Abstract: Provided is a pair of arc discharge suppressive terminals electrically communicable with each other by engagement of the terminal pair. At least one of the terminal pair has a final contact site which is in contact with the counterpart terminal at a final stage of disengagement of the terminal pair. At least the final contact site is covered with an arc discharge suppressive layer containing a first metal having a melting point of 1,550° C. or higher. It is preferable that the terminal pair contact with each other at a portion corresponding to a main contact site other than the arc discharge suppressive layer in a completely engaged state where the one of the terminal pair and the counterpart terminal are tightly engaged with each other. Preferably, the main contact site has a surface made of a material having a higher conductivity than the arc discharge suppressive layer. This arrangement effectively suppresses occurrence of arc discharge at a time of disengagement of the terminal pair.

Abstract: A terminal includes a fixing section that is fixed to a vehicle body, and a removable section to which an electric wire is attached. A line of weakness is provided between the fixing section and the removable section. When the electric wire is pulled during disassembly and/or recycling of the vehicle body, the terminal breaks at the line of weakness and the electric wire can be removed from said fixing section while the fixing section remains fixed to the vehicle body.

Abstract: Provided is a pair of arc discharge suppressive terminals electrically communicable with each other by engagement of the terminal pair. At least one of the terminal pair has a final contact site which is in contact with the counterpart terminal at a final stag of disengagement of the terminal pair. At least the final contact site is covered with an arc discharge suppressive layer containing a first metal having a melting point of 1,550° C. or higher. It is preferable that the terminal pair contact with each other at a portion corresponding to a main contact site other than the arc discharge suppressive layer in a completely engaged state where the one of the terminal pair and the counterpart terminal are tightly engaged with each other. Preferably, the main contact site has a surface made of a material having a higher conductivity than the arc discharge suppressive layer. This arrangement effectively suppresses occurrence of arc discharge at a time of disengagement of the terminal pair.

Abstract: A terminal includes a fixing section that is fixed to a vehicle body, and a removable section to which an electric wire is attached. A line of weakness is provided between the fixing section and the removable section. When the electric wire is pulled during disassembly and/or recycling of the vehicle body, the terminal breaks at the line of weakness and the electric wire can be removed from said fixing section while the fixing section remains fixed to the vehicle body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal constructed in such a manner that at least an outer portion of the terminal including a region corresponding to a last-contact part of the terminal with a counterpart terminal when the terminal is disengaged from the counterpart terminal is formed of an insulating member. A conductive layer is formed on the surface of the insulating member to be electrically connected to a conductive part of the terminal. The terminal is constructed in such a manner that the conductive layer is detached from the counterpart terminal at a final stage of disengagement of the terminals. With this arrangement, arc discharge at the disengagement of the terminals is suppressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector having a terminal which is rendered into an electrically connectable state with a counterpart terminal by engaging with the counterpart terminal; a housing for accommodating the terminal therein; and an arc suppressive member which is provided at such a position as to be electrically connectable to the terminal and rendered into contact with the counterpart terminal when the terminal is being disengaged from the counterpart terminal so as to keep on electrically connecting the terminal and the counterpart terminal. The arc suppressive member has such a construction that an amount of discharged arc when the arc suppressive member is detached from the counterpart terminal is smaller than an amount of discharged arc when the terminal is disengaged from the counterpart terminal. With this arrangement, arc discharge at the disengagement of the terminals is suppressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector having a terminal which is rendered into an electrically connectable state with a counterpart terminal by engaging with the counterpart terminal; a housing for accommodating the terminal therein; and an arc suppressive member which is provided at such a position as to be electrically connectable to the terminal and rendered into contact with the counterpart terminal when the terminal is being disengaged from the counterpart terminal so as to keep on electrically connecting the terminal and the counterpart terminal. The arc suppressive member has such a construction that an amount of discharged arc when the arc suppressive member is detached from the counterpart terminal is smaller than an amount of discharged arc when the terminal is disengaged from the counterpart terminal. With this arrangement, arc discharge at the disengagement of the terminals is suppressed.

Abstract: In a rotary connection device, a rotor and a case are fitted relatively rotatably with a flat cable stored therebetween. The rotor is provided with a plurality of ribs radially on the cable facing surface thereof, with an elastic sheet provided on the lower surface side across the ribs such that the elastic sheet is elastically deformed only at the part contacting with the ribs so as to pressure the flat cable in the axial direction for preventing the backlash thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a terminal constructed in such a manner that at least an outer portion of the terminal including a region corresponding to a last-contact part of the terminal with a counterpart terminal when the terminal is disengaged from the counterpart terminal is formed of an insulating member. A conductive layer is formed on the surface of the insulating member to be electrically connected to a conductive part of the terminal. The terminal is constructed in such a manner that the conductive layer is detached from the counterpart terminal at a final stage of disengagement of the terminals. With this arrangement, arc discharge at the disengagement of the terminals is suppressed.

Abstract: A press-contact connector assembly for a socket joint of a lighting fixture includes a press-contact electrode including a box-shaped body, a press-contact blade on one end of the box-shaped body, the press-contact blade having two opposed press-contact portions which extend away from the box-shaped body and form an axial slot therebetween for receiving a cable, and a power supply terminal on the other end of the box-shaped body. The assembly further includes a casing having a hood for receiving a lighting fixture electrode, a cylindrical portion for holding the press-contact electrode so that the power supply terminal contacts with the lighting fixture electrode in the hood, and a guide portion for defining a guide path to introduce the cable into the axial slot of the press-contact blade.

Abstract: A terminal 20 is provided with a coupling portion 21 on an end thereof and with a press-contact portion 22 on the other end. A press-contact member 23 is coupled to the press-contact portion 22. The member 23 is provided with a press-contact slot 23a an inlet port of which is arranged in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction. A connector case 10 is provided with a cylindrical portion 13. When the terminal 20 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 13, the press-contact portion 22 is exposed through an opening 14 formed in a side wall of the connector case 10. When an electrical cable W is inserted into the case 10 through the opening 14, the cable W is inserted into the slot 23a to form an electrical connection. Then, the cable W is arranged in parallel with the terminal 20 so that a mating cable to be connected to the terminal 20 does not project from the cable W.

Abstract: A connector housing assembly 2 comprises a plurality of housings 3 each having a series of laterally arranged terminal accommodating chambers 4 and combined and united in a plurality of layers with the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 4 being trued up. The assembly further has a terminal locking mechanism comprising locking ports 6 provided in one of adjacent housings 3 in such a manner as to be situated at the rear of the locking portions 8 of terminals 1; and locking projections 10 provided on the other housing 3 in such a manner as to project therefrom so that the locking projections 10 are inserted through the locking ports 6 to be brought into engagement with the locking portions 8 of terminals accommodated in the one of the adjacent housings 3. Furthermore, a case unit 12 is provided for securely covering and locking said housings in a combined and united posture. The plurality of housings are preferably of similar shape and size.

Abstract: A flexible flat conductor wiring board (5) having required electric circuits is affixedly disposed on an instrument cluster (2) of an instrument panel portion of an automobile so as to be connected to switches and instruments (3A to 3E) that are provided on the instrument cluster (2) in groups so that an electric circuit is formed. Electric functioning components needed to carry out electric control of the switches and instruments are dispersedly provided on the end portions of centrally arranged switches and instruments or provided on the wiring board (5) with the electric control functions being incorporated in the electric circuits of the instrument cluster (2). Switches and instruments (3A to 3E) are provided, and electric circuits for the switches and instruments (3A to 3E) are provided so as to make the instrument cluster (2) an independent electric component. The instrument cluster (2) as an independent electric component is mounted on the instrument panel portion 1 of an automobile.

Abstract: A method for assembling a wire harness and an apparatus for carrying out the method. Main wires serving as the main line of the wire harness are arranged horizontally and in parallel with each other. A required portion of each main wire held by a cover installed at the leading end portion of a rod is dropped to a predetermined lower position so as to obtain a branch wire. The cover holding the branch wire is inserted into a terminal-accommodating chamber of a connector disposed at a lower position so as to connect the connector with the branch wire. Then, the rod formed on the cover is removed therefrom by moving the rod upwardly. The covers, which are spaced apart from each other, are made to be close to each other to insert them into the connector. A cutter mounted on the connector jig accommodating the connector cuts unnecessary wires connected with the connector.

Abstract: A connector housing assembly 2 comprises a plurality of housings 3 each having a series of laterally arranged terminal accommodating chambers 4 and combined and united in a plurality of layers with the longitudinal direction of the terminal accommodating chambers 4 being trued up, and has a terminal locking mechanism comprising in turn locking ports 6 provided in one of adjacent housings 3 in such a manner as to be situated at the rear of the locking portions 8 of terminals 1 and locking projections 10 provided on the other housing 3 in such a manner as to project therefrom so that the locking projections 10 are inserted through the locking ports 6 to be brought into engagement with the locking portions 8 of terminals accommodated in the one of adjacent housings 3, and furthermore, a case unit 12 is provided for securely covering and locking said housings in a combined and united posture. The plurality of housings are preferably of similar shape and size.

Abstract: A slow blow fuse has a fuse element section and a pair of electrical terminals integrally formed with the opposite ends of the fuse element section. The fuse element section and the electrical terminals are formed of a high melting point metal and heat accumulators formed of aluminum are secured to the opposite ends of the fuse element section in heat transfer relationship therewith.