Twist correcting apparatus and twist correcting method

Abstract

To provide a twist correcting apparatus and a twist correcting method in which strand loosening of a twisted wire is performed while a load on a bottom side of strand loosening is suppressed.SOLUTION: A twist correcting apparatus 1 comprises: a strand loosening mechanism 12 which performs strand loosening by allowing a pair of holding members 121 to grip a multicore twisted wire W11, while allowing the pair of holding members 121 to perform relative reciprocal positional deviating operation in a strand loosening direction D16, sliding the pair of holding members 121 together toward a tip side of the multicore twisted wire W11; and a control part 13 which, when the pair of holding members 121 is positioned on an exposure side end side, controls operation such that a gripping force in a twist gripping direction D15 and an operating force and a positional deviation amount in a reciprocal positional deviating operation become smaller than the case where the pair of holding members is positioned at a tip side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a twist straightening device and a twist straightening method for untwisting a twisted wire. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, demand for high-speed communication cables is expected to increase, and many of these high-speed communication cables are configured with twisted wires. When performing terminal processing on a twisted wire, such as terminal connection, it is necessary to correct the twist at the end of the twisted wire and untwist it. Devices for performing such twist correction have been proposed in the past (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The twist correction device described in Patent Document 1 untwists the twisted wire by squeezing it from the base end of the untwisted wire to the tip end, or by grasping the end and turning it in the opposite direction to the twist direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-185983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned twist straightening device, a load tends to be applied to the root side of the twisted wire when untwisting, and such a load on the root side is undesirable because it puts a strain on the strength of the twisted wire if it becomes excessive.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention focuses on the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a twist straightening device and a twist straightening method that can untwist a twisted wire while suppressing the load on the root side of the untwist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the twist straightening device has a wire holding part that holds the twisted wire at a position further away from the tip than the root of the untwist that is a predetermined distance from the tip on one end side, and a pair of gripping members that grip the twisted wire held by the wire holding part between the root and the tip, and the pair of gripping members grip the twisted wire in a twist gripping direction that intersects with the extension direction of the twisted wire, and the pair of gripping members grip the twisted wire in an untwisting direction that intersects with both the extension direction and the twist gripping direction. The twisting mechanism is characterized by comprising: an untwisting mechanism that untwists the twisted wire by sliding the pair of gripping members together from the base side to the tip side while causing the members to perform a relative reciprocating position shifting motion; and a control unit that controls the operation of the untwisting mechanism, and when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the base side, controls the operation so that the gripping force in the twist gripping direction, and the operating force and amount of position shift in the reciprocating position shifting motion are smaller than when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the tip side.

[0007] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, the twist correction method is characterized by comprising: a wire holding step of holding the twisted wire at a position further away from the tip than the root of the untwist, which is a predetermined distance from the tip on one end side; and a step of holding the twisted wire held by the wire holding parts with a pair of gripping members in a twist gripping direction that intersects with the extension direction of the twisted wire, and untwisting the twisted wire by sliding the pair of gripping members together from the root side to the tip side while causing the pair of gripping members to perform a relative reciprocating position shifting motion in an untwisting direction that intersects both the extension direction and the twist gripping direction, wherein when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the root side, the untwisting is performed so that the gripping force in the twist gripping direction, the operating force in the reciprocating position shifting motion, and the amount of position shift are smaller than when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the tip side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the twist straightening device and twist straightening method described above, it is possible to untwist the twisted wire while suppressing the load on the root side of the untwist. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a twist straightening device according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an area A11 shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a side view showing the pair of gripping members shown in FIG. 2 together with the multi-core twisted wire to be gripped, as viewed from the direction of arrow V11 in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing steps S1 to S4 in the processing flow of the twisted wire straightening method executed by the twisted wire straightening device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing steps S5 to S8 in the processing flow of the twisted wire straightening method executed by the twisted wire straightening device shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] 4 is a diagram showing steps S9 to S10 in the processing flow of the twisted wire straightening method executed by the twisted wire straightening device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a twist straightening device according to a second embodiment, showing a gripping configuration for a multi-core twisted wire, which is a difference from the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a twist straightening device and a twist straightening method will be described. First, a first embodiment will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a twist straightening device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an area A11 shown in FIG.

[0012] The twist straightening device 1 of this embodiment is a device that receives a multi-core cable W1 including a multi-core (two-core) twisted wire W11 and straightens and untwists the multi-core twisted wire W11 exposed at the end for terminal processing. The twist straightening device 1 is installed at a predetermined installation location and includes a wire holding unit 11, an untwisting mechanism 12, and a control unit 13.

[0013] The wire holding unit 11 holds the multi-core cable W1, whose one end has the multi-core twisted wires W11 exposed from the outermost sheath W12, at the exposed end W121 of the multi-core twisted wires W11 in the outermost sheath W12. The exposed end W121 of the outermost sheath W12 is located further away from the tip than the root of the untwist, which is a predetermined distance from the tip of the one end. The wire holding unit 11 includes a pair of chuck members 111 and a wire guide plate 112. The pair of chuck members 111 grip the multi-core cable W1 in a wire chuck direction D13 that intersects both the up-down direction D11 of the twist straightening device 1 in the installed state and the receiving direction D12 of the multi-core cable W1. The wire guide plate 112 is a plate member that is positioned rearward of the pair of chuck members 111 in the receiving direction D12 and extends intersecting the receiving direction D12. A receiving groove 112a for the multi-core cable W1 is cut downward from the upper edge in the up-down direction D11. The multi-core cable W1 is inserted through this receiving groove 112a into between the pair of chuck members 111 and is gripped by the pair of chuck members 111 at the exposed end W121 of the outermost coating W12.

[0014] The untwisting mechanism 12 is disposed forward of the wire holding unit 11 in the receiving direction D12, and is a mechanical part that untwists the multi-core twisted wire W11 of the multi-core cable W1 held by the wire holding unit 11. The untwisting mechanism 12 has a pair of gripping members 121. The pair of gripping members 121 consists of a first gripping member 121a and a second gripping member 121b, and grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 of the multi-core cable W11 so as to sandwich it between them. The untwisting mechanism 12 causes the pair of gripping members 121 to grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 in a direction that intersects with the extending direction D14 of the multi-core twisted wire W11 from the exposed end W121 of the outermost coating W12. The multi-core twisted wire W11 is gripped between the base and tip of the untwisted wire, which is near the exposed end W121 of the outermost coating W12. In this embodiment, the extending direction D14 of the multi-core twisted wire W11 of the multi-core cable W1 held by the wire holding part 11 is approximately the same as the receiving direction D12 of the multi-core cable W1 in the twist straightening device 1. The pair of gripping members 121 grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 so as to sandwich it in a direction that is approximately the same as the up-down direction D11 in the twist straightening device 1. The first gripping member 121a is arranged above in the up-down direction D11, and the second gripping member 121b is arranged below.

[0015] With the multi-core twisted wire W11 held by the pair of gripping members 121, the untwisting mechanism 12 causes the pair of gripping members 121 to perform a relative reciprocating position shifting motion in an untwisting direction D16 that intersects both the extending direction D14 and the gripping direction (up-down direction D11). Furthermore, in addition to this reciprocating position shifting motion, the untwisting mechanism 12 untwists the multi-core twisted wire W11 by sliding the pair of gripping members 121 together from the base side to the tip side of the untwisting. For these various operations, the untwisting mechanism 12 has a first actuator 122, a second actuator 123, and a third actuator 124 in addition to the pair of gripping members 121.

[0016] The first actuator 122 drives at least one of the pair of gripping members 121 and functions as a drive source capable of changing the drive force. In this embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 by moving only the upper first gripping member 121a toward the lower second gripping member 121b in a twist gripping direction D15. The first actuator 122 drives the first gripping member 121a.

[0017] The second actuator 123 is a drive source that drives at least one of the pair of gripping members 121 and is capable of changing the drive force and drive amount. In this embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 perform a reciprocating position shifting operation by moving only the lower second gripping member 121b in the untwisting direction D16. The second actuator 123 is a part that drives this second gripping member 121b.

[0018] The third actuator 124 is a drive source that drives both of the pair of gripping members 121 collectively back and forth in the extension direction D14. In this embodiment, in the untwisting mechanism 12, the pair of gripping members 121, the first actuator 122, and the second actuator 123 are mounted on a single frame 125. The third actuator 124 drives both of the pair of gripping members 121 collectively by moving this frame 125 back and forth in the extension direction D14.

[0019] The control unit 13 is a component that controls the operation of the untwisting mechanism 12. Furthermore, the control unit 13 controls the operation so that when the pair of gripping members 121 are positioned on the root side of the untwisting, the gripping force in the twist gripping direction D15 and the operating force and amount of misalignment in the reciprocating positional shifting operation are smaller than when they are positioned on the tip side. The control unit 13 performs such operation control by controlling the first actuator 122, the second actuator 123, and the third actuator 124.

[0020] Here, the pair of gripping members 121 in the untwisting mechanism 12 will be described in further detail with reference to the following FIG.

[0021] 3 is a side view showing the pair of gripping members shown in FIG. 2 together with the multi-core twisted wire to be gripped, as viewed from the direction of arrow V11 in FIG.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 have flat surfaces 121a-2 and 121b-2 facing each other and having anti-slip sheets 121a-1 and 121b-1 attached thereto. For example, urethane sheets or the like can be used as the anti-slip sheets 121a-1 and 121b-1. The pair of gripping members 121 grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 between the pair of flat surfaces 121a-2 and 121b-2 via the anti-slip sheets 121a-1 and 121b-1. The upper first gripping member 121a has only one row of flat surfaces 121a-2 with anti-slip sheets 121a-1 attached thereto, extending in a strip-like pattern in the untwisting direction D16. On the other hand, the lower second gripping member 121b is provided with flat surfaces 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121b-2, which extend in the untwisting direction D16 in the shape of strips narrower than those of the first gripping member 121a and are arranged in multiple rows (two rows in this embodiment) in the extending direction D14. During untwisting, one flat surface 121b-2 with anti-slip sheet 121b-1 is selected from the multiple rows of flat surfaces 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121b-1 of the second gripping member 121b and set to grip the electric wire. Then, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is gripped by the flat surface 121a-2 with anti-slip sheet 121a-1 of the first gripping member 121a and the flat surface 121b-2 with anti-slip sheet 121b-1 set to grip the electric wire of the second gripping member 121b. At this time, the setting for gripping an electric wire is performed by a maintenance worker by selecting the flat surface 121b-2 in order from the front side in the extension direction D14 according to the degree of wear of the non-slip sheet 121b-1, etc. Then, the position of the first gripping member 121a is adjusted so that the other flat surface 121a-2 is positioned opposite the selected flat surface 121b-2, thereby setting the flat surface 121b-2 with the non-slip sheet 121b-1 for gripping an electric wire.

[0023] 3, the gripping width L11 of the multi-core twisted wire W11 by the pair of flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 in the extension direction D14 is equal to or less than the twist pitch P11 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. At least one of the flat surfaces 121b-2, specifically the lower second gripping member 121b, has an anti-slip sheet 121b-1 attached in a strip shape in the untwisting direction D16 with a sheet width L12 corresponding to the gripping width L11.

[0024] Next, a twisted wire straightening method executed under the control of the control unit 13 in the twisted wire straightening device 1 described above will be described together with the control details of the control unit 13.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing steps S1 to S4 of the processing flow of the twist wire straightening method performed by the twist wire straightening device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing steps S5 to S8 of the processing flow of the twist wire straightening method performed by the twist wire straightening device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing steps S9 to S10 of the processing flow of the twist wire straightening method performed by the twist wire straightening device shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIGS. 4 to 6, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is depicted in an untwisted, straight state before and during untwisting for ease of viewing, but it goes without saying that it is actually in a twisted state at these stages. In the following description, in addition to the components indicated by reference numerals in FIGS. 4 to 6, the components shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will also be referenced without special mention.

[0026] In step S1 of FIG. 4, the multi-core cable W1, which has been transported in the receiving direction D12 of the twist straightening device 1 by a transport clip M1 outside the device, is inserted up to a gripping position by the pair of chuck members 111 of the wire holding unit 11. At this stage of step S1, the wire holding unit 11 is retracted downward, and the pair of chuck members 111 are in an open state. Then, in the next step S2, the wire holding unit 11 is raised, and the pair of chuck members 111 are closed in the chuck direction D17, holding the multi-core cable W1 at a position further away from the tip than the base of the untwist. As described above, the gripping position at this time is the exposed end W121 of the outermost coating W12. This step S2 is a wire holding step in which the multi-core twisted wire W11 is held at a position further away from the tip than the base of the untwist (the exposed end W121 of the outermost coating W12).

[0027] In step S3, the upper first gripping member 121a of the pair of gripping members 121 descends in the twist gripping direction D15 toward the lower second gripping member 121b. Because the multi-core twisted wire W11 is placed on the second gripping member 121b, the descending of the first gripping member 121a grips the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the twist gripping direction D15 along the up-down direction D11.

[0028] In the next step S4, prior to the untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire W11, which is performed in step S5 and subsequent steps, the control unit 13 performs the following operational control. That is, in this operational control, the pair of gripping members 121 slide together a predetermined distance toward the tip of the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the extension direction D14. As a result of this sliding, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is pulled in the extension direction D14 while being held by the pair of gripping members 121, and tension is applied to the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the extension direction D14. With this tension applied, the multi-core twisted wire W11, which is extended straight in the extension direction D14, is subjected to the untwisting in step S5 and subsequent steps.

[0029] Step S5 is the first of subsequent reciprocating position shifting operations of the pair of gripping members 121, performed at the base of the untwisting operation, closest to the exposed end W121 of the multi-core cable W1. In this first position shifting operation of step S5, the lower second gripping member 121b of the pair of gripping members 121 moves in a first untwisting direction D161, which is one side of the untwisting direction D16. The first untwisting direction D161 in this first position shifting operation corresponds to the twist direction D18 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. In the illustrated example, the twist direction D18 is a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the outermost sheath W12 of the multi-core cable W1, and accordingly, the first untwisting direction D161 is a direction facing leftward. This movement causes the second gripping member 121b to relatively shift in position in the first untwisting direction D161 while holding the multi-core twisted wire W11 between itself and the first gripping member 121b. This shift in position causes the multi-core twisted wire W11 to be twisted in the direction opposite to the twisting direction D18 at the gripping position of the pair of gripping members 121, thereby untwisting the multi-core twisted wire W11.

[0030] In step S6, the pair of gripping members 121 slide together a predetermined distance toward the tip of the extending direction D14 of the multi-core twisted wire W11 while the second gripping member 121b moves in a second untwisting direction D162, which is the opposite direction (here, to the right) of the first untwisting direction D161. This movement causes the second gripping member 121b to move obliquely in a first diagonal direction D19 (here, a right diagonal direction) toward the tip of the extending direction D14 as viewed from the multi-core twisted wire W11. This oblique movement of the second gripping member 121b causes untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire W11 toward the tip of the extending direction D14.

[0031] In the next step S7, the pair of gripping members 121 slide toward the tip end in the extending direction D14 while the second gripping member 121b moves in the first untwisting direction D161. This movement causes the second gripping member 121b to move obliquely in a second diagonal direction D20 (here, a left diagonal direction) as viewed from the multi-core twisted wire W11. This oblique movement of the second gripping member 121b further progresses untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire W11 toward the tip end in the extending direction D14.

[0032] In step S8, the second gripping member 121b slides to the tip of the multi-core twisted wire W11 while alternately moving in the first untwisting direction D161 and the second untwisting direction D162, i.e., while the pair of gripping members 121 perform a relative reciprocating position shifting motion. This movement causes the second gripping member 121b to perform a zigzag movement to the tip of the multi-core twisted wire W11, moving obliquely alternately in the first diagonal direction D19 and the second diagonal direction D20 as viewed from the multi-core twisted wire W11. This zigzag movement progresses untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire W11 to the tip in the extension direction D14.

[0033] The processing of steps S5 to S8 constitutes the untwisting step in which the untwisting mechanism 12 untwists the multi-core twisted wire W11. Here, as described above, during this untwisting, the control unit 13 controls the reciprocating position shifting movement of the pair of gripping members 121, specifically the movement of the lower second gripping member 121b, as follows. That is, in steps S5 and S6, when the pair of gripping members 121 are positioned on the exposed-side end W121 side, the gripping force in the twist gripping direction D15 and the driving force and movement amount applied to the second gripping member 121b are smaller than in steps S7 and S8, when the pair of gripping members 121 are positioned on the tip side. As a result, the operating force and position shift amount during the reciprocating position shifting movement of the pair of gripping members 121 are smaller, and the load applied to the base side of the multi-core twisted wire W11 during untwisting is reduced.

[0034] In step S9 after the multi-core twisted wire W11 has been untwisted all the way to the tip, the upper first gripping member 121a of the pair of gripping members 121 separates from the lower second gripping member 121b and rises in an upward direction D151 opposite to the twist gripping direction D15. The rise of the first gripping member 121a releases the grip on the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the twist gripping direction D15.

[0035] Then, in the next step S10, the pair of chuck members 111 of the electric wire holding portion 11 open and descend to the retracted position, thereby releasing the hold of the multi-core cable W1, and then the multi-core cable W1 is removed. With this step S10, the series of processes of the twist wire straightening method executed by the twist wire straightening device 1 is completed.

[0036] According to the twist straightening device 1 and twist straightening method of the first embodiment described above, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is untwisted by the relative reciprocating position shifting motion of the pair of gripping members 121 gripping the multi-core twisted wire W11 and sliding the gripping members 121 toward the tip end in the extension direction D14. At this time, the control unit 13 controls the operation of the pair of gripping members 121 so that when the pair of gripping members 121 are positioned at the base end of the untwisting motion, the gripping force of the multi-core twisted wire W11, the operating force during the reciprocating position shifting motion, and the amount of position shifting are smaller than when the pair of gripping members 121 are positioned at the tip end. As a result of this operation control, the load applied to the multi-core twisted wire W11 at the base end of the untwisting motion is reduced during untwisting. In other words, according to this embodiment, untwisting can be performed while suppressing the load on the base end of the untwisting motion of the multi-core twisted wire W11.

[0037] In this embodiment, the untwisting mechanism 12 includes a first actuator 122, a second actuator 123, and a third actuator 124. The first actuator 122 drives the upper first gripping member 121a in the twist gripping direction D15, and the second actuator 123 drives the lower second gripping member 121b in the untwisting direction D16. The third actuator 124 drives the pair of gripping members 121 together to slide in the extending direction D14 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. The control unit 13 controls the first actuator 122, the second actuator 123, and the third actuator 124. With this configuration, the first to third actuators 124, which are driven in the twist gripping direction D15, the untwisting direction D16, and the extending direction D14, are individually controlled by the control unit 13. By individually controlling the actuators, the pair of gripping members 121 can be effectively made to perform the movements in each direction for untwisting.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is gripped by moving only the upper first gripping member 121a in the twist gripping direction D15, and the reciprocating position shifting operation is performed by moving only the lower second gripping member 121b in the untwisting direction D16. With this configuration, the gripping member that is moved in the twist gripping direction D15 and the gripping member that is moved in the untwisting direction D16 are separated into the first gripping member 121a and the second gripping member 121b, thereby simplifying the structure of the untwisting mechanism 12. Due to the simplicity of the structure, the ease of assembly during device assembly and the ease of maintenance after the device is completed are improved, thereby reducing the assembly costs and maintenance costs of the device.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 13 controls the operation so that the first reciprocating position shifting operation is an operation to move the lower second gripping member 121b in a movement direction corresponding to the twist direction D18 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. According to this configuration, by making the first position shifting operation an operation to move the gripping member 121 in a movement direction corresponding to the twist direction D18, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is twisted in the direction opposite to the twist direction D18, which makes it easier to unravel the multi-core twisted wire W11.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 13 controls the operation so that tension in the extension direction D14 is applied to the multi-core twisted wire W11 by sliding the pair of gripping members 121 toward the tip side in the extension direction D14 prior to untwisting the multi-core twisted wire W11. With this configuration, the untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire W11 is performed in a state where tension is applied to the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the extension direction D14 and the multi-core twisted wire W11 is stretched linearly, making it easier to untwist the multi-core twisted wire W11.

[0041] In this embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 between the pair of opposing flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 via the anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1. This configuration allows the wires to be moved effectively to untwist the multi-core twisted wire W11 by friction with the anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1.

[0042] In this embodiment, the gripping width L11 of the multi-core twisted wire W11 by the pair of flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 is equal to or less than the twist pitch P11 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. The anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1 are attached in a strip shape with a sheet width L12 corresponding to the gripping width L11. With this configuration, by applying force to the multi-core twisted wire W11 in a range that is equal to or less than the twist pitch P11 and that is easy to unravel, the multi-core twisted wire W11 can be effectively unraveled.

[0043] In this embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 has a first gripping member 121a provided with a single row of flat surfaces 121a-2 with anti-slip sheets 121a-1. The second gripping member 121b has a plurality of rows (two rows) of flat surfaces 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121b-1. During untwisting, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is gripped by the flat surface 121a-2 with anti-slip sheets 121a-1 of the first gripping member 121a and the flat surface 121b-2 with a selected one of the anti-slip sheets 121b-1 of the second gripping member 121b. According to this configuration, the flat surface 121b-2 with the anti-slip sheet 121b-1 used to grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 in the second gripping member 121b can be changed as appropriate depending on the degree of wear of the anti-slip sheet 121b-1 while untwisting.

[0044] This concludes the description of the first embodiment, and next we will describe the second embodiment. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration for holding the multi-core twisted wire W11. However, the outline of the device and the twist straightening method performed by the device are the same as those of the first embodiment. Below, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, and a description of the equivalent outline of the device and twist straightening method will be omitted.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a twist straightening device according to a second embodiment, showing the gripping configuration of a multi-core twisted wire, which is a difference from the first embodiment. In Fig. 7, components equivalent to those of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 are assigned the same reference numerals as in Figs. 1 to 6, and redundant explanations of these equivalent components will be omitted below. Note that Fig. 7 shows the twist straightening device 2 in a state where the receiving direction D12 of the multi-core cable W1 is opposite to that in Figs. 1 and 2, etc. That is, Fig. 7 shows the wire holding unit 11 having a pair of chuck members 111 and a wire guide plate 112 on the left side of the figure, and the pair of gripping members 221 of the untwisting mechanism 22 on the right side.

[0046] In the twist straightening device 2 of this embodiment, the lower side of the pair of gripping members 221 is a second gripping member 121b having multiple rows (two rows) of flat surfaces 121b-2 to which anti-slip sheets 121b-1 are attached, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the upper first gripping member 221a is a roller member rotatable about a rotation axis X21 perpendicular to the untwisting direction D16 and having an annular anti-slip sheet 221a-1 attached to its circumferential surface 221a-2. The pair of gripping members 221 grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 between the circumferential surface 221a-2 with the annular anti-slip sheet 221a-1 of the roller member serving as the first gripping member 221 and the flat surface 121b-2 with the anti-slip sheet 121b-1 of the second gripping member 121b. Then, during the reciprocating position shifting operation in untwisting, i.e., when the first gripping member 221 moves back and forth in the untwisting direction D16, the roller member serving as the first gripping member 221 rolls on the flat surface 121b-2 while rotating in the rotation direction D21 around the rotation axis X21.

[0047] It goes without saying that, in the second embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, untwisting can be performed while suppressing the load on the exposed base side of the multi-core twisted wire W11.

[0048] In this embodiment, the upper first gripping member 221a is a roller member with an annular anti-slip sheet 221a-1 attached to its peripheral surface 221a-2, and rolls on the lower second gripping member 121 during reciprocating positional shifting. With this configuration, contact between the roller members, first gripping member 221a, and second gripping member 121b, is achieved by rolling contact of the annular anti-slip sheet 221a-1 of first gripping member 221a against the anti-slip sheet 121b-1 of second gripping member 121b. This rolling contact reduces friction between the two, thereby reducing wear on each anti-slip sheet.

[0049] The first and second embodiments described above merely show typical forms of the twist straightening device and twist straightening method. The twist straightening device and twist straightening method are not limited to these and can be implemented in various modifications.

[0050] For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, twist straightening devices 1 and 2 are illustrated as an example of a twist straightening device, in which a pair of gripping members 121 and 221 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction D11. In these twist straightening devices 1 and 2, the multi-core twisted wire W11 is gripped in a twist gripping direction D15 along the vertical direction D11. However, the twist straightening device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a device in which the pair of gripping members are arranged horizontally and grip the multi-core twisted wire in the twist gripping direction along that direction. The direction in which the pair of gripping members are arranged when the twist straightening device is installed can be arbitrarily set depending on the location of use, etc.

[0051] In the first and second embodiments described above, twist straightening devices 1 and 2 are exemplified as examples of twist straightening devices for a multi-core cable W1 in which a multi-core twisted wire W11 formed by twisting two electric wires together is covered with an outermost covering W12. However, the twist straightening device is not limited to this, and the twisted wire to be straightened may be a simple twisted wire that is not covered. Furthermore, the specific number of electric wires that make up the twisted wire is not important.

[0052] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, as an example of an untwisting mechanism, the untwisting mechanisms 12 and 22 are provided with a first actuator 122, a second actuator 123, and a third actuator 124, each of which is controlled by the control unit 13. In this example, the first actuator 122 drives only the first gripping members 121a and 221a, the second actuator 123 drives only the second gripping member 121b, and the third actuator 124 drives the pair of gripping members 121 together. However, the untwisting mechanism is not limited to this, and its specific drive configuration and control mode are not limited thereto. However, as described above, a drive configuration and control mode in which the first to third actuators 124 are individually controlled by the control unit 13 can cause the pair of gripping members 121 to effectively perform the movements in each direction for untwisting.

[0053] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, as an example of an untwisting mechanism, the untwisting mechanisms 12 and 22 are exemplified, in which only the first gripping member 121a, 221a is moved in the twist gripping direction D15 to grip the multi-core twisted wire W11. In these untwisting mechanisms 12 and 22, only the second gripping member 121b is moved in the untwisting direction D16 to perform a reciprocating position shifting operation. However, the untwisting mechanism is not limited to this, and the gripping member moved in the twist gripping direction and the gripping member moved in the untwisting direction may be the same member in a pair of gripping members. However, as described above, by dividing the gripping member moved in the twist gripping direction D15 and the gripping member moved in the untwisting direction D16 into the first gripping member 121a and the second gripping member 121b, the assembly costs and maintenance costs of the device can be reduced.

[0054] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example of a control unit is the control unit 13 that controls the operation so that the first dislocation operation is an operation in which the second gripping member 121b is moved in a movement direction corresponding to the twist direction D18 of the multi-core twisted wire W11. However, the control unit is not limited to this, and the movement direction of the gripping member in the first dislocation operation may be a direction unrelated to the twist direction, for example. However, as described above, by controlling the gripping member to be moved in a movement direction corresponding to the twist direction D18 in the first dislocation operation, the multi-core twisted wire W11 can be made to unravel more easily.

[0055] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, an example of a control unit is the control unit 13 that controls the operation of sliding the pair of gripping members 121, 221 to apply tension to the multi-core twisted wire W11 prior to untwisting. However, the control unit is not limited to this, and may be one that controls the untwisting of the multi-core twisted wire without applying such tension. However, as described above, applying tension prior to untwisting can make the multi-core twisted wire W11 easier to untwist.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, as an example of a pair of gripping members, a pair of gripping members 121 that grip the multi-core twisted wire W11 between a pair of flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 facing each other via anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1 is exemplified. However, the pair of gripping members is not limited to this, and may be gripping members that grip with a flat surface and a curved surface, as exemplified in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the gripping surfaces are not limited to those with anti-slip sheets attached, and may be gripping surfaces that are made of a pure material. Furthermore, even when anti-slip is provided, it is not limited to the attachment of a sheet material such as a urethane sheet, and may be the application of a resin material with an anti-slip effect, for example. However, as mentioned above, by gripping the flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 to which the anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1 are attached, it is possible to effectively move each wire and untwist the multi-core twisted wire W11 so that it separates.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, as an example of a pair of gripping members, a pair of gripping members 121 in which the gripping width L11 of the pair of flat surfaces 121a-2, 121b-2 is equal to or less than the twist pitch P11 is exemplified. Furthermore, in this pair of gripping members 121, the sheet width L12 of the anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1 corresponds to the gripping width L11. However, the pair of gripping members is not limited to this, and the gripping width and the sheet width of the anti-slip sheets can each be set to any width. However, as described above, by setting the gripping width L11 and the sheet width L12 to be equal to or less than the twist pitch P11, the multi-core twisted wire W11 can be effectively unraveled.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described first and second embodiments, as an example of a pair of gripping members, a pair of gripping members 121, 221 in which flat surfaces 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121b-1 are arranged in multiple rows (two rows) on the second gripping member 121a is exemplified. However, the pair of gripping members is not limited to this, and the second gripping member may also be provided with only one row of flat surfaces with anti-slip sheets. However, as described above, by providing multiple rows (two rows) of flat surfaces 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121b-1, the gripping portion can be changed appropriately depending on the degree of wear of the anti-slip sheet 121b-1.

[0059] In the second embodiment described above, an example of a pair of gripping members is illustrated in which the first gripping member 221a is a roller member with an annular anti-slip sheet 221a-1 and rolls on the second gripping member 121 during reciprocating positional shifting. However, the pair of gripping members is not limited to this. As exemplified in the first embodiment, the pair of gripping members 121 may have flat surfaces 121b-2, 121b-2 with anti-slip sheets 121a-1, 121b-1. The pair of gripping members may have any shape or with any anti-slip sheet, as long as they are a pair of members capable of gripping a multi-core twisted wire. However, as described above, by using the first gripping member 221a as a roller member and rolling it on the second gripping member 121, wear on each anti-slip sheet can be reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1,2 Twist straightener 11 Wire holding part 12 Untwisting mechanism 13 Control Unit 111 Chuck member 112 Wire guide plate 112a Receiving groove 121,221 Gripping member 121a, 221a First gripping member 121a-1, 121b-1 Anti-slip sheet 121a-2,121b-2 flat surface 121b second gripping member 122 First Actuator 123 Second Actuator 124 Third Actuator 125 frames 221a-1 Circular anti-slip sheet 221a-2 Peripheral surface D11 Vertical direction D12 Receiving direction D13 Wire chuck direction D14 Extension direction D15 Twist gripping direction D16 Untwisting direction D17 Chuck direction D18 Twist Direction D19 1st diagonal direction D20 Second diagonal direction D21 Rotation direction D151 Ascending direction D161 First untwisting direction D162 Second untwist direction L11 Grip width L12 seat width M1 Carrying Clip P11 twist pitch W1 multi-core cable W11 multi-core twisted wire W12 outermost coating W121 Exposed end X21 Rotation Axis

Claims

1. a wire holding portion that holds the twisted wire at a position further away from the tip than the root of the untwisted wire, which is a predetermined distance away from the tip on one end side; an untwisting mechanism having a pair of gripping members that grip the twisted wire held by the wire holding portion between the root and the tip, the pair of gripping members gripping the twisted wire in a twist gripping direction that intersects with the extension direction of the twisted wire, and untwisting the twisted wire by sliding the pair of gripping members together from the root side to the tip side while causing the pair of gripping members to perform a relative reciprocating positional shifting motion in an untwisting direction that intersects with both the extension direction and the twist gripping direction; a control unit that controls the operation of the untwisting mechanism, and that controls the operation so that when the pair of gripping members are located on the root side, the gripping force in the twist gripping direction and the operating force and amount of positional displacement in the reciprocating positional displacement operation are smaller than when the pair of gripping members are located on the tip side; A twist wire straightening device comprising:

2. The untwisting mechanism includes, in addition to the pair of gripping members, a first actuator that drives at least one of the pair of gripping members in the twist gripping direction and is capable of changing the driving force of the first actuator; a second actuator that drives at least one of the pair of gripping members in the untwisting direction and is capable of changing the driving force and driving amount; a third actuator that drives both of the pair of gripping members together in the forward and backward directions of the extension direction, 2. The twist wire straightening device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator as the operation control.

3. The twist wire straightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pair of gripping members grip the twisted wire by moving only the first gripping member of the pair of gripping members toward the second gripping member in the twist gripping direction, and perform the reciprocating position shifting operation by moving only the second gripping member in the untwisting direction.

4. The twisted wire straightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation so that the initial position shifting operation performed on the base side during the reciprocating position shifting operation is an operation in which at least one of the pair of gripping members is moved in a movement direction corresponding to the twist direction of the twisted wire.

5. The twisted wire straightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the operation so that tension is applied to the twisted wire in the extension direction by sliding the pair of gripping members together a predetermined distance toward the tip side prior to untwisting the twisted wire.

6. 2. The twist wire straightening device according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of gripping members has a flat surface facing the other and having an anti-slip sheet attached thereto, and the twist wire is gripped between the pair of flat surfaces via the anti-slip sheet.

7. a gripping width of the twisted wire by the pair of flat surfaces in the extension direction is equal to or less than a twist pitch of the twisted wire, 7. The twist wire straightening device according to claim 6, wherein the anti-slip sheet on at least one of the flat surfaces is attached in a strip shape in the untwisting direction with a sheet width corresponding to the gripping width.

8. The pair of gripping members are such that the first gripping member has the flat surface with the anti-slip sheet provided in only one row so as to extend in a band-like manner in the untwisting direction, and the second gripping member has the flat surface with the anti-slip sheet provided in a plurality of rows so as to extend in a band-like manner in the untwisting direction and to be arranged in the extending direction, The twisted wire straightening device according to claim 6, characterized in that, during the untwisting, the twisted wire is gripped by the flat surface with the anti-slip sheet of the first gripping member and one flat surface with the anti-slip sheet selected from a plurality of rows of flat surfaces with the anti-slip sheets of the second gripping member.

9. The first gripping member of the pair of gripping members is a roller member that is rotatable around a rotation axis perpendicular to the untwisting direction and has an annular anti-slip sheet affixed to its peripheral surface, and the second gripping member is a member that has a flat surface to which an anti-slip sheet is affixed, The twist wire straightening device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pair of gripping members grip the twist wire with the peripheral surface with the annular anti-slip sheet of the roller member as the first gripping member and the flat surface with the anti-slip sheet of the second gripping member, and during the reciprocating position shifting operation, the roller member rolls on the flat surface while rotating around the rotation axis.

10. a wire holding step of holding the twisted wire at a position further away from the tip than the root of the untwisted wire, which is a predetermined distance away from the tip on one end side; an untwisting step in which the twisted wire held in the electric wire holding step is held by a pair of gripping members in a twist gripping direction that intersects with the extending direction of the twisted wire, and the pair of gripping members are caused to perform a relative reciprocating position shifting motion in an untwisting direction that intersects with both the extending direction and the twist gripping direction, while the pair of gripping members are slid together from the base side to the tip side, thereby untwisting the twisted wire, wherein when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the base side, the gripping force in the twist gripping direction and the operating force and amount of position shift in the reciprocating position shifting motion are smaller than when the pair of gripping members are positioned on the tip side; A twist wire straightening method comprising the steps of:

Images