JP7623189B2 - Connection terminal and assembled electric wire provided with said connection terminal - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a connection terminal that is equipped with an electric wire connection part for connecting electric wires and an assembly connection part for assembling with the connection part of another connection terminal, and to an assembly electric wire in which an electric wire is connected to both the electric wire connection parts of the connection terminal and the other connection terminal, and the connection part and the assembly connection part are assembled.

For example, in order to ground the connection terminals at the ends of multiple earth wires provided in a wire harness to a ground circuit in the vehicle body, the multiple connection terminals are stacked on top of each other and fastened together to the ground circuit with a fixing bolt, thereby grounding the multiple earth wires together to a single ground circuit.

Various technologies have been proposed for connecting such multiple connection terminals to a ground circuit, as exemplified in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses a joint device that is disposed in the ground circuit and has an internal spring to ensure stable contact between the stacked connection terminals and between the connection terminals and the ground circuit.

Incidentally, when fastening the connection terminal to the ground circuit with a fixing bolt, including the case where the joint device of Patent Document 1 is provided, the fixing bolt is inserted into an insertion hole formed through the connection portion of the connection terminal.
However, when fastening a plurality of connection terminals with one fixing bolt, the above-mentioned fixing bolt must be inserted into each of the insertion holes of the plurality of connection terminals, which is time-consuming.

Therefore, in order to ensure that the insertion holes of the multiple connection terminals are connected to each other, the ends of the multiple earth wires are temporarily fixed in place by wrapping them with tape, and then a single fixing bolt is inserted through the multiple insertion holes at once.

However, when wrapping tape around the ends of multiple earth wires, there is a risk that the multiple connection terminals may become misaligned and the insertion holes may not communicate with each other due to various factors, such as the fact that the connection part itself with the insertion hole is not directly wrapped with tape, but rather the vicinity of the connection part is wrapped with tape, or the tape itself is stretchable.

In this case, it is necessary to correct the positional misalignment of the multiple connection terminals so that the insertion holes of each terminal communicate with each other, and there is a risk that the multiple terminals may be misaligned or tilted, making it impossible to ensure a sufficient contact area with each other and therefore impossible to ensure conductivity, and therefore unable to stably ground to the ground circuit.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-55823

The present invention aims to provide a connection terminal that can be securely and easily fixed to another connection terminal so as to communicate with the insertion hole in the other connection terminal, and an assembled electric wire.

The connection terminal of the present invention includes an electric wire connection portion for connecting electric wires, and an assembly connection portion having an insertion hole for inserting a fixing bolt and for assembling with a connection portion having an insertion hole in another connection terminal, the assembly connection portion includes a slide guide portion for guiding the sliding of the connection portion, and a fixing portion for fixing the slid connection portion to the assembly connection portion at a position where the insertion holes communicate with each other , the assembly connection portion has an opposing surface facing a main surface of the connection portion having the insertion hole, the opposing surface has the insertion hole, and the assembly connection portion has a fixing portion for fixing the main surface of the connection portion having the insertion hole. The connection portion has a side surface that stands up from the side of the opposing surface, and the opposing surface has a pair that faces each other on both sides in the thickness direction of the main surface, and the side surface connects the pair of opposing surfaces laterally, and the assembly connection portion is box-shaped having an insertion opening between the pair of opposing surfaces into which the connection portion can be inserted, and the side surface is provided with a deformation promoting portion that promotes deformation of the side surface in a direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces come close to each other and sandwich the connection portion by tightening the fixing bolt inserted into the insertion hole .

According to the above configuration, the connecting portion can be slidably guided by the slide guide portion to the position where the insertion holes communicate with each other. Furthermore, the connecting portion can be fixed by the fixing portion at the position where the insertion holes communicate with each other.
According to this configuration, the connection portion can be fixed to the assembly connection portion such that the insertion holes communicate with each other.

As a result, fixing bolts can be easily inserted into the insertion holes of the connection part and the assembly connection part, and by tightening the fixing bolts, the connection part and the assembly connection part can be assembled while reliably ensuring electrical conductivity between them.

For example, when grounding both the assembly connection part and the connection part to a ground circuit, they can be fastened together to the ground circuit in the vehicle body with a fixing bolt or the like inserted into an insertion hole that connects the assembly connection part and the connection part to each other, allowing for reliable and easy grounding.

The assembly connection portion has an opposing surface that faces a main surface of the connection portion that has the insertion hole, and the opposing surface has the insertion hole.

According to the above configuration, the connection portion and the assembly connection portion can be fastened with fixing bolts inserted into the respective insertion holes, so that the main surface and the opposing surface can be firmly adhered to each other in face-to-face contact, thereby ensuring stable conductivity between the connection portion and the assembly connection portion.

Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when the connection portion is slidably guided relative to the assembly connection portion, the main surface can be stably slid relative to the opposing surface that is in surface contact with the main surface, thereby enabling easy and accurate guiding.

The assembly connection portion is configured to have a side surface erected from the side of the opposing surface.
According to this configuration, when the connection portion is slid and assembled relative to the assembly connection portion, the side surface can function as the slide guide portion.
Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration, when the connection portion is fastened with the fixing bolt, the side surface can restrict the connection portion from rotating inadvertently relative to the assembly connection portion.

In addition, the opposing surfaces have a pair opposing each other on both sides in the thickness direction of the main surface, the side surfaces connect the pair of opposing surfaces laterally, the assembly connection portion is box-shaped having an insertion opening between the pair of opposing surfaces into which the connection portion can be inserted, and the side surfaces are provided with a deformation promoting portion that promotes deformation of the side surfaces in a direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces approach each other and sandwich the connection portion by tightening the fixing bolt inserted into the insertion hole.

According to the above configuration, the connection portion can be easily disposed between the pair of opposing surfaces by inserting the connection portion into the box-shaped assembly connection portion through the insertion opening.

Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the deformation promoting portion can easily deform the side surfaces in a direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces approach each other when the fixing bolt is fastened, thereby making it possible to maintain a firm electrical connection between the pair of opposing surfaces and the connection portion disposed between them in surface contact with each other.

As an aspect of the present invention, the electric wire connecting portion may be arranged so that, in an assembled state, the electric wire extending in the same direction as an electric wire connected to the other connection terminal is connected to the electric wire connecting portion.
According to the above configuration, when the assembly connection portion and the connection portion are assembled, the electric wire connected to the electric wire connection portion (connection terminal) and the electric wire connected to the other connection terminal can be arranged in the same direction, while the respective insertion holes of the connection terminal and the other connection terminal can be made to be in communication with each other, and fixing bolts can be easily inserted into these insertion holes.

In another aspect of the invention, the slide guide portion may be a locking portion that locks onto the outer periphery of the connection portion so that the assembly connection portion can slide circumferentially relative to the connection portion.

According to the above configuration, the engaging portion engages with the outer peripheral edge of the connection portion while guiding the assembly connection portion circumferentially relative to the connection portion, so that the insertion holes are less likely to shift position and can be guided into the desired position while remaining connected to each other.
Therefore, the assembly connection portion and the connection portion can be easily assembled in a desired position.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a bolt holding means may be provided on the opposing surface around the periphery of the insertion hole for holding the inserted fixing bolt while allowing it to rotate about its axis.
According to the above-mentioned configuration, once the fixing bolt is inserted into the insertion hole, the fixing bolt can be held by the bolt holding means so as not to come out of the insertion hole. Therefore, the connection terminal can be temporarily fixed to another connection terminal by the fixing bolt, and the connection terminal can be easily carried to the installation location, for example.

Furthermore, when fastening the connection terminal to the mounting location using the fixing bolt, there is no need to prepare a fixing bolt separately from the connection member, or to insert the fixing bolt into each of the insertion holes in the opposing surface of the assembly connection part and the main surface of the connection part, and the connection terminal can be easily fastened to the mounting location together with other connection terminals using the fixing bolts inserted into each of the insertion holes.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fixing portion may be a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connection portion inserted through the insertion opening in a removal direction.
According to the above configuration, the restricting portion can restrict movement of the connection portion inserted into the assembly connection portion so that the connection portion does not inadvertently slip out of the insertion opening. Therefore, the restricting portion can maintain the assembly state in which the connection portion is inserted into the assembly connection portion.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electric wire connection portion may be provided on one of the opposing surfaces and disposed at a position that does not overlap the insertion opening when viewed from the direction in which the connection portion is inserted into the insertion opening.

According to the above configuration, when the electric wire connection part is provided on one of the opposing surfaces and the connection part is inserted into the assembly connection part from the insertion opening, the connection part can be smoothly inserted without interfering with the electric wire connection part.

In another aspect of the invention, the electric wire connection portion may be provided on one of the side surfaces and positioned so as not to overlap the insertion opening when viewed from the direction in which the connection portion is inserted into the insertion opening.

According to the above configuration, when the electric wire connection part is provided on one of the side surfaces and the connection part is inserted from the insertion opening into the inside of the assembly connection part, the connection part can be smoothly inserted without interfering with the electric wire connection part.

In another aspect of the present invention, the electric wire connection part may be configured as an auxiliary fixing part that assists the fixing part in fixing the assembly connection part.

According to the above configuration, the fixing part can firmly fix the assembly connection part in cooperation with the electric wire connection part as the auxiliary fixing part at the position where the insertion holes of the slid connection part communicate with each other.

The assembled electric wire of the present invention is characterized in that it is provided with the above-mentioned connection terminal and the other connection terminal having the electric wire connection portion, and electric wires are connected to both electric wire connection portions, and the connection portion and the assembled connection portion are assembled in a state in which the insertion holes are in communication with each other.

According to the above configuration, the connection part and the assembly connection part are assembled together with their respective insertion holes in communication with each other, so that fixing bolts can be easily inserted into these insertion holes, and by tightening the fixing bolts, the connection part and the assembly connection part can be assembled together while reliably ensuring mutual electrical conductivity.

As an aspect of the present invention, the electric wire connected to the connection terminal and the electric wire connected to the other connection terminal may be oriented in the same direction.
According to the above configuration, when the assembly connection portion and the connection portion are assembled, the electric wire connected to the connection terminal and the electric wire connected to the other connection terminal can be arranged in the same direction, while the respective insertion holes of the connection terminal and the other connection terminal can be made to be in a state of communication with each other, and fixing bolts can be easily inserted into these insertion holes.

In another aspect of the present invention, the other connection terminal may be provided with a plurality of connection terminal pieces each having a connection piece forming a part of the connection portion and the electric wire connection portion, and may be configured as a combination connection terminal in which the connection pieces are stacked together to form the connection portion.

According to this configuration, the insertion holes of the connection portion of the combination connection terminal and the assembly connection portion can be brought into communication with each other.
Therefore, by fastening the fixing bolt, the connection terminal and the mating connection terminal can be assembled in a state in which electrical continuity between them is reliably ensured.

In another aspect of the present invention, the multiple combination connection terminals may be combined so that the main surfaces face in the same direction.

According to the above configuration, the main surface of any one of the plurality of combination connection terminals can be brought into surface-to-surface contact with the opposing surface opposite to the main surface.
This ensures excellent electrical conductivity between the main surface and the opposing surface when fastened with the fixing bolt.

In another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of combination connection terminals may be combined so that the main surfaces face in opposite directions.
According to the above-described configuration, the main surfaces can be brought into surface contact with each other, so that excellent electrical conductivity between the main surfaces can be ensured when fastened with the fixing bolt.

This invention provides a connection terminal that can be reliably and easily fixed to another connection terminal so as to communicate with the insertion hole in the other connection terminal, and an assembled electric wire.

1A is a plan view showing a main portion of an assembled electric wire of this embodiment, FIG. 1B is a front view seen from the base end side in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 1C is a rear view seen from the tip end side in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 1D is a side view seen from one side in the width direction. 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2(a), and FIG. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2(d). 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for assembling the connection portion of the combination connection terminal to the box-shaped assembly connection portion, in which (a) is a state before assembly, (b) is a state during grounding, and (c) is a state after assembly is completed, each shown in a cross section corresponding to FIG. 2A. 3A and 3B are explanatory views showing a procedure for grounding a connection portion and an assembly connection portion to a ground circuit, in cross sections corresponding to FIG. 2A , in a state before grounding, and in a state after grounding is completed, respectively. 1A is a plan view showing a main part of an assembled electric wire according to the embodiment, FIG. 1B is a front view seen from the base end side in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 1C is a side view seen from one side in the width direction. 1A is a plan view showing a main portion of an assembled electric wire of modified example 1, FIG. 1B is a front view seen from the base end side in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 1C is a rear view seen from the tip end side in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 1D is a side view seen from one side in the width direction, and FIG. 1E is a side view seen from the other side in the width direction. 7A, 7B, and 7C are explanatory diagrams showing the procedure for assembling the connection portion of the combination connection terminal to the assembly connection portion of the modified example 1, in which (a) is the state before assembly, (b) is the state during assembly, and (c) is the state after assembly is completed, each corresponding to FIG. 6A. 1A is a plan view showing a main portion of an assembled electric wire of modified example 2, FIG. 1B is a front view seen from the tip side in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 1C is a rear view seen from the base end side in the longitudinal direction, FIG. 1D is a side view seen from one side in the width direction, FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 1A, FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E in FIG. 8A and 8B are explanatory views showing a procedure for assembling the connection portion of the combination connection terminal to the assembly connection portion of the modified example 2, in which (a) shows a state before assembling and (b) shows a completed state of assembling, respectively, corresponding to (a) in FIG. 3(a) and 3(b) are explanatory diagrams showing the state in which the connection portions of multiple combination connection terminals are assembled to an assembly connection portion, with the cross sections corresponding to FIG. 3(c) and the main surfaces facing in the same direction, respectively. FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the periphery of an insertion hole of an assembly connection portion according to another modified example, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the assembly connection portion according to another modified example in a cross section corresponding to FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawing, arrow Y indicates the longitudinal direction, arrow X indicates the width direction, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. Furthermore, arrow Ya indicates the tip side in the longitudinal direction, arrow Yb indicates the base side in the longitudinal direction, arrow Xa indicates one side in the width direction, arrow Xb indicates the other side in the width direction, arrow Za indicates the upward direction, and arrow Zb indicates the downward direction.

The assembled electric wire 1 of this embodiment is formed by assembling together terminal fittings (11, 21) connected to the ends of a plurality of electric wires 2 (see FIG. 3(c)). In the following, an embodiment will be described in which such an assembled electric wire 1 is applied to an earth connection structure in which the assembled electric wire 1 is fastened to a predetermined ground circuit 100 in a vehicle body with a fixing bolt 3 to be grounded, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3(a) and 3(b), the multiple electric wires 2 (2a, 2b) that make up the assembled electric wire 1 are composed of a conductor portion 4 that is made up of multiple conductive core wires bundled together, and an insulating coating portion 5 that has insulating properties and covers the entire outer periphery of the conductor portion 4, and are used as earth electric wires.

The assembled electric wire 1 of this embodiment is provided with three electric wires 2 (see FIG. 2(a), FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b)), each of which has a terminal fitting (11, 21) connected to its end (the end to be connected to earth).
Specifically, as shown in Fig. 2(b), two of the three electric wires 2a have ends connected to a common combination connection terminal 11. As shown in Fig. 2(a), the remaining electric wire 2b of the three electric wires 2 has an end connected to a connection terminal 21.

The combination connection terminal 11 is a known terminal fitting, and as shown in Figs. 2(b) and 3(a), it is provided with a connection part 12 that is indirectly connected to the ground circuit 100 in the vehicle body via a connection terminal 21, and an electric wire connection part 13 that is connected to the end of the electric wire 2, as described above.

As shown in the figure, the connection portion 12 has a main surface 14 and an extension portion 15. An insertion hole 16 having an inner diameter that allows the fixing bolt 3 (see FIG. 4(a)) to be inserted is formed in the center of the main surface 14 of the connection portion 12 in a front view, penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The main surface 14 in this embodiment is formed in a flat plate shape that is larger than the size of the head of the fixing bolt 3 in a plan view and has a rectangular shape in a plan view.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the extension portion 15 is integrally formed with an extension surface 15a and a bent piece 15b. The extension surface 15a is integrally formed with the main surface 14 so as to extend from the tip edge of the main surface 14 in the longitudinal direction to approximately the same plane as the main surface 14. The bent piece 15b is provided at the tip of the extension portion 15 and is formed by bending it downward.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), when the connection terminal 21 is grounded (placed) on the flat periphery 102 of the bolt insertion hole 101 of the ground circuit 100 on the vehicle body side, a locking portion 103 that can be locked to the bent piece 15b is formed at a location opposite the bent piece 15b.

The bent piece 15b is engaged with the engaged portion 103, thereby restricting the combination connection terminal 11 from accidentally rotating about the axial direction of the insertion hole 16 in a plan view.
In this embodiment, the engaging portion 103 is formed by the end of the vehicle body frame that functions as the ground circuit 100, but is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to be engaged with the bent piece 15b, and may be configured, for example, to be formed by a step that descends one step relative to the periphery 102 of the bolt insertion hole 101.

That is, the bent piece 15b functions as a rotation stopper for the connection part 12. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the extension surface 15a of the extension part 15 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape in a plan view so that the width gradually decreases from the base end to the tip in the extension direction (longitudinal direction). In addition, the connection part 12 is formed in a flat plate shape over almost the entirety except for the bent piece 15b.

As shown in Figs. 2(b) and 3(a), the above-mentioned combination connection terminal 11 is provided with a pair of a first connection terminal piece 110 and a second connection terminal piece 111, and both of these first connection terminal pieces 110 and second connection terminal pieces 111 are made of metal plate material by press molding or the like to have electrical conductivity.

2(b), the first connection terminal piece 110 has a plate-shaped first connection piece 110a that forms part of the connection portion 12 described above, and an electric wire connection portion 13a (also referred to as the first electric wire connection portion 13a). The second connection terminal piece 111 has a plate-shaped second connection piece 111a that forms part of the connection portion 12 described above, and an electric wire connection portion 13b (also referred to as the second electric wire connection portion 13b). The first connection piece 110a and the second connection piece 111a are formed symmetrically (upside-down) with respect to the middle position in the width direction.

The combination connection terminal 11 is formed integrally by combining the first connection terminal piece 110 and the second connection terminal piece 111 such that the first connection piece 110a and the second connection piece 111a are stacked.
In this manner, the first connection piece 110a and the second connection piece 111a are stacked together to form the connection portion 12 at the tip end side in the longitudinal direction of the combined connection terminal 11. The extension portion 15 is formed only by the tip end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first connection piece 110a.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the combination connection terminal 11 is provided with a pair of electric wire connection parts 13 (a first electric wire connection part 13a and a second electric wire connection part 13b) arranged in parallel with a predetermined distance in the width direction.

The pair of electric wire connection parts 13 each extend from the edge of the base end of the connection part 12 in the longitudinal direction toward the base end in a substantially horizontal and linear manner so as to coincide with the longitudinal direction, and are arranged substantially parallel to each other at a predetermined interval in the width direction.

The electric wire connecting portion 13 has a barrel piece 6 that can be crimped and connected to the end portion of the electric wire 2a.
The barrel piece 6 has a so-called open barrel shape, and includes a conductor barrel piece 6a connected to the conductor portion 4 exposed at the end portion of the electric wire 2a by removing the insulating coating portion 5, and a coating barrel piece 6b connected to the end portion of the insulating coating portion 5. The conductor barrel piece 6a and the coating barrel piece 6b are disposed in series in correspondence with the end portion of the conductor portion 4 and the end portion of the insulating coating portion 5 in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire connection portion 13.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the underside of the combination connection terminal 11 is substantially flush across the substantially flat connection portion 12 and the wire connection portion 13. On the other hand, the wire connection portion 13 is connected to the end of the wire 2a by the barrel piece 6, so that the wire connection portion 13 is formed to be higher in the combination connection terminal 11 than the connection portion 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d) and 2(a), a connection terminal 21 includes an assembly connection portion 22 and an electric wire connection portion 23, and is entirely formed from a plate material made of a metal material.
The assembly connection portion 22 is assembled to the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 (see Figure 3 (c)), and has an insertion hole 24 for inserting the fixing bolt 3, and is directly connected to the ground circuit 100 by the fixing bolt 3 inserted into the insertion hole 24 (see Figures 4 (a) and (b)).

As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(c), the assembly connection portion 22 is formed in a box shape having an internal space 22s capable of accommodating at least the main surface 14 of the connection portion 12 of the combined connection terminal 11.

Specifically, when the main surface 14 of the assembly connection part 22 of the combination connection terminal 11 is accommodated in the internal space 22s, the assembly connection part 22 has a pair of opposing surfaces 25 (upper opposing surface 25a and lower opposing surface 25b) that face the main surface 14 on both sides in the vertical direction (thickness direction), and a vertical wall-like side surface 26 that connects the pair of opposing surfaces 25 to each other in the height direction at the outer edges of the pair of opposing surfaces 25.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1(a) to (d), the assembly connection part 22 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a short height (vertical direction) compared to its longitudinal and widthwise lengths.

However, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the outer peripheral edge of the pair of opposing surfaces 25 corresponding to the base end in the longitudinal direction does not have a side surface 26, and has an insertion opening 27 through which the connection portion 12 of the combined connection terminal 11 can be inserted into the internal space 22s. In this embodiment, the assembly connection portion 22 is opened over the entire base end side in the longitudinal direction by the insertion opening 27.

As shown in Figs. 1(b) and 1(c) and Fig. 2(a), the pair of opposing surfaces 25 are parallel to each other in the vertical direction and are formed into flat plates of the same shape. In this embodiment, the pair of opposing surfaces 25 are both formed into rectangular shapes (approximately square shapes) having approximately the same length in the longitudinal direction and width direction (see Fig. 1(a)).

A pair of opposing surfaces 25 each has a circular through hole 24 formed in a plan view at approximately the center when viewed from the front, through which the fixing bolt 3 can be inserted, formed through the plate thickness direction (vertical direction). The through holes 24 of the pair of opposing surfaces 25 communicate with each other in the vertical direction.

2(b) and 4(a), in a state where the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 is accommodated in the internal space 22s of the box-shaped assembly connection portion 22, the insertion hole 16 of the connection portion 12 is arranged at a position where it communicates in the up-down direction (the insertion direction of the fixing bolt 3) with each of the insertion holes 24 of a pair of opposing surfaces 25 of the assembly connection portion 22. At this time, the connection portion 12 is fixed (positioned) relative to the assembly connection portion 22 by a fixing portion described later, and is in an assembled state with the assembly connection portion 22.
Here, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(c), the position where the connection portion 12 is positioned in the internal space 22s of the assembly connection portion 22 so that the insertion hole 16 of the connection portion 12 and the insertion hole 24 of the assembly connection portion 22 are connected is set as the assembly position Pa.

As shown in FIG. 2(b), the side surface 26 has a pair of side surfaces 26a, 26b located at both widthwise edges of the assembly connection portion 22, and a tip side surface 26c located at the longitudinal edge of the assembly connection portion 22. The pair of side surfaces 26a, 26b and the tip side surface 26c are each formed like a vertical wall in the up-down direction, and connect the pair of opposing surfaces 25.

As shown in Figures 1(c) and 2(b), an extension portion insertion opening 29 is provided in the widthwise central portion of the tip side surface 26c, which allows the extension portion 15 of the connection portion 12 in an assembled state in the internal space 22s (the connection portion 12 arranged at the assembly position Pa) to protrude outward from the internal space 22s.
As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3C, in the assembled state, the connecting portion 12 is in a state where the extending portion 15 is inserted into the extending portion insertion opening 29 when viewed from the internal space 22s.

2(b), in a state in which the extension portion 15 of the connection portion 12 protrudes outward from the extension portion insertion opening 29 into the internal space 22s, the widthwise edges opposite the ends 29a are engaged with both widthwise ends 29a of the extension portion insertion opening 29. As a result, the connection portion 12 is positioned at the assembly position Pa in the internal space 22s such that the extension portion 15 faces the longitudinal tip.
That is, the connection portion 12 is prevented from rotating by both widthwise ends 29 a of the extension portion insertion opening 29 .

1(b), (c), and (d), a pair of lateral side surfaces 26 (26a, 26b) are provided with deformation promoting portions 35 that promote deformation of the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b in the direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces 25 approach each other when the box-shaped assembly connection portion 22 is assembled to the connection portion 12 and fastened to the ground circuit 100 by fixing bolts 3 inserted into the insertion holes 16 and 24 as described below (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)).
The deformation promoting portion 35 is a groove portion formed in a concave shape in the plate thickness direction (width direction) along the longitudinal direction at the middle portion in the height direction of the outer and inner surfaces of the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b.

The deformation promoting portion 35 weakens and thins a portion of the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b, so that the deformation promoting portion 35 becomes the starting point for the bending deformation of the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b, thereby promoting the deformation of the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b.

However, the deformation promoting portion 35 only needs to be formed on at least one of the outer and inner surfaces of the side side surfaces 26a, 26b, and the deformation promoting portion 35 is not limited to a groove portion, and may be, for example, a hole portion (non-through hole) formed in a concave shape in the plate thickness direction or a through hole or the like, as long as the structure promotes deformation. Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the deformation promoting portion 35 is formed on the pair of side side surfaces 26a, 26b, but it may be configured to be formed on at least one of the pair of side side surfaces 26a, 26b and the tip side surface 26c.

As shown in Fig. 1(a) and (d), the wire connection portion 23 of the connection terminal 21 is formed into a three-dimensional shape by pressing a plate material or the like, and is provided with a conductor barrel piece 7a and a coated barrel piece 7b as an open barrel-shaped barrel piece 7, similar to the wire connection portion 13 of the combination connection terminal 11. The conductor barrel piece 7a and the coated barrel piece 7b are arranged in series from the tip side to the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the wire connection portion 13, except for the tip side portion.

In this embodiment, the electric wire connection portion 23 of the connection terminal 21 is provided at the center position in the width direction of the edge of the upper opposing surface 25a on the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the box-shaped assembly connection portion 22 of the connection terminal 21.

The electric wire connection portion 23 extends in a straight line and horizontally in a cantilever manner from the assembly connection portion 22 toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the tip end portion in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the above-mentioned intermediate position of the upper opposing surface 25a while ensuring electrical conductivity.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 1B, the electric wire connection portion 23 of the connection terminal 21 does not interfere with the insertion opening 27 when the insertion opening 27 is viewed from the base end side in the longitudinal direction (when viewed from the insertion direction).

As shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c) and 2(a) and 2(b), the above-mentioned assembly connection part 22 is provided with a slide guide part and a fixing part that positions and fixes the slid connection part 12 to the assembly connection part 22 at the assembly position Pa.

The slide guide portion in this embodiment is composed of the pair of lateral sides 26a, 26b described above.
In other words, when the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 is inserted into the internal space 22s of the assembly connection portion 22 from the insertion opening 27 or while it is inserted, it abuts appropriately against the inner surfaces of a pair of lateral sides 26a, 26b and slides toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction while being guided to the assembly position Pa in the internal space 22s.

The fixed portion in this embodiment is composed of a rotation prevention portion and a slip-out prevention portion.
The anti-rotation restricting portion is formed by both widthwise ends 29a, 29a of the extension insertion opening 29 on the tip side surface 26c of the assembly connection portion 22 (see Figs. 1(c) and 2(b)).

As shown in Figs. 1(b)(c) and 2(a)(b), the slip-out prevention portion is formed of a pair of protruding pieces 28 that protrude in opposing directions in the vertical direction of the internal space 22s so as to be able to lock the connection portion 12 in the assembled state so that it does not slip out of the internal space 22s.

In this embodiment, of the pair of protruding pieces 28, the upper protruding piece 28 is formed to protrude downward (toward the internal space 22s) from the lower surface (inner surface) of the widthwise midpoint of the longitudinal base end side edge of the upper opposing surface 25a, and the lower protruding piece 28 is formed to protrude upward (toward the internal space 22s) from the upper surface (inner surface) of the widthwise midpoint of the longitudinal base end side edge of the lower opposing surface 25b.
That is, the pair of protruding pieces 28 are formed toward the extension portion insertion opening 29 at the middle positions in the width direction of the upper and lower edges of the extension portion insertion opening 29 .

As shown in FIG. 2(a), in this embodiment, the pair of protruding pieces 28 are each formed with a protruding length that is close to each other in the internal space 22s, and are formed with a protruding shape in which the thickness in the longitudinal direction gradually decreases toward the tip in the protruding direction.

Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the pair of protruding pieces 28 have both longitudinal surfaces extending in the up-down direction, with the longitudinal tip surface 28a being formed as a vertical surface that is perpendicular to the opposing surface 25 in a side view, while the longitudinal base end surface 28b is formed as an inclined surface that is inclined toward the longitudinal tip surface 28a as it approaches the tip in the protruding direction.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the pair of protruding pieces 28 are each formed with a protruding shape that is easily bent toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, but is difficult to bent toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, allowing the connection portion 12 to slide only toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 2(b) and 3(c), the pair of protruding pieces 28 return to their original shape before the deflection deformation when the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 is in the assembled state.
Specifically, the pair of wire connection parts 13 of the combination connection terminal 11 extend in a bifurcated manner from the connection part 12 toward the base end side in the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2B). Therefore, when the connection part 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 is in an assembled state, the pair of protruding pieces 28 are located at the base parts of the pair of wire connection parts 13, at a position pm between the pair of wire connection parts 13 in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the "base part intermediate position pm") (see FIG. 2B).

As a result, when the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 is in the assembled state, the pair of protruding pieces 28 are not subjected to external force caused by the combination connection terminal 11 abutting against them, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(c), they return to the shape they had before the bending deformation.

If the combined connection terminal 11 were to inadvertently slide from the assembly position Pa toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, the base end of the connection portion 12 in the longitudinal direction would come into contact with at least one of the pair of protruding pieces 28. As a result, the pair of protruding pieces 28 restrict the connection portion 12 from sliding in the direction of coming out of the internal space 22s (i.e., from the assembly position Pa toward the base end in the longitudinal direction).

In this embodiment, the pair of protruding pieces 28 are integrally formed as part of the assembly connection part 22, but as long as only the tip end side in the longitudinal direction is capable of elastic deformation (flexural deformation), the material, shape, etc. are not particularly limited; for example, they may be formed of a separate member from the assembly connection part 22 and attached to the assembly connection part 22 later.

Next, an example of a procedure for assembling one connection terminal 21 and one combined connection terminal 11 to each other and fastening them to the ground circuit 100 in the vehicle body with the fixing bolt 3 will be described.
However, it is assumed that the combination connection terminal 11 and the connection terminal 21 are both connected to the ends of the corresponding electric wires 2a, 2b.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A , the connection portion 12 of the combined connection terminal 11 is inserted into the internal space 22 s of the box-shaped assembled connection portion 22 of the connection terminal 21 through the insertion opening 27 .
In this embodiment, the combination connection terminal 11 is inserted into the internal space 22s with the barrel piece 6 of the electric wire connection portion 13 facing upward.

At this time, the longitudinal tip end of the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 abuts against at least one of the pair of protruding pieces 28 from the longitudinal base end side (outside the internal space 22s).
3B, the protruding piece 28 against which the connection portion 12 abuts is bent and deformed so as to collapse toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, allowing the connection portion 12 to be inserted into the internal space 22s from the insertion opening 27. Furthermore, the connection portion 12 is slidably guided to the assembly position Pa in the internal space 22s by the pair of lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b.

As shown in FIG. 3(c), when the connection part 12 is disposed at the assembly position Pa, it is fixed (positioned) by being engaged with the rotation prevention part (both widthwise ends 29a of the extension part insertion opening 29) and the slippage prevention part (a pair of protruding pieces 28) as fixing parts, and is assembled to the assembly connection part 22. At this time, the insertion hole 16 of the connection part 12 and the insertion hole 24 of the assembly connection part 22 are in communication in the vertical direction.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the connection terminal 21 assembled with the combination connection terminal 11 is grounded with the lower opposing surface 25b in surface contact with the flat periphery 102 of the bolt insertion hole 101 of the ground circuit 100.

At this time, the insertion hole 24 of the assembly connection portion 22 (a pair of opposing surfaces 25a, 25b) of the connection terminal 21, the insertion hole 16 of the connection portion 12 of the combined connection terminal 11, and the bolt insertion hole 101 of the ground circuit 100 are in communication in the vertical direction.

Meanwhile, a nut 9 is fixed to the periphery 102 of the bolt insertion hole 101 of the ground circuit 100 (body frame) on the side opposite to the side where the lower opposing surface 25b is grounded. Therefore, with the fixing bolt 3 inserted through each of the insertion holes 16, 24 of the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22, the fixing bolt 3 and nut 9 are used to fasten to the ground circuit 100.

At that time, the assembly connection part 22 is compressed between the ground circuit 100 and the head of the fixing bolt 3, so that the deformation of the pair of lateral sides 26a, 26b is promoted by the deformation promoting part 35, and the main surface 14 of the connection part 12 can be fastened in a state of close surface contact with each of the pair of opposing surfaces 25a, 25b, as shown in FIG. 4(b).

As a result, the connecting portion 12 and the assembled connecting portion 22 which are assembled to each other can be mounted in a conductive state to the ground circuit 100 .
Specifically, the lower opposed surface 25b of the assembly connection portion 22 directly contacts the ground circuit 100 (the peripheral portion of the bolt insertion hole 101 in the vehicle body frame), and the connection portion 12 indirectly contacts the ground circuit 100 via the lower opposed surface 25b, and both are in a conductive state with respect to the ground circuit 100. As a result, both the connection terminal 21 and the combination connection terminal 11 can be electrically grounded to the ground circuit 100.

The pair of opposing surfaces 25 have the function of vertically guiding the connection part 12 that slides to the assembly position Pa, and also have the function of fixing (positioning) the connection part 12 so that it does not slide inadvertently in the vertical direction in the assembled state. Therefore, the pair of opposing surfaces 25 may be considered to be included as a slide guide part or a part of the fixed part. In addition, if the pair of side side surfaces 26a, 26b also have the function of fixing (positioning) the connection part 12 so that it does not slide inadvertently in the vertical direction in the assembled state, the side side surfaces 26a, 26b may be considered not only as slide guide parts but also as fixed parts. Furthermore, the tip side surface 26c may also be considered as a slide guide part or fixed part as appropriate, depending on whether it has a slide guide function or a fixing function for the connection part 12, as described above.

As shown in Figs. 1(a)-(d) and 2(a) and (b), the connection terminal 21 of the present embodiment described above is provided with an electric wire connection portion 23 for connecting an electric wire 2, an insertion hole 24 for inserting a fixing bolt 3, and an assembly connection portion 22 for assembling a connection portion 12 having an insertion hole 16 in a combined connection terminal 11 as another connection terminal, and the assembly connection portion 22 is characterized in that it is provided with a pair of lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b as slide guide portions for guiding the sliding of the connection portion 12, and both widthwise ends 29a and a pair of protruding pieces 28 of an extension insertion opening 29 as fixing portions for fixing the slid connection portion 12 to the assembly connection portion 22 at a position (assembly position Pa) where the insertion holes 16, 24 communicate with each other.

According to the above-described configuration, the connecting portion 12 can be slidably guided by the slide guide portions (26a, 26b) to a position where the insertion holes 16, 24 communicate with each other. Furthermore, the connecting portion 12 can be fixed by the fixing portions (28, 29a) at the position where the insertion holes 16, 24 communicate with each other.
As a result, according to the above-described configuration, the connection portion 12 can be fixed to the assembly connection portion 22 such that the insertion holes 16, 24 communicate with each other.

Therefore, the fixing bolt 3 can be easily inserted into each of the insertion holes 16, 24 of the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22, and by tightening the fixing bolt 3, the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 can be assembled while reliably ensuring electrical conductivity between them.

For example, as in this embodiment, when both the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 are grounded to the ground circuit 100, they can be securely and easily grounded by fastening them together to the ground circuit 100 in the vehicle body with a fixing bolt 3 or the like inserted through the insertion holes 16, 24 that connect the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 to each other.

As shown in Figs. 1(a)(d) and 3(c), when the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 are assembled, the electric wire connection part 23 is arranged so that the electric wire 2b extending in the same direction as the electric wire 2a connected to the combination connection terminal 11 is connected to it.

According to the above configuration, when the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 are assembled, the electric wire 2b connected to the electric wire connection part 23 (connection terminal 21) and the electric wire 2a connected to the combined connection terminal 11 can be arranged in the same direction, while the insertion holes 16, 24 of the combined connection terminal 11 and the connection terminal 21 can be connected to each other, and the fixing bolt 3 can be easily inserted into these insertion holes 16, 24.

As shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(c), the assembly connection part 22 has an opposing surface 25 that faces the main surface 14 of the connection part 12, which has the insertion hole 16, and has an insertion hole 24 on the opposing surface 25.

According to the above configuration, when the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 are fastened with the fixing bolt 3 inserted through the respective insertion holes 16, 24, the main surface 14 and the opposing surface 25 can be firmly attached in surface contact with each other as shown in FIG. 4(b), so that electrical conductivity between the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22 can be stably ensured.

In addition, with the above configuration, when the connection part 12 is slid and guided relative to the assembly connection part 22, the main surface 14 can be slid stably relative to the lower opposing surface 25b that is in surface contact with the main surface 14, so that the connection part 12 can be guided easily and accurately.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C and 2B, the assembly connection portion 22 is provided with lateral side surfaces 26 a and 26 b extending upright from the sides of the opposing surface 25 .
According to the above-described configuration, when the connection portion 12 is slid and assembled relative to the assembly connection portion 22, the side surfaces 26a, 26b can function as slide guide portions.
Furthermore, according to the above-described configuration, when the fixing bolt 3 is fastened, the connection portion 12 can be restricted from the sides by the side surface portions 26 a, 26 b so as not to rotate inadvertently relative to the assembly connection portion 22 .

1(a) to 1(d) and 2(a) and 2(b), the opposing surfaces 25 have a pair facing each other on both sides in the thickness direction (up and down direction) with respect to the main surface 14, and the lateral side surfaces 26a, 26b connect the pair of opposing surfaces 25 laterally. The assembly connection portion 22 is box-shaped and has an insertion opening 27 between the pair of opposing surfaces 25 through which the connection portion 12 can be inserted into the internal space 22s (inside).
Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1(b), (c), and (d), the lateral sides 26a, 26b are provided with a deformation promoting portion 35 that promotes deformation of the lateral sides 26a, 26b in the direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces 25 approach each other and sandwich the connection portion 12 by tightening the fixing bolt 3 inserted into the insertion hole 24.

According to the above configuration, the connection part 12 is inserted into the internal space 22s of the box-shaped assembly connection part 22 through the insertion opening 27, so that the connection part 12 can be easily positioned between the pair of opposing surfaces 25.

Furthermore, according to the above configuration, when the fixing bolt 3 is fastened, the deformation promoting portion 35 can easily deform the side surface 26 in a direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces 25 approach each other. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the pair of opposing surfaces 25 and the connection portion 12 disposed between them can be kept firmly electrically connected in surface contact with each other.

Also, as shown in Figures 2(b) and 3(c), the above-mentioned fixing portion is a pair of protruding pieces 28 (regulating portion) that regulate the movement of the connection portion 12 inserted from the insertion opening 27 in the removal direction.
According to the above-described configuration, the movement of the connection part 12 inserted into the inside of the assembly connection part 22 can be restricted by the pair of protruding pieces 28 so that the connection part 12 does not inadvertently slip out of the insertion opening 27. Therefore, the pair of protruding pieces 28 can maintain the state in which the connection part 12 is inserted into the inside of the assembly connection part 22.

As shown in Figures 1(a) and (b), the wire connection portion 23 is provided on the upper opposing surface 25a and is positioned so as not to overlap the insertion opening 27 when viewed from the insertion direction (the base end side in the longitudinal direction) of the connection portion 12 into the insertion opening 27.
According to the above configuration, when the connection portion 12 is inserted into the internal space 22s of the assembly connection portion 22 from the insertion opening 27 while the electric wire connection portion 23 is provided on the upper opposing surface 25a, the connection portion 12 can be inserted smoothly without interfering with the electric wire connection portion 23.

Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the electric wire connection portion 23 is provided on the upper opposing surface 25a, and therefore can be arranged in a direction stacked vertically relative to the electric wire connection portion 13 of the combination connection terminal 11 (see FIG. 3(c)).
In addition, the wire connection portion 23 extends from the center of the upper edge of the insertion opening 27 of the upper opposing surface 25a toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, so that the wire 2b connected to the wire connection portion 23 and the wire 2a connected to the combination connection terminal 11 can be arranged coaxially.

As shown in Figs. 5(a), (b), and (c), in a connection terminal 21' associated with the connection terminal 21 of the embodiment described above, the electric wire connection portion 23 is not provided on the upper opposing surface 25a as described above, but is provided on one of the side surfaces 26a, 26b on both sides in the width direction (here, the side surface 26a on one side in the width direction). However, even in this case, the electric wire connection portion 23 is configured to be disposed at a position that does not overlap the insertion opening 27A when viewed from the insertion direction of the connection portion 12 into the insertion opening 27.

According to the above configuration, when the electric wire connection part 23 is provided on one side surface 26a and the connection part 12 is inserted from the insertion opening 27 into the internal space 22s of the assembly connection part 22, the connection part 12 can be inserted smoothly without interfering with the electric wire connection part 23.

Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the electric wire connection portion 23 is provided on one of the lateral surfaces 26a, so that it can be arranged adjacent to the electric wire connection portion 13 of the combined connection terminal 11 in the width direction. Therefore, when the connection portion 12 and the assembly connection portion 22 are fastened with the fixing bolt 3, the connection terminal 21 and the combined connection terminal 11 can be arranged compactly.

Next, an assembled electric wire according to a modified example of the present invention will be described.
However, the same reference numerals are used for the same features as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Variation 1)
The combination connection terminal 11A in the assembled electric wire 1A of the modified example 1 (see FIG. 7(c)) is different from the combination connection terminal 11 of the above-described embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 7(a) , the connection portion 12A does not have the extension portion 15 (see FIG. 2(b) ), and the connection portion 12A is formed by a main surface 14A that is substantially entirely circular and flat in plan view.

As shown in Figs. 6(a), (b), and (c), the pair of opposing surfaces 25A (25Aa, 25Ab) of the connection terminal 21A (assembly connection portion 22A) in the assembled electric wire 1A of the modified example 1 are formed to be the same size as each other, and are each formed to be a perfect circle in a plan view of the same size as the connection portion 12A of the combined connection terminal 11A. The side surface 26A is formed only on a part of the circumference of the pair of opposing surfaces 25A (one side in the width direction in this example). The electric wire connection portion 23 has a longitudinal tip joined to the longitudinal base end side of the side surface 26A. As a result, the electric wire connection portion 23 is extended from the side surface 26A toward the longitudinal base end side.

A first locking claw 31 is formed on the other widthwise side and the longitudinal tip end of the lower opposing surface 25Ab of the assembly connection part 22A. As shown in FIG. 6(e), the first locking claw 31 is integrally formed with a base part 31a that protrudes radially outward and a tip part 31b that protrudes upward from the tip of the base part.

The tip 31b of the first locking claw 31 is formed to protrude upward from the vertical center position of the internal space 22s. As a result, the distance La (see FIG. 6(e)) between the tip (upper end) of the tip 31b of the first locking claw 31 in the internal space 22s and the lower surface of the upper opposing surface 25Aa is set to be narrower than the vertical thickness of the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A.

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6(a), a second locking claw 32 is formed on the other side in the width direction and on the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the lower opposing surface 25Ab of the assembly connection part 22A. As shown in Fig. 6(b), the second locking claw 32 is integrally formed with a base part 32a and a tip part 32b, similar to the first locking claw 31.

The tip 32b of the second locking claw 32 is formed to protrude upward to the middle position in the vertical direction of the internal space 22s. As a result, the distance Lb (see FIG. 6(e)) between the tip (upper end) of the tip 32b of the second locking claw 32 in the internal space 22s and the lower surface of the upper opposing surface 25Aa is set to be wider than the vertical thickness of the connection part 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A. In other words, the tip 32b of the second locking claw 32 is formed with a shorter protruding length than the tip 31b of the first locking claw 31.

As shown in Fig. 6(b) and (e), the insertion opening 27A corresponds to the vertical gap between the outer peripheries of the pair of opposing surfaces 25A of the assembly connection portion 22A. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6(a), the insertion opening 27A corresponds to the gap on the side where the second locking claw 32 is provided, between the side surface 26A and the first locking claw 31, in the circumferential direction of the assembly connection portion 22A. The insertion opening 27A is formed with a size that allows the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A to be inserted into the internal space 22s.

Next, an example of a procedure for assembling the connection terminal 21A and the mating connection terminal 11A will be described.
As shown in Figure 7(a), the worker slides the connection terminal 21A linearly toward the base end in the longitudinal direction (see the thick arrow in Figure 7(a)) and inserts the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A from the insertion opening 27A into the internal space 22s of the assembly connection portion 22A.
As described above, the connecting terminal 21A is not limited to being slid toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the combined connecting terminal 11A may be slid toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction.

In the first modification, the second locking claw 32 is provided at the portion corresponding to the lower edge of the insertion opening 27A so as to protrude toward the insertion opening 27A (upward) (see FIG. 6(b)), but the second locking claw 32 is set at a low height as described above. Therefore, the worker inserts the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A in a horizontal position into the internal space 22s from between the second locking claw 32 and the upper edge of the insertion opening 27A, climbing over the second locking claw 32. This allows the connection portion 12A to be inserted into the internal space 22s without interfering with the second locking claw 32.

As shown in FIG. 7(b), the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A is inserted into the internal space 22s until it abuts against the side surface 26A and the inner surface of the first locking claw 31, and is restricted from sliding further toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction. This position of the connection portion 12A relative to the assembly connection portion 22A is set as the straight movement restriction position Pb. When the assembly connection portion 22A is located at the straight movement restriction position Pb, the connection portion 12A and the assembly connection portion 22A can be in a state in which the insertion holes 16, 24 are connected to each other. When the assembly connection portion 22A is located at the straight movement restriction position Pb, the second locking claw 32 is located at the above-mentioned intermediate position pm of the base portion of the combination connection terminal 11A (see FIG. 7(b)).

Furthermore, the worker rotates the connection portion 12A from the straight movement restriction position Pb counterclockwise in a plan view relative to the assembly connection portion 22A (see the thick arrow in FIG. 7B).
However, the second locking claw 32 located at the root portion intermediate position pm is locked to the second wire connection portion 13b of the combination connection terminal 11A, so that the counterclockwise rotation of the assembly connection portion 22A in a plan view is restricted.

The worker then raises the combined connection terminal 11A, which is placed on the lower opposing surface 25Ab in the internal space 22s, in a generally horizontal position above the tip 32b of the low-profile second locking claw 32. This releases the engagement of the second wire connection portion 13b with the second locking claw 32. Then, in this state, the worker rotates the connection terminal 21A counterclockwise in a plan view relative to the combined connection terminal 11A, with the center of the insertion hole 24 as the center of rotation.

This allows the worker to rotate the connection terminal 21A (assembly connection portion 22A) relative to the combination connection terminal 11A so that the second locking claw 32 straddles the second electric wire connection portion 13b in the circumferential direction without interfering with the second electric wire connection portion 13b of the combination connection terminal 11A.

At that time, the first locking claw 31 and side surface 26A guide the assembly connection part 22A to rotate counterclockwise while their respective inner surfaces lock onto the periphery of the circular connection part 12A.

As shown in FIG. 7(c), the wire connection portion 23 of the connection terminal 21A eventually comes into contact with the first wire connection portion 13a of the assembly connection portion 22A from one side in the width direction, restricting further counterclockwise rotation of the connection terminal 21A. At that time, the first locking claw 31 and the side surface 26A are engaged with the periphery of the circular connection portion 12A, fixing (positioning) the assembly connection portion 22A relative to the connection portion 12A.

7(c), the second locking claw 32 is located at a position pn near the edge on the other side in the width direction of the root portion of the second wire connection portion 13b, and locks the root portion of the second wire connection portion 13b from the other side in the width direction. As a result, the second locking claw 32 as a fixing portion and the wire connection portion 23 as a fixing auxiliary portion of the connection terminal 21A sandwich (position) the pair of wire connection portions 13 of the combined connection terminal 11A from both sides in the width direction.
That is, the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A and the assembly connection portion 22A of the connection terminal 21A are assembled to each other at the assembly position Pa.

The procedure for attaching the assembled connection part 22A and the connection part 12A, which are in an assembled state, to the ground circuit 100 using the fixing bolt 3 is the same as in the above-mentioned embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 6(a), (b), (c), and (d), the slide guide portion of Modification 1 is a locking portion that locks onto the outer periphery of the connection portion 12A so that the assembly connection portion 22A can slide circumferentially relative to the connection portion 12A, specifically, the first locking claw 31 and the side surface 26A.

According to the above configuration, the locking portion (26A, 31) locks onto the outer peripheral edge of the connection portion 12A while guiding the assembly connection portion 22A circumferentially relative to the connection portion 12A, so that the insertion holes 16, 24 are less likely to shift position and can be guided into the desired position while remaining connected to each other.
Therefore, the assembly connection portion 22A and the connection portion 12A can be easily assembled in a desired position.

(Variation 2)
In the assembled electric wire 1B of the modified example 2 (see FIG. 9(b)), the connection terminal 21B (assembly connection portion 22B) differs from the connection terminal 21A of the modified example 1 in that, as shown in FIG. 8(b) , the connection terminal 21B does not have a lower opposing surface 25Ab (see FIG. 6(b) ) with respect to the opposing surface, and only has an upper opposing surface 25Ba that is approximately circular in plan view.
The combination connection terminal 11A is formed in the same shape as the combination connection terminal 11A of the first modified example (see FIG. 9(a)).

As shown in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D, an assembly connection portion 22B of the second modified example is provided with a first locking claw 41, a second locking claw 42, and a side surface 26B.
The side surface 26B is provided on one edge in the width direction of the upper opposing surface 25Ba, and the longitudinal base end of the side surface 26B is integrally connected to the longitudinal tip end of the electric wire connection portion 23. As a result, the electric wire connection portion 23 extends linearly from the side surface 26B to the longitudinal tip side in a direction coinciding with the longitudinal direction.

The first locking claw 41 is disposed on the other side in the width direction and on the tip end side in the longitudinal direction of the periphery of the assembly connection part 22B, and the second locking claw 42 is disposed on the other side in the width direction and on the base end side in the longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 8(e), the first locking claw 41 is integrally formed with a radially outer extending portion 41a that extends radially outward from a corresponding portion on the periphery of the upper opposing surface 25Ba, a standing portion 41b that stands downward from the radially outer end of the radially outer extending portion 41a, and a support portion 41c that extends radially inward from the lower end of the standing portion 41b and supports the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A.

As shown in Fig. 8(f) and (g), the second locking claw 42 and the side surface 26B are each integrally formed with a radially outer extending portion 42a, 26Ba that extends radially outward from the corresponding portion on the periphery of the upper opposing surface 25Ba, a standing portion 42b, 26Bb that stands downward from the radially outer end of the radially outer extending portion 42a, 26Ba, a support portion 42c, 26Bc that extends radially inward from the lower end of the standing portion 42b, 26Bb and supports the connection portion 12A of the combined connection terminal 11A, and a step portion 42d, 26Bd that is provided at the corner portion between the standing portion 42b, 26Bb and the support portion 42c, 26Bc when viewed in an orthogonal cross section along the radial direction.

The first locking claw 41 and the raised portions 41b, 26Bb of the side surface 26B are provided in positions where their inner surfaces can abut against the outer periphery of the connection portion 12A when the assembly connection portion 22B and the connection portion 12A are in an assembled state (see FIG. 9(b)).

As shown in Figures 8(e), (f), and (g), the first locking claw 41, the second locking claw 42, and the support portions 41c, 42c, and 26Bc of the side surface 26B are provided in positions that allow them to support the connection portion 12A from below when the assembly connection portion 22B and the connection portion 12A are in an assembled state, and the upper surfaces of the support portions 41c, 42c, and 26Bc are formed horizontally and at the same height as each other so that they can support the connection portion 12A horizontally.

As shown in Figures 8(f) and (g), each step 42d, 26Bd of the second locking claw 42 and side surface 26B is formed by a stepped support portion 42e, 26Be that extends radially inwardly and generally horizontally from the lower end of the standing portion 42b, 26Bb, and a vertical wall portion 42f, 26Bf that vertically connects the radial inner end of the stepped support portion 42e to the radial outer end of the support portion 42c, 26Bc.

The stepped support parts 42e, 26Be are provided at a height equivalent to the vertical center position of the space directly below 22Bs. However, the distance between the stepped support parts 42e, 26Be and the lower surface of the upper opposing surface 25Ba in the space directly below 22Bs is set to be wider than the vertical thickness of the connection part 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A.

In addition, in the assembly connection portion 22B in the second modification, the space directly below the upper opposing surface 25Ba and above the first locking claw 41, the second locking claw 42, and the upper surfaces of the support portions 41c, 42c, and 26Bc of the side surface 26B is set as the direct below space 22Bs.

As shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), the insertion opening 27B is an opening on the periphery of the direct space 22Bs between the upright portions 42b, 26Bb of the second locking claw 42 and the side surface 26B on the side where the first locking claw 41 is not provided. The insertion opening 27B is formed with a size that allows the connection portion 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A to be inserted into the direct space 22Bs.

Next, an example of a procedure for assembling the connection terminal 21B and the combined connection terminal 11A will be described.
As shown in Figure 9(a), the worker moves the connection terminal 21B straight toward the combined connection terminal 11A (see the thick arrow in Figure 9(a)), and inserts the connection portion 12A of the combined connection terminal 11A into the space 22Bs directly below through the insertion opening 27B in the assembly connection portion 22B of the connection terminal 21B.

In this case, in the second modification, as shown in Fig. 8(f) and (g), on both sides of the width direction of the insertion opening 27B, step portions 42d, 26Bd (stepped support portions 42e, 26Be) are provided on the second locking claw 42 and the side surface 26B, respectively, protruding toward the insertion opening 27B (upward) relative to the support portions 42c, 26Bc.

Therefore, the worker inserts the connection part 12A of the combination connection terminal 11A into the space directly below 22Bs in a substantially horizontal position, climbing over the stepped support parts 42e, 26Be between the second locking claw 42 and the side surface 26B, respectively, and the upper edge of the insertion opening 27B. This allows the connection part 12A to be inserted into the space directly below 22Bs without interfering with the stepped parts 42d, 26Bd.

At this time, the second locking claw 42 and side surface 26B support the connection part 12A with their respective stepped support parts 42e, 26Be, while the inner surfaces of the respective upright parts 42b, 26Bb lock onto the outer periphery of the circular connection part 12A, guiding the assembly connection part 22B to move straight toward the tip side in the longitudinal direction, i.e., to be inserted into the space directly below 22Bs.

As shown in FIG. 9(b), the periphery of the connection part 12A eventually comes into contact with the inner surface of the erected part 41b of the first locking claw 41 of the assembly connection part 22B, restricting further straight movement of the connection part 12A toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction.

At this time, the connection part 12A and the assembly connection part 22B are in an assembled state (positioned at the assembly position Pa) with the insertion holes 16, 24 communicating with each other.

When the connection part 12A is inserted into the space directly below 22Bs, as described above, it is supported by the stepped support parts 42e and 26Be on the second locking claw 42 and the side surface 26B, respectively, but when it reaches the assembly position Pa, the support by these stepped support parts 42e and 26Be is released.

When the connection portion 12A is in the assembled state, it is supported from below by the first locking claw 41, the second locking claw 42, and the support portions 41c, 42c, and 26Bc of the side surface 26B.

Furthermore, in the assembled state, the periphery of the connection portion 12A engages with the inner surface of the erected portion 41b of the first locking claw 41, the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 42f (step portion 42d) of the second locking claw 42, and the inner surfaces of the erected portion 26Bb and vertical wall portion 26Bf (step portion 26Bd) of the side surface 26B, and is fixed (positioned) by these.

As mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-mentioned examples, but can be formed in various embodiments.
The assembled electric wire of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment in which the connection portion 12 of one combined connection terminal 11 is inserted into the internal space 22s of the box-shaped assembled connection portion 22 (see FIG. 3(c)), but may include the connection portions 12 of multiple combined connection terminals 11 inserted into the internal space 22s.

In this case, the multiple combination connection terminals 11 can be combined so that the main surfaces 14 face in the same direction, as shown in FIG. 10( a ), for example.
According to the above configuration, the main surface 14 of any one of the multiple combination connection terminals 11 (in Figure 10 (a) , the lowermost combination connection terminal 11) can be brought into surface contact with the opposing surface 25 (here, the lower opposing surface 25b) opposite the main surface 14.
This ensures excellent electrical conductivity between the main surface 14 and the opposing surface 25 when fastened with the fixing bolt 3 .

Alternatively, multiple combination connection terminals 11 can be combined so that the main surfaces 14 face in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 10(b), for example.

According to the above configuration, the main surfaces 14 can be brought into surface contact with each other, ensuring excellent electrical conductivity between the main surfaces 14 when fastened with the fixing bolt 3.

The number of connection parts 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 inserted into the internal space 22s of the box-shaped assembly connection part 22 is not limited to one or two, but three or more may be inserted depending on the size of the internal space 22s.

For example, when the connection terminal of the present invention is described based on the structure of the connection terminal 21 of the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11(a), a configuration may be adopted in which a bolt holding member 40 is provided on the periphery of the insertion hole 24 on the opposing surface 25 as a bolt holding means that holds the inserted fixing bolt 3 while allowing it to rotate around its axis.

Specifically, the opposing surface 25 is provided with a recess 24a formed by expanding the periphery of the insertion hole 24 and recessing it in a countersunk shape. An annular bolt retaining member 40 is fitted coaxially with the insertion hole 24 into this recess 24a.

The inner circumferential surface of the bolt retaining member 40 has convex portions 46 that protrude radially inward and concave portions 47 that are recessed radially outward, alternately arranged around the entire circumference.
11(a) is a plan view of the periphery of the insertion hole 24 in the upper opposing surface 25a, but the periphery of the insertion hole 24 in the lower opposing surface 25b is also omitted from the illustration because it has the same configuration as the periphery of the insertion hole 24 in the upper opposing surface 25a. Also, reference numeral 3a shown by a virtual line in FIG. 10(a) denotes the outer circumferential surface of the fixing bolt 3.

As shown in FIG. 11(a), the radially inward tip of the convex portion 46 abuts against the outer peripheral surface 3a of the fixing bolt 3 inserted into the insertion hole 16, while the concave portion 47 is positioned radially outward from the outer peripheral surface 3a of the fixing bolt 3 inserted into the insertion hole 16.

When the fixing bolt 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 24, the multiple protrusions 46 of the bolt holding member 40 come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 3a of the fixing bolt 3, thereby holding the fixing bolt 3 from slipping out of the insertion hole 24 while allowing the fixing bolt 3 to rotate around its axis.

Therefore, once the fixing bolt 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 24, the connection terminal 21 and the combined connection terminal 11 are temporarily fixed by the fixing bolt 3 held by the bolt holding member 40, and the connection terminal 21 can be easily carried to the installation location.

Furthermore, when fastening the connection terminal 21 and the combined connection terminal 11 to the mounting location using the fixing bolt 3, there is no need to insert the fixing bolt 3 into each of the insertion holes 16, 24 of the connection part 12 and the assembly connection part 22, and the fixing bolt 3 can be easily fastened to the mounting location.

In addition, since the connection terminal 21 and the combination connection terminal 11 can be temporarily fixed with the fixing bolt 3, for example, when three combination connection terminals 11 are stacked and stored as shown in FIG. 10(b), the connection portion 12 of the combination connection terminal 11 located in the middle in the vertical direction, which is not reached by the engagement of the pair of protruding pieces 28, does not come out of the internal space 22s and can be maintained in a state held by the fixing bolt 3.

The bolt holding means of the present invention is not limited to the bolt holding member 40 described above, so long as it is configured to hold the inserted fixing bolt 3 on the periphery of the insertion hole 24 on the opposing surface 25 while allowing it to rotate about its axis. For example, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 24 may be formed in a shape in which convex portions 46 that protrude radially inward and concave portions 47 that recede radially outward are alternately arranged around the entire circumference.

The "other connection terminal" in the present invention is not limited to being formed as a combination connection terminal 11 as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but may be, for example, a terminal fitting formed from a single plate material such as an LA terminal. Specifically, the connection portion may be formed, for example, in a round shape or tuning fork shape when viewed from the front, as long as it has an insertion hole through which the fixing bolt 3 can be inserted and is configured to be bolted. Furthermore, the electric wire connection portion of the other connection terminal is not limited to a configuration in which a pair (two) are provided in one connection portion, but may be a configuration in which one or three or more are provided.

The assembly wire of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment in which the wire is fastened to the bolt insertion hole 101 in the ground circuit 100 as the mounting point on the vehicle body using a fixing bolt 3 or the like. It may also be configured such that, although not shown, a stud bolt protruding from the ground point is inserted into each insertion hole in the assembly connection part of the connection terminal and the connection part of the combined connection terminal, and then electrically connected to the ground point by tightening a nut.

Regarding the correspondence between this invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the other connection terminals of this invention correspond to the combination connection terminals 11 and 11A, and so on.
The slide guide portion corresponds to the pair of lateral sides 26a, 26b in this embodiment, to the side 26A or the first locking claw 31 in the first modification, and to the side 26B or the second locking claw 42 in the second modification.

In addition, in this embodiment, the fixing portion corresponds to the pair of protruding pieces 28 or both widthwise edges 29a of the extension portion insertion opening 29, in variant 1, it corresponds to the first locking claw 31 or the second locking claw 32, and in variant 2, it corresponds to the side surface 26B, the first locking claw 41 or the second locking claw 42.

Further, the facing surface corresponds to the facing surface 25, 25A or the upper facing surface 25Ba,
The bolt holding means corresponds to the bolt holding member 40 (bolt holding means),
The connection terminal piece corresponds to the first connection terminal piece 110 or the second connection terminal piece 111;
The connection piece corresponds to the first connection piece 110a or the second connection piece 111a.

1, 1A, 1B... assembled electric wire 2... electric wire 2a... electric wire connected to the combined connection terminal (electric wire connected to another connection terminal)
2b... Electric wire extending in the same direction as the electric wire 3... Fixing bolt 11, 11A... Combination connection terminal (other connection terminal)
12, 12A... Connection portion 13... Electric wire connection portion provided on the combined connection terminal 14, 14A... Main surface 16... Through hole (through hole in the connection portion)
21, 21', 21A, 21B... Connection terminals 22, 22A, 22B... Assembly connection portion 23... Electric wire connection portion (auxiliary fixing portion) provided on the connection terminal
24: Insertion hole in opposing surface 25, 25A: opposing surface 25Ba: upper opposing surface (opposing surface)
26a, 26b...Side surfaces (slide guide parts)
26A: Side surface (slide guide portion)
26B: Side (fixing portion (regulating portion), slide guide portion)
27, 27A... Insertion opening 28... Pair of protruding pieces (fixing portion)
29a: Both edges (fixing portions) of the extension insertion opening 29 in the width direction
31...First locking claw (fixed portion (locking portion), slide guide portion)
32...Second locking claw (fixed portion)
35... Deformation promoting portion 40... Bolt holding member (bolt holding means)
41...First locking claw (fixing portion)
42...Second locking claw (fixed portion, slide guide portion)
110: First connection terminal piece (connection terminal piece)
111: Second connection terminal piece (connection terminal piece)
110a...first connection piece (connection piece)
111a: second connection piece (connection piece)

Claims (13)

a wire connection portion for connecting the wires;
The connecting terminal has an insertion hole for inserting a fixing bolt therethrough, and is provided with an assembly connecting portion for assembling with a connecting portion having an insertion hole in another connecting terminal,
The assembly connection portion is
a slide guide portion that guides the slide of the connection portion;
a fixing portion that fixes the slid connection portion to the assembly connection portion at a position where the insertion holes communicate with each other ,
The assembly connection portion is
the connecting portion has an opposing surface facing a main surface having the insertion hole,
The opposing surface has the insertion hole,
The assembly connection portion is
A side surface is provided that stands upright from the side of the opposing surface,
The opposing surfaces include a pair of opposing surfaces on both sides of the main surface in a thickness direction,
The side surface connects the pair of opposing surfaces to each other laterally,
the assembly connection portion is box-shaped and has an insertion opening between the pair of opposing surfaces into which the connection portion can be inserted,
On the side,
A deformation promoting portion is provided which promotes deformation of the side surfaces in a direction in which the pair of opposing surfaces approach each other and sandwich the connection portion by fastening the fixing bolt inserted into the insertion hole.
Connection terminal. The electric wire connection portion is
The connection terminal according to claim 1 , wherein, in an assembled state, the electric wire extends in the same direction as an electric wire connected to the other connection terminal so as to be connected to the other connection terminal. 3. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the slide guide portion is a locking portion that locks onto an outer periphery of the connection portion so that the assembly connection portion can slide in a circumferential direction relative to the connection portion. 4. The connection terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a bolt holding means provided on the opposing surface around the periphery of the insertion hole for holding the fastening bolt inserted therethrough while allowing it to rotate about its axis. The fixing portion is
5. The connection terminal according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts movement of the connection portion inserted through the insertion opening in a direction in which the connection portion is removed. The electric wire connection portion is
6. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is provided on one of the opposing surfaces and is disposed at a position not overlapping the insertion opening when viewed from a direction in which the connection portion is inserted into the insertion opening. The electric wire connection portion is
6. The connection terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection terminal is provided on one of the side surfaces and disposed at a position not overlapping the insertion opening when viewed from a direction in which the connection portion is inserted into the insertion opening. The connection terminal according to claim 7 , wherein the electric wire connecting portion is configured as an auxiliary fixing portion that assists the fixing portion in fixing the assembly connecting portion. A connection terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ;
the other connection terminal having the electric wire connection portion;
The wires are connected to both wire connectors.
The connecting portion and the assembly connecting portion are assembled together so that the insertion holes communicate with each other. The electric wire connected to the connection terminal;
The electric wire assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the electric wire connected to the other connection terminal is oriented in the same direction. The other connection terminal is
11. The assembled electric wire according to claim 9 or 10, comprising a plurality of connection terminal pieces each having a connection piece forming a part of the connection portion and the electric wire connection portion , and comprising a combination connection terminal in which the connection pieces are stacked together to form the connection portion. The electric wire assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of combination connection terminals are combined such that the main surfaces face the same direction. The electric wire assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of mating connection terminals are combined such that the main surfaces face in opposite directions.

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