Ultrasonic bonding device and wire with terminals

Abstract

The objective is to provide an ultrasonic bonding device and a wire with a terminal that can ensure proper conductivity at the joint between the wire and the terminal. [Solution] The ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 comprises an anvil 110 having a mounting surface 111 on which a terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 of the electric wire 10 are placed, and a horn 120 positioned opposite the anvil 110 along the vertical direction Z, and having an application surface 121 that sandwiches the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 placed on the mounting surface 111 between itself and the mounting surface 111 and applies ultrasonic vibrations. The mounting surface 111 extends along an axial direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z, and is inclined in a direction that moves away from the application surface 121 of the horn 120 as it moves toward the side on which the electric wire 10 extends along the axial direction X, and has a plurality of protrusions 112 arranged in a line along the axial direction X and in contact with the conductor portion 11 placed on the mounting surface 111.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic bonding device and a wire with a terminal.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wire with a terminal including a coated wire and a terminal connected to a terminal portion at the tip of the coated wire.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when ultrasonic - bonding the conductor portion of the wire to the terminal in the wire with a terminal described in Patent Document 1 above, there is a possibility that the protrusion of the anvil bites into the terminal, causing the terminal to stick to the anvil, or the square shape at the rear end of the horn hits the core wire, damaging the core wire. In this case, there is a risk that an appropriate conduction area cannot be ensured between the wire and the terminal. Therefore, there is room for further improvement in the conduction performance at the joint between the wire and the terminal.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an ultrasonic bonding device and a wire with a terminal that can ensure appropriate conduction performance at the joint between the wire and the terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to the present invention comprises an anvil having a mounting surface on which a conductive terminal and the end of the conductive portion of a conductive electric wire are placed, and a horn having an application surface that is arranged opposite to the anvil in the vertical direction and applies ultrasonic vibrations by sandwiching the terminal and the end of the conductive portion placed on the mounting surface between itself and the mounting surface, wherein the mounting surface extends along an axial direction intersecting the vertical direction, is inclined in a direction that moves away from the application surface of the horn as it moves toward the side on which the electric wire extends in the axial direction, and has a plurality of protrusions arranged in line along the axial direction and in contact with the conductive portion placed on the mounting surface.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the wire with a terminal according to the present invention comprises a wire having conductivity and comprising a conductor portion extending along the axial direction, and a terminal comprising a wire connection portion to which the conductor portion is ultrasonically joined, wherein the conductor portion has a flattened portion whose thickness increases towards the side in the axial direction toward which the wire extends. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The ultrasonic bonding apparatus and the wire with terminal according to the present invention have the effect of ensuring proper electrical conductivity at the joint between the wire and the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a wire with terminals according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to this embodiment, and the terminals and wires processed by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic front view showing the ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to this embodiment, and the terminals and wires processed by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of BB shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of CC shown in Figure 3. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic side view showing an ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to an embodiment, and terminals and wires processed by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic side view showing an ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to an embodiment, and terminals and wires processed by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic side view showing an ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to an embodiment, and terminals and wires processed by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, some of the components in the following embodiments are substituted or substantially identical to those easily substituted by those skilled in the art.

[0011] [Embodiment] First, the terminal-equipped wire 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. In the following description, of the three intersecting directions, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction as the "width direction Y," and the third direction as the "vertical direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the vertical direction Z are mutually orthogonal. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the extension direction (length direction) of the terminal-equipped wire 1, the front-to-back direction of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 that manufactures the terminal-equipped wire 1, etc. The width direction Y typically corresponds to the width direction of the terminal 20 of the terminal-equipped wire 1, the width direction of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 that manufactures the terminal-equipped wire 1, etc. The vertical direction Z typically corresponds to the thickness direction of the terminal 20 of the terminal-equipped wire 1, the height direction of the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 that manufactures the terminal-equipped wire 1, etc. In the vertical direction Z, the upper part is referred to as the upper part or upper side, and the lower part is referred to as the lower part or lower side.

[0012] The terminal-equipped wire 1 is applicable, for example, to wire harnesses used in vehicles. Here, a wire harness is a bundle of multiple wires used for power supply and signal communication, for example, to connect various devices mounted on a vehicle, and the multiple wires are connected to each device with connectors or the like. As shown in Figure 1, the terminal-equipped wire 1 comprises a wire 10 and a terminal 20 attached to the end of the wire 10.

[0013] The electric wire 10 is routed through the vehicle and electrically connects each device. As shown in Figure 1, the electric wire 10 is an insulated electric wire consisting of a conductive conductor portion 11 (core wire) and an insulating coating portion 12, with the conductor portion 11 covered by the insulating coating portion 12. The conductor portion 11 is made by twisting together multiple conductive strands 11a. The insulating coating portion 12 is formed by extruding an insulating resin material (such as PP, PVC, or cross-linked PE, which is appropriately selected considering abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.). The conductor portion 11 may also be made by bundling together multiple strands 11a.

[0014] Furthermore, the electric wire 10 extends linearly along the axial direction X, and the cross-sectional shape of the conductor portion 11 (the cross-sectional shape in the direction intersecting the axial direction X, which is the direction in which the electric wire 10 extends) is approximately circular, and the cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating portion 12 is approximately annular, resulting in an overall approximately circular cross-sectional shape. Also, as shown in Figure 1, at least one end of the electric wire 10 has the insulating coating portion 12 stripped off, and a terminal 20 is provided on the exposed conductor portion 13 where the conductor portion 11 is exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12.

[0015] Furthermore, the conductor portion 11 (i.e., the exposed conductor portion 13) that is exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 has a flattened portion 14 in which the thickness in the vertical direction Z increases as it approaches the end of the insulating coating portion 12, as shown in Figure 1.

[0016] The flat portion 14 is a portion that is crushed by being pressed by a horn 120 described later when the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically joined to the terminal 20. The flat portion 14 of the present embodiment is formed by the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 being inclined in the vertical direction Z in the axial direction X in an ultrasonic joining device 100 that ultrasonically joins the conductor portion 11 to the terminal 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the flat portion 14 has a relatively thin terminal side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the terminal of the insulating coating portion 12 and a relatively thick base side of the conductor portion 11. Therefore, the flat portion 14 is formed such that the surface 14a pressed by the horn 120 inclines in a direction away from the surface 20a of the terminal 20, that is, upward, as it goes toward the terminal side of the insulating coating portion 12 that is the base side of the conductor exposed portion 13.

[0017] The terminal 20 is an object to which the electric wire 10 is electrically connected and to which a conductive connection object is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 20 includes an electrical connection portion 21 and an electric wire connection portion 22.

[0018] Also, the terminal 20 is formed by punching, pressing, bending, etc. a single sheet metal made of a conductive metal into a shape corresponding to each part, so that each part is integrally formed three-dimensionally. Therefore, in the terminal 20 of the present embodiment, the electrical connection portion 21 and the electric wire connection portion 22 are integrally formed and are connected to each other along the axial direction X.

[0019] The electrical connection portion 21 is a portion that is electrically connected to the connection object. The electrical connection portion 21 of the present embodiment is formed in the shape of a round terminal (LA terminal) as an example, and a through hole (not shown) is provided. The terminal 20 formed in this way is, for example, connected to the connection object electrically by inserting a fastening member such as a bolt through the through hole of the electrical connection portion 21 and the through hole of the electrical connection portion in the connection object and fixing the electrical connection portion of the connection object to the electrical connection portion 21. Note that the shape of the electrical connection portion 21 is not particularly limited, and the connection form between the terminal 20 and the connection object is not particularly limited.

[0020] The wire connection portion 22 is located on one end of the electrical connection portion 21, on the side opposite to the side that is electrically connected to the object to be connected, and is the portion to which the wire 10 is connected. In this embodiment, the wire connection portion 22 is formed in a plate shape overall, as shown in Figure 1.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the wire connection portion 22 has a plurality of indentations 23 arranged in a line along the axial direction X on the surface opposite to the surface to which the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically joined. In Figure 1, for the sake of clarity, five indentations 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, and 23e are schematically shown arranged in a line along the axial direction X. In the following explanation, when the five indentations 23 need to be distinguished, they will be referred to as "indentation 23a," "indentation 23b," "indentation 23c," "indentation 23d," and "indentation 23e," and when there is no need to distinguish the five indentations 23, they will simply be referred to as "indentation 23."

[0022] An indentation 23 is a recess formed on the surface (surface 20b) of the terminal 20 opposite to surface 20a. It is formed when the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded to the terminal 20, and the projection 112 of the anvil 110 bites into the surface 20b of the terminal 20 while the conductor portion 11 is pressurized by the horn 120. In this embodiment, among the multiple indentations 23 arranged in a line along the axial direction X, the indentation 23 located towards the center of the axial direction X is the deepest, and the indentations 23 become shallower as they move away from the deepest indentation 23 along the axial direction X. Therefore, in this embodiment, the indentation 23c, located in the center of the five indentations 23a to 23e, is formed to be the deepest. Furthermore, the depth of the indentation 23b adjacent to indentation 23c is shallower than the depth of indentation 23c, and the depth of the indentation 23a adjacent to indentation 23b is shallower than the depth of indentation 23b. On the opposite side of indentation 23b, the depth of the indentation 23d adjacent to indentation 23c is shallower than the depth of indentation 23c, and the depth of the indentation 23e adjacent to indentation 23d is shallower than the depth of indentation 23d.

[0023] Furthermore, the multiple protrusions 112 and indentations 23 provided along the axial direction X are arranged side by side along the width direction Y, with indentations 23a to 23e arranged in rows. Therefore, in this embodiment, the wire connection portion 22 has indentations 23 arranged in multiple rows and columns on the surface (surface 20b) opposite to the surface (surface 20a) to which the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded.

[0024] The wire with terminal 1 configured as described above is manufactured by ultrasonic bonding of the conductor portion 11 of the wire 10 and the terminal 20 using an ultrasonic bonding device 100 shown in Figure 2, etc. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 is formed such that the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 is inclined downward in the axial direction X toward the side to which the wire 10 extends, and a plurality of protrusions 112 are provided on the mounting surface 111 along the axial direction X, thereby realizing a configuration that can ensure proper conductivity performance at the joint between the wire 10 and the terminal 20. The configuration of the ultrasonic bonding device 100 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 6.

[0025] The ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 ultrasonically bonds the terminals of the conductor portion 11 to the terminal 20. As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 comprises an anvil 110, a horn 120, and a gliding jaw 130. For the sake of clarity, Figures 2 to 6 omit illustrations of the support members and mechanisms for moving the anvil 110, horn 120, and gliding jaw 130, respectively.

[0026] The anvil 110 is a base for receiving the members to be ultrasonically bonded. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the anvil 110 faces the horn 120 along the vertical Z direction and is positioned below the horn 120. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, 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 the 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.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the anvil 110 has a mounting surface 111 on which the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are placed. The mounting surface 111 contacts the terminal 20 while sandwiching the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 between itself and the horn 120.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting surface 111 extends along the axial direction X and is formed to tilt away from the application surface 121 of the horn 120 (i.e., tilt downward) as it moves toward the side where the electric wire 10 extends in the axial direction X. Moreover, the mounting surface 111 is tilted such that when the horn 120 moves downward (towards the anvil 110) and clamps the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11, the molding space formed between it and the application surface 121 of the anvil 110 widens as it moves toward the side where the electric wire 10 extends in the axial direction X, and the amount of compression of the conductor portion 11 by the horn 120 decreases as it moves toward the side where the electric wire 10 extends in the axial direction X.

[0029] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting surface 111 has a plurality of protrusions 112 arranged in a line along the axial direction X and positioned within the range of motion E (see Figure 5) of the horn 120. The range of motion E (see Figure 5) of the horn 120 refers to the region that overlaps with the application surface 121 of the horn 120 in the vertical direction Z when the horn 120 moves in the vibration direction represented by the arrow direction D2 in Figure 5. Also, in Figures 2 to 6, for the sake of clarity, a schematic diagram is shown in which five protrusions 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, and 112e are arranged in a line along the axial direction X. Furthermore, in the following explanation, when the five protrusions 112 need to be distinguished, they will be referred to as "protrusion 112a," "protrusion 112b," "protrusion 112c," "protrusion 112d," and "protrusion 112e," and when there is no need to distinguish the five protrusions 112, they will simply be referred to as "protrusion 112."

[0030] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the projection 112 is a convex portion that tapers upward. In this embodiment, the projection 112 is formed, for example, in the shape of a polygonal pyramid and protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 when the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 are sandwiched between the mounting surface 111 and the application surface 121. The direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 here is the vertical direction Z. The plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 is a plane parallel to the vibration direction of the ultrasonic vibration applied by the application surface 121, i.e., a horizontal plane, for example, the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the projection 112 in this embodiment is composed of a part of a virtual regular polygonal pyramid K2 whose center line L is perpendicular to the plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 (see the virtual line K1 in the figure). Here, the center line L is a line that passes through the center of the bottom surface and the vertex of the virtual regular polygonal pyramid K2. Therefore, the projection direction of the projection 112 corresponds to the direction along the center line L of the virtual regular pyramidal cone, which in this embodiment corresponds to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121, in other words, the direction along the vertical direction Z, and the projection direction is perpendicular to the surface direction M of the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110 (the surface direction of the surface perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121). Thus, the projection 112 in this embodiment is formed perpendicular to the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110. The shape of the projection 112 is not particularly limited and may be formed as part of a frustum of a polygon, a polygonal prism, a cone, a frustum of a cone, or a cylinder. When the projection 112 is formed as a cone, the projection 112 is formed perpendicular to the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110 by being composed of part of a virtual cone whose center line passing through the center and vertex of the bottom surface is perpendicular to the surface perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 (see the virtual line K1 in Figure 4).

[0031] Furthermore, of the multiple projections 112 arranged in a line along the axial direction X, the projection 112 positioned towards the center of the axial direction X and corresponding to the center of gravity G of the horn 120 (see Figure 5) has the largest projection from the mounting surface 111, and the projection 112 is formed such that the projection 112 decreases as it moves away from the projection 112 with the largest projection along the axial direction X. The position corresponding to the center of gravity G of the horn 120 referred to here is the position that coincides with the center of gravity G of the horn 120 in the vertical direction Z when the horn 120 moves downward (towards the anvil 110) and sandwiches the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor part 11 between it and the anvil 110, or more precisely, the position that coincides with the center of gravity G of the horn 120 in the vertical direction Z when the horn 120 is positioned at the center of the region (movable range E) in which the applied surface 121 moves when the horn 120 vibrates. Therefore, in this embodiment, the height of projection 112c, which is located in the center of the five projections 112a to 112e, is formed to be the highest. The height of projection 112b adjacent to projection 112c is formed to be lower than the height of projection 112c, and the height of projection 112a adjacent to projection 112b is formed to be lower than the height of projection 112b. The height of projection 112d adjacent to projection 112c on the opposite side of projection 112b is formed to be lower than the height of projection 112c, and the height of projection 112e adjacent to projection 112d is formed to be lower than the height of projection 112d.

[0032] Furthermore, the multiple protrusions 112 provided along the axial direction X are arranged in a line along the width direction Y, with protrusions 112a to 112e arranged in a row. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the multiple protrusions 112 provided along the axial direction X are provided at equal intervals from one end to the other in the width direction Y of the mounting surface 111. Therefore, in this embodiment, the anvil 110 has multiple rows and columns of protrusions 112 arranged on the mounting surface 111 that contacts the terminal 20.

[0033] The horn 120 transmits ultrasonic vibrations to the members to be ultrasonically bonded. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the horn 120 faces the anvil 110 along the vertical direction Z and is positioned above the anvil 110. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the horn 120 is positioned between a pair of gliding jaws 130 provided in the width direction Y. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, when the horn 120 moves downward (towards the anvil 110), it can pressurize the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor 11 by sandwiching them between the anvil 110 and the horn 120. The direction of pressurization by the application surface 121 of the horn 120 is the direction of the arrow D1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the direction of the arrow D1 is from top to bottom. Furthermore, the direction of vibration due to the application surface 121 of the horn 120 is the direction of the arrow D2 shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the direction of the arrow D2 is along the axial direction X.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the horn 120 has an application surface 121 that is sandwiched between the mounting surface 111 and the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 placed on the terminal 20 to apply ultrasonic vibration. The application surface 121 contacts the conductor portion 11 while sandwiching the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 between it and the anvil 110.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the application surface 121 is formed by a concave curved surface whose front shape, when viewed from the axial direction X, is spaced apart from the mounting surface 111 along the vertical direction Z. Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the application surface 121 extends along the axial direction X, and as shown in Figures 3 and 5, it contacts the conductor portion 11 and pressurizes the conductor portion 11. By applying ultrasonic vibrations while crushing the upper surface of the conductor portion 11 (the surface 14a pressed by the horn 120) to match the curved shape of the application surface 121, ultrasonic vibrations can be transmitted to the joint between the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20.

[0036] The gliding jaws 130 can press a member placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 against the mounting surface 111. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the gliding jaws 130 are positioned opposite the anvil 110 along the vertical direction Z and above the anvil 110. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the gliding jaws 130 are formed in a plate shape with the vertical direction Z being the plate thickness direction, and are provided in pairs in the width direction Y. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the gliding jaws 130 are positioned so as to clamp the horn 120 in the width direction Y when the horn 120 moves downward (towards 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. Furthermore, the gliding jaw 130 presses the terminal 20, which is placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, against the mounting surface 111, thereby suppressing displacement of the terminal 20, which is positioned on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, due to ultrasonic vibrations applied from the horn 120.

[0037] Next, with reference to Figures 5 and 7-9, the operation when the electric wire 10 and terminal 20 are ultrasonically bonded using the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 configured as described above will be explained. In Figures 5 and 7-9, for the sake of clarity, the five protrusions 112a, 112b, 112c, 112d, and 112e are schematically shown arranged along the axial direction X.

[0038] First, as shown in Figure 5, when the terminal 20 is placed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, the rear end 20d of the terminal 20 (the end where the base of the conductor portion 11, exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12, is joined) is positioned facing downwards in accordance with the inclination of the mounting surface 111. Then, with the end of the conductor portion 11 positioned on the terminal 20, the horn 120 moves downward (towards 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, forming a flattened portion 14 on the conductor portion 11. At the same time, a projection 112c, positioned to correspond to the center of gravity G of the horn 120, bites into the surface 20b of the terminal 20, preventing the terminal 20 from following vibrations propagated from the horn 120. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 of this embodiment can ultrasonically bond the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 in an appropriate state.

[0039] As shown in Figure 7, when the horn 120 moves to the rear (towards the wire 10 in the axial direction X of the terminal-equipped wire 1), the base of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 is pressed against the terminal 20. Accordingly, the rear end 20d of the terminal 20 to which the base of the conductor portion 11 is joined is pressed more firmly against the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, causing the rear end 20d of the terminal 20 to move downward. As a result, in addition to the projection 112c, projections 112d and 112e bite into the surface 20b of the terminal 20, preventing the terminal 20 from following the vibrations propagated from the horn 120. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 of this embodiment can ultrasonically bond the wire 10 and the terminal 20 in an appropriate state.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, when the horn 120 moves forward (towards the terminal 20 in the axial direction X of the terminal-equipped wire 1), the terminal side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 is pressed against the terminal 20. Accordingly, the tip 20c of the terminal 20 to which the conductor portion 11 is joined is pressed more firmly against the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, causing the tip 20c of the terminal 20 to move downward. As a result, in addition to the projection 112c, projections 112b and 112a bite into the surface 20b of the terminal 20, preventing the terminal 20 from following the vibrations propagated from the horn 120. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 of this embodiment can ultrasonically bond the wire 10 and the terminal 20 in an appropriate state.

[0041] Furthermore, when the horn 120 moves from the rear to the front, the terminal 20 tilts to the opposite side using the projection 112c embedded in the surface 20b as a pivot point, causing the tip 20c to move downwards while the rear end 20d moves upwards. Therefore, when the horn 120 moves to the rear, the projections 112d and 112e embedded in the surface 20b of the terminal 20 move away from the surface 20b of the terminal 20 as the horn 120 moves forward, reducing the degree of embedding into the terminal 20. Similarly, when the horn 120 moves from the front to the rear, the terminal 20 tilts to the opposite side using the projection 112c embedded in the surface 20b as a pivot point, causing the tip 20c to move upwards while the rear end 20d moves downwards. Therefore, when the horn 120 moves forward, the protrusions 112b and 112a that have dug into the surface 20b of the terminal 20 move backward, and the impact on the terminal 20 is reduced. Thus, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 of this embodiment can prevent multiple protrusions 112 from simultaneously and deeply digging into the surface 20b of the terminal 20 when the horn 120 moves back and forth repeatedly due to ultrasonic vibration.

[0042] As shown in Figure 9, the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 is inclined so that its rear end 20d faces downward, while the application surface 121 of the horn 120 contacts the conductor portion 11 placed on the terminal 20 in a horizontal direction. This results in a relatively narrow distance Z1 between the anvil 110 and the horn 120 at the front of the ultrasonic bonding device 100, and a relatively wide distance Z2 between the anvil 110 and the horn 120 at the rear of the ultrasonic bonding device 100. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can reduce the amount of compression applied to the base side of the conductor portion 11 exposed from the end of the insulating coating portion 12 by the horn 120 compared to the end side of the conductor portion 11, thereby making it less likely for a load to be applied to the base side of the conductor portion 11. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic bonding device 100 repeatedly moves the horn 120 back and forth by ultrasonic vibration, it moves the terminal 20 in accordance with the movement of the horn 120, thereby reducing the dimensional changes between the areas compressed and uncompressed by the horn 120. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 of this embodiment can prevent the conductor portion 11 (core wire) from being damaged by the horn 120.

[0043] The ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 described above comprises an anvil 110 having a mounting surface 111 on which a conductive terminal 20 and the end of the conductive portion 11 of a conductive electric wire 10 are placed, and a horn 120 positioned opposite the anvil 110 along the vertical direction Z, and having an application surface 121 that sandwiches the terminal 20 and the end of the conductive portion 11 placed on the mounting surface 111 between itself and the mounting surface 111 to apply ultrasonic vibrations. Furthermore, the mounting surface 111 extends along an axial direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z, and is inclined in a direction away from the application surface 121 of the horn 120 as it moves toward the side on which the electric wire 10 extends along the axial direction X, and has a plurality of protrusions 112 arranged in a line along the axial direction X and in contact with the conductive portion 11 placed on the mounting surface 111. Furthermore, the terminal-equipped wire 1, to which the wire 10 and terminal 20 are joined by the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 described above, comprises a wire 10 that is conductive and includes a conductive portion 11 extending along the axial direction X, and a terminal 20 that includes a wire connection portion 22 to which the conductive portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded, and the conductive portion 11 has a flattened portion 14 whose thickness in the vertical direction Z increases as it approaches the side to which the wire 10 extends in the axial direction X.

[0044] With this configuration, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can prevent the terminal 20 from following vibrations propagated from the horn 120 by causing the projection 112 to bite into the terminal 20 during ultrasonic bonding, thereby enabling ultrasonic bonding of the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 in an appropriate state. Furthermore, when the ultrasonic bonding device 100 repeatedly moves the horn 120 back and forth during ultrasonic bonding, it can reduce the amount of biting of the projection 112 into the terminal 20 by tilting either the front end 20c or the rear end 20d of the terminal 20, which is placed on the mounting surface 111, in either the vertical direction Z, in accordance with the movement of the horn 120. As a result, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can prevent multiple projections 112 from biting deeply into the terminal 20 at the same time, thereby reducing adhesion of the terminal 20 to the anvil 110. Consequently, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 of this embodiment makes it easier to remove the electric wire 1 with the terminal after ultrasonic bonding is completed.

[0045] Furthermore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can prevent damage to the conductor portion 11 (core wire) by reducing the amount of compression of the conductor portion 11 by the horn 120 at the rear end 20d side of the terminal 20. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can prevent a reduction in the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor portion 11 due to damage to the conductor portion 11, and can suppress the temperature rise of the electric wire 10 when energized by ensuring a sufficient path for electricity to pass through. In addition, the electric wire with terminal 1, to which the electric wire 10 and terminal 20 are joined by the ultrasonic bonding device 100, can maintain stable quality. Accordingly, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 and the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment can ensure proper conductivity performance at the joint between the electric wire 10 and terminal 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the projection 112 described above protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the surface (in this embodiment, the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110) perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121 when sandwiching the terminal 20 and the end of the conductor portion 11 between the mounting surface 111 and the application surface 121. With this configuration, the projection 112 protrudes in the vertical direction Z along the direction of pressure applied by the application surface 121. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 makes it easier to bite the projection 112 into the terminal 20 during ultrasonic bonding, and at the same time makes it easier to remove the projection 112 from the terminal 20 when the tip 20c side or the rear end 20d side of the terminal 20 tilts to the opposite side. Thus, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can further reduce the adhesion of the terminal 20 to the anvil 110, thereby making it easier to remove the wire 1 with the terminal.

[0047] Furthermore, of the multiple protrusions 112a to 112e arranged in a line along the axial direction X, the protrusion 112c, which is located on the central side of the axial direction X and corresponds to the center of gravity G of the horn 120, has the largest protrusion, and the protrusion decreases as you move away from the protrusion 112c, which has the largest protrusion, along the axial direction X. In addition, the wire connection portion 22 of the terminal-equipped wire 1, to which the wire 10 and terminal 20 are joined by the ultrasonic bonding device 100, has multiple indentations 23 arranged in a line along the axial direction X on the surface (surface 20b) opposite to the surface (surface 20a) where the conductor portion 11 is ultrasonically bonded, and of the multiple indentations 23a to 23e arranged in a line along the axial direction X, the indentation 23c, which is located on the central side of the axial direction X, has the deepest depth, and the depth decreases as you move away from the deepest indentation 23c, which has the deepest depth, along the axial direction X. With this configuration, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can ultrasonically bond the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 in an appropriate state by more reliably engaging the largest projection 112c with the terminal 20 during ultrasonic bonding, and by preventing the terminal 20 from following vibrations propagated from the horn 120 by the projection 112c. Furthermore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can reduce the amount of protrusion 112 that engages with the terminal 20, or reduce the number of projections 112 that engage with the terminal 20, when the front end 20c or rear end 20d of the terminal 20, which is placed on the mounting surface 111, tilts in either the vertical direction Z in accordance with the movement of the horn 120. As a result, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can further reduce the adhesion of the terminal 20 to the anvil 110, thereby making it easier to remove the electric wire 1 with the terminal.

[0048] Furthermore, the projection 112 described above is positioned within the range of motion E of the horn 120. With this configuration, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 can more reliably embed the projection 112 into the surface 20b of the terminal when the terminal 20 is pressurized by the horn 120 during ultrasonic bonding. Therefore, the ultrasonic bonding device 100 of this embodiment can prevent the terminal 20 from following the vibrations propagated from the horn 120, thereby enabling ultrasonic bonding of the electric wire 10 and the terminal 20 in a more appropriate state.

[0049] Furthermore, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 and the terminal-equipped wire 1 according to the embodiments of the present invention described above are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims.

[0050] For example, the inclination angle of the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110 is not particularly limited.

[0051] Furthermore, although the above description states that the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 includes an anvil 110, a horn 120, and a gliding jaw 130, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 does not necessarily have to include the gliding jaw 130. Also, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 may include components other than the gliding jaw 130 in addition to the anvil 110 and the horn 120.

[0052] Furthermore, the direction in which the projection 112 protrudes is not particularly limited. In the above description, the projection 112 is described as protruding in a direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 113 of the anvil 110, but for example, it may protrude in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110. Also, the shape of the projection 112 is not particularly limited, and in the above description, the projection 112 is described as being part of a regular polygonal pyramid formed on a surface perpendicular to the pressurization direction by the application surface 121, and is composed of the head of a regular polygonal pyramid protruding from the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110, but for example, it may be composed of a regular polygonal pyramid formed on the mounting surface 111 of the anvil 110.

[0053] Furthermore, the number of protrusions 112, the position of the protrusions 112 relative to the mounting surface 111, and the distance between the protrusions 112 are not particularly limited.

[0054] Furthermore, the height of the projection 112 is not particularly limited, as long as it is configured such that the projection 112 located towards the center has the largest protrusion among the multiple projections 112 provided along the axial direction X.

[0055] Furthermore, the thickness of the conductor portion 11 that is ultrasonically bonded to the terminal 20 may be approximately constant.

[0056] Furthermore, the number of indentations 23 formed on the terminal 20, the position of the indentations 23, the distance between the indentations 23, the shape of the indentations 23, and the depth of the indentations 23 are not particularly limited.

[0057] Furthermore, the ultrasonic bonding apparatus 100 and the terminal-equipped wire 1 according to this embodiment may be constructed by appropriately combining the components of the embodiments described above. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1. Wire with terminals 10 Electric wire 11 Conductor section 14 Flat part 20 terminals 22 Wire connection section 23 Indentations 100 Ultrasonic bonding equipment 110 Anvil 111 Mounting surface 112 Protrusion 113 Anvil base 120 horns 121 Application surface D1 Horn Pressure Direction D2 Horn Vibration Direction E horn range of motion G Horn's center of gravity K1 virtual line K2 Virtual Regular Pyramid L is the center line of a virtual conformal pyramid. M Anvil bottom surface direction X-axis direction Y width direction Z vertical direction Distance between the anvil and horn on Z1 and Z2.

Claims

1. An anvil having a mounting surface on which a conductive terminal and the end of the conductive part of a conductive wire are placed, The anvil is positioned opposite to the horn in the vertical direction and has an application surface that sandwiches the terminals positioned on the aforementioned mounting surface and the terminals of the conductors positioned on the terminals between itself and the aforementioned mounting surface to apply ultrasonic vibrations, The mounting surface extends along an axial direction intersecting the vertical direction, is inclined in a direction that moves away from the application surface of the horn as it approaches the side on which the electric wire extends in the axial direction, and has a plurality of protrusions arranged in a line along the axial direction that contact the conductor portion placed on the mounting surface. Ultrasonic bonding equipment.

2. The projection protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure applied by the application surface when the terminal and the end of the conductor portion are sandwiched between the aforementioned mounting surface and the application surface. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The projections are arranged in a line along the axial direction, and the projection positioned towards the center in the axial direction, corresponding to the center of gravity of the horn, has the largest protrusion, with the protrusion decreasing as it moves away from the projection with the largest protrusion along the axial direction. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The projection is positioned within the range of motion of the horn. The ultrasonic bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A wire comprising a conductive portion that is conductive and extends along the axial direction, The terminal comprises a conductor portion that includes a wire connection portion that is ultrasonically bonded, The conductor portion is characterized by having a flattened portion whose thickness increases towards the side in the axial direction where the electric wire extends. Electrical wire with terminals.

6. The wire connection portion has a plurality of indentations arranged in the axial direction on the surface opposite to the surface to which the conductor portion is ultrasonically bonded. The indentation is such that, among the plurality of indentations arranged in line along the axial direction, the indentation located towards the center in the axial direction is the deepest, and the depth decreases as the indentation moves away from the deepest indentation along the axial direction to both sides. The wire with terminals as described in claim 5.

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