Patent Publication Number: US-2023145632-A1

Title: Terminal-equipped electric wire and connector-equipped electric wire

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a terminal-equipped electric wire and a connector-equipped electric wire. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Patent Document 1 discloses a terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in an insertion hole provided in a connector case. In the terminal-equipped electric wire disclosed in Patent Document 1, an electric wire and a connector terminal are electrically connected to each other via a relay conductor. The insertion hole is liquid-sealed by a sealing member placed onto the relay conductor. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     
         
         Patent Document 1: International Publication No. WO 2019/059301 A1 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved 
     There is a desire to shorten the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in an insertion hole. 
     Thus, it is an object to provide a technique with which the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in a cavity of a connector housing can be reduced. 
     Means to Solve the Problem 
     A terminal-equipped electric wire according to the present disclosure is a terminal-equipped electric wire including: a coated electric wire including a conductor core wire and an insulation coating that covers the conductor core wire; a joint terminal connected to the conductor core wire; a connector terminal to be connected to a partner terminal; a single-core relay conductor in which one end thereof is connected to the joint terminal and another end thereof is connected to the connector terminal; and a sealing member that covers an intermediate portion of the relay conductor, wherein a wire barrel of the joint terminal is crimped to the conductor core wire and the relay conductor at the same position in a longitudinal direction of the joint terminal. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     With the present disclosure, the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in a cavity of a connector housing can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional diagram showing a terminal-equipped electric wire and a connector-equipped electric wire according to Embodiment 1. 
         FIG.  2    is a plan view showing the terminal-equipped electric wire according to Embodiment 1. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal-equipped electric wire according to Embodiment 1. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in  FIG.  2   . 
         FIG.  5    is a descriptive diagram showing a conductive core wire and a relay conductor being connected to a joint terminal. 
         FIG.  6    is a descriptive diagram showing a modification example of a connection portion of the conductive core wire and the relay conductor. 
         FIG.  7    is a descriptive diagram showing another modification example of the connection portion of the conductive core wire and the relay conductor. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal-equipped electric wire according to Embodiment 2. 
         FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional view showing a modification example of a terminal-equipped electric wire. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION TO EXECUTE THE INVENTION 
     Description of Embodiments of Present Disclosure 
     First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described below. 
     A terminal-equipped electric wire according to the present disclosure is as follows. 
     (1) A terminal-equipped electric wire including: a coated electric wire including a conductor core wire and an insulation coating that covers the conductor core wire; a joint terminal connected to the conductor core wire; a connector terminal to be connected to a partner terminal; a single-core relay conductor in which one end thereof is connected to the joint terminal and another end thereof is connected to the connector terminal; and a sealing member that covers an intermediate portion of the relay conductor, wherein a wire barrel of the joint terminal is crimped to the conductor core wire and the relay conductor at the same position in a longitudinal direction of the joint terminal. The wire barrel of the joint terminal is crimped to the conductor core wire and the relay conductor at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal. Thus, compared to a case where wire barrels are respectively crimped to the conductor core wire and the relay conductor at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal, the joint terminal can be shortened. Accordingly, the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in the cavity of the connector housing can be shortened. 
     (2) In the terminal-equipped electric wire in (1), the conductor core wire and the relay conductor may be aligned in a height direction of the joint terminal at a portion where the conductor core wire and the relay conductor are crimped by the wire barrel. Thus, the conductor core wire and the relay conductor can be aligned in a crimping direction. 
     (3) In the terminal-equipped electric wire in (2), the conductor core wire, out of the conductor core wire and the relay conductor, may be located on a bottom portion side of the joint terminal. Thus, the relay conductor can cover the conductor core wire from above. 
     (4) In the terminal-equipped electric wire in (1), the conductor core wire and the relay conductor may be aligned in a width direction of the joint terminal at a portion where the conductor core wire and the relay conductor are crimped by the wire barrel. Accordingly, the conductor core wire and the relay conductor can be aligned in a direction orthogonal to the crimping direction. 
     (5) In the terminal-equipped electric wire in (4), the wire barrel includes a pair of crimping pieces, and one of the pair of crimping pieces may wrap around the conductor core wire and the other of the pair of crimping pieces may wrap around the relay conductor. Accordingly, the conductor core wire and the relay conductor can be crimped using separate crimping pieces. 
     (6) In the terminal-equipped electric wire in any one of (1) to (5), the sealing member may include a sealing body that is contactable with an inner surface of a cavity of a connector housing, and a crimp portion that is provided on one side of the sealing body, and the crimp portion may be crimped to one of the joint terminal and the connector terminal. Thus, compared to a case where the crimp portions are provided on two sides of the sealing body and the crimp portions on the two sides are respectively crimped to the joint terminal and the connector terminal, the sealing member can be shortened. Thus, the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in the cavity of the connector housing can be shortened. 
     (7) A connector-equipped electric wire according to the present disclosure is a connector-equipped electric wire including: a connector housing provided with a cavity, and the terminal-equipped electric wire according to any one of (1) to (6) housed in the cavity. The length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire disposed in the cavity of the connector housing can be shortened. Thus the cavity itself can also be shortened and the size of the connector can be reduced. 
     Detailed Description of Embodiment of the Present Disclosure 
     Specific examples of a terminal-equipped electric wire and a connector-equipped electric wire according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these illustrative examples, but is indicated by the claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 
     Embodiment 1 
     A terminal-equipped electric wire and a connector-equipped electric wire including the same according to Embodiment 1 are described below.  FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view showing a terminal-equipped electric wire  20  and a connector-equipped electric wire  1  according to Embodiment 1. In  FIG.  1   , a connector housing  10  is cut along a plane that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of a cavity  14 .  FIG.  1    is not a cross-sectional view of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20 . 
     The connector-equipped electric wire  1  includes the connector housing  10  and the terminal-equipped electric wire  20 . The connector housing  10  is provided with the cavity  14 . The leading end portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is housed at a predetermined position in the cavity  14  (hereinafter referred to as “housed state”). The terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is provided with a sealing member  50 . In the housed state, the sealing member  50  is located at a predetermined sealing position (here, the position of an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the cavity  14 ). In the housed state, one opening portion and another opening portion of the cavity  14  are liquid-sealed by the sealing member  50 . 
     Connector Housing 
     The connector housing  10  includes a housing body  12 . The cavity  14  is formed in the housing body  12 . At least one cavity  14  is provided. Here, a plurality of cavities  14  are provided. The plurality of cavities  14  may be provided aligned in a plurality of rows and columns. The plurality of cavities  14  may be provided aligned in one row and in a plurality of columns. 
     The cavity  14  is formed so as to extend through the housing body  12 . The one opening portion of the cavity  14  is open in one end surface of the housing body  12 . The terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is inserted into the cavity  14  via the one opening portion. The other opening portion of the cavity  14  is open in another end surface of the housing body  12 . The other opening portion is a portion through which a conductor pin provided on a male terminal is passed. 
     The example shown in  FIG.  1    is an example of a case where the terminal of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  housed in the cavity  14  is a female terminal. In this case, a conductor pin provided on a male terminal of a partner connector is inserted into the cavity  14  via the other opening portion. Then, the female terminal and the conductor pin provided on the partner male terminal are connected to each other in the cavity  14 . Naturally, the terminal housed in the cavity  14  may be a male terminal. In this case, the conductor pin provided on the male terminal protrudes outside the cavity  14  via the other opening portion. Then the conductor pin provided on the male terminal and a partner female terminal are connected to each other outside the cavity  14 . The other opening portion is formed larger than the conductor pin and smaller than the female terminal. Accordingly, the female terminal housed in the cavity  14  is kept from falling out from the other opening portion. 
     The connector housing  10  is provided with a vehicle attachment portion  16 . The vehicle attachment portion  16  is provided so as to protrude outward from a side surface of the housing body  12 . The vehicle attachment portion  16  is a portion for attaching the connector housing  10  to a vehicle. The vehicle attachment portion  16  is provided with a mounting hole  17 . A bolt or the like is inserted into the mounting hole  17  to attach the vehicle attachment portion  16  to the vehicle. The mounting hole  17  may be provided with a metal ring or the like. The vehicle attachment portion  16  may be omitted from the connector housing  10 . 
     Also, the connector hosing  10  is provided with seal member mounting portions  18 . The seal member mounting portions  18  are provided such that portions of side surfaces of the housing body  12  are annularly recessed. The seal member mounting portions  18  are respectively provided on two sides of the vehicle attachment portion  16 . A seal member S such as an O-ring is mounted to each seal member mounting portion  18 . The seal member mounting portions  18  may be omitted from the connector housing  10 . 
     The connector housing  10  is made of a material that has insulative properties such as resin. The connector housing  10  is an injection molded component, for example. 
     Terminal-Equipped Electric Wire 
     The terminal-equipped electric wire  20  according to Embodiment 1 will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in addition to  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  2    is a plan view showing the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  according to Embodiment 1.  FIG.  3    is an exploded perspective view showing the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  according to Embodiment 1. 
     The terminal-equipped electric wire  20  includes a coated electric wire  22 , a joint terminal  30 , a connector terminal  40 , a relay conductor  46 , and a sealing member  50 . The joint terminal  30  is provided at an end portion of the coated electric wire  22 . The connector terminal  40  and the relay conductor  46  are provided on the leading end side of the joint terminal  30 . The relay conductor  46  is connected to the joint terminal  30  and the connector terminal  40 . The joint terminal  30  and the connector terminal  40  are connected to each other via the relay conductor  46 . The portion of the coated electric wire  22  that is connected to the joint terminal  30  and the portion of the coated electric wire  22  on the one end side of the portion connected to the joint terminal  30  are housed in the cavity  14 . A portion of the coated electric wire  22  on the other end side of the portion connected to the joint terminal extends out of the cavity  14  from the one opening portion. 
     The coated electric wire  22  has a conductor core wire  24  and an insulation coating  26 . Here, the conductor core wire  24  is a stranded wire. The stranded wire is formed by twisting together a plurality of wire strands. The wire strands are made of a material using a conductor such as copper, a copper alloy, aluminum, and an aluminum alloy. The insulation coating  26  covers the conductor core wire  24 . The insulation coating  26  is molded by extruding a resin material onto the conductor core wire  24  or formed by applying an insulating paint thereto. The leading end of the conductor core wire  24  protrudes outward of the insulation coating  26 , and this protruding portion is a core wire exposed portion. 
     The joint terminal  30  is connected to the coated electric wire  22  and the relay conductor  46  through crimping. The joint terminal  30  includes a wire barrel  32  and insulation barrels  34  and  36 . The wire barrel  32  and the insulation barrels  34  and  36  are open barrels. The wire barrel  32  has a pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b . The insulation barrel  34  has a pair of crimping pieces  34   a  and  34   b . The insulation barrel  36  has a pair of crimping pieces  36   a  and  36   b . The three pairs of crimping pieces  32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a ,  34   b ,  36   a , and  36   b  are connected to a bottom portion  31  of the joint terminal  30 . 
     The bottom portion  31  has a flat plate shape or a semi-cylindrical shape. The bottom portion  31  is elongated in one direction. The longitudinal direction of the bottom portion  31  is the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal  30 . The three pairs of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b ,  34   a  and  34   b , and  36   a  and  36   b  are aligned in the order of the pairs of crimping pieces  34   a  and  34   b , crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b , and crimping pieces  36   a  and  36   b  from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion  31 . The pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  protrude from two sides in the width direction of the bottom portion  31 . The same applies to the other pairs of crimping pieces. The width direction of the bottom portion  31  is the width direction of the joint terminal  30 . The three pairs of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b ,  34   a  and  34   b , and  36   a  and  36   b  protrude on one side with respect to the bottom portion  31 . The direction in which the crimping pieces  32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a ,  34   b ,  36   a , and  36   b  protrude from the bottom portion  31  is the height direction of the joint terminal  30 . The joint terminal  30  is formed by folding a conductor plate, for example. 
     The wire barrel  32  is crimped to the exposed core wire portion at an end portion of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 . The portion where the wire barrel  32  is crimped to the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  is a connection portion CP 1 . The connection portion CP 1  is described below in detail. 
     The insulation barrel  34  is crimped to the insulation coating  26 . The portion of the insulation barrel  36  that is crimped to the insulation coating  26  is a coating holding portion. The insulation barrel  36  is crimped to the sealing member  50 . The portion of the insulation barrel  36  that is crimped to the sealing member  50  is a sealing member holding portion. The insulation barrels  34  and  36  may be omitted. 
     The connector terminal  40  includes a partner-side connection portion  41  and a relay conductor connection portion  42 . As described above, the partner-side connection portion  41  has a female terminal shape. The partner-side connection portion  41  may have a male terminal shape. The connector terminal  40  is connected to the relay conductor  46  through crimping. The connector terminal  40  is formed by bending a conductor plate, for example. Naturally, the connector terminal  40  may be connected to the relay conductor  46  through welding, pressure welding, or the like. 
     The partner-side connection portion  41  has a box shape in which the front end portion thereof is open. A male terminal is inserted into the partner-side connection portion  41  via this opening. Spring contacts and the like are provided in the partner-side connection portion  41  as needed. The spring contacts and the like are connected to the male terminal inside the partner-side connection portion  41 . 
     The relay conductor connection portion  42  has a wire barrel  43  and an insulation barrel  44 . The wire barrel  43  is crimped to the relay conductor  46 . The insulation barrel  44  is crimped to the sealing member  50 . The insulation barrel  44  may be omitted from the relay conductor connection portion  42 . 
     The relay conductor  46  is formed as a single-core conductor. The relay conductor  46  has a columnar rod shape. The relay conductor  46  may have a cylindrical rod shape. The relay conductor  46  is longer than the sealing member  50 . Two end portions of the relay conductor  46  in the longitudinal direction thereof protrude outward of the sealing member  50 . The two end portions of the relay conductor  46  are respectively crimped to the wire barrels  32  and  43 . The sealing member  50  covers the intermediate portion of the relay conductor  46  in the longitudinal direction thereof. 
     The sealing member  50  has a sealing body  52  and crimp portions  54  and  55 . The sealing member  50  is provided with a through hole  56 . The relay conductor  46  is passed through the through hole  56 . The sealing body  52  and the crimp portions  54  and  55  are aligned in the axial direction of the through hole  56 . Here, the crimp portion  54  is provided on one side of the sealing body  52  and the crimp portion  55  is provided on the other side. A crimp portion may be provided on only one side of the sealing body  52 . One or both of the crimp portions  54  and  55  may be omitted. 
     The sealing body  52  is a portion that liquid-seals the space between the one opening portion and the other opening portion of the cavity  14  while the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is inserted into the cavity  14 . An annular recess and an annular protrusion are provided on the outer surface of the sealing body  52  so as to be alternately connected to each other in the longitudinal direction. The sealing body  52  is positioned between the joint terminal  30  and the connector terminal  40  in the longitudinal direction. The annular protrusions of the sealing body  52  protrude in a radial direction outward of the joint terminal  30  and the connector terminal  40 . The outer radius of the sealing body  52  is set to be the same as or larger than the inner diameter of the cavity  14  at a predetermined sealing position, before the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is inserted into the cavity  14 . When the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is inserted into the cavity  14 , the outer surface of the sealing body  52  is in intimate contact with the inner surface of the cavity  14 . 
     The two crimp portions  54  and  55  are portions that are respectively crimped by the insulation barrels  36  and  44  while covering the relay conductor  46 . Thus, the crimp portions  54  and  55  are respectively positioned and held by the joint terminal  30  and the connector terminal  40 , and the sealing member  50  is positioned and held by the terminal-equipped electric wire  20 . If both crimp portions  54  and  55  are omitted, the relay conductor  46  may be shaped so as to be able to position and hold the sealing member  50 . For example, the relay conductor  46  may be provided with an annular groove. By accommodating the sealing member  50  in the annular groove, the sealing member  50  can be positioned and held by the relay conductor  46 . 
     In the housed state, provision of the sealing member  50  liquid-seals the space between the one opening portion and the other opening portion of the cavity  14 . The liquid that is to be sealed out by the sealing member  50  is envisioned as being water, oil, or the like. Oil is, for example, oil (hydraulic oil) for performing control operations performed in automatic shifting in an automatic transmission. Liquid-sealing between the one opening portion and the other opening portion of the cavity  14  is realized as described below, for example. 
     The relay conductor  46  is solid. Thus, liquid is suppressed from moving from one of the two opening portions of the cavity  14 , passing through the relay conductor  46 , and seeping to the other opening portion. The relay conductor  46  may be hollow. Even if the relay conductor  46  is hollow, provided that one end of the relay conductor  46  in the longitudinal direction is closed off, liquid is suppressed from moving from one of the two opening portions of the cavity  14 , passing through the relay conductor  46 , and seeping to the other opening portion. 
     The inner surface of the sealing body  52  (inner circumferential surface of through hole  56 ) is circular in shape. In the housed state, the inner surface of the sealing body  52  is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the relay conductor  46  over the entire circumferential direction thereof. Thus, the sealing body  52  suppresses a liquid from moving from one of the two opening portions of the cavity  14 , moving along the relay conductor  46 , and seeping to the other opening portion. Note that it is sufficient that the entire circumference of at least a portion of the inner surface of the sealing body  52  in the longitudinal direction is in intimate contact with the outer surface of the relay conductor  46 . The inner surface of the sealing body  52  may be smaller than the outer surface of the relay conductor  46  before being mounted to the relay conductor  46 . In the housed state, the inner surface of the sealing body  52  may press against the outer surface of the relay conductor  46  under pressure from the cavity  14 . 
     The outer surfaces of the annular protrusions of the sealing body  52  are circular in shape. In the housed state, the entire circumferences of the outer surfaces of the annular protrusions of the sealing body  52  are in intimate contact with the inner surface of the cavity  14  at the sealing position. Thus, a liquid is suppressed from moving from one of the two opening portions of the cavity  14 , passing between the sealing body  52  and the connector housing  10 , and seeping to the other opening portion. 
     Connection Portion CP 1   
     The connection portion CP 1  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS.  4  and  5   .  FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in  FIG.  2   , and is a cross-sectional view showing the connection portion CP 1 .  FIG.  5    is a descriptive diagram showing the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  being connected to the joint terminal  30 .  FIG.  4    shows the wire barrel  32  in a crimped state.  FIG.  5    shows the wire barrel  32  in a non-crimped state. 
     One wire barrel  32  is crimped to the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , thus forming the connection portion CP 1 . The wire barrel  32  of the joint terminal  30  is crimped to the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal  30 . The conductor core wire  24  extends from the one wire barrel  32  to one side in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal  30 , while the relay conductor  46  extends to the other side. Here, the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the height direction of the joint terminal  30 , at the portion to which the wire barrel  32  is crimped. Here, out of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , the conductor core wire  24  is located on the bottom portion  31  side. The leading end portions of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  are abutted against each other while covering the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , the connection portion CP 1  can be formed by using a crimping die  80  to perform crimping. The crimping die  80  includes a crimper  82  and an anvil  84 . The crimper  82  and the anvil  84  are aligned in one direction. The crimper  82  and the anvil  84  are supported so as to be able to move closer and farther away from each other in this direction in a terminal crimping machine. The joint terminal  30  is positioned such that the height direction of the joint terminal  30  matches the direction in which the crimper  82  and the anvil  84  are aligned when crimping is performed. The crimper  82  and the anvil  84  approach each other in the height direction of the joint terminal  30  and crimp the joint terminal  30 . The crimper  82  is provided with guiding surfaces for bending and deforming the leading end portions of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b . After the leading end portions of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  have come into contact with the guiding surfaces, the crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  are deformed so as to follow the inner surface of the corresponding guiding surface and collapse inward. While the crimper  82  is bending and deforming the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b , the anvil  84  supports the outer surface of the bottom portion  31  (bottom surface on the sheet of  FIG.  5   ). 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , crimping is started with, out of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , the conductor core wire  24  located on the bottom portion  31  side between the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b . At this time, the single relay conductor  46  covers the conductor core wire  24  from above. Accordingly, the wire strands of the conductor core wire  24  are suppressed from partially protruding out of the wire barrel  32  from between the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  when crimping is performed. 
     The wire strands of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  prior to crimping are columnar in shape. The pre-crimping pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  of the wire barrel  32  protrude upward from the bottom portion  31 . Thus, a space is open between the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  of the pre-crimping wire barrel  32 . The leading end portions of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  of the crimped wire barrel  32  are bent and deformed and the opening is closed. The crimped wire barrel  32  is deformed into a shape that corresponds to the shape of the crimping die  80 . Following deformation of the wire barrel  32 , the wire strands of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  after crimping are crushed by the wire barrel  32  and deform into a shape that corresponds to the inner surface of the wire barrel  32 .  FIG.  4    is a schematic diagram showing the wire strands of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , which are indicated by the double-dot-dash lines, in a crimped state. The wire strands of the conductor core wire  24  enter a state where some of the strands overlap each other while being spread out in a width direction of the bottom portion  31 , for example. 
       FIG.  6    is a descriptive diagram showing a modification example of the connection portion CP 1  of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 . In  FIG.  6   , the wire barrel  32  indicated by the solid line and the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  inside the wire barrel  32  and indicated by the double-dot-dash lines are shown in a crimped state. In  FIG.  6   , the wire barrel  32  indicated by a double-dot-dash line and the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  inside the wire barrel  32  and indicated by the double-dot-dash lines are shown in a pre-crimping state. 
     Similar to the connection portion CP 1  shown in  FIG.  4   , in the connection portion CP 2  shown in  FIG.  6    as well, the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the height direction of the joint terminal  30  at the portion where they are crimped by the wire barrel  32 . In the connection portion CP 2  shown in  FIG.  6   , the relay conductor  46 , out of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , is located on the bottom portion  31  side. Such a connection portion CP 2  is formed by starting crimping with the relay conductor  46 , out of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , being located on the bottom portion  31  side between the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b.    
       FIG.  7    is a descriptive diagram showing another modification example of the connection portion CP 1  of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 . In  FIG.  7   , the wire barrel  32  indicated by the solid line and the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  inside the wire barrel  32  and indicated by the double-dot-dash lines are shown in a crimped state. In  FIG.  7   , the wire barrel  32  indicated by a double-dot-dash line and the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  inside the wire barrel  32  and indicated by the double-dot-dash lines are shown in a pre-crimping state. 
     In a connection portion CP 3  shown in  FIG.  7   , the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the width direction of the joint terminal  30  at the portion of the joint terminal  30  to which the wire barrel  32  is to be crimped. In the connection portion CP 3  shown in  FIG.  7   , the one crimping piece  32   a  of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  is wrapped around the conductor core wire  24 . The other crimping piece  32   b  of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  is wrapped around the relay conductor  46 . Such a connection portion CP 3  is formed by starting crimping with the relay conductor  46  and the conductor core wire  24  being aligned in the width direction between the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b.    
     With the connection portion CP 3  in which the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the width direction of the joint terminal  30 , if the conductor sizes (conductor cross-sections) differ between the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , one of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  is wrapped around the smaller conductor. The larger conductor may jut out from the other of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b . A portion of the larger conductor may be covered by one of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  or one of the crimping pieces may bite thereinto. 
     Effects, etc. of Embodiment 1 
     With the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  and the connector-equipped electric wire  1  configured as described above, the wire barrel  32  of the joint terminal  30  is crimped to the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal  30 . Thus, compared to a configuration in which separate wire barrels are respectively crimped to the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the joint terminal  30 , the joint terminal  30  can be made shorter. Thus, the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  that is disposed in the cavity  14  of the connector housing  10  can be shortened. 
     In the case where a connector is connected to a vibration device such as a transmission, the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  and the connector housing  10  rattle when the vibration device vibrates. At this time, if the magnitude of the rattling increases, the inner or outer surface of the sealing member  50  may cease to be in intimate contact with the corresponding partner member. Also, if stress concentrated on the conductor portions increases, the conductor portions may break or metal fatigue may progress. By shortening the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  that is disposed in the cavity  14 , large rattling between the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  and the connector  10  when vibration occurs can be suppressed. Accordingly, a reduction in the sealing properties and an increase in stress concentrated on the conductor portions can be suppressed. 
     By shortening the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  that is disposed in the cavity  14 , the operation of inserting the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  into the cavity  14  can be performed with ease. Also, by shortening the cavity  14  itself, the size of the connector can be reduced. 
     Here, the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  that is rearward of the sealing member  50  (portion on coated electric wire  22  side) is shortened. Thus, the amount by which the sealing member  50  is moved from the one opening portion of the cavity  14  to a predetermined position of the sealing member  50  is reduced. Thus, the terminal-equipped electric wire  20  is easy to insert. 
     Also, in the connection portions CP 1  and the CP 2 , the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the height direction of the joint terminal  30  at the portion where they are crimped by the wire barrel  32 . Accordingly, the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  can be aligned in the crimping direction. Also, in the connection portion CP 1 , the conductor core wire  24 , out of the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46 , is located on the bottom portion  31  side of the joint terminal  30 . Accordingly, the relay conductor  46  can cover the conductor core wire  24  from above. 
     Also, in the connection portion CP 3 , the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  are aligned in the width direction of the joint terminal  30  at the portion where they are crimped by the wire barrel  32 . Accordingly, the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  can be aligned in a direction that is orthogonal to the crimping direction. Also, in the connection portion CP 3 , one crimping piece  32   a  of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  is wrapped around the conductor core wire  24  and the other crimping piece  32   b  of the pair of crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b  is wrapped around the relay conductor  46 . Thus, the conductor core wire  24  and the relay conductor  46  can be respectively crimped by different crimping pieces  32   a  and  32   b.    
     Embodiment 2 
     A terminal-equipped electric wire according to Embodiment 2 will be described.  FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view showing a terminal-equipped electric wire  120  according to Embodiment 2. Note that, in the following description, constituent elements similar to those thus described are given like reference signs and description thereof is omitted. 
     In the terminal-equipped electric wire  120 , the shape of a sealing member  150  differs from the shape of the sealing member  50  of the terminal-equipped electric wire  20 . The sealing member  150  is provided with one crimp portion  55 . The crimp portion  55  is provided on one side of the sealing body  52 . The crimp portion  55  is crimped to either one of a joint terminal  130  and the connector terminal  40 . Accordingly, compared to a case where the crimp portions  54  and  55  are provided on two sides of the sealing body  52  and the crimp portions  54  and  55  on the two sides are respectively crimped to the joint terminal  130  and the connector terminal  40 , the sealing member  150  can be made shorter. Thus, the length of the portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire  120  that is disposed in the cavity  14  of a connector housing  10  can be shortened. 
     Here, the crimp portion  55  is provided on the connector terminal  40  side. The crimp portion  55  is crimped to the connector terminal  40 , out of 0  40 . Thus, the sealing member  150  has the shape of the above sealing member  50  without the crimp portion  54 . Also, the joint terminal  130  of the terminal-equipped electric wire  120  has the shape of the joint terminal  30  without the insulation barrel  36 . The joint terminal  130  includes the wire barrel  32  and the insulation barrel  34 . Thus, the joint terminal  130  side of the sealing body  52  is shortened in the terminal-equipped electric wire  120 . Accordingly, the amount by which the sealing member  150  is moved when the terminal-equipped electric wire  120  is inserted into the cavity  14  is reduced. Accordingly, it is easy to insert the terminal-equipped electric wire  120  into the cavity  14 . 
     The one crimp portion of the sealing member may be provided on the joint terminal  30  side. The sealing member in this case has the shape of the above sealing member  50  without the crimp portion  55 . Also, the connector terminal in this case has the shape of the above connector terminal  40  without the insulation barrel  44 . 
     [Supplementary Notes] 
       FIG.  9    is a cross-sectional diagram showing another modification example of the terminal-equipped electric wire. 
     According to the modification example shown in  FIG.  9   , in a terminal-equipped electric wire  220  and a connector-equipped electric wire  101  including the same, the shape of a joint terminal  230  differs from the shapes of the joint terminals  30  and  130 . Specifically, the joint terminal  230  is provided with protrusions  38 . Apart from the terminal-equipped electric wire  220  being provided with the protrusions  38 , the configuration of the terminal-equipped electric wire  220  is the same as that of the terminal-equipped electric wire  120 . 
     The protrusions  38  are formed so as to abut against the inner circumferential surface of the cavity  14  in the housed state. The protrusions  38  abut against the inner circumferential surface of the cavity  14 . Thus, the joint terminal  230  is supported by the housing body  12 . The protrusions  38  are formed so as to protrude in a radial direction outward of the wire barrel  32  and the insulation barrel  34 . In the example shown in  FIG.  9   , the protrusions  38  are provided on the rear end portion side of the joint terminal  230  relative to the insulation barrel  34 . The protrusions  38  may be provided at any position of the joint terminal  230 . For example, the protrusions  38  may be provided between the wire barrel  32  and the insulation barrel  34 . Also, for example, the protrusions  38  may be provided on the leading end side relative to the wire barrel  32 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG.  9   , the protrusions  38  are provided so as to protrude on two sides of the joint terminal  230 . The protrusions  38  may be provided so as to protrude downward of the joint terminal  230 . The protrusions  38  may be provided to protrude in three directions, namely on two sides and downward of the joint terminal  230 . The protrusions  38  may be formed to protrude in a radial direction outward of the sealing body  52 . The protrusions  38  may also be formed by bending a conductor plate as is the case with the wire barrel  32  and the insulation barrel  34 . 
     The protrusions  38  may elastically deform so as to collapse in the radial direction, when subjected to a force from the inner surface of the cavity  14  in the housed state. For example, the protrusions  38  can have a spring shape such as a leaf spring shape and thus be elastically deformable so as to be able to collapse in the radial direction of the cavity  14 . Also, the protrusions  38  are formed larger than the portion of the cavity  14  where the protrusions  38  abut against the cavity  14 , prior to being housed in the cavity  14 . In this case, as shown in  FIG.  9   , the protrusions  38  may be formed having a portion that gradually protrudes outward in the radial direction while extending toward the rear end side. Thus, when the protrusions  38  are housed in the cavity  14 , the protrusions  38  are likely to deform in a direction in which they collapse when subjected to a force from the inner surface of the cavity  14 . 
     Note that the configurations of the embodiments and modification examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no contradiction arises. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1 ,  101  Connector-equipped electric wire 
               10  Connector housing 
               12  Housing body 
               14  Cavity 
               16  Vehicle attachment portion 
               17  Mounting hole 
               18  Seal member mounting portion 
               20 ,  120 ,  220  Terminal-equipped electric wire 
               22  Coated electric wire 
               24  Conductor core wire 
               26  Insulation coating 
               30 ,  130 ,  230  Joint terminal 
               31  Bottom portion 
               32 ,  43  Wire barrel 
               32   a ,  32   b ,  34   a ,  34   b ,  36   a ,  36   b  Crimping piece 
               34 ,  36 ,  44  Insulation barrel 
               38  Protrusion 
               40  Connector terminal 
               41  Partner-side connection portion 
               42  Relay conductor connection portion 
               46  Relay conductor 
               50 ,  150  Sealing member 
               52  Sealing body 
               54 ,  55  Crimp portion 
               56  Through hole 
               80  Crimping die 
               82  Crimper 
               84  Anvil 
             S Seal member 
             CP 1 , CP 2 , CP 3  Connection portion