Electric wire with terminal and terminal used in the same

Abstract

To provide an electric wire with a terminal which can inhibit increase of an insertion force of a connector housing applied to a terminal housing chamber even if a sealing material having fluidity is cured to form a sealing part, and to provide a terminal used in the electric wire with the terminal.SOLUTION: An electric wire 3 with a terminal includes: an electric wire 4; a terminal 5 having an electric wire connection part 52 electrically connected to a conductor 41 of the electric wire 4; and a sealing part 6 covering an exposed part 411 of the conductor 41. Further, the electric wire connection part 52 includes: a conductor fixing part 522 which fixes the conductor 41 in an electrically connecting state; a covering fixing part 523 which fixes an insulation cover 42; and a joint part 524 which connects the conductor fixing part 522 with the covering fixing part 523 and in which the exposed part 411 of the conductor 41 is placed. An oleophilic part 52432 which can inhibit outflow of a sealing material 61 to an outer surface 52b is formed in at least a portion, which forms an end surface 5243 of the joint part 524, of an end surface 52c of the electric wire connection part 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire with a terminal and a terminal used in the electric wire with a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional electric wire with terminal of this type is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In Patent Document 1, the electric wire with terminal includes an electric wire having a conductor and an insulating coating that covers the conductor, and a terminal having an electric wire connecting portion that is electrically connected to an exposed portion of the conductor at the end portion (tip portion) of the electric wire.

[0003] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the electric wire with terminal is provided with a sealing portion formed so as to entirely cover the exposed portion of the conductor, which makes it possible to suppress the intrusion of water into the contact point between the conductor and the electric wire connection portion, thereby making it possible to prevent galvanic corrosion caused by the intrusion of water into the contact point between the conductor and the electric wire connection portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-225171 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-described conventional technology, a fluid sealant is applied to cover the exposed portion of the conductor, and then cured to form a seal that prevents water from penetrating into the contact point between the conductor and the wire connection portion. Therefore, when the sealant is applied to cover the exposed portion of the conductor, it may flow and flow out to the sides of the wire connection portion, resulting in adhesion of the sealant to the sides of the wire connection portion. Furthermore, if the sealant is cured while adhering to the sides of the wire connection portion, a seal that bulges significantly will be formed on the sides of the wire connection portion.

[0006] If a sealing portion that bulges out to the side of the wire connection portion is formed in this way, there is a risk that the sealing portion will interfere with the wall of the connector housing when inserting the electric wire with terminal into the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing. If the sealing portion interferes with the wall of the connector housing, there is a risk that the insertion force for the electric wire with terminal into the connector housing will increase or that the electric wire with terminal cannot be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire with a terminal and a terminal for use with the electric wire with a terminal that can suppress an increase in insertion force into a terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing, even when a sealing portion is formed by curing a fluid sealing material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An electric wire with a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention is an electric wire with a terminal that is inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing, and comprises: an electric wire having a conductor and an insulating coating that covers the conductor; a terminal having an electric wire connection portion that is electrically connected to the conductor; and a sealing portion that is formed by hardening a fluid sealing material and covers the exposed portion of the conductor, wherein the electric wire connection portion comprises a conductor fixing portion that fixes the conductor in an electrically connected state, a coating fixing portion that fixes the insulating coating, and a joint portion that connects the conductor fixing portion and the coating fixing portion and on which the exposed portion of the conductor is placed, and the electric wire connection portion is formed with an inner surface located on the side where the electric wire is arranged, an outer surface located opposite the side where the electric wire is arranged, and an end surface that connects the inner surface and the outer surface, and at least a portion of the end surface that becomes the end surface of the joint portion is formed with an oleophilic portion that can suppress the outflow of the sealing material to the outer surface.

[0009] A terminal according to an aspect of the present invention is used in the above-mentioned electric wire with terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a terminal-equipped electric wire and a terminal used with the terminal-equipped electric wire that can suppress an increase in the insertion force into the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector housing, even when the sealing portion is formed by hardening a fluid sealing material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a connector and a mating connector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a state before an electric wire is connected to a terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of a state after the electric wires are connected to the terminals. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which a sealing material is applied and hardened after an electric wire is connected to a terminal. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an example of an electric wire with a terminal, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at a joint. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first modified example of the electric wire with terminal, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at the joint. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a second modified example of the electric wire with terminal, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at the joint. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a third modified example of the electric wire with terminal, taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction at the joint. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, the electric wire with terminal and the terminal used in the electric wire with terminal according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0013] In the following description, the direction in which the electric wire extends is defined as the front-rear direction, the direction in which the electric wire moves relative to the terminal when the electric wire is placed on the terminal is defined as the up-down direction, and the direction intersecting the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the width direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the description will be given by defining the up-down direction of each component in a state where the electric wire with terminal is positioned so that the electric wire is located at the top and the terminal is located at the bottom. The connector and the mating connector will be described by defining the sides that face each other when mated as the front side in the front-to-back direction. That is, the connector will be described by defining the side that faces the mating connector when mated with the mating connector as the front side in the front-to-back direction. The mating connector will be described by defining the side that faces the connector when mated as the front side in the front-to-back direction.

[0015] [Explanation of connector and mating connector] First, the connector 1 according to this embodiment and the mating connector 2 will be described.

[0016] 1, the connector 1 according to this embodiment includes a connector housing 11 in which a terminal accommodating chamber 111 is formed, and a terminal-equipped electric wire 3 inserted and held in the terminal accommodating chamber 111. On the other hand, the mating connector 2 includes a mating connector housing 21 in which a mating terminal accommodating chamber 211 is formed, and a mating terminal-equipped electric wire 3 inserted and held in the mating terminal accommodating chamber 211.

[0017] Then, by fitting the connector housing 11 into which the terminal-equipped electric wire 3 is inserted into the mating connector housing 21 into which the mating terminal-equipped electric wire 3 is inserted, the wire 4 of the terminal-equipped electric wire 3 and the wire 4 of the mating terminal-equipped electric wire 3 are electrically connected.

[0018] As described above, the electric wire with terminal 3 according to this embodiment is inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber formed in the connector housing of the connector. This electric wire with terminal 3 includes an electric wire 4 having a conductor 41 and an insulating coating 42 that covers the conductor 41, and a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 that holds the electric wire 4 in a state where the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 is electrically connected. Then, the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 with the electric wire 4 connected thereto is inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber formed in the connector housing, so that the electric wire with terminal 3 is held in the connector housing.

[0019] 1 illustrates an example in which the electric wire with terminal 3 is inserted into each of the terminal accommodating chamber 111 and the mating terminal accommodating chamber 211, but it is not necessary to insert the electric wire with terminal 3 into each of the terminal accommodating chamber 111 and the mating terminal accommodating chamber 211. In other words, it is also possible to configure the electric wire with terminal 3 to be inserted into either one of the terminal accommodating chamber 111 and the mating terminal accommodating chamber 211, and to insert a terminal other than the electric wire with terminal 3 into the other accommodating chamber.

[0020] In this embodiment, the connector housing 11 has an external shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 111 are formed so as to penetrate the connector housing 11 in the front-rear direction. Such a connector housing 11 can be formed of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0021] In each terminal accommodating chamber 111, a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 of a female terminal-attached electric wire 3 is arranged in a state where it is positioned by a lance or the like (not shown). Note that only one female terminal-attached electric wire 3 is shown in Fig. 1.

[0022] On the other hand, the mating connector housing 21 also has an external shape that is approximately rectangular parallelepiped, and a plurality of mating terminal accommodating chambers 211 are formed so as to penetrate through this connector housing 21 in the front-to-rear direction. The mating connector housing 21 can also be made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

[0023] In each terminal accommodating chamber 211, a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 of a male terminal-attached electric wire 3 is arranged in a state where it is positioned by a lance or the like (not shown). Note that only one male terminal-attached electric wire 3 is shown in Fig. 1.

[0024] Furthermore, in front of the terminal accommodating chamber 211 in the mating connector housing 21, a connector mating chamber 212 into which the connector housing 11 is inserted and fitted is formed, which opens forward and is connected to each terminal accommodating chamber 211.

[0025] [Terminal Description] Next, the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0026] The female crimp terminal (terminal) 5 includes an electrical connection portion 51 located at the front, and an electric wire connection portion 52 connected to the rear end of the electrical connection portion 51 and to which the electric wire 4 is connected.

[0027] On the other hand, the male crimp terminal (terminal) 5 includes an electrical connection portion 51A located at the front, and an electrical wire connection portion 52 connected to the rear end of the electrical connection portion 51A and to which the electrical wire 4 is connected.

[0028] In this embodiment, when the connector housing 11 of the connector 1 is mated with the connector housing 21 of the mating connector 2, the electrical connection portion 51 of the female-side electric wire with terminal 3 and the electrical connection portion 51 of the male-side electric wire with terminal 3 are electrically connected. This allows the electric wire 4 of the female-side electric wire with terminal 3 and the electric wire 4 of the male-side electric wire with terminal 3 to be electrically connected.

[0029] The electrical connection portion 51 of the female terminal-attached electric wire 3 has a box portion 511 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped (box-like) shape, and a spring contact portion 5111 is provided inside the box portion 511.

[0030] On the other hand, the electrical connection portion 51 of the male terminal-attached electric wire 3 has a rod-shaped tab portion 511A that protrudes forward. This tab portion 511A is formed so as to protrude into the connector fitting chamber 212 when the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 of the male terminal-attached electric wire 3 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 211 from behind.

[0031] When the connector housing 11 is fitted into the connector fitting chamber 212 of the mating connector housing 21, the tab portion 511A of the male terminal 5 is inserted into the box portion 511 which is the female electrical connection portion 51. At this time, the tab portion 511A inserted into the box portion 511 is electrically connected to the female electrical connection portion 51 with the spring return force of the spring contact portion 5111 acting as a contact load.

[0032] In this embodiment, the electric wire connection portion 52 of the female crimp terminal (terminal) 5 and the electric wire connection portion 52 of the male crimp terminal (terminal) 5 have substantially the same shape. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used to denote the components of the electric wire connection portion 52 of the female crimp terminal (terminal) 5 and the electric wire connection portion 52 of the male crimp terminal (terminal) 5, and the female terminal-attached electric wire 3 is shown in Figures 2 to 9. Further, a description of the components of the electric wire connection portion 52 of the male crimp terminal (terminal) 5 is omitted.

[0033] In the following, a specific configuration of the electric wire connecting portion 52 common to the female crimp terminal (terminal) 5 and the male crimp terminal (terminal) 5 will be described.

[0034] 2, the electric wire connecting portion 52 includes a neck portion 521 connected to the electrical connecting portion 51, and a conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B where the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 is crimped (fixed). The electric wire connecting portion 52 also includes a covering crimping portion (covering fixing portion) 523B where the insulating covering 42 of the electric wire 4 is crimped (fixed). The electric wire connecting portion 52 also includes a joint portion (joint) 524 connecting the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B and the covering crimping portion (covering fixing portion) 523B.

[0035] In this embodiment, low side walls extending upward are formed on both ends in the width direction of neck portion 521. This increases the rigidity of neck portion 521 and prevents electrical connection portion 51 from bending up and down from neck portion 521. Note that it is also possible to use neck portion 521 without low side walls.

[0036] The conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B is connected to the rear end of the neck portion 521, and includes a bottom plate 5221B and a pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B connected to both widthwise ends of the bottom plate 5221B so as to protrude upward. The conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B is formed into a generally U-shaped cross section by the bottom plate 5221B and the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B.

[0037] Then, by bending the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B inward so as to wrap around the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4, the conductor 41 is crimped so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate 5221B. In this manner, the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B are crimped to the conductor 41 exposed from the insulating coating 42 (exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41), thereby forming a conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 of the terminal-attached electric wire 3. In this manner, in this embodiment, the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 comes into direct contact with the conductor 41 exposed by removing the insulating coating 42 from the end portion of the electric wire 4.

[0038] On the other hand, planned cover crimping portion (planned cover fixing portion) 523B includes a bottom plate 5231B and a pair of cover crimping pieces 5232B that are continuously provided so as to protrude upward from both widthwise ends of bottom plate 5231B. The pair of cover crimping pieces 5232B are formed to be spaced rearward from the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B. Planned cover crimping portion (planned cover fixing portion) 523B is formed into a generally U-shaped cross section by bottom plate 5231B and the pair of cover crimping pieces 5232B.

[0039] Then, by bending the pair of sheath crimping pieces 5232B inward so as to enclose the portion of the electric wire 4 with the insulating sheath 42, the insulating sheath 42 of the electric wire 4 is crimped so that it is in close contact with the inner surface of the bottom plate 5231B. In this way, a sheath crimping portion (sheath fixing portion) 523 of the terminal-attached electric wire 3 is formed. At this time, it is also possible to attach a waterproof plug (not shown) to the outer periphery of the electric wire 4 so that the waterproof plug and the insulating sheath 42 are fastened together by the pair of sheath crimping pieces 5232B. In this way, the waterproof plug can seal the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211, and it is possible to prevent water and the like from entering the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211 from the electric wire pull-out side (the rear side of the connector housing 11 and the mating connector housing 21).

[0040] The connecting portion (joint) 524 connects the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B and the coating crimping portion (coating fixing portion) 523B, and is formed in a generally U-shape in cross section. In this embodiment, the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 is placed on the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0041] In this embodiment, the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 is formed by bending a single plate-like member. Therefore, the entire area from the bottom plate (not shown) of the front electrical connection portion 51 to the bottom plate 5231B of the intended sheath crimping portion (intended sheath fixing portion) 523B is formed as a single, common, continuous bottom plate. The front and rear ends of the low-profile side plates of the neck portion 521 are continuous with the rear ends of the side plates of the electrical connection portion 51 and the lower halves of the front ends of the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B of the intended conductor crimping portion (intended conductor fixing portion) 522B, respectively. Similarly, the front and rear ends of the low-profile side portions of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524 are continuous with the rear ends of the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B of the intended conductor crimping portion (intended conductor fixing portion) 522B and the lower halves of the front ends of the pair of sheath crimping pieces 5232B of the intended sheath crimping portion (intended sheath fixing portion) 523B, respectively.

[0042] Thus, in this embodiment, the wire connection portion 52 is formed with an inner surface 52a located on the side where the wire 4 is arranged, an outer surface 52b located on the opposite side from the side where the wire 4 is arranged, and an end surface 52c connecting the inner surface 52a and the outer surface 52b.

[0043] A highly conductive metal can be used as the material of this crimp terminal (terminal) 5. The material of the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 may be, for example, copper, a copper alloy, stainless steel, gold-plated copper, silver-plated copper, tin-plated copper, tin-plated copper alloy, or tin-plated stainless steel.

[0044] 3, a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 is connected to the electric wire 4 to obtain an electric wire with terminal 3. By combining such electric wires with terminal 3, a wire harness for use in a vehicle such as an automobile can be manufactured. In this way, in this embodiment, the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 is used in the electric wire with terminal 3.

[0045] [Explanation of the manufacturing method for electric wires with terminals] Next, a method for manufacturing the terminal-fitted electric wire 3 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0046] 2 and 3, the end portion of the electric wire 4 is inserted into the bottom plate of the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 having the above-described configuration. In this embodiment, the electric wire 4 is inserted into the bottom plate of the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 so that the conductor 41 is exposed from the insulating coating 42 at the end portion (tip portion). In other words, the end portion of the electric wire 4 having the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 formed at the tip is inserted into the bottom plate of the crimp terminal (terminal) 5.

[0047] The tip of the exposed conductor 41 is placed on the rear end of the inner surface (part of the inner surface 52a) of the neck portion 521, and the exposed conductor 41 is placed on the inner surface (part of the inner surface 52a) of the bottom plate 5221B of the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B.

[0048] Furthermore, the front ends of the exposed conductor 41 and the insulating coating 42 are placed on the inner surface 5241 (part of the inner surface 52a) of the connecting portion (joint) 524. That is, the boundary between the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 and the portion with the insulating coating 42 is placed on the inner surface 5241 (part of the inner surface 52a) of the connecting portion (joint) 524. It is also possible to place the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 on the entire inner surface 5241 (part of the inner surface 52a) of the connecting portion (joint) 524. That is, it is also possible to place the end portion of the electric wire 4 on the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 with the boundary between the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 and the portion with the insulating coating 42 approximately aligned with the front end of the portion to be sheathed (portion to be sheathed and fixed) 523B.

[0049] The portion of the wire 4 with the insulating coating 42 attached thereto is placed on the inner surface (part of the inner surface 52a) of the bottom plate 5231B of the coating caulking portion (coating fixing portion) 523B.

[0050] Next, the pair of conductor crimping pieces 5222B of the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522B are bent inward to wrap around the conductor 41, and the tips of the conductor crimping pieces 5222B are rubbed against each other while biting into the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4, thereby crimping the conductor crimping pieces 5222B. In this way, the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 of the electric wire with terminal 3 is formed.

[0051] Furthermore, the pair of cover crimping pieces 5232B of the planned cover crimping portion (planned cover fixing portion) 523B are bent inward to enclose the portion with the insulating cover 42, thereby crimping the insulating cover 42 so that it is in close contact with the upper surface of the bottom plate. In this way, the cover crimping portion (cover fixing portion) 523 of the electric wire with terminal 3 is formed by crimping the insulating cover 42 with the pair of cover crimping pieces 5232B.

[0052] The formation of the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 and the formation of the coating tightening portion (coating fixing portion) 523 may be performed simultaneously, or one of them may be formed first and then the other may be formed.

[0053] In this way, by crimping the electric wire 4 to the crimp terminal (terminal) 5, the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 can be electrically and mechanically connected to the electric wire 4, and the electric wire with terminal 3 can be manufactured.

[0054] The conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 may be composed of only one strand, or may be a bunched stranded wire formed by bundling multiple strands. The conductor 41 may be composed of only one twisted wire, or may be a concentric twisted wire formed by bundling multiple bunched twisted wires. Such a conductor 41 can be made of a metal with high conductivity. The material of the conductor 41 may be, for example, copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof. From the viewpoint of weight reduction, the conductor 41 is preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0055] Furthermore, a thermoplastic resin that can ensure electrical insulation can be used as the material for the insulating coating 42 of the electric wire 4. The material for the insulating coating 42 may contain, for example, at least one of an olefin-based resin and polyvinyl chloride. The olefin-based resin may contain, for example, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), an ethylene copolymer, and a propylene copolymer.

[0056] However, when the electric wire with terminal 3 is formed by simply crimping the electric wire 4 to the crimp terminal (terminal) 5, the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 is exposed to the outside. If the electric wire with terminal 3 is used in a state in which the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 is exposed to the outside, water may enter the contact point between the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5, causing corrosion.

[0057] In particular, in recent years, from the viewpoint of improving fuel efficiency by reducing the weight of vehicles, there has been an increasing number of cases in which aluminum is used as the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 that constitutes the wire harness. Also, as the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 connected to the conductor 41, copper or a copper alloy, which has excellent electrical properties, is generally used.

[0058] In this way, when the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 are made of different materials, corrosion is likely to occur at the joint between the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 due to the difference in ionization tendency.

[0059] Therefore, in this embodiment, a sealing portion 6 is provided at the joint between the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5, so that corrosion can be prevented.

[0060] Specifically, a liquid sealing material (a sealing material having fluidity) 61 is applied to the portion where the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 come into contact, such as the joint between the conductor 41 and the connecting portion (joint portion) 524, and is then hardened to form the sealing portion 6.

[0061] For example, an ultraviolet curable resin can be used as the sealing material 61. If an ultraviolet curable resin is used as the sealing material 61, it can be instantly cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet light.

[0062] Therefore, in this embodiment, ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the electric wire 4 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 to which the ultraviolet-curable resin has been applied using an ultraviolet irradiation device 7, thereby instantly curing the ultraviolet-curable resin and forming a sealing portion 6 on the surface of the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 and the electric wire 4.

[0063] At this time, it is preferable to apply the sealing material 61 so as to cover the joint between the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5. Specifically, it is preferable to apply the sealing material 61 so as to straddle the tip of the conductor 41 of the electric wire 4 and cover part of the neck portion 521, and also so as to straddle the boundary between the coating crimping portion (coating fixing portion) 523 and the insulating coating 42 and cover part of the insulating coating 42. This can ensure higher corrosion prevention performance.

[0064] The amount and duration of ultraviolet irradiation can be appropriately determined depending on the ultraviolet curable resin used and the amount of coating.

[0065] It is known that UV-curable resins are inhibited in their reaction when they come into contact with oxygen during curing. This reaction inhibition occurs when oxygen in the air reacts with radicals generated by the photopolymerization initiator, eliminating the radicals, slowing down the polymerization reaction of the UV-curable resin and preventing the resin from curing sufficiently. Therefore, it is preferable to use a UV-curable resin that is less susceptible to oxygen curing inhibition.

[0066] After the ultraviolet curable resin is cured by irradiating it with ultraviolet rays, a step of cooling the sealing portion 6 may be carried out as needed. As a method for cooling the sealing portion 6, for example, a method of cooling the sealing portion 6 by blowing air and bringing it into contact with the sealing portion 6 may be mentioned.

[0067] Note that corrosion may occur even when the materials of the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 are both aluminum or copper, for example. Therefore, even when the materials of the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 are the same, it is preferable to provide the sealing portion 6.

[0068] As described above, in this embodiment, the sealing portion 6 is formed by applying a fluid sealing material 61 to the joint between the conductor 41 and the crimp terminal (terminal) 5 and then hardening the sealing material 61.

[0069] At this time, in order to further improve the sealing properties of the sealing portion 6, it is preferable to apply a fluid sealing material 61 so as to entirely cover the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41, and then harden the sealing material 61.

[0070] However, since the sealing material 61 has fluidity, if the sealing material 61 is applied so as to completely cover the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41, the sealing material 61 may flow and flow out to the side of the wire connection portion 52, and the sealing material 61 may adhere to the side of the wire connection portion 52.

[0071] If the sealing material 61 is cured while it is attached to the side of the electric wire connection portion 52, a sealing portion 6 that bulges out significantly will be formed on the side of the electric wire connection portion 52.

[0072] If the sealing portion 6 is formed so as to bulge out to the side of the electric wire connecting portion 52 in this manner, there is a risk that the sealing portion 6 will interfere with the wall of the connector housing 11 when the electric wire with terminal 3 is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 111 of the connector housing 11. If the sealing portion 6 interferes with the wall of the connector housing 11, there is a risk that the insertion force required to insert the electric wire with terminal 3 into the connector housing 11 will increase. There is also a risk that the electric wire with terminal 3 will not be able to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber 111 of the connector housing 11.

[0073] In particular, when an attempt is made to miniaturize the connector 1, the size of the electrical connection portion 51 and the terminal accommodating chamber 111 must be reduced, which increases the possibility of the above problems occurring.

[0074] Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the sealing portion 6 is formed by hardening the fluid sealing material 61, it is possible to improve the insertion performance of the terminal-attached electric wire 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211.

[0075] Specifically, at least a portion of end face 52c that becomes end face 5243 of connecting portion (joint portion) 524 is formed with lipophilic portion 52432 that can prevent sealing material 61 from flowing out to outer surface 52b.

[0076] This allows the lipophilic portion 52432 to retain the sealing material 61 when the sealing material 61 is applied so as to entirely cover the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41. This makes it possible to prevent the flowing sealing material 61 from flowing out to the sides of the wire connection portion 52. As a result, the sealing material 61 is prevented from adhering to the sides of the wire connection portion 52, making it possible to prevent the formation of a sealing portion 6 that bulges out greatly to the sides of the wire connection portion 52.

[0077] This makes it possible to prevent the sealing portion 6 from interfering with the wall of the connector housing 11, 21 when inserting the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211 of the connector housing 11, 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the insertion force of the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211 of the connector housing 11, 21.

[0078] The connecting portion (joint) 524 is formed to become wider toward the rear, and has a wide portion, and in addition, the portion has a relatively large exposed area of ​​the conductor 41. Therefore, in order to more reliably cover the entire exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 with the sealing material 61, it is necessary to apply the sealing material 61 up to the end of the connecting portion (joint) 524 in the width direction.

[0079] In this manner, in this embodiment, the connecting portion (joint) 524 is a portion where the sealing material 61 needs to be applied up to the end in the width direction, and therefore the sealing material 61 is likely to drip and adhere to the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0080] If the sealing material 61 is cured to form the sealing portion 6 while the dripping sealing material 61 is attached to the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, the sealing portion 6 will be formed on the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524. If the sealing portion 6 is formed on the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, which is relatively wide, the sealing portion 6 of the terminal-attached wire 3 will be likely to interfere with the wall of the connector housing 11.

[0081] Therefore, in this embodiment, a lipophilic portion 52432 capable of suppressing leakage of the sealing material 61 onto the outer surface 52b is formed on the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, which is a portion that is prone to dripping and is prone to interfere with the wall portion of the connector housing 11.

[0082] This lipophilic portion 52432 can also be obtained, for example, by applying a lipophilic material such as a surfactant or silicone resin to end surface 5243 of connecting portion (joint) 524 so that the entire surface of inclined surface 52431 is coated with the lipophilic material. In this way, it becomes possible to keep sealant 61 above connecting portion (joint) 524 simply by applying the lipophilic material.

[0083] In this way, by making it possible to fasten the sealing material 61 above the connecting portion (joint portion) 524, it is possible to further reduce the amount of sealing material 61 that flows down from the side of the electric wire connecting portion 52.

[0084] Therefore, a larger amount of sealing material 61 can be retained above connecting portion (joint portion) 524, and the entire exposed portion 411 of conductor 41 can be more reliably sealed with sealing portion 6. In this way, if a larger amount of sealing material 61 can be stored on end surface 5243, the sealing performance of exposed portion 411 of conductor 41 by sealing material 61 can be further improved without applying sealing material 61 unnecessarily.

[0085] The lipophilic material may also be applied to a portion of the end surface 52c of the wire connection portion 52 other than the portion that becomes the end surface 5243 of the joint portion (joint portion) 524. When applying the lipophilic material, it is preferable not to apply the lipophilic material to the outer surface 52b of the wire connection portion 52. This is because if the lipophilic material is applied to the outer surface 52b of the wire connection portion 52, it becomes impossible to prevent the sealing material 61 from adhering to the outer surface 52b of the wire connection portion 52. From the viewpoint of ensuring the conductivity of the electrical connection portion 51, it is preferable not to apply the lipophilic material to the electrical connection portion 51.

[0086] The terminal-fitted wire 3 can have a configuration shown in FIG.

[0087] In the terminal-attached electric wire 3 shown in Figure 6, at least the portion of the end surface 52c that becomes the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524 is formed with an oleophilic portion 52432 that can suppress the sealing material 61 from flowing out to the outer surface 52b.

[0088] 6, an inclined surface 52431 that slopes downward as it approaches the inside is formed at the upper end 5244 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, thereby forming a storage space 52441. That is, the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint) 524 is formed as an inclined surface 52431 that slopes inward and downward as a whole from the connecting end with the outer surface 5242 to the connecting end with the inner surface 5241, thereby forming the storage space 52441. In this way, the storage space 52441 is formed with a large opening area.

[0089] In this way, when the sealing material 61 is applied so as to entirely cover the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41, the sealing material 61 can be retained by the lipophilic portion 52432 while flowing into the storage space 52441. This makes it possible to prevent the flowing sealing material 61 from flowing out to the sides of the wire connection portion 52. As a result, adhesion of the sealing material 61 to the sides of the wire connection portion 52 is prevented, and it is possible to prevent the formation of a sealing portion 6 that bulges out greatly to the sides of the wire connection portion 52.

[0090] 6, the electric wire with terminal 3 has a storage space 52441 defined by an inclined surface 52431 on the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524, and the lipophilic portion 52432 is formed on the inclined surface 52431. This more reliably prevents the insertion force of the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211 of the connector housings 11, 21 from increasing.

[0091] The storage space 52441 can also be formed by forming a slit-shaped recess that opens upward on the inside of the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0092] The terminal-fitted wire 3 may also have a configuration shown in FIG.

[0093] In the terminal-attached electric wire 3 shown in Figure 7, at least the portion of the end surface 52c that becomes the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524 is formed with an oil-philic portion 52432 that can suppress the outflow of the sealing material 61 to the outer surface 52b.

[0094] 7, an oil-repellent portion 52421 capable of suppressing adhesion of the sealing material 61 is formed on at least a portion of the outer surface 52b that becomes the outer surface 5242 of the joint portion (joint portion) 524. FIG. 7 illustrates an example in which the oil-repellent portion 52421 is formed on the outer surface 5242 of the joint portion (joint portion) 524.

[0095] In this way, even if the flowing sealing material 61 flows out onto the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524 when the sealing material 61 is applied so as to entirely cover the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41, the sealing material 61 that has flowed out onto the outer surface 5242 can be made to fall downward. Specifically, by forming the oil-repellent portion 52421 on the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, the sealing material 61 that has flowed out onto the outer surface 5242 can be made to form droplets 611 with a large contact angle. Furthermore, by making it possible for the droplets 611 with a large contact angle to be formed on the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, the sealing material 61 can be made to fall down more reliably from the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0096] In this way, by forming the oil-repellent portion 52421 at least in the portion of the outer surface 52b that becomes the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, the sealing material 61 that has flowed out onto the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524 can be more reliably dropped downward.

[0097] Furthermore, if the sealing material 61 that has flowed out onto the outer surface 5242 can be made to fall downward more reliably, it will be possible to more reliably prevent the sealing material 61 from adhering to the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524.

[0098] This oil-repellent portion 52421 can be obtained, for example, by applying an oil-repellent material to outer surface 5242 of connecting portion (joint) 524 so that the entire surface of outer surface 5242 is coated with the oil-repellent material. In this way, simply applying the oil-repellent material can more reliably prevent sealing material 61 from adhering to outer surface 5242 of connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0099] As such an oil-repellent material, for example, a fluororesin such as Teflon (registered trademark) can be used.

[0100] The oil-repellent material may also be applied to portions of the outer surface 52b of the electric wire connection portion 52 other than the portion that becomes the outer surface 5242 of the joint portion (joint portion) 524. When applying the oil-repellent material, it is preferable not to apply the oil-repellent material to the end surface 52c of the electric wire connection portion 52. This is because if the oil-repellent material is applied to the end surface 52c of the electric wire connection portion 52, it will be impossible to keep the sealant 61 on the end surface 52c. From the viewpoint of ensuring the conductivity of the electric connection portion 51, it is preferable not to apply the oil-repellent material to the electric connection portion 51.

[0101] 7, the electric wire with terminal 3 has an oil-philic portion 52432 formed on the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint) 524, and an oil-repellent portion 52421 formed on the outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent an increase in the insertion force of the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211 of the connector housings 11, 21.

[0102] The terminal-fitted wire 3 may also have a configuration shown in FIG.

[0103] 8, a storage space 52441 defined by an inclined surface 52431 is formed on an end surface 5243 of a connecting portion (joint) 524, and an oil-philic portion 52432 is formed on the inclined surface 52431. An oil-repellent portion 52421 is formed on an outer surface 5242 of the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0104] With this configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent the insertion force of the terminal-attached electric wire 3 into the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211 of the connector housings 11, 21 from increasing.

[0105] The storage space 52441 can also be formed by forming a slit-shaped recess that opens upward on the inside of the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint) 524.

[0106] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the electric wire with terminal and the terminal used in the electric wire with terminal shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, and the effects obtained thereby.

[0107] The terminal-attached electric wire 3 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example is inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers 111 and 211 of the connector housings 11 and 21.

[0108] The electric wire with terminal 3 includes an electric wire 4 having a conductor 41 and an insulating coating 42 that covers the conductor 41, and a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 having an electric wire connection portion 52 that is electrically connected to the conductor 41. Furthermore, the electric wire with terminal 3 includes a sealing portion 6 that is formed by curing a sealing material 61 having fluidity and that covers an exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41.

[0109] The electric wire connecting portion 52 includes a conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 that fixes the conductor 41 in an electrically connected state, and a covering crimping portion (cover fixing portion) 523 that fixes the insulating covering 42. The electric wire connecting portion 52 further includes a joining portion (joint portion) 524 that connects the conductor crimping portion (conductor fixing portion) 522 and the covering crimping portion (cover fixing portion) 523, and on which the exposed portion 411 of the conductor 41 is placed.

[0110] The electric wire connection portion 52 is formed with an inner surface 52a located on the side where the electric wire 4 is arranged, an outer surface 52b located on the opposite side from the side where the electric wire 4 is arranged, and an end surface 52c connecting the inner surface 52a and the outer surface 52b.

[0111] At least a portion of the end surface 52c that will become the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524 is formed with a lipophilic portion 52432 that can prevent the sealing material 61 from flowing out to the outer surface 52b.

[0112] In this way, when sealing material 61 is applied so as to entirely cover exposed portion 411 of conductor 41, sealing material 61 can be retained by lipophilic portion 52432, and it is possible to prevent flowing sealing material 61 from flowing out to the sides of wire connection portion 52. As a result, it is possible to prevent sealing material 61 from adhering to the sides of wire connection portion 52, and to prevent a sealing portion 6 that bulges out greatly from being formed on the sides of wire connection portion 52.

[0113] This makes it possible to prevent the sealing portion 6 from interfering with the wall of the connector housing 11, 21 when inserting the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211 of the connector housing 11, 21. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the insertion force of the electric wire with terminal 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211 of the connector housing 11, 21.

[0114] In addition, in the terminal-attached electric wire 3 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, an oil-philic portion 52432 is formed on the end surface 5243 of the connecting portion (joint portion) 524, and this oil-philic portion 52432 enables the sealing material 61 to be secured above the connecting portion (joint portion) 524.

[0115] This makes it possible to further reduce the amount of sealing material 61 that flows down from the side of wire connection portion 52. Therefore, a larger amount of sealing material 61 can be retained above connecting portion (joint) 524, making it possible to more reliably seal the entire exposed portion 411 of conductor 41 with sealing portion 6. In this way, if sealing material 61 can be retained above connecting portion (joint) 524 by lipophilic portion 52432, the sealing performance of sealing material 61 around exposed portion 411 of conductor 41 can be further improved without applying sealing material 61 unnecessarily.

[0116] As described above, with the terminal-attached wire 3 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example, it is possible to improve the insertion performance of the terminal-attached wire 3 into the terminal accommodating chamber 111, 211 even when the sealing portion 6 is formed by hardening the fluid sealing material 61.

[0117] The lipophilic portion may be formed by applying a lipophilic material to at least a portion of the end surface that will become the end surface of the joint.

[0118] In this way, by simply applying the lipophilic material, the sealing material 61 can be held above the connecting portion (joint portion) 524. Therefore, it is possible to more easily obtain the terminal-attached electric wire 3 that can further improve the insertion performance into the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211.

[0119] The crimp terminal (terminal) 5 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example is used in the electric wire with terminal 3 described above.

[0120] In this way, even when the sealing portion 6 is formed by hardening a fluid sealing material 61, it is possible to obtain a crimp terminal (terminal) 5 that can suppress an increase in the insertion force into the terminal accommodating chambers 111, 211 of the connector housings 11, 21.

[0121] [others] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

[0122] For example, it is possible to appropriately change the specifications of the electrical connections, the electric wire connections, and other details (shape, size, layout, etc.). [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 11 Connector housing 111 Terminal housing 21 Connector housing 211 Terminal housing 3 Wires with terminals 4 electric wire 41 Conductor 411 Exposed part 42 Insulation coating 5 Crimp terminals (terminals) 52 Wire connection 52a Inner surface 52b External surface 52c end face 522 Conductor crimping part (conductor fixing part) 523 Coverage tightening part (coverage fixing part) 524 Joint 5243 End face 52432 Lipophilic part 6 Sealing part 61 Encapsulating material

Claims

1. A terminal-attached electric wire to be inserted into a terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing, an electric wire including a conductor and an insulating coating covering the conductor; a terminal having a wire connection portion electrically connected to the conductor; a sealing portion formed by curing a fluid sealing material and covering the exposed portion of the conductor; Equipped with The electric wire connection portion is a conductor fixing portion that fixes the conductor in an electrically connected state; a coating fixing portion that fixes the insulating coating; a joint portion that connects the conductor fixing portion and the coating fixing portion and on which the exposed portion of the conductor is placed; It is equipped with The electric wire connection portion has an inner surface located on the side where the electric wire is arranged; an outer surface located opposite to the side where the electric wire is disposed; an end surface connecting the inner surface and the outer surface; is formed, a lipophilic portion capable of suppressing outflow of the sealing material to the outer surface is formed at least in a portion of the end surface that becomes the end surface of the joint portion; Wire with terminals.

2. The lipophilic portion is formed by applying a lipophilic material to at least a portion of the end surface that will become the end surface of the joint portion. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 or 2, Terminal.

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