Method of connecting wire and terminal fitting

1. 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.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is compressed and shaped by rotary swaging.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the connecting member includes a first hole portion and a second hole portion which is larger than the first hole in diameter;

wherein the electric wire has a core wire covered with an insulating sheath;

wherein the core wire is inserted in the first hole portion and the insulating sheath is inserted in the second hole portion, and the first hole portion and the second hole portion are disposed coaxially with each other; and

wherein the connecting member is compressed so that the insulating sheath is held in intimate contact with the second hole portion.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the terminal fitting is provided with a clamping portion; and

further comprising the step of press-clamping the conductive connecting member by the clamping portion.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the connecting member comprises a connecting cap having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the inserting the electric wire into the insertion hole is performed after the providing the conductive connecting member formed with the insertion hole.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the compressing the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member radially inwardly is performed after the inserting the electric wire into the insertion hole.