Terminal-equipped electric wire

Abstract

To provide a terminal-equipped electric wire that can surely prevent liquid infiltration from an end on a terminal fitting side of a water stop tube, and bring a terminal part of the terminal fitting into contact with a connection target surface to suppress excessive outflow of an adhesive agent to the terminal side of the terminal fitting.SOLUTION: A terminal-equipped electric wire includes: an electric wire 2 including a core wire 2a of which a periphery is covered by an insulator 2b; a terminal fitting 3 having a core wire connection 3a connected to an end of the core wire 2a at one end side, a flat-plate terminal 3b connected to a connection target surface at another end, and an intermediate part 3c that continuously extends from the terminal 3b and is provided between the core wire connection 3a and the terminal 3b; and a water stop tube 4 that includes an adhesive layer formed of an adhesive inside a heat-shrinkage tube 4a and covering the insulator 2b of the electric wire 2 to the intermediate part 3c of the terminal fitting 3. The water stop tube 4 has a uniform thickness dimension of the heat-shrinkable tube 4a and the adhesive layer on the intermediate part 3c side, over the entire circumference direction of the intermediate part 3c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire with a terminal attached to an end thereof.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional wire with a terminal, there is known one including: a wire having a core wire and an outer peripheral portion of the core wire covered with an insulator; a core wire connection portion to which an end portion of the core wire is connected, provided on one end side; a flat plate-shaped terminal portion connected to a connection target surface, provided on the other end side; an intermediate portion continuously extending from the terminal portion, provided between the core wire connection portion and the terminal portion; a terminal fitting; a heat shrinkable tube formed in a tubular shape, having an adhesive layer made of a thermoplastic adhesive formed inside, and a water stop tube covering from the portion of the insulator of the wire to the intermediate portion in the terminal fitting (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the conventional wire with a terminal, with the terminal fitting attached to the end of the wire, the water stop tube before the heat shrinkable tube is shrunk is passed through so as to cover from the portion of the insulator of the wire to the intermediate portion in the terminal fitting, the water stop tube is heated to shrink the heat shrinkable tube, and the heat shrinkable tube is pressed against the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting by a pressing member, thereby closing a gap between the terminal fitting and the water stop tube and preventing liquid from entering from the terminal portion into the core wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional wire with terminals, when the heat shrinkable tube is pressed against the middle part of the terminal fitting by the pressing member, the heat shrinkable tube is likely to undergo plastic deformation and break, and it may become impossible to prevent the intrusion of liquid from the end on the terminal fitting side of the water stop tube. Further, in the conventional wire with terminals, the heat shrinkable tube is pressed against the middle part of the terminal fitting to such an extent that the heat shrinkable tube undergoes plastic deformation by the pressing member, and by pressing up to the tube end, the adhesive may flow out from the end of the heat shrinkable tube to the terminal part side of the terminal fitting, and the contact state between the terminal part and the connection target surface may deteriorate.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a wire with terminals that can surely prevent the intrusion of liquid from the end on the terminal fitting side of the water stop tube, surely bring the terminal part of the terminal fitting into contact with the connection target surface, and prevent the adhesive from flowing out excessively to the terminal part side of the terminal fitting.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The wire with terminals according to the present invention has a core wire, a wire in which the outer peripheral part of the core wire is covered by an insulator, a core wire connection part to which the end of the core wire is connected is provided on one end side, a flat terminal part connected to a connection target surface is provided on the other end side, a terminal fitting in which an intermediate part continuously extending from the terminal part is provided between the core wire connection part and the terminal part, a heat shrinkable tube that shrinks by heating, an adhesive layer made of a thermoplastic adhesive is formed inside the heat shrinkable tube, and a water stop tube that covers from the insulator part of the wire to the intermediate part in the terminal fitting, and in the water stop tube, the thickness dimensions of the heat shrinkable tube and the adhesive layer on the intermediate part side are uniform over the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate part.

[0008] Further, in the wire with terminals according to the present invention, it is preferable that the core wire has a cross-sectional area of 50 square millimeters or more.

[0009] In addition, in the wire with a terminal according to the present invention, an insertion hole into which a rod-shaped fixing member can be inserted is formed in the terminal portion, and the terminal fitting is fixed to the connection target surface by the fixing member inserted into the insertion hole, which is preferable.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to uniformly exhibit the water-stopping performance on the intermediate portion side of the water-stopping tube over the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate portion, and it becomes possible to surely prevent the intrusion of liquid from the end portion on the intermediate portion side of the water-stopping tube. Further, it is possible to prevent the adhesive of the water-stopping tube from reaching from a part in the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate portion to the portion in contact with the connection target surface in the terminal portion, and it becomes possible to surely connect the terminal portion of the terminal fitting to the connection target surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] FIGS. 1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a main part of a wire with a terminal, FIG. 2 is a side view of a main part of a wire with a terminal, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a main part showing a connection state between a wire and a terminal fitting, and FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part showing a connection state between a wire and a terminal fitting.

[0013] The wire with a terminal 1 of the present embodiment is for connecting, for example, a battery mounted on a vehicle and an electronic device and supplying electric power from the battery to the electronic device.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wire 1 with terminals includes a wire 2 for transmitting power, a terminal fitting 3 connected to the end of the wire 2, and a water-stop tube 4 covering the connection portion between the end of the wire 2 and the terminal fitting 3.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wire 2 has, for example, a core wire 2a formed by twisting a plurality of metal wires made of an alloy containing aluminum, and an insulator 2b covering the outer peripheral portion of the core wire 2a. Also, the wire 2 is a so-called single-core wire having one core wire. Further, the wire 2 is a wire with a cross-sectional area of the core wire 2a of 50 square millimeters or more, so-called 50 sq (square) or more. The wire 2 is in a state where the core wire 2a is exposed by removing the insulator 2b over a predetermined length (for example, about 15 mm) from the end.

[0016] The terminal fitting 3 is made of, for example, a metal plate made of an alloy containing copper. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal fitting 3 is provided with a core wire connection portion 3a to which the core wire 2a of the wire 2 is connected on one end side, a flat terminal portion 3b connected to the connection target surface on the other end side, and an intermediate portion 3c provided between the core wire connection portion 3a and the terminal portion 3b. Also, on one end side of the terminal fitting 3, a wire connection portion 3d to which the outer peripheral portion of the wire 2 is connected is provided adjacent to the core wire connection portion 3a.

[0017] The core wire connection portion 3a has a pair of crimping pieces 3a1 extending from both sides in the width direction of the terminal fitting 3, and is connected to the core wire 2a by pressing the pair of crimping pieces 3a1 against the outer peripheral portion of the core wire 2a.

[0018] The terminal portion 3b is formed in a flat plate shape, and an insertion hole 3b1 through which a rod-shaped fixing member can be inserted is formed. The width dimension of the terminal portion 3b is, for example, 19 mm. The terminal fitting 3 is fixed to the connection target surface by a fixing member inserted through the insertion hole 3b1. Here, the rod-shaped fixing member is, for example, a rod-shaped fastening member such as a screw, bolt, or screw having a head and a male screw portion, or a rivet having a head and a body portion.

[0019] The intermediate portion 3c extends continuously from the terminal portion 3b between the core wire connection portion 3a and the terminal portion 3b.

[0020] The wire connection portion 3d has a pair of crimping pieces 3d1 extending from both sides in the width direction of the terminal fitting 3, and is connected to the wire 2 by pressing the pair of crimping pieces 3d1 against the outer peripheral portion of the wire 2.

[0021] The water stop tube 4 has a heat shrinkable tube 4a that shrinks when heated, and an adhesive layer made of a thermoplastic adhesive is formed inside the heat shrinkable tube 4a. The heat shrinkable tube 4a is made of a resin such as vinyl chloride. The water stop tube 4 has a length dimension that covers from the portion of the insulator 2b on the end side of the wire 2 to the intermediate portion 3c of the terminal fitting 3. When heat is applied from the outside to the water stop tube 4, the heat shrinkable tube 4a shrinks and the adhesive layer melts.

[0022] In the wire with terminal 1 configured as described above, a method for attaching the terminal fitting 3 and the water stop tube 4 to the end of the wire 2 will be described.

[0023] First, by removing the insulator 2b over a predetermined length from the end of the wire 2, the core wire 2a protrudes from the end of the insulator 2b of the wire 2.

[0024] Next, on the end side of the wire 2, the pair of crimping pieces 3a1 are pressed against the exposed core wire 2a to connect the core wire connection portion 3a to the core wire 2a, and the pair of crimping pieces 3d1 are pressed against the outer peripheral portion of the insulator 2b of the wire 2 to connect the wire 2 to the wire connection portion 3d.

[0025] Finally, pass the water-stop tube 4 so as to cover from the portion of the insulator 2b on the end side of the electric wire 2 to the middle portion 3c of the terminal fitting 3. Heat the water-stop tube 4 and press the middle portion 3c of the terminal fitting 3 from both sides with a predetermined pressing force. When pressing the middle portion 3c from both sides, adjust the pressing force so that the heat-shrinkable tube 4a constituting the water-stop tube 4 does not plastically deform and the adhesive layer does not reach the portion in contact with the connection target surface at the terminal portion 3b. As a result, in the water-stop tube 4, the thickness dimension t of the heat-shrinkable tube 4a and the adhesive layer on the side of the middle portion 3c becomes uniform over the outer periphery of the middle portion 3c. Here, the thickness dimension t of the heat-shrinkable tube 4a and the adhesive layer on the side of the middle portion 3c of the water-stop tube 4 being uniform over the outer periphery of the middle portion 3c does not necessarily mean that they have exactly the same size over the outer periphery of the middle portion 3c. For example, it may have an error of about 0.1 mm.

[0026] Thus, according to the electric wire with a terminal of the present embodiment, there are provided an electric wire 2 having a core wire 2a and the outer peripheral portion of the core wire 2a covered by an insulator 2b, a core wire connection portion 3a to which the end of the core wire 2a is connected provided on one end side, a flat terminal portion 3b connected to the connection target surface provided on the other end side, a middle portion 3c continuously extending from the terminal portion 3b provided between the core wire connection portion 3a and the terminal portion 3b, a terminal fitting 3, a heat-shrinkable tube 4a that shrinks by heating, an adhesive layer made of a thermoplastic adhesive formed inside the heat-shrinkable tube 4a, and a water-stop tube 4 that covers from the portion of the insulator 2b of the electric wire 2 to the middle portion 3c in the terminal fitting 3. The water-stop tube 4 has a uniform thickness dimension of the heat-shrinkable tube 4a and the adhesive layer on the side of the middle portion 3c in the outer peripheral direction of the middle portion 3c.

[0027] As a result, it becomes possible to uniformly exhibit the water-stopping performance on the intermediate portion 3c side of the water-stopping tube 4 over the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate portion 3c, and it becomes possible to surely prevent the intrusion of liquid from the end portion on the intermediate portion 3c side of the water-stopping tube 4. Further, it is possible to prevent the adhesive of the water-stopping tube 4 from reaching from a part in the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate portion 2c to the portion contacting the connection target surface in the terminal portion 3b, and it becomes possible to surely connect the terminal portion 3b of the terminal fitting 3 to the connection target surface.

[0028] Also, it is preferable that the core wire 2a has a cross-sectional area of 50 square millimeters or more.

[0029] As a result, even when connecting the terminal fitting 3 to the large-diameter electric wire 2, it becomes possible to surely exhibit the water-stopping performance of the water-stopping tube 4, and it becomes possible to surely bring the terminal portion 3b of the terminal fitting 3 into contact with the connection target surface.

[0030] Also, an insertion hole 3b1 into which a rod-shaped fixing member can be inserted is formed in the terminal portion 3b, and it is preferable that the terminal fitting 3 is fixed to the connection target surface by the fixing member inserted through the insertion hole 3b1.

[0031] As a result, it becomes possible to surely bring the terminal portion 3b into contact with the connection target surface.

[0032] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the electric wire with a terminal for connecting a battery mounted on a vehicle and an electronic device, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention is applicable to an electric wire with a terminal for connecting between a power source and a device or between one device and another device.

[0033] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a single-core electric wire having one core wire, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is applicable when connecting a terminal fitting to each core wire of a two-core or more electric wire having a plurality of core wires, or when connecting a terminal fitting to the end portion of a wire harness in which a plurality of electric wires are bundled.

[0034] Also, in the above embodiment, an electric wire having a core wire made of an alloy containing aluminum was shown, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The core wire constituting the electric wire may be made of, for example, aluminum, copper, or an alloy containing copper.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1 Electric wire with terminal 2 Electric wire 2a Core wire 2b Insulator 3 Terminal fitting 3a Core wire connection part 3b Terminal part 3b1 Insertion hole 3c Intermediate part 4 Water stop tube 4a Heat shrinkable tube

Claims

1. A wire having a core wire, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the core wire is covered by an insulator; A terminal fitting provided with a core wire connection portion to which an end portion of the core wire is connected on one end side, and a flat terminal portion connected to a connection target surface on the other end side, and an intermediate portion continuously extending from the terminal portion is provided between the core wire connection portion and the terminal portion; A heat shrinkable tube that shrinks by heating, an adhesive layer made of a thermoplastic adhesive is formed inside the heat shrinkable tube, and a water stop tube covering from the insulator portion of the wire to the intermediate portion of the terminal fitting; and In the water stop tube, the thickness dimensions of the heat shrinkable tube and the adhesive layer on the intermediate portion side are uniform over the outer peripheral direction of the intermediate portion A wire with a terminal.

2. The core wire has a cross-sectional area of 50 square millimeters or more The wire with a terminal according to Claim 1.

3. An insertion hole through which a rod-shaped fixing member can be inserted is formed in the terminal portion, The terminal fitting is fixed to the connection target surface by the fixing member inserted through the insertion hole The wire with a terminal according to Claim 1.

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