Terminal joining device

Abstract

To provide a terminal joining device that can restrict the movement of a terminal without affecting the joining between a conductor and the terminal.SOLUTION: In a terminal joining device 1 including: a terminal 3 to which a conductor 15 of an electric wire 13 is electrically connected; a horn 5 that joins the conductor 15 and the terminal 3 by ultrasonic vibration; an anvil 7 on which the terminal 3 is placed and which receives a load from the horn 5; and a terminal holding jig 9 that is placed adjacent to the horn 5 and presses the terminal 3 against the anvil 7, a first engaging portion 23 is provided, between the terminal 3 and the terminal holding jig 9, which is formed in an uneven shape that can engage with each other and which restricts the movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration by engagement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal joining device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal joining device is known that includes a terminal to which the conductor of an electric wire is electrically connected, a horn that joins the conductor and the terminal by ultrasonic vibration, and an anvil on which the terminal is placed and receives a load from the horn (see Patent Document 1). In this terminal joining device, an anti-slip groove is formed in the portion of the horn where the conductor is located. A knurl is formed in the portion of the anvil where the terminal is placed. In this terminal joining device, during ultrasonic joining by the horn, the anti-slip groove restricts movement of the conductor, and the anti-slip groove restricts movement of the terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-162635 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the terminal joining device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the knurling of the anvil is arranged at the portion where the conductor is located and receives the load from the horn. If the load from the horn is received at the portion where the knurling is located, the load of the horn cannot be received stably, which may affect the joining of the conductor and the terminal. In addition, since the knurling bites into the surface of the terminal due to the load from the horn, if the bite is insufficient, there is a possibility that the terminal may move relative to the anvil.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal joining device capable of restricting the movement of a terminal without affecting the joining of a conductor and a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The terminal joining device of this embodiment comprises a terminal to which a conductor of an electric wire is electrically connected, a horn that joins the conductor and the terminal by ultrasonic vibration, an anvil on which the terminal is placed and which receives the load from the horn, and a terminal holding jig that is placed adjacent to the horn and presses the terminal against the anvil, and a first engagement portion is provided between the terminal and the terminal holding jig, which is formed in a concave-convex shape that can engage with each other and which restricts movement of the terminal due to ultrasonic vibration by engaging with the first engagement portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal joining device capable of restricting the movement of a terminal without affecting the joining between a conductor and a terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a terminal joining device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view of a terminal joining device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a top view of the terminal joining device according to the first embodiment when a terminal holding jig holds a terminal. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a side view of a terminal joining device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a side view of a terminal and an anvil of a terminal joining device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a terminal joining device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0010] (First embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a terminal joining device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that joins, for example, a terminal 3 and a conductor 15 of an electric wire 13 by ultrasonic joining. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the terminal joining device 1 includes a terminal 3, a horn 5, an anvil 7, and a terminal holding jig 9.

[0012] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the terminal 3 is made of a conductive material such as copper or a copper alloy. The surface of the terminal 3 may be plated with tin or the like, but may not be plated. The terminal 3 includes, for example, an electrical connection portion (not shown) electrically connected to a mating terminal (not shown) and an electric wire connection portion 11 electrically connected to a conductor 15 of the electric wire 13. The electrical connection portion and the electric wire connection portion 11 are formed of a continuous single member. The electric connection portion may be a tab-shaped male type or a box-shaped female type. The electric wire connection portion 11 is formed, for example, in a rectangular plate shape. The conductor 15 of the electric wire 13 is joined to the electric wire connection portion 11 by ultrasonic bonding, and the terminal 3 and the electric wire 13 are electrically connected. By joining the electric wire connection portion 11 and the conductor 15, the terminal 3 and the electric wire 13 are integrally formed.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electric wire 13 includes, for example, a conductor 15 and an insulating coating 17 made of an insulating material that covers the outer periphery of the conductor 15. The conductor is made of a conductive material such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The conductor 15 is a stranded wire in which a plurality of strands are twisted together, but may be, for example, a single-core wire or a braided wire in which a plurality of strands are woven together. In addition, the electric wire 13 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) in which the conductor 15 is formed on a flexible base member. The conductor 15 of the electric wire 13 is joined to the electric wire connection portion 11 of the terminal 3 by the horn 5 and the anvil 7.

[0014] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, horn 5 is a joining jig that generates ultrasonic vibrations and can apply pressure toward anvil 7. Horn 5 is formed with a curved contact surface 19. Conductor 15 is brought into contact with contact surface 19 of horn 5 while a load is applied toward anvil 7. Horn 5 generates ultrasonic vibrations while applying pressure to conductor 15, thereby joining terminal 3 and conductor 15.

[0015] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the anvil 7 is a receiving jig that receives the load from the horn 5. The anvil 7 has an arrangement surface 21 that is formed in a flat shape. After the terminals 3 are arranged on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7, the conductors 15 are arranged on top of the terminals 3. The terminals 3 arranged on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7 are pressed against the anvil 7 by a terminal holding jig 9.

[0016] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the terminal holding jig 9 is a pressing jig that presses the terminal 3 placed on the anvil 7. The terminal holding jig 9 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. A plurality of terminal holding jigs 9 (two in this example) are provided adjacent to the horn 5. Here, the plurality of terminal holding jigs 9 are provided in pairs on both sides in the width direction of the terminal 3 with the conductor 15 between them. The plurality of terminal holding jigs 9 are each arranged so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the terminal 3 placed on the anvil 7, and are arranged so as to be movable in a direction approaching and separating from the conductor 15 placed on the anvil 7. The terminal holding jig 9 moves to approach the conductor 15 placed on the terminal 3 and abuts against the conductor 15, thereby defining a joining range Z of the conductor 15 to the terminal 3. The terminal holding jig 9 moves to approach the terminal 3 placed on the anvil 7 and presses the terminal 3, thereby restricting the movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration. The terminal holding jig 9 has a length L that is longer than at least a joining area Z where the terminal 3 and the conductor 15 are joined. This makes it possible to prevent the arrangement position of the terminal 3 from varying within the joining area Z between the terminal 3 and the conductor 15, and thus makes it possible to stably join the terminal 3 and the conductor 15.

[0017] By using the terminal holding jig 9 arranged adjacent to the horn 5, it is not necessary to provide a protrusion or the like to restrict the movement of the terminal 3 on the portion of the anvil 7 where the conductor 15 is located (the portion facing the horn 5). Therefore, the anvil 7 can stably receive the load from the horn 5, and does not affect the joining of the terminal 3 and the conductor 15. A first engagement portion 23 is provided between the terminal holding jig 9 and the terminal 3 to restrict the movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration.

[0018] The first engagement portions 23 are provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in this example) so as to be provided between the terminals 3 and the plurality of terminal holding jigs 9, respectively. The first engagement portions 23 include a first terminal uneven portion 25 provided on the terminals 3 and a jig uneven portion 27 provided on the terminal holding jig 9.

[0019] The first terminal uneven portion 25 is provided on the surface of the terminal 3 facing the terminal holding jig 9. The first terminal uneven portion 25 is formed with a plurality of convex portions whose apexes are the facing surface of the terminal 3 and concave portions recessed from the facing surface of the terminal 3, which are continuously formed. The height of the convex portions and the depth of the concave portions are set to be higher (deeper) than the surface roughness of the facing surface of the terminal 3.

[0020] The jig uneven portion 27 is provided on the surface of the terminal holding jig 9 facing the terminal 3. The jig uneven portion 27 is formed by continuously forming a plurality of convex portions protruding from the facing surface of the terminal holding jig 9 and concave portions having the facing surface of the terminal holding jig 9 as a bottom. The height of the convex portions and the depth of the concave portions are set to be higher (deeper) than the surface roughness of the facing surface of the terminal holding jig 9. The jig uneven portion 27 engages with the first terminal uneven portion 25 when the terminal holding jig 9 presses the terminal 3 against the anvil 7.

[0021] The first engagement portion 23 restricts the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 due to ultrasonic vibration by engaging the first terminal uneven portion 25 with the jig uneven portion 27. At this time, even if the pressing force of the terminal holding jig 9 against the terminal 3 is weak, the engagement between the first terminal uneven portion 25 and the jig uneven portion 27 can be maintained due to their respective uneven shapes. Therefore, the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. In addition, by making the first engagement portion 23 uneven, the engagement area can be increased, and the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. The shape of the top of the convex portion and the bottom of the concave portion may be a flat planar shape, a curved shape, or the like.

[0022] In joining the terminal 3 and the conductor 15 by such a terminal joining device 1, first, the terminal 3 is placed on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7, and then the conductor 15 is placed on the terminal 3. Next, the terminal holding jig 9 is moved so as to abut against the conductor 15, and then the terminal holding jig 9 is moved toward the terminal 3 so that the first engagement portion 23 engages, and the terminal 3 is held down by the terminal holding jig 9. Then, the horn 5 is moved toward the anvil 7, and while the horn 5 is brought into abutment with the conductor 15 and pressurized, ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the horn 5 to join the terminal 3 and the conductor 15.

[0023] The joint between the terminal 3 and the conductor 15 is covered with a waterproof material (not shown), such as a shrink tube, a resin material, a sheet, etc. By covering the joint with a waterproof material, the waterproofness and insulating properties of the joint can be maintained.

[0024] Such a terminal joining device 1 includes a terminal 3 to which a conductor 15 of an electric wire 13 is electrically connected, a horn 5 that joins the conductor 15 and the terminal 3 by ultrasonic vibration, and an anvil 7 on which the terminal 3 is disposed and which receives a load from the horn 5. The device also includes a terminal holding jig 9 that is disposed adjacent to the horn 5 and presses the terminal 3 against the anvil 7. A first engagement portion 23 is provided between the terminal 3 and the terminal holding jig 9, which is formed in a concave-convex shape that can engage with each other and which restricts movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration by engaging with the first engagement portion 23.

[0025] By using the terminal holding jig 9 disposed adjacent to the horn 5, it is not necessary to provide a protrusion or the like for restricting the movement of the terminal 3 on the portion of the anvil 7 where the conductor 15 is located (the portion facing the horn 5). Therefore, the anvil 7 can stably receive the load from the horn 5, and does not affect the joining of the terminal 3 and the conductor 15. The first engagement portion 23 can maintain the engagement with each other due to their respective uneven shapes even if the pressing force of the terminal holding jig 9 against the terminal 3 is weak. Therefore, the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. In addition, by making the first engagement portion 23 uneven, the engagement area can be increased, and the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted.

[0026] Therefore, in such a terminal joining device 1, the movement of the terminal 3 can be restricted without affecting the joining between the conductor 15 and the terminal 3.

[0027] Further, a plurality of terminal holding jigs 9 are provided. The first engagement portions 23 are provided between the terminals 3 and the plurality of terminal holding jigs 9, respectively.

[0028] Therefore, movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration can be restricted at a plurality of points of the terminal 3, and the terminal 3 can be stably held on the anvil .

[0029] Second embodiment The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0030] The terminal joining device 101 of this embodiment is provided with a second engagement portion 103 between the terminal 3 around the conductor 15 and the anvil 7, which is formed in a concave-convex shape that can engage with each other, and which restricts movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibrations by engaging with the second engagement portion 103.

[0031] Moreover, the second engagement portions 103 are provided at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the conductor 15.

[0032] Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment, and explanations of the configurations and functions will be omitted and refer to the first embodiment, but since the configurations are similar, the actions and effects obtained are similar.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, a second engagement portion 103 for restricting movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration is provided between the terminal 3 and the anvil 7. The second engagement portions 103 are provided at a plurality of locations (two locations in this case) around the conductor 15. Here, the plurality of second engagement portions 103 are provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of first engagement portions 23 when viewed from the pressing direction of the terminal holding jig 9 against the terminal 3. The second engagement portion 103 includes a second terminal concave-convex portion 105 provided on the terminal 3 and an anvil concave-convex portion 107 provided on the anvil 7.

[0034] The second terminal uneven portion 105 is provided on the surface of the terminal 3 facing the anvil 7. The second terminal uneven portion 105 is formed by continuously forming a plurality of convex portions whose apexes are the facing surface of the terminal 3 and concave portions recessed from the facing surface of the terminal 3. The height of the convex portions and the depth of the concave portions are set to be higher (deeper) than the surface roughness of the facing surface of the terminal 3.

[0035] The anvil uneven portion 107 is provided on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7 on which the terminal 3 is arranged. The anvil uneven portion 107 is formed with a plurality of continuous convex portions protruding from the arrangement surface 21 and concave portions having the arrangement surface 21 as a bottom. The height of the convex portions and the depth of the concave portions are set to be higher (deeper) than the surface roughness of the arrangement surface 21. The anvil uneven portion 107 engages with the second terminal uneven portion 105 when the terminal 3 is arranged on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7.

[0036] The second engagement portion 103 having a concave-convex shape is not disposed in a portion of the anvil 7 where the conductor 15 is located (a portion facing the horn 5). Therefore, the anvil 7 can stably receive the load from the horn 5, and does not affect the joining of the terminal 3 and the conductor 15. The second engagement portion 103 restricts the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 due to ultrasonic vibration by engaging the second terminal concave-convex portion 105 with the anvil concave-convex portion 107. At this time, even if the pressing force of the terminal holding jig 9 against the terminal 3 is weak, the engagement between the second terminal concave-convex portion 105 and the anvil concave-convex portion 107 can be maintained by the concave-convex shapes of each other. Therefore, the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. In addition, by making the second engagement portion 103 have a concave-convex shape, the engagement area can be increased, and the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. The shape of the top of the convex portion and the bottom of the concave portion may be a flat plane shape, a curved surface shape, or the like.

[0037] In joining the terminal 3 and the conductor 15 by such a terminal joining device 101, first, the terminal 3 is placed on the arrangement surface 21 of the anvil 7 so that the second engagement portion 103 engages, and then the conductor 15 is placed on the terminal 3. Next, the terminal holding jig 9 is moved so as to abut against the conductor 15, and then the terminal holding jig 9 is moved toward the terminal 3 so that the first engagement portion 23 engages, and the terminal 3 is held down by the terminal holding jig 9. Then, the horn 5 is moved toward the anvil 7, and while the horn 5 is brought into abutment with the conductor 15 and pressurized, ultrasonic vibrations are generated from the horn 5 to join the terminal 3 and the conductor 15.

[0038] The joint between the terminal 3 and the conductor 15 is covered with a waterproof material (not shown) such as a shrink tube, a resin material, a sheet, etc. By covering the joint with a waterproof material, the waterproofness and insulating properties of the joint can be maintained.

[0039] In such a terminal joining device 101, a second engagement portion 103 is provided between the terminal 3 around the conductor 15 and the anvil 7, which is formed in a concave-convex shape that can engage with each other, and which restricts the movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibrations by engaging with the second engagement portion 103.

[0040] The second engagement portion 103 having a concave-convex shape is provided around the conductor 15, and is not disposed in the portion of the anvil 7 where the conductor 15 is located (the portion facing the horn 5). Therefore, the anvil 7 can stably receive the load from the horn 5, and does not affect the joining of the terminal 3 and the conductor 15. Even if the pressing force of the terminal holding jig 9 against the terminal 3 is weak, the second engagement portion 103 can maintain the engagement with each other due to their concave-convex shapes. Therefore, the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. In addition, by making the second engagement portion 103 have a concave-convex shape, the engagement area can be increased, and the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be stably restricted. By providing the second engagement portion 103 in addition to the first engagement portion 23, the movement of the terminal 3 relative to the anvil 7 can be further stably restricted.

[0041] Moreover, the second engagement portions 103 are provided at a plurality of locations around the periphery of the conductor 15.

[0042] Therefore, movement of the terminal 3 due to ultrasonic vibration can be restricted at a plurality of points of the terminal 3, and the terminal 3 can be stably held on the anvil .

[0043] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0044] For example, one conductor (one set) is joined to one terminal, but this is not limited thereto, and multiple conductors (multiple sets) may be joined to one terminal such as a bus bar, for example, as a joint terminal.

[0045] In addition, although the number of terminal holding jigs is two, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of terminal holding jigs may be three or more. In this case, a first engagement portion may be provided between the terminal and each of the terminal holding jigs.

[0046] Further, the second joint portion is provided at two locations between the terminal and the anvil, but this is not limiting, and the second joint portion may be provided at three or more locations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1,101 Terminal joining equipment 3 Terminal 5. Horn 7. Anvil 9 Terminal holding fixture 13 Electric wire 15 Conductor 23 First engagement portion 103 Second engagement portion

Claims

1. a terminal to which a conductor of the electric wire is electrically connected; a horn that joins the conductor and the terminal by ultrasonic vibration; an anvil on which the terminal is placed and which receives a load from the horn; a terminal holding tool disposed adjacent to the horn and configured to hold the terminal against the anvil; Equipped with A terminal joining device in which a first engagement portion is provided between the terminal and the terminal holding jig, the first engagement portion being formed in a projection and recess shape that can engage with each other and that restricts movement of the terminal due to ultrasonic vibrations through engagement.

2. The terminal holding jig is provided in plurality, The terminal joining device according to claim 1 , wherein the first engagement portions are provided between the terminals and the plurality of terminal holding jigs, respectively.

3. A terminal joining device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein a second engagement portion is provided between the terminal and the anvil around the conductor, the second engagement portion being formed in a concave-convex shape that can engage with each other and that restricts movement of the terminal due to ultrasonic vibration by engagement.

4. The terminal joining device according to claim 3 , wherein the second engagement portion is provided at a plurality of locations around the conductor.

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