Patent Publication Number: US-2012031668-A1

Title: Press-contact connection apparatus and illumination apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a press-contact connection apparatus and an illumination apparatus provided with the press-contact connection apparatus. 
     2. Background Art 
     In the past, there has been known a press-contact connection apparatus which press-contacts an electric wire within a groove of a press-contact blade of a press-contact terminal when the electric wire is to be connected to the terminal. Here, the “press-contact” means that the electric wire is pressed onto the press-contact terminal, and an insulative coat of the electric wire is cut out with the press-contact blade of the press-contact terminal, thereby causing a core wire which is exposed by the cut-out to be contact with the press-contact terminal. For example, there is proposed an in-door illumination apparatus for vehicle having a function of press-contacting a plurality of electric wires onto respective press-contact terminals in JP2009-280078A. 
     In the in-door illumination apparatus for vehicle disclosed in JP2009-280078A, a strain-relief structure is adopted which holds the respective electric wires in a flexed manner so as not to act a tensile force directly onto a press-contact part even if the tensile force is applied to the electric wires. 
     In the in-door illumination apparatus for vehicle disclosed in JP2009-280078A, since a load must be applied to the plurality of electric wires during the press-contact, the load applied during the press-contact may be large. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is achieved in view of the above problems, and aims at providing a press-contact connection apparatus capable of surely maintaining a connection of the electric wires and the press-contact terminals and minimizing the load during the press-contact, and an illumination apparatus provided with the press-contact connection apparatus. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a press-contact connection apparatus, including: a base part; press-contact terminals which are fixed to the base part; and an electric wire holder which holds a plurality of electric wires to be press-contacted with the respective press-contact terminals. The base part includes a support which supports the electric wire holder rotatably and serves as a fulcrum of a rotation of the electric wire. The electric wire holder includes a rotational shaft which is provided in one end portion of the electric wire holder and supported by the support. The electric wire holder holds the plurality of electric wires to be extended in an axial direction of the rotational shaft, and bends a part of each electric wire in a U-shape so that a bottom portion of the U-shape is arranged closer to the support than a portion bent and extending from an upper end of the U-shape is arranged. 
     According to the aspect of the invention, since the plurality of electric wires are held so that a part of each electric wire is bent in a U-shape, the connection state between the electric wires and the press-contact terminals is surely maintained. Further, since the bottom portion of the U-shape of the electric wire is arranged closer to the support serving as the fulcrum of the rotation of the electric wire holder than the portion bent and extending from the upper end of the U-shape is arranged, the electric wires W can be press-contacted while bringing the electric wires close to the fulcrum. Consequently, it is possible to minimize the load during the press-contact. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an illumination apparatus provided with a press-contact connection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state before an electric wire holder is attached to the illumination apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view in a periphery of the electric wire holder as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram for explaining a press-contact terminal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the electric wire holder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state where an engagement of an upper pressing portion and a lower pressing portion of the electric wire holder is released; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the electric wire holder shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the electric wire holder taken from line IX-IX shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the electric wire holder for explaining that the electric wires are held so as to be bent in a U-shape; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the electric wire holder for explaining that the electric wires are held so as to be bent in a U-shape; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view in a periphery of the press-contact terminal as shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the illumination apparatus taken from line XIII-XIII as shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram for explaining that an adjacent wall shown in  FIG. 1  is provided closer to a vicinity of a support than anti-slip wall is; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view showing the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a diagram showing a procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 21A to 21C  are diagrams for explaining that the electric wire comes close to a press-contact blade in accordance with rotation of the electric wire holder; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view showing a press-contact connection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an electric wire holder shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram showing a procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a diagram showing the procedure in which the plurality of electric wires are press-contacted onto the press-contact terminals by the press-contact connection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 29A and 29B  are diagrams for explaining a prevention function of a wrong assembly of the electric wire holder shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a press-contact connection apparatus, including: a base part; press-contact terminals which are fixed to the base part; and an electric wire holder which holds a plurality of electric wires to be press-contacted with the respective press-contact terminals, wherein the base part includes a support which supports the electric wire holder rotatably and serves as a fulcrum of a rotation of the electric wire, the electric wire holder includes a rotational shaft which is provided in one end portion of the electric wire holder and supported by the support of the base part, and the electric wire holder holds the plurality of electric wires to be extended in an axial direction of the rotational shaft, and bends a part of each electric wire in a U-shape so that a bottom portion of the U-shape is arranged closer to the support than a portion bent and extending from an upper end of the U-shape is arranged. 
     The press-contact connection apparatus may be configured, as a second aspect of the invention, so that the rotational shaft has a semi-circular columnar shape, and the support includes a slit which is open to an upper end of the support and through which the rotational shaft is inserted, the width of the slit being substantially equal to the radius of the rotational shaft. 
     The press-contact connection apparatus may be configured, as a third aspect of the invention, so that the support further includes an enlarged slit which is formed by enlarging a back of the slit and is continuous from the slit so as to rotate the rotational shaft in the enlarged slit. 
     The press-contact connection apparatus may be configured, as a fourth aspect of the invention, so that the press-contact terminal includes a press-contact blade, and the press-contact blade is provided with a groove being formed in a shape along a circle around the rotating shaft. 
     The press-contact connection apparatus may be configured, as a fifth aspect of the invention, so that the base part includes an adjacent wall which is disposed adjacently to the press-contact blade in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade, in which a groove part is formed in correspondence with a shape of the groove of the press-contact blade to enable the press-contact by the press-contact blade, and which is a wall on which the electric wire holder slides when the electric wire holder is rotated. 
     The press-contact connection apparatus may be configured, as a sixth aspect of the invention, so that the press-contact blade is provided in plural, and the press-contact terminal includes a press-contact blade group in which the press-contact blades are disposed with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blades. 
     A seventh aspect of the invention provides an illumination apparatus provided with the press-contact connection apparatus, wherein the illumination apparatus is capable of an illumination function by supplying a power from the plurality of electric wires which are press-contacted with the press-contact terminals of the press-contact connection apparatus. 
     According to the first aspect of the invention, since the plurality of electric wires are held so that a part of each electric wire is bent in a U-shape, the connection state between the electric wires and the press-contact terminals is surely maintained. Further, since the bottom portion of the U-shape of the electric wire is arranged closer to the support serving as the fulcrum of the rotation of the electric wire holder than the portion bent and extending from the upper end of the U-shape is arranged, the electric wires W can be press-contacted while bringing the electric wires close to the fulcrum. Consequently, it is possible to minimize the load during the press-contact. 
     According to the second aspect of the invention, the slit, the width of which is substantially equal to the radius of the rotational shaft having a semi-circular columnar shape guides the rotational shaft when the rotational shaft is being attached to the support. Thus, the assembly of the electric wire holder is facilitated. 
     According to the third aspect of the invention, the enlarged slit is formed in the back of the slit, and the rotational shaft can be rotated in the enlarged slit. Thus, the rotation work of the electric wire holder is facilitated. 
     According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the groove of the press-contact blade is formed along an insertion direction of the electric wire holder. Thus, the load applied to the press-contact blade during the press-contact, and the deformation of the press-contact terminal can be prevented. 
     According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the base part includes an adjacent wall which is disposed adjacently to the press-contact blade in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade, in which a groove part is formed in correspondence with a shape of the groove of the press-contact blade to enable the press-contact by the press-contact blade, and which is a wall on which the electric wire holder slides when the electric wire holder is rotated. Thus, it is possible to protect a surface of the press-contact blade  31   a,  and also prevent the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.    
     According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the adjacent wall disposed adjacently to the press-contact blade group is slid on the electric wire holder. That is, the adjacent wall which is disposed with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade contacts the electric wire holder. Thus, the prevention of the electric wire holder from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade can be more enhanced. 
     According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the illumination apparatus is provided with the press-contact connection apparatus, the same advantageous effects can be obtained as the press-contact connection apparatus. 
     Exemplary embodiments of an illumination apparatus provided with a press-contact connection apparatus according to an aspect of the invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited only to the exemplary embodiments as mentioned below. 
     First Embodiment  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an illumination apparatus  1  provided with a press-contact connection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the illumination apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a state before an electric wire holder  40  is attached to the illumination apparatus  1  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a plan view in a periphery of the electric wire holder  40  as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a diagram for explaining a press-contact terminal  31   b  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the electric wire holder  40  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a state where an engagement of an upper pressing portion  41  and a lower pressing portion  42  of the electric wire holder  40  is released.  FIG. 8  is a side view of the electric wire holder  40  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the electric wire holder  40  taken from line IX-IX shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of the electric wire holder  40  for explaining that the electric wires W are held so as to be bent in a U-shape.  FIG. 11  is a top view of the electric wire holder  40  for explaining that the electric wires W are held so as to be bent in a U-shape.  FIG. 12  is an enlarged view in a periphery of the press-contact terminal  31   b  as shown in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the illumination apparatus  1  taken from line XIII-XIII as shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 14  is a diagram for explaining that an adjacent wall  21   f  shown in  FIG. 1  is provided closer to a vicinity of a support  21   a  than anti-slip wall  21   e  is. 
     The illumination apparatus  1  is disposed, for example, on a ceiling of a vehicle, and illuminates inside the vehicle. In the illumination apparatus  1 , a plurality of electric wires W are press-contacted with press-contact terminals  31   b.  Thus, power supply from the plurality of electric wires W is enabled. The illumination apparatus  1  includes a lens  10 , a housing  20  and an illumination-function part  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the first embodiment, the illumination apparatus  1  includes three electric wires W. 
     First, the lens  10  will be described. 
     The lens  10  has a rectangular outer shape. Light-collecting portions  11  are provided in right and left positions close to the outside. Three operator reception holes  12  are formed in the lens  10 . 
     Next, the illumination-function part  30  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the illumination-function part  30  includes a bus bar  31 , switch operating parts  32 , valves  33  and the electric wire holder  40  which holds the plurality of electric wires W. 
     The bus bar  31  includes a power-feed terminal  31   d  and a press-contact terminal  31   b  provided with three press-contact blades  31   a  to which the three electric wires W are to be connected. As shown in  FIG. 5 , in each of the press-contact blade  31   a,  a groove  31   c  is formed in a shape along a circle around the rotational shaft  41   a  of the electric wire holder  40 . Two of the three press-contact blades  31   a  are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to their thickness direction, and remaining one of the three press-contact blades  31   a  is arranged with a clearance in its thickness direction with respect to the two press-contact blades  31   a.  That is to say, the press-contact terminal  31   b  includes a press-contact blade group  31   e  in which the press-contact blades  31   a  are arranged with a clearance in a thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.    
     In the first embodiment, although it is exemplified that the number of electric wires W is three, the number of electric wires W is not limited to three. Further, the number of press-contact blades is also not limited, and it is provided in accordance with the number of electric wires W. 
     The switch operating part  32  is an operating part for switching an operation state between a light-on and a light-off of the valve  33 . The switch operating part  32  is received within the housing  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The switch operating part  32  enables an electric conduction to the valve  33  by contact with the power-feed terminal  31   d  via a contact  32   a.    
     The electric wire holder  40  holds the plurality of electric wires. The plurality of electric wires W are press-contacted with the press-contact terminals  31   b  by pressing the plurality of electric wires W held by the electric wire holder  40  onto the press-contact terminals  31   b.  In the electric wire holder  40 , as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , an upper pressing portion  41  is coupled to a lower pressing portion  42  via a bendable coupling portion  43 . The electric wire holder  40  holds the plurality of electric wires W so as to extend them in an axial direction of a rotational shaft  41   a  by bending the coupling portion  43  and sandwiching the plurality of electric wires W between the upper pressing portion  41  and the lower pressing portion  42 . 
     The upper pressing portion  41  includes a finger-contact portion  41   e,  the rotational shaft  41   a  and a pair of anti-slip ribs  41   f,  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The rotational shaft  41   a  has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed in the vicinity of an end of the upper pressing portion  41  near the coupling portion  43 . The finger-contact portion  41   e  is provided at the other end when the side of the coupling portion  43  is considered as one end. The finger-contact portion  41   e  is a portion for applying a pressure when the plurality of electric wires W held by the electric wire holder  40  is pressed onto the press-contact terminals  31   b.    
     Each of the pair of anti-slip ribs  41   f  contacts each anti-slip wall  21   e,  which is described later, so that the electric wire holder  40  is held by the housing  20  without slipping. Each anti-slip rib  41   f  projects from an outer surface of each side wall of the upper pressing portion  41 , and contacts each anti-slip wall  21   e  when the electric wire holder  40  is attached to the housing  20 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the upper pressing portion  41  holds a part of each electric wire W so as to be bent in a U-shape. The upper pressing portion  41  includes bottom guide portions  41   b  and upper guide portions  41   c.  The bottom guide portion  41   b  holds a bottom portion Wb forming a bottom of the electric wire which is bent in the U-shape. The upper guide portion  41   c  guides an upper extending portion Wt which is bent and extends from an upper end of the U-shape, and leads the upper extending portion Wt outside the upper pressing portion  41 . The bottom guide portion  41   b  includes a partition step portion  41   d  provided to project from a surface on which the upper guide portion  41   c  is disposed. The partition step portion  41   d  bends a part of each of the electric wire W in the U-shape by providing a step from the bottom guide portion  41   c.    
     The bottom guide portion  41   b  and the upper guide portion  41   c  holds the electric wire W so as to shift a shaft center of the electric wire extending in the axial direction of the rotational shaft  41   a  toward the rotational shaft  41   a.  Specifically, the bottom portion Wb held by the bottom guide portion  41   b  is arranged closer to the rotational shaft  41   a  than the upper extending portion Wt held by the upper guide portion  41   c  is. 
     The lower pressing portion  42  includes press-contact through portions  42   a,  penetration portions  42   b,  bottom guide portions  42   c  and upper guide portions  42   d.    
     The press-contact through portion  42   a  is a through hole through which the press-contact blade  31   a  and an adjacent wall  21   f,  which is described later, are passed. 
     The penetration portion  42   b  is a hole through which a projection of the partition step portion  41   d  is penetrated. The bottom guide portions  42   c  are disposed in positions corresponding to the bottom guide portions  41   b  of the upper pressing portion  41 , and guide the bottom portions Wb of the electric wires W bent in the U-shape, respectively. The upper guide portions  42   d  are disposed in positions corresponding to the upper guide portions  41   c  of the upper pressing portion  41 , and guide the upper extending portions Wt of the electric wires W to lead them outside the lower pressing portion  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 11 , the electric wire holder  40  as configured in this way bends a part of each electric wire W of the plurality of electric wires W in a U-shape. Further, the electric wire holder  40  arranges each of the electric wire W so that the bottom portion Wb constituting the bottom of the electric wire W bent in the U-shape is disposed closer to the rotational shaft  41   a  than the upper extending portion Wt bent and extending from the upper end of the U-shape. 
     Next, the housing  20  will be described. 
     The housing  20  as a base part is attached to the lens  10  with the illumination-function part  30  incorporated into the housing  20 . The housing  20  includes a holder-receiver  21  for receiving the electric wire holder  40 . The holder-receiver  21  includes supports  21   a,  locking parts  21   d,  a pair of anti-slip walls  21   e,  and adjacent walls  21   f,  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The support  21   a  supports a rotational shaft  41   a  included in the electric wire holder  40  rotatably and serves as a fulcrum. The support  21   a  includes a bearing wall  21   b  which supports the rotational shaft  41   a  and a projection wall  21   c  which serves as a fulcrum. The projection wall  21   c  is a wall which projects towards the attachment side of the electric wire holder  40 . 
     The locking part  21   d  contacts the electric wire holder  40  which is rotatably supported by the support  21   a  so that that electric wire holder  40  is fixed to the housing  20 . 
     Each of the pair of anti-slip walls  21   e  contacts each anti-slip rib  41   f  so that the electric wire holder  40  is held by the housing  20  without slipping. The pair of anti-slip walls  21   e  are oppositely disposed so as to sandwich the outer surfaces of the both side walls of the electric wire holder  40  therebetween. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the adjacent wall  21   f  is disposed adjacently to each press-contact blade  31   a  in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.  A groove part  21   g  is formed in correspondence to a shape of the groove  31   c  of the press-contact blade  31   a  to enable the press-contact by the press-contact blade  31   a.  The adjacent wall  21   f  is a wall on which the electric wire holder  40  slides when it is rotated. 
     More specifically, when opposing surfaces of the press-contacts blades  31   a  which are arranged with a clearance in their thickness direction are assumed as an inner surface, the adjacent wall  21   f  is disposed adjacently to an outer surface of each of the contact blades  31   a.    
     Further, each groove part  21   g  is formed larger in comparison with the shape of the groove  31   c  of the press-contact blade  31   a  so that the adjacent wall  21   f  does not interfere with the press-contact by the press-contact blade  31   a.    
     The adjacent wall  21   f  contacts the upper pressing portion  41  and the lower pressing portion  42  of the electric wire holder  40 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , when the adjacent wall  21   f  is inserted through the press-contact through portion  42   a.  More specifically, the adjacent wall  21   f  contacts a wall surface of the press-contact through portion  42   a  of the lower pressing portion  42 , and contacts a wall surface of the partition step portion  41   d  of the upper pressing portion  42 . 
     In this way, the adjacent wall  21   f  protects a surface of the press-contact blade  31   a,  and also prevents the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.    
     Moreover, since the adjacent walls  21   f  adjacently disposed to the press-contact blade group  31   e  in which the press-contact blades  31   a  are disposed with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blades  31   a  are slid on the electric wire holder  40 , the adjacent walls  21   f  which are disposed with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blades  31   a  contact the electric wire holder. Thus, the prevention of the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a  can be more enhanced. 
     Still further, as shown in  FIG. 14 , since the adjacent walls  21   f  are disposed closer to the vicinity of the supports  21   a  than each of the anti-slip walls  21   e,  where an area which the adjacent wall  21   f  contacts the electric wire is the same as that of the anti-slip wall  21   e,  it becomes possible to reduce a load applied to the adjacent wall when the electric wire holder  40  is to be held by the housing  20  more than the that applied to the anti-slip wall  21   e  by the action of the principle of leverage. 
     Here, the press-contact connection apparatus  100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a side view showing the press-contact connection apparatus  100  according to the first embodiment of the invention. The press-contact connection apparatus  100  includes the electric wire holder  40 , the housing  20  as a base part and the press-contact terminals  31   b  fixed to the housing  20 . The press-contact connection apparatus  100  press-contacts the plurality of electric wires W onto the press-contact terminals  31   b  by pressing the plurality of electric wires W held by the electric wire holder  40  onto the respective grooves of the press-contact terminals  31   b.    
     Next, a procedure of press-contacting the plurality of electric wires W onto the press-contact terminals  31   b  by the press-contact connection apparatus  100  is explained with reference to  FIG. 16  through  FIG. 21C .  FIG. 16  through  FIG. 20  are diagrams showing the procedure of press-contacting the plurality of electric wires W onto the press-contact terminals  31   b  by the press-contact connection apparatus  100 .  FIGS. 21A to 21C  are diagrams for explaining that the electric wire W comes close to the press-contact blade  31   a  in accordance with rotation of the electric wire holder  40 . 
     First, the rotational shaft  41   a  of the electric wire holder  40  is attached to the supports  21   a  (see  FIG. 16 ). Then, the electric wire holder  40  is rotated around the rotational shaft  41   a  (see  FIG. 17 ). At this time, the electric wire holder  40  is rotated, and also the plurality of electric wires W come close to each of the press-contact blades  31   a  (see  FIG. 21A ). 
     After that, the electric wire W contacts the press-contact blade  31   a  in accordance with the rotation of the electric wire holder  40  (see  FIG. 18 ). In this case, the bottom portion Wb of the electric wire W bent in a U-shape contacts the press-contact blade  31   a.  That is, the portion of the electric wire W closer to the rotational shaft  41   a  is press-contacted. Further, when the electric wire W contacts the press-contact blade  31   a,  the electric wire holder  40  contacts the projection wall  21   c  by the reaction force. In this way, the projection wall  21   c  serves as a fulcrum P 1  in the principle of leverage, and the electric wire W can be press-contacted while bringing the electric wire W close to the fulcrum P 1 . 
     Then, as the electric wire holder  40  is further rotated, the electric wires W are press-contacted onto the respective press-contact terminals  31   b  (see  FIG. 19 ). At this time, the bottom portion Wb of the electric wires W are press-contacted while the projection wall  21   c  serves as the fulcrum P 1 , the press-contacted electric wires W serve as a point of action P 2 , and the finger-contact portion  41   e  serves as a point of effort P 3 . Further, the adjacent wall  21   f  is slid on the electric wire holder  40  when the electric wire holder  40  is rotated (see  FIG. 21B ). 
     Then, as the electric wire holder  40  is further rotated, the electric wire holder  40  is fixed to the housing  20  by the locking portion  21   c,  and the press-contact is completed (see  FIG. 20 ). At this time, the adjacent wall  21   f  is being contact with the electric wire holder  40 , and the electric wire holder  40  is held by the housing  20  (see  FIG. 21C ). 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, since the plurality of electric wires W are held while bending a part of each electric wire W in a U-shape, the connection state between the electric wires W and the press-contact terminals  31   b  is surely maintained. Further, since the bottom portion Wb in the U-shape of the electric wire W is arranged closer to the support  21   a  than the upper extending portion Wt bent and extending from the upper end of the U-shape is, the electric wire W can be press-contacted while bringing the electric wire W close to the fulcrum P. As a consequence, a load to be applied during the press-contact can be minimized. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, since the groove  31   c  of the contact blade  31   a  is formed along the extending direction of the electric wire W which is inserted to be press-contacted, the load applied to the press-contact blade  31   a  can be suppressed. Consequently, the deformation of the press-contact terminal  31   b  can be prevented. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, the housing  20  includes the adjacent wall  21   f  which is disposed adjacently to each press-contact blade  31   a  in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a,  in which the groove part  21   g  is formed in correspondence to the shape of the groove  31   c  of the press-contact blade  31   a  to enable the press-contact by the press-contact blade  31 , and which is a wall on which the electric wire holder  40  slides when it is rotated. Accordingly, it is possible to protect a surface of the press-contact blade  31   a,  and also prevent the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.    
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, the adjacent wall  21   f  having the function of slipping prevention is disposed closer to the connection part of the electric wire W and the press-contact blade  31   a.  Accordingly, the function of slipping prevention at the connection part is quite well, and consequently, connection reliability can be enhanced. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, the adjacent wall  21   f  has the function of preventing the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a.  Accordingly, it becomes unnecessary to provide another structure of the anti-slip rib  41   f  and the anti-slip wall  21   e  which have the similar function. Consequently, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment, the press-contact terminal  31   b  includes the press-contact blade group  31   e  in which the press-contact blades  31   a  are arranged with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a,  and the adjacent walls  21   f  disposed adjacently to the press-contact blade group  31   e  are slid on the electric wire holder  40 . That is, the adjacent walls  21  which are disposed with a clearance in the thickness direction of the press-contact blades  31   a  contact the electric wire holder  40 . Thus, the prevention of the electric wire holder  40  from being slipped in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a  can be more enhanced. 
     Second Embodiment  
     Next, a second embodiment of the invention is explained.  FIG. 22  is a side view showing a press-contact connection apparatus  200  according to the second embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 23  is a perspective view of an electric wire holder  50  shown in  FIG. 22 . In the first embodiment described above, the cylindrical shape is exemplified as the rotational shaft  41   a  of the electric wire holder  40 . In the press-contact connection apparatus  200  of the second embodiment, the electric wire holder  50  includes a rotational shaft  50   a  having a semi-circular columnar shape, as shown in  FIG. 22  and  FIG. 23 . The housing  60  includes a support  61  instead of the support  21   a  explained in the first embodiment. Other configuration in the second embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment, and the same symbols or numbers are assigned to the same parts. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the support  61  includes a bearing wall portion  62  which supports the rotational shaft  50   a.  The bearing wall portion  62  includes a first wall  63  and a second wall  64 . The first wall  63  includes a curved surface shape portion  63   a  formed substantially equal to a curved surface shape of the rotational shaft  50   a.  The electric wire holder  50  is rotated by causing the curved portion of the rotational shaft  50   a  to contact the curved surface shape portion  63   a.    
     The second wall  64  includes a projection wall  64   a.  The projection wall  64   a  is projected from an upper wall surface of the wall toward a side of supporting the rotational shaft  50   a,  and serves as a fulcrum. In the bearing wall portion  62 , a slit  62   a  is formed between the first wall  63  and the second wall  64 . The slit width of the slit  62   a  is substantially equal to the radius of the rotational shaft  50   a.  In the bearing wall portion  62 , an upper portion of the bearing wall portion  62  opens by the slit  62   a.  The upper opening caused by the slit  62   a  serves as an insertion port of the rotational shaft  50   a  when the electric wire holder  50  is to be attached to the support  61 . 
     In the bearing wall portion  62 , an enlarged slit  62   b  is also formed below the projection wall  64   a.  The enlarged slit  62   b  is formed by enlarging a back of the slit  62   a  and continuous from the slit  62   a.  The enlarged slit  62   b  can support the rotational shaft  50   a  while directing a normal line to a plane surface A of the rotational shaft  50   a  upwardly. That is, when the electric wire holder  50  is to be attached to the support  61 , the rotation of the rotational shaft  50   a  which has been inserted into the slit  62   a  is regulated in a state where the normal line to the plane surface A is directed in a horizontal direction. And then, the rotational shaft  50   a  can be rotated until the normal line to the plane surface A of the rotational shaft  50   a  is directed upwardly, that is, contacts the projection wall  64   a  in the enlarged slit  62   b.    
     Here, a procedure of press-contacting the plurality of electric wires W onto the press-contact terminals  31   b  by the press-contact connection apparatus  200  is explained with reference to  FIG. 24  through  FIG. 28  and  FIG. 21A to 21C .  FIG. 24  through  FIG. 28  are diagrams showing the procedure of press-contacting the plurality of electric wires W onto the press-contact terminals  31   b  by the press-contact connection apparatus  200 . In the explanation of  FIGS. 21A to 21C , it is assumed that the electric wire holder  40  is replaced with the electric wire holder  50 , and the housing  20  is replaced with the housing  60 , and it is described that the electric wire W comes close to the press-contact blade  31   a  in accordance with rotation of the electric wire holder  50 . 
     First, the rotational shaft  50   a  of the electric wire holder  50  is attached to the support  61  (see  FIG. 24 ). When the rotational shaft  50   a  is inserted from the slit  62   a,  and is to be attached to the support  61 , the slit  62   a  having a slit width which is substantially equal to the radius of the rotational shaft  50   a  having the semi-circular columnar shape guides the rotational shaft  50   a.    
     Then, the electric wire holder  50  is rotated around the rotational shaft  50   a  (see  FIG. 25 ). At this time, the electric wire holder  50  is rotated, and each of the plurality of electric wires W comes close to the respective press-contact blades  31   a.    
     Then, when the electric wires W contact the press-contact blades  31   a  in accordance with the rotation of the electric wire holder  50 , the plane surface A of the rotational shaft  50   a  contacts the projection wall  64   a  by the reaction force of a force for cutting the electric wires W (see  FIG. 26 ). In this way, the projection wall  64   a  serves as a fulcrum P 4  in the principle of leverage, and the electric wire W can be press-contacted while bringing the electric wire W close to the fulcrum P 4 . 
     Then, as the electric wire holder  50  is further rotated, the electric wire W is press-contacted. At this time, the bottom portion Wb of the electric wires W are press-contacted while the projection wall  64   a  serves as the fulcrum P 4 , the press-contacted electric wires W serve as a point of action P 5 , and the finger-contact portion  41   e  serves as a point of effort P 6  (see  FIG. 27 ). Further, the adjacent wall  21   f  is slid on the electric wire holder  50  when the electric wire holder  50  is rotated. 
     Then, the electric wire holder  50  is fixed to the housing  60  by the locking portion  21   c,  and the press-contact is completed (see  FIG. 28 ). At this time, the adjacent wall  21   f  is being contact with the electric wire holder  50 , and the electric wire holder  50  is held by the housing  60  (see  FIG. 21C ). 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  200  of the second embodiment, it has the same advantage as the press-contact connection apparatus  100  of the first embodiment. Moreover, when the rotational shaft  50   a  is inserted from the slit  62   a,  and is to be attached to the support  61 , the slit  62   a  having a slit width which is substantially equal to the radius of the rotational shaft  50   a  having the semi-circular columnar shape guides the rotational shaft  50   a.  Thus, the assembly work of the electric wire holder  50  is facilitated. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  200  of the second embodiment, the fulcrum P 4  becomes closer to the point of action P 5  as compared with the first embodiment. Thus, the load applied during the press-contact can be minimized as compared with the first embodiment. 
     According to the press-contact connection apparatus  200  of the second embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 29A and 29B , even if the user mistakes the attachment direction of the electric wire holder  50  to the support  61 , the rotation of the electric wire holder  50  is regulated by the slit  62   a.  Thus, the error in the attachment can be prevented. 
     In the first and second embodiments, it has been described that, when opposing surfaces of the press-contacts blades  31   a  which are arranged with a clearance in their thickness direction are assumed as an inner surface, the adjacent wall  21   f  is disposed adjacently to an outer surface of each of the contact blades  31   a,  but the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the requirement is that the adjacent wall  21   f  is a wall which is disposed adjacently to the press-contact blade  31   a  in the thickness direction of the press-contact blade  31   a,  and contacts the electric wire holder  40  or  50 . For example, when opposing surfaces of the press-contacts blades  31   a  which are arranged with a clearance in their thickness direction are assumed as an inner surface, the adjacent wall  21   f  may be disposed adjacently to the inner surface of each of the contact blades  31   a