Terminal-equipped electric wire and method for joining same

Abstract

An electric wire equipped with a terminal is formed by bonding the terminal with a core wire exposed from an insulating sheath of the electric wire using ultrasonic bonding, and the terminal includes a bonding portion having a square shape or a circular shape in a plan view to which a tip portion of the core wire is connected. When the joint portion has a square shape, a length direction of the electric wire is perpendicular to a length direction of the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire equipped with a terminal and a method for joining the electric wire. Background Art

[0002] In order to join the terminal and the electric wire, there is a known method in which an insulating sheath of the electric wire is stripped to expose a core wire made of a plurality of element wires, and the end of the exposed core wire is joined to the terminal by ultrasonic joining.

[0003] Patent document JP2015-135742A discloses an electric wire equipped with a terminal, which is manufactured by sandwiching the end of a core wire and a part of the terminal between an anvil and a welding head, and performing ultrasonic bonding by ultrasonic vibration of the welding head. Summary of the invention

[0004] In the method disclosed in patent document JP2015-135742A, since the terminal and the wire are fixed by crimping when connected, the direction of the length direction of the wire relative to the length direction of the terminal (hereinafter referred to as the wire extension direction) is restricted. Therefore, when the wire extension direction changes, it is necessary to re-prepare and arrange the terminal according to the wire extension direction, and complicated assembly is a problem.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal-equipped electric wire having a higher degree of freedom in assembly due to no restriction on the extending direction of the electric wire, and a method for joining the terminal-equipped electric wire.

[0006] An aspect of the present invention provides an electric wire equipped with a terminal, which is formed by joining the terminal to a core wire exposed from an insulating sheath of the electric wire using ultrasonic joining, wherein the terminal includes a joining portion having a square shape or a circular shape in a plan view, a terminal portion of the core wire is connected to the joining portion, and when the joining portion has a square shape, a length direction of the electric wire is perpendicular to a length direction of the terminal.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for joining an electric wire equipped with a terminal, comprising: joining the terminal and the core wire of the electric wire exposed from the insulating sheath using ultrasonic joining, wherein the terminal includes a joining portion having a square shape or a circular shape in a plan view, the joining portion is joined with the terminal portion of the core wire, and when the joining portion has a square shape, the joining is performed in a state where the length direction of the electric wire is perpendicular to the length direction of the terminal.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal-equipped electric wire having a higher degree of freedom in assembly due to no restriction on the extending direction of the electric wire, and a method of joining the terminal-equipped electric wire. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 : is a plan view showing an example of the terminal-equipped electric wire according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the junction between the middle terminal and the wire.

[0012] Figure 4 1 is a plan view showing the terminal-equipped electric wire when the electric wire extending direction is changed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 : is a side view showing an example of the terminal-equipped electric wire according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 : is a side view showing an example of the terminal-equipped electric wire according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of a terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 : is a plan view showing a terminal-equipped electric wire when the electric wire extending direction is changed according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a terminal-equipped electric wire and a method for joining the terminal-equipped electric wire according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0018] [First embodiment]

[0019] The terminal 10 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 is a female terminal. The terminal 10 is Figure 1 The left side of the device has an electrical connection portion 11 connected to a mating terminal (not shown). The electrical connection portion 11 has a box-like appearance and has a spring piece (not shown) therein that engages with the mating terminal. Figure 1 A square joint portion 13 is arranged on the right side of the electrical connection portion 11 in the figure, and the electric wire 20 is joined to the joint portion 13 , with a connection portion 12 being provided between the electrical connection portion 11 and the joint portion 13 .

[0020] As a material constituting the terminal 10, although a highly conductive metal can be used, for example, at least one of copper, copper alloy, stainless steel, tin-plated copper, tin-plated copper alloy, or tin-plated stainless steel can be used. In addition, at least one of gold-plated copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel can be used, or at least one of silver-plated copper, copper alloy, or stainless steel can be used.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 is manufactured by joining the terminal 10 to the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining. The electric wire 20 has a structure in which a core wire 22 formed of a plurality of element wires is covered with an insulating sheath 21.

[0022] As a material constituting the core wire 22, although a highly conductive metal can be used, for example, copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc. can be used. The insulating sheath 21 on the terminal side of the electric wire 20 is stripped to partially expose the core wire 22, and the terminal of the core wire 22 is a terminal portion 23 to be joined to the joining portion 13 of the terminal 10.

[0023] As the material of the insulating sheath 21 covering the core wire 22, a resin capable of ensuring electrical insulation can be used, for example, a resin containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a main component or an olefin resin can be used. Specific examples of the olefin resin include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene copolymers, and propylene copolymers.

[0024] As described above, the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 is formed by joining the terminal 10 to the core wire 22 exposed from the insulating sheath 21 of the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining and electrically connecting the core wire 22 to the terminal 10. The terminal 10 has the joining portion 13 to which the terminal end portion 23 of the core wire 22 is joined.

[0025] Ultrasonic bonding is a method in which the bonding surfaces rub against each other due to ultrasonic vibrations applied to the metal by an ultrasonic bonding device, activated metal surfaces are exposed on the bonding surfaces, and bonding is performed in a solid phase state by plastic deformation caused by pressurization. In a state in which an anvil (not shown) and a horn (not shown) clamp the bonding portion 13 and the terminal portion 23 and pressurize the bonding portion 13 and the terminal portion 23, ultrasonic bonding is performed by ultrasonic vibrations of the horn.

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The enlarged view of the joint portion of the terminal 10 and the wire 20 is shown, and the terminal portion 23 of the core wire 22 is joined to the joint portion 13. The joint portion 13 has a square shape, and it is preferred that the joint width W1 of the core wire 22 is smaller than the width W2 of the joint portion 13. Since the joint width W1 of the core wire 22 is smaller than the width W2 of the joint portion 13, it is possible to ensure the pressing width of the terminal 10 pressed by the clamp on both sides of the terminal portion 23 on the joint portion 13, and this leads to an improvement in the efficiency of the joint process. Specifically, as Figure 3 As shown, the area on the joint portion 13 formed between the joint width W1 of the core wire 22 and the width W2 of the joint portion 13 becomes the pressing width for pressing the terminal 10 by the jig.

[0027] Figure 4 1 is a plan view showing an example of an electric wire 1 equipped with a terminal. Figure 4 In the figure, the X-axis is along the length direction of the terminal 10, the positive direction of the X-axis is from the electrical connection portion 11 toward the joint portion 13, and the negative direction of the X-axis is from the joint portion 13 toward the electrical connection portion 11. The Y-axis is an axis perpendicular to the X-axis, the positive direction of the Y-axis is 90 degrees clockwise from the terminal 10, and the negative direction of the Y-axis is 90 degrees counterclockwise from the terminal 10.

[0028] The extension direction of the wire 20A is in the negative direction of the Y axis and is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. In addition, the extension direction of the wire 20B is in the positive direction of the X axis, and the length direction of the terminal 10 and the wire extension direction are the same direction. In addition, the extension direction of the wire 20C is in the positive direction of the Y axis and is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10.

[0029] The joint portion 13 in the terminal-equipped electric wire according to the present embodiment has a square shape, and the length direction of the electric wire 20 is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. That is, the electric wire extending direction is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10, and the electric wire 20 is located Figure 4 As described above, if the joint width W1 of the core wire 22 is smaller than the width W2 of the joint portion 13, even if the wire extending direction is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10, the pressing width of the terminal 10 can be ensured by the clamp.

[0030] Figure 5 20B is a side view when the wire is joined to the wire 20B. Figure 6 is a side view when the terminal end portion 23 of the core wire 22 is engaged from the rear surface of the engagement portion 13, although the length direction of the terminal 10 and the wire extending direction are the same as Figure 5 However, the rear surface of the joint portion 13 is the surface opposite to the surface in the direction in which the electrical connection portion 11 is formed, and is Figure 5 The lower surface of the Figure 6 The case where the length direction of the terminal 10 and the wire extending direction are in the same direction is shown, but the wire extending direction may be orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. In this way, the wire can be joined from either the front surface or the rear surface of the joining portion 13.

[0031] As described above, the terminal-equipped electric wire of the present embodiment is a terminal-equipped electric wire 1 formed by joining the terminal 10 to the core wire 22 exposed from the insulating sheath 21 of the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining. The terminal 10 has the joining portion 13 having a square shape in a plan view, to which the terminal portion 23 of the core wire 22 is joined, and the length direction of the electric wire 20 is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. Therefore, since the electric wire extending direction is not restricted, a terminal-equipped electric wire having a higher degree of freedom in assembly can be obtained, and a design adapted to the internal shape of the connector can be performed.

[0032] In the method for joining the electric wire 1 equipped with a terminal according to the first embodiment, the terminal 10 is joined to the core wire 22 exposed from the insulating sheath 21 of the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining. The terminal 10 has a joining portion 13 having a square shape in a plan view, and the joining portion 13 and the terminal portion 23 of the core wire 22 are joined. The joining is performed in a state where the length direction of the electric wire 20 is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. Therefore, since the extension direction of the electric wire is not restricted, a method for joining the electric wire equipped with a terminal having a higher degree of freedom in assembly can be provided.

[0033] [Second embodiment]

[0034] Next, we will refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 A terminal-equipped electric wire according to a second embodiment is described. Descriptions of similar parts between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are omitted or simplified.

[0035] like Figure 7 As shown, the engagement portion 13 has a circular shape. Figure 8 1 is a plan view showing an example of an electric wire 1 equipped with a terminal. Figure 4 Similarly, the X-axis is along the length direction of the terminal 10, and the Y-axis is an axis perpendicular to the X-axis. The extension direction of the wire 20D is in the negative direction of the Y-axis, and the wire extension direction is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10. In addition, the extension direction of the wire 20E is in the positive direction of the X-axis, and the length direction of the terminal 10 and the wire extension direction are in the same direction. In addition, the extension direction of the wire 20F is in the positive direction of the Y-axis, and the wire extension direction is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10.

[0036] Since the joint portion 13 has a circular shape, even if the wire extension direction is orthogonal to the length direction of the terminal 10, or the two directions are in the same direction, the pressing width of the terminal 10 can be ensured on both sides of the terminal portion 23 on the joint portion 13. Specifically, as Figure 8 As shown, the area formed around the distal end portion 23 on the engaging portion 13 is a pressing width for pressing the terminal 10 with a jig.

[0037] Since the engaging portion 13 in the terminal-equipped electric wire of the present embodiment has a circular shape, it is possible to ensure the pressing width of the terminal 10 by the clamp without being restricted by the extending direction of the above-mentioned electric wires 20D, 20E, and 20F. That is, the extending direction of the electric wire can intersect with the length direction of the terminal 10. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the wire extension direction may be a direction from the position of the wire 20D toward the terminal 10, that is, for example, the wire extension direction may be a direction sandwiched between the negative direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis. In addition, the wire extension direction may be a direction from the position of the wire 20D toward the position of the wire 20E, that is, the wire extension direction may be a direction sandwiched between the positive direction of the X-axis and the negative direction of the Y-axis. Further, the wire extension direction may be a direction from the position of the wire 20F toward the terminal 10, that is, the wire extension direction may be a direction sandwiched between the negative direction of the X-axis and the positive direction of the Y-axis. In addition, the wire extension direction may be a direction from the position of the wire 20F toward the position of the wire 20E, that is, the wire extension direction may be a direction sandwiched between the positive direction of the X-axis and the positive direction of the Y-axis.

[0038] Thus, since the joint portion 13 in the terminal-equipped electric wire of the present embodiment has a circular shape, the electric wire extending direction is not limited, and the length direction of the electric wire 20 can be orthogonal to or intersect with the length direction of the terminal 10. Figure 6 As shown, the terminal end portion 23 of the core wire 22 can be engaged from the rear surface of the engaging portion 13 .

[0039] As described above, the terminal-equipped electric wire of the present embodiment is a terminal-equipped electric wire 1 formed by joining the terminal 10 to the core wire 22 exposed from the insulating sheath 21 of the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining. The terminal 10 has a joining portion 13 which is circular in a plan view, and the terminal portion 23 of the core wire 22 is joined to the joining portion 13. The length direction of the electric wire 20 can intersect with the length direction of the terminal 10. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, since the extension direction of the electric wire is not restricted, a terminal-equipped electric wire having a higher degree of freedom in assembly is obtained, and a design adapted to the internal shape of the connector can be performed.

[0040] In the method for joining the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 of the second embodiment, the terminal 10 is joined to the core wire 22 exposed from the insulating sheath 21 of the electric wire 20 by ultrasonic joining. The terminal 10 has a joining portion 13 that is circular in a plan view, and the joining portion 13 and the terminal portion 23 of the core wire 22 are joined. In addition, the joining can be performed in a state where the length direction of the electric wire 20 intersects the length direction of the terminal 10. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, since the electric wire extending direction is not restricted, it is possible to provide a method for joining the terminal-equipped electric wire with a higher degree of freedom in assembly.

[0041] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the configuration of components can be replaced with any configuration having the same function as long as it is within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An electric wire equipped with a terminal, the electric wire equipped with a terminal being formed by joining the terminal to a core wire of the electric wire exposed from an insulating sheath by ultrasonic joining, wherein The terminal includes a joint portion having a square shape or a circular shape in a plan view, to which a terminal end portion of the core wire is connected, and When the engaging portion has a square shape, the length direction of the electric wire is perpendicular to the length direction of the terminal.

2. The terminal-equipped electric wire according to claim 1, wherein When the engaging portion has a square shape, the engaging width of the core wire is smaller than the width of the engaging portion.

3. The terminal-equipped electric wire according to claim 1, wherein When the engaging portion has a circular shape, the length direction of the electric wire intersects with the length direction of the terminal.

4. A method for joining electric wires equipped with terminals, comprising: The terminal is joined to the core wire of the electric wire exposed from the insulating sheath by ultrasonic joining, wherein The terminal includes a joint portion having a square shape or a circular shape in a plan view, The engaging portion engages with the terminal end portion of the core wire, and When the engaging portion has a square shape, the engaging is performed in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the electric wire is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

5. The method for joining terminal-equipped electric wires according to claim 4, wherein: When the engaging portion has a circular shape, the engaging is performed in a state where the longitudinal direction of the electric wire intersects with the longitudinal direction of the terminal.

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