Wire with terminal

Abstract

To secure appropriate anti-corrosion performance at an exposed portion of a conductor part of an electric wire.SOLUTION: An electric wire 100 with a terminal includes: an electric wire W in which a conductor part W1 with conductivity is coated with an insulation coating part W2 with insulation quality; a crimp terminal 1 including a conductor crimp part 44 crimped to the conductor part W1 that is exposed from a terminal of the insulation coating part W2, a coated crimp part 46 crimped to the insulation coating part W2, and an intermediate part 45 connecting the conductor crimp part 44 and the coated crimp part 46 to configure an intermediate exposed part W1a where the conductor part W1 is exposed; and an anti-corrosion material 10 disposed at the intermediate exposed part W1a of the conductor part W1, at least in the intermediate part 45. The conductor part W1 includes, in the intermediate exposed part W1a, a recess 51 formed in a groove shape along a width direction Y crossing the extension direction of the electric wire W.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire with a terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose techniques that are applied to an electric wire with a terminal in which an electric wire and a terminal are connected.

[0003] The electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 1 includes a terminal having an insulation crimping portion that is crimped onto the insulating coating of the electric wire, a conductor crimping portion that is crimped onto the conductor portion exposed from the end of the insulating coating of the electric wire, and an intermediate portion that connects the conductor crimping portion and the insulation crimping portion and exposes the conductor portion. The electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 1 has a groove portion formed along the circumferential direction on the surface of the intermediate portion facing the conductor portion. This electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 1 can make it easier for an applied anticorrosion agent to penetrate circumferentially through the groove in the intermediate portion, and can reliably cover the conductor portion exposed in the intermediate portion with the anticorrosion agent.

[0004] The electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 2 has a pair of overlapping portions that extend from both ends in the width direction and are bent in a portion that corresponds to the intermediate portion of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1. The electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 2 has the overlapping portions that prevent the water-stopping material supplied to the intermediate portion from leaking out.

[0005] The electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 3 has an annular groove formed on the outer surface of the insulating coating portion at the portion of the electric wire that is crimped to the coating crimping portion of the terminal. In the electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 3, the gap between the annular groove of the insulating coating portion and the inner surface of the coating crimping portion is filled with a waterproof resin portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-150104 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-110103 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-191989 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the case of an electric wire with a terminal, it is desirable to keep the corrosion prevention coating on the exposed part of the conductor in the middle portion in order to ensure proper corrosion prevention performance.

[0008] The electric wire with terminals of Patent Document 1 can allow corrosion inhibitors to penetrate between the intermediate portion and the conductor portion by using the grooves, but requires some means to retain the corrosion inhibitor at the exposed portion of the conductor in the intermediate portion. The electric wire with terminals of Patent Document 2 prevents corrosion inhibitors from leaking out to the outside, but does not allow corrosion inhibitors to penetrate between the intermediate portion and the conductor, nor does it have any means to retain the corrosion inhibitor at the exposed portion of the conductor in the intermediate portion. The electric wire with terminals of Patent Document 3 fills the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating with corrosion inhibitors, but does not allow corrosion inhibitors to penetrate between the intermediate portion and the conductor, nor does it have any means to retain the corrosion inhibitor at the exposed portion of the conductor in the intermediate portion.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an electric wire with a terminal that can ensure appropriate corrosion protection performance in the exposed portion of the conductor of the electric wire. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the electric wire with terminal of the present invention comprises: an electric wire in which a conductive conductor portion is covered with an insulating covering portion having insulating properties; a conductor crimping portion crimped onto the conductor portion exposed from an end of the insulating covering portion; a covering crimping portion crimped onto the insulating covering portion; and a crimp terminal including an intermediate portion connecting the conductor crimping portion and the covering crimping portion to form an intermediate exposed portion where the conductor portion is exposed; and a corrosion inhibitor arranged on the intermediate exposed portion of the conductor portion at least in the intermediate portion, wherein the conductor portion has a recess formed in a groove shape along a width direction intersecting with the extension direction of the electric wire in the intermediate exposed portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] In the electric wire with terminal according to the present invention, the anticorrosive agent applied to the exposed intermediate portion is supplied to the recess and guided from the recess to the periphery thereof. This electric wire with terminal can prevent insufficient application of anticorrosive agent or dripping at the exposed intermediate portion where the conductor portion is exposed, and can reliably cover the exposed intermediate portion with the anticorrosive agent, thereby ensuring anticorrosion performance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an electric wire with a terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a schematic configuration of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged side view showing a schematic configuration of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment when it is crimped. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a schematic configuration of another example of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged side view showing a schematic configuration of another example of an electric wire with a terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a state in which the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment is attached to the connector housing. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state in which the electric wire with terminal according to the embodiment is attached to the connector housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the following embodiments include those that are easily replaceable by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0014] In the following description, of the first, second, and third directions that intersect with one another, the first direction will be referred to as the "axial direction X," the second direction will be referred to as the "width direction Y," and the third direction will be referred to as the "height direction Z." Here, the axial direction X, the width direction Y, and the height direction Z are approximately perpendicular to one another. The axial direction X typically corresponds to the direction along the axis X1 (see FIG. 1, etc.) of the electric wire on which the crimp terminal is provided, the extension direction of the electric wire, the insertion / removal direction of the crimp terminal and the mating terminal, etc. The width direction Y and the height direction Z correspond to intersecting directions that intersect with the axial direction X. In the following description, the direction along the axis X1 in the crimped state of the crimp terminal will be referred to as the "circumferential direction D1." FIG. 1 illustrates the crimp terminal in a state before crimping. FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 11 illustrate the crimped state of the crimp terminal. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the directions used in the following description refer to the directions when the components are assembled together.

[0015] The electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment is applied to a wire harness or the like used in a vehicle. Here, the wire harness is, for example, an assembly component in which a plurality of electric wires W used for power supply and signal communication are bundled together to connect various devices mounted on a vehicle, and the plurality of electric wires W are connected to the devices using connectors or the like.

[0016] The electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment includes an electric wire W, a crimp terminal 1 crimped and electrically connected to an end of the electric wire W, and an anticorrosive material 10 (see FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 11) that covers each portion to provide anticorrosion. The crimp terminal 1 of this embodiment constitutes a corrosion-resistant terminal protected from corrosion by the anticorrosive material 10. Each component of the electric wire with terminal 100 will be described in detail below with reference to the respective drawings.

[0017] The electric wire W is arranged in a vehicle and electrically connects various devices. The electric wire W includes a linear conductor portion W1 having electrical conductivity and an insulating sheath portion W2 that covers the outside of the conductor portion W1. The electric wire W is an insulated electric wire in which the conductor portion W1 is covered with the insulating sheath portion W2.

[0018] The conductor portion W1 is a core wire formed by bundling a plurality of conductive metal wires. The conductor portion W1 may also be a twisted core wire formed by twisting the plurality of metal wires together. The insulating coating portion W2 is a wire coating that covers the outer periphery of the conductor portion W1. The insulating coating portion W2 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding an insulating resin material (such as PP (polypropylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), or cross-linked PE (polyethylene), which is appropriately selected taking into consideration abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, etc.).

[0019] The electric wire W extends linearly along the axis X1 and is formed to extend with approximately the same diameter in the extension direction (axial direction X). The electric wire W is formed to have an approximately circular cross-sectional shape along the circumferential direction D1 as a whole. In the electric wire W, the cross-sectional shape (cross-sectional shape in a direction intersecting the axial direction X) of the conductor portion W1 is approximately circular along the circumferential direction D1, and the cross-sectional shape of the insulating coating portion W2 is approximately annular along the circumferential direction D1. At least one end of the electric wire W has the insulating coating portion W2 stripped away, and the conductor portion W1 is exposed from the end W2a of the insulating coating portion W2. Crimp terminals 1 are provided on the electric wire W near the end W2a of the insulating coating portion W2 and on the exposed portion exposed from the end W2a of the insulating coating portion W2.

[0020] The crimp terminal 1 is a terminal fitting to which an electric wire W is electrically connected and to which a conductive mating terminal is connected. The crimp terminal 1 includes an electrical connection portion 2, a connecting portion 3, and a wire crimping portion 4. The electrical connection portion 2, connecting portion 3, and wire crimping portion 4 are integrally formed as a whole using a conductive metal member. For example, the crimp terminal 1 is formed by shaping a single piece of sheet metal into shapes corresponding to each portion, such as the electrical connection portion 2, connecting portion 3, and wire crimping portion 4, using various processes such as punching, pressing, and bending, so that each portion is integrally formed three-dimensionally. The crimp terminal 1 is arranged from one side to the other along the axial direction X, with the electrical connection portion 2, connecting portion 3, and wire crimping portion 4 lined up in this order and connected to each other.

[0021] The electrical connection portion 2 is a portion that is electrically connected to a mating terminal. The electrical connection portion 2 may have a male terminal shape or a female terminal shape. The electrical connection portion 2 of this embodiment is illustrated as having a female terminal shape, and is electrically connected to a mating terminal having a male terminal shape. Note that the electrical connection portion 2 is not limited to a mating terminal, and may be configured to be electrically connected to various conductive members such as an earth member. In this case, the electrical connection portion 2 may have a shape of a so-called round terminal (LA terminal) that is fastened to an earth member or the like.

[0022] The connecting portion 3 is interposed between the electrical connection portion 2 and the wire crimping portion 4, and is a portion that connects and provides conduction between the electrical connection portion 2 and the wire crimping portion 4. In the crimp terminal 1, the electrical connection portion 2 and the wire crimping portion 4 are electrically connected via the connecting portion 3, and the electrical connection portion 2 and the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W are electrically connected and provided conduction through the wire crimping portion 4.

[0023] The wire crimping portion 4 is a portion to which the electric wire W is connected and which electrically connects the end of the electric wire W with the crimp terminal 1. The wire crimping portion 4 is provided on the end of the electric wire W by being crimped and crimped to the end of the electric wire W. The wire crimping portion 4 includes a base 40, barrel pieces 41, 42, and a wall portion 43. The wire crimping portion 4 is crimped and crimped to the electric wire W by the base 40 and the barrel pieces 41, 42. The barrel pieces 41 are provided as a pair opposite each other in the width direction Y. The barrel pieces 42 are provided as a pair opposite each other in the width direction Y. The wall portions 43 are provided as a pair opposite each other in the width direction Y. In this way, the wire crimping portion 4 is provided as a base 40, two pairs of barrel pieces 41, 42, and a pair of wall portions 43.

[0024] The wire crimping portion 4 includes a conductor crimping portion 44, an intermediate portion 45, and an insulation crimping portion 46, which are formed by a base portion 40, two pairs of barrel pieces 41, 42, and a pair of wall portions 43. In other words, the wire crimping portion 4 includes the conductor crimping portion 44, which is formed by the base portion 40, two pairs of barrel pieces 41, 42, and a pair of wall portions 43, the intermediate portion 45, and the insulation crimping portion 46.

[0025] The conductor crimping portion 44 is composed of a part of the base portion 40 and the pair of barrel pieces 41. The intermediate portion 45 is composed of a part of the base portion 40 and the pair of wall portions 43. The insulation crimping portion 46 is composed of a part of the base portion 40 and the pair of barrel pieces 42. The wire crimping portion 4 is arranged in the axial direction X from the electrical connection portion 2 side to the opposite side, and the conductor crimping portion 44, the intermediate portion 45, and the insulation crimping portion 46 are connected to each other in this order. The wire crimping portion 4 of this embodiment constitutes a so-called separate barrel type crimping portion in which the pair of barrel pieces 41 and the pair of barrel pieces 42 are separated via the intermediate portion 45.

[0026] The base 40 extends along the axial direction X and is the bottom of the wire crimping portion 4, which is formed in a substantially U-shape before the crimp terminal 1 is crimped. The base 40 is formed in a plate shape with its thickness direction aligned with the height direction Z. The end of the electric wire W is placed on the base 40 during crimping. The electric connection portion 2 is connected to one side of the base 40 in the axial direction X via the connecting portion 3. Both ends of the base 40 in the width direction Y as a whole are raised along the height direction Z.

[0027] The base 40 is continuous along the axial direction X across the conductor crimping portion 44, the intermediate portion 45, and the coating crimping portion 46. Specifically, the base 40 is configured by a first base 40a constituting the conductor crimping portion 44, a second base 40b constituting the intermediate portion 45, and a third base 40c constituting the coating crimping portion 46, which are connected together along the axial direction X. In the base 40, the electrical connection portion 2 is connected to one end of the first base 40a in the axial direction X. Furthermore, before crimping, a carrier (not shown) is connected to the other end of the third base 40c in the axial direction X, and the base 40 is cut from the carrier during crimping, for example.

[0028] The pair of barrel pieces 41, together with a first base portion 40a that is a part of the base portion 40, constitute a conductor crimping portion 44. The conductor crimping portion 44 is crimped and crimped to the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W, thereby being electrically connected to the conductor portion W1. The conductor crimping portion 44 is provided on one end side of the wire crimping portion 4 in the axial direction X, in this case, on the electrical connection portion 2 side.

[0029] The pair of barrel pieces 41 are plate-like portions formed in the conductor crimping portion 44, extending in a band shape from the first base portion 40a to both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of barrel pieces 41 are crimped and crimped between the pair of barrel pieces 41 and the first base portion 40a to enclose the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W. One barrel piece 41 extends from the first base portion 40a to one side in the width direction Y. The other barrel piece 41 extends from the first base portion 40a to the other side in the width direction Y. Before the pair of barrel pieces 41 are crimped and crimped to the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W, the pair of barrel pieces 41 are formed into a substantially U-shape together with the first base portion 40a by bending the first base portion 40a. Therefore, the pair of barrel pieces 41 are portions that become side walls in the width direction Y of the U-shaped electric wire crimping portion 4 before crimping.

[0030] The pair of barrel pieces 41 are wound around the conductor portion W1, crimped, and have lengths from the base to the tip on the first base portion 40a side set so that they do not overlap each other when crimped. The conductor crimping portion 44 is crimped and crimped to the conductor portion W1 by the first base portion 40a and the pair of barrel pieces 41, wrapping around the outside of the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W arranged between the pair of barrel pieces 41.

[0031] The pair of barrel pieces 41 are crimped by a method known as a B crimp. In a B crimp, the conductor crimping portion 44 is crimped by wrapping the conductor portion W1 between the first base portion 40a and the pair of barrel pieces 41, and each of the pair of barrel pieces 41 is bent so as to be rolled up toward the first base portion 40a. In this state, the conductor crimping portion 44 is crimped by crimping the bent tips of the pair of barrel pieces 41 so as to bite into, contact, and press against the conductor portion W1.

[0032] The pair of barrel pieces 42, together with a third base portion 40c that is a part of the base portion 40, constitute a coating crimping portion 46. The coating crimping portion 46 is fixed to the insulating coating portion W2 by being crimped and crimped to the insulating coating portion W2 of the electric wire W. The coating crimping portion 46 is provided on the other end side of the electric wire crimping portion 4 in the axial direction X, here, on the opposite side to the electrical connection portion 2 side.

[0033] The pair of barrel pieces 42 are plate-like portions formed in the coating crimping portion 46, extending in a band shape from the third base portion 40c to both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of barrel pieces 42 are crimped and crimped between the pair of barrel pieces 42 and the third base portion 40c to enclose the insulating coating portion W2 of the electric wire W. One barrel piece 42 extends from the third base portion 40c to one side in the width direction Y. The other barrel piece 42 extends from the third base portion 40c to the other side in the width direction Y. Before the pair of barrel pieces 42 are crimped and crimped to the insulating coating portion W2 of the electric wire W, the pair of barrel pieces 42 are formed into a substantially U-shape together with the third base portion 40c by bending the third base portion 40c. Therefore, the pair of barrel pieces 42 are portions that become side walls in the width direction Y of the U-shaped electric wire crimping portion 4 before crimping.

[0034] The pair of barrel pieces 42 are wound around the insulating coating portion W2, crimped, and have a length from the base to the tip thereof set so that they do not overlap each other when crimped. The coating crimping portion 46 wraps around the outside of the insulating coating portion W2 of the electric wire W arranged between the pair of barrel pieces 42 by the third base portion 40c and the pair of barrel pieces 42, and is crimped and crimped to the insulating coating portion W2.

[0035] The pair of barrel pieces 42 are crimped by a so-called round crimp. The coating crimping portion 46 is crimped in a positional relationship such that the tips of the pair of barrel pieces 42 face each other, with the third base portion 40c and the pair of barrel pieces 42 surrounding and crimping the insulating coating portion W2.

[0036] The pair of wall portions 43, together with the second base portion 40b that is a part of the base portion 40, constitute an intermediate portion 45. The intermediate portion 45 is interposed between the conductor crimping portion 44 and the coating crimping portion 46 and connects the conductor crimping portion 44 and the coating crimping portion 46. One end of the intermediate portion 45 in the axial direction X is connected to the first base portion 40a of the conductor crimping portion 44, and the other end is connected to the third base portion 40c of the coating crimping portion 46. The intermediate portion 45 constitutes an intermediate exposed portion W1a, which is a portion where the conductor portion W1 is exposed to the outside of the crimp terminal 1, between the conductor crimping portion 44 and the coating crimping portion 46. As described above, the pair of barrel pieces 41 and the pair of barrel pieces 42 are separated and spaced apart by the presence of the intermediate portion 45 between them.

[0037] The pair of wall portions 43 are plate-like portions formed in the intermediate portion 45, extending in a strip shape from the second base portion 40b on both sides in the width direction Y. The pair of wall portions 43 are formed by bending the second base portion 40b and together with the second base portion 40b into a substantially U-shape. The pair of wall portions 43 are provided upright along both sides in the width direction Y of the intermediate exposed portion W1a of the conductor portion W1 arranged on the second base portion 40b. The pair of wall portions 43 are arranged such that the plate surfaces of one and the other face each other in the width direction Y, and are provided so as to sandwich the intermediate exposed portion W1a of the conductor portion W1 in the width direction Y. Furthermore, the pair of wall portions 43 are formed to be equal to or greater than the height of the intermediate exposed portion W1a of W1.

[0038] Here, the intermediate portion 45 is configured to have grooves 48. As shown in FIG. 1, the grooves 48 are recessed in the surface (inner surface of the second base portion 40b) of the second base portion 40b constituting the intermediate portion 45, facing the outer surface of the intermediate exposed portion W1a of the conductor portion W1 in the width direction Y. The grooves 48 are formed from the ends of the rising portions 40ba rising in the height direction Z of the second base portion 40b toward the center C (see FIG. 5) of the intermediate portion 45 in the circumferential direction D1. Each groove 48 is formed such that its end on the center C side in the circumferential direction D1 is closed at a position spaced apart from the center C of the intermediate portion 45 in the circumferential direction D1. A plurality of grooves 48 are provided, for example, three grooves 48 are provided at one end of the second base portion 40b in the circumferential direction D1 and three grooves 48 are provided at the other end of the intermediate portion 45 in the circumferential direction D1, for example, six grooves 48 in total.

[0039] The pair of wall portions 43 are provided so as to rise continuously from the rising portion 40ba of the second base portion 40b in which the groove portions 48 are formed.

[0040] In the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 , the conductor portion W1 has a recess 51 on the surface of the intermediate exposed portion W1a exposed in the intermediate portion 45. The recess 51 is a recessed portion formed by partially recessing the surface of the intermediate exposed portion W1a of the conductor portion W1. The recess 51 is groove-shaped and is provided along the circumferential direction D1 between the second base portion 40b and the wall portion 43 as shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the recess 51 is provided so that each groove-shaped end portion 51a in a plan view reaches the wall portion 43. In FIG. 3 , the recess 51 is provided continuously in the width direction Y so that each end portion 51a reaches the wall portion 43. As shown in FIG. 7 , the recess 51 may be divided, for example, at the center in the width direction Y, as long as each end portion 51a reaches the wall portion 43. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 , a plurality of recesses 51 may be provided in the axial direction X. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the recess 51 is formed so that each end 51a extending in the width direction Y faces the extending end (upper end) 48a of the groove portion 48 formed in the intermediate portion 45 in the width direction Y.

[0041] In the electric wire with terminal 100 configured as described above, the conductor crimping portion 44 is crimped onto the conductor portion W1, and the cover crimping portion 46 is crimped onto the insulating cover portion W2, thereby crimping the crimp terminal 1 onto the end of the electric wire W. In this state, a contact point is formed between the conductor crimping portion 44 and the conductor portion W1 of the crimp terminal 1, and the electric wire W is electrically connected to the conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W via the contact point. When the crimp terminal 1 is crimped onto the end of the electric wire W, the intermediate exposed portion W1a of the electric wire W is pressed along the height direction Z by a mold 60 (see FIGS. 2 and 6 ), thereby forming a recess 51. The mold 60 is formed with a protrusion 60b on an opposing surface 60a that faces the outer side of the intermediate exposed portion W1a in the height direction Z. The recess 51 is formed by pressing the protrusion 60b of the mold 60 against the intermediate exposed portion W1a along the height direction Z. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 , when the mold 60 forms the recess 51, a protrusion 52 is formed on the outer side of the intermediate exposed portion W1a in the height direction Z, aligned with the recess 51 on the conductor crimping portion 44 side in the axial direction X, and protruding to a height greater than that of the conductor crimping portion 44. By forming the recess 51, the electric wire with terminal 100 can prevent the intermediate exposed portion W1a from jumping up in the height direction Z, thereby suppressing the occurrence of molding defects. When the crimp terminal 1 of the electric wire with terminal 100 is held in, for example, a connector housing 70 (see FIGS. 10 and 11 ), and the connector housing 70 is mated with a connector housing of a mating connector to form a connector joint, the electric wire with terminal 100 is electrically connected to the mating terminal, forming an electrical contact point therebetween. As a result, the electric wire with terminal 100 is electrically connected to the mating terminal via the connection point.

[0042] The conductor portion W1 of the electric wire W to which the crimp terminal 1 is crimped may be made of, for example, aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy. In other words, in this case, the conductor portion W1 is a core wire formed by bundling together multiple metal wires made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. On the other hand, the crimp terminal 1 may be made of a different metal from the conductor portion W1, such as a base material made of copper (Cu) or a copper alloy, with the surface plated with tin (Sn) or the like. In this case, the electric wire with terminal 100 has the conductor portion W1 made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and the crimp terminal 1 made of copper or a copper alloy. If water (saltwater) or the like penetrates between the two, galvanic corrosion may occur between the conductor portion W1 and the crimp terminal 1 due to the difference in ionization tendency between the two. The aluminum alloy is an alloy primarily composed of aluminum. The copper alloy is an alloy primarily composed of copper, such as so-called brass.

[0043] In contrast, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment is provided with a corrosion-preventing anticorrosion layer 10 that prevents corrosion on the wire crimping portion 4, thereby suppressing the occurrence of galvanic corrosion as described above. The electric wire with terminal 100 is protected from corrosion by covering at least the exposed intermediate portion W1a of the conductor portion W1 exposed in the intermediate portion 45 with the corrosion-preventing layer 10. The corrosion-preventing layer 10 is made of, for example, a UV (ultraviolet) curable resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. Examples of UV-curable resins that can be used include, but are not limited to, urethane acrylate resins. The corrosion-preventing layer 10 is formed by applying a paste-like UV-curable resin to a predetermined portion, and then hardening and retaining its shape when exposed to ultraviolet light. Here, the corrosion-preventing layer 10 is provided across the conductor crimping portion 44, the intermediate portion 45, the coating crimping portion 46, and the conductor portion W1 exposed from the crimp terminal 1. That is, here, the corrosion inhibitor 10 is provided along the axial direction X over the tip W1b of the conductor portion W1 exposed from the crimp terminal 1, the conductor crimp portion 44, the exposed intermediate portion W1a exposed from the intermediate portion 45, and the coating crimp portion 46. The corrosion inhibitor 10 is also provided so as to penetrate into the wire crimp portion 4 and between the strands of the conductor portion W1. After being applied to and permeating each of the above-mentioned portions, the corrosion inhibitor 10 is cured by ultraviolet light irradiation, retaining its shape and covering each of the above-mentioned portions. With this configuration, the corrosion inhibitor 10 prevents water from entering the crimp terminal 1, preventing water (such as saltwater) from penetrating into the interior, thereby suppressing the occurrence of galvanic corrosion. While the corrosion inhibitor 10 has been described as being made of a UV-curable resin, it may be made of, for example, a thermosetting resin that hardens when heat is applied.

[0044] The electric wire with terminal 100 configured as described above has a groove-shaped recess 51 formed in the intermediate exposed portion W1a covered with the corrosion-resistant coating 10 along a width direction Y intersecting the extending direction (axial direction X) of the electric wire W. Therefore, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a is supplied to the recess 51 and guided from the recess 51 mainly along the width direction Y, as indicated by arrows α in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The second base portion 40b of the crimp terminal 1 is present on both sides of the recess 51 in the width direction Y. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 100 of the embodiment can distribute the corrosion-resistant coating 10 throughout the gap between the inner surface of the second base portion 40b and the outer surface of the conductor portion W1, making it easier for the corrosion-resistant coating 10 to permeate around the conductor portion W1. Furthermore, when the conductor portion W1 is a stranded core wire formed by twisting strands of wires together, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a is guided along the strands of wires along the axial direction X. In this way, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment has the recesses 51 that allow the corrosion-preventing agent 10 to be distributed throughout the width direction Y and the axial direction X of the exposed intermediate portion W1a. As a result, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can prevent insufficient application of the corrosion-preventing agent 10 and dripping in the exposed intermediate portion W1a where the conductor portion W1 is exposed, and can reliably cover the exposed intermediate portion W1a with the corrosion-preventing agent 10, thereby ensuring corrosion prevention performance. Furthermore, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment prevents insufficient application of the corrosion-preventing agent 10 and dripping, making it easy to apply the corrosion-preventing agent 10. Note that the recesses 51 in the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can be obtained by simply adding or modifying the die 60, which is part of the crimping die, without changing the shape of the crimp terminal 1, and can also be applied to existing electric wires with terminal 100.

[0045] Furthermore, in the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment, as a result of the formation of the recess 51, a protrusion 52 is formed that is aligned with the recess 51 on the conductor crimping portion 44 side in the axial direction X and protrudes above the height of the conductor crimping portion 44. Generally, much of the corrosion inhibitor 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a flows in the axial direction X toward the conductor crimping portion 44, as indicated by arrow β in FIG. 3 , and does not reach both sides of the intermediate exposed portion W1a in the width direction Y. This makes it difficult for the corrosion inhibitor 10 to reach the gap between the inner surface of the second base portion 40b and the outer surface of the conductor portion W1. In this regard, in the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment, the protrusion 52 is formed as a result of the formation of the recess 51. Therefore, together with the action of the recess 51, the protrusion 52 can reduce the flow of the corrosion inhibitor 10 as indicated by arrow β. As a result, the terminal-attached electric wire 100 of this embodiment can prevent insufficient application or dripping of the corrosion-resistant coating 10 at the intermediate exposed portion W1a where the conductor portion W1 is exposed, and can reliably cover the intermediate exposed portion W1a with the corrosion-resistant coating 10, thereby ensuring corrosion prevention performance.

[0046] The electric wire with terminal 100 configured as described above has wall portions 43 that rise on both sides of the intermediate exposed portion W1a in the width direction Y and are equal to or higher than the height of the intermediate exposed portion W1a. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 , the wall portions 43 help retain the corrosion-resistant coating 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a at the position of the intermediate exposed portion W1a. Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment makes it easier to supply the corrosion-resistant coating 10 to the recess 51 of the intermediate exposed portion W1a. Furthermore, the wall portions 43 prevent the corrosion-resistant coating 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a from sagging outward in the width direction Y at the intermediate portion 44 that constitutes the intermediate exposed portion W1a. As a result, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can prevent insufficient application or sagging of the corrosion-resistant coating 10 in the intermediate exposed portion W1a where the conductor portion W1 is exposed, thereby ensuring corrosion protection by ensuring that the corrosion-resistant coating 10 reliably covers the intermediate exposed portion W1a. Furthermore, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment prevents insufficient application of the corrosion-resistant coating 10 and the occurrence of dripping, so that the application work of the corrosion-resistant coating 10 can be easily performed.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment is mounted by inserting the crimp terminal 1 into the connector housing 70. The electric wire with terminal 100 has a wall portion 43, which contacts the inner wall surface 70a of the connector housing 70. Therefore, the wall portion 43 of the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can prevent the corrosion preventive coating 10 from interfering with the inner wall surface 70a of the connector housing 70 when the crimp terminal 1 is inserted into the connector housing 70. As a result, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can prevent the corrosion preventive coating 10 from peeling off due to interference with the connector housing 70. Furthermore, the wall portion 43 of the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment stabilizes the insertion of the crimp terminal 1 into the connector housing 70. Moreover, the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment can easily insert and remove the crimp terminal 1 into and from the connector housing 70 by pinching the wall portion 43.

[0048] The electric wire with terminal 100 configured as described above has a groove 48 on the surface of the intermediate portion 45 facing the conductor portion W1. Therefore, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 applied to the intermediate exposed portion W1a is supplied to the groove 48, as shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, in the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 can be spread through the groove 48 into the gap between the inner surface of the second base portion 40b and the outer surface of the conductor portion W1, and further into the gap between the inner surface of the first base portion 40a and the outer surface of the conductor portion W1, making it easier for the corrosion-resistant coating 10 to penetrate around the conductor portion W1. In particular, in the electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment, the recess 51 is formed in a groove shape along the width direction Y in the intermediate exposed portion W1a, and the groove 48 is provided on the surface of the intermediate exposed portion W1a facing outward in the width direction Y. Therefore, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 can be guided from the recess 51 to the groove 48. Specifically, since the end 51a side of the recess 51 faces the end 48a side of the groove 48, the corrosion preventive agent 10 can be guided from the recess 51 to the groove 48. Furthermore, the electric wire with terminal 100 of the present embodiment has the wall portions 43 in the second base portion 40b in which the groove 48 is provided, on both sides of the intermediate exposed portion W1a in the width direction Y, so that the corrosion preventive agent 10 accumulated in the wall portions 43 can be guided to the groove 48.

[0049] 5, the corrosion-resistant coating 10 is illustrated as being applied from directly above the middle exposed portion W1a that is exposed in the middle portion 45 after the crimping of the crimp terminal 1, and flowing toward the grooves 48 on both sides in the width direction Y, but this is not limiting. The electric wire with terminal 100 of this embodiment does not necessarily have to include the grooves 48.

[0050] The electric wire with terminal according to this embodiment may be configured by appropriately combining the components of the above-described embodiments and modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 crimp terminal 10 Anticorrosion 43 Wall 44 Conductor crimping part 45 Middle section 46 Cover crimping part 48 Groove 51 recess 100 Wires with terminals D1 Circumferential direction W electric wire W1 Conductor W1a Middle exposed part W2 Insulation coating

Claims

1. an electric wire in which a conductive conductor portion is covered with an insulating covering portion having insulating properties; a crimp terminal including a conductor crimping portion crimped onto the conductor portion exposed from an end of the insulating coating portion, a coating crimping portion crimped onto the insulating coating portion, and an intermediate portion connecting the conductor crimping portion and the coating crimping portion to form an intermediate exposed portion where the conductor portion is exposed; a corrosion inhibitor disposed on the intermediate exposed portion of the conductor portion at least in the intermediate portion; Equipped with The conductor portion has a recess in the exposed intermediate portion that is formed in a groove shape along a width direction that intersects with an extending direction of the electric wire.

2. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion has wall portions that rise up on both sides of the intermediate exposed portion in the width direction and are formed to a height equal to or greater than the height of the intermediate exposed portion.

3. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the intermediate portion has a groove provided on at least a surface of the intermediate exposed portion facing outward in the width direction, the groove extending around an axis of the electric wire.

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