Electrical wire with terminals

Abstract

To increase the terminal strength of wires with terminals that are made up of two combined parts. [Solution] The terminal-equipped wire 1 comprises a terminal 5 having a connection portion 51, an intermediate portion 53, a core wire crimping portion 54, and a wire holding portion 55, and a wire 2 connected to the terminal 5. The terminal 5 is formed by combining a first member 3 and a second member 4, with the core wire crimping portion 54 and the wire holding portion 55 being divided into the first member 3 and the second member 4. Furthermore, the connection portion 51 and the intermediate portion 53 of the terminal 5 have a double structure in which the first member 3 and the second member 4 are superimposed. The first member 3 and the second member 4 are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion 54 crimping the core wire 21 of the wire 2, and the wire holding portion 55 holding the portion of the wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , ,

[0007] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire with terminals.

Background Art

[0002] Terminals connected to wires come in various structures. For example, there is a terminal with the structure shown in FIG. 17 (see Patent Document 1). The terminal 502 shown in FIG. 17(a) is composed of two parts, a female contact part 520 and a crimp connection part 530, which are manufactured separately as shown in FIG. 17(b).

[0003] The female contact part 520 has a cylindrical part 521 for accommodating a mating member and a connecting part 524. The crimp connection part 530 has a pair of clamping pieces 532, a pair of clamping pieces 533, and a connecting part 534.

[0004] For the terminal 502, the female contact part 520 and the crimp connection part 530 are manufactured separately, and the connecting parts 524 and 534 are overlapped and welded together to be combined.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

[0008] The present invention relates to a wire with a terminal, comprising a terminal having a connection portion to a mating member, a core wire crimping portion, and a wire holding portion, wherein the terminal is composed of a first member and a second member, and at least one of the connection portion, the core wire crimping portion, and the wire holding portion is divided into the first member and the second member, and the first member and the second member are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion crimping the core wire of the wire and the wire holding portion holding the portion of the wire covered with the insulating coating. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the terminal strength of an electric wire with a terminal made of two combined parts can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a wire with terminals according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded view of the terminals. [Figure 4] This figure shows the state in which the first and second members of Figure 3 are combined. [Figure 5] This figure shows a chain terminal assembly used in the manufacture of the terminal-equipped electric wire shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This figure shows a wire with terminals according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the terminals. [Figure 9] This figure shows the state in which the first and second members of Figure 8 are combined. [Figure 10] This figure shows a chain terminal assembly used in the manufacture of terminal-equipped electric wires shown in Figure 6. [Figure 11] This figure shows a wire with terminals according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] It is an exploded view of the terminal in FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a view showing a state where the first member in FIG. 13 is connected to an electric wire. [Figure 15] It is a view showing the first series terminal used for manufacturing the electric wire with a terminal in FIG. 11. [Figure 16] It is a view showing the second series terminal used for manufacturing the electric wire with a terminal in FIG. 11. <000*******81> [Figure 17] It is a view showing a conventional terminal.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (First Embodiment) The "electric wire with a terminal" according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0012] The electric wire with a terminal 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an electric wire 2 and a terminal 5.

[0013] The electric wire 2 is a coated electric wire in which a core wire 21, which is a conductor, is covered with an insulating coating 22. The end portion of this electric wire 2 has the insulating coating 22 removed and the core wire 21 exposed.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal 5 is formed by combining a first member 3 and a second member 4. The terminal 5 has a connection portion 51 to a mating member, a core wire crimping portion 54 that crimps the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2, an electric wire holding portion 55 that holds the portion covered with the insulating coating 22 of the electric wire 2, and an intermediate portion 53 between the connection portion 51 and the core wire crimping portion 54. The connection portion 51 is formed in an annular shape. The core wire crimping portion 54 is formed in a U shape before crimping the core wire 21. The electric wire holding portion 55 is formed in a U shape before holding the electric wire 2. <********

[0015] Terminal 5 is divided into a first member 3 and a second member 4, with a core wire crimping portion 54 and a wire holding portion 55. Furthermore, the terminal 5 has a double structure in which the connecting portion 51 and the intermediate portion 53 are superimposed on the first member 3 and the second member 4. The first member 3 and the second member 4 are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion 54 crimping the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2, and the wire holding portion 55 holding the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22.

[0016] Conventional terminals (see Figure 17) have a problem in that the strength of the joint between the two parts is lower compared to a single-piece terminal because the joint is located between the connection point with the mating member and the connection point with the electric wire. In contrast, terminal 5 in this example does not divide the intermediate part 53 between the connection point 51 with the mating member and the connection point with the electric wire 2 into front and back (front and back in the longitudinal direction of terminal 5), but instead has a double structure in which the first member 3 and the second member 4 are stacked on top of each other. This increases the strength of the intermediate part 53. Furthermore, in terminal 5 in this example, the core wire crimping part 54 and the electric wire holding part 55 are divided into left and right halves rather than front and back, thus increasing the overall strength compared to conventional terminals.

[0017] The first member 3 is separated from the first chain terminal 11 shown in Figure 5. The first chain terminal 11 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, and multiple first members 3 are connected to the carrier 38 via connecting pieces 37. The carrier 38 extends in a strip shape and has holes 39a provided at equal intervals.

[0018] The first member 3 includes a first connecting portion 31 that constitutes the connecting portion 51, a first intermediate portion 33 that constitutes the intermediate portion 53, a crimping piece 34 that constitutes the core wire crimping portion 54, and a crimping piece 35 that constitutes the wire holding portion 55. Furthermore, the first member 3 has an insertion portion 36 having an insertion hole 36a through which the crimping piece 45 of the second member 4, described later, is inserted.

[0019] The second member 4 is separated from the second chain terminal 12 shown in Figure 5. The second chain terminal 12 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, and multiple second members 4 are connected to the carrier 48 via connecting pieces 47. The carrier 48 extends in a strip shape and has holes 49a provided at equal intervals.

[0020] The second member 4 has a second connecting portion 41 that overlaps with the first connecting portion 31 to form a connecting portion 51, a second intermediate portion 43 that overlaps with the first intermediate portion 33 to form an intermediate portion 53, a crimping piece 44 that forms a core wire crimping portion 54, and a crimping piece 45 that forms a wire holding portion 55. The crimping piece 44 faces the crimping piece 34 in the width direction of the terminal 5. The crimping piece 45 is inserted through the insertion hole 36a and faces the crimping piece 35 in the width direction of the terminal 5. Furthermore, the second member 4 has a pair of restricting portions 42 that rise from the edge of the second connecting portion 41. The pair of restricting portions 42 restrict misalignment of the first member 3 and the second member 4 in the width direction and overlap direction by crimping the first connecting portion 31 with the first connecting portion 31 positioned between them.

[0021] In this specification, the set of the first chain terminal 11 and the second chain terminal 12 is referred to as a "chain terminal set" and is denoted by reference numeral 10.

[0022] When the carriers 38 and 48 are stacked on top of each other, and the holes 39a and 49a are aligned, the crimping piece 45 is inserted through the insertion hole 36a, the first connecting portion 31 is positioned between the pair of restricting portions 42, and the first connecting portion 31 is placed on top of the second connecting portion 41. In other words, the holes 39a and 49a function as "positioning portions" that position the first member 3 and the second member 4.

[0023] Next, an example of a manufacturing method for the terminal-equipped wire 1 described above will be explained. The insulating coating 22 at the end of the wire 2 is removed in advance.

[0024] First, the first member 3 of the first chain terminal 11 and the second member 4 of the second chain terminal 12 are transported toward the crimping machine by a transport mechanism. The transport mechanism is equipped with feed claws, which catch on each hole 39a and each hole 49a, causing the holes 39a and each hole 49a to overlap. As a result, the crimping piece 45 is inserted through the insertion hole 36a, the first connecting part 31 is positioned between the pair of restricting parts 42, and the first connecting part 31 overlaps the second connecting part 41, positioning the first member 3 and the second member 4 (chain terminal assembly process).

[0025] Next, the electric wire 2 is placed on the first member 3 and the second member 4, which are positioned relative to each other. Specifically, the exposed core wire 21 of the electric wire 2 is placed between a pair of crimping pieces 34, 44, and the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22 is placed between a pair of crimping pieces 35, 45 (electric wire placement step).

[0026] After the above process, when the first member 3 and second member 4 and the electric wire 2, which have been positioned relative to each other, reach the crimping machine, the crimping machine is operated to crimp the pair of restricting portions 42, and then the pair of crimping pieces 34, 44 crimp the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2. In addition, the pair of crimping pieces 35, 45 crimp the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22. As a result, the first member 3 and the second member 4 are joined (fixed) together to form the terminal 5, and the terminal 5 is connected to the electric wire 2 (crimping process).

[0027] Finally, by detaching the first member 3 from the carrier 38 of the first chain terminal 11 and the second member 4 from the carrier 48 of the second chain terminal 12, the terminal-equipped wire 1 shown in Figure 1 is obtained (detachment process).

[0028] In the above manufacturing method, the first member 3, which is connected to the carrier 38, and the second member 4, which is connected to the carrier 48, are joined together while being positioned by the holes in the carriers 38 and 48. This suppresses misalignment between the first member 3 and the second member 4 during joining. Therefore, variations in the finished terminal-equipped electric wire 1 can also be reduced.

[0029] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned terminal-equipped electric wire 1, the crimping piece 45 is inserted through the insertion hole 36a and the electric wire 2 is crimped, resulting in higher positional accuracy between the first member 3 and the second member 4.

[0030] (Second Embodiment) A "wire with terminals" according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. In Figures 6 to 10, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first embodiment described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0031] The terminal-equipped wire 101 shown in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a wire 2 and a terminal 105.

[0032] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, terminal 105 is formed by combining a first member 103 and a second member 104. Terminal 105 has a connection portion 151 to the mating member, a core wire crimping portion 54 to which the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2 is crimped, a wire holding portion 55 that holds the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22, and an intermediate portion 153 between the connection portion 151 and the core wire crimping portion 54. The connection portion 151 is formed in an annular shape.

[0033] The terminal 105 is divided into a first member 103 and a second member 104, with the connection portion 151, the core wire crimping portion 54, and the wire holding portion 55 being separate. Furthermore, a portion of the connection portion 151 and the intermediate portion 153 of the terminal 105 have a double structure in which the first member 103 and the second member 104 are superimposed. The first member 103 and the second member 104 are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion 54 crimping the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2, and the wire holding portion 55 holding the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22.

[0034] In this example as well, the terminal 105 is not divided into front and rear (front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 105) between the connection part 151 with the mating member and the connection part with the electric wire 2, i.e., the intermediate part 153, but rather has a double structure in which the first member 103 and the second member 104 are superimposed. This increases the strength of the intermediate part 153. In addition, in this example, the terminal 105 is divided into a left half and a right half rather than front and rear, so the overall strength is increased compared to conventional terminals.

[0035] The first member 103 is separated from the first chain terminal 111 shown in Figure 10. The first chain terminal 111 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, similar to the first chain terminal 11 in the first embodiment, and a plurality of first members 103 are connected to the carrier 38 via connecting pieces 37.

[0036] The first member 103 has the same configuration as the first member 3 of the first embodiment, except for the first connecting portion 131 which constitutes the connecting portion 151. The first connecting portion 131 is provided with a notch 131a which is a part of it that has been cut out.

[0037] The second member 104 is separated from the second chain terminal 112 shown in Figure 10. The second chain terminal 112 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, similar to the second chain terminal 12 in the first embodiment, and multiple second members 104 are connected to the carrier 48 via connecting pieces 47.

[0038] The second member 104 has the same configuration as the second member 4 of the first embodiment, except for the second connecting portion 141 that constitutes the connecting portion 151 and the pair of restricting portions 142. The second connecting portion 141 is superimposed on the lower surface of the first connecting portion 131 to form an annular connecting portion 151. The pair of restricting portions 142 are provided on both sides of the second intermediate portion 43. The pair of restricting portions 142 are crimped together so as to embrace the first intermediate portion 33 with the first intermediate portion 33 positioned between them, thereby restricting misalignment of the first member 103 and the second member 104 in the width direction and overlap direction.

[0039] In this specification, the set of the first chain terminal 111 and the second chain terminal 112 is referred to as a "chain terminal set" and is denoted by reference numeral 110. When the holes 39a and 49a of the chain terminal set 110 overlap, the crimping piece 45 is inserted into the insertion hole 36a, the first intermediate part 33 is positioned between the pair of restricting parts 142, and a part of the second connecting part 141 and a part of the first connecting part 131 overlap vertically.

[0040] Similar to the terminal-equipped wire 1 of the first embodiment, the terminal-equipped wire 101 described above can be joined by positioning the first member 103, which is connected to the carrier 38, and the second member 104, which is connected to the carrier 48, using the holes in the carriers 38 and 48. This suppresses misalignment between the first member 103 and the second member 104 during joining. Therefore, variations in the finished terminal-equipped wire 101 can also be reduced.

[0041] (Third embodiment) A "wire with terminals" according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. In Figures 11 to 16, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in the first and second embodiments described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0042] The terminal-equipped wire 201 shown in Figures 11 and 12 comprises a wire 2 and a terminal 205.

[0043] As shown in Figure 13, the terminal 205 is formed by combining a first member 203 and a second member 204. The terminal 205 has a connection portion 251 to the mating member, a core wire crimping portion 254 to which the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2 is crimped, a wire holding portion 255 to which the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22 is held, and an intermediate portion 253 between the connection portion 251 and the core wire crimping portion 254. The connection portion 251 is formed in an annular shape. The core wire crimping portion 254 has an inner crimping piece 234 to which the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2 is directly crimped, and a pair of outer crimping pieces 244 to which the core wire 21 is indirectly crimped by crimping the inner crimping piece 234. The wire holding portion 255 has an inner crimping piece 235 that directly crimps the portion of the wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22, and a pair of outer crimping pieces 245 that indirectly crimp the wire 2 by crimping the inner crimping piece 235.

[0044] The terminal 205 has a connection portion 251 that is divided into a first member 203 and a second member 204. Furthermore, the terminal 205 has a double structure in which a part of the connection portion 251, the intermediate portion 253, the core wire crimping portion 254, and the wire holding portion 255 are superimposed on the first member 203 and the second member 204. The first member 203 and the second member 204 are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion 254 crimping the core wire 21 of the electric wire 2, and the wire holding portion 255 holding the portion of the electric wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22.

[0045] In this example as well, the terminal 205 is not divided into front and rear (front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the terminal 205) between the connection portion 251 with the mating member and the connection portion with the electric wire 2, i.e., the intermediate portion 253, but rather has a double structure in which the first member 203 and the second member 204 are superimposed. This increases the strength of the intermediate portion 253. In addition, in this example, the connection portion 251 of the terminal 205 is divided into a left half and a right half rather than front and rear, so the overall strength is increased compared to conventional terminals.

[0046] The first member 203 is separated from the first chain terminal 211 shown in Figure 15. The first chain terminal 211 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, similar to the first chain terminal 11 in the first embodiment, and a plurality of first members 203 are connected to the carrier 38 via connecting pieces 37.

[0047] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first member 203 includes a first connecting portion 231 that constitutes the connecting portion 251, a first intermediate portion 233 that constitutes the intermediate portion 253, an inner crimping piece 234 that constitutes the core wire crimping portion 254, and an inner crimping piece 235 that constitutes the wire holding portion 255. The first connecting portion 231 is provided with a notch 231a, which is a part of it that has been cut out.

[0048] The second member 204 is separated from the second chain terminal 212 shown in Figure 16. The second chain terminal 212 is obtained by pressing or otherwise processing a metal plate, similar to the second chain terminal 12 in the first embodiment, and multiple second members 204 are connected to the carrier 48 via connecting pieces 47.

[0049] The second member 204 includes a second connecting portion 241 that constitutes the connecting portion 251, a second intermediate portion 243 that constitutes the intermediate portion 253, a pair of outer crimping pieces 244 that constitute the core wire crimping portion 254, and a pair of outer crimping pieces 245 that constitute the wire holding portion 255. The second connecting portion 241 is provided with a notch 241a, which is a part of it that has been cut out. The second connecting portion 241 is formed into an annular connecting portion 251 by overlapping a part of it with the lower surface of the first connecting portion 231. Furthermore, the second member 204 has a restricting portion 242 that rises from the edge of the second connecting portion 241. The restricting portion 242 restricts the positional displacement of the first member 203 and the second member 204 in the width direction and overlap direction by being crimped so as to sandwich the first connecting portion 231 between itself and the second connecting portion 241.

[0050] When manufacturing the above-mentioned wire with terminal 201, first, the wire 2 is placed on the first member 203 without being superimposed on the second member 204, the core wire 21 of the wire 2 is crimped with the inner crimping piece 234, and the portion of the wire 2 covered with the insulating coating 22 is crimped with the inner crimping piece 235. Then, this first member 203 is superimposed on the second member 204. Then, the restricting portion 242 is crimped, followed by the inner crimping piece 234 being crimped with the pair of outer crimping pieces 244. In addition, the inner crimping piece 235 is crimped with the pair of outer crimping pieces 245. As a result, the first member 203 and the second member 204 are joined (fixed) together to form the terminal 205, and the wire with terminal 201 shown in Figure 11 is obtained.

[0051] Furthermore, with conventional LA terminals (ring terminals), crimping to thinner wires becomes more difficult as the size increases. However, by adopting a structure in which the wire 2 is crimped with the first component 203 and then the first component 203 and the second component 204 are combined, as in this example, it becomes possible to use even thinner wires.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the terminal had an annular connection portion, but in the present invention, the terminal may have a connection portion of the type that fits (male-female mating) with a mating member.

[0053] The embodiments described above merely represent typical forms of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. That is, it can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the core principles of the present invention. As long as such modifications still possess the configuration of the present invention, they are of course included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1,101,201 Wire with terminals 2 electric wire 3,103,203 First Member 4,104,204 Second member 5,105,205 terminals 51,151,251 Connection part 54,254 Core wire crimping section 55,255 Wire holding part

Claims

1. A terminal having a connection portion to a mating member, a core wire crimping portion, and a wire holding portion, and a wire connected to the terminal, The terminal is composed of a first member and a second member, and at least one of the connecting portion, the core wire crimping portion, and the wire holding portion is divided between the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are fixed to each other by the core wire crimping portion crimping the core wire of the electric wire and the electric wire holding portion holding the portion of the electric wire covered with the insulating coating. A wire with terminals characterized by the following features.

2. At least one of the first member and the second member has a restricting portion that restricts the positional misalignment of the first member and the second member in the width direction. The terminal-equipped electric wire according to feature 1.

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