Electrical wires with terminals, and elastic bodies

Abstract

To provide an electric wire with a terminal that can properly maintain the function of elastic materials such as rubber stoppers attached to the electric 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 30 has a crimped portion 32 to which the elastic body crimping portion 13 is crimped. The crimped portion 32 has external protrusions 34, 37 that protrude toward the contact surface 13c of the elastic body crimping portion 13 at a location facing the contact surface 13c, and an internal protrusion 36 that protrudes toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface of the wire 20.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire with a terminal and an elastomer 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 a terminal, 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 transportation 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 terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the wire with terminals and the elastic body 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 elastic body is The elastic crimping portion has a portion to be crimped, The portion to be crimped is, The elastic crimping portion has an external projection that protrudes toward the contact surface at a location facing the contact surface, and the electric wire has an internal projection that protrudes toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface. It must be a wire with terminals.

[0008] An elastic body that is arranged to surround the outer surface of the electric wire and is crimped to the terminal, The terminal has a crimped portion to which it will be crimped, The portion to be crimped is, The wire has an external projection that protrudes toward the terminal at a location facing the terminal, and an internal projection that protrudes toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface of the wire. It must be an elastic material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the terminal-equipped wire and elastic body of the present invention, the elastic crimping portion of the terminal is crimped to the crimped portion of the elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the wire. The crimped portion of the elastic body has an external protrusion facing the contact surface of the elastic crimping portion and an internal protrusion facing the outer surface of the wire. When the elastic crimping portion is crimped to the elastic body, the external protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the elastic crimping portion, increasing the contact pressure between the external protrusion and the elastic crimping portion, and the internal protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the wire, increasing the contact pressure between the internal protrusion and the wire. This increased contact pressure 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 terminal 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 and elastic body 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 top view showing the rubber stopper shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of AA in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of section B 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 the area around the neck of the rubber stopper in the CC cross-section of Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a top view showing a modified rubber stopper.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a wire 1 with a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention (see FIG. 5), which uses a rubber plug 30 (i.e., an elastic body; see FIG. 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described. The wire 1 with a terminal shown in FIG. 5 is produced by caulking and crimping the terminal 10 before crimping shown in FIG. 1 to the conductor core wire 21 of the wire 20 and the neck portion 32 of the rubber plug 30 attached to the wire 20. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction”, “up-down direction”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down” are defined. The “front-rear direction”, “left-right direction” and “up-down direction” are orthogonal to each other. The front-rear direction coincides with the axial direction of the terminal 10.

[0013] In this example, as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, the wire 20 is composed of a conductor core wire 21 extending in a rod shape and a cylindrical insulating coating 22 covering the outer periphery of the conductor core wire 21. The conductor core wire 21 is typically formed of a copper or aluminum material. At the end portion (front end portion) of the wire 20, the coating 22 is removed by performing a so-called terminal treatment, and the terminal of the conductor core wire 21 is exposed. The crimping portion 12 (see FIG. 1 and the like) of the terminal 10 described later is to be crimped to the exposed conductor core wire 21 (see FIG. 5).

[0014] The rubber plug 30 is a rubber member that functions as a waterproof plug for the wire 20. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rubber plug 30 integrally has a stepped cylindrical shape having 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. Inside the rubber plug 30, a through hole 35 is formed that extends in the front-rear direction and penetrates across the main body portion 31 and the neck portion 32 (see FIG. 3). The rubber plug 30 is an elastic body having a lower elastic modulus than the outer peripheral surface of the coating 22 of the wire 20.

[0015] The main body portion 31 of the rubber stopper 30 is a part that exhibits the waterproof function of the rubber stopper 30. Therefore, a plurality (in this example, two) 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.

[0016] The neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 is a part where a rubber stopper crimping portion 13 (see FIG. 1 etc.) of the terminal 10 described later is to be crimped (see FIG. ). The neck portion 32 corresponds to the "crimped portion" of the present invention. On the outer peripheral surface of the neck portion x, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality (in this example, three) of annular (continuous in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20) protrusions 34 are provided so as to be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, each of the three protrusions 34 may also be referred to as a protrusion 34a, a protrusion 34b, and a protrusion 34c in order from the front side to the rear side. On the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35 located in the neck portion 32, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality (in this example, two) of annular (continuous in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20) protrusions 36 are provided so as to be arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. In the front-rear direction, the range of the neck portion 32 where the three protrusions 34 are provided and the range of the neck portion 32 where the two protrusions 36 are provided overlap. Each protrusion 36 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 35 so as to be inclined obliquely forward. The functions of the protrusions 34 and 36 formed on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the neck portion x of the rubber stopper 30 will be described later.

[0017] The rubber stopper 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 into the through hole 35 of the rubber stopper 30 from the rear side. When the electric wire 20 is inserted into the through hole 35 of the rubber stopper 30 from the rear side, the electric wire 20 advances while pushing aside the protrusion 36 provided in the through hole 35 located in the neck portion 32. At this time, since the protrusion 36 protrudes so as to be inclined obliquely forward, the electric wire 20 can smoothly pass through the through hole 35 located in the neck portion 32.

[0018] The terminal 10 shown in Figure 1 before crimping is a female terminal formed by applying a predetermined process to a single plate-shaped metal member. Specifically, the terminal 10 integrally comprises a connection portion 11 into which the mating terminal (male terminal, not shown) is fitted; a core wire crimping portion 12 located behind the connection portion 11 and crimped to the conductor core wire 21 exposed at the end of the electric wire 20; a rubber stopper crimping portion 13 located behind the core wire crimping portion 12 and crimped to the neck portion 32 of a rubber stopper 30 attached to the end of the electric wire 20; a first connecting portion 14 connecting the connection portion 11 and the core wire crimping portion 12 in the front-rear direction; and a second connecting portion 15 connecting the core wire crimping portion 12 and the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 in the front-rear direction.

[0019] In this example, the connector portion 11 of terminal 10 has a rectangular tubular shape extending in the front-to-back direction. By inserting the mating terminal (male terminal, not shown) into the internal space of the connector portion 11, the connector portion 11 (i.e., terminal 10) and the mating terminal are electrically connected.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the core wire crimping portion 12 of the terminal 10 is composed of a bent plate-shaped bottom wall 12a that curves downward and protrudes in a direction and extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right crimping pieces 12b that are continuous with both 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.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 of the terminal 10 is composed of a bent plate-shaped bottom wall 13a that curves downward and protrudes in a direction and extends in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b1 and 13b2 that are continuous with both left and right edges of the bottom wall 13a and extend upward. The pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b1 and 13b2 are provided so as to be offset from each other in the front-rear direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 5. Specifically, in this example, the pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b1 and 13b2 are provided such that the right crimping piece 13b1 is located in front of the left crimping piece 13b2, and that they do not overlap with each other in the front-rear direction. The inner surface of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 (= bottom wall 13a + pair of left and right crimping pieces 13b1 and 13b2) constitutes a contact surface 13c that will come into contact with the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 attached to the electric wire 20.

[0022] 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.

[0023] As can be seen from Figure 1, 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 circular (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.

[0024] 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 conductor crimping portion 12 is crimped to the conductor core wire 21. At the same time, the pair of crimping pieces 13b1 and 13b2 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 wire with terminals 1 shown in Figure 5.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Furthermore, in the completed wire with terminal 1 (terminal 10 after crimping) shown in Figure 5, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the crimping piece 13b1 on the right side of the rubber stopper crimping part 13 surrounds and presses radially inward against protrusion 34a, one of the three protrusions 34 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, causing elastic deformation so that protrusion 34a is crushed. The crimping piece 13b2 on the left side of the rubber stopper crimping part 13 surrounds and presses radially inward against protrusion 34c, one of the three protrusions 34 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, causing elastic deformation so that protrusion 34c is crushed. In addition, the outer circumferential surface of the wire 20 (and its sheath 22) inserted through the through hole 35 of the rubber stopper 30 presses radially outward against the two protrusions 36 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 35 located in the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, causing elastic deformation so that the protrusions 36 are crushed. Thus, the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30 has a protrusion 34 facing the contact surface 13c of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13, and a protrusion 36 facing the outer surface of the electric wire 20. Therefore, when the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is crimped onto the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, the protrusion 34 of the rubber stopper 30 is pressed against the rubber stopper crimping portion 13, increasing the contact pressure between the protrusion 34 and the rubber stopper crimping portion 13, and the protrusion 36 of the rubber stopper 30 is pressed against the electric wire 20, increasing the contact pressure between the protrusion 36 and the electric wire 20. These increased contact pressures prevent the rubber stopper 30 from unintentionally separating (i.e., coming out) from the terminal 10, even if an external force is applied to the rubber stopper 30 in the direction that would cause the rubber stopper 30 to come out along the axial direction (front-back direction) of the electric wire 20.

[0028] In addition, of the three protrusions 34, protrusion 34b is positioned between the right crimping piece 13b1 and the left crimping piece 13b2 in the front-rear direction, and is not pressed against either crimping piece 13b1 or 13b2. As a result, when an external force is applied to the rubber stopper 30 in a direction that would cause the rubber stopper 30 to come out along the axial direction (front-rear direction) of the electric wire 20, the protrusion 34b engages with either the right crimping piece 13b1 or the left crimping piece 13b2, further strongly suppressing the unintentional separation (i.e., coming out) of the rubber stopper 30 from the terminal 10.

[0029] In addition, the protrusion 36 of the rubber stopper 30 is angled forward (i.e., it protrudes toward the connection portion 11 of the terminal 10). As a result, even if an external force is applied to the electric wire 20 in a direction that pulls the electric wire 20 out of the rubber stopper 30, the protrusion 36 resists this external force, thereby suppressing displacement of the electric wire 20 relative to the rubber stopper 30.

[0030] <Effects and Actions> As described above, according to the terminal-equipped wire 1 of this embodiment, the elastic crimping portion (rubber stopper crimping portion 13) of the terminal 10 is crimped to the crimped portion (neck portion 32) of the elastic body (rubber stopper 30) attached to the wire 20. The crimped portion 32 of the elastic body 30 has an external protrusion (ridge 34) facing the contact surface 13c of the elastic crimping portion 13, and an internal protrusion (ridge 36) facing the outer circumferential surface of the wire 20. When the elastic crimping portion 13 is crimped to the elastic body 30, the external protrusion 34 of the elastic body 30 is pressed against the elastic crimping portion 13, increasing the contact pressure between the external protrusion 34 and the elastic crimping portion 13, and the internal protrusion 36 of the elastic body 30 is pressed against the wire 20, increasing the contact pressure between the internal protrusion 36 and the wire 20. As the contact pressure increases, even if an external force is applied to the elastic body 30, it is prevented from unintentionally separating (i.e., coming loose) from the terminal 10. Furthermore, compared to engagement using protrusions in conventional wires with terminals, the engagement between the terminal 10 and the elastic body 30 in the wire with terminals 1 generally results in less stress concentration in the elastic body 30 around the engagement point. Therefore, the wire with terminals 1 according to this embodiment can properly maintain the function of the elastic body 30 attached to the wire 20.

[0031] Furthermore, according to the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 of this embodiment, a portion 34b of the plurality of external protrusions 34a to 34c is positioned between one crimping piece 13b1 and the other crimping piece 13b2 in the axial direction of the electric wire 20, and is not pressed against either crimping piece 13b1 or 13b2. As a result, when an external force in the axial direction of the electric wire 20 is applied to the elastic body 30, the external protrusions 34b engage with one crimping piece 13b1 or the other crimping piece 13b2, further strongly suppressing the unintentional separation (i.e., detachment) of the elastic body 30 from the terminal 10.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the terminal-equipped wire 1 of this embodiment, the internal protrusion 36 of the elastic body 30 protrudes in a direction toward the connection portion 11 of the terminal 10. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the wire 20 in a direction that pulls the wire 20 out of the elastic body 30, the internal protrusion 36 resists this external force, thereby suppressing displacement of the wire 20 relative to the elastic body 30. As a result, the state in which the terminal 10 and the wire 20 are properly electrically connected is maintained.

[0033] <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.

[0034] For example, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the external protrusion is composed of a single continuous ridge 34 extending in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. In contrast, as shown in Figure 7, the external protrusion may be composed of a plurality of projections 37 arranged in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20. In the example shown in Figure 7, the plurality of projections 37 arranged in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 20 are provided at three locations spaced apart in the front-to-back direction. When the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 is crimped onto the neck portion 32 of the rubber stopper 30, the right crimping piece 13b1 of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 surrounds and presses radially inward the plurality of protrusions 37 located at the foremost position, the left crimping piece 13b2 of the rubber stopper crimping portion 13 surrounds and presses radially inward the plurality of protrusions 37 located at the rearmost position, and the plurality of protrusions 37 located in the center in the front-to-back direction are positioned between the right crimping piece 13b1 and the left crimping piece 13b2 in the front-to-back direction, and are configured not to be pressed against either crimping piece 13b1 or 13b2. As a result, the same effects and advantages as those described above in the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0035] Herein, the features of the embodiments of the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 and rubber stopper 30 according to the present invention described above are briefly summarized below.

[0036] [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 body (30) is The elastic crimping portion (13) has a crimped portion (32) to which it is crimped, The crimped portion (32) is The elastic crimping portion (13) has external protrusions (34, 37) facing the contact surface (13c) that protrude toward the contact surface (13c), and the electric wire (20) has internal protrusions (36) facing the outer circumferential surface that protrude toward the outer circumferential surface. Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0037] In the wire with terminals configured as described in [1] above, the elastic crimping portion of the terminal is crimped to the crimped portion of the elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the wire. The crimped portion of the elastic body has an external protrusion facing the contact surface of the elastic crimping portion and an internal protrusion facing the outer surface of the wire. When the elastic crimping portion is crimped to the elastic body, the external protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the elastic crimping portion, increasing the contact pressure between the external protrusion and the elastic crimping portion, and the internal protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the wire, increasing the contact pressure between the internal protrusion and the wire. This increased contact pressure 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 terminals described above, the engagement between the terminal 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 terminals configured in this configuration can properly maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the wire.

[0038] [2] In the terminal-equipped wire (1) described in [1] above, The elastic crimping portion (13) has a plurality of crimping pieces (13b1, 13b2), The compressed portion (32) of the elastic body has a plurality of external protrusions (34), The aforementioned multiple crimping pieces (13b1, 13b2) are It has a first crimping piece (13b1) that is pressed against one of the external protrusions (34a), and a second crimping piece (13b2) that is pressed against the other external protrusion (34c), The plurality of external protrusions (34) are, The external projection (34b) is positioned between the first crimping piece (13b1) and the second crimping piece (13b2) in the axial direction of the electric wire and is not pressed against either of the crimping pieces (13b1, 13b2). Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0039] In the wire with terminals configured as described in [2] above, some of the multiple external protrusions are positioned between the first crimping piece and the second crimping piece in the axial direction of the wire and are not pressed against either crimping piece. As a result, when an external force is applied to the elastic body in the axial direction of the wire, these external protrusions engage with the first or second crimping piece, further strongly preventing the elastic body from unintentionally separating from the terminal (i.e., coming loose).

[0040] [3] In the terminal-equipped wire (1) described in [1] above, The aforementioned external protrusion is, The electric wire (20) is composed of at least one of a continuous projection (34) extending in the circumferential direction and a plurality of protrusions (37) arranged in the circumferential direction. Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0041] In the terminal-equipped wire configuration described in [3] above, the external protrusion of the elastic body is composed of at least one of a continuous ridge extending in the circumferential direction of the wire and a plurality of projections arranged in the circumferential direction. The effect of increasing the contact pressure described above can be obtained with either shape of external protrusion.

[0042] [4] In the terminal-equipped wire (1) described in [1] above, The terminal (10) has a connecting portion (11) that is connected to the other terminal, The aforementioned internal protrusion (36) is A portion protruding toward the aforementioned connection portion (11) Electrical wire with terminals (1).

[0043] In the terminal-equipped wire configuration described in [4] above, the internal protrusion of the elastic body protrudes toward the connection portion of the terminal. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the wire in a direction that pulls the wire out of the elastic body, the internal protrusion resists this external force, thereby suppressing displacement of the wire relative to the elastic body. Consequently, a state in which the terminal and the wire are properly electrically connected is maintained.

[0044] [5] An elastic body (30) that is arranged to surround the outer surface of the electric wire (20) and is crimped to the terminal (10), The terminal (10) has a crimped portion (32) to which it will be crimped, The crimped portion (32) is The wire (20) has external protrusions (34, 37) that project toward the terminal (10) at a location facing the terminal (10), and internal protrusions (36) that project toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface of the wire (20), Elastic body (30).

[0045] In the elastic body configuration described in [5] above, the terminal is crimped to the crimped portion of the elastic body (e.g., a rubber stopper) attached to the electric wire. The crimped portion of the elastic body has an external protrusion facing the terminal and an internal protrusion facing the outer surface of the electric wire. When the terminal is crimped to the elastic body, the external protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the terminal, increasing the contact pressure between the external protrusion and the terminal, and the internal protrusion of the elastic body is pressed against the electric wire, increasing the contact pressure between the internal protrusion and the electric wire. This increased contact pressure prevents the elastic body from unintentionally separating from the terminal (i.e., coming loose). Furthermore, compared to the engagement between the protrusion and the rubber stopper in the conventional electric wire with a terminal described above, the engagement between the terminal and the elastic body in this configuration generally results in less stress concentration in the elastic body around the engagement point. Therefore, the elastic body in this configuration can properly maintain the function of the elastic body attached to the electric wire.

[0046] [6] In the elastic body (30) described in [5] above, The aforementioned external protrusions (34, 37) are It is composed of at least one of a continuous ridge (34) that extends in the circumferential direction of the electric wire (20), and a plurality of protrusions (37) that are arranged in the circumferential direction. Elastic body (30).

[0047] In the elastic body with the configuration described in [6] above, the external protrusion of the elastic body is composed of at least one of a continuous ridge extending in the circumferential direction of the electric wire and a plurality of projections arranged in the circumferential direction. The effect of increasing the contact pressure described above can be obtained with either shape of external protrusion.

[0048] [7] In the elastic body (30) described in [5] above, The aforementioned internal protrusion (36) is The terminal (10) will protrude in a direction toward the connection portion (11) with the mating terminal. Elastic body (30).

[0049] In the elastic body with the configuration described in [7] above, the internal protrusion of the elastic body protrudes toward the terminal connection. As a result, even if an external force is applied to the wire in a direction that pulls the wire out of the elastic body, the internal protrusion resists this external force, thereby suppressing displacement of the wire relative to the elastic body. Consequently, a state in which the terminal and the wire are properly electrically connected is maintained. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1. Wire with terminals 10 terminals 11 Connection part 13. Rubber stopper connection part (elastic crimping part) 13b1 crimping piece (1st crimping piece) 13b2 crimping piece (second crimping piece) 13c Contact surface 20 Electric wire 30 Rubber stoppers (elastic material) 32 Neck (crimped part) 34. Protrusions (external protrusions) 34a Protrusion (one external protrusion) 34b Protrusions (external protrusions) 34c Ridge (another external protrusion) 36. Protrusions (internal protrusions) 37. Protrusion (external protrusion)

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 elastic body is The elastic crimping portion has a portion to be crimped, The portion to be crimped is, The elastic crimping portion has an external projection that protrudes toward the contact surface at a location facing the contact surface, and the electric wire has an internal projection that protrudes toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface. Electrical wire with terminals.

2. In the wire with terminals described in claim 1, The elastic crimping portion has a plurality of crimping pieces, The portion of the elastic body to be compressed has a plurality of external protrusions, The aforementioned multiple crimping pieces are It has a first crimping piece that is pressed against one of the external protrusions, and a second crimping piece that is pressed against the other external protrusion, The plurality of external protrusions are, The external protrusion is positioned between the first crimping piece and the second crimping piece in the axial direction of the electric wire and is not pressed against either of the crimping pieces. Electrical wire with terminals.

3. In the wire with terminals described in claim 1, The aforementioned external protrusion is, It is composed of at least one of a continuous projection extending in the circumferential direction of the electric wire and a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction. Electrical wire with terminals.

4. In the wire with terminals described in claim 1, The aforementioned terminal has a connection portion that is connected to the other terminal, The aforementioned internal protrusion is A protruding part that moves toward the aforementioned connection Electrical wire with terminals.

5. An elastic body that is arranged to surround the outer surface of the electric wire and is crimped to the terminal, The terminal has a crimped portion to which it will be crimped, The portion to be crimped is, The wire has an external projection that protrudes toward the terminal at a location facing the terminal, and an internal projection that protrudes toward the outer surface at a location facing the outer surface of the wire. Elastic body.

6. In the elastic body described in claim 5, The aforementioned external protrusion is, It is composed of at least one of a continuous projection extending in the circumferential direction of the electric wire, and a plurality of protrusions arranged in the circumferential direction. Elastic body.

7. In the elastic body described in claim 5, The aforementioned internal protrusion is The aforementioned terminal will protrude in a direction that approaches the connection point with the mating terminal. Elastic body.

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