Electric wire processing device and terminal-equipped electric wire

Abstract

An electric wire processing device (M) comprises: first processing parts (23, 25) that can move in an intersecting direction intersecting the axial direction; and a second processing part that has an inner cylinder part (31) and an outer cylinder part (26) that are coaxially disposed. The first processing parts cause a shield layer (54) to deform so that an end part of the shield layer expands in diameter. In the second processing part, the inner cylinder part is inserted into the inner diameter side from the expanded end part of the shield layer to cause the shield layer to spread out, and the shield layer is put into the cylinder of the outer cylinder part to fold back the shield layer toward the outer peripheral surface of an electric wire (50).

Description

Wire processing equipment and wire with terminals

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric wire processing device for folding back an exposed shield layer, which is formed by peeling an outer layer from an electric wire, toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, and to an electric wire with a terminal.

[0002] Various processing devices have been proposed for attaching terminals and the like to coaxial electric wires. A coaxial electric wire generally includes a conductor core, an inner insulator surrounding the conductor core, a shield layer (e.g., a braided conductor) surrounding the inner insulator, and an outer insulator surrounding the braided conductor. When attaching a terminal to the end of a coaxial electric wire, for example, one or more processing devices are used to perform the following steps: stripping the outer insulator from the end of the coaxial electric wire to expose the shield layer; folding back the exposed shield layer toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire; and crimping a terminal to the folded back shield layer.

[0003] One conventional processing device is used in a step of folding back a shield layer (specifically, a braided conductor) toward the outer circumferential surface of an electric wire. This processing device performs this step (i.e., folding back the braided conductor) by inserting a cylindrical processing tool into the inner diameter side of the braided conductor to expand the braided conductor toward the outer diameter side, and then pressing the expanded braided conductor toward the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire with a block-shaped processing tool (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-009784

[0005] In the conventional processing device described above, when the expanded braided conductor is pushed down, depending on the degree of expansion of the braided conductor, the processing surface (plate surface) of the block-shaped processing tool may strongly abut against the end of the braided conductor, causing buckling or other problems. This may result in the braided conductor not being pushed down properly and not being folded back into the designed shape. If the braided conductor is not folded back properly, the braided conductor may interfere with the terminal during the subsequent crimping process, causing the braided conductor to be cut, preventing the terminal from being properly crimped to the braided conductor. Furthermore, the cut braided conductor may be scattered around, potentially causing an unintended short circuit or other problem. As is clear from this description, similar problems may occur not only in braided conductors but also in the process of folding back the shielding layer of a coaxial electric wire. For these reasons, a processing device capable of properly folding back the shielding layer of a coaxial electric wire is desired.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire processing device capable of properly folding back the shielding layer of an electric wire, and an electric wire with a terminal using an electric wire processed in this manner.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an electric wire processing device is an electric wire processing device for folding back an exposed shielding layer when an outer layer is peeled off from an electric wire, toward an outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, the electric wire processing device comprising: a first processing unit arranged to be movable in an intersecting direction intersecting a predetermined axial direction; and a second processing unit having a cylindrical shape and an inner tube portion and an outer tube portion arranged coaxially so as to be movable relatively in the axial direction, wherein the first processing unit is configured to press the shielding layer in the intersecting direction, thereby deforming the shielding layer so that an end portion of the shielding layer expands in diameter, and the second processing unit is configured to insert the inner tube portion in the axial direction through an inner diameter side of the expanded end portion into the inner diameter side of the shielding layer, thereby expanding the shielding layer, and to move the outer tube portion in the axial direction toward the expanded shielding layer, and to insert the shielding layer into the outer tube portion while pressing down, thereby deforming the shielding layer so as to be folded back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, an electric wire with a terminal includes: an electric wire; and a terminal crimped to the electric wire, wherein the electric wire has: a shield layer; and an outer layer arranged to surround the shield layer, and has a structure in which the outer layer is peeled off at an end of the electric wire to expose the shield layer and the exposed shield layer is folded back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, and the terminal has: a crimping portion that is crimped to the folded back shield layer and connected to the shield layer; and a tubular contact portion into which a portion of the electric wire that is located further tip than the folded back shield layer is inserted, and the shield layer does not have a cut mark in the folded back portion that was caused by the shield layer coming into contact with the terminal when the portion is inserted into the tube of the contact portion of the terminal.

[0009] FIG. 1A is a first diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a second diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1C is a third diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1D is a fourth diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1E is a fifth diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1F is a sixth diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1G is a seventh diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process for an electric wire with terminals using an electric wire to be processed by an electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1H is an eighth diagram for sequentially explaining the manufacturing process of an electric wire with a terminal using an electric wire to be processed by the electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the entire electric wire processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which three opening / closing blocks provided in the electric wire processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 are opened radially outward and arranged to surround the end portion of the electric wire in the state shown in FIG. 1C. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the three opening / closing blocks are closed radially inward from the state shown in FIG. 4, and the ring-shaped claw portions of the three opening rollers are pressed against the braided conductor of the electric wire. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portion D in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a front view for explaining the process of reciprocating a rotor in the circumferential direction of the electric wire while maintaining the state shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the end portion of the braided conductor is loosened and expanded in diameter by the reciprocating motion of the rotor shown in FIG. 8. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6, showing a state in which the braid-spreading tube has advanced from the state shown in FIG. 9 and is inserted radially inside the end portion of the expanded braided conductor.Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion E in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6, showing a state in which the three opening / closing blocks (opening rollers) are opened radially outward from the state shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6, showing a state in which the end portion of the braided conductor is spread by further advancing the braid-spreading tube and the end portion of the braided conductor is folded back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire by advancing the braid-folding tube from the state shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion F in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a view corresponding to Fig. 6, showing a state in which the braid-spreading tube and the braid-folding tube are retracted from the state shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in Fig. 1H.

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of an electric wire processing apparatus M according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an electric wire with terminal 100 using an electric wire 50 to be processed by the electric wire processing apparatus M. The electric wire with terminal 100 shown in Fig. 16 is manufactured by sequentially performing the manufacturing steps shown in Figs. 1A to 1H.

[0011] To manufacture the electric wire with terminal 100, first, an electric wire 50 is prepared as shown in Fig. 1A. As shown in Fig. 2, the electric wire 50 is a so-called coaxial electric wire that is composed of a rod-shaped conductor core 51, a cylindrical inner insulator 52 that covers the outer periphery of the conductor core 51, a cylindrical aluminum foil 53 that covers the outer periphery of the inner insulator 52, a cylindrical braided conductor 54 that covers the outer periphery of the aluminum foil 53, and a cylindrical insulating sheath 55 that covers the outer periphery of the braided conductor 54.

[0012] Next, as shown in FIG. 1B , a predetermined length of the sheath 55 is stripped from the distal end of the electric wire 50, thereby exposing the distal end of the braided conductor 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 1C , a cylindrical metal sleeve 60 is crimped onto the proximal end portion of the exposed braided conductor 54. Next, as shown in FIG. 1D , the exposed braided conductor 54 located distal to the sleeve 60 is folded back proximally toward the distal end of the sheath 55 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 60. Next, as shown in FIG. 1E , the distal end of the aluminum foil 53 exposed by the folded back braided conductor 54 and the distal end of the inner insulator 52 located therein are stripped away, thereby exposing the distal end of the conductor core 51. Next, as shown in FIG. 1F , an elongated cylindrical metal inner terminal 70 is crimped onto the conductor core 51 so as to cover the exposed conductor core 51. 1G, a substantially cylindrical insulating inner housing 80 is attached to the inner terminal 70 so as to cover the inner terminal 70. Then, as shown in Fig. 1H, a substantially cylindrical metal outer terminal 90 is attached to the inner housing 80 so as to cover the folded-back braided conductor 54 and the inner housing 80, and a pair of crimping pieces 91, 92 provided on the base end side of the outer terminal 90 are crimped and fixed to the braided conductor 54 located on the outer periphery of the distal end of the sheath 55 and the braided conductor 54 located on the outer periphery of the sleeve 60, respectively. In this manner, the electric wire with terminal 100 shown in Fig. 16 is manufactured.

[0013] 1A to 1H are performed using a predetermined processing device. In particular, the manufacturing step shown in FIG. 1D (i.e., the step of folding back the exposed braided conductor 54 from the electric wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1C) is performed using an electric wire processing device M described below. Note that, among the manufacturing steps shown in FIGS. 1A to 1H, the manufacturing steps other than the step shown in FIG. 1D may be performed manually by an operator.

[0014] The configuration of the electric wire processing device M will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 15. The electric wire processing device M is a processing device for the end portion of the electric wire 50, and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, it functions to fold back the exposed braided conductor 54 at the end portion of the electric wire 50, which is in the state shown in Figure 1C, toward the proximal end toward the end portion of the sheath 55 and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve 60, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. For convenience of explanation, the terms "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," "left-right direction," "front," "rear," "up," "down," "left," and "right" are defined below as shown in Figure 3 and elsewhere. The "front-rear direction," "up-down direction," and "left-right direction" are perpendicular to one another. The front-rear direction corresponds to the "axial direction" in this specification.

[0015] 3 and other figures, the electric wire processing device M includes a base plate 1, a unit base 2 erected on the base plate 1, a slide plate 3 mounted on the unit base 2 so as to be able to slide linearly in the front-to-rear direction, a unit body 4 mounted on the slide plate 3, and a unit body drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the unit body 4 forward and backward in the front-to-rear direction. Here, "forward" refers to movement in a direction approaching the end of the electric wire 50 (forward movement), and "reverse" refers to movement in a direction away from the end of the electric wire 50 (rear movement). The unit body drive mechanism is composed of a reciprocating air cylinder (air-driven actuator).

[0016] The end portion of the electric wire 50 to be processed, which is in the state shown in FIG. 1C, is transported by a transport mechanism (not shown) and held in a fixed position by a support device 5 for operation by the electric wire processing device M.

[0017] The unit body 4 has a working axis L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) that coincides with the axis of the end of the electric wire 50 held in a fixed position for work, and the sliding direction of the unit body 4 is set in a direction (front-to-back direction) parallel to the working axis L. A stay plate 8 made of a vertical plate is fixed to the upper part of the slide plate 3.

[0018] The wire processing device M further includes a rotating body 11 and its rotation drive mechanism 10, a plurality of opening / closing blocks 23 and their opening / closing drive mechanisms 20, and a plurality of opening rollers 25 attached to each opening / closing block 23, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, etc.

[0019] The main body of the air-driven rotary actuator serving as the rotary drive mechanism 10 is fixed to the front surface of the stay plate 8 of the unit body 4. The rotating body 11 is provided as the rotating part of the rotary actuator, and is driven to rotate around the working axis L.

[0020] The main body of the air-driven air chuck serving as the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 is fixed on the rotating body 11. An opening / closing block support frame 22 is provided at the front end of the main body of the air chuck, and a plurality of opening / closing blocks 23 (three in this embodiment) are provided on the opening / closing block support frame 22 at equal angular intervals in the circumferential direction around the work axis L. Note that the rotating body 11, which is the rotating part of the rotary actuator, the main body of the air-driven air chuck serving as the opening / closing drive mechanism 20, and the opening / closing block support frame 22 rotate integrally, and therefore the entire assembly may also be referred to as a rotating body.

[0021] The three opening / closing blocks 23 are supported on the opening / closing block support frame 22 so as to be slidable in the radial direction of a circle whose center is the work axis L. The main body of the air-driven air chuck serving as the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 synchronously opens the multiple opening / closing blocks 23 radially outward and closes them radially inward.

[0022] The opening rollers 25 are attached to the radially inner end of each opening / closing block 23 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the work axis L. Each opening roller 25 has a ring-shaped claw portion 25a serving as an opening claw on its outer periphery. Here, the opening / closing block 23 and the opening rollers 25 correspond to the "first processing portion" of the present invention.

[0023] A fixed member 21 is fixed on the opening / closing block support frame 22 in a manner that does not interfere with the opening / closing block 23, and a substantially cylindrical braided folded tube 26 extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to this fixed member 21 so as to be positioned coaxially with the working axis L. The rear end side of the braided folded tube 26 protrudes radially outward, and this protruding portion is inserted into and fixed in an attachment hole provided in the fixed member 21 so as to be positioned coaxially with the working axis L. The inner diameter of the central hole extending in the front-rear direction of the braided folded tube 26 is set to a dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the sheath 55 of the electric wire 50. The outer periphery of the front end of the braided folded tube 26 has a tapered portion 26a in which the thickness of the tube wall becomes thinner as it approaches the front open end.

[0024] 3 to 5, the electric wire processing device M further includes a slide rod 30 that passes through the rotors (the rotation drive mechanism 10, the opening / closing drive mechanism 20, the opening / closing block support frame 22, etc.) and is arranged slidably on the working axis L while being guided by the rotors, a braid opening cylinder 31 provided at the front end of the slide rod 30, and a slide drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the slide rod 30 back and forth. The slide rod 30 also passes through the stay plate 8, and a reciprocating air cylinder serving as a slide drive mechanism is arranged behind the stay plate 8.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 6 and other figures, the rear end of the braid-spreading tube 31 is solid, and this solid portion is fixed to the front end of the slide rod 30 with a set screw. The inner diameter of the central hole extending in the front-rear direction of the braid-spreading tube 31 is set to a size that allows the aluminum foil 53 of the electric wire 50 to be inserted therein, and the outer diameter of the braid-spreading tube 31 is set to a size that allows the braid-spreading tube 31 to pass through the central hole of the braid-folded tube 26. The outer periphery of the front end of the braid-spreading tube 31 has a tapered portion 31a in which the thickness of the tube wall decreases toward the front open end (see FIG. 11). The braid-spreading tube 31 is disposed coaxially with the braid-folded tube 26, and while inserted into the central hole of the braid-folded tube 26, it is movable relative to the braid-folded tube 26 in the axial direction. Here, the braid-spreading tube 31 and the braid-folded tube 26 correspond to the "inner tube portion" and the "outer tube portion," respectively, in the present invention.

[0026] As described above, in the electric wire processing apparatus M, the rotation drive mechanism 10, the opening / closing drive mechanism 20, the slide drive mechanism (not shown), and the unit main body drive mechanism (not shown) are all configured with air-driven actuators. The configuration of the electric wire processing apparatus M has been described above.

[0027] Next, the operation of the wire processing device M when performing the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1D (i.e., the process of folding back the exposed braided conductor 54 for the wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1C) using the wire processing device M will be described.

[0028] 1D using the electric wire processing apparatus M, first, as shown in Fig. 4, the end portion of the electric wire 50 in the state shown in Fig. 1C is held in a fixed position by the support device 5 (see Fig. 3) for operation by the electric wire processing apparatus M. All of the various movable members provided in the electric wire processing apparatus M are in their initial positions. At this stage, the three open / close blocks 23 are opened radially outward and are arranged to surround the end portion of the electric wire 50 in the state shown in Fig. 1C.

[0029] Next, as shown in Fig. 5 , by driving the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 toward the closing side, the opening roller 25 is closed as indicated by the white arrow in Fig. 5 , and the ring-shaped claw 25 a of the opening roller 25 is pressed against the base end of the braided conductor 54 exposed distally of the sleeve 60 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 . This suppresses misalignment of the electric wire 50 with respect to the working axis L. Next, as shown in Fig. 8 , by controlling the air pressure of the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 to press the ring-shaped claw 25 a against the base end of the braided conductor 54 with an appropriate pressing force, the rotation drive mechanism 10 is driven. As a result, the ring-shaped claw 25 a is reciprocated by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 50 as indicated by the white arrow in Fig. 8 while pressing the base end of the braided conductor 54 on the outer periphery of the exposed base end of the braided conductor 54.

[0030] This promotes the release of the exposed braided conductor 54 from its braided state with the fine metal wires (i.e., the unraveling of the exposed braided conductor 54), causing the distal end portion of the exposed braided conductor 54 to open radially outward, as shown in Figure 9. The pressing force applied by the ring-shaped claws 25a of the opening roller 25 is set so that the proximal end of the exposed braided conductor 54 is slightly pressed into the inner insulator 52 (through the aluminum foil 53). If the pressing force is too weak, the braided conductor 54 will not open, whereas if the pressing force is too strong, the braided conductor 54 may be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to set the air pressure appropriately. Furthermore, the distal end of the ring-shaped claws 25a is formed smooth to prevent scratches on the braided conductor 54.

[0031] From this state, the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 may be driven to the opening side, then the unit main body drive mechanism (not shown) may be driven slightly forward or backward, and then the rotation drive mechanism 10 may be driven while driving the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 to the closing side. This series of operations may be repeated one or more times so that the ring-shaped claws 25a of the opening roller 25 reciprocate by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 50 while pressing the base end of the braided conductor 54 at multiple locations in the front-rear direction on the outer periphery of the base end of the exposed braided conductor 54. This further promotes the loosening of the exposed braided conductor 54, making it easier for the tip side portion of the exposed braided conductor 54 to open radially outward.

[0032] Next, by driving the slide drive mechanism (not shown) forward, the braid spreading tube 31 advances, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 10, until the front end surface of the slide rod 30 abuts against the rear end surface of the braid folding tube 26. As a result, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the braid spreading tube 31 enters from the tip side of the electric wire 50 radially inward of the tip side portion of the braided conductor 54 in an open state so as to cover the outer periphery of the exposed aluminum foil 53. This allows the braid spreading tube 31 to further open the braided conductor 54. A tapered portion 31a (see Fig. 11) is formed on the tip side of the outer periphery of the braid spreading tube 31 to prevent the braided conductor 54 from being damaged.

[0033] Next, by driving the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 toward the opening side, the opening roller 25 is retracted to the open position as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 12. Next, as shown by the white arrow in Fig. 13, by driving the unit body drive mechanism (not shown) forward while driving the slide drive mechanism (not shown) forward, the slide rod 30 (i.e., the braided opening tube 31 integral with the slide rod 30) and the unit body 4 (i.e., the braided folding tube 26 integral with the unit body 4) advance.

[0034] The braid-spreading tube 31 advances until its front end surface abuts against the radially inner surface of the exposed base end of the braided conductor 54, and then the base end of the braided conductor 54 is kept pressed against the annular rear end surface of the sleeve 60 (see FIG. 14 ). This reliably spreads the base end of the braided conductor 54 radially outward.

[0035] On the other hand, the braid folding tube 26 continues to move forward (i.e., moves further forward relative to the braid spreading tube 31) even after the braid conductor 54 comes into contact with the proximal end of the braided conductor 54 and the braid spreading tube 31 has stopped moving forward. As a result, the exposed braided conductor 54, which has already been spread outward in the radial direction, enters the braid folding tube 26, and the exposed braided conductor 54 is folded back toward the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 50 (see FIG. 14 ). Here, because the braid folding tube 26 has a cylindrical shape, when the braid folding tube 26 folds back the braided conductor 54, the open end face at the front end of the braid folding tube 26 comes into contact with the braided conductor 54, which has been spread out by the braid spreading tube 31, from the proximal end toward the distal end, thereby exerting an external force on the braided conductor 54, and the braided conductor 54 enters the braid folding tube 26. This allows the braided conductor 54 to smoothly and effortlessly deform and enter the braided conductor 54 inside the folded-back tube 26, preventing the braided conductor 54 from buckling and becoming difficult to enter the folded-back tube 26, and preventing the folded-back braided conductor 54 from expanding significantly in the radial direction. Furthermore, the tapered portion 26a is provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the folded-back tube 26, thereby reducing the contact area between the folded-back tube 26 and the braided conductor 54 (i.e., the area of ​​the open end face of the front end of the folded-back tube 26). This increases the stress generated in the braided conductor 54 due to contact with the folded-back tube 26, allowing the braided conductor 54 to be folded back more smoothly. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14 , a gap (i.e., lifting of the braided conductor 54) does not (is unlikely to) occur between the braided conductor 54 and the sleeve 60 at the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54.

[0036] After the braided conductor 54 has been folded back as described above, as shown in FIG. 15 , all of the various movable members of the wire processing device M are returned to their initial positions by, for example, driving the slide drive mechanism (not shown) backward while driving the unit body drive mechanism (not shown) backward. A subsequent step may be added in which the unit body drive mechanism (not shown) and the opening / closing drive mechanism 20 are driven to press the ring-shaped claw portion 25a of the opening roller 25 against the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54. This further reduces the likelihood of a gap (floating of the braided conductor 54) occurring between the braided conductor 54 and the sleeve 60 at the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54. This completes the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1D using the wire processing device M. After this manufacturing process, the electric wire 50 in the state shown in FIG. 1D is then subjected to the manufacturing processes shown in FIGS. 1E to 1H.

[0037] 1H (i.e., a process in which the outer terminal 90 is attached to the inner housing 80 so as to cover the folded-back braided conductor 54 and the inner housing 80), if the braided conductor 54 is not folded back sufficiently, the base end 90a (see FIGS. 1H and 16 ) of the outer terminal 90 may interfere with the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54, resulting in cutting of the braided conductor 54. Cutting of the braided conductor 54 may impair the reliability of the electrical connection between the outer terminal 90 and the electric wire 50. Furthermore, if cut pieces of the braided conductor 54 are scattered around, it may cause a short circuit. In this regard, in the electric wire with terminal 100 manufactured through the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1D (a process in which the exposed braided conductor 54 is folded back) performed using the electric wire processing device M, as described above, no gap (floating of the braided conductor 54) occurs between the braided conductor 54 and the sleeve 60 at the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54 at the end of the manufacturing process shown in FIG. 1D . Therefore, when the electric wire 50 is inserted into the cylindrical outer terminal 90, the base end 90a of the outer terminal 90 does not (is unlikely to) come into contact with the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54. As a result, the electric wire with terminal 100 does not have any cut marks where the braided conductor 54 was cut in the folded-back portion of the braided conductor 54. This improves the reliability of the electrical connection between the braided conductor 54 and the crimping pieces 91, 92 of the outer terminal 90 and also makes it possible to prevent short circuits and the like caused by the cut-off pieces of the braided conductor 54.

[0038] As described above, according to the electric wire processing apparatus M of this embodiment, after the braided conductor 54 is deformed by the first processing unit (the opening / closing block 23 and the opening roller 25) so that the diameter of the end portion of the braided conductor 54 is expanded, the braid-spreading tube 31 of the second processing unit spreads out the braided conductor 54, and the braid-folding tube 26 of the second processing unit deforms the braided conductor 54 so as to fold it back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire 50. Here, because the braid-folding tube 26 has a cylindrical shape, when the braid-folding tube 26 folds back the braided conductor 54, the open end faces of the tube ends of the braid-folding tube 26 successively come into contact with the braided conductor 54 spread out by the braid-spreading tube 31 from the base end side toward the distal end side, exerting an external force on the braided conductor 54, and the braided conductor 54 enters the braid-folding tube 26. This allows the braided conductor 54 to smoothly enter the braided conductor 54 while naturally deforming, thereby preventing the braided conductor 54 from buckling and becoming difficult to enter the braided conductor 54 into the braided conductor 54, and preventing the folded-back braided conductor 54 from expanding significantly in the radial direction. Therefore, the wire processing device M according to this embodiment can properly fold back the braided conductor 54.

[0039] Furthermore, in the electric wire processing device M according to this embodiment, the braided folding tube 26 has a tapered portion 26a at the end of the tube, in which the thickness of the tube wall becomes thinner as it approaches the open end of the braided folding tube 26. This reduces the contact area between the braided folding tube 26 and the braided conductor 54 (i.e., the area of ​​the open end face of the braided folding tube 26), thereby increasing the stress generated in the braided conductor 54 by contact with the braided folding tube 26, and thus the braided conductor 54 can be folded back more smoothly.

[0040] Furthermore, in the electric wire processing apparatus M according to this embodiment, the first processing unit (the opening / closing block 23 and the opening roller 25) is configured to move in the circumferential direction of the electric wire 50 while pressing the braided conductor 54 in the cross direction (the radial direction of the electric wire 50). This promotes releasing the braided conductor 54 from the state in which it is braided with the thin metal wires (i.e., loosening the braided conductor 54). This also facilitates folding back the braided conductor 54 by the second processing unit (the braid folding tube 26).

[0041] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications, improvements, etc. are possible as appropriate. Furthermore, the material, shape, dimensions, number, location, etc. of each component in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary as long as they can achieve the present invention, and are not limited thereto.

[0042] Here, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electric wire processing device (M) is an electric wire processing device (M) for folding back the shielding layer (54) exposed when the outer layer (55) is peeled off from the electric wire (50) toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire (50), and includes: a first processing unit (23, 25) arranged to be movable in a cross direction crossing a predetermined axial direction; and a second processing unit having a cylindrical shape and an inner cylindrical portion (31) and an outer cylindrical portion (26) arranged coaxially so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction, wherein the first processing unit (23, 25) is configured to press the shielding layer (54) in the cross direction to deform the shielding layer (54) so ​​that an end portion of the shielding layer (54) has an expanded diameter, and the second processing unit The inner tube portion (31) is inserted in the axial direction through the inner diameter side of the expanded end portion and into the inner diameter side of the shield layer (54), spreading the shield layer (54), and the outer tube portion (26) is moved in the axial direction toward the spread shield layer (54), and the shield layer (54) is pushed down and inserted into the tube of the outer tube portion (26), thereby deforming the shield layer (54) so ​​as to fold it back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire (50).

[0043] According to the electric wire processing device having the above configuration, after the first processing unit deforms the shield layer (e.g., a braided conductor) so as to expand the diameter of the distal end portion of the shield layer, the inner tube portion of the second processing unit spreads the shield layer, and the outer tube portion of the second processing unit pushes the shield layer down while inserting it into the outer tube portion, thereby folding the shield layer back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire. When the outer tube portion pushes down the expanded shield layer, the outer tube portion is inserted into the inner diameter side of the shield layer. This prevents the outer tube portion from hitting the distal end of the shield layer. Furthermore, because the outer tube portion has a cylindrical shape, the open end face of the tube end of the outer tube portion contacts the shield layer sequentially from the proximal end side to the distal end side, exerting an external force on the shield layer and pushing down the shield layer. This allows the shield layer to be deformed smoothly as a whole without applying an excessive external force to a single point on the shield layer. As a result, problems such as buckling of the shield layer, which causes the shield layer to not fold back into the designed shape, are suppressed. Therefore, the electric wire processing apparatus having this configuration can properly fold back the shielding layer of the electric wire.

[0044] Furthermore, the outer cylindrical portion (26) of the second processed portion may have a tapered shape (26a) at the cylindrical end of the outer cylindrical portion, in which the thickness of the cylindrical wall becomes thinner as it approaches the open end of the outer cylindrical portion (26).

[0045] According to the electric wire processing device having the above configuration, the outer tube portion has a tapered shape at the end portion of the tube, in which the thickness of the tube wall becomes thinner as it approaches the open end of the outer tube portion. This reduces the contact area between the outer tube portion and the shielding layer (i.e., the area of ​​the open end face of the outer tube portion), thereby increasing the stress generated in the shielding layer due to contact with the outer tube portion, and allowing the shielding layer to be folded back more smoothly.

[0046] Furthermore, the first processing portion (23, 25) may be configured to move in a circumferential direction of the electric wire (50) while pressing the shield layer (54) in the crossing direction.

[0047] According to the electric wire processing device having the above configuration, the first processing unit is configured to move in the circumferential direction of the electric wire while pressing the shield layer in the cross direction. This facilitates releasing the braided conductor from the state in which the braided conductor is braided with thin metal wires (i.e., unraveling the braided conductor), particularly when the shield layer is composed of a braided conductor. This also facilitates folding back the braided conductor by the second processing unit.

[0048] In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the electric wire with terminal (100) is an electric wire with terminal (100) including an electric wire (50) and a terminal (90) crimped to the electric wire (50), wherein the electric wire (50) has a shield layer (54) and an outer layer (55) arranged so as to surround the shield layer, and has a structure in which the outer layer (55) is peeled off at an end of the electric wire (50) to expose the shield layer (54) and the shield layer (54) is folded back toward the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire (50), and the terminal (90) has crimping portions (91, 92) that are crimped to the folded back shield layer (54) and connected to the shield layer (54), and a cylindrical contact portion (90) into which a portion (51, 70, 80) of the electric wire (50) that is located on the tip side of the folded back shield layer (54) is inserted, and the shield layer (54) When the part (51, 70, 80) is inserted into the tube of the contact part (90) of the terminal (90), the shield layer (54) does not have any cut marks formed by cutting the shield layer (54) as the shield layer (54) comes into contact with the terminal (90), at the folded-back part.

[0049] With the electric wire with terminal having the above configuration, the portion where the crimping portion of the terminal is crimped (i.e., the folded-back portion of the shield layer) does not have any cut marks where the shield layer comes into contact with the terminal and is cut when the electric wire is inserted into the tube of the contact portion of the terminal. This allows the crimping portion of the terminal to be properly crimped to the shield layer, improving the reliability of the electrical connection and preventing short circuits and the like caused by broken pieces of the shield layer.

[0050] This application is based on a Japanese patent application (Patent Application No. 2024-105180) filed on June 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] The electric wire processing apparatus of the present invention is capable of properly folding back the shielding layer of an electric wire, and the electric wire with terminal of the present invention uses an electric wire processed in this manner. The present invention having this effect can be used, for example, in the production of communication cables for automobiles.

[0052] 23 Opening / closing block (first processing section) 25 Opening roller (first processing section) 26 Braided folded tube (outer tube section) 26a Tapered section (tapered section) 31 Braided opened tube (inner tube section) 50 Electric wire 54 Braided conductor (shield layer) 55 Sheath (outer layer) 90 Outer terminal (terminal, contact section) 91 Crimping piece (crimping section) 92 Crimping piece (crimping section) 100 Electric wire with terminal M Electric wire processing device

Claims

1. An electric wire processing device for folding back an exposed shielding layer, when an outer layer is peeled off from an electric wire, toward an outer peripheral surface of the electric wire, comprising: a first processing unit arranged to be movable in a transverse direction intersecting a predetermined axial direction; and a second processing unit having a cylindrical shape and an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion arranged coaxially so as to be movable relative to each other in the axial direction, wherein the first processing unit is configured to press the shielding layer in the transverse direction, thereby deforming the shielding layer so that an end portion of the shielding layer expands in diameter, and the second processing unit is configured to insert the inner tubular portion in the axial direction through the inner diameter side of the expanded end portion to expand the shielding layer, and to move the outer tubular portion in the axial direction toward the expanded shielding layer, and to insert the shielding layer into the outer tubular portion while pressing down, thereby deforming the shielding layer so that it is folded back toward the outer peripheral surface of the electric wire.

2. An electric wire processing device according to claim 1, wherein the outer tubular portion of the second processing section has a tapered shape at the end of the outer tubular portion, with the thickness of the tubular wall becoming thinner as it approaches the open end of the outer tubular portion.

3. An electric wire processing device according to claim 1, wherein the first processing section is configured to move in the circumferential direction of the electric wire while pressing the shield layer in the crossing direction.

4. An electric wire with a terminal comprising an electric wire and a terminal crimped to the electric wire, wherein the electric wire has a shielding layer and an outer layer arranged to surround the shielding layer, and has a structure in which the outer layer is peeled off at an end of the electric wire to expose the shielding layer and the exposed shielding layer is folded back towards the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire, and the terminal has a crimping portion that is crimped to the folded back shielding layer and connected to it, and a tubular contact portion into which a portion of the electric wire that is located further forward than the folded back shielding layer is inserted, and the shielding layer does not have a cut mark in the folded back portion caused by the shielding layer coming into contact with the terminal when the portion is inserted into the tube of the contact portion of the terminal.

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