Electric distribution assembly

• US 6,573,454 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Furukawa Electric Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Furukawa Electric Company Limited
• Inventors: Fujiwara, Hidemichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N.
• Application Number:
  US09/993,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20020162683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 567 Days
• Field of Search: 174/75.C, 174/74.R, 174/78, 174/84.C, 428/472.2
• US Class Current: 174/74.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/183 for cylindrical elongated bodies, e.g. cables having circular cross-section H01R4/01 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/188 having an uneven wire-receiving surface to improve the contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/62 Connections between conductors of different materials; Connections between or with aluminium or steel-core aluminium conductors H01R4/68 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/0207 Ultrasonic-, H.F.-, cold- or impact welding
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/048 Crimping apparatus or processes H01R43/042 takes precedence

Abstract

An electric distributor assembly for movable vehicle is provided which has a distribution cable which is easier to handle, having both a metal terminal excellent in workability and an Al alloy twisted wire conductor connected to the terminal so as to show superior connection characteristics. The twisted-wire conductor may be made of an Al or Al alloy which has conductivity of 50% IACS or more. The metal terminal is made of, preferably, an Al or Al alloy of which elongation is 20% or more. The terminal is connected with the cable conductor, preferably, with ultrasonic vibrations.

Claims

1. An electric distributor assembly comprising a distribution cable comprising an insulation-coated twisted-wire conductor made of an aluminum alloy and a connecting terminal connected to one end of said twisted wire conductor, wherein

said aluminum alloy consists of Zr:

0.03 to 0.4 wt %, Fe;

0.05 to 0.2 wt %, and Si;

0.05 to 0.2 wt % and further includes in total 0.003 to 0.05 wt % of one or more elements selected from Be, Sr, Mg, Ti and V, and the balance consists of Al and unavoidable impurities;

said connecting terminal connected to said twisted-wire conductor is made of a metal, and

said twisted wire conductor and said connecting terminal are connected by pressure welding with ultrasonic vibrations.

2. The electric distributor assembly of claim 1, wherein said metal for said connecting terminal comprises an aluminum or an aluminum alloy whose elongation is 20% or more.

3. The electric distributor assembly of claim 2, wherein said aluminum alloy for said connecting terminal consists essentially of Zr:

0.03 to 0.4 wt % and Si;

0.05 to 0.15 wt % and the balance consists of Al and unavoidable impurities.

4. The electric distributor assembly of claim 2, wherein said aluminum alloy for said connecting terminal conductor consists essentially of Mg:

0.3 to 1.8 wt %, Si;

0.15 to 1.5 wt %, Fe;

0.1 to 1.0 wt %, Cu;

0.05 to 0.5 wt % and further in total 0.03 to 0.6 wt % of one or more elements selected from Mn, Cr and Ti, and the balance consists of Al and unavoidable impurities.

5. The electric distributor assembly of any one of claims 1, wherein said connecting terminal is coated on a surface thereof with Ni or an Ni alloy which has a thickness of 5 μ

m or less.

6. The electric distributor assembly of claim 1, which further comprises an electromagnetic shielding metal layer for covering an outer surface of said insulation-coated twisted-wire conductor and further an insulation-coated layer covering said outer surface of said electromagnetic shielding metal layer.

7. The electric distributor assembly of claim 6, wherein said electromagnetic shielding metal layer comprises a reticulated member comprising an aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

8. An aluminum alloy, which can used for a connecting terminal of an electric distributor assembly comprising a distribution cable and said connecting terminal, said alloy consisting of Mg:

0.3 to 1.8 wt %, Si;

0.15 to 1.5 wt %, Fe;

0.1 to 1.0 wt %, Cu;

0.05 to 0.5 wt %, further in total 0.03 to 0.6 wt % of one or more elements selected from Mn, Cr and Ti, and the balance consists of Al and unavoidable impurities.