Conductive terminal for electrically connecting a circuit conductor and another connection terminal

A conductive terminal includes: a connection terminal; a cylindrical body; and a contact piece housed in the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body includes a top plate. A pair of holes is opened through the top plate from both sides of a projection of the contact piece. A jig for applying force to the projection can be inserted into the cylindrical body via the pair of holes. The pair of side plates are provided with a catching unit that catches the contact piece, the projection of which is pressed onto the mounting surface to restrain movement thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates a conductive terminal including a contact piece capable of electrically connecting a circuit conductor and another connection terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conductive terminals with various shapes and functions suitable for electrical connection, such as a flat conductor, have been proposed. Reference 1 (Japan Registered Patent No. 3271925) discloses a “terminal _1” related to the present invention.

In order to assemble the “terminal _1”, first, a worker presses a flexible printed circuit board (an FPC _2) placed on an installation surface _10a of a base _10 using a projection _16 of a contact spring _13. Next, while maintaining the pressing, the worker raises a holder _14 perpendicular to the base _10 toward the installation-surface _10a, and makes an engage protrusion _17a engage with an engaging hole _14a of the holder _14. Finally, the worker bends a cover _18 so as to support a fixed part _15 from an upper side of the contact spring _13. Thus, the worker electrically and mechanically connects the FPC _2 and the terminal _1.

LIST OF CITED REFERENCE(S)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are problems in the “terminal _1” as discussed below. First, a free-end _17 of the contact spring _13 is engaged with the holder _14, and is kept stable. The fixed-end _15 thereof, however, abuts on no other member, and a position thereof is not limited. As a result, connection between a circuit conductor _21 and the contact spring _13 easily becomes unstable.

Second, after having contacting the contact spring _13 with the FPC _2, the worker must bend the cover _18 horizontally by 90 degrees so as to cover the contact spring _13. In short, connection work thereof is remarkably complicated.

Third, the contact spring _13 (contact piece) contacting with the FPC _2 is exposed outside, and a half of the contact spring _13 is always exposed outside even after the connection work has been completed. Accordingly, the contact spring _13 is easily damaged since electric current flows therethrough.

Thus, there are problems mentioned above according to the prior art.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a conductive terminal with high connection stability, capable of easily connecting to a conductor plate, and of reducing damage of a contact piece.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a conductive terminal, comprising: a bottom plate formed with a mounting surface on which a conductor plate can be mounted, the bottom plate being in a shape of a flat plate; a pair of side plates extended from both sides of the bottom plate, each of the pair of side plates being in a shape of a flat plate; a top plate connected to both of the pair of side plates, the top plate being separated from the bottom plate, the top plate being in a shape of a flat plate; and a connection terminal capable of being connected to another connector, the connection terminal being provided with one open end of the bottom plate, wherein: the bottom plate, the pair of side plates, and the top plate form a cylindrical body having at least one end being an open end; the conductor plate is inserted into the cylindrical body via the open end to be mounted on the mounting surface; a contact piece has one end continuously-connected to the top plate and another end being extended from one open end of the bottom plate toward another open end of the bottom plate; the contact piece is an elastic and conductive plate housed in the cylindrical body; the contact piece includes a projection projecting toward the mounting surface and impressing elastic force to the conductor plate arranged between the contact piece and the mounting surface against the mounting surface to electrically connect to the conductor plate; a pair of holes are opened through the top plate from both sides of the projection; the pair of holes enables a jig to press the contact piece against the mounting surface so as to perform pressing the conductor plate by the projection; and the pair of side plates include a catching unit capable of catching the contact piece whose projection is pressed onto the mounting surface.

With this structure, since the contact piece for connecting to a conductor plate (e.g. a flat conductor) is always housed in the cylindrical body to be protected, the damage of the contact piece can be reduced. The conductor plate is inserted into the cylindrical body to be mounted on the mounting surface, and the jig is inserted via the holes of the top plate. After that, the pressing force is impressed to the contact piece against the mounting surface, and the contact piece is caught by the catching unit of the side plates of the cylindrical body. For this reason, work of connecting the contact piece to the conductor plate is easy. After the contact piece has been caught by the catching unit, the projection projecting toward the mounting surface of the contact piece keeps pressing the conductor plate against the mounting surface according to the elastic force thereof. In other words, the above conductive terminal and the conductor plate can be stably connected to each other.

A second aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein the projection presses the conductor plate against the mounting surface at a center position in a direction that the contact piece is extended.

A third aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein the pair of holes are arranged along a direction that the contact piece is extended.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein: the contact piece includes a guide piece projecting toward the pair of side plates; a guide window is opened through each of the pair of side plates; and the guide piece is inserted into the guide window to control the contact piece caused by the pressing with the jig to move only in a direction toward the mounting surface.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein the catching unit is composed of a pair of members; the pair of members are arranged opposing to each other from both sides of the contact piece; and two pairs of the catching units composed of the pair of members are included.

A sixth aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the fifth aspect, wherein the two pairs of the catching units are positioned opposing to each other from both sides of the guide window.

A seventh aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the fifth aspect, wherein the pair of holes opened through the top plate are located between the two pairs of the catching units.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein: the contact piece further includes locking pieces projecting toward the side plates; and the catching unit is composed of engaging holes capable of engaging with the locking pieces.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides, in addition to the first aspect, wherein: the conductive terminal is formed by bending a sheet of conductor plate member.

According to the present invention, the conductive terminal has excellent connection stability, can be easily connected to the conductor plate, and the damage of the contact piece can be reduced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in fromFIG. 1toFIG. 8, a conductive terminal100in this Embodiment includes: a flat bottom plate12; a pair of side plates13and14connected to both ends of the bottom plate12; and a flat top plate15connected to the side plates13and14.

The bottom plate12is a conductive member, which is, for example, a metal plate. The bottom plate12includes, on a wide surface thereof opposing to the top plate15, a mounting surface11on which a conductor plate50can be mounted (See,FIG. 8). The mounting surface11performs electrical connection with a conductor of the conductor plate50. A flat board that has insulator on a bottom face thereof and that circuit conductors composed of copper foil or the like are formed on the insulator is an example of the conductor plate50.

The side plates13and14are conductive members extending perpendicular to the mounting surface11of the bottom plate12, which are, for example, flat metal plates. Engaging holes22and23mentioned below are formed through the side plates13and14, respectively.

The top plate15is also a conductive member, which is, for example, a metal plate. The top plate15is separated from the bottom plate12, and is connected to the side plates13and14almost in parallel to the mounting surface11of the bottom plate12. The top plate15, the side plates13and14, and the bottom plate12are arranged as mentioned above to form a cylindrical body17both ends of which are opened.

The conductive terminal100is further provided with a conductive connection terminal16of a connector capable of being connected with another mating connector (not shown). The connection terminal16is connected to one open end12aof the bottom plate12, and projects outward from the open end12aalmost in parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bottom plate12. When this connection terminal16is connected to the other mating terminal (e.g. a cylindrical terminal capable of being inserted the connection terminal16thereinto), the conductive terminal100and the other mating connector are mechanically and electrically connected.

From an insertion port17b, which is positioned at a reverse side of the one open end12aof the bottom plate12, the conductor plate50is inserted into the cylindrical body17, and then is placed on the mounting surface11. The conductive terminal100also realizes electrical connection between the conductor plate50placed on the mounting surface11and the other connector.

When the conductor plate50is inserted into the cylindrical body17, a distal end of the conductor plate50in an inserting direction abuts on a stopper12c, which is a plate projecting from the wide surface of the bottom plate12toward the top plate15. Then, the conductor plate50is positioned with respect to the inserting direction. Thus, the worker can easily mount the conductor plate50on the mounting surface11.

The conductive terminal100is continuously-provided with the top plate15, and is provided with a contact piece18arranged in the cylindrical body17. The contact piece18is a conductive and elastic plate, which is composed of, for example, a metal plate. As shown inFIG. 8andFIG. 9, a part of the contact piece18between its proximal-end and its folded part18ais flat, and is fixed to a bottom of the top plate15. Another part of the contact piece18between its folded part18aand its distal-end is a deflectable part, which is also deformable, and the deflectable part terminates at its end18bextending to the outside of the cylindrical body17.

More concretely, as shown inFIG. 7, the contact piece18includes: a rectangular small piece18a1provided with the folded part18aconnected to the top plate15; and a large piece18b1provided with the end18bextending toward an open end12bside.

Another end of the small piece18a1is connected to a center portion of the large piece18b1in a width direction. The width direction is perpendicular to a direction in which the large piece18b1extends (from the folded part18ato the end18b). The folded part18aof the small piece18a1is connected to the top plate15.

As shown inFIG. 8, the small piece18a1is bent such that a bent portion (bent portion with a summit of the folded part18a) faces to the connection terminal16. Due to this, the large piece18b1is arranged so as to extend from the open end12aof the bottom plate12toward the other open end12bof the bottom plate12.

A width a1(a length a1in a lateral direction) of the small piece18a1is narrower than a minimum of the width b1of the large piece18b1. Making the width of the small piece18a1narrower enables to adjust elastic force of the small piece18a1, thereby, as shows inFIG. 8, keeping the contact piece18near the top plate15.

There is also the following reason to narrow the width a1of the small piece18a1. That is, as described later, the worker presses the contact piece18to move toward the bottom plate12. The width a1of the small piece18a1is narrowed taking the movement into consideration. Therefore, the worker can make the contact piece18move with moderate pressing force, and also can uniformly press the large piece18b1in the width direction. Due to this, the worker's operability of moving the contact piece18can be improved.

As shown inFIG. 7, the large piece18b1possesses the following shape. That is, a width b1(a length b1parallel to the width a1of the small piece18a1) becomes wider from a portion connected to the small piece18a1to a center portion of the large piece18b1, and becomes narrower from the center portion of the large piece18b1to the end18b. Forming the large piece18b1as the above enables to realize the following effects comparing with a case where the large piece18b1is formed in a rectangular shape. That is, the contact piece18can be moved toward the bottom plate12without catching the contact piece18on the side plates13and14. The area of the large piece18b1is reduced, thereby the metal plate for forming the contact piece18is effectively used.

As shown inFIG. 8, a distal end of the large piece18b1, that is, the end18bof the contact piece18is exposed from the cylindrical body17, and is bent so as to separate from the bottom plate12. This bending enables to guide the conductor plate50inserted into the cylindrical body17. Due to this, the worker can easily insert the conductor plate50into the cylindrical body17.

The bent portion at the end of the large piece18b1prevents the worker from accidentally inserting the conductor plate50into a space between the top plate15and the contact piece18when the conductor plate50is inserted into the cylindrical body17.

The large piece18b1possesses a projection18cat an area with the widest part of the width b1. The projection18cpresses the conductor plate50arranged on the mounting surface11with elastic force to electrically connect to the conductor plate50, and projects so as to make a downward convex toward the mounting surface11.

At a center portion in a direction that the contact piece18extends, more concretely, at a center portion between locking pieces18eand18fdescribed later, the projection18cpresses the conductor plate50placed on the mounting surface11.

In detail, a point of contact18c1of the projection18cpresses the conductor plate50placed on the mounting surface11. The point of contact18c1is positioned on a line from a central portion of the locking pieces18eand18fdescribed later (in other words, the folded part18aof the contact piece) to the end18b, and is further positioned on another line connecting guide pieces18dand18dmentioned below. Since the projection18cis equipped with the point of contact18c1at this position, stable electrical connection with the conductor plate50placed on the mounting surface11can be realized.

Parts of the top plate15continuously-provided with the above contact piece18are opened to form a pair of holes20and21. The holes20and21are provided so as to perform pressing to the conductor plate50using the projection18c.

The worker inserts a jig40including a pair of projections from the holes20and21, and presses the contact piece18toward the mounting surface11with the jig40. Thereby, the contact piece18is deformed to move, thereby making the projection18cpress against the conductor plate50.

The holes20and21are provided through the top plate15along a direction that the contact piece18extends such that the projection18cis located between the holes20and21. Due to this, the worker can press the contact piece18toward the mounting surface11in a well-balanced manner utilizing the jig40.

As shown inFIG. 7, the pair of guide pieces18dand18dprojecting toward outside (toward the side plates13and14) are formed on the contact piece18. As shown inFIG. 1, the guide pieces18dand18dare inserted into guide windows19and19formed through the side plates13and14, respectively. The guide windows19and19are formed by opening parts of the side plates13and14.

The guide windows19and19control movement of the contact piece18along a direction toward the mounting surface11when the contact piece18is pressed with the jig40. As discussed above, the guide windows19and19enable to surely press the contact piece18(more concretely, the projection18c) to the mounting surface11.

As shown inFIG. 7, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fprojecting outside (toward the side plates13and14) are formed on the contact piece18. The pair of locking pieces18eand18fare engaged with the pair of engaging holes22and23formed through the side plates13and14, respectively, when the contact piece18is pressed toward the mounting surface11.

The pair of engaging holes22and23are opened through the side plates13and14. Portal portions13aand14a, which look like gates, are provided extending from the bottom plate12along the side plates13and14. More concretely, the pair of engaging holes22and23are formed as a catching unit capable of catching the portal portions13aand14a.

When the pair of locking pieces18eand18fengage with the pair of engaging holes22and23, respectively, the contact piece18(more concretely, the projection18c) is forced to the mounting surface11while keeping elastic force.

The pair of these engaging holes22and23are arranged at positions opposing to each other via the contact piece18, respectively. Herein, it is assumed that the pair of engaging holes22constitutes one set and the pair of engaging holes23constitutes another set, and that two pairs of the one set and the other set are provided in this Embodiment. Due to this, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fcan be engaged with each other more stably than a case where only one pair of the one set and the other set is provided.

The two pairs of the one set and the other set are arranged such that the guide windows19and19are located therebetween. The conductive terminal100can engage with the pair of locking pieces18eand18fmore stably than cases where the two pairs of the one set and the other set are NOT arranged such that the guide windows19and19are located therebetween, the cases including: a first case where the two pairs are arranged between the guide windows19and19and the one open end12aof the bottom plate12; and a second case where the two pairs are arranged between the guide windows19and19and the other open end12b.

The holes20and21capable of inserting the jig40are arranged between each of the pair of engaging holes22and23, respectively. Due to this, in the conductive terminal100, pressing force from the jig40can be concentrated upon a place between the pair of locking pieces18fand another place between the pair of locking pieces18e. According to the conductive terminal100, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fcan be effectively engaged with the pair of engaging holes22and23.

As shown inFIG. 11, the pair of engaging holes22and23are formed with the portal portions13aand14a. The portal portions13aand14ainclude upper columns13a1and14a1, respectively, each of which opposes to the top plate15. And, the upper columns13a1and14a1include slopes for guiding the pair of locking pieces18eand18ftoward the pair of engaging holes22and23, respectively. Furthermore, the other slopes are formed on portions (lower portions of projecting distal ends) abutting on the slopes of the pair of locking pieces18eand18f. Accordingly, when the contact piece18moves downward toward the mounting surface11, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fmust be stably engaged with the pair of engaging holes22and23.

As shown inFIG. 1, the conductive terminal100includes a plurality of crimping barrels24and24provided at both sides of the other open end12bof the bottom plate12. The crimping barrels24and24are formed with metal plates in a crest shape, for example. From a state ofFIG. 1to another state ofFIG. 10, the worker caulks (bends) the crimping barrels24and24such that distal ends thereof face toward the bottom plate12to fix the conductor plate50inserted into the cylindrical body to the bottom plate12.

Next, referring to fromFIG. 9toFIG. 11, work of connecting the conductive terminal100shown inFIG. 1and the conductor plate50will now be explained. First, in an upper portion ofFIG. 9, the contact piece18(more concretely, the above mentioned deflectable part of the contact piece18, which is a portion between the folded part18aand the end18b) is in a non-contact position where the contact piece18does not contact with the conductor plate50.

As shown inFIG. 9, the worker inserts the conductor plate50into the cylindrical body17from the insertion port17btoward an opening17a, and mounts the conductor plate50on the mounting surface11. Then, as shown with two-dot lines inFIG. 9, the worker inserts a pair of projections of the jig40via the holes20and21, respectively, and presses the contact piece18toward the mounting surface

Then, the contact piece18is elastically deformed toward the mounting surface11to move downward to the bottom plate12. The projection18cpresses the conductor plate50to the mounting surface11to electrically connect the point of contact18c1to a conductor on the conductor plate50. At the same time, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fof the contact piece18are fitted into the pair of engaging holes22and23, respectively. Due to this, the contact piece18holds the conductor plate50in a state where the conductor plate50is press-bonded to the mounting surface11. That is, the contact piece18(more concretely, the above mentioned deflectable part of the contact piece18, which is the portion between the folded part18aand the end18bmoves to a crimping position where the contact piece18has been press-bonded to the conductor plate50.

When the contact piece18is downward moving toward the mounting surface11, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fmake the portal portions13aand14abe elastically deformed such that the portal portions13aand14aare expanded outward, thereby the pair of locking pieces18eand18fapproach and fit into the engaging holes22and23, respectively. After the fitting has been completed, the portal portions13aand14areturn to the substantially same plane as those of the side plates13and14. In this way, the pair of locking pieces18eand18fare engaged with the pair of engaging holes22and23in a state where they can hardly be released from each other, respectively. In this Embodiment, a restraining mechanism that restrains and keeps the contact piece18at the crimping position includes: the pair of locking pieces18eand18f; and the engaging holes22and23. The restraining mechanism, however, does not restrain the contact piece18at the non-contact position, as described above.

The worker can fix a part of the conductor plates50exposing from the opening17bof the cylindrical body17to the bottom plate12by pressing the crimping barrels24and24to be deformed (See,FIG. 10).FIG. 10shows the conductive terminal100in a state where the conductor plate50is omitted after the crimping barrels24and24have been fixed.

As shown inFIG. 11, if the worker applies force in a direction of arrow Y to the portal portions13aand14awhere the pair of engaging holes22and23are opened to caulk them, he can ensure engagement between the locking pieces18eand18fand the engaging holes22and23more stably.

In the above-mentioned conductive terminal100, since the contact piece18for electrically connecting to the conductor plate50is always housed in the cylindrical body17to be protected, damage of the contact piece18can be prevented. Furthermore, in the conductive terminal100, when the jig40is inserted from the holes20and21to press the contact piece18to the mounting surface11(after the conductor plate50has been inserted into the cylindrical body17and has been mounted on the mounting surface11), the contact piece18is caught by the engaging holes22and23of the catching unit. For this reason, according to the conductive terminal100, the work of connecting the conductor plate50can be performed very easily.

In the conductive terminal100, after the contact piece18has been caught by the engaging holes22and23, the projection18ccontinues pressing the conductor plate50against the mounting surface11according to its elastic force. According to the conductive terminal100, even if change with time makes the conductor plate50thinner, stability in connection with the conductor plate50can be maintained.

As shown inFIG. 12, the conductive terminal100is formed using a sheet of a conductor plate member60(for example, a metal plate). The conductor plate member60includes: an area16xfor the connection terminal16; an area18xfor the contact piece18; areas20xand21xc for the holes20and21; areas13axand14axfor the portal portions13aand14a; areas22xand23xfor the engaging holes22and23; and so on. For this reason, a maker can perform bending processes on the sheet of the conductor plate member60to assemble the conductive terminal100.

According to the conductive terminal100, since the conductive terminal100can be configured with the one sheet of the conductor plate member60, the conductor plate member60can be effectively and economically used. According to the conductive terminal100, efficiency of processes for manufacturing thereof can be also improved.

According to the conductive terminal100, since the conductive terminal100can be configured with the one sheet of the conductor plate member60, resistance when a high current is conducted therethrough can be reduced more effectively, and electrical connection with the other connector can be more stabilized than a case where the conductive terminal is configured using two or more conductive material members.

The conductive terminal100shown in fromFIG. 1toFIG. 12is a mere example of the conductive terminal according to the present invention. That is, the conductive terminal according to the present invention is not limited to what is shown. Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, in the conductive terminal100explained referring to fromFIG. 1toFIG. 12, both ends of the cylindrical body17are opened. The present invention, however, is not limited to this form. One end, which is near the connection terminal16, of the cylindrical body17may be not opened, that is, may be closed, and the other end of the cylindrical body17may be opened.

In the conductive terminal100explained referring to fromFIG. 1toFIG. 12, the connection terminal16is formed at the one open end12aof the bottom plate12. The present invention, however, is not limited to this form. For example, if a certain connection terminal is provided with another mating connector to be connected to the conductive terminal100, the open end12aof the bottom plate12of the conductive terminal100may be provided with a cylindrical connection terminal into which the certain connection terminal can be inserted instead of the connection terminal16. It is sufficient that the connection terminal provided at the one open end12aof the bottom plate12can connect to the other connector. There is no limitation with respect to this matter.

In the conductive terminal100explained referring to fromFIG. 1toFIG. 12, the section of the cylindrical body17has a substantially rectangular shape. The present invention, however, is not limited to this form. For example, the shape of the section of the cylindrical body17may be circular, an ellipse, a polygon, or the like.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The conductive terminal according to the present invention can be widely employed as electric connecting means with a flat conductor or the like in fields, such as automobile industry, electrical industry, and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS