Terminal and electric wire with terminal

Abstract

To improve the strength and conduction of an electric wire connection part.SOLUTION: A terminal 1 for high-voltage connection that is provided with an electric wire connection part 4 to which conductors of an electric wire are connected through ultrasonic junction by folding one metal material plate 1A into two has a projection part 17b, which has its top face brought into contact with an opposite inner surface of a mating side at the time of the ultrasonic junction of the conductors of the electric wire, formed on one of mutually opposed inner surfaces of a first wiring plate part 12 and a second wiring plate part 22 constituting the electric wire connection part 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal and a terminal-fitted electric wire. [Background technology]

[0002] FIG. 9 shows a high-voltage connection terminal described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 9, this high-voltage connecting terminal 101 is composed of two strip-shaped first terminal plate 10 and second terminal plate 20 arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other by folding one metal material plate 101A in half. One longitudinal end of the high-voltage connecting terminal 101 is provided with a mating terminal insertion portion 3 having an insertion slot 3a into which a mating terminal can be inserted. The other longitudinal end of the high-voltage connecting terminal 101 is provided with an electric wire connection portion 4 to which a conductor Wa of an electric wire W is ultrasonically joined. At the end of the electric wire W to be connected, the coating Wb is removed to expose a predetermined dimension of the conductor Wa. A typical example of the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is a core wire formed by bundling a plurality of wires Wa1.

[0003] The mating terminal insertion portion 3 of the high-voltage connection terminal 101 is composed of a first insertion plate portion 11 at one longitudinal end of the first terminal plate 10 and a second insertion plate portion 21 at one longitudinal end of the second terminal plate 20. An insertion slot 3a for inserting a mating terminal is provided between the first insertion plate portion 11 and the second insertion plate portion 21.

[0004] The electric wire connection portion 4 is formed by overlapping a first wiring plate portion 12 on the other longitudinal end side of the first terminal plate 10 and a second wiring plate portion 22 on the other longitudinal end side of the second terminal plate 20. In the electric wire connection portion 4, the outer surface (the upper surface in the figure) of the first wiring plate portion 12 is configured as a conductor connection surface 4a on which the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is placed and connected by ultrasonic bonding.

[0005] A bent portion 13 is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the first terminal plate 10 to ensure a step that changes the height of the first insertion plate portion 11 in the plate thickness direction relative to the first wiring plate portion 12. By providing this bent portion 13, a space for the insertion slot 3a is ensured between the first insertion plate portion 11 and the second insertion plate portion 21.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to fold one metal material plate 101A in two, a bridge portion 30 that integrally connects the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 is provided on one side edge in the short direction of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22. By bending this bridge portion 30 to fold the metal material plate 101A in two, the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 are overlapped.

[0007] In addition, second wiring plate portion 22 on the lower side in the figure constituting electric wire connection portion 4 is provided with a plurality of positioning bosses 25 and positioning protrusions 108 facing the first wiring plate portion 12. Meanwhile, first wiring plate portion 12 on the upper side in the figure is provided with positioning through holes 15 into which positioning bosses 25 fit and positioning openings 107 into which positioning protrusions 108 fit.

[0008] When connecting the conductor Wa of the electric wire W to this high-voltage connecting terminal 101, the conductor Wa of the end of the electric wire W is placed on the conductor connecting surface 4a, which is the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 constituting the electric wire connecting portion 4, as shown by the arrow Y. Then, in this state, the conductor Wa is connected to the electric wire connecting portion 4 by ultrasonic bonding, i.e., by applying ultrasonic waves while applying pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-104904 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] By the way, when high-voltage connection terminal 101 is constructed by folding a single metal material plate 101A in half, several advantages are obtained, but on the other hand, gaps are likely to occur at the overlapping portion (between the opposing inner surfaces) of first wiring plate portion 12 and second wiring plate portion 22.

[0011] If such a gap is present, the strength and conductivity of the electric wire connection portion 4 will be reduced compared to an integrated electric wire connection portion, i.e., an electric wire connection portion made of a single sheet of material. Furthermore, if such a gap is present when attempting to ultrasonically bond the overlapping portion of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, the bonding will be impossible. This is because the bonding effect of ultrasonic bonding will not reach between the opposing surfaces of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 due to the presence of the gap.

[0012] Therefore, since the opposing surfaces of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 are not metallically bonded to each other, the strength of the electric wire connection portion 4 may not be sufficient. Furthermore, since the opposing surfaces of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 are not metallically bonded to each other, when a strong tensile force acts on the joined electric wire W, a positional deviation may occur between the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, and the terminal performance may be impaired.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a terminal and an electric wire with a terminal that can improve the strength and conductivity of the electric wire connection portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a terminal according to the present invention has the following features. A first terminal plate and a second terminal plate are two strip-shaped plates arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other by folding a single metal plate in half; an electrical connection portion provided on one end side of the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate in a longitudinal direction, the electrical connection portion being connectable to a mating terminal; and an electric wire connection portion provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction to which a conductor of the electric wire is ultrasonically joined, the electric wire connection portion is formed by overlapping a first wiring plate portion at the other end of the first terminal plate in the longitudinal direction with a second wiring plate portion at the other end of the second terminal plate in the longitudinal direction, and an outer surface of the first wiring plate portion serves as a conductor connection surface on which a conductor of the electric wire is disposed and connected, a protrusion having a top surface that comes into close contact with the opposing inner surface of the other side when the conductor is connected to one of the first wiring plate portion and the second wiring plate portion, Terminal.

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electric wire with terminal according to the present invention has the following features. The above terminals, The electric wire in which the conductor is joined to the electric wire connection portion of the terminal, Wire with terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the strength and electrical conductivity of the electric wire connection portion.

[0017] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading the following description of the embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view, seen from above, of a high-voltage connecting terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view, seen from above, of a high-voltage connecting terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view, seen from above, of a high-voltage connecting terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal of the same embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal of the embodiment as viewed from below. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the appearance of a conventional high-voltage connecting terminal as viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an external perspective view seen from above of a high-voltage connecting terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal according to the same embodiment. The high-voltage connecting terminal is an example of a terminal.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 includes a first terminal plate 10 and a second terminal plate 20, which are two strip-shaped plates arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other by folding a single metal material plate 1A in half. The high-voltage connecting terminal 1 includes a mating terminal insertion portion 3 having an insertion slot 3a into which a mating terminal is inserted, at one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first terminal plate 10 and the second terminal plate 20. The mating terminal insertion portion 3 is an example of an electrical connection portion. The high-voltage connecting terminal 1 includes an electric wire connection portion 4 at the other end side in the longitudinal direction, where the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is ultrasonically joined. That is, the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 is an ultrasonic connecting terminal. At the end of the electric wire W to be connected, the covering Wb is removed to expose the conductor Wa by a predetermined dimension. As the conductor Wa of the electric wire W, an example of a core wire formed by bundling multiple wires Wa1 is illustrated, but the conductor may be a single-core wire, and the electric wire connected to the high-voltage connection terminal 1 may be a round electric wire or a flat electric wire as long as it has a conductor, and is not limited thereto.

[0021] The mating terminal insertion portion 3 of the high-voltage connection terminal 1 is composed of a first insertion plate portion 11 at one longitudinal end side of the first terminal plate 10, and a second insertion plate portion 21 at one longitudinal end side of the second terminal plate 20. The mating terminal insertion portion 3 has an insertion slot 3a between the first insertion plate portion 11 and the second insertion plate portion 21, into which the mating terminal is inserted.

[0022] The electric wire connection portion 4 is formed by overlapping a first wiring plate portion 12 at the other longitudinal end side of the first terminal plate 10 and a second wiring plate portion 22 at the other longitudinal end side of the second terminal plate 20. In the electric wire connection portion 4, the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 is a conductor connection surface 4a on which the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is placed and connected by ultrasonic bonding. The outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 is the surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 opposite to the overlapping surface with the second wiring plate portion 22, and is the top surface in Figures 1 and 2.

[0023] A bent portion 13 is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the first terminal plate 10 to ensure a step that changes the height of the first insertion plate portion 11 in the plate thickness direction relative to the first wiring plate portion 12. By providing the bent portion 13, a space for the insertion slot 3a is ensured between the first insertion plate portion 11 and the second insertion plate portion 21.

[0024] In order to fold one metal material plate 1A in two, a bendable bridge portion 30 that integrally connects the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 is provided on one side edge in the short direction of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22. By bending this bridge portion 30 as shown by the arrow X in Fig. 3 to fold the metal material plate 101A in two, the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 are overlapped.

[0025] 2, the inner surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 has a convex portion 17b whose top surface is in close contact with the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22, which is the counterpart, during ultrasonic bonding. The convex portion 17b is formed by pressing a convex shape having a rectangular cross section on the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12. That is, the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 is pressed with a convex shape to form a concave portion 17a, and by forming the concave portion 17a, the convex portion 17b is simultaneously formed on the inner surface, which is the back surface. The concave portion 17a in this case is provided in a groove shape extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire (the short direction of the terminal 1), and the convex portion 17b on the back surface (inner surface) is formed as a convex stripe having a rectangular cross section whose top surface is a flat surface parallel to the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22. The positions of the convex portion 17b and the concave portion 17a on the conductor connecting surface 4a are set to the center where the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is reliably disposed.

[0026] Additionally, a plurality of positioning bosses 25 are protruded from the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22 at positions that do not interfere with the protrusions 17b. Meanwhile, positioning through holes 15 into which the positioning bosses 25 fit to position the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 relative to each other are provided at positions corresponding to the positioning bosses 25 of the first wiring plate portion 12. The fit between the positioning bosses 25 and the positioning through holes 15 may be a "clearance fit" or an "interference fit".

[0027] When connecting the conductor Wa of the electric wire W to the high-voltage connecting terminal 1, the conductor Wa of the end of the electric wire W is placed on the conductor connection surface 4a, which is the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 constituting the electric wire connection portion 4, as shown by the arrow Y in FIG. 9. At this time, the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is placed on the conductor connection surface 4a so as to straddle the groove-shaped recess 17a. Then, in this state, ultrasonic bonding is performed, that is, ultrasonic waves are applied while applying pressure, to connect the conductor Wa to the electric wire connection portion 4. That is, a terminal-attached electric wire is obtained, which includes the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 and the electric wire W in which the conductor Wa is joined to the electric wire connection portion 4 of the high-voltage connecting terminal 1. The electric wire with the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 has a joining mark due to ultrasonic bonding at the joining portion between the conductor connection surface 4a and the conductor Wa. The "joining mark" typically has a shape in which the unevenness of the surface of the joining indenter (so-called horn, anvil, etc.) used in the ultrasonic bonding process is transferred. Therefore, it is usually possible to determine whether or not there is a joint mark by observing the outer surface of the joint. However, the internal structure that is not visible on the outer surface of the joint, such as the joint state at the interface between the conductor core wires, can also be the above-mentioned "joint mark." The high-voltage connecting terminal 1 and the electric wire with the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 provide the following effects.

[0028] The top surface of the protrusion 17b provided on the inner surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 adheres to the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22 during ultrasonic bonding of the conductor of the electric wire, and therefore, a metallic bond (solid-state bonding) can be established in the adhered portion as an effect of ultrasonic bonding. That is, the protrusion 17b fills a gap (the portion indicated by S in FIG. 2) that occurs in the overlapping portion of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, which are formed by folding one metal material plate 1A in half and overlapping them. Then, by adhering the top surface of the protrusion 17b to the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22, a metallic bond (interatomic bond) can be reliably established in the adhered portion by ultrasonic bonding.

[0029] Therefore, it is possible to improve the mechanical strength of the electric wire connection portion 4 formed by overlapping the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, and in turn, to improve the strength of the entire terminal. As a result, even if a strong tensile force acts on the electric wire W joined to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12, no misalignment occurs between the two overlapping first and second wiring plate portions 12, 22, and a decrease in strength can be prevented.

[0030] Furthermore, by metal bonding between the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, the conductivity (electrical conduction) between the two wiring plate portions 12, 22 can be improved. Therefore, the electrical conduction path distance between the conductor Wa of the electric wire W joined to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 can be shortened compared to the path distance when a gap exists between the opposing surfaces of the two wiring plate portions 12, 22 when folded in half. As a result, the electrical conduction performance of the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 can be improved.

[0031] That is, by forming the protrusions 17b on the inner surface of the first wiring plate portion 12, it is possible to eliminate the phenomenon of "metallic bonding being impossible" due to the presence of gaps when two plates are joined, and the establishment of metallic bonding can improve strength and electrical conductivity. In particular, since the top surface of the protrusions 17b is formed flat, the top surface of the protrusions 17b can be stably attached to the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22 over a wide area. This makes it possible to ensure metallic bonding by ultrasonic bonding, and further improves bonding strength and electrical conductivity.

[0032] In addition, since the first terminal plate 10 and the second terminal plate 20 are integrally connected via the bridge portion 30 disposed on the peripheral edges of the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22, the length of the bridge portion 30 can be set short. Therefore, the bridge portion 30 can be easily bent, and the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 can be easily overlapped.

[0033] In addition, in the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 of this embodiment, the recess 17a on the outer surface and the protrusion 17b on the inner surface can be simultaneously processed by pressing the first wiring plate portion 12 from the outer surface side with a convex die of a press. Moreover, since the recess 17a on the outer surface exists on the conductor connection surface 4a, the conductor Wa of the electric wire W can be overlapped so as to cover the recess 17a and ultrasonically bonded, thereby improving the bonding strength and conductivity between the conductor Wa and the first wiring plate portion 12.

[0034] That is, when the conductor connecting surface 4a has the recess 17a, the contact area between the conductor Wa and the terminal 1 is enlarged by the recess 17a compared to when the conductor connecting surface 4a is flat. Also, the joining is promoted by the concentration of ultrasonic energy caused by the conductor Wa hitting the edge of the recess 17a. As a result, the fixing strength and the conductivity of the conductor Wa and the terminal 1 are improved. In particular, the effect is remarkable because the ultrasonic joining is performed in such a way that the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is placed crosswise over the groove-shaped recess 17a.

[0035] According to the high-voltage connection terminal 1, when the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 are overlapped by folding the metal material plate 1A in half, the positioning boss 25 on the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22 fits into the positioning through hole 15 of the first wiring plate portion 12. The positioning boss 25 fits into the positioning through hole 15, and the two wiring plate portions 12 and 22 are aligned. Therefore, the positioning of the two wiring plate portions 12 and 22 is prevented from being shifted when pressure is applied during ultrasonic bonding, and the bonding is stabilized, which contributes to improving the bonding strength and the conductivity. In addition, the top surface of the positioning boss portion 25 is exposed in the positioning through hole 15, so that the conductor Wa of the electric wire W ultrasonically bonded to the outer surface (conductor connection surface 4a) of the first wiring plate portion 12 is directly bonded to the second wiring plate portion 22. As a result, the electrical conductivity between the electric wire W and the second wiring plate portion 22 is improved.

[0036] FIG. 4 is an external perspective view, seen from above, of a high-voltage connecting terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, in this high-voltage connection terminal 51, a plurality of recesses 17a are provided in parallel on the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion 12, and a plurality of corresponding protrusions 17b are provided in parallel on the inner surface. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. The high-voltage connection terminal 51 is an ultrasonic connection terminal.

[0037] In the high-voltage connecting terminal 51 of the second embodiment, since the joining surface (conductor connecting surface 4a) of the conductor Wa of the electric wire W has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses 17a, the joining performance between the conductor Wa and the high-voltage connecting terminal 51 can be further improved. In other words, the same effect as that of the serrations provided on the inner surface of the conductor crimping barrel of the crimp terminal can be obtained. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of a high-voltage connecting terminal of a third embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal of the same embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the high-voltage connecting terminal of the same embodiment as viewed from below.

[0039] As shown in Figs. 5 to 8, in the high-voltage connecting terminal 61 of this embodiment, the convex portion 18b is formed on the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22, not on the inner surface of the first wiring plate portion 12. The high-voltage connecting terminal 61 is an ultrasonic connecting terminal. The convex portion 18b on the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion 22 is formed simultaneously by pressing the concave portion 18a on the outer surface of the second wiring plate portion 22. In this case, the concave portion 18a exists on the outer surface opposite to the side which is the conductor connecting surface 4a. Therefore, although the concave portion 18a does not contribute to ultrasonic bonding of the conductor Wa of the electric wire W, the effect of the metallic bonding between the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 due to the presence of the convex portion 18b on the inner surface can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In other words, the variation of the configuration for obtaining the effect of the metallic bonding between the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22 in the high-voltage connecting terminal 1 of the first embodiment can be increased.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. The material, shape, size, numerical value, form, number, arrangement location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiment are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto. In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the conductor Wa of the electric wire W is connected to the electric wire connection portion 4 of the high-voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61 by ultrasonic bonding, but the connection may be made by other means than ultrasonic bonding, such as thermocompression bonding.

[0041] Here, the features of the terminal and the electric wire with terminal according to the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [9]. [1] A first terminal plate (10) and a second terminal plate (20) are two strip-shaped plates arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other by folding a single metal plate (1A) in half; an electrical connection portion (mating terminal insertion portion 3) that is provided on one end side of the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate in the longitudinal direction and that is capable of connecting a mating terminal; and an electric wire connection portion (4) provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction to which the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire (W) is ultrasonically joined, In a terminal (high-voltage connecting terminal 1, 51, 61) in which the electric wire connection portion (4) is formed by overlapping a first wiring plate portion (12) at the other longitudinal end side of the first terminal plate (10) with a second wiring plate portion (22) at the other longitudinal end side of the second terminal plate (20), and an outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12) is a conductor connection surface (4a) on which a conductor (Wa) of the electric wire is disposed and connected, A protrusion (17b, 18b) is provided on one of the mutually opposing inner surfaces of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22), the top surface of which comes into close contact with the opposing inner surface of the other side when the conductor (Wa) is connected. Terminals (terminals 1, 51, 61 for high voltage connections).

[0042] A gap (S) is likely to occur in the overlapping portion (between the opposing inner faces) of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22), and the presence of this gap reduces the strength and conductivity compared to a wiring connection portion made of an integral plate. However, according to the configuration [1] above, the top surface of the protrusions (17b, 18b) comes into close contact with the opposing inner face of the other side when connecting the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire, filling the gap, and a metal-to-metal bond (solid-state bonding) can be formed in the close contact portion. This improves the mechanical strength of the electric wire connection portion (4), and thus improves the strength of the entire terminal (high-voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61). Therefore, even if a tensile force acts on the electric wire (W) having the conductor (Wa) bonded to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12), no misalignment occurs between the two overlapping first and second wiring plate portions (12, 22), and a decrease in strength is prevented. In addition, the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) are metallically bonded to each other, thereby improving the conductivity (electrical conduction) between the two wiring plate portions (12, 22). Therefore, the electric current path distance between the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire bonded to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) is shortened compared to the path distance when a gap (S) exists between the opposing surfaces of the two wiring plate portions (12, 22) when folded in two. This improves the electrical conductivity of the terminals (high-voltage connecting terminals 1, 51, 61). Therefore, according to the configuration [1] above, it is possible to improve the strength and electrical conductivity by establishing a metallic bond.

[0043] [2] The top surfaces of the protrusions (17b, 18b) are formed into flat surfaces parallel to the opposing inner surfaces of the mating members. The terminals (high voltage connection terminals 1, 51, 61) described in [1] above.

[0044] According to the configuration [2] above, since the top surfaces of the protrusions (17b, 18b) are formed flat, the top surfaces of the protrusions (17b, 18b) come into stable contact with the opposing inner surface of the mating part over a wide area. Therefore, according to the configuration [2] above, it is possible to ensure metallic bonding by ultrasonic bonding or the like, thereby improving the bonding strength and electrical conductivity.

[0045] [3] The first terminal plate (10) and the second terminal plate (20) are integrally connected via bridge portions (30) arranged on the peripheral edges of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22). The terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) described in [1] or [2] above.

[0046] According to the configuration [3] above, the first terminal plate (10) and the second terminal plate (20) are integrally connected via the bridge portion (30) disposed on the peripheral edges of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22). Therefore, by bending the bridge portion (30), the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) can be easily overlapped.

[0047] [4] The protrusion (17b) is provided on an inner surface of the first wiring plate portion (12), A recess (17a) is provided on the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12) at a position corresponding to the protrusion (17b). A terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51) according to any one of the above [1] to [3].

[0048] According to the above-mentioned configuration [4], the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire is overlapped and joined so as to cover the recess (17a) of the first wiring plate portion (12), and the contact area between the conductor and the terminal is enlarged by the recess (17a) compared to when the joining surface is flat. Therefore, the joining strength and the conductivity of the conductor (Wa) and the first wiring plate portion (12) can be improved. In addition, when the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire of the first wiring plate portion (12) is overlapped and ultrasonically joined, the joining is promoted by the concentration of ultrasonic energy caused by the conductor (Wa) hitting the edge of the recess (17a). As a result, the fixing strength and the conductivity of the conductor (Wa) and the terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51) can be improved. By pressing the first wiring plate portion (12) from the outer surface side with a convex press, the recess (17a) on the outer surface and the convex portion (17b) on the inner surface can be simultaneously processed.

[0049] [5] The recess (17a) has a groove shape extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, and a plurality of the groove-shaped recesses (17a) are provided in parallel. The terminal (high voltage connection terminal 51) described in [4] above.

[0050] According to the configuration [5] above, since the surface joining the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire has a plurality of groove-shaped recesses (17a) extending in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, the joining performance between the conductor (Wa) and the terminal (high-voltage connecting terminal 51) is further improved. In other words, it is possible to obtain an effect similar to that of serrations provided on the inner surface of the conductor crimping barrel of the crimp terminal.

[0051] [6] The convex portion (18b) is provided on the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion (22). A terminal (high voltage connection terminal 61) according to any one of the above [1] to [3].

[0052] According to the configuration [6] above, the convex portion (18b) is provided on the inner surface of the second wiring plate portion (22) rather than on the inner surface of the first wiring plate portion (12), thereby increasing the variety of configurations for obtaining the effect of [1] above.

[0053] [7] A plurality of positioning bosses (25) are protruded from an inner surface of the second wiring plate portion (22) at positions that do not interfere with the convex portions (17b, 18b), and positioning through holes (15) are provided at positions corresponding to the positioning bosses (25) of the first wiring plate portion (12) so that the positioning bosses (25) fit into the positioning through holes (15) that position the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) relative to each other. A terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) according to any one of the above [1] to [6].

[0054] According to the configuration [7], the positioning boss (25) fits into the positioning through hole (15), thereby aligning the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22). This prevents the two wiring plate portions (the first wiring plate portion 12 and the second wiring plate portion 22) from being misaligned when connecting the electric wires, stabilizing the bonding, and contributing to improved bonding strength and electrical conductivity. In addition, the top surface of the positioning boss portion (25) is exposed in the positioning through hole (15), so that the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire that is ultrasonically bonded to the outer surface (conductor connection surface 4a) of the first wiring plate portion (12) is directly bonded to the second wiring plate portion (22). This improves electrical conductivity between the electric wire (W) and the second wiring plate portion (22) that are connected by ultrasonic bonding.

[0055] [8] The electrical connection portion (mating terminal insertion portion 3) has an insertion slot (3a) capable of accommodating the mating terminal between the first terminal plate (10) and the second terminal plate (20). A terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) according to any one of the above [1] to [7].

[0056] According to the configuration [8] above, when a terminal (high-voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) is formed by folding one metal material plate (1A) in half, it becomes easy to process the electrical connection portion (mating terminal insertion portion 3), which is the portion where the insertion slot (3a) is formed.

[0057] [9] A terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) according to any one of the above [1] to [8], The electric wire (W) is connected to the electric wire connection portion (4) of the terminal by ultrasonic bonding. Wire with terminal.

[0058] According to the configuration [9] above, when the conductors (Wa) of the electric wires are connected by ultrasonic bonding, the top faces of the protrusions (17b, 18b) come into close contact with the opposing inner faces of the other plates, filling the gap between the first terminal plate (10) and the second terminal plate (20). Then, a metal-to-metal bond (solid-state bond) is formed in the close contact area as an effect of ultrasonic bonding.

[0059] In detail, if there is a gap (S) in the overlapping portion (between the opposing inner surfaces) of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22), the strength and conductivity will be reduced compared to a wiring connection portion made of an integral plate. In addition, even if the overlapping portion of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) is to be ultrasonically bonded, if there is such a gap, the bonding will not be possible. This is because the bonding effect of ultrasonic bonding will not reach between the opposing surfaces of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22). In this regard, according to the configuration [1] above, the convex portions (17b, 18b) provided on one of the opposing inner surfaces fill the gap, and the top surfaces of the convex portions (17b, 18b) are in close contact with the opposing inner surface of the other, thereby forming a metallic bond (interatomic bond) by ultrasonic bonding at the intimate contact portion.

[0060] Therefore, the mechanical strength of the electric wire connection portion (4) formed by overlapping the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) is improved, and the strength of the entire terminal (high voltage connection terminal 1, 51, 61) is improved. Therefore, even if a tensile force acts on the electric wire (W) having the conductor (Wa) joined to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12), no misalignment occurs between the two overlapping wiring plate portions (12, 22), and a decrease in strength is prevented. In addition, the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) are metallically bonded to each other, thereby improving the conductivity (electrical conductivity) between the two wiring plate portions (12, 22). Therefore, the electric current path distance between the conductor (Wa) of the electric wire joined to the outer surface of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22) is shortened compared to the path distance when a gap (S) exists between the opposing surfaces of the two wiring plate portions (12, 22) when folded in two. Therefore, the electrical conductivity of the terminals (high-voltage connection terminals 1, 51, 61) is improved.

[0061] In other words, by forming the convex portion (17b, 18b) on one of the opposing inner surfaces of the first wiring plate portion (12) and the second wiring plate portion (22), it is possible to eliminate the phenomenon in which metal bonding is impossible due to the presence of a gap (S) when two plates are joined together. In this way, according to the configuration [1] above, it is possible to improve strength and electrical conductivity by establishing a metal bond. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 51, 61 High voltage connection terminal 1A Metal Plate 3 Mating terminal insertion part 3a Insertion slot 4 Wire connection 4a Conductor connection surface 10 First terminal plate 12 First wiring plate section 15 Positioning through hole 17a, 18a Recess 17b, 18b convex part 20 Second terminal plate 22 Second wiring plate section 25 Positioning boss 30 Bridge section W electric wire Wa conductor

Claims

1. A first terminal plate and a second terminal plate are two strip-shaped plates arranged with their plate surfaces facing each other by folding a single metal plate in half; an electrical connection portion provided on one end side of the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate in a longitudinal direction, the electrical connection portion being connectable to a mating terminal; and an electric wire connection portion provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction to which a conductor of the electric wire is ultrasonically joined, the electric wire connection portion is formed by overlapping a first wiring plate portion at the other longitudinal end side of the first terminal plate and a second wiring plate portion at the other longitudinal end side of the second terminal plate, and an outer surface of the first wiring plate portion serves as a conductor connection surface on which a conductor of the electric wire is disposed and connected, a protrusion having a top surface that comes into close contact with the opposing inner surface of the other side when the conductor is connected to the first wiring plate portion or the second wiring plate portion, on one of the opposing inner surfaces of the other side; Terminal.

2. The top surface of the protrusion is formed into a flat surface parallel to the opposing inner surface of the mating part. The terminal according to claim 1 .

3. the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate are integrally connected via bridge portions disposed on peripheral edges of the first wiring plate portion and the second wiring plate portion; The terminal according to claim 1 .

4. the protrusion is provided on an inner surface of the first wiring plate portion, a recess is provided on an outer surface of the first wiring plate portion at a position corresponding to the protrusion; The terminal according to claim 1 .

5. The recess has a groove shape extending in a direction intersecting with a longitudinal direction of the electric wire, and a plurality of the groove-shaped recesses are provided in parallel. The terminal according to claim 4.

6. The protrusion is provided on an inner surface of the second wiring plate portion. The terminal according to claim 1 .

7. a plurality of positioning bosses are provided on an inner surface of the second wiring plate portion at positions not interfering with the protrusion, and positioning through holes are provided at positions corresponding to the positioning bosses of the first wiring plate portion, the positioning bosses being fitted into the positioning through holes for performing relative positioning of the first wiring plate portion and the second wiring plate portion; The terminal according to claim 1 .

8. The electrical connection portion has an insertion slot between the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate capable of accommodating the mating terminal. The terminal according to claim 1 .

9. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 8; The electric wire in which the conductor is joined to the electric wire connection portion of the terminal, Wire with terminal.

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