Terminal insertion device

Abstract

A terminal insertion device for inserting a terminal of an electric wire assembled with a terminal into a cavity includes an electric wire chuck configured to grip the electric wire. The wire chuck includes: an upper wire chuck having a predetermined width in a left-right direction; and a lower wire chuck having a predetermined width in the left-right direction and displaceable relative to the upper wire chuck in the up-down direction, the upper wire chuck including an upper curved surface on one side in the left-right direction, in which the lower wire chuck includes a lower curved surface on one side in the left-right direction. The wire is clamped and held by the upper curved surface and the lower curved surface at a portion of the wire chuck that is offset toward one side in the left-right direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a terminal inserting device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a terminal insertion device is known that is configured to insert each of a plurality of terminals together into a corresponding cavity provided in a housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The terminal insertion device described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of chuck tools for holding each of two electric wires. The pair of chuck tools is configured to have a pair of outer jaws and a pair of inner jaws, wherein the pair of outer jaws and the pair of inner jaws are opened and closed in the left-right direction by a first air chuck and a second air chuck, respectively.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: JP 4917418 B Summary of the invention

[0006] In the above-mentioned terminal insertion device, the wires are arranged in the left-right direction, wherein the opening amount and closing amount of the outer claws and the inner claws are adjusted to hold one wire by one of the outer claws and one of the inner claws, and to hold another wire by the other of the outer claws and the other of the inner claws. A pair of chuck tools holding the wires insert the terminals of the held one wire and the other wire into one of the cavities adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. In this case, a pair of chuck tools are configured to adjust the opening amount and closing amount of a pair of outer claws and a pair of inner claws so that the spacing distance (pitch) between the terminals of the one wire and the other wire in the left-right direction is adapted to the spacing distance between the cavities adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. However, the conventional terminal insertion device as described above has a structure in which the wires are held by the inner claws and the outer claws. Therefore, when the one wire and the other wire held by the chuck tool move toward each other in the left-right direction, the inner claws may interfere with each other, thereby possibly failing to move the one wire and the other wire toward each other again.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal insertion device including a chuck tool which is unlikely to hinder displacement of a held electric wire to one side in the left-right direction.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a terminal insertion device is used to insert a terminal of an electric wire assembled with a terminal into a cavity, and includes: a wire clamp, which is configured to hold the electric wire of the electric wire assembled with the terminal, wherein the wire clamp includes: an upper main body portion, which has a predetermined width in the left-right direction; and a lower main body portion, which has a predetermined width in the left-right direction, and the lower main body portion is configured to be able to be displaced relative to the upper main body portion in the up-down direction, wherein the upper main body portion includes an upper holding portion on one side of the left-right direction, and the upper holding portion is configured to contact the upper part of the electric wire, wherein the lower main body portion includes a lower holding portion on one side of the left-right direction, and the lower holding portion is opposite to the upper holding portion in the up-down direction and is configured to contact the lower part of the electric wire, and wherein the wire clamp is configured so that the electric wire is clamped by the upper holding portion and the lower holding portion and held at a portion of the wire clamp, and the portion of the wire clamp is offset toward one side in the left-right direction.

[0009] The present invention can provide a terminal insertion device including a chuck tool which is unlikely to hinder displacement of a held electric wire to one side in the left-right direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 A perspective view of a terminal insertion device according to an embodiment is shown;

[0011] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 An enlarged view of the basic components of the terminal insertion device;

[0012] Figure 3 In (A) a perspective view of a terminal cartridge arranged in a terminal insertion device is shown, and in (B) a front view of the terminal cartridge is shown;

[0013] Figure 4 In (A) it is shown that Figure 3 (B) is an enlarged view of the basic components of the terminal clamp, and a schematic diagram of the terminal clamp without a protrusion or receiving portion is shown in (B);

[0014] Figure 5 In (A) a perspective view of a wire clamp arranged in a terminal insertion device is shown, and in (B) a front view of the wire clamp is shown;

[0015] Figure 6 A perspective view of a terminal insertion device having a first head and a second head, the first head and the second head having been moved to a holding position of an electric wire assembled with a terminal in an initial state;

[0016] Figure 7 A perspective view of the terminal insertion device showing a terminal chuck holding a core wire pressing portion of an electric wire assembled with a terminal in an initial state;

[0017] Figure 8 A perspective view of the terminal chuck that has begun to enter the holding position of the terminal from the right side is shown;

[0018] Fig. 9 A perspective view showing a terminal chuck that has been fully moved to a terminal holding position;

[0019] Fig.10 A perspective view of a terminal chuck having completely grasped a terminal is shown;

[0020] Fig.11 A perspective view showing a terminal chuck that holds terminals of terminal-assembled electric wires adjacent to each other at a narrow pitch;

[0021] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a terminal chuck holding a small-sized core wire pressing portion is shown in (A), and a schematic diagram of a terminal chuck holding a large-sized core wire pressing portion is shown in (B);

[0022] Fig.13 A side view of a terminal chuck holding a core wire pressing portion is shown;

[0023] Fig.14 Shown according to Fig.11 A front view of the terminal chuck in a state of;

[0024] Fig.15 A perspective view showing how the terminal end of the electric wire assembled with the terminal is held by the electric wire chuck in the initial state;

[0025] Fig.16 A perspective view of the wire chuck that has begun to enter the holding position of the wire terminal portion from the right side is shown;

[0026] Fig.17 A perspective view showing the wire chuck having been fully moved to a gripping position for a terminal end of a wire;

[0027] Fig.18 A perspective view showing a wire chuck fully holding a terminal end of a wire;

[0028] Fig.19 A perspective view showing a wire chuck that holds terminal ends of adjacent wires assembled with terminals at a narrow interval;

[0029] Fig. 20 In (A) a front view of a wire chuck holding a small-sized wire terminal portion is shown, and in (B) a front view of a wire chuck holding a large-sized wire terminal portion is shown;

[0030] Fig.21 A perspective view showing the terminal insertion device with the first head and the second head moved to the insertion position;

[0031] Fig. 22 The first head and the second head are shown to move to different positions according to Fig.21 A perspective view of the terminal insertion device in the insertion position of the terminal insertion device;

[0032] Fig.23 The first head and the second head are shown to move to different positions according to Fig. 20 and Fig.21 A perspective view of the terminal insertion device in the insertion position of the terminal insertion device;

[0033] Fig.24 Conceptual diagrams of exemplary variations of insertion styles for inserting a terminal into a cavity are shown in (A) to (D);

[0034] Fig.25 A perspective view of the terminal insertion device showing the terminal being inserted into the cavity at one time;

[0035] Fig.26 shows a perspective view of a terminal insertion device with a retracted terminal cartridge;

[0036] Fig. 27 A perspective view of a terminal insertion device showing a terminal that has been inserted a second time into a cavity and then inspected by pulling;

[0037] Fig.28 shows a perspective view of a terminal insertion device with a released wire clamp; and

[0038] Fig.29 A perspective view of the terminal insertion device with a fully inserted terminal is shown.

[0039] Reference Mark List

[0040] X front-to-back direction (insertion direction)

[0041] Y left and right direction (any direction)

[0042] Z up and down direction (any direction)

[0043] 1 Terminal insertion device

[0044] 2 Assemble the wires with terminals

[0045] 4 chambers

[0046] 5-terminal chuck

[0047] 7 Wire chuck

[0048] 17 right head (first head)

[0049] 18 Left head (second head)

[0050] 20 electric wires (one electric wire, another electric wire, a first gripped portion, a second gripped portion)

[0051] 21 terminals (one terminal, another terminal, first gripped portion, second gripped portion)

[0052] 51 Upper terminal chuck (upper body)

[0053] 52 lower terminal chuck (lower body)

[0054] 56 Upper grip surface (upper grip portion)

[0055] 60 Lower grip surface (lower grip part)

[0056] 71 Upper wire chuck (upper body)

[0057] 72 Lower wire chuck (lower body)

[0058] 76 Upper curved surface (upper grip)

[0059] 82 lower curved surface (lower grip) DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the terminal insertion device will be described. Figure 1 A stereoscopic view of a terminal insertion device 1 according to an embodiment is shown. The terminal insertion device 1 according to the present embodiment is one of the devices for manufacturing a wiring harness to be installed in, for example, a vehicle. The terminal insertion device 1 is used to insert a terminal 21 of an electric wire 2 assembled with a terminal into a cavity 4 of a housing 3. According to the present embodiment, the terminal insertion device 1 is used in a process of independently holding and moving one terminal 21 and another terminal 21 among a plurality of terminals 21 held by a predetermined retainer 14 on a frame 10. In addition, the terminal insertion device 1 is used in a process of inserting the held and moved terminals 21 together into corresponding cavities 4 of a plurality of cavities 4 formed in a housing 3.

[0061] In the figure, the insertion and removal direction (insertion direction) of the terminal 21 shall be referred to as the "front-to-back direction X", wherein one side and the opposite side along the front-to-back direction X shall be referred to as the "front side X1" and the "rear side X2", respectively. In addition, one of the directions orthogonal to the front-to-back direction X shall be referred to as the "left-to-right direction Y", wherein one side and the opposite side along the left-to-right direction Y shall be referred to as the "left side Y1" and the "right side Y2", respectively. In addition, the height direction of the terminal insertion device 1 shall be referred to as the "upper and lower directions Z", wherein one side and the opposite side along the upper and lower directions Z shall be referred to as the "upper side Z1" and the "lower side Z2", respectively. The above definitions are for ease of explanation only. In the actual use of the terminal insertion device 1, these definitions are not necessarily consistent with the orientations of front, back, right, left, top and bottom, and do not limit any orientation or direction. Below, before describing the various components of the terminal insertion device 1, the wire 2 assembled with the terminal and the housing 3 for inserting the wire 2 assembled with the terminal therein will be described, wherein the wire 2 assembled with the terminal is to be held by the terminal insertion device 1.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown, each terminal-assembled electric wire 2 includes an electric wire 20 and a terminal 21. It should be noted that the terminal-assembled electric wire 2 according to the present embodiment includes one or more twisted wires formed by combining and twisting a plurality of terminal-assembled electric wires 1. The electric wire 20 is formed with a core wire 22 and a coating 23 covering the outer periphery of the core wire 22. The core wire 22 is exposed at the end portion of the electric wire 20 (only at the end portion of the electric wire 20). Fig.13 ), wherein the terminal 21 is connected to the terminal portion. In the present embodiment, the portion of the electric wire 20 for connecting the terminal 21 and the area around the portion shall be referred to as the "terminal portion of the electric wire 20". The terminal 21 is configured in the form of a female terminal, for example, and includes a covering pressing portion 24, a core wire pressing portion 25 and an electrical connecting portion 26 in sequence from the rear side X2.

[0063] The covering pressing portion 24 is connected and fixed to the electric wire 20 by placing the covering pressing portion 24 on the covering 23 and pressing the lower end portion of the electric wire 20 via the covering 23 with the covering pressing portion 24. The core wire pressing portion 25 is formed by bending a conductive metal sheet extending in the front-rear direction X, wherein the metal sheet is bent toward the top of the core wire 22 at both the right and left edges so that the exposed periphery of the core wire 22 is covered by the bent metal sheet, and is crimped to the core wire 22 by pressing while maintaining the covered state of the core wire 22. This pressing and crimping process results in the formation of a recess 25a in the upper surface of the core wire pressing portion 25, wherein the recess 25a is recessed toward the lower side Z2, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 It should be noted that the recessed portion 25a may be formed in the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 by bending a metal sheet toward the bottom of the core wire 22 at both the right and left edges.

[0064] The electrical connection portion 26 is formed by, for example, bending a conductive metal sheet into a substantially quadrilateral tubular shape, wherein the electrical connection portion 26 is configured so that a male terminal as a mating terminal can be inserted into and connected to the electrical connection portion 26. The terminal end portion of the wire 20 and the terminal 21 of the obtained wire 2 assembled with the terminal form a held portion held by the terminal insertion head 16 as described below. It should be noted that although the held portion according to the present embodiment is defined by the terminal end portion of the wire 20 and the terminal 21, the held portion may be defined only by the terminal end portion of the wire 20, or may be defined only by the terminal 21. This means that the held portion is formed by at least one of the terminal end portion of the wire 20 or the terminal 21. In addition, the terminal end portion of the wire 20 and the terminal 21 forming the held portion are held by the retaining member 14.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 3 is configured as a box component for accommodating the terminal 21 of the wire 2 assembled with the terminal, wherein the housing 3 is formed into a substantially rectangular box shape by resin molding, for example. The housing 3 is fixed to the frame 10 of the terminal insertion device 1 via a housing retainer 15 described below. Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of cavities 4 are formed in the faces of the housing 3 oriented in the front-to-rear direction X to extend through these faces in the front-to-rear direction X, thereby opening in this direction. The cavity 4 is a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal 21. According to the present embodiment, two columns of cavities 4 are arranged in the up-down direction Z, wherein each column of the plurality of columns of cavities 4 includes six cavities 4 arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. In other words, the housing 3 includes a total of twelve cavities 4 formed therein. It should be noted that the number and arrangement of the cavities 4 are shown only by way of example and may be appropriately modified, provided that at least two cavities 4 are formed adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0066] Next, various components of the terminal insertion device 1 will be described. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal insertion device 1 includes a frame 10, a retainer 14, a shell retainer 15, a terminal insertion head 16 and a three-axis drive source 19. The frame 10 includes a base plate 11, a support column 12 and a top plate 13. The base plate 11 is formed by a rectangular plate member extending in the front-to-back direction X and the left-to-right direction Y. The retainer 14 and the shell retainer 15 are mounted on the upper surface of the base plate 11. The retainer 14 is configured to be used for placing and holding the wire 20 and the terminal 21 thereon. These retainers 14 are formed to extend from the middle part of the base plate 11 in the left-to-right direction Y to the upper side Z1, and each retainer 14 can hold the terminal 21 and the wire 20 placed thereon in a posture extending in the front-to-back direction X, wherein the terminal 21 and the wire 20 are held by the clip-type end portions of the retainer 14 adjacent to each other in the left-to-right direction Y.

[0067] According to the present embodiment, a total of two terminals 21 (and two wires 20) are held at the same height by the retaining member 14 and are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y. This state should be defined as the initial state. Of the two terminals 21 and the two wires 20 in the initial state, the terminal 21 on the right side Y2 and the wire 20 connected thereto will be referred to as "one terminal" and "one wire" as examples, respectively. In the following, the terms "one terminal" and "one wire" may be simply used, or the terms "terminal 21 (one terminal)" and "wire 20 (one wire)" may be used. In addition, the core wire pressing portion 25 of one terminal should be referred to as the "first core wire pressing portion", and in the following, the core wire pressing portion may be referred to as the "first core wire pressing portion" or the "core wire pressing portion 25 (first core wire pressing portion)". In addition, the held portion formed by one terminal 21 and the end portion of the wire 20 may be referred to as the "first held portion". On the other hand, of the two terminals 21 and the two wires 20 in the initial state, the terminal 21 on the left side Y1 and the wire 20 connected thereto will be referred to as "the other terminal" and "the other wire", respectively, as an example. In the following, the terms "the other terminal" and "the other wire" may be simply used, or the terms "terminal 21 (the other terminal)" and "wire 20 (the other wire)" may be used. In addition, the core wire pressing portion 25 of the other terminal should be referred to as the "second core wire pressing portion", and in the following, the core wire pressing portion may be simply referred to as the "second core wire pressing portion" or the "core wire pressing portion 25 (the second core wire pressing portion)". In addition, the held portion formed by the other terminal 21 and the end portion of the wire 20 may be referred to as the "second held portion".

[0068] According to the above configuration, one terminal and the other terminal in the initial state extend along the front-to-back direction X (insertion direction of the terminal) and are adjacent to each other in the adjacent arrangement direction which is the left-right direction Y. In addition, the electric wire 20 (one electric wire) and the electric wire 20 (the other electric wire) extend along the front-to-back direction X of the terminal and are adjacent to each other in the adjacent arrangement direction which is the left-right direction Y. One set of one terminal and one electric wire and another set of another terminal and another electric wire may be arranged at different terminal ends of the electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal, or may be arranged at two opposite terminal ends of one electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal. It should be noted that it is preferable to place the set of one terminal and one electric wire and another set of another terminal and another electric wire arranged at two opposite terminal ends of the electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal in the retainer 14, for example, by bending the electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal into a U-shape at its middle and thereby positioning the set of one terminal and one electric wire and another set of another terminal and another electric wire adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0069] The present embodiment is configured so that the electric wire 20 and the terminal 21 are held by the clip-type terminal portion of the holder 14. However, this is merely for the sake of example, and any other structure capable of holding the electric wire 20 and the terminal 21 of the electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal in a posture extending along the front-rear direction X while being arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y may be selected. The shell holder 15 is configured to hold the shell 3. The shell holder 15 is adjacent to the holder 14 in the left-right direction Y and is formed to extend toward the upper side Z1. A mounting recess 15a is formed in the upper portion of the shell holder 15, wherein the mounting recess 15a is recessed toward the lower side Z2 and holds the shell 3 therein.

[0070] A pair of support columns 12 extend from the left and right ends of the bottom plate 11 toward the upper side Z1, wherein each support column 12 connects the bottom plate 11 to the top plate 13. The top plate 13 is placed on the upper ends of the support columns 12 and is opposite to the bottom plate 11 in the up-down direction Z. The terminal insertion head 16 is mounted on the surface of the top plate 13 oriented toward the lower side Z2. The terminal insertion head 16 can be moved in the front-to-back direction X, the left-to-right direction Y, and the up-down direction Z by a three-axis drive source 19. The terminal insertion head 16 is configured to hold the held portion of the wire 2 assembled with the terminal held by the retaining member 14 (in this embodiment, the terminal 21 and the end portion of the wire 2 assembled with the terminal) , wherein the terminal insertion head 16 is further configured to move such a held portion toward the housing 3 described below, and insert the held portion into the cavity 4 of the housing 3. The terminal insertion head 16 includes a right head 17 (first head) on the right side Y2 and a left head 18 (second head) on the left side Y1.

[0071] The right head 17 includes a terminal clamp 5 (a first terminal clamp, a terminal clamp), which is configured to clamp the core wire clamping portion 25 (a first core wire clamping portion) of the terminal 21 (a terminal) in the up-down direction Z and hold the core wire clamping portion 25. The terminal clamp 5 will be described below. The right head 17 also includes a wire clamp 7 (a first wire clamp, a wire clamp), which is configured to clamp the terminal end portion of the wire 20 (a wire terminal portion) in the up-down direction Z and hold it. Figure 2 As shown, the terminal cartridge 5 includes a terminal cartridge mounting plate 50, an upper terminal cartridge 51 (upper body portion) and a lower terminal cartridge 52 (lower body portion). The terminal cartridge mounting plate 50 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-rear direction X.

[0072] The terminal cartridge mounting plate 50 has a groove portion 50a formed in the front end of the terminal cartridge mounting plate 50, the groove portion 50a opening toward the front side X1 and extending in the up-down direction Z, wherein the upper terminal cartridge 51 and the lower terminal cartridge 52 are held in the groove portion 50a. Figure 3As shown, the upper terminal chuck 51 includes an upper mounting portion 53, a first upper plate portion 54, and a second upper plate portion 55, and is formed with a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y. The upper mounting portion 53 is fixed in an upper region within a groove portion 50a in the terminal chuck mounting plate 50 in an immovable manner, and extends from the groove portion 50a toward the front side X1. The first upper plate portion 54 extends toward the left side Y1 from the end edge of the front side of the upper mounting portion 53 facing the left side Y1, wherein the first upper plate portion 54 is bent to be positioned further toward the front side X1 in the direction of the left side Y1.

[0073] The second upper plate portion 55 extends from the left end edge (one side in the left-right direction Y) of the first upper plate portion 54 toward the front side X1. The front end portion of the second upper plate portion 55 is formed into a claw shape that protrudes toward the lower side Z2. The lower surface of the claw-shaped portion defines an upper holding surface 56 (upper holding portion), which contacts the upper surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 (the portion facing the upper side Z1). The upper holding surface 56 is formed into a shape that is consistent with the outer shape of the upper surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 (in the present embodiment, this consistent shape shall be referred to as a "wire crimper type shape"). More specifically, as Figure 4 As shown in (A), a protrusion 56a protruding toward the lower side Z2 is formed in the central portion of the upper holding surface 56 in the left-right direction Y, wherein curved surfaces 56b curved toward the upper side Z1 are defined in the upper holding surface 56 on the left and right sides of the protrusion 56a. The protrusion 56a is configured to cooperate with the recess 25a of the core wire pressing portion 25 when the core wire pressing portion 25 is held by the terminal chuck 5. By making the protrusion 56a cooperate with the recess 25a, the core wire pressing portion 25 is positioned in the central portion (centered) of the upper holding surface 56 in the left-right direction Y, wherein by making the protrusion 56a cooperate with the recess 25a, the displacement of the held core wire pressing portion 25 is also restricted.

[0074] like Figure 3 As shown, the lower terminal chuck 52 includes a lower mounting portion 57, a first lower plate portion 58 and a second lower plate portion 59, and is formed with a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y. The lower mounting portion 57 is held in the lower region within the groove portion 50a in the terminal chuck mounting plate 50, and can be moved along the up-down direction Z by a predetermined driving source, and extends from the groove portion 50b toward the front side X1. It should be noted that, for example, pneumatic pressure can be used as a predetermined driving source, wherein the lower terminal chuck 52 and the upper terminal chuck 51 can be configured as air chucks accordingly. This configuration enables the lower terminal chuck 52 to be displaced relative to the upper terminal chuck 51 along the up-down direction Z. Although the present embodiment is configured so that the upper terminal chuck 51 is non-displaceable and the lower terminal chuck 52 is displaceable, it should be noted that they are not limited thereto, and the upper terminal chuck 51 can be displaceable.

[0075] The first lower plate portion 58 extends from the end edge of the front side of the lower mounting portion 57 facing the left side Y1 toward the left side Y1, wherein the first lower plate portion 58 is bent to be positioned further toward the front side X1 in the direction of the left side Y1. The second lower plate portion 59 extends from the left end edge (one side in the left-right direction Y) of the first lower plate portion 58 toward the front side X1. The front end portion of the second lower plate portion 59 is formed into a claw shape protruding toward the upper side Z1. The upper surface of the claw-shaped portion is opposite to the upper holding surface 56 in the up-down direction Z, and defines a lower holding surface 60 (lower holding portion) that contacts the lower surface (the portion facing the lower side) of the core wire pressing portion 25. As shown Figure 4 As shown in (A), the lower holding surface 60 is formed into a shape bent toward the lower side Z2 to conform to the shape of the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 (in the present embodiment, this shape shall be referred to as an "anvil-type shape"), wherein the lower holding surface 60 is opposite to the upper holding surface 56 in the up-down direction Z. The lower holding surface 60 serves as a receiving portion 60a for supporting the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25.

[0076] It should be noted that when the portions in contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the core wire pressing portion 25 are defined by the plane 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 (B) shows that the outer shape of the plane 100 is inconsistent with the curved outer shape of the core wire pressing portion 25, and in addition, the contact surface area between the plane 100 and the core wire pressing portion 25 is reduced. In this case, the core wire pressing portion 25 may not be stably held and may be tilted in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. Therefore, the core wire pressing portion 25 is preferably contacted by a surface having a wire crimper-type shape and a surface having an anvil-type shape. It can be further imagined that the recess 25a of the core wire pressing portion 25 is formed in the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25. In this case, the construction of the upper holding surface 56 according to the present embodiment can be applied to the lower holding surface 60, and vice versa. That is, the upper holding surface 56 can be formed into an anvil-type shape, wherein the lower holding surface 60 can be formed into a wire crimper-type shape.

[0077] In this way, the protrusion 56a is provided in one of the upper holding surface 56 or the lower holding surface 60 having a portion opposite to the recess 25a in the up-down direction Z, wherein the protrusion 56a is configured to cooperate with the recess 25. In addition, the receiving portion 60a is provided in the other of the upper holding surface 56 or the lower holding surface 60 where the protrusion 56a is not provided, wherein the shape of the receiving portion 60a is consistent with the outer shape of the other of the upper and lower surfaces of the core wire pressing portion 25 where the recess 25a is not provided. In this way, the terminal chuck 5 is configured so that the core wire pressing portion 25 of the terminal 21 is held by the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60, whereby the terminal 21 is held by the portion of the terminal chuck 5 that is offset from the center of the terminal chuck 5 to the left side Y1 (one side in the left-right direction Y).

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown, the wire clamp 7 includes a wire clamp mounting plate 70, an upper wire clamp 71 (upper main body) and a lower wire clamp 72 (lower main body). The wire clamp mounting plate 70 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending in the front-to-back direction X. The wire clamp mounting plate 70 has a groove portion 70a formed in the front end of the wire clamp mounting plate 70, the groove portion 70a is open toward the front side X1 and extends in the up-down direction Z, wherein the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 are retained in the groove portion 70a by a connecting member 70b. As shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the upper wire chuck 71 includes an upper body 73 and an upper plate portion 74. The upper body 73 has a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y, wherein the rear surface of the upper body 73 is fixed in an upper region of the groove portion 70a in the wire chuck mounting plate 70 in an immovable manner by a connecting member 70b. The upper plate portion 74 extends from the end of the lower side of the upper body 73 facing the left side Y1 toward the lower side Z2. The lower end of the right side surface of the upper plate portion 74 defines an inclined surface 74a, which becomes closer to the left side surface of the upper plate portion 74 in the direction of the lower side Z2, which causes the lower end of the upper plate portion 74 to become thinner. The inclined surface 74a is configured so that the lower guide slope 83 of the lower wire chuck 72 can contact the inclined surface 74a, wherein the inclined surface 74a serves as a stopper because the contact restricts the displacement of the lower wire chuck 72 to the upper side Z1.

[0079] The upper plate portion 74 includes an upper curved surface 76 formed in the lower side of the lower end, the upper curved surface 76 being curved toward the upper side Z1, wherein the upper curved surface 76 defines an upper holding portion configured to make contact with a portion of the electric wire 20 oriented toward the upper side Z1. The upper curved surface 76 has a curvature and a width in the left-right direction Y, which are configured to conform to the outer shape of the electric wire 20 having the largest diameter among the electric wires 20 to be made in contact with the upper curved surface 76. The left end edge of the upper curved surface 76 is continuous with the left end edge of the upper plate portion 74 (the left end edge of the upper wire chuck 71), wherein the continuous portion forms an upper claw 76a for preventing the held electric wire 20 from being removed. The connecting plate portion 75 is formed on the inclined surface 74a of the upper plate portion 74, and the connecting plate portion 75 protrudes toward the lower right side of the upper plate portion 74. The connecting plate portion 75 is inserted into a through hole 84 in the lower wire chuck 72 described below. The lower surface of the connecting plate portion 75 defines an upper guide slope 77. When the electric wire 20 is held by the electric wire chuck 7, the upper guide slope 77 can be in sliding contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 20. The upper guide slope 77 is continuous with the end edge of the upper curved surface 76 facing the right side Y2, wherein the upper guide slope 77 is inclined to be positioned further toward the lower side Z2 in the right side Y2 direction from the end edge of the upper curved surface 76 facing the right side Y2.

[0080] The lower wire chuck 72 includes a lower body 78 and a lower plate portion 79. The lower body 78 has a predetermined width in the left-right direction Y, and the rear surface of the lower body 78 is fixed in the lower area of ​​the groove portion 70a in the wire chuck mounting plate 70 by a connecting member 70b, wherein the lower body 78 can be moved along the up-down direction Z by a predetermined driving source. It should be noted that, for example, pneumatic pressure can be used as a predetermined driving source, wherein the lower wire chuck 72 and the upper wire chuck 71 can be configured as air chucks accordingly. This configuration enables the lower wire chuck 72 to be displaced along the up-down direction Z relative to the upper wire chuck 71. Although the present embodiment is configured so that the upper wire chuck 71 is non-displaceable and the lower wire chuck 72 is displaceable, it should be noted that they are not limited thereto, and the upper wire chuck 71 may be displaceable. The lower plate portion 79 extends from the end of the lower side of the lower body 78 facing the left side Y1 toward the lower side Z2.

[0081] The lower plate portion 79 includes an inclined portion 80 and a left lower end 81 at the lower end of the lower plate portion 79, the inclined portion 80 extending parallel to the inclined surface 74a of the upper plate portion 74, wherein the left lower end 81 extends from the left end edge of the inclined portion 80 toward the left side Y1. A lower curved surface 82 curved toward the lower side Z2 is formed in the upper surface of the left lower end 81, the lower curved surface 82 being opposite to the upper curved surface 76 in the up-down direction Z, wherein the lower curved surface 82 defines a lower gripping portion configured to come into contact with a portion of the electric wire 20 directed toward the lower side Z2. The lower curved surface 82 has a curvature and a width in the left-right direction Y, which are configured to conform to the outer shape of the electric wire 20 having the largest diameter among the electric wires 20 to be brought into contact with the lower curved surface 82. The left edge of the lower curved surface 82 is continuous with the surface of the left lower end 81 facing the left side Y1 (the left edge of the lower wire clamp 72 ), wherein the continuous portion forms a lower claw 82 a for preventing the gripped wire 20 from being removed.

[0082] The upper surface of the inclined portion 80 defines a lower guide slope 83. When the electric wire 20 is held by the electric wire chuck 7, the lower guide slope 83 can be in sliding contact with the outer surface of the electric wire 20. The lower guide slope 83 is continuous with the end edge of the lower curved surface 82 facing the right side Y2, wherein the lower guide slope 83 is inclined to be positioned further toward the upper side Z1 in the right side Y2 direction from the end edge of the lower curved surface 82 facing the right side Y2. The lower guide slope 83 includes a through hole 84 at the central portion in the front-rear direction X of the lower guide slope 83, and the through hole 84 extends through the lower plate portion 79 in the up-down direction Z, wherein the connecting plate portion 75 of the upper plate portion 74 is inserted into the through hole 84. In this way, when moving in the up-down direction Z, the lower electric wire chuck 72 moves while the edge of the through hole 84 is guided by the plate surface of the connecting plate portion 75, thereby preventing the misalignment between the upper electric wire chuck 71 and the lower electric wire chuck 72.

[0083] In this way, the wire clamp 7 is constructed so that the wire 20 is held by the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82, so that the wire 20 is held by the portion of the wire clamp 7 that is offset from the center of the wire clamp 7 to the left side Y1 (one side in the left-right direction Y). During this period, the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 are displaced relative to each other to approach each other in the up-down direction Z, wherein the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83 move toward each other. During this movement, the wire 20 is guided toward the left side Y1 while sliding in contact with the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83. This guidance ensures that the wire 20 is guided to the position where the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are located, wherein the wire 20 is then held by these curved surfaces 76 and 82.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the left head 18 is arranged adjacent to the right head 17 in the adjacent arrangement direction as the left-right direction Y. It should be noted that the components of the left head 18 and the right head 17 are arranged in an orientation symmetrical on both the left and right sides, wherein the orientations of the components may be different from each other. However, the components themselves are the same, and therefore, the description of the features of the left head 18 that are the same as or similar to those of the right head 17 will be summarized or omitted.

[0085] The left head 18 includes a terminal clamp 5 (a second terminal clamp, another terminal clamp) which is configured to hold the core wire clamping portion 25 (a second core wire clamping portion) of the terminal 21 (another terminal) by clamping the core wire clamping portion 25 in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the left head 18 also includes a wire clamp 7 (a second wire clamp, another wire clamp) which is configured to hold the terminal end of the wire 20 (another wire terminal end) by clamping the terminal end of the wire 20 in the up-down direction Z. The terminal clamp 5 of the left head 18 is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 3 The terminal chuck 5 of the right head 17 shown is symmetrical on both sides. That is, for the terminal chuck 5 of the left head 18, the first upper plate portion 54 extends from the end edge facing the right side Y2 of the front side of the upper mounting portion 53 toward the right side Y2, wherein the first upper plate portion 54 is bent to be positioned further toward the front side X1 in the right side Y2 direction. In addition, the second upper plate portion 55 of the left head 18 extends from the right end edge of the first upper plate portion 54 toward the front side X1.

[0086] In addition, the first lower plate portion 58 of the left head 18 extends from the end edge facing the right side Y2 of the front side of the lower mounting portion 57 toward the right side Y2, wherein the first lower plate portion 58 is bent to be positioned further toward the front side X1 in the right side Y2 direction. The second lower plate portion 59 extends from the right end edge of the first lower plate portion 58 toward the front side X1. With this configuration of the left head 18, a pair of terminal clamps 5 for the right head 17 and the left head 18 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y as the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein the pair of terminal clamps 5 are oriented to be symmetrical in the left-right direction so that the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 are positioned inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. In addition, the terminal clamp 5 of the right head 17 of the pair of terminal clamps 5 is configured to hold one terminal of the plurality of terminals 21, while the terminal clamp 5 of the left head 18 is configured to hold another terminal of the plurality of terminals 21.

[0087] The wire chuck 7 of the left head 18 is formed as shown in FIG. Figure 5 The wire chuck 7 of the right head 17 shown is symmetrical on both the left and right sides. That is, for the wire chuck 7 of the left head 18, the upper plate portion 74 extends from the end of the lower side of the upper body 73 facing the right side Y2 toward the lower side Z2. In addition, the lower end of the left side surface of the upper plate portion 74 defines an inclined surface 74a, which becomes closer to the right side surface of the upper plate portion 74 in the direction of the lower side Z2. In addition, the upper guide slope 77 is continuous with the end edge of the upper curved surface 76 facing the left side Y1, wherein the upper guide slope 77 is inclined to be positioned further toward the lower side Z2 in the left side Y1 direction from the end edge of the upper curved surface 76 facing the left side Y1. The lower plate portion 79 of the lower wire chuck 72 extends from the end of the lower side of the lower body 78 facing the right side Y2 toward the lower side Z2. The lower plate portion 79 includes, at its lower end, an inclined portion 80 extending parallel to the inclined surface 74 a of the upper plate portion 74 , and a right lower end 81 extending from a right end edge of the inclined portion 80 toward the right side Y2 .

[0088] In addition, the lower guide slope 83 is continuous with the end edge of the lower curved surface 82 facing the left side Y1, wherein the lower guide slope 83 is inclined to be positioned further toward the upper side Z1 in the left side Y1 direction from the end edge of the lower curved surface 82 facing the left side Y1. With this configuration of the left head 18, a pair of wire clamps 7 for the right head 17 and the left head 18 are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y as the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein the pair of wire clamps 7 are oriented to be symmetrical in the left-right direction so that the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are positioned inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. In addition, the wire clamp 7 of the right head 17 of the pair of wire clamps 7 is configured to hold one wire of the plurality of wires 20, while the wire clamp 7 of the left head 18 is configured to hold another wire of the plurality of wires 20.

[0089] An independent three-axis drive source 19 is connected to each terminal insertion head 16 (right head 17 and left head 18). The three-axis drive source 19 enables each of the right head 17 and the left head 18 to be displaced along any one, some or all of the front-to-back direction X, the left-to-right direction Y, and the up-down direction Z. In addition, the three-axis drive source 19 is connected to each of the terminal chucks 5 and each of the wire chucks 7, wherein the three-axis drive source 19 enables each of the terminal chucks 5 and each of the wire chucks 7 to be displaced along any one, some or all of the front-to-back direction X, the left-to-right direction Y, and the up-down direction Z.

[0090] In this way, the right head 17 and the left head 18 can be displaced independently of each other in any direction in a virtual plane extending along the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z (i.e., in a virtual plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal 21) through the three-axis drive source 19. In this way, each of a pair of terminal chucks 5 and each of a pair of wire chucks 7 can also be displaced independently of each other in any direction in a virtual plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal 21. For the construction of the three-axis drive source 19, for example, a plurality of electric cylinders can be provided and arranged in any orientation, wherein the plurality of electric cylinders can include, for example, one or more servo motors, cylinder tubes, and piston rods. However, the construction of the three-axis drive source 19 is not limited thereto, but any drive source that enables each of the right head 17 and the left head 18 to be displaced independently in the directions of the three axes can be used.

[0091] Next, the operation of inserting the terminal 21 into the cavity 4 using the terminal insertion device 1 will be described. Figure 2 As shown, two terminals 21 (one terminal and another terminal) in an initial state are held by the terminal insertion head 16 of the terminal insertion device 1 and moved toward the housing 3, wherein the two terminals 21 are thereby inserted together into corresponding cavities 4 of the plurality of cavities 4. First, Figure 2 In the state shown, the terminal insertion head 16 is positioned in place, and from this state, the terminal insertion head 16 is moved to a holding position for holding a held portion (the terminal 21 and the terminal end portion of the electric wire 20 ) to be held. Figure 6 The terminal insertion device 1 having the right head 17 and the left head 18 is shown, and the right head 17 and the left head 18 are moved to the holding position of the electric wire 2 assembled with the terminal in the initial state.

[0092] In this state, the upper terminal clamp 51 and the lower terminal clamp 52 of the terminal clamp 5 of the right head 17 are opposite to one terminal in a manner spaced apart from the one terminal (the terminal 21 of the right side Y2) in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 of the wire clamp 7 of the right head 18 are opposite to the end portion of the wire 20 of one wire in a manner spaced apart from the one wire (the wire 20 of the right side Y2) in the up-down direction Z. On the other hand, the upper terminal clamp 51 and the lower terminal clamp 52 of the terminal clamp 5 of the left head 18 are opposite to the other terminal (the terminal 21 of the left side Y1) in a manner spaced apart from the other terminal in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 of the wire clamp 7 of the left head 18 are opposite to the end portion of the wire 20 of the other wire (the wire 20 of the left side Y1) in a manner spaced apart from the other wire in the up-down direction Z.

[0093] From this state, each of the lower terminal chucks 52 of the right head 17 and the left head 18 is displaced to the upper side Z1, and the terminal 21 is then held by the terminal chuck 5, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 The movement of the terminal insertion head 16 to the holding position and the holding of the terminal 21 by the terminal insertion head 16 will be described in more detail. Figure 8 A perspective view of the terminal chuck 5 (first terminal chuck) is shown, which has begun to enter the holding position of the terminal 21 (one terminal) from the right side Y2. Fig. 9 The perspective view of the terminal chuck 5 (first terminal chuck) is shown, and the terminal chuck has been completely moved to the holding position of the terminal 21 (one terminal). Fig.10 FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the terminal chuck 5 (first terminal chuck), which has completely grasped the terminal 21 (one terminal). Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the terminal chuck 5 is positioned at a height where the core wire pressing portion 25 (first core wire pressing portion) is located between the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60. Then, the terminal chuck 5 is introduced from the right side Y2 to the left side Y1 (i.e., from the outside of a pair of terminal chucks 5 to the inside of a pair of terminal chucks 5 in the left-right direction Y) to be positioned at the holding position.

[0094] Then, if Fig.10As shown, the lower terminal chuck 52 is displaced to the upper side Z1, wherein the core wire clamping portion 25 is subsequently clamped and held by the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the same process is performed between the left head 18 and the terminal 21 (another terminal). That is, the terminal chuck 5 (the second terminal chuck) of the left head 18 is introduced from the left side Y1 to the right side Y2 (that is, from the outside of a pair of terminal chucks 5 to the inside of a pair of terminal chucks 5 in the left-right direction Y) to be positioned to the holding position. Then, the core wire clamping portion 25 (the second core wire clamping portion) is held by the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60. In a state where the terminal 21 has been completely held by the terminal chuck 5, the terminal 21 (one terminal) and the wire 20 (one wire) and the terminal 21 (another terminal) and the wire 20 (another wire) extend along the front-to-back direction X, wherein the terminal 21 (one terminal) and the wire 20 (one wire) are adjacent to the terminal 21 (another terminal) and the wire 20 (another wire) in the left-right direction Y as the adjacent arrangement direction, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 shown.

[0095] In addition, if Fig.12 As shown in (A) and (B), in this state, the protrusion 56a of the upper holding surface 56 cooperates with the recess 25a in the core wire pressing portion 25, and the curved surface 56b of the upper holding surface 56 contacts the upper surface of the core wire pressing portion 25. In addition, the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 is supported by the lower holding surface 60, that is, the receiving portion 60a. This is also Fig.12 The case of the core wire pressing portion 25 having a smaller size in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z shown in (A) is also as follows Fig.12 (B) shows a case where the core wire pressing portion 25 has a larger size in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. In this way, the protrusion 56a cooperates with the recess 25a, and the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 is supported by means of the receiving portion 60a, whereby the displacement of the core wire pressing portion 25, especially the displacement in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z is restricted, wherein the core wire pressing portion 25 is held by the central portion of the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 in the left-right direction Y.

[0096] In addition, if Fig.13 As shown, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 have a predetermined size in the front-to-back direction X, which can ensure a sufficient contact surface area between the holding surface and the core wire pressing portion 25, thereby stably maintaining the holding state of the core wire pressing portion 25 by the terminal clamp 5. This prevents the core wire pressing portion 25 from tilting relative to the horizontal direction. As described above, for each of the terminal clamp 5 of the left head 18 and the terminal clamp 5 of the right head 17, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 are offset inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. This prevents other components such as the first upper plate portion 54 and / or the first lower plate portion 58 from interfering with each other, such as Fig.14In addition, while preventing interference in this manner, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 of the right side Y2 can be brought close to the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 of the left side Y1 with a minimum interval therebetween to achieve a narrow interval distance (narrow spacing).

[0097] In the present embodiment, for example, the minimum distance S1 should be defined as the minimum distance between the end edge of the terminal chuck 5 (one terminal chuck) of the right head 17 oriented inwardly in the left-right direction Y (adjacent arrangement direction) on the one hand and the end edge of the terminal chuck 5 (another terminal chuck) of the left head 18 oriented inwardly in the left-right direction Y on the other hand. In addition, the minimum distance S2 should be defined as the minimum distance between the end edge of the terminal 21 (one terminal) oriented inwardly in the left-right direction Y and the end edge of the terminal 21 (another terminal) oriented inwardly in the left-right direction Y. The minimum distance S1 is preferably greater than the minimum distance S2. This configuration enables the terminal 21 (one terminal) and the terminal 21 (another terminal) to approach each other in the left-right direction Y, so that the terminals 21 can contact each other as much as possible without interference between the terminal chucks 5. Specifically, the minimum distance S1 can be about 1.5 mm, and the terminals 21 can be arranged adjacent to each other with a minimum distance S2 (i.e., less than about 1.5 mm) less than the minimum distance S1. Since the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 of the terminal chuck 5 are displaced relative to each other in the up-down direction Z as described above, during the above-mentioned relative displacement in the left-right direction Y, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 may not be displaced in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, during the operation of holding the terminals 21 and during the operation of terminating the holding, the state allowing the terminals 21 to approach each other in the left-right direction Y can be maintained.

[0098] After the core wire pressing portion 25 is completely held by the terminal clamp 5, the terminal end of the wire 20 is held by the wire clamp 7. Fig.15 The process of holding the terminal portion of the electric wire 20 by the electric wire chuck 7 will be described in more detail. Fig.16 A perspective view of the wire clamp 7 (first wire clamp) is shown, which has started to enter the holding position of the wire 20 (one wire) from the right side Y2. Fig.17 A perspective view of the wire clamp 7 (first wire clamp) is shown, which has been completely moved to a holding position of the wire 20 (one wire). Fig.18 FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the wire clamp 7 (first wire clamp) that fully holds the wire 20 (one wire). Fig.16 and Fig.17As shown, the wire clamp 7 is located at a height where the end portion of the wire 20 of one wire is located between the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82. Then, the wire clamp 7 is introduced from the right side Y2 to the left side Y1 (i.e., from the outside of a pair of wire clamps 7 to the inside of a pair of wire clamps 7 in the left-right direction Y) to be positioned at the holding position.

[0099] Then, if Fig.18 As shown, the lower wire chuck 72 is displaced to the upper side Z1, wherein the terminal portion of the wire 20 is then clamped and held by the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the same process is performed on the left head 18 and the wire 20 (another wire). That is, the wire chuck 7 (the second wire chuck) of the left head 18 is introduced from the left side Y1 to the right side Y2 (that is, from the outside of a pair of wire chucks 7 to the inside of a pair of wire chucks 7 in the left-right direction Y) to be positioned in the holding position. Then, the terminal portion of the wire 20 (the terminal portion of the wire 20 of another wire) is clamped and held by the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 in the up-down direction Z.

[0100] In this holding process, as the upper wire chuck 71 and the lower wire chuck 72 move toward each other, the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83 also move toward each other. In the process of the guide slopes moving toward each other, the electric wire 20 is gradually guided toward the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 while sliding in contact with the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83. This guidance ensures that the electric wire 20 is moved to the position where the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are located, and the electric wire 20 is held by the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82. In addition, the held electric wire 20 is supported on one side in the left-right direction Y by the above-mentioned upper claw 76a and the lower claw 82a, supported on the other side in the left-right direction Y by the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83, supported on the side toward the upper side Z1 by the upper curved surface 76, and supported on the side toward the lower side Z2 by the lower curved surface 82. In this manner, the electric wires 20 are prevented from being removed in the direction intersecting the front-rear direction X, thereby stably maintaining the state in which the electric wires 20 are held by the electric wire chuck 7 .

[0101] As described above, for each of the wire clamp 7 of the left head 18 and the wire clamp of the right head 17, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are offset inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. Fig.19As shown, this prevents other components such as the wire chuck mounting plate 70 from interfering with each other. In addition, while preventing interference in this way, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 of the right side Y2 can be close to the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 of the left side Y1 with the minimum interval between them to achieve a narrow spacing distance (narrow spacing). In the present embodiment, for example, the minimum distance S3 should be defined as the minimum distance between the inner oriented end edge of the wire chuck 7 (one wire chuck) of the right head 17 on the left and right direction Y (adjacent arrangement direction) and the inner oriented end edge of the wire chuck 7 (another wire chuck) of the left head 18 on the left and right direction Y. In addition, the minimum distance S4 should be defined as the minimum distance between the inner oriented end edge of the wire 20 (one wire) on the left and right direction Y and the inner oriented end edge of the wire 20 (another wire) on the left and right direction Y. The minimum distance S3 is preferably greater than the minimum distance S4.

[0102] This configuration enables the wires 20 (one wire) and the wires 20 (another wire) to approach each other in the left-right direction Y, so that the terminals 21 can contact each other as much as possible without interference between the wire clamps 7. Specifically, the minimum distance S3 can be about 1.5 mm, and the wires 20 can be arranged adjacent to each other at a minimum distance S4 that is less than the minimum distance S3 (i.e., less than about 1.5 mm). Because, as described above, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 of the wire clamp 7 are displaced relative to each other in the up-down direction Z, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 may not be displaced in the left-right direction Y during the relative displacement in the left-right direction Y mentioned above. Therefore, during the operation of holding the wires 20 and during the operation of terminating the holding, it is possible to maintain a state that allows the wires 20 to approach each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0103] As described above, in the case where the minimum distance S3 is greater than the minimum distance S4 and the minimum distance S1 is greater than the minimum distance S2, similar to the above-described configuration, the minimum distance between the inner end edge of the right head 17 (first head) in the left-right direction Y (adjacent arrangement direction) and the inner end edge of the left head 18 (second head) in the left-right direction Y is greater than the minimum distance between the end edge of the first held portion (one terminal and the end portion of the wire 20 of one wire) and the end edge of the second held portion (another terminal and the end portion of the wire 20 of another wire), and the end edges of the first held portion and the second held portion are the inner edges in the left-right direction Y. This enables each of the held portions to move inward in the adjacent arrangement direction while avoiding interference of the right head 17 with the left head 18.

[0104] Furthermore, as described above, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower guide slope 83 have a curvature and a width in the left-right direction Y, which are configured to conform to the outer shape of the electric wire 20 having the largest diameter among the electric wires 20 that the upper curved surface 76 and the lower guide slope 83 come into contact with. Fig. 20 As shown in (A) and (B), this makes it possible to stably maintain the state in which the various electric wires 20 to be held are held by the electric wire chuck 7, the various electric wires 20 including the electric wire 20 with the smallest diameter and the electric wire 20 with the largest diameter.

[0105] Subsequently, the terminal insertion head 16 holding the terminal 21 and the wire 20 moves to the insertion position. The insertion position is a position where the front end of the held terminal 21 extending in the front-to-back direction X is opposite to the corresponding cavity 4 in the front-to-back direction X. Each of the terminal 21 held by the right head 17 and the terminal 21 held by the left head 18 moves toward the insertion position. During this movement, as described above, the right head 17 and the left head 18 are displaced independently of each other in any direction in a virtual plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal 21 by means of the three-axis drive source 19. This enables the right head 17 and the left head 18 to be displaced independently of each other in any direction in a virtual plane extending in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z. Fig.21 A perspective view showing the terminal insertion device 1 with the right head 17 and the left head 18 moved to the insertion position. Fig. 22 The right head 17 and the left head 18 are shown to move to the same position as the Fig.21 1 is a perspective view of the terminal insertion device 1 at different insertion positions. Fig.23 The right head 17 and the left head 18 are shown to move to the same position as the Fig. 20 and 21 1 is a perspective view of the terminal insertion device 1 at different insertion positions.

[0106] In such Fig.21 In the state shown, similar to the initial state, the terminal 21 and the wire 20 (one terminal and one wire) that have been moved by the right head 17 and the terminal 21 and the wire 20 (the other terminal and the other wire) that have been moved by the left head 18 are arranged at the same height in the left-right direction Y. In addition, the distance that the terminal 21 (one terminal) is separated from the terminal 21 (the other terminal) in the left-right direction Y (adjacent arrangement direction) is the same as the distance that the two cavities 4 for inserting the terminal 21 are separated from each other in the left-right direction Y. In this way, the terminal 21 (one terminal) and the terminal 21 (the other terminal) can be inserted together into two corresponding cavities 4, that is, two corresponding cavities 4 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y.

[0107] In such Fig. 22In the state shown, unlike the initial state, the terminal 21 and the wire 20 that have been moved by the right head 17 are arranged in the left-right direction in a manner that has different positions in the up-down direction Z from the terminal 21 and the wire 20 that have been moved by the left head 18. This means that one terminal and the other terminal are arranged in an inclined direction. In addition, the distance that one terminal is separated from the other terminal in the inclined direction (adjacent arrangement direction) is the same as the distance that the cavities 4 are separated from each other in the same direction. This enables one terminal and the other terminal to be inserted into the corresponding cavity 4 together even when two corresponding cavities 4 are adjacent to each other in the inclined direction.

[0108] In such Fig.23 In the state shown, according to Fig. 22 The terminal 21 and the wire 20 moved by the right head 17 and the terminal 21 and the cable 20 moved by the left head 18 are arranged in an inclined direction. However, the distance between one terminal and the other terminal in the inclined direction (adjacent arrangement direction) is greater than the distance between the two terminals according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 22 This enables one terminal and another terminal to be inserted into the corresponding cavity 4 together even when the two corresponding cavities 4 are not adjacent to each other in the oblique direction and are spaced apart from each other.

[0109] Generally, one terminal can be inserted together with another terminal into two corresponding cavities 4 which are arranged and spaced apart by different distances in the left-right direction Y and in the oblique direction. Fig.24 Conceptual diagrams of exemplary variations of the insertion pattern for inserting the terminal 21 into the cavity 4 are shown in (A) to (D). Fig.24 (A) Two cavities 4 are arranged along the left-right direction Y and separated by a narrow interval, that is, about 1.5 mm, wherein one terminal and another terminal are inserted into the two cavities 4 together. Fig.24 (B), in the housing 3, six cavities 4 are arranged at the above-mentioned narrow pitch in the left-right direction Y, wherein six cavities 4 are arranged in two rows in the up-down direction Z. In other words, the housing 3 includes twelve cavities 4 formed therein. One terminal is inserted together with another terminal into two cavities 4 (hatched with a line inclined to the left side Y1 with respect to the up-down direction Z) adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y among the twelve cavities 4.

[0110] Furthermore, one terminal and another terminal are inserted together into two cavities 4 (shaded with lines that are inclined to the left side Y1 and to the right side Y2 relative to the up-down direction Z) that are adjacent to each other in the oblique direction among the twelve cavities 4. Furthermore, one terminal and another terminal are inserted together into two cavities 4 (shaded with lines that are inclined to the right side Y2 relative to the up-down direction Z) that are arranged obliquely among the twelve cavities 4, wherein the two cavities 4 are spaced apart from each other on the left side Y1 and on the right side Y2, and another cavity 4 is sandwiched therebetween. Fig.24In (C), the housing 3 includes two cavities 4, which are arranged in the left-right direction Y and separated from each other by a large interval, which is larger than the above-mentioned narrow interval. One terminal is inserted into the two cavities 4 together with the other terminal. Fig.24 In (D), the housing 3 includes six chambers 4 arranged at the above-mentioned large pitch in the left-right direction Y, wherein six chambers 4 are arranged in two rows in the up-down direction Z. In other words, the housing 3 includes twelve chambers 4 formed therein.

[0111] One terminal is inserted together with another terminal into two cavities 4 (hatched with lines tilted toward the left side Y1 with respect to the up-down direction Z) adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y among the twelve cavities 4. In addition, one terminal is inserted together with another terminal into two cavities 4 (hatched with lines tilted toward the left side Y1 and toward the right side Y2 with respect to the up-down direction Z) adjacent to each other in the tilted direction among the twelve cavities 4. In addition, one terminal is inserted together with another terminal into two cavities 4 (hatched with lines tilted toward the right side Y2 with respect to the up-down direction Z) arranged tilted among the twelve cavities 4, wherein the two cavities 4 are spaced apart from each other at the left side Y1 and the right side Y2, and another cavity 4 is sandwiched therebetween.

[0112] Subsequently, the terminal 21 inserted into the insertion position is inserted into the cavity 4 at one time. Fig.25 Here, the terminal 21 in the insertion position is moved toward the front side X1 by the right head 17 and the left head 18 respectively. In this way, the terminal 21 is inserted into the corresponding cavity 4, but not fully inserted, whereby the terminal 21 is positioned relative to the cavity 4. Subsequently, the terminal 21 is inserted into the cavity 4 for the second time, as shown in FIG. Fig.26 Here, the terminal chuck 5 of the right head 17 and the terminal chuck 5 of the left head 18 displace the respective lower terminal chucks 52 toward the lower side Z2, thereby ending the gripping of the core wire pressing portion 25. Then, the terminal chuck 5 is retracted outward in the left-right direction Y, i.e., in the direction in which the terminal chucks 5 are separated from each other, by the three-axis driving source 19. Subsequently, as Fig. 27 As shown, each of the wire clamps 7 is moved toward the front side X1 by the three-axis drive source 19, so that the terminal 21 is fully inserted into the cavity 4 and the secondary insertion is completed. Subsequently, the wire clamp 7 still holding the terminal portion of the wire 20 is displaced toward the rear side X2 (in the direction in which the terminal 21 is removed) to pull the terminal portion of the wire 20 of the terminal 21 toward the rear side X2.

[0113] By pulling the terminal portion of the wire 20 in this manner, the terminal 21 that is not fully inserted into the cavity 4 (cavity) is removed from the cavity 4. In the present embodiment, the operation of pulling the terminal portion of the wire 20 by the wire clamp 7 shall be referred to as a pull inspection. The pull inspection enables independent inspection of whether one terminal and the other terminal have been reliably inserted into the cavity 4. After completing the pull inspection, the wire clamp 7 of the right head 17 and the wire clamp 7 of the left head 18 shift the corresponding lower wire clamp 72 toward the lower side Z2, as shown in FIG. Fig.28 As shown, the holding of the electric wire 20 is ended. Then, the electric wire chuck 7 is retracted outward in the left-right direction Y, that is, in the direction in which the electric wire chucks 7 are separated from each other, by the three-axis driving source 19. Fig.29 As shown, the right head 17 and the left head 18 are moved to the rear side X2 by the three-axis driving source 19 , so that the terminal 21 is completely inserted into the cavity 4 .

[0114] As described above, the above embodiment enables the terminal 21 and the end portion of the wire 20 (one terminal and one wire, the first held portion) to be independently displaced in any direction in a virtual plane orthogonal to the front-to-back direction X (insertion direction) by the right head 17 (first head). It is also possible to independently displace the terminal 21 and the end portion of the wire 20 (another terminal and another wire, the second held portion) in any direction by the left head 18 (second head). Therefore, assuming that the insertion direction of the terminal 21 is, for example, the front-to-back direction X, it is possible to displace the first held portion and the second held portion relative to each other in the left-right direction Y and / or displace the first held portion and the second held portion relative to each other along the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z, that is, in the inclined direction. Utilizing these relative displacements, one terminal and another terminal can be adaptively inserted together into corresponding cavities 4 adjacent to each other at various spacing distances in the left-to-right direction Y. It is also possible to adaptively insert one terminal and another terminal together into corresponding cavities 4 arranged at various spacing distances in the inclined direction, for example. Therefore, it is possible to provide a terminal insertion device 1 which can be flexibly adapted to various arrangements of the cavities 4 into which the plurality of terminals 21 are inserted and allows the plurality of terminals 21 to be inserted into the corresponding cavities 4 together.

[0115] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the minimum distance between the end edges of the right head 17 holding the first held portion and the left head 18 holding the second held portion is greater than the minimum distance between the end edges of the held portions held by the heads 17 and 18, the end edges of the right head 17 and the left head 18 are oriented inwardly in the left-right direction Y, and the end edges of the held portions are oriented inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. Due to the relationship between the minimum distances, the first held portion and the second held portion can be moved relative to each other so that the first held portion and the second held portion can contact each other as much as possible in the left-right direction Y without causing interference between the left head 18 and the right head 17. Therefore, even in the case where the cavities 4 for inserting the terminals 21 therein are close to each other in the left-right direction Y, it is possible to flexibly accommodate the insertion and insert one terminal together with another terminal into the corresponding cavity 4.

[0116] According to the present embodiment, the core wire pressing portion 25 (first core wire pressing portion) of one terminal can also be held by the terminal chuck 5 (first terminal chuck) of the right head 17. In addition, the core wire pressing portion 25 (second core wire pressing portion) of another terminal can be held by the terminal chuck 5 (second terminal chuck) of the left head 18. The core wire pressing portion 25 has a relatively constant shape in the terminal 21 and is difficult to deform compared with the electric wire 20. Since each core wire pressing portion 25 can be clamped and held in the up-down direction Z, the state in which the terminal 21 and the terminal end of the electric wire 20 are held can be maintained more stably. The conventional terminal insertion device as described above is constructed so that the electric wire 20 is clamped by the inner claw and the outer claw in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, when the two electric wires 20 are moved to each other in the left-right direction Y, in such a terminal insertion device, the inner claws interfere with each other, so that the electric wires can no longer be moved to each other. Therefore, the above-mentioned structure is provided so that the terminal chuck 5 clamps each core wire pressing portion 25 in the up-down direction Z. In addition, the minimum distance S1 between the end edges of the terminal clamp 5 is greater than the minimum distance S2 between the end edges of the terminal 21 (one terminal) and the terminal 21 (the other terminal), and the end edges of the terminal clamp 5 and the end edges of the terminal 21 are oriented inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. This enables one terminal and the other terminal to move relative to each other, so that the terminals can contact each other as much as possible in the left-right direction Y without causing interference between the terminal clamps 5.

[0117] In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to apply a pulling check to the wire 20 (one wire) by the wire chuck 7 (first wire chuck) of the right head 17 while the terminal 21 (one terminal) is inserted into the cavity 4. It is also possible to apply a pulling check to the wire 20 (another wire) by the wire chuck 7 (second wire chuck) of the left head 18 while the terminal 21 (another terminal) is inserted into the cavity 4. Since the pulling check can remove the terminal 21 that is not fully inserted into the cavity 4 (cavity), it is possible to independently check whether one terminal and the other terminal are indeed inserted into the cavity 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the possible insufficient insertion of the terminal 21 at each of the right head 17 and the left head 18 from being overlooked.

[0118] According to the above-described embodiment, the electric wire 20 is held by the upper curved surface 76 (upper holding portion) and the lower curved surface 82 (lower holding portion) in a position of the wire chuck 7, which is offset from the center of the wire chuck 7 toward one side in the left-right direction Y, wherein the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved portion 82 are respectively provided on one side of the upper wire chuck 71 (upper body portion) along the left-right direction Y and one side of the lower wire chuck 72 (lower body portion) along the left-right direction Y. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the wire chuck 7 from the held electric wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y, compared to an embodiment in which the structure for holding the electric wire 20 is provided at the central portion of the wire chuck 7 in the left-right direction Y. This makes it difficult for the wire chuck 7 to interfere with other components in the process of displacing the held electric wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide a terminal insertion device 1, which includes a wire chuck 7 (chuck tool) that is less likely to interfere with the displacement of the held electric wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the wire clamp 7 is further configured so that the distance between the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 in the up-down direction Z is changed by displacing the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 relative to each other in the up-down direction Z. In this way, the wire clamp 7 is configured to selectively have a state of holding the wire 20 or a state of not holding the wire 20. This makes it difficult to change the position of the wire clamp 7 in the left-right direction Y during holding the wire 20 and at the end of the holding. In this way, during the operation of holding the wire 20 and at the end of the holding operation, it is possible to maintain a state in which the wire clamp 7 is unlikely to interfere with other components on one side of the held wire along the left-right direction Y.

[0119] The above embodiment is further configured so that the upper curved surface 76 is continuous with the end edge of one side of the upper wire clamp 71 in the left-right direction Y, wherein the lower curved surface 82 is continuous with the end edge of one side of the lower wire clamp 72 in the left-right direction Y. This configuration enables the wire 20 to be held near the end edge of one side of the wire clamp 7 in the left-right direction Y. Thus, this enables the protrusion amount of the wire clamp from the held wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y to be further reduced.

[0120] Unlike the above-described embodiment, the upper curved surface 76 can be discontinuous with the end edge of one side of the upper wire clamp 71 in the left-right direction Y, and the lower curved surface 82 can be discontinuous with the end edge of one side of the lower wire clamp 72 in the left-right direction Y. In this case, the upper curved surface 76 can be preferably provided on one side of the upper wire clamp 71 along the left-right direction Y, wherein the lower curved surface 82 can be provided on one side of the lower wire clamp 72 along the left-right direction Y. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the wire clamp 7 from the held wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y, compared to an embodiment in which the structure for holding the wire 20 is provided at the central portion of the wire clamp 7 in the left-right direction Y.

[0121] The above embodiment is further configured such that the upper guide slope 77 and the lower guide slope 83 are moved relative to each other by displacing the upper wire clamp 71 and the lower wire clamp 72 relative to each other in the direction in which they move toward each other along the up-down direction Z. During the movement of the guide slopes relative to each other, the electric wire 20 can be in sliding contact with the two guide slopes 77 and 83 to guide the electric wire 20 to one side in the left-right direction Y. Such guidance can ensure that the electric wire 20 is guided to the position where the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are located, and the electric wire 20 is held by the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82.

[0122] The above embodiment is further configured so that each of a pair of wire clamps 7 can be independently displaced in any direction in a virtual plane extending in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z (orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal 21). In this case, a pair of wire clamps 7 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y as the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein a pair of wire clamps 7 are oriented to be symmetrical in the left-right direction so that the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 are positioned inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. Through this relative arrangement, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 on the right side Y2 are positioned in the wire clamp 7 of the right side Y2 to offset from its center toward the wire clamp 7 of the left side Y1. In addition, the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 of the left side Y1 are positioned in the wire clamp 7 of the left side Y1 to offset from its center toward the wire clamp 7 of the right side Y2. This means that the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 on one side and the upper curved surface 76 and the lower curved surface 82 on the other side are offset from their respective centers in the direction in which they move from each other. This can reduce the amount of protrusion of the wire clamps 7 from the held wire 20 in the direction in which the wire clamps 7 move with each other, wherein the wire clamps 7 can be suppressed from interfering with each other and thereby moving one wire and the other wire with each other in the left-right direction.

[0123] The above embodiment is also configured so that the minimum distance S3 between the end edges of the wire chuck 7 of the right head 17 and the wire chuck 7 of the left head 18 is greater than the minimum distance S4 between the end edges of one wire and another wire, and the end edges of the wire chuck 7 and the end edges of the wire are oriented inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. This enables one wire and another wire to move relative to each other, so that the wires can contact each other as much as possible in the left-right direction Y without interfering between one wire chuck 7 and another wire chuck 7.

[0124] According to the above embodiment, the terminal is held by the upper holding surface 56 (upper holding part) and the lower holding surface 60 (lower holding part) in a position of the terminal chuck 5 offset from the center of the terminal chuck 5 to one side in the left-right direction Y, wherein the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 are respectively arranged on one side of the upper terminal chuck 51 (upper main body) along the left-right direction Y and one side of the lower terminal chuck 52 (lower main body) along the left-right direction Y. Compared with the embodiment in which the structure for holding the terminal 21 is arranged at the central part of the terminal chuck 5 in the left-right direction Y, this makes it possible to reduce the amount of protrusion of the terminal chuck 5 from the held terminal 21 to one side in the left-right direction Y. This makes it difficult for the terminal chuck 5 to interfere with other components during the process of shifting the held terminal 21 to one side in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, it is possible to provide a terminal insertion device 1, which includes a terminal chuck 5 (chuck tool) that is less likely to interfere with the displacement of the held terminal 21 to one side in the left-right direction Y. According to the above-mentioned construction, the terminal clamp 5 is further constructed so that the distance between the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 in the up-down direction Z is changed by displacing the upper terminal clamp 51 and the lower terminal clamp 52 relative to each other in the up-down direction Z, wherein the terminal clamp 5 is constructed to selectively have a state of holding the terminal 21 or a state of not holding the terminal 21. This makes it difficult to change the position of the terminal clamp 5 in the left-right direction Y during holding the terminal 21 and at the end of holding. In this way, during the operation of holding the terminal and at the end of the holding operation, it is possible to maintain a state in which the terminal clamp 5 is unlikely to interfere with other components on one side of the held terminal along the left-right direction Y.

[0125] The above embodiment is further configured so that the upper surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 contacts the upper holding surface 56 of the second upper plate portion 55 extending along the extension direction of the core wire pressing portion 25. Similarly, the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 contacts the lower holding surface 60 of the second lower plate portion 59 extending along the extension direction of the core wire pressing portion 25. The core wire pressing portion 25 has a relatively constant shape within the terminal 21 and is difficult to deform compared to the electric wire 20. It is possible to ensure a contact surface area corresponding to a predetermined length along the extension direction of the second upper plate portion 55 and the second lower plate portion 59 to clamp and hold the core wire pressing portion 25 in the up-down direction Z by means of the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60. Thereby, the state in which the terminal 21 is held by the terminal chuck 5 can be more stably maintained.

[0126] The above embodiment is further configured so that the protrusion 56a cooperates with one of the upper surface or the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 in which the recess 25a is formed. In addition, the receiving portion 60a is constructed to contact the other of the upper surface or the lower surface of the core wire pressing portion 25 in which the recess 25a is not formed. This enables the core wire pressing portion 25 to be clamped and held in the up-down direction Z by the protrusion 56a and the receiving portion 60a. By making the protrusion 56a cooperate with the recess 25a and by the contact of the receiving portion 60a with the core wire pressing portion 25, the inclination of the core wire pressing portion 25 in the up-down direction Z and the left-right direction Y can be limited, so that the terminal 21 can be stably maintained in a state where it is held in a predetermined posture by the terminal chuck 5.

[0127] The above embodiment is further arranged so that each of a pair of terminal chucks 5 can be independently displaced in any direction in a virtual plane extending in the left-right direction Y and the up-down direction Z (orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal 21). In this case, a pair of terminal chucks 5 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction Y as the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein a pair of terminal chucks 5 are oriented to be symmetrical in the left-right direction so that the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 are positioned inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. Through this relative arrangement, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 of the right side Y2 are positioned in the terminal chuck 5 of the right side Y2 to offset 5 from its center toward the terminal chuck 5 of the left side Y1. In addition, the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 of the left side Y1 are positioned in the terminal chuck 5 of the left side Y1 to offset from its center toward the terminal chuck 5 of the right side Y2. This means that the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 on one side and the upper holding surface 56 and the lower holding surface 60 on the other side are offset from their respective centers in the direction in which they move to each other. This can reduce the amount of the terminal chuck 5 protruding from the held terminal 21 in the direction in which the terminal chuck 5 moves. Thus, interference between the terminal chucks 5 can be suppressed, and one terminal and the other terminal can move in the left-right direction Y.

[0128] The present embodiment is also configured such that the minimum distance S1 between the end edges of the terminal chuck 5 of the right head 17 and the terminal chuck 5 of the left head 18 is greater than the minimum distance S2 between the end edges of one terminal and the other terminal, and the end edges of the terminal chuck 5 and the end edges of the terminal 21 are oriented inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction. This enables one terminal and the other terminal to move relative to each other, so that the terminals can contact each other as much as possible in the left-right direction Y without causing interference between the terminal chucks 5.

[0129] Although the embodiments and exemplary modifications of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited thereto, but the present invention also includes, for example, design modifications that do not depart from the core of the present invention.

Claims

1. A terminal insertion device for inserting a terminal of an electric wire assembled with a terminal into a cavity, the terminal insertion device comprising: a wire chuck configured to hold the wire of the terminal-assembled wire, Wherein, the wire chuck comprises: an upper body portion having a predetermined width in the left-right direction; and a lower body portion having a predetermined width in the left-right direction, the lower body portion being configured to be displaceable relative to the upper body portion in the up-down direction, The upper body portion includes an upper holding portion on one side in the left-right direction, and the upper holding portion is configured to contact the upper portion of the electric wire. The lower body portion includes a lower holding portion on one side in the left-right direction, the lower holding portion is opposite to the upper holding portion in the up-down direction and is configured to contact the lower portion of the electric wire, and The wire clamp is configured such that the wire is clamped by the upper holding portion and the lower holding portion and is held at a portion of the wire clamp that is offset toward one side in the left-right direction.

2. The terminal insertion device according to claim 1, in, The upper holding portion includes an upper curved surface that is curved upward and configured to come into contact with an upper portion of the electric wire. wherein the end edge of one side of the upper curved surface in the left-right direction is continuous with the end edge of one side of the upper main body in the left-right direction, wherein the lower holding portion includes a lower curved surface that is bent downward and configured to come into contact with a lower portion of the electric wire, and The end edge of the lower curved surface on one side in the left-right direction is continuous with the end edge of the lower main body on one side in the left-right direction.

3. The terminal insertion device according to claim 1, in, The upper body portion includes an upper guide slope, which is continuous with the other end of the upper grip portion in the left-right direction. wherein the upper guide slope is inclined to be positioned further downward in a direction toward the other side in the left-right direction and is capable of making sliding contact with the outer surface of the electric wire, The lower main body portion includes a lower guide slope, which is continuous with the other end of the lower grip portion in the left-right direction, and The lower guide slope is inclined to be positioned further upward in a direction toward the other side in the left-right direction and is capable of making sliding contact with an outer surface of the electric wire.

4. The terminal insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in, A pair of the electric wire clamps are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction as the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein a pair of the wire clamps are oriented symmetrically in the left-right direction so that the upper holding portion and the lower holding portion are positioned inwardly in the adjacent arrangement direction, wherein one of the pair of wire clamps is configured to hold one wire among a plurality of wires, wherein the other wire clamp of the pair of wire clamps is configured to hold another wire among the plurality of wires, Wherein, each of the wire clamps can be displaced independently of each other in any direction in a virtual plane orthogonal to the insertion direction of the terminal.

5. The terminal insertion device according to claim 4, in, The one electric wire and the other electric wire are configured to extend along the insertion direction of the terminal and to be adjacent to each other in the adjacent arrangement direction, that is, the left-right direction, and Wherein, the minimum distance between the end edge of the one wire clamp and the end edge of the other wire clamp is greater than the minimum distance between the end edge of the one wire and the end edge of the other wire, the end edge of the one wire clamp and the end edge of the other wire clamp are the inner end edges in the adjacent arrangement direction, and the end edge of the one wire and the end edge of the other wire are the inner end edges in the adjacent arrangement direction.

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