Pressure-contact terminal fitting

Abstract

A pressure-contact terminal fitting (10) comprises a first pressure-contact part (13A) that cuts a coating (52) of a coated electrical wire (50) in the process of sliding the coated electrical wire (50) in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the coated electrical wire (50) and a second pressure-contact part (13B) that cuts the coating (52) in the process of sliding the coated electrical wire (50) in the intersecting direction. The first pressure-contact part (13A) and the second pressure-contact part (13B) are separated from each other in the axial direction of the coated electrical wire (50). A first pressure-contact completion part (13C) at which the first pressure-contact part (13A) achieves pressure contact with the coated electrical wire (50) and a second pressure-contact completion part (13J) at which the the second pressure-contact part (13B) achieves pressure contact with the coated electrical wire (50) are offset in a width direction that intersects the axial direction and the intersecting direction.

Description

Pressure - welding terminal fitting

[0006]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pressure - welding terminal fitting.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal having a plurality of pressure - welding blades. The plurality of pressure - welding blades in this terminal are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the coated electric wire to be connected.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2002 - 158045

[0004] In a pressure - welding terminal fitting to which a coated electric wire is connected by being press - fitted, when the coated electric wire is pulled in the axial direction of the coated electric wire, in order to ensure the reliability of the connection, it is desirable to suppress the movement of the coated electric wire in the axial direction with respect to the pressure - welding terminal fitting. From the viewpoints of simplifying the shape of the pressure - welding terminal fitting and suppressing the increase in size of the connector including the pressure - welding terminal fitting, it is desirable to suppress the movement of the coated electric wire in the axial direction of the coated electric wire with respect to the terminal fitting with a simple structure.

[0005] The pressure - welding terminal fitting of the present disclosure has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for suppressing the movement of the coated electric wire in the axial direction with respect to the pressure - welding terminal fitting with a simple structure.

[0006] The pressure - welding terminal fitting of the present disclosure includes: a first pressure - welding portion that cuts the coating of the coated electric wire in a process of sliding the coated electric wire in an intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction of the coated electric wire; and a second pressure - welding portion that cuts the coating in a process of sliding the coated electric wire in the intersecting direction. The first pressure - welding portion and the second pressure - welding portion are arranged at intervals in the axial direction. A first pressure - welding completion portion that the coated electric wire that has been pressure - welded in the first pressure - welding portion contacts and a second pressure - welding completion portion that the coated electric wire that has been pressure - welded in the second pressure - welding portion contacts are displaced in a width direction intersecting the axial direction and the intersecting direction.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the movement of the coated electric wire in the axial direction with respect to the pressure - welding terminal fitting can be suppressed with a simple structure.

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view from the rear left of the crimp terminal fitting of Example 1 with an insulated wire attached. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the crimp terminal fitting from the rear left. Figure 3 is a top view of the crimp terminal fitting viewed from above. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the crimp terminal fitting viewed from below. Figure 5 is an enlarged plan view of the main part showing the crimp cylinder portion in detail. Figure 6 is a rear view of the crimp terminal fitting viewed from the rear. Figure 7 is a rear view of the crimp terminal fitting with an insulated wire attached viewed from the rear. Figure 8 is a perspective view from the rear left of the crimp terminal fitting with an insulated wire attached housed in the housing.

[0009] [Description of Embodiments of the Disclosure] Embodiments of the Disclosure will be listed and described first. Any combination of the following embodiments, as long as they do not contradict each other, is also included as a form for carrying out the invention. The crimp terminal fitting of the Disclosure comprises: (1) a first crimp portion that cuts the coating of a covered wire in the process of sliding the covered wire in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the covered wire; and a second crimp portion that cuts the coating in the process of sliding the covered wire in the intersecting direction, wherein the first crimp portion and the second crimp portion are spaced apart in the axial direction, and the first crimp completion portion that the crimped covered wire contacts at the first crimp portion and the second crimp completion portion that the crimped covered wire contacts at the second crimp portion are offset in the width direction that intersects the axial direction and the intersecting direction.

[0010] According to the configuration of this disclosure, the axis of the insulated wire between the first and second pressure-contact portions is inclined obliquely with respect to the axis of the insulated wire outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting. When an axial tensile force acts on the insulated wire outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting, the direction of the tensile force vector acting on the inclined region between the first and second pressure-contact portions of the insulated wire is oblique to the direction of the tensile force vector acting on the insulated wire outside the terminal fitting. Now, consider the case where the tensile force acting on the inclined region between the first and second pressure-contact portions of the insulated wire is decomposed into an axial force and a widthwise force of the insulated wire extending outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting. The component force obtained by decomposing the tensile force acting on the region between the first and second pressure-contact portions of the insulated wire in the axial direction of the insulated wire extending outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting is smaller than the tensile force acting on the insulated wire outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting. Furthermore, the tensile force acting on the region between the first and second pressure-contact sections of the insulated wire, when decomposed in the width direction, acts on the edge of the first (second) pressure-contact section, thereby increasing the frictional force between the first (second) pressure-contact section and the conductor. As a result, the insulated wire becomes less prone to axial displacement relative to the pressure-contact terminal fitting. Therefore, axial movement of the insulated wire relative to the pressure-contact terminal fitting can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0011] (2) In (1), the first press-fit portion has a pair of first press-fit blades that are opposite to the width direction and extend in the intersecting direction, the second press-fit portion has a pair of second press-fit blades that are opposite to the width direction and extend in the intersecting direction, a pair of first cutting edges which are the cutting base points of the pair of first press-fit blades are located at the opening of the first press-fit portion, a pair of second cutting edges which are the cutting base points of the pair of second press-fit blades are located at the opening of the second press-fit portion, and it is preferable that the pair of first cutting edges and the pair of second cutting edges are located at the same position in an axial view viewed from the axial direction. With this configuration, press-fitting of the insulated wire can be started with the axis of the insulated wire in a straight line. This allows the insulation to be cut without bias in the width direction. In addition, it is possible to easily start press-fitting the insulated wire into the first and second press-fit portions.

[0012] In (3)(2), when the line connecting the pair of first cutting edges is defined as the virtual inter-cutting edge line in the axial view, and the line extending from the midpoint of the pair of first cutting edges in a direction perpendicular to the virtual inter-cutting edge line is defined as the inter-cutting edge centerline in the axial view, it is preferable that a pair of first guide portions are formed in the region of the opening of the first pressure-welding portion that is on the opening end side of the pair of first cutting edges, and a pair of second guide portions are formed in the region of the opening of the second pressure-welding portion that is on the opening end side of the pair of second cutting edges, and that a pair of second guide portions are formed that is on the inter-cutting edge centerline in the axial view, and that the pair of first guide portions and the pair of second guide portions coincide in the axial view. With this configuration, the axis of the insulated wire can be positioned on the inter-cutting edge centerline in the axial view. When press-fitting the insulated wire into the first and second pressure-fitting sections, the insulated wire is guided by the first and second guide sections, allowing it to be easily led between the pair of first cutting edges and the pair of second cutting edges.

[0013] (4) In (3), it is preferable that the first and second pressure contact portions have a point-symmetrical shape when viewed parallel to the center line between the blades. With this configuration, the pressure contact state of the conductor at the first pressure contact portion and the pressure contact state of the conductor at the second pressure contact portion are similar in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, making it easier to stabilize the electrical connection between the conductor and the pressure contact terminal fitting.

[0014] (5) In (4), it is preferable that, among the pair of first and second pressure-welding blades, one of the first and second pressure-welding blades that are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship has a separation-side inclined portion that, in an axial view, is inclined to move away from the center line between the blades in the width direction as it moves from the first and second cutting edges toward the first and second pressure-welding completion portions toward the second pressure-welding completion portions. With this configuration, in the first cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades, the angle between the first guide portion connected to one of the first pressure-welding blades and the separation-side inclined portion becomes smaller compared to the case where the region connected from the first cutting edge toward the first pressure-welding completion portion toward the first pressure-welding completion portion is parallel to the center line between the blades in an axial view. For this reason, the portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades including the first cutting edge becomes pointed. Furthermore, the second cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the second pressure-welding blades is the same as the first cutting edge of one of the first pressure-welding blades. As a result, the first cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades, and the second cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the second pressure-welding blades, become more efficient at cutting the coating.

[0015] (6) In (5), it is preferable that the separation-side inclined portion has a curved shape that is concave when viewed in the axial direction. With this configuration, the angle between the first guide portion connected to one of the first pressure-welding blades and the separation-side inclined portion becomes smaller compared to the case where the separation-side inclined portion is straight. As a result, the portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades that includes the first cutting edge becomes sharper. Also, the second cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the second pressure-welding blades is the same as the first cutting edge of one of the first pressure-welding blades. As a result, the first cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades and the second cutting edge connected to the separation-side inclined portion of one of the second pressure-welding blades become more efficient at cutting the coating.

[0016] In (7), (5), or (6), it is preferable that the other of the pair of first and second pressure-welding blades, which are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, have approaching inclined portions that, in an axial view, are inclined along the inter-blade centerline such that they approach the inter-blade centerline as they move from the first and second cutting edges toward the first and second pressure-welding completion portions. With this configuration, the first portion of the insulated wire that has passed the first cutting edge is displaced in the width direction so as it moves toward the separation inclined portion by sliding against the approaching inclined portion of the other first pressure-welding blade during the process toward the first pressure-welding completion portion. The second portion of the insulated wire that has passed the second cutting edge is displaced in the width direction so as it moves toward the separation inclined portion by sliding against the approaching inclined portion of the other second pressure-welding blade during the process toward the second pressure-welding completion portion. As a result, during the crimping process, the first and second portions separate in the width direction, and the axis of the insulated wire between the first and second crimping portions can be made oblique to the axis of the insulated wire outside the crimping terminal fitting.

[0017] In (8) and (7), it is preferable that the approaching inclined portion has a curved shape that is concave when viewed in the axial direction. With this configuration, the distance between the separating inclined portion and the approaching inclined portion in the width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of first cutting edges and the distance between the pair of second cutting edges. Therefore, the conductor that has passed through the first and second cutting edges is not pressed strongly against the separating inclined portion and the approaching inclined portion, and the pressure welding process can proceed smoothly.

[0018] [Details of Embodiments of the Disclosure] [Example 1] An example 1 of the crimp terminal fitting 10 embodying the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is shown by the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and range of the claims are included. In this Example 1, the front-to-back direction is defined as direction F in each figure as forward, the up-and-down direction is defined as direction H as upward, and the left-to-right direction is defined as direction R as right. The width direction is used synonymously with the left-to-right direction.

[0019] The crimp terminal fitting 10 of this embodiment 1 is housed in a terminal housing chamber 61 formed in the housing 60 (see Figure 8). As shown in Figure 1, a covered wire 50 is electrically connected to the crimp terminal fitting 10 by crimping. The covered wire 50 is a well-known type of component in which a conductor 51 is surrounded by a covering 52 made of insulating synthetic resin. The conductor 51 is, for example, a single-core wire made of one metal wire. The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the covering 52 is a circle concentric with the conductor 51.

[0020] The crimp terminal fitting 10 is a single component formed by bending a metal plate. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the crimp terminal fitting 10 includes a rectangular tube portion 12 for connecting a mating terminal (not shown) and a crimp cylinder portion 13 for crimping the insulated wire 50. The rectangular tube portion 12 constitutes the front region of the crimp terminal fitting 10. The crimp cylinder portion 13 is rectangular in shape and extends backward from the rear end of the rectangular tube portion 12. The crimp cylinder portion 13 constitutes the rear region of the crimp terminal fitting 10. The crimp cylinder portion 13 has a first crimp portion 13A and a second crimp portion 13B.

[0021] The first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B are formed in the shape of grooves that recess forward from the rear end of the pressure-welding cylinder portion 13. The upper and lower surfaces of the first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B are embossed (see Figure 2). As a result, the thickness of the first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B is reduced inward in the left-right direction. The first pressure-welding portion 13A is formed in the upper wall of the wall portion forming the pressure-welding cylinder portion 13 and penetrates the upper wall in the vertical direction. The second pressure-welding portion 13B is formed in the lower wall portion forming the pressure-welding cylinder portion 13 and penetrates the lower wall in the vertical direction. The first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B are formed spaced apart in the vertical direction. The insulated electric wire 50, with its axis A oriented in the vertical direction, is slid forward and pushed into the first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B (see Figure 7).

[0022] [Configuration of the first pressure welding section] As shown in Figure 3, the first pressure welding section 13A includes a first pressure welding completion section 13C, a pair of first pressure welding blades 13D, a pair of first cutting edges 13E, a pair of first guide sections 13F, a separation-side inclined section 13G, and an approach-side inclined section 13H.

[0023] The first crimped portion 13C is located at the front end of the groove-shaped first crimped portion 13A. The first crimped portion 13C is the portion that the crimped coated electric wire 50 makes contact with in the first crimped portion 13A.

[0024] The left edge and right edge of the groove-shaped first pressure contact portion 13A, which extend in the front-rear direction, function as a pair of first pressure contact blades 13D. The pair of first pressure contact blades 13D are arranged facing each other in the left-right direction (width direction) and extending in the sliding direction (front-rear direction) of the insulated wire 50.

[0025] The pair of first cutting edges 13E are the rear end portions of the pair of first pressure-welding blades 13D. In other words, the pair of first cutting edges 13E are located at the opening of the first pressure-welding portion 13A. The pair of first cutting edges 13E are the cutting base points of the pair of first pressure-welding blades 13D. Here, in a plan view, the straight line connecting the pair of first cutting edges 13E is defined as the virtual inter-blade line Vs1, and the straight line extending from the midpoint of the pair of first cutting edges 13E in a direction perpendicular to the virtual inter-blade line Vs1 is defined as the inter-blade center line C1 (first inter-blade center line C1) (see Figure 5). Note that the plan view referred to here is the same as the view from the direction of the axis A of the insulated wire 50 when the insulated wire 50 is press-fitted into the first pressure-welding portion 13A and the second pressure-welding portion 13B (i.e., axial view).

[0026] The pair of first guide portions 13F are positioned in a region of the first pressure contact portion 13A closer to the open end than the pair of first cutting edges 13E in a plan view (axial view). The pair of first guide portions 13F are inclined to extend backward in the left-right direction, with one connected to each first cutting edge 13E. In a plan view, the pair of first guide portions 13F have a symmetrical shape. The pair of first guide portions 13F are symmetrical with respect to the center line C1 between the cutting edges (see Figure 5).

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the separation-side inclined portion 13G is formed as part of the first pressure-welding blade 13D. In a plan view (axial view), the separation-side inclined portion 13G is formed to be inclined so that it moves away from the center line C1 in the width direction as it moves from the first cutting edge 13E towards the first pressure-welding completion portion 13C along the center line C1 between the blades. In a plan view (axial view), the separation-side inclined portion 13G has a curved shape that is concave in the width direction away from the center line C1 between the blades to the left.

[0028] The approaching inclined portion 13H is formed as part of the right first pressure contact blade 13D, which is opposite the left first pressure contact blade 13D on which the separating inclined portion 13G is provided, in the width direction. In a plan view (axial view), the approaching inclined portion 13H is formed to be inclined so as it approaches the inter-blade centerline C1 from the first cutting edge 13E toward the first pressure contact completion portion 13C, it moves toward the left in the width direction toward the inter-blade centerline C1. In a plan view (axial view), the approaching inclined portion 13H has a curved shape that is concave in the width direction toward the right of the inter-blade centerline C1.

[0029] [Configuration of the second pressure welding section] As shown in Figure 4, the second pressure welding section 13B includes a second pressure welding completion section 13J, a pair of second pressure welding blades 13K, a pair of second cutting edges 13L, a pair of second guide sections 13M, a separation-side inclined section 13N, and an approach-side inclined section 13P.

[0030] The second crimped portion 13J is located at the front end of the groove-shaped second crimped portion 13B. The second crimped portion 13J is the portion that the insulated wire 50, which has been crimped in the second crimped portion 13B, comes into contact with. The first crimped portion 13C and the second crimped portion 13J are misaligned in the left-right direction (width direction) which intersects with the front-back direction (crossing direction) in which the insulated wire 50 slides (see Figure 5).

[0031] The left edge and right edge of the groove-shaped second pressure contact portion 13B, both extending in the front-rear direction, function as a pair of second pressure contact blades 13K. The pair of second pressure contact blades 13K are positioned opposite each other in the left-right direction (width direction) and extend in the sliding direction (front-rear direction and intersecting direction) of the insulated wire 50.

[0032] The pair of second cutting edges 13L are the rear end portions of the pair of second pressure-welding blades 13K. In other words, the pair of second cutting edges 13L are located at the opening of the second pressure-welding portion 13B and are the cutting base points of the pair of second pressure-welding blades 13K. Here, in a plan view (axial view), the straight line connecting the pair of second cutting edges 13L is defined as the virtual inter-blade line Vs2, and the straight line extending from the midpoint of the pair of first cutting edges 13E in a direction perpendicular to the virtual inter-blade line Vs2 is defined as the inter-blade center line C2 (second inter-blade center line C2) (see Figure 5). In a plan view (axial view), the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L are located at the same position (see Figure 5). In a plan view (axial view), for example, the inter-blade center line C1 and the inter-blade center line C2 coincide.

[0033] The pair of second guide portions 13M are positioned in a region on the open end side of the second pressure contact portion 13B, relative to the pair of second cutting edges 13L, in a plan view (axial view). The pair of second guide portions 13M are inclined to extend backward in the left-right direction, with one connected to each second cutting edge 13L. In a plan view, the pair of second guide portions 13M have a symmetrical shape. The pair of second guide portions 13M are symmetrical with respect to the inter-blade centerline C2 (see Figure 5). In a plan view (axial view), the pair of first guide portions 13F and the pair of second guide portions 13M coincide (see Figure 5). That is, the pair of first guide portions 13F and the pair of second guide portions 13M overlap in the axial direction (vertical direction).

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the separation-side inclined portion 13N is formed as part of the second pressure-welding blade 13K. In a plan view (axial view), the separation-side inclined portion 13N is formed to be inclined so that it moves further to the right in the width direction from the inter-blade centerline C2 (inter-blade centerline C1) as it moves from the second cutting edge 13L towards the second pressure-welding completion portion 13J along the inter-blade centerline C1. In a plan view (axial view), the separation-side inclined portion 13N has a curved shape that is concave in the width direction, moving away to the right from the inter-blade centerline C2 (inter-blade centerline C1).

[0035] The approaching inclined portion 13P is formed as part of the left second pressure contact blade 13K, which is opposite in the width direction to the right second pressure contact blade 13K, on ​​which the separating inclined portion 13N is provided. In a plan view (axial view), the approaching inclined portion 13P is formed to be inclined so as it approaches the inter-blade centerline C2 (inter-blade centerline C1) in a width direction to the right from the second cutting edge 13L toward the second pressure contact completion portion 13J along the inter-blade centerline C1. In a plan view (axial view), the approaching inclined portion 13P has a curved shape that is concave in a direction away from the inter-blade centerline C2 (inter-blade centerline C1) toward the left in the width direction.

[0036] As shown in Figure 6, the first and second pressure-welding portions 13A and 13B formed in this manner are point-symmetric with respect to the center point Cp of the pressure-welding cylinder portion 13 when viewed parallel to the center line C1 (center line C2) between the blades. Furthermore, the first pressure-welding blade 13D, which is a component of the first pressure-welding portion 13A, and the second pressure-welding blade 13K, which is a component of the second pressure-welding portion 13B, are point-symmetric with respect to the center point Cp of the pressure-welding cylinder portion 13 when viewed parallel to the center line C1 (center line C2) between the blades. In addition, of the pair of first pressure-welding blades 13D and the pair of second pressure-welding blades 13K, the left (one) first pressure-welding blade 13D and the right (one) second pressure-welding blade 13K, which are in a point-symmetric positional relationship, each have a separating-side inclined portion 13G and 13N. Furthermore, of the pair of first pressure contact blades 13D and the pair of second pressure contact blades 13K, the right-side (other) first pressure contact blade 13D and the left-side (other) second pressure contact blade 13K, which are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, each have approach-side inclined portions 13H and 13P.

[0037] [An example of the process of crimping an insulated wire] Next, the process of crimping an insulated wire 50 onto the crimp terminal fitting 10 will be described. First, the insulated wire 50 is positioned so that its axis A is oriented vertically relative to the crimp terminal fitting 10, which is arranged extending in the front-rear direction (see Figure 5). At this time, the axis A of the insulated wire 50 is in a straight line. Then, the insulated wire 50 is brought close to the crimp cylinder portion 13 from the rear. When press-fitting the insulated wire 50 into the first crimp portion 13A and the second crimp portion 13B, a pressing jig (not shown) is used. The first crimp portion 13A and the second crimp portion 13B are arranged spaced apart in the axial direction (vertical direction) of the insulated wire 50.

[0038] During the press-fitting process, the insulated wire 50 is first guided by a pair of first guide sections 13F and a pair of second guide sections 13M so that the position of its axis A in the left-right direction coincides with the position of the center line C1 (center line C2) between the blades. This positions the axis A of the insulated wire 50 at an intermediate position between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L in the left-right direction. The insulated wire 50 then begins press-fitting against the first press-fit section 13A and the second press-fit section 13B while its axis A is extended in a straight line in the vertical direction.

[0039] From this state, the insulated wire 50 is pushed forward, moving forward between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and between the pair of second cutting edges 13L. The outer diameter of the insulation 52 is larger than the distance between the opposing pairs of first cutting edges 13E and between the opposing pairs of second cutting edges 13L. Therefore, as the insulated wire 50 passes forward between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and between the pair of second cutting edges 13L, the insulation 52 is pressed against the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L and cut by the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L. The conductor 51 at the portion where the insulation 52 has been cut in a slit shape is exposed. In this way, the first pressure contact portion 13A and the second pressure contact portion 13B cut the insulation 52 of the insulated wire 50 in the process of sliding the insulated wire 50 in a forward direction (crossing direction) that intersects the axial direction of the insulated wire 50.

[0040] As the conductor 51 passes forward between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L, it moves forward across the pair of first pressure contact blades 13D and the pair of second pressure contact blades 13K. First, the conductor 51 moves forward between the separating-side inclined portion 13G and the approaching-side inclined portion 13H of the pair of first pressure contact blades 13D, and between the separating-side inclined portion 13N and the approaching-side inclined portion 13P of the pair of second pressure contact blades 13K. In the left-right direction, the distance between the separating-side inclined portion 13N and the approaching-side inclined portion 13P is slightly greater than the distance between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the distance between the pair of second cutting edges 13L. Therefore, the frictional force generated between the conductor 51 and the separation-side inclined portion 13N and the approach-side inclined portion 13P is smaller than the frictional force generated between the conductor 51 and the pair of first cutting edges 13E, and between the conductor 51 and the pair of second cutting edges 13L. As a result, the conductor 51 can move smoothly forward between the separation-side inclined portion 13N and the approach-side inclined portion 13P.

[0041] Then, the conductor 51 moves forward to the left between the separation-side inclined portion 13G and the approach-side inclined portion 13H of the pair of first crimping blades 13D. In parallel with this, the conductor 51 moves forward to the right between the separation-side inclined portion 13N and the approach-side inclined portion 13P of the pair of second crimping blades 13K. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the axis A of the portion of the insulated wire 50 located below the first crimping portion 13A and above the second crimping portion 13B is tilted so as to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the rear. At this time, the axis A of the portion of the insulated wire 50 located below the first crimping portion 13A and above the second crimping portion 13B is defined as the tilt axis At. The axis A of the portion of the insulated wire 50 that extends outside the crimping terminal fitting 10 is defined as the external axis Ae.

[0042] Then, while maintaining the inclined axis At of the portion of the insulated wire 50 located below the first crimping portion 13A and above the second crimping portion 13B in an inclined state with respect to the external axis Ae extending in the vertical direction, it moves forward between the pair of first crimping blades 13D and the pair of second crimping blades 13K. When the conductor 51 reaches the first crimping completion portion 13C and the second crimping completion portion 13J, the press-fitting of the insulated wire 50 into the crimping cylinder portion 13 is completed.

[0043] In the coated electric wire 50 in which the press-fitting into the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13 has been completed, the outer axis Ae of the portions located above and below the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13 extends in the vertical direction. In the coated electric wire 50 in which the press-fitting into the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13 has been completed, the inclined axis At of the portion located inside the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13 is inclined so as to rotate counterclockwise with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the rear. That is, by press-fitting the coated electric wire 50 extending in the vertical direction into the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13, when viewed from the rear, the portion disposed between the upper wall and the lower wall of the press-fitting cylindrical portion 13 in the coated electric wire 50 bends so as to rotate counterclockwise with respect to the vertical direction. Thereby, when the coated electric wire 50 is pulled upward in the direction of the axis A (inclined axis At), the bent conductor 51 acts so as to catch on the first press-fitting blade 13D on the right side of the first press-fitting portion 13A. And when the coated electric wire 50 is pulled downward in the direction of the axis A (inclined axis At), the bent conductor 51 acts so as to catch on the second press-fitting blade 13K on the left side of the second press-fitting portion 13B. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the coated electric wire 50 from moving or falling off in the direction of the axis A (inclined axis At) of the coated electric wire 50 with respect to the press-fitting terminal fitting 10.

[0044] Further, while the conductor 51 moves forward between the separated-side inclined portions 13G, 13N and the approaching-side inclined portions 13H, 13P, the cut surface of the coating 52 located above the first press-fitting portion 13A is gradually pressed onto the upper surface of the first press-fitting portion 13A from above. At the same time, the cut surface of the coating 52 located below the second press-fitting portion 13B is gradually pressed onto the lower surface of the second press-fitting portion 13B from below. Thereby, the frictional force between the upper surface of the first press-fitting portion 13A and the cut surface of the coating 52 located above the first press-fitting portion 13A, and the frictional force between the lower surface of the second press-fitting portion 13B and the cut surface of the coating 52 located below the second press-fitting portion 13B increase. For this reason, the effect of suppressing the coated electric wire 50 from moving backward with respect to the first press-fitting portion 13A and the second press-fitting portion 13B can be expected by this frictional force.

[0045] The crimp terminal fitting 10 of this disclosure includes a first crimp portion 13A that cuts the coating 52 of the insulated wire 50 in the process of sliding the insulated wire 50 in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the insulated wire 50, and a second crimp portion 13B that cuts the coating 52 in the process of sliding the insulated wire 50 in a direction intersecting the axial direction. The first crimp portion 13A and the second crimp portion 13B are spaced apart in the axial direction of the insulated wire 50. The first crimp completion portion 13C, which the crimped insulated wire 50 contacts at the first crimp portion 13A, and the second crimp completion portion 13J, which the crimped insulated wire 50 contacts at the second crimp portion 13B, are offset in the width direction intersecting the axial direction and the intersecting direction.

[0046] In this configuration, the axis A of the insulated wire 50 between the first contact portion 13A and the second contact portion 13B is inclined obliquely with respect to the axis A of the insulated wire 50 outside the contact terminal fitting 10. When an axial tensile force acts on the insulated wire 50 outside the contact terminal fitting 10, the direction of the tensile force vector acting on the region of the insulated wire 50 between the first contact portion 13A and the second contact portion 13B is oblique to the direction of the tensile force vector acting on the insulated wire 50 outside the contact terminal fitting 10. Now, let's consider the case where the tensile force acting on the inclined region of the insulated wire 50 between the first contact portion 13A and the second contact portion 13B is decomposed into an axial force and a force in the width direction of the insulated wire 50 extending outside the contact terminal fitting 10. The tensile force acting on the region of the insulated wire 50 between the first and second pressure-contact portions 13A and 13B is decomposed in the axial direction of the insulated wire 50 extending outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting 10, and the resulting component force is smaller than the tensile force acting on the insulated wire 50 outside the pressure-contact terminal fitting 10. Furthermore, the tensile force acting on the inclined region of the insulated wire 50 between the first and second pressure-contact portions 13A and 13B is decomposed in the width direction, and the resulting component force acts on the edge of the first pressure-contact portion 13A (second pressure-contact portion 13B), increasing the frictional force between the first pressure-contact portion 13A (second pressure-contact portion 13B) and the conductor 51. As a result, the insulated wire 50 is less likely to shift axially relative to the pressure-contact terminal fitting 10. Therefore, axial movement of the insulated wire 50 relative to the pressure-contact terminal fitting 10 can be suppressed with a simple configuration.

[0047] Due to the shapes of the groove-shaped first crimping portion 13A and second crimping portion 13B, the coated electric wire 50 press-fitted into the first crimping portion 13A and the second crimping portion 13B can be inclined in the direction of the axis A of the portion disposed outside the crimp terminal fitting 10 in the coated electric wire 50 between the first crimping portion 13A and the second crimping portion 13B. Therefore, in order to suppress the movement of the coated electric wire 50 in the axial direction with respect to the crimp terminal fitting 10, a complicated configuration does not have to be provided in the crimp terminal fitting 10. Further, even if the crimp terminal fitting 10 does not have an insulation barrel for crimping the coated electric wire 50, the movement of the coated electric wire 50 in the axial direction with respect to the crimp terminal fitting 10 can be suppressed. Also, since a configuration for restricting the movement of the coated electric wire 50 does not have to be provided in the housing 60 that holds the crimp terminal fitting 10, the size of the connector can be suppressed while ensuring the reliability of the connection.

[0048] The first crimping portion 13A has a pair of first crimping blades 13D that extend in the front-rear direction (crossing direction) facing each other in the left-right direction (width direction). The second crimping portion 13B has a pair of second crimping blades 13K that extend in the front-rear direction (crossing direction) facing each other in the left-right direction (width direction). At the opening of the first crimping portion 13A, a pair of first blade tips 13E that are the cutting base points of the pair of first crimping blades 13D are located. At the opening of the second crimping portion 13B, a pair of second blade tips 13L that are the cutting base points of the pair of second crimping blades 13K are located. In the axial direction view seen parallel to the axis A of the coated electric wire 50, the pair of first blade tips 13E and the pair of second blade tips 13L are arranged at the same position. According to this configuration, crimping can be started with the axis A of the coated electric wire 50 in a straight line state. Thereby, the coating 52 is cut without being biased in the width direction. Also, the start of press-fitting the coated electric wire 50 into the first crimping portion 13A and the second crimping portion 13B can be easily performed.

[0049] In an axial view, the straight line connecting the pair of first cutting edges 13E is defined as the virtual inter-edge line Vs1. In an axial view, the straight line extending from the midpoint of the pair of first cutting edges 13E in a direction perpendicular to the virtual inter-edge line Vs1 is defined as the inter-edge center line C1. At this time, in the region of the opening of the first pressure contact portion 13A that is closer to the opening end than the pair of first cutting edges 13E, a pair of first guide portions 13F are formed that are symmetrical with respect to the inter-edge center line C1 in an axial view. In the region of the opening of the second pressure contact portion 13B that is closer to the opening end than the pair of second cutting edges 13L, a pair of second guide portions 13M are formed that are symmetrical with respect to the inter-edge center line C1 in an axial view. In an axial view, the pair of first guide portions 13F and the pair of second guide portions 13M coincide. With this configuration, in an axial view, the axis A of the insulated electric wire 50 can be positioned on the inter-edge center lines C1 and C2. When the insulated wire 50 is pressed into the first pressure contact portion 13A and the second pressure contact portion 13B, the insulated wire 50 is guided by the first guide portion 13F and the second guide portion 13M, which allows the insulated wire 40 to be easily guided between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the pair of second cutting edges 13L.

[0050] The first contact portion 13A and the second contact portion 13B are point-symmetrical when viewed parallel to the centerlines C1 and C2 between the blades. With this configuration, the contact state of the conductor 51 at the first contact portion 13A and the contact state of the conductor 51 at the second contact portion 13B are similar in their point-symmetrical positional relationship, making it easier to stabilize the electrical connection between the conductor 51 and the contact terminal fitting 10.

[0051] Of the pair of first pressure welding blades 13D and the pair of second pressure welding blades 13K, each of the first pressure welding blade 13D and the second pressure welding blade 13K, which are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, has a separation-side inclined portion 13G, 13N. The separation-side inclined portion 13G is inclined so as viewed in the axial direction, it moves away from the center line C1 to the left (width direction) as it moves from the first cutting edge 13E towards the first pressure welding completion portion 13C along the center line C1. The separation-side inclined portion 13N is inclined so as it moves away from the center line C1 to the right (width direction) as it moves from the second cutting edge 13L towards the second pressure welding completion portion 13J along the center line C1, along the center line C1. In this configuration, the first cutting edge 13E connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13G of one of the first pressure-welding blades 13D has a smaller angle between the first guide portion 13F connected to one of the first pressure-welding blades 13D and the separation-side inclined portion 13G compared to the case where the region extending from the first cutting edge 13E towards the first pressure-welding completion portion 13C in an axial view is parallel to the inter-blade centerline C1. As a result, the portion of one of the first pressure-welding blades 13D including the first cutting edge 13E has a pointed shape. Similarly, the second cutting edge 13L connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13N of one of the second pressure-welding blades 13K is the same as the first cutting edge 13E of one of the first pressure-welding blades 13D. As a result, the first cutting edge 13E connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13G of one of the first pressure-contacting blades 13D, and the second cutting edge 13L connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13N of one of the second pressure-contacting blades 13K, become more efficient at cutting the coating 52.

[0052] The separation-side inclined portions 13G and 13N have a curved shape that is concave when viewed in the axial direction. With this configuration, the angle between the first guide portion 13F connected to one of the first pressure contact blades 13D and the separation-side inclined portion 13G, and the angle between the second guide portion 13M connected to one of the second pressure contact blades 13K and the separation-side inclined portion 13N are smaller compared to the case where the separation-side inclined portions 13G and 13N are straight. As a result, the portion of one of the first pressure contact blades 13D including the first cutting edge 13E becomes sharper. Similarly, the second cutting edge 13L connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13N of one of the second pressure contact blades 13K is the same as the first cutting edge 13E of one of the first pressure contact blades 13D. As a result, the first cutting edge 13E connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13G of one of the first pressure-welding blades 13D, and the second cutting edge 13L connected to the separation-side inclined portion 13N of one of the second pressure-welding blades 13K, become more efficient at cutting the coating 52.

[0053] Of the pair of first pressure welding blades 13D and the pair of second pressure welding blades 13K, each of the other first pressure welding blade 13D and the other second pressure welding blade 13K, which are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, has approach-side inclined portions 13H and 13P. The approach-side inclined portion 13H is inclined in an axial view so that it approaches the inter-blade centerline C1 as it moves from the first cutting edge 13E towards the first pressure welding completion portion 13C. The approach-side inclined portion 13P is inclined in an axial view so that it approaches the inter-blade centerline C2 as it moves from the second cutting edge 13L towards the second pressure welding completion portion 13J.

[0054] In this configuration, the first portion of the insulated wire 50 that has passed the first cutting edge 13E is displaced to the left (width direction) as it moves toward the first crimping completion section 13C by sliding against the approaching side inclined section 13H of the other first crimping blade 13D, thereby approaching the receding side inclined section 13G. The second portion of the insulated wire 50 that has passed the second cutting edge 13L, which is different from the first portion, is displaced to the right (width direction) as it moves toward the second crimping completion section 13J by sliding against the approaching side inclined section 13P of the other second crimping blade 13K, thereby approaching the receding side inclined section 13N. As a result, during the crimping process, the first and second portions of the insulated wire 50 separate in the width direction, and the axis A of the insulated wire 50 between the first crimping portion 13A and the second crimping portion 13B can be made oblique to the axis A of the insulated wire 50 outside the crimping terminal fitting 10.

[0055] The approaching inclined portions 13H and 13P have a curved shape that is concave when viewed in the axial direction. With this configuration, the distance between the separation-side inclined portions 13G and 13N and the approaching inclined portions 13H and 13P in the width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of first cutting edges 13E and the distance between the pair of second cutting edges 13L. Therefore, the conductor 51 that has passed through the first cutting edges 13E and the second cutting edges 13L is not strongly pressed against the separation-side inclined portions 13G and 13N and the approaching inclined portions 13H and 13P, and the pressing process can proceed smoothly.

[0056] [Other Embodiments] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings, but is shown in the claims. The present invention includes the meaning of equivalences to the claims and all modifications within the claims, and also includes the following embodiments. In an axial view, a pair of first cutting edges and a pair of second cutting edges may be positioned at different locations from each other. A pair of first guide portions may be asymmetrical with respect to the inter-cutting edge centerline. A pair of second guide portions may be asymmetrical with respect to the inter-cutting edge centerline. The first and second pressure-welding portions may be asymmetrical when viewed parallel to the inter-cutting edge centerline. The inter-cutting edge centerlines relating to the pair of first cutting edges and the inter-cutting edge centerlines relating to the pair of second cutting edges do not have to coincide in an axial view. The separating-side inclined portion may be straight or curved, convex toward the inter-cutting edge centerline. The region of the first pressure-welding blade extending from the first cutting edge to the first pressure-welding completion portion may be parallel to the inter-cutting edge centerline. For example, the first contact portion may be a groove that extends in a straight line inclined with respect to the inter-cutting centerline relating to the pair of first cutting edges, from the pair of first cutting edges to the first contact completion portion in an axial view. The region of the second contact cutting edge that extends from the second cutting edge to the second contact completion portion may be parallel to the inter-cutting centerline. For example, the second contact portion may be a groove that extends in a straight line inclined with respect to the inter-cutting centerline relating to the pair of second cutting edges, from the pair of second cutting edges to the second contact completion portion in an axial view. The approaching inclined portion may be straight or curved, convex toward the inter-cutting centerline.

[0057] 10: Crimp terminal fitting 12: Square tube section 13: Crimp cylinder section 13A: First crimp section 13B: Second crimp section 13C: First crimp completed section 13D: First crimp blade 13E: First blade tip 13F: First guide section 13G, 13N: Separating side inclined section 13H, 13P: Approach side inclined section 13J: Second crimp completed section 13K: Second crimp blade 13L: Second blade tip 13M: Second guide section 50: Insulated wire 51: Conductor 52: Insulation 60: Housing 61: Terminal housing A: Axis Ae: External axis At: Inclined axis C1, C2: Centerline between blades Cp: Center point Vs1, Vs2: Virtual blade spacing

Claims

1. A crimp terminal fitting comprising: a first crimp contact portion that cuts the coating of a covered wire in the process of sliding the covered wire in an intersecting direction that intersects the axial direction of the covered wire; and a second crimp contact portion that cuts the coating in the process of sliding the covered wire in the intersecting direction, wherein the first crimp contact portion and the second crimp contact portion are spaced apart in the axial direction, and the first crimp contact completion portion that the crimped covered wire contacts at the first crimp contact portion and the second crimp contact completion portion that the crimped covered wire contacts at the second crimp contact portion are offset in the width direction that intersects the axial direction and the intersecting direction.

2. The crimp terminal fitting according to claim 1, wherein the first crimp portion has a pair of first crimp blades that are opposite to the width direction and extend in the intersecting direction, the second crimp portion has a pair of second crimp blades that are opposite to the width direction and extend in the intersecting direction, a pair of first cutting edges which are the cutting base points of the pair of first crimp blades are located in the opening of the first crimp portion, a pair of second cutting edges which are the cutting base points of the pair of second crimp blades are located in the opening of the second crimp portion, and in an axial view viewed from the axial direction, the pair of first cutting edges and the pair of second cutting edges are arranged in the same position.

3. In the axial view, a straight line connecting the pair of first cutting edges is defined as a virtual inter-cutting edge line, and in the axial view, a straight line extending from the midpoint of the pair of first cutting edges in a direction perpendicular to the virtual inter-cutting edge line is defined as the inter-cutting edge centerline, a pair of first guide portions are formed in the region of the opening of the first pressure-contact portion that is on the opening end side of the pair of first cutting edges, symmetrical with respect to the inter-cutting edge centerline in the axial view, a pair of second guide portions are formed in the region of the opening of the second pressure-contact portion that is on the opening end side of the pair of second cutting edges, symmetrical with respect to the inter-cutting edge centerline in the axial view, and the pair of first guide portions and the pair of second guide portions coincide in the axial view, the pressure-contact terminal fitting according to claim 2.

4. The pressure-fitting terminal fitting according to claim 3, wherein the first pressure-fitting portion and the second pressure-fitting portion have a point-symmetrical shape when viewed parallel to the center line between the blades.

5. The crimp terminal fitting according to claim 4, wherein, among the pair of first crimp blades and the pair of second crimp blades, one of the first crimp blades and the other of the second crimp blades that are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship have a separation-side inclined portion that, in an axial view, is inclined along the inter-blade centerline such that it moves further away in the width direction from the inter-blade centerline from the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge toward the first crimp completion portion and the second crimp completion portion.

6. The press-fit terminal fitting according to claim 5, wherein the separating side inclined portion has a curved shape that is recessed when viewed in the axial direction.

7. The crimp terminal fitting according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the other of the pair of first crimp blades and the other of the pair of second crimp blades, which are in a point-symmetrical positional relationship, have approaching inclined portions that, in an axial view, are inclined along the inter-blade centerline such that they approach the inter-blade centerline as they move from the first cutting edge and the second cutting edge toward the first crimp completion portion and the second crimp completion portion.

8. The crimp terminal fitting according to claim 7, wherein the approaching inclined portion has a curved shape that is concave when viewed in the axial direction.

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