Wire processing device and wire processing method

Abstract

The auxiliary operations from the stranding process to the terminal insertion process are reduced, and the installation space required for the wire harness processing equipment is reduced. The wire processing equipment includes: a data instruction unit (10), a wire holding unit (20), a wire transfer unit (30), and a twisting processing unit (40). The wire holding unit (20) holds at least two wires. The data instruction unit (10) instructs the twisting processing unit (40) and the wire transfer unit (30) on the twisting processing unit (40) and the wire transfer unit (30) on the conditions for twisting processing, the removal position of the two wires, and the insertion position of the stranded wire. The twisting processing unit (40) twists the two wires according to the instructions of the data instruction unit (10) to produce a stranded wire. According to the instructions of the data instruction unit (10), the wire transfer unit (30) removes the two wires from the wire holding unit (20) at the removal position and transfers them to the twisting processing unit (40), and transfers the stranded wire from the twisting processing unit (40) to the insertion position of the wire holding unit (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to wire processing apparatus and wire processing method. Background Technology

[0002] The processing steps for wire harnesses include the processing of twisted wires (twisted pairs) through cutting and crimping processes, as well as twisting processes. In the cutting and crimping process, a cutting and crimping machine measures and cuts the wire wound on a roller, and crimps terminals onto both ends of the wire to create a terminald wire. In the twisting process, a twisting machine twists two terminald wires together to create a stranded wire. The terminals of the resulting stranded wire are then inserted into the connector housing by a terminal insertion machine or manually during the terminal insertion process.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-220070

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-100711 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] In the aforementioned stranding process, the wires / strands need to be moved between each step. Therefore, prior to the terminal insertion step, there are several ancillary tasks, including combining multiple wires, installing covers on the wires, removing covers, rounding the wires, and restoring the roundness of the wires. This makes stranding the wires time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, the stranding process is not directly connected to other wire harness processing steps; the various devices used for processing wire harnesses are distributed, resulting in a significant space requirement.

[0009] Patent Document 1 describes a stranded cable manufacturing apparatus that uses a single device to perform the cutting and crimping processes as well as the twisting process. However, since the stranded wires are discharged onto a discharge tray, the stranded wires need to be bundled and transported before the terminal insertion process. As a result, incidental operations such as cap removal are required.

[0010] Furthermore, the wire end processing device in Patent Document 2 arranges the wires with terminals on the discharge beam and discharges them based on the sequence used in the next process (twisting process, joining process, sub-assembly process, etc.). The transport to the twisting process can be carried out in units of the discharge beam, but when the stranded wire produced by the twisting machine is transported to the terminal insertion process, the cap removal operation still occurs.

[0011] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to reduce the ancillary operations from the stranding process to the terminal insertion process, and to reduce the installation space required for the wire harness processing equipment.

[0012] Technical means for solving problems

[0013] In order to achieve the above objectives, the wire processing apparatus and wire processing method involved in the present invention have the following features (1) to (6).

[0014] (1) An electrical wire processing apparatus for processing two electrical wires into a stranded wire, comprising:

[0015] A wire holding part, wherein the wire holding part holds at least two wires;

[0016] The indicator section indicates the conditions of the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding section, and the insertion position of the twisted wire.

[0017] A twisting processing unit, which twists the two wires according to the instructions of the indicator to produce the stranded wire; and

[0018] The wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position and transfers them to the twisting processing unit. The wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, transfers the stranded wire from the twisting processing unit to the insertion position in the wire holding unit.

[0019] (2) The wire processing apparatus described in (1) above, wherein,

[0020] The wire transfer section has:

[0021] One end holding part, wherein the one end holding part holds one end of the two wires;

[0022] The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires; and

[0023] A moving mechanism that moves the one-end holding part and the other-end holding part between the wire holding part and the twisting processing part.

[0024] (3) The wire processing apparatus described in (2) above, wherein,

[0025] The one-end gripping portion and the other-end gripping portion are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction.

[0026] The moving mechanism causes the one-end gripping part and the other-end gripping part to move in the first direction.

[0027] (4) The wire processing apparatus described in (2) or (3) above, wherein,

[0028] The twisting processing part has:

[0029] A one-end holding part, which holds one end of the two wires transferred from the one-end holding part;

[0030] The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires transferred from the other end holding part; and

[0031] A twisting processing moving mechanism that moves at least one of the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion, such that the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are separated from each other by a distance between them corresponding to the lengths of the two wires.

[0032] The other end retaining part rotates about the extension direction of the two wires while separated from the first end retaining part.

[0033] (5) The wire processing apparatus described in (4) above, wherein,

[0034] The one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction.

[0035] The moving mechanism causes the other end holding portion to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0036] The one-end holding portion is configured to be movable in the first direction and to be rotatable in a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0037] (6) A method for processing electrical wires, which involves processing two electrical wires into a stranded wire, wherein in the method,

[0038] Generate instruction information indicating the conditions for the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding portion that holds at least the two wires, and the insertion position of the twisted wires.

[0039] The wire transfer unit removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position according to the indicated information and transfers them to the twisting unit.

[0040] The twisting processing unit uses the indicated information to twist the two wires to produce the stranded wire; and

[0041] The wire transfer section transfers the stranded wire from the twisting section to the insertion position in the wire holding section according to the instruction information.

[0042] According to the wire processing apparatus with the structure described in (1) and the wire processing method with the configuration described in (6), the wire is transferred from the state held in the wire holding part (rod) to the twisting processing part by the wire transfer part, processed into a stranded wire, and driven into the wire holding part. That is, it is possible to process a wire with terminals containing stranded wire into a wire harness circuit state (sub-wire harness). Therefore, the stranded wire together with the wire holding part can be transported to the next process such as the terminal insertion process. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the ancillary operations such as wire harness assembly, bundle unassembly, capping, and cap removal from the stranding process to the terminal insertion process. In addition, since the space required for ancillary operations between the stranding process and the terminal insertion process is not needed, the space required for wire harness processing can be reduced.

[0043] The wire processing device according to the structure of (2) above can transfer the wire by holding one end and the other end of two wires.

[0044] According to the wire processing apparatus with the structure described in (3) above, one end and the other end of two wires are held in an adjacent arrangement, and the wires are moved from the wire holding part to the twisting part in one direction, thereby enabling wire transfer. Therefore, the apparatus structure can be simplified.

[0045] The wire processing apparatus according to the structure of (4) above can adjust the distance between one end holding part and the other end holding part by means of a moving mechanism, so that it can perform twisting processing corresponding to the length of the wire.

[0046] According to the wire processing apparatus with the structure described above (5), when the wire is transferred from the wire transfer section, the other end holding section moves in the direction of tensioning the wire, and the one end holding section is positioned opposite the other end holding section along the second direction while the wire holding direction is rotated, thus enabling twisting processing. That is, the wire transfer section does not need to transfer one end and the other end of the wire to separate twisting processing start positions.

[0047] Invention Effects

[0048] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the ancillary operations from the stranding process to the terminal insertion process, and to reduce the installation space required for wire harness processing equipment.

[0049] The present invention has been briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the present invention will become even clearer by referring to the accompanying drawings and reading the following detailed description of specific embodiments (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments"). Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a wire processing apparatus according to one embodiment.

[0051] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of instruction information from a data indicator unit.

[0052] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the wire holding part shown.

[0053] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The enlarged view of the wire transfer section shown is a diagram illustrating the removal of the wire by the wire transfer section.

[0054] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the twisting part shown.

[0055] Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the process of the wire transfer section transferring the wire to the twisting section.

[0056] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the tension adjustment mechanism of the twisting processing section.

[0057] Figure 8 This is a diagram used to illustrate the operation of the tension adjustment mechanism.

[0058] Figure 9 This is a side view of the tension adjustment mechanism, showing the state where no tension is applied to the wire.

[0059] Figure 10 This is a side view of the tension adjustment mechanism, showing the state in which tension is applied to the wire.

[0060] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 and Figure 10 A magnified view of the area near the sensor shown.

[0061] Figure 12 This is a magnified view of the area near the sensor.

[0062] Figure 13 This is a magnified side view of the area near the sensor of the tension adjustment mechanism involved in the modified example, and is a diagram showing the state in which no tension is applied to the wire.

[0063] Figure 14 is a side view of the tension adjustment mechanism involved in the modified example, showing the state in which tension is applied to the wire.

[0064] Figure 15 This is a magnified view of the area near the sensor involved in the variant example.

[0065] Symbol Explanation

[0066] 10. Data indication unit (indicator, control device)

[0067] 20. Wire retaining part

[0068] 21. Maintaining the platform

[0069] 22 Wire clamps

[0070] 30. Wire Transfer Section

[0071] 31, 32 Transfer Head

[0072] 33. Mobile mechanisms

[0073] 40. Twisting Processing Unit (Twisting Machine)

[0074] 41 Fixture

[0075] 42 Rotary clamp

[0076] 43. Moving mechanism (moving mechanism for twisting processing)

[0077] 44 Mounting Plate

[0078] 45. Mobile mechanism

[0079] 50 mounting blocks

[0080] Axles 51 and 69

[0081] 52, 54, 61 pulleys

[0082] 53, 62

[0083] 55 motor

[0084] 56. Maintenance Section

[0085] 57 Mounting Plate

[0086] Sliders 63, 65, and 71

[0087] 64 Mounting Plate

[0088] 66 U-shaped blocks

[0089] 67 First board

[0090] 68 Second board

[0091] 70 Spring

[0092] 72, 72A gauges

[0093] 72a comb teeth

[0094] 72Aa Rectangular section

[0095] 72Ab concave part

[0096] 72b Horizontal section

[0097] 73 Connecting plate

[0098] 74 sensors

[0099] M driver source

[0100] RU rotating mechanism

[0101] ST workbench

[0102] TU tension adjustment mechanism

[0103] W1 and W2 wires

[0104] One end of W1a and W2a

[0105] The other ends of W1b and W2b Detailed Implementation

[0106] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures.

[0107] (Structure of wire processing equipment)

[0108] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view of a wire processing apparatus according to one embodiment. The wire processing apparatus includes: a data indication unit 10 (indicator, control device) that indicates the conditions for twisting processing, etc.; a wire holding unit 20 (rod) that holds multiple wires of different lengths and sizes; a wire transfer unit 30 that transfers the wires; and a twisting processing unit 40 that twists two wires together to create a stranded wire. The wire processing apparatus processes wires of different types, sizes, and lengths, including stranded wires and terminals, into a wire harness circuit state (sub-wire harness). Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, as... Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the definitions of "front-back direction," "left-right direction," and "up-down direction." These directions are orthogonal to each other.

[0109] (Data Instruction Section 10)

[0110] The data instruction unit 10 is a control device having a storage unit and a calculation unit. The data instruction unit 10 generates instruction information indicating the twisting processing conditions such as the strand length and rotation speed, as well as the wire removal position and the strand insertion position in the wire holding unit 20, and instructs the wire transfer unit 30 and the twisting processing unit 40. Figure 2This is an example of the instruction information displayed by the data indicator unit 10 during the production of five sets of stranded wires, No. 1 to No. 5. The instruction information of the data indicator unit 10 includes the conditions for twisting, the positions of the two wires removed from the wire holding section 20 (rod removal positions A and B), and the positions of the stranded wire driven in (rod driving positions A and B). For example, the conditions for twisting include twisting revolutions, twisting rotations, twisting speed, twist retraction position, twist retraction position, twist retraction speed, and twist adjustment conveyor speed. The data indicator unit 10 may also omit some of the conditions for twisting in its instruction information; for example, it may omit the twist adjustment conveyor speed. Additionally, the instruction information of the data indicator unit 10 may include the wire type name, wire size name, and wire length. The data indicator unit 10 instructs the wire transfer section 30 on the positions of the two wires removed from the wire holding section 20 and the positions of the stranded wire driven in, and instructs the twisting section 40 on the conditions for twisting. In addition, the data instruction unit 10 controls each part that constitutes the twisting processing unit 40.

[0111] (Wire holding part 20)

[0112] like Figure 3 As shown, the wire holding part 20 includes: a holding platform 21; and a rod extending in the left-right direction, which is detachably held in the holding platform 21, and a plurality of wire clips 22 are provided on its upper part. The wire clips 22 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction of the rod and are supported and fixed to the holding platform 21. A pair of clamping plates of the wire clips 22 elastically apply force in the clamping direction, and clamp the two ends of the wires W1 and W2 (hereinafter also referred to as wires W1 and W2) with terminals through these clamping plates. The wire holding part 20 holds one end W1a, W2a and the other end W1b, W2b of each of the two wires W1 and W2 in the order of one end W1a, one end W2a, the other end W1b, and the other end W2b. The wire holding part 20 holds the wires W1 and W2 in a U-shape with the two ends of the wires W1 and W2 facing the same direction by having each wire clip 22 clamp the portion near both ends of the wires W1 and W2 respectively. The wire holding section 20 holds both ends of the wire separately by wire clamps 22, thus enabling the holding of various wires of different lengths / sizes, as well as stranded wires made by the twisting section 40. Furthermore, the wire holding section 20 holds terminal wires of different types, sizes, and lengths, including stranded wires, on a pole, allowing these terminal wires to be transported together with the pole to the next process. Therefore, it reduces the ancillary operations required for wire handling, such as wire bundle assembly, unassembly, capping, and cap removal.

[0113] (Wire transfer section 30)

[0114] The wire transfer section 30 includes: a transfer head 31 (one end holding part) that holds one end W1a, W2a of two wires W1, W2; a transfer head 32 (the other end holding part) that holds the other end W1b, W2b of two wires; and a moving mechanism 33 that moves the transfer heads 31, 32 in the left and right direction.

[0115] The moving mechanism 33 includes: a mounting plate 331 extending in both vertical and horizontal directions, and on which transfer heads 31 and 32 are mounted; and two moving parts 332 fixed to the rear surface of the mounting plate 331 for moving the mounting plate 331 in the horizontal direction. The moving mechanism 33 also includes: two shafts 333 inserted into the moving parts 332 and extending in the horizontal direction; and two support plates 334 extending in both the front-rear and vertical directions and providing fixed support to both ends of the shafts 333. The support plates 334 are fixed to the ground by a support frame. The transfer heads 31 and 32 are arranged horizontally and mounted on the mounting plate 331. The two moving parts 332 are arranged side-by-side in the vertical direction and move together along the shafts 333 via a drive unit such as a motor (not shown). The moving mechanism 33 is positioned between the top of the wire holding part 20 and the top of the twisting part 40, allowing the transfer heads 31 and 32 to move between the wire holding part 20 and the twisting part 40.

[0116] like Figure 4 As shown, transfer heads 31 and 32 are arranged side-by-side at intervals along the left-right direction on the front surface of the mounting plate 331. Each transfer head 31 has a spacer 311 and gripping pieces 312 disposed on the left and right sides of the spacer 311, and is configured to move vertically relative to the mounting plate 331 via a mechanism such as a cylinder. The width of the lower end portion 311a of the spacer 311 in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the distance between adjacent wire clamps 22. In other words, the width of the lower end portion 311a of the spacer 311 in the left-right direction is approximately the same as the distance between the midpoint of the two gripping pieces of one wire clamp 22 and the midpoint of the two gripping pieces of the wire clamp 22 adjacent to that wire clamp 22. The left and right gripping pieces 312 are driven to approach or separate from the spacer 311 from the left and right sides, respectively gripping one end W1a and W2a of wires W1 and W2 between the left and right gripping pieces 312 and the lower end portion 311a of the spacer 311. The left and right gripping pieces 312 have an opening 312a in the central part in the front-back direction. Through this opening 312a, interference with the wire clamp 22 and the gripping parts 412 and 422 can be avoided when taking the wires W1 and W2 out of the wire holding part 20, when driving them into the wire holding part 20, and when transferring them to the twisting processing part 40.

[0117] The transfer head 32 has the same structure as the transfer head 31, and holds the other ends W1b and W2b of wires W1 and W2 respectively between the left and right holding plates 322 and the lower end 321a of the spacer 321.

[0118] According to the instructions of the data instruction unit 10, the wire transfer unit 30 moves the transfer heads 31 and 32 in the left-right direction via the moving mechanism 33, so that the transfer head 31 is positioned above the wire W1 and W2 removal position of the wire holding unit 20. Above the wire W1 and W2 removal position, the transfer head 31 descends to hold one end W1a and W2a, and then rises. Next, the moving mechanism 33 moves the transfer heads 31 and 32 in the left-right direction, so that the transfer head 32 is positioned above the wire W1 and W2 removal position, and then lowers the transfer head 32 to hold the other end W1b and W2b and rises. After the wire transfer unit 30 moves the transfer heads 31 and 32 holding the wires W1 and W2 to the left and stops above the predetermined position of the twisting processing unit 40, it descends (see reference). Figure 6 The wire transfer unit 30 transfers wires W1 and W2 to the twisting processing unit 40 (fixed clamp 41, rotating clamp 42). As described above, the wire transfer unit 30 holds both ends of wires W1 and W2 with transfer heads 31 and 32, thereby removing wires W1 and W2 from the wire holding unit 20 while maintaining their U-shape, and transferring them to the twisting processing unit 40. Conversely, the wire transfer unit 30 receives wires W1 and W2 from the twisting processing unit 40 through the opposite operation and holds (inserts) them into the wire holding unit 20.

[0119] (Twisting and twisting section 40)

[0120] The twisting processing unit 40 includes a fixed clamp 41 (one-end holding part), a rotating clamp 42 (other-end holding part), and moving mechanisms 43 and 45. The fixed clamp 41 holds one end W1a, W2a of two wires W1, W2 transferred from the transfer head 31. The rotating clamp 42 holds the other ends W1b, W2b of the two wires W1, W2 transferred from the transfer head 32. The moving mechanism 43 moves the rotating clamp 42 in the front-back direction to separate it from the fixed clamp 41, so that the distance between the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 is a distance corresponding to the length of the two wires W1, W2. The moving mechanism 45 moves the fixed clamp 41 in the front-back direction and rotates it in a horizontal plane including the front-back and left-right directions. In the initial state of the twisting processing unit 40, as... Figure 1 As shown, the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction (first direction).

[0121] The fixing clamp 41 includes a retaining plate 411, a gripping part 412, a spacer 413, a mounting plate 414, and a driving part 415. The retaining plate 411 extends in the front-back direction and the left-right direction, holding one end W1a and W2a of the mounted wires W1 and W2. The gripping part 412 is an L-shaped block in plan view, having an arm 412a extending in the front-back direction and an end part 412b extending laterally (in either the left or right direction) from the end of the arm 412a. The two gripping parts 412 are arranged opposite each other on the upper surface of the retaining plate 411 with their end parts 412b extending inward towards each other. The spacer 413 is a block extending in the vertical direction, fixed to the upper surface of the retaining plate 411 at the middle position of the left and right end parts 412b. The mounting plate 414 is a plate-shaped component that extends in both the left-right and up-down directions and is disposed on the rear side of the spacer 413 and the end portion 412b. Wires W1 and W2 are mounted on the upper edge 414a. The drive unit 415 drives the two gripping portions 412 in the left-right direction by bringing the end portions 412b of the two gripping portions 412 closer to and further away from the spacer 413.

[0122] The fixing clamp 41 is connected to the moving mechanism 45 via a mounting plate 44 that is U-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction. The mounting plate 44 is mounted on the fixing clamp in such a way that it covers the fixing clamp 41 from above.

[0123] The moving mechanism 45 includes a rotary drive unit 450 mounted on the upper surface of the mounting plate 44 and a cylinder 451 disposed above the rotary drive unit 450. The moving mechanism 45 also includes an L-shaped mounting plate 452 configured to cover the right and lower sides of the cylinder 451, and having a horizontal portion 452a and a vertical portion 452b; and a holding portion 453 that holds the cylinder 451. The upper part of the rotary drive unit 450 is connected to the horizontal portion 452a of the mounting plate 452, causing the mounting plate 44 and the fixing clamp 41 held by the mounting plate 44 to rotate in the horizontal plane. The cylinder 451 has a vertical portion 452b fixed to the right end of a piston rod extending in the left-right direction, causing the mounting plate 44 and the fixing clamp 41 held by the mounting plate 44 to move in the left-right direction. The holding portion 453 is fixed to the ground via a support frame.

[0124] The rotary clamp 42 has a holding plate 421, a gripping part 422, a spacer 423, a mounting plate 424, and a driving part 425. The holding plate 421, gripping part 422, spacer 423, mounting plate 424, and driving part 425 of the rotary clamp 42 have the same structure and function as the holding plate 411, gripping part 412, spacer 413, mounting plate 414, and driving part 415 of the fixed clamp 41. The left-right dimensions of the fixed clamp 41 and the rotary clamp 42 are approximately the same as the left-right dimensions of the transfer heads 31 and 32 of the wire transfer part 30.

[0125] like Figure 7 As shown, the rotating clamp 42 is held rotatably on the worktable ST that extends in the front-back and left-right directions by the rotating mechanism RU. In the state of being separated from the fixed clamp 41, it rotates about the extension direction (front-back direction) of the two wires W1 and W2 as the axis.

[0126] The rotating mechanism RU includes a mounting block 50, a shaft 51, a pulley 52, a belt 53, a pulley 54, a motor 55, a retaining part 56, and a mounting plate 57. The front end (drive part 425) of the rotating clamp 42 is fixed to the shaft 51 via the mounting block 50. The shaft 51 extends in the front-rear direction and is inserted into the pulley 52, which is arranged in the left-right direction and rotates in the vertical plane. The pulley 52 rotates as the pulley 54 rotates via the belt 53, which is arranged in the left-right direction and spans between the pulley 52 and the pulley 54, which rotates in the vertical plane, causing the shaft 51 to rotate. The rotation axis of the pulley 54 is connected to the rotation axis of the motor 55. The retaining part 56 holds the shaft 51 on the lower surface of the worktable ST in a manner that allows the shaft 51 to rotate. The mounting plate 57 holds the motor 55 on the lower surface of the worktable ST. That is, the rotary clamp 42 can be rotated by the motor 55 via the pulley 54, belt 53, pulley 52, shaft 51 and mounting block 50, and held on the worktable ST via the holding part 56 and mounting plate 57.

[0127] At the moment when the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 begin to operate in the twisting processing unit 40, such as Figure 5 As shown, the gripping parts 412 and 422 are arranged side by side at the rear end of the guide rail 431 with the gripping parts facing rearward. Figure 5 The positions of the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 shown are set to the initial positions.

[0128] The moving mechanism 43 moves the rotating clamp 42 in a front-to-back direction (a second direction intersecting the first direction). The moving mechanism 43 has a track 431 extending in the front-to-back direction and a tension adjustment mechanism TU. The track 431 is fixed to the ground via a support frame.

[0129] (Tension Adjustment Mechanism TU)

[0130] The tension adjustment mechanism TU adjusts the tension of the wires W1 and W2 held by the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 by moving the rotating clamp 42 along the track 431 and changing the position of the rotating clamp 42 in the front-back direction. That is, the tension adjustment mechanism TU can keep the tension of the wires W1 and W2 constant by changing the distance between the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42.

[0131] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8As shown, the tension adjustment mechanism TU includes a pulley 61, a belt 62, a slider 63, a mounting plate 64, a slider 65, a U-shaped block 66, a first plate 67, a second plate 68, a shaft 69, a spring 70 (elastic component), a slider 71, a gauge 72, a connecting plate 73, and a sensor 74.

[0132] A pulley 61 is mounted on the left side near the rear end of the track 431 and is capable of rotating in the vertical plane. Power from a drive source M, such as a servo motor that drives the front pulley, is transmitted to a slider 63 mounted on the belt 62 via a belt 62 positioned between the pulley 61 and a front pulley located near the front end of the left side of the track 431. The lower surface of the slider 63 is fixed to the left side of the upper surface of a mounting plate 64 extending in the horizontal plane. A slider 65 is fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 64, at a position to the right rear of the slider 63. The slider 65 is driven by the drive source M via the front pulley, belt 62, pulley 61, slider 63, and mounting plate 64, and moves along the track 431 in the front-rear direction.

[0133] A U-shaped block 66 is positioned in front of the mounting plate 64 above the worktable ST, and the U-shaped block 66 is fixed to the upper surface of the worktable ST. The U-shaped block 66 has two side plates 661 extending in the vertical and horizontal directions and a top plate 662 connecting the upper ends of the side plates 661. A first plate 67 with a through hole in the center is fixed to the rear end of the U-shaped block 66. A second plate 68 is positioned behind the first plate 67, with its upper surface fixed to the lower surface of the mounting plate 64. A shaft 69 extending in the horizontal direction is positioned between the second plate 68 and the U-shaped block 66. The rear end of the shaft 69 is fixed to the second plate 68, and the front end is positioned inside the U-shaped block 66 through the through hole of the first plate 67. A circular plate portion with a shape larger than the outer diameter of the shaft 69 is mounted at the front end of the shaft 69 to prevent the first plate 67 from falling out of the through hole. A spring 70 is positioned between the first plate 67 and the second plate 68, and the shaft 69 is inserted into the spring 70. The U-shaped block 66 has a slider 71 fixed on the upper surface of the upper plate 662. The slider 71 can move along the track 431.

[0134] As the rotary clamp 42 moves forward from its initial position, the driving force is transmitted to the slider 63 via the drive source M through the front pulley, pulley 61, and conveyor belt 62. Furthermore, the mounting plate 64, the second plate 68, and the shaft 69, which are directly or indirectly fixed to the slider 63, move forward. As the second plate 68 moves forward, the reaction force of the spring 70, which is compressed between the first plate 67 and the second plate 68, presses the first plate 67 forward. The forward movement of the first plate 67 causes the U-shaped block 66, the worktable ST, and the slider 71, which are directly or indirectly fixed to the first plate 67, to move forward. By moving the worktable ST forward, the rotary clamp 42, held on the worktable ST, is moved forward by the rotary mechanism RU. Thus, the worktable ST (first moving part), equipped with the rotary clamp 42, moves in tandem with the second moving part, which includes the sliders 63 and 65, and the mounting plate 64.

[0135] A gauge 72 is disposed on the rear right side of the U-shaped block 66. The gauge 72 has a plurality of comb teeth 72a arranged in the front-back direction and a horizontal portion 72b extending in the front-back direction above the comb teeth 72a. The gauge 72 is fixed to the mounting plate 64 via an L-shaped connecting plate 73 fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal portion 72b.

[0136] A sensor 74 is fixed to the side plate 661 on the right side of the U-block 66. The sensor 74 is a slot-shaped photoelectric sensor (light sensor) with a central slot in the left-right direction, detecting the presence or absence of objects within the slot. It is fixed to the U-block 66 with the comb teeth 72a of the gauge 72 located within the slot. The sensor 74 counts the number of comb teeth 72a passing through the slot from the start time of movement relative to the gauge 72 to the end time. The number of comb teeth 72a counted by the sensor 74 represents the amount of movement of the worktable ST, the U-block 66, and the slider 71 (first moving part) relative to the sliders 63 and 65 and the mounting plate 64 (second moving part). The sensor 74 detects the amount of movement each time the first moving part moves.

[0137] The information on the amount of movement detected by sensor 74 is sent to the control device that controls the drive source M. The control device controls the drive source M according to the amount of movement, so that the slider 63 moves in a manner that compensates for the amount of movement. The control device may be integrated with the data indicator 10, or it may be provided separately from the data indicator 10.

[0138] (Operation of the wire processing device)

[0139] Next, the operation (wire processing method) of the wire processing apparatus configured as described above will be explained. In the initial state, as... Figure 1 As shown, the wire transfer part 30 is located above the wire holding part 20, and the fixing clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 of the twisting processing part 40 are located at the rear end of the track 431.

[0140] The data instruction unit 10 instructs the wire transfer unit 30 and the twisting processing unit 40 on the length of the twisted wire, the number of turns, the wire removal position, and the insertion position. Following the instructions of the data instruction unit 10, the wire transfer unit 30 descends from above the removal position in the wire holding unit 20 and removes wires W1 and W2 via transfer heads 31 and 32. While holding wires W1 and W2 with transfer heads 31 and 32, the wire transfer unit 30 uses the moving mechanism 33 to move the transfer heads 31 and 32 towards... Figure 1 The device moves to the left as shown, stopping it above the fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 of the twisting processing section 40. At this time, the fixed clamp 41 is located directly below the transfer head 31, and the rotating clamp 42 is located directly below the transfer head 32.

[0141] Reference Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The transfer operation of wires W1 and W2 from the wire transfer section 30 to the twisting section 40 will be described. Wires W1 and W2 are removed from the wire holding section 20 and moved to the left. The transfer heads 31 and 32 of the wire transfer section 30 descend towards the fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 above the fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42. The transfer heads 31 and 32 position the wires W1 and W2 between the two holding parts 412 and the spacer 413 of the fixed clamp 41, and between the two holding parts 422 and the spacer 423 of the rotating clamp 42. Wires W1 and W2 are placed on the upper edges 414a and 424a. In this state, the gripping parts 412 and 422 are closed, meaning that the two gripping parts 412 approach the spacer 413 from the left and right directions respectively, and the two gripping parts 422 approach the spacer 423 from the left and right directions respectively. The wires W1 and W2 are gripped by the fixing clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42. Then, the transfer heads 31 and 32 open the gripping parts 312 and 322, meaning that the two gripping parts 312 separate from the spacer 311, and the two gripping parts 322 leave the spacer 321 and rise back to their original height (directly above the fixing clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42). In this way, the transfer heads 31 and 32 transfer the wires W1 and W2 to the fixing clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42.

[0142] Next, the twisting process in the twisting processing unit 40 will be explained. In the fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 that have transferred wires W1 and W2 from the wire transfer unit 30, the rotating clamp 42 moves forward via the moving mechanism 43 ( Figure 5 The direction of arrow YA (as shown) is moved a distance slightly longer than the longitudinal length of the fixing clamp 41. Next, the fixing clamp 41 is moved forward by the moving mechanism 45 in a manner that causes the mounting plate 414 to face forward. Figure 5 The arrow YB shown is rotated 180 degrees and points to the right. Figure 5The fixed clamp 41 is positioned directly below the location where the track 431 extends rearward, moving in the direction of arrow YC. That is, the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42 are arranged with the mounting plate 414 and mounting plate 424 facing each other, and the wires W1 and W2 are held in a U-shape between the fixed clamp 41 and the rotating clamp 42. During the twisting of the wires W1 and W2, the fixed clamp 41 does not move from this position.

[0143] Then, the rotating clamp 42 moves forward via the moving mechanism 43 and stops at the starting position of the twisting. Figure 1 (The position is indicated by the single-dotted line). When the rotating clamp 42 is in the twisting start position, the distance between the rotating clamp 42 and the fixed clamp 41 is the distance corresponding to the length of the wires W1 and W2.

[0144] Rotary clamp 42 is positioned at the beginning of the twisting process. Figure 9 As shown, without tension applied to wires W1 and W2, they are driven to rotate by motor 55, thereby initiating the twisting of wires W1 and W2. Figure 8 As shown, because the wires W1 and W2 are twisted together, thus shortening the wire length, a rearward (in the direction of arrow Y1) tensile force is applied to the rotating clamp 42 and the worktable ST of the rotating clamp 42. By applying a rearward force to the worktable ST, the slider 71, which is fixed to the worktable ST via the U-block 66, moves rearward. The first plate 67, fixed to the U-block 66, moves rearward, compressing the spring 70 between it and the second plate 68 (refer to arrow Y2).

[0145] The second moving part (slider 63, 65, mounting plate 64) will not move as long as the reaction force of the spring 70 is less than the friction between the slider 63 and the belt 62, and will not follow the movement of the first moving part (worktable ST, U-block 66, slider 71). That is, the sensor 74 is fixed to the U-block 66, which moves in the Y1 direction, and the gauge 72 is fixed to the mounting plate 64, whose position does not change in the front-back direction. Therefore, the sensor 74 will not move relative to the gauge 72. Figure 10 The state shown is where tension is applied to wires W1 and W2. The amount of movement of sensor 74 relative to gauge 72 (see reference). Figure 11 Arrow Y4 shown corresponds to the contraction of spring 70. Based on this movement, the control device controls the drive source M to move the worktable ST in the direction that compensates for this movement. Figure 8 Move in the direction of arrow Y3 shown.

[0146] Each time spring 70 extends or retracts, sensor 74 reacts, detects the amount of movement, and rotates clamp 42 in the direction that compensates for that amount of movement (see reference). Figure 12Arrow Y5) moves. Additionally, when the reaction force of spring 70 exceeds the friction between slider 63 and belt 62, the second moving part (slider 63, 65, mounting plate 64) moves following the movement of the first moving part. In this case, sensor 74 does not move relative to gauge 72.

[0147] In this way, by using the tension adjustment mechanism TU, which includes sensor 74 and drive source M, and by coordinating the contraction of the stranded wires to twist the wires W1 and W2, the tension of the wires W1 and W2 (stranded wires) can be adjusted within a certain range. Furthermore, since the tension can be adjusted by controlling the drive of the worktable ST of the rotating clamp 42, the device does not become too large.

[0148] The twisting processing unit 40 uses a fixed clamp 41 and a rotating clamp 42 to hold wires W1 and W2, and performs twisting processing while adjusting the tension to create stranded wires. The rotating clamp 42, holding the other end of the stranded wires W1 and W2, moves backward via a moving mechanism 43. The fixed clamp 41, holding one end of the stranded wires W1 and W2, moves to the left and rotates 180 degrees. The fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 then return to their initial positions. The transfer heads 31 and 32 of the wire transfer unit 30 descend from above the fixed clamp 41 and rotating clamp 42 (at the initial height), receiving (holding) the stranded wires through an action opposite to that during the transfer of wires W1 and W2. After rising, the transfer heads 31 and 32 holding the stranded wires move to the right via the moving mechanism 33, above the wire holding unit 20, i.e., above the insertion position indicated by the data indicator unit 10. The transfer heads 31 and 32 descend and drive one end W1a, W2a and the other end W1b, W2b of the stranded wire into the wire clamp 22 at the driven position of the wire holding part 20.

[0149] The wire holding section 20 holds multiple wires, including stranded wires made by the twisting section 40, on the rod, so that multiple wires, including stranded wires, can be easily transported to the next process by the transport rod. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the ancillary operations such as wire bundle gathering, bundle loosening, capping, and cap removal required when transporting wires.

[0150] As explained above, according to the wire processing apparatus and method of this embodiment, wires W1 and W2 are transferred from the state held by the wire holding part 20 (rod) to the twisting processing part 40 by the wire transfer part 30, processed into stranded wires, and inserted into the wire holding part 20. That is, it is possible to process the terminal wires containing stranded wires into a wire harness circuit state (sub-wire harness). Therefore, it is possible to transport the stranded wires in the next step after each rod insertion step, etc. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the ancillary operations such as wire harness assembly, bundle unassembly, capping, and cap removal from the stranding process to the terminal insertion process. In addition, since the space required for ancillary operations between the stranding process and the terminal insertion process is not needed, the space required for wire harness processing can be reduced.

[0151] Furthermore, in the wire processing apparatus of this embodiment, in the twisting processing unit 40, when the wires W1 and W2 are twisted together by the rotation of the rotating clamp 42, thereby shortening the wire length, the worktable ST, which is equipped with the rotating clamp 42, is stretched towards the fixed clamp 41. At this time, the amount of movement of the first moving part (worktable ST, U-block 66, and slider 71) relative to the second moving part (slider 63, 65, and mounting plate 64) is detected by the sensor 74, and the second moving part is moved by the control device and the drive source M to compensate for the amount of movement. According to this structure, the distance between the rotating clamp 42 and the fixed clamp 41 can be adjusted according to the increase or decrease of the tension of the wires W1 and W2, so the tension applied to the wires can be adjusted to a certain range. Therefore, regardless of the length of the twisted wires, the tension applied to the wires W1 and W2 during twisting can be adjusted to be constant without increasing the size of the equipment. Furthermore, the drive source M is controlled based on the amount of movement detected by the gauge 72 and the sensor 74, thereby adjusting the tension applied to the wires W1 and W2. Therefore, even when the stranded wire length is long, the equipment involved in tension adjustment will not become larger.

[0152] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and can be appropriately modified and improved. In addition, the material, shape, size, value, form, quantity, and arrangement of each component in the aforementioned embodiments are arbitrary and not limited, as long as they can realize the present invention.

[0153] (Modified Example)

[0154] Reference Figures 13-15 A modified example of the tension adjustment mechanism TU of the twisting processing section 40 will be described. The gauge 72 of the above embodiment has multiple comb teeth 72a, while the modified gauge 72A does not have comb teeth 72a and has a rectangular recess 72Ab between two rectangular portions 72Aa. In the modified example, the sensor 74 detects the presence or absence of the gauge 72A. Figure 13In the state where no tension is applied to wires W1 and W2, as shown in Figure 14, sensor 74 is located at the rectangular portion 72Aa and detects gauge 72A (gauge 72A is detected). On the other hand, in the state where tension is applied to wires W1 and W2, as shown in Figure 14, sensor 74 is located at the recess 72Ab and does not detect gauge 72A (gauge 72A is not detected). The control device receiving the output from sensor 74 will operate when sensor 74 is located... Figure 15 When the sensor 74 is outside the specified range (the range indicated by arrow Y6), i.e., when no gauge 72A is detected, the drive source M continues its normal operation. On the other hand, when the sensor 74 is outside the specified range, i.e., when gauge 72A is detected, the control device (data indicator 10) stops the drive source M and the motor 55. In this way, when the position of the sensor 74 deviates from the specified range, i.e., when abnormal tension occurs, stopping the drive source M can prevent the wire from stretching or breaking.

[0155] Here, the features of the wire processing apparatus and wire processing method involved in the above embodiments of the present invention are briefly summarized and listed as follows [1] to [6].

[0156] [1] A wire processing apparatus for processing two wires (W1, W2) into a stranded wire, comprising:

[0157] The wire holding part (20) holds at least two wires;

[0158] The indicator (data indicator 10) indicates the conditions of the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding part, and the insertion position of the twisted wire.

[0159] A twisting processing unit (40) performs twisting processing on the two wires according to the instructions of the indicator to produce the stranded wire; and

[0160] The wire transfer unit (30) removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position according to the instruction and transfers them to the twisting processing unit. The wire transfer unit also transfers the stranded wire from the twisting processing unit to the insertion position in the wire holding unit according to the instruction.

[0161] [2] The wire processing apparatus as described in [1] above, wherein,

[0162] The wire transfer section (30) has:

[0163] One end holding part (transfer head 31) holds one end side (one end W1a, W2a) of the two wires.

[0164] The other end holding part (transfer head 32) holds the other end side (other end W1b, W2b) of the two wires; and

[0165] The moving mechanism (33) moves the one-end holding part and the other-end holding part between the wire holding part and the twisting processing part.

[0166] [3] The wire processing apparatus as described in [2] above, wherein,

[0167] The one-end gripping portion and the other-end gripping portion are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction (left-right direction).

[0168] The moving mechanism causes the one-end gripping part and the other-end gripping part to move in the first direction.

[0169] [4] The wire processing apparatus as described in [2] or [3] above, wherein,

[0170] The twisting processing part has:

[0171] One end holding part (fixed clamp 41) holds one end of the two wires transferred from the one end holding part;

[0172] The other end holding part (rotating clamp 42) holds the other end of the two wires transferred from the other end holding part; and

[0173] A twisting processing moving mechanism (moving mechanism 43) moves at least one of the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion, such that the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are separated from each other by a distance between them corresponding to the lengths of the two wires.

[0174] The other end retaining part rotates about the extension direction of the two wires while separated from the first end retaining part.

[0175] [5] The wire processing apparatus as described in [4] above, wherein,

[0176] The one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction (left-right direction).

[0177] The moving mechanism causes the other end holding part to move in a second direction (front-back direction) intersecting the first direction.

[0178] The one-end holding portion is configured to be movable in the first direction and to be rotatable in a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

[0179] [6] A wire processing method, which is a wire processing method for processing two wires (W1, W2) into a stranded wire, wherein in this method,

[0180] Generate instruction information indicating the conditions for twisting, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding portion (20) that holds at least the two wires, and the insertion position of the twisted wires.

[0181] The wire transfer unit (30) removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position according to the indicated information and transfers them to the twisting processing unit (40).

[0182] The twisting process unit uses the specified twisting process to twist the two wires according to the indicated information to produce the stranded wire.

[0183] The wire transfer section transfers the stranded wire from the twisting section to the insertion position in the wire holding section according to the instruction information.

Claims

1. An electric wire processing apparatus characterized by comprising: Two electrical wires are processed into a stranded wire, and the wire processing device includes: A wire holding part, wherein the wire holding part holds at least two wires; The indicator section indicates the conditions of the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding section, and the insertion position of the twisted wire. The twisting processing unit performs twisting processing on the two wires according to the instructions of the indicator unit to produce the stranded wire; as well as The wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position and transfers them to the twisting unit. Furthermore, the wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, transfers the stranded wire from the twisting unit to the insertion position in the wire holding unit. The wire transfer section has: One end holding part, wherein the one end holding part holds one end of the two wires; The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires; as well as A moving mechanism that moves the one-end holding part and the other-end holding part between the wire holding part and the twisting processing part. The one-end gripping portion and the other-end gripping portion are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction. The moving mechanism causes the one-end gripping part and the other-end gripping part to move in the first direction.

2. An electric wire processing apparatus characterized by comprising: Two electrical wires are processed into a stranded wire, and the wire processing device includes: A wire holding part, wherein the wire holding part holds at least two wires; The indicator section indicates the conditions of the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding section, and the insertion position of the twisted wire. The twisting processing unit performs twisting processing on the two wires according to the instructions of the indicator unit to produce the stranded wire; as well as The wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position and transfers them to the twisting unit. Furthermore, the wire transfer unit, according to the instructions, transfers the stranded wire from the twisting unit to the insertion position in the wire holding unit. The wire transfer section has: One end holding part, wherein the one end holding part holds one end of the two wires; The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires; as well as A moving mechanism that moves the one-end holding part and the other-end holding part between the wire holding part and the twisting processing part. The twisting processing part has: A one-end holding part, which holds one end of the two wires transferred from the one-end holding part; The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires transferred from the other end holding part; as well as A twisting processing moving mechanism that moves at least one of the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion, such that the one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are separated from each other by a distance between them corresponding to the lengths of the two wires. The other end retaining part rotates about the extension direction of the two wires while separated from the first end retaining part.

3. The wire processing apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The one-end holding portion and the other-end holding portion are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction. The moving mechanism causes the other end holding portion to move in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The one-end holding portion is configured to be movable in the first direction and to be rotatable in a plane including the first direction and the second direction.

4. A method for processing electrical wires, characterized in that, This is a wire processing method that involves twisting two electrical wires together. Generate instruction information indicating the conditions for the twisting process, the removal position of the two wires in the wire holding portion that holds at least the two wires, and the insertion position of the twisted wires. The wire transfer unit removes the two wires from the wire holding unit at the removal position according to the indicated information and transfers them to the twisting unit. The twisting processing unit uses the indicated information to twist the two wires to produce the stranded wire; and The wire transfer unit transfers the stranded wire from the twisting processing unit to the insertion position in the wire holding unit according to the instruction information. The wire transfer section includes: One end holding part, wherein the one end holding part holds one end of the two wires; The other end holding part holds the other end of the two wires; and A moving mechanism that moves the one-end holding part and the other-end holding part between the wire holding part and the twisting processing part. The one-end gripping portion and the other-end gripping portion are arranged adjacent to each other in a first direction, and The moving mechanism causes the one-end gripping part and the other-end gripping part to move in the first direction.

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