least the rod-shaped portion 11) is plated.

  The female terminal 20 is formed of a conductive metal material, and a cylindrical tube portion 21 into which the rod-shaped portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted, and a conductor portion such as an electric wire connected to the tube portion 21 are crimped. And a barrel portion 22. The female terminal 20 may include a fastening portion that is bolted instead of the barrel portion 22.

  The elastic member 30 is a member made of a material such as a conductive or non-conductive metal or resin that is attached in the cylindrical portion 21 of the female terminal 20. This elastic member 30 is attached above the inside of the cylindrical portion 21 by a predetermined means (not shown). When the rod-shaped portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the tube portion 21 of the female terminal 20, the elastic member 30 biases and holds the rod-shaped portion 11 downward by an elastic force.

  Hereinafter, each part will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the female terminal 20 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the female terminal 20 includes a plurality of indent portions 21 a and 21 b that protrude inward from the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 21. The plurality of indent portions 21a and 21b are formed by, for example, punching processing, and are provided at the front end side indent portion 21a formed below the front end side of the female terminal 20 and below the rear end side of the female terminal 20. The rear end side indent portion 21b is formed.

  The tip-side indent portion 21a is provided in two in total, one in the right region AR and one in the left region AL sandwiching the lower central portion C that is the biasing direction of the elastic member 30. Similarly, two rear end side indent portions 21b are provided, one for the right region AR and one for the left region AL. Note that the plurality of indent portions 21a and 21b are not limited to the illustrated shape and the like as long as the rod-like portion 11 of the male terminal 10 can be pressed by the elastic force of the elastic member 30 as described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the elastic member 30 includes two half-ring-shaped frame members 31 and 32 that are coaxially arranged, and a plurality of leaf springs 33. The two half-ring-shaped frame members 31 and 32 are arranged to be separated from the front end side and the rear end side of the female terminal 20. Each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 is a member that is curved inward (projects inward) and imparts elastic force to the inside of the cylindrical portion 21, and connects the two frame members 31 and 32. They are arranged in a semicircular shape.

  When the rod-shaped portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the tube portion 21, the plurality of leaf springs 33 of the elastic member 30 press the rod-shaped portion 11 toward the plurality of indent portions 21a and 21b. Thereby, the terminal connection structure 1 which concerns on this embodiment implement | achieves a firm holding force using a wedge effect.

  3 is a developed view of the elastic member 30 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the elastic member 30 in the developed state shown in FIG. 3 and 4 show a state in which the semi-ring-shaped frame members 31 and 32 are developed so as to have a flat plate shape.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of leaf springs 33 of the elastic member 30 have a maximum projecting portion MP that curves to the inside of the tube portion 21 and protrudes most inside the tube portion 21. Yes. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 is displaced in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21 with respect to all the other leaf springs 33 with respect to all the other leaf springs 33, and in the state shown in FIG. Is a state in which the positions of the maximum protrusions MP are arranged in a spiral.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The first leaf spring 33a is located in the left side area AL of the female terminal 20, and the position of the maximum projecting portion MPa is on the distal end side of the female terminal 20 relative to the other two leaf springs 33b and 33c. Yes. The second leaf spring 33b is located at the center of the other leaf springs 33a and 33c. The maximum protrusion MPb of the second leaf spring 33b is in the middle of the positions of the maximum protrusions MPa and MPc of the other two leaf springs 33a and 33c when viewed in the axial direction. The third leaf spring 33c is located in the right area AR of the female terminal 20, and the position of the maximum protrusion MPc is on the rear end side of the female terminal 20 relative to the other two leaf springs 33a and 33b. ing. In addition, since these maximum protrusions MP are aligned in a line in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 3, they should be arranged in a spiral shape in the half-circular state shown in FIG. It becomes.

  Next, a state of terminal connection by the terminal connection structure 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a state of terminal connection. In addition, in FIG. 5, illustration of the indentation parts 21a and 21b is simplified.

  First, the female terminal 20 to which the elastic member 30 is attached is accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber (not shown) of the connector. The male terminal 10 is also accommodated in a terminal accommodating chamber (not shown) of the mating connector. For this reason, when fitting the connectors together, as shown in FIG. 5, the rod-like portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the tube portion 21 of the female terminal 20.

  Here, the positions of the maximum protrusions MP of the plurality of leaf springs 33 are the maximum protrusions MPa of the first leaf springs 33a, the maximum protrusions MPb of the second leaf springs 33b, and the third from the tip side of the female terminal 20. This is the maximum protrusion MPc of the leaf spring 33c. Therefore, when the rod-shaped portion 11 of the male terminal 10 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 21, first, the reaction force of the first leaf spring 33a is greatly received, and then the reaction force of the second leaf spring 33b is greatly received. The reaction force of the third leaf spring 33c is greatly received. That is, it is avoided that a large reaction force is simultaneously received from the plurality of leaf springs 33, and the peak of the insertion force is reduced.

  In this way, according to the terminal connection structure 1 according to the first embodiment, each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 has the position of the maximum projecting portion MP with respect to all the other leaf springs 33 as the axis of the cylinder portion 21. Since the displacement is in the direction, it is possible to disperse the peak of the load by shifting the peak position of the insertion force for each leaf spring 33 without weakening the spring reaction force caused by each of the plurality of leaf springs 33. Accordingly, the relative movement of the male terminal 10 with respect to the female terminal 20 can be suitably restricted, and the possibility of base exposure and contact failure due to plating scraping can be reduced.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The terminal connection structure according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but a partial configuration (configuration of the female terminal 20 and the elastic member 30) is different. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the elastic member 30 in the terminal connection structure 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the elastic member 30 according to the second embodiment is made of a conductive material, and the frame members 31 and 32 have a substantially ring shape instead of a semi-ring shape. Further, the leaf springs 33 are not arranged in a semicircular shape, but are arranged in a circumferential shape so that the rod-shaped portion 11 can be pressed from the entire periphery. Here, although not shown, the positions of the maximum protrusions MP of the respective leaf springs 33 are arranged in a spiral shape. In addition, since the elastic member 30 presses the rod-shaped portion 11 from the entire circumference, the female terminal 20 does not have to be formed with a plurality of indent portions 21a and 21b.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a state of terminal connection according to the second embodiment. The position of the maximum protrusion MP is also spiral in the plural (six) leaf springs 33 according to the second embodiment. For this reason, as the rod-shaped portion 11 is inserted, it sequentially comes into contact with the maximum projecting portions MP of the six leaf springs 33, and it is avoided that a large reaction force is simultaneously received from the plurality of leaf springs 33. The peak will be reduced.

  In this way, according to the terminal connection structure 1 according to the second embodiment, the relative movement of the male terminal 10 with respect to the female terminal 20 is preferably restricted and the ground due to plating scraping as in the first embodiment. The possibility of exposure and contact failure can be reduced. Moreover, it can contribute to smooth insertion.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The terminal connection structure according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but a partial configuration (configuration of the elastic member 30) is different. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a developed view of the elastic member 30 in the terminal connection structure 1 according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a side view when the elastic member 30 in the developed state shown in FIG. 8 is viewed from the side. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the third embodiment, the plurality of leaf springs 33 are the same as those in the first embodiment in that the position of the maximum protrusion MP is shifted in the axial direction. The positions of the MPs are not arranged in a spiral but are arranged in a substantially V shape in plan view.

  More specifically, in the third embodiment, the first plate spring 33a is located at the most distal end side of the female terminal 20 at the position of the maximum projecting portion MPa than the other two plate springs 33b and 33c. In the second leaf spring 33b, the position of the maximum projecting portion MPb is the rearmost end side of the female terminal 20 relative to the other two leaf springs 33a and 33c. The maximum protrusion MPc of the third leaf spring 33c is intermediate between the positions of the maximum protrusions MPa and MPc of the other two leaf springs 33a and 33b when viewed in the axial direction.

  In addition, each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 has the maximum projecting portion MP positioned on the distal end side of the female terminal 20 with respect to the axially intermediate portion 33 d of each leaf spring 33. That is, the elastic member 30 according to the third embodiment is formed such that the position of the maximum protrusion MP of each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 is biased to the position of the front half.

  In the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, it is avoided that a large reaction force is simultaneously received from the plurality of leaf springs 33, and the peak of the insertion force is reduced.

  In this way, according to the terminal connection structure 1 according to the third embodiment, the relative movement of the male terminal 10 with respect to the female terminal 20 is suitably restricted and the ground due to plating scraping, as in the first embodiment. The possibility of exposure and contact failure can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. You may combine a technique suitably. Furthermore, you may combine another technique suitably in the possible range.

  For example, the terminal connection structure 1 according to the first and third embodiments includes two types of indent portions 21a and 21b, that is, a front end side indent portion 21a and a rear end side indent portion 21b. As long as the rod-shaped part 11 of the terminal 10 can be held, only one of them may be provided, or another indent part such as a third type may be further provided. Moreover, although the female terminal 20 is provided with the two front end side indent parts 21a, you may provide not only two but three or more. The same applies to the rear end side indent portion 21b. In addition, the two tip-side indent portions 21a are provided on the same cross section orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical portion 21, but may be formed so as to be shifted in the axial direction if possible. This is because the effect of shifting the peak of the insertion force can be obtained. Also, the two rear end side indent portions 21b may be formed so as to be shifted in the axial direction.

  Furthermore, in the first and third embodiments, the elastic member 30 is not limited to the upper part in the cylindrical portion 21 and may be attached to other places such as the lower part.

  In addition, in the elastic member 30 according to the third embodiment, each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 has the maximum protrusion MP positioned on the distal end side of the female terminal 20 relative to the axial intermediate portion 33d of each leaf spring 33. However, conversely, the maximum protrusion MP may be located on the rear end side.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, each of the plurality of leaf springs 33 is shifted in the axial direction with respect to all the other leaf springs 33 with respect to the position of the maximum projecting portion MP. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one of the plurality of leaf springs 33 may be configured such that the position of the maximum projecting portion MP is deviated from the other leaf springs 33 in the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 21. That is, the position of only one of the maximum projecting portions MP may be shifted in the axial direction and the rest may be the same position in the axial direction. Furthermore, the elastic member 30 has four or more leaf springs 33, the four or more leaf springs 33 are divided into two groups, and the positions of the maximum protrusions MP are different in the axial direction between these groups. It may be. In other words, it is only necessary to shift by one even so that the maximum protrusions MP of all the leaf springs 33 are not in the same position in the axial direction. This is also because the relative movement of the male terminal 10 with respect to the female terminal 20 is suitably restricted, and the possibility of ground exposure and contact failure due to plating scraping can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Terminal connection structure 10: Male terminal 11: Rod-shaped part 20: Female terminal 21: Tube part 22: Barrel part 30: Elastic member 33: Plural leaf springs 33d: Axial intermediate part MP: Maximum protrusion part

Claims (2)

A male terminal having a cylindrical rod-shaped portion;
A female terminal having a cylindrical portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted;
An elastic member attached to the cylindrical portion of the female terminal and biasing the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal when the rod-shaped portion of the male terminal is inserted into the cylindrical portion of the female terminal; ,
The elastic member has a plurality of leaf springs curved toward the inside of the cylindrical portion,
At least one of the plurality of leaf springs is such that the position of the largest protrusion that protrudes most inside the tube portion due to inward bending of the tube portion is in the axial direction of the tube portion with respect to other leaf springs. Terminal connection structure characterized by deviation. 2. The terminal connection structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leaf springs is shifted in the axial direction with respect to all the other leaf springs with respect to the position of the maximum protruding portion.

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