Apparatus and method for processing wire terminal

Abstract

The present invention comprises a movable plate (20) that pushes the uncut portion (2a) of the metal foil of the base end portions of the pair of exposed wire cores (3). The movable plate (20) is rotatable about the axis of the electric wire W, and when the pair of opening / closing plates (21, 21) is closed, the movable plate closely couples two semicircular recesses (22) formed at opposite edges to the outer circumferences of the pair of wire cores (3). The movable plate (20) is slid by a slide mechanism (as shown in arrow S1) in a closed state, and pushes an uncut portion (2a) of the metal foil into the base end side of the electric wire (W).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing electric wire terminals and a method for processing electric wire terminals, which are used, for example, in terminal processing of high-speed communication cables and the like. Background Art

[0002] As a high-speed communication cable, there is an electromagnetic shielding type electric wire in which a pair of cores made of a conductor covered with an insulator are arranged, the cores are surrounded by a metal foil (shielding material) such as aluminum or copper, and are covered with a sheath on the outside. In addition, there is a case where a braid (additional shielding material) is further placed between the metal foil and the sheath. There is also a type in which two cores are arranged in parallel (parallel core type) and a type in which two cores are twisted (twisted core type).

[0003] When a wire having this type of metal foil as a shielding material is subjected to terminal processing, the sheath at the end of the wire is removed, the metal foil is cut off, the wire core is exposed, and then the terminal is crimped onto the conductor of the wire core. When a braid is present, the braid is exposed by removing the sheath, the exposed braid is folded back onto the sheath and placed on the end of the sheath, and a ground terminal is crimped onto the portion where the braid is placed. In some cases, a metal sleeve is fitted around the outer circumference of the sheath where the braid is placed.

[0004] By the way, it is desirable to automate some or all of the terminal processing of such electric wires. As an example of automatically removing the metal foil, for example, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known. According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, after removing the sheath, the metal foil is cut off by applying a cutting blade to the exposed metal foil.

[0005] Citation List

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent document 1: JP5247404B Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] However, when the metal foil is automatically cut, a remaining portion of the metal foil may appear on the base end side of the exposed wire core. When terminal processing (such as terminal crimping) is performed in a state where the remaining portion exists, a short circuit may occur, resulting in a defective product.

[0010] Therefore, a method can be considered in which no remaining portion appears and a camera is used to confirm whether the metal foil has been completely removed in the entire circumferential direction of the electric wire. However, in this case, it is necessary to prepare a camera capable of at least recognizing the remaining metal foil on the electric wire, which leads to an increase in cost, and there is a problem that it takes time to process the image to determine the presence or absence of the remaining portion of the metal foil.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for processing an electric wire terminal and a method for processing an electric wire terminal, which can improve processing quality by eliminating the influence of the remaining portion of the metal foil.

[0012] Technical Solution

[0013] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an apparatus for processing an electric wire terminal and a method for processing an electric wire terminal according to the present invention are characterized as follows.

[0014] (1) An apparatus for processing a terminal of an electric wire, wherein the electric wire has a pair of wire cores, the outer peripheries of the pair of wire cores are surrounded by a metal foil and a sheath covering the outside of the metal foil, in the terminal processing of an end portion of the electric wire, in the terminal processing portion of the electric wire where the sheath at the end portion of the electric wire is removed, the metal foil is removed and the pair of wire cores are exposed, and the apparatus processes the remaining portion of the metal foil at the base end of the exposed wire cores, the apparatus comprising:

[0015] a movable plate including a pair of opening and closing plates and capable of rotating about the axis of the electric wire, the opening and closing plates having two semicircular recesses on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores, arranged adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the electric wire, and the opening and closing plates being capable of freely opening and closing in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates are close to each other;

[0016] an opening and closing mechanism that drives the pair of opening and closing plates of the movable plate to open and close;

[0017] a rotating mechanism that rotates the movable plate about the axis of the electric wire and positions the movable plate in a rotating direction; and

[0018] A sliding mechanism pushes the remaining portion of the metal foil to the base end side of the electric wire by relatively sliding the movable plate in the base end direction of the electric wire in a state where the pair of opening and closing plates are closed.

[0019] (2) A method for processing an electric wire terminal, comprising: a step of removing the sheath and the metal foil at an end portion of an electric wire having a pair of wire cores whose outer peripheries are covered with a metal foil and a sheath;

[0020] The step of closing a pair of opening and closing plates, the opening and closing plates having two semicircular recesses on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores, and the opening and closing plates can be opened and closed in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates are close to each other at the positions of the exposed pair of wire cores in a state of being positioned in a rotation direction; and

[0021] The step of pushing the remaining portion of the metal foil to the proximal end side of the electric wire by relatively sliding the pair of opening and closing plates in the proximal end direction of the electric wire in a state where the pair of opening and closing plates are closed.

[0022] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, even when the remaining part of the metal foil appears on the base end side of the exposed wire core, the remaining part can be pushed to the base end side of the wire by the sliding operation after closing the movable plate. Therefore, the adverse effects caused by the remaining part of the metal foil can be eliminated and the terminal processing quality can be improved. In addition, it contributes to the automation of terminal processing.

[0024] As described above, the present invention has been briefly described. In addition, by thoroughly reading the embodiment for implementing the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiment") described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the details of the present invention will be further clarified. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric wire for illustrating a process performed by the apparatus for processing an electric wire terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for processing electric wire terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0027] Figure 3 2 is a schematic diagram of a device for processing electric wire terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for processing electric wire terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the front.

[0029] Figure 5 : is a front view showing a state before the movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[0030] Figure 6 : is a front view showing a state after the movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[0031] Figure 7 : is a side view showing a state after a movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.

[0032] Figure 8 is a side view showing a state when a movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention slides.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a side view of an apparatus for processing electric wire terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Fig.10 is a front view of a device for processing electric wire terminals according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig.11 It shows Fig.10 A front view of the movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals is shown in a closed intermediate state.

[0036] Fig.12 It shows that Fig.10 A front view showing a state in which a movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals is rotated by a predetermined angle.

[0037] Fig.13 It is used to illustrate Fig.10 A front view showing the shape feature points of a movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an electric wire for illustrating a process performed by the apparatus for processing an electric wire terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As an example, the device for processing electric wire terminals in this embodiment is intended to process Figure 1The electric wire W shown in the upper and lower parts on the left side. In this electric wire W, the outer periphery of a pair (two) cores 3 is surrounded by a metal foil 2 such as aluminum or copper, and the outside is covered by a sheath 1 of an insulating material. Each core 3 is made of a conductor 4 surrounded by an insulator 5, and the metal foil 2 covers the outer periphery of the pair of cores 3, 3. The upper left part shows an electric wire A of a parallel core type, in which the two cores 3 extend parallel to each other, and the lower left part shows an electric wire B of a twisted core type, in which the two cores 3 are twisted together. The device for processing terminals of this embodiment is intended to process two types of electric wires W: a parallel core type and a twisted core type. In addition, the device for processing electric wire terminals of this embodiment is intended to process an electric wire having a structure in which a braid is further arranged between the metal foil 2 and the sheath 1, as described later.

[0041] In the terminal processing apparatus of the present embodiment, in the terminal processing of the end portion of such an electric wire W, the apparatus processes the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil 2 at the base end of the exposed wire core 3 in the terminal processing portion Pw of the electric wire, in which the sheath 1 and the metal foil 2 at the end portion of the electric wire W are removed and the pair of wire cores are exposed. In many cases, before processing with such an apparatus for processing a terminal, a metal cylindrical sleeve 10 is crimped onto the outer periphery of the end portion of the sheath 1.

[0042] The terminal processing apparatus of the present embodiment performs a process of pushing the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil 2 at the terminal processing portion Pw of the electric wire to the base end side (the side having the sleeve 10) of the electric wire W, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 The right part is shown in C.

[0043] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the apparatus for processing electric wire terminals of this embodiment observed from above at a certain time point, Figure 3 is with Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the same time point viewed from the side, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram viewed from the front. Figure 5 is a front view showing a state before the movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals of the present embodiment is closed, Figure 6 is a front view showing a state after the movable panel is closed, Figure 7 is a side view showing a state after the movable panel is closed, Figure 8 is a side view showing a state when the movable plate slides.

[0044] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the apparatus for processing electric wire terminals of the present embodiment includes a semi-separated glasses-shaped movable plate 20 , a detection unit 30 , and a rotating mechanism 40 .

[0045] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the semi-split glasses-shaped movable plate 20 is provided with a pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 having two semicircular recesses 22 at opposite edges corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each half circumference of a pair of exposed wire cores 3, 3 arranged adjacent to each other in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the wire W. A protrusion 23 is provided at the boundary between the two adjacent semicircular recesses 22, 22, and the protrusion 23 is inserted into the recess between the adjacent pair of wire cores 3, 3.

[0046] The pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 can be freely opened and closed in an opening direction in which the plates 21, 21 are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the plates 21, 21 are close to each other (can be freely opened and closed in an opening direction in which the plates 21, 21 are separated from each other). Figures 3 to 6 The terminal processing device is equipped with an opening and closing mechanism (not shown) that drives a pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 to open and close. Figure 6 As shown, the movable plate 20 is configured so that when the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 are closed, the two semicircular recesses 22, 22 are in close contact with the outer peripheries of the pair of exposed wire cores 3, 3 arranged adjacent to each other. The movable plate 20 is made of metal or resin (eg, polyurethane).

[0047] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown by the arrow R in FIG. 1 , the movable plate 20 is rotatably supported around the axis of the wire W, and the rotating mechanism 40 is used to rotationally drive the movable plate 20 around the axis of the wire W and position the movable plate 20 in the rotation direction. In addition, the terminal processing device is equipped with a sliding mechanism, and when the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 are closed, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown by arrows S and S1 in FIG. 1 , the sliding mechanism pushes the remaining portion 2 a of the metal foil 2 to the base end side of the electric wire W by relatively sliding the movable plate 20 in the base end direction of the electric wire W.

[0048] The detection unit 30 acquires a lateral projection image of a pair of exposed cores 3, 3 while rotating around the pair of exposed cores 3, 3, and detects the arrangement direction of the pair of cores based on the size of the acquired lateral projection image. Specifically, when a laser sensor unit is used as the detection unit 30, laser light is projected toward the pair of exposed cores 3, 3, and based on the received light data, a projection image (lateral projection image) of the pair of exposed cores 3, 3 observed from the side is obtained. Then, the rotation position at which the size of the captured projection image, that is, the size in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the wire (the apparent width of the two cores 3, 3) is minimized is detected as the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed cores 3, 3. Instead of the laser sensor unit, a camera that captures the pair of exposed cores 3, 3 from the side may be used.

[0049] The rotating mechanism 40 is used to adjust the rotational position of the movable plate 20 so that the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed wire cores 3, 3 detected by the detection unit 30. Then, in a state where the position of the movable plate 20 in the rotational direction is adjusted so that the opening and closing directions of the movable plate 20 are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores 3, 3, the opening and closing mechanism (not shown) operates the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 to close from the open position to the closed position.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the detection unit 30 and the movable plate 20 are arranged to be fixed to each other at a position offset by 90° in the rotation direction, and rotate integrally. Therefore, since the detection unit 30 stops rotating at a position where the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores 3, 3 is detected, the rotation position is automatically set so that the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the wire cores 3, 3. It is ideal that the detection unit 30 and the movable plate 20 are arranged at the same position in the axial direction or as close as possible.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the detection unit 30 and the rotating mechanism 40 are used as position adjustment devices for adjusting the movable plate 20 to an appropriate rotational position. The device for processing terminals is equipped with a control unit (not shown) for coordinated driving and controlling the detection unit 30, the opening and closing mechanism, the rotating mechanism 40 and the sliding mechanism.

[0052] Next, the operation will be described.

[0053] As a preparation for the processing work, a terminal processing part ( Figure 1 In the terminal processing part, the sheath 1 at the end portion is removed and the metal foil 2 is cut off. At this time, the wire W is held and fixed so as not to rotate. In this state, by rotating the detection unit 30 by a required amount, the arrangement direction of a pair of cores 3, 3 is automatically detected.

[0054] When the laser sensor unit is used as the detection unit 30, the detection of the arrangement direction of the pair of cores 3, 3 is performed as described above. That is, laser light is projected toward the pair of exposed cores 3, 3, and based on the received light data, a projection image (lateral projection image) viewed from the side of the pair of exposed cores 3, 3 is captured. Then, in the captured projection image, the rotation position at which the width dimension (the apparent width of the two cores 3, 3) in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the electric wire is minimized is detected as the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed cores 3, 3.

[0055] When the rotation of the detection unit 30 stops at a position where the arrangement direction of a pair of cores 3, 3 is automatically detected, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 are automatically set to a rotation position perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the wire cores 3, 3. Therefore, the opening and closing mechanism operates to close the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 from the open position to the closed position ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 Operation of arrow F in the middle). Figure 5 The figure shows a pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 in an open position. Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a state where a pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 are in a closed position. Figure 6 As shown, the semicircular recesses 22 of the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 are in close contact with the outer peripheries of the pair of wire cores 3, 3. In other words, the wire cores 3, 3 can be smoothly fitted into the semicircular recesses 22, 22. Therefore, no undue force is applied to the wire cores 3, 3, and no scratches or indentations are left on the wire cores 3, 3.

[0056] Figure 7 is a side view of the device for processing electric wire terminals in this state. Figure 8 As shown, the movable plate 20 is slid to the base end side of the electric wire W by the sliding mechanism. Then, the remaining portion 2 a of the metal foil is pushed to the base end side of the electric wire W by the movable plate 20 .

[0057] In this way, even when the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil is present on the base end side of the exposed wire cores 3, 3, the remaining portion 2a can be pushed to the base end side of the electric wire W by the sliding operation after closing the movable plate 20. Therefore, the adverse effects caused by the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil can be eliminated, the terminal processing quality can be improved, and as a result, the automation of the terminal processing can be facilitated.

[0058] Especially in this embodiment, when the movable plate 20 is closed, the semicircular recesses 22, 22 of the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 can be in close contact with the outer periphery of the exposed pair of wire cores 3, 3, so that through a single sliding operation of the movable plate 20, the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil can be neatly pushed to the base end side of the wire W.

[0059] In addition, according to this embodiment, since the detection unit 30 automatically detects the arrangement direction of a pair of wire cores 3, 3, and the position of the movable plate 20 is appropriately adjusted, when the wire W is inserted into the device, the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil can be easily and effectively pushed to the base end side of the wire W regardless of the orientation of the wire W.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the detection unit 30 and the movable plate 20 are configured to rotate integrally, the structure can be simplified.

[0061] In this embodiment, since the protrusion 23 is left at the boundary of the two semicircular recesses 22, 22 formed in the opening and closing plate 21, the metal foil remaining in the recessed portion between the two wire cores 3, 3 can also be pushed to the base end side of the electric wire by the protrusion 23. At this time, without applying unnecessary force to the opening and closing plates 21, 21, the protrusion 23 can reach the metal foil remaining in the recessed portion between the two wire cores 3, 3, so there is no need to make the contact of the opening and closing plates 21, 21 with the wire cores 3, 3 stronger, and there are no scratches or indentations on the wire cores 3, 3.

[0062] In the case where the wire to be processed is of a twisted core type, the movable plate 20 is closed at a position slightly away from the sleeve 10, and the movable plate 20 can slide in the axial direction while rotating in a direction of untangling the cores 3, 3.

[0063] In addition, if Fig. 9 As shown, when the braid 6 that has been pre-folded is in the terminal processing part, the curved portion 6a of the braid is pushed to the sleeve 10 side by the sliding operation of the movable plate 20 or a movable plate of similar shape. In this way, the curved portion 6a can be further bent smaller near the sleeve 10, so that the braid 6 can be formed into a specific size. Therefore, all unnecessary parts, such as the metal foil 2 and the braid 6 at the base of the sleeve 10, can be accommodated in a compact form, thereby improving the quality of the terminal processing part. The braid 6 can be pre-folded by the sliding operation (arrow S2 operation) of the forming block or the forming sleeve 16 so that the folded portion 6b is superimposed on the periphery of the sleeve 10.

[0064] In this way, by the pressing operation of the movable plate 20 on the metal foil, the bent portion 6 a of the braid 6 can be strongly pushed into the base end side of the electric wire W, thereby improving the folded dimensional quality of the braid 6 .

[0065] Fig.10 is a front view of a device for processing electric wire terminals according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig.11 It shows Fig.10 A front view of a movable plate of a device for handling electric wire terminals shown in a closed intermediate state, Fig.12 It is shown Fig.10 A front view of a state in which a movable plate of the device for handling electric wire terminals is rotated by a predetermined angle, Fig.13 It is shown Fig.10 A front view showing the shape feature points of a movable plate of the apparatus for handling electric wire terminals.

[0066] like Figures 10 to 12As shown, the device for processing terminals of this embodiment includes a movable plate 20, but does not include a detection unit. Therefore, the rotating mechanism 40 includes a rotating frame 41 supporting the movable plate 20 via an opening and closing mechanism (not shown), and a spring 50 is interposed between the rotating frame 41 and the movable plate 20 to allow the movable plate 20 to disengage in the rotation direction.

[0067] In this device, due to the action of the spring 50, the movable plate 20 can be flexibly pressed against the wire cores 3, 3, so that the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil 2 can be pushed to the base end side of the wire without causing scratches or indentations on the wire cores 3, 3. That is, when the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 are moved from Fig.10 The open position shown is operated to Fig.11 In the closed position shown, the movable plate 20 is in contact with the wire cores 3, 3 with a certain amount of play. Fig.12 As shown, by sliding the movable plate 20 in a slightly closed state and repeating this operation several times while changing the rotational position of the movable plate 20, the remaining portion 2a of the metal foil 20 can be pushed to the base end side of the electric wire W. In this case, the pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 are designed to be disengaged in opposite directions by the spring 50 when the plates 21, 21 hit the wire cores 3, 3, so that the plates 21, 21 do not damage the wire cores 3, 3. In this embodiment, as Fig.13 As shown, the protrusion 23 at the boundary of the two semicircular recesses 22 of a pair of opening and closing plates 21, 21 of the movable plate 20 does not need to fit into the recess between the two wire cores 3, 3, so it is chamfered into a smooth arc instead of a sharp angle.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, a case is shown in which the electric wires W are fixed so as not to rotate and the movable plate 20 is rotated, but the electric wires W may be rotated instead of rotating the movable plate 20. In addition, the control unit (not shown) may be configured to allow input of a rotation angle per rotation through the rotating mechanism 40, so that the operator can set the rotation angle per rotation according to the type of the electric wires.

[0069] Here, the features of the apparatus for processing an electric wire terminal and the method for processing an electric wire terminal according to the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are briefly summarized and listed in the following [1] to [6].

[0070] [1] A device for processing electric wire terminals, wherein, in an electric wire (W) having a pair of wire cores (3, 3), the outer peripheries of the wire cores (3, 3) are covered with a metal foil (2) and a sheath (1), and in a state where the sheath (1) and the metal foil (2) at the end portion of the electric wire (W) are removed and the wire cores (3, 3) are exposed, the device processes the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil at the base end of the exposed wire cores (3, 3), the device comprising:

[0071] A movable plate (20) comprising a pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) and capable of rotating around the axis of the electric wire, the opening and closing plates (21, 21) having two semicircular recesses (22, 22) on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3), and the opening and closing plates (21, 21) being capable of freely opening and closing in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates (21, 21) are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates (21, 21) are close to each other;

[0072] An opening and closing mechanism, which drives the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) to open and close;

[0073] a rotating mechanism (40) that rotates the movable plate (20) around the axis of the wire (W) and positions the movable plate (20) in a rotating direction; and

[0074] A sliding mechanism pushes the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil to the base end side of the wire (W) by relatively sliding the movable plate (20) in the base end direction of the wire (W) when the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) are closed.

[0075] According to the configuration of [1] above, even when the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil is present on the base end side of the exposed wire core (3, 3), the remaining portion (2a) can be pushed to the base end side of the wire (W) by a sliding operation after closing the movable plate (20). Therefore, the adverse effects caused by the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil can be eliminated, and the terminal processing quality can be improved. In addition, it contributes to the automation of terminal processing.

[0076] [2] The device for processing electric wire terminals according to [1] above, wherein:

[0077] The movable plate (20) is configured such that when the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) are closed, the two semicircular recesses (22, 22) are in close contact with the outer peripheries of the pair of exposed wire cores (3, 3) arranged adjacent to each other.

[0078] The movable plate (20) is supported via a position adjustment device, the position adjustment device is used to adjust the relative position of the wire (W) and the movable plate (20) in the circumferential direction so that the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed wire cores (3, 3), and

[0079] In a state where the relative positions of the electric wire (W) and the movable plate (20) in the circumferential direction are adjusted so that the opening and closing directions of the movable plate (20) are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores (3, 3), the opening and closing mechanism operates the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) of the movable plate (20) to close from an open position to a closed position.

[0080] According to the construction of [2] above, when the movable plate (20) is closed, the semicircular recesses (22, 22) of the opening and closing plates (21, 21) can be in close contact with the outer peripheries of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3), so that the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil can be neatly pushed to the base end side of the wire (W) by a single sliding operation of the movable plate (20).

[0081] [3] The device for processing electric wire terminals according to [2] above, wherein:

[0082] The position adjustment device comprises a detection unit (30) which acquires a lateral projection image of the pair of exposed wire cores while rotating around the pair of exposed wire cores, and detects the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores based on the size of the acquired lateral projection image, and

[0083] The rotating mechanism (40) adjusts the rotational position of the movable plate (20) so that the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) of the movable plate (20) are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed wire cores (3, 3) detected by the detection unit (30).

[0084] According to the configuration of [3] above, since the detection unit (30) automatically detects the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores (3, 3), when the electric wire (W) is inserted into the device, the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil can be easily and effectively pushed to the base end side of the electric wire (W) regardless of the orientation of the electric wire (W).

[0085] [4] The device for processing electric wire terminals according to [3] above, wherein:

[0086] The detection unit (30) and the movable plate (20) are arranged to be fixed to each other at positions offset by 90 degrees in the rotation direction and rotate integrally.

[0087] The detection unit (30) detects a rotational position as an arrangement direction of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3), at which the size of the lateral projection image of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3) in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the wire (W) is the smallest, and

[0088] The rotating mechanism (40) adjusts the rotational position of the movable plate (20) so that the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) of the movable plate (20) are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed wire cores (3, 3) detected by the detection unit (30).

[0089] According to the configuration of [4] above, since the detection unit (30) and the movable plate (20) are configured to rotate integrally, the structure can be simplified.

[0090] [5] The device for processing electric wire terminals according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the electric wire (W) is configured to include a braid (6) between the metal foil (2) and the sheath (1), and

[0091] The movable plate (20) slides in the base end direction of the electric wire (W) so that the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil and the bent portion (6a) of the braid (6) are pushed together to the base end side of the electric wire (W).

[0092] According to the configuration of [5] above, the pushing operation of the movable plate (20) on the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil causes the bent portion (6a) of the braid to be strongly pushed to the base end side of the wire (W), thereby improving the quality of the folded size of the braid.

[0093] [6] A method for processing an electric wire terminal, comprising:

[0094] A step of removing the sheath (1) and the metal foil (2) at the end portion of an electric wire (W) having a pair of wire cores (3, 3) whose outer peripheries are covered with a metal foil (2) and a sheath (1);

[0095] The step of closing a pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21), wherein the opening and closing plates have two semicircular recesses (22, 22) on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3), and, at the position of the exposed pair of wire cores (3, 3), the opening and closing plates can be opened and closed in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates (21, 21) are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates (21, 21) are close to each other in a state of being positioned in a rotational direction; and

[0096] The step of pushing the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil to the base end side of the wire (W) by relatively sliding the pair of opening and closing plates in the base end direction of the wire (W) while the pair of opening and closing plates (21, 21) are closed.

[0097] According to the configuration of [6] above, even when the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil is present on the base end side of the exposed wire core (3, 3), the remaining portion (2a) can be pushed to the base end side of the electric wire (W). Therefore, the adverse effects caused by the remaining portion (2a) of the metal foil can be eliminated and the terminal processing quality can be improved.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, etc. may be appropriately made. In addition, the material, shape, size, number, placement position, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

[0099] As described above, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. Obviously, those skilled in the art can propose various modifications or changes within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the various components in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0100] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-119625 filed on July 27, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0101] Reference numerals list

[0102] 1 Sheath

[0103] 2 metal foil

[0104] 2A The remainder of the metal foil

[0105] 3 cores

[0106] 6 Braid

[0107] 20 removable plates

[0108] 21 Opening and closing plate

[0109] 22 semicircular recess

[0110] 30 detection units

[0111] 40 Rotating mechanism

[0112] 41 Rotating frame

[0113] 50 Spring

[0114] W Wire

[0115] Pw terminal processing part.

Claims

1. A device for processing electric wire terminals, wherein: In an electric wire having a pair of cores, the outer peripheries of the pair of cores are covered with a metal foil and a sheath, in a state where the sheath and the metal foil at an end portion of the electric wire are removed and the cores are exposed, the device processes the remaining portion of the metal foil at the base end of the exposed cores, the device comprising: a movable plate including a pair of opening and closing plates and capable of rotating about the axis of the electric wire, the opening and closing plates having two semicircular recesses on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores, and the opening and closing plates being capable of freely opening and closing in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates are approached to each other; An opening and closing mechanism that drives the pair of opening and closing plates to open and close; a rotating mechanism that rotates the movable plate about the axis of the wire and positions the movable plate in a rotational direction; and A sliding mechanism pushes the remaining portion of the metal foil to the base end side of the electric wire by relatively sliding the movable plate in the base end direction of the electric wire in a state where the pair of opening and closing plates are closed.

2. The device for processing electric wire terminals according to claim 1, wherein: The movable plate is configured so that when the pair of opening and closing plates are closed, the two semicircular recesses are brought into close contact with the outer peripheries of the pair of wire cores that are exposed and arranged adjacent to each other, The movable plate is supported via a position adjusting device for adjusting the relative position of the electric wire and the movable plate in the circumferential direction so that the opening and closing directions of the pair of opening and closing plates are perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of exposed wire cores, and When the relative positions of the electric wire and the movable plate in the circumferential direction are adjusted so that the opening and closing direction of the movable plate is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores, the opening and closing mechanism operates the pair of opening and closing plates of the movable plate to close from the open position to the closed position.

3. The device for processing electric wire terminals according to claim 2, wherein: The position adjustment device includes a detection unit that acquires a lateral projection image of the exposed pair of wire cores while rotating around the exposed pair of wire cores, and detects the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores based on a size of the acquired lateral projection image, and The rotating mechanism adjusts a rotating position of the movable plate so that the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing plates of the movable plate is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores exposed and detected by the detection unit.

4. The device for processing electric wire terminals according to claim 3, wherein: The detection unit and the movable plate are arranged to be fixed to each other at positions offset by 90° in the rotation direction and to rotate integrally, The detection unit detects a rotational position at which a size of the lateral projection image of the exposed pair of wire cores in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the electric wire is minimum as the arrangement direction of the exposed pair of wire cores, and The rotating mechanism adjusts the rotating position of the movable plate so that the opening and closing direction of the pair of opening and closing plates of the movable plate is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the pair of wire cores exposed and detected by the detection unit.

5. The device for processing electric wire terminals according to claim 1, wherein: The wire is constructed to include a braid between the metal foil and the sheath, and The movable plate slides in the base end direction of the electric wire so that the remaining portion of the metal foil and the bent portion of the braid are pushed together to the base end side of the electric wire.

6. A method for processing a wire terminal, comprising: a step of removing the sheath and the metal foil at the end portion of the electric wire having a pair of wire cores whose outer peripheries are covered with the metal foil and the sheath; The step of closing a pair of opening and closing plates, the opening and closing plates having two semicircular recesses on opposite edges, each recess corresponding to the outer peripheral contour of each semicircle of the exposed pair of wire cores, and, at the position of the exposed pair of wire cores, the opening and closing plates can be opened and closed in an opening direction in which the opening and closing plates are separated from each other and in a closing direction in which the opening and closing plates are close to each other in a state of being positioned in a rotation direction; as well as The step of pushing the remaining portion of the metal foil to the proximal end side of the electric wire by relatively sliding the pair of opening and closing plates in the proximal end direction of the electric wire in a state where the pair of opening and closing plates are closed.

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