Method of manufacturing crimping terminal

A method of manufacturing a crimping terminal includes a punching process of punching out a crimping terminal from a flat-plate-shaped metal base material, an attaching process of attaching a sheet-like water stop member to a wire connection portion being a portion in the crimping terminal that is to be crimped onto a wire, and a bending process of bending the wire connection portion to which the water stop member is attached. The wire connection portion may integrally cover a core wire and a covering of the wire by being crimped onto the wire.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-201872 filed in Japan on Oct. 13, 2016.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a crimping terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been conventionally a crimping terminal in which water is stopped by a water stop member. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2015-201269 discloses a technique of a connection structure of a crimping terminal and a wire that includes a crimping terminal in which a conductive member crimping portion that crimps a conductive member of the wire and a covering crimping portion that crimps the wire from an outer circumference of a covering are consecutively installed, and a wire connection portion to be crimped to the wire is provided, and a water stop sheet having a size surrounding the conductive member to be crimped and the covering, and being interposed between the wire connection portion and the wire.

Here, it is desired in the crimping terminal that a decrease in water stop performance can be suppressed. For example, when the water stop member is a sheet-like adhesive to be attached to the crimping terminal, if the water stop member fails to be appropriately attached to the crimping terminal, a decrease in water stop performance is easily caused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a crimping terminal that can suppress a decrease in water stop performance in a crimping terminal.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a crimping terminal includes a punching process of punching out a crimping terminal from a flat-plate-shaped metal base material; an attaching process of attaching a sheet-like adhesive material to a wire connection portion being a portion in the crimping terminal that is to be crimped onto a wire; and a bending process of bending the wire connection portion to which the adhesive material is attached.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing the crimping terminal, it is preferable that the wire connection portion integrally covers a core wire and a covering of the wire by being crimped onto the wire, and in the attaching process, the adhesive material is attached to a rim portion in the wire connection portion along a longitudinal direction of the wire connection portion, and rim portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wire connection portion.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the method of manufacturing the crimping terminal, it is preferable that the crimping terminal includes a terminal connection portion to be electrically-connected to a counterpart terminal, and a joint portion linking the terminal connection portion and the wire connection portion, and in the bending process, the wire connection portion and the joint portion are concurrently bent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A method of manufacturing a crimping terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited by the embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiment include the ones easily-conceived by those skilled in the art, or the ones that are substantially identical.

Embodiment

An embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 20. The present embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing a crimping terminal. In addition,FIG. 13illustrates a XIII-XIII cross section inFIG. 9.

First of all, a crimping terminal1according to the present embodiment will be described. The crimping terminal1illustrated inFIG. 1and the like is a terminal to be crimped onto a wire50. The crimping terminal1is electrically-connected to counterpart terminal (not illustrated) in a state of being integrated with the wire50. A covering52at an end portion of the crimping target wire50is removed, and a core wire51is exposed by a predetermined length. The core wire51may be an aggregate of a plurality of wires, or may be a single wire such as a coaxial cable. By being crimped to the end portion of the wire50, the crimping terminal1is electrically-connected to the exposed core wire51.

The crimping terminal1includes a terminal fitting10and a water stop member20. The terminal fitting10is a main portion of the crimping terminal1. The terminal fitting10is formed of a conductive metal plate serving as a base material (e.g., copper plate, copper alloy plate). The terminal fitting10is formed into a predetermined shape that enables connection to the counterpart terminal and the wire50, through punching processing, bending processing, and the like that are performed on the base material. The terminal fitting10includes a terminal connection portion11and a wire connection portion12. The terminal connection portion11is a portion to be electrically-connected to the counterpart terminal. The wire connection portion12is a portion to be crimped onto the wire50, and is electrically-connected to the core wire51. A joint portion13is provided between the terminal connection portion11and the wire connection portion12. In other words, the terminal connection portion11and the wire connection portion12are joined via the joint portion13. The joint portion13includes side walls13aand13athat link side walls11aand11aof the terminal connection portion11and barrel piece portions15and16being side walls of the wire connection portion12. One side wall13alinks one side wall11aand a first barrel piece portion15, and the other side wall13alinks the other side wall11aand a second barrel piece portion16. A height of the side walls13ais lower than heights of the barrel piece portions15and16, and the side walls11a. More specifically, the height of the side walls13abecomes lower from the terminal connection portion11toward the wire connection portion12.

The terminal fitting10may be a male terminal or a female terminal. When the terminal fitting10is a male terminal, the terminal connection portion11is molded into a male die, and when the terminal fitting10is a female terminal, the terminal connection portion11is molded into a female die.

In the description of the crimping terminal1, a direction in which the crimping terminal1is connected to the counterpart terminal, that is, a direction in which the crimping terminal1is inserted into the counterpart terminal will be referred to as a first direction L. The first direction L is a longitudinal direction of the crimping terminal1. A parallel arrangement direction of the crimping terminals1will be referred to as a second direction W. As described later, the parallel arrangement direction is a direction in which the crimping terminals1are arranged in parallel in a terminal chain member30, and is a width direction of the crimping terminal1. In the crimping terminal1, a direction perpendicular to both of the first direction L and the second direction W will be referred to as a third direction H. The third direction H is a height direction of the crimping terminal1.

A shaping process includes a terminal connection portion shaping process and a wire connection portion shaping process. In the terminal connection portion shaping process, the terminal connection portion11is formed into a tubular shape as illustrated inFIG. 5. In the terminal connection portion shaping process, the bending processing and the like are performed on the terminal connection portion11. The terminal connection portion11of the present embodiment is formed into a tubular shape having an oblong cross-sectional shape. In a wire connection portion shaping process, the wire connection portion12is molded so as to have a U-shaped cross-sectional shape. In the wire connection portion shaping process, the bending processing and the like are performed on the wire connection portion12. In addition, the water stop member20is attached to the wire connection portion12in an attaching process. The attaching process is executed before the wire connection portion shaping process.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 6, the wire connection portion12includes a bottom portion14, the first barrel piece portion15, and the second barrel piece portion16. The bottom portion14is a region serving as a bottom wall of the wire connection portion12formed into the U-shape. In crimping processing, the end portion of the wire50is placed on the bottom portion14. The first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16are regions serving as side walls of the wire connection portion12formed into the U-shape. The first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16are connected to end portions in the second direction W of the bottom portion14. The first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16protrude from the end portions in the width direction of the bottom portion14, toward directions intersecting with the width direction. In the wire connection portion12formed into the U-shape, when the end portion of the wire50is placed on the bottom portion14, the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16surround the wire50from both sides in the second direction W.

Lengths from roots on the bottom portion14side to end surfaces of distal ends15aand16aof the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16may be equal to each other, or one length may be longer than the other length. In the crimping terminal1of the present embodiment, the length from the root to the distal end16aof the second barrel piece portion16is longer than the length from the root to the distal end15aof the first barrel piece portion15. For example, the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16are winded around the wire50while overlapping each other. In the present embodiment, the second barrel piece portion16overlaps on the outside of the first barrel piece portion15. In addition, swaging referred to as so-called B crimping may be performed on the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16. In the B crimping, both of the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16are bent toward the bottom portion14side, and swaged so that the distal ends15aand16aare pressed against the wire50. Because the crimping terminal1of the present embodiment is provided with the water stop member20to be described later, the former swaging processing is employed.

The end portion of the wire50is inserted into a U-shaped inner space from a U-shaped opening portion of the wire connection portion12, that is, from a clearance gap between the distal ends15aand16a. The wire connection portion12is formed so that the end portion of the wire50can be easily inserted. More specifically, in the wire connection portion12, a distance in the second direction W between the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16widens from the bottom portion14side toward the end surfaces of the distal ends15aand16a.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 to 6, in the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16, a joint crimping portion12C interposes between a core wire crimping portion12A and a covering crimping portion12B. Each of the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16is one piece portion in which the crimping portions12A,12C, and12B are consecutively arranged in the first direction L in this order.

The core wire crimping portion12A is a region to be crimped onto the core wire51at the distal end of the wire50. The core wire crimping portion12A is a region closest to the joint portion13in each of the barrel piece portions15and16. The covering crimping portion12B is a region to be crimped onto an end portion of the covering52. The covering crimping portion12B is a region positioned on the farthest side from the joint portion13side in each of the barrel piece portions15and16. The joint crimping portion12C is a region linking the core wire crimping portion12A and the covering crimping portion12B. The joint crimping portion12C is crimped onto a boundary portion between the core wire51and the covering52of the wire50. By being crimped onto the wire50, the wire connection portion12integrally covers the core wire51and the covering52.

As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, a serration region17is provided on an inner wall surface of the wire connection portion12, that is, on a wall surface on the side covering the wire50. The serration region17is a core wire holding region for holding the core wire51. The serration region17is a region on the inner wall surface of the wire connection portion12that includes a portion to be winded around the core wire51. A plurality of recessed portions, a plurality of projection portions, or combinations of recessed portions and projection portions are arranged on the serration region17. The recessed portions and the projection portions increase a contact area between the wire connection portion12and the core wire51to enhance the strength of adhesion therebetween. The serration region17of the present embodiment is an oblong region, and a plurality of recessed portions17aare formed at positions different from each other in the first direction L.

Here, ingress of water between the core wire51and the wire connection portion12crimped onto the core wire51is not preferable. For example, when the metal material of the core wire51and the metal material of the wire connection portion12have different-sized ionization tendencies, corrosion may occur. As an example, when the material of the wire connection portion12is copper, and the material of the core wire51is aluminum, the core wire51may corrode. The crimping terminal1of the present embodiment is provided with the water stop member20. The water stop member20suppresses ingress of water between the wire connection portion12and the core wire51.

For example, the water stop member20is a member formed into a sheet mainly containing adhesive such as acrylic adhesive. As the water stop member20of the present embodiment, an adhesive sheet being formed of sheet-like nonwoven cloth saturated with adhesive, and having an adhesive effect on the both sides is used.

For example, the water stop member20is attached onto the inner wall surface of the flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion12illustrated inFIG. 5. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the water stop member20is formed into a predetermined shape, and includes a first water stop portion21, a second water stop portion22, and a third water stop portion23. After the completion of crimping, the first water stop portion21stops water ingress into an overlapping portion of the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16. More specifically, the first water stop portion21forms a water stop region between the barrel piece portions15and16by being sandwiched between the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16overlapping each other. The first water stop portion21of the present embodiment is disposed in the second barrel piece portion16, and extends in the first direction L.

The second water stop portion22stops water ingress into a portion on the terminal connection portion11side from the distal end of the core wire51. The second water stop portion22is disposed at an end portion on the terminal connection portion11side of the wire connection portion12, and extends in the second direction W. At least part of the second water stop portion22is desirably provided in a region in which the core wire51is placed. For example, the second water stop portion22forms a water stop region in a clearance gap between the barrel piece portions15and16by being sandwiched between the overlapping barrel piece portions15and16. The second water stop portion22can also block a clearance gap provided on the terminal connection portion11side from the distal end of the core wire51, by overlapping each other in a crimping process The second water stop portion22suppresses ingress of water between the wire connection portion12and the core wire51from the terminal connection portion11side.

The third water stop portion23suppresses ingress of water from a clearance gap between the wire connection portion12and the covering52. The third water stop portion23is disposed at an end portion on an opposite side of the terminal connection portion11side of the wire connection portion12, and extends in the second direction W. The third water stop portion23forms a water stop region between the covering52and the wire connection portion12by being sandwiched between the covering52and the wire connection portion12.

Through a press process performed on one metal plate serving as a base material, the above-described terminal fitting10is processed into a configuration having the flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion12illustrated inFIG. 5. In the subsequent attaching process, the water stop member20is attached to the flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion12. After that, in the terminal fitting10, in a bending process, the terminal connection portion11is formed, and the U-shaped wire connection portion12is formed.

In the present embodiment, the terminal chain member30illustrated inFIG. 7is formed through the punching process, the bending process, the attaching process, and the like. The terminal chain member30is obtained by chaining a plurality of the crimping terminals1, and is formed of one metal plate. The terminal chain member30is supplied to a terminal crimping apparatus100. The terminal crimping apparatus100executes the crimping process and a terminal cutting process on the terminal chain member30. The crimping process is a process of swaging and crimping the crimping terminal1of the terminal chain member30onto the wire50. The terminal cutting process is a process of cutting off the crimping terminal1swaged to the wire50, from the terminal chain member30.

The terminal chain member30is an aggregate of the crimping terminals1. The terminal chain member30includes a joint piece31, the plurality of crimping terminals1, and a plurality of link portions32. The joint piece31, the crimping terminals1, and the link portions32are integrally formed of the same base material. In the terminal chain member30, the crimping terminals1are oriented in the same direction, and arranged in parallel at equal intervals. In the terminal chain member30, one end portions of the respective crimping terminals1are linked to each other by the joint piece31. For example, the shape of the joint piece31is a thin and long oblong plate shape. The joint piece31extends in the second direction W. The wire connection portions12are connected to the joint piece31via the link portions32. More specifically, the link portions32link the end portions on the opposite side of the terminal connection portion11side of the bottom portions14to the joint piece31.

A plurality of terminal feed holes31aare formed in the joint piece31. The terminal feed holes31aare arranged at equal intervals in a feed direction of the terminal chain member30. The terminal feed holes31aare through-holes penetrating through the joint piece31in a plate thickness direction. The crimping terminals1are positioned by the terminal feed holes31aon a crimping device102to be described later. The terminal chain member30is set into the terminal crimping apparatus100in a state of being winded up in a reel shape.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, the terminal crimping apparatus100includes a terminal supply device101, the crimping device102, and a driving device103. The terminal crimping apparatus100is an apparatus referred to as an applicator in this technical field. The terminal supply device101is a device that supplies the crimping terminal1to a predetermined crimping position. The crimping device102is a device that crimps the crimping terminal1onto the wire50at the predetermined crimping position. The driving device103is a device that operates the terminal supply device101and the crimping device102.

The terminal supply device101pulls out the terminal chain member30winded up in a reel shape, sequentially from the outer peripheral side. The terminal supply device101supplies the crimping terminals1of the pulled-out terminal chain member30to crimping positions, sequentially from the forefront side. When the forefront crimping terminal1is crimped onto the wire50, and cut off from the joint piece31, the terminal supply device101supplies the crimping terminal1that newly comes at the forefront, to the crimping position. Each time the crimping process and the terminal cutting process of one crimping terminal1are completed, the terminal supply device101performs a supply operation to supply the next crimping terminal1to the crimping position.

The terminal supply device101includes a terminal feed member101aand a power transmission mechanism101b. The terminal feed member101aincludes a protruding portion to be inserted into the terminal feed hole31aof the joint piece31. The terminal feed member101amoves the terminal chain member30in the feed direction in a state in which the protruding portion is inserted into the terminal feed hole31a. The power transmission mechanism101boperates the terminal feed member101ain conjunction with a crimping operation performed by the crimping device102(up-and-down movement of a ram114A or the like that is to be described later). The terminal supply device101supplies the crimping terminal1to the crimping position by moving the terminal feed member101ain the up-down direction and the feed direction in conjunction with the crimping operation of the crimping device102.

The crimping device102executes the crimping process of crimping the supplied crimping terminal1onto the wire50, and a terminal cutting process of cutting off the crimping terminal1from the joint piece31. The crimping device102includes a crimping machine110and a terminal cutting mechanism120.

The crimping machine110is a device that crimps the crimping terminal1onto the wire50by swaging the crimping terminal1to the end portion of the wire50. The crimping machine110of the present embodiment crimps the crimping terminal1onto the wire50by swaging the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16of the crimping terminal1so as be winded around the core wire51and the covering52of the wire50. The crimping machine110includes a frame111, a first mold112, a second mold113, and a power transmission mechanism114.

The frame111includes a base111A, an anvil supporting member111B, a transmission portion supporting member111C, and a support base111D. The base111A is a member serving as a basis of the terminal crimping apparatus100. The base111A is fixed to a placement base on which the terminal crimping apparatus100is to be placed. The anvil supporting member111B, the transmission portion supporting member111C, and the support base111D are fixed onto the base111A.

The transmission portion supporting member111C is disposed on the rear side (right side on a paper surface inFIG. 8) and on the upper side (upper side on the paper surface inFIG. 8) of the anvil supporting member111B. More specifically, the transmission portion supporting member111C includes a standing portion111C1and a ram supporting portion111C2. The standing portion111C1is disposed on the rear side of the anvil supporting member111B, and is vertically standing upward from the base111A. The ram supporting portion111C2is held on the upper side of the standing portion111C1. The ram supporting portion111C2is a supporting portion that supports the ram114A to be described later. The ram supporting portion111C2is disposed on the upper side of the anvil supporting member111B, at a predetermined interval from the anvil supporting member111B. The support base111D is a base that supports the terminal connection portion11of the crimping terminal1. A height position of the top surface of the support base111D is a position substantially similar to a height position of the top surface of the first mold112.

The first mold112and the second mold113form a pair. The first mold112and the second mold113are disposed at an interval in the up-down direction. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the first mold112and the second mold113crimp the crimping terminal1onto the wire50by sandwiching the crimping terminal1and the wire50therebetween. The first mold112is a mold that supports the crimping terminal1from the lower side. The first mold112is formed of two lower molds, and includes a first anvil112A serving as a first lower mold, and a second anvil112B serving as a second lower mold. For example, the first anvil112A and the second anvil112B are integrally formed. The second mold113is disposed on the upper side of the first mold112. The second mold113is formed of two upper molds, and includes a first crimper113A serving as a first upper mold, and a second crimper113B serving as a second upper mold.

The first anvil112A and the first crimper113A face each other in the up-down direction. The first anvil112A and the first crimper113A crimp the core wire crimping portion12A. More specifically, the first anvil112A and the first crimper113A wind the U-shaped core wire crimping portion12A around the core wire51of the wire50to crimp the core wire crimping portion12A onto the core wire51, by narrowing a distance therebetween.

The second anvil112B and the second crimper113B face each other in the up-down direction. The second anvil112B and the second crimper113B crimp the covering crimping portion12B. More specifically, the second anvil112B and the second crimper113B wind the U-shaped covering crimping portion12B around the covering52to crimp the covering crimping portion12B onto the covering52, by narrowing a distance therebetween.

In the crimping process, by transmitting power to the power transmission mechanism114, the driving device103narrows a distance between the first mold112and the second mold113to crimp the wire connection portion12onto the wire50. On the other hand, when the crimping process is completed, the driving device103widens the distance between the first mold112and the second mold113. In the crimping device102of the present embodiment, a distance between the pair of molds112and113changes by the second mold113moving up and down with respect to the first mold112.

In addition, in the first mold112, the first anvil112A and the second anvil112B may be separately formed, and in the second mold113, the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B may be separately formed. In this case, the driving device103and the power transmission mechanism114may be configured to separately move the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B up and down.

The power transmission mechanism114transmits power output from the driving device103, to the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the power transmission mechanism114includes the ram114A, a ram bolt114B, and a shank114C.

The ram114A is a movable member supported so as to be movable up and down with respect to the ram supporting portion111C2. The second mold113is fixed to the ram114A. Thus, the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B move up and down integrally with the ram114A, with respect to the ram supporting portion111C2. For example, the shape of the ram114A is a parallelepiped. A female screw portion (not illustrated) is formed in the ram114A. The female screw portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of a hole in the up-down direction that is formed from an inner side of the ram114A toward an upper end surface.

The ram bolt114B includes a male screw portion (not illustrated), and the male screw portion is screwed with the female screw portion of the ram114A. Thus, the ram bolt114B moves up and down integrally with the ram114A, with respect to the ram supporting portion111C2. In addition, the ram bolt114B includes a bolt head portion114B1disposed on the upper side of the male screw portion. A female screw portion (not illustrated) is formed in the bolt head portion114B1. The female screw portion of the bolt head portion114B1is formed on the inner circumferential surface of a hole in the up-down direction that is formed from an inner side of the bolt head portion114B1toward an upper end surface.

The shank114C is a cylindrically-shaped hollow member, and includes a male screw portion114C1and a connection portion (not illustrated) at each end portion. The male screw portion114C1of the shank114C is formed on the lower side of the hollow member, and is screwed with the female screw portion of the bolt head portion114B1of the ram bolt114B. Thus, the shank114C moves up and down integrally with the ram114A and the ram bolt114B, with respect to the ram supporting portion111C2. The connection portion of the shank114C is connected to the driving device103.

The driving device103includes a driving source (not illustrated), and a power conversion mechanism (not illustrated) that converts drive power of the driving source into power in the up-down direction. The connection portion of the shank114C is joined to an output shaft of the power conversion mechanism. Thus, the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B move up and down integrally with the ram114A, the ram bolt114B, and the shank114C, with respect to the ram supporting portion111C2, according to an output of the driving device103(output of the power conversion mechanism). As the driving source of the driving device103, an electrical actuator of an electrical motor or the like, a hydraulic actuator of a hydraulic cylinder or the like, an air pressure actuator of an air cylinder or the like, and the like can be applied.

A relative position in the up-down direction of the first crimper113A with respect to the first anvil112A, and a relative position in the up-down direction of the second crimper113B with respect to the second anvil112B can be changed by adjusting a screw amount of the female screw portion of the bolt head portion114B1and the male screw portion114C1of the shank114C. A nut114D is screwed with the male screw portion114C1of the shank114C on the upper side of the ram bolt114B. Thus, the nut114D functions as a so-called locknut together with the female screw portion of the bolt head portion114B1. By being tightened toward the ram bolt114B side after the completion of the adjustment of the above-described relative positions, the nut114D can fix the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B at the relative positions.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, recessed surfaces112A1and112B1recessed downward are formed at the respective upper distal ends of the first anvil112A and the second anvil112B. The respective recessed surfaces112A1and112B1are formed so as to have arc-shaped cross sections, in accordance with the respective shapes of the bottom portion14of the U-shaped core wire crimping portion12A and the U-shaped covering crimping portion12B. In the crimping machine110, the recessed surfaces112A1and112B1each serve as a crimping position. In the crimping terminal1supplied with the bottom portion14facing downward, the bottom portion14of the core wire crimping portion12A is placed on the recessed surface112A1of the first anvil112A, and the bottom portion14of the covering crimping portion12B is placed on the recessed surface112B1of the second anvil112B. The first mold112is supported by the anvil supporting member111B in a state in which the recessed surfaces112A1and112B1are exposed upward.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, recessed portions113A1and113B1recessed upward are respectively formed in the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B. The recessed portions113A1and113B1are disposed to face the respective recessed surfaces112A1and112B1of the first anvil112A and the second anvil112B in the up-down direction. Each of the recessed portions113A1and113B1includes first and second wall surfaces115and116, and a third wall surface117. The first wall surface115and the second wall surface116face each other in the second direction W. The third wall surface117links the upper ends of the first and second wall surfaces115and116. While bringing the first to third wall surface115,116, and117into contact with the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16, each of the recessed portions113A1and113B1winds the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16around the end portion of the wire50to swage thereonto. Each of the recessed portions113A1and113B1is formed so as to be able to perform such a swaging operation.

The crimping terminal1having been subjected to the crimping processing in the crimping machine110is cut off from the joint piece31by the terminal cutting mechanism120. The terminal cutting mechanism120cuts the link portion32of the crimping terminal1supplied to the crimping position by sandwiching the link portion32between two terminal cutting portions, and performs the cut off in conjunction with the progress of the crimping process. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the terminal cutting mechanism120is disposed on the front side (the left side in on the paper surface inFIG. 8) of the second anvil112B. The terminal cutting mechanism120includes a terminal cutting member121, a pressing member122, and an elastic member123.

The terminal cutting member121is formed into a parallelepiped, and is disposed so as to be slidable in the up-down direction along the front surface of the second anvil112B. As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, a slit121bis formed in the terminal cutting member121from a sliding contact surface121awith the second anvil112B toward the inside. The slit121bis a pathway of the joint piece31of the terminal chain member30. When the crimping target crimping terminal1is supplied to the crimping position, part of the link portion32linking to the crimping terminal1protrudes from the slit121b. The crimping terminal1supplied to the crimping position is supported by the first mold112from the lower side.

The terminal cutting member121cuts the link portion32while relatively moving up and down with respect to the first mold112and the crimping terminal1. Here, a position at which the joint piece31and the like can be inserted into the slit121bis assumed to be a default position in the up-down direction of the terminal cutting member121. As illustrated inFIG. 13, an end portion on the wire connection portion12side of the link portion32protrudes from the slit121bvia an opening on the sliding contact surface121aside (i.e., the crimping terminal1side) of the slit121b. In the terminal cutting member121, an edge portion (hereinafter, referred to as an “opening edge”.)121con the upper side in the opening is used as one terminal cutting portion. The other terminal cutting portion is a top surface edge112aof the second anvil112B.

The pressing member122is fixed to the ram114A, and moves up and down integrally with the ram114A. The pressing member122is disposed on the upper side of the terminal cutting member121, and presses down the terminal cutting member121by lowering. The pressing member122is formed into a parallelepiped. The elastic member123is a member that adds upper biasing force to the terminal cutting member121, and is formed of a spring member or the like. The elastic member123returns the terminal cutting member121to the default position in the up-down direction when pressing force applied from the pressing member122is released.

In the terminal cutting mechanism120, the pressing member122lowers together with the lowering of the second mold113in the crimping processing, to press down the terminal cutting member121. By the terminal cutting member121lowering, the link portion32is sandwiched between the opening edge121cof the slit121band the top surface edge112a(FIG. 13) of the second anvil112B. In the terminal cutting mechanism120, the opening edge121cand the top surface edge112afunction as scissors, and add shearing force to the link portion32. By the terminal cutting member121being further pressed down, the opening edge121cand the top surface edge112acut the link portion32, and cut off the crimping terminal1from the joint piece31. In addition, for enhancing cutting performance, the opening edge121cis inclined on the sliding contact surface121awith respect to the top surface edge112a.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, the crimping target wire50is disposed at a predetermined position located between the terminal cutting member121and the pressing member122. More specifically, the wire50is placed on a top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121. Thus, a space for letting the wire50escape is provided in at least one of an upper portion of the terminal cutting member121and a lower portion of the pressing member122so that the wire50is not squished therebetween.

Here, the predetermined position is a position at which the end portion of the wire50not having been subjected to the crimping processing exists on the upper side of the bottom portion14of the flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion12. In addition, the predetermined position is a position at which the core wire51can be placed on the bottom portion14of the core wire crimping portion12A so that the distal end of the core wire51that has been pressed down at the start of the crimping processing does not protrude from the core wire crimping portion12A. The core wire51extends in an axis line direction in accordance with the crimping processing, and a distal end position of the core wire51sometimes moves in the axis line direction. The predetermined position is desirably determined in consideration of the extension.

On the other hand, the end portion (the core wire51at the distal end and the covering52) of the wire50is pressed down by the second mold113toward the inner wall surface side of the wire connection portion12. Thus, if no holding is provided, the wire50is uplifted from the top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121, and the core wire51at the distal end and the covering52may be crimped in a state of not being placed on the bottom portion14of the wire connection portion12. Thus, the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment is provided with a wire holding mechanism that holds the wire50at the predetermined position between itself and the upper portion of the terminal cutting member121, and suppresses a position shift of the end portion of the wire50with respect to the wire connection portion12that occurs in the crimping processing.

The wire holding mechanism includes a wire retaining member118(FIG. 13) that retains the wire50placed on the top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121that serves as a wire placement portion, by pressing the wire50against the top surface121d. The wire retaining member118is disposed on the upper side of the terminal cutting member121, and between the second mold113and the pressing member122. A space (hereinafter, referred to as a “wire holding space”.)118A for holding the covering52of the wire50is formed between the top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121and the bottom surface of the wire retaining member118. The wire holding space118A suppresses the uplift of the wire50from the top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121that occurs in the crimping process, and suppresses a position shift of the core wire51at the distal end and the covering52with respect to the wire connection portion12. The wire retaining member118is a member that can move up and down with respect to the top surface121dof the terminal cutting member121, and forms the wire holding space118A between itself and the upper portion of the terminal cutting member121by lowering. For example, the wire retaining member118is fixed to the ram114A, and moves up and down integrally with the ram114A. The wire50is held in the wire holding space118A formed in accordance with the lowering of the wire retaining member118.

For example, the crimping terminal1according to the present embodiment is crimped onto the wire50by the following terminal crimping apparatus100. In the crimping terminal1, water stop of the wire connection portion12is performed by the water stop member20. If the water stop member20fails to be surely attached to the wire connection portion12, the water stop member20may be detached from the wire connection portion12in the crimping process, and water stop performance may thereby decrease.

As described below, in a method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, the water stop member20is attached to the wire connection portion12not having been subjected to the bending processing. This can enhance positional accuracy in attaching the water stop member20to the wire connection portion12, and attach the water stop member20to the wire connection portion12with equal pressure.

Punching Process

The method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 14 to 18. First, as illustrated inFIG. 14, the flat-plate-shaped crimping terminal1is formed in the punching process. More specifically, in the punching process of the present embodiment, the terminal chain member30including a plurality of crimping terminals1is punched out from a flat-plate-shaped metal base material40. In the punching process, a residual portion is removed from the base material40so as to integrally leave the crimping terminal1, the joint piece31, and the link portion32, and the terminal chain member30is formed. At a time point at which the punching process is completed, the crimping terminal1has a flat plate shape. Thus, the terminal connection portion11, the wire connection portion12, and the joint portion13form an integrated flat-plate-shaped component. In addition, the recessed portions17amay be formed in the punching process, or may be formed after the punching process.

Terminal Connection Portion Shaping Process

The terminal connection portion shaping process is executed after the punching process. In the terminal connection portion shaping process, the bending processing of the terminal connection portion11is performed. In the terminal connection portion shaping process, the terminal connection portion11is molded into a tubular shape as illustrated inFIG. 5.

Attaching Process

The attaching process is executed after the punching process, and for example, executed after the terminal connection portion shaping process. In the attaching process, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the water stop member20is attached to the wire connection portion12. The water stop member20is formed into the predetermined shape prior to the attaching process. For example, the water stop member20is cut out into the predetermined shape by a Thomson blade. The predetermined shape of the present embodiment is a U-shape. The water stop member20having the predetermined shape includes the band-like first water stop portion21, the band-like second water stop portion22connecting to one end of the first water stop portion21, and the band-like third water stop portion23connecting to the other end of the first water stop portion21. The second water stop portion22and the third water stop portion23each extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first water stop portion21.

The both surfaces of the water stop member20formed into the predetermined shape are each covered with release coated paper. After the release coated paper on the surface to be attached to the wire connection portion12is peeled off, the water stop member20is attached to the wire connection portion12. The attaching process may be manually performed by an operator, or automatically performed by a machine.

The first water stop portion21is attached to a rim portion of the wire connection portion12that extends in the longitudinal direction. In the present embodiment, the rim portion extending in the longitudinal direction is a rim portion corresponding to the distal end16aof the second barrel piece portion16. The first water stop portion21is attached to the distal end16aso as to extend in the first direction L.

The second water stop portion22and the third water stop portion23are attached to rim portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wire connection portion12. The second water stop portion22is attached to the rim portion at an end portion on the terminal connection portion11side of the wire connection portion12. The third water stop portion23is attached to the rim portion at an end portion on an opposite side of the terminal connection portion11of the wire connection portion12. The second water stop portion22and the third water stop portion23are attached so as to extend from the first water stop portion21in the second direction W.

Bending Process

The bending process is executed after the attaching process. In the bending process, the wire connection portion12to which the water stop member20is attached is bent. The bending process is included in the wire connection portion shaping process. The wire connection portion shaping process may include a serration formation process of forming the serration region17, in addition to the bending process. In this case, the serration formation process is preferably executed before the attaching process and the bending process.

In the bending process of the present embodiment, the bending processing is performed on the wire connection portion12so that a cross-sectional shape becomes a U-shape as illustrated inFIG. 1, and the like. In the bending process, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the bending processing is performed using a die41and a punch42. The die41is a member supporting the crimping terminal1. In the die41, a surface supporting the crimping terminal1is a recessed surface41a. The recessed surface41ais a surface having a U-shaped cross section, and is a surface having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the wire connection portion12having been subjected to the bending processing.

The punch42sandwiches the crimping terminal1between itself and the die41, and bends the crimping terminal1to deform. The punch42includes a pressing surface42athat presses the crimping terminal1. The pressing surface42ais a protruding surface having a U-shaped cross section, and is a surface having a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the wire connection portion12having been subjected to the bending processing.

The flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion12to which the water stop member20is attached is placed on the die41. The punch42moves toward the die41on which the wire connection portion12is placed, and performs the bending processing of the wire connection portion12by sandwiching the wire connection portion12between itself and the die41. The punch42may be formed so that a difference between pressing force to be applied to a region in the wire connection portion12in which the water stop member20is attached, and pressing force to be applied to a region in which the water stop member20is attached does not become too large.

In addition, flowing of the water stop member20in the bending process is difficult to occur due to the follow-up property of the adhesive. Here, the flowing refers to a phenomenon in which a position of the water stop member20shifts from a position at which the water stop member20has been attached in the attaching process. The water stop member20of the present embodiment has a follow-up property to such a degree that the deformation of the wire connection portion12in the bending process can be followed. In other words, the adhesive of the water stop member20has a physicality that can deform in accordance with the bending deformation of the wire connection portion12. The deformation of the adhesive is elastic deformation, plastic deformation, viscous deformation, or a deformation of a combination of these. Thus, each region of the water stop member20can perform deformation such as bending and extension in accordance with the deformation of the wire connection portion12. In addition, when the water stop member20is pressed in the bending process, the water stop member20elastically deforms in a thickness direction to be compressed. If the pressing force is released, the thickness returns to the original thickness. Thus, the bending process can be executed without deteriorating the function of the water stop member20.

In this manner, the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment includes the punching process, the attaching process, and the bending process. The punching process is a process of punching out the crimping terminal1from the flat-plate-shaped metal base material40. In the attaching process, the water stop member20being a sheet-like adhesive is attached to the wire connection portion12. In the bending process, the wire connection portion12to which the water stop member20is attached is bent. According to the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, the water stop member20can be stably attached to the wire connection portion12. For example, a variation in an attaching position of the water stop member20with respect to the wire connection portion12is suppressed. In addition, a variation in pressing force of the water stop member20with respect to the wire connection portion12is suppressed. Thus, the crimping terminal1manufactured by the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment can offer stable water stop performance.

In addition, in the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, in the attaching process, the water stop member20is attached to the rim portion in the wire connection portion12that extends in the first direction L, and the rim portions at the both ends in the first direction L. The shape of the water stop member20to be attached is a U-shape. When the water stop member20having such a complicated shape is to be attached, if the attachment target wire connection portion12is curved into a U-shape, it is difficult to appropriately attach. In the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, the attachment target wire connection portion12has a flat plate shape. Thus, the water stop member20can be attached easily and appropriately.

In addition, in the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, as will be described below, in the bending process, the bending processing of the wire connection portion12and the bending processing of the joint portion13are performed concurrently. This suppresses the swelling of the joint portion13.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, the die41and the punch42of the present embodiment are configured to be able to concurrently perform bending processing of at least part of the joint portion13and the wire connection portion12. A total length of the die41and the punch42is longer than a total length of the wire connection portion12. Thus, in addition to the wire connection portion12, at least part of the joint portion13can be placed on the die41. In addition, the punch42can concurrently sandwich the wire connection portion12and the joint portion13between itself and the die41, and concurrently perform the bending processing of the wire connection portion12and the joint portion13. For example, the die41and the punch42of the present embodiment bend a portion13bprovided on the wire connection portion12side from an intermediate portion in the first direction L of the joint portion13, together with the wire connection portion12, into a U-shape.

According to the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, in the bending process, the wire connection portion12and the joint portion13are concurrently bent by one process. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the swelling is difficult to occur in the joint portion13having been subjected to the bending processing.FIG. 16is a plan view illustrating the crimping terminal according to the embodiment that is obtainable after the bending processing, andFIG. 17is a plan view illustrating a crimping terminal according to a comparative example that is obtainable after the bending processing. In a crimping terminal200of the comparative example, in the bending process of bending the wire connection portion12, the bending processing is not performed on the joint portion13. In the crimping terminal200according to the comparative example, the side walls13aof the joint portion13swell outward in the width direction. If the side walls13aswell outward in this manner, in the crimping process, the joint portion13may interfere with the crimping device102, and the joint portion13may be damaged. In addition, a wind amount of the barrel piece portions15and16in the crimping process is reduced, and sealability and electrical performance may be affected.

In contrast to this, in the crimping terminal1manufactured by the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the side walls13aof the joint portion13are difficult to swell outward. Because the bending processing of the wire connection portion12and the joint portion13is integrally performed, a curve portion and a bent portion are difficult to be generated between the wire connection portion12and the terminal connection portion11on the side walls13a. In addition, because the outer wall surfaces of the side walls13aare supported by the die41, the side walls13aare difficult to swell outward. Thus, according to the crimping terminal1manufactured by the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal of the present embodiment, a wind amount of the barrel piece portions15and16increases in the crimping, and sealability and electrical performance in the wire connection portion12enhance. In addition, because swelling is difficult to occur on the side walls13a, interference with the crimping device102in the crimping process is suppressed before happens.

A method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal of the present embodiment will be described. The method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal is a method of manufacturing crimping the wire connection portion12of the crimping terminal1onto the wire50, and manufacturing the wire50to which the crimping terminal1is crimped. The method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal includes the wire installation process, the crimping process, and the terminal cutting process.

Wire Installation Process

The wire installation process is a process of installing the wire50in the wire connection portion12to be crimped by the crimping device102. In other words, the wire installation process is a process of installing the wire50in the wire connection portion12of the crimping terminal1supplied to the crimping position. For example, the wire installation process is performed by the terminal crimping apparatus100. The terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment includes a wire supply device that supplies the wire50to the crimping terminal1at the crimping position. The wire supply device sets the wire50at a predetermined position in the wire connection portion12.

In the wire installation process of the present embodiment, the wire supply device installs the wire50so that the core wire51is in contact with the water stop member20. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the wire50is installed so that the distal end of the core wire51comes into contact with the second water stop portion22. The core wire51comes into contact with the second water stop portion22at a position on the bottom portion of the wire connection portion12formed into the U-shape. The distal end of the core wire51is placed on the second water stop portion22so as not to protrude toward the joint portion13side more than the second water stop portion22. For example, the distal end of the core wire51is placed at a center portion in the first direction L of the second water stop portion22. The second water stop portion22adheres to the core wire51to suppress the uplift and a movement of the core wire51.

Crimping Process

The crimping process is executed after the wire installation process. Because the core wire51is brought into a state of being in contact with the water stop member20in the wire installation process, the movement of the wire50and the generation of the fray of the core wire51in the crimping process are suppressed. For example, a relative movement of the core wire51with respect to the wire connection portion12is suppressed by adhesive force of the water stop member20. When the wire connection portion12is crimped onto the wire50, the core wire51tries to extend in the first direction L according to pressing force for crimping. At this time, the water stop member20suppresses a movement in the first direction L of the core wire51. In other words, a relative movement of the distal end of the core wire51with respect to the wire connection portion12is suppressed. By the movement of the distal end of the core wire51being suppressed, as will be described below, exposure of the core wire51from the crimped wire connection portion12is suppressed. In addition, the terminal cutting process is performed after the crimping process or concurrently with the crimping process.

FIG. 19illustrates a cross section obtainable after the crimping according to the present embodiment is completed. Because the water stop member20adheres to the core wire51, friction between the water stop member20and the core wire51is static friction at the start of the crimping process. Thus, if force in an extending direction is generated in the core wire51in the crimping process, a movement amount U1of the core wire51traveling toward the joint portion13side is reduced. As a result, exposure of the core wire51and the water stop member20to the outside from the wire connection portion12is suppressed. As illustrated inFIG. 19, the water stop member20covers the distal end of the core wire51, and seals between the core wire crimping portion12A and the core wire51. This appropriately suppresses ingress of water between the core wire51and the core wire crimping portion12A. In addition, the water stop member20may slightly protrude from the core wire crimping portion12A while covering the distal end of the core wire51.

FIG. 20illustrates a cross section obtainable after crimping according to a comparative example is completed. In a method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal of the comparative example, in the wire installation process, the core wire51is not brought into contact with the water stop member20. In other words, the crimping process is started in a state in which the core wire51is not in contact with the water stop member20. In this case, even if the core wire51comes into contact with the water stop member20in the crimping process, contact between the water stop member20and the core wire51is dynamic friction. In addition, when the core wire51comes into contact with the water stop member20, in some cases, the core wire51has already started to extend. As a result, a movement amount U2of the core wire51traveling toward the joint portion13side easily becomes large, and the core wire51sometimes protrudes from wire connection portion12toward the joint portion13side. In addition, the water stop member20cannot cover the distal end of the core wire51, and as illustrated inFIG. 20, the distal end of the core wire51is sometimes exposed.

FIG. 21illustrates a cross section of a crimping terminal obtainable after crimping according to another comparative example is completed. In the crimping terminal200of the comparative example illustrated inFIG. 21, although the water stop member20covers the distal end of the core wire51, the water stop member20largely protrudes from the wire connection portion12. If a protrusion amount of the water stop member20is too much, decreases in sealability and electrical performance are sometimes caused. In addition, the protruding water stop member20may affect the adjacent terminal connection portion11. In view of this, in the crimping terminal1according to the present embodiment, the water stop member20adhering to the core wire51suppresses the extension of the core wire51. Thus, even if the water stop member20protrudes from the wire connection portion12due to the crimping, the protrusion amount is reduced. Thus, a decrease in performance such as water stop performance in the crimping terminal1is suppressed.

The execution of the wire installation process of the present embodiment reduces the movement amount U1of the core wire51, and reduces a variation in the movement amount U1. In other words, a variation in a relative position of the wire50with respect to the crimped wire connection portion12is reduced. Thus, according to the method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal of the present embodiment, sealability and electrical performance of the crimping terminal1can be enhanced.

In addition, the material of the core wire51of the wire50is not limited to aluminum. For example, the core wire51may be copper or copper alloy, or another conductive metal. The material of the crimping terminal1is not limited to copper and copper alloy, and may be another conductive metal.

First Modified Example of Embodiment

A first modified example of the embodiment will be described.FIG. 22is a plan view of a crimping terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment,FIG. 23is a plan view illustrating a wire installation process according to the first modified example of the embodiment,FIG. 24is a side view illustrating the crimping terminal according to the first modified example of the embodiment that is obtainable after crimping, andFIG. 25is a side view illustrating a crimping terminal according to a comparative example that is obtainable after crimping. The first modified example differs from the above-described embodiment in that a core wire crimping portion312A and a covering crimping portion312B are individually crimped onto the core wire51and the covering52.

As illustrated inFIG. 22, a crimping terminal300according to the first modified example includes a wire connection portion312and a joint portion313. The wire connection portion312includes the core wire crimping portion312A and the covering crimping portion312B. The joint portion313joins a terminal connection portion (not illustrated) and the core wire crimping portion312A. The core wire crimping portion312A and the covering crimping portion312B are provided at a distance in the first direction L. In other words, the crimping terminal300of the first modified example differs from the one that integrally covers the core wire51and the covering52.

The core wire crimping portion312A and the covering crimping portion312B are formed into a U-shape similarly to the core wire crimping portion12A and the covering crimping portion12B of the above-described embodiment. An adhesive320is attached to the core wire crimping portion312A. For example, the adhesive320is similar to the adhesive used in the water stop member20of the above-described embodiment. The adhesive320is attached to a rim portion on the joint portion313side of the core wire crimping portion312A.

In a method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal of the first modified example, in the wire installation process, as illustrated inFIG. 23, the wire50is installed in the wire connection portion312. The wire50is installed so that the core wire51is positioned in an inner space of the core wire crimping portion312A, and the covering52is positioned in an inner space of the covering crimping portion312B. Furthermore, in the wire installation process, the wire50is installed with the core wire51being in contact with the adhesive320.

After the wire installation process is executed, the crimping process is executed. In the crimping process, the wire connection portion312is crimped onto the wire50. The core wire crimping portion312A is crimped onto the core wire51, and the covering crimping portion312B is crimped onto the covering52. In the crimping terminal300of the first modified example, a mold for crimping the core wire crimping portion312A and a mold for crimping the covering crimping portion312B may be different molds.

As illustrated inFIG. 24, the core wire51is brought into contact with the adhesive320in the wire installation process. The adhesive320adheres to the core wire51to suppress the uplift of the core wire51. This shortens a height Ht1from the bottom portion of the core wire crimping portion312A to the top portion of the core wire51. In addition, the uplift of the core wire51is difficult to occur. Thus, the generation of the fray of the core wire51and biting of the core wire51in the crimping process is suppressed.

Similarly to the crimping terminal300of the first modified example, a crimping terminal400according to a comparative example illustrated inFIG. 25includes a core wire crimping portion412A and a covering crimping portion412B. In a method of manufacturing a wire-provided crimping terminal of manufacturing the crimping terminal400of the comparative example, the adhesive320is not attached to the core wire crimping portion412A. Thus, the uplift of the core wire51is easily generated, and a height Ht2to the top portion of the core wire51easily becomes long. As a result, the fray of the core wire51, biting of the core wire51, and the like are easily generated in the crimping process. In addition, even if the adhesive320is attached to the core wire crimping portion412A, unless the core wire51is brought into contact with the adhesive320in the wire installation process, a similar failure easily occurs.

Second Modified Example of Embodiment

A second modified example of the embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the attaching process is executed after the terminal connection portion shaping process. Alternatively, the terminal connection portion shaping process may be executed between the attaching process and the bending process. In other words, the attaching process may be executed at a stage at which both of the terminal connection portion11and the wire connection portion12have a flat plate shape.

The adhesive to be attached to the wire connection portion12or312in the attaching process is not limited to the one offering water stop performance or the one intended for water stop. For example, the adhesive may be the one intended for assuring positioning accuracy of the wire50with respect to the wire connection portion12.

The shape and the position of the adhesive to be attached in the attaching process are not limited to those exemplified. In addition, a plurality of adhesives may be attached to the wire connection portion12or312in the attaching process.

The matters disclosed in the above-described embodiment and modified examples can be executed while being appropriately combined.

A method of manufacturing a crimping terminal according to the present embodiment includes a punching process of punching out a crimping terminal from a flat-plate-shaped metal base material, an attaching process of attaching a sheet-like adhesive to a wire connection portion being a portion in the terminal that is to be crimped onto a wire, and a bending process of bending the wire connection portion to which the adhesive is attached. According to the method of manufacturing a crimping terminal according to the present invention, by attaching the adhesive to the flat-plate-shaped wire connection portion, the adhesive can be appropriately attached. This brings about such an effect that a decrease in water stop performance in a crimping terminal can be suppressed.