TERMINAL FITTING

It is aimed to suppress the application of a tensile force to a connected part of a terminal fitting and a flexible printed board. A terminal fitting (10) is provided with a connecting portion (14) to be connected to a front end part (24) of a flexible printed wiring plate (20) and a fixing portion (16) located rearward of the connecting portion (14) in a rear end part (10A) and fixed to the flexible printed wiring plate (20).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a terminal fitting.

BACKGROUND

A terminal fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected to a wiring of a printed wiring circuit having the wiring formed on a printed wiring board by ultrasonic welding or the like.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: JP 2002-260804 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved

In the terminal fitting of Patent Document 1, if the printed wiring board is pulled toward a side opposite to the terminal fitting, a tensile force directly acts on a connected part to the printed wiring board. Thus, the printed wiring board may be separated from the terminal fitting.

A terminal fitting of the present disclosure was completed on the basis of the above situation and can suppress the application of a tensile force to a connected part to a flexible printed board.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present disclosure is directed to a terminal fitting with a connecting portion to be connected to a front end part of a flexible printed wiring plate, and a fixing portion located rearward of the connecting portion in a rear end part, the fixing portion being fixed to the flexible printed wiring plate.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress the application of a tensile force to a connected part of a terminal fitting and a flexible printed board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION

Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure

(1) The terminal fitting of the present disclosure is provided with a connecting portion to be connected to a front end part of a flexible printed wiring plate, and a fixing portion located rearward of the connecting portion in a rear end part, the fixing portion being fixed to the flexible printed wiring plate.

According to the configuration of the present disclosure, if the flexible printed wiring plate is pulled rearward, a tensile force acts on the entire terminal fitting via the fixing portion. Thus, it is possible to suppress the application of the tensile force to a connected part of the connecting portion and the flexible printed wiring plate. Thus, the separation of the flexible printed wiring plate from the connecting portion can be suppressed.

(2) Preferably, the flexible printed wiring plate is configured such that an electrically conductive path extends on one surface of a base member made of resin, the fixing portion includes a long portion in contact with the electrically conductive path and a short portion in contact with another surface of the base member, and the short portion bites into the other surface of the base member. According to this configuration, the short portion bites into the other surface of the base member made of resin, whereby a fixing force of the fixing portion to the flexible printed wiring plate is improved. Since the biting of the long portion into the flexible printed wiring plate is less than that of the short portion, the deformation of the electrically conductive path is suppressed.

(3) Preferably, the connecting portion includes a pair of side plate portions, an upper plate portion connected to upper end edges of the side plate portions and one lower plate portion linking lower end edges of the side plate portions, the fixing portion extends from the lower plate portion, the upper plate portion is constituted by a pair of connecting plate portions projecting from the pair of side plate portions via arcuate portions, projecting ends of the connecting plate portions butting against each other, the flexible printed wiring plate is connected to the pair of connecting plate portions, and a pair of the arcuate portions protrude outward from both left and right side edges of the flexible printed wiring plate. According to this configuration, since the arcuate portions protrude outward from the both left and right side edges of the flexible printed wiring plate, solder fillets easily contact the both left and right side edges of the flexible printed wiring plate and the arcuate portions in the connected part of the flexible printed wiring plate and the connecting portion. Thus, high connection strength between the flexible printed wiring plate and the connecting portion is obtained. Moreover, since the fixing portion extends from the lower plate portion in the form of a single plate, a width is easily secured.

(4) Preferably, the fixing portion includes a rising portion rising from the lower plate portion toward the flexible printed wiring plate and a supporting portion supporting the rising portion from behind. According to this configuration, if a tensile force acts on the flexible printed wiring plate, the rising portion is inclined rearward, but the inclination of the rising portion is suppressed by the supporting portion.

(5) Preferably, the fixing portion is made of a metal plate material and includes a base plate portion in contact with one surface of the flexible printed wiring plate and a crimping portion extending from the base plate portion, the crimping portion surrounding the flexible printed wiring plate, and the base plate portion has a double plate structure. According to this configuration, even if the metal plate material is thin in the fixing portion, rigidity can be enhanced and fixing strength can be improved by forming the base plate portion to have the double plate structure.

Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure

Embodiment

A specific embodiment of a terminal fitting of the present disclosure is described below with reference toFIGS.1to8. Upper and lower sides shown inFIGS.1to3and6to8are directly defined as upper and lower sides concerning a vertical direction. Left and right sides shown inFIGS.2to6are respectively defined as front and rear sides concerning a front-rear direction. Front and rear sides shown inFIG.1are respectively defined as left and right sides concerning a lateral direction.

Configuration of Terminal Fitting

A terminal fitting10of this embodiment shown inFIGS.1and2is connected to a flexible printed wiring plate (hereinafter, also merely referred to as a wiring plate)20. The wiring plate20is configured such that an electrically conductive path (not shown) extends on one surface (lower surface) of a base member22made of resin. The base member22is, for example, constituted by a sheet made of insulating resin. The electrically conductive path is, for example, constituted by a copper foil. The wiring plate20is, for example, mounted into a connector housing (not shown) and constitutes a connector (not shown).

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the wiring plate20is configured into a strip plate shape (strip shape). The terminal fitting10is connected to a front end side of the wiring plate20.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the terminal fitting10is, for example, a female terminal fitting. The terminal fitting10is a single component made of a metal material. The terminal fitting10is formed, such as by pressing and bending an electrically conductive metal plate. The terminal fitting10has an elongated tube shape as a whole. The terminal fitting10is provided with a body portion12, a connecting portion14and a fixing portion16.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the body portion12is in the form of a rectangular tube hollow in the front-rear direction. A male tab (not shown) of a male terminal fitting is inserted into the body portion12. The body portion12is, for example, provided with a first protrusion12A and a second protrusion12B. The first and second protrusions12A,12B are, for example, formed into a convex shape projecting upward by being pressed outward. For example, the first and second protrusions12A,12B function to restrict insertion when the terminal fitting10is inserted in an inverted posture into the connector housing (not shown) and prevent the terminal fitting10from coming out from the connector housing (not shown).

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the connecting portion14is in the form of a rectangular tube hollow in the front-rear direction. The connecting portion14is located behind and away from the body portion12. As shown inFIGS.6and7, the connecting portion14includes a pair of side plate portions31, an upper plate portion32and a lower plate portion33. The side plate portion31is in the form of a single strip plate long in the front-rear direction. The upper plate portion32is connected to each of the upper end edges of the pair of side plate portions31. The lower plate portion33is a single plate linking the lower end edges of the pair of side plate portions31.

As shown inFIG.7, the upper plate portion32is constituted by a pair of connecting plate portions34. The connecting plate portion34projects from the upper end edge of the side plate portion31via an arcuate portion35. As shown inFIGS.4and7, the arcuate portions35protrude outward (laterally outward) from both left and right side edges of the wiring plate20. The upper plate portion32is configured by causing the projecting ends of the pair of connecting plate portions34to butt against each other.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the connecting portion14is connected to a front end part24of the wiring plate20. The connecting portion14is connected to the front end part24of the wiring plate20, for example, by soldering. Specifically, as shown inFIG.7, the upper plate portion32and the arcuate portions35of the connecting portion14are connected to the front end part24of the wiring plate20. The upper surface of the upper plate portion32is substantially entirely connected to the front end part24of the wiring plate20. Both left and right side edges26of the front end part24are respectively located at positions overlapping the left and right arcuate portions35in the vertical direction.

As shown inFIG.7, solder fillets F are formed on the arcuate portions35. The fillets F are formed over an interface between the lower surface of the front end part24of the wiring plate20and the upper surface of the upper plate portion32. The fillets F are formed over the both left and right side edges26of the front end part24of the wiring plate20and the arcuate portions35. Since the arcuate portions35protrude outward from the both left and right side edges26of the wiring plate20, the fillets F easily contact the side surfaces (surfaces rising from the one surface (lower surface) of the base member22) of the wiring plate20and the arcuate portions35in a connected part of the wiring plate20and the connecting portion14. Thus, high connection strength between the wiring plate20and the connecting portion14is obtained.

As shown inFIGS.1to6, the fixing portion16is provided in a rear end part10A of the terminal fitting10. The fixing portion16extends rearward from the rear end of the connecting portion14and is located rearward of the connecting portion14. As shown inFIG.6, the fixing portion16extends rearward from the lower plate portion33of the connecting portion14. Since the fixing portion16extends from the lower plate portion33in the form of a single plate, a width is easily secured. The fixing portion16has a clip structure and is fixed to the wiring plate20. If the wiring plate20is pulled rearward, a tensile force acts on the entire terminal fitting10via the fixing portion16. Thus, it is possible to suppress the application of the tensile force to the connected part of the connecting portion14and the wiring plate20. That is, an external force applied to the wiring plate20can be absorbed by the fixing portion16. Thus, the separation of the wiring plate20from the connecting portion14can be suppressed.

As shown inFIGS.3and6, the fixing portion16includes a rising portion41, a supporting portion42, a base plate portion43and a crimping portion44. The rising portion41rises toward the wiring plate20from the rear end of the lower plate portion33of the connecting portion14. The rising portion41extends rearward from the lower plate portion33and then rises upward. The rising portion41includes a base end plate41A and a rising plate41B. The base end plate41A extends rearward from the lower plate portion33. The rising plate41B rises upward (toward the wiring plate20) from the rear end of the base end plate41A.

As shown inFIGS.3and6, the supporting portion42supports the rising portion41from behind. The supporting portion42includes a first support plate42A and a second support plate42B. The first support plate42A extends rearward from the right side plate portion31and is further bent leftward. A rear side part42C (part bent leftward) of the first support plate42A is facing the rising plate41B of the rising portion41from behind. Specifically, the rear side part42C of the first support plate42A contacts the rising plate41B of the rising portion41from behind as shown inFIGS.5and6. The second support plate42B extends rearward from the left side plate portion31and is further bent rightward. A rear side part42D (part bent rightward) of the second support plate42B is facing the rear side part42C of the first support plate42A from behind. Specifically, the rear side part42D of the second support plate42B contacts the rear side part42C of the first support plate42A from behind. If a tensile force (tensile force acting rearward) acts on the wiring plate20, the rising portion41is inclined rearward, but the inclination of the rising portion41is suppressed by the supporting portion42.

The base plate portion43corresponds to an example of a “long portion” of the present invention. As shown inFIGS.3and6, the base plate portion43has a double plate structure. Thus, even if the metal plate material is thin in the fixing portion16, rigidity can be enhanced and fixing strength can be improved by forming the base plate portion43to have the double plate structure. The base plate portion43extends rearward from the upper end of the rising portion41(more specifically, the rising plate41B), is further bent downward and extends forward. The upper surface of the base plate portion43is at the same height as that of the upper plate portion32of the connecting portion14. The upper surface of the base plate portion43is parallel to that of the upper plate portion32. That is, the upper surface of the base plate portion43and that of the upper plate portion32are flush with each other.

As shown inFIGS.3and6, the base plate portion43includes an upper base plate43A and a lower base plate43B. The upper base plate43A extends rearward from the upper end of the rising plate41B. The base plate portion43is in contact with the electrically conductive path (not shown) of the wiring plate20. The base plate portion43is in contact with the one surface (lower surface) of the wiring plate20(base member22). A width in the lateral direction of the base plate portion43is smaller than that of the wiring plate20as shown inFIG.8. As shown inFIGS.3and6, the lower base plate43B is connected to the front end of the upper base plate43A and is folded with respect to the upper base plate43A to extend forward. The lower base plate43B is in contact with the lower surface of the upper base plate43A. A width in the lateral direction of the lower base plate43B is about equal to that of the upper base plate43A. The tip (front end) of the lower base plate43B is facing the rear surface of the rising plate41B from behind. The tip (front end) of the lower base plate43B is located above the supporting portion42.

The crimping portion44corresponds to a “short portion” of the present invention. As shown inFIGS.3and6, the crimping portion44extends from the lower base plate43B of the base plate portion43and surrounds the wiring plate20. The crimping portion44is in contact with the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22of the wiring plate20. The crimping portion44bites into the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22. Since the crimping portion44bites into the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22made of resin, a fixing force of the fixing portion16to the wiring plate20is improved. Since the biting of the base plate portion43into the wiring plate20is less than that of the crimping portion44, the deformation of the electrically conductive path of the wiring plate20(electrically conductive path extending on the one surface (lower surface) of the base member22) is suppressed.

As shown inFIGS.3and8, the crimping portion44includes a first crimping plate44A and a second crimping plate44B. The first crimping plate44A extends upward from a part of the right end of the lower base plate43B, is further bent leftward and extends leftward. The first crimping plate44A extends from a center in the front-rear direction of the right end of the lower base plate43B. The left side surface of the base end (lower end) of the first crimping plate44A is in contact with the right end surface of the base member22. The tip (leftward extending part) of the first crimping plate44A bites into the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22as shown inFIGS.6and8.

As shown inFIG.8, the second crimping plate44B extends upward from a part of the left end of the lower base plate43B, is further bent rightward and extends rightward. The second crimping plate44B extends from a center in the front-rear direction of the left end of the lower base plate43B. The right side surface of the base end (lower end) of the second crimping plate44B is in contact with the left end surface of the base member22. The tip (rightward extending part) of the second crimping plate44B is in contact with the upper surface of the first crimping plate44A.

The fixing portion16can be fixed to the wiring plate20in a state where the wiring plate20is not connected to the connecting portion14. That is, after the wiring plate20is surrounded and fixed by the crimping portion44, the connecting portion14can be connected to the front end part24of the wiring plate20, for example, by soldering. In this way, the terminal fitting10can be positioned with respect to the wiring plate20and temporarily held before being connected to the wiring plate20. As described above, since the upper surface of the base plate portion43and that of the upper plate portion32are flush with each other, the wiring plate20is easily connected to the connecting portion14after being temporarily held by the fixing portion16.

Effects of Embodiment

As described above, according to the terminal fitting10of the present disclosure, a tensile force acts on the entire terminal fitting10via the fixing portion16if the flexible printed wiring plate20is pulled rearward. Thus, it is possible to suppress the application of the tensile force to the connected part of the connecting portion14and the wiring plate20. Thus, the separation of the wiring plate20from the connecting portion14can be suppressed.

In the terminal fitting10of the present disclosure, a fixing force of the fixing portion16to the wiring plate20is improved by the crimping portion44biting into the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22made of resin. Since the biting of the crimping portion44into the wiring plate20is less than that of the base plate portion43, the deformation of the electrically conductive path is suppressed.

Since the arcuate portions35protrude outward from the both left and right side edges26of the wiring plate20in the terminal fitting10of the present disclosure, the solder fillets F easily contact the both left and right side edges26of the wiring plate20and the arcuate portions35in the connected part of the wiring plate20and the connecting portion14. Thus, high connection strength between the wiring plate20and the connecting portion14is obtained. Moreover, since the fixing portion16extends from the lower plate portion33in the form of a single plate, the width is easily secured.

In the terminal fitting10of the present disclosure, the fixing portion16includes the supporting portion42for supporting the rising portion41from behind. Thus, if a tensile force acts on the wiring plate20, the rising portion41is inclined rearward, but the inclination of the rising portion41is suppressed by the supporting portion42.

In the terminal fitting10of the present disclosure, the base plate portion43has the double plate structure. Thus, even if the metal plate material is thin in the fixing portion16, rigidity can be enhanced and fixing strength can be improved by forming the base plate portion43to have the double plate structure.

Other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above described and illustrated embodiment, but is represented by claims. The present invention is intended to include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents and also include the following embodiments.

Although the connecting portion14is connected to the front end part24of the wiring plate20by soldering in the above embodiment, the connecting portion14may be connected by another method (welding such as ultrasonic welding or the like).

Although the base plate portion43has the double plate structure in the above embodiment, the base plate portion43may be configured as a single plate.

Although the supporting portion42includes the first support plate42A and the second support plate42B in the above embodiment, only one of these support plates may be provided. That is, the rising portion41may be supported from behind by one support plate.

Although the crimping portion44includes the first crimping plate44A and the second crimping plate44B in the above embodiment, only one of these crimping plates may be provided. That is, one crimping plate may surround the wiring plate20and bite into the other surface (upper surface) of the base member22.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS