Electric wire with terminal and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

To provide an electric wire with a terminal which can suppress intrusion of water into spaces among wires of a conductor.SOLUTION: An electric wire 1 with a terminal includes: an electric wire 10 in which a single wire 16 is provided in an end part of a conductor 11 and the single wire 16 is continuously and integrally connected to a plurality of wires 15; a coating material 20 for coating the entire surface of the bundle of the wires 15 in a conductor exposing unit 13 over a part of the single wire 16 and a part of the insulating coating 12; and a terminal 30 including a conductor connection unit 31 connected to the single wire 16.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire with a terminal and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, an electric wire with terminal has been known, which includes an electric wire including a conductor having a plurality of wires and a terminal for connecting the conductor. When the electric wire with terminal is used in a place where water may enter, such as the engine compartment of an automobile, water may enter between the wires and corrode the conductor. For this reason, an electric wire with terminal is known in which the plurality of wires are covered with a heat-shrinkable tube to prevent water from entering between the wires of the conductor.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a waterproof structure for an automotive earth terminal. In this structure, a core wire is crimped by a core wire crimping barrel, and an insulating coating of an electric wire is crimped by an insulating coating crimping barrel. One end of a heat-shrinkable tube completely covers the core wire crimped by the core wire crimping barrel, and the other end is in close contact with the electric wire. An adhesive is applied to the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube, and the adhesive adheres to the earth terminal and the electric wire, eliminating any gaps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-285983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to Patent Document 1, the adhesive on the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube fills the gaps between the core wires, thereby preventing water from penetrating between the multiple wires. However, there is a risk that the adhesive will not sufficiently penetrate to the center of the conductor due to variations in the diameter of each wire and the conductor diameter. In particular, when an electric wire is bent while gaps remain between the conductors, the gaps between the core wires become larger, which may make it easier for water to penetrate the ends of the electric wire.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the problems inherent in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire with a terminal that can prevent water from penetrating between the strands of a conductor, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An electric wire with a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a conductor including a plurality of strands and an insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductor, and is provided with a conductor exposed portion where the conductor is exposed from the insulating coating and a conductor coated portion where the conductor is coated with the insulating coating, the conductor exposed portion including a solid wire, the single wire being provided at an end of the conductor and being continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of strands; a coating material that straddles part of the single wire and part of the insulating coating and covers the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of strands in the conductor exposed portion; and a terminal that includes a conductor connecting portion connected to the single wire and a terminal connecting portion configured to connect to a mating terminal.

[0008] A method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal according to another aspect of the present invention includes, in an electric wire including a conductor including a plurality of strands and an insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductor, and having a conductor exposed portion where the conductor is exposed from the insulating coating and a conductor coated portion where the conductor is coated with the insulating coating, the method includes the steps of forming a single wire from the plurality of strands at the end of the conductor exposed portion, coating the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of strands in the conductor exposed portion with a coating material, spanning part of the single wire and part of the insulating coating, and connecting the single wire to a terminal including a terminal connection portion configured to connect to a mating terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric wire with a terminal that can prevent water from penetrating between the wires of a conductor, and a method for manufacturing the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically illustrating an example of an electric wire with a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an example of an electric wire with a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of an electric wire with a terminal provided with a housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state in which an insulating coating of an electric wire is stripped. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a side view schematically illustrating an example of an electric wire in which a solid wire is formed in a conductor exposed portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a side view schematically illustrating an example of a state in which an electric wire is covered with a covering material. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of forming a single wire from a plurality of wires using an ultrasonic welding machine. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a state before assembly of the terminal according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an example of a state after assembly of the terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, the electric wire with terminal, the electric wire with connector, and the method for manufacturing the electric wire with terminal according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensional proportions in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual proportions.

[0012] [Wire with terminals] First, an electric wire with terminal 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing an example of the electric wire with terminal 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of the electric wire with terminal 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electric wire with terminal 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electric wire 10, a covering material 20, and a terminal 30.

[0013] Fig. 5 is a side view that schematically illustrates an example of an electric wire 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the electric wire 10 includes a conductor 11 and an insulating coating 12 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor 11.

[0014] The conductor 11 includes a plurality of strands 15 and a single wire 16. The plurality of strands 15 may be a bunched strand formed by bundling a plurality of strands 15. The conductor 11 may be formed of only one bunched strand, or may be a concentric strand formed by bundling a plurality of bunched strands, or the entire conductor 11 may be in the shape of a single round bar. As will be described later, the single wire 16 is a single conductor formed from a plurality of strands 15 by, for example, welding.

[0015] A metal with high conductivity can be used as the material of the conductor 11. The material of the conductor 11 may be, for example, copper, aluminum, or an alloy thereof.

[0016] A thermoplastic resin that can ensure electrical insulation can be used as the material for the insulating coating 12. The material for the insulating coating 12 may contain, for example, at least one of an olefin-based resin and polyvinyl chloride. The olefin-based resin may contain, for example, at least one resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), an ethylene copolymer, and a propylene copolymer.

[0017] The electric wire 10 has an exposed conductor portion 13 where the insulating coating 12 is stripped and the conductor 11 is exposed from the insulating coating 12. The electric wire 10 also has a conductor coating portion 14 where the conductor 11 is coated with the insulating coating 12. The exposed conductor portion 13 is provided at an end of the conductor 11.

[0018] The exposed conductor portion 13 includes a plurality of element wires 15 and a solid wire 16. However, the exposed conductor portion 13 may not include a plurality of element wires 15, and all of the exposed conductor portion 13 may be solid wires 16. The conductor coated portion 14 includes a plurality of element wires 15, but does not include a solid wire 16.

[0019] The solid wire 16 is provided at the end of the conductor 11. By providing the solid wire 16 at the end of the conductor 11, it is possible to prevent water from entering the conductor 11 from the end of the conductor 11.

[0020] The solid wire 16 is continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of elemental wires 15. Specifically, the solid wire 16 is continuously and integrally connected to each of the plurality of elemental wires 15. The diameter of the solid wire 16 is larger than the diameter of each elemental wire 15. Gaps through which liquid can penetrate exist between the elemental wires 15. On the other hand, the solid wire 16 is configured to have fewer paths through which liquid can penetrate in the axial direction of the conductor 11 compared to the plurality of elemental wires 15. Note that the solid wire 16 does not necessarily have to have gaps through which liquid can penetrate, but the solid wire 16 may include a small number of voids as long as the voids are connected to each other and do not communicate with the space outside the solid wire 16.

[0021] The covering material 20 straddles a portion of the solid wire 16 and a portion of the insulating coating 12, covering the entire surface of the bundle of the multiple wires 15 in the exposed conductor portion 13. By covering the entire circumferential surface of the multiple wires 15 with the covering material 20, it is possible to prevent liquid from penetrating through the outer surfaces of the multiple wires 15. Specifically, the covering material 20 may be a tube. One end of the covering material 20 is connected to the entire circumferential surface of the edge of the solid wire 16, and the other end of the covering material 20 is connected to the entire circumferential surface of the insulating coating 12.

[0022] An adhesive may be applied to the inner peripheral surface of the covering material 20. The type of adhesive is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, an adhesive such as hot melt. This adhesive permeates between the wires 15, thereby further preventing liquid from penetrating between the wires 15. The adhesive may be a material that bonds the conductor 11 and the insulating covering 12. Note that instead of a tube, the covering material 20 may be, for example, a tape or a sheet, or may be a compacted material such as a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin.

[0023] The covering material 20 may contain a resin because it has high electrical insulation properties and is easy to handle. The resin may contain a thermoplastic resin because it can be easily molded by heat. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride resin, ABS resin, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0024] Terminal 30 includes a conductor connection portion 31 and a terminal connection portion 32. Conductor connection portion 31 is provided at one end of terminal 30, and terminal connection portion 32 is provided at the other end of terminal 30.

[0025] The conductor connection portion 31 is connected to the solid wire 16. The conductor connection portion 31 is configured to be connected to the exposed conductor portion 13 of the electric wire 10, thereby being mechanically and electrically connected to the conductor 11. The conductor connection portion 31 covers the exposed conductor portion 13 so as to surround the circumferential direction of the solid wire 16. The solid wire 16 may be connected to the conductor connection portion 31 by welding, such as ultrasonic welding or heat welding, or by crimping. However, when crimping, such as by caulking, there is a risk that the contact portion between the conductor connection portion 31 and the solid wire 16 will open up like a trumpet, so welding is preferred.

[0026] Terminal connection portion 32 is configured to connect to a mating terminal (not shown). When terminal connection portion 32 is connected to the terminal connection portion of the mating terminal, terminal 30 is mechanically and electrically connected to the mating terminal. When terminal connection portion 32 is connected to conductor 11, it has a cylindrical space inside, and is configured so that a mating terminal (not shown) can be inserted into the cylindrical space.

[0027] Although an example of the terminal 30 has been described, in this embodiment, the conductor 11 is provided with a single wire 16, and a bundle of multiple strands 15 is covered with a covering material 20 to prevent liquid from entering. Therefore, the specific shape of the terminal 30 is not particularly limited, and terminals of any shape can be used.

[0028] The terminal 30 is made of a conductive material. The material forming the terminal 30 may include at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum, iron, and magnesium. The surface of the terminal 30 may or may not be plated.

[0029] As described above, the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment includes an electric wire 10, a covering material 20, and a terminal 30. The electric wire 10 includes a conductor 11 including a plurality of strands 15 and an insulating covering 12 covering the outer periphery of the conductor 11. The electric wire 10 includes an exposed conductor portion 13 where the conductor 11 is exposed from the insulating covering 12, and a conductor covering portion 14 where the conductor 11 is covered with the insulating covering 12. The exposed conductor portion 13 includes a solid wire 16, which is provided at an end of the conductor 11 and is continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of strands 15. The covering material 20 straddles a portion of the solid wire 16 and a portion of the insulating covering 12, covering the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of strands 15 in the exposed conductor portion 13. The terminal 30 includes a conductor connecting portion 31 that connects to the solid wire 16 and a terminal connecting portion 32 that is configured to connect to a mating terminal.

[0030] In the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment, a single wire 16 is provided at the end of the conductor 11. The covering material 20 covers the entire surface of the bundle of multiple strands 15 in the exposed conductor portion 13, spanning a portion of the single wire 16 and a portion of the insulating covering 12. With this configuration, the covering material 20 blocks liquid, preventing it from coming into contact with the multiple strands 15.

[0031] Therefore, the electric wire with terminal 1 can prevent water from entering between the wires 15 of the conductor.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the electric wire with terminal 1 of this embodiment, there is no need to provide a mechanism to seal the multiple wires 15 using rubber parts or the like, which can contribute to shortening the lead time and making the product smaller and lighter.

[0033] [Wire with connector] Next, the connector-attached electric wire 100 according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the connector-attached electric wire 100 according to this embodiment includes a terminal-attached electric wire 1 and a housing 40 that accommodates the terminal-attached electric wire 1. By accommodating the terminal-attached electric wire 1 in the housing 40, the electric wire 10 and the terminal 30 can be protected and the terminal-attached electric wire 1 can be easily handled. The housing 40 may include a terminal holding portion 41, an electric wire holding portion 42, and a grip portion 43. The terminal holding portion 41 surrounds the entire circumferential direction of the terminal 30 and holds the terminal 30. The wire holding portion 42 holds the electric wire 10 so that the electric wire 10 does not move relative to the terminal 30. The grip portion 43 is provided radially outward from the terminal holding portion 41 and the wire holding portion 42. By providing the grip portion 43 radially outward, the terminal-attached electric wire 1 can be easily grasped, making the terminal-attached electric wire 1 easier to handle.

[0034] The housing 40 may contain a resin because it has high electrical insulation properties and is easy to handle. The resin may contain a thermoplastic resin because it is easily moldable by heat. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, vinyl chloride resin, ABS resin, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, polyamide, aromatic polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, liquid crystal polymer, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0035] [Manufacturing method for electric wire with terminal] Next, a description will be given of a method for manufacturing the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment. The method for manufacturing the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment includes a conductor exposing step, a solid wire forming step, a covering step, and a connecting step.

[0036] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state in which the insulating coating 12 of the electric wire 10 has been stripped in the conductor exposing step. Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing an example of an electric wire 10 formed in the single wire forming step and having a single wire 16 formed in the conductor exposed portion 13. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view showing an example of a state in which the electric wire 10 has been covered with a covering material 20 in the covering step. Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of an electric wire with terminal 1 according to the present embodiment formed in the connecting step. Each step will be described in detail below.

[0037] (Conductor exposure process) In the conductor exposing step, first, an electric wire 10 is prepared. The electric wire 10 includes a conductor 11 including a plurality of wires 15 and an insulating coating 12 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor 11. Next, a portion of the insulating coating 12 of the electric wire 10 is stripped off. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4 , the electric wire 10 is provided with an exposed conductor portion 13 where the conductor 11 is exposed from the insulating coating 12, and a conductor coated portion 14 where the conductor 11 is coated with the insulating coating 12.

[0038] (Single wire forming process) In the single wire forming step, a single wire 16 is formed from the plurality of element wires 15 at the end of the exposed conductor portion 13. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, an electric wire 10 is formed in which the exposed conductor portion 13 includes the single wire 16, the single wire 16 is provided at the end of the conductor 11, and the single wire 16 is continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of element wires 15. Note that in this embodiment, the single wire 16 is formed from the plurality of element wires 15, but an electric wire in which a single wire is formed may also be manufactured by joining a stranded wire including a plurality of element wires to a single wire.

[0039] The method for forming the single wire 16 is not particularly limited, and the single wire 16 may be formed by ultrasonic welding, heat welding, pressing, or the like of a plurality of element wires 15. The surface of each element wire 15 is melted or atomic diffusion occurs by ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or pressing, so that the plurality of element wires 15 are integrated to form the single wire 16. Among these methods, ultrasonic welding can easily form the single wire 16 from a plurality of element wires 15 in a short time. Therefore, it is preferable to form the single wire 16 by welding a plurality of element wires 15 by ultrasonic welding.

[0040] Ultrasonic welding can be performed using a known ultrasonic welding machine. The ultrasonic welding machine may include, for example, a horn and an anvil. The horn transmits vibrational energy to the plurality of elemental wires 15. The anvil is a holder for the horn and is arranged opposite the horn. The plurality of elemental wires 15 are sandwiched and pressurized between the horn and the anvil, and vibrational energy is transmitted to the plurality of elemental wires 15 via the horn. This generates frictional heat at the contact surfaces between the elemental wires 15, and this frictional heat allows the elemental wires 15 to be welded together.

[0041] A specific example of an ultrasonic welder will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, an ultrasonic welder 50 according to this embodiment includes a horn 51, a fixed side plate 52, a movable slide core 53, and an anvil 54. Horn 51 is configured to be ultrasonically vibrated by an ultrasonic oscillator.

[0042] The anvil 54 is disposed above the horn 51 and the side plate 52, and is configured to be movable by raising and lowering in a direction toward or away from the horn 51. In FIG. 7, the anvil 54 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the drawing, and presses the plurality of wires 15 in this direction.

[0043] Side plate 52 faces slide core 53 and is disposed on a side of horn 51 in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction of horn 51 and anvil 54. Slide core 53 is disposed on the upper surface of horn 51 in a position facing side plate 52 and is configured to be movable toward or away from side plate 52. In FIG. 7 , slide core 53 moves in the direction indicated by arrow A in the figure, pressing multiple element wires 15 in this direction. Ultrasonic welding machine 50 can ultrasonically weld multiple element wires 15 arranged in a space that is rectangular in cross section and defined by horn 51, side plate 52, slide core 53, and anvil 54, by vibrating them via horn 51.

[0044] In an ultrasonic welding machine, the shape of the space where the wires 15 are sandwiched between the horn and the anvil can be adjusted to form a single wire 16 having a desired shape. Therefore, it is possible to form not only a single wire 16 having a rectangular cross section as shown in Fig. 7, but also a single wire 16 having a circular cross section.

[0045] (Coating process) In the covering process, the electric wire 10 is covered with the covering material 20. Specifically, the covering material 20 is used to cover the entire surface of the bundle of the multiple element wires 15 in the exposed conductor portion 13, spanning over a portion of the solid wire 16 and a portion of the insulating covering 12. The covering material 20 may be a heat-shrinkable tube. The inner surface of the heat-shrinkable tube may be coated with the adhesive described above. The heat-shrinkable tube is placed over a portion of the solid wire 16 and a portion of the insulating covering 12, and heat is applied to shrink the heat-shrinkable tube, allowing the entire surface of the bundle of the multiple element wires 15 to be covered with the heat-shrinkable tube.

[0046] (Connection process) In the connecting step, the terminal 30 includes a terminal connecting portion 32 configured to connect to a mating terminal, and the solid wire 16 is connected to the terminal 30. Fig. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the terminal 30 according to this embodiment in a state before assembly. Fig. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the terminal 30 according to this embodiment in a state after assembly.

[0047] 9, a flat-plate-shaped member such as that shown in FIG. 8 is rolled into a cylindrical shape and connected to the solid wire 16, thereby forming a conductor connection portion 31 connected to the solid wire 16 at one end of the terminal 30. Furthermore, a flat-plate-shaped member is rolled into a cylindrical shape and connected to the solid wire 16, thereby forming a terminal connection portion 32 configured to connect to a mating terminal at the other end of the terminal 30. This results in a terminal 30 including the conductor connection portion 31 and the terminal connection portion 32. The solid wire 16 may be connected to the conductor connection portion 31 by welding, such as ultrasonic welding or heat welding, or by crimping. However, when crimping, such as by caulking, there is a risk that the contact portion between the conductor connection portion 31 and the solid wire 16 will open up like a trumpet. Therefore, welding is preferred.

[0048] As described above, the manufacturing method of the electric wire with terminal 1 according to this embodiment includes a covering step and a connecting step. The electric wire 10 includes a conductor 11 including a plurality of strands 15 and an insulating coating 12 covering the outer periphery of the conductor 11. The electric wire 10 includes an exposed conductor portion 13 where the conductor 11 is exposed from the insulating coating 12, and a conductor coated portion 14 where the conductor 11 is coated with the insulating coating 12. The exposed conductor portion 13 includes a solid wire 16, which is provided at an end of the conductor 11 and is continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of strands 15. In the covering step, the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of strands 15 in the exposed conductor portion 13 is covered with the coating material 20, straddling a portion of the solid wire 16 and a portion of the insulating coating 12. In the connecting step, the single wire 16 is connected to a terminal 30 including a terminal connecting portion 32 configured to connect to a mating terminal. The manufacturing method according to this embodiment makes it possible to manufacture the electric wire with terminal 1 described above.

[0049] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Wire with terminal 10 Electric wire 11 Conductor 12 Insulation coating 13 Exposed conductor 14 Conductor coating 15 wire 16 Single Track 20 Covering material 30 terminals 31 Conductor connection 32 Terminal connection part

Claims

1. an electric wire including a conductor including a plurality of wires and an insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductor, the electric wire having a conductor exposed portion where the conductor is exposed from the insulating coating and a conductor coated portion where the conductor is coated with the insulating coating, the conductor exposed portion including a solid wire, the solid wire being provided at an end of the conductor, and the solid wire being continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of wires; a covering material that covers the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of wires in the exposed conductor portion, spanning a portion of the single wire and a portion of the insulating covering; a terminal including a conductor connecting portion connected to the single wire and a terminal connecting portion configured to connect to a mating terminal; Equipped with The conductor connecting portion is provided at one end of the terminal, and the terminal connecting portion is provided at the other end of the terminal.

2. The electric wire with terminal according to claim 1 , wherein an adhesive is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the covering material.

3. A terminal-equipped electric wire as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein one end of the coating material is connected to the entire circumferential surface of the edge of the single wire, and the other end of the coating material is connected to the entire circumferential surface of the insulating coating.

4. A terminal-equipped electric wire as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the terminal-equipped electric wire is accommodated in a housing.

5. an electric wire including a conductor including a plurality of wires and an insulating coating covering the outer periphery of the conductor, the electric wire having a conductor exposed portion where the conductor is exposed from the insulating coating and a conductor coated portion where the conductor is coated with the insulating coating, the conductor exposed portion including a solid wire, the solid wire being provided at an end of the conductor, and the solid wire being continuously and integrally connected to the plurality of wires, the electric wire comprising: a step of covering the entire surface of the bundle of the plurality of wires in the conductor exposed portion with a coating material across a portion of the single wire and a portion of the insulating coating; a step of connecting the solid wire with a conductor connection portion of a terminal including a terminal connection portion configured to connect with a mating terminal and a conductor connection portion; Including, The method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal, wherein the conductor connection portion is provided at one end of the terminal, and the terminal connection portion is provided at the other end of the terminal.

6. The method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal according to claim 5 , wherein the single wire is formed by welding the plurality of element wires together by ultrasonic welding.

7. A method for manufacturing a terminal-equipped electric wire as described in claim 5 or 6, wherein the connecting step is carried out after the covering step.

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