TERMINAL UNIT

Abstract

A terminal unit in which electric resistance is small and heat generation is little even if large electric current is applied, is provided. The terminal unit comprises a first terminal, a second terminal which is assembled to and connected with the first terminal, an electric wire end which is connected with the second terminal, and a pressing member which presses the first terminal and the second terminal against each other for contact. In a state where the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled and contacted with each other, at least one projection contact of the first terminal directly contacts the electric wire end through at least one through hole of the second terminal.

Claims

1. A terminal unit, comprising: a first terminal; a second terminal which is assembled to and connected with the first terminal; an electric wire end which is connected with the second terminal; and a pressing member which presses the first terminal and the second terminal against each other for contact, wherein the first terminal has a first terminal side assembly surface to which the second terminal is assembled and at least one projection contact projecting in a direction orthogonal to the first terminal side assembly surface, the second terminal has a second terminal side assembly surface to which the first terminal is assembled and at least one through hole through which the electric wire end is visually observed from the second terminal side assembly surface, and in a state where the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled and contacted with each other by being pressed by the pressing member, the at least one projection contact of the first terminal directly contacts the electric wire end through the at least one through hole of the second terminal.

2. A terminal unit, comprising: a first terminal; a second terminal which is assembled to and connected with the first terminal; and an electric wire end which is connected with the second terminal, wherein the first terminal is an elastic socket formed in a cylindrical shape, the second terminal is a round pin, the elastic socket has at least one projection contact projecting to the second terminal when the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled, the round pin has at least one through hole through which the electric wire end is visually observed, and in a state where the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled and contacted with each other, the at least one projection contact of the first terminal directly contacts the electric wire end through the at least one through hole of the second terminal.

3. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein the electric wire end is a twisted wire having flexibility, and in a state where the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled and contacted with each other, the at least one projection contact of the first terminal bites into the twisted wire.

4. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal side assembly surface of the first terminal and the second terminal side assembly surface of the second terminal are formed in flat-plate shapes, the second terminal and the electric wire end are connected by adhesion, the at least one projection contact of the first terminal is formed in a quadrilateral projected shape, the at least one through hole of the second terminal is formed in a quadrilateral penetrating shape corresponding to the quadrilateral projected shape of the at least one projection contact.

5. The terminal unit according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal side assembly surface of the first terminal and the second terminal side assembly surface of the second terminal are formed in flat-plate shapes, the second terminal and the electric wire end are connected by pressure bonding, the at least one projection contact of the first terminal is formed in a quadrilateral projected shape, the at least one through hole of the second terminal is formed in a quadrilateral penetrating shape corresponding to the quadrilateral projected shape of the at least one projection contact.

6. A terminal unit, comprising: a first terminal; a second terminal which is assembled to and connected with the first terminal, an electric wire end which is connected with the second terminal; and a pressing member which presses the first terminal and the second terminal against each other for contact, wherein the first terminal has a first terminal side assembly surface to which the second terminal is assembled, the first terminal side assembly surface being formed in a flat-plate shape, the second terminal has a second terminal side assembly surface to which the first terminal is assembled and at least one spherical contact retained rotatably with respect to the second terminal side assembly surface, and in a state where the first terminal and the second terminal are assembled and contacted with each other by being pressed by the pressing member, the at least one spherical contact of the second terminal directly contacts the first terminal side assembly surface of the first terminal and the electric wire end.

7. The terminal unit according to claim 6, wherein the second terminal has at least one ball holding hole and a ball presser plate, the at least one spherical contact of the second terminal is a ball formed in a spherical shape and rotatably retained in the at least one ball holding hole, the electric wire end is attached to a side of the second terminal opposite to the second terminal side assembly surface so as to cover the at least one ball holding hole, and the ball presser plate is attached to a side of the second terminal side assembly surface in a state where the at least one spherical contact is stored and retained in the at least one ball holding hole such that a portion of the at least one spherical contact is projected to a side of the first terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a terminal unit according to a first embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the terminal unit according to the first embodiment, seen from the back lower right;

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a first terminal according to the first embodiment, seen from the back upper right;

[0021] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view of a second terminal according to the first embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0022] FIG. 7 is a transparent front view for describing a connection state of the first terminal and the second terminal according to the first embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an A-A line cross section in FIG. 7;

[0024] FIG. 9 is an external perspective view of a terminal unit according to a second embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0025] FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the terminal unit according to the second embodiment, seen from the back lower right;

[0026] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9;

[0027] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10;

[0028] FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of a first terminal according to the second embodiment, seen from the back upper right;

[0029] FIG. 14 is an external perspective view of a second terminal according to the second embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0030] FIG. 15 is a transparent front view for describing a connection state of the first terminal and the second terminal according to the second embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a B-B line cross section in FIG. 15;

[0032] FIG. 17 is an external perspective view of a terminal unit according to a third embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0033] FIG. 18 is an external perspective view of the terminal unit according to the third embodiment, seen from the back lower right;

[0034] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17;

[0035] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the third embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18;

[0036] FIG. 21 is a front view for describing a connection state of a first terminal and a second terminal according to the third embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a C-C line cross section in FIG. 21;

[0038] FIG. 23 is an external perspective view of a terminal unit according to a fourth embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0039] FIG. 24 is an external perspective view of the terminal unit according to the fourth embodiment, seen from the back lower right;

[0040] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 23;

[0041] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal unit according to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24;

[0042] FIG. 27 is an external perspective view of a first terminal according to the fourth embodiment, seen from the back upper right;

[0043] FIG. 28 is an external perspective view of a second terminal according to the fourth embodiment, seen from the front upper left;

[0044] FIG. 29 is an external perspective view of the second terminal according to the fourth embodiment, seen from the back lower right;

[0045] FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the second terminal according to the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 28;

[0046] FIG. 31 is a transparent front view for describing a connection state of the first terminal and the second terminal according to the fourth embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a D-D line cross section in FIG. 31;

[0048] FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a terminal unit in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2022-150224; and

[0049] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a terminal unit in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-097644.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described by using the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention defines a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction, and in the drawings, each direction is illustrated as an X direction, a Y direction, and a Z direction for convenience of explanation. In the present specification, the first direction is a right and left direction. In the drawings, the right and left direction is illustrated as the X direction. In particular, the right side is the +X direction, and the left side is the X direction. In addition, in the present specification, the second direction is an up and down direction. In the drawings, the up and down direction is illustrated as the Y direction. In particular, the upper side is the +Y direction, and the lower side is the Y direction. Furthermore, in the present specification, the third direction is a front and back direction. In the drawings, the front and back direction is illustrated as the Z direction. In particular, the front side is the +Z direction, and the back side is the Z direction.

[0051] In addition, each of the following embodiments does not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all of the combinations of features described in each of the embodiments are necessary to the solving means of the invention.

First Embodiment

[0052] A terminal unit 10 according to a first embodiment will be described by using FIG. 1 to FIG. 8.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first terminal 11, a second terminal 21, and a pressing member 31.

[0054] The first terminal 11 is a member made of a conductive metal. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the rear surface side of the first terminal 11 in the first embodiment is a first terminal side assembly surface 12 in a flat-plate shape. In addition, the first terminal 11 has six projection contacts 13 projecting backward (Z direction), which is the third direction orthogonal to the first terminal side assembly surface 12 (a surface parallel to an XY plane formed of the first direction and the second direction) in which the second terminal 21, which will be described below, is to be assembled.

[0055] The second terminal 21 is a member made of a conductive metal. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the front surface side of the second terminal 21 in the first embodiment is a second terminal side assembly surface 22 in a flat-plate shape, and the rear surface side thereof is a twisted wire attachment surface 23 in a flat-plate shape. The front surface and the rear surface of the second terminal 21, where the second terminal side assembly surface 22 and the twisted wire attachment surface 23 are formed, are arranged such that those surfaces are superposed when seen in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction. In addition, the second terminal side assembly surface 22 is a portion that is arranged opposingly to the first terminal side assembly surface 12 possessed by the first terminal 11, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled. Furthermore, the second terminal 21 is formed to have six through holes 24 penetrating in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction, from the second terminal side assembly surface 22 on the front surface side in which the first terminal 11 is to be assembled, toward the twisted wire attachment surface 23 on the rear surface side. These six through holes 24 are portions into which the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are inserted, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled.

[0056] On the other hand, an electric wire 41, which is electrically conductive, is connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 23. A twisted wire 42 formed by twisting multiple copper wires having conductivity is arranged inside the electric wire 41 of the first embodiment, and an insulator 43 as a protection member covers an outer circumference of this twisted wire 42. Furthermore, the insulator 43 is removed from an end part of the electric wire 41 that is on the side connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 23, and the twisted wire 42 is exposed, thereby forming an electric wire end 42a.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the twisted wire attachment surface 23 of the second terminal 21 and the electric wire end 42a of the electric wire 41 are connected by adhesion. At this time, since the electric wire end 42a is adhered so as to cover the top surface of the twisted wire attachment surface 23 (the back surface of the second terminal 21), the penetrating six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are blocked by the electric wire end 42a. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the second terminal 21 is formed such that, when the six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are seen from the front surface side, the electric wire end 42a can be visually observed through the through holes 24.

[0058] Thus, when assembling the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, once each of the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 is inserted into the six through holes 24, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the six projection contacts 13 directly contact the electric wire end 42a. In addition, at this time, since a height dimension of the six projection contacts 13 is formed to be a dimension greater than a depth dimension of the six through holes 24, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 that are assembled are in a state where only the six projection contacts 13 are in direct contact with the electric wire end 42a. Accordingly, since electricity to be transmitted using the electric wire 41 can be electrically conducted and transmitted directly from the electric wire end 42a of the twisted wire 42 to the first terminal 11, it is possible to achieve the terminal unit 10 in which electric resistance is small and heat generation is little even if large electric current is applied.

[0059] In addition, since the electric wire end 42a in direct contact with the six projection contacts 13 is the twisted wire 42 having flexibility, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled and brought into contact with each other, the projection contacts 13 of the first terminal 11 dig into the electric wire end 42a which is the twisted wire 42. With such configuration, a difference in heights of the six projection contacts 13 and an error at the time of assembly can be absorbed. Thus, since contact resistance can be reduced by multi-point contact, and rise in temperature can be suppressed when applying large electric current, it is possible to apply larger electric current.

[0060] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are in a projected shape of a quadrilateral. On the other hand, the six through holes 24 possessed by the second terminal 21 are in a quadrilateral penetrating shape corresponding to the quadrilateral of the projection contacts 13. Thus, at the time of assembly of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, even if the terminals move due to vibration or the like, by fitting of projections and recesses using the projection contacts 13 and the through holes 24 both in quadrilateral shapes, fitting parts two-dimensionally work so as to inhibit such movement. Therefore, it becomes possible to suitably suppress wear of parts in direct contact with each other.

[0061] Furthermore, regarding the second terminal 21 of the first embodiment, the front surface and the rear surface of the second terminal 21, where the second terminal side assembly surface 22 and the twisted wire attachment surface 23 are formed, are arranged such that those surfaces are superposed when seen in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction. Thus, as compared to the conventional art, the second terminal 21 can have a compact configuration. Accordingly, the terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment can be miniaturized as compared to the conventional art.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 described above can retain a state where the terminals are connected with each other by the pressing member 31. This pressing member 31 is a member in a clip shape which is formed to have two plate-like elastic parts 32 capable of exerting elastic force as pressing force against the front surface and the back surface of the pressing member 31. Furthermore, regarding this pressing member 31, by assembling the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21 in a state where those surfaces oppose each other, the two plate-like elastic parts 32 exert elastic force which presses the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 against each other such that the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 can be connected with each other and retained. It should be noted that the pressing member of the present invention can be formed of any member as long as it is a member capable of exerting pressing force. For example, a pressing member using fastening power such as a bolt can be employed.

[0063] The configurations of the terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment have been described above. Next, procedures of forming the terminal unit 10 by assembling the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the pressing member 31 will be described.

[0064] The procedures of forming the terminal unit 10 by assembling the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the pressing member 31 will be described by referring to FIG. 3, for example. Firstly, the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 is moved in a backward direction (Z direction) toward the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21, and the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are fitted into the six through holes 24 possessed by the second terminal 21. From this state, the pressing member 31 is moved in a downward direction (Y direction) to sandwich the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 with the two plate-like elastic parts 32, thereby achieving the state illustrated in FIG. 1. In such state, with pressing force consisting of elastic force exerted from the two plate-like elastic parts 32 possessed by the pressing member 31, assembly of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 is completed in a state where the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21 oppose each other. It should be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 8, since the six projection contacts 13 directly contact the electric wire end 42a in the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, the terminal unit 10 having an extremely short electric conduction path is achieved. Accordingly, with the terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment, electric resistance can be made small, and heat generation can be made little even if large electric current is applied.

[0065] The configurations and the assembly procedures of the terminal unit 10 according to the first embodiment have been described above by using FIG. 1 to FIG. 8. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. Various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

[0066] For example, the above-mentioned first embodiment exemplified a case in which the twisted wire attachment surface 23 of the second terminal 21 and the electric wire end 42a of the electric wire 41 are connected by adhesion. However, besides a means of bonding the twisted wire attachment surface 23 of the second terminal 21 and the electric wire end 42a of the electric wire 41 in a molecular level by heat, various connection means included in the definition of adhesion such as soldering or welding can be used for adhesion as this connection means.

[0067] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the second terminal 21 in the above-mentioned first embodiment is formed such that, when the six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are seen from the front surface side, the electric wire end 42a can be visually observed through the through holes 24. The electric wire end 42a which can be visually observed through the through holes 24 is in a state where the twisted wire 42 is exposed. For the electric wire end 42a made of the twisted wire 42 in such exposed state, the top surface of the twisted wire 42 which can be visually observed can be protected by applying a surface treatment such as silver plating. Although the flexibility of the twisted wire 42 slightly worsens by applying the surface treatment such as silver plating, since oxidation of the top surface of the copper wire can be suppressed, an effect of reducing contact resistance can be obtained over a long period of time. The terminal unit to which such improvement configuration is added is also included in the present invention.

[0068] Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applicable will be described by using FIG. 9 to FIG. 16. It should be noted that, in the following descriptions, members that are the same as or similar to the members described in the above-mentioned first embodiment may be denoted by the same reference signs, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

Second Embodiment

[0069] The terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment will be described by using FIG. 9 to FIG. 16.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12, the terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment includes the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the pressing member 31.

[0071] The first terminal 11 is a member made of a conductive metal. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the rear surface side of the first terminal 11 in the second embodiment is the first terminal side assembly surface 12 in a flat-plate shape. In addition, the first terminal 11 has the six projection contacts 13 projecting backward (Z direction), which is the third direction orthogonal to the first terminal side assembly surface 12 (the surface parallel to the XY plane formed of the first direction and the second direction) in which the second terminal 21, which will be described below, is to be assembled.

[0072] The second terminal 21 is a member made of a conductive metal. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the front surface side of the second terminal 21 in the second embodiment is the second terminal side assembly surface 22 in a flat-plate shape, and the rear surface side of this second terminal side assembly surface 22 is the twisted wire attachment surface 23 in a flat-plate shape. The front surface and the rear surface of the second terminal 21, where the second terminal side assembly surface 22 and the twisted wire attachment surface 23 are formed, are arranged such that those surfaces are superposed when seen in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction. In addition, the second terminal side assembly surface 22 is a portion that is arranged opposingly to the first terminal side assembly surface 12 possessed by the first terminal 11, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled. Furthermore, the second terminal 21 is formed to have the six through holes 24 penetrating in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction, from the second terminal side assembly surface 22 on the front surface side in which the first terminal 11 is to be assembled, toward the twisted wire attachment surface 23 on the rear surface side. These six through holes 24 are portions into which the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are inserted, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled.

[0073] On the other hand, the electric wire 41, which is electrically conductive, is connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 23. The twisted wire 42 formed by twisting multiple copper wires having conductivity is arranged inside the electric wire 41 of the second embodiment, and the insulator 43 as a protection member covers an outer circumference of this twisted wire 42. Furthermore, the insulator 43 is removed from an end part of the electric wire 41 that is on the side connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 23, and the twisted wire 42 is exposed, thereby forming the electric wire end 42a.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the twisted wire attachment surface 23 of the second terminal 21 and the electric wire end 42a of the electric wire 41 are connected by pressure bonding. More specifically, in the second terminal 21, a swaging wall surface part 25 is formed so as to extend toward the upside and the downside of the second terminal side assembly surface 22 on the front surface side and the twisted wire attachment surface 23 on the rear surface side. This swaging wall surface part 25 is subjected to a swaging process and is bent so as to enclose the electric wire end 42a, such that the electric wire end 42a is pressure-bonded so as to cover the top surface of the twisted wire attachment surface 23 (the back surface of the second terminal 21). Accordingly, the penetrating six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are blocked by the electric wire end 42a. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the second terminal 21 is formed such that, when the six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are seen from the front surface side, the electric wire end 42a can be visually observed through the through holes 24.

[0075] Thus, when assembling the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, once each of the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 is inserted into the six through holes 24, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the six projection contacts 13 directly contact the electric wire end 42a. In addition, at this time, since a height dimension of the six projection contacts 13 is formed to be a dimension greater than a depth dimension of the six through holes 24, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 that are assembled are in a state where only the six projection contacts 13 and the electric wire end 42a are in direct contact therebetween. Accordingly, since electricity to be transmitted using the electric wire 41 can be electrically conducted and transmitted directly from the electric wire end 42a of the twisted wire 42 to the first terminal 11, it is possible to achieve the terminal unit 10 in which electric resistance is small and heat generation is little even if large electric current is applied.

[0076] In addition, since the electric wire end 42a in direct contact with the six projection contacts 13 is the twisted wire 42 having flexibility, when the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 are assembled and brought into contact with each other, the projection contacts 13 of the first terminal 11 dig into the electric wire end 42a which is the twisted wire 42. With such configuration, a difference in heights of the six projection contacts 13 and an error at the time of assembly can be absorbed. Thus, since contact resistance can be reduced by multi-point contact, and rise in temperature can be suppressed when applying large electric current, it is possible to apply larger electric current.

[0077] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are in a projected shape of a quadrilateral. On the other hand, the six through holes 24 possessed by the second terminal 21 are in a quadrilateral penetrating shape corresponding to the quadrilateral of the projection contacts 13. Thus, at the time of assembly of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, even if the terminals move due to vibration or the like, by fitting of projections and recesses using the projection contacts 13 and the through holes 24 both in quadrilateral shapes, fitting parts two-dimensionally work so as to inhibit such movement. Therefore, it becomes possible to suitably suppress wear of parts in direct contact with each other.

[0078] Furthermore, regarding the second terminal 21 of the second embodiment, the front surface and the rear surface of the second terminal 21, where the second terminal side assembly surface 22 and the twisted wire attachment surface 23 are formed, are arranged such that those surfaces are superposed when seen in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction. Thus, as compared to the conventional art, the second terminal 21 can have a compact configuration. Accordingly, the terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment can be miniaturized as compared to the conventional art.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 described above can retain a state where the terminals are connected with each other by the pressing member 31. This pressing member 31 is a member in a clip shape which is formed to have the two plate-like elastic parts 32 capable of exerting elastic force as pressing force against the front surface and the back surface of the pressing member 31. Furthermore, regarding this pressing member 31, by assembling the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21 in a state where those surfaces oppose each other, the two plate-like elastic parts 32 exert elastic force which presses the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 against each other such that the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 can be connected with each other and retained. It should be noted that the pressing member of the present invention can be formed of any member as long as it is a member capable of exerting pressing force. For example, a pressing member using fastening power such as a bolt can be employed.

[0080] The configurations of the terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment have been described above. Next, procedures of forming the terminal unit 10 by assembling the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the pressing member 31 will be described.

[0081] The procedures of forming the terminal unit 10 by assembling the first terminal 11, the second terminal 21, and the pressing member 31 will be described by referring to FIG. 11, for example. Firstly, the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 is moved in a backward direction (Z direction) toward the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21, and the six projection contacts 13 possessed by the first terminal 11 are fitted into the six through holes 24 possessed by the second terminal 21. From this state, the pressing member 31 is moved in a downward direction (Y direction) to sandwich the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 with the two plate-like elastic parts 32, thereby achieving the state illustrated in FIG. 1. In such state, with pressing force consisting of elastic force exerted from the two plate-like elastic parts 32 possessed by the pressing member 31, assembly of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21 is completed in a state where the first terminal side assembly surface 12 of the first terminal 11 and the second terminal side assembly surface 22 of the second terminal 21 oppose each other. It should be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 16, since the six projection contacts 13 directly contact the electric wire end 42a in the first terminal 11 and the second terminal 21, the terminal unit 10 having an extremely short electric conduction path is achieved. Accordingly, with the terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment, electric resistance can be made small, and heat generation can be made little even if large electric current is applied.

[0082] The configurations and the assembly procedures of the terminal unit 10 according to the second embodiment have been described above by using FIG. 9 to FIG. 16. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. Various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

[0083] For example, the above-mentioned second embodiment exemplified a case in which the twisted wire attachment surface 23 of the second terminal 21 and the electric wire end 42a of the electric wire 41 are connected by pressure bonding. However, besides a connection means utilizing plastic deformation of a metal material such as a swaging process, various connection means included in the definition of pressure bonding such as, for example, thermocompression bonding or ultrasonic thermocompression bonding can be used for pressure bonding as this connection means.

[0084] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the second terminal 21 in the above-mentioned second embodiment is formed such that, when the six through holes 24 formed in the second terminal 21 are seen from the front surface side, the electric wire end 42a can be visually observed through the through holes 24. The electric wire end 42a which can be visually observed through the through holes 24 is in a state where the twisted wire 42 is exposed. For the electric wire end 42a made of the twisted wire 42 in such exposed state, the top surface of the twisted wire 42 which can be visually observed can be protected by applying a surface treatment such as silver plating. Although the flexibility of the twisted wire 42 slightly worsens by applying the surface treatment such as silver plating, since oxidation of the top surface of the copper wire can be suppressed, an effect of reducing contact resistance can be obtained over a long period of time. The terminal unit to which such improvement configuration is added is also included in the present invention.

[0085] Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applicable will be described by using FIG. 17 to FIG. 22.

Third Embodiment

[0086] A terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment will be described by using FIG. 17 to FIG. 22.

[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 17 to FIG. 20, the terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment includes a first terminal 111 and a second terminal 121.

[0088] The first terminal 111 is a member made of a conductive metal, and is a member formed as an elastic socket in a cylindrical shape. As illustrated in FIG. 20, for example, the first terminal 111 of the third embodiment includes six elastic force imparting arm parts 112 extending to the second terminal 121 side, and on the inner circumference side of each of these six elastic force imparting arm parts 112, projection contacts 113 which project toward the second terminal 121 side when the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121 are assembled are formed one by one. In other words, the first terminal 111 has the six projection contacts 113 in total.

[0089] The second terminal 121 is a member made of a conductive metal, and is a member formed as a round pin. As illustrated in FIG. 20, for example, the second terminal 121 of the third embodiment has six through holes 124 on the outer circumference surface of a portion to be assembled against the first terminal 111. These six through holes 124 are portions into which the six projection contacts 113 possessed by the first terminal 111 are inserted, when the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121 are assembled.

[0090] In addition, an electric wire 141 which can conduct electricity is installed in an end part that is on the opposite side of the portion to be assembled against the first terminal 111 which is the right side of the second terminal 121.

[0091] A twisted wire 142 formed by twisting multiple copper wires having conductivity is arranged inside the electric wire 141 of the third embodiment, and an insulator 143 as a protection member covers an outer circumference of this twisted wire 142. Furthermore, the insulator 143 is removed from an end part of the electric wire 141 that is on the side connected with the second terminal 121, and the twisted wire 142 is exposed, thereby forming the electric wire end 142a.

[0092] In the third embodiment, the second terminal 121 and the electric wire end 142a of the electric wire 141 are connected by pressure bonding. More specifically, by applying a swaging process in a state where the electric wire end 142a is inserted into the second terminal 121, the electric wire end 142a is fixed to the second terminal 121 by pressure bonding. At this time, the inner side of the six penetrating through holes 124 formed in the second terminal 121 is blocked by the electric wire end 142a. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 20, for example, the second terminal 121 is formed such that, when the six through holes 124 formed in the second terminal 121 are seen from the outer circumference side, the electric wire end 142a can be visually observed through the through holes 124.

[0093] Thus, when assembling the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121, once each of the six projection contacts 113 possessed by the first terminal 111 is inserted into the six through holes 124, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the six projection contacts 113 directly contact the electric wire end 142a. In addition, at this time, since the six projection contacts 113 are pushed toward the electric wire end 142a due to inward elastic force exerted by the six elastic force imparting arm parts 112, each of the six projection contacts 113 is certainly fitted into the six through holes 124. Furthermore, since a height dimension of the six projection contacts 113 is formed to be a dimension greater than a depth dimension of the six through holes 124, the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121 that are assembled are in a state where only the six projection contacts 113 are in direct contact with the electric wire end 142a. Accordingly, since electricity to be transmitted using the electric wire 141 can be electrically conducted and transmitted directly from the electric wire end 142a of the twisted wire 142 to the first terminal 111, it is possible to achieve the terminal unit 110 in which electric resistance is small and heat generation is little even if large electric current is applied.

[0094] In addition, since the electric wire end 142a in direct contact with the six projection contacts 113 is the twisted wire 142 having flexibility, when the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121 are assembled and brought into contact with each other, the projection contacts 113 of the first terminal 111 dig into the electric wire end 142a which is the twisted wire 142. With such configuration, a difference in heights of the six projection contacts 113, an error at the time of assembly, and the like can be absorbed. Thus, since contact resistance can be reduced by multi-point contact, and rise in temperature can be suppressed when applying large electric current, it is possible to apply larger electric current.

[0095] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the six projection contacts 113 possessed by the first terminal 111 are in a projected shape of a quadrilateral. On the other hand, the six through holes 124 possessed by the second terminal 121 are in a quadrilateral penetrating shape corresponding to the quadrilateral of the projection contacts 13. Thus, at the time of assembly of the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121, even if the terminals move due to vibration or the like, by fitting of projections and recesses using the projection contacts 113 and the through holes 124 both in quadrilateral shapes, fitting parts work so as to inhibit such movement. Therefore, it becomes possible to suitably suppress wear of parts in direct contact with each other.

[0096] The first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121 according to the third embodiment which have been described above do not require the pressing member 31 used in the first and the second embodiments. Thus, the terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment has a merit of reduced manufacturing cost or the like on the point that the number of components is small.

[0097] Regarding the assembly procedures of the terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment, the six projection contacts 113 may be fitted into the six through holes 124 by fitting the first terminal 111 into the second terminal 121. In this manner, as illustrated in FIG. 22, since the six projection contacts 113 directly contact the electric wire end 142a in the first terminal 111 and the second terminal 121, the terminal unit 110 having an extremely short electric conduction path is achieved. Accordingly, with the terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment, electric resistance can be made small, and heat generation can be made little even if large electric current is applied.

[0098] The configurations and the assembly procedures of the terminal unit 110 according to the third embodiment have been described above by using FIG. 17 to FIG. 22. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. Various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

[0099] For example, the above-mentioned third embodiment exemplified a case in which the second terminal 121 and the electric wire end 142a of the electric wire 141 are connected by pressure bonding. However, various connection means can be used for the connection means of the second terminal 121 and the electric wire end 142a.

[0100] Preferable embodiments of the present invention have been described above. Next, a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applicable will be described by using FIG. 23 to FIG. 32.

Fourth Embodiment

[0101] A terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment will be described by using FIG. 23 to FIG. 32.

[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 23 to FIG. 26, the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment includes a first terminal 211, a second terminal 221, and a pressing member 231.

[0103] The first terminal 211 is a member made of a conductive metal, and is formed as a single plate member in a flat-plate shape. As illustrated in FIG. 27, the rear surface side of the first terminal 211 in the fourth embodiment is a first terminal side assembly surface 212 in a flat-plate shape. This first terminal side assembly surface 212 is a portion to be brought into contact with balls 225 as spherical contacts, which will be described below, at the time of assembly of the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221.

[0104] The second terminal 221 is a member made of a conductive metal. As illustrated in FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the front surface side of the second terminal 221 in the fourth embodiment is a second terminal side assembly surface 222 in a flat-plate shape, and the rear surface side thereof is a twisted wire attachment surface 223 in a flat-plate shape. The front surface and the rear surface of the second terminal 221, where the second terminal side assembly surface 222 and the twisted wire attachment surface 223 are formed, are arranged such that those surfaces are superposed when seen in the Z direction, which is the front and back direction. In addition, the second terminal side assembly surface 222 is a portion that is arranged opposingly to the first terminal side assembly surface 212 possessed by the first terminal 211, when the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 are assembled.

[0105] Furthermore, as is apparent by referring to and comparing FIG. 28 to FIG. 30, the second terminal 221 of the fourth embodiment is formed of a second terminal body part 224 in a flat-plate shape having six ball holding holes 224a, six balls 225 as the spherical contacts to be stored one each in each of the six ball holding holes 224a, an electric wire end 242a, which will be described below, attached on the opposite side of the second terminal side assembly surface 222 so as to block the six ball holding holes 224a, and a ball presser plate 226 attached on the side of the second terminal side assembly surface 222 in a state where the balls 225 are stored in the ball holding holes 224a, which retains a part of the top surfaces of the balls 225 in a state projecting to the first terminal 211 side. In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 32, in the second terminal 221 of the fourth embodiment, each of the six balls 225 is sandwiched between the electric wire end 242a and the ball presser plate 226 while being stored in each of the six ball holding holes 224a possessed by the second terminal body part 224, and is arranged in a freely rotatable state. It should be noted that the ball presser plate 226 is formed to have circular opening holes 226a which are formed in a diameter dimension smaller than a diameter of the balls 225. In addition, a depth dimension of the ball holding holes 224a storing the balls 225 is formed to be a dimension smaller than the diameter of the balls 225. Thus, a part of the top surface of the six balls 225 on the side of the second terminal side assembly surface 222 is protruded forward (+Z direction) from the opening holes 226a of the ball presser plate 226.

[0106] As mentioned above, an electric wire 241, which is electrically conductive, is connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 223. As illustrated in FIG. 29 and the like, for example, a twisted wire 242 formed by twisting multiple copper wires having conductivity is arranged inside the electric wire 241 of the fourth embodiment, and an insulator 243 as a protection member covers an outer circumference of this twisted wire 242. Furthermore, the insulator 243 is removed from an end part of the electric wire 241 that is on the side connected with the twisted wire attachment surface 223, and the twisted wire 242 is exposed, thereby forming the electric wire end 242a.

[0107] In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the twisted wire attachment surface 223 of the second terminal 221 and the electric wire end 242a of the electric wire 241 are connected by adhesion. At this time, since the electric wire end 242a is adhered so as to cover the back surface of the twisted wire attachment surface 223, the penetrating six ball holding holes 224a formed in the second terminal body part 224 are in a state where the back side of the second terminal body part 224 is blocked by the electric wire end 242a. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 32, in the second terminal 221, the six balls 225 as the spherical contacts are retained in a rotatable state while directly contacting the electric wire end 242a.

[0108] As illustrated in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 described above can retain a state where the terminals are connected with each other by the pressing member 231. This pressing member 231 is a member in a clip shape which is formed to have two plate-like elastic parts 232 capable of exerting elastic force as pressing force against the front surface and the back surface of the pressing member 231. Furthermore, by assembling the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211 and the second terminal side assembly surface 222 of the second terminal 221 in a state where those surfaces oppose each other, as illustrated in FIG. 32, this pressing member 231 exerts elastic force which presses the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211 and the six balls 225 as the spherical contacts against each other such that the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 can be connected with each other and retained. It should be noted that the pressing member of the present invention can be formed of any member as long as it is a member capable of exerting pressing force. For example, a pressing member using fastening power such as a bolt can be employed.

[0109] In addition, when the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 are assembled, the six balls 225 as the spherical contacts which are retained in a rotatable state dig into the electric wire end 242a upon receiving pressing force from the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211. In this regard, a technique of connecting terminals by using balls that are spherical terminals is publicly-known from Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-097644 illustrated in FIG. 34. However, in the conventional art illustrated in FIG. 34, a ball (16) which is sandwiched between a connector terminal (12) and an opposing connector terminal (21) does not directly contact an electric wire end. It should be noted that, reference signs relating to descriptions of the prior art document are enclosed in brackets for distinction from the embodiments of the invention of the present application.

[0110] In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 32, in the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment, since the balls 225 directly contact the electric wire end 242a without interposing the second terminal 221, the terminal unit 210 having an extremely short electric conduction path is achieved. Accordingly, with the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment, electric resistance can be made small, and heat generation can be made little even if large electric current is applied. Furthermore, since the balls 225 directly connect the first terminal 211 and the electric wire end 242a without interposing the second terminal 221, while digging into the electric wire end 242a, a stable connection state of contact members can be achieved.

[0111] In addition, since the electric wire end 242a which is in direct contact with the six balls 225 as the spherical contacts is the twisted wire 242 having flexibility, in a state where the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 are assembled and brought into contact with each other, the six balls 225 dig into the electric wire end 242a which is the twisted wire 242 in a rotatable state (while rotating, depending on conditions). With such configuration, an error in an installation position of the six balls 225, an error in a diameter dimension of the balls 225, a manufacturing error at the time of assembly, and the like can be absorbed. Thus, since contact resistance can be reduced by multi-point contact, and rise in temperature can be suppressed when applying large electric current, it is possible to apply larger electric current.

[0112] The configurations of the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment have been described above. Next, procedures of forming the terminal unit 210 by assembling the first terminal 211, the second terminal 221, and the pressing member 231 will be described.

[0113] The procedures of forming the terminal unit 210 by assembling the first terminal 211, the second terminal 221, and the pressing member 231 will be described by referring to FIG. 25, for example. Firstly, the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211 is moved in a backward direction (Z direction) toward the second terminal side assembly surface 222 of the second terminal 221, and the six balls 225 possessed by the second terminal 221 are brought into contact with the first terminal side assembly surface 212 possessed by the first terminal 211. From this state, the pressing member 231 is moved in a downward direction (Y direction) to sandwich the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 with the two plate-like elastic parts 232, thereby achieving the state illustrated in FIG. 23. In a process of achieving such state, with pressing force consisting of elastic force exerted from the two plate-like elastic parts 232 possessed by the pressing member 231, the six balls 225 dig into the electric wire end 242a which is the twisted wire 242 in a rotatable state (while rotating, depending on conditions). Thus, stable assembly of the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221 is completed in a state where the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211 and the second terminal side assembly surface 222 of the second terminal 221 oppose each other.

[0114] It should be noted that, as illustrated in FIG. 32, in the first terminal 211 and the second terminal 221, the first terminal side assembly surface 212 of the first terminal 211 is connected with the electric wire end 242a while interposing only the six balls 225 as the spherical contacts. Thus, the terminal unit 210 having an extremely short electric conduction path is achieved. Accordingly, with the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment, electric resistance can be made small, and heat generation can be made little even if large electric current is applied.

[0115] The configurations and the assembly procedures of the terminal unit 210 according to the fourth embodiment have been described above by using FIG. 23 to FIG. 32. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiment. Various alterations or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment.

[0116] For example, the above-mentioned fourth embodiment exemplified a case in which the twisted wire attachment surface 223 of the second terminal 221 and the electric wire end 242a of the electric wire 241 are connected by adhesion. However, besides a means of bonding the twisted wire attachment surface 223 of the second terminal 221 and the electric wire end 242a of the electric wire 241 in a molecular level by heat, various connection means included in the definition of adhesion such as soldering or welding can be used for adhesion as this connection means.

[0117] In addition, for example, the terminal units 10, 110, 210 according to the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments are show with configuration examples in which the six projection contacts 13, 113 or the six balls 225 are arranged as contacts for directly contacting the electric wire ends 42a, 142a, 242a. However, any number of one or more can be selected as the number of contacts (the projection contacts or the spherical contacts) applicable to the present invention.

[0118] In addition, for example, in the terminal units 10, 110, 210 according to the above-mentioned first to fourth embodiments, the length of the illustrated electric wires 41, 141, 241 is made short in accordance with the range of the drawings. However, any length can be set as the length of the electric wire to be applied to the terminal unit of the present invention.

[0119] It is apparent from the descriptions in the Claims that embodiments to which such alterations or improvements are added may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0120] It should be noted that the terminal unit according to the present invention can be used in, for example, a portion which handles large electric current in a vehicle.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0121] 10: terminal unit (of the first and the second embodiments) [0122] 11: first terminal [0123] 12: first terminal side assembly surface [0124] 13: projection contact [0125] 21: second terminal [0126] 22: second terminal side assembly surface [0127] 23: twisted wire attachment surface [0128] 24: through hole [0129] 25: swaging wall surface part [0130] 31: pressing member [0131] 32: plate-like elastic part [0132] 41: electric wire [0133] 42: twisted wire [0134] 42a: electric wire end [0135] 43: insulator [0136] 110: terminal unit (of the third embodiment) [0137] 111: first terminal [0138] 112: elastic force imparting arm part [0139] 113: projection contact [0140] 121: second terminal [0141] 124: through hole [0142] 141: electric wire [0143] 142: twisted wire [0144] 142a: electric wire end [0145] 143: insulator [0146] 210: terminal unit (of the fourth embodiment) [0147] 211: first terminal [0148] 212: first terminal side assembly surface [0149] 221: second terminal [0150] 222: second terminal side assembly surface [0151] 223: twisted wire attachment surface [0152] 224: second terminal body part [0153] 224a: ball holding hole [0154] 225: ball (spherical contact) [0155] 226: ball presser plate [0156] 226a: opening hole [0157] 231: pressing member [0158] 232: plate-like elastic part [0159] 241: electric wire [0160] 242: twisted wire [0161] 242a: electric wire end [0162] 243: insulator