Connector and crimp terminal

Abstract

To provide a connector and a crimp terminal that are capable of restraining a temperature rise in the crimp terminal under energization.SOLUTION: A connector 1B includes a crimp terminal 3 having a wire crimping portion 22 to be crimped to an exposed core portion W1a of a wire W, and an outer housing 2 having an accommodation space portion 2a that accommodates the crimp terminal 3. The wire crimping portion 22 has a pair of fastening pieces 32 that are formed so as to erect from both ends of a bottom wall portion 31 in a width direction Y, and crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion W1a placed on the bottom wall portion 31. The fastening pieces 32 have an outer uneven surface 35 that is formed in an alternating uneven shape on an outer surface 33 along a circumferential direction of the wire crimping portion 22 in a crimped state where the wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the exposed core portion W1a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a crimp terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] As an example of technology relating to conventional connectors, Patent Document 1 discloses a connector equipped with a connection terminal having a metal terminal and a heat storage body held by the terminal, the terminal having a terminal connection portion electrically connected to a mating terminal, an electric wire connection portion electrically connected to an electric wire, and a holding portion formed integrally with the terminal connection portion and the electric wire connection portion, and the heat storage body is held in the holding portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-187920 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional connectors, the temperature of the crimp terminals accommodated in the connector housing increases when electricity is applied, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a connector and a crimp terminal capable of suppressing a temperature rise in the crimp terminal when electricity is applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the connector of the present invention comprises a crimp terminal having a wire crimping portion crimped to an exposed core portion provided at an end of an electric wire, and a housing having an accommodating space portion for accommodating the crimp terminal, wherein the wire crimping portion has a bottom wall portion and a pair of crimping pieces formed upright from both ends in the width direction of the bottom wall portion and crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion placed on the bottom wall portion, and the crimping pieces have an outer concave-convex surface formed on their outer surface in an alternating concave-convex pattern along the circumferential direction of the wire crimping portion in a crimped state in which the wire crimping portion is crimped to the exposed core portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] Advantageous Effects of Invention According to the connector and crimp terminal of the present invention, it is possible to suppress a rise in temperature of the crimp terminal when electricity is applied. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the crimp terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the crimp terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a crimp terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a crimp terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a crimp terminal according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged view of the connector shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments and modifications of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and modifications. In other words, the components in the following embodiments and modifications include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine or are substantially the same, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0010] [Embodiment] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a connector according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a crimp terminal 3 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the crimp terminal according to an embodiment.

[0011] The connector 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a shielded connector, and is incorporated into a wire harness WH that is arranged in a vehicle such as an automobile. Here, the wire harness WH is, for example, an assembly component in which a plurality of electric wires W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect each device mounted on the vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires W are connected to each device by the connector 1 or the like.

[0012] The wire harness WH includes, for example, a plurality of conductive electric wires W each having a crimp terminal 3 at its end, and a connector 1 provided at the end of the electric wires W. In this case, the connector 1 is provided at the end of two electric wires W and holds the crimp terminals 3 of the two electric wires W. In addition, the wire harness WH may further include a protector, a fixing device, and the like.

[0013] In the following description, for convenience, of the illustrated X, Y, and Z directions, the X direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the Y direction as the "width direction Y," and the Z direction as the "height direction Z." The axial direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are mutually perpendicular. The axial direction X corresponds to, for example, the attachment / detachment direction of the connector 1 with respect to the mating connector (see FIG. 1), the extension direction of the crimp terminal 3, the extension direction of the electric wire W with respect to the crimp terminal 3, etc.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric wire W includes, for example, a conductive core wire W1 and an insulating coating portion W2 that covers the outside of the core wire W1. The electric wire W is a coated electric wire in which the core wire W1 is coated with the coating portion W2. The core wire W1 is, for example, a core wire formed by bundling a plurality of conductive metal wires, but may also be a twisted core wire formed by twisting the plurality of metal wires together. The coating portion W2 is formed of an insulating resin material. The electric wire W has a core wire exposed portion W1a provided at an end of the electric wire W, where the coating portion W2 is removed to expose the core wire W1 to the outside.

[0015] The connector 1 is formed in a so-called L-shape, and an electric wire W is led out in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction (axial direction X) of the connector 1. The connector 1 includes, for example, an outer housing 2, two sets of crimp terminals 3 each connected to an electric wire W, two sets of inner housings 4, housing packings 5 ​​and 6, a front holder 7, a rear cover packing 8, a rear cover 9, and an upper shell 10. The connector 1 further includes, for example, a rear holder packing 11, a lower shell 12, an inner holder 13, a rear holder 14, and a shield ring 15. Each part of the connector 1 will be described below.

[0016] The outer housing 2 is made of an insulating resin material, and accommodates and holds the crimp terminal 3, and is fitted to the mating connector in the insertion / removal direction of the connector 1. The outer housing 2 has an accommodation space 2a, a main body 2b, and a cylindrical portion 2c. The accommodation space 2a is formed by the main body 2b and the cylindrical portion 2c. The accommodation space 2a accommodates the inner housing 4 with the crimp terminal 3 accommodated and held in the inner housing 4. The main body 2b is formed in a case shape, and is a portion that accommodates and holds a part of the electric wire W to which the crimp terminal 3 is connected. The main body 2b has a cylindrical portion 2c formed on one side in the insertion / removal direction of the connector 1, and an opening portion formed on the other side. The cylindrical portion 2c is a portion that fits into the mating connector.

[0017] The crimp terminal 3 is a terminal fitting to which the electric wire W is electrically connected and to which a mating terminal made of a conductive metal member is connected. Each part of the crimp terminal 3 will be described in detail later.

[0018] The inner housing 4 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape and is a member that accommodates and holds the crimp terminals 3 therein along the axial direction X. A plurality of inner housings 4 are provided according to the number of electric wires W with crimp terminals 3.

[0019] The housing packings 5 ​​and 6 are water-stopping members that are formed, for example, in an annular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2c of the outer housing 2 and are fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2c. The housing packings 5 ​​and 6 prevent foreign matter such as moisture and dust from entering the inside of the connector 1 through an annular gap between a mating connector (not shown) and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2c. The housing packings 5 ​​and 6 are made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber or resin.

[0020] The front holder 7 is attached to the front side of the outer housing 2. The front holder 7 is formed in an annular shape along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2c of the outer housing 2, and is a holding member that holds the housing packings 5, 6 and is fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 2c.

[0021] The rear cover gasket 8 is a water-stopping member that is formed in an annular shape along the open end of the main body 2b of the outer housing 2 and is interposed between the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 9. The rear cover gasket 8 has a through hole through which the electric wire W is inserted, and has a water-stopping structure that stops water from entering between the electric wire W and the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 9.

[0022] The rear cover 9 is attached to the rear side of the outer housing 2 and is a member that covers the rear side of the outer housing 2. The rear cover 9 is attached to the rear part of the outer housing 2 via a rear cover packing 8. The electric wires W are supported by being sandwiched between the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 9 with part of the rear cover packing 8 interposed therebetween, and are led downward from the lower parts of the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 9.

[0023] The upper shell 10 is formed in a housing shape with an open surface facing the outer housing 2, and houses the outer housing 2 therein and is provided so as to cover the outer housing 2. The upper shell 10 is formed with an open lower side portion, and a lower shell 12 is disposed in the open portion.

[0024] The rear holder gasket 11 has a through hole through which the electric wire W is inserted, and has a waterproof structure that prevents water from entering between the electric wire W and the outer housing 2 and the rear cover 9.

[0025] The lower shell 12 is a member for shielding the lower part of the connector 1, and is formed of, for example, metal. The lower shell 12 has a flat plate portion 12a, and is configured by providing a cylindrical portion 12b penetrating the flat plate portion 12a. The flat plate portion 12a is a portion that covers the open side portion of the upper shell 10. The cylindrical portion 12b is a portion through which the electric wire W is inserted, and is formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12a. The lower shell 12 is attached to the outer housing 2 and the upper shell 10 by a plurality of bolts.

[0026] The inner holder 13 and the rear holder 14 are holding members interposed between the outer housing 2, the rear cover 9, and the upper shell 10 and the lower shell 12, and hold two electric wires W. The inner holder 13 and the rear holder 14 are each formed by dividing into two members, and sandwich and hold the electric wires W. The inner holder 13 is disposed on the outer housing 2, rear cover 9, and upper shell 10 side along the extension direction of the electric wires W. The rear holder 14 is disposed on the lower shell 12 side along the extension direction of the electric wires W. The rear holder gasket 11 is located between the rear holder 14 and the lower shell 12.

[0027] The shield ring 15 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion of the lower shell 12 together with a braid (not shown).

[0028] Next, the details of the crimp terminal 3 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The crimp terminal 3 constitutes a terminal-attached electric wire when connected to an electric wire W. As shown in Fig. 2, the crimp terminal 3 includes a terminal connection portion 21, an electric wire crimping portion 22, and a connecting portion 23 that connects the terminal connection portion 21 and the electric wire crimping portion 22. The terminal connection portion 21, the electric wire crimping portion 22, and the connecting portion 23 are integrally formed as a whole by a metal member having electrical conductivity. For example, the crimp terminal 3 is formed by forming a single sheet metal into shapes corresponding to each portion such as the terminal connection portion 21, the electric wire crimping portion 22, and the connecting portion 23 by various processes such as punching, pressing, bending, and stamping, so that each portion is integrally formed three-dimensionally. The crimp terminal 3 is arranged from one side to the other side along the axial direction X in the order of the terminal connection portion 21, the connecting portion 23, and the electric wire crimping portion 22, and connected to each other. As shown in Fig. 1, the crimp terminal 3 houses and holds a multi-contact member 16 inside. The multi-contact member 16 is attached to the inside of the crimp terminal 3, and stabilizes the contact pressure between the terminals by utilizing the elasticity of a spring, for example, to minimize the contact resistance. Note that the multi-contact member 16 is omitted in Fig. 2.

[0029] The terminal connection part 21 is a part that is electrically connected to a mating terminal. The terminal connection part 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape centered on a central axis along the axial direction X, and accommodates and holds the multi-contact member 16 inside. The terminal connection part 21 is illustrated as having a female terminal shape, and is electrically connected to a mating terminal having a male terminal shape. The terminal connection part 21 may have a male terminal shape or a female terminal shape.

[0030] The electric wire crimping portion 22 is a portion that is crimped to an exposed core portion W1a provided at an end of the electric wire W. The electric wire crimping portion 22 has a bottom wall portion 31 and a pair of crimping pieces 32.

[0031] The bottom wall portion 31 is a portion that extends in the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X, and is curved to be recessed from one side to the other side in the height direction Z. In a non-crimped state in which the electric wire crimping portion 22 is not crimped to the core exposed portion W1a, the core exposed portion W1a is placed on the bottom wall portion 31, and in a crimped state in which the electric wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the core exposed portion W1a, the bottom wall portion 31 is crimped to the core exposed portion W1a together with the pair of crimping pieces 32. The bottom wall portion 31 has an outer surface 41 facing outward, and an inner surface 43 that faces and contacts the core exposed portion W1a in the crimped state. The outer surface 41 is not formed in an uneven shape, but is formed as a smooth surface. Like the outer surface 41, the inner surface 43 is not formed in an uneven shape, but is formed as a smooth surface (inner smooth surface 44).

[0032] The pair of crimping pieces 32 are formed to stand from both ends of the bottom wall portion 31 in the width direction Y, and are crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion W1a placed on the bottom wall portion 31. As shown by the two-dot chain lines in Fig. 3, the pair of crimping pieces 32 are formed to extend along the height direction Z in a non-crimped state. In a crimped state, the pair of crimping pieces 32 are crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion W1a. The crimping pieces 32 have an outer surface 33 facing outward, and an inner surface 37 that faces and contacts the exposed core portion W1a in the crimped state.

[0033] The outer surface 33 has an outer smooth surface 34 and an outer rough surface 35 .

[0034] The outer smooth surface 34 is a smooth surface formed on the tip side of the outer surface 33 of the crimping piece 32, opposite the bottom wall portion 31. The outer smooth surface 34 is a so-called mating surface of the terminal, and faces one side or the other in the width direction Y in the uncrimped state, but is positioned so as to face the width direction Y in the crimped state.

[0035] The outer uneven surface 35 is a surface formed on the outer surface 33 of the crimping piece 32 on the bottom wall portion 31 side in the extension direction of the crimping piece 32. The outer uneven surface 35 is formed in an alternating uneven shape along the circumferential direction of the electric wire crimping portion 22 on the outer surface in a crimped state. The outer uneven surface 35 is composed of a plurality of recesses 35a and a plurality of protrusions 35b. Each of the plurality of recesses 35a is formed so as to be recessed inward from the position of the outer smooth surface 34 in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32, but is not limited to this. Each of the plurality of protrusions 35b is formed at the same position as the position of the outer smooth surface 34 in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32, but is not limited to this. The plurality of recesses 35a and protrusions 35b are formed in a rectangular or approximately rectangular shape when viewed from the axial direction X, but are not limited to this, and may be formed in a wavy shape without corners, for example. The multiple recesses 35a and protrusions 35b have the same height and depth in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32, but are not limited to this and may be different from each other. The uneven shape of the outer uneven surface 35 has the same pitch, but are not limited to this and may be different pitches.

[0036] As described above, the connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a crimp terminal 3 having the electric wire crimping portion 22 crimped to the exposed core portion W1a of the electric wire W. The electric wire crimping portion 22 is formed to stand from both ends in the width direction Y of the bottom wall portion 31, and has a pair of crimping pieces 32 crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion W1a placed on the bottom wall portion 31. The crimping pieces 32 have an outer concave-convex surface 35 formed on an outer surface thereof in an alternating concave-convex shape along the circumferential direction of the electric wire crimping portion 22 in a crimped state in which the electric wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the exposed core portion W1a.

[0037] The crimp terminal 3 according to this embodiment has a wire crimping portion 22 that is crimped to the exposed core portion W1a of the electric wire W. The wire crimping portion 22 is formed to stand from both ends in the width direction Y of the bottom wall portion 31, and has a pair of crimping pieces 32 that are crimped so as to wrap around the exposed core portion W1a placed on the bottom wall portion 31. The crimping pieces 32 have an outer concave-convex surface 35 that is formed on the outer surface thereof in an alternating concave-convex shape along the circumferential direction of the wire crimping portion 22 in a crimped state in which the wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the exposed core portion W1a.

[0038] In a conventional electric wire with a crimp terminal, when electricity is applied to the electric wire, the electric wire crimping portion heats up due to contact resistance between the electric wire and the crimp terminal. Even if the electric wire crimping portion generates heat, the heat is released to the outside air by contacting the outside air, but when a high current flows through the electric wire, the temperature tends to be higher than when a low current flows. Therefore, the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 according to this embodiment are configured as described above, and in a crimped state in which the electric wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the exposed core portion W1a, the surface area of ​​the electric wire crimping portion 22 that comes into contact with the outside air can be increased, and the temperature rise of the crimp terminal 3 during current application can be suppressed.

[0039] In the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 according to this embodiment, the outer surface 41 of the bottom wall portion 31 is not formed in an uneven shape, but is a smooth surface. As a result, in the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3, when the crimp terminal 3 crimped to the electric wire W is housed in the inner housing 4, the outer surface 41 of the bottom wall portion 31 abuts against the inner housing 4, and the position of the crimp terminal 3 can be stabilized, compared to when the outer surface 41 is an uneven surface.

[0040] Furthermore, in the connector 1 and crimp terminal 3 according to this embodiment, the crimping piece 32 has an outer uneven surface 35 formed on the outer surface 41 of the crimping piece 32 on the side facing the bottom wall 31 in the extension direction of the crimping piece 32, and an outer smooth surface 34 formed smoother than the outer uneven surface 35 on the tip side opposite the bottom wall 31. This makes it possible for the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 to easily crimp the crimping piece 32, for example, by bringing only a crimping die into contact with the outer smooth surface 34 when the crimping piece 32 is crimped by a crimping device.

[0041] Moreover, in the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 according to this embodiment, the outer uneven surface 35 is formed to extend in the axial direction X of the exposed core wire portion W1a along a direction perpendicular to the width direction Y in the crimped state. As a result, the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 can have a larger surface area by forming the outer uneven surface 35 to extend in the axial direction X. [First Modification]

[0042] Next, a connector 1A and a crimp terminal 3A according to a first modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the crimp terminal according to the first modified example, Figure 5 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the crimp terminal according to the first modified example, and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment.

[0043] The connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A according to the first modified embodiment have the same configuration as the connector 1 and the crimp terminal 3 according to the above embodiment. Therefore, the connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A can obtain the same action and effect as the above embodiment based on the same configuration. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] The connector 1A according to the first modification has a crimp terminal 3A. The crimp terminal 3A includes a wire crimping portion 22A.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, wire crimping portion 22A has inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 that are formed in an alternate uneven shape along the circumferential direction from inner surface 43, which is the bottom surface of bottom wall portion 31A, to inner surfaces 37 of each crimping piece 32 in a crimped state.

[0046] The inner uneven surface 39 is formed on the inner surface 37 side of the crimping piece 32A, and the inner uneven surface 45 is formed on the inner surface 43 side of the bottom wall portion 31A, with the inner uneven surface 39, the inner uneven surface 45, and the inner uneven surface 39 being continuous in the circumferential direction.

[0047] The inner uneven surface 39 is composed of a plurality of recesses 39a and a plurality of protrusions 39b. The plurality of recesses 39a are each formed so as to be recessed inward from the position of the inner smooth surface 38 in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32A, but this is not limited thereto. The plurality of protrusions 39b are each formed at the same position as the position of the inner smooth surface 38 in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32, but this is not limited thereto. The plurality of recesses 39a and protrusions 39b are formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the axial direction X, but this is not limited thereto, and may be formed in a wavy shape without corners, for example. In addition, the plurality of recesses 39a and protrusions 39b have the same height and depth in the thickness direction of the crimping piece 32, but this is not limited thereto, and may be different from each other. In addition, the uneven shape of the inner uneven surface 39 is formed at the same pitch, but this is not limited thereto, and may be at different pitches.

[0048] The inner uneven surface 45 is composed of a plurality of recesses 45a and a plurality of protrusions 45b. The plurality of recesses 45a are each formed so as to be recessed from the inside to the outside of the bottom wall portion 31A. The plurality of recesses 45a and the protrusions 45b are formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the axial direction X, but are not limited to this, and may be formed in a wavy shape without corners, for example. The plurality of recesses 45a and the protrusions 45b have the same height and depth in the thickness direction of the bottom wall portion 31A, but are not limited to this, and may be different from each other. The uneven shape of the inner uneven surface 45 has the same pitch, but is not limited to this, and may be different pitches.

[0049] As described above, in the connector 1A and crimp terminal 3A of the first modified example of this embodiment, the wire crimping portion 22 has inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 that are formed in an alternating uneven pattern along the circumferential direction from the inner surface 43 of the bottom wall portion 31A to the inner surface 37 of each crimping piece 32 when in a crimped state.

[0050] In the connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A according to the first modification, the contact area of ​​the inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 with the exposed core portion W1a is increased by the above-mentioned configuration, so that the pressure on the exposed core portion W1a during crimping of the electric wire crimping portion 22A to the exposed core portion W1a is dispersed, and even if the exposed core portion W1a stretches in the extending direction of the exposed core portion W1a, breakage of the core wire, etc. can be suppressed. Also, in the connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A, the inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 are formed in an alternating concave-convex shape along the circumferential direction, so that stretching of the electric wire W in the axial direction X during crimping can be suppressed compared to so-called serrations formed in an alternating concave-convex shape along the axial direction X of the crimp terminal 3A.

[0051] Furthermore, in the connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A according to the first modification, the inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 are both formed to extend in the axial direction X of the core exposed portion W1a along a direction perpendicular to the width direction Y in the crimped state. As a result, the connector 1A and the crimp terminal 3A can have a larger surface area by forming the inner uneven surfaces 39, 45 to extend in the axial direction X. [Second modified example]

[0052] Next, a connector 1B according to a second modified example of the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the connector according to the second modified example, and Fig. 8 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the connector according to the second modified example of the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a partial enlarged view of a frame P in the connector shown in Fig. 8.

[0053] The connector 1B according to the second modification of the embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the connector 1 of the above embodiment or the connector 1A of the first modification. Therefore, the connector 1B can obtain the same action and effect as the above embodiment based on the similar configuration. Note that the same components as those of the above embodiment and the first modification are given the same reference numerals and their description is omitted.

[0054] The connector 1B according to the second modification includes the above-mentioned crimp terminal 3 and an inner housing 51. The inner housing 51 is formed of an insulating resin material. The inner housing 51 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on a central axis along the axial direction X, and accommodates and holds the crimp terminal 3. The inner housing 51 is accommodated and held in the accommodation space 2a of the outer housing 2 in a state in which the crimp terminal 3 is held. The inner housing 51 has accommodation space portions 52 that are open at both ends in the axial direction X and accommodate the electric wire crimping portion 22 of the crimp terminal 3 in a crimped state. The accommodation space portion 52 communicates with an external space via openings provided at both ends of the inner housing 51 in the axial direction X.

[0055] The inner housing 51 has a housing inner peripheral surface 53 as a surface facing the accommodation space portion 52. The housing inner peripheral surface 53 is composed of inner smooth surfaces 54a, 54b, a pair of inner uneven surfaces (housing uneven surfaces) 55, and two inner smooth surfaces 54a, 54b.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 8, the inner smooth surfaces 54a, 54b are arranged to face each other in the height direction Z when the inner housing 51 is viewed from the axial direction X. The inner smooth surfaces 54a, 54b are flat surfaces formed linearly from one side to the other in the width direction Y of the opening when the inner housing 51 is viewed from the axial direction X. The inner smooth surface 54b is formed between the pair of inner uneven surfaces 55 in the width direction Y when the inner housing 51 is viewed from the axial direction X. The inner smooth surface 54b has a shorter length in the width direction Y than the inner smooth surface 54a. In a state in which the electric wire crimping portion 22 is accommodated in the accommodation space portion 52, the inner smooth surface 54a faces the outer surface 41 of the bottom wall portion 31 in the height direction Z across a part of the accommodation space portion 52 without contacting the outer surface 41. In the accommodated state, the inner smooth surface 54b faces each of the outer smooth surfaces 34 of the crimping pieces 32 in a direction intersecting with the height direction Z, without coming into contact with each other, with a part of the accommodation space portion 52 interposed therebetween.

[0057] 8, when the inner housing 51 is viewed from the axial direction X, the pair of inner uneven surfaces 55 is disposed on the inner surface 37 between the inner smooth surface 54a and the inner smooth surface 54b. Each of the pair of inner uneven surfaces 55 is formed in an uneven shape that is alternately arranged along the circumferential direction. The inner uneven surface 55 faces the outer uneven surface 35 of the crimping piece 32 in the housed state, and is formed to fit with the outer uneven surface 35.

[0058] In connector 1B, when inner housing 51 holds crimped terminal 3, outer uneven surface 35 on the wire crimping portion 22 side fits into inner uneven surface 55 on the inner housing 51 side, and they come into contact with each other. Thus, due to the fitting of outer uneven surface 35 and inner uneven surface 55, connector 1B can suppress rattling of crimp terminal 3 caused by external vibrations, particularly vibrations in a direction intersecting with axial direction X.

[0059] Furthermore, in connector 1B, when wire crimping portion 22 generates heat due to energization, heat is conducted from the multiple recesses 35a and protrusions 35b of outer uneven surface 35 to the recesses 55a and protrusions 55b of the multiple inner uneven surfaces 55. As a result, in a crimped state in which wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to exposed core wire portion W1a, connector 1B increases the surface area of ​​wire crimping portion 22 and the area of ​​contact with inner housing 51, thereby increasing the heat conducted from wire crimping portion 22 to inner housing 51 when energized, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in crimp terminal 3.

[0060] As described above, the connector 1B according to this embodiment includes the crimp terminal 3 and the outer housing 2 having the accommodation space portion 2a that accommodates the crimp terminal 3. The wire crimping portion 22 is formed to stand from both ends in the width direction Y of the bottom wall portion 31, and has a pair of crimping pieces 32 that are crimped so as to wrap around the core wire exposed portion W1a placed on the bottom wall portion 31. In a crimped state in which the wire crimping portion 22 is crimped to the core wire exposed portion W1a, the crimping pieces 32 have an outer uneven surface 35 that is formed in an alternating uneven shape on the outer surface of the crimping pieces 32 along the circumferential direction of the wire crimping portion 22.

[0061] The connector 1B further includes an inner housing 51 that is accommodated in the accommodating space 2a and holds the crimped terminal 3. The inner housing 51 has an inner concave-convex surface 55 on an inner peripheral surface 53 of the housing that fits into the outer concave-convex surface 35 in the crimped state.

[0062] The connector 1B, by fitting the outer concave-convex surface 35 and the inner concave-convex surface 55, can suppress rattling of the crimp terminal 3 caused by external vibrations, particularly vibrations in a direction intersecting the axial direction X.

[0063] In the above-described second modified connector 1B, the crimp terminal 3 is combined with the inner housing 51, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the crimp terminal 3A of the first modified connector may be combined with the inner housing 51.

[0064] In the above embodiment and modified example, the terminal connection portion 21 has been described as having a female terminal shape, but is not limited to this and may have a male terminal shape.

[0065] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and modified examples, the connectors 1, 1A, 1B have been described as shielded connectors, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0066] The connectors 1, 1A, 1B and the crimp terminals 3, 3A according to the present embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiment and modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1,1A,1B Connector 2 Outer housing 2a Storage space 3,3A crimp terminal 4 Inner housing 21 Terminal connection part 22,22A Wire crimping part 31,31A Bottom wall part 32, 32A Crimping piece 33 Outer surface 35 Outer uneven surface 51 Inner housing 52 Storage space 53 Housing inner surface 55 Inner uneven surface W electric wire W1a exposed core

Claims

1. a crimp terminal having an electric wire crimping portion that is crimped to an exposed core portion provided at an end of the electric wire; a housing having an accommodating space for accommodating the crimp terminal; The wire crimping portion is A bottom wall portion; a pair of crimping pieces formed to stand on both ends in a width direction of the bottom wall portion and crimped so as to be wrapped around the exposed core portion placed on the bottom wall portion, The crimping piece has an outer concave-convex surface that is formed in an alternating concave-convex shape along the circumferential direction of the electric wire crimping portion when the electric wire crimping portion is crimped to the exposed core portion. A connector characterized by:

2. The crimping piece is On the outer surface of the crimping piece, the outer uneven surface is formed on the bottom wall portion side in the extending direction of the crimping piece, and an outer smooth surface formed smoother than the outer uneven surface is formed on the tip side opposite to the bottom wall portion. The connector of claim 1 .

3. an inner housing that is accommodated in the accommodating space and that holds the crimp terminal in the crimped state; The inner housing has an inner peripheral surface having a housing concave-convex surface that fits with the outer concave-convex surface in the crimped state.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The electric wire crimping portion has an inner uneven surface that is formed in an uneven shape in an alternating manner along the circumferential direction from a bottom surface of the bottom wall portion to an inner surface of each of the crimping pieces in the crimped state.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The outer uneven surface and the inner uneven surface are both In the crimped state, the core wire is formed to extend in the axial direction of the exposed core wire portion along a direction perpendicular to the width direction. The connector according to claim 4.

6. The wire crimping portion is crimped to the exposed core portion provided at the end of the wire, The wire crimping portion is A bottom wall portion; a pair of crimping pieces formed to stand on both ends in a width direction of the bottom wall portion and crimped so as to be wrapped around the exposed core portion placed on the bottom wall portion, The crimping piece has an outer concave-convex surface that is formed in an alternating concave-convex shape along the circumferential direction of the electric wire crimping portion when the electric wire crimping portion is crimped to the exposed core portion. A crimp terminal characterized by:

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