Electric cable processing device

Abstract

An electric cable processing device 10 comprises: a conveyance device 20 for conveying an electric cable 1; a guide member 110 that has a guide surface 110D facing a part of the path along which the electric cable 1 is conveyed by the conveyance device 20; and an imaging device 91R that is disposed so as to face the guide surface 110D and captures an image of the electric cable 1. The guide member 110 comprises a lighting device 92R occupying at least a part of the guide surface 110D.

Description

Wire Processing Equipment

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

[0002]

[0003] Electric wire processing devices having a function of inspecting the processing state of an electric wire by capturing an image of the electric wire with an imaging device have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an electric wire processing device that inspects the crimping state of a wire barrel on an electric wire by arranging a camera in an inspection area and comparing an image captured by the camera with an image of a normal crimped state.

[0003] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses an insulated electric wire cutting and stripping device equipped with an inspection means for inspecting whether the insulation of the insulated electric wire has been properly stripped. In the device described in Patent Document 2, a light source is disposed diagonally below a base of the cutting and stripping means that strips the insulation, and a camera is disposed diagonally above the base on the opposite side of the light source. With this configuration, the cutting and stripping means performs the operation of cutting and stripping the insulated electric wire, and the inspection means performs the inspection, so there is no need to provide an inspection device in a separate location, which is said to save space and reduce costs.

[0004] JP 2014-063609 A JP 2000-184542 A

[0005] Even in the device described in Patent Document 2, a space for placing a light source diagonally below the base of the cutting and stripping means is required, and a space for placing a camera diagonally above the base on the opposite side of the light source is required. The present invention provides an electric wire processing device that is equipped with an imaging device that captures images of the state of the electric wire and can be made even more compact.

[0006] The wire processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a conveying device for conveying an electric wire, a guide member having a guide surface facing a part of a conveying path of the electric wire by the conveying device, and an imaging device disposed opposite the guide surface for imaging the electric wire. The guide member includes an illumination device occupying at least a part of the guide surface.

[0007] According to the above-described electric wire processing device, the lighting device is incorporated into the guide member so as to occupy at least a portion of the guide surface of the guide member. The guide member faces a portion of the electric wire transport path and restricts the movement of the electric wire with the guide surface. The guide member thereby prevents the electric wire from deviating in an unintended direction. The guide member is an essential component of the electric wire processing device. According to the above-described electric wire processing device, by incorporating the lighting device into the guide member, which is an essential component, the electric wire processing device can be made more compact.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the wire processing device, the guide member includes a guide surface forming member that forms a part of the guide surface, and a surface that forms a part of the guide surface of the lighting device is configured to be substantially flush with the guide surface forming member.

[0009] According to the above-described electric wire processing device, the lighting device and the guide surface component are substantially flush with each other on the guide surface of the guide member, so that no step is created between the lighting device and the guide surface component. There is a risk that an electric wire may become caught on a step on the guide surface. According to the above-described electric wire processing device, it is possible to reduce the risk that an electric wire may become caught on a step on the guide surface of the guide member.

[0010] According to one preferred aspect of the wire processing device, the guide member is provided with an adjustment section that can adjust the position of at least one of the lighting device and the guide surface component member to make the lighting device and the guide surface component member approximately flush with each other.

[0011] According to the above-mentioned wire processing device, even if there is dimensional variation in one or both of the lighting device and the guide surface component, the lighting device and the guide surface component can be made approximately flush by adjusting the height using the adjustment unit.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the wire processing apparatus, the guide member comprises the lighting device.

[0013] According to the above electric wire processing device, the lighting device itself serves as a guide member, so that the number of members can be reduced.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the electric wire processing device, the electric wire is a coated electric wire having a core wire and a coating covering the core wire. The electric wire processing device further includes a stripping device having a blade for cutting off a portion of the coating. The conveying device is configured to move the electric wire in the longitudinal direction, strip the cut-off portion of the coating, and expose the core wire. The guide surface is provided facing a position where the exposed portion of the core wire will reach when the stripping operation of the portion of the coating is completed.

[0015] According to the above-described electric wire processing device, the guide surface of the guide member is provided facing the position where the exposed portion of the core wire will reach when the stripping of a portion of the coating is completed. Therefore, light from the lighting device can be applied to the exposed portion of the core wire after the stripping of the coating is completed. This allows the exposed portion of the core wire to be imaged by the imaging device, and the condition of the exposed portion of the core wire can be inspected from the image.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the wire processing apparatus further includes a crimping device disposed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the wire with respect to the guide member and configured to crimp a crimp terminal onto the exposed portion of the core wire. The conveying device stops the wire when the stripping of the partial covering is completed, and after the wire is stopped, moves the wire in the intersecting direction to convey the wire to the crimping device.

[0017] According to the above-described electric wire processing device, before the electric wire is transported to the crimping device, the electric wire is stopped and the transport direction of the electric wire is changed to a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction. This prevents the electric wire processing device from becoming longer in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire. Furthermore, since the electric wire is stopped at a position facing the guide surface of the guide member, the imaging device can capture an image of the electric wire in a stopped state or in a state of slow movement just before stopping. By capturing an image of the electric wire in a stopped or slow-moving state, the condition of the electric wire can be more reliably inspected using the captured image. Furthermore, since the electric wire is stopped not for the purpose of capturing an image but to change the transport direction of the electric wire, a decrease in productivity due to the image capture is unlikely to occur.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the electric wire processing apparatus further includes one or more processing devices provided upstream of the guide member in the electric wire conveying path, the one or more processing devices including at least one of a straightening device that straightens a curl of the electric wire, a printing device that prints on the electric wire, and a length measuring and cutting device that measures the length of the electric wire conveyed by the conveying device and cuts it to a predetermined length.

[0019] According to the above-described electric wire processing device, it is possible to inspect at least one of the state of straightening of the electric wire curl, the state of printing on the electric wire, and scratches on the electric wire after measuring the length of the electric wire, using an imaging device and lighting.

[0020] According to the present invention, the wire processing device equipped with the imaging device can be made more compact.

[0021] 1 is a schematic plan view of an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric wire processing apparatus near a cutting device; FIG. 3 is a side view of the electric wire processing apparatus near the cutting device; FIG. 4 is a front view of the electric wire processing apparatus after the cutting device; FIG. 5 is a front view of a wire receiver; FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the wire receiver; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the first half of electric wire processing; FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing R-side processing; and FIG. 9 is a schematic view comparing R-side processing and F-side processing.

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electric wire processing device 10 according to one embodiment. In the following description, the right and left sides of Fig. 1 will be referred to as the front and rear sides, respectively. The upper and lower sides of Fig. 1 will be referred to as the left and right sides, respectively. In each drawing, F, Rr, L, R, U, and D represent front, rear, left, right, top, and bottom, respectively. However, these directions are merely defined for the convenience of description and do not in any way limit the installation mode of the electric wire processing device 10.

[0023] The electric wire 1 is a coated electric wire including a core wire 2 and a coating 3 that covers the core wire 2. The core wire 2 is made of a conductor such as a metal. The coating 3 is made of an insulator such as a resin.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the electric wire processing apparatus 10 includes a conveying device 20 that conveys the electric wire 1, a length measuring device 30 that measures the length of the electric wire 1, a printing device 40 that prints on the electric wire 1, a cutting device 50 that cuts the electric wire 1, a stripping device 60 that strips the coating 3 from the tip of the electric wire 1 to expose the core wire 2 (hereinafter also referred to as stripping the coating 3), a rubber stopper fitting device 70 that fits a rubber stopper to the electric wire 1, a crimping device 80 that crimps a crimp terminal to the core wire 2, an inspection device 90 that inspects the state of the electric wire 1 after stripping, and a control device 100 that controls the operation of these devices.

[0025] The conveying device 20 includes a feeding device 21 that feeds the electric wire 1 in the longitudinal direction, an F-side clamp 22F and an R-side clamp 22R that respectively hold the electric wire 1 cut in the front and rear directions by the cutting device 50, slide devices 23F, 23R that move the F-side clamp 22F and the R-side clamp 22R respectively in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1, and swivel devices 24F, 24R that swivel the F-side clamp 22F and the R-side clamp 22R respectively.

[0026] The feeding device 21 feeds the electric wire 1 forward. Here, the forward direction is downstream in the conveying direction of the electric wire 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the feeding device 21 includes a pair of pulleys 21A arranged at the front and rear, and conveyor belts 21B wound around both pulleys 21A, one on each side. Although not shown, a motor is connected to at least one of the pulleys 21A. When this motor is driven, the pulley 21A rotates, and the conveyor belt 21B circulates. As a result, the electric wire 1 sandwiched between the left and right conveyor belts 21B is fed forward.

[0027] The length measuring device 30 is incorporated in the feeding device 21. The length measuring device 30 calculates the distance that the electric wire 1 has been fed from the rotation angle of the motor of the feeding device 21. The feeding device 21 also serves as a straightening device that straightens the curl of the electric wire 1. The curl of the electric wire 1 is straightened by sandwiching the electric wire 1 between a pair of conveyor belts 21B during conveyance. However, the length measuring device 30 and the straightening device may each be devices independent of the feeding device 21.

[0028] The printing device 40 prints on the outer surface of the coating 3 of the electric wire 1. The printing device 40 prints, for example, the model, specifications, orientation, etc. on the electric wire 1. The type of the printing device 40 is not particularly limited, but it is, for example, an inkjet printing device. Here, the printing device 40 is arranged downstream of the feeding device 21 (which also serves as the length measuring device 30 and the straightening device) in the transport direction of the electric wire 1.

[0029] The cutting device 50, stripping device 60, rubber plug attachment device 70, crimping device 80, inspection device 90, and part of the conveying device 20 (specifically, clamps 22F, 22R, sliding devices 23F, 23R, and swiveling devices 24F, 24R) are arranged downstream of the printing device 40 in the conveying direction of the electric wire 1.

[0030] The cutting device 50 cuts the electric wire 1 transported a predetermined distance by the feeding device 21 based on the measurement by the length measuring device 30. As a result, the electric wire 1 is separated into a front electric wire 1 and a rear electric wire 1. The cutting device 50 and the length measuring device 30 constitute a length measuring and cutting device that measures the length of the electric wire 1 transported by the transporting device 20 (specifically, the feeding device 21) and cuts it to a predetermined length. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric wire processing device 10 near the cutting device 50. FIG. 3 is a side view of the electric wire processing device 10 near the cutting device 50. FIG. 4 is a front view of the electric wire processing device 10 from the cutting device 50 onwards. Note that in FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings, some components may be omitted for convenience of illustration. As shown in FIG. 3, the cutting device 50 includes a pair of upper and lower cutting blades 51 that move toward and away from each other, and an actuator (not shown) that drives the pair of cutting blades 51. When the pair of cutting blades 51 approach each other, the electric wire 1 is cut at the position of the cutting blades 51. As a result, the length of the electric wire 1 on the front side is set to a predetermined length.

[0031] The F-side clamp 22F grips the front end of the electric wire 1 on the rear side. The R-side clamp 22R grips the rear end of the electric wire 1 on the front side. The R-side clamp 22R is configured to grip the electric wire 1 from above so that the electric wire 1 is released after the terminal is crimped and dropped onto a tray (not shown). However, the R-side clamp 22R is not limited to gripping the electric wire 1 from above. The configuration of the F-side clamp 22F is not particularly limited, but here it grips the electric wire 1 from below.

[0032] The slide devices 23F, 23R move the F-side clamp 22F and the R-side clamp 22R, respectively, in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1. The F-side turning device 24F turns the F-side clamp 22F and the F-side slide device 23F. The R-side turning device 24R turns the R-side clamp 22R and the R-side slide device 23R. The F-side turning device 24F and the R-side turning device 24R are each part of the conveying device 20 configured to move the electric wire 1 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof. In this embodiment, the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1 is the turning direction by the F-side turning device 24F and the R-side turning device 24R. However, the conveying device 20 may be configured to move the electric wire 1 parallel to the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1 , the stripping device 60 includes an F-side stripping device 60F that strips the coating 3 from the front end of the rear-side electric wire 1, and an R-side stripping device 60R that strips the coating 3 from the rear end of the front-side electric wire 1. As shown in FIG. 3 , the F-side stripping device 60F has a pair of stripping blades 61F that cut off a portion of the coating 3, in this case, the front end. The pair of stripping blades 61F cuts off the coating 3 while leaving the core wire 2. The pair of stripping blades 61F is located rearward of the pair of cutting blades 51 of the cutting device 50. In this case, the pair of stripping blades 61F is configured as an upper and lower pair. The F-side stripping device 60F is equipped with an actuator (not shown) that moves the pair of stripping blades 61F toward or away from each other. The R-side stripping device 60R is also configured similarly to the stripping device 60F. The R-side stripping device 60R has a pair of stripping blades 61R that cut off a portion of the coating 3 from the front-side electric wire 1, in this case, the rear end. The pair of strip blades 61R are disposed forward of the pair of cutting blades 51 of the cutting device 50.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 , the rubber stopper attachment device 70 includes an F-side rubber stopper attachment device 70F that attaches a waterproof rubber stopper to the front end of the rear-side electric wire 1, and an R-side rubber stopper attachment device 70R that attaches a waterproof rubber stopper to the rear end of the front-side electric wire 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the F-side rubber stopper attachment device 70F is disposed so as to face one position (hereinafter also referred to as rubber stopper attachment position P1) on the orbit obtained by rotating the F-side clamp 22F to the left. Once the electric wire 1 is moved to the rubber stopper attachment position P1, it is moved toward the rubber stopper attachment device 70F by the slide device 23F and loaded into the rubber stopper attachment device 70F. Similarly, the R-side rubber stopper attachment device 70R is disposed so as to face the rubber stopper attachment position P1 on the orbit obtained by rotating the R-side clamp 22R to the right. The electric wire 1 is moved to the rubber plug attachment position P1, and then moved by the slide device 23R toward the rubber plug attachment device 70R, whereby the electric wire 1 is loaded into the rubber plug attachment device 70R.

[0035] The crimping device 80 includes an F-side crimping device 80F that crimps a crimp terminal onto the front end (exposed portion of the core wire 2) of the rear-side electric wire 1, and an R-side crimping device 80R that crimps a crimp terminal onto the rear end (exposed portion of the core wire 2) of the front-side electric wire 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the F-side crimping device 80F is disposed so as to face a first position (hereinafter also referred to as a crimping position P2) obtained by rotating the F-side clamp 22F further leftward from the rubber stopper attachment position P1. The rear-side electric wire 1 is moved to the crimping position P2 and then moved toward the crimping device 80F by the slide device 23F, thereby being loaded into the crimping device 80F. Similarly, the R-side crimping device 80R is disposed so as to face a crimping position P2 obtained by rotating the R-side clamp 22R further rightward from the rubber stopper attachment position P1. The front-side electric wire 1 is moved to the crimping position P2 and then moved toward the crimping device 80R by the slide device 23R, whereby the electric wire 1 is loaded into the crimping device 80R.

[0036] The inspection device 90 includes an F-side inspection device 90F that inspects the state of the rear-side electric wire 1 after stripping, and an R-side inspection device 90R that inspects the state of the front-side electric wire 1 after stripping. As shown in FIG. 1 , the F-side inspection device 90F includes an F-side camera 91F that captures an image of the tip of the stripped electric wire 1, and an F-side lighting device 92F. The F-side camera 91F is disposed above the rotation path of the electric wire 1 gripped by the F-side clamp 22F. More specifically, it is disposed above a position (hereinafter also referred to as inspection position P3) on the rotation path that is closer to the center (closer to the stripping device 60F) than the rubber stopper attachment position P1. The F-side lighting device 92F is disposed below the inspection position P3. Here, the F-side lighting device 92F has an upward-facing irradiation surface 92F1 and is a surface light source that emits light from the irradiation surface 92F1. However, the configuration of the lighting device 92F is not limited thereto. The F-side camera 91F captures an image of the electric wire 1 positioned between the F-side camera 91F and an illumination surface 92F1 of the lighting device 92F.

[0037] The R-side inspection device 90R also includes an R-side camera 91R that captures an image of the tip of the wire 1 after stripping, and an R-side lighting device 92R. As shown in FIG. 1 (see also FIG. 3), the R-side camera 91R is disposed above a wire receiver 110 (see also FIG. 2) that is provided ahead of the R-side stripping device 60R. The wire receiver 110 is a guide member that prevents the wire 1 from deviating in an undesired direction during transport. The wire receiver 110 restricts the movement of the wire 1 in an undesired direction. Here, the wire receiver 110 prevents the wire 1 from sagging and deviating downward, and from deviating to the left where the F-side terminal processing members are gathered.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a front view of the wire receiver 110. A plan view of the wire receiver 110 is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates a state in which components arranged above the wire receiver 110, such as the right-side camera 91R, have been removed. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the wire receiver 110 as a guide member has a lower guide surface 110D that prevents the electric wire 1 from sagging and deviating downward, and a left guide surface 110L that prevents the electric wire 1 from deviating to the left. As shown in FIG. 5, the wire receiver 110 is configured in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front. The lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L each face a part of the transport path of the electric wire 1 by the conveying device 20. The lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L are each wall surfaces that define one side of the transport path of the electric wire 1 by the conveying device 20. The electric wire 1 passes through a space above the lower guide surface 110D and to the right of the left guide surface 110L during conveyance by the conveying device 20. A part of the conveying path of the electric wire 1 is partitioned by the guide surfaces 110D and 110L, thereby preventing the electric wire 1 from entering the space behind the guide surfaces 110D and 110L.

[0039] The guide surfaces of the wire receiver 110 as a guide member are not limited to the lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L. The guide surfaces of the wire receiver 110 as a guide member may be provided as appropriate depending on the direction in which deviation of the electric wire 1 is to be prevented. Here, the lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L are provided substantially parallel to the transport path of the electric wire 1 (the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1). However, the guide surfaces of the wire receiver 110 do not have to be substantially parallel to the transport path of the electric wire 1. For example, the guide surfaces may have a downward slope in consideration of the electric wire 1 sagging downward.

[0040] In this embodiment, the right-side lighting device 92R is incorporated into the wire receiver 110. In this embodiment, the wire receiver 110 and the right-side lighting device 92R are integrated. As shown in FIG. 2 , the wire receiver 110 includes a bracket 111, a left block 112, a right block 113, and the right-side lighting device 92R. As shown in FIG. 5 , the bracket 111 is a bent plate-like member that is approximately L-shaped in a front view and extends in the front-rear direction. The bracket 111 includes a bottom 111a that extends in the left-right and front-rear directions, and a left side plate 111b that extends upward from the left end of the bottom 111a. The left block 112, the right-side lighting device 92R, and the right block 113 are mounted on the bottom 111a, in order from left to right. The left block 112, the right-side lighting device 92R, and the right block 113 form the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. The portion of the left side plate 111 b of the bracket 111 above the left block 112 , the R-side lighting device 92R, and the right block 113 constitutes the left guide surface 110L of the wire receiver 110 .

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2 , in a plan view, the R-side lighting device 92R occupies a portion of the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. The left block 112 and the right block 113, together with the lighting device 92R, constitute the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. The left block 112 and the right block 113 are examples of guide surface components that constitute a portion of the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. Note that, although the R-side lighting device 92R occupies only a portion of the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110 in this embodiment, it may also occupy the entire lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. In that case, a guide surface component may not be present.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5 , a surface (here, the upper surface) 92R1 constituting a part of the lower guide surface 110D of the right-side lighting device 92R is configured to be substantially flush with the left block 112 and the right block 113. FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the wire receiver 110. As shown in FIG. 6 , the wire receiver 110 includes an adjustment unit 114 that can adjust the vertical positions of the lighting device 92R and the right block 113 to make the lighting device 92R and the left block 112 and the right block 113 substantially flush with each other. As shown in FIG. 6 , the adjustment unit 114 includes a plurality of adjustment bolts 115 and a plurality of screw holes 111c (see FIG. 5 ) provided in the bottom portion 111a of the bracket 111. The plurality of adjustment bolts 115 are engaged with the plurality of screw holes 111c, respectively.

[0043] Four sets of adjustment bolts 115 and screw holes 111c (encircled by a rectangle marked with the reference symbol 114M in FIG. 6) located in the center of the left-right direction of the bottom 111a of the bracket 111 are used to adjust the vertical position of the lighting device 92R. By tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts 115 to change the height of the upper ends of the adjustment bolts 115, the vertical position of the lighting device 92R can be adjusted so that it is approximately flush with the left block 112.

[0044] Four sets of adjustment bolts 115 and screw holes 111c (encircled by a rectangle marked with the reference symbol 114R in FIG. 6) arranged on the right side of the bottom 111a of the bracket 111 are used to adjust the vertical position of the right block 113. By tightening or loosening the adjustment bolts 115 to change the height of the upper ends of the adjustment bolts 115, the vertical position of the right block 113 can be adjusted so that it is approximately flush with the lighting device 92R.

[0045] The R-side camera 91R is disposed opposite the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110, and captures an image of the electric wire 1 positioned between the camera and the lower guide surface 110D. More specifically, the R-side camera 91R is disposed opposite the R-side lighting device 92R, and captures an image of the electric wire 1 positioned between the camera and the R-side lighting device 92R. The R-side lighting device 92R has an irradiation surface (upper surface) 92R1 facing upward, and emits light from the irradiation surface 92R1.

[0046] The control device 100 is connected to and controls the operation of the feed device 21, clamps 22F, 22R, slide devices 23F, 23R, swivel devices 24F, 24R, length measuring device 30, cutting device 50, stripping devices 60F, 60R, rubber stopper fitting devices 70F, 70R, crimping devices 80F, 80R, and cameras 91R, 91F and lighting devices 92F, 92R of the inspection device 90. The operation of each part under the control of the control device 100 will be described later.

[0047] The configuration of the control device 100 is not particularly limited. Each unit of the control device 100 may be configured by software or by hardware. Furthermore, each unit may be a processor or a circuit. The control device 100 may be, for example, a programmable controller or a general-purpose computer.

[0048] [Operation of the Electric Wire Processing Apparatus] Next, the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the first half of the processing of the electric wire 1 by the electric wire processing apparatus 10, up to the time when the electric wire 1 is cut by the cutting device 50. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S01 of the processing of the electric wire 1, the electric wire 1 is fed forward by the feeding device 21. As the electric wire 1 is fed, any curl of the electric wire 1 is also corrected at the same time. In step S02, the printing device 40 prints on the electric wire 1. In step S03, it is determined based on the measurement by the length measuring device 30 whether the electric wire 1 has been fed a predetermined length. When the fed length of the electric wire 1 reaches the predetermined length (the result of step S03 is YES), feeding of the electric wire 1 is stopped in step S04. In step S05, the electric wire 1 is gripped by the F-side clamp 22F and the R-side clamp 22R. In step S06, the electric wire 1 is cut by the cutting device 50.

[0049] The R-side processing (referring to the processing of the rear end portion of the wire 1 on the front side) will be described below with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart of the R-side processing after the wire 1 has been cut. As shown in Fig. 8, in step S07 of the R-side processing, the coating 3 is cut by the stripping device 60R, leaving the core wire 2. As a result, the coating 3 at the front end (here, the rear end) is separated from the coating 3 in the other portions.

[0050] In step S08, the coating 3 of the cut-off tip portion is stripped off, thereby exposing the tip portion of the core wire 2. In this embodiment, the coating 3 of the tip portion is stripped off by the operation of the conveying device 20. The conveying device 20, more specifically, the slide device 23R, is configured to strip off the coating 3 of the tip portion cut off by the stripping device 60R by moving the electric wire 1 in the longitudinal direction (forward in this case).

[0051] Note that "stripping the coating 3" may include not only moving the coating 3 until it is detached from the electric wire 1, but also moving it to an extent that the coating 3 does not detach from the electric wire 1. Depending on the method of processing the electric wire 1, the coating 3 at the tip end may be left inserted into the core wire 2. Furthermore, "stripping the coating 3" may also include stripping the coating 3 from the electric wire 1 other than the tip end while leaving the coating 3 on both sides (intermediate stripping). Hereinafter, the operation of stripping the coating 3 at the tip end in step S08 is also referred to as "stripping operation." In this embodiment, in the stripping operation, the coating 3 at the tip end is stripped until it is detached from the electric wire 1.

[0052] In the stripping operation of step S08, the electric wire 1 is moved forward until the exposed portion of the core wire 2 is positioned above the wire holder 110. The lower guide surface 110D of the wire holder 110 prevents the electric wire 1 from sagging and falling off downward during the stripping operation. The left guide surface 110L of the wire holder 110 prevents the electric wire 1 from moving leftward during the stripping operation, for example, when the electric wire 1 is bent due to insufficient straightening of the winding. In this embodiment, the lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L of the wire holder 110 define one surface of the transport path of the electric wire 1 during the stripping operation. The lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L of the wire holder 110 are provided facing the position where the exposed portion of the core wire 2 will reach when the stripping operation is completed. By being arranged in this manner, the lower guide surface 110D and the left guide surface 110L of the wire holder 110 prevent the electric wire 1 from deviating in an undesired direction during the stripping operation.

[0053] Furthermore, by arranging the lower guide surface 110D of the wire holder 110 as described above, when the stripping operation is completed, the exposed portion of the core wire 2 is positioned opposite the lower guide surface 110D of the wire holder 110. This allows the light from the lighting device 92R to be directed onto the exposed portion of the core wire 2.

[0054] The conveying device 20 turns the electric wire 1 after the stripping operation, and stops the electric wire 1 at the end of the stripping operation, so that the exposed portion of the core wire 2 stops at a position facing the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110.

[0055] In the following step S09, the lighting device 92R is turned on. However, the lighting device 92R may be turned on before this, for example, before step S01. In step S10, the R-side camera 91R captures an image of the vicinity of the exposed portion of the core wire 2. The image capture in step S10 is performed when the electric wire 1 is stopped or when the electric wire 1 is moving at a slow speed just before stopping. This makes it possible to capture an image more suitable for inspection. In step S11, the control device 100 determines whether the electric wire 1 is good or bad after stripping based on the image of the vicinity of the exposed portion of the core wire 2. In this embodiment, the determination of the quality of the electric wire 1 is a determination of the quality of the stripped state of the electric wire 1. However, the quality determination of the electric wire 1 may also include other determination factors, such as the state of correction of the curl of the electric wire 1 (if the curl is not corrected sufficiently, the position of the electric wire 1 will be shifted), the twist state of the electric wire 1, the printing state of the electric wire 1, the state of scratches on the electric wire 1, the length of the electric wire 1 (if the measurement length is off, the position of the tip of the electric wire 1 will be off), etc.

[0056] If the condition of the electric wire 1 is good in step S11 (if the result of step S11 is YES), the conveying device 20 moves the electric wire 1 in the rotating direction to convey it to the rubber stopper fitting device 70R and the crimping device 80R. More specifically, in step S12, the electric wire 1 is rotated by the rotating device 24R and slid by the sliding device 23R, and loaded into the rubber stopper fitting device 70R. In the rubber stopper fitting device 70R, a rubber stopper is fitted to the electric wire 1. In step S13, the electric wire 1 is rotated and slid again, and loaded into the crimping device 80R. In the crimping device 80R, a crimp terminal is crimped to the electric wire 1. In step S14, the electric wire 1 with the crimp terminal crimped thereto is released from the grip of the R-side clamp 22R, and dropped into a tray (not shown). After the rubber stopper is attached to the electric wire 1, the electric wire 1 can be returned onto the wire receiver 110 and the attachment state of the rubber stopper can be inspected by the inspection device 90.

[0057] If the stripped state of the electric wire 1 is defective in step S11 (if the result of step S11 is NO), in step S15, the electric wire 1 is rotated above a defective product tray (not shown) and then released from the grip of the R-side clamp 22R. As a result, the defective electric wire 1 falls into the defective product tray. The defective electric wire 1 is discarded.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram comparing the R-side processing with the F-side processing (referring to the processing of the front end of the electric wire 1 on the rear side). Below, the F-side processing will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, in the F-side processing (indicated by dotted lines), after the stripping operation of the electric wire 1 is completed, the electric wire 1 is moved to the inspection position P3 without being inspected. The electric wire 1 is stopped or significantly decelerated at the inspection position P3. While the electric wire 1 is stopped or decelerated, the F-side camera 91F captures an image of the electric wire 1 and determines whether it is good or bad. In the F-side processing, the electric wire 1 is then rotated again, and a rubber stopper is attached to the electric wire 1 and a crimp terminal is crimped thereto.

[0059] In this embodiment, the F-side inspection device 90F employs a conventional configuration in which a lighting device 92F and an F-side camera 91F are disposed on a rotation path between the stripping position and the rubber plug attachment position P1. As shown in Fig. 9, the F-side processing requires more processing time than the R-side processing due to the need to stop or decelerate the rotation of the electric wire 1 at the inspection position P3. In other words, by employing the configuration of the R-side inspection device 90R, the processing capacity of the inspection device 90 is improved.

[0060] In the F-side processing, in order to reduce the impact of deceleration of the electric wire 1 at the inspection position P3 on productivity, it is possible to consider not slowing down the rotation speed of the electric wire 1 or not slowing it down too much. However, doing so would require a high-performance F-side camera 91F capable of high-speed imaging. Even if high-speed imaging were possible, the centrifugal force of high-speed rotation could cause the electric wire 1 to bend, resulting in a judgment of defectiveness. For example, if the electric wire 1 is bent by centrifugal force and goes outside the imaging area of ​​the F-side camera 91F, it would be judged as defective.

[0061] When the R-side inspection device 90R captures an image of the electric wire 1, the electric wire 1 is stopped or decelerated. Therefore, a high-performance R-side camera 91R capable of high-speed imaging is not required. Furthermore, this stopping or deceleration is essentially for changing the direction of movement of the electric wire 1, not for inspection. Therefore, there is no decrease in productivity of the electric wire processing device 10 due to inspection.

[0062] In the processing on the R side, when the image of the electric wire 1 is captured, the electric wire 1 is at worst moving in the longitudinal direction but is not rotating. Therefore, the electric wire 1 is not bent by the centrifugal force of the rotation.

[0063] In this embodiment, a conventional configuration is adopted for the F-side inspection device 90F, but the F-side inspection device 90F may also be configured in the same manner as the R-side inspection device 90R. Alternatively, the F-side inspection device 90F may be configured in the same manner as the R-side inspection device 90R described above, and the R-side inspection device 90R may be configured in the same manner as the conventional one.

[0064] [Operations and Effects of the Embodiment] Hereinafter, operations and effects that can be achieved by the wire processing device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0065] The electric wire processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a conveying device 20 that conveys the electric wire 1, a wire receiver 110 having a lower guide surface 110D that faces a part of the conveying path of the electric wire 1 by the conveying device 20, and an R-side camera 91R that is disposed opposite the lower guide surface 110D and captures an image of the electric wire 1. The wire receiver 110 includes an illumination device 92R that occupies at least a part of the lower guide surface 110D.

[0066] According to this configuration, the size of the wire processing device 10 can be reduced by incorporating the lighting device 92R into the wire receptacle 110, which is an essential component in stripping work. The wire receptacle 110 is an essential component that prevents the wire 1 from deviating in an unintended direction by restricting the movement of the wire 1 with the guide surfaces 110D and 110L. For example, if the lighting device 92R is arranged separately from the wire receptacle 110, a separate space for arranging the lighting device 92R is required.

[0067] In this embodiment, the wire holder 110 is a guide member that restricts the movement of the wire 1 during stripping work, but it may also be a guide member that restricts the movement of the wire 1 during other work. There may be multiple guide members depending on the application, and lighting devices may be incorporated into some or all of them.

[0068] In this embodiment, the wire receiver 110 includes a left block 112 and a right block 113 as guide surface components that form part of the lower guide surface 110D. A surface 92R1 of the lighting device 92R, which forms part of the lower guide surface 110D, is configured to be substantially flush with the left block 112 and the right block 113. With this configuration, the lighting device 92R is substantially flush with the left block 112 and the right block 113 on the lower guide surface 110D, eliminating any steps between the lighting device 92R and the left block 112 and the right block 113. There is a risk that the wire 1 may get caught on steps on the wall surface of the wire receiver 110. The wire processing device 10 according to this embodiment reduces the risk of the wire 1 getting caught on steps on the lower guide surface 110D. The number of guide surface components may be one or three or more.

[0069] In this embodiment, the wire receiver 110 includes an adjustment unit 114 that can adjust the positions of the lighting device 92R and the right block 113 to make the lighting device 92R substantially flush with the left block 112 and the right block 113. With this configuration, even if there is dimensional variation in part or all of the lighting device 92R, the left block 112, and the right block 113, the lighting device 92R can be made substantially flush with the left block 112 and the right block 113 by adjusting the height with the adjustment unit 114. Note that the adjustment unit 114 may be configured to adjust the position of at least one of the lighting device 92R, the left block 112, and the right block 113, as long as the height adjustment is possible.

[0070] In this embodiment, the electric wire 1 is a coated electric wire including a core wire 2 and a coating 3 covering the core wire 2. The electric wire processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes a stripping device 60R having a stripping blade 61R that cuts off a portion of the coating 3 (here, the tip portion). The conveying device 20 is configured to move the electric wire 1 in the longitudinal direction, strip the coating 3 from the tip portion cut off by the stripping device 60R, and expose the core wire 2. The lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110 is provided facing a position where the exposed portion of the core wire 2 will reach when the stripping operation is completed. With this configuration, when the stripping operation is completed, the exposed portion of the core wire 2 faces the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receiver 110. Therefore, light from the lighting device 92R can be irradiated onto the exposed portion of the core wire 2 after the stripping operation is completed. This allows the exposed portion of the core wire 2 to be imaged by the right-side camera 91R, and the condition of the exposed portion of the core wire 2 can be inspected from the image.

[0071] Furthermore, when the stripping operation is completed, the electric wire 1 is either moving in the longitudinal direction or is stopped. The electric wire 1 is not subjected to centrifugal force due to rotation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of the electric wire 1 as defective due to bending of the electric wire 1 caused by centrifugal force.

[0072] In this embodiment, the crimping device 80R, which crimps a crimp terminal onto the exposed portion of the core wire 2, is disposed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1 relative to the wire receptacle 110. The conveying device 20 stops the electric wire 1 when the stripping operation is completed, and then moves the electric wire 1 in the intersecting direction to convey it to the crimping device 80R. This configuration prevents the electric wire processing device 10 from becoming longer in the longitudinal direction of the electric wire 1. Furthermore, because the electric wire 1 stops at a position facing the lower guide surface 110D of the wire receptacle 110, the R-side camera 91R can capture an image of the electric wire 1 in a stopped state or in a state of slow movement just before stopping. Capturing an image of the electric wire 1 in a stopped or slow-moving state allows for more reliable inspection of the condition of the electric wire 1 using the captured image. Furthermore, because the electric wire 1 is stopped not for the purpose of capturing an image but to change the conveying direction of the electric wire 1, productivity is not reduced due to the image capture.

[0073] [Other Embodiments] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative, and various other embodiments are possible. For example, the wire receptacle may be a wire receptacle that defines the transport path of the wire 1 during operations performed by a straightening device (feeding device 21) that straightens the winding of the wire 1, a printing device 40 that prints on the wire 1, and a length measuring and cutting device (length measuring device 30 and cutting device 50) that measures the length of the wire 1 transported by the transporting device 20 and cuts it to a predetermined length. At least some of these wire receptacles may have a guide surface partially or entirely occupied by an illumination device. The timing for capturing an image of the wire 1 by the camera and illumination device is not limited to after the stripping operation.

[0074] By inspecting the electric wire 1 using a guide member provided downstream of a straightening device (feeding device 21) that straightens the winding tendency of the electric wire 1, a printing device 40, or a length measuring and cutting device (length measuring device 30 and cutting device 50) that cuts the electric wire 1 to a predetermined length, it is possible to inspect the state of straightening the winding tendency of the electric wire 1, the state of printing on the electric wire 1, or scratches on the electric wire 1 after measuring the length of the electric wire 1. In the inspection after cutting the electric wire 1, it is also possible to inspect the state of the electric wire 1 after intermediate stripping.

[0075] The wire receiver may be made of the lighting device. That is, the lighting device itself may be the wire receiver. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the wire processing device.

[0076] The lighting device does not have to be provided so as to occupy part or all of the guide surface of the wire receiver that faces upward. The lighting device may be provided so as to occupy part or all of the guide surface of the wire receiver that faces downward or to the side, for example. The camera only needs to be provided so as to face the guide surface on which the lighting device is provided.

[0077] Unless otherwise specified, the above-described embodiment does not limit the present invention. For example, the configuration of the electric wire processing device 10 in the embodiment is merely an example, and components may be added or deleted as appropriate. For example, the electric wire processing device may not include the rubber plug attachment device 70.

[0078] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Electric wire 2 Core wire 3 Coating 10 Electric wire processing device 20 Conveying device 30 Length measuring device 40 Printing device 50 Cutting device 60 Stripping device 80 Crimping device 90 Inspection device 91R R-side camera (imaging device) 92R R-side lighting device 110 Wire receiver (guide member) 110D Lower guide surface (guide surface) 112 Left block (guide surface constituent member) 113 Right block (guide surface constituent member) 114 Adjustment unit

Claims

1. a conveying device that conveys the electric wire in a conveying direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction of the electric wire; a guide member having a guide surface facing a part of a conveying path of the electric wire by the conveying device and extending in the longitudinal direction; an imaging device that is disposed opposite the guide surface and captures an image of the electric wire, the conveying device conveys the electric wire so as to pass between the guide surface and the imaging device; The guide member includes an illumination device that occupies at least a portion of the guide surface. Wire processing equipment.

2. the guide member includes a guide surface component that configures a part of the guide surface, a surface constituting a part of the guide surface of the lighting device is configured to be substantially flush with the guide surface constituent member; The wire processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the guide member includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the position of at least one of the illumination device and the guide surface component member to make the illumination device and the guide surface component member substantially flush with each other. The wire processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The guide member comprises the lighting device. The wire processing device according to claim 1 .

5. The electric wire is a coated electric wire including a core wire and a coating covering the core wire, a stripping device having a blade for cutting off a portion of the coating; the conveying device is configured to move the electric wire in the longitudinal direction to strip the cut-off portion of the coating and expose the core wire, The guide surface is provided facing a position where the exposed portion of the core wire will reach when the stripping of the part of the coating is completed. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. a crimping device disposed in the transport direction relative to the guide member and configured to crimp a crimp terminal onto the exposed portion of the core wire, the conveying device stops the electric wire when the operation of stripping the part of the coating is completed, and after the electric wire has stopped, moves the electric wire in the conveying direction to convey it to the crimping device. The wire processing device according to claim 5 .

7. The wire conveying apparatus further includes one or more processing devices provided upstream of the guide member in the wire conveying path, The one or more processing devices include at least one of a straightening device that straightens out a curl of the electric wire, a printing device that prints on the electric wire, and a length measuring and cutting device that measures the length of the electric wire conveyed by the conveying device and cuts it to a predetermined length. The wire processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.