Wire treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide an electric wire processing device which suppresses damage on an electric wire and overrun of the electric wire.SOLUTION: An electric wire processing device includes: a conveyance device for conveying an electric wire 5 in the longer direction; and a tensioner 50 provided further on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the electric wire 5 than the conveyance device and for imparting tension to the electric wire 5 conveyed by the conveyance device. The tensioner 50 includes: a tension imparting member 50A coming into contact with the electric wire 5; a pressing mechanism 50B for pressing the electric wire 5 via the tension imparting member 50A; and a resistance imparting mechanism 50C provided so as to face the tension imparting member 50A. The resistance imparting mechanism 50C includes a first roller 58A, a second roller 58B, and an endless first belt 59. The first belt 59 is wound around the first roller 58A and the second roller 58B, and comes into contact with the electric wire 5 at least when the tension imparting member 50A is pressing the electric wire 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire processing device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a wire processing device that performs a process of cutting a wire to a predetermined length, a process of stripping a covering material at an end of the wire, and a process of crimping a crimp terminal to an end of the wire from which the covering material has been stripped. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wire processing device including a feeding device that feeds a wire, a length measuring mechanism that measures a conveyance distance of the wire, a clamp that grips the wire, a cutter unit that cuts the wire and strips the covering material, and a terminal crimping unit. In the wire processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to continuously produce a wire cut to a predetermined length, the feeding device stops the conveyance after conveying the wire by the above-mentioned predetermined length, and the cutter unit cuts the wire when the wire stops. The length measuring mechanism measures the conveyance distance of the wire.

[0003] The wire processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a mechanism for preventing the wire from being extraneously fed due to inertia even after the conveyance of the wire stops when the conveyance distance of the wire reaches a predetermined distance. The length measuring mechanism of the wire processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a driven roller that does not rotate beyond a certain angle. After the driven roller stops, the wire is conveyed while slipping relative to the driven roller. According to Patent Document 1, it is said that this can effectively prevent the overrun of the wire due to inertia.

[0004] In conventional wire processing devices, a tensioner was used to apply tension to the wire upstream of the feeder in order to prevent the wire from overrunning due to inertia. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing part of the configuration of a conventional wire processing device. As shown in Figure 5, one example of a conventional wire processing device includes a tension roller 150 positioned to the side of the wire 5. The tension roller 150 pushes the wire 5 in a direction (direction C in Figure 5) that intersects the wire's transport direction (left-right direction in Figure 5). By pushing the wire 5 in direction C, tension is applied to the wire 5. As a result, the wire 5 is transported without slack, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5. The tension roller 150 is configured to rotate in the wire's transport direction (direction D in Figure 5). However, in a wire processing device like the one shown in Figure 5, when the feeding device 20 stops transporting the wire 5, the wire 5 is further fed by the inertia of the tension roller 150 and the wire 5 itself, as shown by the solid line in Figure 5, and tends to slacken downstream of the tension roller 150. The driven roller of the wire processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 prevents such slackening of the wire. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-4556 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] According to the wire processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is expected that wire overrunning can be prevented. However, friction between the driven roller and the wire may damage the wire's insulation. While a tension roller that rotates in the wire's transport direction, as in a typical conventional wire processing device, can reduce the risk of damaging the wire's insulation, its effect in preventing wire overrunning is small.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a wire processing device that can suppress both damage to the wire and wire overrun. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The wire processing device according to the present invention comprises a conveying device for conveying a wire in the longitudinal direction of the wire, a tensioner provided upstream of the conveying device in the conveying direction of the wire for applying tension to the wire conveyed by the conveying device, and a control device for controlling the conveying device. The control device includes a conveying control unit that controls the conveying device to repeatedly convey and stop the conveying of the wire. The tensioner comprises a tensioning member provided on one side of the conveying path of the wire and in contact with the wire, a pressing mechanism that applies a force toward the other side of the conveying path of the wire to the tensioning member, thereby pushing the wire toward the other side via the tensioning member, and a resistance applying mechanism provided on the other side of the conveying path of the wire so as to face the tensioning member. The resistance applying mechanism comprises a first roller, a second roller, and an endless first belt. The first belt is wrapped around the first roller and the second roller and contacts the electric wire at least when the tensioning member is pressing against the electric wire.

[0009] According to the above tensioner, the friction between the first and second rollers and the first belt wrapped around them suppresses wire overrun due to inertia. As the rotation of the first roller, second roller, and first belt attempts to stop due to friction, the wire in contact with the first belt stops quickly. As a result, wire overrun is suppressed. Furthermore, during wire transport and when transport stops, the first belt can move in accordance with the movement of the wire, so excessive friction does not occur between the wire and the first belt. Therefore, damage to the wire by the first belt is suppressed. Thus, according to the above wire processing device, both damage to the wire and wire overrun can be suppressed.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first roller and the second roller are arranged side by side in the direction of conveying the electric wire. The tensioning member is positioned facing the portion of the first belt between the first roller and the second roller. The first belt contacts the electric wire with the portion facing the tensioning member when the tensioning member is pressing against the electric wire.

[0011] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tension-applying member includes a tension roller that rotates in the direction of conveying the electric wire and pushes the electric wire.

[0012] According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensioning member comprises a holding member that holds the tension roller at the other end. The pressing mechanism comprises a moving mechanism capable of moving the holding member so that the tension roller contacts or moves away from the electric wire.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pressing mechanism comprises an elastic member provided between the holding member and the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism moves the holding member via the elastic member. The elastic member is configured to contract due to the reaction force of the electric wire when the tension roller is pressing the electric wire.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resistance-applying mechanism includes a roller moving section capable of changing the distance between the first roller and the second roller by moving at least one of the first roller and the second roller.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first roller and the second roller rotate passively as the conveying device conveys the electric wire and the first belt is rotated by the conveying of the electric wire.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tensoner does not include a driving unit for rotating the first roller or a driving unit for rotating the second roller.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wire processing device further includes a cutting device for cutting the wire. The conveyance control unit is set to control the conveyance device to stop the conveyance after conveying the wire by a predetermined distance. The control device includes a cutting control unit for causing the cutting device to cut the wire every time the conveyance of the wire is stopped.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tension applying member includes a third roller, a fourth roller, and an endless second belt wound around the third roller and the fourth roller. At least one of the third roller and the fourth roller is configured to press the wire via the second belt when a force is applied to the tension applying member by the pressing mechanism.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the wire processing device of the present invention, it is possible to suppress both damage to the conveyed wire and overrunning of the wire.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a wire processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the tensoner and the direction conversion roller. <( [Figure 3] It is a partially broken view of the tensoner seen from below. [Figure 4] It is a side view schematically showing the configuration of a tensoner according to a modification example. [Figure 5] It is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of a conventional wire processing device.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a wire processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the right side and the left side of FIG. 1 are defined as the front side and the rear side, respectively. The symbols F and Rr in the drawings mean forward and rearward, respectively. However, each direction in the following description is merely a direction defined for convenience of explanation and does not limit the present invention in any way. Since FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram, in FIG. 1, directions other than the front-rear direction do not necessarily match between the members of the wire processing apparatus 1.

[0022] [Configuration of Wire Processing Apparatus] The wire processing apparatus 1 includes a feeding device 20 that conveys the wire 5 in its longitudinal direction (elongation direction), wire clamp devices 30F and 30R, a cutting device 40 that cuts the wire 5, stripping devices (stripping devices) 41 and 42 that strip the covering material of the wire 5, crimping machines 13F and 13R, a control device 9, a tray 8, a direction conversion roller 70 that bends the conveying direction of the wire 5 halfway, and a tensiomer 50 that applies tension to the wire 5. The wire 5 is a so-called covered wire and includes a core wire made of a conductor and a covering material made of an insulator that covers the periphery of the core wire.

[0023] The feeding device 20 includes a pair of a driving roller 21a driven by a motor (not shown), a driven roller 21b, and a conveying belt 22 wound around the driving roller 21a and the driven roller 21b. By the driving roller 21a running the conveying belt 22, the wire 5 sandwiched between the pair of conveying belts 22 is sent forward. The motor (not shown) is, for example, a servo motor that rotates while measuring the rotation angle. However, the feeding device 20 only needs to be a device that can convey the wire 5, and its specific configuration is not limited. The wire processing apparatus 1 may include a length measuring device different from the feeding device 20 that measures the conveying distance of the wire 5. Hereinafter, the front side in the conveying direction of the wire 5 conveyed by the feeding device 20 is also referred to as the downstream side, and the rear side is also referred to as the upstream side.

[0024] The wire clamping devices 30F and 30R are capable of gripping the wire 5, moving the wire 5 along its longitudinal direction CL (see arrow A), and rotating the wire 5 around the pivot axes 30cF and 30cR (see arrow B). The first wire clamping device 30F includes a first clamp 31F for gripping the wire 5, and moves the first clamp 31F in the longitudinal direction CL of the wire 5 (which is the front-to-back direction in this embodiment) and rotates it around the pivot axis 30cF. The second wire clamping device 30R includes a second clamp 31R for gripping the wire 5, and moves the second clamp 31R in the longitudinal direction CL of the wire 5 and rotates it around the pivot axis 30cR.

[0025] The cutting device 40 is located downstream of the wire feed device 20 in the direction of wire transport. The cutting device 40 is equipped with a pair of cutting blades 40A positioned on both sides of the wire's movement path (the front and back sides in Figure 1). The cutting device 40 cuts the wire 5 by driving the pair of cutting blades 40A to move closer together.

[0026] The first stripping device 41 is located upstream of the cutting device 40 in the direction of transport of the electric wire 5, in this case, behind it. The first stripping device 41 is equipped with a pair of stripping blades 41A positioned on both sides of the movement path of the electric wire 5. The first stripping device 41 cuts the insulation material of the electric wire 5 in the circumferential direction by bringing the pair of stripping blades 41A closer together. The second stripping device 42 is located downstream of the cutting device 40 in the direction of transport of the electric wire 5, in this case, in front it. The second stripping device 42 is equipped with a pair of stripping blades 42A positioned on both sides of the movement path of the electric wire 5. The second stripping device 42 cuts the insulation material of the electric wire 5 in the circumferential direction by bringing the pair of stripping blades 42A closer together. The crimping machines 13F and 13R crimp terminals 7 onto the ends of the electric wires 5. The tray 8 is a box for collecting the processed electric wires 5.

[0027] The tensioner 50 and the direction changing roller 70 are located upstream of the feeding device 20 in the direction of transport of the electric wire 5. Figure 2 is a side view of the tensioner 50 and the direction changing roller 70. Figure 3 is a partially broken view of the tensioner 50 seen from below. In Figures 2 and 3, U, D, L, and R represent up, down, left, and right, respectively. As shown in Figure 2, the direction changing roller 70 is located behind the feeding device 20. The tensioner 50 is located upstream of the direction changing roller 70 in the direction of transport of the electric wire 5. Here, the transport direction of the electric wire 5 is changed vertically upstream of the direction changing roller 70, and the tensioner 50 is located below the direction changing roller 70. Upstream of the tensioner 50, the electric wire 5 may be wound into a roll. However, the state of the electric wire 5 upstream of the tensioner 50 is not limited.

[0028] The tensioner 50 applies tension to the electric wire 5 being transported by the wire feeder 20. As shown in Figure 2, the tensioner 50 includes a tensioning member 50A provided on one side of the transport path of the electric wire 5, in this case the front; a pressing mechanism 50B that pushes the electric wire 5 backward via the tensioning member 50A; and a resistance applying mechanism 50C provided on the rear side of the transport path of the electric wire 5. The resistance applying mechanism 50C is positioned opposite the tensioning member 50A. The tensioning member 50A, the pressing mechanism 50B, and the resistance applying mechanism 50C are provided on the right side of the mounting plate 50D and supported by the mounting plate 50D.

[0029] The tensioning member 50A comprises a tension roller 51 that pushes the electric wire 5 and a holding member 52 that holds the tension roller 51. The holding member 52 holds the tension roller 51 at its rear end. The tension roller 51 is configured to rotate in the direction of electric wire transport, in this case, vertically. As shown in Figure 3, the holding member 52 has a rotation axis 52c for the tension roller 51. The rotation axis 52c extends in the left-right direction. The rotation axis 52c is located near the rear end of the holding member 52.

[0030] The retaining member 52 is configured as a flat plate extending in the vertical and front-rear directions. The retaining member 52 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 2, the retaining member 52 is provided with a pair of slide grooves 52a, each extending in the front-rear direction. Each pair of slide grooves 52a penetrates the retaining member 52 in the left-right direction. Two pin members PN are inserted through each pair of slide grooves 52a. As shown in Figure 3, the multiple pin members PN are fixed to the mounting plate 50D. The retaining member 52 is held by the multiple pin members PN and is movable in the front-rear direction by the slide grooves 52a.

[0031] The pressing mechanism 50B is provided alongside the holding member 52 in the front-rear direction. The pressing mechanism 50B is provided in front of the holding member 52. The pressing mechanism 50B is a mechanism that pushes the electric wire 5 via the tensioning member 50A by applying a force toward the side of the electric wire 5, in this case toward the rear, to the tensioning member 50A. The pressing mechanism 50B is configured to push the electric wire 5 backward via the tensioning member 50A.

[0032] The pressing mechanism 50B includes a moving mechanism that moves the holding member 52 so that the tension roller 51 contacts or separates from the electric wire 5, and a spring 57 provided between the holding member 52 and the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism includes a lever 54, a link 55, and a rod 56. The moving mechanism moves the holding member 52 via the spring 57. In this case, the moving mechanism is a mechanism for manually moving the holding member 52 in the front-rear direction. The rod 56 is a cylindrical member that extends in the front-rear direction. The rod 56 is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 3, the lever 54 is configured to be rotatable in the left-right direction about its rear end as an axis. The link 55 connects the lever 54 and the rod 56. The link 55 transmits the rotation of the lever 54 to the rod 56, causing the rod 56 to move in the front-rear direction. When the lever 54 is rotated from its open position to the right to its position to the left, the rod 56 moves backward (towards the side of the electric wire 5) via the link 55.

[0033] A spring 57 is inserted into the rear end of the rod 56. The spring 57 is a coil spring with an inward space, and the rear end of the rod 56 is inserted into the inward space of the spring 57. The rod 56 is configured to push the retaining member 52 via the spring 57. When the lever 54 is tilted and the rod 56 is moved backward, the spring 57 comes into contact with the receiving block 52b of the retaining member 52. The receiving block 52b is located behind the spring 57. As the receiving block 52b is pushed by the spring 57, the retaining member 52 moves backward. As a result, the tension roller 51 comes into contact with the electric wire 5. When the tension roller 51 is pushing the electric wire 5, the spring 57 compresses due to the reaction force of the electric wire 5. The force with which the tension roller 51 pushes the electric wire 5 is generated by the restoring force of the spring 57. Note that the component that generates the force with which the tension roller 51 pushes the electric wire 5 is not limited to a spring; for example, an air cylinder may also be used.

[0034] The resistance-applying mechanism 50C is located on the rear side of the wire transport path 5 and faces the tension roller 51 in the front-rear direction. The resistance-applying mechanism 50C comprises a pair of rollers 58A and 58B and an endless belt 59 wrapped around the pair of rollers 58A and 58B. The type of belt 59 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a stepped interlocking transmission belt. The material of the belt 59 is also not limited, but a soft material is preferably preferred. In this case, the belt 59 is made of rubber. The pair of rollers 58A and 58B are arranged side by side in the transport direction of the wire 5, in this case in the vertical direction. The portion of the belt 59 between the pair of rollers 58A and 58B, and in front of the pair of rollers 58A and 58B (hereinafter also referred to as the front portion 59f), extends in the vertical direction along the transport path of the wire 5. The front portion 59f of the belt 59 is provided to be in contact with the wire 5. However, the belt 59 does not need to be in constant contact with the wire 5. The belt 59 only needs to contact the electric wire 5 when the tensioning member 50A is pressing against the electric wire 5. The tension roller 51 of the tensioning member 50A is positioned to face the front portion 59f of the belt 59. The belt 59 contacts the electric wire 5 with the front portion 59f that faces the tension roller 51 when the tension roller 51 is pressing against the electric wire 5.

[0035] The resistance-applying mechanism 50C here does not include an actuator to rotate roller 58A or an actuator to rotate roller 58B. The pair of rollers 58A and 58B rotate passively as the feeding device 20 transports the electric wire 5 and the belt 59 revolves around the pair of rollers 58A and 58B as a result of the electric wire 5 being transported.

[0036] The resistance-applying mechanism 50C includes a roller moving member 60 that can move roller 58A closer to or further away from roller 58B. By using the roller moving member 60 to move roller 58A closer to roller 58B, the belt 59 can be wrapped around the pair of rollers 58A and 58B. Conversely, by using the roller moving member 60 to move roller 58A away from roller 58B, the belt 59 can be tensioned. The roller moving member 60 supports one of the rollers 58A. The roller moving member 60 has a pair of elongated holes 60a that extend in the vertical direction. Bolts BT are inserted through each of the pair of elongated holes 60a. The bolts BT are fastened to the mounting plate 50D. By loosening the bolts BT, the roller moving member 60 becomes movable in the vertical direction. By tightening the bolts BT, the roller moving member 60 is fixed so that it cannot move in the vertical direction. The roller moving member 60 can be used not only to wrap the belt 59 around the pair of rollers 58A and 58B, but also to adjust the tension of the belt 59. The roller moving member 60 only needs to be configured to change the distance between the rollers 58A and 58B by moving at least one of the rollers 58A and 58B, and it is not limited to which roller is moved. In addition, the member that adjusts the tension of the belt 59 may be a third roller that is configured to move radially in the endless belt 59 and can come into contact with the belt 59. By adjusting the radial position of the third roller on the belt 59, the force with which the third roller presses on the belt 59 can be adjusted. This allows the tension of the belt 59 to be adjusted.

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the direction changing roller 70 is installed between the tensioner 50 and the feeder 20 in the transport path of the electric wire 5. The direction changing roller 70 is installed upstream of the feeder 20 in the transport direction of the electric wire 5. The tensioner 50 is installed even further upstream of the direction changing roller 70 in the transport direction of the electric wire 5. The direction changing roller 70 is a roller that bends the transport direction of the electric wire 5 when the electric wire 5 is wrapped around it. Here, the direction changing roller 70 bends the transport direction of the electric wire 5 from above to the front. As shown in Figure 2, the direction changing roller 70 is equipped with a rotating shaft 71 that extends in the left-right direction. The direction changing roller 70 rotates around the rotating shaft 71.

[0038] Multiple wire guides 72A, 72B, and 72C are provided on the mounting plate 50D. Each of the wire guides 72A, 72B, and 72C has a through hole through which the electric wire 5 passes. Wire guide 72A is provided on the upstream side of the tensioner 50. Wire guide 72B is provided on the downstream side of the tensioner 50 and upstream of the direction changing roller 70. Wire guide 72C is provided on the downstream side of the direction changing roller 70 and upstream of the feeding device 20. The electric wire 5 is transported along a predetermined transport path by being inserted through the through holes of the multiple wire guides 72A, 72B, and 72C.

[0039] The control device 9 is connected to the wire feeding device 20, wire clamping devices 30F, 30R, cutting device 40, stripping devices 41, 42, and crimping machines 13F, 13R, and controls their operation. The control device 9 may be a dedicated computer for the wire processing device 1, or it may be a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. The control device 9 may also be a computer on the cloud. As shown in Figure 1, the control device 9 has a transport control unit 91, a cutting control unit 92, a first stripping control unit 93, a second stripping control unit 94, a first clamping control unit 95, a second clamping control unit 96, a first crimping control unit 97, and a second crimping control unit 98. In this embodiment, each of these control units 91 to 98 is realized by the computer executing a predetermined program.

[0040] The transport control unit 91 controls the feeding device 20 to transport the electric wire 5 intermittently. That is, the transport control unit 91 controls the feeding device 20 to repeatedly transport and stop the electric wire 5. The transport control unit 91 controls the feeding device 20 to transport the electric wire 5 a predetermined distance and then stops transporting it. This predetermined distance is the cutting length of the electric wire 5. The cutting control unit 92 causes the cutting device 40 to cut the electric wire 5 each time the transport of the electric wire 5 is stopped. In this way, electric wires 5 of a predetermined length are continuously produced. The first stripping control unit 93 and the second stripping control unit 94 control the first stripping device 41 and the second stripping device 42, respectively, to strip the insulation material from the electric wire 5. The first clamp control unit 95 and the second clamp control unit 96 control the first wire clamping device 30F and the second wire clamping device 30R, respectively, to perform predetermined operations including gripping, moving, and rotating the wire 5. The first crimping control unit 97 and the second crimping control unit 98 control the first crimping machine 13F and the second crimping machine 13R, respectively, to crimp the terminals 7 onto the ends of the stripped wire 5.

[0041] [Handling of electrical wires] The following describes the processing of the electric wire 5 by the electric wire processing device 1. In the processing of the electric wire 5 by the electric wire processing device 1, first, the electric wire 5 is transported by the feeding device 20 to a predetermined cutting length. The transport distance of the electric wire 5 is measured here by the servo motor of the feeding device 20. When the distance measured by the servo motor reaches the predetermined distance, the feeding device 20 stops. The transported electric wire 5 is gripped by the first clamp 31F and the second clamp 31R. After gripping the electric wire 5 with the first clamp 31F and the second clamp 31R, the electric wire 5 is cut into a rear electric wire 5 and a front electric wire 5 by the cutting device 40.

[0042] The front wire 5, after being cut, is held by the first clamp 31F. The rear wire 5, after being cut, is held by the second clamp 31R. The first stripping device 41 cuts the insulation material of the front end of the rear wire 5 in the circumferential direction. The second stripping device 42 cuts the insulation material of the rear end of the front wire 5 in the circumferential direction. Next, the first clamp 31F is moved backward and the second clamp 31R is moved forward. As a result, the insulation material of the front end of the rear wire 5 and the insulation material of the rear end of the front wire 5 are stripped off by the stripping blades 41A and 42A, respectively. After that, the wire clamping devices 30F and 30R rotate, respectively, to guide the front end of the rear wire 5 and the rear end of the front wire 5 to the first crimping machine 13F and the second crimping machine 13R, respectively. Then, the terminals 7 are crimped to the front end of the rear wire 5 and the rear end of the front wire 5 using the crimping machines 13F and 13R.

[0043] Subsequently, the first wire clamping device 30F returns to its initial position (the position shown in Figure 1) and releases its grip on the wire 5. The second wire clamping device 30R releases its grip on the front wire 5 and then returns to its initial position (the position shown in Figure 1). Once the grip on the front wire 5 by the second wire clamping device 30R is released, it falls and is collected in the tray 8.

[0044] [Tensioner operation] Before processing the electric wire 5, the lever 54 of the tensioner 50 is operated, and the tension roller 51 is pressed against the electric wire 5. As a result, the electric wire 5 is sandwiched between the tension roller 51 and the front portion 59f of the belt 59. The tension roller 51 is pushed backward by the spring 57. Therefore, tension is applied to the electric wire 5 via the tension roller 51 and the spring 57. The belt 59 is pushed backward by the electric wire 5 and comes into close contact with the electric wire 5.

[0045] When the wire 5 is transported by the feeding device 20, the tension roller 51 rotates, dragged along by the wire 5. The belt 59 also rotates around the pair of rollers 58A and 58B, dragged along by the wire 5. Consequently, the pair of rollers 58A and 58B also rotate passively. At this time, the wire 5 is transported without slack because it is under tension from the tension roller 51. Furthermore, because the tension roller 51 and belt 59 rotate in accordance with the movement of the wire 5, excessive friction does not occur between the insulation material of the wire 5 and the tension roller 51 and belt 59. Therefore, damage to the wire 5 by the tension roller 51 and belt 59 in contact with the wire 5 is suppressed.

[0046] When the electric wire 5 is transported by the feeding device 20 for a predetermined distance and the transport of the electric wire 5 is stopped, the electric wire 5 will try to move in the transport direction due to inertia, and the tension roller 51 will try to continue rotating due to inertia. In this embodiment, the inertial movement of the electric wire 5 and the tension roller 51 is suppressed by friction between the pair of rollers 58A, 58B and the belt 59 wrapped around them. As the rotation of the pair of rollers 58A, 58B and the belt 59 tries to stop due to friction, the inertial movement of the electric wire 5 in contact with the belt 59 is hindered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electric wire 5 stops quickly after the transport of the electric wire 5 stops. As a result, slack in the electric wire 5 as shown in Figure 5 is suppressed. In addition, the decrease in the accuracy of the cutting length of the electric wire 5 due to the inertial movement of the electric wire 5 is reduced. Even at this time, excessive friction does not occur between the covering material of the electric wire 5 and the tension roller 51 and belt 59, so damage to the electric wire 5 by the tension roller 51 and belt 59 is suppressed. In particular, the tensioner 50 according to this embodiment is equipped with a tension roller 51 as the component that touches the electric wire 5 among the tension-applying members 50A. Therefore, the electric wire 5 is less likely to be damaged. Furthermore, because the material of the belt 59 is rubber, the electric wire 5 is even less likely to be damaged.

[0047] In this embodiment, a direction-changing roller 70 that changes the conveying direction of the electric wire 5 is provided downstream of the tensioner 50. Since the electric wire 5 is also fed forward in the conveying direction by the inertia of the direction-changing roller 70, if the overrun suppression function of the electric wire 5 by the tensioner 50 is insufficient, slack in the electric wire 5 similar to that shown in Figure 5 is likely to occur downstream of the direction-changing roller 70. The tensioner 50 in this embodiment is provided upstream of the direction-changing roller 70, and suppresses such slack in the electric wire 5 downstream of the direction-changing roller 70.

[0048] In this embodiment, the tension of the belt 59 can be adjusted by the roller moving member 60. If the belt 59 is tightened, the resistance when transporting the electric wire 5 will increase, but the electric wire 5 can be stopped quickly. If the belt 59 is loosened, the distance the electric wire 5 travels before stopping will increase, but the resistance when transporting the electric wire 5 will decrease. The roller moving member 60 allows adjustment of the resistance when transporting the electric wire 5 and the distance the electric wire 5 travels before stopping.

[0049] In this embodiment, the tensioning member 50A can also be separated from the transport path of the electric wire 5 by a moving mechanism including the lever 54, link 55, and rod 56. This makes it easier to attach the electric wire 5 to the electric wire processing device 1.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the force with which the tension roller 51 pushes the electric wire 5 is generated by the spring 57, so the force with which the tension roller 51 pushes the electric wire 5 is stable. As a result, the transport and stopping operations of the electric wire 5 are stable.

[0051] The tensioner 50 is preferably positioned upstream of the wire feeding device 20 and the cutting device 40 in the direction of wire transport, and the wire processing device 1 according to this embodiment is configured in this manner. The tensioner 50 primarily suppresses wire overrun downstream of the tensioner 50. Therefore, it is preferable that the tensioner 50 be positioned upstream of the wire feeding device 20 and the cutting device 40 in the direction of wire transport.

[0052] [Other embodiments] One embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the above-described embodiment is merely one example. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Examples of other embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a modified example of the tensioner 50. In Figure 4, components that perform the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals. As shown in Figure 4, the tensioner 50 according to this modified example also includes a belt 61 on the tensioning member 50A. The tensioning member 50A comprises a pair of tension rollers 51A and 51B, and an endless belt 61 wrapped around the pair of tension rollers 51A and 51B. The pair of tension rollers 51A and 51B are configured to push the electric wire 5 via the belt 61 when force is applied to the tensioning member 50A by the pressing mechanism 50B (see, for example, Figure 2). The pair of tension rollers 51A and 51B are also rollers that rotate passively in conjunction with the transport of the electric wire 5 by the feeding device 20 (see Figure 1). Thus, the tensioner 50 may also be provided with a pair of rollers and a belt wrapped around them on both sides of the transport path of the electric wire 5. This increases the frictional force required to stop the electric wire 5. As a result, the electric wire 5 can be stopped at a shorter distance. The roller that pushes the electric wire 5 via the belt 61 may be one of a pair of rollers. In that case, the roller that pushes the electric wire 5 via the belt 61 is the tension roller, and the other roller is for wrapping the belt around the tension roller. The tensioning member 50A may have three or more rollers.

[0054] Furthermore, two or more rollers, and the belt wrapped around these rollers and in contact with the electric wire 5, may be provided only on the tension-applying member. In other words, the resistance-applying mechanism may be omitted in this case.

[0055] The pressing mechanism that applies force toward the power wire to the tension-applying member is not limited to one that pushes the tension-applying member toward the power wire. The pressing mechanism may, for example, pull the tension-applying member toward the power wire. The pressing mechanism may, for example, support the tension-applying member so that it can move vertically or swing so that the tension-applying member pushes the power wire by its own weight.

[0056] The configuration of the wire processing device is not particularly limited. The wire processing device may be, for example, a winding machine that transports wires over long distances. The wire processing device is not limited insofar as it involves the transport of wires. However, in a wire processing device that repeatedly transports and stops wires, there are many stops for the wires, so the tensioner according to the present invention is more effective in a wire processing device that repeatedly transports and stops wires. Note that the tensioner does not necessarily have to be provided in the wire processing device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1. Wire processing device 5 Electric wire 9 Control device 20 Feeding device (conveying device) 40 Cutting device 50 Tensioner 50A Tensioning Member 50B Pressing Mechanism 50C Resistance Addition Mechanism 51 Tension Roller 52 Retaining member 54 Lever (movement mechanism) 55 Links (movement mechanism) 56 Rod (movement mechanism) 57. Spring (elastic component) 58A Roller (1st Roller) 58B Roller (2nd Roller) 59 Belt (1st Belt) 60 Roller moving member (roller moving part) 70 Directional changing rollers 91 Transport Control Unit 92 Cutting control unit

Claims

1. A conveying device for transporting electric wires in the longitudinal direction of the electric wires, A tensioner is provided upstream of the conveying device in the direction of conveying the electric wire, and applies tension to the electric wire being conveyed by the conveying device. A first through-hole for passing the electric wire is formed, and a first electric wire guide is provided upstream of the tensioner in the direction of transporting the electric wire, The system comprises a control device for controlling the transport device, The control device includes a transport control unit that controls the transport device to repeatedly transport the electric wire and stop the transport, The tensioner mentioned above is A tension-applying member is provided on one side of the wire transport path and contacts the wire, A pressing mechanism that applies a force to the tension-applying member toward the other side of the wire's transport path, thereby pushing the wire toward the other side via the tension-applying member, The system comprises a resistance-applying mechanism provided on the other side of the wire transport path, facing the tension-applying member, The aforementioned resistance-adding mechanism is First Laura and, Laura II and, An endless first belt is wrapped around the first roller and the second roller, and contacts the electric wire at least when the tensioning member is pressing the electric wire, A wire processing device equipped with the necessary components.

2. The device further comprises a second wire guide having a second through-hole for passing the wire through it, and provided downstream of the tensioner in the direction of wire transport, The wire processing device according to claim 1.

3. A conveying device for conveying an electric wire in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, A tensioner is provided upstream of the conveying device in the direction of conveying the electric wire, and applies tension to the electric wire being conveyed by the conveying device. The wire transport path includes a direction-changing roller provided between the tensioner and the transport device, around which the wire is wound and which bends the direction of the wire's transport, The system comprises a control device for controlling the transport device, The control device includes a transport control unit that controls the transport device to repeatedly transport the electric wire and stop the transport, The tensioner mentioned above is A tension-applying member is provided on one side of the wire transport path and contacts the wire, A pressing mechanism that applies a force to the tension-applying member toward the other side of the wire's transport path, thereby pushing the wire toward the other side via the tension-applying member, The system comprises a resistance-applying mechanism provided on the other side of the wire transport path, facing the tension-applying member, The aforementioned resistance-adding mechanism is First Laura and, Laura II and, An endless first belt is wrapped around the first roller and the second roller, and contacts the electric wire at least when the tensioning member is pressing the electric wire, Equipped with, The direction of transport of the electric wire is vertical at the position where tension is applied to the electric wire by the tensioner. The direction changing roller bends the conveying direction of the electric wire from an up-and-down direction to a substantially horizontal direction, in the electric wire processing device.

4. The first roller and the second roller are arranged side by side in the direction of transport of the electric wire. The tension-applying member is positioned to face the portion of the first belt between the first roller and the second roller. The first belt contacts the electric wire at the portion facing the tension-applying member when the tension-applying member is pressing against the electric wire. A wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The tension-applying member includes a tension roller that rotates in the direction of transporting the electric wire and pushes the electric wire. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The tension-applying member includes a holding member at the other end that holds the tension roller, The pressing mechanism includes a moving mechanism that allows the holding member to move so that the tension roller contacts or moves away from the electric wire. The wire processing device according to claim 5.

7. The pressing mechanism includes an elastic member provided between the holding member and the moving mechanism, The moving mechanism moves the holding member via the elastic member, The elastic member is configured to contract due to the reaction force of the electric wire when the tension roller is pressing against the electric wire. The wire processing device according to claim 6.

8. A conveying device for conveying an electric wire in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire, A tensioner is provided upstream of the conveying device in the direction of conveying the electric wire, and applies tension to the electric wire being conveyed by the conveying device. The system comprises a control device for controlling the transport device, The control device includes a transport control unit that controls the transport device to repeatedly transport the electric wire and stop the transport, The tensioner mentioned above is A tension-applying member is provided on one side of the wire transport path and contacts the wire, A pressing mechanism that applies a force to the tension-applying member toward the other side of the wire's transport path, thereby pushing the wire toward the other side via the tension-applying member, The system comprises a resistance-applying mechanism provided on the other side of the wire transport path, facing the tension-applying member, The aforementioned resistance-adding mechanism is First Laura and, Laura II and, The system comprises an endless first belt that is wrapped around the first roller and the second roller and contacts the electric wire at least when the tensioning member is pressing the electric wire, The tension-applying member is A tension roller that rotates in the direction of transporting the electric wire and pushes the electric wire, The other end of the aforementioned part comprises a holding member that holds the tension roller, The pressing mechanism is, A moving mechanism capable of moving the holding member so that the tension roller contacts or moves away from the electric wire, The system comprises an elastic member provided between the holding member and the moving mechanism, The aforementioned moving mechanism is A rod that pushes the holding member via the elastic member and moves the holding member, A lever configured to be rotatable, The system includes a link that connects the lever and the rod, and transmits the rotation of the lever to the rod, thereby moving the rod, The wire processing apparatus is configured such that the elastic member compresses due to the reaction force of the wire when the tension roller is pressing on the wire, and the restoring force generates a force that causes the tension roller to press on the wire.

9. The resistance-applying mechanism includes a roller moving section capable of changing the distance between the first roller and the second roller by moving at least one of the first roller and the second roller. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The first roller and the second roller rotate passively as the conveying device conveys the electric wire and the first belt is rotated by the conveying of the electric wire. A wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The tensioner does not include a drive unit for rotating the first roller or a drive unit for rotating the second roller. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The device further comprises a cutting device for cutting the aforementioned electric wire, The transport control unit is configured to control the transport device and stop transporting the electric wire after transporting it a predetermined distance. The control device includes a cutting control unit that causes the cutting device to cut the electric wire each time the transport of the electric wire is stopped. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The tension-applying member is The third roller, The fourth Laura and, The device comprises an endless second belt wrapped around the third roller and the fourth roller, At least one of the third roller and the fourth roller is configured to press the electric wire via the second belt when a force is applied to the tensioning member by the pressing mechanism. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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