Patent ID: 7374466

Claim:
A method of connecting a terminal fitting and an elastic wire, comprising the steps of: providing a terminal fitting; providing an electric wire; providing a conductive connecting member formed with an insertion hole, the connecting member which includes an outer peripheral portion having a continuous cylindrical shape; inserting the electric wire into the insertion hole of the connecting member; compressing the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member radially inwardly so as to caulk an inserted portion of the electric wire uniformly over a whole periphery thereof; and thereafter welding the connecting member and the terminal fitting by applying ultrasonic wave; wherein the electric wire comprises wire elements; wherein the wire elements comprise a covered portion which is covered by an insulating sheath and an exposed portion which is exposed; wherein when the electric wire is inserted into the insertion hole of the connecting member, the connecting member covers a portion of the exposed portion and a portion of the covered portion; wherein when the electric wire is inserted into the insertion hole of the connecting member, the connecting member covers all of the exposed portion of the wire elements; and wherein the connecting member includes an open end into which the electric wire is inserted and a closed end opposite the open end.