Supply device, crimping device, and manufacturing method of terminal cable

Abstract

To provide a supply device, a crimping device, and a manufacturing method of a terminal cable capable of protecting a conductor portion.SOLUTION: According to an embodiment, there is provided a supply device including: a tank part attached to crimping pliers and having a housing part for holding a material; a nozzle part having a discharge flow path communicating with the housing part; and an opening / closing valve for opening and closing the discharge flow path in accordance with a crimping operation of the crimping pliers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a feeding device, a crimping device, and a method for manufacturing a terminal cable. [Background technology]

[0002] Terminal cables with crimp terminals are used for electrical connections in devices such as distribution boards and control panels. In a method for manufacturing a terminal cable, a sleeve terminal integrally having a cylindrical sleeve and a terminal is formed by inserting an end of a cable covered with multiple conductors into an insertion hole formed in the sleeve, and crimping the outer periphery of the sleeve to crimp the sleeve, terminal, and cable.

[0003] In such terminal cables, if the conductors of the cable are exposed, problems such as rust and corrosion can occur, so the conductors are protected by antiseptic and waterproofing treatments such as covering them with heat-shrink tubing or coating them with a liquid resin. For example, after the crimping process, a corrosion inhibitor, which is a liquid resin, is applied to the exposed conductors and then hardened by irradiating them with ultraviolet light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO2012 / 018049 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-009707 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a feeding device, a crimping device, and a method for manufacturing a terminal cable that can protect the conductor portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The supply device according to the embodiment comprises a tank section attached to the crimping pliers and having a storage section for holding material, a nozzle section having a discharge flow path communicating with the storage section, and an on-off valve that opens and closes the discharge flow path in response to the crimping operation of the crimping pliers. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 3A to 3C are explanatory views showing a manufacturing method of the terminal cable according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams showing a method for manufacturing the terminal cable. [Figure 3] 4A to 4C are explanatory diagrams showing a method for manufacturing the terminal cable. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the nozzle block of the supply device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the lift-up valve of the supply device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a supply device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a crimping device and a method for manufacturing a terminal cable 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Figs. 1 to 3 are explanatory diagrams showing the method for manufacturing a terminal cable 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a supply device, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a push-up lever. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the supply device, Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified nozzle block, and Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified push-up valve. Fig. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a supply device according to another embodiment. In the drawings, X, Y, and Z indicate three directions that are perpendicular or intersect with each other. For ease of explanation, the configurations in each drawing are enlarged, reduced, or omitted as appropriate. Also, in Figures 2, 3, and 8, blocks 51 and 52 of supply device 50 are partially cut away and shown in cross section.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal cable 1 according to this embodiment includes a cable 10 and a terminal sleeve 20. The cable 10 includes a terminal sleeve 20, a terminal sleeve 20a, and a terminal sleeve 20b.

[0010] The cable 10 includes a conductor 11 and an insulating cover 12 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor 11. The cable 10 is, for example, an insulated wire, and has a conductor portion 11a at its tip where the insulating cover 12 is peeled off to partially expose the internal conductor 11. The cable 10 is crimped and connected to a terminal sleeve 20. The conductor 11 is, for example, a stranded wire formed by bundling a plurality of conductor wires 111. The conductor 11 may also be a solid wire.

[0011] The terminal sleeve 20 integrally includes a cylindrical sleeve portion 21, a plate-like arm portion 22, and a plate-like terminal portion 23. The terminal sleeve 20 is made of a conductive material such as metal, and the sleeve portion 21, the arm portion 22, and the terminal portion 23 are integrally formed.

[0012] The sleeve portion 21 is tubular and made of a conductive material such as metal, etc. The sleeve portion 21 has an insertion hole 21a which is a through hole into which the tip end of the cable 10 is inserted along the X direction.

[0013] The arm portion 22 extends in one direction from one end side of the sleeve 20. The arm portion 22 is configured in a plate shape. A terminal portion 23 is integrally formed at the tip of the arm portion 22. The arm portion 22 is configured in a rectangular shape with its thickness direction aligned along the vertical direction and a predetermined width in the Y direction.

[0014] Terminal portion 23 is made of a conductive material and is provided integrally with the tip of arm portion 22. Terminal portion 23 is formed in a disk shape from a conductive material such as metal. Terminal portion 23 is, for example, a round terminal and has a circular opening 231 in which a shaft portion to be connected is placed. Opening 231 is, for example, a circular hole that penetrates terminal portion 23 in the thickness direction.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the crimping device 30 and the method for manufacturing the terminal cable 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the crimping device 30 includes crimping pliers 40 that hold the sleeve portion 21, and a supply device 50 that is attached to the side of the crimping pliers 40.

[0017] The crimping pliers 40 include an opening / closing unit 43 having a pair of clamping pieces 41, 42 that clamp and crimp the outer periphery of the sleeve portion 21, which is the object to be crimped. The opening / closing unit 43 is connected to, for example, a handle, and is opened and closed by operating the handle so that the clamping pieces 41, 42 move toward and away from each other. For example, when the crimping pliers 40 are in a closed state by operating the handle with the sleeve portion 21 clamped between the pair of clamping pieces 41, 42, one or both of the pair of clamping pieces 41, 42 move toward the clamps so that the pair of clamping pieces 41, 42 move toward each other, applying pressure to the sleeve portion 21 and deforming it. At this time, pressure is applied together with the cable 10 that is arranged passing through the sleeve portion 21, and the cable 10 and the terminal sleeve 20 are crimped and fixed together.

[0018] In this embodiment, an example is described in which one of the pair of clamping pieces 41, 42, clamping piece 41, is a fixed piece and the other clamping piece 42, is a movable piece, and the opening and closing operation is performed by moving clamping piece 42, which is the movable piece, back and forth in the Z direction while clamping piece 41 remains fixed.

[0019] The supply device 50 is fixed to the side of the opening / closing part 43. For example, the supply device 50 is configured so that it can be attached to crimping pliers 40, which is an example of a crimping tool. For example, the supply device 50 is configured so that it can be attached to an existing general crimping tool (crimping tool). As an example, the supply device 50 is fixed with enough strength to prevent it from shifting position during a crimping operation. As a fixing method, various fixing methods can be used as appropriate, such as screwing, attachment using a strong magnet, or tightening with a rubber band.

[0020] The supply device 50 includes a tank block 51, which is a tank portion that stores the coating agent P as a coating material therein, and a nozzle block 52, which is a nozzle portion that is connected to the lower part of the tank block 51 and forms a discharge flow path. For example, the supply device 50 is fixed to the crimping pliers 40 at either or both of the nozzle block 52 and the tank block 51, and moves toward and away from the conductor portion 11a at the tip of the conductor 11 in conjunction with the opening and closing movement of the crimping pliers 40. As a specific example, the nozzle block 52 or the tank block 51 of the supply device 50 is fixed to the side of the clamping piece 42, which is a moving piece that moves in the Z direction during the opening and closing movement.

[0021] The tank block 51 is configured, for example, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box. For example, the tank block 51 has a storage section 51a formed therein, which is a space capable of holding the coating agent P. The storage section 51a of the tank block 51 has an upper opening 51b, and is configured so that the coating agent P as a coating material can be supplied from the upper opening 51b. The upper opening 51b is configured so that it can be opened and closed by a lid section 53. In addition, a lower opening 51c is formed at the bottom of the tank block 51. That is, the storage section 51a is in communication with the discharge flow path 52a of the nozzle block 52 through this lower opening 51c.

[0022] The tank block 51 has a window portion 51d formed of a light-transmitting material on a part of its outer wall, which allows the remaining amount of coating agent P inside to be confirmed from the outside.

[0023] Coating agent P is, for example, an epoxy-based UV-curing resin, Religel (a silicone-based resin), film resin (a cellulose acetate-based resin), a fluororesin coating agent, or other synthetic resins. It is desirable for coating agent P to be a material that can be coated by natural drying.

[0024] Nozzle block 52 is configured in a cylindrical shape, and has discharge flow path 52a formed therein through which coating agent P as a coating material passes. For example, nozzle block 52 is attached to the lower part of tank block 51. Nozzle block 52 also has a push-up valve 54 that is disposed at communication port 52c, which is the inlet of discharge flow path 52a, and opens and closes discharge flow path 52a.

[0025] The push-up valve 54 includes a valve element 56 (on-off valve) disposed in the discharge flow path 52a, and a lever 57 connected to the valve element 56. The push-up valve 54 is configured to be switchable between a closed position where the valve element 56 closes the flow path and an open position where the valve element 56 opens the flow path by moving up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing movements of the clamping pieces 41, 42 of the crimping pliers 40. For example, in a normal state, the push-up valve 54 is disposed above the communication port 52c, which is the inlet of the discharge flow path 52a, and the valve element 56 is biased downward so as to seal the communication port 52c.

[0026] For example, the valve element 56 is disposed above the communication port 52c and is configured as a rectangular plate having an outer shape larger than the communication port 52c. The valve element 56 is configured in a shape that can close the communication port 52c formed in the upper end of the nozzle block 52, for example.

[0027] The lever 57 is connected to the underside of the valve body 56. The lever 57 is a long, thin, plate-like member connected to the valve body 56, extending below the valve body 56, and having a predetermined width. For example, the lever 57 is arranged along the inner surface of the discharge flow path 52a of the cylindrical nozzle block 52. The lever 57 is arranged between the plate-like arm portion 22 and the terminal portion 23, with its thickness direction along the X direction and its width direction along the width direction of the arm portion 22. The lever 57 passes through the discharge flow path 52a of the nozzle block 52 and protrudes downward from the discharge port 52b. For example, the lever 57 moves up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the crimping pliers 40, thereby moving the valve body 56 up and down. For example, the lever 57 is arranged in the longitudinal direction, that is, the X direction, on the tip side of the conductor portion 11a on the arm portion 22, facing the terminal portion 23, for example, at a position closer to the base end than the center of the opening 231.

[0028] 6, the supply device 50 is configured so that the tank block 51 and the nozzle block 52 are detachably attached to each other. For example, a first engagement portion 58a is formed on the lower surface of the tank block 51, and a second engagement portion 58b that receives the first engagement portion 58a is formed on the upper surface of the nozzle block 52, and the engagement portions 58a, 58b engage with each other to connect the tank block 51 and the nozzle block 52.

[0029] As an example, the first engagement portion 58a is a rail protrusion protruding downward from the lower surface of the tank block 51, and the second engagement portion 58b is a rail groove formed on the upper surface of the nozzle block 52 and into which the rail protrusion is inserted. The rail protrusion and rail groove extend, for example, in the second direction, and are configured so that the engagement portions 58a, 58b can be engaged with or disengaged from each other by sliding them in the second direction (Y direction). In other words, the supply device 50 can separate or assemble the upper tank block 51 and the lower nozzle block 52 by sliding them relative to each other. For example, the first engagement portion 58a and the second engagement portion 58b are configured in an arrow shape in a cross section perpendicular to the sliding direction, integrally including a shaft portion protruding downward and a pair of return portions protruding obliquely upward from both sides of the lower end of the shaft portion.

[0030] The supply device 50 is configured so that the holding amount and discharge amount can be adjusted by selecting and assembling a plurality of different configurations for the tank block 51 and the nozzle block 52. For example, by making the engaging portions 58a, 58b of the plurality of tank blocks 51 and the plurality of nozzle blocks 52 have a common configuration, it is possible to select from different configurations and assemble them.

[0031] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the supply device 50 is configured so that the discharge amount can be adjusted by selecting and assembling from a plurality of types of nozzle blocks 52, 52A, 52B having different flow path diameters and capacities of the discharge flow path 52a.

[0032] Furthermore, the supply device 50 is configured so that the lift-up valve 54 can be assembled after assembling the tank block 51 and the nozzle block 52. That is, the supply device 50 is configured so that the discharge amount can be adjusted by selecting and assembling the lift-up valve 54 from a plurality of different configurations.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the supply device 50 is configured to adjust the amount of coating agent P accumulated in the discharge flow path 52a and adjust the amount of coating agent P dripped by selecting and assembling the push-up valve 54 from multiple types of push-up valves 54, 54A, 54B having valve bodies 56 with different thicknesses.

[0034] As a method for manufacturing the terminal cable 1 configured as above, a crimping operation for inserting and crimping the cable 10 into the terminal sleeve 20 using a crimping device 30 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The crimping step, which is part of the method for manufacturing the terminal cable 1, includes inserting the cable 10 into the cylindrical sleeve portion 21 as shown in Figure 1(a), and crimping the sleeve with an open / close member and discharging a coating agent from a nozzle portion as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0035] In the crimping device 30, an existing crimping tool can be used as the crimping pliers 40. However, the following description will be given of an example in which one of the pair of clamping pieces 41, 42, clamping piece 41, is a fixed piece and the other clamping piece 42, is a movable piece, and clamping piece 41 remains fixed while movable piece 42 moves back and forth in the Z direction to perform the opening and closing operation. First, a user opens and closes the lid portion 53 in advance and fills the container portion 51a with the coating agent P. At this time, the user can easily check the remaining amount of coating agent P through the window portion 51d. If, for example, replenishment is necessary, the user opens the lid portion 53 and fills the coating agent P through the upper opening 51b.

[0036] When performing the crimping operation, first, refer to Figure 2 As shown in Fig. 1, the sleeve portion 21 is placed between a pair of clamping pieces 41, 42 of the crimping pliers 40. At this time, the supply device 50 fixed to the crimping pliers 40 is placed on the terminal portion 23 side, the nozzle block 52 is positioned facing the upper side of the arm portion 22 and the end of the conductor 11, and the tip portion 57a ​​of the lever 57 is placed facing the conductor portion 11a at the end of the conductor 11 and the arm portion 22.

[0037] Then, when the crimping pliers 40 are closed as a crimping operation, the moving piece, the clamping piece 42, descends and moves in a direction approaching the clamping piece 41, compressing the sleeve portion 21 in the Z direction, which is the direction of movement.

[0038] At this time, Figure 2 1, when the pliers 40 are closed, before the crimping process of the pliers 40 is completed, tip 57a of lever 57 abuts against arm 22 and conductor portion 11a while clamping piece 42 is descending. Then, as clamping piece 42 of pliers 40 further descends, nozzle block 52 and tank block 51 move downward, which is one side in the first direction, while the vertical position of lever 57 is maintained at the position where it abuts against arm 22, so that push-up valve 54 is pushed upward, which is the other side in the first direction, relative to nozzle block 52 and tank block 51. Therefore, within nozzle block 52, valve element 56 moves away from communication port 52c, opening discharge flow path 52a. That is, when the tip 57a of the lever 57 protruding from the nozzle block 52 is pushed up relative to the nozzle block 52 and the tank block 51, the push-up valve 54 moves away from the communication port 52c, which is the inlet of the nozzle block 52, and is set to an open state in which liquid can be supplied. <c>As shown in FIG. 1, the coating agent P held in the container 51a is supplied from the communication port 52c toward the discharge flow path 52a.

[0039] Figure 3 <d>1, after the crimping operation of crimping and fixing the sleeve portion 21 and the cable 10, when the crimping pliers 40 are returned to the open state, the force pushing up the lever 57 is released, and the push-up valve 54 returns to a position blocking the communication port 52c, which is the inlet of the nozzle block 52, and enters a closed state blocking the flow path. At this time, the plate-shaped lever 57 is positioned between the conductor portion 11a and the terminal portion 23, thereby preventing the coating agent P from flowing into the terminal portion 23. Then, as the nozzle block 52 rises, the coating agent P that has accumulated in the discharge flow path 52a is discharged onto the arm portion 22 and the conductor portion 11a, which are positioned below and facing each other, and the coating agent P protects the conductor portion 11a.

[0040] According to the supply device 50, crimping device 30 and terminal cable manufacturing method of the first embodiment described above, the crimping action of the crimping pliers 40 for crimping and fixing the terminal sleeve 20 and the cable 10 allows the coating agent P to be applied to the conductor portion 11a of the terminal part 23 after crimping, thereby preventing corrosion and rust from occurring in the conductor portion 11a and thereby preventing defects in the conductor 11.

[0041] In other words, while distribution boards and control panels are generally designed for standard operating conditions as defined by standards, they are not necessarily installed in the appropriate environment due to the effects of corrosive gases and condensation. In such cases, the wiring connection terminals inside the panel may rust or corrode, causing electrical continuity to be impaired. To address this issue, some companies apply anti-corrosion and waterproofing treatments to the conductors by covering the crimp terminals with heat-shrink tubing or coating them with a liquid resin material. However, heat-shrink tubing, for example, requires a coating process or the installation of large equipment for crimping and coating. Furthermore, the types of terminals that can be treated with anti-corrosion and waterproofing treatments are limited.

[0042] In contrast, the supply device 50 can improve work efficiency by applying the coating agent P in conjunction with the crimping operation of the crimping pliers 40. Furthermore, it is applicable to a variety of terminals and is highly versatile.

[0043] For example, the supply device 50 can be retrofitted to the crimping pliers 40 or various other crimping tools, and can be adapted to various sizes, shapes, and pliers, and can be adapted to various terminal protection processes.

[0044] Furthermore, according to the supply device 50, crimping device 30, and terminal cable manufacturing method of the above embodiment, the supply amount can be regulated by opening and closing the discharge flow path 52a, and the amount of coating agent P dripped can be controlled, so that the coating agent P can be applied efficiently without waste.

[0045] The nozzle block 52 and the lift valve 54 can be selected from a variety of types and replaced, so that the amount of coating agent P dispensed can be adjusted.

[0046] The tank block 51 is provided with a transparent window 51d, which makes it possible to check the amount of coating agent P in the storage section 51a. In addition, the tank block 51 is configured to be openable and closable, allowing the coating agent to be filled, so that the supply device 50 can be used repeatedly.

[0047] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented by appropriately modifying the configuration of each part.

[0048] For example, the specific shapes of each part are not limited to those in the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the crimping tool is not limited to the above embodiment and can be applied to various types of crimping tools. Furthermore, for example, the terminal portion 23 is not limited to a round shape and may be a Y-shaped terminal or other type. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the engaging portions 58a, 58b is not limited to those in the above embodiment and various shapes can be adopted. For example, as shown in Figures 9(a) and 9(b), in another embodiment, the engaging portion 258 may have a cross-sectional shape in which the width of the lower end increases, or the engaging portion 158 may have a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0049] According to the crimping device and the method for manufacturing a terminal cable according to at least one embodiment described above, the conductor portion can be easily protected.

[0050] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...terminal cable, 10...cable, 11...conductor, 111...conductor wire, 11a...conductor wire portion, 12...insulating cover, 20...terminal sleeve portion, 21...sleeve portion, 21a...insertion hole, 22...arm portion, 23...terminal portion, 30...crimping device, 40...crimping pliers (crimping tool), 41...clamping piece, 42...clamping piece, 43...opening / closing portion, 50...supply device, 51...tank block, 51...block, 51a...storage portion, 51b...upper opening, 51c...lower opening, 51d...window portion, 52, 52A, 52B...nozzle block, 52a...discharge flow path, 52b...discharge port, 52c...communication port, 53...lid portion, 54, 54A, 54B...push-up valve, 56...valve body, 57...lever, 57a...tip portion, 58a...first engagement portion, 58b...second engagement portion.< / d> < / c>

Claims

1. Attached to the crimping tool, a tank portion having a storage portion for holding a material; a nozzle portion having a discharge flow path communicating with the storage portion; an on-off valve that opens and closes the discharge flow path in accordance with the crimping operation of the crimping tool, Feeding device.

2. the crimping tool is a crimping pliers having an opening and closing member, The on-off valve includes a valve body that opens and closes the discharge flow path; a lever connected to the valve body, interlocked with an opening / closing member of the crimping pliers, and configured to push up the valve body when the opening / closing member is closed, thereby opening the discharge flow path; The feeding device of claim 1 , comprising:

3. the tank portion or the nozzle portion is fixed to the opening / closing member, 3. The supply device according to claim 2, wherein when the tank portion or the nozzle portion moves in one direction toward the object to be crimped while the tip of the lever is in contact with the object to be crimped, the valve body moves relative to the nozzle portion in the other direction in the first direction, thereby opening the discharge flow path.

4. A supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3; A crimping device having an opening / closing section to which the supply device is attached and which opens and closes by clamping the object to be crimped.

5. Inserting the cable into a tubular sleeve; a crimping operation of clamping the sleeve with an open / close member to compress the sleeve and crimp and fix the sleeve and the cable together, and a coating material is discharged from a nozzle portion of a supply device provided on the open / close member and having a tank portion and a nozzle portion; A method for manufacturing a terminal cable, comprising:

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