Method of manufacturing wire with terminal and crimping terminal

A method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal includes a crimping process of crimping a crimping terminal on a wire by a terminal crimping apparatus that includes a first mold including a supporting surface supporting the crimping terminal, and a second mold disposed to face the supporting surface and including a recessed wall surface. The recessed wall surface includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface, and a third wall surface curved toward an opposite side of the supporting surface. The first wall surface and the second wall surface include inclined portions and parallel portions. The inclined portions are inclined with respect to the stroke direction so that an interval in the width direction becomes narrower toward the third wall surface. The parallel portions are parallel to the stroke direction. In the crimping process, the side wall surfaces of the first mold face the inclined portions in a state in which the first mold and the second mold come closest to each other in the stroke direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by reference the entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-201870 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 wire with a terminal and a crimping terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been conventionally a terminal crimping apparatus that crimps a crimping terminal onto a wire. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-45047 discloses a technique of a terminal swaging apparatus that crimps an electrical connector onto a wire using a crimping tooth-shaped mold and a lower mold to be fitted with a recessed portion of the crimping tooth-shaped mold. In the terminal swaging apparatus of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-45047, the crimping tooth-shaped mold has straight guide walls to guide the lower mold that are provided in the recessed portion, and crimping of the electrical connector is performed within a range of the straight guide walls. The terminal swaging apparatus of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H6-45047 is assumed to be able to prevent the generation of rear burr in the electrical connector.

Here, if a large force is required when a crimping terminal crimped onto a wire is taken out from a mold, an excess load is applied to the crimping terminal. This leads to such a problem that deformation of the crimping terminal and the like are caused. For example, if the crimped crimping terminal after crimped is sandwiched by parallel wall surfaces, force required for taking out the crimping terminal tends to be large. It is demanded that force required for taking out the crimped crimping terminal can be reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal and a crimping terminal that can reduce force required for taking out a crimped crimping terminal.

In order to achieve the above mentioned object, a method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal according to one aspect of the present invention includes crimping process of crimping a crimping terminal on a wire by a terminal crimping apparatus that includes a first mold including a supporting surface that supports the crimping terminal including a wire connection portion having a bottom wall portion and a pair of side wall portions that faces each other in a width direction of the bottom wall portion and protrudes from both ends in the width direction of the bottom wall portion, a second mold disposed to face the supporting surface, and including a recessed wall surface opened toward the supporting surface, on a surface facing the supporting surface, and a driving device configured to reciprocate the second mold in a stroke direction being a direction in which the supporting surface and the second mold face each other, wherein the recessed wall surface includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface that are configured to face side wall surfaces of the first mold, and are facing each other in the width direction, and a third wall surface connecting the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and curved toward an opposite side to the supporting surface, the first wall surface and the second wall surface include inclined portions and parallel portions, the inclined portions are positioned at end portions of the third wall surface side on the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and inclined with respect to the stroke direction so that an interval in the width direction becomes narrower as going to the third wall surface, the parallel portions extend from the inclined portions toward an opposite side to the third wall surface side, and are parallel to the stroke direction, and in the crimping process, the side wall surfaces of the first mold face the inclined portions in a state in which the first mold and the second mold come closest to each other in the stroke direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the terminal crimping apparatus may further include a wire holding mechanism configured to move toward the first mold together with the second mold while holding a crimping target wire, wherein the parallel portions face the side wall surfaces of the first mold side at a time point at which a core wire of the wire is accommodated into an inner space portion of the pair of side wall portions.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the terminal crimping apparatus may further include a wire holding mechanism configured to move toward the first mold together with the second mold while holding a crimping target wire, wherein the parallel portions face the side wall surfaces of the first mold side at a time point at which the wire comes into contact with the bottom wall portion.

A crimping terminal according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a bottom wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions protruding from both ends in a width direction of the bottom wall portion, and configured to be crimped onto a wire while overlapping, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the wire, outer contours of the side wall portions crimped onto the wire include curved portions formed on distal end sides of the side wall portions, and inclined portions connecting the curved portions and the bottom wall portion, and spreading in the width direction as going to the bottom wall portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A terminal crimping apparatus that carries out a method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal and 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 to 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

The embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 23. The present embodiment relates to a terminal crimping apparatus that carries out a method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal and a crimping terminal. In addition,FIG. 13illustrates an XIII-XIII cross section shown 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 another terminal (not illustrated) in a state of being integrated with the wire50. A covering52located on an end portion of the wire50as a crimping target is 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). The terminal fitting10is formed into a predetermined shape that enables connection to the other 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 other 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 connect side walls11aand11aof the terminal connection portion11and first and second barrel piece portions15and16being side walls of the wire connection portion12. One side wall13aconnects one side wall11aand the first barrel piece portion15, and the other side wall13aconnects the other side wall11aand the second barrel piece portion16. A height of the side walls13ais lower than heights of the first and second barrel piece portions15and16, and the side walls11a. More specifically, the height of the side walls13abecomes lower from the terminal connection portion11as going to 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 other terminal, that is, a direction in which the crimping terminal1is inserted into the other 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.

In a molding process, the crimping terminal1is molded into a flat plate shape, and from this state, in a terminal connection portion shaping process, the terminal connection portion11is formed into a tubular shape as illustrated inFIG. 1. In the terminal connection portion shaping process, 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 may be executed before the wire connection portion shaping process, or may be executed after 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 (swaged in a B-character shape) 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 as going to 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 connecting 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 that holds 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 the recessed portions and the 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 increase 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 core wire51is aluminum, and the material of the wire connection portion12is copper, 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 of water or the like 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 press process and the bending process. 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. More specifically, in the crimping process, the crimping terminal1is crimped on the wire50by the terminal crimping apparatus100. 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 connected 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 portions32connect the end portions on the opposite side of the terminal connection portion11side of the bottom portions14to the joint piece31.

A plurality of terminal feeding holes31ais formed in the joint piece31. The terminal feeding holes31aare arranged at equal intervals in a feeding direction of the terminal chain member30. The terminal feeding holes31aare through-holes penetrating through the joint piece31in a plate thickness direction. The crimping terminals1are positioned by the terminal feeding 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 the 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 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 feeding member101aand a power transmission mechanism101b. The terminal feeding member101aincludes a protruding portion to be inserted into the terminal feeding hole31aof the joint piece31. The terminal feeding member101amoves the terminal chain member30in the feeding direction in a state in which the protruding portion is inserted into the terminal feeding hole31a. The power transmission mechanism101boperates the terminal feeding 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 feeding member101ain the up-down direction and the feeding direction in conjunction with the crimping operation of the crimping device102.

The crimping device102executes the crimping process of crimping the supplied the crimping terminal1onto the wire50, and a 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 terminal1onto 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 wound 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 reducing a distance therebetween.

In the crimping process, by transmitting power to the power transmission mechanism114, the driving device103reduces 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 molds112and113is changed 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 such as an electrical motor or the like, a hydraulic actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or the like, an air pressure actuator such as an air cylinder or the like, and the like can be applied.

A relative position in the up-down direction of the first crimper113A 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 surface117connects 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 the 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 an 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 the 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 that lets the wire50remove 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 corresponds to 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.

In the terminal crimping apparatus100having the above-described configuration, the second mold113has a configuration that can suppress the generation of burr in crimping, as described below. The detailed configuration of the second mold113according to the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 14 and 15.FIG. 14illustrates a main portion front view obtained by viewing the second mold113from the first crimper113A side. As illustrated inFIG. 14, the second mold113includes a recessed wall surface113C. The recessed wall surface113C includes the first wall surface115, the second wall surface116, and the third wall surface117. The recessed wall surface113C is opened downward. More specifically, the recessed wall surface113C is opened toward the recessed surfaces112A1and112B1of the first mold112.

The first wall surface115and the second wall surface116are surfaces facing side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112, and face each other in the width direction of the crimping terminal1. The second mold113including the first wall surface115and the second wall surface116is driven by the driving device103to reciprocate in the up-down direction. The direction of the reciprocation will be also referred to as a “stroke direction”. The first wall surface115and the second wall surface116face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112in a predetermined stroke range of the second mold113that includes a lower dead point of the second mold113. The third wall surface117is a wall surface connecting the first wall surface115and the second wall surface116, and is curved upward. In other words, the third wall surface117is a surface curved toward an opposite side to the recessed surface112A1and112B1of the first mold112.

The first wall surface115of the present embodiment includes an inclined portion115A and a parallel portion115B. The second wall surface116includes an inclined portion116A and a parallel portion116B. The inclined portions115A and116A are positioned at end portions on the third wall surface117side of the first wall surface115and the second wall surface116. The inclined portions115A and116A are connected to the third wall surface117. The inclined portions115A and116A are inclined with respect to the stroke direction so that an interval in the width direction becomes narrower as going to the third wall surface117. As illustrated inFIG. 15, the inclined portion115A of the first wall surface115is slightly inclined so as to come closer to the second wall surface116as going to the upper side. The inclined portion116A of the second wall surface116is slightly inclined so as to come closer to the first wall surface115as going to the upper side. Thus, the inclined portions115A and116A are inclined with respect to the third direction H so that an interval in the second direction W becomes narrower as going to the third wall surface117. In the present embodiment, an inclination angle θ of the inclined portion115A with respect to the third direction H and an inclination angle θ of the inclined portion116A with respect to the third direction H are equal.

The parallel portions115B and116B extend from the inclined portions115A and116A toward an opposite side to the third wall surface117. The parallel portions115B and116B are respectively connected to the inclined portions115A and116A. More specifically, upper ends of the parallel portions115B and116B are connected to lower ends of the inclined portions115A and116A. The parallel portions115B and116B are parallel to the third direction H being the stroke direction. In addition, the parallel portion115B of the first wall surface115and the parallel portion116B of the second wall surface116are parallel to each other. In addition, in the first wall surface115, a hem portion115C being a portion on the lower side of the parallel portion115B is inclined with respect to the third direction H so as to go away from the second wall surface116toward the lower side. Similarly, in the second wall surface116, a hem portion116C being a portion on the lower side of the parallel portion116B is inclined with respect to the third direction H so as to go away from the first wall surface115toward the lower side. Thus, the hem portions115C and116C are portions inclined so that an interval in the second direction W becomes wider as going to the lower side.

If the second mold113having such a configuration lowers toward the first mold112in the crimping process, intervals between the wall surfaces115and116and the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112vary.FIG. 15illustrates a state in which the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112and the hem portions115C and116C face each other in the second direction W. In addition, inFIG. 15, the crimping terminal1and the wire50are not illustrated for easier understanding of the configuration of the second mold113. If the second mold113further lowers from the state illustrated inFIG. 15, as illustrated inFIG. 16, the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112and the parallel portions115B and116B face each other in the second direction W.

The side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112are parallel to the third direction H being the stroke direction. Thus, in the present embodiment, a size Wt1of clearance gaps between the side wall surfaces112C and the parallel portions115B and116B remains constant along the third direction H. The size Wt1of the clearance gaps between the side wall surfaces112C and the parallel portions115B and116B is defined so as to be able to suppress the generation of burr in crimping while suppressing interference between the first mold112and the second mold113.FIG. 17illustrates a second mold213of a comparative example. In the second mold213of the comparative example, a first wall surface215and a second wall surface216include no parallel portion. The first wall surface215and the second wall surface216are connected via a third wall surface217. In addition, the first wall surface215and the second wall surface216are inclined so that an interval in the second direction W becomes wider from the third wall surface217as going to the lower side.

In the second mold213of the comparative example, a size Wt2of clearance gaps between the wall surfaces215and216and the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112becomes smaller in accordance with the lowering of the second mold213. The size of the clearance gaps becomes the smallest when the second mold213reaches a lower dead point. In other words, in the second mold213of the comparative example, the size Wt2of the clearance gaps easily becomes a large value during the crimping. Thus, the wire connection portion12is easily drawn into the clearance gaps between the wall surfaces215and216and the side wall surfaces112C, and burr12X is easily generated.

In contrast to this, the second mold113of the present embodiment includes the parallel portions115B and116B. When a lowering amount of the second mold113becomes a predetermined value or more in the crimping process, the parallel portions115B and116B and the side wall surfaces112C face each other as illustrated inFIG. 16. For example, the size Wt1of the clearance gaps is set to the smallest possible value within a range in which interference between the wall surfaces115and116and the first mold112can be suppressed. For example, the size Wt1of the clearance gaps is appropriately set based on an expected deformation amount of the molds112and113, and the like. Because the crimping process progresses in a state in which the size Wt1of the clearance gaps remains small, the burr12X is difficult to be generated as compared with a case in which the second mold213of the comparative example is used.

In addition, in the second mold113of the present embodiment, draft angles are ensured by the inclined portions115A and116A. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the second mold113has a configuration in which the inclined portions115A and116A face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112when the second mold113is located at the lower dead point. More specifically, when the second mold113is located at the lower dead point, at least the upper ends of the side wall surfaces112C face the inclined portions115A and116A. In other words, the second mold113has a configuration in which, when the second mold113is located at the lower dead point, a boundary115D between the inclined portion115A and the parallel portion115B and a boundary116D between the inclined portion116A and the parallel portion116B are positioned at the same height position as the upper ends of the side wall surfaces112C, or positioned on the lower side of the upper ends of the side wall surfaces112C. Draft angles are thereby formed in hem portions12F (refer toFIG. 19) in the wire connection portion12. Thus, in the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment, force required for taking out the crimping terminal1from the second mold113after the crimping is reduced.

An inclination angle of the inclined portions115A and116A is appropriately defined so that force to be exerted on the wire connection portion12when the wire connection portion12is extracted from the second mold113, so that the crimping does not become excessive. In other words, the draft angles of the inclined portions115A and116A are set so that deformation or the like is not generated in the crimping terminal1when the wire connection portion12is extracted from the second mold113. In this manner, in the second mold113of the present embodiment, the inclined portions115A and116A are respectively provided between the third wall surface117and the parallel portions115B and116B. The second mold113provided with the inclined portions115A and116A can suppress the generation of the burr12X while suppressing difficulty in the extraction of the wire connection portion12.

In the wire connection portion12crimped by the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment, the generation of burr in the hem portions12F of the barrel piece portions15and16is suppressed as indicated by portions surrounded by broken lines inFIG. 19. Thus, the crimping terminal1of the present embodiment can be easily inserted into a terminal holding portion formed in a housing or the like. In addition, because the generation of the burr12X is suppressed, there is low possibility that an inner wall surface of the terminal holding portion is damaged.

The wire connection portion12crimped by the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment has a cross-sectional shape as illustrated inFIG. 20, after the crimping.FIG. 20illustrates a cross section perpendicular to the axis line direction of the wire50, that is, a cross section perpendicular to the first direction L. The outer contour of the second barrel piece portion16crimped onto the wire50includes a curved portion12D and an inclined portion12E. The curved portion12D is formed on the distal end side of the second barrel piece portion16. The curved portion12D is a portion facing the bottom portion14in the third direction H, and corresponds to a top portion in the crimped wire connection portion12. The shape of the curved portion12D has a curved shape corresponding to the third wall surface117of the second mold113.

The inclined portion12E is a portion having a linear shape in the cross section. The inclined portion12E is formed on the proximal end side of the curved portion12D in the second barrel piece portion16. The inclined portion12E is positioned closer to the bottom portion14side than the curved portion12D, and is connected to the curved portion12D. The inclined portion12E is slightly inclined toward the bottom portion14side. More specifically, the inclined portion12E is inclined toward the first barrel piece portion15side in accordance with going way from the bottom portion14in the third direction H. The shape and inclination of the inclined portion12E correspond to the shape and inclination of the inclined portions115A and116A of the second mold113.

FIG. 20illustrates the curved portion12D and the inclined portion12E on the second barrel piece portion16side of the wire connection portion12. Nevertheless, the curved portion12D and the inclined portion12E are formed also on the first barrel piece portion15side. In other words, the inclined portion12E of the first barrel piece portion15and the inclined portion12E of the second barrel piece portion16spread in the width direction toward the bottom portion14.

In this manner, the cross-sectional shape of the crimped wire connection portion12corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the recessed wall surface113C of the second mold113. Thus, the wire connection portion12in which the outer contours of the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16include curved portions12D and the inclined portions12E can be said as the one crimped onto the wire50by the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment.

From the viewpoint of suppressing the generation of the burr12X, it is preferable that, when the second mold113lowers, the parallel portions115B and116B face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112at a relatively-earlier stage. For example, a timing at which the parallel portions115B and116B start to face the side wall surfaces112C is set to a timing at which the portions of the wire connection portion12and the portions of the second mold113enter predetermined positional relationship in the crimping process.

For example, the parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C at a time point at which the second barrel piece portion16starts contact with the third wall surface117. The parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C at a time point at which the first barrel piece portion15starts contact with the third wall surface117. For example, the parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C at a time point at which the wire connection portion12to be compressed starts to get into the clearance gaps between the wall surfaces115and116and the side wall surfaces112C, that is, at a time point at which the burr12X starts to be generated. In accordance with the lowering of the second mold113in the crimping process, the wire connection portion12and the wire50get compressed. If the compression rate becomes higher, the wire connection portion12tries to get into the clearance gaps between the wall surfaces115and116and the side wall surfaces112C. For example, the parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C at a time point at which the compression rate reaches a predetermined value.

A timing at which the parallel portions115B and116B start to face the side wall surfaces112C may be defined according to the position of the wire50. The terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment includes the wire holding mechanism that moves toward the first mold112together with the second mold113while holding the crimping target wire50. The wire50lowering together with the wire holding mechanism is installed in the wire connection portion12, and is crimped with the wire connection portion12.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 21, the parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112at a time point at which the core wire51of the wire50is accommodated into an inner space portion of the barrel piece portions15and16. In the wire50illustrated inFIG. 21, the core wire51is positioned below the end surface of the distal end15aof the first barrel piece portion15. In other words, the core wire51is in a state of being accommodated in the space portion between the first barrel piece portion15and the second barrel piece portion16. If the parallel portions115B and116B and the side wall surfaces112C are formed to start to face each other at the time point at which the core wire51is accommodated into the inner space portion of the barrel piece portions15and16in this manner, a winding start of the barrel piece portions15and16with respect to the wire50is appropriately set.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 22, the parallel portions115B and116B may be formed so as to face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112at a time point at which the wire50comes into contact with the bottom portion14of the wire connection portion12. In the wire50illustrated inFIG. 22, the covering52is in contact with the bottom portion14. If the parallel portions115B and116B and the side wall surfaces112C are formed to start to face each other at the time point at which the wire50comes into contact with the bottom portion14in this manner, a winding start of the barrel piece portions15and16with respect to the wire50is appropriately set. In addition, a timing at which the parallel portions115B and116B start to face the side wall surfaces112C may be a time point at which the core wire51comes into contact with the bottom portion14.

The second mold113of the present embodiment can suppress deformation of the first mold112. As illustrated inFIG. 23, the parallel portions115B and116B of the second mold113face the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112. In addition, the parallel portions115B and116B are assumed to be surfaces parallel to the side wall surfaces112C. In the crimping process, the second mold113is pressed against the first mold112. In accordance with the lowering of the second mold113, load applied to the first mold112increases. When the second mold113reaches the lower dead point, a large load is applied to the first mold112. The second mold113of the present embodiment can support the first mold112from the both sides in the width direction using the parallel portions115B and116B. In the second mold213(refer toFIG. 17) of the comparative example, because the size Wt2of the clearance gaps is large, the deformation in the width direction of the first mold112is easily allowed.

In contrast to this, in the second mold113of the present embodiment, the size Wt1of the clearance gaps between the parallel portions115B and116B and the side wall surfaces112C is small. Thus, the second mold113of the present embodiment can regulate deformation in the width direction of the first mold112. In addition, the second mold113comes into contact with the first mold112at a stage at which an amount of deformation in the width direction of the first mold112is still small, so that the second mold113can regulate further deformation of the first mold112. Thus, the second mold113of the present embodiment can stabilize a crimping shape in crimping the wire connection portion12. The parallel portions115B and116B preferably have enough lengths in the third direction H to such a degree as to be able to have surface contact with the side wall surfaces112C of the first mold112to support the first mold112.

In the terminal crimping apparatus100of the present embodiment, the above-described parallel portions115B and116B and the inclined portions115A and116A are provided in the first crimper113A, and are not provided in the second crimper113B. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the second crimper113B is a mold that swages the covering crimping portion12B. The compression rate at which the second crimper113B compresses the covering crimping portion12B and the wire50is lower than the compression rate at which the first crimper113A compresses the core wire crimping portion12A and the wire50. Thus, in the present embodiment, the parallel portions115B and116B and the inclined portions115A and116A are provided in the first crimper113A, among the first crimper113A and the second crimper113B. For example, the first wall surface115and the second wall surface116of the second crimper113B are inclined so that an interval in the second direction W becomes wider from the third wall surface117as going to the lower side.

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.

Modified Example of Embodiment

A modified example of the embodiment will be described. The shapes of the first mold112and the second mold113are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings. For example, the third wall surface117of the above-described embodiment is curved into an arc shape. Nevertheless, the shape is not limited to this. The plurality of inclined portions115A and116A may be provided on the wall surfaces115and116. For example, the plurality of inclined portions115A having different inclination angles may be provided on the first wall surface115, or the plurality of inclined portions116A having different inclination angles may be provided on the second wall surface116. A height position of the inclined portion115A on the first wall surface115and a height position of the inclined portion116A on the second wall surface116may be different.

Note that the matters disclosed in the above-described embodiment and the modified example can be executed while being appropriately combined.

A terminal crimping apparatus carrying out the method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal according to the present embodiment includes a first mold including a supporting surface supporting a crimping terminal including a bottom wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions facing each other in a width direction of the bottom wall portion, and protruding from both ends in the width direction of the bottom wall portion, a second mold disposed to face the supporting surface, and including a recessed wall surface opened toward the supporting surface, on a surface facing the supporting surface, and a driving device configured to reciprocate the second mold in a stroke direction being a direction in which the supporting surface and the second mold face each other.

The recessed wall surface includes a first wall surface and a second wall surface that are configured to face side wall surfaces of the first mold, and are facing each other in the width direction, and a third wall surface linking the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and curved toward an opposite side to the supporting surface. The first wall surface and the second wall surface include inclined portions and parallel portions. The inclined portions are positioned at end portions on the third wall surface side of the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and inclined with respect to the stroke direction so that an interval in the width direction becomes narrower as going to the third wall surface. The parallel portion of the first wall surface and the parallel portion of the second wall surface extend from the inclined portions toward an opposite side to the third wall surface side, and are parallel to the stroke direction.

The side wall surfaces of the first mold face the inclined portions in a state in which the first mold and the second mold come closest to each other in the stroke direction. According to the terminal crimping apparatus carrying out the method of manufacturing a wire with a terminal according to the present embodiment, in the side wall portions of a crimped crimping terminal, a shape of hem portions provided on the bottom wall portion side becomes an inclined shape corresponding to the inclined portions of the second mold. Thus, the terminal crimping apparatus of the present embodiment brings about such an effect that force required for taking out the crimped crimping terminal can be reduced.