JP2000231944A - Structure of connection part between connection terminal and wire, and connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure of a connection part between a connection terminal and a wire which can restrain an electric resistance low between the connection terminal and the wire, even though the connection terminal is brought into pressure contact with a core part that is not preliminarily welded without applying an excessive pressure contacting force. SOLUTION: A pair of core pressure contacting pieces 5 are formed at both sides of a base part 4 of a pressure contacting part 3 of a connection terminal 1, and those core pressure contacting pieces 5 are pressure contacted with a core part 12 exposed at an end of a wire 10 by caulking the core pressure contacting pieces 5 to the inside of the terminal 1. Irradiation openings 5a are respectively formed for the application of a laser beam to the core part 12 which is in such a condition that the pressure contacting part 3 is pressure contacted with each core pressure contacting piece 5. Stands 12a of the core part 12 are mutually laser welded to each other by applying a laser beam on to the core part 12 in the pressure contacting part 3 through each irradiation opening 5 under such a condition that the pressure contacting part 3 is pressure contacted with the core part 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure and a connection device of a connection portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire used for electric wiring of an automobile, an industrial device, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, connection terminals are generally used for connecting electric wires.

In this type of connection terminal, a crimping portion provided at one end side is crimped to a core portion exposed at the end of the electric wire, whereby the electric wire is attached to the end. I have.

[0004]

By the way, in a large current circuit, if there is a portion having a high electric resistance in the middle thereof, heat is generated there and a synergistic effect of further increasing the electric resistance due to a rise in temperature is caused.

[0005] In the connection terminal as described above, the electric resistance is likely to be large at the connection portion between the connection terminal and the electric wire, and the temperature rises at this connection portion, and the connection terminal and the electric wire are melted.
There was a problem that fusing easily occurred.

One of the factors that increase the electrical resistance at the connection portion between the connection terminal and the electric wire is the contact resistance between the individual wires in the core portion. In other words, among the wires constituting the core wire portion, wires that cannot be directly contacted with the crimped portion can be electrically connected to the crimped portion through another wire. If the contact resistance is large, the overall electric resistance at the connection between the connection terminal and the electric wire also increases.

As a means for reducing the contact resistance between the strands, there is a method of applying an excessive crimping force when the crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion to enhance the adhesion between the strands. However, in this case, there is a problem that each element wire of the core wire portion is greatly crushed, and each element wire is damaged.

Another means is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-764.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7, there is a method in which each element wire is welded to each other by welding a predetermined portion of a core portion of an end of an electric wire in advance, and then a connection terminal is crimped to the core portion.

However, in this case, the following problem occurs. First, when crimping the connection terminal to the welded part of the core part (hereinafter, referred to as welded part), the weld part of the core part is hard,
There is a problem that the connection terminal cannot be sufficiently crimped.

In the case where the connection terminal is to be crimped to a non-welded portion of the core wire portion, for example, if the welded portion is on the front end side of the core wire portion, the welded portion is hard and the connection terminal is hardened. Not fit into the crimping part of
Handling of the electric wire at the time of crimping becomes complicated. On the other hand, for example, when the welded portion is on the base end side of the core wire portion, the strength of the core wire portion is reduced by welding, and there is a concern about disconnection there.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. Even if a connection terminal is crimped without applying an excessive crimping force to a core wire portion which is not welded in advance, the connection between the connection terminal and the electric wire is prevented. It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of a connection portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire and a connection device capable of suppressing the electric resistance of the connection terminal to be small.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure of a connecting portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire, wherein a core wire formed by a set of a plurality of element wires at an end portion. A wire having an exposed portion, and a pair of core wire crimping pieces formed on both sides of the base portion and crimping these core wire crimping pieces inward to be crimped to the core wire portion. A connection terminal formed with an irradiation port for irradiating laser light to the core wire portion in a state where the crimping portion is crimped to a piece, wherein the crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion, The core wire portion is irradiated with laser light through each irradiation port, and the element wires of the core wire portion are laser-welded.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure of a connection portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire, wherein the end portion has an exposed core wire formed by a set of a plurality of element wires, and both sides of a base portion. A pair of core wire crimping pieces are formed in the portion, and a crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion by caulking these core wire crimping pieces inward, and the core wire portion in a state where the crimping portion is crimped to the base portion. A connection terminal formed with an irradiation port for irradiating laser light on the core wire portion, and the core wire portion is irradiated with laser light through the irradiation port in a state where the crimping portion is crimped on the core wire portion. The individual wires of the core portion are laser-welded.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for connecting a connection terminal and an electric wire, the electric wire having a core portion formed by exposing a plurality of strands at an end portion, and a wire having an exposed core portion on both sides of a base portion. A pair of core wire crimping pieces are formed, and have a crimping portion that is crimped to the core wire portion by caulking these core wire crimping pieces inward, and each of the crimping portions faces outward while being crimped to the core wire portion. A connection device for connecting a connection terminal formed with an irradiation port for irradiating a laser beam to the core wire portion in a state where the crimping portion is crimped, at each position where the crimping portion is crimped. An anvil for mounting the terminal in a predetermined posture, and an elevating / lowering drive provided above the anvil, wherein the crimping portion is pressed between the anvil and the connection terminal to connect the core portion of the electric wire. For crimping to And a lymph, the crimper,
In a state where the connection terminal is pressed between the anvil and the crimper at the bottom dead center position, irradiation communication holes communicating with the respective irradiation ports are respectively formed, and from both sides of the connection terminal in a pressed state. Laser light irradiation means for irradiating a laser beam to the core wire portion crimped to the crimping portion through the respective irradiation communication holes and the respective irradiation ports is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lower dead center detecting means for detecting the movement of the crimper to the lower dead center position, and the lower dead center position of the crimper is detected by the lower dead center detecting means. When movement of the laser beam is detected, the laser beam irradiating unit may start irradiating the laser beam for a predetermined time, and may further include a control unit that raises the crimper after the laser beam irradiation is completed.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure of a connection portion between a connection terminal 1 and an electric wire 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the structure of the connecting portion is as follows.
The connection terminal 1 is crimped to the core wire portion 12 at the end of the electric wire 10.

The electric wire 10 has a core portion 12 formed by an aggregation of a plurality of strands 12a, and a covering portion 13 formed around the core portion 12, and the covering portion 13 at the end is peeled off. The core wire 12 is exposed at the end.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection terminal 1 is of a type called a so-called male terminal, and is formed by punching a sheet metal such as a copper alloy into a predetermined shape and bending it. The tab part 2 and the crimping part 3 are integrally connected.

The tab portion 2 is formed in a long plate shape and can be inserted and connected to a mating female terminal or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A, the crimping portion 3 includes a pair of core wire crimping pieces 5 formed on both sides on the front side (tab 2 side) of the base portion 4. A pair of covering crimping pieces 6 formed on both sides on the rear side of the base 4. The two core wire crimping pieces 5 and the two coated crimping pieces 6 are formed at predetermined intervals so as not to interfere with each other when they are bent.

Each core wire crimping piece 5 is formed in a rectangular plate-like member bent upward from both sides on the front side of the base 4, and each covering crimping piece 6 is formed on both sides on the rear side of the base 4. It is formed in a belt-shaped member bent upward from the part.
Then, the core wire portion 12 is arranged in front of the crimping portion 3 and the end of the electric wire 10 is inserted and arranged in the crimping portion 3 such that the end of the covering portion 13 is arranged behind the crimping portion 3. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, each core wire crimping piece 5 and each coating crimping piece 6 are caulked so as to be bent inward, so that the core wire portion 12 is crimped and held in both core wire crimping pieces 5, and The end of the covering portion 13 is held in the piece 6 by pressure bonding.

Each core wire crimping piece 5 has an irradiation port 5a. Each irradiation port 5a is connected to each core wire crimping piece 5
Are bent inward and caulked, and the core wire portion 12 is formed at a position where the core wire portion 12 is exposed to the outside from each of the irradiation ports 5a in a state where the core wire portion 12 is crimped and held therein. And crimping part 3
By irradiating the core wire portion 12 with laser light from the outside through the irradiation port 5a, the individual wires 12a of the core wire portion 12 are laser welded to each other in the vicinity of the irradiation port 5a. .

The irradiation ports 5a are shown in FIGS.
As shown in (b), the crimping part 3 is connected to the core part 12 of the electric wire 10.
It is preferable that each of them is formed at a position that opens toward the outside in a state of being press-bonded. Thereby, laser light can be irradiated from both sides of the connection terminal 1, respectively, so that the laser light irradiation operation can be easily performed.

The connection between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 is performed as follows.

First, the covering portion at the end of the electric wire 10 is peeled off over a predetermined length to expose the core portion 12 having a predetermined length. It is not necessary to perform a process of welding the wires 12a to the core wire portion 12 in advance by a process such as welding.

Then, the end of the electric wire 10 is connected to the connection terminal 1.
Is housed and arranged in the crimping portion 3 of the first embodiment. At this time, the core part 12 is arranged between the two core crimping pieces 5, and the end of the covering part 13 is arranged between the two core crimping pieces 6. And
Thereafter, the two core wire crimping pieces 5 are crimped to the core wire part 12 by a crimping device or the like, and the two coated crimping pieces 6 are attached to the covering part 13.
Crimp to the end. At this time, since it is not necessary to consider reducing the contact resistance between the strands, the crimping force at the time of crimping may be relatively small.

Next, a laser beam is emitted aiming at the center of each of the irradiation ports 5a, and the laser beam is applied to the core 12 in the crimping section 3 through each of the irradiation ports 5a.
Are welded to each other in the vicinity of each irradiation port 5a. At this time, even if the inner periphery of each irradiation port 5a is unavoidably or intentionally irradiated with the laser beam, the core wire portion 12 and the inner periphery of the irradiation hole 5a of each core wire crimping piece 5 are welded. Good. In this case, it is preferable to use a YAG laser beam as the laser beam in view of the simplicity of the laser irradiation apparatus and the ease of controlling the welding energy, but other laser beams may be used.

According to the structure of the connection portion between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 configured as described above, the laser is applied to the core wire portion 12 in a state where the crimp portion 3 is crimped to each core wire crimping piece 5 of the crimp portion 3. Since the irradiation ports 5a for irradiating light are respectively formed, even when the connection terminal 1 is crimped without applying an excessive crimping force to the core wire portion 12 that is not welded in advance,
Laser welding of the individual wires 12a can be performed in the crimping portion 3 after the crimping. When the contact resistance between the strands 12a is reduced by laser welding between the strands 12a, the strands 12a of the strands 12a constituting the core part 12 that cannot directly contact the crimping part 3 are Since the electrical connection with the crimping portion 3 can be obtained via the other wires 12a that are laser-welded to each other, the electrical resistance between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 can be reduced.

When each of the irradiation ports 5a is formed at a position where each of the irradiation ports 5a is opened toward the outside in a state where the crimping portion 3 is crimped to the core wire portion 12, the laser light is emitted from both sides of the connection terminal 1. Since each can be irradiated,
Pressure bonding and laser beam irradiation work can be performed simultaneously,
The connection work becomes easy. An apparatus for this will be described in a second embodiment described later.

By the way, in the connection terminal 1 according to the first embodiment, the irradiation port 5a is formed in the core wire crimping piece 5, but the connection terminal of the modification shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) is used. 1B, instead of forming the irradiation port on the core wire crimping piece 5B of the crimping section 3B, the irradiation port 4 is formed on the base 4B of the crimping section 3B.
Ba may be formed.

That is, in the connection terminal 1, the base 4
A pair of left and right irradiation ports 5Ba are formed with the center axis X of B interposed therebetween, and each irradiation port 5Ba is formed at a position offset forward and backward along the axis X.

In the case of the connection terminal 1B, as in the case of the first embodiment, even if the connection terminal 1B is crimped without applying an excessive crimping force to the core wire portion 12 that is not welded in advance, the crimped terminal after the crimping can be used. Laser welding of the individual wires 12a can be performed in the crimping portion 3B, and the contact resistance between the individual wires 12a can be suppressed small, and the electric resistance between the connection terminal 1B and the electric wire 10 can be suppressed. .

In addition, since the irradiation port 4Ba is formed in the base 4B, which has a small degree of deformation during crimping, there is an advantage that the strength of the crimped portion 3B after the crimping of the connection terminal 1B is relatively small. is there.

Further, since each of the irradiation ports 5Ba is formed at a position which is offset back and forth along the axis X, the irradiation ports 5Ba which are elements of the intensity reduction are dispersed back and forth. Also in this case, the effect that the reduction in the strength of the base portion 3B can be suppressed lower can be obtained.

Next, a connection device for connecting the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This connection device is a device for connecting the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 described in the first embodiment, and the description of the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the connecting device includes an anvil 20 for mounting the connecting terminal 1 in a predetermined posture,
A crimper 25 movably supported at a position above the anvil 20 so as to be vertically movable; a bottom dead center detecting means 30 for detecting movement of the crimper 25 to a bottom dead center position B;
A laser beam irradiating unit 35 for irradiating a laser beam toward the connection terminal 1 mounted on the lower terminal 0;
And control means 40 for controlling the laser light irradiation timing by the laser light irradiation means 35 and the ascending timing of the crimper 25 based on the detection signal from the CPU.

The upper surface of the anvil 20 is formed on a lower mold surface 20a on which the crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 can be set.

The crimper 25 is configured to be able to be moved up and down between a retracted position A and a bottom dead center position B by a vertically moving drive means 29 using a well-known air cylinder or the like. The crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 mounted on the anvil 20 is formed on the upper die surface 25a for slidingly contacting each core wire crimping piece 5 and caulking each core wire crimping piece 5 inward. Note that each of the coated crimping pieces 6 may be caulked inward by the upper mold surface 25a.

The lower mold surface 20a of the anvil 20 and the upper mold surface 25a of the crimper 25 are disposed so as to face each other, and the crimp portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is placed on the anvil 20. To lower the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position B, the crimping portion 3 is pressed between the lower mold surface 20a of the anvil 20 and the upper mold surface 25a of the crimper 25, and the crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is pressed. Is the core part 1 of the electric wire 10
2.

Further, both sides of the lower surface 20a of the crimper 25 are sandwiched between the lower surfaces 20a of the crimper 25.
Irradiation communication holes 26 penetrating inward along the horizontal direction are respectively formed. Lower mold surface 20a of each irradiation communication hole 26
The opening on the side is formed at a position communicating with each irradiation port 5a of the crimping portion 3 in a state where the crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is pressed between the anvil 20 and the crimper 25. And
With the crimper 25 lowered to the bottom dead center position, laser light is emitted from both sides of the crimper 25 so that the laser light is applied to each of the irradiation communication holes 26 and each of the irradiation ports 5.
It is configured to irradiate the core wire portion 12 in the crimping portion 3 through a.

The lowering operation of the crimper 25 is performed based on a switch operation (not shown), and the raising operation is performed based on control from the control means 40.

Further, as the crimper 25 and the anvil 20, a commonly used mold steel or a super steel alloy can be used. At this time, in the connection terminal 1 for large current, the length of the crimping portion 3 is 10 mm or more, and the size of the crimper 25 itself is also large. The formation of the holes 26 does not adversely affect the strength of the crimper 25.

The bottom dead center detecting means 30 is constituted by a known optical sensor or the like. When the crimper 25 descends and reaches the bottom dead center position B, this is detected, and the position detection signal is sent to the control means 40. To be output to

The laser beam irradiating means 35 has a pair of optical fibers 38 drawn out from a laser transmitter 36 which is a laser beam generating source, and a laser beam emitting head 37 is provided at an end of each optical fiber 38. It becomes.

The laser transmitter 36 is configured to generate a laser beam only for a predetermined time when an emission command signal is input from the control means 40.

The tips of the pair of emission heads 37 are
In a state where the crimper 25 is located at the bottom dead center position B, the crimper 25 is provided in a posture pointing toward the outer opening of each irradiation communication hole 26. Then, the laser light generated by the laser transmitter 36 is guided to each of the emission heads 37 through each of the optical fibers 38, and the laser light is directed from the distal end portion of each of the emission heads 37 into each of the irradiation communication holes 26. It is configured to be emitted.

When the position detection signal is input from the bottom dead center detecting means 30, the control means 40 outputs a laser light emission command signal to the laser light irradiating means 35,
Generates laser light only for a predetermined time. And
After the elapse of the predetermined time, the ascending command signal is sent to the ascending / descending drive means 29 to drive the crimper 25 up.

The connection device is configured as described above. Next, a method for connecting the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 by this connection device will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is set on the lower mold surface 20a of the anvil 20.
Next, the end portion of the electric wire 10 is accommodated in the crimping portion 3 such that the core portion 12 is disposed between the core crimping portions 5 and the end portion of the covering portion 13 is disposed between the covering crimping portions 6.

Thereafter, a predetermined switch is operated to lower the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position B, and the crimping section 3 is pressed between the crimper 25 and the anvil 20, as shown in FIG. Thereby, each core wire crimping piece 5 is caulked inward, and the core wire portion 12 is crimped and held in both core wire crimping pieces 5.

On the other hand, at the same time, when the descent movement of the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position B is detected by the bottom dead center detection unit 30, a position detection signal is output to the control unit 40, and the control unit 40 outputs the laser beam. An irradiation command signal of laser light is output to the irradiation unit 35. Thereby, the laser transmitter 36
, A laser beam is generated only for a predetermined time, and the laser beam is emitted from each emission head 37. Each of these laser beams
The core wire portion 12 in the crimping portion 3 is irradiated through the irradiation communication hole 26 of the crimper 25 and the irradiation port 5a of the core wire crimping piece 5, respectively, and as shown in FIG. The constituent wires 12a are laser-welded to each other (see the fine mesh hatched portion in FIG. 8).

After the predetermined period has elapsed since the start of the irradiation of each laser beam, the irradiation of each laser beam is stopped, and then a rising command signal is inputted from the control means 40 to the lifting drive means 29. Then, the crimper 25 rises, and the work of connecting the connection terminal and the electric wire is completed.

According to the connecting device having the above-described configuration, the crimper 25 has the connection terminal 1 pressed between the anvil 20 and the crimper 25, and the irradiation communicates with each of the irradiation ports 5a of the connection terminal 1. The communication holes 26 are respectively formed, and the laser beam is applied to the core 12 crimped into the crimping section 3 from both sides of the connection terminal 1 placed on the anvil 20 through the irradiation communication holes 26 and the irradiation ports 5 a. Is provided, the connection terminal 1 is crimped to the core portion 12 of the electric wire 10 and, at the same time, the core wire portion 12 in the crimp portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is accurately Each of the laser beams can be irradiated, and the connection operation can be easily performed.

At this time, since the welding between the individual wires 12a can be performed in a state where the core wire portion 12 is sufficiently compressed, a low and stable contact resistance can be obtained also in this respect. When the laser beam is irradiated, the connection terminal 1 is connected to the crimper 25.
The optical system for laser beam irradiation can be easily aligned because it is accurately fixed between the laser beam and the anvil 20.

Further, the bottom dead center detecting means 30 for detecting the movement of the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position, and the descent of the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position B is detected by the bottom dead center detecting means 30. At the same time, the laser beam irradiation means 35 starts laser beam irradiation for a predetermined time, respectively,
Since the control means 40 for raising the crimper 25 after the irradiation of the laser light is provided, the irradiation of the laser light from each laser light irradiation means 35 is automatically performed simultaneously with the movement of the crimper 25 to the bottom dead center position B. Is performed, and the crimper 25 rises after the end of the laser beam irradiation, so that the laser beam irradiation timing can be controlled accurately.
The connection work between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 can be performed more accurately and more easily.

The strands 12a constituting the core 12 of the electric wire 10 in the first and second embodiments are as follows.
In addition to soft copper wires and hard copper wires whose surfaces are not subjected to plating treatment, non-plated wires of copper alloy, aluminum or iron can be used. Alternatively, a plated wire having a surface coated with tin, solder, or the like may be used.

When the plated wire is used as the wire 12a, the contact resistance between the wires 12a is reduced, but in consideration of material recycling, copper or the like which is the base material of the wire 12a is made of tin or the like. Plating materials are mixed as impurities, resulting in poor recyclability and a significant reduction in value as wire waste material.

On the other hand, in the present invention, since the individual wires 12a are laser-welded to each other, the core wire portion 12 is formed without using such a plated wire, that is, using a non-plated wire as the wire 12a. Even in this case, there is an advantage that the connection resistance between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 can be kept low.

That is, in each of the inventions of the present application, regardless of whether a plated wire or a non-plated wire is used as the element wire 12 a constituting the core wire portion 12, the connection between the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 is made. Although this effect can be exerted to a certain extent in that the connection resistance can be suppressed to a low level, the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 can be used even when a non-plated wire is used.
This can be said to be the most effective in that the connection resistance between them can be kept low.

The connection terminal 1 is not limited to a male terminal, but may be any other connection terminal provided with a crimping portion, such as a so-called female terminal.

The material of the connection terminal 1 is not particularly limited because the main purpose of the present application is to weld the wires 12a.

As an example, the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 in the case where the connection terminal 1 and the electric wire 10 according to the first embodiment are connected by the connection device according to the second embodiment.
9 to 11 show the results of the durability test of the electrical resistance with the comparative example.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are comparative examples with respect to the present invention, and show a case where the crimping portion 3 of the connection terminal 1 is simply crimped to the core wire portion 12 and no laser beam is irradiated. 9 shows a case where a tin-plated wire is used as a wire 12a constituting the core portion 12 of the electric wire 10, and FIG. 10 shows a case where a bare copper wire which is not plated is used as the wire 12a. .

FIG. 11 shows a case where an unplated bare copper wire is used as the element wire 12a, and the electric wire 10 of the first embodiment and the connection terminal 1 are connected by the connection device of the second embodiment. This is an example of a case where

The conditions of the durability test were -40 ° C. to 12
The temperature change of 0 ° C. is repeated for 1000 cycles.

From these test results, it can be seen from FIG. 9 that a tin-plated wire was used at the connection between the connection terminal and the electric wire according to the present invention.
Can be maintained equal to or smaller than the case shown in FIG. 1, and the electric resistance is much smaller than the case shown in FIG. 10 using the bare copper wire. We can see that we can do it.

[0069]

As described above, according to the structure of the connecting portion of the connection terminal and the electric wire according to the first aspect of the present invention, the core wire in a state where the crimping portion is crimped to each core wire crimping piece of the crimping portion of the connection terminal. Irradiation ports for irradiating the laser beam on the core portion are formed, and the core wire portion is irradiated with the laser beam through each irradiation port in a state where the crimping portion is crimped on the core wire portion. Laser welding of each element wire within the crimped part even if the connection terminal is crimped without applying excessive crimping force to the core wire part that is not welded in advance because they are configured to be laser welded to each other Can be. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the contact resistance between the individual wires and the electrical resistance between the connection terminal and the electric wire.

Further, according to the structure of the connecting portion of the connection terminal and the electric wire according to the second aspect of the present invention, a laser beam is applied to the core wire portion where the crimping portion is crimped to the base portion of the crimping portion of the connection terminal. In the state where the irradiation port is formed, the core portion is irradiated with laser light through the irradiation port in a state where the crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion, and each element wire of the core wire portion is laser-welded. Therefore, even when the connection terminal is crimped without applying an excessive crimping force to a core wire portion that is not welded in advance, welding between the element wires can be performed in the crimped portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the contact resistance between the individual wires and the electrical resistance between the connection terminal and the electric wire.

According to the connecting device of the third aspect of the present invention, the crimper has an irradiation communication hole communicating with each irradiation port of the connection terminal in a state where the connection terminal is pressed between the anvil and the crimper. Laser light irradiating means for irradiating a laser beam to the core wire portion crimped to the crimping portion through each of the irradiation communication holes and the respective irradiation ports from both sides of the connection terminal mounted on the anvil is formed. Since it is provided, the operation of crimping the connection terminal to the core portion of the electric wire and the operation of precisely irradiating each laser beam to the core portion in the crimp portion of the connection terminal can be simultaneously performed by the same device, The connection work between the connection terminal and the electric wire can be easily performed.

At this time, since welding between the individual wires can be performed in a state where the core wire portion is sufficiently compressed, a low and stable contact resistance can be obtained also in this respect. In addition, since the connection terminal is accurately fixed between the crimper and the anvil during laser light irradiation, alignment of the optical system for laser light irradiation is also easy.

In this case, the crimper detects the movement of the crimper to the bottom dead center position, and the crimper detects the movement of the crimper to the bottom dead center position by the bottom dead center detection means. When the descent is detected, each laser light irradiation unit starts laser light irradiation for a predetermined time, and further includes a control unit that raises the crimper after the end of the laser light irradiation. At the same time as moving to the bottom dead center, laser light irradiation from each laser light irradiation means is automatically performed, and after the laser light irradiation is completed, the crimper rises, and the connection between the connection terminal and the electric wire is performed. The work can be performed more reliably and more easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the connection terminal and the electric wire are connected.

3A is a developed view of a crimping portion of the connection terminal, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the crimping portion of the connection terminal is bent.

FIG. 4A is a development view of a crimping portion of a connection terminal according to a modification, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the crimping portion of the connection terminal according to the modification is bent. FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a connection device for connecting a connection terminal and an electric wire according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing one connection step by the connection device of the above.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional front view showing another connection process by the connection device of the above.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a connection portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a result of a durability test in the case of a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a result of a durability test according to another conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a result of a durability test according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection terminal 3 Crimp part 4 Base part 5 Core wire crimping piece 5a Irradiation port 10 Connection terminal 12 Core wire 12a Element wire 20 Anvil 25 Crimper 26 Irradiation communication hole 30 Bottom dead center detection means 35 Laser light irradiation means 40 Irradiation control means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Kingo Furukawa 1-14 Nishisuehirocho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie F-term (reference) in Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. 5E051 LA03 LA06 LB03 5E085 BB02 BB03 BB12 CC03 DD04 DD13 DD18 HH06 HH12 HH31 JJ03 JJ31 JJ38

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electric wire having a core portion formed by assembling a plurality of element wires at an end portion, and a pair of core wire crimping pieces formed on both sides of a base portion, and these core wire crimping pieces are caulked inward. By having a crimping portion to be crimped to the core wire portion,
A connection terminal formed with an irradiation port for irradiating the core wire portion with the laser beam onto the core wire portion in a state where the crimping portion is crimped to each of the core wire crimping pieces, wherein the crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion. In this state, a structure of a connection portion of a connection terminal and an electric wire, in which the core wire portion is irradiated with laser light through each of the irradiation ports and each element wire of the core wire portion is laser-welded. 2. An electric wire having a core portion exposed at an end formed by a set of a plurality of element wires, and a pair of core wire crimping pieces formed on both sides of a base portion, and these core wire crimping pieces are caulked inward. By having a crimping portion to be crimped to the core wire portion,
A connection terminal formed with an irradiation port for irradiating the core wire in a state where the crimp portion is crimped to the base portion with a laser beam, wherein the crimp portion is crimped to the core wire portion, A structure of a connection portion between a connection terminal and an electric wire, in which a laser beam is applied to the core portion through the irradiation port, and each element wire of the core portion is laser-welded. 3. An electric wire having a core portion formed by assembling a plurality of element wires at an end portion, and a pair of core wire crimping pieces formed on both sides of a base portion, and these core wire crimping pieces are caulked inward. By having a crimping portion to be crimped to the core wire portion,
Irradiation holes for irradiating laser light to the core wire portion in a state where the crimping portion is crimped are formed at respective positions where the crimping portion is crimped to the core wire portion and open toward the outside, respectively. An anvil for mounting the connection terminal in a predetermined posture, and a drivable vertically above the anvil, wherein the crimping portion is connected to the anvil. And a crimper for crimping the connection terminal to the core portion of the electric wire by pressing between the crimper and the crimper between the anvil and the crimper at the bottom dead center position. In the pressed state, the irradiation communication holes communicating with the irradiation ports are respectively formed, and in the pressed state, the irradiation communication holes and the irradiation ports pass from both sides of the connection terminal. A connection device for connecting a terminal and an electric wire, wherein a connection terminal is provided with laser light irradiation means for irradiating a laser beam to each of the core wires crimped on the crimping portion. 4. A bottom dead center detecting means for detecting movement of the crimper to a bottom dead center position, and when the movement of the crimper to a bottom dead center position is detected by the bottom dead center detecting means. 4. The connection terminal and electric wire connection device according to claim 3, further comprising: control means for starting irradiation of the laser light from each of the laser light irradiation means for a predetermined time and raising the crimper after the irradiation of the laser light is completed. .