Electric wire with terminal

Abstract

To provide an electric wire with a terminal capable of securing proper conduction performance at a joint part between the electric wire and the terminal.SOLUTION: The terminal-equipped wire 1 includes the wire 10 including the conductive portion 11 composed of the plurality of conductive strands 11a and the wire connecting portion 21 to which the conductive portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded. The electric wire connecting portion 21 includes a bottom wall portion 22, a pair of side wall portions 23 formed to protrude from the bottom wall portion 22, a pair of upper wall portions 24 formed to protrude in directions approaching each other along the width direction Y from ends of the pair of side wall portions 23 on the side opposite to the bottom wall portion 22, and a space surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the pair of side wall portions 23, and the pair of upper wall portions 24. And an opening part 27 formed between the pair of upper wall parts 24 along the cross direction Y and communicating with the housing groove part 25, wherein the housing groove part 25 houses the plurality of element wires 11a constituting the conductive part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire with a terminal, which includes a covered electric wire and a terminal connected to an end portion at the tip of the covered electric wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-188373 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the terminal of the electric wire described in Patent Document 1 is joined to the conductor of the electric wire by ultrasonic vibration, it is difficult to ensure sufficient peeling strength of the conductor against the terminal, and therefore there is room for further improvement in the electrical conductivity at the joint between the electric wire and the terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an ultrasonic joining device and an electric wire with a terminal that can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joining portion between an electric wire and a terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the electric wire with terminal of the present invention comprises: an electric wire constituted by a plurality of conductive wires and including a conductor portion extending along an axial direction; and a terminal constituted by an electric wire connection portion to which the conductor portion is ultrasonically bonded, wherein the electric wire connection portion comprises a bottom wall portion; a pair of side wall portions formed so as to protrude from both ends of the bottom wall portion in a width direction intersecting the axial direction to one side in a height direction intersecting the axial direction and the width direction; a pair of upper wall portions formed so as to protrude from ends of the pair of side wall portions opposite the bottom wall portion in directions approaching each other along the width direction; an accommodating groove portion formed by being surrounded by the bottom wall portion, the pair of side wall portions, and the pair of upper wall portions and accommodating the plurality of wires constituting the conductor portion; and an opening portion formed between the pair of upper wall portions along the width direction and communicating with the accommodating groove portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The electric wire with terminal according to the present invention has an effect of ensuring appropriate electrical conduction performance at the joint between the electric wire and the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates an electric wire with a terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates the electric wire with terminal according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view schematically illustrating the electric wire with terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front view that schematically illustrates the ultrasonic bonding device according to the present embodiment and the terminal and electric wire that are processed by the ultrasonic bonding device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows an electric wire with a terminal according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows an electric wire with a terminal according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0010] [Embodiment] The electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment is applied to, for example, a wire harness used in a vehicle, etc. The wire harness is, for example, a component in which a plurality of electric wires used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect various devices mounted on a vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires are connected to the devices using connectors, etc.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the electric wire with terminal 1 includes an electric wire 10 including a conductor portion 11 made up of a plurality of conductive wires 11a, and a terminal 20 including an electric wire connection portion 21 to which the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded. In the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment, the electric wire connection portion 21 is configured to include a C-shaped accommodating groove portion 25 capable of accommodating the plurality of wires 11a, and an opening portion 27 (slit) that communicates with the accommodating groove portion 25 and communicates between the inside and outside of the terminal 20, thereby realizing a configuration that can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint portion between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20. Hereinafter, each component of the electric wire with terminal 1 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

[0012] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the extension direction (length direction) of the electric wire with terminal 1, the front-rear direction of the ultrasonic bonding device 100 that manufactures the electric wire with terminal 1, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction of the terminal 20 of the electric wire with terminal 1, the width direction of the ultrasonic bonding device 100 that manufactures the electric wire with terminal 1, etc. The height direction Z typically corresponds to the thickness direction of the terminal 20 of the electric wire with terminal 1, the height direction of the ultrasonic bonding device 100 that manufactures the electric wire with terminal 1, etc. In addition, the upper side in the height direction Z will be referred to as the upper part or upper side, and the lower side in the height direction Z will be referred to as the lower part or lower side.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the electric wire with terminal 1 includes an electric wire 10 and a terminal 20 joined to an end of the electric wire 10.

[0014] The electric wire 10 is arranged in a vehicle and electrically connects various devices. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric wire 10 is an insulated electric wire that includes a conductive conductor portion 11 (core wire) and an insulating insulating sheath portion 12, and the conductor portion 11 is sheathed with the insulating sheath portion 12. The conductor portion 11 here is formed by twisting together a plurality of conductive strands 11a. The insulating sheath portion 12 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material (PP, PVC, cross-linked PE, etc., appropriately selected in consideration of abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.). The conductor portion 11 may also be formed by bundling a plurality of strands 11a.

[0015] The electric wire 10 extends linearly along the axial direction X, and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor portion 11 (cross-sectional shape in a direction intersecting the axial direction X, which is the extension direction of the electric wire 10) is substantially circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating portion 12 is substantially annular, resulting in a substantially circular cross-sectional shape as a whole. As shown in Fig. 1, the insulating coating portion 12 is stripped off from at least one end of the electric wire 10, and a terminal 20 is provided at an exposed conductor portion 13 where the conductor portion 11 is exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 (end 12a of the insulating coating portion 12 shown in Fig. 3).

[0016] The terminal 20 is electrically connected to the electric wire 10, and is formed by forming a single sheet metal made of a conductive metal into a shape corresponding to each part by various processes such as punching, pressing, and bending, so that each part is integrally formed three-dimensionally. As shown in FIG. 1 , the terminal 20 includes an electric wire connection part 21. The terminal 20 may also include an electrical connection part (a part electrically connected to a mating member) not shown. The terminal 20 may also function as an intermediate member interposed between a connecting terminal formed separately from the terminal 20 and electrically connected to a mating member, and the conductor part 11. In this case, the terminal 20 is also joined to the connecting terminal while being interposed between the connecting terminal and the conductor part 11.

[0017] The electric wire connection portion 21 is a portion to which the electric wire 10 is connected. As shown in Fig. 2, the electric wire connection portion 21 of this embodiment is configured to include a bottom wall portion 22, a pair of side wall portions 23, and a pair of upper wall portions 24. The electric wire connection portion 21 is formed as a whole by the bottom wall portion 22, the pair of side wall portions 23, and the pair of upper wall portions 24 into a substantially rectangular C-shape when viewed from the axial direction X.

[0018] The bottom wall portion 22 is a plate-like wall portion that extends along the axial direction X and the width direction Y, with the height direction Z being the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the bottom wall portion 22 is flat and extends linearly along the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X. The bottom wall portion 22 is located between a pair of side wall portions 23 in the width direction Y, and both ends of the bottom wall portion 22 are connected to each side wall portion 23. One side wall portion 23 extends upright from one end of the bottom wall portion 22 in the width direction Y along the height direction Z, and the other side wall portion 23 extends upright from the other end of the bottom wall portion 22 in the width direction Y along the height direction Z, with the pair of side wall portions 23 extending in the same direction. The bottom wall portion 22 extends from one end of each side wall portion 23 in the axial direction X to the other end of each side wall portion 23.

[0019] The pair of side walls 23 are plate-like walls that extend along the axial direction X and the height direction Z, with the width direction Y being the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the pair of side walls 23 are flat and extend linearly along the height direction Z when viewed from the axial direction X. The pair of side walls 23 are positioned opposite each other at an interval along the width direction Y, and are formed so that their lengths along the axial direction X and along the height direction Z are approximately equal. The pair of side walls 23 are positioned between the bottom wall 22 and the top wall 24 in the height direction Z, with one end connected to the bottom wall 22 and the other end connected to the top wall 24 (either one of the pair of top wall 24). The pair of side walls 23 are configured such that the bottom wall 22 stands upright from one end in the height direction Z along the width direction Y, and the top wall 24 stands upright from the other end in the height direction Z on the same side as the bottom wall 22 along the width direction Y. The pair of side wall portions 23 extend from one end to the other end in the axial direction X of the bottom wall portion 22 and the upper wall portion 24. Therefore, the pair of side wall portions 23 in this embodiment are formed so as to protrude from both ends of the bottom wall portion 22 in the width direction Y to one side in the height direction Z (toward the upper wall portion 24).

[0020] The pair of upper wall portions 24 are plate-like walls that extend along the axial direction X and the width direction Y, with the height direction Z being the plate thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the pair of upper wall portions 24 are flat and extend linearly along the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X. Each of the pair of upper wall portions 24 is positioned opposite the bottom wall portion 22 in the height direction Z, and is formed so that its length along the axial direction X and its length along the width direction Y are approximately equal. The pair of upper wall portions 24 are positioned opposite each other with a gap in between along the width direction Y. Therefore, the pair of upper wall portions 24 in this embodiment are formed to protrude toward each other along the width direction Y from the other end portions of the pair of side wall portions 23 in the height direction Z (end portions opposite the bottom wall portion 22 side).

[0021] The wire connection portion 21 is configured to include an accommodating groove portion 25 (see FIG. 2) as an internal space, an insertion opening 26 (see FIG. 3) that opens in the axial direction X, and an opening 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) that opens in the height direction Z. In the following description, when the pair of insertion openings 26 need to be distinguished, they will be referred to as "insertion opening 26a" and "insertion opening 26b," and when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the pair of insertion openings 26, they will be simply referred to as "insertion opening 26."

[0022] The accommodating groove 25 is a portion surrounded by the bottom wall 22, a pair of side wall portions 23, and a pair of upper wall portions 24. As shown in Fig. 2, the accommodating groove 25 can accommodate a plurality of wires 11a constituting the conductor portion 11 by inserting the conductor portion 11 through a pair of insertion openings 26.

[0023] The pair of insertion openings 26 are portions surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the pair of side wall portions 23, and the pair of top wall portions 24, and are openings formed at the front end portion 20a and the rear end portion 20b of the terminal 20. Note that the front end portion 20a of the terminal 20 here refers to the end portion to which the end side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 is joined, and the rear end portion 20b of the terminal 20 refers to the end portion to which the base side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 is joined. As shown in FIG. 3 , the terminal 20 of this embodiment has the insertion opening 26a formed at the front end portion 20a of the terminal 20 and the insertion opening 26b formed at the rear end portion 20b of the terminal 20 as the pair of insertion openings 26.

[0024] The opening 27 is a portion formed between a pair of end surfaces 241 provided on the pair of upper wall portions 24, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 27 is formed between the pair of upper wall portions 24 along the width direction Y. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening 27 communicates with the accommodating groove portion 25 in the height direction Z, thereby communicating the inside and outside of the terminal 20. Therefore, in the terminal 20 of this embodiment, the wires 11a constituting the conductor portion 11 are accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 25, and the remaining wires 11a that cannot be accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 25 protrude outward from the opening 27.

[0025] Furthermore, the length D1 of the opening 27 in the width direction Y is greater than the outer diameter D2 of the conductor portion 11 when not joined to the terminal 20 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, in the terminal 20 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when ultrasonically joining the end of the conductor portion 11 to the terminal 20, the wires 11a constituting the conductor portion 11 can be accommodated in the accommodating groove portion 25 through the opening 27 and placed on one surface (first straight portion 28 described later) of the bottom wall portion 22 provided facing the accommodating groove portion 25.

[0026] In addition, the pair of end faces 241 that form the opening 27 in the pair of upper wall portions 24 include, as shown in FIG. 3, a straight portion 241a extending along the axial direction X, and a tapered portion 241b that is continuous with the straight portion 241a and extends in a direction intersecting the straight portion 241a.

[0027] The straight portion 241a is a portion of the pair of end faces 241 extending along the axial direction X. As shown in Fig. 3 , the straight portion 241a in this embodiment extends linearly from the insertion opening 26a provided in the front end portion 20a of the terminal 20 so that the distance between the pair of end faces 241 in the width direction Y is constant. Therefore, the opening 27 formed by the straight portion 241a of the end face 241 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0028] The tapered portions 241b are portions of the pair of end faces 241 extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction X. As shown in Fig. 3, the tapered portions 241b of the present embodiment extend linearly to the insertion opening 26b provided in the rear end 20b of the terminal 20 so that the spacing in the width direction Y of the pair of end faces 241 increases toward the rear side of the terminal 20 (the side on which the electric wire 10 extends in the axial direction X). Therefore, the opening 27 formed by the tapered portions 241b of the end faces 241 has a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the height direction Z.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the electric wire connecting portion 21 includes a first straight portion 28, a second straight portion 29, and a third straight portion 30.

[0030] The first straight portion 28 is a wall surface provided on the bottom wall portion 22 facing the accommodating groove portion 25, and is a wall surface that constitutes the bottom surface of the accommodating groove portion 25. As shown in Fig. 2 , the first straight portion 28 of the present embodiment is provided on one surface of the bottom wall portion 22 that is made of a flat metal plate extending along the axial direction X and the width direction Y, and therefore extends linearly along the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X, which is the extension direction of the terminal 20.

[0031] The second straight portion 29 is provided on the upper wall portion 24 facing the accommodating groove portion 25, and is a wall surface located opposite the first straight portion 28 in the height direction Z, constituting the ceiling surface of the accommodating groove portion 25. In this embodiment, the second straight portion 29 is provided in pair by being provided on each of the pair of upper wall portions 24, as shown in Fig. 2. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the second straight portion 29 is provided on the surface on one side of the upper wall portion 24 made of a flat metal plate extending along the axial direction X and the width direction Y, and therefore extends linearly along the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X, which is the extension direction of the terminal 20.

[0032] The third straight portion 30 is a surface of the upper wall portion 24 that faces the outside of the accommodating groove portion 25 and is located on the opposite side of the second straight portion 29 in the height direction Z. As shown in Fig. 2, the third straight portion 30 of this embodiment is provided in a pair by being provided on each of the pair of upper wall portions 24. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the third straight portion 30 is provided on the surface on the other side of the upper wall portion 24 that is made of a flat metal plate extending along the axial direction X and the width direction Y, and therefore extends linearly along the width direction Y when viewed from the axial direction X, which is the extension direction of the terminal 20.

[0033] The electric wire with terminal 1 configured as described above is manufactured by ultrasonically joining the conductor portion 11 of the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 using an ultrasonic joining device 100 shown in FIGS.

[0034] The ultrasonic bonding device 100 ultrasonically bonds the end of the conductor portion 11 to the terminal 20. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 includes an anvil 110, a horn 120, and a gliding jaw 130. For ease of explanation, Figures 4 and 5 omit illustrations of support members that support the anvil 110, the horn 120, and the gliding jaw 130, as well as mechanisms for moving them.

[0035] The anvil 110 is a platform that supports components to be ultrasonically bonded. As shown in FIG. 4 , the anvil 110 of this embodiment faces the horn 120 in the height direction Z and is disposed below the horn 120. When the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between the anvil 110 and the horn 120, the anvil 110 receives a load transmitted from the horn 120 to the terminal 20, thereby applying pressure to the end of the conductor portion 11 against the terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 4 , the anvil 110 has a mounting surface 111 on which the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are placed, and the mounting surface 111 comes into contact with the terminal 20 when the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between the anvil 110 and the horn 120.

[0036] The horn 120 transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the components to be ultrasonically joined. As shown in FIG. 4, the horn 120 of this embodiment faces the anvil 110 in the height direction Z and is disposed above the anvil 110. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the horn 120 is disposed between a pair of gliding jaws 130 in the width direction Y. When the horn 120 moves downward (toward the anvil 110), it sandwiches the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 between the horn 120 and the anvil 110, thereby applying pressure to the end of the conductor portion 11 against the terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the horn 120 has an application surface 121 that sandwiches the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 disposed on the terminal 20 between the horn 120 and the mounting surface 111 to apply ultrasonic vibrations. The application surface 121 comes into contact with the conductor portion 11 in a state where the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between the horn 120 and the mounting surface 111. The pressure direction of horn 120 is from top to bottom, and the vibration direction of horn 120 is along the axial direction X.

[0037] The gliding jaws 130 are capable of pressing a member placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 against the mounting surface 111. As shown in FIG. 4 , the gliding jaws 130 of this embodiment face the anvil 110 in the height direction Z and are disposed above the anvil 110. As shown in FIG. 4 , the gliding jaws 130 are formed into an L-shape as a whole when viewed from the axial direction X by a first portion 131 whose thickness direction is the width direction Y and a second portion 132 whose thickness direction is the height direction Z, and are provided as a pair in the width direction Y. When the horn 120 moves downward (toward the anvil 110) and the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between the anvil 110 and the horn 120, the gliding jaws 130 are positioned to sandwich the horn 120 in the width direction Y. Then, the gliding jaw 130 moves downward (towards the anvil 110) and brings the first portion 131 into contact with the side wall portion 23 of the terminal 20 and the second portion 132 into contact with the upper wall portion 24 of the terminal 20, causing the second portion 132 to press the terminal 20 placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 against the mounting surface 111, thereby preventing the terminal 20 placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 from becoming misaligned due to the ultrasonic vibrations applied from the horn 120.

[0038] Next, with reference to Figs. 4, 5, etc., an operation when ultrasonically joining the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 by the ultrasonic joining device 100 configured as described above will be described.

[0039] 4, when terminal 20 is placed on mounting surface 111 of anvil 110 and an end of conductor portion 11 is placed on terminal 20, multiple strands 11a constituting conductor portion 11 are placed between a pair of upper wall portions 24 constituting terminal 20 (i.e., opening 27). Then, with conductor portion 11 partially housed in accommodating groove 25 of terminal 20, horn 120 moves downward (toward anvil 110) and the terminal 20 and the end of conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between anvil 110 and horn 120. Multiple strands 11a are pushed downward (toward bottom wall portion 22 of terminal 20) by horn 120 and spread inside accommodating groove 25. At the same time, multiple strands 11a are spread and housed within accommodating groove 25 and are placed in contact with the wall surfaces constituting accommodating groove 25. Therefore, in the terminal 20 of this embodiment, the ultrasonic vibrations propagating from the horn 120 ultrasonically bond the plurality of wires 11a to the first straight portion 28 and the second straight portion 29, respectively.

[0040] 5, when the terminal 20 is placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 and the end of the conductor portion 11 is placed on the terminal 20, the electric wire 10 is ultrasonically joined with the end 12a of the insulating covering portion 12 abutting against the rear end 20b of the terminal 20 (the end 21b of the electric wire connection portion 21, which is the end on the insulating covering portion 12 side located opposite the end of the conductor portion 11 in the axial direction X). Therefore, in the terminal 20 of this embodiment, the plurality of wires 11a are ultrasonically joined to the first straight portion 28 and the second straight portion 29, respectively, while the position of the electric wire 10 relative to the terminal 20, i.e., the position of the conductor portion 11 relative to the terminal 20, is appropriately maintained.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, a tapered portion 241b is provided at the rear end 20b of the terminal 20, where the width of the opening 27 is increased, so that the stress applied by the horn 120 to the base side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 during ultrasonic bonding can be dispersed.

[0042] The electric wire with terminal 1 described above includes an electric wire 10 which is made up of a plurality of conductive wires 11a and includes a conductor portion 11 extending along the axial direction X, and a terminal 20 which includes an electric wire connection portion 21 to which the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically joined. The wire connection portion 21 includes a bottom wall portion 22, a pair of side wall portions 23 formed by protruding from both ends of the bottom wall portion 22 in a width direction Y intersecting the axial direction X toward one side in a height direction Z intersecting the axial direction X and the width direction Y, a pair of upper wall portions 24 formed by protruding from ends of the pair of side wall portions 23 opposite the bottom wall portion 22 in directions approaching each other along the width direction Y, a storage groove portion 25 formed by being surrounded by the bottom wall portion 22, the pair of side wall portions 23, and the pair of upper wall portions 24, and for accommodating the plurality of wires 11a that constitute the conductor portion 11, and an opening portion 27 formed between the pair of upper wall portions 24 along the width direction Y and communicating with the storage groove portion 25.

[0043] According to this configuration, the electric wire with terminal 1 is ultrasonically bonded with the plurality of wires 11a inserted into the accommodating groove 25, thereby allowing the plurality of wires 11a to be bonded to the bottom wall 22 and the pair of upper wall 24 that form the accommodating groove 25. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 can increase the contact area of ​​the conductor 11 with the surface of the terminal 20 compared to when the conductor is ultrasonically bonded to the surface of a plate-shaped terminal, thereby increasing the adhesion area. Furthermore, the increased adhesion area makes it difficult for the conductor 11 to peel off from the terminal 20, thereby improving the peeling strength of the conductor 11 against the terminal 20. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0044] Furthermore, the wire connection portion 21 described above has a first straight portion 28 provided on the bottom wall portion 22 facing the accommodating groove 25, and a second straight portion 29 provided on the top wall portion 24 facing the accommodating groove 25 and positioned opposite the first straight portion 28 in the height direction Z. The plurality of elemental wires 11a are ultrasonically bonded to the first straight portion 28 and the second straight portion 29 while they are inserted into the accommodating groove 25. With this configuration, the terminal-fitted electric wire 1 can be ultrasonically bonded to the first straight portion 28 and the second straight portion 29, which are constituent surfaces of the accommodating groove 25, by the plurality of elemental wires 11a being inserted into the accommodating groove 25. Furthermore, the constituent surface of the accommodating groove 25 of the terminal-fitted electric wire 1 is formed by a plane perpendicular to the pressure direction of the horn 120, thereby increasing the contact area of ​​the conductor portion 11 with the surface of the terminal 20 and thereby increasing the adhesion area. Furthermore, the electric wire with terminal 1 can make the conductor portion 11 less likely to peel off from the terminal 20 due to the increased adhesion area, thereby improving the peeling strength of the conductor portion 11 against the terminal 20. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0045] Furthermore, the length D1 of the opening 27 in the width direction Y described above is greater than the outer diameter D2 of the conductor portion 11 when not joined to the terminal 20. With this configuration, ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the conductor portion 11 from the horn 120 with the plurality of elemental wires 11a inserted in the accommodating groove 25. The conductor portion 11 is then ultrasonically joined with the plurality of elemental wires 11a accommodated in the accommodating groove 25, whereby the plurality of elemental wires 11a are joined to the bottom wall portion 22 and the pair of upper wall portions 24 that form the accommodating groove 25. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 can ensure a sufficient adhesion area, thereby ensuring sufficient peeling strength of the conductor portion 11 relative to the terminal 20. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the electric wire 10 described above further includes an insulating sheath 12 that covers the conductor portion 11 and exposes the conductor portion 11 from the end 12a, and the plurality of elemental wires 11a are ultrasonically joined with the end 12a of the insulating sheath 12 abutting against the end 21b of the wire connection portion 21 on the insulating sheath 12 side (end 20b of the terminal 20) in the axial direction X. With this configuration, the plurality of elemental wires 11a are ultrasonically joined with the end 12a of the insulating sheath 12 abutting against the end of the wire connection portion 21, thereby making it possible to properly position the terminal 20 and the conductor portion 11. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment can ensure proper conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0047] Furthermore, in the pair of upper wall portions 24 described above, the pair of end faces 241 forming the opening 27 include a straight portion 241a extending along the axial direction X and a tapered portion 241b continuing from the straight portion 241a and whose spacing in the width direction Y increases toward the side along which the electric wire 10 extends in the axial direction X. With this configuration, the stress acting on the conductor portion 11 during ultrasonic bonding can be dispersed, thereby preventing the conductor portion 11 (core wire) from being damaged by the horn 120. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1, in which the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded to the terminal 20 by the ultrasonic bonding device 100, can ensure appropriate conductivity at the bonded portion between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0048] The electric wire with terminal 1 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0049] For example, the terminal 20 may have a plurality of wires 11a ultrasonically bonded to the third straight portion 30 by ultrasonic vibrations propagating from the horn 120. In the electric wire with terminal 1A shown in FIG. 6 , the plurality of wires 11a are ultrasonically bonded to the third straight portion 30 while placed on the upper wall portion 24. Therefore, the plurality of wires 11a constituting the conductor portion 11 are ultrasonically bonded to the third straight portion 30 in addition to the first straight portion 28 and the second straight portion 29. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1A can further increase the contact area of ​​the conductor portion 11 with the surface of the terminal 20, thereby further increasing the adhesion area. Furthermore, the increased adhesion area makes it difficult for the conductor portion 11 to peel off from the terminal 20, thereby improving the peeling strength of the conductor portion 11 with respect to the terminal 20. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1A can ensure appropriate electrical conduction performance at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20, similar to the electric wire with terminal 1 described above.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above description, the length D1 of the opening 27 in the width direction Y is greater than the outer diameter D2 of the conductor portion 11 in a state where it is not joined to the terminal 20. However, this is not limiting, and the length D1 of the opening 27 in the width direction Y may be equal to the outer diameter D2 of the conductor portion 11 in a state where it is not joined to the terminal 20. With this configuration, as in the terminal-attached electric wire 1A shown in FIG. 6 , ultrasonic vibration is applied to the conductor portion 11 from the horn 120 in a state where the plurality of elemental wires 11a are inserted into the accommodating groove 25. Then, by ultrasonically bonding the plurality of elemental wires 11a while they are housed in the accommodating groove 25, the plurality of elemental wires 11a are bonded to the bottom wall 22 and the pair of upper wall portions 24 that form the accommodating groove 25. Furthermore, the plurality of elemental wires 11a that do not fit into the accommodating groove 25 are ultrasonically bonded while placed on the upper wall portions 24, so that they are bonded to both surfaces of the pair of upper wall portions 24. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1A can ensure a sufficient adhesion area, thereby ensuring sufficient peeling strength of the conductor portion 11 against the terminal 20. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1A of the present embodiment can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20, similar to the electric wire with terminal 1 described above.

[0051] 2. In the electric wire with terminal 1B shown in FIG. 7, a pair of side walls 23B constituting a wire connection portion 21B of the terminal 20B are each formed by a wall portion bent so as to widen outward in the width direction Y, and the wire connection portion 21B is formed into a substantially elliptical C-shape as a whole when viewed from the axial direction X by the bottom wall 22, the pair of side walls 23B, and the pair of upper wall portions 24. Similarly to the electric wire with terminal 1A described above, the electric wire with terminal 1B is ultrasonically bonded with the plurality of wires 11a housed in the accommodating groove 25, whereby the plurality of wires 11a are joined to the bottom wall 22 and the pair of upper wall portions 24 that form the accommodating groove 25. The plurality of wires 11a that do not fit into the accommodating grooves 25 are ultrasonically bonded while placed on the upper wall portions 24, and are thereby bonded to both surfaces of the pair of upper wall portions 24. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1B can ensure a sufficient adhesion area, and thereby ensure sufficient peeling strength of the conductor portion 11 against the terminal 20B. Therefore, like the electric wire with terminal 1A described above, the electric wire with terminal 1B of this embodiment can ensure appropriate conductivity at the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20B.

[0052] Furthermore, the bottom wall portion 22 does not necessarily have to have the first straight portion 28, and may instead be configured by a wall portion that is bent into a C-shape or the like.

[0053] Furthermore, the upper wall portion 24 does not necessarily have to have the second straight portion 29 or the third straight portion 30, and may instead be configured by a wall portion that is bent into a C-shape or the like.

[0054] The electric wire 10 may be ultrasonically joined in a state where the end 12a of the insulating coating portion 12 is not in contact with the rear end 20b of the terminal 20 (end 21b of the electric wire connecting portion 21).

[0055] Furthermore, the pair of end faces 241 that form the opening 27 may not have the tapered portion 241b and may be composed of only the straight portion 241a.

[0056] Moreover, the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1, 1A, 1B terminal attached wire 10 Electric wire 11 Conductor 11a Bare wire 12 Insulation coating 12a End of insulating coating 20, 20B terminals 21, 21B Wire connection part 21a End of wire connection 22 Bottom wall 23 Side wall 24 Upper wall 241 End face of upper wall 241a Straight section 241b Tapered section 25 Receiving groove 27 Opening 28 First Straight Section 29 Second Straight Section 30 Third Straight Section D1 Width of opening D2 Outer diameter of the conductor when not connected to a terminal X-axis direction Y width direction Z height direction

Claims

1. an electric wire including a conductor portion that is formed of a plurality of conductive wires and extends along an axial direction; a terminal including an electric wire connection portion to which the conductor portion is ultrasonically bonded, The electric wire connection portion is A bottom wall portion; a pair of side wall portions formed to protrude from both ends of the bottom wall portion in a width direction intersecting with the axial direction, in one direction in a height direction intersecting with the axial direction and the width direction; a pair of upper wall portions formed to protrude from ends of the pair of side wall portions opposite to the bottom wall portion side in a direction approaching each other along the width direction; an accommodation groove portion that is surrounded by the bottom wall portion, the pair of side wall portions, and the pair of upper wall portions and accommodates the plurality of wires that constitute the conductor portion; an opening formed between the pair of upper wall portions along the width direction and communicating with the accommodation groove portion, Wire with terminals.

2. The electric wire connection portion is a first straight portion provided on the bottom wall portion facing the accommodation groove portion; a second straight portion provided on the upper wall portion facing the accommodation groove portion and positioned opposite the first straight portion in the height direction, the plurality of wires are ultrasonically bonded to the first straight portion and the second straight portion while being inserted into the accommodation groove portion, The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 .

3. The length of the opening in the width direction is greater than the outer diameter of the conductor portion when not joined to the terminal. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 2 .

4. the wire connection portion has a third straight portion that is provided on the upper wall portion and faces an outer side of the accommodating groove portion, and is positioned on an opposite side of the second straight portion in the height direction, the plurality of wires are ultrasonically bonded to the third straight portion while being placed on the upper wall portion; The electric wire with terminal according to claim 2 .

5. The length of the opening in the width direction is equal to the outer diameter of the conductor portion when not joined to the terminal. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 4.

6. The electric wire is The cable further includes an insulating covering portion that covers the conductor portion and exposes the conductor portion from an end thereof, The plurality of wires are ultrasonically joined in a state where an end of the insulating coating portion is abutted against an end of the wire connection portion on the insulating coating portion side in the axial direction. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a pair of end surfaces forming the openings in the pair of upper wall portions each include a straight portion extending along the axial direction and a tapered portion continuing from the straight portion and whose widthwise spacing increases toward a side along which the electric wire extends in the axial direction; The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 or 2.

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