Method of connecting terminal and electric wire

Abstract

The invention comprises filling a conductive adhesive on a hole end of a wire connection part in tubular shape of the terminal which has an electric contact part at one side and the wire connection part at the other side, inserting an electric wire from a hole opening of the wire connection part toward the hole end, and reducing evenly a size of a tubular wall of the wire connection part, thereby causing the conductive adhesive to infiltrate into a space of the electric contact part or between wires. The invention also comprises tightening the tubular wall of the wire connection part by a rotary swaging process. Further, the conductive adhesive is a nickel paste which is a mixture of nickel powders in a liquid epoxy resin based binder. In addition, at least one of a core wire portion of the electric wire or the terminal is aluminum or aluminum alloy.

Description

[0001] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-369388, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to a method of connecting a terminal and an electric wire, which connects the terminal to be connected to, for example, a car panel or an engine block and the an electric wire supplying an earth current. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] As one of examples of a related art concerned with this kind of connecting method of the terminal and the electric wire, known are those shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (See Japanese Patent Publications Nos. JP H11-86921A and JP 2000-285983A. [0006] As shown in FIG. 5, a first related art (Japanese Patent Publication No. JP H11-86921A, pp. 2 to 4 & FIG. 7) lessens invasion of a sealing material 58 into a wire connection part between a core wire portion 57a and the terminal 50 for realizing stable electrical connection, and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method for connecting a terminal and an electric wire with waterproofing and good electrical conductivity using a conductive adhesive. The method involves filling the wire connection part of the terminal with the conductive adhesive and inserting the wire into it. The conductive adhesive infiltrates the space between the wires or the electric contact part, preventing water from entering the wire connection part. The invention also provides a structure where the wire is tightly closed by the conductive adhesive, ensuring no space between the terminal and the wire. The conductive adhesive used is a nickel paste which is thermosetting and has good electrical conductivity. The invention also mentions that using aluminum or aluminum alloy as the material for the wire or terminal can improve the electrical conductivity and lighten the weight of the vehicle or equipment.

Problems solved by technology

However, the above mentioned prior methods of connecting the terminal and the electric wire are involved with problems to be solved, as follows.

As the connection between the large diameter pipe 51 and the small diameter pipe 52 is conducted by press fitting or welding, there arises a problem that the operation is troublesome.

Besides, it is possible that the connection portion does not have sufficient sealing condition due to welding defects, or pressure shortage during connecting operation by press fitting.

In such the case, there is a fear that the sealing material 58 injected from the opening of the large diameter pipe 51 could leak out.

The second related art heats the shrinkage tube 63 to a predetermined temperature to reduce the size thereof in order to cover the wire connection part 62 of the terminal 60 for attaining the waterproof and an insulation, but since rate of shrinkage is decided depending on sizes or material qualities, those should be used properly, and a problem is present in a connection workability being inferior.

), and the waterproofing property of the heat shrinkage tube 63 might be spoiled.

As a result, the connection portion could be abnormally heated more easily, thereby causing a melting of the hot melt adhesive.

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