Wires with terminals, crimp terminals and connectors

Abstract

To make it possible to suppress penetration of liquid foreign matter into a core wire crimp portion, and avoid an increase in contact resistance to ensure the reliability of conduction.SOLUTION: An electric wire 1 with a terminal includes a covered electric wire 11 with an exposed core wire 111 which is exposed, and a crimp terminal 12. A conductor crimp portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12 includes a base portion 121a to which an electrical connection portion 113 is connected on one side in an axial direction and a covering crimp portion 122 is connected on the other side, and a pair of barrel piece portions 121b, 121b which are arranged so as to extend from the base portion 121a to both sides in an intersection direction intersecting the axial direction, and are crimped while wrapping the exposed core wire 111 between the base portion 121a and the barrel piece portions. An end portion on the covering crimp portion 122 located on the exposed core wire 111 side inside of the conductor crimp portion 121 is provided with a recess portion 124 which is formed to be recessed on the opposite side to the exposed core wire 111 side. The recessed portion 124 forms a space 127 between itself and the exposed core wire 111 in a state where the exposed core wire 111 is crimped by the conductor crimp portion 121.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire with a terminal in which a crimp terminal is attached to the end of a covered electric wire, and to the crimp terminal and a connector. [Background technology]

[0002] A wide variety of electronic devices are mounted on automobiles, and wire harnesses are arranged to transmit power, control signals, etc. to the electronic devices. The wire harness includes a plurality of electric wires and connectors, and is connected to the electronic devices and other wire harnesses by fitting the connectors to the connectors of the electronic devices or the connectors of other wire harnesses.

[0003] Connectors used in such wire harnesses generally include a cylindrical connector housing and a crimp terminal that is accommodated in the connector housing and attached to an end of an electric wire (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The connector disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an electric wire, a crimp terminal connected to the core of the electric wire, and a rubber plug fitted onto the coating of the electric wire. The crimp terminal includes an electric contact portion electrically connected to a mating terminal, a pair of conductor crimping pieces connected to the exposed core of the electric wire from which the coating has been removed, and a pair of clamping pieces for crimping the rubber plug.

[0005] Also known is a waterproof connector that can improve waterproof performance by attaching a mat seal to the connector (Patent Document 2). The waterproof connector disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured by mounting a terminal-attached electric wire, which has a crimp terminal attached to the end of an insulated electric wire, in a terminal accommodating chamber of a housing, and including a mat seal attached to the rear of the terminal accommodating chamber.

[0006] Furthermore, a connector is also known in which, after a terminal-attached wire is attached to the terminal receiving chamber of the connector, a waterproofing agent is injected from the rear of the housing to ensure waterproofing within the connector while preventing the waterproofing agent from penetrating into the contact portion of the terminal (Patent Document 3).

[0007] Furthermore, a connector is also known that provides a grommet at the rear of the connector to ensure waterproofing in the direction of the terminals inside the connector (Patent Document 4 or Patent Document 5). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-045550 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-116152 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2010-108761 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2006-197744 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2009-016150 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, rubber plugs that are generally attached to electric wires contain oils such as silicone oil, etc. Therefore, in the connector of Patent Document 1, after the crimping terminal is crimped, liquid foreign matter such as oils such as silicone oil, anticorrosive resin, and condensed water may flow out from the crimped part of the rubber plug that covers the electric wire to which the crimping terminal is attached.

[0010] Then, there was a risk that liquid foreign matter flowing out of the rubber plug after the crimping terminal was crimped would seep between the rubber plug and the crimping terminal, through the covered electric wire or the crimping terminal, into the space between the crimping terminal and the exposed core wire, which is the crimped portion of the core wire exposed from the covering. In this case, there was a risk that the liquid foreign matter would get into the core wire crimping portion between the crimping terminal and the exposed core wire, causing corrosion, which would increase the contact resistance and reduce the reliability of electrical continuity.

[0011] Furthermore, even in the connectors of Patent Documents 2 to 5, which, apart from the structure of crimping the insulated electric wire including the rubber stopper with the crimp terminal, prevent the infiltration of liquid foreign matter into the crimped portion of the insulated electric wire or into the core wire crimping portion between the crimp terminal and the exposed core wire at a position before the crimped portion, there is a risk of liquid foreign matter infiltrating between the exposed core wire and the crimp terminal due to a mat seal being sandwiched between the housing and the rear holder, deterioration over time, or application of thermal load during heating.

[0012] The present invention is devised to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide an electric wire with a terminal and a crimp terminal that can prevent liquid foreign matter from entering the core wire crimping portion, avoid an increase in contact resistance, and ensure reliable conductivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an electric wire with a terminal according to the present invention comprises: an electric wire having an exposed conductor portion by removing an insulating coating portion from an end portion thereof; a crimp terminal having an electrical connection portion to be connected to a mating terminal, a conductor crimping portion to be crimped to the conductor portion, and a coating crimping portion to be crimped to the insulating coating portion of the electric wire adjacent to the exposed conductor portion; and a waterproof portion to prevent water from entering the inside of the crimp terminal along the electric wire, the conductor crimping portion including a base portion to which the electrical connection portion is connected on one side in an axial direction and to which the coating crimping portion is connected on the other side, and a pair of barrel piece portions extending from the base portion to both sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction, the pair of barrel piece portions enveloping the conductor portion and crimping it between the base portion and the conductor portion, and an inner surface of the conductor crimping portion located on the conductor portion side has a waterproof portion. A recessed portion and a plurality of serrations formed by recessing the recessed portion; was established, the recessed portion is formed at an end of the conductor clamping portion on the coating clamping portion side, an end of the conductor clamping portion on the electrical connection portion side, and both side ends in the intersecting direction so as to surround the plurality of serrations, and the recessed depth of the recessed portion is formed deeper than the recessed depth of the plurality of serrations,The recessed portion is a conductor clamping portion. but The conductor portion To A space is formed between the conductor portion and the crimped portion.

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a crimp terminal according to the present invention is a crimp terminal to be connected to an electric wire having an exposed conductor portion by removing an insulating coating portion from an end portion thereof, and includes an electrical connection portion to be connected to a mating terminal, a conductor crimping portion to be crimped to the conductor portion, and a coating crimping portion to be crimped to the insulating coating portion of the electric wire adjacent to the exposed conductor portion, the conductor crimping portion includes a base portion to which the electrical connection portion is connected on one side in an axial direction and to which the coating crimping portion is connected on the other side, and a pair of barrel piece portions that are disposed extending from the base portion to both sides in a direction intersecting the axial direction, and that enclose and crimp the conductor portion between the base and the barrel piece, and an inner surface of the conductor crimping portion located on the conductor portion side is provided. A recessed portion and a plurality of serrations formed by recessing the recessed portion; was established, the recessed portion is formed at an end of the conductor clamping portion on the coating clamping portion side, an end of the conductor clamping portion on the electrical connection portion side, and both side ends in the intersecting direction so as to surround the plurality of serrations, and the recessed depth of the recessed portion is formed deeper than the recessed depth of the plurality of serrations, The recessed portion is a conductor clamping portion. but The conductor portion To A space is formed between the conductor portion and the crimped portion.

[0015] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the connector of the present invention is a connector that has a terminal accommodating chamber inside a housing to accommodate a crimp terminal to be connected to an electric wire having an insulating coating portion removed from an end thereof to expose a conductor portion, and has a waterproof portion to prevent water from entering the inside of the housing along the electric wire, and is characterized in that the crimp terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber is the crimp terminal of any of the terminal-equipped electric wires, or the crimp terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The above electric wire with terminal, crimp terminal, and connector can prevent liquid foreign matter from penetrating between the exposed core wire and the crimp terminal. This can prevent corrosion caused by liquid foreign matter in the core wire crimping portion between the crimp terminal and the exposed core wire, and can prevent an increase in contact resistance and prevent a decrease in reliability of conduction caused by the liquid foreign matter, i.e., can ensure reliability of conduction. Thus, the electric wire with terminal and crimp terminal according to the present invention can prevent liquid foreign matter from penetrating into the core wire crimping portion, avoid an increase in contact resistance, and ensure reliability of conduction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic state before crimping of a crimp terminal of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are schematic views of the electric wire with terminal of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a main portion. [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a main part of the crimp terminal of FIG. 1 in a developed state. [Figure 4] 13 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a main part of a crimp terminal according to a modified example in a developed state. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a plan view showing a schematic view of a main part of a crimp terminal according to another modified example in a developed state. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Hereinafter, an electric wire with a terminal and a crimp terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before crimping of a crimp terminal in an electric wire with terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows the electric wire with terminal of Fig. 1, (a) being a vertical cross-sectional view, and (b) being an enlarged view of a main part. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the crimp terminal of Fig. 1 in a developed state. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a main part of a crimp terminal according to a modified example of the present invention in a developed state. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing a main part of a crimp terminal according to another modified example of the present invention in a developed state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to the embodiment, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a connector according to a modified example, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a wire harness according to a modified example.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the terminal-equipped electric wire 1 of this embodiment is configured to have a covered electric wire 11 as an electric wire, and a crimp terminal 12 crimp-connected to an end (terminal end) of the covered electric wire 11.

[0021] The coated electric wire 11 includes a linear exposed core 111 having electrical conductivity as a conductor, and an insulating coating 112 that is an insulating coating that covers the outside of the exposed core 111. In the present embodiment, the exposed core 111 is a bundle of wires made of a conductive metal, such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. The exposed core 111 may be a twisted core made of a twisted plurality of wires. The coating 112 is a tubular wire coating that coats the outer periphery of the exposed core 111. The coating 112 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material. The resin material for the coating 112 is appropriately selected from PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), cross-linked PE (polyethylene), etc., taking into consideration abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, and the like.

[0022] The coated electric wire 11 has an exposed core portion 111e where the coating portion 112 at the end portion is removed to expose the exposed core wire 111. The exposed core portion 111e is one end of the coated electric wire 11 and is a portion extending from the end portion 112e of the coating portion 112.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 1, the crimp terminal 12 is formed by, for example, punching and bending a conductive metal plate. The crimp terminal 12 is integrally configured to include an electrical connection part 113 that is electrically connected to the exposed core wire 111 of the coated electric wire 11 and into which a mating terminal (inserter) (not shown) is inserted and connected, and an electric wire connection part 120 that connects the coated electric wire 11. In the drawings, the direction in which the electrical connection part 113 and the electric wire connection part 120 are arranged, which is the axial direction of the crimp terminal 12, is indicated by arrow Y. Also, the direction perpendicular to the up-down direction with respect to the arrow Y is indicated by arrow Z, and the cross direction (left-right direction) that crosses both the arrow Y and the arrow Z is indicated by arrow X. Furthermore, of the electrical connection part 113 and the electric wire connection part 120, the electrical connection part 113 side may be referred to as "front" and the opposite electric wire connection part 120 side may be referred to as "rear".

[0024] The electrical connection portion 113 is composed of a first bottom plate 113a, an upper plate 113b facing the first bottom plate 113a, a pair of side plates 113c, 113c connected to the first bottom plate 113a and the upper plate 113b, and a spring piece 113d that is folded back at the front end 12f of the first bottom plate 113a and is positioned between the first bottom plate 113a and the upper plate 113b, and presses an insert inserted between the first bottom plate 113a and the upper plate 113b toward the upper plate 113b.

[0025] 1 and 2, the electric wire connection part 120 is connected to the rear of the electrical connection part 113 and includes a conductor crimping part 121 as a core wire crimping part that is crimped to the exposed core wire 111, a cover crimping part 122 that is crimped to the cover part 112 (i.e., the end part 112e) of the covered electric wire 11 adjacent to the exposed exposed core wire 111, and a connecting part 123 that is provided between the conductor crimping part 121 and the cover crimping part 122 and connects them. In this embodiment, the end part 112e that is the cover part 112 of the covered electric wire 11 adjacent to the exposed core wire 111 is covered with a rubber plug 13 as a waterproof part that prevents water from entering the inside of the crimp terminal 12 through the covered electric wire 11. Therefore, the cover crimping part 122 in this embodiment crimps the cover part 112 via the rubber plug 13.

[0026] Conductor clamping portion 121 has a base portion 121a that is continuous with the rear of first bottom plate 113a, i.e., one (front) side in the axial direction indicated by arrow Y is connected to electrical connection portion 113, and the other (rear) side is connected to coating clamping portion 122. Conductor clamping portion 121 is disposed extending from left and right ends of base portion 121a on both sides in the intersecting direction indicated by arrow X, and has a pair of barrel pieces 121b, 121b that wrap around and clamp exposed core wire 111 between base portion 121a and base portion 121a. In other words, conductor clamping portion 121 is configured to include base portion 121a and a pair of barrel pieces 121b, 121b.

[0027] In the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the conductor clamping portion 121 has a recess 124 facing the opposite side to the exposed core wire 111 at an end portion on the coating clamping portion 122 side of the inner surface located on the side encasing the exposed core wire 111. Also, a recess 125 facing the opposite side to the exposed core wire 111 is provided at an end portion on the electrical connection portion 113 side of the inner surface of the conductor clamping portion 121. The recesses 124, 125 are each formed in a linear row along the intersecting direction indicated by the arrow X. The recesses 124, 125 are formed by a method such as press working. The recesses 124, 125 form a space 127 between the exposed core wire 111 and the recessed portion 124, 125 when the exposed core wire 111 is clamped by the conductor clamping portion 121. This space 127 holds liquid foreign matter that attempts to penetrate from between the rubber plug 13 and the covering crimping portion 122 of the crimp terminal 12, through the covering portion 112 of the covered electric wire 11 or the connecting portion 123 of the crimp terminal 12, into between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor crimping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12. An example of the liquid foreign matter is oil contained in the rubber plug. In this way, the space 127 can prevent the penetration of liquid foreign matter between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor crimping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12.

[0028] The conductor crimping portion 121 has a plurality of serrations 126 recessed at a position closer to the electrical connection portion 113 in the axial direction indicated by the arrow Y than the recessed portion 124 on the inner surface. Each serration 126 enhances electrical conductivity by allowing the exposed core wire 111 to enter the serration 126 when the exposed core wire 111 is crimped by the conductor crimping portion 121, thereby ensuring reliability of electrical conductivity. In this case, it is preferable that the recesses 124, 125 provided at the end of the covering crimping portion 122 side and the end of the electrical connection portion 113 side, sandwiching the plurality of serrations 126, are formed so that the depth of each recess is deeper than the depth of each serration 126. This makes it possible to secure a wide area of ​​the space 127 formed between the exposed core wire 111 and the exposed core wire 111 when the exposed core wire 111 is crimped by the conductor crimping portion 121.

[0029] Furthermore, the recesses 124, 125 are preferably formed to extend across the base 121a and the pair of barrel pieces 121b, 121b along the intersecting direction indicated by the arrow X, and the axial width of the recesses 124, 125 indicated by the arrow Y is preferably formed to be narrower than the axial width of each of the serrations 126 indicated by the arrow Y. This makes it possible to suppress the exposed core wire 111 from entering the recesses 124, 125 as compared to each of the serrations 126 when the exposed core wire 111 is crimped by the conductor crimping portion 121, and makes it easier to ensure the area of ​​the space 127 formed between the exposed core wire 111 and the recesses 124, 125.

[0030] Note that as long as recesses 124, 125 are formed in at least one row along the intersecting direction indicated by arrow X at the end of the inner surface of conductor clamping portion 121 facing coating clamping portion 122, it is not necessary to provide recess 125 at the end facing electrical connection portion 113. By providing recess 124 only on the inner surface of conductor clamping portion 121 facing coating clamping portion 122, recess 125 on the electrical connection portion 113 side can be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of conductor clamping portion 121 and reducing the number of manufacturing steps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0031] In addition, recesses 124 are not limited to being provided linearly along the cross direction indicated by arrow X, and may be formed to include, in addition to the end of the inner surface of conductor crimping portion 121 on the side of coating crimping portion 122, the end on the side of electrical connection portion 113 in the axial direction indicated by arrow Y, and both side end portions in the cross direction indicated by arrow X, and may be disposed so as to surround each serration 126, as shown in Fig. 4, in which parts corresponding to those in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, recesses 124 may be formed in two rows along the cross direction indicated by arrow X at the end of the inner surface of conductor crimping portion 121 on the side of coating crimping portion 122, as shown in Fig. 5, in which parts corresponding to those in Fig. 3 are given the same reference numerals. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the recesses 124 are not limited to being arranged in a straight line along the intersecting direction indicated by arrow X, but may be arranged, for example, in a staggered pattern so long as the arrangement prevents liquid foreign matter from penetrating between the rubber stopper 13 and the coating tightening portion 122 of the crimp terminal 12 in the axial direction indicated by arrow Y from the coating tightening portion 122 side to the electrical connection portion 113 side.

[0032] Here, the wire harness 100 in this embodiment has a connector housing 21, a mat seal 15, a mat seal cover 17, and a plurality of electric wires with terminals 1 that constitute a female connector. The electric wire with terminal 1 described here is configured in the same manner as the electric wire with terminal 1 described above. The connector housing 21 is provided with a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 211 that accommodate the crimp terminals 12 of the plurality of electric wires with terminals 1, and the terminal accommodating chambers 211 are formed with protruding lances 23 for locking the crimp terminals 12. The crimp terminals 12 are provided with a covering crimping portion 122, and the covering crimping portion 122 connects and fixes the crimp terminals 12 to the ends of the covered electric wires 11. The wire harness 100 in this embodiment is provided with the crimp terminals 12 that are female terminals having a box-shaped electrical connection portion 113, but the wire harness 100 may be configured to accommodate male terminals.

[0033] Behind the terminal accommodating chamber 211 of the connector housing 21, an accommodating space 33 for accommodating the mat seal 15 and the mat seal cover 17 is formed. The mat seal 15 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, and is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape with a plurality of terminal insertion holes 35 arranged vertically and horizontally penetrating from the front to the back. An inner peripheral lip (not shown) is formed in an annular shape on the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole 35, with large diameter portions and small diameter portions alternately connected. In addition, an outer peripheral lip 39 is formed in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the mat seal 15.

[0034] The mat seal cover 17, which is disposed in close contact with the rear of the mat seal 15, is provided with a terminal through-hole 41 through which the crimp terminal 12 is inserted. The crimp terminal 12 is inserted successively through the mat seal cover 17, the mat seal 15, and the terminal accommodating chamber 211, and is retained in the connector housing 21 by being engaged with a lance 23 protruding into the terminal accommodating chamber 211.

[0035] A sealing area 45 that compresses the outer peripheral lip 39 of the mat seal 15, and a terminal insertion area 47 that does not compress the outer peripheral lip 39 of the mat seal 15 on the rear opening side of the sealing area 45 are provided on the housing inner peripheral wall 43 (i.e., the inner peripheral wall of the accommodating space 33) behind the terminal accommodating chamber 211 in which the mat seal 15 is attached. The mat seal 15 is inserted from the terminal insertion area 47 to the sealing area 45 in the accommodating space 33 by the mat seal cover 17 that is in close contact with the rear side.

[0036] The terminal insertion area 47 has an opening shape that is the same as the outer shape of the mat seal 15, so that the outer lip 39 is not compressed. On the other hand, the seal area 45 has an opening shape that is smaller than the outer shape of the mat seal 15. As a result, the mat seal 15 inserted into the seal area 45 has the outer lip 39 pressed by the housing inner wall 43 and compressed. The mat seal 15 with the compressed outer lip 39 provides a watertight seal between itself and the housing inner wall 43, and the diameter of each terminal insertion hole 35 is reduced. That is, the mat seal 15 functions as a waterproof part that prevents water from entering the inside of the crimp terminal 12 through the covered electric wire 11 by being attached to the accommodation space 33 of the connector housing 21. A taper (not shown) that gradually reduces the opening area is formed between the terminal insertion area 47 and the seal area 45. This allows the mat seal 15 to move smoothly from the terminal insertion area 47 to the seal area 45.

[0037] A temporary locking portion 59 and a full locking portion 61 are provided on the outer circumferential portion 55 of the rear end of the connector housing 21 to engage with a locking arm 57 protruding from the mat seal cover 17 to lock the mat seal cover 17 in the temporary locking position or the full locking position. The mat seal 15 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the rear end 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 211 of the connector housing 21 and the mat seal cover 17 by locking the locking arm 57 of the mat seal cover 17 with the full locking portion 61 of the connector housing 21.

[0038] In this manner, the wire harness 100 in this embodiment is configured such that a plurality of electric wires with terminals 1 are accommodated in the connector housing 21, and the mat seal 15 is interposed between the rear end 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 211 and the mat seal cover 17.

[0039] Here, the mat seal 15 may discharge liquid foreign matter such as oil contained in the mat seal 15 when it is sandwiched between the rear end 31 of the terminal accommodating chamber 211 and the mat seal cover 17, or when a thermal load is applied due to aging or heat generation. Therefore, in the wire harness 100, the space 127 of the crimp terminal 12 is designed to hold liquid foreign matter that attempts to penetrate between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor clamping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12 through the coating portion 112 of the coated electric wire 11 or the connecting portion 123 of the crimp terminal 12.

[0040] The structure of the connector housing in the wire harness is not limited to the above-mentioned shape. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the wire harness 200 may be a connector housing 21A configured by stacking a plurality of inner housings 201 made of synthetic resin, each housing housing having a crimp terminal 12 therein, and inserting the inner housing 201 into an outer housing 202 made of synthetic resin.

[0041] In this case, the inner housing 201 has a plurality of terminal accommodating chambers 211 arranged in a horizontal row. Each terminal accommodating chamber 211 extends linearly in the front-rear direction of the inner housing 201, and is capable of accommodating a crimp terminal 12 attached to the tip of the insulated electric wire 11 in the electric wire with terminal 1 from the open top surface. The electric wire with terminal 1 described here is configured similarly to the electric wire with terminal 1 described above.

[0042] A filament 50 having hair attached thereon is wound around the outer circumference of all the covered electric wires 11 extending rearward of the inner housing 201 in a tangled manner. The position at which the filament 50 is wound is close to the front end of the rear space 210 of the outer housing 202 when the inner housing 201 is housed in the outer housing 202, and is preferably immediately behind the rear end of the inner housing 201. The filament 50 used here is like wool. It is also efficient to wind the filament 50 by tangling it with a sewing machine or the like.

[0043] In the outer housing 202, a hood portion 205 is formed on the outer periphery of a rectangular cylindrical main body 203, with an insertion space 204 for a mating connector housing (not shown) separated therefrom. A seal member 206 is attached to the outer periphery of the rectangular cylindrical main body 203 inside the hood portion 205 to seal the gap with the mating connector housing.

[0044] The internal space 207 of the rectangular cylindrical main body 203 has a height capable of accommodating a plurality of inner housings 201 in a stacked state. The front end of the internal space 207 is closed by a front end wall 208 having an insertion hole 208a into which a mating terminal (inserter) (not shown) is inserted, and the rear end 209 is open so that the inner housing 201 can be inserted. In other words, the main body 203 is structured such that a rear space 210 is secured inside the outer housing 202 by inserting the inner housing 201 into the internal space 207 up to a preset position.

[0045] Then, a plurality of inner housings 201 are stacked and inserted into the outer housing 202, and in this state, grease S is injected as a liquid waterproofing agent (sealing material) into the rear space 210 of the outer housing 202 and allowed to solidify. In this case, the grease S functions as a waterproofing portion that prevents water from infiltrating into the inside of the crimp terminal 12 through the insulated electric wire 11. This allows the gap between the outer housing 202 and the insulated electric wire 11 extending rearward from the rear end of the inner housing 201 to be filled with grease S, thereby making the wire harness 200 waterproof.

[0046] In this way, when the bristled filament 50 is wound around the coated electric wire 11 and then grease S is injected, even if the grease S is injected downward, the bristles of the filament 50 block the grease S due to their liquid repellency, preventing the grease S from flowing into the crimp terminal 12.

[0047] Here, the grease S may discharge liquid foreign matter such as oil contained in the grease S under conditions of thermal load due to deterioration over time or heat generation. Therefore, in the wire harness 200, the space 127 of the crimp terminal 12 is designed to hold the liquid foreign matter that attempts to penetrate between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor clamping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12 through the coating portion 112 of the coated electric wire 11 or the connecting portion 123 of the crimp terminal 12.

[0048] As described above, in the electric wire with terminal 1, the crimp terminal 12, and the connector housings 21, 21A according to the present embodiment, the end of the inner surface of the conductor clamping portion 121 on the side of the covering clamping portion 122 is provided with a recess 124 formed so as to recess outwardly on the side opposite the exposed core wire 111. In addition, the end of the inner surface of the conductor clamping portion 121 on the side of the electrical connection portion 113 is provided with a recess 125 formed so as to recess outwardly on the side opposite the exposed core wire 111. These recesses 124, 125 form a space 127 between the exposed core wire 111 and the exposed core wire 111 in a state in which the exposed core wire 111 is clamped by the conductor clamping portion 121. The space 127 holds liquid foreign matter that is discharged from the rubber plug 13, the mat seal 15, or the grease S and attempts to infiltrate from between the rubber plug 13 and the covering crimping portion 122 of the crimp terminal 12, through the covering portion 112 of the covered electric wire 11 or the connecting portion 123 of the crimp terminal 12, into between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor crimping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12. This makes it possible to suppress the infiltration of liquid foreign matter between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor crimping portion 121 of the crimp terminal 12. This makes it possible to prevent corrosion caused by the liquid foreign matter being present in the conductor crimping portion 121 between the crimp terminal 12 and the exposed core wire 111, avoid an increase in contact resistance, and prevent a decrease in reliability of conduction due to this, that is, to ensure reliability of conduction. Thus, the electric wire with terminal 1, crimp terminal 12, and connector housing 21, 21A according to this embodiment can suppress the intrusion of liquid foreign matter into the conductor clamping portion 121, avoiding an increase in contact resistance and ensuring reliable electrical continuity.

[0049] Here, in this embodiment, the conductor fastening portion 121 has a plurality of serrations 126 formed as recesses at a position closer to the electrical connection portion 113 in the axial direction indicated by arrow Y than the recess portion 124 on the inner surface, and the recesses 124, 125 are each formed to a depth greater than the depth of the recess of each serration 126, thereby ensuring a wide area of ​​space 127 formed between the exposed core wire 111 and the conductor fastening portion 121 when the exposed core wire 111 is fastened.

[0050] Furthermore, the recesses 124, 125 are formed extending across the base 121a and the pair of barrel pieces 121b, 121b along the intersecting direction indicated by arrow X, and the axial width of the recesses 124, 125 indicated by arrow Y is formed narrower than the axial width of each serration 126 indicated by arrow Y. As a result, when the exposed core wire 111 is tightened by the conductor tightening portion 121, the exposed core wire 111 can be prevented from entering the recesses 124, 125 compared to each serration 126, and the area of ​​the space 127 formed between the exposed core wire 111 can be easily secured.

[0051] Furthermore, by forming at least one row of recesses 124 along the intersecting direction indicated by arrow X at the end of the inner surface of conductor fastening portion 121 facing coating fastening portion 122, recesses 125 at the end facing electrical connection portion 113 can be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of conductor fastening portion 121 and reducing the number of manufacturing steps, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0052] In addition, the best configuration for carrying out the present invention is disclosed in the above description, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention has been particularly illustrated and described mainly with respect to a specific embodiment, but a person skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiment in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and purpose of the present invention. Therefore, the description of the above-disclosed limited shapes, materials, etc. is illustrative in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention, so that the description of the names of the members from which some or all of the limitations of the shapes, materials, etc. are removed is included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Wire with terminal 11 Insulated wire (electric wire) 12 Crimp terminal 12f front end 13 Rubber stopper 15 Matte Seal 17 Matte Seal Cover 21,21A Connector Housing 211 Terminal housing 100,200 Wire harness 111 Exposed core (conductor part) 111a Adjacent Coverage 111e Exposed core 112 Covering part (insulating covering part) 112e End part 113 Electrical Connections 113a 1st bottom plate 113b Upper Board 113c side plate 113d Spring piece 120 Wire connection 121 Conductor clamping part 121a Base 121b Barrel section 122 Insulation tightening section (core wire crimping section) 123 Connecting part 124 Depression 125 Recess 126 Serration 127 Space S Grease

Claims

1. An electric wire having an insulating coating portion at an end portion removed to expose a conductor portion; a crimp terminal having an electrical connection portion to be connected to a mating terminal, a conductor crimping portion to be crimped to the conductor portion, and a coating crimping portion to be crimped to the insulating coating portion of the electric wire adjacent to the exposed conductor portion; a waterproof portion that prevents water from entering the inside of the crimp terminal through the electric wire, The conductor clamping portion is a base portion to which the electrical connection portion is connected at one side in the axial direction and to which the coating crimping portion is connected at the other side; a pair of barrel pieces extending from the base on both sides of a direction intersecting the axial direction, the pair of barrel pieces being configured to enclose and crimp the conductor between the base and the pair of barrel pieces; a recessed portion and a plurality of recessed serrations are provided on an inner surface of the conductor clamping portion located on the conductor portion side, the recessed portion is formed at an end of the conductor clamping portion on the coating clamping portion side, an end of the conductor clamping portion on the electrical connection portion side, and both side end portions in the intersecting direction so as to surround the plurality of serrations, The recessed portion has a depth greater than the depth of the recessed portions of the plurality of serrations, The recessed portion forms a space between the conductor portion and the recessed portion when the conductor clamping portion is clamped to the conductor portion.

2. 2. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1, wherein a width of the recess in the axial direction of a portion extending across the base and the pair of barrel pieces along the cross direction is narrower than a width of the plurality of serrations in the axial direction.

3. A crimp terminal to be connected to an electric wire having an exposed conductor portion by removing an insulating coating portion at an end portion thereof, an electrical connection portion to be connected to a mating terminal, a conductor crimping portion to be crimped to the conductor portion, and a coating crimping portion to be crimped to the insulating coating portion of the electric wire adjacent to the exposed conductor portion, The conductor clamping portion is a base portion to which the electrical connection portion is connected at one side in the axial direction and to which the coating crimping portion is connected at the other side; a pair of barrel pieces extending from the base on both sides of a direction intersecting the axial direction, the pair of barrel pieces being configured to enclose and crimp the conductor between the base and the pair of barrel pieces; a recessed portion and a plurality of recessed serrations are provided on an inner surface of the conductor clamping portion located on the conductor portion side, the recessed portion is formed at an end of the conductor clamping portion on the coating clamping portion side, an end of the conductor clamping portion on the electrical connection portion side, and both side end portions in the intersecting direction so as to surround the plurality of serrations, The recessed portion has a depth greater than the depth of the recessed portions of the plurality of serrations, The recessed portion forms a space between the conductor portion and the conductor clamping portion when the conductor clamping portion is clamped to the conductor portion.

4. A connector having a terminal accommodating chamber inside a housing for accommodating a crimp terminal to be connected to an electric wire having an exposed conductor portion by removing an insulating coating portion at an end thereof, and having a waterproof portion for preventing water from entering the inside of the housing along the electric wire, A connector, wherein the crimp terminal accommodated in the terminal accommodating chamber is the crimp terminal of the electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 or 2, or the crimp terminal according to claim 3.

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