Terminals, wires with terminals, methods for manufacturing wires with terminals, and wire harnesses

Abstract

To facilitate splicing of a wire to a terminal.SOLUTION: A terminal 2A includes a regulating portion (barrel portion 23) formed in a tubular shape, in which an electric wire having an outer circumference covered with an insulating coating of a conductor composed of a plurality of metal wires penetrates so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and that regulates the movement of the electric wire in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction, a joining portion 22 connected to the regulating portion and to which the conductor is joined, and a fastening portion 21 connected to the joining portion and fastened to an object to be connected. Since the electric wire is restricted from moving in a direction other than the longitudinal direction by the regulating portion, it is possible to prevent the conductor from being displaced when the conductor is joined, thereby facilitating the joining.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal, a wire with a terminal, a method for manufacturing a wire with a terminal, and a wire harness.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a terminal fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a terminal fitting that caulks a caulking piece to fix a wire. This terminal fitting has a first caulking piece and a second caulking piece. When connecting the wire and the terminal fitting, the conductor exposed from the wire is fixed to the terminal fitting by caulking the first caulking piece, and the portion where the conductor is covered by the insulating coating is fixed to the terminal fitting by caulking the second caulking piece behind the first caulking piece. Further, in the case of a terminal fitting configuration that does not have a first caulking piece, the conductor is joined to the terminal fitting by ultrasonic welding or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the terminal fitting disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the case of a configuration having a first caulking piece and a second caulking piece, when caulking the first caulking piece, the conductor extends backward due to the pressure from the first caulking piece. Therefore, a force acts on the conductor and the insulating coating behind the caulked portion from the caulked portion, and a load continues to be applied to the conductor and the insulating coating between the portion fixed by the second caulking piece. Further, in the case of a terminal fitting that does not have a first caulking piece, equipment for welding the conductor and equipment for caulking the second caulking piece are required, resulting in an increase in equipment and man-hours.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a technology that facilitates the connection of electric wires to terminals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the terminal according to the present invention is formed in a tubular shape and comprises a restricting portion that restricts the movement of an electric wire, which is formed in a tubular shape and has an insulating coating covering the outer circumference of a conductor made of a plurality of metal strands, through which the wire moves in the longitudinal direction, a joint portion connected to the restricting portion and to which the conductor is joined, and a fastening portion connected to the joint portion and fastened to the object to be connected.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be configured such that the inner diameter of the restricting portion is such that the electric wire can move within that inner diameter.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be configured such that at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the restricting portion is in contact with the insulating coating, causing the insulating coating to deform.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the fastening portion has a first flat portion connected to the joint portion and flat, an inclined portion connected to the first flat portion and inclined, and a second flat portion connected to the inclined portion and flat, and has a water-sealing agent on its inner circumference, and a heat-shrinkable tube that covers the joint portion to which at least the conductors are joined by shrinkage due to heating, wherein the water-sealing agent has an extruded portion that is pushed out to the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube by the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube, and the extruded portion has a hanging portion in which the water-sealing agent has solidified in a hanging state, and the position of the lower end of the hanging portion may be located above the position of the lower surface of the fastening portion.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the vertical distance between the lower end of the water-sealing agent solidified in the hanging portion and the position of the lower surface of the fastening portion may be 5 mm or less.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the height of the inclined portion may be 6 mm or less.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be configured such that the distance from the joint to the inclined portion is 10 mm or more.

[0013] In a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the amount of the water-sealing agent may be such that, when the water-sealing agent remaining inside the heat-shrinkable tube and the water-sealing agent being pushed out to the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube to form the extruded portion are combined, the thickness of the water-sealing agent in a state where it is housed in the inner circumference of the heat-shrinkable tube is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less.

[0014] In a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor is 2 mm² in nominal cross-sectional area. 2 The above configuration is also acceptable.

[0015] In a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor is 200 mm² in nominal cross-sectional area. 2 The following configuration is also acceptable.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be formed of a conductive metal material, and the thickness of the metal material may be 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0017] In a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the water-sealing agent may be made of a hot-melt adhesive.

[0018] In a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the heat-shrinkable tube may be configured to include a cross-linked polyolefin.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the heat-shrinkable tube may be configured such that its shrinkage rate when heated is 1% or more and 30% or less.

[0020] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may have a tin plating layer on its surface.

[0021] In the terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be configured to include only one fastening portion.

[0022] In the terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the terminal may be configured to be used in an automobile.

[0023] In the terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the hanging portion may be configured to be solidified in a droplet shape at least below the first flat portion.

[0024] In the terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the hanging portion may be further configured to be solidified in a state of flowing out toward the second flat portion along the lower side surface of the inclined portion.

[0025] In the terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, the fastening portion may be configured to have an inclined portion inclined with respect to the joint portion.

[0026] The wire with a terminal according to the present invention includes a terminal having any one of the above configurations and a wire, and a conductor of the wire is joined to the joint portion of the terminal.

[0027] The wire harness according to the present invention includes the above wire with a terminal and is routed in an automobile.

[0028] The manufacturing method of the wire with a terminal according to the present invention includes a step of inserting the wire into the restricting portion of a terminal, the terminal including a restricting portion that is formed in a tubular shape and through which a wire coated with an insulating coating on the outer periphery of a conductor composed of a plurality of metal strands is movably penetrated in the longitudinal direction, and that restricts the movement of the wire in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, a joint portion that is continuous with the restricting portion and to which the conductor is joined, and a fastening portion that is continuous with the joint portion and is fastened to a connection target, and a step of joining the conductor to the joint portion.

[0029] [[ID=3> In the manufacturing method of the wire with a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention, a step of deforming the restricting portion in the radial direction of the wire may be included.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] The present invention has the effect of making it easier to connect wires to terminals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wire with terminals according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a wire with terminals according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified example of a wire with terminals. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a modified example of a wire with terminals, viewed from the +X direction. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a wire with terminals covered in heat-shrink tubing. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a wire with terminals covered with heat-shrink tubing. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal-equipped wire with a watertight layer on the outside of the heat-shrinkable tubing. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the terminals according to a modified example. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified example of a wire with terminals. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a view of a modified wire with terminals, seen from the +X direction. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a view from the +X direction of a modified example of a wire with a terminal covered with heat-shrink tubing. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a modified example of a wire with terminals. [Figure 14] Figure 14 shows a modified wire with terminals, viewed from the +X direction. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a modified example of a wire with terminals. [Figure 16]Figure 16 shows a modified example of a wire with a terminal, viewed from the +X direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are appropriately denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the dimensional relationships of each element may differ from those in reality. Even between drawings, there may be parts where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ. In addition, XYZ coordinate axes are shown in the drawings as appropriate to explain direction. In the space indicated by the XYZ coordinate axes, the direction in which the X component increases is called the +X direction, and the direction in which the X component decreases is called the -X direction. Similarly, the Y and Z components are defined as the +Y direction, -Y direction, +Z direction, and -Z direction. Note that the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the +Z direction is vertically upward, and the -Z direction is vertically downward.

[0033] [Embodiment] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a terminal-equipped wire 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a terminal 2A according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal-equipped wire 1A along the YZ plane. The terminal-equipped wire 1A is composed of a terminal 2A and an insulated wire 3.

[0034] The insulated wire 3 consists of a conductor 31 and an insulated portion 32 that covers the conductor 31. The conductor 31 is a stranded wire in which multiple strands 301 made of, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, copper, or copper alloy are twisted together. Note that the conductor 31 may be made of multiple strands 301 bundled together, rather than being made of multiple strands 301 twisted together. The nominal cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor 31 is 2 mm². 2 Above, 200mm 2 Preferably, it is 5 mm 2 Above 17mm 2 The following is more preferable.

[0035] The covering portion 32 can be selected from materials commonly used in this field of technology, such as insulating polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, or other polyolefin resins. The covering portion 32 covers the outer circumference of the conductor 31. At the tip of the covered wire 3, the covering portion 32 is removed, exposing the conductor 31, which is then joined to the terminal 2A.

[0036] Terminal 2A is a terminal that is electrically and mechanically joined to the conductor 31. Terminal 2A is formed by press-forming a plate material made of copper or a copper alloy. Examples of copper alloys used to form terminal 2A include brass, phosphor bronze, and Corson-type copper alloys, but it is preferable that the copper alloy has a higher melting point than the conductor 31. Furthermore, it is preferable that the copper alloy forming terminal 2A has a larger Young's modulus than the material forming the conductor 31, that is, it is harder than the material forming the conductor 31, for example, a Young's modulus of 118 GPa or more is preferred. Terminal 2A has a fastening portion 21, a joining portion 22, and a barrel portion 23 extending from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. Terminal 2A may also have a tin-plated surface. When terminal 2A is tin-plated, it is also possible to apply the tin-plating treatment only to the fastening portion 21, and leave the joining portion 22 and barrel portion 23 untin-plated.

[0037] The fastening portion 21 is the part for connecting the terminal-equipped wire 1A to another terminal-equipped wire or a terminal of a power supply, etc. The fastening portion 21 is plate-shaped, and the end on the -Y direction side is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Z direction side. In addition, a hole 211 that penetrates in the Z-axis direction is formed in the end on the -Y direction side of the fastening portion 21. A terminal screw for electrically and mechanically connecting the terminal 2A to the connecting mating part is inserted into the hole 211.

[0038] The joint portion 22 has a plate-shaped bottom portion 221, a side wall portion 222A that is connected to the -X end of the bottom portion 221 and is aligned with the YZ plane, and a side wall portion 222B that is connected to the +X end of the bottom portion 221 and is aligned with the YZ plane. The surface of the bottom portion 221 on the +Z side is connected to the surface of the fastening portion 21 on the +Z side without any steps, and a marking 223 is formed therein for aligning the tip of the conductor 31. The conductor 31 is housed between the side wall portions 222A and 222B and joined to the bottom portion 221. The height of the side wall portions 222A and 222B in the Z axis direction is set according to the nominal cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor 31.

[0039] The barrel portion 23 has barrel piece 231A and barrel piece 231B. The barrel portion 23 is an example of a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the insulated wire 3. The barrel portion 23 is a part formed into a tubular shape by press working of the barrel pieces 231A and 231B, and has a hollow portion 232 that is a space along the Y axis and opens in the +Y direction and -Y direction. The inner diameter of the barrel portion 23, i.e., the diameter of the hollow portion 232, is a diameter into which the insulated wire 3 can be inserted, and a diameter that allows the insulated wire 3 to be moved in the Y axis direction without damaging the insulated portion 32. The diameter of the hollow portion 232 may be smaller than the diameter of the insulated wire 3, as long as the insulated wire 3 can be inserted by the worker manufacturing the terminal-equipped wire 1A and the insulated wire 3 can be moved in the Y axis direction without damaging the insulated portion 32. The inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 may be in close contact with the covering portion 32 for at least a portion thereof, and the portion of the covering portion 32 that is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 may be deformed. By having at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 in close contact with the covering portion 32 in this way, the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 acts as resistance against the covering portion 32, preventing the insulated electric wire 3 inserted into the hollow portion 232 from coming out of the hollow portion 232.

[0040] Terminal 2A is formed by, for example, press-forming a plate material that has been pre-cut into a predetermined shape and unfolded along the XY plane. This press-forming process bends the plate material to form side walls 222A and 222B along the YZ plane, and barrel pieces 231A and 231B, which were unfolded along the XY plane, are formed into a tubular shape according to the outer diameter of the insulated wire 3, thereby forming terminal 2A with the shape shown in Figure 2.

[0041] When connecting the conductor 31 to terminal 2A, the insulated wire 3 is first inserted into the hollow section 232 from the +Y direction side. When inserting the insulated wire 3 into the hollow section 232, the tip of the conductor 31 is not positioned on the -Y direction side of the marking 223, and the portion of the insulated wire 32 where the conductor 31 is not exposed is inserted into the hollow section 232. Once the insulated wire 3 inserted into the hollow section 232 passes through the barrel section 23, the portion of the insulated wire 3 where the conductor 31 is not exposed is contained within the hollow section 232, and the insulated wire 3 is able to move in the Y-axis direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the insulated wire 3, while movement in directions other than the Y-axis direction is restricted.

[0042] Next, the conductor 31 located between the side wall portion 222A and the side wall portion 222B on the +Z direction side of the bottom portion 221 is joined to the bottom portion 221, for example, by ultrasonic bonding. When joining the conductor 31 to the bottom portion 221, the portion of the insulated wire 3 inserted into the barrel portion 23 is restricted from moving in directions other than the Y-axis direction by the barrel portion 23, so the displacement of the conductor 31 during joining can be suppressed, and joining can be easily performed. Note that the joining of the bottom portion 221 and the conductor 31 is not limited to ultrasonic bonding, and may also be done by resistance welding, for example.

[0043] According to this embodiment, when the conductor 31 is joined to the joint 22, the conductor 31 extends in the +Y direction, so a shifting force in the +Y direction acts on the conductor 31 and the covering portion 32 on the +Y side of the joint 22. However, since the barrel portion 23 is not crimped to the insulated wire 3, the portion of the insulated wire 3 on the +Y side of the joint 22 moves in the +Y direction in response to the shifting force, allowing the shifting force to be released. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the load on the conductor 31 and the covering portion 32 on the +Y side of the joined portion and prevent damage to the insulated wire 3. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the barrel portion 23 is not crimped to the insulated wire 3, the number of steps and equipment required when manufacturing the terminal-equipped wire 1A can be reduced, and the conductor 31 can be easily joined to the terminal 2A. Furthermore, in the configuration where at least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 is in close contact with the covering portion 32, the inner circumferential surface of the barrel portion 23 prevents the covering portion 32 from moving in the +Y direction. However, this restraining force is weaker than the force exerted by the conductor 31 as it stretches in the +Y direction, causing the conductor 31 and the covering portion 32 to shift in the +Y direction. Therefore, even if the conductor 31 stretches, the covering portion 32 will not come off the barrel portion 23. Alternatively, after joining the conductor 31 to the bottom portion 221, force may be applied to the barrel portion 23 to deform it radially (in the radial direction of the insulated wire 3). With this configuration, even if a force acts on the insulated wire 3 in the +Y direction, the force acting on the joint portion of the conductor 31 can be suppressed.

[0044] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms. For example, the present invention may be implemented by modifying the embodiments described above as follows. The embodiments described above and the following modifications may be combined with each other. The present invention is also included in configurations that appropriately combine the components of each embodiment and each modification described above. Furthermore, further effects and modifications can be easily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications are possible.

[0045] In the embodiment described above, the insulated wire 3 is a wire with a circular cross-section along the XZ plane, but the insulated wire 3 may also be a flat wire with a rectangular cross-section along the XZ plane. When the insulated wire 3 is a flat wire, the cross-sectional shapes of the barrel portion 23 and the hollow portion 232 along the XZ plane are formed to have a predetermined clearance with respect to the cross-section of the flat wire.

[0046] In the embodiment described above, the terminal 2A has a configuration with one fastening portion 21, but it may also have a configuration with multiple fastening portions 21. In the case of a configuration with one fastening portion 21, the terminal 2A can be placed in a small space, and costs can be reduced. In the case of multiple fastening portions 21, for example, it is possible to prevent the terminal 2A from rotating around the fastening portion 21.

[0047] In the embodiment described above, the fastening portion 21 of terminal 2A is flat along the XY plane, but the fastening portion 21 is not limited to a flat configuration. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a modified example of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a view of the terminal-equipped wire 1B from the +X direction side. The terminal-equipped wire 1B is composed of terminal 2B and insulated wire 3. Terminal 2B has a fastening portion 21B, a joint portion 22 and a barrel portion 23 from the -Y direction side to the +Y direction side. Fastening portion 21B differs from fastening portion 21 in that it has a step in the Z-axis direction. Fastening portion 21B has a first flat portion 202, an inclined portion 203 and a second flat portion 204 from the +Y direction side to the -Y direction side.

[0048] The first flat portion 202 is plate-shaped, and its surface on the +Z direction side is seamlessly connected to the surface on the +Z direction side of the bottom portion 221. The inclined portion 203 is connected to the first flat portion 202 and slopes from the +Y direction side toward the -Y direction toward the -Z direction. The second flat portion 204 is connected to the inclined portion 203 and is plate-shaped, with its end on the -Y direction side formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Z direction side. In addition, a hole 211 is formed at the end of the second flat portion 204 on the -Y direction side.

[0049] The height of the inclined portion 203, that is, the step D between the -Z-direction side surface of the first flat portion 202 and the -Z-direction side surface of the second flat portion 204, is preferably 6 mm or less. By setting the step D to 6 mm or less, the size of the terminal 2B is not increased, the cost of materials required to form the terminal 2B is reduced, and the terminal 2B can be placed in a small space. Alternatively, the first flat portion 202 may not be provided, and the inclined portion 203 may be connected to the bottom portion 221. Alternatively, the inclined portion 203 may not be provided, and the second flat portion 204 may be inclined and connected to the first flat portion 202 or the joint portion 22. Furthermore, in the terminal 2A, the fastening portion 21 may be inclined like the inclined portion 203 and connected to the joint portion 22.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present invention, the terminal-equipped wire 1B may be configured such that the barrel portion 23 to the first flat portion 202 is covered with heat-shrink tubing. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the terminal-equipped wire 1B covered with heat-shrink tubing 4 from the barrel portion 23 to the first flat portion 202, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal-equipped wire 1B covered with heat-shrink tubing 4 along the YZ plane.

[0051] The heat-shrinkable tube 4 is a tubular tube that shrinks when heat is applied. The heat-shrinkable tube 4 is made of a polymer material, for example, a cross-linked polyolefin, and has properties such as insulation, waterproofing, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. The shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube 4 is preferably 1% or more and 30% or less. The heat-shrinkable tube 4 covers at least the barrel portion 23, the joint portion 22, and the first flat portion 202.

[0052] A watertight layer 5 is formed inside the inner surface of the heat shrink tube 4 to prevent water from entering. The watertight layer 5 is formed by heating and melting a hot melt adhesive, which is an example of a watertight agent, and then cooling and solidifying it. The watertight agent may be configured to penetrate into the gaps between the strands 301. When the shrinkage rate of the heat shrink tube 4 is 1% or more and 30% or less, the watertight layer 5 can be formed by heating and shrinking the heat shrink tube 4 to adhere tightly to the joint 22, conductor 31, and covering 32 via the watertight agent, and the terminal 2B and the covered wire 3 can be protected by the heat shrink tube 4 and the watertight layer 5. Also, when the shrinkage rate of the heat shrink tube 4 is 1% or more and 30% or less, it is possible to suppress the excessive pushing of the watertight agent to the outside of the heat shrink tube 4 when the heat shrink tube 4 shrinks.

[0053] The water-sealing layer 5 may also be formed on the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube 4. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along the YZ plane of a terminal-equipped electric wire 1B in which the water-sealing layer 5 is also formed on the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube 4. In this configuration, when the heat-shrinkable tube 4 shrinks, the water-sealing agent is pushed out in the -Y direction and hangs down, and the water-sealing layer 5 is formed on the -Z direction side (bottom side) and the +Z direction side (bottom side) of the inclined portion 203, from the -Y direction end of the heat-shrinkable tube 4 in the -Y direction. The water-sealing layer 5 formed on the -Z direction side of the inclined portion 203 is formed when the water-sealing agent pushed out from the heat-shrinkable tube 4 hangs down and solidifies as it flows along the -Z direction side of the inclined portion 203. Preferably, the distance in the Z-axis direction from the -Z direction side of the first flat portion 202 to the -Z direction end of the water-sealing layer 5 formed on the -Z direction side of the inclined portion 203 is 5 mm or less. In addition, if the end of the heat shrink tube 4 on the -Y side covers the end of the first flat portion 202 on the +Y side, the water-sealing agent may solidify into droplets on the surface of the first flat portion 202 on the -Z side to form a water-sealing layer 5.

[0054] Furthermore, the heat shrink tube 4 may be configured such that, for example, the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 4 is concentric with the heat shrink tube 4 and has a layer of waterproofing agent. In this case, it is preferable that the amount of waterproofing agent constituting the layer is 0.5 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less when converted to the thickness when it is contained in layers on the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 4 after shrinking. Here, the amount of waterproofing agent is calculated by combining the waterproofing agent that remains inside the heat shrink tube 4 after shrinking the heat shrink tube 4 and the waterproofing agent that is pushed out to the outside of the heat shrink tube 4 and forms the waterproofing layer 5 outside the heat shrink tube 4, and converting this to the thickness when it is arranged in layers on the inner circumferential surface of the heat shrink tube 4. If the amount of waterproofing agent is set to 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 0.7 mm or more, even more preferably 1.0 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.2 mm or more, it becomes easier to form a waterproofing layer 5 that exhibits sufficient waterproofing performance for the insulated wire 3. On the other hand, if the amount of waterproofing agent is kept to 1.5 mm or less using this conversion value, the amount of waterproofing agent that is pushed out of the heat shrink tube 4 during heat shrinkage and forms a waterproof layer 5 outside the heat shrink tube 4 can be kept to a minimum.

[0055] Furthermore, it is preferable that the distance from the joint 22 to the inclined portion 203 be 10 mm or more. By ensuring this distance from the joint 22 to the inclined portion 203, the tip of the conductor 31 on the -Y direction side is sufficiently covered with the coating layer and the waterproofing agent layer, providing high waterproofing performance for the electric wire. However, the distance from the joint 22 to the inclined portion 203 may be less than 10 mm depending on the coating layer and waterproofing agent.

[0056] Furthermore, the thickness of the terminal 2B covered by the heat shrink tube 4 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less when the conductor 31 is crimped to the terminal 2B, and preferably 0.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less when the conductor 31 is ultrasonically bonded to the joint 22. With this configuration, when there is a step D, the watertight layer 5 that is pushed out from the heat shrink tube 4 and formed on the outside of the heat shrink tube 4 can suppress the lifting of the seating surface of the terminal 2B, and the tip of the conductor 31 can be covered with a sufficient amount of watertight agent, making it easier to improve watertight performance.

[0057] Furthermore, in the terminal-equipped wire 1B having a heat-shrinkable tube 4, the nominal cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor 31 is 2 mm². 2 Above, 200mm 2 If the following conditions are met, the watertight layer 5, which is extruded from the heat-shrinkable tube 4 and formed on the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube 4, can prevent the seating surface of the terminal 2A from floating, and the tip of the conductor 31 can be covered with a sufficient amount of watertight agent, making it easier to improve watertight performance.

[0058] In the embodiment described above, the conductor 31 is joined to the joint 22 by ultrasonic bonding or resistance welding, but it may also be connected by crimping. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified terminal 2C according to the present invention. Terminal 2C differs from terminal 2A in that it has a joint 22C instead of a joint 22. The joint 22C has a cross-section along the XZ plane that is convex on the -Z side and open on the +Z side, and has a crimping piece 224A on the -X side and a crimping piece 224B on the +X side. Multiple serrations 225 are formed on the inner surface of the joint 22C. In this modified example, the number of serrations 225 is 3, but the number is not limited to 3.

[0059] When connecting the conductor 31 to the terminal 2C, first insert the insulated wire 3 into the barrel portion 23 (hollow portion 232 shown in Figure 1) from the +Y direction side. When inserting the insulated wire 3 into the barrel portion 23, ensure that the tip of the conductor 31 is not located on the -Y direction side of the fastening portion 21, and that the portion of the conductor 31 with an exposed insulated portion 32 fits into the barrel portion 23. Next, crimp the crimping pieces 224A and 224B, and crimp the crimping pieces 224A and 224B to the conductor 31. When crimping the crimping pieces 224A and 224B to the conductor 31, the portion of the insulated wire 3 inserted into the barrel portion 23 is restricted from moving in directions other than the Y axis by the barrel portion 23, thus preventing the conductor 31 from shifting during crimping.

[0060] A wire harness may be formed by bundling together multiple wires to which the aforementioned terminal-equipped wires 1A, 1B, or terminal 2C are crimped, along with, for example, other terminal-equipped wires. This wire harness can be routed, for example, in an automobile.

[0061] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified wire 1C with a terminal according to the present invention, and Figure 11 is a view of the wire 1C with a terminal from the +X direction. Components that are the same as in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted, and the differences from the embodiment will be described in the following description.

[0062] The terminal-equipped wire 1C is composed of a terminal 2D and an insulated wire 3. The terminal 2D has a fastening portion 21C, a joint portion 22, and a barrel portion 23 extending from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. The fastening portion 21C has a first flat portion 202 and a third flat portion 204A extending from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The third flat portion 204A is connected to the first flat portion 202 and is inclined with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction. The angle θ that the third flat portion 204A makes with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction is, for example, 10 degrees. That is, the third flat portion 204A is inclined with respect to the joint portion 22. Figures 10 and 11 show the state in which force is applied to the barrel portion 23 and the barrel portion 23 is deformed radially.

[0063] The third flat portion 204A is plate-shaped, and its end on the -Y direction side is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Z direction side. In addition, a hole 211 is formed at the end on the -Y direction side of the third flat portion 204A. The terminal 2D may also be configured such that the third flat portion 204A is connected to the bottom portion 221 without the first flat portion 202.

[0064] For example, when fastening a terminal-equipped electric wire 1A covered with heat-shrink tubing 4, as shown in Figure 12(a), the portion of the heat-shrink tubing 4 that covers the -Z direction side of the joint portion 22 comes into contact with the fastened portion BX which is the fastening destination of the fastening portion 21, and the fastening is performed with the terminal screw while the fastening portion 21 is floating.

[0065] On the other hand, since the third flat portion 204A of terminal 2D is inclined with respect to the first flat portion 202, as shown in Figure 12(b), the portion of the heat shrink tube 4 that covers the -Z direction side of the joint portion 22 does not come into contact with the fastened portion BX, so that fastening can be performed with terminal screws without lifting the fastening portion 21C.

[0066] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a terminal-equipped wire 1D according to another modification of the present invention, and Figure 14 is a view of the terminal-equipped wire 1D from the +X direction side. Components that are the same as in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted, and the differences from the embodiment will be described in the following description.

[0067] The terminal-equipped wire 1D is composed of a terminal 2E and an insulated wire 3. The terminal 2E has a fastening portion 21D, a joint portion 22, and a barrel portion 23 extending from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. The fastening portion 21D has a first flat portion 202 and a fourth flat portion 204B extending from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The fourth flat portion 204B is connected to the first flat portion 202 and is inclined with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction. The angle θ that the fourth flat portion 204B makes with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction is, for example, 90 degrees. That is, the fourth flat portion 204B is connected to the first flat portion 202, is inclined with respect to the joint portion 22, and lies along the XZ plane. Figures 13 and 14 show the state in which force is applied to the barrel portion 23 and the barrel portion 23 is deformed radially.

[0068] The fourth flat portion 204B is plate-shaped, and its end on the +Z direction side is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Y direction side. In addition, a hole 211 is formed at the end on the +Z direction side of the fourth flat portion 204B. The terminal 2E may also be configured such that the fourth flat portion 204B is connected to the bottom portion 221 without the first flat portion 202.

[0069] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a terminal-equipped wire 1E according to another modification of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a view of the terminal-equipped wire 1E from the +X direction side. Components that are the same as in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted, and the differences from the embodiment will be described in the following description.

[0070] The terminal-equipped wire 1E consists of a terminal 2F and an insulated wire 3. The terminal 2F has a fastening portion 21E, a joint portion 22, and a barrel portion 23 extending from the -Y direction to the +Y direction. The fastening portion 21E has a first flat portion 202 and a fifth flat portion 204C extending from the +Y direction to the -Y direction. The fifth flat portion 204C is connected to the first flat portion 202 and is inclined with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction. The angle θ that the fifth flat portion 204C makes with respect to the XY plane when viewed from the +X direction is, for example, -90 degrees. That is, the fifth flat portion 204C is connected to the first flat portion 202, is inclined with respect to the joint portion 22, and lies along the XZ plane. Figures 15 and 16 show the state in which force is applied to the barrel portion 23 to deform it radially.

[0071] The fifth flat portion 204C is plate-shaped, and its end on the -Z direction side is formed in a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Y direction side. In addition, a hole 211 is formed at the end on the -Z direction side of the fifth flat portion 204C. The terminal 2F may also be configured such that the fifth flat portion 204C is connected to the bottom portion 221 without the first flat portion 202.

[0072] The angles θ mentioned above are 10 degrees for terminal 2D, 90 degrees for terminal 2E, and -90 degrees for terminal 2F, but are not limited to these angles. Any angle is acceptable as long as it allows the terminal screw to pass through the hole 211 and fasten the third flat section 204A, the fourth flat section 204B, and the fifth flat section 204C. Furthermore, the shape of the -Y direction end of the fastening sections 21, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21E is not limited to a semicircular shape when viewed from the +Z direction. Any other shape is acceptable, such as a polygon, as long as it allows the terminal screw to pass through the hole 211 and fasten the second flat section 204, the third flat section 204A, the fourth flat section 204B, and the fifth flat section 204C. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E wires with terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F terminals 3. Insulated wires 4 Heat shrink tubing 5. Watertight layer 21, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E Fastening section 22, 22C joint 23 Barrel section 31 Conductor 32 Covering part 202 1st flat part 203 Slope 204 2nd flat part 204A 3rd flat section 204B 4th flat part 204C 5th flat section 211 holes 221 Bottom 222A, 222B side wall part 223 Engraving 224A, 224B crimping pieces 225 serrations 231A, 231B barrel pieces 232 Hollow part 301 strands BX Fastened part

Claims

1. A tubular structure is formed, through which a wire, consisting of a conductor made of multiple metal strands with an insulating coating covering its outer circumference, is movably passed in the longitudinal direction, and a restricting portion restricts the movement of the wire in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, A joint portion connected to the regulating portion, to which the conductor is joined, A fastening portion connected to the aforementioned joint and fastened to the object to be connected, Equipped with, The joint portion has a plate-shaped bottom portion to which the conductor is joined, and a pair of side wall portions that extend from the bottom portion at a predetermined height and are connected to the bottom portion. The conductor is not crimped to the joint, but is housed between a pair of side walls and joined to the bottom. The aforementioned electric wire is not crimped to the regulating portion. The inner diameter of the restricting portion is a terminal that allows the electric wire to move and has an inner diameter smaller than the diameter of the electric wire.

2. At least a portion of the inner circumferential surface of the restricting portion comes into contact with the insulating coating, causing the insulating coating to deform. The terminal according to claim 1.

3. The fastening portion has a first flat portion that is connected to the joint portion and is flat, an inclined portion that is connected to the first flat portion and is inclined, and a second flat portion that is connected to the inclined portion and is flat. A heat-shrinkable tube having a water-sealing agent on its inner circumference, which shrinks upon heating to cover the joint where at least the conductors are joined, It has, The water-stopping agent has an extruded portion that is pushed out to the outside of the heat-shrinking tube by the contraction of the heat-shrinking tube. The extruded portion has a hanging portion in which the water-stopping agent has solidified in a hanging state, The lower end of the hanging portion is located above the lower surface of the fastening portion. The terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The terminal according to claim 3, wherein the vertical distance between the lower end of the water-sealing agent solidified in the hanging portion and the position of the lower surface of the fastening portion is 5 mm or less.

5. The terminal according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the height of the inclined portion is 6 mm or less.

6. The terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the distance from the joint to the inclined portion is 10 mm or more.

7. The amount of the waterproofing agent is such that, when calculated as the total thickness of the waterproofing agent contained within the inner circumference of the heat-shrinkable tube, including the waterproofing agent remaining inside the heat-shrinkable tube and the waterproofing agent pushed out to the outside of the heat-shrinkable tube to form the extruded portion, it is between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. The terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor is 2 mm² or more in nominal cross-sectional area.

9. The terminal according to claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional area of ​​the conductor is 200 mm² or less in nominal cross-sectional area.

10. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the terminal is formed of a conductive metal material, and the thickness of the metal material is 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

11. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the waterproofing agent is made of a hot melt adhesive.

12. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the heat-shrinkable tube comprises a crosslinked polyolefin.

13. The heat-shrinkable tube has a shrinkage rate of 1% or more and 30% or less when heated. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 12.

14. The terminal is the terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein the terminal has a tin plating layer on its surface.

15. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 14, wherein the terminal comprises only one fastening portion.

16. The terminal is a terminal used in an automobile, according to any one of claims 4 to 15.

17. The hanging portion is solidified in a droplet-like form at least below the first flat portion. The terminal according to any one of claims 4 to 16.

18. The aforementioned hanging portion further solidifies after flowing down the lower surface of the inclined portion toward the second flat portion. The terminal according to claim 17.

19. The fastening portion has an inclined portion that is inclined relative to the joint portion. The terminal according to claim 1 or claim 2.

20. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 19, It has electric wires, The conductor of the electric wire is joined to the joint of the terminal. Electrical wire with terminals.

21. Includes a wire with terminals as described in claim 20, and is routed to an automobile. Wire harness.

22. A terminal comprising: a tubular shape through which a wire, formed in the shape of a tube and having an insulating coating covering the outer circumference of a conductor made of multiple metal strands, is movable in the longitudinal direction and a restricting portion that restricts the movement of the wire in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction; a connecting portion connected to the restricting portion and to which the conductor is joined; and a fastening portion connected to the connecting portion and fastened to the object to be connected, wherein the connecting portion has a plate-shaped bottom to which the conductor is joined, and a pair of side wall portions connected to the bottom at a predetermined height from the bottom, the step of inserting the wire into the restricting portion of the terminal, The steps include: housing the conductor between a pair of side wall portions; The steps include joining the conductor to the joint by ultrasonic bonding or resistance bonding without crimping, The steps include: not crimping the restricting portion to the restricting portion, but deforming the inner diameter of the restricting portion in the radial direction of the wire so that the inner diameter of the wire is smaller than the diameter of the wire and the wire can move within it; A method for manufacturing an electric wire with terminals.

23. The step includes deforming the restricting portion in the radial direction of the electric wire. A method for manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal as described in claim 22.

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