JP2026010391A - Press-fit terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

A press-fit terminal has a terminal connection portion and a board connection portion, and is capable of reducing twisting that occurs in the board connection portion when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion.
[Solution] A press-fit terminal 1 has a terminal connection portion 2 that is electrically connected to a mating terminal, a plurality of board connection portions 3A, 3B each having a press-fit portion 31 that is press-fit connected to a through-hole in a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction, and a plurality of axial portions 4 that integrally connect each of the plurality of board connection portions 3A, 3B to the terminal connection portion 2, wherein the plurality of board connection portions 3A, 3B include a first group of board connection portions 3A in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 is oriented in a first direction x, and a second group of board connection portions 3B in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 is oriented in a second direction y that is different from the first direction x.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

This disclosure relates to press-fit terminals.

A press-fit terminal has a board connection portion at one end with a press-fit part that is press-fitted into a through-hole in a circuit board, and a terminal connection portion at the other end that can be connected to a mating terminal. When the board connection portion of the press-fit terminal is press-fitted into a through-hole in a circuit board and an operation is performed to connect or disconnect the terminal connection portion from the mating connection terminal, a load is applied to the board connection portion or the shaft connecting the board connection portion and terminal connection portion, which may cause damage to these parts. A structure has been proposed to avoid damage caused by the application of such loads.

For example, in the electrical terminal pin (press-fit terminal) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the resilient portion (press-fit section) is provided with a tapered transition section extending from the axial end to the widened region that forms the contact portion with the inner surface of the through-hole. Furthermore, the resilient portion has an S-shaped cross-sectional shape in the transverse direction. This tapered structure and S-shaped cross-sectional shape are intended to allow the resilient portion to withstand a certain degree of bending and/or twisting after being inserted into the through-hole. In other words, they are intended to prevent the pin from breaking immediately above the printed circuit board due to bending or twisting of the mating portion of the pin.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-241775

As in the case of Patent Document 1, by providing a tapered structure or an S-shaped cross section to the press-fit portion that constitutes the board connection portion of a press-fit terminal, damage such as bending or breakage caused by the load applied to the press-fit terminal when attaching or detaching a mating terminal to the terminal connection portion on the opposite side can be prevented. However, the impact of the load applied to the terminal connection portion on the press-fit terminal can not only damage the press-fit terminal itself, such as bending or breakage, but also cause poor connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole on the circuit board. For example, when a load is applied to a press-fit terminal, prying can occur at the connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole. Prying is a phenomenon in which external force is unevenly applied to the connection between the board connection portion and the through-hole. Prying can increase contact resistance and reduce the retention force that holds the board connection portion in the through-hole. As in Patent Document 1, providing a tapered structure to the press-fit section or adopting an S-shaped cross section makes it difficult to effectively reduce the effects of twisting.

The objective of this study is to provide a press-fit terminal that has a terminal connection portion and a board connection portion, and that can reduce the wrenching that occurs in the board connection portion when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion.

The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure comprises a terminal connection portion that electrically connects to a mating terminal; multiple board connection portions, each having a press-fit portion that is press-fit connected to a through-hole in a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction; and multiple shanks that integrally connect each of the multiple board connection portions to the terminal connection portion. The multiple board connection portions include a first group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

The press-fit terminal disclosed herein is a press-fit terminal having a terminal connection portion and a board connection portion, and is capable of reducing twisting that occurs in the board connection portion when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a press-fit terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing the press-fit terminal. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the press-fit terminal of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the number of board connecting portions is reduced. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the press-fit terminal of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a state before assembly.

Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure
First, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[1] The press-fit terminal of the present disclosure comprises a terminal connection portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal; a plurality of board connection portions, each having a press-fit portion that is press-fit connected to a through-hole in a circuit board while being elastically deformed in the width direction; and a plurality of shaft portions that integrally connect each of the plurality of board connection portions to the terminal connection portion, wherein the plurality of board connection portions include a first group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

In the above press-fit terminal, multiple board connection portions are coupled to a common terminal connection portion via respective shanks, and these board connection portions include first and second groups of board connection portions with the width directions of the press-fit portions facing in mutually different first and second directions. By providing board connection portions with the width directions of the press-fit portions facing in different directions, when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion while the board connection portions are press-fit connected to the through holes of the circuit board, the load is distributed to the multiple board connection portions facing in different directions. This reduces the likelihood of a concentrated load being applied to some board connection portions or in some directions, and prevents significant twisting at the connections between each board connection portion and the through holes. By reducing twisting, problems caused by twisting, such as increased contact resistance and reduced holding force, are less likely to occur between the board connection portions and the through holes.

[2] In the aspect of [1] above, the first group and the second group each preferably include a plurality of the board connection portions, and the plurality of board connection portions constituting the first group may be aligned along the first direction, and the plurality of board connection portions constituting the second group may be aligned along the second direction. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions, with the width directions of the press-fit portions oriented in different directions, distribute the load applied to the terminal connection portions, thereby increasing the effect of suppressing twisting at each board connection portion.

[3] In the above aspects [1] or [2], the first direction and the second direction may be orthogonal to each other. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection parts can effectively distribute loads applied to the terminal connection parts in various directions. Furthermore, the terminal connection parts can be more easily supported in a balanced manner by multiple board connection parts. Additionally, in a typical circuit board, through holes are arranged in vertical and horizontal directions that are orthogonal to each other, making it easier to align the arrangement of the through holes with the arrangement of the board connection parts.

[4] In the aspect [3] above, the cross section of the terminal connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the multiple shanks extend may have a rectangular outer shape, and the rectangle may have a first pair of sides parallel to the first direction and a second pair of sides parallel to the second direction. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions are arranged with the width direction of the press-fit portion parallel to the first pair of sides and the second pair of sides of the terminal connection portion, respectively. In this structure, the load applied to the terminal connection portion having a rectangular cross-sectional shape can be effectively distributed among the first and second groups of board connection portions. This also enhances the effect of supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner with the board connection portions. In addition, the overall structure of the press-fit terminal is simplified, and it can be easily manufactured from raw material punched out of a flat metal material. Note that the term "rectangle" also includes a square.

[5] In the aspect [4] above, it is preferable that the first group and the second group each include a plurality of the board connection portions, with the board connection portions of the first group arranged facing each of the pair of sides, and the board connection portions of the second group arranged facing each of the second pair of sides. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions are particularly effective in distributing the load applied to the terminal connection portions and in supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner.

[6] In the above aspect [5], it is preferable that each of the board connection portions in the first group and each of the board connection portions in the second group be arranged at symmetrical positions around the center of gravity of the rectangle. In this case, the first and second groups of board connection portions are even more effective in distributing the load applied to the terminal connection portions and in supporting the terminal connection portions in a balanced manner.

[7] In any of the above aspects [1] to [6], the terminal connection portion may as a whole constitute the electrical connection portion of a single mating female terminal. In this case, a single terminal connection portion is physically supported and electrically connected to the circuit board by multiple board connection portions facing in different directions, making it easier to configure the terminal connection portion to be large and to accommodate the application of large currents. Even when connecting a mating male terminal to a large mating female terminal, by distributing the load across multiple board connection portions, it is possible to effectively suppress twisting at each board connection portion.

[Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure]
A press-fit terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, terms related to shape and arrangement, such as "parallel" and "orthogonal," are not limited to strict geometrical concepts, but also include shapes with tolerances within the range normally tolerated for press-fit terminals. The tolerances are, for example, approximately ±10% in length and angle.

<Press-fit terminal structure>
1 and 2 show the structure of a press-fit terminal 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 is a perspective view, and Fig. 2 is a bottom view, i.e., a view from the tip side of board connection portions 3A and 3B. Fig. 3 shows the press-fit terminal 1 in Fig. 1 without the board connection portions 3A and 3B located at the back, so that the structure can be more easily understood.

The press-fit terminal 1 integrally comprises one terminal connection portion 2, multiple board connection portions 3A and 3B, and multiple shanks 4. Each of the multiple board connection portions 3A and 3B is connected to the common terminal connection portion 2 via the shank 4. The press-fit terminal 1 is constructed entirely from metal. While the type of metal constituting the press-fit terminal 1 is not particularly limited, from the perspective of conductivity, copper, copper alloys, or materials with a metal layer such as tin formed on their surfaces are preferred. In Figures 1 to 3, the direction in which the shank 4 extends is the vertical direction (z direction), the direction in which the terminal connection portion 2 is connected to the shank 4 is the upward direction (+z direction), and the direction in which the board connection portions 3A and 3B are connected is the downward direction (-z direction). Furthermore, within a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction, one direction is the horizontal direction (x direction), and the direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction is the depth direction (y direction).

The terminal connection portion 2 is the portion electrically connected to the mating terminal. The terminal connection portion 2 can have a structure similar to that of a known electrical connection terminal, and its type and specific structure are not particularly limited. Here, the terminal connection portion 2 is configured as the electrical connection portion of a mating female terminal. Specifically, the terminal connection portion 2 has a clamping portion 21 in the shape of a rectangular tube with an open top. Specifically, the terminal connection portion 2 has a cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the shank 4, i.e., the vertical direction (z direction), that is, a rectangular shape. A first pair of sides 2a of the rectangle extend along the horizontal direction (x direction), and a second pair of sides 2b extend along the depth direction (y direction). Note that the term "rectangle" also includes a square. Within the clamping portion 21 of the terminal connection portion 2, a resilient contact piece 22 is integrally formed with the wall surface of the clamping portion 21 and protrudes inward. The mating male terminal can be inserted from above into the clamping portion 21, and the inserted male terminal is clamped and held between the resilient contact piece 22 and the opposing wall surface of the clamping portion 21, thereby mating and connecting the male terminal to the terminal connection portion 2, which has the structure of a female terminal.

The board connection portions 3A, 3B that make up the press-fit terminal 1 can be press-fitted into through-holes in a circuit board, and when press-fitted, form an electrical connection with the inner wall surface of the through-hole. Each board connection portion 3A, 3B has a press-fit portion 31. The press-fit portion 31 has a shape that protrudes on both sides in the width direction at its midpoint in the vertical direction. The board connection portions 3A, 3B are press-fitted into the through-holes as the press-fit portion 31 elastically deforms in the width direction by compressing. In the illustrated form, the press-fit portion 31 has a needle-eye press-fit structure and each has a pair of resilient contact pieces that protrude outward in the width direction. A hole-shaped opening is provided between the pair of resilient contact pieces.

In the press-fit terminal 1 of this embodiment, multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are coupled to a common terminal connection portion 2 via respective shaft portions 4, but not all of the board connection portions 3A, 3B face the same direction. Specifically, the press-fit terminal 1 includes a first group of board connection portions 3A in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 faces a first direction, and a second group of board connection portions 3B in which the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 faces a second direction. The first and second directions are mutually different. While these specific directions are not particularly limited, in the embodiment shown here, the first and second directions are mutually orthogonal. Specifically, the first direction corresponds to the horizontal direction (x direction) of the press-fit terminal 1 as a whole, and the second direction corresponds to the depth direction (y direction) of the press-fit terminal 1 as a whole.

While the number of board connection portions 3A/3B constituting the first and second groups is not particularly specified, it is preferable that each group have a plurality of board connection portions. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second groups each include four board connection portions 3A/3B. Furthermore, as long as the width direction of each board connection portion 3A/3B faces the first or second direction, there are no particular limitations on their placement; each board connection portion 3A/3B may be positioned so that it can be press-fit into a through-hole in the board. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple board connection portions 3A constituting the first group are aligned with each other in the first direction, i.e., the horizontal direction (x direction). The multiple board connection portions 3B constituting the second group are aligned with each other in the second direction, i.e., the depth direction (y direction). Here, "multiple board connection portions aligned in a certain direction" refers to a state in which the straight lines connecting the tips of the board connection portions face in that direction.

More specifically, in the press-fit terminal 1 of this embodiment, two of each of the first group of board connection portions 3A are arranged facing a first pair of sides 2a of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. Two of each of the second group of board connection portions 3B are arranged facing a second pair of sides 2b of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. Here, "board connection portions 3A/3B facing a rectangular side" refers to a state in which the board connection portions 3A/3B are arranged with the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 parallel to the rectangular side, immediately inside that side, specifically, with the surface of the press-fit portion 31 flush with the side. Preferably, each of the first group of board connection portions 3A and each of the second group of board connection portions 3B are arranged symmetrically around the center of gravity O (a vertical axis passing through the center of gravity O; the same applies below) of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. In other words, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, one board connection part 3A of the first group and another board connection part 3A of the first group should be arranged symmetrically across the center of gravity O of the rectangle. The same applies to the board connection parts 3B of the second group.

The press-fit terminal 1 shown in the figure is made entirely of metal, with multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B all connected integrally to the common terminal connection portion 2 via the shaft portion 4. As a result, each board connection portion 3A, 3B is electrically connected to the terminal connection portion 2. When each board connection portion 3A, 3B is inserted into a through-hole in the circuit board and a mating male terminal is connected to the terminal connection portion 2, an electrical connection is formed between the mating male terminal and the through-hole into which each board connection portion 3A, 3B is inserted, via the press-fit terminal 1.

<Method of manufacturing press-fit terminals>
Here, we will briefly explain an example of a method for manufacturing the press-fit terminal 1 according to the present embodiment, the structure of which has been described above. The press-fit terminal 1 described above has a terminal connection portion 2 configured as an electrical connection portion for a mating female terminal having a rectangular cross section, and board connection portions 3A, 3B arranged along each side of the terminal connection portion 2, so it can be easily assembled and manufactured from raw material that has been punched out flat.

Figure 4 shows the structure of the planar blank 1' before assembly. The blank 1' has four continuous faces 2' that make up each side of the clamping section 21 of the terminal connection section 2, with two shanks 4 protruding from each face 2'. Each shank 4 has a board connection section 3 with a press-fit section 31 formed at its tip. The eight board connection sections 3 are connected together at their tips by a continuous strip-shaped carrier 5. One of the faces 2' has a tongue-shaped section that protrudes opposite the shank 4 and serves as the resilient contact piece 22 of the terminal connection section 2. The end face 2' also has a locking section 6. The blank 1' is constructed by blanking out a planar plate material to form a shape that includes all of these sections in a continuous fashion.

After punching a metal plate to produce the blank 1', the blank 1' is bent at the boundaries between adjacent face portions 2' to form a rectangular tubular clamping portion 21 from the four face portions 2'. The rectangular tubular shape of the clamping portion 21 can be stably maintained by appropriately locking the face portions 2' at both ends using the locking portions 6. The resilient contact pieces 22 can also be bent inside the rectangular tubular shape. When the terminal connection portion 2 is formed in this manner, the board connection portions 3 protruding from each face portion 2' are oriented in two mutually perpendicular directions as the face portions 2' are bent. As a result, the board connection portions 3, which were all formed on the same plane, are divided into a first group of board connection portions 3A and a second group of board connection portions 3B, with the width direction of the press-fit portion 31 oriented in mutually perpendicular directions, and are arranged facing each side of the rectangular terminal connection portion 2. For example, in punched raw material 1', the board connection portions 3 protruding from the first and third face portions 2' from the left become the first group of board connection portions 3A, and the board connection portions 3 protruding from the second and fourth face portions 2' from the left become the second group of board connection portions 3B. The carriers 5 can be separated from each board connection portion 3 as appropriate, either before or while bending face portion 2'.

<Characteristics of press-fit terminals>
In the press-fit terminal 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, a plurality of board connection portions 3A, 3B are coupled to the common terminal connection portion 2, and these board connection portions 3A, 3B include a first group of board connection portions 3A and a second group of board connection portions 3B in which the width directions of the press-fit portion 31 are oriented in different directions. This structure of the press-fit terminal 1 can reduce prying of the board connection portions 3A, 3B that occurs when a load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2. The mechanism is as follows.

When a mating male terminal is inserted into the terminal connection portion 2 of the press-fit terminal 1, with the board connection portions 3A, 3B press-fitted into the through-holes of the circuit board, or when the mated male terminal is removed, a load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2. This load is likely to be applied not only in the vertical direction (z direction) but also in directions other than the vertical direction. It is also likely to be applied in an uneven direction. When an uneven load, including components other than the vertical direction, is applied to the terminal connection portion 2, the load is transmitted via the shanks 4 to the board connection portions 3A, 3B and to the contact points between the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through-holes of the circuit board. This transmitted load may cause prying at the connection points between the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through-holes. In other words, an external force may be applied unevenly to the connection points.

However, the press-fit terminal 1 of this embodiment has multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B connected to a common terminal connection portion 2. Therefore, even if an uneven load is applied to the terminal connection portion 2 in a certain direction due to insertion or removal of a mating terminal, the load is transmitted in parts to the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B. Moreover, because the widths of the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are oriented in different directions, the load is distributed in multiple directions. As a result, the load applied to the terminal connection portion 2 is less likely to be concentrated in a specific direction or at the contact points between some of the board connection portions 3A, 3B and the through holes. Therefore, large localized prying is less likely to occur at the contact points between each board connection portion 3A, 3B and the through holes, reducing prying. Reducing prying reduces the occurrence of phenomena caused by prying, such as increased contact resistance and a decrease in the retention force of the board connection portions 3A, 3B in the through holes.

This effect of suppressing prying can be achieved even if the number, orientation, and arrangement of the board connection portions 3A, 3B vary, as long as the press-fit terminal 1 has at least one first group of board connection portions 3A whose width is oriented in a first direction and at least one second group of board connection portions 3B whose width is oriented in a second direction different from the first direction. However, by adopting a structure in which multiple board connection portions 3A constituting the first group are aligned along the first direction and multiple board connection portions 3B constituting the second group are aligned along the second direction, as in the embodiment described above, the effect of suppressing prying can be enhanced. Furthermore, by arranging the first and second directions perpendicular to each other, the load can be distributed, thereby enhancing the effect of suppressing prying. Circuit boards typically have numerous through holes arranged in perpendicular vertical and horizontal directions, which also facilitates improving the positional alignment of the board connection portions 3A, 3B relative to such circuit boards.

Furthermore, when the terminal connection portion 2 is configured to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape, as in the above embodiment, by configuring the rectangle to have a first pair of sides 2a parallel to the first direction, i.e., the horizontal direction (x direction), and a second pair of sides 2b parallel to the second direction, i.e., the depth direction (y direction), the load applied to the terminal connection portion 2 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape can be effectively distributed to the two groups of board connection portions 3A, 3B. This also facilitates balanced support of the terminal connection portion 2 on the circuit board. These effects can be particularly enhanced by arranging the first group of board connection portions 3A facing each of the first pair of sides 2a of the rectangle and the second group of board connection portions 3B facing each of the second pair of sides 2b, i.e., by arranging the board connection portions 3A, 3B facing each of the four sides of the rectangle. Furthermore, these effects can be further enhanced by arranging the board connection portions 3A, 3B in symmetrical positions about the center of gravity O of the rectangle.

In the configuration described above, the terminal connection portion 2 as a whole constitutes the electrical connection portion of a single mating female terminal, and all of the board connection portions 3A, 3B are electrically connected to that single terminal connection portion 2. By configuring the entire terminal connection portion 2 as a single electrical connection portion in this way, the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B can be used to physically hold the large terminal connection portion 2 on the circuit board, and a conductive path with a large total cross-sectional area can be secured between the terminal connection portion 2 and the circuit board. This makes the press-fit terminal 1 suitable for use as a terminal for supplying large currents to a circuit board from an external device. However, in another configuration, the terminal connection portion 2 can be partitioned into multiple electrically independent regions, with each region electrically connected to a different portion of the board connection portions 3A, 3B. In this case, each region functions as an independent electrical connection portion. In other words, each region can be connected to a different mating terminal and used as a different conductive path.

In the embodiment described above, the press-fit portion 31 of each board connection portion 3A, 3B has a simple planar needle-eye structure, but it may also be configured with any press-fit structure, such as one with an S-shaped cross section as disclosed in Cited Document 1. Also, in the embodiment described above, the width directions of the press-fit portions 31 of the multiple board connection portions 3A, 3B are limited to the first and second directions, but it is also possible to configure board connection portions that face in three or more directions.

The above describes in detail the embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 Press-fit terminal 1' Punching material 2 Terminal connection portion 21 Clamping portion 22 Resilient contact piece 2a of terminal connection portion First pair of sides 2b Second pair of sides 2' Surface portion 3 Board connection portion 31 Press-fit portion 3A First group of board connection portions 3B Second group of board connection portions 4 Shaft portion 5 Carrier 6 Locking portion O Center of gravity of rectangle x Horizontal direction y Depth direction z Up-down direction

Claims (7)

a terminal connection portion electrically connected to a mating terminal;
a plurality of board connection parts each having a press-fit portion that is press-fitted into a through-hole of a circuit board while being elastically deformed in a width direction;
a plurality of shaft portions that integrally connect the plurality of board connection portions to the terminal connection portion,
The plurality of substrate connection portions are
a first group of board connection portions, the width direction of the press-fit portion being oriented in a first direction;
a second group of board connection portions in which the width direction of the press-fit portion faces a second direction different from the first direction. each of the first group and the second group includes a plurality of the substrate connection portions;
a plurality of the board connection portions constituting the first group are arranged in the first direction;
The press-fit terminal according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the board connection portions constituting the second group are arranged in the second direction. A press-fit terminal as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first direction and the second direction are mutually perpendicular. a cross section of the terminal connection portion perpendicular to the direction in which the shaft portions extend has a rectangular outer shape;
The press-fit terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the rectangle has a first pair of sides parallel to the first direction and a second pair of sides parallel to the second direction. each of the first group and the second group includes a plurality of the substrate connection portions;
the first group of board connection portions are arranged facing each of the pair of sides;
The press-fit terminal according to claim 4 , wherein the second group of board connection portions are arranged facing the second pair of sides, respectively. The press-fit terminal according to claim 5, wherein each of the first group of board connection portions and each of the second group of board connection portions are arranged at symmetrical positions around the center of gravity of the rectangle. A press-fit terminal as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the terminal connection portion as a whole constitutes the electrical connection portion of a single mating female terminal.