JPH0139637B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a terminal fitting for an ignition cord used in internal combustion engines for automobiles, pulse combustion furnaces, etc. This invention relates to a terminal fitting for an ignition cord used for connecting to a cap socket, etc.

[Background technology]

Various types of ignition cord terminal fittings are known for connecting the ignition cord to a spark plug or other similarly shaped device as well as for removably connecting the ignition cord to an automobile distributor. Such terminal fittings are generally capable of fitting around a male connector, such as a spark plug, or
It is in the form of an expandable split tubular section that can be press-fitted into a conventional cup-shaped tubular socket of an automotive distributor, the crimping portion of which is attached to the end of an ignition cord with a conventional oppositional core. A portion of the exposed ignition cord core is folded back toward the jacket to form a conventional "peel-and-fold" type connection. An intermediate web portion of the terminal fitting connects the tubular portion and the caulking portion to each other.

The split-type tubular portion is provided with various spring means for locking the tubular portion to a spark plug terminal or the like. The spring means may, for example, consist of a C-shaped spring steel member slidably fitted into the tubular section and provided with a projection extending inwardly through an opening provided in the tubular section and abutting a spark plug terminal or the like; It has a wall section that is displaced inward. A notch is provided in the middle of the terminal fitting to allow the terminal fitting to be bent if a bendable terminal fitting is required, and to assist in maintaining the desired bend. Reinforcing means are provided which extend to the caulking portion or are adapted to lock into each other. The crimping portion of the terminal fitting may be provided with various means, such as ridges, protruding tongues, or other similar structures, to increase the locking or retention force of the outer jacket of the ignition cord. In addition, there is no possibility that the ignition cord will be pulled out from the terminal fitting when the terminal fitting is removed by pulling the ignition cord. This type of damage occurs because the retention force provided by the expandable split tubing is unpredictable and uncontrollable. In addition, conventional terminal fittings for ignition cords are made of two parts, and in order to repeatedly control the holding force obtained by the expandable tubular part, the expandable tubular connection part is made of a stronger and more rigid material than the caulked part. Since the crimped portion and the tubular connecting portion are made of different materials, they are made of separate pieces.

[Disclosure of the invention]

The present invention aims to overcome the above-mentioned as well as other drawbacks of the prior art.

The present invention provides an integrated terminal fitting for an ignition cord. The crimping portion is designed to provide an extremely high retention force between the ignition cord and the connector, and includes integral spring means to provide an easily controllable and connectable retention force without causing any damage to the ignition cord. The intermediate part connects the barrel part and the caulking part to each other, and the intermediate part has a structure that makes the terminal metal strong and stable without adversely affecting the rigidity of the straight type terminal metal fitting. A plurality of deformations are provided to allow bending into a foldable terminal fitting. Basically, the tubular barrel section is provided with one or more tongues formed by cutting generally U-shaped slots in the side wall of the barrel section, and the distal ends of the tongues are U-shaped. It is formed by a curved portion of the slot, and a protrusion is formed at the tip. The tongue acts as an integral spring means and extends generally along the surface of the tubular barrel portion, and the projection engages the spark plug terminal if it is an inward projection; If it is an outward projection, it will engage the socket of the distributor. Such slots and protrusions can be simply and effectively formed by conventional stamping of a sheet metal blank, which is then bent to form the barrel, swage, and intermediate sections. can be molded.

In the middle part, there are three inwardly deformed parts close to each other.
Two deformed parts are provided. These deformed parts do not significantly impair the rigidity of the intermediate part when this terminal fitting is used as a straight terminal fitting, and
When bent in the opposite direction to be used as a bending type terminal fitting, a strong and stable bent middle part is formed.

The caulking portion is caulked over only a portion of its length and consists of a generally cylindrical caulked portion that compresses the ignition cord, and an uncrimped portion that forms a flared funnel-shaped portion. Therefore, in order to pull the ignition cord from the terminal fitting, the uncompressed portion of the ignition cord must first be compressed within the flared funnel before the ignition cord is pulled from the tightly crimped portion. This provides greater retention between the ignition cord and the terminal fitting. This seems to be due to the following reasons. That is, firstly, a larger force must be applied to the ignition cord in order to compress the ignition cord and pull it out from the terminal fitting. Next, the ignition cords are pressed together so that the bond between the jacket and the insulator of the ignition cord is broken, the insulator and conductive core are pulled out of the terminal fitting, and the jacket is crushed. This is because there is no way to extract it.

The electrical connection between the ignition cord and the terminal fittings can be further improved by placing a conductive sheet between the outer jacket and the folded center core, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,322. can do.

As described above, the terminal fitting for an ignition cord of the present invention is composed of an integrated member having various novel features in each of its three component parts, and it goes without saying that these features can be applied independently. This terminal fitting can be connected to either male or female ignition cord connection terminals.

Therefore, the terminal fitting for an ignition cord provided by the present invention includes a straight cylindrical barrel portion, a semi-cylindrical groove-shaped intermediate portion integral with the cylindrical barrel portion and extending straight, and the intermediate portion. the cylindrical barrel portion forming an integral spring means for locking the terminal fitting to the ignition cord connection terminal; comprises a tongue defined in the cylindrical barrel by a generally U-shaped slot, said tongue being in the face of the cylindrical barrel, said tongue cooperating with the ignition cord connection terminal. It has a tip with a radial protrusion. An advantage of the present invention is that the force provided by the integral spring means can be easily controlled and maintained since there is no need to control or maintain the force provided by the entire expandable barrel section as in the past. There is a particular thing.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, first, second, and third deformed portions are provided in the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting for an ignition cord, and among these, the first and second deformed portions are provided in the intermediate portion. The third deformed portion is formed at edges facing each other, and the third deformed portion is provided in the intermediate main body portion between the first deformed portion and the second deformed portion. The advantage of such a feature is that the terminal is oriented in such a way that the third deformation has an acute apex and the first and second deformations extend straight to form a smoothly curved part at the obtuse apex. When the metal fitting is bent, the obtained terminal metal fitting has strength and stability in the bent state.

A further advantage of the present invention is that there are no protrusions or obstructions around the barrel portion of the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention since the integral spring means is substantially flush with the barrel portion. Therefore, a conventional insulating boot for a terminal fitting can be very easily attached to an ignition cord assembly made by attaching a terminal fitting to an ignition cord.

[Explanation of Examples]

1 to 4 show a preferred embodiment of the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention.
0 is electrically and mechanically connected to the ignition cord 32 and a male connection terminal (this is the ignition plug 3
(shown as 4). Terminal fitting 3
0 has a straight cylindrical first barrel portion 36 having an open end surface 38 and an end portion 40, and this barrel portion 36 has a first edge portion 44, a second edge portion 46, and a semi-cylindrical shape. It is integrally connected to a straight semi-cylindrical intermediate groove portion 42 consisting of a main body portion 48, and this groove-shaped intermediate portion 42 is integrated with a third caulking portion 50 that extends straight. .

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the ignition cord 32 includes a conductive central core portion 52, a concentric insulating layer 54 surrounding the core portion, and a jacket portion 56 surrounding the insulating layer 54. Consists of. Insulating layer 54 and jacket portion 56 are peeled from the end of core portion 52 to form exposed portion 58, as is conventional for “peel-and-fold” type end finishes. is folded back and brought into contact with the jacket portion 56 and fixed between the jacket portion 56 and the ignition cord terminal fitting 30.

Third caulking part (this is shown in Figures 5-12 and 13)
15) is U-shaped before caulking and consists of a base portion integral with a semi-cylindrical grooved intermediate portion 42, and first and second side portions which can be caulked. Although channel portion 42 is shown as a semi-cylindrical shape, preferably a longitudinal half of a cylinder, it may comprise any portion of a cylinder, or may be of any other suitable conventional shape. In particular, this can be done when bendable terminal fittings are not preferred.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the caulking portion 5
0 is crimped using a novel method. As can be clearly seen from FIG. 1, the caulked portion 50 is caulked over only a portion 62 of its entire length 60, and this length 62 is approximately half of the entire length 60. For this reason, a cylindrical caulked portion 64 (and a correspondingly compressed portion 66 of the ignition cord) and an uncaulked portion (which forms a funnel-shaped portion 68 that widens toward the end) are formed. An end portion 69 of the ignition cord 32 protrudes from this uncrimped portion 68 . As mentioned above, this crimping method provides a superior mechanical connection compared to conventional crimping where the crimped portion is tightly crimped along its entire length. According to this crimping method, before the ignition cord 32 is pulled out from the terminal fitting 30, each layer of the ignition cord is pressed while concentrically attached to each other and compressed by the funnel-shaped portion 68, so that the pull-out strength is increased. increases. In conventional caulking, when a severe tensile force is applied, the bonds between the layers of the ignition cord 32 are broken and the core 52 is
It is thought that the insulating layer 54 comes out of the caulked area and the jacket portion remains unsupported.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the terminal fitting of this embodiment is provided with a deformable portion, so that it can be finished into a bendable terminal fitting as required. Of course, if only a straight terminal fitting is required, the deformed portion can be omitted. As illustrated, the edge portions 44 and 46 are formed with a first deformed portion 70 and a second deformed portion 72, which are adjacent to each other and protrude from each other. Third
A deformed portion 74 is formed in the body portion 48 between the first deformed portion 70 and the second deformed portion 72 and projects toward the edges 44,46.

In the prototype of the embodiment of the present invention made of brass, these deformed parts are such that when the terminal fitting is bent, the deformed parts 70 and 72 are further deformed in the same direction, and the third deformed part 74 is stretched. The third deformed portion was formed with the intention of creating a bent portion at the top of the obtuse angle formed by the terminal fitting so that the third deformed portion forms a smooth and rounded portion. This experiment was successful with a brass prototype.

However, in a prototype made of stainless steel, a preferred material, when the terminal fitting was bent in the intended direction, an unstable and undesirable bend was created that was severely distorted. However, by chance, when the terminal fitting was bent in the opposite direction contrary to the above-mentioned intention, a terminal fitting with a smooth, stable and firm bent portion was obtained, and the deformed portion 74 was formed by an acute-angled apex formed by the terminal fitting. The deformed parts 70 and 72 are straightened out to form smoothly curved edge parts 44 and 46 at the obtuse-angled tops formed by the bent terminal fittings. did.

The ignition cord terminal fitting 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is connected to a spark plug, and the latter has an insulating section 80 and a terminal section 82. Terminal part 82
The shape conforms to the industrial standard for male terminals for spark plugs for automobiles and combustion furnaces, and also meets the industrial standard for male terminals for distributors of internal combustion engines equipped with capped distributors. It has a suitable shape. As shown, the terminal portion 82 has an end face 84 followed by a diverging conical truncated head 86, a cylindrical portion 88, a tapered conical truncated head 90, and a neck portion 92. Although the base 94 can be varied, the overall height from the end face 84 to the shoulder 96 must be precisely controlled. When this embodiment is used in conjunction with a spark plug type terminal, the end surface 38 of the terminal fitting 30 will abut tightly against the shoulder 96.

Although in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, as well as in all other embodiments of the present invention, the barrel portion 36 is a locking or solid type barrel, it is understood that the barrel portion 36 may be a conventional expandable barrel. It may be formed into any shape. However, even in the expanded version, there is no need to control the expansion of the barrel because of the integral spring means in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the barrel portion 36 includes a dovetail projection 100 formed on the first and second edges forming a seam 104.
It is configured as a locking barrel by the dovetail-shaped slot 102. If necessary, the locking action of the dovetail joints 100 and 102 can be achieved by using the protrusion 10.
This can be increased by crimping using conventional methods to expand the size of the slot 102 and contract the opening of the slot 102.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides an integral spring means. The spring means comprises an axial tongue 110 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 112 of the barrel portion 36, the tongue comprising a curved portion 114 and outwardly flared sides 116;
The base 120 of the tongue 110 is substantially wider than the tip 122. Tip part 1
22 is provided with a projection 124, which in the illustrated embodiment is a circular projection projecting radially inward. The protrusion 124 cooperates with the tapered conical truncated head 90 of the terminal portion 82 to establish an electrical connection with the terminal portion 82 and to firmly abut the terminal fitting 30 against the shoulder portion 96. Needless to say, the protrusion 124 does not necessarily have to be a circular protrusion in order to bring the terminal fitting 30 into contact with the shoulder 96 of the spark plug terminal portion 82; does not have to be an inward protrusion,
The tongue portion of the present invention does not have to extend in the axial direction.
The embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIG. 9,
In the embodiment of FIGS. 10, 15, and 16, the tongue 110 extends substantially in the plane of the barrel portion 36, but is stiffened by a transverse arcuate curvature. In addition, since the wide base portion 120 constitutes a rigid and elastic hinge portion of the tongue portion 110, the pulling force of the terminal fitting becomes extremely large and the pulling force can be easily controlled.

Embodiment 1 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
30 is shown. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the previous embodiment. In these figures, the caulking part 5
0 is shown as a substantially U-shaped portion before caulking, and this caulking portion is connected to the base portion 13 integral with the intermediate portion 42.
2 and the first with edges 138 and 140.
It has second side portions 134 and 136. The base portion 132 and the side portions 134 and 136 may be provided with protrusions 142 or the like to more securely hold the ignition cord 32, and a plurality of tongues protruding inward to bite into the jacket portion of the ignition cord 32. A shaped protrusion can be provided. However, the holding force obtained by the caulking method of the present invention is considered to be sufficient to put the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention into practical use.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the integral spring means of the present invention includes a first tongue 150 and a second tongue 1.
52, the tongues 150, 152 being oriented in the circumferential direction indicated by arrow 154. First tongue 150 extends generally in the plane of barrel portion 36a and is defined by a generally U-shaped slot. The slot consists of a curved portion 156 and flared sides 158, 160, with the base 1
A tongue 150 is formed with a tip 164 that is considerably wider than 62. A radial protrusion 166 is provided at the tip 164 . The second tongue 152 has a curved portion 170 and two flared sides 172,1.
74, which defines a tongue 152 having a distal end 176 and a substantially wider base 178. A radial protrusion 180 is formed. When used with a male terminal, the projections 166, 180 may project inwardly toward each other, and when used with a conventional female terminal, the projections 166, 180 may project outward. When used in spark plug terminals, as in the most preferred embodiment shown in FIG.
The end surface 38 is brought into contact with the shoulder portion 96 in cooperation with the shoulder portion 96 .

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the third embodiment 19 of the present invention.
Indicates 0. This embodiment is similar in some respects to the first embodiment, but differs in the configuration of the integral spring means.

As shown in FIG. 8, the integral spring means of the third embodiment is a circumferential tongue 192 which extends over a length slightly less than half the circumference of barrel portion 36b. It extends around the barrel portion 36b in the circumferential direction indicated by arrow 194. The tongue 192 is defined by a generally U-shaped slot in the barrel portion 36b, which includes a curved portion 196 and side portions 198, 200.
A tongue-like portion 192 is formed with a tip portion 202 and a base portion 204 having approximately the same width. Tip part 20
2 is provided with a radial protrusion 206, and a radial protrusion 208 is provided on the barrel portion 36b at a location diametrically opposed to this protrusion 206. As in all other embodiments, the protrusion 20
6 and 208 are integrally formed by deforming the material of the terminal fitting, and by providing a recess on one side of the material, a protrusion is formed on the other side. Further, like the other embodiments, when the third embodiment 190 is fitted to a male terminal such as a spark plug terminal, the protrusions 206 and 208 can be made to protrude inwardly so as to face each other. When the terminal fitting 190 is used in combination with a conventional female distributor socket, the protrusions 206 and 208 can be projected outwardly away from each other.

9 and 10 show the ignition cord terminal fitting 30 of the first embodiment of the present invention being bent to form a bendable terminal fitting. For convenience,
The caulking portion 50 is shown in a state before caulking and is not connected to the ignition cord 32. As can be seen from FIG. 9, in the terminal fitting 30, the base 132 of the caulking portion 50 forms an acute angle 220 with respect to the barrel portion 36, and the barrel portion 36 forms an obtuse angle 222 with respect to the caulking portion 50 (this angle is To aid in understanding, a line 224 parallel to the axes of edges 138, 140 and base 132 and a line 22 parallel to the longitudinal axis of barrel portion 36 are shown.
6) in the first direction.

As is clear from comparing Figures 1 to 4 with Figures 9 and 10, the third deformed portion 7
4 remains relatively unchanged at the top of the acute angle 220, although it expands a little due to bending, but the first and second deformed parts 70, 72 are stretched straight and are not in the folded state. Smooth, undistorted bending regions 230 and 232 are formed at the top of the obtuse angle 222 formed by the terminal fitting.

As can be seen, line 224 as well as corner 222 do not change when sides 134, 136 are crimped around ignition cord 32.

11 and 12 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention, which is similar in some respects to the second embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, but with integral springs. The configuration of the means is different.

As can be seen from the drawings, this fourth embodiment 240 of the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention has a first tongue portion 242.
and a second tongue 244, and these tongues 24
2, 244 is a circumferential tongue portion located on the surface of the barrel portion 36c and formed in the circumferential direction indicated by an arrow 246. The first tongue portion 242 is the barrel portion 36c.
The slot is defined by a generally U-shaped slot having a curved portion 248 and side portions 250,252. As shown, the sides 250, 252 are generally parallel and define a tongue 242 having a tip 254 and a base 256 of about the same width. The tip 254 is provided with a radial protrusion 258 that aligns with the axis of the barrel portion 36c (which is the same as the axis 112 in FIG. 3).
a radial protrusion extending longitudinally in the direction of .
As best seen in FIG. 12, the second tongue 244
is defined by a generally U-shaped slot in barrel portion 36c, which has a curved portion 260 and sides 262, 264, and which includes distal end 26.
6 and a base 268 of approximately the same width. The tip 266 also has a straight radial projection 270 extending in the direction of the axis of the barrel of the terminal fitting of the present invention (e.g., axis 112 in FIG. 3). . As with all other embodiments of the present invention, these radial protrusions 258, 270 are used when the ignition cord terminal fitting is used in conjunction with a spark plug type terminal (e.g., terminal section 82 in FIG. 11). It can be an inward protrusion,
When used in combination with a conventional cup-shaped female distributor terminal, the protrusions may project outwardly away from each other.

Figures 13 and 14 schematically illustrate the procedure used to form a caulk with improved cord retention properties of the present invention. Code 32 has solid lines 280 and 282 before caulking.
It has the side shape and position shown by , and after caulking, it has the position and side shape shown by imaginary lines 284 and 286. As is clear from the drawings, the peeled exposed end 58 of the core portion 52 is folded back to abut the jacket portion 56;
This end of the cord 32 is disposed within the caulking portion 50 of the terminal fitting of the present invention, and said end is located at the side 1
34, 136 and slightly protrudes into the groove-shaped portion 42. However, this protrusion is not necessarily necessary in order to implement the present invention or to achieve the effects of the present invention. Since the folded end portion 58 is arranged to abut against the base portion 132 of the caulking portion 50, the side portions 134, 136 are connected to the cord 32.
This edge will not be damaged when swaged around. The base 132 rests on a support die 290 having a surface 292 that generally conforms to the outer surface of the base 132. A caulking die 294 is provided. The length 296 of this caulking die is approximately equal to the length of the cylindrical caulking portion 64 (indicated by length 62 in FIG. 1), and approximately 1/2 of the length 298 of the support die 290, The length 298 of the die is the total length 60 (first
(see figure). However, similar results can be obtained by having the crimping die 294 offset from the support die 290 and giving it a suitable shape. This die 294 is mounted so that it can reciprocate in the direction shown by arrow 300. Die 294 is a conventional overlapping staking die and has tapered entry faces 302,304. As can be seen, when the die 294 is moved toward the die 290, the tapered surfaces 302, 304 are aligned with the sides 13.
4,136 in the direction toward each other. However, the sides 134, 136 are the points 306, 3
When reaching 08, these sides begin to curve inward, each with a different radius of curvature. Curved surface 310 preferably has the same radius of curvature as curved surface 312, and the positioning point of curved surface 310 is located at surface 313.
The curved surface 312 is higher than the curved surface 312. The curved portion 312 has a groove 314 and a protrusion 316 as in the conventional case.
is provided. As die 294 moves toward die 290, edge 138 moves along surface 310, while edge 140 moves along surface 312, passes through groove 314, and is deflected toward cord 32 by protrusion 316. Edge 14 because it will be forced
0 is folded under edge 138 so that portion 134 overlaps portion 136.

In this way, a holding portion having a substantially cylindrical caulked portion that is caulked around the cord 32 and compresses the cord, and an uncaulked portion forming a funnel-shaped portion that widens toward the end are formed. This unswaged portion leaves the end extending beyond the funnel toward the channel 42 uncompressed. As previously mentioned,
With such a configuration, the magnitude of the pulling force required to pull out the cord 32 from the caulked portion 50 of the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention is greatly improved.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 and includes a circular radial projection 318, which projection 320 is similar to projection 124 with the following exceptions. That is, whereas in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the protrusion 124 projects inwardly to engage the tapered conical truncated head 90 of a conventional spark plug-type terminal. Protrusion 320
project outwardly to engage a conventional cylindrical, cup-shaped distributor female terminal (not shown).

This configuration is obtained by making minor changes to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and is a novel design that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured so that it can be used for both male and female terminal applications. The present invention provides an ignition cord terminal fitting. This configuration also provides an ignition cord terminal fitting for connecting the ignition cord to a conventional distributor, which contacts the conventional insulation boot when the insulation boot is installed after the ignition cord assembly is assembled. It does not have any obstructive parts that could damage it and shorten its lifespan.

17 and 18 show a fifth embodiment of the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention, and this embodiment has many features in common with the previously described embodiments. As shown, the caulking portion 50a has a first side 322, a second side 324, and a base 326.
Preferably, side 322 is longer than side 324;
It is possible to form caulked portions that do not overlap. The portions 322, 324, 326 are provided with grooves 328, 330 forming protrusions.

The barrel portion 36d is also provided with integral spring means, the latter having a first tongue 332 and a second tongue 334 disposed circumferentially in the direction of arrow 336.
has. The first tongue 332 is defined by a generally U-shaped slot in the barrel portion 36d;
This slot has curved portion 338 and side portions 340, 34.
2, the slot forms a tongue 332 with a tip 344 and a base 346. The tip 344 is provided with a radial protrusion 348 that extends straight in a direction parallel to the axis 112 in FIG.

The second tongue portion 334 has a curved portion 352 and a side portion 35.
4,356, which defines a second tongue 334 having a distal end 358 and a base 360. Distal end 358 is provided with a radial projection 362 similar to projection 348 that extends straight in the direction of axis 112 in FIG.

Additionally, the barrel portion 36d is provided with a radial protrusion (shown as a ridge or groove 364) that extends straight circumferentially from near the protrusion 348 to near the protrusion 362; A first gap 366 is formed between the protrusion 364 and the protrusion 362, and a second gap 368 is formed between the protrusion 364 and the protrusion 362. Of course, the protrusions 364 may be either inward or outward protrusions and act as circumferential stiffeners to increase the spring constant of the tongues 332,334.

Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a preferred method for crimping the crimping portion 50a around the ignition cord (eg, 32). The positions of the ignition cords before crimping are shown by solid lines 370 and 372. The outline of the ignition cord after crimping is shown by phantom lines 374 and 376. As shown, the ignition cord has its free end 378 past the crimped portion 50a and the barrel portion 36d.
It is disposed between sides 322 and 324 so as to extend a considerable distance toward. The caulking portion 50a is placed on the support die 380, and its base 328 is in contact with the surface 382 of the support die 380. The caulking die 384 is the arrow 386
a tapered entrance surface 388 that is reciprocatable in a direction;
and 390, and a curved surface 392 connecting them. As can be seen, when the crimping die 384 is driven toward the support die 380, the surfaces 388, 390, 392 are connected to the tip 394 of the first side 322 and the tip 39 of the second side 324.
6 are guided into contact with each other to form a non-overlapping caulked portion. As can be seen, when a force is applied to the ignition cord (e.g. cord 32), the free end 378 will be compressed to some extent, so that the
The swage method of FIGS. 13 and 20 produces a funnel effect similar to that of FIGS. 13 and 14, and provides at least some of the benefits of the funnel swage in holding the layers of the ignition cord in bonded relationship with each other. can get.

21 to 31 illustrate various other variations of the present invention and illustrate the construction of integral spring means that can be formed in the barrel portion 36. These spring structures can be used in certain applications of the ignition cord terminal fittings of the present invention. Figures 21 to 3
Figure 1 shows the integral spring part of the barrel part unfolded. The terminal fitting of the present invention is formed by a conventional multi-stage stamping process, and initially has a stamped flat shape and is connected to each other by connecting rails, but is later curved appropriately. A barrel portion, an intermediate portion, and a caulking portion are formed. The embodiment of FIGS. 21-31 is somewhat similar to the corresponding portions of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each having a generally U-shaped configuration defining a first tongue 420. a second U-shaped slot (which has a curved portion 442 and flared sides 444, 446) defining a second tongue 430; We are prepared. The embodiments of FIGS. 21-23 differ from each other in the means for adjusting the spring tension exerted by the tongues 420, 430 on the radial projections 438, 440. In the example of FIG. 21, a circumferential slot 442 is provided to cut away material at the base of the tongues 420, 430 to reduce the elasticity of the tongues. In the example of FIG. 22, a pair of small holes 444 are provided to cut material from the base of the tongue to reduce the elasticity of the tongue, and in the example of FIG. Both tongues 420, 430 serve the same purpose at the same time.

The embodiment of FIG. 25 is a further modification of the embodiment of FIG. 21, in which each tongue defined by the flared U-shaped slot is provided with an additional U-shaped slot to accommodate the spring. The force is relatively small. The first tongue 420 is formed with a generally U-shaped first tension control slot that is connected to the curved portion 450 and the flared side portion 45.
2,454, with sides 452,454 generally parallel to sides 424,426. Therefore, from the elastic hinge portion of tongue 420, side portions 452 and 4
The material is cut away between 54, effectively reducing its elasticity. Tongue 430 is also provided with a generally U-shaped slot for the same purpose, consisting of a curved portion 460 and flared sides 462, 464.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 24 to 27 can be considered as a modification of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the shape of the substantially U-shaped slot defining each tongue is different, with or without hole means for controlling or reducing the elasticity of the material. In FIG. 24, a curved portion 472 and mutually parallel side portions 474, 4 are shown.
The first tongue 4 is provided by a U-shaped slot having 76
70 is defined. The second tongue 478 is defined by a curved portion 480 and a U-shaped slot with mutually parallel sides 482, 484.

In FIG. 26, the first and second tongue portions 500, 50
2 is formed by two plane-symmetrical slots, each slot comprising a curved portion 504, divergent side portions 506, 508, and parallel portions 510, 512.

In FIG. 27, the first and second tongue portions 514, 51
6 are defined by substantially U-shaped slots that are plane symmetrical to each other, each slot having a curved portion 518;
A first side portion 520 extending in the circumferential direction and a corresponding side portion 5
20 and a second side portion 522 extending from the second side portion 522.

The embodiment of FIG. 28 is similar to that of FIG. 24, but includes a spring tension adjustment slot. That is,
A circumferentially extending slot 524 extends between tongues 470 and 478 .
The base material of the 0,478 is reduced to reduce and limit their elasticity and spring constant.
The width of this and all other embodiments of the slot, as well as the diameter of the hole provided for said function, can be increased or decreased as appropriate to control the elasticity and spring tension of the tongue.

FIG. 29 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1, in which instead of one large axial tongue, two small
Two axial tongues are used. The first and second tongues 526, 528 are defined by two axially oriented, generally U-shaped slots having curved portions 530, 532 and side portions 534, 536, 538, 540, respectively. , side parts 534, 536, 53
8,540 extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, such as axis 112 in FIG.

FIGS. 30 and 31 are further modifications of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and the modification described above. In the embodiment of FIG. 30, the first and second tongues 542, 544 are defined by a slot, each having two parallel legs with one leg 2 extending in the circumferential direction with plane symmetry connected to the facing legs
It is shaped like two U-shaped slots. That is, the slot consists of curved portions 546, 548, non-communicating legs 550, 552, and one leg 554 connecting said curved portions 546 and 548 to each other. The embodiment of FIG. 31 is a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 30 and is adapted to provide greater spring tension than that of FIG. Curved portions 546 and 548 are connected by a single leg 556, but divergent legs 558, 560 are not connected to each other and define bases 562, 564; The width is significantly greater than the width of the corresponding portions of the tongues 542, 544 of the embodiment of FIG.

It is clear from the above that the ignition cord terminal fitting of the present invention can be used as either a straight type or a bent type, and can be used with both male and female connectors, and is resistant to cord pulling force. It has the advantage that it has improved resistance, can be easily installed without damaging the insulating boot, and that the spring force of the integral spring means is controllable. It goes without saying that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an ignition cord with a terminal fitting according to the first embodiment of the present invention connected to a spark plug terminal, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG.
4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 seen from below; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 6 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, showing the opposite attitude from FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the terminal fitting according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 8 is another perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the position reversed from that of FIG. 7, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are
A perspective view showing a bent type terminal fitting formed by folding the embodiment shown in the figure, FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of a terminal fitting according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a new method of caulking the ignition cord to the ignition cord.
3 is a sectional view taken along arrows 14-14 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the protrusion is formed outward so that it can be connected to a female socket. Figure 16 shows 16 of Figure 15.
17 is a perspective view of a terminal fitting according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the second method of caulking the terminal fitting to the ignition cord, and Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing 20-2 of Fig. 19
0 arrow sectional views and FIGS. 21 to 31 are exploded views showing various shapes of integral spring means according to sub-embodiments of the present invention. 30, 130, 190, 240...Terminal fitting for ignition cord, 32...Ignition cord, 34...Spark plug, 36...Barrel portion, 38...Open first end of barrel portion, 40...Barrel portion second end of 4
2... middle part, 44... first edge of middle part, 4
6...Second edge, 48...Middle main body part,
50...Caulking part, 132,326...Base of caulking part, 134,322...First side part of caulking part, 136,324...Second side part of caulking part, 6
4... Tubular crimped part of the crimped part, 66... Compression cord part, 68... Funnel-shaped part of the crimped part, 69...
Cord end, 70...first deformed part, 72...second
Deformation part, 74...Third deformation part, 110, 150,
152, 192, 242, 244, 332, 33
4,420,430,470,478,500,
502, 514, 516, 526, 528, 53
2,534...Integrated spring means (tongue), 11
4,156,170,196,248,260,
338, 352...U-shaped slot curved part, 11
6,118,158,160,172,174,
198, 200, 250, 252, 262, 26
4,340,342,354,356...U-shaped slot side part, 120,160,178,20
4,256,268,346,360...base of tongue, 122,164,176,202,25
4,266,344,358...tip of tongue, 124,166,180,206,258,
270,348,362...Protrusion, 364...Reinforcing circumferential projection or groove, 442,444,4
46,524...Notch or slot for controlling spring tension.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A straightly extending cylindrical barrel portion 36 having a first open end 38 and a second end 40; a straightly extending cylindrical barrel portion integral with the second end 40; The intermediate portion 42 has a first edge portion 44 and a second edge portion 44.
an edge portion 46 and a body portion 48, the body portion 48 having one end integral with the cylindrical barrel portion 36 and an opposite end integral with a straightly extending caulking portion 50. The caulking part 50 is U-shaped and includes a base part 132 integral with the main body part 48, a first side part 134 and a second side integral with the base part 132. 136, the first side 134 and the second side 136.
The ignition cord 32 has a folded core portion 58.
The cylindrical barrel portion 36 is adapted to be swaged around the ignition cord connection terminal 82, said cylindrical barrel portion 36 having generally U-shaped integral spring means 110, 150, 152, 192, 2 for locking the terminal fitting to the ignition cord connection terminal 82.
42,244,332,334,420,43
0,470,478,500,502,514,
516, 526, 528, 542, 544, the integral spring means cooperating with a tongue disposed substantially in the face of the cylindrical barrel portion 36 and with the ignition cord connection terminal 82. radial protrusions 124, 166, 180, 206, 258, 27 for locking the ignition cord terminal fittings 30, 130, 190, 240, 320 to the connection terminals;
0,348,362,438,440, and the intermediate portion 42 has a first deformed portion 70 formed in the first edge portion 44 in a direction toward the second edge portion 46; A second deformed portion 72 is formed on the second edge portion 46 in a direction facing the first deformed portion 70 and toward the first edge portion 44.
and a third deformed part 74 formed in the main body part 48 between the first deformed part 70 and the second deformed part 72, and the third deformed part 74 is formed between the first deformed part 70 and the second deformed part 72. The first, second and third deformed portions 70, 72,
74 is a terminal fitting for an ignition cord, characterized in that the intermediate portion 42 can be bent in a direction in which the base portion 132 of the caulking portion 50 forms an obtuse angle with the barrel portion 36. 2. The barrel section 36 is a locking barrel section, and the barrel section 36 has a seam 104 formed by a first and a second edge of the barrel section, the first and second edges having a seam 104 with respect to each other. The terminal fitting for an ignition cord according to claim 1, characterized in that dovetail grooves 100 and 102 are provided to fit into each other. 3. the tongue is an axial tongue 110 extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the barrel portion 36; the generally U-shaped slot forming the tongue has a curved portion 114 defining a tip 122; 2. The ignition cord terminal fitting of claim 1, further comprising flared sides (116, 118) defining a tongue base (120) substantially wider than the tip. 4 said integral spring means is connected to said first tongue 24;
2,420,470,500,514,526,
532 and second tongue portions 244, 430, 478,
502, 516, 528, and 534, the first and second tongues are tongues extending in the circumferential direction, and each of the tongues 242, 244 is connected to the ignition cord connecting terminal 82. In cooperation with the ignition cord terminal fitting 13
0,190,240,320 to the connecting terminal
The terminal fitting for an ignition cord according to claim 1, characterized in that the terminal fitting has a tip portion having a diameter of 0,438,440, respectively. 5. The terminal fitting for an ignition cord according to claim 4, wherein the barrel portion 36 has a third radial protrusion 364, and the third radial protrusion is connected to the first tongue portion 332. It is a circumferential protrusion that extends straight in the circumferential direction from the vicinity of the radial protrusion 348 to the vicinity of the radial protrusion 362 of the second tongue portion 334, and the barrel portion 36
64 and the radial protrusion 34 of the first tongue.
A first gap 366 is formed between the barrel portion and the circumferential protrusion 364.
and the radial protrusion 3 of the second tongue 334
62. A terminal fitting for an ignition cord, characterized in that a second gap 368 is formed between the terminal fitting and the terminal fitting 62. 6 Each of the tongue-shaped portions 242, 244, 420, 43
0,470,478,500,502,514,
516, 526, 528, 532, and 534 are each defined by a generally U-shaped slot formed by the barrel portion, each of which is defined by a generally U-shaped slot formed by the curved portion 248, 260, 348, and 35.
2,422,432,472,480,504,
518, 530, 532, 546, 548 and widening side parts 250, 252, 262, 264, 3
40,342,354,356,424,42
6,434,436,474,476,482,
484, 506, 508, 520, 522, 53
4,536,538,556,558,560. The terminal fitting for an ignition cord according to claim 4. 7. Each of the generally U-shaped slots formed by the barrel portion 36 has one curved portion 536;
538 and first and second sides 536, 538,
544, wherein the first side of one generally U-shaped slot is integral with the first side of the other generally U-shaped slot. Terminal fitting for ignition cord. 8. The terminal fitting for an ignition cord according to claim 1, wherein the tongue-shaped portion is formed in a substantially U-shaped slot 196, 198, 2 formed in the barrel portion and oriented in the circumferential direction.
00, the circumferential tongue 204 having at its distal end the radial protrusion 206, the cylindrical barrel portion 36 having the above-described radial projection 206; further comprising a second radial protrusion 208 disposed diametrically opposite to the first radial protrusion 206, said first and second radial protrusion 206,2
Reference numeral 08 denotes an ignition cord terminal fitting characterized in that the ignition cord terminal fitting cooperates with the ignition cord connecting terminal 82 to lock the ignition cord terminal fitting to the connection terminal. 9. The ignition cord terminal fitting according to claim 1, wherein the ignition cord terminal fitting is connected to the barrel portion 3.
6, the base portion 132 of the caulked portion 50 is arranged at an obtuse angle 220 with the terminal fitting for a bendable ignition cord, and the third deformed portion 74 is arranged at the top of the obtuse angle 220; The first deformable portion 70 and the second deformable portion 72
The terminal fitting for an ignition cord is characterized in that the first and second portions 44 and 46 near the top of the obtuse angle 220 are stretched straight to form smooth and undistorted regions.