JPH0845591A - Terminal fitting for connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a tab from being improperly inserted and the like, and thereby prevent an elastic contact piece from being excessively deflected. CONSTITUTION:In an elastic contact piece 12 provided in a female terminal fitting F, a window hole 20 is opened in the vicinity of a fold back section 13. A cut and raised section 19 is cut and raised upward out of the bottom plate 4 of a main body section 3, its tip end is projected out of the upper surface through the window hole 20 with an ample room maintained, and it is formed into a projected section 21 high as specified. An escape groove 38 is formed in the lower surface of a tab 26 for a male terminal fitting in its longer direction. When the tab 26 is inserted horizontally, the tab 26 is inserted therein while the projected section 21 is running away with the projected section fitted in the the escape groove 38. When the tab 26 swings its neck to the right and left, tab 26 is corrected into a linear attitude because the tab is guided by the escape groove 38. When the tab 26 is inserted in an attitude obliquely looking downward, the tip end of the tab 26 abuts against the projected section 21, and it is prevented from being moved furthermore.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a terminal fitting for a connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a terminal fitting of a conventional connector is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. This is a female terminal provided with a male terminal fitting having a tab 41 protruding therefrom, a box-shaped body 43, and an elastic contact piece 45 folded inward from the tip of a bottom plate 44 of the body 43. It is composed of a metal fitting 42. Further, the female terminal fitting 42 is provided with a stopper 46 corresponding to below the tip of the elastic contact piece 45 by cutting and raising the bottom plate 44.

When the tab 41 of the male terminal fitting is inserted into the body portion 43 of the female terminal fitting 42 and the insertion direction is proper, as shown in FIG.
Is connected between the elastic contact piece 45 and the ceiling surface of the main body 43 while bending the elastic contact piece 45 to the extent that the stopper 46 is not contacted. Here, when the insertion direction of the tab 41 is slightly obliquely downward due to misalignment or the like, the elastic contact piece 45 bends further downward than the state shown in FIG. However, if the insertion angle is not so large, the elastic contact piece 45 abuts the stopper 46 before exceeding the elastic limit, and further downward bending is prevented. As a result, the elastic contact piece 45 is prevented from being excessively bent and plastic deformation is prevented.

[0004]

However, the tab 4
If the inclination when 1 is inserted is large, the tab 41
For example, as shown in FIG. 15, it comes into contact with an intermediate position between the folded-back portion 47 of the elastic contact piece 45 and the portion in contact with the stopper 46. However, since this abutting portion has nothing to support from below, if this portion is strongly pushed by the tab 41, plastic deformation occurs relatively easily.

Even when the tab 41 is properly inserted, a foreign substance such as a cutting chip is bitten and inserted, and the foreign substance is inserted into the bent portion 47 of the elastic contact piece 45 and the stopper 4.
When it is pressed at an intermediate position with the part that abuts 6,
Alternatively, when the lance that locks the terminal fitting 42 in the housing is removed and the jig is accidentally abutted against the elastic locking piece 45, the above-described problem may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal fitting for a connector, which can prevent improper insertion of a tab or the like and prevent the elastic contact piece from excessively bending. To do.

[0007]

The present invention has been completed in order to achieve the above object, and the invention of claim 1 is a box-shaped main body and a tip of a bottom plate of the main body. The elastic contact piece is folded back inward from the terminal, and the tab of the mating terminal fitting is inserted from the distal end side of the main body portion so as to elastically contact the elastic contact piece while bending the elastic contact piece toward the bottom plate side. This is a terminal fitting of a connector, which is characterized in that a protrusion projecting a predetermined height is provided on the upper surface near the folded back of the elastic contact piece.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a window hole is opened in the elastic contact piece, and an upper end of the cut-and-raised portion cut and raised from the bottom plate of the main body is loosely fitted in the window hole. The feature is that the protrusion is formed by projecting on the upper surface.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the box-shaped main body portion and the elastic contact piece folded back inward from the tip of the bottom plate of the main body portion are provided, and the elastic contact piece is provided on the upper surface near the folded back portion. A tab is inserted into a mating terminal fitting provided with a protrusion projecting a predetermined height so as to elastically contact the elastic contact piece while bending the elastic contact piece toward the bottom plate from the tip side of the main body. A terminal fitting of a connector having a feature that a relief groove is formed on the lower surface of the tab so that the tab can be inserted while being fitted to the protrusion of the elastic contact piece.

[0010]

According to the invention of claim 1, when the tab of the mating terminal fitting is obliquely inserted, the tip of the tab abuts against the projection on the upper surface of the elastic locking piece, and the tab is inserted further. Is prevented. Foreign substances other than the tabs such as chips and jigs also hit the protrusions to prevent their intrusion. According to the second aspect of the invention, when the tab or the foreign substance hits the protrusion, the cut-and-raised portion only bends in the window hole of the elastic contact piece, and the elastic contact piece does not have a bending force.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the tab is inserted into the mating terminal fitting in a slanting posture, the tip of the tab abuts against the projection on the upper surface of the elastic contact piece to prevent further insertion. . When the tab is inserted in the insertion posture within the proper angle range, the tab is inserted while the projection is fitted into the escape groove of the tab and is released.

[0012]

That is, according to the invention of claim 1, the tab of the mating terminal fitting is inserted in an oblique posture, and foreign matter is prevented from entering by hitting the projection.
Excessive bending beyond the elastic limit due to improper thrusting of the elastic contact piece is reliably prevented. This ensures the proper spring force of the elastic contact piece,
There is an effect that the electrical conduction function with the tab can be surely performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effect, since the protrusion is provided separately from the elastic contact piece, when a tab or a foreign object hits the protrusion, the force is elastically contacted. It is possible to prevent the elastic contact piece from being excessively bent, which is more reliably prevented.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when the tab is inserted into the mating terminal fitting in an oblique posture, it is prevented from improperly pushing the elastic contact piece by hitting the projection, Therefore, it is possible to prevent the elastic contact piece from being excessively bent. Also, when the tab is inserted while fitting the groove into the groove, the fitting part functions as a guide, and even if there is misalignment, the tab is corrected to the proper position while correcting the posture. There is an effect that it can be surely inserted.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. <First Embodiment> FIGS. 1 to 9 show a first embodiment of the present invention. First, the female terminal fitting F according to the first embodiment will be described. The female terminal fitting F is formed by bending a thin metal plate having a developed shape as shown in FIG. 1. An insulation barrel 1 for crimping the end of the coating, a wire barrel 2 for crimping the end of the core wire exposed from the coating, and a main body portion 3 provided in front of the wire barrel 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 3 is entirely assembled in a box shape by bending both side surfaces 5 and 6 from the bottom plate 4 and further bending the ceiling plate 7.
The ceiling plate 7 is continuous from one side surface 5, and the front and rear end portions of the side edge of the ceiling plate 7 are pressed by a pair of pressing pieces 8 projecting from the front and rear end portions of the other side surface 6. The shape of the main body 3 is maintained. An opening 9 into which a tab 26 of a male terminal fitting M, which will be described later, is inserted is provided on the front end surface of the main body 3. Further, on the inner surface of the ceiling plate 7, two ridges 10 along the front-rear direction are formed by hammering from the outer surface side. This contributes to the reduction of sliding resistance when the tab 26 is inserted.

An elastic contact piece 12 is provided in the main body 3. The elastic contact piece 12 is provided so as to extend from the front edge of the bottom plate 4 in a state where the main body portion 3 is unfolded, and the extended portion is provided before the bending process of the side surfaces 5 and 6 of the main body portion 3. It is formed by folding back into a substantially U shape. The folded portion 13 of the elastic contact piece 12 is positioned so as to be slightly retracted inward from the front edges of the side surfaces 5 and 6 of the main body portion 3,
When the female terminal fitting F is inserted into the cavity of a female housing (not shown), the folded portion 13 does not directly contact the front end wall inside the cavity. Further, the elastic contact piece 12 has an upward slope toward the tip end side, and is provided with appropriate elasticity. A contact 14 is formed on the upper surface of the tip end side of the elastic contact piece 12 so as to bulge over the entire width and with a gentle curved surface. The tab 26 is elastically pressed between the contact 14 and the ridge 10 of the ceiling plate 7. It is designed to be clamped with.

A locking hole 15 is formed in the rear half of the bottom plate 4 of the main body 3 and is provided at the front edge thereof in a cavity of a female housing (not shown) for accommodating the female terminal fitting F. The lance is elastically engageable.
Further, opposed pieces for forming the stopper 16 are formed to project inward from the side edges of the locking hole 15 in a developed shape from the front end sides of the left and right side edges. Both of them are bent inward, and the upper end thereof is the elastic contact piece 12 described above.
It faces a position where it can abut under the tip side of the. Further, in the rear of the stopper 16, facing pieces that similarly constitute the stabilizer 17 are provided, and both of them are bent outward. The stabilizer 17 plays a role of fitting in the fitting groove of the cavity and preventing rattling at the time of accommodation.

Particularly in this embodiment, in front of the locking hole 15,
The elastic contact piece 1 is formed by forming a U-shaped punching groove.
A tongue-shaped cut-and-raised portion 19 is provided so as to project rearward with the vicinity of the second folded portion 13 as a base. In addition, in the vicinity of the folded portion 13 of the elastic contact piece 12, a rectangular window hole 2 is formed.
0 is opened. Then, the cut-and-raised portion 19 is bent from the root portion and is raised in a vertical posture upward, and the tip of the cut-and-raised portion 19 is passed through the window hole 20 of the elastic contact piece 12 with a clearance to the upper surface thereof. It is protruding. Appropriate elasticity is imparted to the cut-and-raised portion 19. The tip of the cut-and-raised portion 19 protruding upward from the elastic contact piece 12 is the protrusion 21 according to the present invention.

4 to 7 show a male terminal fitting M according to the first embodiment. This male terminal metal fitting M is formed by bending a developed thin metal plate as shown in FIG. 4, and is formed of an insulation barrel 23 for crimping the end of the wire coating and a core wire. It is composed of a wire barrel 24 for crimping a terminal, a main body 25, and a tab 26 provided in front of the main body 25. The main body 25 is the bottom plate 2
The side surfaces 28 are bent from 7, and the ceiling plate 29, which is divided into two parts on the left and right sides, is bent and the side edges are abutted against each other, whereby the box shape is assembled. Further, a locking hole 31 penetrates through the central portion of the bottom plate 27, and a lance provided in a cavity of a male housing (not shown) for accommodating the male terminal fitting M can be engaged with the front edge thereof. Further, stabilizers 32, which are fitted into the fitting grooves of the cavity and prevent rattling at the time of accommodation, are formed on both side edges of the locking hole 31 by being bent outward. ing.

The tab 26 is formed so as to project straight forward from the tip end side of the main body 25 with a width narrower than the width of the main body 25. The developed shape of the tab 26 is
The bottom plate 27 of the main body 25 extends forward from the bottom plate 27 and
Having a substrate 34 that is narrower than the
Superimposing plates 36 are formed continuously on both side edges of the through a folding curve 35. The width of each overlapping plate 36 is set to a width smaller than half the width of the substrate 34.

Then, the two overlapping plates 36 are overlapped and bent from the folding curve 35 on both side edge portions of the substrate 34 to form the tab 26. As a result, on one surface of the tab 26 (the lower surface when inserted into the female terminal fitting F), between the corresponding side edges of the overlapping plates 36, the elastic contact piece 12 of the female terminal fitting F described above is inserted. An escape groove 38 is formed to fit the protrusion 21 projecting on the upper surface and allow the insertion of the tab 26 into the female terminal fitting F.

The first embodiment has the structure as described above, and its operation will be described subsequently. Male and female terminal fittings F, M
The connection is made by relatively inserting the tab 26 of the male terminal fitting M into the main body 3 through the opening 9 of the female terminal fitting F. When the tab 26 is inserted in a posture parallel to the female terminal fitting F, as shown in FIG. 8, the projection 21 projecting on the upper surface of the elastic contact piece 12 is inserted into the escape groove 38 on the lower surface of the tab 26 from the tip side. The tab 26 is inserted while being fitted and released from the tab 26 hitting the projection 21. The tab 26 hits the contact 14 of the elastic contact piece 12 during the insertion process, and gradually pushes the elastic contact piece 12 downward while passing through the contact 14 as the insertion progresses. As a result, the elastic contact piece 12 has the stopper 16 centered on the folded portion 13.
It gradually bends to the extent that it does not come into contact with, i.e., elastically deforms within the elastic limit, and the restoring elastic force causes the tab 26 to elastically move between the protrusion 10 of the ceiling plate 7 and the contact 14 of the elastic contact piece 12. In the sandwiched state, the tab 26 and the elastic contact piece 12 are electrically connected to each other.

At this time, when the tab 26 is inserted into the female terminal metal fitting F with the center of the tab 26 left and right (horizontal direction) misaligned due to misalignment, the escape groove 38 of the tab 26 has a clearance groove 38. When the tab 26 is inserted while being fitted into the protrusion 21 of the F, the escape groove 38 serves as a guide, and the tab 26 is inserted while changing its direction straight.

On the other hand, when the tab 26 is inserted obliquely downward, when the tab 26 enters the main body 3 of the female terminal fitting F, the tip of the tab 26 projects as shown in FIG. It hits the part 21 and prevents the tab 26 from being pushed in further. Even if the tab 26 hits the protrusion 21 and is still pushed forcibly, mainly the cut-and-raised portion 19
Is bent only in the window 20 of the elastic contact piece 12, and the elastic contact piece 12 itself is restrained from bending only slightly.

Further, when foreign matter such as cutting chips tries to enter, the foreign matter such as cutting chips hits the above-mentioned projection 21 and is prevented from entering. Further, when the lance that locks the female terminal metal fitting F is removed for maintenance or the like, even if the jig is accidentally thrust into the female terminal metal fitting F so as to abut the elastic contact piece 12, it is possible to recover. When the tool hits the protrusion 21, its intrusion is prevented, and similarly, the elastic contact piece 12 is prevented from being excessively bent.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the tab 26 of the male terminal fitting M is inserted in an oblique posture, or when foreign matter other than the tab 26 such as chips and jigs is inserted. In addition, the tip of the tab 26 and the foreign matters are not attached to the elastic contact piece 12.
Of the tab 26 by hitting the protrusion 21 protruding to the upper surface side of the
Further, the foreign matter is prevented from being inserted, and even if it is forcibly pushed in, the cut-and-raised portion 19 is only bent in the window hole 20 of the elastic contact piece 12, and the pushing force is exerted on the elastic contact piece 12. Is avoided. Therefore, it is reliably prevented that the elastic contact piece 12 is excessively bent beyond the elastic limit due to being improperly pushed, whereby the elastic contact piece 12 is prevented.
Therefore, an appropriate spring force can be secured, and thus an electrical conduction function with the tab 26 can be surely performed.

<Second Embodiment> FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic contact piece 12 is formed by cutting and raising the vicinity of the root of the elastic contact piece 12a of the female terminal fitting F.
The protrusion 21a is formed on the upper surface of a.
The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and the duplicated description will be omitted.

Also in the second embodiment, the male terminal fitting M
When the tab 26 is inserted in a slanting posture, or when foreign matter other than the tab 26 such as chips and jigs is inserted, the tip of the tab 26 and the foreign matter hit the protrusion 21a, and the tab 26 It prevents further insertion of foreign objects. As a result, the elastic contact piece 12a is prevented from excessively bending beyond the elastic limit, as in the first embodiment. Of course, when the tab 26 is inserted in a proper posture, the projection 21a is fitted into the escape groove 38 on the lower surface of the tab 26 and is released, and the insertion of the tab 26 is allowed.
When the tab 26 is inserted in a state where the tab 26 is decentered to the left and right, the escape groove 38 fitted in the protrusion 21a serves as a guide, and the tab 26 is inserted while changing its direction straight.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the shape of the tab of the male terminal fitting M is modified, and the tab 26a has a width of half of the width of the base plate 34a on both side edges of the base plate 34a in the expanded shape. 36a are formed in a row.
Then, both the overlapping plates 36a are bent from both sides so as to overlap over the entire lower surface of the substrate 34a, and then, in the overlapped state, the central portion in the width direction is bent so as to bulge to the upper surface side. Allows the elastic contact piece 12 or 12a of the female terminal fitting F to extend along the length direction on the lower surface side.
Relief groove 3 that fits into protrusions 21 and 21a on the upper surface of
8a is formed.

The tab 26a of the third embodiment has the same operational effect as the tab 26 of the above embodiment, and is doubled over the entire surface, so that there is an advantage that it is more excellent in strength.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a development view of a female terminal fitting according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the assembled state.

FIG. 3 is a front view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a development view of the male terminal fitting of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the tab in its assembled state.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a tab.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tab.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the tab is correctly inserted.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where a tab is abnormally inserted.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a female terminal fitting according to a second embodiment in an assembled state.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where the tab is abnormally inserted.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a tab according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional example.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tab is correctly inserted in a conventional example.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state where a tab is abnormally inserted in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 F ... Female terminal fitting M ... Male terminal fitting 3 ... Main body part 4 ... Bottom plate 9 ... Opening part 12, 12a ... Elastic contact piece 13 ... Folding part 19 ... Cut-and-raised part 20 ... Window hole 21, 21a ... Projection part 26 , 26a ... Tab 38, 38a ... Relief groove

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A box-shaped main body, and an elastic contact piece that is folded back inward from a tip of a bottom plate of the main body, wherein a tab of a mating terminal fitting is elastically contacted from a tip side of the main body. A terminal fitting of a connector which is inserted so as to be elastically contactable with the elastic contact piece while bending the piece toward the bottom plate side, and a protrusion projecting a predetermined height is provided on the upper surface near the folded back portion of the elastic contact piece. A terminal fitting for a connector, which is provided. 2. A window hole is opened in the elastic contact piece, and an upper end of a cut-and-raised portion cut and raised from a bottom plate of the main body portion is loosely fitted in the window hole and protrudes to an upper surface of the protruding portion. 2. The terminal fitting for a connector according to claim 1, wherein a portion is formed. 3. A box-shaped main body portion and an elastic contact piece that is folded back inward from the tip of a bottom plate of the main body portion, and a protrusion that protrudes to a predetermined height on the upper surface near the folded back portion of the elastic contact piece. The terminal fitting of the connector inserted into the mating terminal fitting in which the tab is inserted so as to be elastically contactable with the elastic contact piece while the tab bends the elastic contact piece from the tip side of the main body portion to the bottom plate side. And, on the lower surface of the tab,
A terminal fitting for a connector, characterized in that a relief groove is formed so that the tab of the elastic contact piece can be inserted into the protruding portion of the elastic contact piece.