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JP7658869B2 - Terminal spring retention structure - Google Patents
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JP7658869B2 - Terminal spring retention structure - Google Patents

Terminal spring retention structure Download PDF

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JP7658869B2
JP7658869B2 JP2021151520A JP2021151520A JP7658869B2 JP 7658869 B2 JP7658869 B2 JP 7658869B2 JP 2021151520 A JP2021151520 A JP 2021151520A JP 2021151520 A JP2021151520 A JP 2021151520A JP 7658869 B2 JP7658869 B2 JP 7658869B2
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terminal
conductive member
annular
spring
terminal spring
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JP2023043738A (en
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知弘 島田
義貴 伊藤
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Yazaki Corp
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Description

本発明は、端子ばねの保持構造に関する。 The present invention relates to a terminal spring holding structure.

電気自動車やハイブリッド車等の電動自動車に使用される高圧コネクタは、メスコネクタとオスコネクタとに分けられる。オスコネクタ及びメスコネクタには、通電と抜き挿しを可能とするオス端子及びメス端子がそれぞれ収容されており、これらオス端子とメス端子とは、端子ばねを介して電気的に接続される。より具体的には、オスコネクタには棒状のオス端子が収容される。メスコネクタには筒状のメス端子が収容される。 High-voltage connectors used in electric vehicles, such as electric cars and hybrid cars, are divided into female connectors and male connectors. Male and female connectors house male and female terminals, respectively, that allow current to flow and insertion and removal, and these male and female terminals are electrically connected via terminal springs. More specifically, male connectors house rod-shaped male terminals. Female connectors house cylindrical female terminals.

特許文献1には、一対の導体のいずれか一方の導体の中空部分(メス端子)に他方の導体の小径部分(オス端子)を嵌合させてばね接触子を介して通電する接触子装置が開示されている。このばね接触子は、素線を巻回軸に対して傾斜させて螺旋状に巻回し、両端部を接合した環状のばね接触子(環状端子ばね)として形成されている。そして、環状のばね接触子は、いずれか一方の嵌合面の周方向に沿って形成された溝に嵌め込まれて収容保持されている。 Patent Document 1 discloses a contact device in which the hollow portion (female terminal) of one of a pair of conductors is fitted with the small diameter portion (male terminal) of the other conductor to pass current through a spring contact. This spring contact is formed as an annular spring contact (annular terminal spring) in which a wire is wound in a spiral shape at an angle to the winding axis and both ends are joined. The annular spring contact is then fitted and held in a groove formed along the circumferential direction of one of the mating surfaces.

特開2008-204634号公報JP 2008-204634 A

しかしながら、上記特許文献1の接触子装置では、環状のばね接触子を保持するための溝を嵌合面に切削加工しなければならず、加工コストの上昇を招いている。また、小径部分(オス端子)の外周面に設けられた溝に環状のばね接触子(環状端子ばね)を嵌め込む際には、環状のばね接触子を拡径させた後に溝に装着する作業が発生し、ばね接触子に不所望な変形等が生じる可能性があった。 However, in the contact device of Patent Document 1, a groove for holding the annular spring contact must be machined into the mating surface, resulting in increased processing costs. In addition, when fitting the annular spring contact (annular terminal spring) into a groove provided on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion (male terminal), the annular spring contact must be expanded in diameter before being fitted into the groove, which may result in undesirable deformation of the spring contact.

本発明は上記状況に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、加工コストを抑えつつ、高い接続信頼性を得ることが可能な端子ばねの保持構造を提供することにある。 The present invention was made in consideration of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while keeping processing costs down.

本発明に係る上記目的は、下記構成(1)又は(2)により達成される。
(1) 導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばねと、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部の開口端面との間に前記環状端子ばねを挟持する環状のキャップ本体部と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の外周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片と、を有する絶縁キャップと、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部を係止する係止穴を有し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記導電部材の内周面及び前記キャップ本体部の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
(2) 導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材と、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部に内周面から内方へ立ち上がるように切り起こし形成されて周方向に沿って複数設けられた切り起こし片と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばねと、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部の開口端面に対向する環状のキャップ本体部と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の内周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片と、を有する絶縁キャップと、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部を係止する係止穴を有し、
可撓係止片の先端面が、前記切り起こし片との間で前記導電部材の内周部に装着された前記環状端子ばねの軸方向の移動を規制し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記切り起こし片の先端面及び前記可撓係止片の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration (1) or (2).
(1) a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap including: an annular cap body portion that holds the annular terminal spring between itself and an opening end surface of one of the opening ends of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible locking pieces that protrude from the cap body portion and extend along an outer peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end of the conductive member;
Equipped with
one open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece;
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member and an inner peripheral surface of the cap body;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:
(2) a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces formed at one open end of the conductive member so as to rise inward from an inner circumferential surface thereof along a circumferential direction;
an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap including: an annular cap body portion facing an opening end surface of one opening end of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible engagement pieces protruding from the cap body portion and extending along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end of the conductive member;
Equipped with
one open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece;
a tip end surface of the flexible locking piece restricts axial movement of the annular terminal spring attached to the inner peripheral portion of the conductive member between the tip end surface and the cut-and-raised piece;
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along a tip surface of the cut-and-raised piece and an inner peripheral surface of the flexible locking piece;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

本発明によれば、加工コストを抑えつつ、高い接続信頼性を得ることが可能な端子ばねの保持構造を提供できる。 The present invention provides a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while keeping processing costs down.

以上、本発明について簡潔に説明した。更に、以下に説明される発明を実施するための形態(以下、「実施形態」という。)を添付の図面を参照して通読することにより、本発明の詳細は更に明確化されるであろう。 The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the following description of the embodiment of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the attached drawings.

図1は、本発明の第1実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造を有する筒状の導電部材としての接続端子を示す図であって、環状端子ばねが接続端子に装着される前の状態の斜視図である。FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before an annular terminal spring is attached to the connection terminal. 図2は、図1に示した環状端子ばねが接続端子に装着された状態の斜視図である。FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the annular terminal spring shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a connection terminal. 図3は、図2に示した接続端子の要部拡大断面図である。FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the connection terminal shown in FIG. 図4は、図3に示した接続端子と相手側接続端子との嵌合状態を示す要部拡大断面図である。FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a state in which the connection terminal shown in FIG. 3 is fitted to a mating connection terminal. 図5は、本発明の第2実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造を有する筒状の導電部材としての接続端子を示す図であって、環状端子ばねが接続端子に装着される前の状態の斜視図である。FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state before an annular terminal spring is attached to the connection terminal. 図6は、図5に示した環状端子ばねが接続端子に装着された状態の斜視図である。FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the annular terminal spring shown in FIG. 5 is attached to a connection terminal. 図7は、図6に示した接続端子の要部拡大断面図である。FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion of the connection terminal shown in FIG. 図8は、図7に示した接続端子と相手側接続端子との嵌合状態を示す要部拡大断面図である。8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main portion showing a state in which the connection terminal shown in FIG. 7 is fitted to the mating connection terminal.

以下、本発明に係る実施形態を、図面を参照して説明する。
図1は、本発明の第1実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造を有する筒状の導電部材としての接続端子10を示す図であって、環状端子ばね30が接続端子10に装着される前の状態の斜視図である。図2は、図1に示した環状端子ばね30が接続端子10に装着された状態の斜視図である。図3は、図2に示した接続端子の要部拡大断面図である。図4は、図3に示した接続端子10と相手側接続端子50との嵌合状態を示す要部拡大断面図である。
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a view showing a connection terminal 10 as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of a state before an annular terminal spring 30 is attached to the connection terminal 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a state in which the annular terminal spring 30 shown in Fig. 1 is attached to the connection terminal 10. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of the connection terminal shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a mating state of the connection terminal 10 shown in Fig. 3 and a mating connection terminal 50.

図1及び図2に示すように、本第1実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造は、導電部材である接続端子10と、絶縁キャップ20と、環状端子ばね30と、を備えている。
接続端子10は、円筒状に形成された端子接続部11と、導体接続部13とを備えて構成されている。
接続端子10は、良好な導電性を有する導電金属板(銅、銅合金、アルミ、アルミ合金等)を抜き加工や曲げ加工等によってプレス加工することにより、これら円筒状の端子接続部11と導体接続部13とが一体となって成形されたメス端子である。
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the terminal spring holding structure according to the first embodiment includes a connection terminal 10 which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20 , and an annular terminal spring 30 .
The connection terminal 10 is configured to include a terminal connection portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape, and a conductor connection portion 13 .
The connection terminal 10 is a female terminal formed integrally with the cylindrical terminal connection portion 11 and conductor connection portion 13 by pressing a conductive metal plate (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) having good electrical conductivity through punching, bending, etc.

端子接続部11の他方の開口端部11bに延設された導体接続部13は、方形板状に形成されてボルト・ナット等により導体(バスバー、LA端子等)と電気的に接続される。なお、導体接続部13は、電線の導体端末に圧着接続したり、加締め接続したり種々の接続手段を用いることができる。 The conductor connection part 13, which is extended from the other open end 11b of the terminal connection part 11, is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is electrically connected to the conductor (bus bar, LA terminal, etc.) by bolts and nuts. The conductor connection part 13 can be connected to the conductor end of the electric wire by crimping or crimping, or various other connection means.

端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aには、図1に示すように、絶縁キャップ20における可撓係止片23のロック部25を係止する係止穴17が形成されている。一対の係止穴17は、一対の可撓係止片23のロック部25に対応して、一方の開口端部11aの直径方向位置に互いに対向して配置されている。 As shown in FIG. 1, one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 has a locking hole 17 that locks the locking portion 25 of the flexible locking piece 23 in the insulating cap 20. The pair of locking holes 17 are arranged opposite each other at diametric positions of the one open end 11a, corresponding to the locking portions 25 of the pair of flexible locking pieces 23.

絶縁キャップ20は、図1に示すように、一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15に対向して環状端子ばね30を挟持するキャップ本体部21と、キャップ本体部21に一体に突設されて端子接続部11(接続端子10)の外周面に沿って端子接続部11の他方の開口端部11b側へ延びる複数(本実施形態では一対)の可撓係止片23と、を有する。絶縁キャップ20は、電気絶縁性を有する合成樹脂から形成されており、接続端子10の先端部に固定されることで、接続端子10における触指防止機能を有している。 1, the insulating cap 20 has a cap body 21 that faces the opening end surface 15 of one opening end 11a and holds the annular terminal spring 30, and a plurality of flexible locking pieces 23 (a pair in this embodiment) that are integrally protruded from the cap body 21 and extend along the outer circumferential surface of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10) toward the other opening end 11b of the terminal connection part 11. The insulating cap 20 is made of synthetic resin having electrical insulation properties, and is fixed to the tip of the connection terminal 10 to provide a finger-touch prevention function for the connection terminal 10.

キャップ本体部21は、オス端子である相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が挿通される端子挿通孔26を有し、端子接続部11と略同径の外径を有する円筒状に形成されている。キャップ本体部21は、円環状を有する後端面21aの内周縁が、一方の開口端部11aにおける円環状の開口端面15に対向する。 The cap body 21 has a terminal insertion hole 26 through which the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a male terminal, is inserted, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the terminal connection portion 11. The cap body 21 has an annular rear end surface 21a, whose inner peripheral edge faces the annular opening end surface 15 at one opening end 11a.

一対の可撓係止片23は、後端面21aの外周縁に垂設されている。可撓係止片23の内周面は、端子接続部11の外周面に対応した湾曲面を有する。可撓係止片23の先端内周面には、端子接続部11の係止穴17に係止されるロック部25が突設されている。 A pair of flexible locking pieces 23 are vertically attached to the outer periphery of the rear end surface 21a. The inner periphery of the flexible locking pieces 23 has a curved surface that corresponds to the outer periphery of the terminal connection part 11. A locking part 25 that locks into the locking hole 17 of the terminal connection part 11 is protruded from the inner periphery of the tip of the flexible locking pieces 23.

環状端子ばね30は、円環状に形成されており、外周部が端子接続部11の外径と略同径の外径を有し、内周部が端子接続部11の内径よりも小さい内径を有している。この環状端子ばね30は、バネ鋼等の導電性及び弾性を有する金属材料から形成された線条体を螺旋状に巻回したコイルスプリングからなり、このコイルスプリングが円環状に曲げられて線条体の両端が溶接等により接合されている。 The annular terminal spring 30 is formed in a circular ring shape, with the outer periphery having an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the terminal connection part 11, and the inner periphery having an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal connection part 11. This annular terminal spring 30 is made of a coil spring in which a wire made of a conductive and elastic metal material such as spring steel is wound in a spiral shape, and this coil spring is bent into a circular ring shape and both ends of the wire are joined by welding or the like.

絶縁キャップ20は、例えば、後端面21aに環状端子ばね30を当接させて一対の可撓係止片23の間に挟んだ状態で、一対の可撓係止片23が前方より端子接続部11(接続端子10)の一方の開口端部11aの外側面に沿うように移動される。すると、ロック部25が端子接続部11の外周面に当接した可撓係止片23は、外方へ撓んだ状態で一方の開口端部11a外を移動する。そして、一方の開口端部11aに形成された係止穴17にロック部25が達すると、可撓係止片23が弾性復帰してロック部25が係止穴17に係止されるので、絶縁キャップ20は端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aに固定される。 For example, the insulating cap 20 is sandwiched between a pair of flexible locking pieces 23 with the annular terminal spring 30 abutting against the rear end surface 21a, and the pair of flexible locking pieces 23 are moved from the front along the outer surface of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10). Then, the flexible locking piece 23 with the locking part 25 abutting against the outer circumferential surface of the terminal connection part 11 moves outside the one opening end 11a in a state of being bent outward. Then, when the locking part 25 reaches the locking hole 17 formed in the one opening end 11a, the flexible locking piece 23 elastically returns to its original position and the locking part 25 is locked in the locking hole 17, so that the insulating cap 20 is fixed to one opening end 11a of the terminal connection part 11.

図2及び図3に示すように、一方の開口端部11aに固定された絶縁キャップ20は、一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15に対向する後端面21aが、開口端面15との間に環状端子ばね30を挟持する。この際、環状端子ばね30は、拡径することなく一方の開口端部11aに保持される。
図3に示すように、一方の開口端部11aに保持された環状端子ばね30は、外周部が一対の可撓係止片23に支持され、内周部が端子接続部11(接続端子10)の内周面及びキャップ本体部21(端子挿通孔26)の内周面に沿って径方向内方へ突出する。
2 and 3, the insulating cap 20 fixed to one opening end 11a has a rear end surface 21a that faces the opening end surface 15 of the opening end 11a and holds the annular terminal spring 30 between the rear end surface 21a and the opening end surface 15. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30 is held at the opening end 11a without expanding in diameter.
As shown in Figure 3, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one opening end 11a has its outer periphery supported by a pair of flexible locking pieces 23, and its inner periphery protruding radially inward along the inner periphery of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10) and the inner periphery of the cap main body portion 21 (terminal insertion hole 26).

次に、上記構成の接続端子10と相手側接続端子50との嵌合動作を説明する。
図4に示すように、相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51は、円柱形状のオス端子ピンであり、端子挿通孔26の内径及び端子接続部11の内径よりも小さく、且つ、環状端子ばね30の内周部の内径よりも大きい外径を有している。
Next, the fitting operation of the connection terminal 10 and the mating connection terminal 50 having the above-mentioned configuration will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4 , the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50 is a cylindrical male terminal pin and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal insertion hole 26 and the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 11, and is larger than the inner diameter of the inner periphery of the annular terminal spring 30.

メス端子である接続端子10の一方の開口端部11a内に、オス端子である相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が挿入されると、一方の開口端部11aに保持されている環状端子ばね30が、弾性変形しながら電気接触部51の外周面に接触する。これにより、環状端子ばね30を介して接続端子10の端子接続部11と、相手側接続端子50とが電気的に接続される。 When the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a male terminal, is inserted into one opening end 11a of the connection terminal 10, which is a female terminal, the annular terminal spring 30 held at one opening end 11a comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrical contact portion 51 while elastically deforming. This electrically connects the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10 and the mating connection terminal 50 via the annular terminal spring 30.

なお、相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が一方の開口端部11a内に挿入される挿入初期時には、電気接触部51の先端部が絶縁キャップ20の端子挿通孔26に摺動しながら挿入される。そこで、接続端子10に対する相手側接続端子50の挿入力(摩擦力)が低減し、コネクタ嵌合力が低下する。
また、絶縁キャップ20の端子挿通孔26は、相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51に対する寸法許容差を小さくしてクリアランスを小さくすることができる(合成樹脂製の絶縁キャップ20は、挿入された電気接触部51を削る虞がない為)。そこで、端子挿入方向と交差する方向の電気接触部51の動きを規制することが容易となり、コネクタの耐振性を向上できる。
At the initial stage of insertion when the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50 is inserted into one of the opening ends 11a, the tip portion of the electrical contact portion 51 is inserted while sliding into the terminal insertion hole 26 of the insulating cap 20. Thus, the insertion force (frictional force) of the mating connection terminal 50 with respect to the connection terminal 10 is reduced, and the connector mating force is reduced.
In addition, the terminal insertion hole 26 of the insulating cap 20 can reduce the dimensional tolerance with respect to the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, thereby reducing the clearance (because the insulating cap 20 made of synthetic resin is unlikely to scrape the inserted electrical contact portion 51). This makes it easy to restrict the movement of the electrical contact portion 51 in a direction intersecting the terminal insertion direction, improving the vibration resistance of the connector.

したがって、本第1実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造によれば、筒状の導電部材としての接続端子10が導電金属板からプレス加工により形成されると共に、環状端子ばね30を保持するための溝を切削加工する必要がなくなる。そこで、接続端子10は、加工コストを削減することができる。 Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the first embodiment, the connection terminal 10 as a cylindrical conductive member is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove to hold the annular terminal spring 30. Therefore, the connection terminal 10 can reduce processing costs.

また、接続端子10に装着された環状端子ばね30は、接続端子10における端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15と絶縁キャップ20との間に挟持される。そこで、環状端子ばね30を端子接続部11に取付ける際には、環状端子ばね30を拡径させて装着する作業が発生しないため、環状端子ばね30に不所望な変形等が生じ難くなる。その結果、環状端子ばね30は、相手側接続端子50との接続信頼性を高めることができる。 The annular terminal spring 30 attached to the connection terminal 10 is sandwiched between the opening end surface 15 of one opening end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10 and the insulating cap 20. Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring 30 to the terminal connection portion 11, the annular terminal spring 30 does not need to be expanded in diameter to be attached, so undesirable deformation, etc., is less likely to occur in the annular terminal spring 30. As a result, the annular terminal spring 30 can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal 50.

従って、本第1実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造によれば、加工コストを抑えつつ、高い接続信頼性を得ることが可能な端子ばねの保持構造を有する接続端子10を構成することができる。 Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of this first embodiment, it is possible to construct a connection terminal 10 having a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

図5は、本発明の第2実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造を有する筒状の導電部材としての接続端子10Aを示す図であって、環状端子ばね30Aが接続端子10Aに装着される前の状態の斜視図である。図6は、図5に示した環状端子ばね30Aが接続端子10Aに装着された状態の斜視図である。図7は、図6に示した接続端子10Aの要部拡大断面図である。図8は、図7に示した接続端子10Aと相手側接続端子50との嵌合状態を示す要部拡大断面図である。なお、上記第1実施形態における接続端子10の構成部材と同様の本第2実施形態における接続端子10Aの構成部材については、同符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。 Figure 5 is a view showing a connection terminal 10A as a cylindrical conductive member having a terminal spring holding structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view of the state before the annular terminal spring 30A is attached to the connection terminal 10A. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the annular terminal spring 30A shown in Figure 5 attached to the connection terminal 10A. Figure 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the connection terminal 10A shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the mating state of the connection terminal 10A shown in Figure 7 and the mating connection terminal 50. Note that the components of the connection terminal 10A in this second embodiment that are similar to those of the connection terminal 10 in the first embodiment above will be given the same reference numerals and detailed description will be omitted.

図5に示すように、本第2実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造は、導電部材である接続端子10Aと、絶縁キャップ20Aと、環状端子ばね30Aと、を備えている。
接続端子10Aは、円筒状に形成された端子接続部11と、導体接続部13とを備えて構成されている。
As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal spring holding structure according to the second embodiment includes a connection terminal 10A, which is a conductive member, an insulating cap 20A, and an annular terminal spring 30A.
The connection terminal 10A includes a terminal connection portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape and a conductor connection portion 13 .

接続端子10Aは、上記接続端子10と同様に、良好な導電性を有する導電金属板(銅、銅合金、アルミ、アルミ合金等)を抜き加工や曲げ加工等によってプレス加工することにより、これら円筒状の端子接続部11と導体接続部13とが一体となって成形されたメス端子である。 The connection terminal 10A is a female terminal formed by integrally forming the cylindrical terminal connection portion 11 and the conductor connection portion 13 by pressing a conductive metal plate (copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) having good electrical conductivity using punching, bending, etc., as in the case of the connection terminal 10 described above.

端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aには、図5に示すように、絶縁キャップ20Aにおける可撓係止片23Aのロック部25を係止する係止穴17が形成されている。一対の係止穴17は、一対の可撓係止片23のロック部25に対応して、一方の開口端部11aの直径方向位置に互いに対向して配置されている。 As shown in FIG. 5, one open end 11a of the terminal connection portion 11 has a locking hole 17 that locks the locking portion 25 of the flexible locking piece 23A of the insulating cap 20A. The pair of locking holes 17 are arranged opposite each other in the diameter direction of the one open end 11a, corresponding to the locking portions 25 of the pair of flexible locking pieces 23.

さらに、これら係止穴17より他方の開口端部11b側における一方の開口端部11aの内周面には、係止穴17との間に所定間隔を有する切り起こし片19が突設されている。切り起こし片19は、一対の係止穴17にそれぞれ対応して形成されている。切り起こし片19は、一方の開口端部11aの内周面から内方へ立ち上がるように矩形状に切り起こし形成されている。 Furthermore, on the inner peripheral surface of one of the opening ends 11a on the other opening end 11b side of the locking holes 17, there are protruding cut-and-raised pieces 19 spaced apart from the locking holes 17. The cut-and-raised pieces 19 are formed to correspond to each of the pair of locking holes 17. The cut-and-raised pieces 19 are cut and raised in a rectangular shape so that they rise inward from the inner peripheral surface of one of the opening ends 11a.

また、切り起こし片19は、端子接続部11(接続端子10A)の内周面に対して垂直に切り起こし形成されている。これにより、切り起こし片19には、一方の開口端部11aの内周面と直交する前面19aと、一方の開口端部11aの内周面と平行な先端面19bとが形成される。切り起こし片19の高さは、環状端子ばね30Aの巻回径dよりも小さい。これら切り起こし片19は、例えば端子接続部11(接続端子10A)を構成する導電金属板を筒状に形成するプレス加工の際に形成される。 The cut-and-raised pieces 19 are cut and raised perpendicularly to the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A). As a result, the cut-and-raised pieces 19 have a front surface 19a that is perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface of one opening end 11a, and a tip surface 19b that is parallel to the inner peripheral surface of one opening end 11a. The height of the cut-and-raised pieces 19 is smaller than the winding diameter d of the annular terminal spring 30A. These cut-and-raised pieces 19 are formed, for example, during press processing to form the conductive metal plate that constitutes the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) into a cylindrical shape.

絶縁キャップ20Aは、図5に示すように、一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15に対向するキャップ本体部21Aと、キャップ本体部21Aに一体に突設されて端子接続部11(接続端子10A)の内周面に沿って端子接続部11の他方の開口端部11b側へ延びる複数(本実施形態では一対)の可撓係止片23Aと、を有する。絶縁キャップ20Aは、上記絶縁キャップ20と同様に、電気絶縁性を有する合成樹脂から形成されており、接続端子10Aの先端部に固定されることで、接続端子10Aにおける触指防止機能を有している。 5, the insulating cap 20A has a cap body 21A facing the opening end surface 15 of one opening end 11a, and a plurality of (a pair in this embodiment) flexible locking pieces 23A integrally protruding from the cap body 21A and extending along the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) toward the other opening end 11b of the terminal connection part 11. The insulating cap 20A is formed from an electrically insulating synthetic resin, like the insulating cap 20, and is fixed to the tip of the connection terminal 10A to provide a finger-touch prevention function for the connection terminal 10A.

キャップ本体部21Aは、オス端子である相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が挿通される端子挿通孔26を有し、端子接続部11と略同径の外径を有する円筒状に形成されている。キャップ本体部21Aは、円環状を有する後端面21aの外周縁が、一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15に対向する。 The cap body 21A has a terminal insertion hole 26 through which the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a male terminal, is inserted, and is formed in a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter approximately the same as that of the terminal connection portion 11. The outer peripheral edge of the rear end surface 21a of the cap body 21A, which has an annular shape, faces the opening end surface 15 of one opening end 11a.

一対の可撓係止片23Aは、後端面21aの内周縁に垂設されている。可撓係止片23Aの外周面は、端子接続部11の内周面に対応した湾曲面を有する。可撓係止片23Aの中間外周面には、端子接続部11の係止穴17に係止されるロック部25が突設されている。 A pair of flexible locking pieces 23A are vertically attached to the inner peripheral edge of the rear end surface 21a. The outer peripheral surface of the flexible locking pieces 23A has a curved surface that corresponds to the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection part 11. A locking part 25 that locks into the locking hole 17 of the terminal connection part 11 protrudes from the middle outer peripheral surface of the flexible locking pieces 23A.

環状端子ばね30Aは、円環状に形成されており、外周部が端子接続部11の内径と略同径の外径を有し、内周部が端子挿通孔26の内径よりも小さい内径を有している。この環状端子ばね30Aは、バネ鋼等の導電性及び弾性を有する金属材料から形成された線条体を螺旋状に巻回したコイルスプリングからなり、このコイルスプリングが円環状に曲げられて線条体の両端が溶接等により接合されている。 The annular terminal spring 30A is formed in a circular ring shape, with the outer periphery having an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 11, and the inner periphery having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the terminal insertion hole 26. This annular terminal spring 30A is made of a coil spring in which a wire made of a conductive and elastic metal material such as spring steel is wound in a spiral shape, and this coil spring is bent into a circular ring shape and both ends of the wire are joined by welding or the like.

絶縁キャップ20Aは、例えば、端子接続部11の内周部に装着した環状端子ばね30Aを内部切り起こし片19の前面19aに当接させた状態で、一対の可撓係止片23Aが前方より端子接続部11(接続端子10A)の一方の開口端部11a内に挿入される。すると、ロック部25が端子接続部11の内周面に当接した可撓係止片23Aは、内方へ撓んだ状態で一方の開口端部11a内を移動する。そして、一方の開口端部11aに形成された係止穴17にロック部25が達すると、可撓係止片23が弾性復帰してロック部25が係止穴17に係止されるので、絶縁キャップ20Aは端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aに固定される。 For example, the insulating cap 20A is inserted from the front into one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11 (connection terminal 10A) with the annular terminal spring 30A attached to the inner periphery of the terminal connection part 11 abutting the front surface 19a of the internal cut-and-raised piece 19. Then, the flexible locking piece 23A, whose locking part 25 abuts the inner periphery of the terminal connection part 11, moves inside the one open end 11a in a state of being bent inward. When the locking part 25 reaches the locking hole 17 formed in the one open end 11a, the flexible locking piece 23 elastically returns to its original position and the locking part 25 is locked into the locking hole 17, so that the insulating cap 20A is fixed to one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11.

図7に示すように、一方の開口端部11aに固定された絶縁キャップ20Aは、後端面21aの外周縁が一方の開口端部11aの開口端面15に当接し、可撓係止片23Aの先端面24が切り起こし片19の前面19aとの間で端子接続部11の内周部に装着された環状端子ばね30Aの軸方(端子挿入方向)の移動を規制する。この際、環状端子ばね30Aは、拡径することなく一方の開口端部11a内に保持される。
一方の開口端部11a内に保持された環状端子ばね30Aは、外周部が一方の開口端部11aの内周面に支持され、内周部が切り起こし片19の先端面19b及び可撓係止片23A(絶縁キャップ20A)の内周面に沿って径方向内方へ突出する、
7, the insulating cap 20A fixed to one opening end 11a has an outer peripheral edge of a rear end face 21a abutting against the opening end face 15 of the one opening end 11a, and restricts the axial movement (terminal insertion direction) of the annular terminal spring 30A attached to the inner peripheral portion of the terminal connection portion 11 between the front end face 24 of the flexible locking piece 23A and the front face 19a of the cut-and-raised piece 19. At this time, the annular terminal spring 30A is held within the one opening end 11a without expanding in diameter.
The annular terminal spring 30A held within one of the opening ends 11a has an outer circumferential portion supported by the inner circumferential surface of the one of the opening ends 11a, and an inner circumferential portion protruding radially inward along the tip surface 19b of the cut-and-raised piece 19 and the inner circumferential surface of the flexible locking piece 23A (insulating cap 20A).

次に、上記構成の接続端子10Aと相手側接続端子50との嵌合動作を説明する。
図8に示すように、メス端子である接続端子10Aの一方の開口端部11a内に、オス端子である相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が挿入されると、一方の開口端部11aに保持されている環状端子ばね30Aが、弾性変形しながら電気接触部51の外周面に接触する。これにより、環状端子ばね30Aを介して接続端子10Aの端子接続部11と、相手側接続端子50とが電気的に接続される。
Next, the fitting operation of the connection terminal 10A having the above-mentioned configuration and the mating connection terminal 50 will be described.
8, when the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, which is a male terminal, is inserted into one opening end 11a of the connection terminal 10A, which is a female terminal, the annular terminal spring 30A held at one opening end 11a elastically deforms and comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the electrical contact portion 51. This electrically connects the terminal connection portion 11 of the connection terminal 10A and the mating connection terminal 50 via the annular terminal spring 30A.

なお、相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51が一方の開口端部11a内に挿入される挿入初期時には、電気接触部51の先端部が絶縁キャップ20Aの端子挿通孔26に摺動しながら挿入される。そこで、接続端子10Aに対する相手側接続端子50の挿入力(摩擦力)が低減し、コネクタ嵌合力が低下する。
また、絶縁キャップ20Aの端子挿通孔26は、相手側接続端子50の電気接触部51に対する寸法許容差を小さくしてクリアランスを小さくすることができる(合成樹脂製の絶縁キャップ20Aは、挿入された電気接触部51を削る虞がない為)。そこで、端子挿入方向と交差する方向の電気接触部51の動きを規制することが容易となり、コネクタの耐振性を向上できる。
At the initial stage of insertion when the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50 is inserted into one of the opening ends 11a, the tip of the electrical contact portion 51 is inserted while sliding into the terminal insertion hole 26 of the insulating cap 20A. This reduces the insertion force (frictional force) of the mating connection terminal 50 with respect to the connection terminal 10A, and the connector mating force decreases.
Furthermore, the terminal insertion hole 26 of the insulating cap 20A can reduce the dimensional tolerance with respect to the electrical contact portion 51 of the mating connection terminal 50, thereby reducing the clearance (because the insulating cap 20A made of synthetic resin is unlikely to scrape the inserted electrical contact portion 51). This makes it easier to restrict the movement of the electrical contact portion 51 in a direction intersecting the terminal insertion direction, improving the vibration resistance of the connector.

したがって、本第2実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造によれば、筒状の導電部材としての接続端子10Aが導電金属板からプレス加工により形成されると共に、環状端子ばね30Aを保持するための溝を切削加工する必要がなくなる。そこで、接続端子10Aは、加工コストを削減することができる。 Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of the second embodiment, the connection terminal 10A as a cylindrical conductive member is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove to hold the annular terminal spring 30A. Therefore, the connection terminal 10A can reduce processing costs.

また、端子接続部11の内周部に装着された環状端子ばね30Aは、絶縁キャップ20Aにおける可撓係止片23Aの先端面24と、端子接続部11の一方の開口端部11aに形成された切り起こし片19との間で、軸方向(端子挿入方向)の移動が規制される。そこで、環状端子ばね30Aを端子接続部11に取付ける際には、環状端子ばね30Aを拡径させて装着する作業が発生しないため、環状端子ばね30Aに不所望な変形等が生じ難くなる。その結果、環状端子ばね30Aは、相手側接続端子50との接続信頼性を高めることができる。
さらに、環状端子ばね30Aは、端子接続部11(接続端子10A)の内周面と切り起こし片19の前面19aとが導通経路となる。そこで、環状端子ばね30Aと端子接続部11(接続端子10A)との接触部の接触抵抗を低減でき、安定して低い電気抵抗を保つことができる。
In addition, the annular terminal spring 30A attached to the inner periphery of the terminal connection part 11 is restricted from moving in the axial direction (terminal insertion direction) between the tip surface 24 of the flexible locking piece 23A of the insulating cap 20A and the cut-and-raised piece 19 formed on one open end 11a of the terminal connection part 11. Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring 30A to the terminal connection part 11, the annular terminal spring 30A does not need to be expanded in diameter to be attached, so that undesired deformation, etc., is unlikely to occur in the annular terminal spring 30A. As a result, the annular terminal spring 30A can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal 50.
Furthermore, in the annular terminal spring 30A, the inner peripheral surface of the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) and the front surface 19a of the cut-and-raised piece 19 form a conductive path. Therefore, the contact resistance of the contact portion between the annular terminal spring 30A and the terminal connection portion 11 (connection terminal 10A) can be reduced, and a stable low electrical resistance can be maintained.

従って、本第2実施形態に係る端子ばねの保持構造によれば、加工コストを抑えつつ、高い接続信頼性を得ることが可能な端子ばねの保持構造を有する接続端子10Aを構成することができる。 Therefore, according to the terminal spring holding structure of this second embodiment, it is possible to construct a connection terminal 10A having a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while suppressing processing costs.

ここで、上述した本発明に係る端子ばねの保持構造の実施形態の特徴をそれぞれ以下[1]~[3]に簡潔に纏めて列記する。
[1] 導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材(接続端子10)と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばね(30)と、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部(11a)の開口端面(15)との間に前記環状端子ばねを挟持する環状のキャップ本体部(21)と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の外周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部(11b)側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片(23)と、を有する絶縁キャップ(20)と、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部(25)を係止する係止穴(17)を有し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記導電部材の内周面及び前記キャップ本体部の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
Here, the features of the embodiments of the terminal spring holding structure according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [3].
[1] A conductive member (connection terminal 10) formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
An annular terminal spring (30) in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap (20) including: an annular cap body portion (21) that holds the annular terminal spring between itself and an opening end surface (15) of one opening end (11a) of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible engagement pieces (23) that protrude from the cap body portion and extend along an outer peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end (11b) of the conductive member;
Equipped with
One open end of the conductive member has a locking hole (17) for locking the locking portion (25) of the flexible locking piece,
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member and an inner peripheral surface of the cap body;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

上記[1]の構成の端子ばねの保持構造によれば、筒状の導電部材(接続端子10)が導電金属板からプレス加工により形成されると共に、環状端子ばね(30)を保持するための溝を切削加工する必要がなくなる。そこで、導電部材は、加工コストを削減することができる。
また、導電部材に装着された環状端子ばねは、導電部材の一方の開口端部(11a)の開口端面(15)と絶縁キャップ(20)との間に挟持される。そこで、環状端子ばねを導電部材に取付ける際には、環状端子ばねを拡径させて装着する作業が発生しないため、環状端子ばねに不所望な変形等が生じ難くなる。その結果、環状端子ばねは、相手側接続端子(50)との接続信頼性を高めることができる。
さらに、相手側接続端子の電気接触部(51)が一方の開口端部内に挿入される挿入初期時には、電気接触部の先端部が絶縁キャップの端子挿通孔(26)に摺動しながら挿入される。そこで、導電部材に対する相手側接続端子の挿入力(摩擦力)が低減し、コネクタ嵌合力が低下する。
また、絶縁キャップの端子挿通孔は、相手側接続端子の電気接触部に対する寸法許容差を小さくしてクリアランスを小さくすることができる(合成樹脂製の絶縁キャップは、挿入された電気接触部を削る虞がない為)。そこで、端子挿入方向と交差する方向の電気接触部の動きを規制することが容易となり、コネクタの耐振性を向上できる。
According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above-mentioned [1], the cylindrical conductive member (connection terminal 10) is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove for holding the annular terminal spring (30). Therefore, the processing cost of the conductive member can be reduced.
The annular terminal spring attached to the conductive member is sandwiched between the opening end surface (15) of one opening end (11a) of the conductive member and the insulating cap (20). Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring to the conductive member, the annular terminal spring does not need to be expanded in diameter to be attached, so that the annular terminal spring is less likely to be deformed undesirably. As a result, the annular terminal spring can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal (50).
Furthermore, at the initial stage of insertion when the electrical contact portion (51) of the mating connection terminal is inserted into one of the opening ends, the tip of the electrical contact portion slides into the terminal insertion hole (26) of the insulating cap, thus reducing the insertion force (frictional force) of the mating connection terminal against the conductive member, and reducing the connector mating force.
In addition, the terminal insertion hole of the insulating cap can reduce the dimensional tolerance relative to the electrical contact portion of the mating connection terminal, thereby reducing the clearance (since the insulating cap made of synthetic resin does not risk scraping the inserted electrical contact portion), which makes it easier to restrict the movement of the electrical contact portion in a direction intersecting the terminal insertion direction, improving the vibration resistance of the connector.

[2] 導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材(接続端子10A)と、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部(11a)に内周面から内方へ立ち上がるように切り起こし形成されて周方向に沿って複数設けられた切り起こし片(19)と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばねと、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部の開口端面に対向する環状のキャップ本体部と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の内周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片と、を有する絶縁キャップと、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部を係止する係止穴を有し、
前記可撓係止片の先端面が、前記切り起こし片との間で前記導電部材の内周部に装着された前記環状端子ばねの軸方向の移動を規制し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記切り起こし片の先端面及び前記可撓係止片の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
[2] A conductive member (connection terminal 10A) formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces (19) formed on one open end (11a) of the conductive member so as to rise inward from the inner peripheral surface and provided along the circumferential direction;
an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap including: an annular cap body portion facing an opening end surface of one opening end of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible engagement pieces protruding from the cap body portion and extending along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end of the conductive member;
Equipped with
one open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece;
a tip end surface of the flexible locking piece restricts axial movement of the annular terminal spring attached to the inner peripheral portion of the conductive member between the tip end surface and the cut-and-raised piece,
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along a tip surface of the cut-and-raised piece and an inner peripheral surface of the flexible locking piece;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:

上記[2]の構成の端子ばねの保持構造によれば、筒状の導電部材(接続端子10A)が導電金属板からプレス加工により形成されると共に、環状端子ばね(30A)を保持するための溝を切削加工する必要がなくなる。そこで、導電部材は、加工コストを削減することができる。
また、導電部材の内周部に装着された環状端子ばねは、絶縁キャップ(20A)における可撓係止片(23A)の先端面(24)と、導電部材の一方の開口端部(11a)に形成された切り起こし片(19)との間で、軸方向(端子挿入方向)の移動が規制される。そこで、環状端子ばねを導電部材に取付ける際には、環状端子を拡径させて装着する作業が発生しないため、環状端子ばねに不所望な変形等が生じ難くなる。その結果、環状端子ばねは、相手側接続端子(50)との接続信頼性を高めることができる。
さら、相手側接続端子の電気接触部(51)が一方の開口端部内に挿入される挿入初期時には、電気接触部の先端部が絶縁キャップの端子挿通孔(26)に摺動しながら挿入される。そこで、導電部材に対する相手側接続端子の挿入力(摩擦力)が低減し、コネクタ嵌合力が低下する。
また、絶縁キャップの端子挿通孔は、相手側接続端子の電気接触部に対する寸法許容差を小さくしてクリアランスを小さくすることができる(合成樹脂製の絶縁キャップは、挿入された電気接触部を削る虞がない為)。そこで、端子挿入方向と交差する方向の電気接触部の動きを規制することが容易となり、コネクタの耐振性を向上できる。
According to the terminal spring holding structure of the above-mentioned [2], the cylindrical conductive member (connection terminal 10A) is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate, and there is no need to cut a groove for holding the annular terminal spring (30A). Therefore, the processing cost of the conductive member can be reduced.
In addition, the annular terminal spring attached to the inner periphery of the conductive member is restricted in its axial movement (terminal insertion direction) between the tip surface (24) of the flexible locking piece (23A) of the insulating cap (20A) and the cut-and-raised piece (19) formed on one open end (11a) of the conductive member. Therefore, when attaching the annular terminal spring to the conductive member, the annular terminal does not need to be expanded in diameter to be attached, so that undesired deformation, etc., is unlikely to occur in the annular terminal spring. As a result, the annular terminal spring can improve the connection reliability with the mating connection terminal (50).
Furthermore, at the initial stage of insertion when the electrical contact portion (51) of the mating connection terminal is inserted into one of the opening ends, the tip of the electrical contact portion slides into the terminal insertion hole (26) of the insulating cap, thus reducing the insertion force (frictional force) of the mating connection terminal against the conductive member, and reducing the connector mating force.
In addition, the terminal insertion hole of the insulating cap can reduce the dimensional tolerance relative to the electrical contact portion of the mating connection terminal, thereby reducing the clearance (since the insulating cap made of synthetic resin does not risk scraping the inserted electrical contact portion), which makes it easier to restrict the movement of the electrical contact portion in a direction intersecting the terminal insertion direction, improving the vibration resistance of the connector.

[3] 前記導電部材が、相手側接続端子(50)に嵌合されて電気的に接続される筒状の接続端子(10,10A)である、
ことを特徴とする上記[1]又は[2]に記載の端子ばねの保持構造。
[3] The conductive member is a cylindrical connection terminal (10, 10A) that is fitted into and electrically connected to a mating connection terminal (50).
The terminal spring holding structure according to the above [1] or [2],

上記[3]の構成の端子ばねの保持構造によれば、加工コストを抑えつつ、高い接続信頼性を得ることが可能な端子ばねの保持構造を有する接続端子(10,10A)を構成することができる。 The terminal spring holding structure of the above configuration [3] makes it possible to construct a connection terminal (10, 10A) having a terminal spring holding structure that can achieve high connection reliability while keeping processing costs down.

尚、本発明は、上述した実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜、変形、改良、等が可能である。その他、上述した実施形態における各構成要素の材質、形状、寸法、数、配置箇所、等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited.

10…接続端子(導電部材)
11a…一方の開口端部
15…開口端面
17…係止穴
20…絶縁キャップ
21…キャップ本体部
23…可撓係止片
25…ロック部
30…環状端子ばね
10...Connection terminal (conductive member)
11a...one opening end 15...opening end surface 17...locking hole 20...insulating cap 21...cap body 23...flexible locking piece 25...locking portion 30...annular terminal spring

Claims (3)

導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばねと、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部の開口端面との間に前記環状端子ばねを挟持する環状のキャップ本体部と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の外周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片と、を有する絶縁キャップと、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部を係止する係止穴を有し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記導電部材の内周面及び前記キャップ本体部の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap including: an annular cap body portion that holds the annular terminal spring between itself and an opening end surface of one of the opening ends of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible locking pieces that protrude from the cap body portion and extend along an outer peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end of the conductive member;
Equipped with
one open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece;
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member and an inner peripheral surface of the cap body;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:
導電金属板からプレス加工により筒状に形成された導電部材と、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部に内周面から内方へ立ち上がるように切り起こし形成されて周方向に沿って複数設けられた切り起こし片と、
導電性を有するコイルスプリングが環状に曲げられて両端部が接合された環状端子ばねと、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部の開口端面に対向する環状のキャップ本体部と、前記キャップ本体部に突設されて前記導電部材の内周面に沿って前記導電部材の他方の開口端部側へ延びる複数の可撓係止片と、を有する絶縁キャップと、
を備え、
前記導電部材の一方の開口端部が、前記可撓係止片のロック部を係止する係止穴を有し、
前記可撓係止片の先端面が、前記切り起こし片との間で前記導電部材の内周部に装着された前記環状端子ばねの軸方向の移動を規制し、
前記環状端子ばねの内周部が、前記切り起こし片の先端面及び前記可撓係止片の内周面に沿って内方へ突出する、
ことを特徴とする端子ばねの保持構造。
a conductive member formed into a cylindrical shape by pressing a conductive metal plate;
a plurality of cut-and-raised pieces formed at one open end of the conductive member so as to rise inward from an inner circumferential surface thereof along a circumferential direction;
an annular terminal spring in which a conductive coil spring is bent into an annular shape and both ends are joined;
an insulating cap including: an annular cap body portion facing an opening end surface of one opening end of the conductive member; and a plurality of flexible engagement pieces protruding from the cap body portion and extending along an inner peripheral surface of the conductive member toward the other opening end of the conductive member;
Equipped with
one open end of the conductive member has a locking hole for locking the locking portion of the flexible locking piece;
a tip end surface of the flexible locking piece restricts axial movement of the annular terminal spring attached to the inner peripheral portion of the conductive member between the tip end surface and the cut-and-raised piece,
an inner peripheral portion of the annular terminal spring protrudes inward along a tip surface of the cut-and-raised piece and an inner peripheral surface of the flexible locking piece;
A terminal spring holding structure comprising:
前記導電部材が、相手側接続端子に嵌合されて電気的に接続される筒状の接続端子である、
ことを特徴とする請求項1又は2に記載の端子ばねの保持構造。
The conductive member is a cylindrical connection terminal that is fitted into and electrically connected to a mating connection terminal.
3. The terminal spring holding structure according to claim 1, wherein the terminal spring holding structure is a terminal spring.
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JP2003151715A (en) 2001-11-16 2003-05-23 Fci Asia Technology Pte Ltd Method for manufacturing connector
CN102394406A (en) 2010-07-02 2012-03-28 李尔公司 Electrical terminal with coil spring
WO2012151504A2 (en) 2011-05-05 2012-11-08 Lear Corporation Electrically conducting terminal
JP2022134506A (en) 2021-03-03 2022-09-15 矢崎総業株式会社 Connection parts and connection structures

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0831488A (en) * 1994-07-19 1996-02-02 Yazaki Corp Terminal
JP3424796B2 (en) * 1997-08-11 2003-07-07 矢崎総業株式会社 Large current charging terminal

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003151715A (en) 2001-11-16 2003-05-23 Fci Asia Technology Pte Ltd Method for manufacturing connector
CN102394406A (en) 2010-07-02 2012-03-28 李尔公司 Electrical terminal with coil spring
WO2012151504A2 (en) 2011-05-05 2012-11-08 Lear Corporation Electrically conducting terminal
JP2022134506A (en) 2021-03-03 2022-09-15 矢崎総業株式会社 Connection parts and connection structures

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