Electrical wires with terminals, and terminals

Abstract

To provide a wire with a terminal that uses a terminal capable of properly maintaining the function of an elastic material such as a rubber stopper attached to the wire. [Solution] The wire with terminal 1 comprises a wire 20, an elastic body 30 arranged to surround the outer surface of the wire 20 and having a lower modulus of elasticity than the outer surface, and a terminal 10 electrically connected to the wire 20. The terminal 10 is arranged to surround the elastic body 30 and has an elastic body crimping portion 13 that is crimped to the elastic body 30, pressing its contact surface 13c against the elastic body 30. The elastic body crimping portion 13 has a recess 18 on its contact surface 13c that is recessed away from the elastic body 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire with a terminal and a terminal used for the wire with a terminal.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a wire with a terminal has been proposed in which a terminal and a conductor core wire are electrically connected by crimping a core wire crimping portion of the terminal to the conductor core wire of the wire. For example, in one of the conventional wires with terminals, after passing the wire through a cylindrical rubber plug for waterproofing, the core wire crimping portion is crimped to the conductor core wire of the wire, and the rubber plug crimping portion is crimped to the rubber plug, thereby integrating the terminal, the rubber plug, and the wire (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described conventional wire with a terminal, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the surface of the rubber plug crimping portion of the terminal, and these protrusions are made to bite into the rubber plug by crimping the rubber plug crimping portion to the rubber plug. Thereby, even when an external force is applied to the wire with a terminal during conveyance or use of the wire with a terminal, the rubber plug is prevented from being unintentionally separated (i.e., coming off) from the terminal. However, in reality, when an external force is applied to the wire with a terminal, particularly when excessive stress concentration occurs in the portion of the rubber plug around the protrusion, deformation such as cracks may occur in the rubber plug starting from around the protrusion. Such deformation of the rubber plug may cause impairment of the original function of the rubber plug (i.e., the waterproof property of the wire with a terminal), which is not preferable.

[0005] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a terminal capable of properly maintaining the function of an elastic body such as a rubber stopper attached to an electric wire, and an electric wire with a terminal using the same terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the wire with terminals and the terminals according to the present invention are characterized by the following:

[0007] A wire with a terminal, comprising: a wire; an elastic body arranged to surround the outer surface of the wire and having a lower modulus of elasticity than the outer surface; and a terminal electrically connected to the wire, The aforementioned terminal is The elastic body crimping portion is arranged to surround the elastic body and is crimped to the elastic body so that its contact surface is pressed against the elastic body. The aforementioned elastic crimping portion is The contact surface has a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body, It must be a wire with terminals.

[0008] A terminal that is electrically connected to an electric wire and crimped to an elastic body attached to the electric wire, The system includes an elastic crimping portion that is arranged to surround the elastic body and is crimped to the elastic body so that its contact surface is pressed against the elastic body, The aforementioned elastic crimping portion is The contact surface has a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body, It is a terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the wire with terminal and terminal of the present invention, the elastic crimping portion of the terminal is crimped to an elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the wire. The elastic crimping portion has a recess on its contact surface with the elastic body that is recessed away from the elastic body. When the elastic crimping portion is crimped to the elastic body, a part of the elastic body deforms so as to fit into the groove of this recess. This engagement between a part of the elastic body and the recess of the terminal prevents the elastic body from unintentionally separating from the terminal (i.e., coming loose). Furthermore, compared to the engagement between the projection and the rubber stopper in the conventional wire with terminal described above, the engagement between the recess and the elastic body in this configuration generally results in less stress concentration in the elastic body around the engagement point. Therefore, the wire with terminal and terminal of the present invention can properly maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the wire.

[0010] The present invention has been briefly described above. Further details of the present invention will be clarified by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading through the embodiments for carrying out the invention described below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a terminal before crimping and a wire with a rubber stopper attached, used in a wire with a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rubber stopper crimping portion of the terminal shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a top view showing the rubber stopper crimping portion of the terminal shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a top view showing a wire with terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the BB cross-section in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the CC section of Figure 6, showing the external force component perpendicular to the inner wall of the groove in the recess of the rubber stopper crimping portion when an axial external force from the electric wire acts on the rubber stopper. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the CC section of Figure 6, showing the external force component parallel to the inner wall of the groove in the recess of the rubber stopper crimping portion when an axial external force from the electric wire acts on the rubber stopper. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a wire with a terminal 1 (see Figure 5) according to an embodiment of the present invention, using a terminal 10 (see Figure 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. The wire with a terminal 1 shown in Figure 5 is manufactured by crimping the terminal 10 shown in Figure 1, before crimping, to the conductor core wire 21 of the wire 20 and the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 attached to the wire 20. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of explanation, "front-back direction," "left-right direction," "up-down direction," "front," "back," "left," "right," "up," and "down" will be defined as shown in Figure 1, etc. The "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction" are orthogonal to each other. The front-back direction coincides with the axial direction of the terminal 10.

[0013] In this example, the electric wire 20 consists of a rod-shaped conductor core wire 21 and a cylindrical insulating sheath 22 that covers the outer circumference of the conductor core wire 21, as shown in Figure 1, etc. The conductor core wire 21 is typically made of copper or aluminum. At the end (front end) of the electric wire 20, the sheath 22 is removed by so-called terminal treatment, and the end of the conductor core wire 21 is exposed. The core wire crimping portion 12 (see Figure 1, etc.), which will be described later, of the terminal 10 is crimped onto the exposed conductor core wire 21 (see Figure 5).

[0014] The rubber plug 30 is a rubber member that functions as a waterproof plug for the electric wire 20. In this example, as shown in FIG. 1, the rubber plug 30 has a stepped cylindrical shape integrally including a substantially cylindrical main body portion 31 extending in the front-rear direction and a substantially cylindrical neck portion 32 that is continuous with the front side of the main body portion 31 and has a smaller diameter than the main body portion 31 and extends in the front-rear direction. The rubber plug 30 is an elastic body having a lower elastic modulus than the outer peripheral surface of the coating 22 of the electric wire 20. The main body portion 31 is a portion that exhibits the waterproof function of the rubber plug 30. For this reason, a plurality (two in this example) of annular lip portions 33 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 31 so as to be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The neck portion 32 is a portion where a rubber plug crimping portion 13 (see FIG. 1 etc.) of the terminal 10 described later is to be crimped (see FIG. 5). The rubber plug 30 is attached to the end portion of the coating 22 so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the coating 22 of the electric wire 20 as shown in FIG. 1 by inserting the end portion of the electric wire 20 from the rear side into a through hole penetrating in the front-rear direction of the rubber plug 30.

[0015] The terminal 10 before crimping shown in FIG. 1 is a female terminal formed by subjecting a single plate-shaped metal member to predetermined processing. Specifically, the terminal 10 includes a connection portion 11 into which a mating terminal (male terminal, not shown) is fitted, a core wire crimping portion 12 that is located on the rear side of the connection portion 11 and is crimped to the conductor core wire 21 exposed at the end portion of the electric wire 20, a rubber plug crimping portion 13 that is located on the rear side of the core wire crimping portion 12 and is crimped to the neck portion 32 of the rubber plug 30 attached to the end portion of the electric wire 20, a first connecting portion 14 that connects the connection portion 11 and the core wire crimping portion 12 in the front-rear direction, and a second connecting portion 15 that connects the core wire crimping portion 12 and the rubber plug crimping portion 13 in the front-rear direction, integrally.

[0016] In this example, the connection portion 11 of the terminal 10 has a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. By inserting a mating terminal (male terminal, not shown) into the internal space of the connection portion 11, the connection portion 11 (that is, the terminal 10) and the mating terminal are electrically connected.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the core wire crimping portion 12 of the terminal 10 is composed of a bent plate-shaped bottom wall 12a that curves downward and extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right crimping pieces 12b that are continuous with the left and right edges of the bottom wall 12a and extend upward so as to face each other. The inner surface of the core wire crimping portion 12 (= bottom wall 12a + pair of left and right crimping pieces 12b) constitutes a contact surface 12c that comes into contact with the exposed conductor core wire 21 of the electric wire 20.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 of the terminal 10 is composed of a bent plate-shaped bottom wall 13a that curves downward and extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b that are continuous with the left and right edges of the bottom wall 13a and extend upward so as to face each other. The inner surface of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 (= bottom wall 13a + pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b) constitutes a contact surface 13c that comes into contact with the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 attached to the electric wire 20.

[0019] The first connecting portion 14 of the terminal 10 has a bent plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes downward so as to connect the bottom wall and a pair of left and right side walls of the rectangular tubular connecting portion 11 with the bottom wall 12a of the core wire crimping portion 12. The second connecting portion 15 of the terminal 10 has a bent plate shape that extends in the front-rear direction and protrudes downward so as to connect the bottom wall 12a of the core wire crimping portion 12 with the bottom wall 13a of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13.

[0020] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 3, the contact surface 12c of the core wire crimping portion 12 has multiple recesses (serrations) 16 formed on it so as to be uniformly arranged in an island-like manner over most of its surface area. In this example, each recess 16 is a circular depression, but it may also be a depression of a shape other than a circle (for example, rectangular). Furthermore, the contact surface 12c of the core wire crimping portion 12 has a pair of front and rear indentations 17 that extend in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20, sandwiching the area where the multiple recesses 16 are formed in the front and rear direction. The respective functions of the recesses 16 and indentations 17 formed on the core wire crimping portion 12 will be described later.

[0021] As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, the contact surface 13c of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 has multiple recesses (serrations) 18 that are spaced apart and aligned in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. In this example, each recess 18 is a V-shaped depression with a bent portion that protrudes to one or the other side in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. Therefore, the direction in which the inner wall of each recess 18 extends and the axial direction of the terminal 10 intersect diagonally. In this example, as shown in Figure 3, each of the multiple recesses 18 aligned in the circumferential direction (left-right direction) of the electric wire 20 at the contact surface 13c of the bottom wall 13a of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is a V-shaped depression with a bent portion that protrudes to one side (right side) in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20, and the multiple recesses 18 aligned in the circumferential direction (extension direction of the left crimping piece 13b) at the contact surface 13c of the left crimping piece 13b of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 are Each of the V-shaped recesses 18 has a bent portion that is convex on one side of the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20 (the base end side of the left crimping piece 13b), and each of the multiple recesses 18 aligned in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20 (the extending direction of the right crimping piece 13b) at the contact surface 13c of the right crimping piece 13b of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is a V-shaped recess that has a bent portion that is convex on the other side of the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20 (the base end side of the right crimping piece 13b). The function of the recesses 18 formed in the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 will be described later.

[0022] As shown by the white arrows in Figure 1, the electric wire 20 with the rubber stopper 30 attached is placed on the terminal 10 before crimping so that the exposed conductor core wire 21 of the electric wire 20 and the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 are surrounded by the conductor crimping portion 12 and the rubber stopper crimping portion 13, respectively. Next, the pair of crimping pieces 12b of the conductor crimping portion 12 are crimped to the conductor core wire 21, so that the bottom wall 12a of the conductor crimping portion 12 is pressed against the conductor core wire 21, and the pair of crimping pieces 13b of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 are crimped to the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, so that the bottom wall 13a of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is pressed against the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, and the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is crimped to the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30. This results in the electric wire 1 with terminal shown in Figure 5.

[0023] In the completed wire with terminal 1 (terminal 10 after crimping) shown in Figure 5, a portion of the conductor core wire 21, which has been plastically deformed by the pressure during crimping of the core wire crimping portion 12, enters into the grooves of each of the multiple recesses 16 provided on the contact surface 12c of the core wire crimping portion 12 and is tightly fixed. Furthermore, a pair of protrusions 17 provided on the contact surface 12c of the core wire crimping portion 12 enter into the recesses of the plastically deformed conductor core wire 21 and are tightly fixed. As a result, the conductor core wire 21 and the core wire crimping portion 12 can be firmly fixed together.

[0024] Furthermore, when the bottom wall 12a of the core wire crimping portion 12 is pressed against the conductor core wire 21, a large stress is generated at the contact point between the peripheral portions of the recess 16 and the protrusion 17 and the conductor core wire 21. This destroys the oxide film formed on the surface of the conductor core wire 21, exposing a new surface. Then, the contact resistance between this new surface and the peripheral portions of the recess 16 and the protrusion 17 is reduced. As a result, the reliability of the electrical connection can be improved.

[0025] Furthermore, in the completed wire with terminal 1 (terminal 10 after crimping) shown in Figure 5, a portion of the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, which is elastically deformed by the pressure during crimping of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13, is deformed to fit into each of the grooves of the multiple recesses 18 provided on the contact surface 13c of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 (see Figure 6). By fitting a portion of the rubber stopper 30 (neck portion 32) into the recesses 18 in this way, even if an external force is applied to the rubber stopper 30, it is prevented from unintentionally separating (i.e., coming off) from the terminal 10. Moreover, compared to the engagement between the projection and the rubber stopper in the conventional wire with terminal described above, the engagement between the recesses 18 and the rubber stopper 30 in the wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment is generally easier for the rubber stopper 30 to be displaced around the engagement point when an external force is applied to the rubber stopper 30, thus making it less likely for stress concentration to occur in the portion of the rubber stopper 30 around the engagement point.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the multiple recesses 18 provided on the contact surface 13c of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is a V-shaped recess having a bent portion that protrudes to one or the other side in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, when an external force (see the large white arrow in Figure 7) is applied to the rubber stopper 30 in the direction that causes the rubber stopper 30 to come out along the axial direction (front-back direction) of the electric wire 20, the direction of the external force and the direction in which the inner wall of the groove of the recess 18 extends intersect diagonally rather than perpendicularly. Therefore, the force with which the rubber stopper 30 is pressed against the inner wall 18a of the groove of the recess 18 can be reduced compared to when these directions are perpendicular. This is because a component of the external force directed toward the inner wall 18a of the groove of the recess 18 (i.e., the component of force perpendicular to the inner wall 18a; see the small white arrow in Figure 7) presses the rubber stopper 30 (the part enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 7) against the inner wall 18a of the groove of the recess 18. Furthermore, the component of the external force that runs along the inner wall 18a of the groove 18 (i.e., the component of force parallel to the inner wall 18a of the groove; see the black arrow in Figure 8) extends in different directions before and after the bend in the V-shaped form of the groove 18 (see Figure 8). Therefore, compared to the case where these components extend in the same direction, it is possible to suppress the rubber stopper 30 from coming out of the groove 18.

[0027] Furthermore, the multiple recesses 18 provided on the contact surface 13c of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 have both a bent portion that protrudes on one side in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20 and a bent portion that protrudes on the other side in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to prevent the rubber stopper 30 from separating from the terminal 10 or being damaged even if external forces are applied to the rubber stopper 30 in various directions.

[0028] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the wire 1 with terminal and terminal 10 of this embodiment, the elastic crimping portion (rubber stopper crimping portion 13) of the terminal 10 is crimped onto the elastic body (rubber stopper 30) attached to the wire 20. The elastic crimping portion 13 has a recess 18 on its contact surface 13c with the elastic body 30 that is recessed away from the elastic body 30. When the elastic crimping portion 13 is crimped onto the elastic body 30, a part of the elastic body 30 deforms so as to fit into the groove of this recess 18. By fitting a part of the elastic body 30 and the recess 18 in this way, even if an external force is applied to the elastic body 30, it is prevented from unintentionally separating (i.e., coming off) from the terminal 10. Furthermore, compared to the engagement between the projection and the rubber stopper in the conventional terminal-equipped electric wire described above, the engagement between the recess 18 and the elastic body 30 in this embodiment generally allows for easier displacement of the elastic body 30 around the engagement point when an external force is applied to the elastic body 30. As a result, stress concentration is less likely to occur in the portion of the elastic body 30 around the engagement point. Therefore, the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 and the terminal 10 in this embodiment can properly maintain the function of the elastic body 30 attached to the electric wire 20.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the wire with terminal 1 and terminal 10 of this embodiment, the recess 18 has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction of the wire 20. As a result, when an axial external force on the wire 20 is applied to the elastic body 30, the direction of the external force and the direction in which the inner wall of the groove of the recess 18 extends intersect diagonally rather than perpendicularly (i.e., the intersection angle is 90 degrees or less; see Figure 7), so the force pressing the elastic body 30 against the inner wall of the groove can be reduced compared to when these directions are perpendicular. This is because the component of the external force directed toward the inner wall of the groove is what presses the elastic body 30 against the inner wall of the groove. Furthermore, the component of the external force along the inner wall of the groove extends in different directions before and after the bent portion (see Figure 8), so compared to when they extend in the same direction, it is possible to suppress the elastic body 30 from coming out of the recess 18. Therefore, the wire with terminal 1 and terminal 10 of this embodiment can maintain the function of the elastic body 30 attached to the wire 20 even more properly.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the terminal-equipped wire 1 and terminal 10 of this embodiment, the recess 18 has both a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction of the wire 20 and a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. As a result, even if external forces are applied to the elastic body 30 in various directions, separation of the elastic body 30 from the terminal 10 and damage to the elastic body 30 can be suppressed. Therefore, the terminal-equipped wire 1 and terminal 10 of this embodiment can maintain the function of the elastic body 30 attached to the wire 20 even more properly.

[0031] <Other forms> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified, improved, etc. as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, placement, etc. of each component in the embodiments described above are arbitrary and not limited as long as they can achieve the present invention.

[0032] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the terminal-equipped wire 1 and terminal 10 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized below.

[0033] [1] A wire with a terminal (1) comprising: a wire (20); an elastic body (30) arranged to surround the outer surface of the wire (20) and having a lower modulus of elasticity than the outer surface; and a terminal (10) electrically connected to the wire (20), The aforementioned terminal (10) is The elastic body crimping portion (13) is arranged to surround the elastic body (30) and is crimped against the elastic body (30) so that its contact surface (13c) is pressed against the elastic body (30), The elastic crimping portion (13) is The contact surface (13c) has a recess (18) that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body (30), Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0034] In the terminal-equipped wire configuration described in [1] above, the elastic crimping portion of the terminal is crimped to an elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the wire. The elastic crimping portion has a recess on its contact surface with the elastic body that is recessed away from the elastic body. When the elastic crimping portion is crimped to the elastic body, a part of the elastic body deforms so as to fit into the groove of this recess. This engagement between a part of the elastic body and the recess of the terminal prevents the elastic body from unintentionally separating from the terminal (i.e., coming loose). Furthermore, compared to the engagement between the projection and the rubber stopper in the conventional terminal-equipped wire described above, the engagement between the recess and the elastic body in this configuration generally results in less stress concentration in the elastic body around the engagement point. Therefore, the terminal-equipped wire configuration can properly maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the wire.

[0035] [2] In the terminal-equipped wire (1) described in [1] above, The aforementioned recess (18) is The electric wire (20) has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction, Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0036] In the terminal-equipped wire with the configuration described in [2] above, the recess has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction of the wire. As a result, when an external force in the axial direction of the wire is applied to the elastic body, the direction of the external force and the direction in which the inner wall of the groove of the recess in the bent portion intersect at an angle rather than perpendicularly (i.e., the intersection angle is 90 degrees or less; see Figure 7), so the force with which the elastic body is pressed against the inner wall of the groove can be reduced compared to when these directions are perpendicular. This is because the component of the external force directed toward the inner wall of the groove (i.e., a force perpendicular to the inner wall of the groove and smaller than the external force) is what presses the elastic body against the inner wall of the groove. Furthermore, the component of the external force along the inner wall of the groove (i.e., a force parallel to the inner wall of the groove and smaller than the external force) extends in different directions before and after the bent portion (see Figure 8), so compared to when these extend in the same direction, it is possible to suppress the elastic body from coming out of the recess. Therefore, the terminal-equipped wire with this configuration can maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the wire even more properly.

[0037] [3] In the terminal-equipped wire (1) described in [2] above, The elastic crimping portion (13) has a plurality of recesses (18), The plurality of recesses (18) are, The recess (18) has a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction, and the recess (18) has a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0038] According to the terminal-equipped wire configuration described in [3] above, the terminal has both a recess with a convex bend on one side of the wire's circumference and a recess with a convex bend on the other side of the same circumference. This prevents the elastic body from separating from the terminal or being damaged even when subjected to external forces in various directions. Therefore, the terminal-equipped wire configuration can maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the wire more appropriately.

[0039] [4] A terminal (10) that is electrically connected to an electric wire (20) and crimped to an elastic body (30) attached to the electric wire (20), The system includes an elastic crimping portion (13) which is arranged to surround the elastic body (30) and is crimped to the elastic body (30) so that its contact surface (13c) is pressed against the elastic body (30), The elastic crimping portion (13) is The contact surface (13c) has a recess (18) that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body (30), Terminal (10).

[0040] According to the terminal configuration described in [4] above, the elastic crimping portion of the terminal is pressed against an elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the electric wire. The elastic crimping portion has a recess on its contact surface with the elastic body that is recessed away from the elastic body. When the elastic crimping portion is crimped against the elastic body, a part of the elastic body deforms so as to fit into the groove of this recess. This engagement between a part of the elastic body and the recess of the terminal prevents the elastic body from unintentionally separating from the terminal (i.e., coming loose). Furthermore, compared to the engagement between the projection and the rubber stopper in the conventional electric wire with terminals described above, the engagement between the recess and the elastic body in this configuration generally results in less stress concentration in the elastic body around the engagement point. Therefore, the terminal configuration in this configuration can properly maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the electric wire.

[0041] [5] In the terminal (10) described in [4] above, The aforementioned recess (18) is The electric wire (20) has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction, Terminal (10).

[0042] According to the terminal configuration described in [5] above, the recess has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction of the electric wire. As a result, when an external force in the axial direction of the electric wire is applied to the elastic body, the direction of the external force and the direction in which the inner wall of the groove of the recess in the bent portion intersect at an angle rather than perpendicularly (i.e., the intersection angle is 90 degrees or less; see Figure 7), so the force with which the elastic body is pressed against the inner wall of the groove can be reduced compared to when these directions are perpendicular. This is because the component of the external force directed toward the inner wall of the groove (i.e., a force perpendicular to the inner wall of the groove and smaller than the external force) is what presses the elastic body against the inner wall of the groove. Furthermore, the component of the external force along the inner wall of the groove (i.e., a force parallel to the inner wall of the groove and smaller than the external force) extends in different directions before and after the bent portion (see Figure 8), so compared to when these extend in the same direction, it is possible to suppress the elastic body from coming out of the recess. Therefore, the terminal configuration can maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the electric wire even more appropriately.

[0043] [6] In the terminal (10) described in [5] above, The elastic crimping portion (13) has a plurality of recesses (18), The plurality of recesses (18) are, The recess (18) has a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction, and the recess (18) has a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. Terminal (10).

[0044] According to the terminal configuration described in [6] above, the terminal has both a recess with a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction of the electric wire, and a recess with a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. This makes it possible to prevent the elastic body from separating from the terminal or being damaged even when external forces are applied to the elastic body in various directions. Therefore, the terminal configuration can maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the electric wire even more properly. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Wire with terminals 10 terminals 13. Rubber stopper connection part (elastic crimping part) 13c Contact surface 18 recesses 20 Electric wire 30 Rubber stoppers (elastic material)

Claims

1. A wire with a terminal, comprising: a wire; an elastic body arranged to surround the outer surface of the wire and having a lower modulus of elasticity than the outer surface; and a terminal electrically connected to the wire, The aforementioned terminal is The elastic body crimping portion is arranged to surround the elastic body and is crimped to the elastic body so that its contact surface is pressed against the elastic body. The aforementioned elastic crimping portion is The contact surface has a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body, Electrical wire with terminals.

2. In the wire with terminals described in claim 1, The aforementioned recess is The electric wire has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction, Electrical wire with terminals.

3. In the wire with terminals described in claim 2, The elastic crimping portion has a plurality of recesses, The plurality of recesses are, The recess has a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction, and the recess has a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. Electrical wire with terminals.

4. A terminal that is electrically connected to an electric wire and crimped to an elastic body attached to the electric wire, The system includes an elastic crimping portion that is arranged to surround the elastic body and is crimped to the elastic body so that its contact surface is pressed against the elastic body, The aforementioned elastic crimping portion is The contact surface has a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the elastic body, Terminal.

5. In the terminal described in claim 4, The aforementioned recess is The electric wire has a bent portion that is convex in the circumferential direction, Terminal.

6. In the terminal described in claim 5, The elastic crimping portion has a plurality of recesses, The plurality of recesses are, The recess has a bent portion that is convex on one side in the circumferential direction, and the recess has a bent portion that is convex on the other side in the circumferential direction. Terminal.

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