Patent Publication Number: US-11646516-B2

Title: Press-fit terminal

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a press-fit terminal. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There is known a press-fit terminal that is held in a through hole provided in a substrate of electronic equipment. The press-fit terminal is press fitted into the through hole, and is held by a reaction force received from the inner wall of the through hole. Patent Document 1 describes one example of the press-fit terminal. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Document 1: JP 2016-201329 A 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     A press-fit terminal according to one aspect includes a contact portion that is to be in contact with an inner wall of a through hole provided in a substrate; a leading end portion disposed on a leading end side relative to the contact portion in an insertion direction toward the through hole; a base portion disposed on an opposite side to the leading end portion with the contact portion being interposed between the leading end portion and the base portion; a penetration hole provided across the base portion, the contact portion, and the leading end portion; and a first inclination portion provided across the contact portion and the leading end portion and disposed continuous at an outer periphery of the penetration hole, in which the first inclination portion is inclined toward the penetration hole, and a length, in a width direction, of at least part of the first inclination portion increases toward a leading end of the leading end portion, the width direction being orthogonal to the insertion direction and a penetration direction of the penetration hole. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a press-fit terminal and a substrate according to an embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  4    is a front view of the press-fit terminal according to the embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a first modified example. 
         FIG.  7    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a second modified example. 
         FIG.  8    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a third modified example. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a fourth modified example. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Below, an embodiment of a press-fit terminal according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, constituent elements in the embodiment described below include those that can be easily replaced by a person skilled in the art and include those that are substantially identical. 
     An XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is used in the following description. The Z axis is an axis parallel to an insertion direction in which a press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into a through hole  201 . The Y axis is an axis parallel to a penetration direction of a penetration hole  50  of the press-fit terminal  100 . The X axis is an axis orthogonal to both the Y axis and the Z axis. A direction extending along the X axis is referred to as an X direction. A direction extending along the Y axis is referred to as a Y direction. A direction extending along the Z axis is referred to as a Z direction. 
     The X direction is a width direction of the press-fit terminal  100 . The Y direction is a thickness direction of the press-fit terminal  100 . The Y direction is a penetration direction of the penetration hole  50 . The Z direction is a longitudinal direction of the press-fit terminal  100 . The Z direction is a direction orthogonal to a substrate  200 . Of the Z direction, a direction (insertion direction) in which the press-fit terminal  100  moves when being inserted into a through hole  201  is referred to as a +Z direction. A direction opposite to the +Z direction is referred to as a −Z direction. 
     Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the press-fit terminal and a substrate according to the embodiment.  FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  4    is a front view of the press-fit terminal according to the embodiment.  FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in  FIG.  4   . Note that, in  FIG.  2   , the press-fit terminal  100  is illustrated in a front view. The dotted line in  FIG.  4    indicates the position of the front surface of the substrate  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the press-fit terminal  100  according to the embodiment is to be mounted in a through hole  201  provided in the substrate  200 . The press-fit terminal  100  is press fitted into the through hole  201 . The substrate  200  is, for example, a printed circuit board made of glass epoxy, and is a multi-layer substrate. The through hole  201  is a hole that penetrates all the layers of the substrate  200 . The substrate  200  includes a plurality of through holes  201 . The plurality of through holes  201  are insulated from each other. Metal plating is applied on the inner wall and periphery of the through hole  201 . The metal includes, for example, a copper alloy. However, the metal is not particularly limited to the copper alloy. The substrate  200  includes a plurality of electronic components. Note that the substrate  200  may be a glass polyimide substrate or fluorine substrate, in addition to the glass epoxy substrate. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the press-fit terminal  100  includes a contact portion  20 , a leading end portion  30 , a base portion  10 , a penetration hole  50 , a first inclination portion  71 , a thin portion  75 , and a second inclination portion  81 . The base portion  10 , the contact portion  20 , and the leading end portion  30  are disposed in this order in the +Z direction. The base portion  10 , the contact portion  20 , the leading end portion  30 , the first inclination portion  71 , the thin portion  75 , and the second inclination portion  81  are integrally formed using a metal. The metal includes, for example, a copper alloy. However, the metal is not particularly limited to the copper alloy. Specifically, the press-fit terminal  100  is formed by pressing a plate member made of metal. Undercoat and surface layer plating are applied on the metal front surface of the press-fit terminal  100 . Ni or Sn-base may be used for the undercoat. Sn-base or Au may be used for the surface layer plating. Note that it may be possible to employ a configuration in which the front layer plating alone may be applied without the undercoat. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , in a state where the press-fit terminal  100  is mounted in the through hole  201 , the contact portion  20  is disposed on the inner side of the through hole  201 . The contact portion  20  is in contact with the inner wall of the through hole  201 . The contact portion  20  presses the inner wall of the through hole  201  with elastic deformation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the contact portion  20  includes a main body portion  21  and a reduced portion  23 . The main body portion  21  and the reduced portion  23  are disposed in this order in the +Z direction. That is, the reduced portion  23  is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the main body portion  21 . The length of the main body portion  21  in the X direction is constant. The length of the reduced portion  23  in the X direction decreases in the +Z direction. The outer peripheral surface of the reduced portion  23  has a curved surface shape. In an XZ plan view (as viewed from the Y direction), the outer edge of the reduced portion  23  traces an arc shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , in a state where the press-fit terminal  100  is mounted in the through hole  201 , the leading end portion  30  is disposed outside of the through hole  201 . The leading end portion  30  sticks out from the through hole  201  in the +Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the leading end portion  30  is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the contact portion  20 . The length of the leading end portion  30  in the X direction decreases in the +Z direction. The outer peripheral surface of the leading end portion  30  has a curved surface shape. In an XZ plan view (as viewed from the Y direction), the outer edge of the leading end portion  30  traces an arc shape. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , in a state where the press-fit terminal  100  is mounted in the through hole  201 , the base portion  10  is disposed outside of the through hole  201 . The base portion  10  protrudes from the through hole  201  in the −Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the base portion  10  is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the contact portion  20 . The base portion  10  is disposed on an opposite side to the leading end portion  30  with the contact portion  20  being interposed between the base portion  10  and the leading end portion  30 . The base portion  10  is connected to an electronic component or the like serving as a target object to be electrically connected to the substrate  200 . The electronic component and the substrate  200  are electrically connected to each other through the base portion  10  and the contact portion  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the penetration hole  50  extends through the press-fit terminal  100  in the thickness direction. The penetration hole  50  is provided across the base portion  10 , the contact portion  20 , and the leading end portion  30 . An end portion of the penetration hole  50  in the −Z direction is disposed in the base portion  10 . An end portion of the penetration hole  50  in the +Z direction is disposed in the leading end portion  30 . The length of the penetration hole  50  in the X direction is constant from a portion corresponding to the contact portion  20  to a portion corresponding to the leading end portion  30 . The length of the penetration hole  50  in the X direction increases from a portion corresponding to the contact portion  20  to a portion corresponding to the base portion  10 . In a portion corresponding to the base portion  10 , the length of the penetration hole  50  in the X direction decreases in the −Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the first inclination portion  71  is provided across the contact portion  20  and the leading end portion  30 . The first inclination portion  71  is disposed on the penetration hole  50  side of the contact portion  20  and the leading end portion  30 . That is, the first inclination portion  71  is disposed on the inner side of the contact portion  20  and the leading end portion  30 . The first inclination portion  71  faces the penetration hole  50 . That is, the first inclination portion  71  is formed continuous at the outer periphery of the penetration hole  50 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the thickness of the first inclination portion  71  in the Y direction decreases toward the penetration hole  50 . The first inclination portion  71  includes an inclined surface angled relative to the XZ plane. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the first inclination portion  71  includes a portion of which the length in the X direction increases in the +Z direction. In other words, the length, in the X direction, of at least part of the first inclination portion  71  increases in the +Z direction. An end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  in the −Z direction is disposed in the contact portion  20 . The end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  is disposed in the +Z direction (the leading end portion  30  side) relative to the end portion of the contact portion  20  on the base portion  10  side in the Z direction. The end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  is disposed in the −Z direction relative to an end portion  23   e  of the reduced portion  23  in the −Z direction. The position, in the Z direction, of the end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  is equal to the position, in the Z direction, of a bent portion  50   e  of the penetration hole  50 . The bent portion  50   e  is an end portion, in the −Z direction, of a portion of the penetration hole  50  that has a constant width in the X direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the press-fit terminal  100  includes two first inclination portions  71 . One of the first inclination portions  71  is disposed on one side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 . The other one of the first inclination portions  71  is disposed on the other side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 . That is, the first inclination portions  71  are each disposed on a corresponding one of both sides of the penetration hole  50  in the X direction. The two first inclination portions  71  are coupled to each other at a position (at a position of the leading end portion  30 ) located in the +Z direction from the penetration hole  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the thin portion  75  is disposed between the first inclination portion  71  and the end portion of the penetration hole  50  in the +Z direction. That is, the thin portion  75  is disposed on the inner side of the first inclination portion  71 . As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , a thickness T 75  of the thin portion  75  in the Y direction is smaller than a thickness T 30  of the leading end portion  30  in the Y direction. The thickness T 75  of the thin portion  75  is constant. The thin portion  75  includes a front surface parallel to the XZ plane. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the second inclination portion  81  is provided over the contact portion  20  and the base portion  10 . The second inclination portion  81  is disposed so as to be spaced apart in the Z direction from the first inclination portion  71 . The second inclination portion  81  is disposed on the penetration hole  50  side of the contact portion  20  and the base portion  10 . That is, the second inclination portion  81  is disposed on the inner side of the contact portion  20  and the base portion  10 . The second inclination portion  81  faces the penetration hole  50 . That is, the second inclination portion  81  is formed continuous at the outer periphery of the penetration hole  50 . The thickness of the second inclination portion  81  in the Y direction decreases toward the penetration hole  50 . The second inclination portion  81  includes an inclined surface angled relative to the XZ plane. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the second inclination portion  81  includes a portion of which the length in the X direction increases in the −Z direction. That is, the length, in the X direction, of at least part of the second inclination portion  81  increases in the −Z direction. An end portion  81   e  of the second inclination portion  81  in the +Z direction is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the contact portion  20 . That is, the end portion  81   e  of the second inclination portion  81  is disposed in the base portion  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the press-fit terminal  100  includes two second inclination portions  81 . One of the second inclination portions  81  is disposed on one side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 . The other one of the second inclination portions  81  is disposed on the other side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 . That is, the second inclination portions  81  are each disposed on a corresponding one of both sides of the penetration hole  50  in the X direction. The two second inclination portions  81  are coupled to each other at a position (position of the base portion  10 ) located in the −Z direction from the penetration hole  50 . 
     At the time of mounting the press-fit terminal  100  in the through hole  201 , the leading end portion  30  is first inserted into the through hole  201 . Then, the contact portion  20  reaches the through hole  201 . In a state where the contact portion  20  is in contact with the through hole  201 , the press-fit terminal  100  is press fitted. As the press-fit terminal  100  includes the penetration hole  50 , it is possible to easily achieve elastic deformation at the time of the press fitting. The contact portion  20  enters the through hole  201  while being elastically deformed. Once the contact portion  20  has been inserted into the through hole  201 , the press fitting ends. The press-fit terminal  100  is elastically deformed in a state of being mounted in the through hole  201 . Since the contact portion  20  presses the inner wall of the through hole  201 , friction occurs between the contact portion  20  and the inner wall of the through hole  201 . This enables the press-fit terminal  100  to be held with respect to the through hole  201 . 
     Note that the two first inclination portions  71  need not be necessarily coupled to each other. The two second inclination portions  81  need not be necessarily coupled to each other. In addition, the press-fit terminal  100  need not include the second inclination portions  81 . The press-fit terminal  100  need not include the thin portion  75 . 
     As described above, the press-fit terminal  100  includes the contact portion  20 , the leading end portion  30 , the base portion  10 , the penetration hole  50 , and the first inclination portion  71 . The contact portion  20  is to be in contact with the inner wall of the through hole  201  provided in the substrate  200 . The leading end portion  30  is disposed on a leading end side relative to the contact portion  20  in the insertion direction (+Z direction) toward the through hole  201 . The base portion  10  is disposed on an opposite side to the leading end portion  30  with the contact portion  20  being interposed between the base portion  10  and the leading end portion  30 . The penetration hole  50  is provided across the base portion  10 , the contact portion  20 , and the leading end portion  30 . The first inclination portion  71  is provided across the contact portion  20  and the leading end portion  30 , and is disposed continuous at the outer periphery of the penetration hole  50 . The first inclination portion  71  is inclined toward the penetration hole  50 . The length, in the width direction (X direction), of at least part of the first inclination portion  71  increases toward the leading end of the leading end portion  30 , the width direction being orthogonal to the insertion direction (+Z direction) and the penetration direction (Y direction) of the penetration hole  50 . 
     For example, at the time of inserting the press-fit terminal as described in Patent Document 1 into a through hole, a large force may act on the inner wall of the through hole. Due to the force applied by the press-fit terminal on the inner wall of the through hole, delamination may occur between layers of the substrate, which may result in whitening. This causes a reduction in the actual distance between adjacent through holes, which results in a reduction in insulation resistance between adjacent through holes. In order to suppress an insulation failure, it is desirable to reduce the force applied to the through hole at the time of inserting the press-fit terminal into the through hole. On the other hand, after the press-fit terminal is inserted into the through hole, it is desired that the press-fit terminal not easily fall out of the through hole. 
     In contrast, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment includes the first inclination portion  71  as described above. This first inclination portion  71  reduces the cross-sectional secondary moment of the press-fit terminal  100  in the XY plane (the cross-sectional secondary moment about the X axis and the cross-sectional secondary moment about the Y axis). In the present embodiment, the size of the first inclination portion  71  increases toward the leading end portion  30  side, which makes it possible to reduce the cross-sectional secondary moment in the XY plane of the leading end portion  30 . This enables the leading end portion  30  side of the press-fit terminal  100  to be easily elastically deformed when the press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into the through hole  201 . The press-fit terminal  100  is elastically deformed in a flexible manner, which makes it possible to reduce the force acting on the inner wall of the through hole  201  at the time of insertion. This suppresses whitening of the substrate  200  and makes it possible to maintain the insulation resistance between adjacent through holes  201  of the through holes  201 . In addition, the length, in the width direction (X direction), of at least part of the first inclination portion  71  increases toward the leading end of the leading end portion  30 . This increases the rigidity of the press-fit terminal  100  after the press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into the through hole  201  to some extent. After the press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into the through hole  201 , the elastic deformation of the press-fit terminal  100  is suppressed. This enables the press-fit terminal  100  to be held in the substrate  200 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion and can also reduce the likelihood of the press-fit terminal  100  falling out after insertion. 
     In the press-fit terminal  100 , the end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  on the base portion  10  side is disposed further toward the leading end portion  30  side than the end portion of the contact portion  20  on the base portion  10  side. This improves a balance between the insertion force of the press-fit terminal  100  at the time of insertion of the press-fit terminal  100  into the through hole  201  and the retention force of the press-fit terminal  100  after being inserted into the through hole  201 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can reduce a force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion and further reduce the likelihood of the press-fit terminal  100  falling out after insertion. 
     In the press-fit terminal  100 , the contact portion  20  includes the main body portion  21  and the reduced portion  23 . The length, in the width direction (X direction), of the main body portion  21  is constant. The reduced portion  23  is disposed on the leading end portion  30  side relative to the main body portion  21 , and the length of the reduced portion  23  in the width direction (X direction) decreases toward the leading end portion  30 . This makes it easy to perform an operation of inserting the press-fit terminal  100  into the through hole  201 . 
     In the press-fit terminal  100 , the end portion  71   e  of the first inclination portion  71  on the base portion  10  side is disposed at the base portion  10  side relative to the end portion  23   e  of the reduced portion  23  on the base portion  10  side. This improves a balance between the insertion force of the press-fit terminal  100  at the time of insertion of the press-fit terminal  100  into the through hole  201  and the retention force of the press-fit terminal  100  after being inserted into the through hole  201 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can reduce a force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion and further reduce the likelihood of the press-fit terminal  100  falling out after insertion. 
     In the press-fit terminal  100 , the first inclination portion  71  is disposed on each of both sides of the penetration hole  50  in the width direction (X direction). The two first inclination portions  71  are coupled to each other at the leading end portion  30 . This makes it possible to more easily adjust the rigidity of the press-fit terminal  100  at the time of insertion into the through hole  201 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can further reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion. 
     The press-fit terminal  100  includes the thin portion  75  disposed between the end portion of the penetration hole  50  in the insertion direction (+Z direction) and the first inclination portion  71 . An end portion of the thin portion  75  on the penetration hole  50  side (−Z direction) is formed continuous in a circular arc shape in plan view in the Y direction so as not to become a starting point for cracks or the like at the time of insertion. The thickness T 75  of the thin portion  75  in the penetration direction (Y direction) is smaller than the thickness T 30  of the leading end portion  30  in the penetration direction (Y direction). This enables the press-fit terminal  100  to permit elastic deformation of the leading end portion  30  at the time of insertion while suppressing plastic deformation of an elastic portion  35  (see  FIG.  4   ). Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  can suppress buckling of the leading end portion  30  at the time of insertion into the through hole  201 . 
     The press-fit terminal  100  includes the second inclination portion  81  provided across the contact portion  20  and the base portion  10  and disposed contiguous with the outer periphery of the penetration hole  50 . The second inclination portion  81  is inclined toward the penetration hole  50 . The length of the second inclination portion  81  in the width direction (X direction) increases in a direction (−Z direction) opposite to a direction toward the leading end of the leading end portion  30 . This enables the press-fit terminal  100  to be more easily elastically deformed when being inserted into the through hole  201 . In addition, after the press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into the through hole  201 , the second inclination portion  81  enables the contact portion  20  of the press-fit terminal  100  to increase the reaction force acting on the inner wall of the through hole  201 . That is, it is possible to improve the retention force of the press-fit terminal  100  after the press-fit terminal  100  is inserted into the through hole  201 . The press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can further reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion, and also further reduce the likelihood of the press-fit terminal  100  falling out after insertion. 
     In the press-fit terminal  100 , the second inclination portion  81  is disposed on each of both sides of the penetration hole  50  in the width direction (X direction). Two second inclination portions  81  are coupled to each other at the base portion  10 . This facilitates adjustment of the reaction force that the contact portion  20  of the press-fit terminal  100  applies on the inner wall of the through hole  201  after insertion. Thus, the press-fit terminal  100  according to the present embodiment can further reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion. 
     The embodiment according to the present disclosure can be modified without departing from the main point or the scope of the present invention. In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure and modified examples thereof can be combined as appropriate. For example, the embodiment described above can be modified in the following manner. 
     First Modified Example 
       FIG.  6    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a first modified example. The dotted line in  FIG.  6    indicates the position of the front surface of the substrate  200 . Note that the same reference characters are attached to constituent elements that are the same as those described in the embodiment described above, and explanation thereof will not be repeated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , a press-fit terminal  100 A according to the first modified example includes a penetration hole  50 A and a first inclination portion  71 A. The length of the penetration hole  50 A in the X direction changes from a portion corresponding to the contact portion  20  to a portion corresponding to the leading end portion  30 . A length W 50   a  illustrated in  FIG.  6    is greater than a length W 50   b . The length W 50   a  is the maximum length, in the X direction, of a portion of the penetration hole  50 A that corresponds to the leading end portion  30 . The length W 50   b  is a length, in the X direction, of a portion of the penetration hole  50 A that corresponds to an end portion  71   e A of the first inclination portion  71 A in the −Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the first inclination portion  71 A includes a portion of which the length in the X direction increases in the +Z direction. That is, the length, in the X direction, of at least part of the first inclination portion  71 A increases in the +Z direction. The end portion  71   e A of the first inclination portion  71 A is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the end portion  23   e  of the reduced portion  23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the press-fit terminal  100 A includes two first inclination portions  71 A. One of the first inclination portions  71 A is disposed on one side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 A. The other one of the first inclination portions  71 A is disposed on the other side in the X direction relative to the penetration hole  50 A. That is, the first inclination portions  71 A are each disposed on a corresponding one of both sides of the penetration hole  50 A in the X direction. The two first inclination portions  71 A are coupled to each other at a position located in the +Z direction relative to the penetration hole  50 A. 
     As described above, in the press-fit terminal  100 A according to the first modified example, the maximum length W 50   a , in the width direction (X direction), of a portion of the penetration hole  50 A that corresponds to the leading end portion  30  is greater than the length W 50   b , in the width direction (X direction), of a portion of the penetration hole  50 A that corresponds to the end portion  71   e A of the first inclination portion  71  on the base portion  10  side. This makes it easier to reduce the rigidity of the press-fit terminal  100 A at the time of insertion into the through hole  201 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100 A according to the first modified example can further reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion. 
     Second Modified Example 
       FIG.  7    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a second modified example. The dotted line in  FIG.  7    indicates the position of a front surface of a substrate  200 . Note that the same reference characters are attached to constituent elements that are the same as those described in the embodiment described above, and explanation thereof will not be repeated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , a press-fit terminal  100 B according to the second modified example includes a penetration hole  50 B and a first inclination portion  71 B. The first inclination portion  71 B includes a portion of which the length in the X direction increases in the +Z direction. That is, the length, in the X direction, of at least part of the first inclination portion  71 B increases in the +Z direction. An end portion  71   e B of the first inclination portion  71 B in the −Z direction is disposed at the same position in the Z direction as the end portion  23   e  of the reduced portion  23  of the contact portion  20  in the −Z direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the press-fit terminal  100 B includes two first inclination portions  71 B. One of the first inclination portions  71 B is disposed on one side of the penetration hole  50 B in the X direction. The other one of the first inclination portions  71 B is disposed on the other side of the penetration hole  50 B in the X direction. That is, the first inclination portions  71 B are each disposed on a corresponding one of both sides of the penetration hole  50 B in the X direction. The two first inclination portions  71 B are coupled to each other at a position located in the +Z direction relative to the penetration hole  50 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , a distance D 71 B is greater than a length W 30 . The distance D 71 B is a distance from the leading end  50   f B of the penetration hole  50 B in the +Z direction to the leading end  71   f B of the first inclination portion  71 B in the +Z direction. The length W 30  is the minimum length of the leading end portion  30  in the X direction. 
     As described above, in the press-fit terminal  100 B according to the second modified example, the distance D 71 B from the leading end  50   f B of the penetration hole  50 B in the insertion direction (+Z direction) to the leading end  71   f B of the first inclination portion  71 B in the insertion direction (+Z direction) is greater than the minimum length W 30  of the leading end portion  30  in the width direction (X direction). This makes it easier to reduce the rigidity of the press-fit terminal  100 B at the time of insertion into the through hole  201 . Thus, the press-fit terminal  100 B according to the second modified example can further reduce the force acting on the through hole  201  at the time of insertion. 
     Third Modified Example 
       FIG.  8    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a third modified example. The dotted line in  FIG.  8    indicates the position of the front surface of a substrate  200 . Note that the same reference characters are attached to constituent elements that are the same as those described in the embodiment described above, and explanation thereof will not be repeated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  8   , a press-fit terminal  100 C according to the third modified example includes a contact portion  20 C, a penetration hole  50 C, a first inclination portion  71 C, and a thin portion  75 C. The contact portion  20 C includes a reduced portion  23 C. The reduced portion  23 C is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the main body portion  21 . The length of the reduced portion  23 C in the X direction decreases in the +Z direction. The outer peripheral surface of the reduced portion  23 C has a planar shape. The outer edge of the reduced portion  23 C traces a straight line in an XZ plan view (as viewed from the Y direction). 
     An end portion  71   e C of the first inclination portion  71 C is disposed in the −Z direction relative to an end portion  23   e C of the reduced portion  23 C in the −Z direction. The position of the end portion  71   e C in the Z direction is equal to the position of a bent portion  50   e C of the penetration hole  50 C in the Z direction. 
     As described above, in the press-fit terminal  100 C according to the third modified example, the outer peripheral surface of the reduced portion  23 C has a planar shape. This stabilizes the orientation of the press-fit terminal  100 C when the press-fit terminal  100 C is inserted into the through hole  201 . The press-fit terminal  100 C can reduce the likelihood of the press-fit terminal  100 C falling over (inclination relative to the Z axis) at the time of insertion into the through hole  201 . 
     Fourth Modified Example 
       FIG.  9    is a front view of a press-fit terminal according to a fourth modified example. The dotted line in  FIG.  9    indicates the position of a front surface of a substrate  200 . Note that the same reference characters are attached to constituent elements that are the same as those described in the embodiment described above, and explanation thereof will not be repeated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the press-fit terminal  100 D according to the fourth modified example includes a first inclination portion  71 D, a second inclination portion  81 D, and a thin portion  85 . An end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D in the −Z direction is coupled to an end portion  81   e D of the second inclination portion  81 D in the +Z direction. The end portion  71   e D (the end portion  81   e D of the second inclination portion  81 D) of the first inclination portion  71 D is disposed in the contact portion  20 . The end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D is disposed in the +Z direction relative to the end portion of the contact portion  20  in the −Z direction. The end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the end portion  23   e  of the reduced portion  23  in the −Z direction. The end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D is disposed at the same position as the bent portion  50   e  of the penetration hole  50 , or is disposed in the −Z direction relative to the bent portion  50   e . The periphery of the penetration hole  50  is entirely surrounded by the first inclination portion  71 D and the second inclination portion  81 D. The first inclination portion  71 D and the second inclination portion  81 D are formed continuous over the entire length of the outer periphery of the penetration hole  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  9   , the thin portion  85  is disposed between the end portion of the penetration hole  50  in the −Z direction and the second inclination portion  81 D. That is, the thin portion  85  is disposed on the inner side of the second inclination portion  81 D. The thickness of the thin portion  85  in the Y direction is smaller than the thickness of the base portion  10  in the Y direction. The thickness of the thin portion  85  is constant. The thin portion  85  includes a front surface parallel to the XZ plane. 
     As described above, in the press-fit terminal  100 D according to the fourth modified example, the end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D on the base portion  10  side is coupled to the end portion  81   e D of the second inclination portion  81 D on the leading end portion  30  side. This enables the press-fit terminal  100 D according to the fourth modified example to prevent the end portion  71   e D of the first inclination portion  71 D as well as the end portion  81   e D of the second inclination portion  81 D, from becoming a starting point for cracks or the like. Furthermore, this further facilitates adjustment of the insertion force at the time of inserting the press-fit terminal  100 D into the through hole  201  and also of the retention force of the press-fit terminal  100 D relative to the through hole  201 . 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10  Base portion 
           20 ,  20 C Contact portion 
           21  Main body portion 
           23 ,  23 C Reduced portion 
           23   e ,  23   e C End portion 
           30  Leading end portion 
           50 ,  50 A,  50 B,  50 C Penetration hole 
           50   e ,  50   e C Bent portion 
           50   f B Leading end 
           71 ,  71 A,  71 B,  71 C,  71 D First inclination portion 
           71   e ,  71   e A,  71   e B,  71   e C,  71   e D End portion 
           71   f B Leading end 
           75 ,  75 C Thin portion 
           81 ,  81 D Second inclination portion 
           81   e ,  81   e D End portion 
           85  Thin portion 
           100 ,  100 A,  100 B,  100 C,  100 D Press-fit terminal 
           200  Substrate 
           201  Through hole