阅读说明：本技术 连接端子和端子连接结构 (Connection terminal and terminal connection structure ) 是由 佐藤贵彦 于 2019-06-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：连接端子包括：管状电线连接部分,其配置为被紧固并压接到电线的端部；管状中间部分,其包括连续地形成在电线连接部分的一个开口端的一端,并且其横截面形状大于电线连接部分的横截面形状；管状端子连接部分,其连续地形成在中间部分的另一端,并且其横截面形状大于中间部分的横截面形状。连接端子还包括从端子连接部分向内突出的端子接触部分。(the connection terminal includes: a tubular wire connecting portion configured to be fastened and crimped to an end of the electric wire; a tubular intermediate portion including one end continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion and having a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the wire connecting portion; a tubular terminal connection portion which is continuously formed at the other end of the intermediate portion and has a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the intermediate portion. The connection terminal further includes a terminal contact portion protruding inward from the terminal connection portion.)

1. A connection terminal, comprising:

A tubular wire connecting portion configured to be fastened and crimped to an end of the wire;

A tubular intermediate portion including one end continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion and having a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the wire connecting portion;

A tubular terminal connection portion continuously formed at the other end of the intermediate portion and having a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the intermediate portion; and

A terminal contact portion protruding inward from the terminal connection portion.

2. a connecting terminal according to claim 1,

wherein the terminal contact part includes a plastic deformation part constituted by a portion of the terminal connection part sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits having a predetermined length in a terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection part to protrude toward an inside of the terminal connection part.

3. A terminal connection structure comprising:

a first wire connecting portion fastened and crimped to an end portion of a first wire inserted from a wire connecting portion side of a first connection terminal having the same configuration as the connection terminal according to claim 1 or 2; and

A second electric wire connecting portion fastened and crimped to an end portion of a second electric wire inserted from a terminal connecting portion side of a second connecting terminal having the same configuration as the connecting terminal according to claim 1 or 2,

Wherein an intermediate portion of the second connection terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion of the first connection terminal and is in contact with the terminal contact portion of the first connection terminal, so that the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal having the same shape are electrically connected.

4. The terminal connection structure according to claim 3, further comprising:

A housing including a receiving portion configured to receive the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal connected to each other to maintain a connection state of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.

Technical Field

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a connection terminal and a terminal connection structure.

Background

JP- ｃA-2002-. According to such a male and female common terminal, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs by realizing a single type of connection terminal having a common structure that allows the connection terminals to be connected to each other.

The connection terminal disclosed in JP- ｃA-2002-25674 includes ｃA wire connection portion on one side and ｃA terminal connection portion on the other side. The terminal connecting portion includes a tab connecting portion having an elongated plate shape, an embossed portion formed in a protruding shape on one side surface side of the tab connecting portion, and a tab holder extending from a side edge portion of the tab connecting portion on one side of the wire connecting portion and provided to be opposed to each other at a predetermined interval on the one side surface of the tab connecting portion.

When the connection terminals are used for connection between electric wires, the crimping pieces of the electric wire connection parts are respectively crimped and connected to the ends of the electric wires, and the terminal connection parts of the connection terminals attached to the electric wires are connected to each other.

Disclosure of Invention

When the terminal connecting portions of the above-described connecting terminals are connected, the tab connecting portion in each connecting terminal is inserted between the two holders and the embossed portion, while one of the connecting terminals is in an inverted orientation. Therefore, the electric wires whose wire ends are crimped to the crimping pieces of each of the electric wire connecting portions, respectively, are arranged such that the axial centers of the electric wires are offset in parallel with each other. Therefore, the connection terminals connected to each other have a large body size, which may make it difficult to mount the connection terminals in a narrow space.

One or more embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection terminal and a terminal connection structure capable of making an installation space compact by reducing a body size when the connection terminals are connected to each other, while reducing a manufacturing cost by implementing a single type of connection terminal.

The object of one or more embodiments of the present invention described above is achieved by the following items of connection terminals and terminal connection structures.

(1) the connection terminal includes: a tubular wire connecting portion configured to be fastened and crimped to an end of the wire; a tubular intermediate portion including one end continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion and having a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the wire connecting portion; a tubular terminal connection portion which is continuously formed at the other end of the intermediate portion and has a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the intermediate portion; and a terminal contact portion protruding inward from the terminal connection portion.

the connection terminals according to the configuration of the item (1), the wire connecting portion side of one connection terminal is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion side of the other connection terminal. The intermediate portion of one connection terminal is in contact with the terminal contact portion of the other connection terminal so that the one connection terminal and the other connection terminal having the same shape can be electrically connected. Therefore, by implementing a single type of connection terminal as the male and female common terminals, the manufacturing cost of the connection terminal can be reduced. The intermediate portion of the other connecting terminal is inserted into the terminal connecting portion of the one connecting terminal, so that the body size of the connecting terminals connected to each other can also be reduced in the terminal fitting direction.

(2) A connecting terminal according to the above (1), wherein the terminal contact portion includes a plastically deformed portion constituted by a portion of the terminal connecting portion sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits having a predetermined length in a terminal fitting direction of the terminal connecting portion to protrude toward an inside of the terminal connecting portion.

A connection terminal according to the configuration of the item (2), a portion sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits formed in the terminal connection portion has a double support beam shape, so that a large elastic contact force can be exerted by a small plastic deformation. Therefore, even when one connection terminal and the other connection terminal electrically connected to each other are slightly inclined to each other, stable contact resistance can be obtained. In addition, a portion sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits formed along a terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection portion may elastically contact an intermediate portion of the inserted connection terminal with a surface, and interconnection may be smoothly performed.

(3) A terminal connection structure comprising a first electric wire connection portion fastened and crimped to an end portion of a first electric wire inserted from an electric wire connection portion side of a first connection terminal having the same configuration as the connection terminal according to the item (1) or (2), and a second electric wire connection portion fastened and crimped to an end portion of a second electric wire inserted from a terminal connection portion side of a second connection terminal having the same configuration as the connection terminal according to the item (1) or (2). The middle portion of the second connection terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion of the first connection terminal and is in contact with the terminal contact portion of the first connection terminal, so that the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal having the same shape are electrically connected.

According to the terminal connecting structure of the configuration of the item (3), while the end of one electric wire is inserted into the electric wire connecting portion from the electric wire connecting portion side of the first connecting terminal and is fastened and crimped, the end of the other electric wire can be inserted into the electric wire connecting portion from the terminal connecting portion side of the second connecting terminal and can be fastened and crimped. Therefore, the wire connecting portion side of the second connecting terminal is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion side of the first connecting terminal. The intermediate portion of the second connection terminal is in contact with the terminal contact portion of the first connection terminal so that the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal having the same shape are electrically connected.

therefore, the wire end is crimped to each wire connection portion formed in a tubular shape concentric with the tubular terminal connection portion in the wire, thereby preventing the connection terminals connected to each other from increasing in body size in a direction perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction. The intermediate portion of the second connection terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion of the first connection terminal so that the body size of the connection terminals connected to each other can also be reduced in the terminal fitting direction.

(4) The terminal connection structure according to item (3), further comprising a housing including a receiving portion configured to receive the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal connected to each other to maintain a connected state of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.

the terminal connection structure configured according to the item (4), the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal connected to each other are received by the receiving portion of the housing to maintain the connected state. Therefore, a stable connection state of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal can be achieved.

According to aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a connection terminal and a terminal connection structure capable of making an installation space compact by reducing a size of a main body when the connection terminals are connected to each other, while reducing a manufacturing cost by implementing a single type of connection terminal.

Aspects of the present invention are briefly described above. The details of various aspects of the invention are further set forth by reading a mode for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a connection terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 1B is a sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 1A.

fig. 2A to 2C are perspective views showing a process of fastening and crimping an end of one of the electric wires inserted from the electric wire connecting part side in the connection terminal shown in fig. 1A and 1B to the electric wire connecting part.

Fig. 3A to 3C are perspective views showing a process of fastening and crimping an end of another electric wire inserted from the terminal connecting portion side in the connection terminal shown in fig. 1A and 1B to the electric wire connecting portion.

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing a terminal connection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which fig. 4A shows a state before a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal are connected, and fig. 4B shows a state in which the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected.

Fig. 5A is an enlarged plan view showing a main part of a connection state between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal shown in fig. 4B, and fig. 5B is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in fig. 5A.

fig. 6A and 6B are explanatory views showing a terminal connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which fig. 6A is a perspective view showing a state before a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal are connected, and fig. 6B is a sectional perspective view showing a state where the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected.

Fig. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing a terminal connection structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, in which fig. 7A is a perspective view showing a state before a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal are connected, and fig. 7B is a sectional perspective view showing a state where the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal are connected.

Fig. 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating a process of receiving a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal in a receiving portion of a housing in a terminal connection structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments according to the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the connection terminal 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a male-female common terminal made of a copper alloy or the like.

the connection terminal 10 according to the first embodiment mainly includes: a cylindrical wire connecting portion 11; a cylindrical intermediate portion 13 one end of which is continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion 11; a cylindrical terminal connection portion 15 continuously formed at the other end of the intermediate portion 13; and a terminal contact portion 17 formed in a protruding shape inside the terminal connection portion 15.

The wire connecting portion 11 is fastened and crimped to an end of a conductor 21 of each wire 20A (20B) described later. The circular cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion 13 is larger than that of the wire connecting portion 11. That is, the intermediate portion 13 is continuously formed with a height difference such that the cylindrical inner diameter of the intermediate portion 13 is larger than the cylindrical outer diameter of the wire connecting portion 11. The terminal connection portion 15 has a circular cross-sectional shape larger than that of the intermediate portion 13. That is, the terminal connection part 15 is continuously formed with a height difference such that the cylindrical inner diameter of the terminal connection part 15 is larger than the cylindrical outer diameter of the intermediate part 13.

The terminal contact portion 17 is formed by plastically deforming a portion which is sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits 16 formed with a predetermined length in the terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection portion 15 and has a double support beam shape so as to protrude toward the inside of the terminal connection portion 15. The terminal contact portion 17 is not limited to the double support beam shape configuration according to the present embodiment. The terminal contact portion 17 may have a cantilever shape, or may be a convex portion or the like formed by performing a bead (bead) process on the terminal connection portion 15 as long as the terminal contact portion 17 can contact the intermediate portion 13 of the other connection terminal 10.

The four terminal contact portions 17 according to the first embodiment are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal connection portion 15. However, the number of the terminal contact portions 17 is not limited to four, and may be one or more. By forming the plurality of terminal contact portions 17 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the terminal connection portion 15, a good contact state can be obtained.

The connection terminal 10 having the above-described configuration can form a terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment, which is configured to electrically connect the electric wires 20A, 20B to each other by using the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B having the same shape and the same size.

each of the wires 20A, 20B is, for example, a coated wire in which the periphery of the conductor 21 is coated with an insulator 23. The conductor 21 is formed by twisting strands of a conductive metal material mainly made of copper together. The conductor 21 is extrusion coated with an insulator 23.

Fig. 2A to 2C are perspective views showing a process of fastening and crimping an end of one electric wire 20A inserted from the electric wire connecting part 11 side in the connection terminal 10 shown in fig. 1A and 1B to the electric wire connecting part 11. Fig. 3A to 3C are perspective views showing a process of fastening and crimping an end of another electric wire 20B inserted from the terminal connection part 15 side in the connection terminal 10 shown in fig. 1A and 1B to the electric wire connection part 11.

In the following description, the connection terminal 10 crimped to the end of the one electric wire 20A is referred to as a first connection terminal 10A, and the connection terminal 10 crimped to the end of the other electric wire 20B is referred to as a second connection terminal 10B.

First, as shown in fig. 2A, the insulator 23 at the end of the wire is removed to expose the conductor 21 at the end of the one wire 20A.

Next, as shown in fig. 2B, the end of the one electric wire 20A is inserted from the electric wire connecting part 11 side of the first connection terminal 10A, and the conductor 21 is provided in the electric wire connecting part 11.

Then, as shown in fig. 2C, the wire connecting portion 11 of the first connection terminal 10A is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21 by a crimping die (not shown) configured to form the wire connecting portion 11, which is a fastening portion of the first connection terminal 10A, into a hexagonal cross section. Thus, the first connection terminal 10A, in which the terminal connection part 15 is opened, is crimped and fixed to the end of the one electric wire 20A.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 3A, the insulator 23 at the end of the electric wire is removed to expose the conductor 21 at the end of the other electric wire 20B.

next, as shown in fig. 3B, the end of another electric wire 20B is inserted from the terminal connection part 15 side of the second connection terminal 10B, and the conductor 21 is disposed in the electric wire connection part 11 through the intermediate part 13.

Then, as shown in fig. 3C, the wire connecting portion 11 of the second connection terminal 10B is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21 by a crimping die (not shown) configured to form the wire connecting portion 11, which is a fastening portion of the second connection terminal 10B, into a hexagonal cross section. Thus, the second connection terminal 10B of the wire connection part 11 provided at the end part is crimped and fixed to the end of the other wire 20B.

Fig. 4A and 4B are perspective views showing a terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4A shows a state before the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B are connected. Fig. 4B shows a state where the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B are connected.

In the terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment, when the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B are connected, the end of one electric wire 20A and the end of the other electric wire 20B face each other as shown in fig. 4A. As shown in fig. 4B, the wire connecting portion 11 side of the second connection terminal 10B is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion 15 side of the first connection terminal 10A.

Fig. 5A is an enlarged plan view of a main portion, showing a connection state between the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B shown in fig. 4B. Fig. 5B is a sectional view taken along line B-B in fig. 5A.

As shown in fig. 5A and 5B, when the second connection terminal 10B is inserted so as to overlap with the inside of the first connection terminal 10A, the middle portion 13 of the second connection terminal 10B is brought into contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 10A, so that the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B having the same shape are electrically connected.

According to the connection terminals 10(10A, 10B) of the first embodiment described above, the wire connection portion 11 side of the second connection terminal 10B as one of the connection terminals is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connection portion 15 side of the first connection terminal 10A as the other connection terminal. The middle portion 13 of the second connection terminal 10B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 10A so that the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B having the same shape can be electrically connected. Therefore, by implementing the single type of connection terminal 10(10A, 10B) as the male and female common terminals, the manufacturing cost of the connection terminal 10(10A, 10B) can be reduced. The intermediate portion 13 of the second connection terminal 10B is inserted into the terminal connection portion 15 of the first connection terminal 10A so that the body sizes of the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other can also be reduced in the terminal fitting direction (the left-right direction in fig. 5A and 5B).

Further, in the connection terminal 10(10A, 10B) according to the first embodiment, the terminal contact portion 17 is formed by plastically deforming a portion which is sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits 16 formed with a predetermined length in the terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection portion 15, thus protruding toward the inside of the terminal connection portion 15.

Therefore, the portion as the terminal contact portion 17 sandwiched between the pair of parallel slits 16 formed in the terminal connecting portion 15 has a double-supported beam shape, so that a large elastic contact force can be applied by a small plastic deformation. Therefore, even when the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B electrically connected to each other are slightly inclined to each other, stable contact resistance can be obtained. In addition, a portion sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits 16 formed along the terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection portion 15 of the first connection terminal 10A may be surface-elastically contacted to the intermediate portion 13 of the inserted second connection terminal 10B, and interconnection may be smoothly performed.

Further, according to the terminal connecting structure of the first embodiment, while the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of one electric wire 20A is inserted into the wire connecting portion 11 from the wire connecting portion 11 side of the first connecting terminal 10A and is fastened and crimped, the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of the other electric wire 20B can be inserted into the wire connecting portion 11 from the terminal connecting portion 15 side of the second connecting terminal 10B and can be fastened and crimped. Therefore, the wire connecting portion 11 side of the second connection terminal 10B is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion 15 side of the first connection terminal 10A. The intermediate portion 13 of the second connection terminal 10B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 10A, so that the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B having the same shape are electrically connected.

Therefore, the one electric wire 20A and the other electric wire 20B in which the conductor 21 of the end of the electric wire is crimped to each electric wire connection portion 11 formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the cylindrical terminal connection portion 15 prevent the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other from increasing in body size in a direction perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction. The intermediate portion 13 of the second connection terminal 10B is inserted into the terminal connection portion 15 of the first connection terminal 10A so that the body sizes of the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other can also be reduced in the terminal fitting direction.

Therefore, according to the connection terminal 10(10A, 10B) and the terminal connection structure of the first embodiment, when the connection terminals 10(10A, 10B) are connected to each other, it is possible to make the installation space compact by reducing the body size, while reducing the manufacturing cost by realizing a single type of connection terminal 10.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be appropriately modified, improved, or the like. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, arrangement position, and the like of each constituent element in the above-described embodiments are optional as long as the present invention can be achieved, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Fig. 6A and 6B are explanatory views showing a terminal connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6A is a perspective view showing a state before the first connection terminal 110A and the second connection terminal 110B are connected. Fig. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the first connection terminal 110A and the second connection terminal 110B are connected. The same components as those of the terminal connecting structure according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 6A, the connection terminals 110A, 110B according to the second embodiment of the present invention mainly include a tubular wire connecting portion 111, a tubular intermediate portion 113, a terminal connecting portion 115 having a tapered surface, and a terminal contact portion 17, one end of the terminal connecting portion 115 is continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion 111, and the terminal contact portion 17 is formed in a protruding shape inside the terminal connecting portion 115.

The wire connecting portion 111 is fastened and crimped to the end of the conductor 21 of each wire 20A (20B) in a hexagonal cross section. The intermediate portion 113 and the terminal connection portion 115 are integrally formed in a tubular shape having a tapered surface whose cross-sectional shape is larger than the circular cross-sectional shape of the wire connection portion 111. That is, the intermediate portion 113 and the terminal connecting portion 115 are continuously formed in a tubular shape having a tapered surface whose inner diameter is gradually increased compared to the tubular outer diameter of the wire connecting portion 111.

The terminal connection structure according to the second embodiment may be formed that is configured to electrically connect the electric wires 20A, 20B to each other by using the first connection terminal 110A and the second connection terminal 110B having the above-described configuration and having the same shape and the same size.

First, as shown in fig. 6A, after the end of one electric wire 20A is inserted from the electric wire connecting part 111 side of the first connection terminal 110A and the conductor 21 is disposed in the electric wire connecting part 111, the electric wire connecting part 111 of the first connection terminal 110A is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21.

Similarly, after the end of the other electric wire 20B is inserted from the terminal connection part 115 side of the second connection terminal 110B and the conductor 21 is disposed in the electric wire connection part 111, the electric wire connection part 111 of the second connection terminal 110B is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21.

Further, as shown in fig. 6B, when the second connection terminal 110B is inserted so as to overlap with the inside of the first connection terminal 110A, the middle portion 113 of the second connection terminal 110B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 110A, so that the first connection terminal 110A and the second connection terminal 110B having the same shape are electrically connected.

According to the terminal connecting structure of the second embodiment described above (similar to the terminal connecting structure according to the first embodiment), while the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of one electric wire 20A is inserted into the wire connecting portion 111 from the wire connecting portion 111 side of the first connecting terminal 110A and is fastened and crimped, the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of the other electric wire 20B can be inserted into the wire connecting portion 111 from the terminal connecting portion 115 side of the second connecting terminal 110B and can be fastened and crimped.

Therefore, the wire connecting portion 111 side of the second connection terminal 110B is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion 115 side of the first connection terminal 110A. The middle portion 113 of the second connection terminal 110B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 110A, so that the first connection terminal 110A and the second connection terminal 110B having the same shape are electrically connected.

therefore, by implementing the single type of connection terminals 110A, 110B as male and female common terminals, the manufacturing cost of the connection terminals 110A, 110B can be reduced.

The case where the intermediate portion 113 and the terminal connecting portion 115 according to the second embodiment are formed in a tubular shape having a tapered surface in the connecting terminals 110A, 110B is described. However, of course, the middle portion 113 and the terminal connection portion 115 may be formed in a tubular shape having a polygonal vertical surface with a polygonal cross-section having three or more corners.

Fig. 7A and 7B are explanatory views showing a terminal connection structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7A is a perspective view showing a state before the first connection terminal 210A and the second connection terminal 210B are connected. Fig. 7B is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a state in which the first connection terminal 210A and the second connection terminal 210B are connected. The same components as those of the terminal connecting structure according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 7A, the connection terminals 210A, 210B according to the third embodiment mainly include: a cylindrical (or hexagonal tubular) wire connection portion 211; a hexagonal tubular intermediate portion 213 one end of which is continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion 211; a hexagonal tubular terminal connection portion 215 continuously formed at the other end of the middle portion 213; and a terminal contact portion 17 formed in a protruding shape inside the terminal connection portion 115.

The wire connecting portion 211 is fastened and crimped to the end of the conductor 21 of each wire 20A (20B) in a hexagonal cross section. The hexagonal cross-sectional shape of the intermediate portion 213 is larger than the circular cross-sectional shape of the wire connecting portion 211. That is, the intermediate portion 213 is continuously formed with a height difference such that the hexagonal tubular inner diameter of the intermediate portion 213 is larger than the tubular outer diameter of the wire connecting portion 211. The hexagonal cross-sectional shape of the terminal connection portion 215 is larger than that of the intermediate portion 213. That is, the terminal connection portion 215 is continuously formed with a height difference such that the hexagonal tubular inner diameter of the terminal connection portion 215 is larger than the hexagonal tubular outer diameter of the intermediate portion 213.

The terminal connection structure according to the third embodiment may be formed that is configured to electrically connect the electric wires 20A, 20B to each other by using the first connection terminal 210A and the second connection terminal 210B having the above-described configurations and having the same shape and the same size.

First, as shown in fig. 7A, after the end of one electric wire 20A is inserted from the electric wire connecting part 211 side of the first connection terminal 210A and the conductor 21 is disposed in the electric wire connecting part 111, the electric wire connecting part 211 of the first connection terminal 210A is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21.

Similarly, after the end of the other electric wire 20B is inserted from the terminal connection portion 215 side of the second connection terminal 210B and the conductor 21 is disposed in the electric wire connection portion 211, the electric wire connection portion 211 of the second connection terminal 210B is fastened and crimped to the conductor 21.

Further, as shown in fig. 7B, when the second connection terminal 210B is inserted so as to overlap with the inside of the first connection terminal 210A, the middle portion 213 of the second connection terminal 210B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 210A, so that the first connection terminal 210A and the second connection terminal 210B having the same shape are electrically connected.

According to the terminal connection structure of the third embodiment described above (similar to the terminal connection structure according to the first embodiment), while the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of one wire 20A is inserted into the wire connection portion 211 from the wire connection portion 211 side of the first connection terminal 210A and is fastened and crimped, the conductor 21 of the wire end portion of the other wire 20B can be inserted into the wire connection portion 211 from the terminal connection portion 215 side of the second connection terminal 210B and can be fastened and crimped.

Therefore, the wire connecting portion 211 side of the second connecting terminal 210B is inserted so as to overlap inward from the terminal connecting portion 215 side of the first connecting terminal 210A. The middle portion 213 of the second connection terminal 210B is in contact with the terminal contact portion 17 of the first connection terminal 210A, so that the first connection terminal 210A and the second connection terminal 210B having the same shape are electrically connected.

Therefore, by implementing the single type of connection terminals 210A, 210B as male and female common terminals, the manufacturing cost of the connection terminals 210A, 210B can be reduced.

The case where the intermediate portion 213 and the terminal connecting portion 215 according to the third embodiment are formed in a hexagonal tube shape in the connecting terminals 210A, 210B is described. However, of course, the middle portion 213 and the terminal connection portion 215 may be formed in a polygonal tubular shape having a polygonal cross-section with three or more corners.

fig. 8A and 8B are perspective views illustrating a process of receiving the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B in the receiving portion 54 of the housing 50 in the terminal connection structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those of the terminal connecting structure according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

The terminal connection structure according to the fourth embodiment includes a housing 50, and the housing 50 includes a receiving portion 54, and the receiving portion 54 is configured to receive the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other and maintain a connected state.

As shown in fig. 8A, in the housing 50, the lower half body 51 and the upper half body 53 each include a receiving portion 54, the receiving portion 54 is configured to receive the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other and maintain the connected state, and the lower half body 51 and the upper half body 53 are integrally and rotatably formed by a thin hinge 56.

A locking projection 60 is provided at the side edge of the lower half 51 opposite the thin hinge 56. A locking arm 59 configured as a locking projection 60 is provided at a side edge of the upper half 53 opposite to the thin hinge 56.

A first fitting portion 55 is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the wire connecting portion 11 of the first connecting terminal 10A connected with the second connecting terminal 10B, the first fitting portion 55 being provided on one end side (left end side in fig. 8A and 8B) of the receiving portion 54 of each of the lower half body 51 and the upper half body 53. The first fitting portion 55 engages with a step portion between the intermediate portion 13 of the first connection terminal 10A and the wire connection portion 11, which prevents the first connection terminal 10A from slipping out from one end side of the receiving portion 54.

A second fitting portion 57 is mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the other electric wire 20B connected to the electric wire connecting portion 11 of the second connecting terminal 10B connected to the first connecting terminal 10A, the second fitting portion 57 being provided on the other end side (right end side in fig. 8A and 8B) of the receiving portion 54 of each of the lower half body 51 and the upper half body 53. The second fitting portion 57 is engaged with the open end of the terminal connecting portion 15 of the second connection terminal 10B, which prevents the second connection terminal 10B from slipping out from the other end side of the receiving portion 54.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 8A, the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other are placed in the receiving portion 54 of the lower half body 51. At this time, when the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B are placed in the receiving portion 54, the cylindrical first connection terminal 10A and the cylindrical second connection terminal 10B do not need to be restrained in the rotational direction around the central axis, so that the assembling workability is good.

When the upper half body 53 is rotated about the thin hinge 56 to lock the locking arm 59 to the locking projection 60, as shown in fig. 8B, the lower half body 51 and the upper half body 53 are locked in the closed state.

Therefore, according to the terminal connection structure of the fourth embodiment, the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B connected to each other are received by the receiving portion 54 of the housing 50 to maintain the connected state. Therefore, a stable connection state of the first connection terminal 10A and the second connection terminal 10B can be achieved.

Here, the features of the connection terminal and the terminal connection structure according to the embodiment of the present invention are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [4 ].

[1] A connection terminal (10A, 10B; 110A, 110B; 210A, 210B) comprising:

A tubular wire connecting portion (11, 111, 211) configured to be fastened and crimped to an end of the wire (20A, 20B);

A tubular intermediate portion (13, 113, 213) which includes one end continuously formed at one open end of the wire connecting portion and which has a cross-sectional shape larger than that of the wire connecting portion;

A tubular terminal connection portion (15, 115, 215) which is continuously formed at the other end of the intermediate portion and whose cross-sectional shape is larger than that of the intermediate portion; and

And a terminal contact portion (17) protruding inward from the terminal connection portion.

[2] The connection terminal (10A, 10B; 110A, 110B; 210A, 210B) according to [1],

wherein the terminal contact portion (17) includes a plastic deformation portion constituted by a portion of the terminal connection portion sandwiched between a pair of parallel slits (16) having a predetermined length in a terminal fitting direction of the terminal connection portion (15, 115, 215) to protrude toward an inside of the terminal connection portion.

[3] A terminal connection structure comprising:

A first wire connecting portion (11, 111, 211) that is fastened and crimped to an end portion of a first wire (20A) inserted from a wire connecting portion side of a first connection terminal (10A, 110A, 210A), the first connection terminal (10A, 110A, 210A) having the same configuration as the connection terminal according to [1] or [2 ]; and

a second wire connecting portion (11, 111, 211) that is fastened and crimped to an end portion of a second wire (20B) inserted from a terminal connecting portion side of a second connecting terminal (10B, 110B, 210B), the second connecting terminal (10B, 110B, 210B) having the same configuration as the connecting terminal according to [1] or [2],

wherein the middle portion (13, 113, 213) of the second connection terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion (15, 115, 215) of the first connection terminal and is in contact with the terminal contact portion (17) of the first connection terminal, so that the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal having the same shape are electrically connected.

[4] The terminal connection structure according to [3], further comprising:

A housing (50) including a receiving portion (54), the receiving portion (54) being configured to receive the first connection terminal (10A) and the second connection terminal (10B) connected to each other to maintain a connected state of the first connection terminal (10A) and the second connection terminal (10B).