Patent Publication Number: US-2022224028-A1

Title: Terminal fitting and connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a terminal fitting and a connector. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A connector described in Patent Document 1 includes a housing having a vertical wall, a first terminal to be press-fit into a first hole of the vertical wall and a second terminal to be press-fit into a second hole of the vertical wall. The first and second terminals respectively include a first contact portion and a second contact portion (hereinafter, referred to as terminal connecting portions) projecting toward a connection side to a mating housing, and a first leg portion and a second leg portion (hereinafter, referred to as board connecting portions) projecting toward a member serving as a mounting destination (hereinafter, referred to as a circuit board). The first terminal contacts wall surfaces on both widthwise sides with a pressure, out of wall surfaces constituting the first hole of the vertical wall. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: JP 2015-210899 A 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     If the connector is heated using a heating device such as a reflow furnace, the housing and the circuit board may be deformed to warp due to a heat load. There is a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the housing and the circuit board. In the case of Patent Document 1, the first terminal is displaceable in a height direction with respect to the vertical wall. Thus, if the housing and the circuit board are deformed and the terminal connecting portion of the first terminal moves downward or upward from a predetermined position according to the deformation of the circuit board, the tip of the terminal connecting portion of the first terminal is possibly displaced upward or downward from the predetermined position. If the tip of the terminal connecting portion is displaced upward or downward, a mating terminal fitting provided in the mating housing is not opposed to the terminal connecting portion, the both terminal fittings are connected from oblique directions and a load is applied to both the terminal connecting portion side and the board connecting portion side when the connector is connected. As a result, there is a concern that the terminal fitting cannot ensure connection reliability as a whole. Such a concern occurs when the terminal fitting is arranged in a posture inclined from a proper posture with respect to the housing. 
     Accordingly, it is aimed to provide a terminal fitting and a connector capable of ensuring connection reliability. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     The present disclosure is directed to a terminal fitting with a terminal connecting portion to be connected to a mating terminal fitting, and a board connecting portion to be connected to a circuit board, wherein the terminal connecting portion is provided in a first member, the board connecting portion is provided in a second member different from the first member, and the first and second members are so coupled that relative positions of the terminal connecting portion and the board connecting portion are displaceable. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a terminal fitting capable of ensuring connection reliability. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view in section of a housing having a terminal fitting disposed therein and mounted on a circuit board in a connector according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view partly in section showing a one-side supporting portion provided on one side surface of an insertion hole of a back wall in the connector of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view partly in section showing an other-side supporting portion provided on the other side surface of the insertion hole of the back wall in the connector of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the terminal fitting of the embodiment showing a state supported by the one-side supporting portion. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the terminal fitting of the embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view showing a coupled part of a first member and a second member in the terminal fitting of the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     [Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure] 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and described. 
     (1) The terminal fitting of the present disclosure includes a terminal connecting portion to be connected to a mating terminal fitting, and a board connecting portion to be connected to a circuit board, wherein the terminal connecting portion is provided in a first member, the board connecting portion is provided in a second member different from the first member, and the first and second members are so coupled that relative positions of the terminal connecting portion and the board connecting portion are displaceable. Even if a connection position of the board connecting portion to the circuit board moves upward or downward from a predetermined position, an upward or downward displacement amount of the tip of the terminal connecting portion can be reduced or eliminated since the relative positions of the board connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion are displaceable. Therefore, the terminal connecting portion is effortlessly connected in a predetermined posture to the mating terminal fitting and a load applied to the board connecting portion is also reduced. As a result, the terminal fitting can ensure connection reliability as a whole. 
     (2) Preferably, the first and second members are rotatably coupled. According to this configuration, a mechanism for making the relative positions of the board connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion displaceable is not particularly complicated. 
     (3) One of the first and second members may be provided with a resilient portion including a bearing portion and the other may be provided with a shaft portion to be fit into the bearing portion. The shaft portion can be fit into the bearing portion with a deep engagement margin by being accompanied by the deflection of the resilient portion, and a coupled state of the first and second members can be satisfactorily maintained. 
     (4) The one member may be the second member, the resilient portion may be provided in the second member, and a center of gravity of the terminal fitting may be located on the side of the second member. Since the center of gravity of the terminal fitting is located on the side of the second member, a connected state of the board connecting portion to the circuit board can be satisfactorily maintained. Further, the center of gravity of the terminal fitting can be located on the side of the second member by the weight of the resilient portion and it is not necessary to provide a special structure for locating the center of gravity on the side of the second member. 
     (5) The relative positions of the board connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion may be deformable in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the resilient portion is deflected and deformed. According to this configuration, the mutual interference of displacements of the board connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion and the deflection of the resilient portion can be prevented and the connection reliability of the terminal fitting can be satisfactorily ensured. 
     (6) A connector may include the terminal fitting described above and a housing for disposing the terminal fitting, the housing including a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the first and second members. According to this configuration, the terminal fitting is rotatable while being supported in the housing. Further, the coupled state of the first and second members can be satisfactorily maintained by the supporting portion. 
     [Details of Embodiment of Present Disclosure] 
     Specific examples of a terminal fitting and a connector of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to this illustration and is intended to be represented by claims and include all changes in the scope of claims and in the meaning and scope of equivalents. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a terminal fitting  10  is disposed in a connector  60  of a connector. The housing  60  is connected to a mating housing  90 . The terminal fitting  10  is electrically connected to a mating terminal fitting  80  disposed in the mating housing  90 . The mating terminal fitting  80  is a female terminal fitting including a tubular box portion  81  and is connected to an end part of a wire  100 . 
     &lt;Housing  60 &gt; 
     The housing  60  is made of synthetic resin and, as shown in  FIG. 1 , placed on the upper surface (surface) of a circuit board  70 . The housing  60  includes a back wall  61  arranged along a vertical direction and a peripheral wall  62  in the form of a rectangular tube projecting forward from the outer peripheral edge of the back wall  61 . The housing  60  has a fitting space  63  open forward inside. The mating housing  90  is fit and inserted into the fitting space  63 . 
     The back wall  61  includes a plurality of insertion holes  64  (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 ) penetrating in a front-rear direction. The terminal fittings  10  are inserted into the insertion holes  64  from behind. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the housing  60  includes a cylindrical one-side supporting portion  65  projecting on one side surface in a width direction on the inner surface of the insertion hole  64  of the back wall  61 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the housing  60  includes a groove-like other-side supporting portion  66  extending in the front-rear direction on the other side surface in the width direction on the inner surface of the insertion hole  64  of the back wall  61 . The front end of the other-side supporting portion  66  is open in the front surface of the back wall  61 . A rear end part of the other-side supporting portion  66  has a concavely curved supporting surface  67 . 
     The supporting surface  67  of the other-side supporting portion  66  and the one-side supporting portion  65  are arranged at coaxial positions in the width direction to overlap each other in the front-rear direction and vertical direction. Specifically, the supporting surface  67  of the other-side supporting portion  66  and the one-side supporting portion  65  are arranged on a front side and in a vertically intermediate part of the insertion hole  64 . 
     &lt;Terminal Fittings  10 &gt; 
     The terminal fitting  10  is integrally formed, such as by bending after a conductive metal plate is stamped. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the terminal fitting  10  is composed of a first member  11  and a second member  12  different from the first member  11 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first member  11  includes a terminal connecting portion  13  in the form of a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction and a base end portion  14  in the form of a flat plate connected to and behind the terminal connecting portion  13  without any step. The terminal connecting portion  13  and the base end portion  14  are arranged with plate surfaces facing upward and downward. The base end portion  14  includes a part protruding toward one side in the width direction and is formed to be wider than the terminal connecting portion  13 . The terminal connecting portion  13  is inserted into the box portion  81  of the mating terminal fitting  80  and the upper and lower plate surfaces contact contact point parts in the box portion  81 . In this way, the both terminal fittings  10 ,  80  are electrically connected. 
     The first member  11  includes a one-side rising portion  15  rising from one side end in the width direction of the base end portion  14  and an other-side rising portion  16  rising from the other side end in the width direction of the base end portion  14 . The one-side and other-side rising portions  15 ,  16  are facing each other in the width direction and arranged such that plate surfaces are facing in the width direction orthogonal to the base end portion  14 . 
     The one-side rising portion  15  has a body part ring-shaped in a side view and includes a circular hole portion  17  penetrating in the width direction (plate thickness direction) in a central part. The one-side rising portion  15  includes a shaft portion  18  ring-shaped in a side view and projecting over the entire circumference on an opening edge part of the hole portion  17  in an inner surface (surface facing the other-side rising portion  16 ). The other-side rising portion  16  is in the form of a plate rectangular in a side view and includes a first bulging portion  19  at a position coaxial with the hole portion  17  in the width direction. The first bulging portion  19  is formed to hemispherically bulge on the outer surface of the other-side rising portion  16  by striking the inner surface of the other-side rising portion  16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second member  12  includes a base portion  21  in the form of a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction, an extending portion  22  bent and extending downward from the rear end of the base portion  21 , a relay portion  23  inclined downward from the lower end of the extending portion  22 , and a board connecting portion  24  extending rearward from the lower end of the relay portion  23 . The base portion  21  and the board connecting portion  24  are arranged with plate surfaces facing upward and downward. The extending portion  22  is arranged with plate surfaces facing upward and downward. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the board connecting portion  24  is arranged along the surface of the circuit board  70  and connected to a conductive part formed on the surface of the circuit board  70  by reflow soldering. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second member  12  includes a fixed end portion  25  rising from one side edge in the width direction of the base portion  21  and a facing portion  26  rising from the other side end in the width direction of the base portion  21  and facing the fixed end portion  25 . The fixed end portion  25  and the facing portion  26  are arranged with plate surfaces facing in the width direction orthogonal to the base portion  21 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fixed end portion  25  is in the form of a rectangular plate long in the front-rear direction and has a front end at the same position as the front end of the base portion  21  and a rear end at a position behind a center in the front-rear direction of the base portion  21 . The facing portion  26  is in the form of a rectangular plate long in the front-rear direction and formed to have a larger height than the fixed end portion  25 . The facing portion  26  has a front end forward of the front end of the base portion  21  and has a rear end rearward of the rear end of the fixed end portion  25  and on a rear side of the base portion  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the facing portion  26  includes a second bulging portion  27  on a front side of a part projecting further forward than the front end of the base portion  21 . The second bulging portion  27  is formed to hemispherically bulge on the outer surface of the facing portion  26  by striking the inner surface of the facing portion  26 . The second bulging portion  27  is fit into the first bulging portion  19  from inside and can slide on the curved inner surface of the first bulging portion  19 . 
     The second member  12  includes a resilient portion  28  projecting forward from an upward projecting part on the rear side of the fixed end portion  25 . The resilient portion  28  is inclined in a direction to be separated from the facing portion  26  from a rear end part toward a front side. The resilient portion  28  is deflectable and deformable in the width direction with a base end part on the side of the fixed end portion  25  as a fulcrum. A front end part of the resilient portion  28  is ring-shaped in a side view and includes a bearing portion  29  in the form of a circular hole penetrating in the width direction (plate thickness direction) in a central part. The bearing portion  29  is arranged at a position coaxial with the second bulging portion  27  in the width direction. The bearing portion  29  has an opening diameter larger than the hole portion  17 . The shaft portion  18  of the one-side rising portion  15  is fit into the bearing portion  29  of the resilient portion  28  from outside and can slide on the inner peripheral surface of the bearing portion  29  in a circumferential direction. 
     The second member  12  is heavier than the first member  11  since having the resilient portion  28 , the facing portion  26 , the base portion  21 , the extending portion  22  and the board connecting portion  24 . Thus, a center of gravity of the terminal fitting  10  is located on the side of the second member  12 . 
     &lt;Coupling Structure of Terminal Fitting  10  and Overall Structure of Connector&gt; 
     By fitting the second bulging portion  27  into the first bulging portion  19  from inside and fitting the shaft portion  18  of the one-side rising portion  15  into the bearing portion  29  from outside, the rear end part (one-side rising portion  15  and other-side rising portion  16 ) of the first member  11  and the front end part (resilient portion  28  and facing portion  26 ) of the second member  12  overlap in the width direction (plate thickness direction), and the shaft portion  18 , the bearing portion  29 , the first bulging portion  19  and the second bulging portion  27  are coupled side by side on the same axis in the width direction to form a coupling portion  31  in that overlapping part in the terminal fitting  10  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The resilient portion  28  rides on the shaft portion  18  to be deflected and deformed toward the facing portion  26  in a coupling process, and resiliently returns when the shaft portion  18  reaches a position to be fit into the bearing portion  29 . On the other hand, the facing portion  26  is not deflected and deformed and the second bulging portion  27  is fit into the first bulging portion  19 , utilizing the deflection of the resilient portion  28 . 
     The first and second members  11 ,  12  are coupled rotatably about the coupling portion  31 . In the coupled state, the first and second members  11 ,  12  form a separation space  41  in the front-rear direction between the rear end of the base end portion  14  and the front end of the base portion  21  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Then, the first and second members  11 ,  12  are maintained in such initial postures that the terminal connecting portion  13  is horizontally arranged in the front-rear direction and the extending portion  22  is arranged in the vertical direction by a friction force between the shaft portion  18  and the bearing portion  29  and a friction force between the first and second bulging portions  19 ,  27  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). 
     When the first and second members  11 ,  12  rotate from the initial postures, relative positions of the terminal connecting portion  13  and the board connecting portion  24  are displaced in the vertical direction (directions of arrows X of  FIG. 4 ). Here, the first and second members  11 ,  12  can be in such inclined postures to displace the tip of the terminal connecting portion  13  upward or downward. 
     Subsequently, the terminal fitting  10  is inserted into the insertion hole  64  of the housing  60  from behind. The terminal connecting portion  13  of the first member  11  is arranged to project into the fitting space  63 . The extending portion  22 , the relay portion  23  and the board connecting portion  24  are arranged to be exposed behind the back wall  61 . In the insertion hole  64  of the back wall  61 , the one-side supporting portion  65  is resiliently fit into the hole portion  17  of the one-side rising portion  15  and the first bulging portion  19  of the other-side rising portion  16  is resiliently fit to the supporting surface  67  of the other-side supporting portion  66 . The housing  60  constitutes a rotation center portion  68  for the terminal fitting  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  at a position where the one-side supporting portion  65  and the one-side rising portion  15  are fit and a position where the other-side supporting portion  66  and the other-side rising portion  16  are fit. The resilient portion  28 , the facing portion  26 , the base end portion  14  and a front part of the base portion  21  are loosely inserted into the insertion hole  64  and form a clearance between these and the inner surface of the insertion hole  64  of the back wall  61 . In this way, the terminal fitting  10  becomes rotatable about the rotation center portion  68  while being disposed in the housing  60 . 
     If the connector is carried into an unillustrated reflow furnace and solder applied to the surface of the circuit board  70  is heated and melted, the solder adheres to the board connecting portions  24 . Thereafter, the solder is cooled and solidified, whereby the board connecting portions  24  are electrically connected to the conductive parts on the surface of the circuit board  70 . 
     The housing  60  and the circuit board  70  may be deformed to warp due to heat in the reflow furnace. As described above, the terminal fitting  10  has the center of gravity on the side of the second member  12  and is rotatable from the initial posture about the rotation center portion  68 . Thus, even if the circuit board  70  is deformed, the terminal fitting  10  rotates in a direction in which the board connecting portion  24  follows the circuit board  70  and a state where the board connecting portion  24  is in contact with the surface of the circuit board  70  can be maintained. As a result, the connection reliability of the board connecting portion  24  with the circuit board  70  can be ensured. 
     If the circuit board  70  is deformed and the terminal fitting  10  rotates to have an inclined posture, the tip of the terminal connecting portion  13  is displaced upward or downward. Then, when the housing  60  is connected to the mating housing  90 , the terminal connecting portion  13  may not be connected in a proper posture to the mating terminal fitting  80 . However, in the case of this embodiment, the first and second members  11 ,  12  are rotatable about the rotation center portion  68  and the terminal connecting portion  13  of the first member  11  and the board connecting portion  24  of the second member  12  are relatively displaceable with respect to each other. 
     Thus, if the terminal fitting  10  is in an inclined posture, the first member  11  is pressed by the mating terminal fitting  80  and rotates about the coupling portion  31  with respect to the housing  60  in a connection process to the mating terminal fitting  80 . Then, the terminal connecting portion  13  is displaced and set in a horizontal posture according to the rotation of the first member  11  and an appropriate connected state to the mating terminal fitting  80  is realized. On the other hand, the second member  12  does not follow the rotation of the first member  11 . Similarly, the board connecting portion  24  also does not follow a displacement of the terminal connecting portion  13 . Thus, a state where the board connecting portion  24  is connected to the conductive part of the circuit board  70  can be satisfactorily maintained. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the terminal fitting  10  can ensure connection reliability as a whole. 
     In the case of this embodiment, the relative positions of the board connecting portion  24  and the terminal connecting portion  13  are made displaceable by rotatably coupling the first and second members  11 ,  12 . Thus, a structure is not particularly complicated. 
     Further, the shaft portion  18  can be fit into the bearing portion  29  with a deep engagement margin by being accompanied by the deflection of the resilient portion  28 , and the coupled state of the first and second members  11 ,  12  can be satisfactorily maintained. 
     Further, since the center of gravity of the terminal fitting  10  is located on the side of the second member  12 , a state of the board connecting portion  24  connected to the circuit board  70  can be satisfactorily maintained. Since the center of gravity of the terminal fitting  10  can be located on the side of the second member  12  by the weight of the resilient portion  28  in this case, it is not necessary to provide a special structure for locating the center of gravity on the side of the second member  12 . 
     Further, since the relative positions of the board connecting portion  24  and the terminal connecting portion  13  are deformable in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to a direction (width direction) in which the resilient portion  28  is deflected and deformed, the mutual interference of displacements of the board connecting portion  24  and the terminal connecting portion  13  and the deflection of the resilient portion  28  can be prevented. As a result, the connection reliability of the terminal fitting  10  can be more satisfactorily ensured. 
     Furthermore, since the first and second members  11 ,  12  are coupled via the coupling portion  31  and the coupling portion  31  also serves as the rotation center portion  68  of the housing  60 , the coupled state of the first and second members  11 ,  12  and a supported state of the first and second members  11 ,  12  in the housing  60  can be reliably realized by a simple configuration. 
     [Other Embodiments of Present Disclosure] 
     The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered illustrative in all aspects, rather than restrictive. 
     Although the terminal fitting  10  is composed of the first and second members  11 ,  12  in the case of the above embodiment, a terminal fitting may include another member in addition to first and second members as another embodiment. In this case, the first and second members may be indirectly coupled via the other member. In short, the first and second members only have to be configured to be electrically connected. 
     Although the first and second members  11 ,  12  are coupled via the coupling portion  31  in the case of the above embodiment, a first member and a second member may be rotatably coupled and supported by a supporting portion (rotation center portion) of a housing without via a coupling portion as another embodiment. 
     Although the coupling portion  31  coupling the first and second members  11 ,  12  is provided on the rear side of the terminal connecting portion  13  in the case of the above embodiment, a coupling portion only has to be provided between a terminal connecting portion and a board connecting portion and, for example, may be provided above the board connecting portion (extending portion, relay portion, etc.) as another embodiment. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  . . . terminal fitting 
               11  . . . first member 
               12  . . . second member 
               13  . . . terminal connecting portion 
               14  . . . base end portion 
               15  . . . one-side rising portion 
               16  . . . other-side rising portion 
               17  . . . hole portion 
               18  . . . shaft portion 
               19  . . . first bulging portion 
               21  . . . base portion 
               22  . . . extending portion 
               23  . . . relay portion 
               24  . . . board connecting portion 
               25  . . . fixed end portion 
               26  . . . facing portion 
               27  . . . second bulging portion 
               28  . . . resilient portion 
               29  . . . bearing portion 
               31  . . . coupling portion 
               41  . . . separation space 
               60  . . . housing 
               61  . . . back wall 
               62  . . . peripheral wall 
               63  . . . fitting space 
               64  . . . insertion hole 
               65  . . . one-side supporting portion 
               66  . . . other-side supporting portion 
               67  . . . supporting surface 
               68  . . . rotation center portion 
               70  . . . circuit board 
               80  . . . mating terminal fitting 
               81  . . . box portion 
               90  . . . mating housing 
               100  . . . wire