JP4800066B2 - Connecting member - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connecting member used for a harness circuit of an automobile, for example.

  In an automobile harness circuit, it is often necessary to branch a plurality of branch lines from a trunk line. Therefore, conventionally, a part of the trunk line is stripped, a splice joint method that branches by crimping the branch line to the exposed conductor, and a circuit branch connector is arranged at the terminal part of the trunk line. For example, two types of methods, that is, a connection member method described in Patent Document 1, which performs branch processing using a general-purpose connector and a crimp terminal, are often used.

JP-A-2005-71614

  In the former splice joint method, each wire must be crimped, and there is a problem that workability is very bad, and it is difficult to crimp on the production line, so it is not suitable for line production. It is.

  Therefore, the latter connecting member method has been developed as a solution to the problems of the splice joint method. With this connection member method, joint processing on the harness production line is possible, so that the production efficiency is improved compared to the splice joint method, and it is possible to cope with the modification of the harness circuit. However, since the number of parts such as the connector and the mating general-purpose connector, bus bar, and terminal to be fitted increases, it takes a long time to assemble the harness circuit.

  In particular, in the wire harness using the joint connector disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the joint connector is large, the wire cannot be branched at a location where it is desired to branch, and the wire is extended to a location where there is a space that can accommodate the joint connector. This is contrary to the miniaturization of the wire harness.

  That is, even with the joint connector system, there are many problems that need to be solved, such as space saving, further improvement in workability, and reduction in the number of parts.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a connecting member that is simple, highly reliable, and excellent in wire harness assembly.

The connecting member according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a pin terminal insertion hole in the axial direction from the end, and accommodates the electric wire connected to the electric wire terminal along the entire length in parallel with the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface. A columnar holding body having a plurality of wire terminal insertion holes for inserting the wire terminal inserted into the pin terminal insertion hole at the bottom of the groove, and the pin terminal insertion hole And a pin terminal provided with a gripping portion at the rear end.

  According to the connection member according to the present invention, by adopting a structure in which the pin terminal is inserted and brought into contact with the electric wire terminal, the structure is simplified, the reliability of the electrical connection is improved, and compared with the conventional example. As a result, the number of parts is reduced, and the space factor, workability, and cost can be reduced. In particular, when used in a harness circuit of an automobile, the connection structure becomes much more compact than the conventional joint structure, and the wire harness working time is shortened.

  Moreover, if the groove | channel for electrical wire accommodation is provided in the longitudinal direction in the outer peripheral surface of a holding body, the whole diameter will become still smaller and it can reduce in size.

  Furthermore, the installation location in the wire harness is not limited due to the miniaturization, and the wiring harness can be arranged at an arbitrary location, and circuit wiring can be performed without extending the electric wire.

The present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.
In this embodiment, mainly a cylindrical holder 1 having a pin terminal insertion hole 1a and a wire terminal insertion hole 1b shown in FIG. 1, and a crimping with a receiving connection end 2a provided at the front end and an electric wire 3 connected at the rear end. A plurality of electric wire terminals 2 having a portion 2b, a pin terminal 4a to be inserted into the pin terminal insertion hole 1a, and a through pin 4 comprising a gripping portion 4b.

  A plurality of wire terminal insertion holes 1 b are formed on the surface of the holding body 1, and these wire terminal insertion holes 1 b communicate with the central pin terminal insertion hole 1 a in the holding body 1. The receiving connection end 2a of the electric wire terminal 2 can be inserted into the insertion hole 1b.

The pin terminal insertion hole 1a only needs to be provided in the axial direction from the end of the holding body 1. For example, even if the axis of the pin terminal insertion hole 1a is the same as the central axis of the holding body 1 or is shifted. The position is appropriately determined depending on the harness circuit to be manufactured and the type of electric wire to be connected.

  The shape of the holder 1 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be an elliptical column or a rectangular column. As the material used for the holding body 1, a thermoplastic resin is applied. Among them, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), etc. are high in terms of high thermal deformation temperature, high rigidity, electrical insulation characteristics, and mechanical characteristics. Is preferred. Moreover, although the magnitude | size is based also on the diameter of the electric wire 3 to be used, a diameter is 5-30 mm and length is about 20-150 mm.

  The holding body 1 is generally manufactured by injection molding a thermoplastic resin (PBT or PP) in a predetermined mold, and after preparing a columnar body in advance, the pin terminal insertion hole 1a, the electric wire The terminal insertion hole 1b and the like may be cut and produced.

  Further, the cross-sectional shape of the pin terminal insertion hole 1a may be a circle, an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, a polygon, or the like, but a circle is preferable in terms of ease of forming. Furthermore, the pin terminal insertion hole 1a does not need to be a through hole, and may be closed at the other end of the holding body 1.

  The wire terminal insertion hole 1b only needs to allow the receiving connection end 2a of the wire terminal 2 to be inserted up to a predetermined location and communicate with the pin terminal insertion hole 1a. The shape of the wire terminal insertion hole 1b may be appropriately determined. For example, if the wire terminal insertion hole 1b shown in FIG. 1 has a hole shape similar to the outer edge of the receiving connection end 2a, the receiving connection has a different shape. This is preferable in that the error of inserting the end 2a can be prevented. Further, when the insertion direction of the receiving connection end 2a is not limited, the receiving connection end 2a can be inserted from any direction as shown in the wire terminal insertion hole 1b 'of FIG.

  The wire terminal insertion hole 1b only needs to communicate with the pin terminal insertion hole 1a inside the holding body 1, but further has a wire terminal insertion hole 1b passing through the pin terminal insertion hole 1a and passing on the opposite side. Also good. Passing to the opposite side is preferable because it allows visual confirmation of the insertion of the electric wire terminal 2, and the number of places where the receiving connection end 2a is inserted is increased, which increases the degree of freedom in assembling the harness circuit.

  The electric wire terminal 2 is formed by punching one conductive metal plate. As shown in FIG. 2, a cylindrical contact 2c drawn into a cylindrical shape is provided at the receiving connection end 2a at the front end, and at the rear end. Although the crimp part 2b is provided, the electric wire 3 is not connected to the crimp part 2b. When the receiving connection end 2a is inserted into the pin terminal insertion hole 1a through the wire terminal insertion hole 1b, the central axis of the cylindrical contact 2c matches the central axis of the pin terminal insertion hole 1a as shown in FIG. Have been to.

  The front end edge 2d of the receiving connection end 2a has a semicircular shape in which the center axis of curvature of the cylindrical contact 2c coincides with the center of curvature, and the radius of the cylindrical contact 2c of the front end edge 2d is the pin terminal insertion hole of the holding body 1 It almost coincides with the radius of 1a. Further, tapered guide portions 2e are provided on both sides serving as the entrances and exits of the cylindrical contacts 2c so that the pin terminals 4a can be easily inserted.

  The wire terminal 2 may be formed by punching and molding a copper plate or copper alloy plate into a predetermined shape, or by applying Sn plating, or by punching and forming a Sn plated copper plate or copper alloy plate into a predetermined shape. . The material is preferably brass in terms of strength and conductivity, and is further preferable in that it is improved in corrosion resistance by Sn plating and easily obtains conductivity with the contact with the pin terminal 4a.

  The receiving connection end 2a may have a shape that conducts by contacting the pin terminal 4a. Specifically, (a) semicircular shape, (b) U shape, (c) concave shape, (d) V shape, (e) as shown in FIG. It may be circular. However, the cylindrical and circular receiving connection ends 2a are preferable in that good and reliable conduction with the pin terminal 4a is obtained, and the cylindrical shape is most preferable in that a large contact area can be obtained.

  As the electric wire 3, an insulated electric wire in which an outer periphery of a conductor is covered with an insulating layer is applied, and a known electric wire diameter can be applied. The conductor is a twisted wire or a single wire of a copper alloy wire such as a Cu-Sn alloy wire that maintains a tensile strength and has a small wire diameter, such as a conventional copper wire or a hard copper wire used in an automobile harness circuit. Applied. In addition, conventionally known insulating materials are applied to the insulating layer, and among them, it is preferable to apply a non-halogen insulating material to the insulating layer as an environmental measure.

  In addition, the connection between the conductor of the electric wire 3 and the electric wire terminal 2 is performed by known caulking, welding, soldering, crimping, etc., but in terms of the time required for connection and the connection strength obtained, The connection by the crimping | compression-bonding part 2b is suitable.

The pin terminal 4a of the through pin 4 is a rod-shaped member for conducting the receiving and connecting ends 2a of the plurality of electric wire terminals 2, and the cross-sectional shape includes a circle, a triangle, a quadrangle, a polygon, and the like. However, because a stable contact is obtained and a large force is not required when inserting the pin terminal 4a, and a reliable conduction is easy to obtain, a rectangular cross section as in the embodiment is preferable. In this case, the shape of the receiving connection end 2a of the wire terminal 2 is preferably a circular hole shape or a cylindrical shape.

Moreover, it is preferable to insert while deforming the receiving / connecting end 2a of the electric wire terminal 2 by making the hardness of the pin terminal 4a harder than that of the receiving / connecting end 2a. The hardness of the pin terminal 4a and the hardness of the receiving connection end 2a can be appropriately adjusted by processing, heat treatment, and selection of materials. Further, in order to surely insert it into the receiving connection end 2a, a tip having a truncated cone shape such as a cone shape, a pyramid shape, a truncated cone shape, or a truncated pyramid shape is preferable.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified through pin 4 ′ and a wire terminal 2 ′ corresponding to the through pin 4 ′. The pin terminal 4 a ′ of the through pin 4 ′ has a circular cross section, and a square hole is provided as a contact at the receiving connection end 2 a ′ of the wire terminal 2 ′.

  When the contact point of the receiving connection end 2a is circular or cylindrical, the inner diameter is d1, the cross-sectional shape of the pin terminal 4a is substantially square, and the length of the diagonal line is x, d1 <x. Is preferred. Moreover, when the cross-sectional shape of the pin terminal 4a is circular and the outer diameter is d2, it is preferable that d1 <d2.

  One method for producing a pin terminal 4a having a circular or substantially square cross section is, for example, copper, a copper alloy, preferably a base material made of brass in terms of strength and conductivity by die drawing and roll rolling. A method of cold-working the shape of the cross section into a circle or a substantially square shape, plating the surface of the obtained wire with Sn, cutting to a desired length, and processing the tip into a cone or a trapezoid trapezoid. Can be mentioned.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the metal plate 41 having Sn plating applied to the surface made of copper or a copper alloy, preferably brass, is cut, and then the metal plate 41 is bent and forged while being bent to give strength. . That is, both end portions 42 and 43 of the metal plate 41 are raised upward with respect to the base portion 44 as shown in (a), and both end portions 42 and 43 are bent inward as shown in (b). Further, it is folded on the base 44 as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the folded end portions 42 and 43 are raised together with the base portion 44 as shown in (d), the both end portions 42 and 43 are brought into close contact with each other, and mechanically compressed from four sides.

  As a result, a substantially quadrangular cross section as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained, and then the tip is made conical by pressing or cutting. By producing in this way, even the pin terminal 4a having a small cross-sectional area is less likely to be bent or broken due to work hardening.

  In order to press-fit the pin terminal 4a of the through pin 4 into the receiving connection end 2a of the electric wire terminal 2, a certain amount of load is required. Therefore, it is preferable to attach a cylindrical holding portion 4b to the pin terminal 4a. By making the outer shape of the grip portion 4b larger than the inner diameter of the pin terminal insertion hole 1a, the insertion depth of the pin terminal 4a into the pin terminal insertion hole 1a can be regulated.

  This is preferable in that it is possible to confirm whether or not the pin terminal 4a having a predetermined length can be inserted up to a predetermined position. The material of the gripping part 4b is not particularly limited as long as it is an electrically insulating material, but as described above, a material that does not break even when a certain load is applied is preferable. Examples thereof include synthetic resin materials such as polybutylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

FIG. 8 shows a modified holding body 1 ′. For example, four grooves 1 c are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding body 1 ′ along the entire length in the longitudinal direction in order to accommodate the electric wires 3. And the one or two electric wire terminal insertion hole 1b is provided in the bottom part of the groove | channel 1c. Moreover, the protrusion part 1d which supports the seam of the crimping | compression-bonding part 2b of the electric wire terminal 2 is provided as needed. In addition, this protrusion part 1d can also be provided in the holding body 1 shown in FIG. In this modification, since the electric wire 3 can be stored in the groove 1c provided on the surface of the holding body 1 ′, the overall diameter can be reduced.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembly of the holding body 1, the electric wire terminal 2, and the through pin 4, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view. When the receiving connection end 2a of the wire terminal 2 with the required number of wires 3 is inserted into the wire terminal insertion hole 1b of the holding body 1, and then the pin terminal 4a is inserted into the pin terminal insertion hole 1a, the pin terminal 4a becomes the pin terminal. The receiving connection ends 2a of the wire terminals 2 arranged in parallel in the insertion hole 1a are sequentially inserted, the pin terminal 4a and the plurality of receiving connection ends 2a are connected, and the receiving connection ends 2a are electrically connected.

  In this way, with the electric wire 3 being along the holding body 1, the whole is wound and fixed with an insulating tape, or the whole is covered with a protective cover 5 as shown in FIG. This protective cover 5 is for protecting the electric wire terminal 2 etc., maintaining insulation and preventing damage. The protective cover 5 is a cylinder composed of two halves 5a and 5b. The two halves 5a and 5b are connected by a hinge 5c, and when the cylinder is formed, it is locked by locking members 5d and 5e. Has been. Further, projections 5f that prevent the through pin 4 from coming out by fixing the grip portion 4b are provided at the ends of the half portions 5a and 5b. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the assembly is accommodated in the protective cover 5.

  Also, the two pin terminals 4a can be inserted from both ends of the pin terminal insertion hole 1a. In this case, the two pin terminals 4a should not be in contact with each other in the pin terminal insertion hole 1a. For example, the continuity of the electric wire terminal 2 by the one pin terminal 4a and the continuity of the electric wire terminal 2 by the other pin terminal 4a can be made as separate circuits.

  In the above description, the pin terminal insertion hole 1a is one, and the pin terminal 4a is inserted here. However, a circuit can be designed by providing a plurality of pin terminal insertion holes 1a, or an insulating portion can be provided on the pin terminal 4a. It is also possible to design the circuit by providing it. Furthermore, a connection circuit with the electric wire terminal 2 can also be increased by connecting an electric wire to the pin terminal 4a.

It is a disassembled perspective view of an Example. It is a perspective view of an electric wire terminal. It is a cross-sectional view of a state where the receiving connection end is inserted into the columnar body. It is a perspective view of the modification of a receiving connection end. It is a perspective view of the modification of a through pin and an electric wire terminal. It is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing process of a pin terminal. It is a cross-sectional view of a pin terminal. It is a perspective view of the modification of a holding body. It is a perspective view of an assembly. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an assembly. It is a perspective view of a protective cover. It is a perspective view of the state where an assembly was stored in a protective cover.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Holding body 1a Pin terminal insertion hole 1b Electric wire terminal insertion hole 1c Groove 1d Protrusion part 2 Electric wire terminal 2a Receiving connection end 2b Crimp part 2c Cylindrical contact 3 Electric wire 4 Through pin 4a Pin terminal 4b Holding part 5 Protective cover 5a, 5b Half part

Claims (4)

  It has a pin terminal insertion hole in the axial direction from the end, and has one or more grooves for accommodating the electric wires connected to the electric wire terminals along the entire length parallel to the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface, and the bottom of the groove A columnar holding body having a plurality of wire terminal insertion holes for inserting the wire terminals to be inserted into the pin terminal insertion holes, and contacting and conducting the wire terminals by inserting into the pin terminal insertion holes; A connection member comprising a pin terminal having a grip at an end. The connecting member according to claim 1 , wherein a cross section of the pin terminal is substantially rectangular. The connection member according to claim 1 or 2 tip of the pin terminal is characterized in that a conical or truncated conical. An automotive harness using the connection member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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