Pressure-assist jig and pressure-bonding method using the pressure-assist jig

Abstract

To provide an auxiliary crimping jig and a crimping method using the auxiliary crimping jig capable of improving work efficiency while suppressing defective crimping even when crimping the ends of two electric wires having different thicknesses.SOLUTION: An auxiliary crimping jig 1 includes a groove portion 10 into which a first wire 40 and a second wire 50 thicker than the first wire 40 can be inserted. The groove portion has a bottom 11, a pair of first side walls 13, 13, and a pair of second side walls 15, 15. The first side walls are erected from the bottom and face each other. The second side walls are erected from the first side walls and faces each other. In the width direction of the groove portion, the interval Db between the second side walls is larger than the interval Da between the first side walls. In the width direction of the groove portion, the center position Cb between the second side walls coincides with the center position Ca between the first side walls. Pressing position indicators 20a and 20b are formed on at least one top surface 15c of the second side wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1D

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a crimping auxiliary jig and a crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for crimping the ends of two electric wires facing in the same direction using a crimping terminal has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, with the ends of the two electric wires inserted inside the crimping terminal, the crimping terminal is crimped by a crimping device. As a result, the crimping terminal is pressed to crimp the ends of the two electric wires.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Generally, when crimping the ends of two short electric wires, an operator aligns these electric wires and performs the above-described crimping operation.

[0006] In particular, when the thicknesses of the two electric wires are different, the operator needs to align the tip positions of the core wires at the ends of the two electric wires while arranging the two electric wires in the vertical direction.

[0007] In this case, the operator performs the crimping operation while holding the two electric wires so as to maintain the state where the two electric wires are arranged in the vertical direction and the state where the tip positions of the core wires are aligned.

[0008] If the state where two electric wires are arranged side by side in the vertical direction is not maintained, or if the state where the tip positions of the core wires are aligned is not maintained, the core wires shift from each other at the end of the electric wire, resulting in the core wires being pulled in, and thus there is a possibility of poor crimping.

[0009] Thus, when crimping the ends of two electric wires with different thicknesses, since the operator cannot easily perform the crimping operation, the work efficiency may decrease.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. The object of the present invention is to provide a crimping auxiliary jig and a crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig that can improve the work efficiency while suppressing the occurrence of poor crimping even when crimping the ends of two electric wires with different thicknesses.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The crimping auxiliary jig according to an aspect of the present invention is used when crimping the end of a first electric wire and the end of a second electric wire thicker than the first electric wire, and includes a groove portion into which the first electric wire and the second electric wire can be inserted. The groove portion has a bottom portion, a pair of first side wall portions erected from the bottom portion and facing each other, and a pair of second side wall portions erected from the pair of first side wall portions and facing each other. In the width direction of the groove portion, the interval between the pair of second side wall portions is larger than the interval between the pair of first side wall portions. In the width direction of the groove portion, the central position between the pair of second side wall portions coincides with the central position between the pair of first side wall portions. In the state where the first electric wire is inserted between the pair of first side wall portions and the second electric wire is inserted between the pair of second side wall portions, in the length direction of the groove portion, the ends of the first electric wire and the second electric wire are exposed from the groove portion. In the state where the electric wires are inserted, in the height direction of the groove portion, the top of the second electric wire is at a position equivalent to the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions or at a position higher than the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions. On at least one of the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions, a pressing position indicator is formed, and the pressing position indicator indicates the position where the operator presses a part of the second electric wire in the state where the electric wires are inserted.

[0012] In a crimping method using the above-described crimping assist jig according to another aspect of the present invention, the crimping assist jig is arranged so as to face the member to be abutted with a space therebetween, and a first core wire exposed from a first covering portion of the first electric wire at an end portion of the first electric wire is abutted against the member to be abutted, and the first electric wire is inserted between the pair of first side wall portions of the crimping assist jig. A second core wire exposed from a second covering portion of the second electric wire at an end portion of the second electric wire is abutted against the member to be abutted, and the second electric wire is inserted between the pair of second side wall portions of the crimping assist jig. While pressing the top portion of the second electric wire, the end portion of the first electric wire and the end portion of the second electric wire are inserted into the inside of a crimping terminal, and the crimping terminal is crimped, so that a first crimping piece of the crimping terminal is crimped to the first covering portion and the second covering portion, and a second crimping piece of the crimping terminal is crimped to the first core wire and the second core wire, thereby crimping the end portion of the first electric wire and the end portion of the second electric wire.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even when crimping the ends of two electric wires having different thicknesses, it is possible to provide a crimping assist jig capable of suppressing the occurrence of poor crimping and improving the working efficiency, and a crimping method using the crimping assist jig.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1A

Figure 1B

Figure 1C

Figure 1D

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 2D

Figure 3A

Figure 3B

Figure 4A

Figure 4B

Figure 4C

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

Figure 5D

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Figure 10

Figure 11A

Figure 11B

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14A

Figure 14B

Figure 15

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the crimping auxiliary jig and the crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios.

[0016] [Configuration of the Crimping Auxiliary Jig] First, the configuration of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. As will be described later, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is a jig used by an operator when crimping the ends 41a, 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the ends 51a, 51b of the second electric wire 50 thicker than the first electric wire 40 respectively (double crimping) (see FIG. 12). Note that the crimping auxiliary jig 1 may be used when crimping only the end 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end 51a of the second electric wire 50, or when crimping only the end 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end 51b of the second electric wire 50.

[0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the crimping assist jig 1. FIG. 1B is a plan view of the crimping assist jig 1. FIG. 1C is a side view of the crimping assist jig 1. FIG. 1D is a front view of the crimping assist jig 1. Note that FIG. 1D is a front view of the crimping assist jig 1 as seen from the arrow ID shown in FIG. 1C. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the crimping assist jig 1 includes a groove portion 10 and pressing position indicators 20a, 20a, 20b, 20b.

[0018] The X direction shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D corresponds to the direction (length direction) in which the groove portion 10 extends. The Y direction shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D corresponds to the width direction of the groove portion 10 and is orthogonal to the X direction. The Z direction shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D corresponds to the height direction of the groove portion 10 and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.

[0019] The groove portion 10 is formed in a straight line. As will be described later, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 can be inserted into the groove portion 10 (see FIGS. 4C and 5C).

[0020] As an example of the size of the groove portion 10, when the nominal cross-sectional area of the first electric wire 40 is 5 mm 2 and the nominal cross-sectional area of the second electric wire 50 is 8 mm 2 and the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are 366 mm, the length L, width W, and height H of the groove portion 10 take the following values. The length L of the groove portion 10 is 286 mm, the width W of the groove portion 10 is 15.6 mm, and the height H of the groove portion 10 is 18 mm.

[0021] The above-mentioned nominal cross-sectional area is an index representing the thickness of the conductor of the electric wire and is expressed as an integer value or a decimal value close to the cross-sectional area of the conductor. An electric wire with a nominal cross-sectional area of 5 mm 2 is also called 5 square (SQ). An electric wire with a nominal cross-sectional area of 8 mm 2 is also called 8 square (SQ).

[0022] Note that the length L, width W, and height H of the groove portion 10 are not limited to the above-described values. The length L of the groove portion 10 is determined according to the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50. The width W and height H of the groove portion 10 are determined according to the nominal cross-sectional areas of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50. The width W and height H of the groove portion 10 may be determined according to the diameters of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50.

[0023] The groove portion 10 includes a bottom portion 11, a pair of first side wall portions 13, 13, and a pair of second side wall portions 15, 15. The bottom portion 11 is arranged along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and forms the lower part of the groove portion 10. The bottom portion 11 includes a main body portion 11a and protruding portions 11b, 11c (see FIGS. 1A, 1C, and 1D).

[0024] The main body portion 11a is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and is arranged along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10. The protruding portions 11b, 11c are formed in a flat plate shape thinner than the main body portion 11a and are arranged along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10. The protruding portions 11b, 11c protrude from both upper ends of the main body portion 11a in opposite directions along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10. With such a configuration, L-shaped notches exist at both ends of the bottom portion 11 in a side view.

[0025] The main body portion 11a has end faces 11a1, 11a2 facing the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10. The protruding portion 11b has an end face 11b1 facing the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and a lower end face 11b2 facing the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10. The protruding portion 11c has an end face 11c1 facing the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and a lower end face 11c2 facing the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10.

[0026] A through hole 11b3 into which a fixing pin 37 of the positioning jig 3 described later can be inserted is formed in the central portion of the protruding portion 11b. Similarly, a through hole 11c3 into which the fixing pin 37 of the positioning jig 3 can be inserted is formed in the central portion of the protruding portion 11c.

[0027] In the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the length of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the length L of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1A). In the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the length of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the sum of the length of the main body portion 11a, the length of the protruding portion 11b, and the length of the protruding portion 11c. Note that the length of the main body portion 11a is larger than the lengths of the protruding portion 11b and the protruding portion 11c. The length of the protruding portion 11b is equal to the length of the protruding portion 11c.

[0028] For example, as described above, when the length L of the groove portion 10 is 286 mm, the length of the bottom portion 11 is 286 mm, the length of the main body portion 11a is 262 mm, the length of the protruding portion 11b is 12 mm, and the length of the protruding portion 11c is 12 mm. Note that the lengths of the bottom portion 11, the main body portion 11a, the protruding portion 11b, and the protruding portion 11c are not limited to the above values. The lengths of the bottom portion 11 and the main body portion 11a are determined according to the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50.

[0029] In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the width of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the width W of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1A). In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the width of the bottom portion 11 is equal to each of the width of the main body portion 11a, the width of the protruding portion 11b, and the width of the protruding portion 11c. The widths of the bottom portion 11, the main body portion 11a, the protruding portion 11b, and the protruding portion 11c are determined according to the nominal cross-sectional area or diameter of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50.

[0030] In the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the height of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the height of the main body portion 11a (see FIG. 1A). The height of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the sum of the height of the end face 11a1 of the main body portion 11a and the height of the protruding portion 11b (see FIG. 1C). Similarly, the height of the bottom portion 11 is equal to the sum of the height of the end face 11a2 of the main body portion 11a and the height of the protruding portion 11c.

[0031] For example, as described above, when the height H of the groove portion 10 is 18 mm, the height of the bottom portion 11 is 9 mm, and the height of the main body portion 11a is 9 mm. In this case, the height of the end face 11a1 of the main body portion 11a is 5 mm, and the height of the protruding portion 11b is 4 mm. Similarly, in this case, the height of the end face 11a2 of the main body portion 11a is 5 mm, and the height of the protruding portion 11c is 4 mm.

[0032] Note that the height of the bottom portion 11, the height of the main body portion 11a, the height of the protruding portion 11b, and the height of the protruding portion 11c are not limited to these values.

[0033] The first side wall portions 13, 13 are erected from the bottom portion 11 and face each other. Specifically, the first side wall portions 13, 13 are integrally provided vertically from the bottom portion 11 along the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10. The first side wall portions 13, 13 face each other with a space Da therebetween along the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1D). The space Da is approximately the same size as the diameter of the first electric wire 40.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1D, in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the first side wall portions 13, 13 are equidistant from the center position Ca of the space Da. Note that the center position Ca of the space Da coincides with the center position Wa of the width W of the groove portion 10.

[0035] The first side wall portions 13, 13 are arranged parallel to each other along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and form a part of the side portion of the groove portion 10. The first side wall portions 13, 13 have first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a that face each other (see FIG. 1D). The first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a are perpendicular to the bottom portion 11.

[0036] The first side wall portions 13, 13 have end faces 13b, 13b that face the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and are located on the side where the protruding portion 11b is arranged. The end faces 13b, 13b are formed along the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10 and are connected to the end face 11b1 of the protruding portion 11b.

[0037] In the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the length of each first side wall portion 13 is equal to the length L of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1A). In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the sum of the widths of the first side wall portions 13, 13 and the interval Da is equal to the width W of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1D). The widths of the first side wall portions 13, 13 are equal to each other. In the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the height Ha of each first side wall portion 13 is approximately the same size as the diameter of the first electric wire 40. The heights Ha of the first side wall portions 13, 13 are equal to each other.

[0038] For example, as described above, when the length of the groove portion 10 is 286 mm, the length of each first side wall portion 13 is 286 mm. For example, as described above, when the width of the groove portion 10 is 15.6 mm, the width of each first side wall portion 13 is 5.6 mm, and the interval Da is 4.4 mm. For example, as described above, when the height of the groove portion 10 is 18 mm, the height Ha of each first side wall portion 13 is 4.4 mm. Thus, the height Ha of each first side wall portion 13 is equal to the interval Da between the first side wall portions 13, 13.

[0039] Note that the length, width, and height of each first side wall portion 13 are not limited to the above-described values. The length of each first side wall portion 13 is determined according to the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50. The width and height of each first side wall portion 13 are determined according to the nominal cross-sectional area or diameter of the first electric wire 40.

[0040] The second side wall portions 15, 15 are erected from the first side wall portions 13, 13 respectively and face each other. Specifically, the second side wall portions 15, 15 are integrally provided perpendicularly from the first side wall portions 13, 13 along the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10. The second side wall portions 15, 15 face each other with an interval Db therebetween along the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1D). The interval Db is larger than the interval Da between the first side wall portions 13, 13. The interval Db is approximately the same size as the diameter of the second electric wire 50.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1D, in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the second side wall portions 15, 15 are equidistant from the center position Cb of the interval Db. Note that the center position Cb of the interval Db coincides with the center position Wa of the width W of the groove portion 10. Therefore, the center position Cb of the interval Db coincides with the center position Ca of the interval Da. That is, in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the center position between the second side wall portions 15, 15 coincides with the center position between the first side wall portions 13, 13.

[0042] The second side wall portions 15, 15 are arranged parallel to each other along the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and form the remaining portions of the sides of the groove portion 10. The second side wall portions 15, 15 have second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a facing each other (see FIG. 1D). The second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a are parallel to the first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a and perpendicular to the bottom portion 11.

[0043] The second side wall portions 15, 15 have end surfaces 15b, 15b facing the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 and located on the side where the protruding portion 11b is arranged. The end surfaces 15b, 15b are formed along the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10 and are connected to the end surfaces 13b, 13b of the first side wall portions 13, 13. The second side wall portions 15, 15 have top surfaces 15c, 15c facing the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10. The top surfaces 15c, 15c are flat surfaces and form the upper surface of the groove portion 10.

[0044] In the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the length of each second side wall portion 15 is equal to the length L of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1A). In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the sum of the widths of the second side wall portions 15, 15 and the interval Db is equal to the width W of the groove portion 10 (see FIG. 1D). The widths of the second side wall portions 15, 15 are equal to each other. In the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the height Hb of each second side wall portion 15 is equal to or smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50. Preferably, the height Hb of each second side wall portion 15 is smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50. For example, the height Hb of each second side wall portion 15 is larger than the radius of the second electric wire 50 and smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50. The heights Hb of the second side wall portions 15, 15 are equal to each other.

[0045] For example, as described above, when the length of the groove portion 10 is 286 mm, the length of each second side wall portion 15 is 286 mm. For example, as described above, when the width of the groove portion 10 is 15.6 mm, the width of each second side wall portion 15 is 4.975 mm, and the interval Db is 5.65 mm. For example, as described above, when the height of the groove portion 10 is 18 mm, the height Hb of each second side wall portion 15 is 4.6 mm. Thus, the height Hb of each second side wall portion 15 is smaller than the interval Db between the second side wall portions 15, 15.

[0046] Note that the length, width, and height of each second side wall portion 15 are not limited to the above-described values. The length of each second side wall portion 15 is determined according to the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50. The width and height of each second side wall portion 15 are determined according to the nominal cross-sectional area or diameter of the second electric wire 50 described later.

[0047] Chamfering may be performed on the tip corner portions 11a3, 11a3 (see FIG. 1D) at the lower end of the main body portion 11a of the bottom portion 11. Chamfering may be performed on the tip corner portions 15d, 15e (see FIG. 1D) at the upper end of each of the second side wall portions 15, 15.

[0048] The pressing position indicators 20a, 20a, 20b, 20b are formed on the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). Specifically, pressing position indicators 20a, 20b are formed on each top surface 15c. The pressing position indicator 20a is located on the side of each top surface 15c where the protruding portion 11b is disposed. The pressing position indicator 20b is located on the side of each top surface 15c where the protruding portion 11c is disposed. Note that the pressing position indicators 20a, 20b may be formed on only one of the top surfaces 15c, 15c.

[0049] The holding position indicators 20a and 20b are equidistant from the center Cp of each top surface 15c in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10. (See FIG. 1B). Specifically, in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the distance PC1 between the position P1 where the holding position indicator 20a is formed and the center Cp of the top surface 15c is equal to the distance PC2 between the position P2 where the holding position indicator 20b is formed and the center Cp of the top surface 15c.

[0050] For example, as described above, when the length L of the groove portion 10 is 286 mm, the holding position indicator 20a is 43 mm away from the center Cp of each top surface 15c in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, on the side where the protruding portion 11b is arranged. Similarly, the holding position indicator 20b is 43 mm away from the center Cp of each top surface 15c in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, on the side where the protruding portion 11c is arranged. Thus, the holding position indicators 20a and 20b are 86 mm apart across the center Cp of each top surface 15c in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10.

[0051] Note that the positions where the holding position indicators 20a and 20b are formed are not limited to the above-described values. The positions where the holding position indicators 20a and 20b are formed are determined according to the lengths of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50.

[0052] As each of the holding position indicators 20a and 20b, a line is engraved on each top surface 15c along the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion. Note that, as each of the holding position indicators 20a and 20b, instead of engraving a line on each top surface 15c, a recessed portion or an uneven surface may be formed on each top surface 15c.

[0053] [Configuration of the Position-Finding Fixture] Next, the configuration of the positioning jig 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. As will be described later, the positioning jig 3 is a jig used to expose the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 by a predetermined length (hereinafter referred to as the positioning length) in a state where the first electric wire 40 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 (see FIG. 4A). Similarly, the positioning jig 3 is a jig used to expose the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 by the positioning length in a state where the second electric wire 50 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 (see FIG. 5A). Note that the positioning length includes the lengths of the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 that are inserted into the crimping terminal 110 described later.

[0054] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the positioning jig 3. FIG. 2B is a plan view of the positioning jig 3. FIG. 2C is a side view of the positioning jig 3. FIG. 2D is a front view of the positioning jig 3. Note that FIG. 2D is a front view of the positioning jig 3 as viewed from the arrow IID shown in FIG. 2C. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the positioning jig 3 includes a base 31, a butting portion 33, a pair of restricting portions 35, 35, and a fixing pin 37.

[0055] The X direction shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D corresponds to the length direction of the base 31. The Y direction shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D corresponds to the width direction of the base 31 and is orthogonal to the X direction. The Z direction shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D corresponds to the height direction of the base 31 and is orthogonal to the X direction and the Y direction.

[0056] The base 31 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes end portions 31a and 31b in the length direction (X direction) of the base 31. The end portion 31b has an end face 31b1 facing the length direction (X direction) of the base 31 (see FIGS. 2C and 2D).

[0057] As an example of the size of the base 31, the nominal cross-sectional area of the first electric wire 40 is 5 mm 2 and the nominal cross-sectional area of the second electric wire 50 is 8 mm 2When the positioning length is 40 mm, the length, width, and height of the base 31 take the following values. The length of the base 31 is 62 mm, the width of the base 31 is 30 mm, and the height of the base 31 is 5 mm.

[0058] Note that the length, width, and height of the base 31 are not limited to the above values. The length of the base 31 only needs to be greater than the sum of the length of the protruding part 11b or 11c of the groove part 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1 and the positioning length. The width of the base 31 only needs to be greater than the width of the groove part 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1. The height of the base 31 only needs to be equal to the height of the end faces 11a1 and 11a2 of the main body part 11a of the groove part 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1.

[0059] The part 33 to be abutted is erected from the end 31a of the base 31. Specifically, the part 33 to be abutted is integrally and vertically provided from the end 31a of the base 31 along the height direction (Z direction) of the base 31. Note that the part 33 to be abutted is also referred to as the abutted member.

[0060] The part 33 to be abutted is arranged along the width direction of the base 31. The part 33 to be abutted has an end face 33a facing the restricting parts 35, 35 in the length direction (X direction) of the base 31 (see FIGS. 2C and 2D). The length direction, width direction, and height direction of the part 33 to be abutted respectively correspond to the length direction (X direction), width direction (Y direction), and height direction (Z direction) of the base 31.

[0061] For example, as described above, when the length of the base 31 is 62 mm, the length of the part 33 to be abutted is 10 mm. For example, as described above, when the width of the base 31 is 30 mm, the width of the part 33 to be abutted is 30 mm. For example, as described above, when the height of the base 31 is 5 mm, the height of the part 33 to be abutted is 25 mm.

[0062] Note that the length, width, and height of the abutted portion 33 are not limited to the above-described values. The width of the abutted portion 33 only needs to be larger than the width of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1. The height of the abutted portion 33 only needs to be larger than the sum of the height of the protruding portion 11b or 11c of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the height Ha of the first side wall portion 13, and the height Hb of the second side wall portion 15.

[0063] The restricting portions 35, 35 are erected from the end portion 31b of the base portion 31 and face each other. Specifically, the restricting portions 35, 35 are integrally provided perpendicularly from the end portion 31a of the base portion 31 along the height direction (Z direction) of the base portion 31. The restricting portions 35, 35 face each other with a space Ta therebetween along the width direction (Y direction) of the base portion 31 (see FIG. 2B). The space Ta is approximately the same size as the width W of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Note that the restricting portions 35, 35 are also referred to as restricting members.

[0064] The restricting portions 35, 35 are arranged parallel to each other along the length direction (X direction) of the base portion 31. The restricting portions 35, 35 have opposing surfaces 35a, 35a that face each other along the width direction (Y direction) of the base portion 31. The restricting portions 35, 35 have end surfaces 35b, 35b that face the end surface 33a of the abutted portion 33 with a space Tb therebetween in the length direction (X direction) of the base portion 31. The space Tb is set to be equal to the positioning length. That is, the space Tb between the abutted portion 33 and each restricting portion 35 in the length direction (X direction) of the base portion 31 is set to be equal to the positioning length. The restricting portions 35, 35 have top surfaces 35c, 35c that face the height direction (Z direction) of the base portion 31. (See FIGS. 2B and 2C).

[0065] The length direction, width direction, and height direction of each restricting portion 35 correspond to the length direction (X direction), width direction (Y direction), and height direction (Z direction) of the base portion 31, respectively.

[0066] For example, as described above, when the length of the base portion 31 is 62 mm, the length of each regulating portion 35 is 12 mm. For example, as described above, when the width of the base portion 31 is 30 mm, the width of each regulating portion 35 is 7.2 mm. For example, as described above, when the height of the base portion 31 is 5 mm, the height of each regulating portion 35 is 13 mm.

[0067] Note that the length, width, and height of each regulating portion 35 are not limited to the above-described values. The length of each regulating portion 35 may be equal to or greater than the length of the protruding portion 11b or 11c of the groove portion 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1. The height of each regulating portion 35 may be equal to the sum of the height of the protruding portion 11b or 11c of the groove portion 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1, the height Ha of the first side wall portion 13, and the height Hb of the second side wall portion 15.

[0068] The fixing pin 37 is erected from the central portion of the end portion 31b of the base portion 31 in the width direction (Y direction) of the base portion 31. Specifically, the fixing pin 37 is vertically provided from the central portion of the end portion 31b of the base portion 31 along the height direction (Z direction) of the base portion 31. Note that the central portion of the end portion 31b of the base portion 31 in the width direction (Y direction) coincides with the central position between the regulating portions 35, 35.

[0069] The height of the fixing pin 37 is equal to or less than the height of the protruding portion 11b or 11c of the groove portion 10 in the pressure-bonding auxiliary jig 1. As will be described later, in the jig-fixed state, the fixing pin 37 is inserted into the through hole 11b3 or 11c3 formed in the central portion of the protruding portion 11b or 11c.

[0070] Fitting holes 39, 39 are formed in the base portion 31 along the width direction (Y direction) of the base portion 31 at the central position between the portion to be abutted 33 and the regulating portion 35 in the length direction (X direction) of the base portion 31. A fitting portion (not shown) of a fixing member for fixing the positioning jig 3 can be inserted into each of the fitting holes 39, 39. By inserting the fitting portion of the fixing member into the fitting holes 39, 39, the positioning jig 3 is fixed to the fixing member.

[0071] [Example of Use of Pressure-Bonding Auxiliary Jig 1] Next, an example of using the crimping auxiliary jig 1 will be described. Specifically, in the crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the fixing of the jig, the insertion of the first electric wire 40, the insertion of the second electric wire 50, the holding of the electric wires, the crimping preparation, the crimping of one end, the crimping of the other end, and the confirmation of the crimping state will be described in order.

[0072] [Fixing of the jig] First, the fixing of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 will be described. The crimping auxiliary jig 1 is attached to the positioning jig 3 and fixed to the positioning jig 3. This state is called the jig fixed state. In addition, in the jig fixed state, the positioning jig 3 is fixed to a fixing member (not shown).

[0073] FIG. 3A is a plan view showing the jig fixed state. FIG. 3B is a side view showing the jig fixed state. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively correspond to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 1A to 1D and FIGS. 2A to 2D.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is inserted between the restricting portions 35, 35 of the positioning jig 3. At this time, the fixing pins 37 provided between the restricting portions 35, 35 are inserted into the through holes 11b3 of the protruding portion 11b of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Thereby, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is attached to the positioning jig 3 and fixed to the positioning jig 3. In addition, the rotation of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 around the fixing pin 37 is restricted by the opposing surfaces 35a, 35a of the restricting portions 35, 35.

[0075] In the jig fixed state, the end face 11a1 of the main body portion 11a of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 abuts against the end face 31b1 of the base portion 31 in the positioning jig 3 (see FIG. 3B). In the jig fixed state, the lower end face 11b2 of the protruding portion 11b of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 abuts against the upper surface of the base portion 31 in the positioning jig 3.

[0076] In the jig-fixed state, in the length direction (X direction) of the alignment jig 3, the end face 11b1 of the protruding portion 11b of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 aligns with the end faces 35b, 35b of the restricting portions 35, 35 in the alignment jig 3 (see Fig. 3A). In the jig-fixed state, in the length direction (X direction) of the alignment jig 3, the end faces 13b, 13b of the first side wall portions 13, 13 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 align with the end faces 35b, 35b of the restricting portions 35, 35 in the alignment jig 3. In the jig-fixed state, in the length direction (X direction) of the alignment jig 3, the end faces 15b, 15b of the second side wall portions 15, 15 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 align with the end faces 35b, 35b of the restricting portions 35, 35 in the alignment jig 3.

[0077] In the jig-fixed state, in the height direction (Z direction) of the alignment jig 3, the top faces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15 of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 align with the top faces 35c, 35c of the restricting portions 35, 35 in the alignment jig 3 (see Fig. 3B).

[0078] Thus, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is fixed to the alignment jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11b is disposed. Note that the crimping auxiliary jig 1 may be fixed to the alignment jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11c is disposed. In this case, the fixing pin 37 is inserted into the through hole 11c3 of the protruding portion 11c of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1.

[0079] [Insertion of the first electric wire 40] Next, the insertion of the first electric wire 40 will be described. The first electric wire 40 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 in the jig-fixed state. This state is referred to as the first insertion state. In the first insertion state, the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 abuts against the portion 33 to be abutted of the alignment jig 3.

[0080] FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the first insertion state. FIG. 4B is a side view showing the first electric wire 40 abutted against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 in the first insertion state. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVC-IVC shown in FIG. 4A. Note that the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 4A to 4C respectively correspond to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 1A to 1D and FIGS. 2A to 2D.

[0081] The first electric wire 40 includes a first core wire 43 and a first covering portion 45 that covers the first core wire 43 (see FIG. 4C). The first core wire 43 is composed of a conductor. The first covering portion 45 is composed of an insulator. At each of the end portions 41a and 41b of the first electric wire 40, the first core wire 43 is exposed from the first covering portion 45 by a predetermined length (hereinafter referred to as the first exposed length). The first exposed length includes the length to be crimped to the core wire crimping pieces 113 and 113 of the crimp terminal 110 described later. Note that before inserting the first electric wire 40 into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, at each of the end portions 41a and 41b of the first electric wire 40, the first covering portion 45 for the first exposed length is removed from the end tip to expose the first core wire 43.

[0082] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the first electric wire 40 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Specifically, the first electric wire 40 is inserted between the first side wall portions 13 and 13 of the groove portion 10. At this time, at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40, the first core wire 43 exposed from the first covering portion 45 is abutted against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3.

[0083] In this way, the first electric wire 40 is inserted between the first side wall portions 13 and 13 of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 while abutting the first core wire 43 exposed from the first covering portion 45 against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40. Thereby, the first electric wire 40 is accommodated in the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1.

[0084] In the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the positioning jig 3, the interval Tb (see FIG. 4B) between the butting portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 and each regulating portion 35 is set to be equal to the positioning length of the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40. For this reason, in the first inserted state, the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 is exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length.

[0085] In addition, in the present embodiment, the length of the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is set to a value obtained by excluding the positioning length of the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the positioning length of the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 from the length of the first electric wire 40. For this reason, in the first inserted state, when the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 is exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length, the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 is also exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length (see FIG. 4A).

[0086] The height Ha (see FIG. 4C) of the first side wall portions 13, 13 is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the first electric wire 40. For this reason, in the first inserted state, along the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the first electric wire 40 is completely accommodated between the first side wall portions 13, 13 except for the end portions 41a, 41b of the first electric wire 40.

[0087] The interval Da (see FIG. 4C) between the first side wall portions 13, 13 is set to be substantially the same as the diameter of the first electric wire 40. For this reason, in the first inserted state, the first electric wire 40 abuts against the first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a of the first side wall portions 13, 13 (see FIG. 4C).

[0088] In the first inserted state, at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40, the first core wire 43 exposed from the first covering portion 45 abuts against the end face 33a of the butting portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 (see FIG. 4B).

[0089] [Insertion of the second electric wire 50] Next, the insertion of the second electric wire 50 will be described. The second electric wire 50 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 in the first insertion state. This state is referred to as the second insertion state. In the second insertion state, the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 abuts against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3. Note that the second insertion state is also referred to as the electric wire insertion state.

[0090] FIG. 5A is a plan view showing the second insertion state. FIG. 5B is a side view showing the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 abutted against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 in the second insertion state. FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view taken along the VC-VC line shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5D is a side view showing the second electric wire 50 exposed from the crimping auxiliary jig 1 in the second insertion state. Note that the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 5A to 5D respectively correspond to the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction shown in each of FIGS. 1A to 1D and FIGS. 2A to 2D.

[0091] The second electric wire 50 has the same length as the first electric wire 40 and is thicker than the first electric wire 40. The second electric wire 50 includes a second core wire 53 and a second covering portion 55 that covers the second core wire 53 (see FIG. 5C). The second core wire 53 is made of a conductor. The second covering portion 55 is made of an insulator. At each of the end portions 51a and 51b of the second electric wire 50, the second core wire 53 is exposed from the second covering portion 55 by a predetermined length (hereinafter referred to as the second exposed length). The second exposed length includes the length to be crimped to the core wire crimping pieces 113 and 113 of the crimping terminal 110 described later. Note that before inserting the second electric wire 50 into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, at each of the end portions 51a and 51b of the second electric wire 50, the second covering portion 55 for the second exposed length is removed from the end tip to expose the second core wire 53. Note that the second exposed length is equal to the first exposed length.

[0092] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the second electric wire 50 is inserted into the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Specifically, the second electric wire 50 is inserted between the second side wall portions 15 and 15 of the groove portion 10. At this time, at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, the second core wire 53 exposed from the second covering portion 55 abuts against the abutted portion 33 of the positioning jig 3.

[0093] Thus, the second electric wire 50 has the second core wire 53 exposed from the second covering portion 55 at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, and is inserted between the second side wall portions 15, 15 of the groove portion 10 in the crimping auxiliary jig 1 while abutting the second core wire 53 against the butting portion 33 of the positioning jig 3. Thereby, the second electric wire 50 is accommodated in the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1.

[0094] In the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the positioning jig 3, the interval Tb (see FIG. 5B) between the butting portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 and each regulating portion 35 is set to be equal to the positioning length of the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50. For this reason, in the second inserted state, the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 is exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length.

[0095] In this embodiment, the length of the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is set to a value obtained by excluding the positioning length of the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 and the positioning length of the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 from the length of the second electric wire 50. For this reason, in the second inserted state, when the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 is exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length, the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 is also exposed from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by the positioning length (see FIG. 5A).

[0096] The height Hb (see FIG. 5C) of the second side wall portions 15, 15 is set to be equal to the diameter of the second electric wire 50 or smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50. When the height Hb of the second side wall portions 15, 15 is equal to the diameter of the second electric wire 50, in the second inserted state, in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 is at the same position as the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15. When the height Hb of the second side wall portions 15, 15 is smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50, in the second inserted state, in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 is at a position higher than the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15 (see FIG. 5D). In this case, in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 is exposed from the second side wall portions 15, 15.

[0097] The distance Db (see FIG. 5C) between the second side wall portions 15, 15 is set to be approximately the same as the diameter of the second electric wire 50. For this reason, in the second insertion state, the second electric wire 50 abuts against the second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a of the second side wall portions 15, 15 (see FIG. 5C).

[0098] In the second insertion state, at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, the second core wire 53 exposed from the second covering portion 55 abuts against the end surface 33a of the butting portion 33 of the positioning jig 3 (see FIG. 5B).

[0099] The first side wall portions 13, 13 are provided vertically from the bottom portion 11, and the second side wall portions 15, 15 are provided vertically from the first side wall portions 13, 13 (see FIG. 5C). For this reason, in the second insertion state, in the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are arranged in the vertical direction.

[0100] In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the center position between the second side wall portions 15, 15 coincides with the center position between the first side wall portions 13, 13 (see FIGS. 1D and 5C). For this reason, in the second insertion state, in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the tip position of the second core wire 53 at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 aligns with the tip position of the first core wire 43 at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40.

[0101] [Holding of Electric Wire] Next, the holding of the electric wire will be described. The operator presses the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F at the position P1 where the pressing position indicators 20a, 20a of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 are formed, and removes the crimping auxiliary jig 1 in the second insertion state from the positioning jig 3. The state of pressing the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F is referred to as the electric wire holding state.

[0102] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the electric wire holding state. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the end portions of the first electric wire and the second electric wire in the electric wire holding state.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 6, the operator presses the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F at the position P1. Due to this pressing force, the movement of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 in the length direction (X direction) and the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10 is restricted. Also, the movement of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 is restricted by the first side wall portions 13, 13 and the second side wall portions 15, 15 of the groove portion 10. Therefore, the operator can use the crimping auxiliary jig 1 to maintain the state where the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are aligned in the vertical direction, and the state where the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned.

[0104] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, in the electric wire holding state, the second core wire 53 is bent toward the first core wire 43. That is, in the electric wire holding state, the sum of the height of the first core wire 43 and the height of the second core wire 53 is smaller than the sum of the height of the first electric wire 40 and the height of the second electric wire 50. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 to come loose.

[0105] In addition, in the jig fixing state, when the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is fixed to the positioning jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11c is arranged, the operator presses the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F at the position P2 where the pressing position indicators 20b, 20b of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 are formed.

[0106] [Crimping Preparation] Next, the crimping preparation will be described. While maintaining the electric wire holding state, the operator inserts the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 into the inside of the crimping terminal 110 set in the crimping device 100. The state where the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are inserted into the inside of the crimping terminal 110 is called the crimping preparation state.

[0107] FIG. 8 is a side view showing the crimping preparation state. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining the crimping device 100. FIG. 9B is a diagram for explaining the crimping terminal 110.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8, the crimping device 100 includes a crimper (upper die) 101, an anvil (lower die) 103, and a core wire stopper 105. As shown in FIG. 9B, the crimp terminal 110 includes coated crimping pieces 111, 111, core wire crimping pieces 113, 113, and a connection piece 115. The coated crimping pieces 111, 111 are also referred to as first crimping pieces. The core wire crimping pieces 113, 113 are also referred to as second crimping pieces.

[0109] The crimper 101 is reciprocally movable in the vertical direction (see FIG. 9A) and presses the coated crimping pieces 111, 111 and the core wire crimping pieces 113, 113 of the crimp terminal 110 placed on the anvil 103. The core wire stopper 105 is provided vertically on the anvil 103. The core wire stopper 105 clamps the connection piece 115 of the crimp terminal 110 placed on the anvil 103 between the anvil 103 and the core wire stopper 105. In this state, the core wire stopper 105 faces the core wire crimping pieces 113, 113.

[0110] With the crimper 101 positioned at the top dead center, the operator inserts the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 into the crimp terminal 110 placed on the anvil 103 while abutting the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 against the core wire stopper 105. At this time, the operator holds the crimping auxiliary jig 1 so that it is parallel to the mounting surface of the anvil 103.

[0111] In the crimping preparation state, a part of the first coating portion 45 at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and a part of the second coating portion 55 at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are disposed between the coated crimping pieces 111, 111. In the crimping preparation state, a part of the first core wire 43 at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and a part of the second core wire 53 at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are disposed between the core wire crimping pieces 113, 1113.

[0112] In addition, in the jig fixing state, when the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is fixed to the positioning jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11c is disposed, the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 are inserted into the crimp terminal 110.

[0113] [One - end crimping] Next, one - end crimping will be described. When the operator finishes the crimping preparation, the crimper 101 is lowered to clamp the crimp terminal 110 and crimp the end 41a of the first wire 40 and the end 51a of the second wire 50. The state in which the end 41a of the first wire 40 and the end 51a of the second wire 50 are crimped is called the one - end crimping state.

[0114] Figure 10 is a side view showing the one - end crimping state.

[0115] When the crimper 101 descends, each of the covering crimping pieces 111, 111 and the core - wire crimping pieces 113, 113 of the crimp terminal 110 placed on the anvil 103 is bent so as to approach each other while being guided by the curved portion (see Fig. 9A) formed at the lower end of the crimper 101.

[0116] Furthermore, when the crimper 101 descends, the crimp terminal 110 is clamped, and the covering crimping pieces 111, 111 are crimped to a part of the first covering portion 45 at the end 41a of the first wire 40 and a part of the second covering portion 55 at the end 51a of the second wire 50 (see Fig. 10). Similarly, due to the descent of the crimper 101, the crimp terminal 110 is clamped, and the core - wire crimping pieces 113, 113 are crimped to a part of the first core wire 43 at the end 41a of the first wire 40 and a part of the second core wire 53 at the end 51a of the second wire 50 (see Fig. 10). Thereby, the end 41a of the first wire 40 and the end 51a of the second wire 50 are crimped.

[0117] When the clamping of the crimp terminal 110 is completed in the state where the crimper 101 is at the bottom dead center, the crimper 101 rises and returns to the top dead center.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 10, in the one - end crimping state, when the second wire 50 floats up from the groove portion 10 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1, if the floating of the second wire 50 is restored, the end 51b of the second wire 50 will deviate from the end 41b of the first wire 40. Therefore, the floating of the second wire 50 is left as it is.

[0119] In addition, when the pressure - assisting jig 1 is fixed to the positioning jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11c is arranged in the jig - fixed state, at one - end crimping, the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 are crimped.

[0120] [Other - end crimping] Next, the other - end crimping will be described. After the operator completes the one - end crimping, the operator removes the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, which are crimped to each other by the crimping terminal 110, from the crimping device 100. The operator holds the pressure - assisting jig 1 again and presses the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F at the position P2 where the pressing - position indicators 20b, 20b of the pressure - assisting jig 1 are formed.

[0121] The operator inserts the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 into the inside of the crimping terminal 110 newly set in the crimping device 100. The operator lowers the crimper 101 again to clamp the crimping terminal 110 and crimp the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50. The state where the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 are crimped is called the other - end crimping state.

[0122] FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining the adjustment of the ends of the first electric wire and the second electric wire during the other - end crimping. FIG. 11B is a diagram for explaining the adjustment of the ends of the first electric wire and the second electric wire during the other - end crimping. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the other - end crimping state according to the present embodiment.

[0123] When the operator presses the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 with the finger F at the position P2, the operator checks that the tip positions of the first core wire 43 at the end 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the tip positions of the second core wire 53 at the end 51b of the second electric wire 50 are aligned. In this case, the operator may press the first core wire 43 at the end 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the second core wire 53 at the end 51b of the second electric wire 50 against an arbitrary plane to check that the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned. Also, the operator may visually check that the tip positions of the first core wire 43 at the end 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the tip positions of the second core wire 53 at the end 51b of the second electric wire 50 are aligned.

[0124] As a result of the confirmation operation, if the tip of the second core wire 53 at the end 51b of the second electric wire 50 protrudes beyond the tip of the first core wire 43 at the end 41b of the first electric wire 40, the operator tilts the crimp terminal 110 downward (see Fig. 11A). Thereby, the tip of the second core wire 53 can be retracted to align the tip position of the first core wire 43 and the tip position of the second core wire 53. Note that the operator may tilt the crimp terminal 110 downward while pressing the tip of the second core wire 53 against an arbitrary plane to align the tip position of the first core wire 43 and the tip position of the second core wire 53.

[0125] On the other hand, as a result of the confirmation operation, if the tip of the first core wire 43 at the end 41b of the first electric wire 40 protrudes beyond the tip of the second core wire 53 at the end 51b of the second electric wire 50, the operator tilts the crimp terminal 110 upward (see Fig. 11B). Thereby, the tip of the second core wire 53 can be protruded to align the tip position of the first core wire 43 and the tip position of the second core wire 53. Note that the operator may tilt the crimp terminal 110 upward while pressing the tip of the first core wire 43 against an arbitrary plane to align the tip position of the first core wire 43 and the tip position of the second core wire 53.

[0126] When the operator confirms that the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned, the operator bends the second core wire 53 toward the first core wire 43. Thereby, it becomes difficult for the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 to become untangled.

[0127] Even in the case of terminal crimping, with the crimper 101 positioned at the top dead center, the operator inserts the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 into the inside of the crimp terminal 110 while pressing the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 against the core wire stopper 105. At this time, the operator holds the crimping auxiliary jig 1 so that it is parallel to the mounting surface of the anvil 103.

[0128] When the crimper 101 descends, each of the covering crimping pieces 111, 111 and the core wire crimping pieces 113, 113 of the crimp terminal 110 placed on the anvil 103 is bent so as to approach each other while being guided by the curved portion formed at the lower end of the crimper 101.

[0129] Furthermore, when the crimper 101 descends, the crimp terminal 110 is clamped, and the covering crimping pieces 111, 111 are crimped to a part of the first covering portion 45 at the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and a part of the second covering portion 55 at the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 (see FIG. 12). Similarly, due to the descent of the crimper 101, the crimp terminal 110 is clamped, and the core wire crimping pieces 113, 113 are crimped to a part of the first core wire 43 at the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and a part of the second core wire 53 at the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 (see FIG. 12). Thereby, the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 are crimped.

[0130] When the crimper 101 is positioned at the bottom dead center and the clamping of the crimp terminal 110 is completed, the crimper 101 rises and returns to the top dead center. When the operator completes the terminal crimping at the other end, the operator takes out the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 from the crimping auxiliary jig 1 (see FIG. 12).

[0131] In addition, when the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is fixed to the positioning jig 3 on the side where the protruding portion 11c is arranged in the jig fixed state, in the terminal crimping at the other end, the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are crimped.

[0132] [Verification of Crimping State] Finally, the confirmation of the crimping state will be described. When the operator completes the crimping state at the other end and removes the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 from the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the operator checks the crimping state.

[0133] Figs. 13 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the confirmation of the crimping state.

[0134] As shown in Fig. 13, in the state of crimping at one end, the operator checks that the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 is crimped to the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 below the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50. Similarly, in the state of crimping at the other end, the operator checks that the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 is crimped to the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 below the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50.

[0135] As shown in Fig. 14A, in the states of crimping at one end and the other end, the operator checks that the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are not twisted. When the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is not used, as shown in Fig. 14B, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are likely to be twisted.

[0136] As shown in Fig. 13, in the state of crimping at one end, the operator checks that the tips of the first covering portion 45 of the first electric wire 40 and the tips of the second covering portion 55 of the second electric wire 50 are visible from the gap between the covering crimping piece 111 and the core wire crimping piece 113 of the crimping terminal 110. Similarly, in the state of crimping at the other end, the operator checks that the tips of the first covering portion 45 of the first electric wire 40 and the tips of the second covering portion 55 of the second electric wire 50 are visible from the gap between the covering crimping piece 111 and the core wire crimping piece 113 of the crimping terminal 110.

[0137] As shown in Fig. 15, when the tips of the first covering portion 45 of the first electric wire 40 and the tips of the second covering portion 55 of the second electric wire 50 are not visible from the gap between the covering crimping piece 111 and the core wire crimping piece 113, the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are not aligned. For this reason, the core wire is drawn in, and the crimping of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 becomes incomplete.

[0138] [Function and Effect] According to this embodiment, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 includes a first electric wire 40 and a groove portion 10 into which a second electric wire 50 thicker than the first electric wire 40 can be inserted. The groove portion 10 has a bottom portion 11, a pair of first side wall portions 13, 13, and a pair of second side wall portions 15, 15. The first side wall portions 13, 13 are erected from the bottom portion 11 and face each other. The second side wall portions 15, 15 are erected from the first side wall portions 13, 13 and face each other. In the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the interval Db between the second side wall portions 15, 15 is larger than the interval Da between the first side wall portions 13, 13.

[0139] With the above configuration, an operator can insert the first electric wire 40 between the first side wall portions 13, 13 and insert the second electric wire 50 between the second side wall portions 15, 15 from above the groove portion 10. Therefore, the operator can easily insert the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 into the groove portion.

[0140] With the above configuration, in the second insertion state (electric wire insertion state), the movement of the first electric wire 40 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 is restricted by the first side wall portions 13, 13. Similarly, in the second insertion state (electric wire insertion state), the movement of the second electric wire 50 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10 is restricted by the second side wall portions 15, 15. Therefore, by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the operator can easily restrict the movement of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10.

[0141] According to this embodiment, in the second insertion state (electric wire insertion state), in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 is at a position equivalent to the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15, or at a position higher than the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15. Pressing position indicators 20a, 20b are formed on at least one of the top surfaces 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15. Each of the pressing position indicators 20a, 20b indicates a position where the operator presses the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50 in the second insertion state (electric wire insertion state).

[0142] With the above configuration, in the second insertion state (wire insertion state), an operator can hold down the top 57 of the second wire 50 relying on the holding position indicators 20a and 20b. As a result, since the second wire 50 is pressed against the first wire 40, the movement of the first wire 40 and the second wire 50 in the height direction (Z direction) and the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 is restricted. For this reason, the operator can easily restrict the movement of the first wire 40 and the second wire 50 in the height direction (Z direction) and the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10 by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Also, it is possible to avoid the crimping device 100 from hitting the operator's hand.

[0143] Therefore, the operator can easily maintain a state in which two wires having different thicknesses are arranged side by side in the vertical direction by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1.

[0144] According to the present embodiment, in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the center position Cb between the second side wall portions 15, 15 coincides with the center position Ca between the first side wall portions 13, 13. In the second insertion state (wire insertion state), in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10, the end portion 41a of the first wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second wire 50 are exposed from the groove portion 10.

[0145] With the above configuration, in the second insertion state (wire insertion state), in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, the center position of the first wire 40 coincides with the center position of the second wire 50. For this reason, the operator can easily align the tip position of the first core wire 43 and the tip position of the second core wire 53 only by abutting the tip of the first core wire 43 and the tip of the second core wire 53 against the butting portion 33 at the end portion 41a of the first wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second wire 50.

[0146] Further, at the end 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end 51a of the second electric wire 50, while abutting the tip of the first core wire 43 and the tip of the second core wire 53 against the butting portion 33, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are inserted into the groove portion 10, and the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 is pressed. Thereby, a state where the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned can be easily maintained.

[0147] When crimping the ends of two electric wires having different thicknesses, crimping the thin electric wire and the thick electric wire neatly aligned leads to a reduction in the crimping failure rate. In the present embodiment, as described above, by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 thicker than the first electric wire 40 can be neatly aligned, so that the crimping failure rate can be reduced. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when crimping the ends of two electric wires having different thicknesses, it is possible to improve the working efficiency while suppressing crimping failures.

[0148] According to the present embodiment, the first side wall portions 13, 13 have first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a facing each other. The second side wall portions 15, 15 have second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a facing each other. The first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a and the second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a are perpendicular to the bottom portion 11. In the second insertion state (electric wire insertion state), the first electric wire 40 abuts against the first opposing surfaces 13a, 13a, and the second electric wire 50 abuts against the second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a.

[0149] With the above-described configuration, by simply inserting the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 into the groove portion 10, the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 can be arranged along the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10. Therefore, the operator can easily maintain a state where two electric wires having different thicknesses are arranged side by side in the vertical direction by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1.

[0150] According to the present embodiment, in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the height of the second side wall portions 15, 15 is larger than the radius of the second electric wire 50 and smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire 50.

[0151] With the above configuration, the second electric wire 50 abuts against the second opposing surfaces 15a, 15a of the second side wall portions 15, 15 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10, and in the height direction (Z direction) of the groove portion 10, the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 protrudes from the second side wall portions 15, 15. Therefore, the operator can surely hold down the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 while restricting the movement of the second electric wire 50 in the width direction (Y direction) of the groove portion 10.

[0152] According to the present embodiment, the number of holding position indicators formed on each of the top surfaces 15c, 15c of the second side wall portions 15, 15 is two (holding position indicators 20a, 20b). The holding position indicators 20a, 20b are equidistant from the center Cp of each top surface 15c in the length direction (X direction) of the groove portion 10.

[0153] With the above configuration, the operator can perform the crimping of the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 while pressing the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 at the position P1 where the holding position indicator 20a is formed. Also, the operator can perform the crimping of the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 while pressing the top 57 of the second electric wire 50 at the position P2 where the holding position indicator 20b is formed. Therefore, the operator can easily crimp the end portions 41a, 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portions 51a, 51b of the second electric wire 50 while avoiding the crimping device 100 hitting the operator's hand by using the crimping assist jig 1.

[0154] Also, the operator can perform the crimping of the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, and the crimping of the end portion 41b of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51b of the second electric wire 50 by using the crimping assist jig 1 with the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 inserted into the groove portion 10. Therefore, it is possible to surely avoid the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 from being twisted during double-end crimping.

[0155] The first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 crimped at both ends are used, for example, as a ground wire provided in the engine room. When using two electric wires crimped at both ends as the ground wire, compared with the case of using one electric wire, the vibration transmitted from the engine is dispersed to the two electric wires, so the vibration noise generated by the ground wire can be suppressed.

[0156] However, when crimping at both ends, if the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are twisted and entangled with each other, the vibration transmitted from the engine cannot be dispersed, so the vibration noise generated by the ground wire cannot be suppressed. On the other hand, when using the crimping auxiliary jig 1 to perform crimping at both ends of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50, it is possible to surely avoid the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 from being twisted during crimping at both ends. Therefore, by using the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 crimped at both ends as a ground wire provided in the engine room, the vibration noise in the engine room can be surely suppressed.

[0157] According to the present embodiment, when the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is used for crimping the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is arranged so as to face the butting portion 33 with a space therebetween. The first electric wire 40 inserts the first core wire 43 exposed from the first covering portion 45 of the first electric wire 40 at the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 between the first side wall portions 13, 13 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 while butting against the butting portion 33. The second electric wire 50 inserts the second core wire 53 exposed from the second covering portion 55 of the second electric wire 50 at the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 between the second side wall portions 15, 15 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 while butting against the butting portion 33.

[0158] The end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are inserted into the inside of the crimp terminal 110 while pressing the top portion 57 of the second electric wire 50. By crimping the crimp terminal 110, the covering crimp pieces 111, 111 of the crimp terminal 110 are crimped to the first covering portion 45 and the second covering portion 55, and the core wire crimp pieces 113, 113 of the crimp terminal 110 are crimped to the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53. Thereby, the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 are crimped.

[0159] With the above-described configuration, the operator can perform end crimping of the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 while maintaining a state in which the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are aligned in the vertical direction and a state in which the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned, by using the crimping auxiliary jig 1. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when crimping the ends of two electric wires having different thicknesses, it is possible to improve the working efficiency while suppressing crimping defects.

[0160] [Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, in the crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig 1, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 is fixed to the positioning jig 3, but is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the positioning jig 3, a butting member having a flat surface may be used. In this case, the operator arranges the crimping auxiliary jig 1 at an interval Tb with respect to the flat surface of the butting member. With such an arrangement, it is possible to position the end portion 41a of the first electric wire 40 and the end portion 51a of the second electric wire 50 without using the positioning jig 3.

[0161] In this case, it is not necessary to form L-shaped notches at both ends of the bottom portion 11 of the crimping auxiliary jig 1 in a side view.

[0162] In the above-described embodiment, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 was used to maintain the state in which the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the state in which the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by rotating the crimping auxiliary jig 1 by 90 degrees, the crimping auxiliary jig 1 can be used to maintain the state in which the first electric wire 40 and the second electric wire 50 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and the state in which the tip positions of the first core wire 43 and the second core wire 53 are aligned.

[0163] As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0164] 1 Crimping auxiliary jig 10 Groove portion 11 Bottom portion 13 First side wall portion 13a First opposing surface 15 Second side wall portion 15a Second opposing surface 15c Top surface 20a, 20b Pressing position indicators 33 Pushed portion 40 First electric wire 41a End portion 43 First core wire 45 First covering portion 50 Second electric wire 51a End portion 53 Second core wire 55 Second covering portion 57 Top portion 110 Crimping terminal 111 Covered crimping piece 113 Core wire crimping piece Da, Db Spacing Cp Center Hb Height

Claims

1. A crimping auxiliary jig used when crimping the end of a first electric wire and the end of a second electric wire thicker than the first electric wire, comprising a groove portion into which the first electric wire and the second electric wire can be inserted, the groove portion being linearly formed in a shape with an open end face facing the length direction of the crimping auxiliary jig, the groove portion having a bottom, a pair of first side wall portions standing upright from the bottom and facing each other, and a pair of second side wall portions standing upright from the pair of first side wall portions and facing each other, having in the length direction of the groove portion, the end face of the bottom, the end face of the first side wall portion, and the end face of the second side wall portion are connected to each other, in the width direction of the groove portion, the interval between the pair of second side wall portions is larger than the interval between the pair of first side wall portions, in the width direction of the groove portion, the center position between the pair of second side wall portions coincides with the center position between the pair of first side wall portions, in a state where the first electric wire is inserted between the pair of first side wall portions and the second electric wire is inserted between the pair of second side wall portions, in the length direction of the groove portion, both ends of the first electric wire and both ends of the second electric wire are exposed from the groove portion respectively, in the state where the electric wires are inserted, in the height direction of the groove portion, the top of the second electric wire is at a position equivalent to the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions or at a position higher than the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions, on at least one of the top surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions, a pressing position indicator is formed, the pressing position indicator indicating, in the state where the electric wires are inserted, the position where an operator presses the top of the second electric wire, a crimping auxiliary jig.

2. The pair of first side wall portions have a pair of first opposing surfaces facing each other, the pair of second side wall portions have a pair of second opposing surfaces facing each other, the pair of first opposing surfaces and the pair of second opposing surfaces are perpendicular to the bottom, in the state where the electric wires are inserted, the first electric wire abuts against the pair of first opposing surfaces, and the second electric wire abuts against the pair of second opposing surfaces, the crimping auxiliary jig according to Claim 1.

3. In the height direction of the groove portion, the height of the pair of second side wall portions is larger than the radius of the second electric wire and smaller than the diameter of the second electric wire, the crimping auxiliary jig according to Claim 2.

4. The number of the pressing position indicators is two, The crimping auxiliary jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two pressing position indicators are equidistant from the center of the top surface in the length direction of the groove portion.

5. A crimping method using the crimping auxiliary jig according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The crimping auxiliary jig is arranged so as to face the member to be abutted with a space therebetween, While abutting the first core wire exposed from the first covering portion of the first electric wire at the end portion of the first electric wire against the member to be abutted, the first electric wire is inserted between the pair of first side wall portions of the crimping auxiliary jig, While abutting the second core wire exposed from the second covering portion of the second electric wire at the end portion of the second electric wire against the member to be abutted, the second electric wire is inserted between the pair of second side wall portions of the crimping auxiliary jig, While pressing the top portion of the second electric wire, the end portion of the first electric wire and the end portion of the second electric wire are inserted into the inside of the crimping terminal, The crimping terminal is clamped so that the first crimping piece of the crimping terminal is crimped to the first covering portion and the second covering portion, and the second crimping piece of the crimping terminal is crimped to the first core wire and the second core wire, thereby crimping the end portion of the first electric wire and the end portion of the second electric wire.

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