Crimp terminal and wire with terminal

Abstract

To provide a crimp terminal and a wire with a terminal that can simultaneously ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the wire at a crimped portion and improve the wire retention force at the crimped portion.SOLUTION: A crimp terminal 2 includes a connection portion 7 connected to a mating terminal, and a crimped portion 8 integrally formed with the connection portion 7. The crimp terminal 2 is, for example, made of copper. The crimped portion 8 fixes a core wire made of a metal (e.g., aluminum) different from the crimp terminal 2 to its inner surface via crimping. The crimped portion 8 has multiple recesses 14 formed to run longitudinally along the crimp portion 8 as serrations to prevent the core wire from slipping out, and convex portions 15 positioned between the multiple recesses 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a terminal fitting is known in which an electric wire is assembled by crimping a barrel onto a core wire exposed from an insulating coating of the electric wire. The inner surface of this terminal fitting is formed with serrations to prevent the core wire from coming off. The serrations are, for example, a concave-convex shape formed by arranging a plurality of grooves in the longitudinal direction of the terminal fitting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-114908 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the electric wire and the crimp terminal are made of different materials, such as when the electric wire is made of aluminum and the crimp terminal is made of copper, the crimp terminal must be crimped to the electric wire with high compression in order to firmly secure the electric wire to the crimping portion of the crimp terminal. This results in a long longitudinal range of the crimping portion being formed thin. Therefore, while the reliability of the electrical connection between the crimping portion and the electric wire is ensured, there is a problem in that the crimping portion's wire-fixing strength is low. When the wire-fixing strength is low, the electric wire is more likely to break.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a crimp terminal and an electric wire with a terminal that can ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the electric wire at the crimping portion and improve the electric wire fixing force of the crimping portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The crimp terminal that solves the above problem is made of metal and has a core wire of an electric wire fixed by crimping, and comprises a connection portion that connects to a mating terminal, and a crimping portion that is integrally formed with the connection portion and has the core wire, made of a different metal from the crimp terminal, fixed to its inner surface by crimping, and the crimping portion has a plurality of recesses that are formed in a line in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion as serrations that prevent the core wire from coming loose, and protrusions that are arranged between the plurality of recesses. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure can ensure the reliability of the electrical connection between the crimping portion and the electric wire, while improving the electric wire fastening force of the crimping portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electric wire with a terminal according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crimp terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the crimp terminal before the barrel is bent. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing the procedure for crimping an electric wire to a crimp terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a crimp terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the crimp terminal before the barrel is bent. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. [1] The crimp terminal of the present disclosure is made of metal and has a core wire of an electric wire fixed by crimping, and includes a connection portion that is connected to a mating terminal, and a crimping portion that is integrally formed with the connection portion and has the core wire, made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal, fixed to its inner surface by crimping, and the crimping portion has a plurality of recesses that are formed in a line in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion as serrations that prevent the core wire from coming loose, and protrusions that are arranged between the plurality of recesses.

[0010] According to this configuration, since the convex portions are provided between the multiple concave portions that are the serrations of the crimping portion, when fixing the electric wire to the crimping portion, the convex portions can firmly fix the electric wire to the crimping portion without significantly deforming the crimping portion by high compression. This ensures the reliability of the electrical connection at the crimping portion. Furthermore, since the crimping portion is not significantly crushed, the crimping portion does not become thin when the electric wire is fixed to the crimping portion. This makes it possible to improve the electric wire fixing force of the crimping portion. As described above, it is possible to simultaneously ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the electric wire at the crimping portion and improve the electric wire fixing force of the crimping portion.

[0011] [2] In the above [1], the electric wire is an aluminum electric wire having an aluminum core, and the crimp terminal is made of copper. With this configuration, in a crimp terminal to which an aluminum core electric wire is fixed by crimping, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the electric wire and to improve the wire-fixing strength of the crimping portion.

[0012] [3] In the above [1] or [2], the convex portion is a band-shaped convex portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion. With this configuration, the convex portion formed on the crimping portion can be formed in a simple band-like shape.

[0013] [4] In the above [1] or [2], the convex portion is a protrusion that protrudes partially. With this configuration, it is possible to form the convex portion formed on the crimped portion in a simple protruding shape. In addition, it is also possible to form the convex portion on the crimped portion by simple processing.

[0014] [5] In any of the above [1] to [4], the convex portion is formed to have a curved shape when a cross section of the crimping portion cut in the longitudinal direction is viewed from the side. With this configuration, when the convex portion is pressed against the core wire during crimping, a load that could cause the core wire to break is less likely to be applied from the convex portion to the core wire. Therefore, it is possible to make it less likely that the core wire will be broken by the convex portion during crimping.

[0015] [6] In any of the above [1] to [5], the crimping portion has a base portion disposed at the center of the crimping portion in the width direction, and a pair of wire barrels disposed on both sides of the base in the width direction and fixing the core wire by deformation due to crimping, and the plurality of recesses are formed to a length extending across the base portion and the pair of wire barrels. With this configuration, it is possible to form the recesses in a shape with sufficient length, so that the core wire can be firmly fixed to the crimping portion.

[0016] [7] In any of the above [1] to [6], the plurality of recesses are formed so as to be arranged at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction when they are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion. According to this configuration, when the plurality of recesses are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion, the core wire is supported by the recesses located at both ends in the longitudinal direction, which further contributes to firmly fixing the core wire to the crimping portion.

[0017] [8] An electric wire with terminal of the present disclosure includes a metal crimp terminal and an electric wire that is fixed to the crimp terminal by crimping and has a core wire made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal, wherein the crimp terminal includes a connection portion that is connected to a mating terminal and a crimping portion that is integrally formed with the connection portion and has the core wire fixed to its inner surface by crimping, and the crimping portion has a plurality of recesses that are formed lined up in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion as serrations that prevent the core wire from slipping out, and protrusions that are arranged between the plurality of recesses. With this configuration, the same effects as those of the crimp terminal described above can be obtained.

[0018] [Details of the embodiments of the present disclosure] (First embodiment) Specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In each drawing, for the convenience of explanation, some components may be exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from the actual ones.

[0019] (Terminal-attached wire 1) As shown in Fig. 1, the electric wire with terminal 1 includes a metal crimp terminal 2 and an electric wire 3 fixed to the crimp terminal 2 by crimping. In this way, the electric wire with terminal 1 has a configuration in which the electric wire 3 and the crimp terminal 2 are integrated by fixing the crimp terminal 2 to the tip of the electric wire 3.

[0020] (Electric wire 3) As shown in FIG. 1 , the electric wire 3 has a core wire 4 and an insulating coating 5 that covers the core wire 4. The core wire 4 is, for example, a twisted wire. The core wire 4 in this example is made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal 2. In this example, the core wire 4 is made of, for example, aluminum. Thus, the electric wire 3 in this example is an aluminum electric wire. A predetermined amount of the core wire 4 is exposed to the outside from the end of the insulating coating 5.

[0021] The insulating coating 5, for example, covers the entire outer circumferential surface of the core wire 4. The insulating coating 5 is made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. As the material for the insulating coating 5, for example, a synthetic resin containing a polyolefin resin such as cross-linked polyethylene or cross-linked polypropylene as a main component is used.

[0022] (Crimp terminal 2) 1, the crimp terminal 2 includes a connection portion 7 to be connected to a mating terminal (not shown), and a crimping portion 8 that is integrally formed with the connection portion 7 and to which the core wire 4 made of a dissimilar metal of the electric wire 3 is fixed by crimping to its inner surface. In this way, the core wire 4 of the electric wire 3 is fixed by crimping to the crimp terminal 2. The crimp terminal 2 in this example is made of, for example, copper. The connection portion 7 has a hole 9 for inserting a fastening portion (not shown), such as a bolt or a screw, used to fix the crimp terminal 2 to the mating terminal.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows the crimp terminal 2 before the electric wire 3 is crimped. The crimping portion 8 has a base 10 located at the center of the crimping portion 8 in the width direction (Y-axis direction in Fig. 2), and a pair of wire barrels 11 located on both sides of the base 10 in the width direction. The pair of wire barrels 11 fix the core wire 4 to the inner surface of the crimping portion 8 by changing their shape due to crimping. A pair of insulation barrels 12 that are crimped to the insulating coating 5 of the electric wire 3 are formed at the base end of the base 10.

[0024] (Serration of crimp terminal 2) 2 and 3, the crimping portion 8 has a plurality of (two in this example) recesses 14 arranged in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 2) of the crimping portion 8 as serrations that prevent the core wire 4 from slipping out. The plurality of recesses 14 are formed to a length that extends across the base portion 10 and the pair of wire barrels 11. The plurality of recesses 14 are formed so that when arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8, they are arranged at least at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0025] (Convex portion 15 of crimp terminal 2) 2 and 3, the crimp terminal 2 has protrusions 15 arranged between the multiple recesses 14. The protrusions 15 are provided to ensure the performance of the electrical connection between the core wire 4 of the electric wire 3 and the crimping portion 8 when the core wire 4 is fixed to the crimping portion 8 by crimping. In this example, the protrusions 15 are strip-shaped protrusions 16 that extend in a direction (the Y-axis direction in FIG. 2) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8 (the X-axis direction in FIG. 2).

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the protrusions 15 are formed to have a curved shape when a cross section of the crimping portion 8 cut in the longitudinal direction (the X-axis direction in Fig. 4) is viewed from the side. The reason why the protrusions 15 are curved is because, for example, if the protrusions 15 have corners, the core wire 4 may break at the corners during crimping. The back surface of the crimping portion 8 is formed with grooves 15a that are generated when the protrusions 15 are formed by extruding the base material of the crimp terminal 2 using a mold, for example, with a press or the like.

[0027] Next, the operation of the crimp terminal 2 (terminal-attached electric wire 1) of this embodiment will be described. (Manufacturing procedure for terminal-attached wire 1) 2, the crimp terminal 2 is bent with the inner surface of the base 10 facing inward so that the wire barrel 11 and the insulation barrel 12 are raised by a predetermined amount. Specifically, the wire barrel 11 and the insulation barrel 12 are bent so that they are raised at approximately 90 degrees relative to the base 10. Then, the tip of the electric wire 3, from which the tip of the insulating coating 5 has been stripped to expose a portion of the core wire 4, is placed inside the crimping portion 8.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the crimp terminal 2 with the electric wire 3 set therein is placed on the anvil 19 of the crimping device 18. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(b), a crimper 20 arranged above the anvil 19 is lowered, whereby the wire barrel 11 is crimped onto the core wire 4 and the insulation barrel 12 is crimped onto the insulating coating 5. The wire barrel 11 and the insulation barrel 12 are each crimped onto their respective counterparts while being curved in a winding manner.

[0029] (Structural features of crimp terminal 2) As shown in Fig. 6, the height Ha of the crimping portion 8 is an index for determining whether the core wire 4 of the electric wire 3 is properly fixed to the crimping portion 8. The height Ha of the crimping portion 8 is related to the wire fixing strength of the core wire 4 fixed to the crimping portion 8. If the crimp terminal 2 and the core wire 4 are made of the same metal, there is no need to crimp the crimping portion 8 to the core wire 4 with high compression, and therefore the height Ha of the crimping portion 8 does not need to be extremely low as shown in the figure.

[0030] However, when the core wire 4 is made of aluminum and the crimp terminal 2 is made of copper, as in this example, and these are dissimilar metals, the crimping portion 8 needs to be crimped to the core wire 4 with high compression, which reduces the height of the crimping portion 8. In this case, although the electrical connection between the core wire 4 and the crimping portion 8 is sufficient, the wire fastening strength is reduced, which leads to the wire 3 being easily broken.

[0031] Therefore, in this example, the serrations of the crimping portion 8 are formed with the convex portions 15, so that the electric wire 3 can be firmly fixed to the crimping portion 8 without the need to crimp the crimping portion 8 with high compression. In other words, the crimping portion 8 only needs to have the same height "Ha" as when the crimp terminal 2 and the core wire 4 are made of the same material.

[0032] 4, the wire fastening strength is ensured in the area E1 where the recessed portion 14 is formed, and the electrical connection performance is ensured in the area E2 where the protrusion 15 is formed. As a result, in the crimp terminal 2, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the wire 3 at the crimping portion 8 and to improve the wire fastening strength of the crimping portion 8. Furthermore, since the protrusion 15 is curved, it is possible to make it less likely that the wire 3 will be damaged during crimping.

[0033] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the crimp terminal 2 (terminal-attached electric wire 1) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0034] (1.1) A metal crimp terminal 2 to which a core wire 4 of an electric wire 3 is fixed by crimping includes a connection portion 7 to be connected to a mating terminal, and a crimping portion 8. The crimping portion 8 is formed integrally with the connection portion 7, and the core wire 4, which is made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal 2, is fixed to its inner surface by crimping. The crimping portion 8 also has a plurality of recesses 14 formed in a line in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8 as serrations that prevent the core wire 4 from slipping out, and protrusions 15 arranged between the plurality of recesses 14.

[0035] According to this configuration, the convex portions 15 are provided between the plurality of concave portions 14 that are serrations of the crimping portion 8. Therefore, when fixing the electric wire 3 to the crimping portion 8, the convex portions 15 can firmly fix the electric wire 3 to the crimping portion 8 without significantly deforming the crimping portion 8 by high compression. This ensures the reliability of the electrical connection at the crimping portion 8. Furthermore, since the crimping portion 8 is not significantly crushed, the crimping portion 8 does not become thin when the electric wire 3 is fixed to the crimping portion 8. This makes it possible to improve the electric wire fixing strength of the crimping portion 8. As described above, it is possible to both ensure the reliability of the electric connection between the crimping portion 8 and the electric wire 3 and improve the electric wire fixing strength of the crimping portion 8.

[0036] (1.2) The electric wire 3 is an aluminum electric wire having an aluminum core 4. The crimp terminal 2 is made of copper. With this configuration, in the crimp terminal 2 to which the electric wire 3 having an aluminum core 4 is fixed by crimping, it is possible to ensure the reliability of the electrical connection with the electric wire 3 and to improve the wire fixing strength of the crimping portion 8.

[0037] (1.3) The protrusions 15 are strip-shaped protrusions 16 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8. According to this configuration, the protrusions 15 formed on the crimping portion 8 can have a simple strip-like shape.

[0038] (1.4) The protrusions 15 are formed to have a curved shape when a cross section of the crimping portion 8 cut in the longitudinal direction is viewed from the side. With this configuration, when the protrusions 15 are pressed against the core wire 4 during crimping, the protrusions 15 are less likely to apply a load that could cause the core wire 4 to break. Therefore, the protrusions 15 are less likely to cause the core wire 4 to break during crimping.

[0039] (1.5) The crimping portion 8 has a base 10 disposed at the center of the crimping portion 8 in the width direction, and a pair of wire barrels 11. The pair of wire barrels 11 are disposed on both sides of the base 10 in the width direction, and fix the core wire 4 by deformation caused by crimping. The multiple recesses 14 are formed to a length that extends across the base 10 and the pair of wire barrels 11. With this configuration, the recesses 14 can be shaped to have a sufficient length, so that the core wire 4 can be firmly fixed to the crimping portion 8.

[0040] (1.6) The recesses 14 are formed so as to be positioned at least at both longitudinal ends when the recesses 14 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8. According to this configuration, when the recesses 14 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion 8, the core wire 4 is supported by the recesses 14 positioned at both longitudinal ends, which further contributes to firmly fixing the core wire 4 to the crimping portion 8.

[0041] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is an example in which the shape of the convex portion 15 of the first embodiment is changed. Therefore, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted, and only the different parts will be described in detail.

[0042] (Convex portion 15 of crimp terminal 2) 7 and 8, in this example, the convex portion 15 is a protrusion 22 that protrudes partially. In this case, the convex portion 15 is disposed at the center of the crimping portion 8 in the width direction (Y-axis direction in FIG. 7). The convex portion 15 is formed to protrude, for example, in a dome shape. As a result, the convex portion 15 is formed so as to have a curved shape when a cross section of the crimping portion 8 cut in the longitudinal direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 7) is viewed from the side.

[0043] (Operation of the embodiment) As shown in FIG. 9, the serrations of the crimping portion 8 are formed with the convex portions 15 (protrusions 22 in this example), so the convex portions 15 only need to have the same height "Ha" as when the convex portions 15 are strip-shaped convex portions 16. Also, in this example, the range E1 (see FIG. 4) where the recesses 14 are formed ensures wire fastening strength, and the range E2 (see FIG. 4) where the protrusions 22 are formed ensures electrical connection performance. Therefore, in the crimp terminal 2, it is possible to ensure both the reliability of the electrical connection between the crimping portion 8 and the wire 3 and the improved wire fastening strength of the crimping portion 8. Furthermore, because the shape of the convex portions 15 is simply the protrusions 22, the process of forming the convex portions 15 is simple.

[0044] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the crimp terminal 2 (terminal-fitted wire 1) of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment.

[0045] (2.1) The convex portion 15 is a partially protruding projection 22. With this configuration, the convex portion 15 formed on the crimping portion 8 can be formed in a simple protruding shape. Also, the convex portion 15 can be formed on the crimping portion 8 by a simple process.

[0046] (Other embodiments) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0047] In each embodiment, the material of the core wire 4 is not limited to aluminum, but may be any material different from that of the crimp terminal 2. In each embodiment, the material of the crimp terminal 2 is not limited to copper, but may be any material different from that of the core wire 4.

[0048] In each embodiment, the number of recesses 14 arranged on both sides of the protrusion 15 is not limited to one, but may be two or more. In this case, of the two or more recesses 14 arranged on both sides of the protrusion 15, the outermost recess 14 is effective in firmly holding the core wire 4.

[0049] In each embodiment, the groove shape of the recess 14 may be an arc shape. In the first embodiment, the band-shaped convex portion 16 may be formed to have a length different from that of the concave portion 14 .

[0050] In the second embodiment, the number of protrusions 22 is not limited to one, and a plurality of protrusions may be formed. In each embodiment, the wire barrel 11 is not limited to a pair formed on both sides in the width direction, but may be a cantilever formed on only one side.

[0051] In each embodiment, the shape of the connection portion 7 is not limited to a ring shape having a hole 9 in the center, but may be, for example, a C shape in plan view. In each embodiment, the present disclosure has been described with reference to an example, but it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the example or structure. The present disclosure also encompasses various modifications and modifications within the equivalent range. In addition, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms including only one element, more than one element, or less than one element, are also within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Wire with terminal 2 crimp terminals 3 electric wire 4-core wire 5. Insulation coating 7 Connection 8 Crimping section 9 holes 10 base 11 Wire barrel 12 Insulation barrel 14 Recess 15 Convex part 15 Convex portion of the first embodiment 15a groove 16 Belt-shaped convex part 18 Crimping device 19 Anvil 20 Crimper 22 Protrusions E1 range E2 range Ha Height

Claims

1. A metal crimp terminal in which a core wire of an electric wire is fixed by crimping, a connecting portion to be connected to a mating terminal; and a crimping portion integrally formed with the connecting portion, the core wire made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal being fixed to an inner surface thereof by crimping; The crimping portion is a plurality of recesses formed in the crimping portion so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction thereof as serrations for preventing the core wire from slipping out; and a protrusion disposed between the plurality of recesses.

2. the electric wire is an aluminum electric wire in which the core wire is made of aluminum, The crimp terminal of claim 1 , wherein the crimp terminal is made of copper.

3. The crimp terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a strip-shaped protrusion extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion.

4. The crimp terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the convex portion is a protrusion that partially projects.

5. The crimp terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is formed to have a curved shape when a cross section of the crimp portion cut in the longitudinal direction is viewed from the side.

6. The crimping portion is a base portion disposed at the center of the crimping portion in the width direction; a pair of wire barrels arranged on both sides of the base in the width direction and configured to fix the core wire by deformation caused by crimping; The crimp terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of recesses are formed to have a length extending across the base portion and the pair of wire barrels.

7. The crimp terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of recesses are formed so as to be located at least on both ends in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion when the recesses are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the crimping portion.

8. An electric wire with a terminal, comprising: a metal crimp terminal; and an electric wire fixed to the crimp terminal by crimping, the electric wire having a core wire made of a metal different from that of the crimp terminal, The crimp terminal is a connecting portion to be connected to a mating terminal, and a crimping portion integrally formed with the connecting portion and having the core wire fixed to an inner surface thereof by crimping; The crimping portion is a plurality of recesses formed in the crimping portion so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction thereof as serrations for preventing the core wire from slipping out; and a protrusion disposed between the plurality of recesses.

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