Arc-resistant terminal, arc-resistant terminal couple and connector or the like for automobile

#The present invention relates to a terminal and a terminal couple for an electrical connection in a high voltage application such as an automobile, and a connector or the like for an automobile (for example, connector, joint box and the like) which includes the above-mentioned terminal.

#In some cases, a connector served for an automobile or the like is removed at a frequency of one time for several months to several years for maintenance and checking of the automobile. However, there exists a fear that an arc discharge is generated between terminals of the connector at a moment that terminals of these connectors are separated. Particularly, recently, a battery voltage is no more restricted to a conventional level of approximately DC12V and a demand for higher voltage such as DC36V is in progress and hence, there is a fear that a considerably large arc will be generated. In such a case, there may be a case that the terminal is damaged due to this phenomenon. For example, a male terminal usually has a rod-like or a plate-like shape and a distal end portion thereof has a somewhat sharpened shape to facilitate the insertion of the male terminal into a female terminal. However, due to the repetition of the above-mentioned engagement and removal of the terminal and the generation of arc discharge which follows the engagement and removal of the terminal, the once-sharpened distal end portion is melted, is slightly moved toward a proximal portion, and is solidified by cooling and hence, the distal end portion is rounded and swelled. That is, there is a possibility that the terminal is remarkably deformed. Accordingly, there is a fear that this gives rise to a contact failure and, in a worst case, the male terminal cannot be inserted into the female terminal (discussed for example, on page 2 of Japanese Patent Publication No. JP2001-266985A, and on page 2 of Japanese Patent Publication No. JP2001-266986A).

#Conventionally, brass which is a Cu—Zn based alloy has been used as a base material for terminal and this base material contains approximately 35 mass % of Zn (boiling point: 907 degrees centigrade). Further, there is a case that a terminal for lines for transmitting and receiving electrical signals uses pure copper as a base material thereof although the terminal is not served as a connector.

#The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the present invention, in which like numerals represent like elements throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing one example of a terminal of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic side view with a part broken away of the terminal shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 1.

#The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

#The metal-based material which forms the above-mentioned base material or the above-mentioned final contact portion is explained. It is preferable that the above-mentioned metal-based material contains at least one kind of metal such as Cu, Ni and Sn, as a main component. This is because that Cu, Ni and Sn exhibit excellent arc resistance. Further, for example, in view of the strength, the weatherability, the workability or the like of the terminal, the above-mentioned metal-based material may contain components other than Cu, Ni and Sn. From a viewpoint of the arc resistance, it is preferable to suppress a quantity of these components to a value not more than a fixed quantity. For example, we provided:

#(1) A Metal-based material in which a content of P is not more than 0.06 mass % and a balance that includes at least one kind of metal such Cu, Ni or Sn, and other constituent elements which are minute components which remain in the metal-based material, (also referred to as “inevitable impurities”).