JP2013062206A - Crimp-style terminal, connection structure, and connector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a crimp-style terminal, a connection structure, and a connector, capable of preventing infiltration of water content into a crimping part after crimping, with water cut-off performance and high reliability assured.SOLUTION: Barrel pieces 32 (32a and 32b) of a crimping part 30 of a female type crimp-style terminal 10 are crimped so as to enclose an electric wire exposed part 201a of an aluminum core wire 201 exposed from a cover tip 202a of an insulation cover 202 of a covered electric wire 200. Then, a step portion Eof an overlap part Din which the barrel pieces 32 are overlapped each other is welded to a step portion Eof a tip side overlap part Din which front side ends of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b are crimped to a crimp bottom surface 31 of the crimp part 30 by a laser seam welder 400. By this, after crimping, a water content is prevented from infiltrating into the crimp part 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a crimp terminal attached to a connector or the like responsible for connecting an automobile wire harness, a connection structure using the crimp terminal, and a connector equipped with such a connection structure.

  In recent years, automobiles are equipped with various electrical devices, and the electric circuit of each device tends to be complicated, so that stable power supply is indispensable. Such electric circuits of various electrical equipment are configured by wiring a wire harness formed by bundling a plurality of covered electric wires to an automobile and connecting the wire harnesses with a connector. Moreover, the crimp terminal which crimp-connected the covered electric wire of the wire harness to the crimp part is mounted | worn in the inside of a connector.

  However, when connecting a covered electric wire to a crimp terminal, a gap is likely to be formed between the crimp portion of the crimp terminal and the exposed portion of the electric wire conductor exposed from the tip of the covering coated on the electric wire conductor of the covered electric wire. Is exposed to the outside air, so that when moisture enters the crimping part of the crimping terminal installed inside the connector, the surface of the wire conductor crimped to the crimping part is corroded, and the conductivity is reduced. There was a problem of a drop.

  For example, when the copper-based material conventionally used for the wire conductor of the covered wire is replaced with aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the wire conductor made of aluminum is crimped to the crimp terminal, the terminal material is tin-plated or gold-plated. The phenomenon that aluminum, which is a base metal, is corroded by contact with a noble metal such as a copper alloy, that is, corrosion of different metals becomes a problem.

  Dissimilar metal corrosion (hereinafter referred to as “electrolytic corrosion”) refers to the occurrence of corrosion current when moisture adheres to the contact area between a noble metal and a base metal, and the base metal corrodes, dissolves, disappears, etc. It is a phenomenon. Due to this phenomenon, the aluminum wire conductor crimped to the crimping portion of the crimping terminal is corroded, dissolved, and disappeared, and eventually the electrical resistance increases. As a result, there is a problem that a sufficient conductive function cannot be achieved.

  As a method of preventing the decrease in conductivity in the crimping part due to the ingress of moisture, for example, when crimping the wire crimping part of the crimping terminal to the wire conductor exposed from the covering body of the covered electric wire, There has been proposed a crimp terminal and a terminal-attached electric wire (refer to Patent Document 1) in which the provided contact layers are brought into contact with each other to prevent a gap from being formed in the electric wire crimp portion.

  However, in the crimping terminal and the electric wire with terminal of Patent Document 1, it is said that a gap can be suppressed by bringing the contact layer of the wire crimping part into contact, but the contact layer is peeled off from an insufficiently adhered portion. From the peeled portion, moisture enters the wire crimping portion of the crimp terminal, so that there is a problem that corrosion of the wire conductor cannot be prevented.

  In addition, as a method for preventing moisture from entering inside the crimping part, for example, a method of coating or molding the crimped part of the coated electric wire and the crimping terminal with an insulating resin is used. Since high reliability is required, the standard for obtaining the reliability is severe, and it is difficult to obtain long-term reliability with an insulating resin.

  The above-mentioned insulating resin is a material that is difficult to maintain and manage, for example, storage environment, use environment, expiration date, and quality, so that the water stop state cannot be maintained over a long period of time and reliability is obtained. I can't. Furthermore, it is conceivable to change the crimp terminal from copper to another metal, but a metal other than copper cannot satisfy the predetermined characteristics.

JP 2010-205583 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a crimp terminal, a connection structure, and a connector that can prevent moisture from entering the inside of the crimping portion after crimping and can maintain a water-stopped state for a long period of time. And

  The present invention provides a barrel piece that constitutes a crimping part for crimping an exposed portion of the wire conductor that is exposed for a predetermined length from the tip of the covering body in a covered electric wire in which the outer periphery of the wire conductor is covered with an insulating covering body, Crimp terminals provided on both sides in the width direction, wherein the barrel piece is formed longer than the exposed length in the longitudinal direction of the exposed portion of the wire conductor, and from the tip side of the wire conductor from the tip side of the covering body While crimping so as to continuously and integrally surround the rear end side, the overlapped portion was configured so that the barrel pieces were inside and outside, and arranged inside the overlapping portion One barrel piece is set as an inner barrel piece, the other barrel piece arranged outside the overlapping portion is set as an outer barrel piece, and an end portion of the outer barrel piece overlapped with the inner barrel piece, The outer bar The barrel piece is formed with a stepped portion in which the end portion of the barrel piece is overlapped with the outer surface of the inner barrel piece, and the stepped portion is welded by welding means arranged to face the stepped portion. It is a crimp terminal in which a welded portion formed by welding together is formed along the stepped portion.

  According to this invention, after crimping, moisture can be prevented from entering the inside of the crimping part, and a reliable water stop can be achieved by simply welding the stepped part of the overlapping part formed by overlapping the barrel pieces. Can be secured. Moreover, the electric wire conductor and the covering in the crimping part are not exposed to the outside air, and deterioration and secular change can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, since a water stop state can be maintained over a long period of time, high reliability can be obtained. Furthermore, corrosion does not occur in the wire conductor, and an increase in electrical resistance caused by the corrosion can be prevented, so that stable conductivity can be obtained.

  Specifically, since the both side barrel pieces of the crimping portion are crimped so as to continuously and integrally surround from the leading end side to the rear end side of the covering body from the leading end of the wire conductor, The tip portion of the covering, which is the boundary portion between the wire conductor and the covering, is not exposed to the outside of the crimping portion, and can be crimped in a wrapped state.

  Furthermore, while welding the stepped portion of the overlapped portion formed by overlapping the inner barrel piece and the outer barrel piece with a welding means, a welded portion formed by welding the barrel pieces together is formed along the stepped portion. To do.

  For example, when welding the parts that overlap the inner and outer barrel pieces so that the ends are flush with each other, the amount of heat during welding must be increased in order to melt the inner and outer barrel pieces at the same time. As the amount of heat at the time of welding increases, the welding depth increases, so that welding traces are attached to the wire conductor, resulting in poor electrical conductivity.

  However, the present invention heats and melts the stepped portion of the overlapping portion formed by overlapping the barrels in a stepped manner by welding means, so that the amount of heat is sufficient to melt one barrel piece. Welding, and the amount of heat during welding is small. Moreover, since the welding depth is shallow and does not reach the electric wire conductor, stable conductivity can be obtained.

  In addition, for example, when welding the portion formed by horizontally butting the end portions of the barrel pieces, the gap accuracy of the butted surfaces is required. The stability and reliability of the system are increased.

  Furthermore, since welding can be performed while fixing the welding means at a position facing the stepped portion of the overlapped portion, reliability during welding is improved. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to control the angle and operation of the welding means, and equipment and devices required for control are not required, welding can be performed with inexpensive equipment, and welding costs can be reduced. it can.

  In addition, when a part of the wire conductor is exposed from the crimping part, for example, if the exposed part is coated with a sealing material such as resin or solder, the waterproofing can be secured, and the reliability of the waterproofing part It will increase the nature.

  As an aspect of the present invention, the barrel piece is configured such that a front end side overlapping portion is formed in front of the front end of the electric wire conductor in the overlapping portion, and the front end side overlapping portion is positioned in front of the front end of the electric wire conductor. The front end portion of the barrel piece and the bottom surface of the crimping portion in front of the tip of the electric wire conductor are overlapped with each other, and the end portion of the front end side overlapping portion is superimposed on the bottom surface of the crimping portion of the barrel piece Forming a stepped portion in which the end portion of the barrel piece is overlapped in a stepped manner with respect to the bottom surface of the crimping portion, welding the stepped portion of the overlapping portion on the tip side with the welding means, and A welded portion formed by welding the crimping portion can be formed along the stepped portion of the tip-side overlapping portion.

  According to this invention, in the pressure-bonding portion in the pressure-bonded state, moisture can be prevented from entering the pressure-bonding portion from the tip side, and the front end side of the barrel piece is pressure-bonded to the bottom surface of the pressure-bonding portion. A reliable water-stopping property can be ensured only by welding the stepped portion of the overlapping portion.

  Specifically, in the overlapped portion, the front end side overlap portion formed by overlapping the front end portion of the barrel piece in a stepped manner with respect to the bottom surface of the crimping portion in the front end side overlap portion of the wire conductor. While welding the level difference part of a part with a welding means, the welding part formed by welding the front side edge part of a barrel piece and the bottom face of a crimping | compression-bonding part is formed along the level difference part of a front end side overlapping part.

  As a result, the tip end side of the crimping portion in front of the tip end of the wire conductor can be sealed so that the wire conductor of the covered electric wire is not exposed to the outside, and moisture can be introduced into the inside of the crimping portion from the tip end side of the crimping portion. Can be surely prevented from entering.

Further, as an aspect of the present invention, the stepped portion can be formed on the inner side of both end portions in the width direction of the crimping portion.
According to this invention, the stepped portion can be welded vertically from above the crimp terminal by welding means.

  More specifically, in the crimped portion in the crimped state, the stepped portion of the overlapping portion formed by overlapping the barrels in a stepped manner, and the front side end portion of the barrel piece are superimposed in a stepped manner on the bottom surface of the crimped portion. The stepped portion of the leading end side overlapping portion is welded vertically from above by welding means disposed above the crimping portion.

  As a result, it is not necessary to change the angle of the welding means in accordance with the position of the stepped portion, and welding can be performed from one direction, so that the reliability during welding is further improved.

As an aspect of the present invention, the welding means can be constituted by a laser welding means for welding only the stepped portion with a laser beam.
According to the present invention, the entire length of the stepped portion in the crimping portion can be completely sealed without a gap, and moisture can be reliably prevented from entering the inside of the crimping portion.

  Specifically, the stepped portion of the overlapping portion formed by overlapping the barrel pieces by the laser welding means, and the stepped portion of the overlapping portion formed by overlapping the front end portion of the barrel piece on the bottom surface of the crimping portion. Weld.

  As a result, since the welding by the laser welding means can be performed without reaching the wire conductor, only the above-described stepped portion can be accurately welded, and the reliability during welding is improved.

Moreover, this invention can be set as the connection structure which connected the said covered electric wire and the said crimp terminal by the crimp part in the said crimp terminal.
According to the present invention, it is possible to configure a connection structure that can ensure reliable water-stopping only by being surrounded and crimped by the crimping portion of the crimp terminal. Therefore, stable conductivity can be ensured.

Moreover, this invention can be made into the connector which has arrange | positioned the crimp terminal in the said connection structure in a connector housing.
According to this invention, it is possible to connect the crimp terminal while ensuring stable conductivity regardless of the metal type constituting the crimp terminal and the wire conductor.

More specifically, for example, when a female connector and a male connector are fitted to each other and the crimp terminals arranged in the connector housing of each connector are connected to each other, the crimp terminal of each connector is secured while maintaining water-tightness. Can be connected to each other.
As a result, it is possible to ensure a connection state having reliable conductivity.

  The said electric wire conductor can be comprised with an aluminum strand, an aluminum alloy strand, etc., for example. The crimp terminal can be made of a noble metal such as copper or copper alloy, or an equipotential metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy.

  Further, the crimping part can be constituted by, for example, an open barrel type crimping part composed of a bottom surface of the crimping part and barrel pieces provided on both sides in the width direction of the crimping part. Further, the welding means can be constituted by, for example, a laser seam welder, a gas welder, an arc welder, or the like.

  According to this invention, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the crimping part after the crimping, and to ensure a certain water-stopping property. Moreover, since a water stop state can be maintained over a long period of time, high reliability can be obtained.

The perspective view explaining the crimping | compression-bonding method of a female crimp terminal and a covered electric wire. The top view explaining the structure of a female type | mold crimp terminal, and a vertical side view. The perspective view and longitudinal cross-sectional side view explaining the crimping | compression-bonding state of a female crimp terminal and a covered electric wire. The perspective view explaining the welding method of the crimping | compression-bonding part by a laser seam welding machine. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the crimping state of the crimping portion shown in FIG. 3. The BB arrow directional cross-sectional view of the crimping | compression-bonding part center part shown in FIG. CC sectional view taken on the line C-C in the crimping state of the crimping portion shown in FIG. The explanation perspective view about a connector.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a method of crimping the female crimp terminal 10 and the covered electric wire 200, FIG. 2 is a plan view and a longitudinal side view for explaining the structure of the female crimp terminal 10, and FIG. It is the perspective view explaining the crimping state of the covered electric wire 200, and a vertical side view.

  1A is a longitudinal perspective view of the female crimp terminal 10 divided at the center in the width direction, FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the female crimp terminal 10 and the covered wire 200 before crimping, and FIG. 1C. ] Shows a perspective view of the female crimp terminal 10 and the covered electric wire 200 after crimping.

  2A is a plan view of the female crimp terminal 10 having a plate shape before bending, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the female crimp terminal 10 after bending, and FIG. 2C is a plan view. The longitudinal side view of the female crimp terminal 10 divided at the center in the width direction after bending is shown.

3A is a perspective view of the crimped connection structure 1 formed by welding the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ in the crimping portion 30, and FIG. 3B is divided at the center in the width direction after welding. The longitudinal side view of the crimping | compression-bonding connection structure 1 which was made is shown.

  The crimp connection structure 1 of the present embodiment is configured by connecting the covered electric wire 200 to the female crimp terminal 10. That is, the electric wire exposed portion 201 a of the aluminum core wire 201 exposed from the coated tip 202 a of the insulating coating 202 in the covered electric wire 200 is crimped and connected to the crimp portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10.

The covered electric wire 200 to be crimped and connected to the female crimp terminal 10 is configured by covering an aluminum core wire 201 in which aluminum strands are bundled with an insulating coating 202 made of an insulating resin. Specifically, the aluminum core wire 201 is formed by twisting an aluminum alloy wire so that the cross section becomes 0.75 mm ² .

Hereinafter, the female crimp terminal 10 and the covered electric wire 200 will be described in detail.
First, the female crimp terminal 10 will be described. The female crimp terminal 10 is a front end of the female crimp terminal 10 in the longitudinal direction X from the front to the rear of the insertion tab of the male connector (not shown). The connector box portion 20 that allows insertion and the crimping portion 30 that is disposed behind the connector box portion 20 via a transition portion 20a having a predetermined length are integrally configured.

  The longitudinal direction X is a direction that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the covered electric wire 200 to which the crimping part 30 is crimped and connected.

The female crimp terminal 10 is formed by punching a copper alloy strip (not shown) such as brass whose surface is tin-plated (Sn-plated) into a terminal shape developed in a plane as shown in FIG. The plate-like terminal developed in a plane is bent into a three-dimensional terminal shape including a connector box portion 20 of a hollow rectangular column body and a substantially U-shaped crimping portion 30 in rear view as shown in FIGS. This is an open barrel type terminal configured.
In addition, the crimping | compression-bonding part 30 of the male crimp terminal (not shown) provided with the insertion tab inserted in the connector box part 20 is also comprised by the same structure.

  The connector box part 20 is composed of an inverted hollow rectangular column, and is bent toward the rear in the longitudinal direction X, and is in contact with an insertion tab (not shown) of a male connector to be inserted. 21 is provided.

  Further, the connector box portion 20 which is a hollow quadrangular prism body is bent so that the side surface portions 23a and 23b continuously provided on both side portions in the width direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of the bottom surface portion 22 are overlapped with each other. It is comprised in the substantially rectangular shape seeing from the front end side.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the crimping portion 30 before crimping extends obliquely outward and upward from both sides in the width direction Y orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of the crimping bottom surface 31 and is parallel to the widthwise center CL. A barrel piece 32 (32a, 32b) having a substantially rectangular shape in side view and having an end portion in the width direction of X is provided, and is formed in a substantially U shape in a rear view.

  The longitudinal length Xb (see FIG. 1) of the barrel piece 32 is the length of the wire exposed portion 201a exposed forward in the longitudinal direction X from the coating tip 202a that is the front end of the insulating coating 202 in the longitudinal direction X. It is formed longer than the exposure length Xw in the direction X.

The crimping portion 30 integrally constitutes a wire crimping range 30a for crimping the wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 and a coating crimping range 30b for crimping the insulating coating 202.
The wire crimping range 30a and the covering crimping range 30b are formed in shapes corresponding to the outer diameters of the aluminum core wire 201 and the insulating coating 202 to be crimped, respectively, and therefore the barrel piece 32 of the covering crimping range 30b to which the insulating coating 202 is crimped. Is formed with an inner peripheral length longer than the barrel piece 32 in the electric wire crimping range 30a for crimping the aluminum core wire 201.

Further, on the inner surface of the wire crimping range 30a, three serrations 33, which are grooves in the width direction Y into which the aluminum core wire 201 bites in the state where the aluminum core wire 201 is crimped, are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction X. ing.
The serration 33 is formed in a continuous groove shape from the crimping bottom surface 31 and from the both sides of the crimping bottom surface 31 in the width direction Y to the upper part of the barrel piece 32 extending obliquely outward and upward.

  Next, the crimp connection structure 1 formed by connecting the covered electric wire 200 to the female crimp terminal 10 will be described. The crimp connection structure 1 is formed by bending the female crimp terminal 10 as described above. The aluminum core wire 201 of the covered electric wire 200 is crimped to 30 (see FIG. 1 [c], FIG. 3 [a] and [b]).

  Specifically, the wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 exposed at the tip side of the insulating coating 202 of the covered wire 200 is the tip side (barrel piece 32a) of the crimp portion 30 in the longitudinal direction X position of the tip 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a. It is preferable that the covered electric wire 200 is disposed in the crimping portion 30 so as to be rearward from the front end portion of 32b.

  Then, from the tip 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a to the rear side of the coating tip 202a of the insulating coating 202, the barrel pieces 32 (32a, 32b) of the crimping portion 30 are once crimped as shown in FIG. And go together.

  That is, using a first crimper jig (not shown), the right barrel piece 32b of the crimping portion 30 is first bent inward, and the insulation coating 202 of the covered wire 200 and the wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 are bent. Crimp so that it wraps around the circumference.

  And while the electric wire exposed part 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 is crimped | bonded to the crimping | compression-bonding bottom face 31 of the crimping | compression-bonding part 30 by the right barrel piece 32b, the front side edge part of the barrel piece 32b protruded ahead rather than the front-end | tip 201aa of the electric wire exposed part 201a. Are crimped to the crimping bottom surface 31 of the crimping portion 30 in a close contact state.

  Subsequently, the left barrel piece 32a is bent inward and overlapped from the outside on the inner right barrel piece 32b bent in advance, and the outer left barrel piece 32a is made to the inner right barrel piece 32b. Crimp in close contact.

That is, the end portion in the width direction Y of the left barrel pieces 32a is, the Kasaneai portion D ₁ superimposed over the end portion in the width direction Y of the right barrel pieces 32b, with respect to the width direction center upper surface of the crimping portion 30 It is formed continuously in a line along the longitudinal direction X.

Further, the end portion superimposed on the left barrel pieces 32a of the right barrel pieces 32b, the ends of the right barrel pieces 32b forms a step portion E ₁ superimposed on a stepped shape with respect to the outer surface of the left barrel pieces 32a.

  Thus, the barrel pieces 32a and 32b are crimped so as to be in close contact with the insulating coating 202 of the covered electric wire 200 and the peripheral surface of the electric wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 while being overlapped so as to be inside and outside.

  Next, using a second crimper jig (not shown), the barrel pieces 32a and 32b after pressure bonding are pressurized, and the central portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b pressure-bonded to the electric wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 are It deform | transforms so that it may become lower than the rear side edge part of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b crimped | bonded to the front end side surrounding surface of the insulation coating 202. FIG.

  Further, the front end portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b protruding forward from the tip 201aa of the electric wire exposed portion 201a are deformed so as to be lower than the central portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b that are crimped to the electric wire exposed portion 201a. .

  The front end portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b are crimped in a state of being in close contact with the crimping bottom surface 31 of the crimping portion 30 ahead of the tip 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a, and the tip side of the crimping portion 30 is attached. Then, the electric wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201 is sealed so as not to be exposed to the outside (see FIG. 3 [b]).

That is, the front end portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b positioned in front of the tip 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a are crimped to the crimping bottom surface 31 of the crimp portion 30 in front of the tip 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a. superimposed to form a distal side Kasaneai portion D _2.

Distal end Kasaneai section _{D 2} is also formed in front of the distal end 201aa of the wire exposed portion 201a of the Kasaneai portion _{D 1.} Also, to form the distal end side Kasaneai portion D ₂ in the width direction Y of the female crimp terminal 10, sequentially in the longitudinal direction X and the tip side of the orthogonally Kasaneai portion D ₁ of the female crimp terminal 10 Form.

Further, the end portion of the crimping bottom 31 superposed distal end Kasaneai portion D ₂ of the crimp portion 30 of the right barrel pieces 32b, the ends of the right barrel pieces 32b are staggered relative to crimp the bottom surface 31 of the crimp portion 30 forming a step portion E ₂ superimposed on Jo.
Thereby, the water stoppage can be ensured in the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b.

By connecting the female crimp terminal 10 and the covered electric wire 200 by the crimping of the crimp part 30 described above, the crimp connection structure 1 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B can be configured.
Furthermore, after crimping the crimping part 30 of the female crimping terminal 10 to the electric wire exposed part 201a of the aluminum core wire 201, the overlapping parts D ₁ and D ₂ formed by superposing the barrel pieces 32a and 32b of the crimping part 30 are provided. It welds with the laser seam welding machine 400 mentioned later.

Next, a welding method for welding the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the crimping portion 30 by the laser seam welding machine 400 will be described with reference to FIG.
4 is a perspective view for explaining a welding method of the crimping part 30 by the laser seam welding machine 400, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are sectional views for explaining a crimping state of the crimping part 30 shown in FIG.

  5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in the crimped portion 30 at the distal end side, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in the crimped portion 30 at the center, and FIG. The CC sectional view taken on the line of the rear end side crimping is shown.

  Next, the laser seam welding machine 400 will be described. The laser seam welding machine 400 includes a laser emitting unit 401 that emits laser light L, and a structure fixing stage 402 to which the crimping connection structure 1 is fixed, and laser emitting. The part 401 and the structure fixing stage 402 are provided to be movable relative to the longitudinal direction X and the width direction Y of the female crimp terminal 10 by a moving means (not shown) (see FIG. 7).

  The laser emitting unit 401 irradiates the laser beam L vertically to the crimping portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10 to which the covered electric wire 200 is connected in the crimping connection structure 1 fixed to the structure fixing stage 402. It is arranged so as to face downward.

The laser emitting unit 401 is fixed at an angle at which the laser beam L is irradiated perpendicularly to the stepped portions E ₁ and E ₂ of the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the crimping unit 30.

  Further, the output of the laser beam L is set so that the portion welded by the laser beam L has a welding depth that does not reach the electric wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201.

When the heights of the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ change up and down, the laser emitting unit 401 and the structure fixing stage 402 are relatively moved in the vertical direction, and the focal length of the laser beam L is set to the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ . adjusted according to the height of the D _2.

The structure fixing stage 402 is disposed below the laser emitting unit 401 and is provided so that the crimp connection structure 1 can be fixed to the upper surface of the stage. The crimping connection structure 1 is fixed so that the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the crimping portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10 face upward with respect to the upper surface of the structure fixing stage 402.

Next, a welding method using the laser seam welder 400 will be described.
First, the crimp connection structure 1 is set so that the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the crimp portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10 face upward with respect to the upper surface of the structure fixing stage 402.

Next, the laser emitting unit 401 is moved to a position where the laser light L is irradiated to the stepped portion E ₁ of the overlapping portion D ₁ of the crimping portion 30 in the female crimp terminal 10, and is emitted from the laser emitting unit 401. the laser beam L is irradiated perpendicularly from above Kasaneai portion stepped portion E ₁ of the D _1.

That is, the step portion E ₁ of the Kasaneai portion D _1, is welded to the welding depth that does not reach the wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201, the laser firing unit 401, parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the female crimp terminal 10 direction by relatively moving (see FIG. 4), the irradiation position of the laser beam L applied against the step portion E ₁ of the Kasaneai portion D _1, along the step portion E ₁ of the Kasaneai portion D ₁ longitudinal It is welded and sealed while moving in the direction X by a predetermined pitch.

That is, barrel pieces 32a, by dissolving the step portion E ₁ of the Kasaneai portion D ₁ formed by superposing 32b together, with the weld F ₁ by the laser beam L is welded to overlap with respect to the longitudinal direction X, barrel pieces 32a, is formed along the stepped portion _{E 1} of the Kasaneai portion _{D 1} of the weld _{F 1} formed by welding 32b together (see FIG. 3 [a]).

Next, when the welding of the total length of Kasaneai unit D ₁ has been completed, the laser firing unit 401, the laser beam L is irradiated against the stepped portion E ₂ of the distal Kasaneai portion D ₂ of the crimp portion 30 located is moved, the laser beam L emitted from the laser firing unit 401 is irradiated perpendicularly from above step portion E ₂ of the distal Kasaneai portion D _2.

That is, the stepped portion E ₂ of the distal Kasaneai portion D _2, is welded to the welding depth that does not reach the wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201, the laser firing portion 401, the width direction Y of the female crimp terminal 10 are relatively moved in a direction parallel (see FIG. 4), the irradiation position of the laser beam L applied against the stepped portion E ₂ of the distal Kasaneai portion D _2, step portions of the Kasaneai portion D ₂ E ₂ Are welded and sealed while moving by a predetermined pitch in the width direction Y.

That is, the barrel piece 32a against crimp bottom 31 of the crimp portion 30, by dissolving the stepped portion E ₂ of the distal Kasaneai portion D ₂ formed by crimping the front end portion of the 32b, the weld by laser beam L with F ₂ is welded to overlap in the width direction Y, barrel pieces 32a, 32b front end portion and welded to the crimping bottom 31 of the crimp portion 30 formed by weld F ₂ the distal end Kasaneai portion of formed along the stepped portion _{E 2} of the D ₂ (see FIG. 3 [a]).

As described above, the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ in the crimping portion 30 can be completely sealed without any gap, and the gap allowing the moisture to enter the overlapping portions D ₁ and D _2. Is not formed, and moisture can be prevented from entering the inside of the crimping part 30 after the crimping, and a certain water stoppage can be secured. Moreover, since a water stop state can be maintained over a long period of time, high reliability can be obtained.

  As a result, the aluminum core wire 201 is not corroded, and the electrical resistance is not increased due to the corrosion, so that the conductivity of the aluminum core wire 201 is stabilized. As a result, for example, an aluminum core wire 201 such as a stranded wire, a single wire, or a flat wire can be reliably and firmly connected to the crimping portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10.

Further, by laser seam welding machine 400, Kasaneai portion welded to the end portion of the upper surface and the barrel pieces 32b of barrel pieces 32a located in the stepped portion E ₁ of the D _1, the distal end side Kasaneai portion D ₂ of the step portion E _Since the end portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b positioned at ₂ and the crimping bottom surface 31 of the crimping portion 30 are welded, welding can be performed with an output sufficient to melt one metal plate.

  Since the output during welding is small, the welding depth of the laser beam L is shallow, and welding can be performed so as not to reach the electric wire exposed portion 201a of the aluminum core wire 201, thus preventing welding marks from attaching to the electric wire exposed portion 201a. And stable conductivity can be obtained.

In addition, since the overlapping portions D ₁ and D _{2 of} the barrel pieces 32 a and 32 b are firmly fixed by welding, for example, vibration and impact are applied to the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the pressure-bonding portion 30 in the initial stage of pressure bonding. Even if added, the overlapped portions D ₁ and D ₂ are not peeled off or gaps, and the water stop state of the crimping portion 30 can be maintained for a long time.

  As described above, the crimping portion 30 of the female crimp terminal 10 is continuously and integrally surrounded from the tip 201aa of the electric wire exposed portion 201a to the rear (rear end side) from the coating tip 202a of the insulating coating 202. Crimp to.

That is, the wire exposed portion 201 a of the aluminum core wire 201 and the tip portion of the coated tip 202 a that is the boundary portion between the aluminum core wire 201 and the insulating coating 202 can be wrapped without being exposed from the crimping portion 30.
Thus, it is possible to secure the front end side Kasaneai part water cut of the D ₂ of Kasaneai portion D ₁ and the width direction Y of the longitudinal direction X of the crimping portion 30.

  Further, in the crimped connection structure 1 configured as described above, the wire exposed portion 201a and the coating tip 202a are not exposed from the crimping portion 30, and moisture enters the inside of the aluminum core wire 201 and the insulating coating 202 in the crimping portion 30. Can be prevented. Therefore, it can be prevented that the surface of the aluminum core wire 201 is corroded and the conductivity between the female crimp terminal 10 and the aluminum core wire 201 is lowered.

The aluminum core wire 201 is made of aluminum which is a base metal compared to the copper alloy strip 100 constituting the female crimp terminal 10, but the overlapping portions D ₁ and D ₂ of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b are formed. Since the water-stopping state is ensured by welding, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion caused by moisture adhering to the contact portion between the female crimp terminal 10 and the aluminum core wire 201.
Therefore, the crimp connection structure 1 having a connection state in which stable electrical conductivity is secured in the female crimp terminal 10 and the aluminum core wire 201 can be configured.

Next, an example in which the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) using the crimp terminal 10 (10a) is mounted on the connector housing 300 will be described with reference to FIG.
By mounting the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) using the crimp terminal 10 (10a) as described above to the connector housing 300, the connector 3 (3a, 3b) having reliable conductivity can be configured. (See FIG. 8).

  In the following description, an example in which both connectors 3 (3a, 3b) are connectors of a wire harness is shown, but one may be a connector of a wire harness and the other may be a connector of an auxiliary machine such as a board or a component.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 which is a perspective view of the connector 3 to which the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) is mounted, the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) constituted by the crimp terminals 10 (10a) is a female type. The wire harness 301a is mounted on the connector housing 300 and includes the female connector 3a.

  Then, the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) configured with a male crimp terminal (not shown) is attached to the male connector housing 300, and the wire harness 301b including the male connector 3b is configured. And the wire harness 301a and the wire harness 301b can be connected by fitting the female connector 3a and the male connector 3b.

  At this time, since the crimp connection structure 1 (1a) in which the crimp terminal 10 (10a) and the covered electric wire 200 are connected is mounted on the connector housing 300, the wire harness 301 (301a) having reliable conductivity is mounted. , 301b) can be realized.

  That is, since the aluminum core wire 201 is integrally surrounded by the crimping portion 30 and is not exposed to the outside, the aluminum core wire 201 and the crimping terminal 10 (10a) inside the crimping portion 30 even when exposed to the outside air inside the connector housing 300. ) Can be maintained, so that the conductivity can be reliably maintained.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the embodiment,
The electric wire conductor, the aluminum electric wire conductor and the aluminum alloy electric wire conductor of this invention correspond to the aluminum core wire 201 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The covering corresponds to the insulating coating 202,
The tip of the covering corresponds to the covering tip 202a,
The predetermined length corresponds to the exposure length Xw,
The exposed portion of the wire conductor corresponds to the wire exposed portion 201a,
The crimp terminal corresponds to the female crimp terminal 10, 10a,
The outer barrel corresponds to the barrel piece 32a,
The inner barrel corresponds to the barrel piece 32b,
The longitudinal length corresponds to the longitudinal length Xb,
The connection structure corresponds to the crimp connection structure 1, 1a,
The connector corresponds to the connector 3, the female connector 3a, and the male connector 3b.
The welding means corresponds to the laser seam welder 400,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but can be applied based on the technical idea shown in the claims, and many embodiments can be obtained.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the crimped portion of the crimp terminal is crimped and connected to a wire conductor made of a base metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy is described. However, in addition to the base metal, for example, copper or copper alloy It may be crimped and connected to a wire conductor made of a noble metal, and can exhibit substantially the same operations and effects as those of the above embodiment.

  In addition, as a method of improving the reliability of the water stop function, for example, a water stop method in which an elastic sheet is wound around a peripheral surface of an insulating coating to which a barrel piece of a covered electric wire is pressure bonded, or a sealing material such as resin or solder A water stop method for covering the boundary between the crimp terminal and the covered electric wire may be used.

  Further, when the stepped portions of the barrel pieces 32a and 32b in the crimping portion 30 are located obliquely above or just beside the circumferential surface of the crimping portion 30, laser seam welding is performed at an angle facing the stepped portion. The angle of the laser emitting unit 401 of the machine 400 may be set.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a ... Crimp connection structure 3 ... Connector 3a ... Female connector 3b ... Male connector 10, 10a ... Female crimp terminal 30 ... Crimp part 32 ... Barrel piece 32a ... Left barrel piece 32b ... Right barrel piece 200 ... Cover wires 201 ... aluminum core wire 201a ... wire exposed portion 202 ... insulating coating 202a ... coated tip 300 ... connector housing 400 ... laser seam welding machine 401 ... laser firing unit 402 ... structure fixed stage _{D 1,} D 2 _... Kasaneai portion _{F 1} , F ₂ ... welded part L ... laser beam Xw ... exposure length X ... longitudinal direction Xb ... longitudinal direction length Y ... width direction

Claims (6)

Barrel pieces constituting a crimping portion for crimping an exposed portion of the wire conductor that is exposed for a predetermined length from the tip of the covering body in a covered electric wire in which the outer periphery of the wire conductor is covered with an insulating covering body on both sides in the width direction. A crimp terminal provided,
The barrel piece,
The wire conductor is formed longer than the exposed length in the longitudinal direction of the exposed portion, and is crimped so as to continuously and integrally surround from the front end side to the rear end side of the covering body from the front end side of the wire conductor. With
Constructing an overlapping portion that is overlapped so that the barrel pieces are inside and outside,
One barrel piece arranged inside the overlapping portion is set as an inner barrel piece, and the other barrel piece arranged outside the overlapping portion is set as an outer barrel piece,
On the end of the outer barrel piece that is overlapped with the inner barrel piece, a step portion is formed in which the end of the outer barrel piece is overlapped with the outer surface of the inner barrel piece,
Welding the stepped portion with a welding means arranged to face the stepped portion,
The crimp terminal which formed the welding part formed by welding the said barrel pieces along the said level | step-difference part. Construct a tip-side overlap portion ahead of the tip of the wire conductor among the overlap portion,
The leading end side overlapping portion,
The front side end of the barrel piece located in front of the tip of the wire conductor and the bottom surface of the crimping portion in front of the tip of the wire conductor are overlapped,
A stepped portion in which the end of the barrel piece is overlapped with the bottom surface of the crimping part is formed at the end of the tip-side overlapping part that is superimposed on the bottom surface of the crimping part of the barrel piece. ,
Welding the stepped portion of the overlapping portion on the tip side with the welding means;
The crimp terminal according to claim 1, wherein a welded portion formed by welding the barrel piece and the crimped portion is formed along a stepped portion of the front end side overlapping portion. The crimp terminal according to claim 1, wherein the stepped portion is formed on an inner side than both end portions in the width direction of the crimp portion. The welding means;
The crimp terminal as described in any one of Claims 1-3 comprised with the laser welding means which welds the said level | step-difference part with a laser beam. The connection structure which connected the said covered electric wire and the said crimp terminal by the crimp part in the crimp terminal as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The connector which has arrange | positioned the crimp terminal in the connection structure of Claim 5 in the connector housing.

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