Terminal crimping device

Abstract

A terminal crimping device (8) is provided with: a gripping device (3F) that grips an electric wire (5); a crimping machine (4F) which is provided with a pressing member (42F) and an actuator (43F) that drives the pressing member (42F), and which crimps the terminal (7) to the electric wire (5) held by the holding device (3F) by means of the pressing member (42F); a moving device (6F) that moves the gripping device (3F) in an intersecting direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the electric wire (5); and a control device (9) that controls the gripping device (3F), the crimping machine (4F), and the moving device (6F). The control device (9) is provided with a first control unit (91) and a second control unit (92). The first control unit (91) controls the actuator (43F) to crimp the terminal (7) to the electric wire (5). The second control unit (92) drives the moving device (6F) to move the gripping device (3F) in the intersecting direction during the period when the pressing member (42F) reaches the target position from the contact terminal (7) under the control of the first control unit (91).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Conventionally, wires with terminals crimped on them are used as materials for wiring harnesses, etc. When the terminals are crimped, the wires partially expand in the length direction. At this time, if the wires are held so as not to move, the movement in the length direction is restricted, which may cause a part of the wire to buckle.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a crimping device, which moves a wire conveying device along the axis of the wire during the crimping process in order to compensate for the length extension of the wire, wherein the length extension of the wire is the result of plastic deformation of the wire during the crimping process.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a crimping device in which a holding device releases the electric wire before crimping is completed in order to allow the electric wire to protrude during the crimping process.

[0005] Prior art literature

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-211039

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-518619 Summary of the invention

[0009] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0010] The method described in Patent Document 1 cannot cope with the deviation of the elongation of the wire during each crimping, and can only roughly absorb the elongation of the wire. Or, the wire is forcibly stretched. In the method described in Patent Document 2, since the wire is released during the crimping process, the position of the wire may be shifted.

[0011] The present invention provides a terminal crimping device which can suppress the influence of the elongation of an electric wire caused by the crimping of a terminal and perform the crimping of the terminal to the electric wire with higher quality.

[0012] (II) Technical solution

[0013] The terminal crimping device of the present invention comprises: a holding device that holds an electric wire; a crimping machine that comprises a stamping component and an actuator that drives the stamping component, and crimps the terminal to the electric wire held by the holding device through the stamping component; a moving device that moves the holding device along a cross direction that crosses the length direction of the electric wire; and a control device that controls the holding device, the crimping machine, and the moving device. The control device comprises a first control unit and a second control unit. The first control unit controls the actuator to crimp the terminal to the electric wire. The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device along the cross direction during the period from when the stamping component contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position under the control of the first control unit.

[0014] According to the terminal crimping device, during the period from when the stamping part contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position, the holding device of the electric wire moves in a cross direction that intersects with the length direction of the electric wire. The elongation of the electric wire caused by crimping is absorbed by the movement of the holding device in the cross direction. At this time, since the electric wire is not released, the positional deviation of the electric wire is suppressed. In addition, compared with moving the holding device in the length direction of the electric wire to absorb the elongation of the electric wire, the freedom of the electric wire is improved by moving the holding device in the cross direction to absorb the elongation of the electric wire. Therefore, the movement amount of the holding device can better follow the elongation of the electric wire caused by crimping. As a result, the crimping of the terminal to the electric wire can be performed with higher quality.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crossing direction is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the punching component.

[0016] The electric wire is easily subjected to a bending force in a direction substantially parallel to the driving direction of the punch member due to the extension accompanying the crimping. Therefore, according to the above aspect, the extension of the electric wire caused by the crimping can be more reliably absorbed.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the terminal crimping device, the crossing direction is upward or downward. In this case, the driving direction of the punching member is the vertical direction. By setting the driving direction of the punching member to the vertical direction, the installation area of ​​the terminal crimping device can be reduced.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the terminal crimping device, when the direction in which the stamping component approaches the electric wire and the terminal is set as the approach direction, the moving device is configured to enable the holding device to move to a first position and a second position set closer to the approach direction than the first position. The control device includes a third control unit, which moves the holding device from the first position to the second position in coordination with the movement of the stamping component in the approach direction based on the control of the first control unit. The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device from the second position to the first position during the period from when the stamping component contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position under the control of the first control unit.

[0019] According to the above method, by cooperating with the movement of the stamping part in the approach direction, the holding device is moved from the first position to the second position along the approach direction, thereby suppressing the overload on the wire caused by crimping, and by moving the holding device from the second position to the first position during the period from the stamping part contacting the terminal to reaching the target position, thereby absorbing the elongation of the wire caused by crimping.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the terminal crimping device, the moving device is configured to enable the holding device to move to a first position, an intermediate position set closer to the approach direction than the first position, and a second position set closer to the approach direction than the intermediate position. The control device includes a third control unit, which moves the holding device from the first position to the second position in coordination with the movement of the stamping component in the approach direction based on the control of the first control unit. The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device from the second position to the intermediate position during the period from when the stamping component contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position under the control of the first control unit.

[0021] According to the above aspect, the holding device moves to the intermediate position before the punching component reaches the target position. Therefore, the moving time of the holding device required for entering the next step can be shortened.

[0022] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the moving device is configured to enable the holding device to be freely movable along the cross direction. The control device includes a fourth control unit, which drives the moving device to enable the holding device to be freely movable along the cross direction after the holding device is moved along the cross direction under the control of the second control unit until the punching part reaches the target position.

[0023] According to the above aspect, the holding device is movable in the cross direction from the time the holding device moves in the cross direction until the punching member reaches the target position, so that the movement amount of the holding device can accurately follow the elongation amount of the wire caused by crimping.

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first control unit is configured to temporarily stop the punching member from contacting the terminal to reaching the target position. The second control unit moves the holding device along the intersecting direction when the punching member temporarily stops.

[0025] According to the above aspect, since the gripping device is moved when the press member is temporarily stopped, it is easy to perform control to coordinate the timing of the movement of the press member and the movement of the gripping member.

[0026] (III) Beneficial effects

[0027] According to the present invention, the influence of the extension of the electric wire due to the crimping of the terminal can be suppressed, and the crimping of the terminal to the electric wire can be performed with higher quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the electric wire processing device.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a side view of the fixture on the F side.

[0030] Figure 3A This is a front view of the crimping machine, showing a state before the press component starts crimping the terminal.

[0031] Figure 3B This is a front view of the crimping machine, showing a state where the press component has completed crimping of the terminal.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of a terminal crimping device.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of terminal crimping.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a side view of the electric wire showing the movement of the electric wire when the terminal is crimped.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of terminal crimping in the second embodiment.

[0036] Figure 8 It is a side view showing the movement of the electric wire during the terminal crimping in the second embodiment.

[0037] Fig. 9It is a block diagram of a terminal crimping device according to a third embodiment.

[0038] Fig.10 This is a flowchart of terminal crimping in the third embodiment.

[0039] Fig.11 It is a side view showing the movement of the electric wire during the terminal crimping in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] [First embodiment]

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing the structure of a wire processing device 1 including a terminal crimping device 8 according to an embodiment. Figure 1 The right side and left side of are the front side and the rear side respectively. Figure 1 The upper side and the lower side of the terminal crimping device are respectively the left side and the right side. However, each direction is only a direction determined for the convenience of explanation, and does not limit the setting position of the terminal crimping device of the present invention.

[0042] The electric wire processing device 1 includes: a feed device 2 that feeds out the electric wire 5; a clamp 3F that clamps the front end of the electric wire 5 fed by the feed device 2; a lifting device 6F that moves the clamp 3F in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 5, and here, moves the clamp 3F in the up-down direction; a crimping machine 4F that crimps the terminal 7 to the front end of the electric wire 5 clamped by the clamp 3F; a cutting device 10; a clamp 3R that clamps the rear end of the electric wire 5 in front of the cutting device 10; a lifting device 6R that moves the clamp 3R in the up-down direction; and a crimping machine 4R that crimps the terminal 7 to the rear end of the electric wire 5 clamped by the clamp 3R. In addition, the clamp 3F and the clamp 3R clamp the front end and the rear end of the electric wire 5, respectively, and are hereinafter appropriately referred to as clamps on the F side (front side) and the R side (rear side), respectively. The clamp 3F and the clamp 3R are examples of holding devices that hold the electric wire 5. The lifting devices 6F and 6R respectively move the F-side clamp 3F and the R-side clamp 3R in the up-down direction, and are hereinafter appropriately referred to as the lifting devices of the F side (front side) and the R side (rear side). The crimping machines 4F and 4R respectively crimp the terminals 7 to the front end and the rear end of the electric wire 5, and are hereinafter appropriately referred to as the crimping machines of the F side (front side) and the R side (rear side).

[0043] The structure of the feeding device 2 is not limited in any way. Here, the feeding device 2 includes a pair of pulleys 2A arranged front and back on the left and right sides and a conveyor belt 2B wound around the two pulleys 2A. Although not shown, a motor is connected to at least one of the pulleys 2A. The motor drives the pulley 2A to rotate and the conveyor belt 2B circulates. As a result, the electric wire 5 sandwiched by the left and right conveyor belts 2B is fed forward.

[0044] The electric wire 5 is a so-called covered electric wire, and includes a core wire 5a made of a conductor such as metal and an insulating material 5b such as resin surrounding the core wire 5a (see Figure 6 The cutting device 10 includes a cutting blade 11 for cutting the electric wire 5, a stripping blade 12F for stripping off the insulating material 5b at the front end of the electric wire 5 clamped by the F-side clamp 3F, and a stripping blade 12R for stripping off the insulating material 5b at the rear end of the electric wire 5 clamped by the R-side clamp 3R.

[0045] Figure 2 is a side view of the F-side fixture 3F. Figure 2 As shown, the F-side fixture 3F has: a front wall 13 formed with a hole 13a, a rear wall 14 formed with a hole 14a, a first block 16A disposed between the front wall 13 and the rear wall 14, a second block 16B disposed below the first block 16A, and a nozzle 15 extending forward from the front wall 13. The second block 16B is configured to be able to move up and down and can move closer to and away from the first block 16A. The second block 16B is connected to the rod 21 of the cylinder 20F. The rod 21 of the cylinder 20F is connected to the solenoid valve 22F (see Figure 4 ) is switched to extend or retract. By switching the solenoid valve 22F, the rod 21 is extended or retracted, so that the second block 16B approaches or moves away from the first block 16A. When the second block 16B approaches the first block 16A, the first block 16A and the second block 16B clamp the wire 5. When the second block 16B moves away from the first block 16A, the first block 16A and the second block 16B release the clamping of the wire 5. The wire 5 is conveyed forward through the hole 14a of the rear wall 14, between the two blocks 16A and 16B, the hole 13a of the front wall 13, and the nozzle 15.

[0046] In addition, if Figure 2 As shown, the F-side clamp 3F is supported by the guide member 17, and the moving actuator 24F is connected to the guide member 17. The moving actuator 24F is configured to move the F-side clamp 3F forward and backward. The structure of the moving actuator 24F is not limited at all, and any known actuator such as a motor can be used.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, the F-side lifting device 6F supports the F-side clamp 3F from below. The F-side lifting device 6F moves the F-side clamp 3F in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the direction in which the punching component 42F of the crimping machine 4F on the F-side moves is the up-down direction, and the F-side lifting device 6F moves the F-side clamp 3F in a direction that is substantially parallel to the driving direction of the punching component 42F. If the punching component 42F moves in another direction, the F-side lifting device 6F moves the F-side clamp 3F in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction.

[0048] The F-side lifting device 6F includes a guide rail 61F and a cylinder 26F. The guide rail 61F extends in the vertical direction. The F-side clamp 3F is slidably engaged with the guide rail 61F. The cylinder 26F includes a rod 27 that extends in the vertical direction. The rod 27 of the cylinder 26F is controlled by a solenoid valve 28F (see Figure 4 ) is switched to extend and retract. By switching the solenoid valve 28F, the rod 27 is extended and retracted, so that the F-side clamp 3F moves in the vertical direction along the guide rail 61F. Here, the F-side lifting device 6F is configured to be able to move the F-side clamp 3F to the upper position P1 (refer to Figure 6 ) and lower position P2 (refer to Figure 6 ) moves, and the lower position P2 is set to be lower than the upper position P1 (the direction in which the punching member 42F approaches the wire 5 and the terminal 7 during crimping).

[0049] The R-side clamp 3R and the R-side lifting device 6R may also have the same structure as the F-side clamp 3F and the F-side lifting device 6F, respectively. However, either or both of the R-side clamp 3R and the R-side lifting device 6R may have a structure different from the F-side clamp 3F and the F-side lifting device 6F. The structure of the F-side clamp 3F and the R-side clamp 3R is not limited as long as they hold the electric wire 5. The structure of the F-side lifting device 6F and the R-side lifting device 6R is also not limited as long as they move the F-side clamp 3F and the R-side clamp 3R in a direction intersecting the length direction of the electric wire 5, respectively. Preferably, the F-side lifting device 6F and the R-side lifting device 6R move the F-side clamp 3F and the R-side clamp 3R in a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the electric wire 5, respectively.

[0050] The crimping machine 4F on the F side and the crimping machine 4R on the R side have the same structure. Here, the crimping machine 4F on the F side will be described, and the description of the crimping machine 4R on the R side will be omitted. The crimping machine 4F on the F side includes a punching member 42F and an actuator 43F for driving the punching member 42F, and the terminal 7 is crimped to the electric wire 5 held by the F side fixture 3F by the punching member 42F. Figure 3A This is a front view of the crimping machine 4F on the F side, showing the state where the punching part 42F is in the highest position. Figure 3B The punching member 42F is shown in the state at the lowest position. Figure 3A This shows the state of the punching part 42F before it starts crimping the terminal. Figure 3B Indicates that the stamping component 42F has completed the terminal crimping. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the crimping machine 4F has: an anvil 41F supporting the terminal 7, and a punching part 42F that can move closer to and farther from the anvil 41F. Here, the punching part 42F is configured to be able to rise and fall. The punching part 42F is a punching body that presses the terminal 7 against the end of the wire 5 to make it close. The actuator 43F raises and lowers the punching part 42F. The structure of the actuator 43F is not limited in any way, and any known actuator such as a hydraulic press can be used.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the terminal crimping device 8 includes a control device 9 that controls the clamps 3F and 3R, the crimping machines 4F and 4R, and the lifting devices 6F and 6R. Figure 4 8 is a functional block diagram of the terminal crimping device 8. Figure 4 As shown, the terminal crimping device 8 is connected to the solenoid valve 22F of the F-side clamp 3F, the solenoid valve 22R of the R-side clamp 3R, the solenoid valve 28F of the F-side lifting device 6F, the solenoid valve 28R of the R-side lifting device 6R, the actuator 43F of the crimping machine 4F on the F side, and the actuator 43R of the crimping machine 4R on the R side to control their actions. Here, the control device 9 is composed of a computer and has a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The control device 9 can be a dedicated computer for the terminal crimping device 8, or it can be a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The control device 9 has a stamping control unit 91, a descending control unit 92, and an ascending control unit 93 as control units related to the crimping of the terminal 7. The control device 9 may also have other control units, but the illustration and description are omitted here.

[0052] The stamping control unit 91 controls the actuator 43F of the crimping machines 4F and 4R to crimp the terminal 7 to the wire 5. The stamping control unit 91 drives the stamping component 42F downward when crimping the terminal 7. The descent control unit 92 cooperates with the downward movement of the stamping component 42F based on the control of the stamping control unit 91 to move the F-side clamp 3F from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2. The rising control unit 93 drives the F-side lifting device 6F to move the F-side clamp 3F upward during the period from when the stamping component 42F contacts the terminal 7 to when it reaches the target position under the control of the stamping control unit 91. In more detail, the rising control unit 93 drives the F-side lifting device 6F to move the F-side clamp 3F from the lower position P2 to the upper position P1 during the period from when the stamping component 42F contacts the terminal 7 to when it reaches the target position under the control of the stamping control unit 91. The punching control unit 91, the descent control unit 92, and the rise control unit 93 are configured to perform the same control on the clamp 3R, the crimping machine 4R, and the lifting device 6R on the R side. In addition, here, the target position refers to the lowest point reached by the punching part 42F when the terminal 7 is crimped, and is also appropriately referred to as the lowest point below. In the case where the moving direction of the punching part 42F when the terminal 7 is crimped is a direction other than downward, the target position is the frontmost position in the moving direction of the punching part 42F. In addition, hereinafter, moving the punching part 42F to the target position will also be referred to as "pressing the punching part 42F into place."

[0053] Next, the operation of the electric wire processing device 1 is described. First, the feeding device 2 is directed forward ( Figure 1 Then, the electric wire 5 is clamped by the F-side clamp 3F and the R-side clamp 3R, and is cut by the cutting blade 11 of the cutting device 10.

[0054] Next, the F-side clamp 3F moves to the left side ( Figure 1 On the other hand, the R-side clamp 3R moves to the right side (upper side) while holding the wire 5, and guides the front end of the wire 5 to the stripping blade 12F. Figure 1 The stripping blades 12F and 12R are used to strip the insulating materials at the ends of the two electric wires 5.

[0055] After that, the F-side clamp 3F is further rotated to the left while clamping the wire 5, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown by the imaginary line in the middle, the front end of the wire 5 is guided to the front of the crimping machine 4F on the F side. The R side clamp 3R is further rotated to the right side while clamping the wire 5, as shown in FIG. Figure 1As shown by the imaginary line in the middle, the rear end of the electric wire 5 is guided to the front of the crimping machine 4R on the R side. Then, the crimping machines 4F and 4R crimp the terminal 7 to the end of each electric wire 5. The operation of crimping the terminal will be described in detail later.

[0056] Next, the F-side clamp 3F returns to the initial position ( 100 ) facing the cutting blade 11 while clamping the electric wire 5 to which the terminal 7 is crimped. Figure 1 The clamp 3R on the R side releases the wire 5 crimped with the terminal 7 and returns to the initial position ( Figure 1 The position indicated by the solid line in the middle). In addition, the wire 5 (the wire with the terminals 7 crimped at both ends) released by the R-side clamp 3R falls and is collected on a tray not shown. Thereafter, the above-mentioned operation is repeated. Thus, the wire 5 with the terminals 7 crimped at both ends is produced sequentially.

[0057] Next, the terminal crimping method is described in detail. Here, the terminal crimping on the F side is described as an example, but the terminal crimping on the R side is also performed in the same manner. However, the terminal crimping on the F side and the terminal crimping on the R side are not necessarily performed in different ways. Figure 5 This is a flow chart of terminal crimping. Figure 5 As shown, in the terminal crimping process on the F side, after the F side clamp 3F moves to a position near the crimping machine 4F (not shown), it moves forward while holding the wire 5 until the end of the wire 5 overlaps with the terminal 7 (step S01). In step S01, the F side clamp 3F moves forward until the end of the wire 5 is inserted into the insertion portion 7a of the terminal 7 (refer to Figure 6 ). At this time, the F-side clamp 3F is located at the upper position P1. However, the electric wire 5 can also be moved from the side to the top of the terminal 7 by, for example, lateral movement or rotation. Here, the terminal 7 is a so-called open barrel terminal, and the electric wire 5 can be inserted from the open side (here, the top).

[0058] In step S02, the actuator 43F of the crimping machine 4F is driven, and the punching part 42F begins to descend toward the anvil 41F. Step S03 is started simultaneously with, immediately after, or immediately before step S02, and the F-side clamp 3F cooperates with the downward movement of the punching part 42F and moves from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2. As a result, the wire 5 and the terminal 7 installed at the end of the wire 5 also move downward. If the F-side clamp 3F moves to the lower position P2, the terminal 7 contacts the anvil 41F. When the punching part 42F descends to a specified position, it contacts the terminal 7 on the anvil 41F and begins to compress the terminal 7.

[0059] In step S04, the F-side lifting device 6F is driven, and the F-side clamp 3F returns to the upper position P1, while the terminal 7 is pressed by the punching member 42F to be immovable and the punching member 42F has not yet completely compressed the terminal 7. As a result, the terminal 7 and the end of the wire 5 do not move, and the portion of the wire 5 that is behind the portion where the terminal 7 is inserted moves upward.

[0060] Figure 6 is a side view of the electric wire 5 showing the movement of the electric wire 5 in step S04. Figure 6 In the figure, for easy viewing, the crimping machine 4F on the F side is omitted, and the F side clamp 3F is schematically illustrated. Figure 6 As shown, the F-side clamp 3F rises, thereby the distance between the F-side clamp 3F (the portion of the electric wire 5 held by the F-side clamp 3F) and the terminal 7 (the end of the electric wire 5) becomes longer. If the electric wire 5 is not elongated by the terminal crimping, the electric wire 5 is pulled backward by this action. In fact, during the crimping process of the terminal 7, the electric wire 5 is gradually extended due to being compressed by the stamping part 42F. During the crimping process of the terminal 7, the F-side clamp 3F is raised, and the distance between the F-side clamp 3F and the terminal 7 (the end of the electric wire 5) is gradually increased, thereby absorbing the elongation of the electric wire 5 and alleviating the influence of the elongation of the electric wire 5. If the elongation of the electric wire 5 is not absorbed, the electric wire 5 may be buckled due to the elongation.

[0061] In step S05, the punching member 42F is pressed into place and lowered to the lowest position. As a result, the terminal 7 is deformed until a portion of the terminal 7 clamps the end of the wire 5, and the terminal 7 is closely attached to the wire 5. In step S06, the punching member 42F rises and leaves the terminal 7. In step S07, the wire 5 retreats, and the crimping process of the terminal 7 is completed.

[0062] The following describes the effects that can be achieved by the terminal crimping device 8 of the present embodiment. The terminal crimping device 8 of the present embodiment includes: a clamp 3F that holds the electric wire 5; a crimping machine 4F that crimps the terminal 7 to the electric wire 5 held by the clamp 3F; a lifting device 6F that is a moving device that moves the clamp 3F in a cross direction that crosses the length direction of the electric wire 5; and a control device 9 that controls the clamp 3F, the crimping machine 4F, and the lifting device 6F. The crimping machine 4F includes a punching part 42F and an actuator 43F that drives the punching part 42F, and the terminal 7 is crimped to the electric wire 5 held by the clamp 3F through the punching part 42F. The control device 9 comprises: a stamping control unit 91, which controls the actuator 43F to crimp the terminal 7 to the wire 5; and a lifting control unit 93, which drives the lifting device 6F to move the clamp 3F along the cross direction during the period from the contact terminal 7 to the target position (here the lowest point) of the stamping part 42F under the control of the stamping control unit 91.

[0063] According to the terminal crimping device 8, during the period from when the punching member 42F contacts the terminal 7 to when it reaches the target position, the clamp 3F moves in a cross direction that crosses the length direction of the electric wire 5. The movement of the clamp 3F in the cross direction absorbs the elongation of the electric wire 5 caused by crimping. Thus, the buckling of the electric wire 5 caused by the elongation during crimping can be suppressed.

[0064] In the method described in Patent Document 2, since the wire is released during the crimping process of the terminal, the position of the wire may be offset. However, in the present embodiment, since the wire 5 is not released at this time, the positional offset of the wire 5 is suppressed. In addition, compared with moving the clamp 3F along the length direction of the wire 5 to absorb the elongation of the wire 5, the degree of freedom of the wire 5 is improved by moving the clamp 3F in the cross direction to absorb the elongation of the wire 5. Therefore, the movement amount of the clamp 3F can better follow the elongation of the wire 5 caused by crimping. In the method described in Patent Document 1, the influence of the elongation of the wire is reduced by moving the holding device of the wire in the length direction of the wire. Therefore, according to the terminal crimping device 8 of the present embodiment, the crimping of the terminal 7 to the wire 5 can be performed with higher quality than before.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the direction in which the clamp 3F is moved is roughly parallel to the driving direction of the stamping part 42F. The electric wire 5 is easily subjected to a force that bends in a direction roughly parallel to the driving direction of the stamping part 42F due to the extension accompanying the crimping. Therefore, according to the terminal crimping device 8 of the present embodiment, the elongation of the electric wire 5 caused by the crimping can be more reliably absorbed. The direction "roughly parallel" to the driving direction of the stamping part 42F refers to, for example, a direction that deviates from the driving direction of the stamping part 42F by less than 10 degrees. However, the direction in which the clamp 3F is moved is not particularly limited as long as it is an intersecting direction that intersects with the length direction of the electric wire 5. The direction in which the clamp 3F is moved may be a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the electric wire 5, such as the left-right direction, or may be a direction oblique to the length direction of the electric wire 5.

[0066] In the present embodiment, the direction in which the clamp 3F is moved is upward. The driving direction of the punching part 42F is the up-down direction. By setting the driving direction of the punching part 42F to the up-down direction, the installation area of ​​the terminal crimping device 8 can be reduced. In addition, the direction in which the clamp 3F is moved may be downward. The direction in which the clamp 3F is moved may be the same direction as the direction in which the punching part 42F moves during crimping, or may be the opposite direction to the direction in which the punching part 42F moves during crimping. When the driving direction of the punching part 42F is the up-down direction, the direction in which the clamp 3F is moved is preferably upward or downward.

[0067] In the present embodiment, the lifting device 6F is configured to move the clamp 3F to the upper position P1 and the lower position P2 set to be lower than the upper position P1. The control device 9 includes a descending control unit 92, which moves the clamp 3F from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2 in coordination with the downward movement of the punching part 42F based on the control of the punching control unit 91. The rising control unit 93 drives the lifting device 6F to move the clamp 3F from the lower position P2 to the upper position P1 during the period when the punching part 42F contacts the terminal 7 and reaches the target position under the control of the punching control unit 91. According to this structure, by moving the clamp 3F from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2 in coordination with the downward movement of the punching part 42F, the overload on the electric wire 5 caused by crimping can be suppressed. In addition, by moving the clamp 3F from the lower position P2 to the upper position P1 during the period when the punching part 42F contacts the terminal 7 and reaches the target position, the elongation of the electric wire 5 caused by crimping can be absorbed. In the present embodiment, the electric wire 5 after the terminal crimping that has been moved to the upper position P1 moves rearward while being held at the upper position P1. Therefore, the process efficiency is also good.

[0068] As described above, according to the terminal crimping device 8 of the present embodiment, the influence of the elongation of the electric wire 5 due to the crimping of the terminal 7 can be suppressed, and the crimping of the terminal 7 to the electric wire 5 can be performed with higher quality.

[0069] [Second embodiment]

[0070] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the clamp moves during the terminal crimping process. In the following description of the second embodiment, the components that realize the functions common to the first embodiment are marked with the same reference numerals as the first embodiment, and repeated descriptions are appropriately omitted or simplified. In addition, the same is true for other embodiments.

[0071] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of terminal crimping in the second embodiment. Figure 8 2 is a side view showing the movement of the electric wire 5 during the terminal crimping in the second embodiment. Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the lifting device 6F is configured to move the clamp 3F to the upper position P1, the intermediate position P3 set below the upper position P1, and the lower position P2 set below the intermediate position P3. Therefore, the lifting device 6F may include two cylinders, for example.

[0072] like Figure 7As shown, in the terminal crimping process on the F side of the present embodiment, after the F side clamp 3F moves to a position near the crimping machine 4F (not shown), it advances while clamping the wire 5 until the end of the wire 5 overlaps with the terminal 7 (step S11). The wire 5 can also be moved from the side to the top of the terminal 7 as in the first embodiment. At this time, the F side clamp 3F is located at the upper position P1. In step S12, the actuator 43F of the crimping machine 4F is driven, and the punching part 42F begins to descend toward the anvil 41F. Steps S11 and S12 can be the same as steps S01 and S02 of the first embodiment, respectively.

[0073] Step S13 is started simultaneously with, immediately after, or immediately before step S02, and the F-side clamp 3F moves from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2 in coordination with the downward movement of the punching member 42F. As a result, the electric wire 5 and the terminal 7 mounted on the end of the electric wire 5 also move downward. If the F-side clamp 3F moves to the lower position P2, the terminal 7 contacts the anvil 41F. When the punching member 42F descends to a predetermined position, it contacts the terminal 7 on the anvil 41F and starts to compress the terminal 7.

[0074] In step S14, the F-side lifting device 6F is driven to move the F-side clamp 3F to the intermediate position P3 while the terminal 7 is pressed by the punching member 42F to be immovable and the punching member 42F has not yet completely compressed the terminal 7. As a result, the terminal 7 and the end of the wire 5 do not move, and the portion of the wire 5 that is behind the portion where the terminal 7 is inserted moves upward.

[0075] like Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the F-side clamp 3F moves to the middle position P3, so that the distance between the F-side clamp 3F (the portion of the electric wire 5 held by the F-side clamp 3F) and the terminal 7 (the end of the electric wire 5) becomes longer, similarly to the first embodiment. As a result, the elongation of the electric wire 5 during the crimping process of the terminal 7 is absorbed, and the influence of the elongation of the electric wire 5 is alleviated.

[0076] In step S15, the punching member 42F is pressed into place, and the terminal 7 is closely attached to the wire 5. In step S16, the punching member 42F rises and leaves the terminal 7. In step S17, the clamp 3F rises and moves to the upper position P1. In step S18, the wire 5 retreats, and the crimping process of the terminal 7 is completed.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the descent control unit 92 cooperates with the downward movement of the stamping component 42F based on the control of the stamping control unit 91 to move the fixture 3F from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2. The rise control unit 93 drives the lifting device 6F to move the fixture 3F from the lower position P2 to the middle position P3 during the period from the contact terminal 7 to the target position of the stamping component 42F under the control of the stamping control unit 91. According to this structure, the fixture 3F moves to the middle position P3 before the stamping component 42F reaches the target position. Therefore, the movement time of the fixture 3F required to enter the next process can be shortened. In addition, the terminal crimping on the R side can also be the same as that on the F side.

[0078] [Third Embodiment]

[0079] In the third embodiment, when the terminal 7 is pressed by the punching member 42F and cannot be moved, the clamp 3F rises a short distance and then becomes a state in which it can move freely in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the lifting device 6F is configured to enable the clamp 3F to move freely in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cylinder 26F of the lifting device 6F can be a type of cylinder that can freely expand and contract when air is not supplied, for example. In this case, when the clamp 3F is made to move freely in the vertical direction, the solenoid valve 28F is controlled to stop supplying air to the cylinder 26F and exhaust the air.

[0080] Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a terminal crimping device 8 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 9 As shown, the control device 9 of the terminal crimping device 8 of the third embodiment includes a release control unit 94. After the clamp 3F moves upward under the control of the rise control unit 93, the release control unit 94 drives the lifting device 6F to make the clamp 3F move freely in the up-down direction until the punching part 42F reaches the target position.

[0081] Fig.10 This is a flowchart of terminal crimping according to the third embodiment. Fig.11 1 is a side view showing the movement of the electric wire 5 during the terminal crimping in the third embodiment. Fig.10 As shown, in the terminal crimping process on the F side of the present embodiment, after the F side clamp 3F moves to a position near the crimping machine 4F (not shown), it advances while clamping the wire 5 until the end of the wire 5 overlaps with the terminal 7 (step S21). The wire 5 can also be moved from the side to the top of the terminal 7 in the same way as in the first and second embodiments. At this time, the F side clamp 3F is located at the upper position P1. In step S22, the actuator 43F of the crimping machine 4F is driven, and the stamping part 42F begins to descend toward the anvil 41F. Steps S21 and S22 can be the same as steps S01 and S02 of the first embodiment, respectively.

[0082] Step S23 is started simultaneously with, immediately after, or immediately before step S02, and the F-side clamp 3F moves from the upper position P1 to the lower position P2 in coordination with the downward movement of the punching member 42F. As a result, the electric wire 5 and the terminal 7 mounted on the end of the electric wire 5 also move downward. If the F-side clamp 3F moves to the lower position P2, the terminal 7 contacts the anvil 41F. When the punching member 42F descends to a predetermined position, it contacts the terminal 7 on the anvil 41F and starts to compress the terminal 7.

[0083] In step S24, when the terminal 7 is pressed by the punching member 42F and cannot be moved, and the punching member 42F has not yet completely compressed the terminal 7, the F-side lifting device 6F is driven, and the F-side clamp 3F moves slightly upward. In the next step S25, the clamp 3F is made to be able to move freely in the vertical direction (refer to Fig.11 ). Hereinafter, the state in which the clamp 3F can freely move in the vertical direction is also referred to as a free state. By making the clamp 3F in the free state, the movement amount of the clamp 3F can be made to accurately follow the elongation amount of the electric wire 5 caused by the terminal crimping. For example, when the elongation amount of the electric wire 5 caused by the terminal crimping is large, the clamp 3F moves upward for a longer distance. As a result, the influence of the elongation amount of the electric wire 5 caused by the terminal crimping can be further reduced.

[0084] In step S26, the punching member 42F is pressed into place, and the terminal 7 is in close contact with the wire 5. In step S27, the punching member 42F rises and leaves the terminal 7. In step S28, the clamp 3F moves to the upper position P1. In step S29, the wire 5 retreats, and the crimping process of the terminal 7 is completed.

[0085] [Other embodiments]

[0086] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and various other embodiments are possible. Other embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0087] During the period from when the stamping part 42F starts to descend toward the anvil 41F to when it stops at the lowest point, the stamping part 42F may continue to descend or may temporarily stop halfway. For example, the stamping part 42F may temporarily stop descending at a position where the terminal 7 is compressed to a certain extent, and then descend to the lowest point. The rise of the clamp 3F may also be performed during the period when the stamping part 42F is temporarily stopped. That is, the stamping control unit 91 may also be configured to temporarily stop the stamping part 42F during the period from when the stamping part 42F contacts the terminal 7 to when it reaches the target position, and the rise control unit 93 may also move the clamp 3F along the cross direction (the direction intersecting the length direction of the wire 5) when the stamping part 42F is temporarily stopped. According to this structure, the clamp 3F is moved when the stamping part 42F is temporarily stopped, so it is easy to control the timing of the movement of the stamping part 42F and the movement of the clamp 3F. For example, it is possible to prevent the timing of raising the jig 3F from not coordinating with the movement of the punching member 42F, and the jig 3F from starting to rise after the punching member 42F is pressed into place or before the punching member 42F contacts the terminal 7 .

[0088] The materials of the core wire 5a and the insulating material 5b of the electric wire 5 are not particularly limited. The core wire 5a may be made of copper or aluminum, for example. The core wire made of aluminum tends to be more elongated during terminal crimping than the core wire made of copper. Therefore, the terminal crimping device 8 of the embodiment is particularly effective for the electric wire 5 having the core wire 5a made of aluminum.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the terminal 7 is an open barrel terminal into which the electric wire 5 can be inserted from above. However, there is no limitation on the type of the terminal 7. The terminal 7 may be a so-called closed barrel terminal.

[0090] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the clamps 3F and 3R on the F side and the R side are configured to move to the position near the crimping machine 4F and 4R on the F side and the R side respectively by turning. However, the method of moving the clamps 3F and 3R is not limited in any way. For example, the clamp 3F on the F side may also be configured to move to the position near the crimping machine 4F on the F side by sliding left and right without changing the direction. Similarly, the clamp 3R on the R side may also be configured to move to the position near the crimping machine 4R on the R side by sliding left and right without changing the direction.

[0091] The holding device for holding the electric wire 5 is not limited to the clamps 3F and 3R. The holding device may be any device capable of holding the electric wire 5, and is not limited to a device for clamping the electric wire 5. For example, the holding device may be a device configured to grasp the electric wire 5. The holding device and the moving device for moving the electric wire 5 in the intersecting direction intersecting the longitudinal direction are not limited to being driven by an air cylinder. For example, a hydraulic cylinder may be used instead of an air cylinder for the holding device and the moving device. In addition, a motor, an electric actuator, etc. may also be used.

[0092] Description of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1: Wire handling device

[0094] 3F, 3R: Clamp (holding device)

[0095] 4F, 4R: Crimping machine

[0096] 5: Wires

[0097] 6F, 6R: Lifting device (moving device)

[0098] 7: Terminal

[0099] 8: Terminal crimping device

[0100] 9: Control device

[0101] 42F: Stamping parts

[0102] 43F: Actuator

[0103] 91: Stamping control unit (first control unit)

[0104] 92: Descending control unit (third control unit)

[0105] 93: Ascending control unit (second control unit)

[0106] 94: Release control unit (fourth control unit)

[0107] P1: Top position (first position)

[0108] P2: Lower position (second position)

[0109] P3: Middle position.

Claims

1. A terminal crimping device, comprising: a holding device that holds the wire; a crimping machine including a punching member and an actuator for driving the punching member, wherein the terminal is crimped to the electric wire held by the holding device by the punching member; a moving device that moves the holding device in a direction intersecting with the length direction of the electric wire; and a control device for controlling the holding device, the crimping machine and the moving device, The control device comprises: a first control unit that controls the actuator to crimp the terminal to the electric wire; and The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device in the intersecting direction during a period from when the punching member contacts the terminal to when it reaches a target position under the control of the first control unit.

2. The terminal crimping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intersecting direction is substantially parallel to a driving direction of the punching member.

3. The terminal crimping device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The crossing direction is upward or downward.

4. The terminal crimping device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: When the direction in which the punching member approaches the electric wire and the terminal is set as the approach direction, The moving device is configured to move the holding device to a first position and a second position, wherein the second position is set closer to the approach direction than the first position. The control device includes a third control unit, which moves the holding device from the first position to the second position in coordination with the movement of the punching member in the approaching direction under the control of the first control unit. The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device from the second position to the first position during a period from when the press member contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position under the control of the first control unit.

5. The terminal crimping device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: When the direction in which the punching member approaches the electric wire and the terminal is set as the approach direction, The moving device is configured to move the holding device to a first position, an intermediate position, and a second position, wherein the intermediate position is set closer to the approach direction than the first position, and the second position is set closer to the approach direction than the intermediate position. The control device includes a third control unit, which moves the holding device from the first position to the second position in coordination with the movement of the punching member in the approaching direction under the control of the first control unit. The second control unit drives the moving device to move the holding device from the second position to the intermediate position during a period from when the press member contacts the terminal to when it reaches the target position under the control of the first control unit.

6. The terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The moving device is configured to enable the holding device to be movable along the intersecting direction. The control device includes a fourth control unit, which drives the moving device to make the holding device movable along the cross direction after the holding device moves along the cross direction under the control of the second control unit until the punching part reaches the target position.

7. The terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first control unit is configured to temporarily stop the press component during a period from when the press component contacts the terminal to when the press component reaches the target position. The second control unit moves the holding device in the intersecting direction when the press member temporarily stops.

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