JP2021192337A - Terminal connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a terminal connection structure capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.SOLUTION: In a terminal connection structure 1 comprising a first terminal 5 including a first electric connection part 3 and a second terminal 9 including a second electric connection part 7 which is electrically connected with the first electric connection part 3, the first electric connection part 3 includes: an elastic contact portion 11 which is provided elastically deformable; a first cylindrical portion 13 which is disposed in an outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11; and an opening 15 which is provided in a part of the first cylindrical portion 13 in a circumferential direction and opens the elastic contact portion 11 outside. The second electric connection part 7 includes: a second cylindrical portion 17 in which the first cylindrical portion 13 is inserted; and a contacted portion 19 which is projected toward the inside of the second cylindrical portion 17, inserted into the opening 15 and contacted with the elastic contact portion 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal connection structure.

Conventionally, as a terminal connection structure, a second terminal having a male terminal as a first terminal having a first electrical connection portion and an electrical connection portion as a second electrical connection portion electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion. Those provided with a female terminal as a terminal are known (see Patent Document 1).

In this terminal connection structure, the first electrical connection portion of the male terminal is formed in a rod shape like a tab type, a square pin type, or the like. Further, the electrical connection portion of the female terminal is formed in a rectangular tubular shape. Inside the electrical connection portion, there are a spring-side contact portion provided on the elastically deformable spring piece, and a cylinder-side front contact portion provided facing the spring-side contact portion with the first electrical connection portion interposed therebetween. A rear contact portion on the cylinder side is arranged.

In such a terminal connection structure, the first electrical connection portion of the male terminal is inserted into the electrical connection portion of the female terminal. At this time, the first electric connection portion is brought into contact with the spring side contact portion, the cylinder side front contact portion, and the cylinder side rear contact portion by the urging force of the spring piece. By this contact, the male terminal and the female terminal are electrically connected.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-118102

By the way, in the terminal connection structure as in Patent Document 1, the first terminal and the second terminal are housed in the matable first connector and the second connector, respectively. By fitting the first connector and the second connector, the first electrical connection portion of the first terminal and the second electrical connection portion of the second terminal are electrically connected.

Such a first connector and a second connector are mounted on a vehicle, for example, in a fitted state. When vibration is applied to the first connector and the second connector when the vehicle is running, vibration is also applied to the first terminal and the second terminal housed therein.

When vibration is applied to the first terminal and the second terminal, slight sliding wear may occur at the contact portion between the first electric connection portion and the second electric connection portion, and wear powder may be generated. If this wear debris intervenes in the contact portion between the first electrical connection portion and the second electrical connection portion, there is a concern that the electrical connection reliability may deteriorate.

In particular, in the case of a structure in which the first electric connection portion is formed in a rod shape and is inserted into the tubular second electric connection portion, the first electric connection portion is largely rattled due to vibration, and slight sliding wear occurs. It became easy, and the electrical connection reliability tended to decrease.

Further, when the first electrical connection portion is formed in a rod shape, the contact surface with the second electrical connection portion is exposed before being electrically connected to the second electrical connection portion. It has become. For this reason, there is a possibility that the first electrical connection portion may be damaged due to interference with peripheral members or the like, and the electrical connection reliability may be lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal connection structure capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.

The terminal connection structure according to the present embodiment includes a first terminal having a first electrical connection portion and a second terminal having a second electrical connection portion electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion. The first electrical connection portion is provided in an elastic contact portion provided so as to be elastically deformable, a first tubular portion arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion, and a part of the first tubular portion in the circumferential direction. It has an opening that opens the elastic contact portion to the outside, and the second electrical connection portion has a second tubular portion into which the first tubular portion can be inserted, and the second tubular portion. It has a contacted portion that is projected toward the inside of the surface and is inserted into the opening to be brought into contact with the elastic contact portion.

The first cylindrical portion is provided with a closing portion that closes the opening on the rear side in the insertion direction with respect to the second tubular portion, and the closing portion has the first tubular portion having the second tubular portion. It is preferable that a restricting portion is provided which is inserted into the tubular portion and is arranged so as to face the second tubular portion in the insertion direction.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal connection structure capable of maintaining electrical connection reliability.

It is a perspective view when the 1st terminal and the 2nd terminal of the terminal connection structure which concerns on this embodiment are fitted. It is a perspective view before the 1st terminal and the 2nd terminal of the terminal connection structure which concerns on this embodiment are fitted. It is sectional drawing when the 1st terminal and the 2nd terminal of the terminal connection structure which concerns on this embodiment are fitted. It is a perspective view of the 1st terminal of the terminal connection structure which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which made a part of FIG. 4 a cross section. It is a perspective view of the 2nd terminal of the terminal connection structure which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view which made a part of FIG. 6 a cross section.

Hereinafter, the terminal connection structure according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

The terminal connection structure 1 according to the present embodiment has a first terminal 5 having a first electrical connection portion 3 and a second terminal 9 having a second electrical connection portion 7 electrically connected to the first electrical connection portion 3. And have.

Further, the first electrical connection portion 3 has an elastic contact portion 11 provided so as to be elastically deformable, a first tubular portion 13 arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11, and a circumferential direction of the first tubular portion 13. It has an opening 15 which is provided in a part of the above and opens the elastic contact portion 11 to the outside.

Further, the second electrical connection portion 7 is inserted into the opening portion 15 so as to project toward the inside of the second tubular portion 17 into which the first tubular portion 13 can be inserted and the inside of the second tubular portion 17. It has a contacted portion 19 that is in contact with the elastic contact portion 11.

Further, the first tubular portion 13 is provided with a closing portion 21 that closes the opening 15 on the rear side in the insertion direction with respect to the second tubular portion 17. The closed portion 21 is provided with a restricting portion 23 that is arranged so that the first tubular portion 13 is inserted into the second tubular portion 17 and is arranged so as to face the second tubular portion 17 in the insertion direction. There is.

Here, the terminal connection structure 1 according to the present embodiment is not shown, but is applied to a connector connection structure of a first connector and a second connector in which the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9 are accommodated, respectively. The connector. By fitting the first connector and the second connector, the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9 are electrically connected. The first connector and the second connector fitted in this way are mounted on a vehicle, for example. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the first terminal 5 is housed in the first connector and the second terminal 9 is housed in the second connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the first terminal 5 is formed by subjecting a single plate made of a conductive material to a punching process, a bending process, or the like. The first terminal 5 includes a first electric wire connecting portion 25 and a first electrical connecting portion 3.

The first electric wire connecting portion 25 includes a coated crimping portion 27 and a core wire crimping portion 29.

The covering crimping portion 27 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces, and crimps the covering portion 33 of the electric wire 31 at the terminal portion of the electric wire 31 connected to a power source, equipment, or the like. The first terminal 5 is fixed to the electric wire 31 by crimping the coated crimping portion 27 to the covering portion 33 of the electric wire 31.

The core wire crimping portion 29 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces provided between the first electric connection portion 3 and the covering crimping portion 27, and is a core wire exposed from the covering portion 33 of the electric wire 31 in the terminal portion of the electric wire 31. The portion 35 is crimped and crimped. By crimping the core wire crimping portion 29 to the core wire portion 35 of the electric wire 31, the first terminal 5 is electrically connected to the electric wire 31.

The first electrical connection portion 3 is formed by a member in which the bottom wall 37 and the side walls 39, 39 are continuous with the first electric wire connection portion 25, and the elastic contact portion 11, the first tubular portion 13, and the opening portion 15. And have.

The elastic contact portion 11 is formed by bending a portion of a member continuous with the bottom wall 37 extending in the length direction so as to be folded back toward the bottom wall 37 side. The elastic contact portion 11 is arranged so as to be elastically deformable in the height direction so that the bent portion bent from the bottom wall 37 is the base end and the folded tip portion is the free end. The free end side of the elastic contact portion 11 is bent so as to be folded back toward the base end side, and the surface opposite to the bottom wall 37 becomes the contact portion 41 in contact with the contacted portion 19 of the second terminal 9. ing.

The first cylindrical portion 13 is arranged so as to face the bottom wall 37 by connecting the bottom wall 37, the side walls 39, 39 erected from both sides of the bottom wall 37 in the width direction, and the side walls 39, 39 in the width direction. It is composed of a formed upper wall 43 and is formed in a quadrangular tubular shape. In the first tubular portion 13, the bottom wall 37 and the side walls 39, 39 are arranged so as to cover the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11 and protect the elastic contact portion 11. By protecting the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11 with the first tubular portion 13 in this way, it is possible to prevent the elastic contact portion 11 from interfering with the peripheral members during transportation or handling of the first terminal 5, and it is elastic. Deformation and damage of the contact portion 11 can be suppressed.

A stabilizer 45 is provided so as to project from the upper wall 43 side of one side wall 39 of the first cylindrical portion 13. When the first terminal 5 is accommodated in the first connector (not shown), the stabilizer 45 engages with a groove provided in the terminal accommodating chamber of the first connector to enter the terminal accommodating chamber of the first terminal 5. Guide the insertion. Further, the end surface of the upper wall 43 of the first cylindrical portion 13 on the first wire connecting portion 25 side is a locking portion that engages with a locking lance provided in the terminal accommodating chamber to prevent the first terminal 5 from coming off. It is 47.

The opening 15 is formed by cutting out a portion of the upper wall 43 of the first tubular portion 13 where the elastic contact portion 11 is located. The opening 15 opens the elastic contact portion 11 outward in the first cylindrical portion 13.

The first terminal 5 having such a first electrical connection portion 3 is electrically connected to the second terminal 9 by fitting the first connector and the second connector.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 7, the second terminal 9 is formed by subjecting a single plate made of a conductive material to a punching process, a bending process, or the like. The second terminal 9 includes a second electric wire connecting portion 49 and a second electrical connecting portion 7.

The second electric wire connecting portion 49 includes a coated crimping portion 51 and a core wire crimping portion 53.

The covering crimping portion 51 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces, and crimps the covering portion 57 of the electric wire 55 at the terminal portion of the electric wire 55 connected to a power source, equipment, or the like. The second terminal 9 is fixed to the electric wire 55 by crimping the coated crimping portion 51 to the covering portion 57 of the electric wire 55.

The core wire crimping portion 53 is composed of a pair of crimping pieces provided between the second electrical connection portion 7 and the covering crimping portion 51, and is a core wire exposed from the covering portion 57 of the electric wire 55 in the terminal portion of the electric wire 55. The portion 59 is crimped and crimped. By crimping the core wire crimping portion 53 to the core wire portion 59 of the electric wire 55, the second terminal 9 is electrically connected to the electric wire 55.

The second electrical connection portion 7 is formed by a member in which the bottom wall 61 and the side walls 63 and 63 are continuous with the second electric wire connection portion 49, and includes a second tubular portion 17 and a contacted portion 19. ..

The second cylindrical portion 17 is arranged so as to face the bottom wall 61 by connecting the bottom wall 61, the side walls 63 and 63 erected from both sides of the bottom wall 61 in the width direction, and the side walls 63 and 63 in the width direction. It is composed of a formed upper wall 65 and is formed in a quadrangular tubular shape. The second cylindrical portion 17 is formed so as to accommodate a U-shaped portion formed by the bottom wall 37, the side walls 39, 39, and the opening 15 of the first tubular portion 13 inside.

The end face of the upper wall 65 of the second tubular portion 17 on the second wire connecting portion 49 side is a second terminal 9 provided in a terminal accommodating chamber accommodating the second terminal 9 of the second connector (not shown). It is a locking portion 67 that engages with a locking lance that prevents the cable from coming off.

The contacted portion 19 is projected toward the inside of the second tubular portion 17 by providing a recess 69 in the upper wall 65 of the second tubular portion 17. The contacted portion 19 is inserted into the first tubular portion 13 through the opening 15 when the first tubular portion 13 is inserted into the second tubular portion 17. Then, the contacted portion 19 is brought into contact with the contact portion 41 by the urging force of the elastic contact portion 11 in a state where the first tubular portion 13 is housed in the second tubular portion 17. The contact between the contacted portion 19 and the contact portion 41 electrically connects the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9.

Further, the contact surface of the elastic contact portion 11 of the contacted portion 19 with the contact portion 41 is an inner surface of the second tubular portion 17, and is in a state of being protected by the second tubular portion 17. By protecting the contact surface of the contacted portion 19 with the second tubular portion 17 in this way, the contact surface of the contacted portion 19 and the peripheral members may interfere with each other during transportation or handling of the second terminal 9. It can be suppressed, and deformation and damage to the contact surface of the contacted portion 19 can be suppressed.

By providing the recess 69 in the second cylindrical portion 17, the guide grooves 71 and 71 are formed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 63 and 63 and the upper wall 65. When the first tubular portion 13 is inserted into the second tubular portion 17, the side walls 39, 39 of the first tubular portion 13 are inserted into the guide grooves 71, 71, and the first tubular portion 13 is inserted. It is possible to guide the insertion of the portion 13 into the second tubular portion 17. Further, a taper 73 is provided on the side of the first tubular portion 13 of the contacted portion 19, so that the elastic contact portion 11 can be elastically deformed smoothly.

Here, in the first tubular portion 13 inserted into the second tubular portion 17, the first tubular portion 13 is housed in the second tubular portion 17. A regulation unit 23 is provided to regulate the movement of the cylinder in the insertion direction. The restricting portion 23 is an end face facing the second tubular portion 17 of the closed portion 21 remaining by providing the opening 15 in the upper wall 43 of the first tubular portion 13 in the insertion direction.

In such a state where the first cylindrical portion 13 is housed in the second tubular portion 17, the restricting portion 23 abuts on the end surface of the second tubular portion 17 to form the first tubular portion 13. Restrict further movement in the insertion direction. By restricting the movement of the first tubular portion 13 in the insertion direction by the restricting portion 23 in this way, the maximum insertion distance of the first tubular portion 13 with respect to the second tubular portion 17 can be specified.

Such a first terminal 5 and a second terminal 9 are housed in a first connector and a second connector, respectively, and by fitting the first connector and the second connector, the first tubular portion 13 is formed. It is inserted into the second tubular portion 17. At this time, the contacted portion 19 is inserted into the opening 15, elastically deforms the elastic contact portion 11, and is brought into contact with the contact portion 41 by the urging force for restoring the elastic contact portion 11. The contact between the contacted portion 19 and the contact portion 41 electrically connects the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9.

When the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other and mounted on a vehicle, for example, vibration is applied to the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9 when the vehicle is running. .. A slight gap is generated between the first cylindrical portion 13 and the second tubular portion 17, and the gap is created in the width direction between the first tubular portion 13 and the second tubular portion 17 due to vibration. It causes a relative deviation in the height direction.

However, in the first tubular portion 13, the maximum insertion distance with respect to the second tubular portion 17 is defined by the regulating portion 23, and within this insertion distance, the first tubular portion 13 has a second tubular portion. It is housed in the section 17. Therefore, with respect to vibration in the width direction, the side walls 39, 39 of the first tubular portion 13 and the side walls 63, 63 of the second tubular portion 17 come into contact with each other, and the guide grooves 71, 71 and the side wall 39, Relative swinging and the like can be suppressed by the contact with 39. On the other hand, with respect to vibration in the height direction, the bottom wall 37 of the first tubular portion 13 and the bottom wall 61 of the second tubular portion 17 come into contact with each other, and the bottom surfaces of the guide grooves 71 and 71 and the side walls 39 and 39. Relative swinging and the like can be suppressed by the contact with the upper surface of the.

By accommodating the first cylindrical portion 13 in the second tubular portion 17 in this way, the first electrical connection portion 3 and the second electrical connection portion 7 due to vibration or the like are relative to the width direction and the height direction. It is possible to suppress rocking and the like. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change (deviation) in the sliding distance at the contact portion between the contact portion 41 of the elastic contact portion 11 and the contacted portion 19, and it is possible to suppress fine sliding wear. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of wear debris due to slight sliding wear, and it is possible to maintain the electrical connection reliability between the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9.

In such a terminal connection structure 1, the first electrical connection portion 3 has an elastic contact portion 11 provided so as to be elastically deformable, a first tubular portion 13 arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11, and a first. It has an opening 15 provided in a part of the tubular portion 13 in the circumferential direction and which opens the elastic contact portion 11 to the outside. Further, the second electrical connection portion 7 is inserted into the opening portion 15 so as to project toward the inside of the second tubular portion 17 into which the first tubular portion 13 can be inserted and the inside of the second tubular portion 17. It has a contacted portion 19 that is in contact with the elastic contact portion 11.

Therefore, in a state where the first electric connection portion 3 and the second electric connection portion 7 are electrically connected, the first tubular portion 13 is housed in the second tubular portion 17, and the contacted portion 19 is placed. It is inserted into the opening 15 and is in contact with the elastic contact portion 11.

In a state where the first tubular portion 13 is housed in the second tubular portion 17, when an external force such as vibration is applied, the outer surface of the first tubular portion 13 and the inner surface of the second tubular portion 17 Can come into contact with each other and restrict the relative movement between the first electrical connection portion 3 and the second electrical connection portion 7. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a change in the sliding distance at the contact portion between the elastic contact portion 11 and the contacted portion 19, suppress fine sliding wear, and suppress the generation of wear debris.

Further, the first cylindrical portion 13 is arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion 11. Further, the contacted portion 19 is projected toward the inside of the second tubular portion 17. Therefore, when the first terminal 5 or the second terminal 9 is handled alone, it is possible to suppress the interference between the elastic contact portion 11 or the contacted portion 19 and the peripheral member, and the elastic contact portion 11 or the contacted portion 19 can be suppressed. Deformation and damage can be suppressed.

Therefore, in such a terminal connection structure 1, fine sliding wear is suppressed in the electrical connection portion between the first terminal 5 and the second terminal 9, and the electrical connection portion is protected, so that the electrical connection portion is protected. Connection reliability can be maintained.

Further, the closing portion 21 is provided with a regulating portion 23 which is arranged so as to face the second tubular portion 17 in the insertion direction in a state where the first tubular portion 13 is inserted into the second tubular portion 17. There is. Therefore, it is possible to regulate the relative movement of the first electric connection portion 3 and the second electric connection portion 7 with respect to the insertion direction. Therefore, the change in the sliding distance at the contact portion between the elastic contact portion 11 and the contacted portion 19 can be further suppressed, and the slight sliding wear can be further suppressed.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

For example, in the present embodiment, the first cylindrical portion and the second tubular portion are formed in a quadrangular shape, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a polygonal shape such as a pentagonal shape or a round shape may be used. When the first cylindrical portion and the second tubular portion are formed in a round shape, the width direction and height are caused by the contact between the outer surface of the first tubular portion and the inner surface of the second tubular portion. Relative movement in the direction can be regulated, but relative movement in the direction of rotation is a concern. However, even if the first cylindrical portion and the second tubular portion are formed in a round shape, since the contacted portion is inserted into the opening, relative movement in the rotation direction can be suppressed. ..

Further, the first terminal and the second terminal are accommodated in the first connector and the second connector, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first terminal and the second terminal are directly accommodated without being accommodated in the connector. May be fitted.

1 Terminal connection structure 3 1st electrical connection 5 1st terminal 7 2nd electrical connection 9 2nd terminal 11 Elastic contact 13 1st tubular 15 Opening 17 2nd tubular 19 Contacted 21 Closed 23 Regulatory Department

Claims (2)

The first terminal having the first electrical connection and
A second terminal having a second electrical connection that is electrically connected to the first electrical connection,
Equipped with
The first electrical connection portion is formed on an elastic contact portion provided so as to be elastically deformable, a first tubular portion arranged on the outer periphery of the elastic contact portion, and a part of the first tubular portion in the circumferential direction. It has an opening provided to open the elastic contact portion to the outside, and has an opening.
The second electrical connection portion has a second tubular portion into which the first tubular portion can be inserted, and an elastic portion that is projected toward the inside of the second tubular portion and inserted into the opening. A terminal connection structure having a contacted portion and a contacted portion in contact with the contact portion. The first cylindrical portion is provided with a closing portion for closing the opening on the rear side in the insertion direction with respect to the second tubular portion.
A claim that the closed portion is provided with a restricting portion that is arranged so that the first tubular portion is inserted into the second tubular portion and is arranged so as to face the second tubular portion in the insertion direction. The terminal connection structure according to 1.

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