JP2011108437A - Waterproofing terminal structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal structure securely performing waterproofing between strands of wires, capable of commonly using electrical contact portions of the terminal without changing them, even in case where the wire diameter changes, and efficiently performing a crimping connection of the electrical contact portions or wires with a few types of jig. <P>SOLUTION: A tip end of the wire 1 is liquid-tightly inserted into a hole part of an electric conductive pipe 3, 16, 21 having the hole part 2, 18, 23 inside at a rear half 14, 16b of the pipe, and the hole part is sealed with a sealing part 4, 17 at a part further in front of the tip end of the wire. A front half 13, 16a of the electric conductive pipe is crimp-connected to an electric contact terminal part 5 at a part further in front of the tip end part of the wire. Inner diameters d of a plurality of the holes 2 of the electric conductive pipes 3 are set according to each diameter of the wires 1 having various diameters, and an outer diameter D of each electric conductive pipe is set to be constant. The rubber stopper 4 inserted into the hole part is used as the sealing part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a waterproof terminal structure in which water is prevented from entering through wires connected between wires from a terminal connected to the wire.

  FIG. 5 shows one form of a conventional waterproof terminal structure (see Patent Document 1).

  This waterproof terminal structure uses a round plate terminal (LA terminal) 43 composed of a round plate-shaped electrical contact portion 41 and a pair of front and rear crimping pieces 42, and crimps each crimping piece 42 to the end of an electric wire 44. By connecting and covering the crimping connection portion with a heat shrinkable tube 45 with an adhesive, the heat shrinkage and close contact are prevented, thereby preventing water from entering between the strands constituting the core wire portion 41a of the electric wire 41.

  The electrical contact portion 41 of the terminal 43 is connected to, for example, a panel in the engine room of the automobile by bolting, the electric wire 44 is introduced to the vehicle compartment side, and water is transmitted between the strands 41a of the electric wire 44 by capillary action. The contraction tube 45 prevents entry into a connector or the like in the vehicle compartment.

  FIG. 6 shows another form of a conventional waterproof terminal structure (see Patent Document 2).

  This waterproof terminal structure uses a rectangular plate terminal 48 formed of a rectangular plate-shaped electrical contact portion 46 and a pair of front and rear crimping pieces 47, and each crimping piece 47 is crimped and connected to the end of an electric wire 49. By covering the entire terminal except for with a mold-molded insulating resin material 50, water intrusion between the strands 49a of the electric wire 49 is prevented.

  FIG. 7 shows another form of a conventional waterproof terminal structure (see Patent Document 3).

  This waterproof terminal structure uses a closed barrel terminal 55 formed of an electric contact portion 53 composed of a round plate-shaped portion 51 and a pair of crimping pieces 52 and a bottomed tubular wire connecting portion 54. By injecting a sealant 56 such as silicon rubber into the inside of the shaped portion 54 and by crimping the tubular portion 54 to the end of the electric wire 57, water between the strands 57a of the electric wire 57 is obtained. Intrusion is prevented. The electrical contact portion 53 is connected to, for example, a battery in the engine room.

JP 2000-259883 A (FIG. 2) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-127188 (FIG. 3) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-339850 (FIG. 6)

  However, in the conventional waterproof terminal structure of FIG. 5, there is a concern that the waterproof property may be lowered when the heat shrinkable tube 45 made of synthetic resin is deteriorated. Further, in the waterproof terminal structure of FIG. 6, a plurality of types of molds for forming the resin portion 50 in accordance with the size and type of the terminal 48 are required, and there is a concern that the cost increases.

  In the waterproof terminal structure shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the crimping pieces 42, 47, and 52 of the terminals 43, 48, and 55 and the electrical contact portions 41 and 46 are formed according to the diameters of the wires 44, 49, and 57. In addition, since the size of the electrical contact portion 53 is regulated in various ways, it is difficult to share the terminals 43, 48, and 55, the number of parts increases, and the cost increases. The type (size) of the jig had to be changed, and there was a problem that the work of connecting the terminals 43, 48, 55 and the electric wires 44, 49, 57 was troublesome.

  In view of the above points, the present invention can be used in common without changing the electric contact portion of the terminal even if the diameter of the electric wire changes, as well as reliably stopping the water between the wires of the electric wire. Another object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof terminal structure that can efficiently perform crimping and connection of electrical contact portions and electric wires with a small number of jigs.

  In order to achieve the above object, the waterproof terminal structure according to claim 1 of the present invention is such that the tip of the electric wire is liquid-tightly inserted and connected to the hole in the latter half of the conductive pipe having the hole inside, The hole portion is sealed with a sealing portion in front of the front end portion of the electric wire, and the electric contact terminal portion is crimped and connected to the front half portion of the conductive pipe in front of the front end portion of the electric wire. And

  With the above configuration, the electric contact terminal is connected and fixed to the first half of the conductive pipe, the electric wire is inserted and connected to the second half of the conductive pipe, and the electric contact terminal and the electric wire are separated without wrapping around the conductive pipe. Arranged. Thus, for example, the hole diameter of each conductive pipe is changed according to various wire diameters, the outer diameter of each conductive pipe is the same, the electric contact terminal is shared, and the electric wire is crimped and connected to the conductive pipe. Can also be implemented with one type of caulking jig. Water from the terminal portion for electrical contact is blocked by the sealing portion, and water is prevented from entering the tip portion of the electric wire in the latter half of the conductive pipe. The tip portion of the electric wire refers to an exposed core portion from which the insulating coating has been peeled and an insulating coating portion in the vicinity (rear) thereof.

  The waterproof terminal structure according to claim 2 is the waterproof terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameters of the hole portions of the plurality of conductive pipes are variously set according to electric wires of various diameters. The outer diameter is set constant.

  With the above configuration, the hole diameter of each conductive pipe is changed according to the diameter of the seed wire, the outer diameter of each conductive pipe is the same, and the terminal portion for electrical contact that is crimped and connected to the outer periphery of the conductive pipe is conductive. Each pipe is shared, and each electrical contact terminal can be crimped with a single crimping jig. Moreover, the caulking connection of the electric wire in the hole part of an electroconductive pipe can also be implemented with a common caulking jig. The constant outer diameter of the conductive pipe means that, for example, only the rear end portion of the conductive pipe is formed to have a large diameter (the outer diameter of the portion excluding the rear end portion is constant), and a waterproof rubber plug is provided in the rear end portion. Including the case of encapsulating.

  A waterproof terminal structure according to a third aspect is the waterproof terminal structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the sealing portion is a sealing rubber plug inserted into the hole.

  With the above configuration, the sealing rubber plug is positioned at the center of the conductive pipe, the electrical contact terminal is positioned on the front side of the sealing rubber plug, and the tip of the electric wire is positioned on the rear side of the sealing rubber plug. The sealing rubber plug is held in the conductive pipe without coming out at least by crimping the terminal portion for electrical contact and crimping the tip of the electric wire. It is also possible to crimp and fix the sealing rubber stopper to the conductive pipe. It is also possible to place a sealing rubber plug on the front end side of the conductive pipe and fix it together with the conductive pipe by crimping the terminal portion for electrical contact.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inter-wire water stop is reliably performed by preventing water from entering from the terminal portion for electrical contact to the tip of the electric wire in the conductive pipe at the sealing portion of the conductive pipe. be able to. Further, by completely separating the electrical contact terminal portion and the wire tip portion in the first half and the second half of the conductive pipe, for example, the hole diameter of each conductive pipe is changed according to various wire diameters, Since the outer diameters of the wires are the same, the terminal portion for electric contact is made common, and the caulking connection of the electric wire to the conductive pipe can be performed with one kind of caulking machine.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, by using a common electric contact terminal portion for the first half of the same outer diameter of each conductive pipe, the type (number of parts) of the electric contact terminal portion is reduced and the cost is reduced. In addition, the electric contact terminal portions common to the respective conductive pipes can be efficiently crimped and connected with one type of crimping jig. Moreover, since the outer diameters of the respective conductive pipes are the same, the tip portions of the electric wires of various diameters inserted into the holes in the latter half of the respective conductive pipes can be caulked and connected efficiently with one kind of caulking jig. . By these, the connection workability of an electric wire and a terminal (a conductive pipe and a terminal part for electric contact), ie, the productivity of an electric wire with a terminal, can be improved.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, by closing the hole with the sealing rubber plug, the cost of the waterproof terminal structure can be reduced using an inexpensive conductive pipe having a through hole. Moreover, a sealing rubber stopper can be arrange | positioned in the desired position of an electroconductive pipe, and arrangement | positioning of the electric wire front-end | tip part of the longitudinal direction of an electroconductive pipe and the terminal part for electrical contacts can be set and changed as desired.

1 shows an embodiment of a waterproof terminal structure according to the present invention, (a) is an exploded perspective view when a large-diameter wire is connected, and (b) is an exploded perspective view when a small-diameter wire is connected. It is a perspective view which shows the connection completion state of the electric wire and terminal similarly in the terminal structure for waterproofing. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the waterproof terminal structure which concerns on this invention. (A)-(c) is a perspective view which shows each example of the waterproof structure between the outer periphery of an electric wire, and the electrically conductive pipe which is a part of terminal. It is a top view which shows one form of the conventional waterproof terminal structure. It is a side view which shows the other form of the conventional waterproof terminal structure. It is sectional drawing which shows the other form of the conventional waterproof terminal structure.

  1A and 1B show an embodiment of a waterproof terminal structure according to the present invention.

This waterproof terminal structure is common (same as the hole 2 (2 ₁ , 2 ₂ ) through which the inner diameter d (d ₁ , d ₂ ) corresponds to the diameter of the electric wire 1 (1 ₁ , 1 ₂ ) to be connected. ) And a metal conductive pipe 3 (3 ₁ , 3 ₂ ) having an outer peripheral surface of an outer diameter D, and a sealing rubber plug (sealing portion) 4 (4 ₁ , 4, 4 ₂ ) is inserted and brought into close contact, with the sealing rubber plug 4 as a boundary (partition), the electric wire 1 is inserted and connected to the hole 2 in one side of the conductive pipe 3, and a separate electrical contact terminal is connected to the other side of the conductive pipe 3. The part 5 is crimped and connected.

  A terminal is constituted by the conductive pipe 3 and the terminal portion 5 for electrical contact. The conductive pipe 3 is a closed barrel terminal portion (closed barrel portion), and the electrical contact terminal portion 5 is an open barrel terminal portion (open barrel portion).

Figure 1 wire 1 ₁ (a) is a large diameter (e.g. core diameter 3sq), the wire 1 ₂ in FIG. 1 (b) is a small diameter (e.g. core diameter 0.5sq). Figure 1 conductive pipe 3 ₁ of the hole 2 ₁ of the inner diameter d ₁ of the (a) has a larger diameter to fit the electric wire 1 ₁ of the large diameter, Figure 1 conductive pipe 3 ₂ of the hole 2 ₂ of (b) the inner diameter d ₂ is the diameter to fit the electric wire 1 ₂ of the small diameter. Each hole 2 has a circular cross section, and the outer peripheral surface of each conductive pipe 3 has a circular cross section concentric with the hole 2.

  The inner diameter d of each hole 2 is formed to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible (elastic) insulating coating 6 made of synthetic resin for each electric wire 1, and the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 6 is formed inside the hole 2. It is preferable to press fit the peripheral surface. In the case where the inner diameter d of each hole 2 is formed larger than the outer diameter of the insulating coating 6 of each electric wire 1 and the insertion property of the electric wire 1 into the hole 2 is enhanced, for example, a waterproof tape is applied to the outer surface of the insulating coating 6. Etc. (not shown) are interposed.

  Each electric wire 1 peels off the insulating coating 6 on the tip side to expose the core wire portion 7. The core wire portion (conductor portion) 7 of each electric wire 1 is composed of a plurality of strands. The core wire portion 7 is made of copper or aluminum, and each conductive pipe 3 is made of copper or aluminum. Copper or aluminum includes copper alloys and aluminum alloys.

  The outer diameter D of each conductive pipe 3 is the same over the entire length (excluding the intermediate caulking portion 8). Each cylindrical sealing rubber plug 4 is inserted in the longitudinal direction middle part (center or almost center) of the hole 2 of each conductive pipe 3, and each conductive pipe 3 is caulked at the front end position of each sealing rubber plug 4. Thus, the caulking portion 8 narrows the hole portion 2, and the caulking convex portion 8 a in the hole portion 2 prevents each sealing rubber plug 4 from coming out backward.

Each sealing rubber plug 4 has a plurality of lips on the outer periphery. The outer diameter of each lip is larger than the inner diameter d of each hole 2, and each lip is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of each hole 2. Each hole 2 is sealed at the center. The caulking portion 8 is preferably formed before the sealing rubber plug 4 is inserted, but the reverse is also possible. When the caulking portion 8 is formed before the sealing rubber plug 4 is inserted, the sealing rubber plug 4 is inserted from the opening at the rear end of the hole portion 2 (represented by reference numeral 2). Figure 1 sealing rubber plug 4 ₁ (a) is a large diameter, but the sealing rubber plug 4 ₂ of FIG. 1 (b) is a small diameter, is the magnitude of the inner diameter d of the hole 2, the sealing rubber plug 4 can also be used in common.

The electrical contact terminal portion 5 is an ordinary (existing) LA terminal made of copper or aluminum, and includes a first annular disk-shaped electrical contact portion 9, and a substrate portion 11 continuing behind the electrical contact portion 9 via the neck portion 10. It consists of a pair of crimping pieces 12 raised on the left and right sides. The length L of the crimping portion formed of the substrate portion 11 and the crimping piece 12 is the length of the cylindrical portion 13 (13 ₁ , 13 ₂ ) in the first half of the conductive pipe 3 (the length from the central caulking portion 8 to the front end). A little shorter than).

  As shown in FIG. 2 (the lower case letter is omitted), the tip end (terminal) of the electric wire 1 is inserted or press-fitted into the hole 2b in the latter half of the conductive pipe 3, and the electric wire 1 is located behind the caulking portion 8 at the center. The conductive pipe 3 is crimped from above the core wire portion 7 (the crimped portion is indicated by reference numeral 15), and the core wire portion 7 is connected and fixed to the conductive pipe 3.

The caulking portions 8 and 15 at the center and the latter half are formed by vertical pressing using an existing hexagonal caulking jig or the like, for example. Figure 1 conducting pipe (a) 3 ₁ and Figure 1 (b) of the conductive pipe 3 ₂ the same crimping jig and press machine (not shown) each caulking portion 8 and 15 efficiently using Can be formed.

  The crimping piece 12 of the terminal portion 5 for electrical contact is crimped and connected to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 13 in the first half of the conductive pipe 3 by, for example, a crimping jig (anvil and crimper) of a crimping machine. Since each conductive pipe 3 in FIGS. 1A and 1B has the same outer diameter D, the electrical contact terminal portion 5 is used in common.

  Thereby, the number of parts of the electrical contact terminal portion 5 is reduced, and each electrical contact terminal portion 5 is connected to each conductive pipe 3 in FIGS. 1A and 1B with the same crimping machine and crimping jig. With this, it can be crimped efficiently (with good productivity). Since the conductive pipe 3 is hollow and has low rigidity, the electrical contact terminal portion 5 can be easily and reliably crimped to the existing electric wire 1.

  The hole 2a of the cylindrical portion (front half) 13 of the first half of the conductive pipe 3 is crushed and narrowed when the electric contact terminal portion 5 is crimped, so that it is difficult for water to enter. Even if water enters the portion 2, the water is blocked by the sealing rubber stopper 4, and the water in the hole 2 b of the latter cylindrical portion (second half portion) 14, that is, to the core wire portion 7 of the electric wire 1. Intrusion is reliably prevented. Intrusion of water from the outer surface of the insulating coating 6 of the electric wire 1 into the hole 2b of the cylindrical portion 14 in the latter half is prevented by the close contact between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 2. It is more effective if a waterproof tape or the like is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 6 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 2.

  In addition, it is also possible to use a metal separate sealing plug or an intermediate sealing wall (not shown) integral with the conductive pipe 3 instead of the sealing rubber plug 4 as the sealing portion. In the case of a metal sealing stopper, it is necessary to press-fit the conductive pipe 3 in a liquid-tight manner or to fix it by caulking all around. In FIG. 2, not only the core wire portion 7 of the electric wire 1 but also the insulation coating 6 is crimped and fixed to the conductive pipe 3 (the caulking portion is provided separately from the caulking portion 15 of the core wire portion 6). It is also possible to increase the pull-out strength of the electric wire 1.

  FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the waterproof terminal structure according to the present invention.

  In this waterproof terminal structure, a sealing wall (sealing part) 17 is integrally formed at the front end of the conductive pipe 16 having a circular cross section without using the sealing rubber plug 4, and the rear part 16 b of the conductive pipe 16 is rearward. The end of the electric wire 1 is inserted into a hole 18 having a circular cross section with a bottom (bottom indicated by reference numeral 17a) from the opening at the end, and is connected by crimping, and the electric contact terminal portion 5 is connected to the front half portion 16a of the conductive pipe 16. Are connected by crimping. The same components as those in FIG.

  Since there is no sealing rubber plug 4 (FIG. 1), the central caulking portion 8 is also unnecessary. The connection state between the electric wire 1 and the electric contact terminal portion 5 via the conductive pipe 16 is the same as that in the example shown in FIG. The core part 7 of the electric wire 1 is connected and fixed by a caulking part 15 (FIG. 2) of the rear half 16 b of the conductive pipe 16. The electrical contact terminal 5 is crimped and connected to the front half 16 a of the conductive pipe 16.

The configuration in the case of using the different diameter wires 1 ₁ and 1 ₂ in FIGS. 1A and 1B is also applied to FIG. That is, when using a larger diameter wire 1 ₁ of FIG. 1 (a), set the inner diameter of the hole 18 of the conductive pipe 16 is large, the case of using a small-diameter wire 1 ₂ in FIG. 1 (b), conductive The inner diameter of the hole of the pipe 16 is set small. In those cases, the outer diameter of each conductive pipe 16 is the same (constant) over the entire length.

  The effect of the waterproof terminal structure of FIG. 3 is the same as the effect of the waterproof terminal structure of FIG. Compared to the example of FIG. 1, it is not necessary to insert the sealing rubber plug 4, so that the assemblability is improved. Moreover, since the sealing wall 17 at the front end prevents water from entering the entire length of the hole 18 of the conductive pipe 16, the corrosion resistance in the conductive pipe 16 is improved. In addition, since the sealing wall 17 is provided at the front end of the conductive pipe 16, the front end (tip) of the conductive pipe 16 is not crushed when the electric contact terminal portion 5 is pressed, and the pressure bonding can be performed firmly.

  4A to 4C show each of the liquid-tight (waterproof) structures between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 6 of the electric wire 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 2 (18) of the conductive pipe 3 (16). An example is given.

  In the example of FIG. 4A, a waterproofing tape (waterproofing material) 19 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the insulating coating 6 of the electric wire 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the hole 2 (18) of the conductive pipe 3 (16). Intervened. As the water blocking material 19, an existing vinyl tape, an adhesive butyl rubber sheet or the like is preferable. By using the water-stopping tape 19, it is possible to save the trouble of injecting a viscous sealant such as a conventional adhesive.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, the insulating coating 6 of the electric wire 1 is inserted (press-fitted) into the hole of the conductive pipe 3 (16), and the rear end opening of the hole and the insulating coating 6 in the vicinity thereof are The conductive pipe 3 (16) is covered with an existing heat shrinkable tube 20.

  In the example of FIG. 4C, the rear end portion 21b of the conductive pipe 21 is formed to have a large outer diameter and an inner diameter, and the portion 21a excluding the rear end portion 21b of the conductive pipe 21 is shown in FIGS. A waterproof rubber plug 22 formed into a small diameter with the same uniform outer diameter as in the example of FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 is inserted into the hole 23b of the rear end portion 21b with a large diameter (press-fit). ).

  The waterproof rubber plug 22 is, for example, an existing one interposed between the inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber of the connector (not shown) and the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 1, and the inner diameter side lip ( And a lip on the outer diameter side that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the hole 23b in the large-diameter cylindrical portion 21b on the rear end side of the conductive pipe 21.

  The distal end side of the insulation coating portion 6 of the electric wire 1 and the core wire portion 7 are inserted into the small-diameter cylindrical portion 21a in the latter half of the conductive pipe 21, and the core wire portion 7 becomes the latter cylindrical portion 21a as in the example of FIG. The electrical contact terminal portion 5 is crimped and connected to the first half of the cylindrical portion 21a. 2 is provided in the middle of the cylindrical portion 21a, or the sealing wall 17 of FIG. 3 is integrally formed at the front end of the cylindrical portion 21a.

  The conductive pipe 3 in the example of FIG. 1 and the like is composed of the first cylindrical portion 13 and the second cylindrical portion 14 having the same diameter with the intermediate caulking portion 8 as a boundary, whereas FIG. Only the conductive pipe 21 is composed of a short large-diameter cylindrical portion 21b on the rear end side and another long small-diameter cylindrical portion 21a. The electric wire 1 is crimped and connected to the latter half of the conductive pipe 21 and the electrical contact terminal portion 5 is crimped and connected to the front half of the conductive pipe 21 in the same manner as in the example of FIGS.

  Also in the example of FIG. 4C, the inner diameter of the hole portion 23 a of the small cylindrical portion 21 a of the conductive pipe 21 is changed according to the diameter of the electric wire 1, and the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 21 a is set to the diameter of the electric wire 1. Regardless of being constant, the crimping of the electrical contact terminal portion 5 can be efficiently performed with the crimping jig of the same crimping machine. In each said embodiment, since the core wire part 7 of the electric wire 1 is sealed in the electrically conductive pipes 3, 16, and 21, it is excellent in the antioxidant effect of an aluminum electric wire especially.

  In each of the above embodiments, the LA terminal is used as the electrical contact terminal portion 5, but an existing tab terminal or female terminal (not shown) can be used instead of the LA terminal. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the core wire part 7 of the electric wire 1 was exposed and the core wire part 7 was crimped and connected to the conductive pipes 1, 16, and 21, for example, without exposing the core wire part 7, It is also possible to connect the core portion 7 by breaking through the insulating coating 6 with a sharp projection or blade portion (not shown) provided (for example, a sharp projection is provided on the sealing wall in place of the sealing rubber plug 4).

  The waterproof terminal structure according to the present invention, when connecting a terminal with an electric wire to the other side, for example, in an engine room of an automobile, which is subject to water, ensures that the electric wire between the wires is stopped, and It can be used to efficiently connect the electric wires of various diameters at a low cost using a common terminal.

1 Electric wire 2, 18, 23 Hole 3, 16, 21 Conductive pipe 4 Sealing rubber stopper (sealing part)
5 Terminal part for electrical contact 13 Cylindrical part of the first half (first half)
14 Second half cylindrical part (second half)
16a front half part 16b latter half part 17 sealing wall (sealing part)
d Inner diameter D Outer diameter

Claims (3)

  In the latter half of the conductive pipe having a hole on the inside, the tip of the wire is liquid-tightly inserted and connected to the hole, and the hole is sealed with a sealing portion in front of the tip of the wire, A waterproof terminal structure, wherein a terminal portion for electrical contact is crimped and connected to the front half of the conductive pipe in front of the tip of the electric wire.   2. The waterproof terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameters of the hole portions of the plurality of conductive pipes are set to various values according to electric wires of various diameters, and the outer diameters of the conductive pipes are set to be constant. .   The waterproof terminal structure according to claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is a sealing rubber plug inserted into the hole portion.

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