Electric wire insertion jig and electric wire automatic insertion device

Abstract

To provide an electric wire insertion jig which can be satisfactorily used even when a difference between an inner diameter of a corrugate tube and an outer diameter of electric wire is small, and an electric wire automatic insertion device using such an electric wire insertion jig.SOLUTION: An electric wire insertion jig 10 comprises: an electric wire insertion part 11 into which a tip part W11 of an electric wire W1 is inserted; and a guide part 12 which is coupled with the electric wire insertion part 11, of which the tip side in an axial direction D11 is formed like a curved surface 122b in a curved convex shape from an outer periphery 122a toward a shaft center X1, and which guides insertion of the electric wire W1 into a corrugate tube by rubbing an inner surface of the corrugate tube with the curved surface 122b to assist advance of the subsequent electric wire insertion part 11 of which the tip part W11 is inserted inside the corrugate tube when the guide part is inserted into the corrugate tube to be pushed ahead.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire insertion jig for inserting a wire into a corrugated tube, and a wire automatic insertion device for inserting a wire into a corrugated tube using such a wire insertion jig.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a wire insertion jig for inserting a wire into a corrugated tube has been used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The wire insertion jig of this Patent Document 1 is a bottomed cylindrical member whose tip side is narrowed and closed in a wedge shape, and is configured such that the insertion end portion of the wire with respect to the corrugated tube is inserted from the opening on the rear end side. When inserting the wire into the corrugated tube, the wire is inserted into the corrugated tube together with the wire insertion jig into which the insertion end portion is inserted. Then, the insertion of the wire is guided by the wire insertion jig advancing ahead of the wire inside the corrugated tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the wire insertion jig of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the tip of the wire insertion jig is often thick so that the wedge-shaped tip is not caught and deformed when advancing inside the corrugated tube. And, as the tip thickens, the wire insertion jig tends to become large, and when the difference between the inner diameter of the corrugated tube and the outer diameter of the wire is small, it may be difficult to use the wire insertion jig.

[0005] Accordingly, paying attention to the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a wire insertion jig that can be favorably used even when the difference between the inner diameter of a corrugated tube and the outer diameter of a wire is small, and a wire automatic insertion device using such a wire insertion jig.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a wire insertion jig includes a wire insertion portion formed in a cylindrical shape into which a tip portion of a wire is inserted, and is connected to the wire insertion portion on the side opposite to the wire insertion opening in the axial direction of the wire insertion portion, and at least the tip side in the axial direction is formed into a curved convex surface that curves from the outer periphery to the axis. When inserted into a corrugated tube and pushed forward, it rubs the inner surface of the corrugated tube with the curved surface to assist the subsequent wire insertion portion with the tip portion inserted to advance inside the corrugated tube, thereby guiding the insertion of the wire into the corrugated tube, and is characterized by including a guide portion.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the automatic wire insertion device includes the above-described wire insertion jig, a tube holding portion that holds the corrugated tube in a linearly extended state, and a wire feeding port disposed at a position separated from one end opening of the corrugated tube held by the tube holding portion. The wire is held so as to be fed out, and the wire is fed out so as to be inserted through the inside of the corrugated tube from the one end opening to the other end opening. The wire feeding portion, a gripping mechanism that grips the wire insertion jig, and a jig conveying portion that can convey the wire insertion jig gripped by the gripping mechanism. The wire insertion jig is conveyed to the jig conveying portion between the one end opening of the corrugated tube and the wire feeding port, and the wire is fed out from the wire feeding portion until the tip portion of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion portion. The gripping mechanism of the jig conveying portion releases the wire insertion jig, and the wire is fed out from the wire feeding portion until the wire insertion jig protrudes from the other end opening, thereby inserting the wire into the corrugated tube. Thereafter, the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening is gripped by the jig conveying portion and removed from the tip portion, and an insertion control portion is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the above-described wire insertion jig and the automatic wire insertion device, it can be favorably used even when the difference between the inner diameter of the corrugated tube and the outer diameter of the wire is small.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wire insertion jig and a wire automatic insertion device will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wire automatic insertion device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an enlarged view of the wire insertion jig shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view showing a state in which the tip of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion jig shown in FIG. 2, with the wire insertion jig partially cut to show the inside.

[0012] The wire automatic insertion device 1 of the present embodiment is a device for automatically inserting two wires W1 inside a bellows cylindrical corrugated tube C1. This wire automatic insertion device 1 includes a wire insertion jig 10, a tube holding part 20, a wire feeding part 30, a jig conveying part 40, a jig stopper 50, a device frame 60, and an insertion control part 70.

[0013] The wire insertion jig 10 is a generally cylindrical jig attached to the tip W11 of the wire W1 for insertion into the corrugated tube C1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this wire insertion jig 10 includes a wire insertion part 11, a guide part 12, a connecting gripped part 13, and an insertion confirmation part 14.

[0014] The wire insertion part 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is a part where the tips W11 of the two wires W1 are inserted.

[0015] The guide portion 12 is a portion connected via the connection gripping portion 13 to the side opposite to the wire insertion opening 111 in the wire insertion portion 11 in the axial direction D11 along the axis X1 of the wire insertion portion 11. The guide portion 12 includes a cylindrical portion 121 that is coaxial and has the same diameter as the cylindrical wire insertion portion 11, and a tip-side curved surface portion 122 provided from the end of the cylindrical portion 121 opposite to the wire insertion portion 11 to the tip of the guide portion 12. The tip-side curved surface portion 122 is formed such that the outer surface forming the tip side in the axial direction D11 of the guide portion 12 is a curved convex surface 122b that curves from the outer circumference 122a toward the axis X1. In the present embodiment, this curved surface 122b is a hemispherical surface. When the guide portion 12 is inserted into the corrugated tube C1 and pushed forward, it advances while rubbing the inner surface of the corrugated tube C1 with the curved surface 122b of the tip-side curved surface portion 122. By advancing in this manner, the guide portion 12 assists the advancement of the subsequent wire insertion portion 11 into which the tip portion W11 of the wire W1 is inserted inside the corrugated tube C1, and guides the insertion of the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1. Further, in this guide portion 12, a guide hole 123 for guiding the insertion confirmation portion 14 is formed to extend cylindrically along the axis X1 and open at the center of the curved surface 122b of the tip-side curved surface portion 122.

[0016] The connection gripping portion 13 connects the wire insertion portion 11 and the guide portion 12 to each other, and is formed in a constricted shape that is thinner than either the wire insertion portion 11 or the guide portion 12. The constricted shape of this connection gripping portion 13 is a shape that can be gripped by the gripping mechanism 41 in the jig conveyance portion 40 of the wire automatic insertion device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] The wire insertion portion 11, the guide portion 12, and the connection gripping portion 13 described so far are integrally processed from metal.

[0018] Next, the insertion confirmation part 14 in the wire insertion jig 10 is a member for confirming the insertion of the tip W11 of the wire W1 into the wire insertion part 11, and includes a rod-shaped part 141, a wire contact part 142, and a biasing coil spring 143. The rod-shaped part 141 is a round rod-shaped part, and is movably arranged in the axial direction D11 inside from the wire insertion part 11 to the guide part 12, and is accommodated along the axis X1 in a state of being spring-biased in the biasing direction D12 toward the wire insertion opening 111 side. This rod-shaped part 141 penetrates through the inside of the above-mentioned guide hole 123 inside the guide part 12, and its tip can protrude from the guide opening 123a at the center of the curved surface 122b of the tip-side curved surface part 122. The wire contact part 142 is a cylindrical part formed integrally with the rear end of the rod-shaped part 141 and having a larger diameter and shorter length than the rod-shaped part 141. The wire contact part 142 is located inside the wire insertion part 11, and when the tip W11 of the wire W1 is inserted into the wire insertion part 11, the tip W11 abuts against it. The rod-shaped part 141 and the wire contact part 142 are integrally processed with metal. The biasing coil spring 143 is a spring part arranged in a compressed state between the wire contact part 142 and the inner wall surface on the guide part 12 side inside the wire insertion part 11 while housing the rod-shaped part 141 inside. Due to this arrangement in the compressed state, the biasing coil spring 143 spring-biases the rod-shaped part 141 and the wire contact part 142 in the above-mentioned biasing direction D12.

[0019] When the tip W11 of the wire W1 is inserted into the wire insertion part 11, the tip W11 abuts against the wire contact part 142 and is pressed to the side opposite to the biasing direction D12. Then, in the insertion confirmation part 14, the rod-shaped part 141 is pushed by the wire W1, and moves against the spring bias so that the protruding end part 141a of the rod-shaped part 141 protrudes from the guide opening 123a of the guide hole 123 in the curved surface 122b of the tip-side curved surface part 122. In the insertion confirmation part 14, the protruding end part 141a protruding from this curved surface 122b is used for confirming the insertion of the tip W11 of the wire W1 into the wire insertion part 11. FIG. 2 shows a state where the protruding end part 141a of the rod-shaped part 141 is retracted into the guide opening 123a by the spring bias before the wire is inserted. On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a state where, as a result of the wire insertion, the protruding end part 141a protrudes from the guide opening 123a against the spring bias.

[0020] Thus, the description of the wire insertion jig 10 is first completed, and the other components of the wire automatic insertion device 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0021] The tube holding portion 20 in the wire automatic insertion device 1 is a portion that holds the corrugated tube C1 in a linearly extended state, and includes a pair of holding portions 21 that hold both ends of the corrugated tube C1. The corrugated tube C1 is conveyed to the tube holding portion 20 by a predetermined tube supply device. The tube holding portion 20 receives and holds both ends of the corrugated tube C1 conveyed by the tube supply device with the pair of holding portions 21. At this time, the wire insertion jig 10 and the corrugated tube C1 are arranged such that the axial direction D11 in the wire insertion jig 10 and the longitudinal direction D13 of the corrugated tube C1 are in the same direction as each other.

[0022] The wire feeding portion 30 is a mechanism portion that holds the wire W1 so as to be able to feed it out from a wire feeding port 31 arranged at a position separated from one end opening C11 of the corrugated tube C1 held by the tube holding portion 20. The wire feeding portion 30 feeds out the wire W1 from the wire feeding port 31 so as to pass through the inside of the corrugated tube C1 from one end opening C11 to the other end opening C12. At this time, the feeding direction D14 of the wire W1 by the wire feeding portion 30 is a direction from one end opening C11 toward the other end opening C12 along the longitudinal direction D13 of the corrugated tube C1.

[0023] The jig conveying portion 40 is a mechanism portion that has a gripping mechanism 41 for gripping the wire insertion jig 10 and can convey the wire insertion jig 10 gripped by the gripping mechanism 41. In addition to the gripping mechanism 41, this jig conveying portion 40 includes a vertical movement mechanism 42, a front-rear movement mechanism 43, a lateral movement mechanism 44, and a front-rear fine adjustment mechanism 45.

[0024] The gripping mechanism 41 in the jig transfer unit 40 is a mechanism for gripping the wire insertion jig 10, and is a mechanism part for gripping the wire insertion jig 10 in the gripping direction D161 along the jig thickness direction D16 that intersects both the vertical direction D15 along gravity and the axial direction D11. This gripping mechanism 41 has a pair of gripping arms 411 that are movable in the gripping direction D161 and the opposite opening direction D162, and grips the wire insertion jig 10 by sandwiching the constricted connecting gripped part 13 in the wire insertion jig 10 with the pair of gripping arms 411. The vertical movement mechanism 42 is a mechanism part that holds the gripping mechanism 41 via the front-back fine adjustment mechanism 45 and is movable in the vertical direction D15 with respect to the gripping mechanism 41. The front-back movement mechanism 43 is a mechanism part that holds the vertical movement mechanism 42 via the lateral movement mechanism 44. And this front-back movement mechanism 43 is movable in the front-back direction D17 along the longitudinal direction D13 of the corrugated tube C1 held by the tube holding part 20 with respect to the gripping mechanism 41 via the vertical movement mechanism 42. The lateral movement mechanism 44 is a mechanism part that is held by the front-back movement mechanism 43 and holds the vertical movement mechanism 42. And this lateral movement mechanism 44 is movable in the lateral direction D18 that intersects both the vertical direction D15 and the front-back direction D17 with respect to the gripping mechanism 41 via the vertical movement mechanism 42. The front-back fine adjustment mechanism 45 is a mechanism part that is held by the vertical movement mechanism 42 and holds the gripping mechanism 41, and is capable of finely adjusting the position of the gripping mechanism 41 in the front-back direction D17.

[0025] The jig stopper 50 is a mechanism part that receives the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 at the receiving position P11 outside the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state in which the jig stopper shown in FIG. 1 receives the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening of the corrugated tube.

[0027] As shown in this Figure 4, the jig stopper 50 includes a jig receiving portion 51 and a receiving cylinder mechanism 52. The jig receiving portion 51 is a U-shaped member positioned at the receiving position P11, and when the insertion of the electric wire W1 is completed, it receives the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1 with the inner portion of the U-shape. The receiving cylinder mechanism 52 is a mechanism part that moves the jig receiving portion 51 between a predetermined retracted position P12 and the receiving position P11 in the stopper movement direction D19 along the jig thickness direction D16 in which the gripping mechanism 41 in the jig conveying portion 40 grips the wire insertion jig 10. The wire insertion jig 10 received by the jig receiving portion 51 in the jig stopper 50 is gripped by the gripping mechanism 41 of the jig conveying portion 40, and then the receiving cylinder mechanism 52 retracts the jig receiving portion 51 to the retracted position P12. Due to this retraction of the jig receiving portion 51, the space on the side of the gripping mechanism 41 that grips the wire insertion jig 10, opposite to the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1, becomes empty. By moving the gripping mechanism 41 toward this empty space in the front-rear direction D17, the wire insertion jig 10 is removed from the tip portion W11 of the electric wire W1 after the insertion is completed.

[0028] The device frame 60 is a metal frame generally configured in a table shape, and various mechanism parts including the tube holding portion 20, the wire feeding portion 30, the jig conveying portion 40, and the jig stopper 50 are mounted at positions corresponding to the top plate of the table.

[0029] The insertion control unit 70 is mounted at a position in the device frame 60 that does not interfere with the movement of various mechanism parts, and is a control part that performs computer control on the automatic operation of the electric wire automatic insertion device 1. In particular, this insertion control unit 70 controls the reception and holding of the corrugated tube C1 from the tube supply device by the tube holding portion 20, the feeding of the electric wire W1 by the wire feeding portion 30, the conveyance of the wire insertion jig 10 by the jig conveying portion 40, and the operation of the jig stopper 50. Hereinafter, the control related to the electric wire insertion by the insertion control unit 70 will be described step by step.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the conveyance of the wire insertion jig by the jig conveyance unit and the subsequent insertion of the wire into the wire insertion jig by the wire feeding unit, which are performed prior to the feeding of the wire by the wire feeding unit.

[0031] At the stage shown in this FIG. 5, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the jig conveyance unit 40 conveys the wire insertion jig 10 between one end opening C11 of the corrugated tube C1 held by the tube holding unit 20 and the wire feeding port 31 of the wire feeding unit 30. Specifically, the jig conveyance unit 40 conveys the wire insertion jig 10 held by the gripping mechanism 41 to the insertion start position P13 on the wire feeding port 31 side between the one end opening C11 and the wire feeding port 31. Thereafter, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the wire feeding unit 30 feeds the wire W1 until the tip W11 of the wire W1 is inserted into the wire insertion portion 11. At this time, the gripping mechanism 41 is provided with a jig insertion detection unit 412 for detecting that the tip W11 of the wire W1 has been inserted into the wire insertion portion 11. As described above, when the wire is inserted, the protruding end portion 141a of the insertion confirmation portion 14 protrudes from the curved convex surface 122b in the guide portion 12. The jig insertion detection unit 412 is a sensor that photoelectrically detects the protrusion of this protruding end portion 141a. That is, the jig insertion detection unit 412 projects detection light L1 toward the position where the protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a is assumed. In a state where the protruding end portion 141a does not protrude, the detection light only passes through this position, but when the protruding end portion 141a protrudes, the detection light L1 is reflected by the protruding end portion 141a and returns. The jig insertion detection unit 412 detects the protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a, that is, the insertion of the tip W11 of the wire W1 into the wire insertion portion 11, by receiving the detection light L1 that has returned in this way. The insertion control unit 70 causes the wire feeding unit 30 to feed the wire W1 until the wire insertion is detected by the jig insertion detection unit 412, and stops the feeding when the wire insertion is detected.

[0032] When the insertion of the wire into the wire insertion jig 10 by the insertion of the tip W11 of the wire W1 into the wire insertion portion 11 is completed in this way, the wire W1 together with the wire insertion jig 10 is inserted into the corrugated tube C1.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first stage of inserting the electric wire into the corrugated tube after the insertion of the electric wire into the electric wire insertion jig is completed. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the second stage of inserting the electric wire into the corrugated tube following the first stage of FIG. 6. In FIG. 7, the corrugated tube C1 is shown in a state where a part of it is cut so that it can be seen how the electric wire W1 together with the electric wire insertion jig 10 is inserted into the corrugated tube C1.

[0034] First, in the first stage of FIG. 6, at one end opening C11 of the corrugated tube C1, in the electric wire insertion jig 10 held by the gripping mechanism 41, as shown in FIG. 5, the guide portion 12 exposed toward the one end opening C11 is inserted. This insertion operation in the first stage is performed under the control of the insertion control unit 70, and the front and rear fine adjustment mechanism 45 in the jig conveyance unit 40 moves the gripping mechanism 41 after the electric wire insertion, that is, the electric wire insertion jig 10, in the front and rear direction D17 toward the one end opening C11. The movement at this time is performed until the pair of gripping arms 411 in the gripping mechanism 41 abuts against the holding portion 21 that holds one end side of the corrugated tube C1 in the tube holding unit 20. As a result, the guide portion 12 exposed from the pair of gripping arms 411 is inserted into the one end opening C11 of the corrugated tube C1. At the same time, the electric wire feeding unit 30 feeds out the electric wire W1 by the amount of movement of the gripping mechanism 41.

[0035] In the second stage of FIG. 7 following this first stage, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, first, in the gripping mechanism 41 of the jig transfer unit 40, a pair of gripping arms 411 are opened to release the gripping of the wire insertion jig 10. After the release, the vertical movement mechanism 42 moves the gripping mechanism 41 upward in the vertical direction D15, and the lateral movement mechanism 44 moves it laterally in the lateral direction D18. Further, the front-rear movement mechanism 43 moves the gripping mechanism 41 toward the other end opening C12 side of the corrugated tube C1 in the front-rear direction D17 in preparation for removing the wire insertion jig 10 after the insertion is completed. In parallel with such an operation of the jig transfer unit 40, the insertion control unit 70 inserts the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 by feeding out the wire W1 from the wire feeding unit 30 until the wire insertion jig 10 protrudes from the other end opening C12. At this time, the feeding out of the wire W1 by the wire feeding unit 30 continues until a preset feeding amount corresponding to the corrugated tube C1 is reached. The set value of this feeding amount is sufficient for the wire insertion jig 10 to protrude from the other end opening C12. While the wire W1 is being inserted in this way, the other end opening C12 side of the corrugated tube C1, which is the outlet of the wire W1, enters a standby state as follows in preparation for the arrival of the wire W1 at the other end opening C12.

[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a standby state for preparing for the arrival of the wire, which is constructed on the other end opening side while the wire is being inserted into the corrugated tube.

[0037] In the standby state shown in this FIG. 8, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the gripping mechanism 41 of the jig transfer unit 40 that has moved to the other end opening C12 side of the corrugated tube C1 in parallel with the insertion of the wire W1 is positioned in front of the opening. Also, at this time, the pair of gripping arms 411 in the gripping mechanism 41 are in an open state. Further, in the jig stopper 50, the jig receiving portion 51 is positioned at the retracted position P12 in the stopper movement direction D19. When the insertion of the wire W1 progresses to the stage where the wire insertion jig 10 at the tip W11 of the wire W1 protrudes from the other end opening C12, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the state of the jig stopper 50 changes as follows in accordance with the protruding timing of the wire insertion jig 10.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the jig stopper changes from the standby state in FIG. 8 in accordance with the protruding timing when the wire insertion jig at the tip of the wire protrudes from the other end opening of the corrugated tube. FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the jig receiving portion of the jig stopper shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the direction of arrow V11 in FIG. 9.

[0039] At this stage, in accordance with the protruding timing of the wire insertion jig 10 from the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1, the jig receiving portion 51 of the jig stopper 50 is moved in the receiving direction D191 from the retracted position P12 in FIG. 8 to the receiving position P11. Eventually, when the wire insertion jig 10 sufficiently protrudes from the other end opening C12, the guide portion 12 of the wire insertion jig 10 is received so as to fit into the inner U-shaped portion of the jig receiving portion 51 at the receiving position P11. Incidentally, at this stage, the pair of gripping arms 411 in the gripping mechanism 41 remain in the open state. When the insertion of the sufficient wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 and the reception of the wire insertion jig 10 are completed, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the state of the other end opening C12 shifts to the next stage.

[0040] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the state of the other end opening side of the corrugated tube shifts to the next stage after the reception of the wire insertion jig shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is completed.

[0041] When the reception of the wire insertion jig 10 is completed, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, first, a pair of gripping arms 411 in the gripping mechanism 41 are closed in the gripping direction D161 to grip the wire insertion jig 10. At the end of wire insertion, the wire insertion jig 10 is released from the tip W11 of the wire W1 as described below after being gripped by the gripping mechanism 41 at the insertion end position P14 adjacent to the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1. At this time, the jig receiving portion 51 of the jig stopper 50 is moved in the retracting direction D192 from the receiving position P11 in FIGS. 9 and 10 to the retracting position P12. Further, the jig insertion detection unit 412 in the gripping mechanism 41 detects that the tip W11 of the wire W1 is inserted into the wire insertion portion 11 for the protruding wire insertion jig 10. This detection is performed in the same manner as the detection at the time of inserting the wire into the initial wire insertion jig 10 shown in FIG. 5, by the jig insertion detection unit 412 photoelectrically detecting that the protruding end portion 141a of the insertion confirmation unit 14 protrudes from the curved convex surface 122b in the guide portion 12.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the jig insertion detection unit detects that the tip of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion portion for the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening of the corrugated tube. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which there is a problem with the insertion of the tip of the wire for the protruding wire insertion jig, and the insertion into the wire insertion portion is not detected by the jig insertion detection unit.

[0043] Even for the insertion detection of the tip W11 of the electric wire W1 with respect to the electric wire insertion jig 10 in the protruding state, the jig insertion detection unit 412 projects the detection light L1 toward the position where the protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a is assumed. As shown in FIG. 12, if the insertion of the tip W11 of the electric wire W1 is sufficient and the protruding end portion 141a protrudes until it reaches the assumed position, the detection light L1 is reflected by the protruding end portion 141a and returns. The jig insertion detection unit 412 detects the protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a, that is, the insertion of the tip W11 of the electric wire W1 into the electric wire insertion portion 11, by receiving the detection light L1 that has returned in this way. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the insertion of the tip W11 of the electric wire W1 is insufficient and there is no protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a, the detection light L1 passes through this position, and the jig insertion detection unit 412 does not receive the detection light L1. In this case, assuming that the insertion of the tip W11 of the electric wire W1 is not confirmed by the jig insertion detection unit 412, the insertion control unit 70 determines that a problem has occurred, such as the electric wire insertion jig 10 falling off or about to fall off during the electric wire insertion. Then, the insertion control unit 70 stops the operation of the electric wire automatic insertion device 1 and notifies the operator of an alarm.

[0044] When the jig insertion detection unit 412 successfully detects the insertion of the electric wire with respect to the electric wire insertion jig 10 in the protruding state, it is determined in the insertion control unit 70 that the insertion of the electric wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 has been successfully completed. In this case, under the control of the insertion control unit 70, the following preliminary operations are performed in preparation for inserting the electric wire into a new corrugated tube.

[0045] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing preliminary operations for inserting an electric wire into a new corrugated tube, which are performed after the insertion of the electric wire into the corrugated tube is completed.

[0046] When it is determined that the insertion of the electric wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 has been successfully completed, the insertion control unit 70 operates the jig conveyance unit 40 so as to remove the electric wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 and held by the gripping mechanism 41 from the tip portion W11 of the electric wire W1. At this time, the longitudinal fine adjustment mechanism 45 moves the gripping mechanism 41 in the direction away from the other end opening C12 to pull out the electric wire insertion jig 10 from the tip portion W11 of the electric wire W1. Thereafter, the lateral movement mechanism 44 and the vertical movement mechanism 42 operate to retract the electric wire insertion jig 10 laterally and upward in the lateral direction D18 and the vertical direction D15. Further, the longitudinal movement mechanism 43 moves the electric wire insertion jig 10, which is in a state where interference with the corrugated tube C1 is avoided by the above retraction, in the longitudinal direction D17 toward the electric wire feeding mechanism 30 side. Also, the vertical movement mechanism 42, the lateral movement mechanism 44, and the longitudinal fine adjustment mechanism 45 operate to convey the electric wire insertion jig 10 to the insertion start position P13 shown in FIG. 5. At this insertion start position P13, the electric wire insertion jig 10 is to be used for inserting the electric wire W1 into a new corrugated tube.

[0047] According to the electric wire insertion jig 10 and the electric wire automatic insertion device 1 of the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, in the electric wire insertion jig 10 of the present embodiment, when the electric wire W1 is inserted into the corrugated tube C1, the tip side of the guide portion 12 that advances ahead of the electric wire insertion portion 11 is formed into a curved convex-shaped curved surface 122b that spans from the outer periphery to the axis X1. Due to this curved convex-shaped curved surface 122b, the catching and deformation of the tip of the guide portion 12 when advancing inside the corrugated tube C1 are suppressed. Due to this suppression effect, the thickening of the guide portion 12 and the accompanying increase in the size of the electric wire insertion jig 10 can be suppressed. As a result, the electric wire insertion jig 10 can be formed in a size that can cope even when the difference between the inner diameter of the corrugated tube C1 and the outer diameter of the electric wire W1 is small, and the electric wire insertion jig 10 can be used favorably when the electric wire W1 is inserted into the corrugated tube C1.

[0048] Here, in the present embodiment, in the wire insertion jig 10, the guide portion 12 has a hemispherical surface at the tip side curved surface 122b. According to this configuration, the catching between the tip of the guide portion 12 formed on the hemispherical curved surface 122b and the inside of the corrugated tube C1 can be further suppressed. Due to this further suppression effect of the catching, the wire insertion jig 10 can be used more favorably when inserting the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1.

[0049] Further, in the present embodiment, the wire insertion jig 10 is provided with a connecting gripped portion 13 formed in a constricted shape that can be gripped by the gripping mechanism 41. According to this configuration, by providing the connecting gripped portion 13, the gripping mechanism 41 can effectively grip the wire insertion jig 10. And, the automation of the insertion of the wire W1 using the wire insertion jig 10 into the corrugated tube C1 by the wire automatic insertion device 1 provided with such a gripping mechanism 41 can be effectively performed.

[0050] Further, in the present embodiment, the wire insertion jig 10 is provided with an insertion confirmation portion 14 that is pushed by the wire W1 inside from the wire insertion portion 11 to the guide portion 12 and moves against the spring biasing force so that the protruding end portion 141a protrudes from the curved surface 122b. In this insertion confirmation portion 14, the protruding end portion 141a protruding from the curved surface 122b is used for confirmation of insertion into the wire insertion portion 11. According to this configuration, by confirming the protrusion of the protruding end portion 141a in the insertion confirmation portion 14 from the curved surface 122b of the guide portion 12, it is possible to effectively confirm that the tip portion W11 of the wire W1 is sufficiently inserted into the wire insertion portion 11.

[0051] Moreover, according to the wire automatic insertion device 1 of the present embodiment, since the above-described wire insertion jig 10 is used, it goes without saying that the wire insertion jig 10 can be used favorably even when the difference between the inner diameter of the corrugated tube C1 and the outer diameter of the wire W1 is small. And, according to the wire automatic insertion device 1 of the present embodiment, by operating the wire feeding portion 30 and the jig conveying portion 40 under the control of the insertion control portion 70, the wire W1 can be continuously inserted into the inside of the corrugated tube C1 without the intervention of an operator's hands in the middle.

[0052] In addition, in the present embodiment, the wire automatic insertion device 1 is provided with a jig insertion detection unit 412 that detects that the tip W11 of the wire W1 is inserted into the wire insertion portion 11 of the wire insertion jig 10. When the insertion detection unit 412 detects the insertion of the tip W11 with respect to the wire insertion jig 10 disposed between one end opening C11 of the corrugated tube C1 and the wire feeding port 31, the insertion control unit 70 starts feeding the wire W1 to the corrugated tube C1. According to this configuration, since the wire W1 is fed after the insertion is detected by the jig insertion detection unit 412, it is possible to insert the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 while effectively suppressing the dropping off of the wire insertion jig 10 or the like.

[0053] Further, in the present embodiment, in the wire automatic insertion device 1, when the insertion control unit 70 detects the insertion of the tip W11 of the wire W1 with respect to the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1 at the end of the insertion, the wire insertion jig 10 is removed. According to this configuration, the insertion detection by the jig insertion detection unit 412 is performed when the wire insertion jig 10 is removed. By the detection at this time, it is possible to effectively detect a situation in which the wire insertion jig 10 advances inside the corrugated tube C1 with dropping off or insufficient wire insertion during the insertion, and the tip W11 of the wire W1 does not reach the other end opening C12.

[0054] Also, in this embodiment, a jig stopper 50 is provided in the wire automatic insertion device 1. This jig stopper 50 is a part that receives the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 at the receiving position P11 outside the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1. And the jig stopper 50 moves the jig receiving portion 51 between a predetermined retracted position P12 and the receiving position P11 in the stopper movement direction D19 along the jig thickness direction D16. The insertion control unit 70 moves the jig receiving portion 51 to the receiving position P11 in accordance with the protruding timing of the wire insertion jig 10 from the other end opening C12, and causes the jig transfer unit 40 to grip the wire insertion jig 10 received by the jig receiving portion 51 after the movement. Then, the insertion control unit 70 retracts the jig receiving portion 51 to the retracted position P12. According to this configuration, the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1 at the end of the insertion is received by the jig receiving portion 51 of the jig stopper 50 at a fixed receiving position P11. By this reception, the wire insertion jig 10 can be smoothly transferred to the subsequent processes in the wire automatic insertion device 1.

[0055] Also, in this embodiment, in the wire automatic insertion device 1, the gripping mechanism 41 in the jig transfer unit 40 is a mechanism that grips the wire insertion jig 10 in the jig thickness direction D16. According to this configuration, it is preferable that the gripping mechanism 41 grips the wire insertion jig 10 in the jig thickness direction D16 where the interference in the gripping state with the corrugated tube C1, the wire W1, and other mechanism parts on the device is less compared to the vertical direction D15 and the axial direction D11 of the wire insertion jig 10.

[0056] Also, in this embodiment, in the wire automatic insertion device 1, the jig transfer unit 40 has a vertical movement mechanism 42 that holds the gripping mechanism 41 and a front-rear movement mechanism 43 that holds the vertical movement mechanism 42. According to this configuration, the wire insertion jig 10 gripped by the gripping mechanism 41 can be moved through the vertical movement mechanism 42 and the front-rear movement mechanism 43 while effectively avoiding interference with the corrugated tube C1 and various mechanism parts on the device.

[0057] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the wire automatic insertion device 1, the jig transfer unit 40 has a lateral movement mechanism 44 that is held by the front-back movement mechanism 43 and holds the vertical movement mechanism 42. According to this configuration, the degree of freedom of movement of the gripping mechanism 41 by the jig transfer unit 40, that is, the degree of freedom of movement of the wire insertion jig 10 is increased. Therefore, the wire insertion jig 10 can be moved while more effectively avoiding interference with the corrugated tube C1 and various mechanism parts.

[0058] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the wire automatic insertion device 1, the jig transfer unit 40 has a front-back fine adjustment mechanism 45 that is held by the vertical movement mechanism 42 and holds the gripping mechanism 41. According to this configuration, fine adjustment in the front-back direction D17 in the final stage of positioning the wire insertion jig 10 at the insertion start position P13 and the insertion end position P14 becomes possible. Therefore, the positioning accuracy to these target positions can be improved.

[0059] Note that the embodiments described above merely show typical forms of the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device. The wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device are not limited thereto and can be implemented in various modifications.

[0060] For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device, a substantially cylindrical wire insertion jig 10 for inserting a wire W1 into a bellows cylindrical corrugated tube C1 and a wire automatic insertion device 1 including the same are illustrated. However, the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device are not limited thereto. The corrugated tube to be inserted with the wire may be, for example, an elliptical bellows tube other than a cylinder. Also, the wire insertion jig may be a member having a shape other than a cylinder, such as an elliptical cylinder, as long as it can advance into the corrugated tube. Thus, the specific cylindrical shape of the corrugated tube to be inserted with the wire in the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device and the specific cylindrical shape of the wire insertion jig corresponding thereto can adopt any shape.

[0061] In the above-described embodiments, as an example of the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device, a wire insertion jig 10 and a wire automatic insertion device 1 for inserting two wires W1 into the inside of the corrugated tube C1 are illustrated. However, the wire insertion jig and the wire automatic insertion device are not limited to this, and the specific number of wires inserted into the corrugated tube and the specific number of wires inserted into the wire insertion jig accordingly can be any number.

[0062] In the above-described embodiments, as an example of the guide portion in the wire insertion jig, a guide portion 12 in which the curved surface 122b on the tip side is a hemispherical surface is illustrated. However, the curved surface shape in the guide portion is not limited to a hemispherical shape, and the specific curved surface shape is not questioned. However, as described above, according to the guide portion 12 formed on the hemispherical curved surface 122b, the wire insertion jig 10 can be used more favorably when inserting the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1.

[0063] In the above-described embodiments, as an example of the wire insertion jig, a wire insertion jig 10 provided with a constricted connecting gripped portion 13 is illustrated. However, the wire insertion jig is not limited to this, and the wire insertion portion and the guide portion may be integrally formed continuously without providing any constricted shape therebetween. However, as described above, by providing the constricted connecting gripped portion 13, the automation of the insertion of the wire W1 using the gripping of the wire insertion jig 10 by the gripping mechanism 41 can be effectively performed.

[0064] In the above-described embodiments, as an example of the wire insertion jig, a wire insertion jig 10 provided with an insertion confirmation portion 14 in which a protruding portion 141a protrudes from the curved surface 122b on the tip side is illustrated. However, the wire insertion jig is not limited to this, and it may not be provided with any insertion confirmation portion. However, as described above, by providing the wire insertion jig 10, it is possible to effectively confirm that the tip portion W11 of the wire W1 is sufficiently inserted into the wire insertion portion 11.

[0065] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the wire automatic insertion device, the wire automatic insertion device 1 is exemplified in which the feeding of the wire W1 for insertion starts after the insertion of the wire W1 into the wire insertion jig 10 is detected by the jig insertion detection unit 412 at the time of insertion disclosure. However, the wire automatic insertion device is not limited to this, and the feeding of the wire may be started without performing any insertion detection of the wire into the wire insertion jig at the time of insertion disclosure. However, by starting the feeding of the wire W1 after detecting the insertion of the wire W1, it is possible to insert the wire W1 into the corrugated tube C1 while effectively suppressing the dropping off of the wire insertion jig 10, as described above.

[0066] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the wire automatic insertion device, the wire automatic insertion device 1 is exemplified in which the removal of the wire insertion jig 10 is performed after the insertion of the wire W1 into the wire insertion jig 10 is detected by the jig insertion detection unit 412 at the end of insertion. However, the wire automatic insertion device is not limited to this, and the removal from the wire may be performed without performing any insertion detection of the wire into the wire insertion jig at the end of insertion. However, by performing the removal of the wire insertion jig 10 after detecting the insertion of the wire W1, it is possible to effectively detect a situation such as dropping off or insufficient wire insertion during insertion, as described above.

[0067] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the wire automatic insertion device, the wire automatic insertion device 1 is exemplified which includes a jig stopper 50 that receives the wire insertion jig 10 protruding from the other end opening C12 of the corrugated tube C1 at the receiving position P11. However, the wire automatic insertion device is not limited to this, and it may shift to the subsequent operation without particularly receiving the wire insertion jig on the other end opening side of the corrugated tube. However, by receiving the wire insertion jig 10 on the other end opening C12 side of the corrugated tube C1, it is possible to smoothly transfer the wire insertion jig 10 to the subsequent process, as described above.

[0068] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the gripping mechanism in the jig conveyance unit, a gripping mechanism 41 that grips the wire insertion jig 10 in the jig thickness direction D16 that intersects both the vertical direction D17 and the axial direction D11 is illustrated. However, the gripping mechanism is not limited to this, and a mechanism that grips the wire insertion jig in the vertical direction or the axial direction may be used. However, according to the gripping mechanism 41 that grips the wire insertion jig 10 in the above-described jig thickness direction D16, it is suitable with less interference in the gripped state as described above.

[0069] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the jig conveyance unit, a jig conveyance unit 40 having a vertical movement mechanism 42 and a front-rear movement mechanism 43 is illustrated. However, the jig conveyance unit is not limited to this, and for example, a robot arm or the like whose movement direction is not particularly determined may be used. However, according to the jig conveyance unit 40 having the vertical movement mechanism 42 and the front-rear movement mechanism 43, the wire insertion jig 10 can be conveyed at a lower cost compared to a robot arm or the like that tends to have a complex structure and be expensive. Also, according to the above configuration, it is possible to move the wire insertion jig 10 while effectively avoiding interference on the apparatus as described above.

[0070] Also, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of the jig conveyance unit, a jig conveyance unit 40 further having a lateral movement mechanism 44 in addition to the vertical movement mechanism 42 and the front-rear movement mechanism 43 is illustrated. However, the jig conveyance unit is not limited to this, and a function configured only by the vertical movement mechanism and the front-rear movement mechanism may be used. However, by providing the lateral movement mechanism 44, it is possible to move the wire insertion jig 10 while more effectively avoiding interference as described above.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the jig transfer unit, a jig transfer unit 40 having a vertical movement mechanism 42, a front-rear movement mechanism 43, and a front-rear fine adjustment mechanism 45 in addition is illustrated. However, the jig transfer unit is not limited to this, and it may have a function configured only by a vertical movement mechanism and a front-rear movement mechanism. However, as described above, by providing the front-rear fine adjustment mechanism 45, the positioning accuracy of the wire insertion jig 10 at the target position can be improved.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0072] 1 Wire automatic insertion device 10 Wire insertion jig 11 Wire insertion part 12 Guide part 13 Connection gripped part 14 Insertion confirmation part 20 Tube holding part 21 Holding part 30 Wire pay-out part 31 Wire pay-out opening 40 Jig transfer unit 41 Gripping mechanism 42 Vertical movement mechanism 43 Front-rear movement mechanism 44 Lateral movement mechanism 45 Front-rear fine adjustment mechanism 50 Jig stopper 51 Jig receiving part 52 Receiving cylinder mechanism 60 Device frame 70 Insertion control unit 111 Wire insertion opening 121 Cylindrical part 122 Tip-side curved surface part 122a Outer circumference 122b Curved surface 123 Guide hole 123a Guide opening 141 Rod-shaped part 141a Tip part 142 Wire abutting part 143 Biasing coil spring 411 Gripping arm 412 Jig insertion detection part C1 Corrugated tube C11 One - end open C12 The other - end open D11 Axial direction D12 Biasing direction D13 Longitudinal direction D14 Pay - out direction D15 Up - and - down direction D16 Jig thickness direction D17 Front - and - back direction D18 Lateral direction D19 Stopper movement direction D161 Gripping direction D162 Opening direction D191 Receiving direction D192 Retracting direction L1 Detection light P11 Receiving position P12 Retracting position P13 Insertion start position P14 Insertion end position W1 Electric wire W11 Tip part X1 Axis center

Claims

1. An electric wire insertion part formed in a cylindrical shape into which the tip of an electric wire is inserted, and a guide part that is connected to the electric wire insertion part on the side opposite to the electric wire insertion opening in the axial direction of the electric wire insertion part, and at least the tip side in the axial direction is formed into a curved convex surface that curves from the outer circumference to the axis. When inserted into a corrugated tube and pushed forward, it rubs the inner surface of the corrugated tube with the curved surface, and after the tip is inserted, it guides the insertion of the electric wire into the corrugated tube by assisting the progress of the subsequent electric wire insertion part inside the corrugated tube. An electric wire insertion jig characterized by comprising the above.

2. The electric wire insertion jig according to claim 1, wherein the guide part has a hemispherical surface as the curved surface.

3. The electric wire insertion jig according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting gripped part formed in a constricted shape that can be gripped by a predetermined gripping mechanism, which connects the electric wire insertion part and the guide part to each other and is thinner than either the electric wire insertion part or the guide part.

4. Inside from the electric wire insertion part to the guide part, it has a rod-shaped part that is movable in the axial direction and is accommodated along the axis in a state of being spring-biased toward the electric wire insertion opening side. When the tip of the electric wire is inserted into the electric wire insertion part, it is pushed by the electric wire and moves against the spring bias so that the protruding end of the rod-shaped part protrudes from the curved surface. The electric wire insertion jig according to claim 1, further comprising an insertion confirmation part in which the protruding end protruding from the curved surface is used for confirming the insertion of the tip into the electric wire insertion part.

5. The electric wire insertion jig according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a tube holding part that holds the corrugated tube in a linearly extended state, an electric wire feeding part that holds the electric wire so that it can be fed out from an electric wire feeding port arranged at a position separated from one end opening of the corrugated tube held by the tube holding part, and feeds out the electric wire so as to insert it through the inside of the corrugated tube from the one end opening to the other end opening, a jig conveying part that has a gripping mechanism for gripping the electric wire insertion jig and can convey the electric wire insertion jig gripped by the gripping mechanism. The wire feeding unit feeds out the wire until the tip of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion portion by conveying the wire insertion jig to the jig conveying unit between the one end opening of the corrugated tube and the wire feeding port, and releasing the wire insertion jig by the gripping mechanism of the jig conveying unit and feeding out the wire by the wire feeding unit until the wire insertion jig protrudes from the other end opening, thereby inserting the wire into the corrugated tube. Then, an insertion control unit that grips the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening by the jig conveying unit and removes it from the tip portion, An automatic wire insertion device, characterized by comprising the above.

6. The device further comprises a jig insertion detection unit that detects that the tip of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion portion of the wire insertion jig. The insertion control unit, for the wire insertion jig disposed between the one end opening of the corrugated tube and the wire feeding port, when the insertion of the tip is detected by the jig insertion detection unit, releases the wire insertion jig by the gripping mechanism of the jig conveying unit and starts feeding out the wire by the wire feeding unit. The automatic wire insertion device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

7. The device further comprises a jig insertion detection unit that detects that the tip of the wire is inserted into the wire insertion portion of the wire insertion jig. The insertion control unit, for the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening, when the insertion of the tip is detected by the jig insertion detection unit, grips the wire insertion jig by the gripping mechanism of the jig conveying unit and removes it from the tip portion. The automatic wire insertion device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

8. At the receiving position outside the other end opening of the corrugated tube, there is a jig receiving portion that receives the wire insertion jig protruding from the other end opening. For the stopper movement direction along the jig thickness direction that intersects both the vertical direction along gravity and the axial direction, the device further comprises a jig stopper that moves the jig receiving portion between a predetermined retracted position and the receiving position. The insertion control unit moves the jig receiving portion of the jig stopper from the retracted position to the receiving position in accordance with the protruding timing of the wire insertion jig from the other end opening, causes the jig conveying unit to grip the wire insertion jig received by the jig receiving portion after the movement, and then retracts the jig receiving portion to the retracted position. The wire automatic insertion device according to claim 5, characterized in that.

9. The wire automatic insertion device according to claim 5, characterized in that the gripping mechanism in the jig conveying unit is a mechanism that grips the wire insertion jig in a jig thickness direction intersecting both the vertical direction along gravity and the axial direction.

10. The jig conveying unit holds the gripping mechanism and is a vertical movement mechanism capable of moving the gripping mechanism in the vertical direction along gravity, holds the vertical movement mechanism and is a front-rear movement mechanism capable of moving the gripping mechanism in the front-rear direction along the longitudinal direction of the corrugated tube held by the tube holding portion via the vertical movement mechanism, The wire automatic insertion device according to claim 5, characterized by having.

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