Braided component connection structure

Abstract

A braided component connection structure includes a conductive braid and a conductive member electrically connected and fixed to the braid, and is made of a conductive sheet. The conductive member includes braided joint portions. The braided joint portions, at a portion of the conductive member in the longitudinal direction, include a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a welded portion defined by two adjacent openings. The braided joint portions are disposed on the braid in an overlapping manner, and the welded portions are laser-welded to the braid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The currently disclosed topic concerns the connection structure of braided components. Background Technology

[0002] In related technologies, the ends of the wires are crimped to connect to the crimped portion of the terminals of a charging connector (see, for example, JP2017-208265A). It is also known that the wires and the conductive metal plate are melted by localized laser irradiation, and then solidified and bonded together (see, for example, JP5466194B2).

[0003] Meanwhile, to prevent electromagnetic interference, the wires connected to the connector terminals can be shielded cables, with the shielding braid arranged around the outer periphery of the core wires of the main circuit. In such shielded cables, the shielding braid is covered with annular metal members and is crimped to the shielding terminals by means of hexagonal crimping or other crimping methods. However, this crimping method requires specialized molds and tools for each wire and shielding terminal with different diameters, and its productivity is very low.

[0004] Conversely, if shielding terminals and shielding braids are joined by a laser bonding method involving laser irradiation followed by welding, the number of fixtures and other components required for joining can be reduced, and the cycle time required for joining can be shortened. However, because flexible shielding braids are made of finely woven threads, they have an unstable shape compared to conductors such as wires, making it difficult to laser weld this type of shielding braid and conductive components such as shielding terminals with high joining precision. Furthermore, when the overlapping portions of the shielding braid and conductive components are laser welded, heat energy is transferred from the welded portion to the periphery of the conductive components and escapes. Therefore, the irradiation time and output power of the laser used for welding must be increased to address the problem of low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The illustrative aspect of the currently disclosed subject matter provides a braided component connection structure with high connection reliability, wherein the conductive component and the braid are laser-welded with high precision.

[0006] According to the illustrative aspects of the currently disclosed subject matter, the braided component connection structure includes a conductive braid and a conductive member electrically connected and fixed to the braid, and is made of a conductive sheet. The conductive member includes braided joint portions. The braided joint portions, at a portion of the conductive member in the longitudinal direction, include a plurality of openings spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, and a welded portion defined by two adjacent openings of the plurality of openings. The braided joint portions are disposed on the braid in an overlapping manner, and the welded portions are laser-welded to the braid.

[0007] Other aspects and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will become apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings and claims. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 It is a view showing the braided component connection structure according to an embodiment of the currently disclosed subject matter, including a perspective view and an enlarged view of the main parts showing the state in which the shielding member, as a conductive member in the shielding assembly, is connected to the shielding braid made of braided fabric;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the shielding component shown;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the state of the shielding component before it is connected to the shielding braid;

[0011] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the state in which the braided joint portion of the shielding member covers and overlaps with the shielding braid;

[0012] Figure 5A It is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the braided joint portion of the shielding member covers and overlaps with the shielding braid. Figure 5B It is a vertical cross-sectional view explaining the process of welding the welded parts to the shielding braid that is covered and overlapped by the braided joint parts;

[0013] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view showing a variation of the woven component connection structure according to the currently disclosed subject, in which Figure 6A The diagram shows a perspective view of the main portion of a variant of the welded section in the shielding member. Figure 6B A perspective view of the main portion of another variation of the braided joint portion in the shielding member is shown;

[0014] Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a view illustrating a braided component connection structure according to another embodiment of the currently disclosed subject matter, wherein Figure 7A The diagram shows a perspective view illustrating a connecting terminal as a conductive component and a flexible conductor made of braided fabric, with the connecting terminal and the flexible conductor separated from each other. Figure 7B A perspective view showing the connection terminals and flexible conductor joined together is shown; and

[0015] Figure 8A This is a plan view showing the overlap between the braided connection end of the connecting terminal and the connection end of the flexible conductor. Figure 8B It is along Figure 8A The cross-sectional view taken from line III-III in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0016] In the following description, embodiments of the subject matter according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the braided component connection structure according to an embodiment of the subject matter according to the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 This is a view showing the braided component connection structure according to an embodiment of the currently disclosed subject matter, including a perspective view and an enlarged view of the main part showing the state in which the shielded outer terminal (shielding member) 10, as a conductive member, is connected to the shielded braid 50 made of braid in the shielding assembly 1. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The exploded perspective view of shielding component 1 is shown.

[0017] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the braided component connection structure according to this embodiment is, for example, a braided component connection structure used in the shielding assembly 1 of a high-frequency connector attached to the end of a shielded cable 40. The shielding assembly 1 includes a cylindrical shielding braid (braid) 50 and a shielding outer terminal (conductive member) 10. The cylindrical shielding braid 50 covers the periphery of the insulating wire (electrical wire) 51 along the longitudinal direction of the insulating wire 51, and the shielding outer terminal 10 is a cylindrical shielding member electrically connected to and fixed to the shielding braid 50.

[0018] The shielded cable 40 is a coaxial cable, comprising an insulated wire 51 (in which the core wire (conductor) 55 is covered by an insulator 53), a cylindrical shielding braid 50 covering the insulated wire 51 longitudinally, and an outer sheath 57 covering the outer periphery of the shielding braid 50 (see...). Figure 2 The conductive core 55 can be a single wire or a stranded wire obtained by twisting multiple wires. The insulator 53 is electrically insulating and covers the core 55. In this embodiment, the shielded cable 40 is presented as a coaxial cable including a shielding braid 50, but other configurations can also be used as long as it is a cable including a shielding braid 50.

[0019] The shielding assembly 1 will be housed within the housing (not shown) of the high-frequency connector, which is made of a synthetic resin with electrical insulating properties. The shielding assembly 1 will be connected to the end of the shielded cable 40. According to this embodiment, the shielding assembly 1 includes an inner terminal 20, an inner housing 30, and a shielded outer terminal (shielding member) 10 as a conductive member.

[0020] The inner terminal 20 is formed into a cylindrical shape from conductive metal and is electrically connected to the core wire 55 of the shielded cable 40 by crimping. The inner housing 30 is made of electrically insulating synthetic resin, and the inner terminal 20 is housed and held in the inner terminal receiving chamber of the inner housing 30.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the shielding outer terminal 10, which serves as a conductive member, is a shielding member formed in a cylindrical shape and includes an inner housing receiving chamber that accommodates the inner housing 30. The shielding outer terminal 10 is formed by pressing a conductive metal plate made of, for example, copper or a copper alloy. Figure 2 As shown, the shielding outer terminal 10, which is a conductive component, includes a mounting end 11 located at one end. The mounting end 11 will be mounted to the shielding outer terminal of a mating element (not shown) and will be electrically connected to the shielding outer terminal of the mating element, which is the shielding component of the mating element for the mounting end 11. The shielding outer terminal 10 includes a braided connection end 12 at the other end, and the shielding braid 50 is connected to the braided connection end 12.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer shielding terminal 10 includes a braided joint portion 15, which has a plurality of openings 13 formed at the braided connection end 12 on the other end side of the outer shielding terminal 10. The openings 13 are formed at intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer shielding terminal 10. The braided joint portion 15 includes a weld portion 17 formed circumferentially between every two adjacent openings 13. In other words, the weld portion 17 is defined by two adjacent openings 13. In this embodiment, each opening 13 of the braided joint portion 15 is a cut-out hole with an open end at the other end of the outer shielding terminal 10, and the weld portion 17 is a cantilevered protrusion formed between every two adjacent cut-out holes. Therefore, the braided joint portion 15 has a comb-like shape in the circumferential direction. The circumferential widths of the openings 13 and the weld portions 17, as well as the intervals between adjacent openings 13 and weld portions 17, are appropriately set according to the resistance when connected to the shielding braid 50, the required strength, and other conditions.

[0023] The shielding braid 50 is a long braid obtained by weaving wires made of a conductive metal material such as copper or a copper alloy, and is formed into a cylindrical shape. The shielding braid 50 is arranged to cover the periphery of the insulating wire 51 in the longitudinal direction. The insulating wire 51 includes a core wire 55 inside an insulator 53. The outer periphery of the shielding braid 50 is covered by an outer cover 57, and the ends of the shielding braid 50 that connect to the outer shielding terminal 10 are exposed from the outer cover 57 (see...). Figure 1 and 2 ).

[0024] One end of the insulated wire 51 is inserted into the outer shielding terminal 10 from the braided connection end 12. In this state, the braided joint portion 15 at the braided connection end 12 of the outer shielding terminal 10 covers the end of the shielding braid 50 and overlaps with it. In this case, the outer periphery of the end of the shielding braid 50 is covered by the outer shielding terminal 10.

[0025] At the braided joint portion 15 where the outer shielding terminal 10 covers and overlaps with the shielding braid 50, a weld portion 17 made of a protrusion is laser-welded to the shielding braid 50 to form a welded connection portion 25. Then, the outer shielding terminal 10 and the shielding braid 50 are electrically connected to each other at the welded connection portion 25, which is formed by laser welding the weld portion 17.

[0026] Next, it will be described how the shielding braid 50 is connected to the shielding outer terminal 10, which is a shielding member that serves as a conductive member. Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the state of the outer shielding terminal 10, which is a shielding member, before it is connected to the shielding braid 50. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the state in which the braided joint portion 15 of the outer shielding terminal 10 covers and overlaps with the shielding braid 50. Figure 5A This is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the braided joint portion 15 of the outer shielding terminal 10 covers and overlaps with the shielding braid 50, and Figure 5B This is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the process of welding the welded portion 17 to the shielding braid 50 that is covered and overlapped with the braided joint portion 15.

[0027] First, such as Figure 3 As shown, the inner terminal 20 is housed in the inner terminal receiving chamber of the inner housing 30, and the shielding braid 50 is covered by the braided joint portion 15 of the shielding outer terminal 10. Therefore, the inner terminal 20, core wire 55, insulator 53, and shielding braid 50 are inserted into the braided connection end 12 of the shielding outer terminal 10. Then, as... Figure 4 and 5A As shown, the end of the shielding braid 50 is covered by the braided joint portion 15. In this way, the welded portion 17, made of a plurality of protrusions of the braided joint portion 15, overlaps with the outer periphery of the end of the shielding braid 50.

[0028] Next, as Figure 5B As shown, each welded portion 17 overlapping with the shielding braid 50 is irradiated by a laser 103 emitted by the laser irradiation device 100, and the welded portions 17 and the shielding braid 50 are sequentially welded. In this case, by turning the laser irradiation device 100 on and off while rotating the shielding assembly 1 and the shielding cable 40 about their axis, the laser 103 irradiates only the welded portions 17. In this way, welded connection portions 25 are sequentially formed at the overlapping portions of the welded portions 17 and the shielding braid 50 by laser welding the welded portions 17 to the shielding braid 50. As a result, the braided joint portion 15 of the outer shielding terminal 10 is electrically connected to the end of the shielding braid 50.

[0029] When the braided joint portion 15 of the shielded outer terminal 10 is connected to the end of the shielded braid 50, the braided joint portion 15 of the shielded outer terminal 10, which has high rigidity, is disposed on the shielded braid 50 in an overlapping manner. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the overlapping portion can be improved, and the focus of the laser 103 of the laser irradiation device 100 can be stably adjusted to the appropriate position.

[0030] As described above, in the braided component connection structure according to this embodiment, the braided joint portion 15 of the high-rigidity shielding outer terminal 10 overlaps on the shielding braid 50, and the welding portion 17 of the braided joint portion 15 is laser-welded to the shielding braid 50. Therefore, the positioning accuracy of the overlapping portion can be improved. Therefore, compared to the case where the shielding braid 50 is disposed on the shielding outer terminal 10 in an overlapping manner, and then the shielding braid 50 is welded to the shielding outer terminal 10, the focus of the laser 103 can be stably adjusted to an appropriate height. Therefore, the braided component connection structure can be manufactured very reliably.

[0031] The welding portion 17 between the plurality of openings 13 formed in the braided joint portion 15 of the outer shielding terminal 10 is laser-welded to the shielding braid 50. Therefore, according to the braided component connection structure of this embodiment, the volume of the welding portion 17 where the outer shielding terminal 10 is welded to the shielding braid 50 can be proportionally reduced, thereby reducing its heat capacity. Thus, the heat energy applied during welding of the shielding braid 50 can be prevented from being transferred to the periphery of the welding portion 17 and escaped. As a result, the shielding braid 50 and the welding portion 17 of the braided joint portion 15 can be effectively joined together without increasing the irradiation time and output power of the laser 103. Consequently, the cycle time of the connection process can be shortened, productivity can be increased, and costs can be reduced. Therefore, according to the braided component connection structure of the shielding assembly 1 of this embodiment, the outer shielding terminal 10 and the shielding braid 50 can form a very reliable connection structure with good engagement along the circumferential direction.

[0032] Furthermore, openings 13, serving as slit holes, are formed at the ends of the outer shielding terminal 10, and weld portions 17, serving as protrusions, are formed between the openings 13. Therefore, these protrusions can be laser-welded to the shielding braid 50 as weld portions 17, and the outer shielding terminal 10 and the shielding braid 50 can be electrically connected to each other. Because the weld portions 17 are cantilevered protrusions, a reduction in the production yield of the outer shielding terminal 10 can be prevented. This is because when pressing a metal plate to form the outer shielding terminal 10, the outer shielding terminal 10 can be manufactured by simultaneously stamping out the protrusions of a pair of outer shielding terminals 10.

[0033] In the above embodiments, although the shielding outer terminal 10 is exemplified as having a cylindrical shape, the shielding outer terminal 10, as a conductive member, is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape.

[0034] Figure 6A and Figure 6B This is a view showing a variation of the woven component connection structure according to the currently disclosed subject, in which Figure 6A A main perspective view showing a variation of the solder portion 17A in the outer shield terminal 10A is shown, while Figure 6B A main portion perspective view showing another variation of the braided joint portion 15B in the shielded outer terminal 10B is shown.

[0035] like Figure 6A As shown, the braided joint portion 15A of the outer shielding terminal 10A includes a weld portion 17A formed between every two adjacent openings 13A along the circumferential direction of the outer shielding terminal 10A. Each opening 13A of the braided joint portion 15A is a cut-out hole with an open end, and the weld portion 17A is a cantilevered protrusion formed between every two adjacent cut-out holes. Furthermore, the end of each protrusion is bent into a mountain shape protruding toward the inner circumference of the outer shielding terminal 10A.

[0036] Therefore, according to the braided component connection structure of this embodiment, by bending the end of the welded portion 17A, which is a cantilevered protrusion, into a mountain shape, the end of the welded portion 17A is less likely to get stuck when the braided joint portion 15A overlaps the shielding braid 50, thereby improving workability.

[0037] like Figure 6B As shown, the braided joint portion 15B of the outer shielding terminal 10B is located near the end of the braided connection end 12 of the outer shielding terminal 10B. The opening 13B of the braided joint portion 15B is a through-hole formed near the end of the outer shielding terminal 10B, and the solder portion 17B is a bridging member formed between every two adjacent through-holes. In other words, the opening 13B is a through-hole positioned closer to the braided connection end 12 than to the mounting end 11 of the outer shielding terminal 10B.

[0038] Therefore, according to the braided component connection structure of this embodiment, a plurality of openings 13B, serving as through holes, are formed near the ends of the outer shielding terminal 10B, and bridging members are formed between the openings 13B. Thus, the beam-shaped bridging members can be welded to the shielding braid 50 as welding portions 17B, thereby enabling stable laser welding. In the beam-shaped bridging members, both ends are supported, providing high rigidity.

[0039] In the above embodiments, although the conductive member is exemplified as a shielded outer terminal 10, which is a shielded member formed by bending into a cylindrical shape, the conductive member is not limited to a cylindrical shielded member, and may be a connecting terminal including a braided joint portion formed in a plate shape.

[0040] Next, a braided component connection structure according to another embodiment of the currently disclosed subject matter will be described. Figure 7A and Figure 7B This is a view illustrating a braided component connection structure according to another embodiment of the currently disclosed subject matter, wherein Figure 7A A perspective view showing the connecting terminal 61, which serves as a conductive component, and the flexible conductor 62, made of braided fabric, separated from each other is shown. Figure 7B A perspective view showing the connection terminal 61 and the flexible conductor 62 joined together is shown.

[0041] like Figure 7A and 7B As shown, a braided component connection structure according to another embodiment includes a connection terminal (conductive member) 61 made of a female terminal and a flexible conductor 62. The flexible conductor 62 is made of a long braid. The connection terminal 61 and the flexible conductor 62 are housed in a housing (not shown) to form a connector. By assembling this connector into the mating housing of a mating connector, the connection terminal 61 and the mating terminals of the mating connector (not shown) are electrically connected to each other.

[0042] The connecting terminal 61 is made of a conductive metallic material, such as copper or a copper alloy. The connecting terminal 61 includes an electrical connection portion 65 and a braided connecting end 66. The electrical connection portion 65 is cylindrical and engages with a connecting pin of a mating terminal (not shown) inserted therein. Thus, the connecting terminal 61 and the mating terminal are electrically connected to each other. The braided connecting end 66 is plate-shaped and bent at approximately a right angle relative to the electrical connection portion 65. A flexible conductor 62 is connected to the connecting terminal 61 at the braided connecting end 66.

[0043] The braided connection end 66 of the connecting terminal 61 includes a braided joint portion 69 having a plurality of openings 67. The openings 67 are formed at intervals along the width direction of the connecting terminal 61. The braided joint portion 69 includes a weld portion 68 formed between every two adjacent openings 67 in the width direction. Each opening 67 of the braided joint portion 69 is a cut-out hole with an open end, and the weld portion 68 is a cantilevered protrusion formed between every two adjacent cut-out holes. Thus, the braided joint portion 69 is formed in a comb-like shape in the width direction. The width of the openings 67 and weld portions 68 formed in the braided joint portion 69 of the connecting terminal 61 in the width direction, and the interval between adjacent openings 67 and weld portions 68, are appropriately set according to the resistance, required strength, and other conditions when connected to the flexible conductor 62.

[0044] The flexible conductor 62 is a conductor made of a long braid, which is obtained by weaving wires made of a conductive metallic material such as copper or a copper alloy. The flexible conductor 62 includes a connecting end 71 at one end, which engages with the braid connecting end 66 of the connecting terminal 61. At the connecting end 71, the braid is formed as a flat plate. The flexible conductor 62 is electrically connected to a wire (not shown) via a connecting member (not shown) at its other end opposite to the connecting end 71.

[0045] The braided joint portion 69 of the braided connecting end 66 of the connecting terminal 61 is disposed on the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62 in an overlapping manner. Then, in the braided joint portion 69 of the connecting terminal 61 overlapping the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62, a welded connection portion 73 is formed by laser welding a welded portion 68 made of a protrusion to the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62. In this way, the connecting terminal 61 and the flexible conductor 62 are electrically connected to each other at the welded connection portion 73, which is formed by laser welding the welded portion 68.

[0046] According to the aforementioned connection terminal 61, for example, even if vibration is transmitted to the wire as an external force, the external force from the wire is absorbed by the flexible conductor 62 made of braided material and is prevented from being transmitted to the connection terminal 61. In this way, the connection terminal 61 and the mating terminal remain in a good connection state.

[0047] Next, we will describe how the flexible conductor 62, made of braided material, is connected to the connection terminal 61. Figure 8A This is a plan view showing the state in which the braided connecting end 66 of the connecting terminal 61 overlaps with the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62, and Figure 8B It is along Figure 8A The cross-sectional view taken from line III-III in the diagram.

[0048] First, such as Figure 8A and 8B As shown, the braided joint portion 69 of the braided connecting end 66 of the connecting terminal 61 overlaps with the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62 placed on the irradiation working base 80, and is fixed with a clamp or the like.

[0049] Next, as Figure 8B As shown, each welded portion 68 of the braided fabric joint 69 overlaps with the flexible conductor 62 using a laser 103 emitted by the laser irradiation device 100, and the connection ends 71 ​​of the welded portions 68 and the flexible conductor 62 are sequentially welded. In this case, as the irradiation work base 80 moves, the laser irradiation device 100 opens and closes, causing the irradiation position of the laser 103 to move relative to each other from one side in the width direction (e.g., towards...). Figure 8A(In the direction indicated by the middle arrow A). Therefore, the laser 103 can only irradiate the welding portion 68 of the braided joint portion 69. In this way, by laser welding the welding portion 68 to the flexible conductor 62, a welding connection portion 73 is formed at the overlap between the welding portion 68 and the connection end 71 of the flexible conductor 62. As a result, the braided joint portion 69 of the braided connection end 66 of the connection terminal 61 is electrically connected to the connection end 71 of the flexible conductor 62 made of braided fabric.

[0050] As described above, in the braided component connection structure according to another embodiment, the braided joint portion 69 of the connection terminal 61, which overlaps the flexible conductor 62 made of braided fabric, is laser-welded to the flexible conductor 62. Therefore, the connection terminal 61 and the flexible conductor 62 can be well joined to each other to form a connection structure with high connection reliability.

[0051] The braided joint portion 69 of the high-rigidity connecting terminal 61 overlaps with and is fixed to the flexible conductor 62, which is made of braid and is placed on the irradiation base 80. Furthermore, the welded portion 68 of the braided joint portion 69 is laser-welded to the flexible conductor 62. Therefore, compared to the case where the flexible conductor overlaps with and is welded to the braided joint portion 69 of the connecting terminal 61, the positioning accuracy of the overlapping portion can be improved, allowing the focus of the laser 103 to be stably adjusted to an appropriate height. Thus, a connection structure with high connection reliability can be obtained.

[0052] A weld portion 68 formed between multiple openings 67 in the braided joint portion 69 of the connecting terminal 61 is laser-welded to the flexible conductor 62. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the braided component connection structure, the volume of the weld portion 68 where the flexible conductor 62 is welded to the connecting terminal 61 can be proportionally reduced, thereby reducing its heat capacity. This prevents the heat energy applied during welding of the flexible conductor 62 from being transferred to the periphery of the weld portion 68 and escaping. As a result, the flexible conductor 62 and the weld portion 68 of the connecting terminal 61 can be effectively joined together without increasing the laser irradiation time and output power. Consequently, the cycle time of the connection process can be shortened, productivity can be increased, and costs can be reduced. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the braided component connection structure, the braided joint portion 69 of the connecting terminal 61 and the connecting end 71 of the flexible conductor 62 can be well connected to each other to form a connection structure with high connection reliability.

[0053] Furthermore, openings 67, serving as notches, are formed at the ends of the connecting terminals 61, and cantilevered protrusions are formed between the openings 67. Therefore, these protrusions can be laser-welded to the flexible conductor 62 as welding portions 68, and the connecting terminals 61 and the flexible conductor 62 can be electrically connected to each other. Because the welding portions 68 are cantilevered protrusions, a reduction in the production yield of the connecting terminals 61 can be prevented. This is because when pressing a metal sheet to form the connecting terminals 61, the connecting terminals 61 can be manufactured by simultaneously stamping out the protrusions of a pair of connecting terminals 61.

[0054] While the subject matter of the invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, the scope of the subject matter of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the subject matter of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0055] According to one aspect of the above embodiments, the braided component connection structure includes a conductive braid (e.g., a shielding braid 50, a flexible conductor 62) and a conductive member (e.g., a connection terminal 61, an outer shielding terminal 10, 10A, 10B) electrically connected and fixed to the braid (shielding braid 50, flexible conductor 62) and made of a conductive sheet. The conductive member (one of the connection terminal 61, outer shielding terminal 10, 10A, 10B) includes a braided joint portion (15, 15A, 15B, 69). The braided joint portion (15, 15A, 15B, 69) includes a plurality of openings (13, 13A, 13B, 67) and a welded portion (17, 17A, 17B, 68) defined by two adjacent openings (13, 13A, 13B, 67) in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The plurality of openings are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The braided joint portions (15, 15A, 15B, 69) are arranged in an overlapping manner on the braid (shielding braid 50, flexible conductor 62), and the welded portions (17, 17A, 17B, 68) are laser welded to the braid (shielding braid 50, flexible conductor 62).

[0056] According to the braided component connection structure having the above-described configuration, the braided joint portion, which serves as a highly rigid conductive member, is arranged in an overlapping manner on the braided material, and the welded portion of this braided joint portion is laser-welded to the braided material. Therefore, compared to the case where the braided material is arranged in an overlapping manner on the conductive member and welded to it, the positioning accuracy of the overlapping portion can be improved, allowing the laser focus to be stably adjusted to an appropriate height. Thus, a connection structure with high connection reliability can be obtained. The welded portion between the multiple openings formed in the braided joint portion of the conductive member is laser-welded to the braided material. Therefore, according to this braided component connection structure, the volume of the welded portion of the braided material welded to the conductive member is proportionally reduced to decrease its heat capacity, and the heat energy applied during braiding can be prevented from being transferred to the periphery of the welded portion and escaping. As a result, the welded portions of the braided material and the conductive member can be effectively joined together without increasing the laser irradiation time and output power. Consequently, the cycle time of the connection process can be shortened, productivity can be increased, and costs can be reduced.

[0057] The braided joint portions (15, 15A, 69) may be provided at the end of the conductive member (one of the connecting terminal 61, the outer shielding terminal 10, 10A). The plurality of openings (13, 13A, 67) may be a plurality of cut holes formed at the end of the conductive member (one of the connecting terminal 61, the outer shielding terminal 10, 10A), and the welded portions (17, 17A, 68) may be protrusions defined by two adjacent cut holes of the plurality of cut holes.

[0058] Using this construction, openings made by cut holes are formed at the ends of the conductive members, and cantilevered protrusions are formed between the openings. Therefore, these protrusions can be laser-welded onto the braid as welded parts, and the conductive members and the braid can be electrically connected to each other. The shape of the cantilevered protrusions prevents a reduction in product yield because the conductive members can be easily manufactured by simultaneously stamping out the protrusions of a pair of conductive members when the metal sheet is pressed to form the conductive members.

[0059] The braided joint portion (15B) may be provided near the end of the conductive member (shielded outer terminal 10B). The plurality of openings (13B) may be a plurality of through holes formed near the end of the conductive member (shielded outer terminal 10B), and the solder portion (17B) may be a bridge defined by two adjacent through holes among the plurality of through holes.

[0060] Using this construction, openings made of through holes are formed near the ends of the conductive components, and bridging elements are formed between the openings. Therefore, the highly rigid, double-supported beam-shaped bridging elements can be welded onto the braid as welded parts, enabling stable laser welding.

[0061] The conductive component can be a shielding component (one of shielding outer terminals 10, 10A, 10B) formed by bending a conductive sheet into a cylindrical shape. The braid can be a cylindrical shielding braid (50) configured to cover the wire (e.g., insulation wire 51) along the longitudinal direction of the wire. Braided joint portions (15, 15A, 15B) can cover the ends of the shielding braid (50), and welded portions (17, 17A, 68) can be laser-welded to the outer periphery of the shielding braid (50).

[0062] Using this construction, the braided joint portion of the shielding member, formed by bending it into a cylindrical shape, covers and overlaps the ends of the shielding braid and is laser-welded. Therefore, the shielding member and the shielding braid can form a highly reliable connection structure with good engagement along the circumferential direction.

[0063] The conductive component may be a connecting terminal (61) configured to be assembled and electrically connected to a mating terminal. The braid may be a flexible conductor (62) to which the braided joint portion (69) of the connecting terminal (61) is connected. The braided joint portion (69) may be disposed on the flexible conductor (62) in an overlapping manner, and a weld portion (68) is laser welded to the end of the flexible conductor (62).

[0064] Using this construction, the braided joint portion of the connecting terminals, which overlaps on a flexible conductor made of braided fabric, is laser-welded to the flexible conductor. Therefore, the connecting terminals and the flexible conductor can be well bonded to each other to form a connection structure with high connection reliability.

Claims

1. A braided component connection structure, comprising: Shielded cables, including: Insulated wire; Conductive braided material covering the insulating wire; and An outer cover that covers the outer periphery of the conductive braid; and A conductive component, electrically connected and fixed to the braided fabric, and made of conductive sheet material. The conductive component includes a braided joint portion. The braided joint portion includes multiple openings and welded portions at a portion in the longitudinal direction of the conductive member. The multiple openings are spaced apart from each other along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. The welded portions are defined by two adjacent openings among the multiple openings. The woven fabric joining portions are arranged in an overlapping manner on the woven fabric, and the welding portions are laser-welded to the woven fabric. In the case where the conductive component is connected to the conductive braid, the ends of the conductive braid are exposed from the outer cover. The braided joint portion is located at the end of the conductive member. The plurality of openings are plurality of cut holes formed at the ends of the conductive member. The welded portion is a protrusion defined by two adjacent cut holes among the plurality of cut holes, and Each protrusion has its end bent into a mountain shape that bulges toward the inner periphery of the conductive member.

2. The braided component connection structure according to claim 1, in, The conductive component is a shielding component formed by bending the conductive plate into a cylindrical shape. The braided fabric is a cylindrical shielding braid configured to cover the wire along its longitudinal direction. The braided joint portion covers the end of the shielding braid, and the welded portion is laser-welded to the outer periphery of the shielding braid.

3. The braided component connection structure according to claim 1 or 2, in, The conductive component is a connection terminal, which is configured to be assembled and electrically connected to a mating terminal. Wherein, the braided material is a flexible conductor, and the braided material joining portion of the connecting terminal is connected to the flexible conductor, and The braided joint portion is disposed on the flexible conductor in an overlapping manner, and the welded portion is laser welded to the end of the flexible conductor.

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