Electric wire processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide an electric wire processing device capable of both accurately holding a terminal and maintaining the original function of the terminal.SOLUTION: An electric wire processing device 1 for attaching a housing 80 to a terminal 70 attached to an electric wire 50 includes a first support part 24 defining a holding hole 28 of a size capable of inserting a base end part 71 of the terminal 70, and a second support part 23 defining a regulation hole 27 of a size capable of inserting a tip part 72 of the terminal 70. The holding hole 28 has such a size that its hole edge abuts on the base end part 71 and the base end part 71 is held at a predetermined position, and the regulating hole 27 has such a size that displacement of the tip part 72 is allowed only in the hole when the base end part 71 is held at the predetermined position. In a state where the base end portion 71 is inserted into the holding hole 28 and the front end portion 72 is inserted into the regulating hole 27, the terminal of the front end portion 72 of the terminal 70 is inserted into the hole of the housing 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire processing device for attaching a housing to a terminal attached to an electric wire. [Background technology]

[0002] Various processing devices have been proposed for use in inserting a terminal of a terminal-attached electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber provided in a housing. For example, one of the conventional processing devices grips the electric wire of the terminal-attached electric wire with a gripping tool (a so-called chuck), and then moves the housing close to the gripped electric wire with the terminal, thereby accommodating the terminal in the terminal accommodating chamber of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3981024 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] From the viewpoint of accurately guiding the terminal into the terminal receiving chamber of the housing, it is considered desirable to directly grip the terminal with a gripping tool (chuck) as described above. However, when the terminal is directly gripped with a gripping tool, the terminal itself may be deformed, and the original function of the terminal (e.g., the electrical connection between the terminal and the mating terminal) may be impaired. In other words, when accommodating the terminal in the housing using a processing device, it has been difficult to simultaneously hold the terminal with a gripping tool or the like with high accuracy and maintain the original function of the terminal.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire processing apparatus that can hold a terminal with high precision while maintaining the original function of the terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the electric wire processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following features.

[0007] An electric wire processing device for attaching a housing to a terminal attached to an electric wire, a first support portion defining a holding hole large enough to allow the base end portion of the terminal to be inserted therethrough; a second support portion defining a restriction hole large enough to allow the tip end of the terminal to be inserted therethrough; a mounting portion for disposing the housing at a predetermined mounting position, The retaining hole is The retaining hole has a size such that a hole edge of the retaining hole abuts against the base end portion to hold the base end portion in a predetermined position, The restriction hole is the restriction hole has a size that allows displacement of the tip end portion only within the hole when the base end portion is held at the predetermined position, The first support portion is The device is configured to have a pair of holding portions, and to define the holding hole between the pair of holding portions by bringing the pair of holding portions closer to each other, and to not define the holding hole by moving the pair of holding portions away from each other, The second support portion is The device is configured to have a pair of restricting portions, and to define the restricting hole between the pair of restricting portions by bringing the pair of restricting portions closer to each other, and not to define the restricting hole by moving the pair of restricting portions away from each other, The mounting portion is a terminal of the tip portion is inserted into the accommodation chamber of the housing in a state where the base end portion is inserted into the holding hole of the first support portion and the tip portion is inserted into the restriction hole of the second support portion, and then the tip portion and the base end portion are inserted into the accommodation chamber of the housing in a state where the first support portion does not define the holding hole and the second support portion does not define the restriction hole. It is a wire processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the electric wire processing device of the present invention, when a housing is attached to a terminal, the base end of the terminal is inserted into the retaining hole of the first support part, and the tip end of the terminal is inserted into the restricting hole of the second support part. In the retaining hole, the edge of the retaining hole abuts against the base end of the terminal, holding the base end in a predetermined position, while in the restricting hole, displacement of the tip end is permitted only within the restricting hole. The base end of the terminal is generally the portion where a crimping piece or the like of the terminal is crimped onto the conductor core of the electric wire. Therefore, even if the edge of the retaining hole comes into contact with the base end, the function of the terminal is not impaired. Therefore, the base end of the terminal is held in a predetermined position by the retaining hole. In contrast, the tip end of the terminal is generally the portion where a connection portion with a mating terminal is provided. Therefore, by providing a gap between the edge of the restricting hole and the tip end to the extent that displacement of the tip end is permitted within the restricting hole, unintended deformation of the tip end is suppressed. The retaining hole holds the base end of the terminal in a predetermined position, so that even if the tip end of the terminal is displaced slightly within the restricting hole, the terminal can be properly inserted into the housing hole. Therefore, the wire processing device of the present invention can hold the terminal with precision while maintaining the terminal's original function.

[0009] The present invention has been briefly described above. The details of the present invention will become clearer by reading the detailed description of the invention below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1(a) to 1(h) are diagrams for sequentially explaining the steps of manufacturing an electric wire with a terminal using an electric wire to be processed by the electric wire processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire wire processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]4 is a front view showing the state in which the wire chuck holds the wire in the state shown in FIG. 1(f) in the wire processing device shown in FIG. 3, and a pair of chuck arms belonging to the terminal chuck are in the open position and are arranged spaced apart on both the left and right sides of the inner terminal crimped to the end portion of the wire. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pair of chuck arms belonging to the terminal chuck shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from above showing a state in which the pair of chuck arms are closing from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a pair of chuck arms in a closed position. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a top view showing the pair of chuck arms in a closed position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7 (however, the electric wires, inner terminals and inner housing are shown as viewed from above). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the base end portion of the inner terminal is held by the holding hole defined by the pair of terminal guides when the pair of chuck arms are in the closed position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing how the position of the tip of the inner terminal is restricted by the restricting hole defined by the pair of terminal guides when the pair of chuck arms are in the closed position. [Figure 12] 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, showing a state in which the end of the tip of the inner terminal has been inserted into the hole of the inner housing, following the state shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, showing a state in which the pair of chuck arms are opened from the state shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 9, showing a state in which the tip end and base end of the inner terminal have been inserted into the hole of the inner housing, following the state shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an electric wire processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an electric wire with terminal 100 using an electric wire 50 to be processed by the electric wire processing device 1. The electric wire with terminal 100 shown in Fig. 1(h) is manufactured by sequentially carrying out the manufacturing steps shown in Figs. 1(a) to 1(h).

[0012] To manufacture the electric wire with terminal 100, first, an electric wire 50 is prepared as shown in Fig. 1(a). As shown in Fig. 2, the electric wire 50 is a so-called coaxial electric wire, which is composed of a rod-shaped conductor core wire 51, a cylindrical internal insulator 52 covering the outer periphery of the conductor core wire 51, a cylindrical aluminum foil 53 covering the outer periphery of the internal insulator 52, a cylindrical braided conductor 54 covering the outer periphery of the aluminum foil 53, and a cylindrical insulating sheath 55 covering the outer periphery of the braided conductor 54. Note that in this example, an electric wire with terminal using a coaxial electric wire is used as the electric wire 50, but an electric wire with terminal using an electric wire other than a coaxial electric wire may also be processed by the electric wire processing apparatus 1 of the present invention.

[0013] Next, as shown in FIG. 1( b), a predetermined length of the sheath 55 is stripped from the end of the electric wire 50, thereby exposing the end of the braided conductor 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 1( c), a cylindrical metal sleeve 60 is crimped onto the proximal portion of the exposed braided conductor 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 1( d), the exposed braided conductor 54 located distal to the sleeve 60 is folded back toward the proximal end, toward the end of the sheath 55 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 60. Next, as shown in FIG. 1( e), the end of the aluminum foil 53 exposed by folding back the braided conductor 54 and the end of the inner insulator 52 located therein are stripped away, thereby exposing the end of the conductor core wire 51. Next, as shown in FIG. 1( f), a base end 71 of a thin, cylindrical metal inner terminal 70 is crimped onto the exposed conductor core wire 51 by crimping a crimping piece provided on the base end 71 to fix it to the exposed conductor core wire 51. Next, as shown in Fig. 1(g), a substantially cylindrical insulating inner housing 80 is attached to the inner terminal 70 so as to cover the base end 71 and the tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70. Then, as shown in Fig. 1(h), a substantially cylindrical metal outer terminal 90 is attached to the inner housing 80 so as to cover the folded-back braided conductor 54 and the inner housing 80, and a pair of crimping pieces 91, 92 provided on the base end side of the outer terminal 90 are crimped and fixed to the braided conductor 54 located on the outer periphery of the terminal portion of the sheath 55 and the braided conductor 54 located on the outer periphery of the sleeve 60, respectively. In this manner, the electric wire with terminal 100 shown in Fig. 1(h) is manufactured.

[0014] Each manufacturing step shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(h) is performed using a predetermined processing device. In particular, the manufacturing step shown in Figure 1(g) (i.e., the step of attaching an inner housing 80 to an inner terminal 70 provided at the end portion of the electric wire 50 in the state shown in Figure 1(f)) is performed using an electric wire processing device 1 described below. Note that, among the manufacturing steps shown in Figures 1(a) to 1(h), the manufacturing steps other than Figure 1(g) may be performed manually by an operator.

[0015] Hereinafter, the configuration of the electric wire processing device 1 will be described first with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14. The electric wire processing device 1 is a device for processing the end portion of an electric wire 50, and as shown in FIG. 9 and other figures, it functions to attach an inner housing 80 to an inner terminal 70 provided at the end portion of the electric wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1(f). The electric wire processing device 1 has a working axis L (see FIGS. 3 and 6) that coincides with the axis of the electric wire 50 held in a fixed position for work. For convenience of explanation, the following terms are defined as "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," "left-right direction," "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" as shown in FIG. 3 and other figures. The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are perpendicular to one another. The front-rear direction coincides with the axial direction of the working axis L and the "plate thickness direction" of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the wire processing device 1 mainly includes a wire chuck 10, a terminal chuck 20 arranged in front of the wire chuck 10, and a housing chuck (not shown) arranged in front of the terminal chuck 20.

[0017] The wire chuck 10 serves to hold the wire 50 in a straight line along the working axis L. As shown in Fig. 3, the metal wire chuck 10 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base block 11, a guide rail 12 that is integrally provided on the upper part of the base block 11 and extends in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right movable supports 13 that are supported by the guide rail 12 and are movable in the left-right direction relative to the guide rail 12. The pair of left and right movable supports 13 are arranged opposite each other so that they can move close to and apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0018] Each movable support 13 has a generally U-shaped configuration that opens upward when viewed in the left-right direction. A pair of left and right front chuck blocks 14 are integrally provided on the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces in the left-right direction) of the front upper ends of the pair of left and right movable supports 13, facing each other in the left-right direction. A pair of left and right rear chuck blocks 15 are integrally provided on the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces in the left-right direction) of the rear upper ends of the pair of left and right movable supports 13, facing each other in the left-right direction. A pair of left and right front wire accommodating grooves 16 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces in the left-right direction) of the pair of left and right front chuck blocks 14, facing each other in the left-right direction. A pair of left and right rear wire accommodating grooves 17 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces in the left-right direction) of the pair of left and right rear chuck blocks 15, facing each other in the left-right direction.

[0019] The wire chuck 10 includes a moving mechanism (not shown) that can selectively move the pair of left and right movable supports 13 (i.e., the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15 integral with the movable supports 13) between a close position (see FIGS. 3 and 6) where the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15 are close to each other in the left-right direction and a separated position where the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. When the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15 is moved from the separated position, where the electric wire 50 is disposed at a predetermined position between the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15, to the close position, the electric wire 50 is accommodated and held in the pair of left and right front and rear wire receiving grooves 16, 17. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the pair of left and right front and rear chuck blocks 14, 15 hold the electric wire 50 in a straight line along the working axis L with the inner terminal 70 provided at the end of the electric wire 50 protruding forward from the pair of left and right front chuck blocks 14.

[0020] The terminal chuck 20 serves to hold an inner terminal 70 provided at the end of an electric wire 50 along a working axis L. As shown in Fig. 3, the metal terminal chuck 20 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped base block 21 and a pair of left and right rod-shaped chuck arms 22 whose base ends are rotatably supported at both left and right corners of the upper part of the base block 21. The pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are supported by the base block 21 so as to be rotatable between a closed position shown in Fig. 3 and an open position shown in Fig. 4. The terminal chuck 20 includes a rotation mechanism (not shown) that can selectively move the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 to either the closed position or the open position.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, a pair of left and right terminal guides 23 are integrally provided on the front end surfaces of the extending ends of the pair of left and right chuck arms 22. Each terminal guide 23 is a flat metal plate oriented such that its thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction. When the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the closed position, a V-shaped notch 25 is formed on each of the opposing side end surfaces (inner side end surfaces in the left-right direction) of the pair of left and right terminal guides 23 that extend in the up-down direction. The pair of left and right terminal guides 23 are offset in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the terminal guides 23 (see FIG. 8 and other figures). Therefore, when the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the closed position, the pair of left and right terminal guides 23 overlap in the thickness direction (front-rear direction), and the notch 25 of one terminal guide 23 and the notch 25 of the other terminal guide 23 are positioned so as to face each other, thereby defining a restriction hole 27 (see FIG. 11). The tip end 72 (see FIG. 1(f)) of the inner terminal 70 is inserted into the restriction hole 27. The function of the restriction hole 27 will be described later. When the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the open position, the restriction hole 27 is not defined.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, a pair of left and right terminal guides 24 are integrally provided on the rear end surfaces of the extending ends of the pair of left and right chuck arms 22. Each terminal guide 24 is a flat metal plate oriented such that its thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction. When the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the closed position, a V-shaped notch 26 is formed in each of the opposing side end surfaces (inner side end surfaces in the left-right direction) of the pair of left and right terminal guides 24 that extend in the up-down direction. The pair of left and right terminal guides 24 are offset in the thickness direction (front-rear direction) by an amount equivalent to the thickness of the terminal guides 24 (see FIG. 8 and other figures). Therefore, when the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the closed position, the pair of left and right terminal guides 24 overlap in the thickness direction (front-rear direction), and the notch 26 of one terminal guide 24 and the notch 26 of the other terminal guide 24 are positioned so as to face each other, thereby defining a holding hole 28 (see FIG. 10). The base end portion 71 (see FIG. 1(f)) of the inner terminal 70 is inserted into the holding hole 28. The function of the holding hole 28 will be described later. When the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are in the open position, the holding hole 28 is not defined.

[0023] The housing chuck (not shown) serves to hold the inner housing 80 (see FIG. 1(g)), which will be attached to the inner terminal 70 provided at the end portion of the electric wire 50, along the working axis L. The structure for holding the inner housing 80 in the housing chuck is similar to that of the electric wire chuck 10, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The housing chuck has a movement mechanism for bringing the held inner housing 80 closer to the inner terminal 70 (moving it relatively backward). The configuration of the electric wire processing device 1 has been described above.

[0024] Next, the operation of the wire processing apparatus 1 when using the wire processing apparatus 1 to perform the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1(g) (i.e., the process of attaching an inner housing 80 to an inner terminal 70 provided at the end portion of the wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1(f)) will be described.

[0025] 1(g) using the electric wire processing apparatus 1, first, with the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 of the terminal chuck 20 held in the open position as shown in Fig. 4, the electric wire 50 in the state shown in Fig. 1(f) is held in a straight line along the working axis L by the electric wire chuck 10, and the inner housing 80 is held along the working axis L by the housing chuck. The inner terminal 70 provided at the end portion of the electric wire 50 protrudes forward from the pair of left and right front chuck blocks 14, and the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 in the open position are arranged spaced apart on both the left and right sides of the inner terminal 70 (see Fig. 6, etc.).

[0026] Next, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 6, the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are rotated by the rotation mechanism of the terminal chuck 20, and the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are moved from the open position to the closed position (see Figs. 7 to 9). As a result, the notches 26 of the pair of left and right terminal guides 24 face each other to define a holding hole 28, and the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is naturally guided and inserted into this holding hole 28 (see Fig. 10). At the same time, the notches 25 of the pair of left and right terminal guides 23 face each other to define a restriction hole 27, and the tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70 is naturally guided and inserted into this restriction hole 27 (see Fig. 11). As a result, the inner terminal 70 is held along the working axis L.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 10 , the retaining hole 28 has a size such that the edge of the retaining hole 28 (the groove surface of the notch 26) abuts against the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70, thereby holding the base end 71 in a predetermined position. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is held in a predetermined position by abutting four circumferential points of the base end 71 with the edge of the retaining hole 28. Furthermore, the abutment of the edge of the retaining hole 28 (the groove surface of the notch 26) against the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 can act to correct misalignment of the base end 71 in the circumferential direction (so-called rolling). As described above, the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is the portion where the crimping piece is crimped to the exposed conductor core 51 of the electric wire 50. Therefore, even if the edge of the retaining hole 28 comes into contact with the base end 71, the function of the inner terminal 70 is not impaired. Therefore, in this example, the base end portion 71 of the inner terminal 70 is held in a predetermined position by the holding hole 28 by bringing the base end portion 71 into contact with the edge of the holding hole 28 .

[0028] As shown in Fig. 11 , the restriction hole 27 has a size that allows displacement of the tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70 only within the restriction hole 27 when the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is held in a predetermined position by the holding hole 28. In the example shown in Fig. 11 , an annular gap exists between the tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70 and the hole edge of the restriction hole 27 (the groove surface of the notch 25). The tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70 functions as a connecting portion with a mating terminal. Therefore, by providing a gap between the hole edge of the restriction hole 27 and the tip end 72 to the extent that displacement of the tip end 72 within the hole of the restriction hole 27 is allowed, unintended deformation of the tip end 72 is suppressed. Furthermore, the size of the restriction hole 27 is large enough to allow displacement of the tip 72 of the inner terminal 70 within the hole of the restriction hole 27. Therefore, when the pair of left and right terminal guides 23 are brought close to each other to define the restriction hole 27, even if the tip 72 of the inner terminal 70 comes into contact with the groove surface of the notch 25, excessive deformation or the like does not occur in the tip 72.

[0029] 12 , the moving mechanism of the housing chuck is operated to move the inner housing 80 held by the housing chuck closer to the inner terminal 70 (moving it relatively rearward), thereby inserting the end of the tip portion 72 of the inner terminal 70 into the hole of the inner housing 80. Here, because the retaining hole 28 holds the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 in a predetermined position, even if the tip portion 72 of the inner terminal 70 is displaced within the restriction hole 27, the tip portion 72 of the inner terminal 70 can be properly inserted into the hole of the inner housing 80.

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are rotated using the rotation mechanism of the terminal chuck 20, and the pair of left and right chuck arms 22 are moved from the closed position to the open position. As a result, neither the restriction hole 27 nor the holding hole 28 is defined. Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the movement mechanism of the housing chuck is operated to bring the inner housing 80 held by the housing chuck closer to the inner terminal 70 (moving it relatively rearward), thereby inserting the tip end 72 and the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 into the hole of the inner housing 80. This completes the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1(g) using the electric wire processing apparatus 1. After this manufacturing process, the electric wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1(g) is then subjected to the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1(h).

[0031] <Actions and Effects> As described above, according to the electric wire processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the inner housing 80 is attached to the inner terminal 70, the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is inserted into the holding hole 28 of the first support portion (terminal chuck 20), and the tip end 72 of the inner terminal 70 is inserted into the restriction hole 27 of the second support portion (terminal chuck 20). In the holding hole 28, the hole edge of the holding hole 28 abuts against the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70, thereby holding the base end 71 in a predetermined position. In the restriction hole 27, the displacement of the tip end 72 is permitted only within the hole of the restriction hole 27. In this example, the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is the portion where the crimping piece is crimped to the conductor core wire 51 of the electric wire 50. Therefore, even if the hole edge of the holding hole 28 comes into contact with the base end 71, the function of the inner terminal 70 is not impaired. Therefore, the base end 71 of the inner terminal 70 is held in a predetermined position by the holding hole 28. In contrast, in this example, the tip portion 72 of the inner terminal 70 functions as a connecting portion with a mating terminal. Therefore, by providing a gap between the edge of the restriction hole 27 and the tip portion 72 to the extent that displacement of the tip portion 72 within the restriction hole 27 is permitted, unintended deformation of the tip portion 72 is suppressed. However, because the retaining hole 28 holds the base end portion 71 of the inner terminal 70 in a predetermined position, even if the tip portion 72 is displaced within the restriction hole 27, the inner terminal 70 can be properly inserted into the hole of the inner housing 80. As a result, the wire processing device 1 according to this embodiment can properly attach the cylindrical inner housing 80 to the rod-shaped inner terminal 70 attached to the electric wire 50.

[0032] <Other aspects> It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0033] Here, the features of the embodiment of the electric wire processing device 1 according to the present invention described above will be briefly summarized and listed below in [1] to [3].

[0034] [1] An electric wire processing device (1) for attaching a housing (80) to a terminal (70) attached to an electric wire (50), a first support portion (24) defining a holding hole (28) large enough to allow the base end portion (71) of the terminal (70) to be inserted therethrough; a second support portion (23) defining a restriction hole (27) large enough to allow the tip portion (72) of the terminal (70) to be inserted therethrough; a mounting portion for disposing the housing (80) at a predetermined mounting position; The retaining hole (28) is The retaining hole (28) has a size such that the edge of the retaining hole (28) abuts against the base end (71) to hold the base end (71) in a predetermined position, The restriction hole (27) is The restriction hole (27) has a size that allows the distal end (72) to move only within the restriction hole (27) when the proximal end (71) is held at the predetermined position, The first support portion (24) is The device is configured to have a pair of holding portions (24), and to define the holding hole (28) between the pair of holding portions (24) by bringing the pair of holding portions (24) closer to each other, and not to define the holding hole (28) by moving the pair of holding portions (24) away from each other, The second support portion (23) is The valve is configured to have a pair of restricting portions (23), and to define the restricting hole (27) between the pair of restricting portions (23) by bringing the pair of restricting portions (23) close to each other, and not to define the restricting hole (27) by moving the pair of restricting portions (23) away from each other, The mounting portion is The device is configured such that, with the base end (71) inserted into the retaining hole (28) of the first support portion (24) and the tip end (72) inserted into the restricting hole (27) of the second support portion (23), an end of the tip end (72) is inserted into the accommodating chamber of the housing (80), and then, with the first support portion (24) not defining the retaining hole (28) and the second support portion (23) not defining the restricting hole (27), the tip end (72) and the base end (71) are inserted into the accommodating chamber of the housing (80). Electric wire processing equipment (1).

[0035] According to the electric wire processing device having the configuration [1] above, when attaching a housing to a terminal, the base end of the terminal is inserted into the retaining hole of the first support part, and the tip end of the terminal is inserted into the restricting hole of the second support part. In the retaining hole, the edge of the retaining hole abuts against the base end of the terminal, holding the base end in a predetermined position, while in the restricting hole, displacement of the tip end is permitted only within the restricting hole. The base end of the terminal is generally the portion where the crimping piece or the like of the terminal is crimped onto the conductor core of the electric wire. Therefore, even if the edge of the retaining hole comes into contact with the base end, the function of the terminal is not impaired. Therefore, the base end of the terminal is held in a predetermined position by the retaining hole. In contrast, the tip end of the terminal is generally the portion where the connection portion with the mating terminal is provided. Therefore, by providing a gap between the edge of the restricting hole and the tip end to the extent that displacement of the tip end is permitted within the restricting hole, unintended deformation of the tip end is suppressed. The retaining hole holds the base end of the terminal in a predetermined position, so that even if the tip end of the terminal is displaced slightly within the restricting hole, the terminal can be properly inserted into the housing hole. Therefore, the wire processing device of the present invention can hold the terminal with precision while maintaining the terminal's original function.

[0036] [2] In the wire processing device (1) described in [1] above, Each of the pair of holding portions (24) is a plate-like body having a V-shaped notch (26), The first support portion (24) is The pair of holding portions (24) overlap in the plate thickness direction, and the notch (26) of one holding portion (24) and the notch (26) of the other holding portion (24) are arranged to face each other, thereby defining the holding hole (28). Electric wire processing equipment (1).

[0037] According to the wire processing device having the configuration [2] above, the first support portion defines the holding hole by arranging the V-shaped notches of the pair of holding portions so that they face each other. As a result, when the pair of holding portions are brought close to each other to define the holding hole, the base end of the terminal comes into contact with the groove surface of the notch, so that the base end can be naturally guided (i.e., guided) into a predetermined position. Furthermore, any misalignment around the axis of the terminal (so-called rolling) can also be corrected during this process.

[0038] [3] In the wire processing device (1) described in [1] above, Each of the pair of restricting portions (23) is a plate-like body having a V-shaped notch (25), The second support portion (23) is The pair of restricting portions (23) overlap in the plate thickness direction, and the notch (25) of one restricting portion (23) and the notch (25) of the other restricting portion (23) are arranged to face each other, thereby defining the restricting hole (27). Electric wire processing equipment (1).

[0039] According to the electric wire processing device having the configuration [3] above, the second support portion defines the restriction hole by arranging the V-shaped notches of the pair of restriction portions so that they face each other. This allows the tip of the terminal to be naturally guided (i.e., guided) into a position within the restriction hole, as described above. Here, the size of the restriction hole is such that it allows for displacement of the tip of the terminal within the restriction hole. Therefore, even if the tip of the terminal comes into contact with the groove surface of the notch when the pair of restriction portions are brought close to each other to define the restriction hole, excessive deformation or the like will not occur at the tip. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Electric wire processing equipment 20 Terminal chuck 23 Terminal guide (second support part, restricting part) 24 Terminal guide (first support part, holding part) 25 Notch 26 Notch 27 Restriction hole 28 Retaining hole 50 Electric wire 70 Inner terminal (terminal) 71 Proximal end 72 Tip 80 Inner housing (housing)

Claims

1. An electric wire processing device for attaching a housing to a terminal attached to an electric wire, a first support portion defining a holding hole large enough to allow the base end portion of the terminal to be inserted therethrough; a second support portion defining a restriction hole having a size that allows the tip end of the terminal to be inserted therethrough; a mounting portion for disposing the housing at a predetermined mounting position, The retaining hole is The retaining hole has a size such that a hole edge of the retaining hole abuts against the base end portion to hold the base end portion in a predetermined position, The restriction hole is the restriction hole has a size that allows displacement of the tip end portion only within the hole when the base end portion is held at the predetermined position, The first support portion is The device is configured to have a pair of holding portions, and to define the holding hole between the pair of holding portions by bringing the pair of holding portions closer to each other, and to not define the holding hole by moving the pair of holding portions away from each other, The second support portion is The device is configured to have a pair of restricting portions, and to define the restricting hole between the pair of restricting portions by bringing the pair of restricting portions closer to each other, and not to define the restricting hole by moving the pair of restricting portions away from each other, The mounting portion is a terminal of the tip portion inserted into the accommodation chamber of the housing in a state where the base end portion is inserted into the retaining hole of the first support portion and the tip portion is inserted into the restricting hole of the second support portion, and then the tip portion and the base end portion are inserted into the accommodation chamber of the housing in a state where the first support portion does not define the retaining hole and the second support portion does not define the restricting hole. Electric wire processing equipment.

2. The wire processing apparatus according to claim 1, each of the pair of holding portions is a plate-like body having a V-shaped notch; The first support portion is The pair of holding portions are overlapped in the plate thickness direction, and the notch of one holding portion and the notch of the other holding portion are arranged to face each other, thereby defining the holding hole. Electric wire processing equipment.

3. The wire processing apparatus according to claim 1, Each of the pair of restricting portions is a plate-like body having a V-shaped notch, The second support portion is The pair of regulating portions are overlapped in the plate thickness direction, and the notch of one regulating portion and the notch of the other regulating portion are arranged to face each other, thereby defining the regulating hole. Electric wire processing equipment.

Images