EP2800211A1

EP2800211A1 - Apparatus for exchanging terminal forming die device

Info

Publication number: EP2800211A1
Application number: EP12868993.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Junichi Shirakawa; Koichiro Goto
Original assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Current assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-22
Filing date: 2012-07-27
Publication date: 2014-11-05
Also published as: CN104137352A; EP2800211A4; KR20140114053A; KR101576762B1; JP2013171755A; WO2013125068A1; CN104137352B; JP5776582B2

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to, in an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device, exchange a reel and a terminal forming die device all at once by transferring the reel and the terminal forming die device perpendicularly to a conveyance line and minimize the footprint of the apparatus. The apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device is incorporated with a conveyance line for conveying ends of electric wires. The exchanging apparatus comprises an exchange rack that includes an exchange frame provided with a support base capable of moving in a direction that intersects the conveyance line; a terminal forming die device supported with respect to the support base so as to be rotatable between a standby position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base and an operating position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented along the conveyance line; and a reel support provided on the exchange frame, the reel support rotatably supporting a terminal reel in a position in which the terminal reel is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the technology for exchanging a terminal forming die device in a wire terminal working facility.

Background Art

Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional terminal forming die device for crimping terminals onto the ends of electric wires. According to Patent Document 1, chain terminals are supplied to a pair of upper and lower crimping dies from one side thereof. Typically, chain terminals are distributed and provided as wound on reels, etc.

Citation List

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP 2011-216391A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

The aforementioned terminal forming die device may be integrated into a wire terminal working facility that strips and crimps terminals onto the ends of electric wires. Different types of terminals may also be crimped onto the electric wires. One possible arrangement to accommodate this is, as shown in Fig. 34, to mount a reel 212 and a terminal forming die device 214 with a pair of dies on an exchange rack 210 to use these as a replacement unit.
In an exemplary layout of such a case, as shown in Fig. 35, for example, exchange racks 210 may be arranged to orient the reels 212 and the terminal forming die devices 214 with a pair of dies along conveyance line L on which the ends of electric wires W are conveyed, such that the exchange racks 210 are advanced and retracted with respect to conveyance line L while maintaining this orientation. Note that each terminal forming die device 214 is set below the press device 216 with the exchange rack 210 advanced to conveyance line L. With the exchange rack 210 retracted from conveyance line L, the entire exchange rack 210 or the terminal forming die device 214 on the exchange rack 210 can be replaced.
In this example, however, since the reels 212 are arranged along conveyance line L, dead spaces m are created on conveyance line L where no work can be performed on the ends of electric wire W.
In another example, as shown in Fig. 36, exchange racks 210 may be arranged to obliquely orient the reels 212 and the terminal forming die devices 214 with a pair of dies with respect to conveyance line L along which the ends of electric wires W are conveyed, such that the exchange racks 210 are advanced and retracted with respect to conveyance line L while maintaining the orientation.
This example, however, requires a mechanism to obliquely transferring the exchange racks 210 to conveyance line L, and designing and constructing such a transfer mechanism may be a challenging task.
For example, as shown in Figs. 37 and 38, a reel 222 and a terminal forming die device 224 may be mounted perpendicularly to each other on each exchange rack 220, and as shown in Fig. 39, the exchange racks 220 may be arranged to orient the reels 222 perpendicularly to conveyance line L, along which the ends of electric wires W are conveyed, with the terminal forming die devices 224 oriented along conveyance line L so as to advance and retract the exchange racks 220 with respect to conveyance line L while maintaining the orientation.
Even in this case, however, to advance and retract the exchange racks 220 with respect to conveyance line L, spaces m1 are likewise required where the terminal forming die devices 224, which are oriented perpendicularly to the reels 222, can pass, resulting in an increased footprint.
In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to, in an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device, exchange a reel and a terminal forming die device all at once by transferring the reel and the terminal forming die device perpendicularly to the conveyance line and to minimize the footprint of the apparatus.

Solution to Problem

To solve the foregoing problem, a first embodiment provides an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device incorporated with a conveyance line for conveying ends of electric wires, the apparatus comprising an exchange rack that includes: an exchange frame including a support base capable of moving in a direction that intersects the conveyance line; a terminal forming die device supported with respect to the support base so as to be rotatable between a standby position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base and an operating position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented along the conveyance line; and a reel support provided on the exchange frame, the reel support rotatably supporting a terminal reel in a position in which the terminal reel is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base.
A second embodiment provides an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to the first embodiment further comprising a position change mechanism for changing the position of the terminal forming die device from the standby position to the operating position while or after the support base is advanced to the conveyance line and changing the position of the terminal forming die device from the operating position to the standby position before or while the support base is retracted from the conveyance line.
A third embodiment provides an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to the first or second embodiment, wherein the reel support is provided below the support base, and wherein a chain terminal guide member for guiding, along the vertical direction, chain terminals drawn from the terminal reel supported on the reel support to the terminal forming die device is provided integrally rotatably with the terminal forming die device.
A fourth embodiment provides an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein a plurality of exchange racks is provided, the apparatus further comprising: a rack support frame for parallelly supporting the plurality of exchange racks at a spaced-apart position from the conveyance line; an exchange/transfer mechanism for transferring one of the plurality of parallelly supported exchange racks along the conveyance line to a position corresponding to a terminal crimp receiving position on the conveyance line; and a rack advancement/retraction mechanism for advancing and retracting, with respect to the conveyance line, the one of the plurality of parallelly supported exchange racks set in the position that corresponds to the terminal crimp receiving position.
A fifth embodiment provides an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein a setting recess is formed in an upper portion of each terminal forming die device, and a pressing force application unit of a crimping press mechanism is fitted into the setting recess from a first circumferential direction, and wherein a pressing force relay mechanism is mounted on the upper portion of each terminal forming die device, the pressing force relay mechanism including a relay fitting portion that can be fitted into the setting recess and a relay setting recess into which the pressing force application unit can be fitted in a direction different from the first direction and in which the rotatably supported terminal forming die device is transferred to a position below the crimping press mechanism.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device of the first embodiment, by moving the entire exchange rack, the terminal forming die device and the terminal reel can both be advanced and retracted in an orthogonal direction with respect to the conveyance line so as to allow the terminal forming die device and the terminal reel to be exchanged all at once. Also, to advance and retract the terminal forming die device with respect to the conveyance line, the terminal forming die device is placed in the standby position, such that the locus of its passage can be reduced and its footprint can be minimized.
According to the second embodiment, the position of the terminal forming die device can be automatically changed by advancing and retracting a support base with respect to the conveyance line.
According to the third embodiment, as the chain terminal guide member is provided integrally rotatably with the terminal forming die device, the chain terminals can be smoothly guided to the terminal forming die device even when the terminal forming die device is rotated to the operating position.
According to the fourth embodiment, a plurality of exchange racks can be automatically exchanged.
According to the fifth embodiment, by converting the direction in which the pressing force application unit is fitted in, the pressing force application unit can be easily fitted into the relay setting recess when the terminal forming die device is transferred to the position below the crimping press mechanism.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration showing a wire working apparatus.
Fig. 2 is an explanatory view showing a wire relay unit.
Fig. 3 is an explanatory view showing the wire relay unit.
Fig. 4 is an explanatory view showing the wire relay unit.
Fig. 5 is a side view showing an exchange rack.
Fig. 6 is a rear view showing the exchange rack.
Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the exchange rack.
Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing a terminal guide mechanism.
Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing the terminal guide mechanism.
Fig. 10 is an explanatory view showing the terminal guide mechanism.
Fig. 11 is a side view showing an alternative exchange rack.
Fig. 12 is an explanatory view showing the rotation of the terminal forming dice device on the exchange rack.
Fig. 13 is an explanatory view showing the rotation of the terminal forming die device on the exchange rack.
Fig. 14 is a schematic plan view showing a load/unload exchange mechanism.
Fig. 15 is a schematic side view showing the load/unload exchange mechanism.
Fig. 16 is a schematic rear view showing the load/unload exchange mechanism.
Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a terminal crimping table.
Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a rack fixing mechanism.
Fig. 19 is an explanatory view showing an alternative example for changing the position of the terminal forming die device.
Fig. 20 is a schematic view showing a position change mechanism.
Fig. 21 is a schematic view showing position change operation.
Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a die device fixing mechanism.
Fig. 23 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 24 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 25 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 26 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 27 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 28 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the exchange apparatus.
Fig. 29 is an explanatory view showing an exemplary direction in which each crimping press mechanism is set with respect to the main crimping body.
Fig. 30 is an explanatory view showing an exemplary setting recess in the main crimping body.
Fig. 31 is a schematic plan view showing a pressing force relay mechanism.
Fig. 32 is a schematic bottom view showing the pressing force relay mechanism.
Fig. 33 is a schematic view showing the manner of assembly taken on line XXXIII-XXXIII.
Fig. 34 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of a terminal forming die device and a reel.
Fig. 35 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of terminal forming die devices and reels.
Fig. 36 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of terminal forming die devices and reels.
Fig. 37 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of a terminal forming die device and a reel.
Fig. 38 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of the terminal forming die device and the reel.
Fig. 39 is a view showing an exemplary arrangement of terminal forming die devices and reels.

Description of Embodiments

An apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to an embodiment will be described hereinafter.

<1. Overall Configuration of a Wire Working Apparatus>

First, the overall configuration of a wire working apparatus to which an apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device is applied will be described below. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a schematic configuration of the wire working apparatus 10. The wire working apparatus 10 includes a cutting unit 112, a stripping unit 114, a wire conveyance unit 14, and a terminal crimping unit 20.
The cutting unit 112 is configured to cut elongated electric wires W wound on winding reels, etc., to predetermined lengths. The electric wires W are cut and stripped with a pair of V-shaped blades, for example. In addition, the stripping unit 114 is configured to strip the sheathing from the ends of electric wires W The sheathing of electric wires W is also stripped, for example, with a pair of V-shaped blades.
The terminal crimping unit 20 is configured to crimp terminals onto the ends of electric wires W stripped of the sheathing.
The wire conveyance unit 14 includes a plurality of grippers 15 capable of gripping and releasing their grip on the ends of electric wires W The plurality of grippers 15 are disposed such that the grippers 15 can be driven by a conveyer or the like to pass in front of the cutting unit 112, the rubber plug insertion unit 113, the stripping unit 114, and the terminal crimping unit 20 at a predetermined distance. The grippers 15 successively travel from the rubber plug insertion unit 113 to the stripping unit 114 to the terminal crimping unit 20 while gripping both ends of electric wires W processed by the cutting unit. In this way, electric wires W cut to the predetermined length are bent to a U-shape and conveyed to the terminal crimping unit 20 from the cutting unit 112 with their ends pointing toward the rubber plug insertion unit 113, the stripping unit 114, and the terminal crimping unit 20. Furthermore, the rubber plug insertion unit 113 inserts rubber plugs into the ends of electric wires W as required. Note that the rubber plug insertion unit 113 may be omitted.
The wire working apparatus 10 is an apparatus for successively performing the steps of cutting elongated electric wire W to a predetermined length, stripping the sheathing from the ends thereof, and crimping terminals onto the ends of electric wires W. An apparatus 30 for exchanging the terminal forming die devices 32 is integrated into the terminal crimping unit 20.

<2. Overall Configuration of the Terminal Crimping Unit>

The overall configuration of the terminal crimping unit 20 will be described below. The terminal crimping unit 20 is integrated into the foregoing wire conveyance unit 14 for crimping terminals onto the ends of electric wire W conveyed by the wire conveyance unit 14. The terminal crimping unit 20 includes a terminal crimping table 22, crimping press mechanisms 28, and the exchange apparatus 30 that exchanges the terminal forming die devices 32 provided therebetween.
The terminal crimping table 22 is a tabular member horizontally supported by a stand or the like (not shown) along a conveyance line L along which electric wires W are conveyed by the wire conveyance unit 14. The terminal crimping table 22 includes setting recesses 23 formed on the opposite side from the wire conveyance unit 14 and extending toward the wire conveyance unit 14. Support bases 46 (to be described in detail below) are advanceably and retractably provided in the setting recesses 23. As a terminal forming die device 32 rotates relative to the support base 46 with the support base 46 advanced into a setting recess 23, the terminal forming die device 32 is oriented along conveyance line L defined by the wire conveyance unit 14.
As the wire conveyance unit 14 intermittently transfers the plurality of grippers 15, the cutting unit 112, the rubber plug insertion unit 113, the stripping unit 114, and the terminal crimping unit 20 perform their respective tasks while the grippers 15 are at rest. If the terminal crimping unit 20 takes a longer time to crimp terminals than the cutting unit 112, the rubber plug insertion unit 113, and the stripping unit 114 performs their tasks, their task performing time periods may be synchronized as below.
In particular, as shown in Fig. 2, a wire relay unit 200 is provided between the wire conveyance unit 14 and each terminal crimping unit 20. Although Fig. 2, etc., illustrates the relationship with the terminal crimping unit 20 provided on one side, a wire conveyance unit 200 may be similarly provided for a terminal crimping unit 20 on the other side.
After receiving an end of an electric wire 13 at a predetermined position from a gripper 15, the wire relay unit 200 is configured to transfer the end of the electric wire 13 toward the terminal crimping unit 20, crimp a terminal onto the end of the electric wire 13, and then deliver the foregoing electric wire to the gripper 15 at a position downstream of where the electric wire 13 was received, along the direction of conveyance of the end of the electric wire 13.
More particularly, the wire relay unit 200 is provided with a gripper 202 that grips an electric wire and an XY transfer mechanism 204 that includes a transfer mechanism for transferring in the direction of conveyance and a transfer mechanism for transferring in the direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance. In this embodiment, the wire relay unit 200 further includes an elevation transfer mechanism 203 that elevates the gripper 202. Each transfer mechanism is comprised of a pneumatic cylinder, a linear motor, or the like. The gripper 202 is comprised of a pneumatic cylinder, an electromagnetic chuck, or the like.
With the plurality of grippers 202 being conveyed along the conveyance line, when one of the grippers 202 comes to a halt immediately upstream of the terminal crimping unit 20, the gripper 202 is set in the receiving position that opposes it. In this condition, the end of the electric wire 13 is received from the gripper 202 as the gripper 202 releases its grip.
Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 3, the elevation transfer mechanism 203 elevates the gripper 202 to avoid interference between the electric wire 13 and the conveyance unit 14, while the XY transfer mechanism 202 operates to transfer the gripper 202 to the position where the terminal crimping unit 20 performs terminal crimping.
Then, after the terminal crimping, as shown in Fig. 4, the XY transfer mechanism 202 operates to transfer the gripper 202 to a return position downstream of the foregoing delivery position while the elevation transfer mechanism 203 lowers the gripper 202. The end of the electric wire 13 is then delivered to the gripper 202 at that position and the griper 202 releases its grip.
In the foregoing example, an electric wire 13 may be transferred and a terminal can be crimped onto the end of the electric wire 13 during two dwell times and two transfer times of the gripper 202. Due to this, a period of at least one dwell time of the gripper 202 can be used for crimping a terminal. Accordingly, even if each task requires a different time to be completed along the conveyance line, the processing time can be synchronized for efficient task performance.
Each crimping press mechanism 28 is a mechanism for imparting linear reciprocating motion to the terminal forming die device 32 and comprised of a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, and a mechanism for coupling a motor and a cam. The crimping press mechanism 28 is disposed above the terminal crimping table 22 and on one side of a setting recess 23. As described above, when the terminal forming die device 32 is positioned along conveyance line L defined by the wire conveyance unit 14, the crimping press mechanism 28 is set above the terminal forming die device 32. This permits the crimping press mechanism 28 to apply pressing force to the terminal forming die device 32 below so as to crimp a terminal. Note that, in this embodiment, a press support column 28a is erected to one side of the setting recess 23 to support the crimping press mechanism 28. The side of the press support column 28a that faces the setting recess 23 is formed in a convex curved away from the setting recess 23 in order to avoid the locus of pivotal motion of a main crimping body 36, to be described below (see Fig. 1).
In this embodiment, as it is assumed that terminals are crimped onto both ends of electric wires W, two of the crimping components, such as two setting recess 23 and two crimping press mechanism 28, are provided. The description below mainly focuses on crimping of a terminal onto one end of each electric wire W.

<3. Description of the Exchange Apparatus >

The exchange apparatus 30 for a terminal forming die device 32 includes exchange racks 40 that mount the terminal forming die devices 32 and exchanges a terminal forming die devices 32 by loading and unloading the exchange rack 40 with respect to the terminal crimping table 22 and the crimping press mechanism 28.
Although the exchange racks 40 may be manually set in the terminal crimping table 22 and loaded and unloaded for exchange, according to this embodiment, the exchange racks 40 are configured to be automatically set in the terminal crimping table 22 and loaded and unloaded for exchange. The following describes the constituents thereof.

<3.1. Exchange Rack>

Fig. 5 is a side view showing an exchange rack 40; Fig. 6 is a rear view showing the exchange rack 40; Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the exchange rack 40; and Figs. 12 and 16 are explanatory views showing the rotation of the terminal forming die device 32 of the exchange rack 40.
Each of these exchange racks 40 includes an exchange frame 42, a terminal forming die device 32, and a reel support 48.
The exchange frame 42 provides a skeletal structure for the exchange rack 40 and includes a column 43, a lower frame 44, and a support base 46.
The column 43 is a bar-shaped member made of a metal, etc., that extends in a vertical direction.
The lower frame 44 is a long and narrow tubular member made of a metal, etc., and the lower end of the column 43 is fixedly connected at a right angle to the longitudinal center of the lower frame 44. Casters 45 are mounted on both ends of the lower frame 44. The exchange frame 42 can be easily transferred by rolling the casters 45 on the floor with the exchange rack 40 removed from the exchange apparatus 30.
The support base 46 is formed as a long and narrow tabular member made of a metal, etc. The support base 46 has approximately the same width as the terminal forming die device 32 and the aforementioned setting recess 23.
By being movably supported on a pair of guide members, to be described below, the support base 46 is movably supported with respect to the terminal crimping table 22 and the crimping press mechanisms 28 in a direction that intersects conveyance line L. However, the support base 46 may also be movable in a direction that intersects conveyance line L by providing on wheels, etc., in the lower part of the exchange frame 42. In this embodiment, the support base 46 is described as being movable in a direction perpendicular to conveyance line L. However, an arrangement where it is movable obliquely at an angle of for example 45 degrees to conveyance line L will also suffice.
Provided on one end of the support base 46 is a support shaft 47 that rotatably supports a die support base 34 of the terminal forming die device 32. This support shaft 47 protrudes downward below the support base 46. With the support base 46 set in a setting recess 23, the support shaft 47 is used to secure the support base 46 in a prescribed position.
Additionally, a terminal feed recess 46g is formed at one end of the support base 46. The terminal feed recess 46g is formed in an L-shape with a recess portion extending along substantially the entire width on the one end of the support base 46 and a recess portion that extends longitudinally along the support base 46 from one end of that recess portion. Chain terminals T, to be described below, are fed to the terminal forming die device 32 via the terminal feed recess 46g.
Furthermore, a frame feed projection 46p is formed at the other end of the support base 46. In this embodiment, the frame feed projection 46p is formed as a short bar used to load and unload the exchange rack 40 with respect to the terminal crimping table 22 and the crimping press mechanisms 28.
The terminal forming die device 32 includes a long and narrow die support base 34 and a main crimping body 36.
The die support base 34 is formed with approximately the same width as the support base 46 and with a longitudinal dimension shorter than that of the support base 46. One end of the die support base 34 is supported on one end of the support base 46 via the aforementioned support shaft 47 so as to be rotatable on the upper surface of the support base 46. Provided on one end of the die support base 34 is a chain terminal guide member 35 that vertically guides chain terminals T fed from below to the terminal forming die device 32. The chain terminal guide member 35 is formed as a plate member extending downward from one end of the die support base 34. As such, chain terminals T fed from below the terminal forming die device 32 are passed through the chain terminal guide member 35 around and over one end of the die support base 34 and fed to the main crimping body 36. When feeding chain terminals T to the main crimping body 36, the space over the one end of the die support base 34 serves as space for providing the passage for horizontally directing chain terminals T to the main crimping body 36.
The main crimping body 36 includes a pair of crimping dies for crimping a terminal onto an end of electric wires W and is configured to crimp a terminal onto an end of electric wires W conveyed by the aforementioned wire conveyance unit 14. The main crimping body 36 is securely mounted to the other end of the die support base 34.
When the longitudinal direction of the die support base 34 is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the support base 46, i.e., when the terminal forming die device 32 is positioned along the length of the support base 46, the main crimping body 36 is disposed over the support base 46 (see Fig. 12). This is the standby position. In this state, the chain terminal guide member 35 is disposed in the recess portion of the terminal feed recess 46g that extends widthwise in the support base 46.
When the terminal forming die device 32 is rotated to orient the longitudinal direction of the die support base 34 at an angle (here, orthogonally) to the longitudinal direction of the support base 46 along conveyance line L, i.e., to orient the terminal forming die device 32 across (in this embodiment, perpendicularly to) the support base plate along conveyance line L, the main crimping body 36 is positioned to project laterally from one end of the support base 46 (see Fig. 13). This is the operating position. In this state, the chain terminal guide member 35 is rotated integrally with the terminal forming die device 32 about the support shaft 47 and set in the recess portion of the terminal feed recess 46g that extends longitudinally in the support base 46.
A position change projection 35b is erected on one end of the top surface of the die support base 34 and near the aforementioned support shaft 47. More particularly, when in the standby position, the position change projection 35b is erected in the vicinity of one corner of one end of the support base 46. By moving the position change projection 35b from one end of the support base 46 toward the other end, for example, the terminal forming die device 32 is rotated about the support shaft 47 from the standby position to the operating position (see Figs. 12 and 13).
Furthermore, the exchange frame 42 includes a reel support 48 that rotatably supports a terminal reel 49. The terminal reel 49 includes a winding shaft 49a and a pair of collars 49b such that chain terminals T including a plurality of terminals connected with one another via connecting strips are wound between the pair of collars 49b around the winding shaft 49a. The terminal reel 49 has a generally flat shape extending along the direction of the pair of collars 49b. Paper tape P is interposed between the chain terminals T as interlayer paper. This paper tape P serves to minimize tangling of chain terminals T between the layers.
The reel support 48 rotatably supports the terminal reel 49 to orient the terminal reel 49 in the aforementioned direction of the movement of the support base 46. More particularly, the reel support 48 includes a protruding lug 48a that protrudes from the longitudinally intermediate portion of the column 43 and a support shaft 48b that protrudes from an end of the protruding lug 48a. The support shaft 48b has a center axis perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the support base 46. Accordingly, the terminal reel 49 is rotatably supported and oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base 46 by being rotatably supported about the center axis perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the support base 46. In this way, as seen from above, the terminal reel 49 can extend in parallel with the direction in which the support base 46 extends, thus reducing the footprint of the exchange rack 40 as seen from above.
The reel support 48 is provided below the support base 46. Accordingly, chain terminals T drawn from the terminal reel 49 supported on the reel support 48 are guided vertically through the aforementioned chain terminal guide member 35 and then fed to the main crimping body 36.
Furthermore, the exchange frame 42 includes a guide mechanism 120 that guides terminals T as well as detects their condition. In this embodiment, a guide frame 43g horizontally extends from the aforementioned column 43, and the guide mechanism 120 is provided on the top end of the guide frame 43g.
As shown in Figs. 8-10, the guide mechanism 120 includes a lower guide portion 122 and an upper guide detector portion 124.
The lower guide portion 122 is a member made of a metal sheet, etc., and, in this embodiment, formed with a plurality (two in this embodiment) of bulges gently curving in the direction of the feed of terminals T. This lower guide portion 122 is securely mounted to the top end of the guide frame 43g in prescribed orientation and position.
The upper guide detector portion 124 includes an upper guide plate portion 125 and a dog portion 126. The dog portion 126 is an elongated member one end of which is rotatably supported on the front end portion of the guide frame 43g. The upper guide plate portion 125 is a member made of a metal plate, etc., having a long and narrow plate portion both ends of which are curved gently up and backward. The upper guide plate portion 125 is securely mounted to one end of the aforementioned dog portion 126 so as to oppose the lower guide portion 122. The dog portion 126 is secured obliquely relative to the lower guide portion 122. With no external force applied, the upper guide plate portion 125 assumes a position in which that portion's downstream end in the feeding direction of terminals T is oriented downward (the initial position) due to the weight of the top end of the dog portion 126 and the corresponding end of the upper guide plate portion 125 (the portion's downstream end in the feeding direction of terminals T).
Moreover, provided on the other end of the dog portion 126 are switches SW1 and SW2 that detect the dog upon coming into abutment with the dog portion 126. On and off signals of switches SW1 and SW2 are provided to a control unit, to be described below.
When there is no chain terminal T between the aforementioned lower guide portion 122 and upper guide detector portion 124, the lower guide portion 122 assumes the aforementioned initial position (see Fig. 8). In this state, the dog portion 126 is not in abutment with switch SW1 or SW2.
When chain terminals T are passed between the aforementioned lower guide portion 122 and upper guide detector portion 124, terminals T raise the upper guide plate portion 125, such that upper guide plate portion 125 assumes a parallel position relative to the lower guide portion 122 as shown in Fig. 9 (the normal feed position). In this state, the dog portion 126 is in abutment with switch SW1, which transmits a signal responsive to this abutment to the control unit.
Moreover, when terminals T are further pulled out from the foregoing state as terminal crimping proceeds, as shown in Fig. 10, the downstream end of the upper guide plate portion 125 in the feeding direction of terminals T is raised by terminals T to set the upper guide plate portion 125 in a position in which its downstream end with respect to the feeding direction of the terminals T is raised (the overstrained position). In this state, the dog portion 126 is in abutment with switch SW2, a signal responsive to this abutment is transmitted from switch SWs to the control unit.
A paper tape winding reel 100 is rotatably supported in a lower portion of the column 43 to wind paper tape P. A gear portion 102 that integrally rotates with that paper winding reel 100 is rotatably supported on the opposite side of the column 43 from the paper winding reel 100. In this embodiment, a paper tape winding drive mechanism 110 is provided on the crimp table 22. The paper tape winding drive mechanism 110 includes a rotary drive unit 111, such as a motor, and a gear portion 112 rotatably driven by the operation of that rotary drive unit 111. With the exchange rack 40 set in the crimp table 22, the gear portion 102 of the exchange frame 42 engages the gear portion 112 of the paper tape winding drive mechanism 110. When the paper tape winding drive mechanism 110 is rotatably driven in response to instructions from the control unit, to be described below, its rotary motion is transmitted to the paper winding reel 100 via the gear portions 112 and 102. This rotatably drives the paper winding reel 100 to wind paper tape P.
If it is determined that the overstrained condition exists based on the detection signal from the aforementioned switch SW2, the control unit, to be described below, rotatably drives the paper tape winding drive mechanism 110 to wind paper tape P. This rotates the terminal reel 49 in the direction that feeds terminals T, thus relieving the overstrained condition of terminals T. When slack occurs in terminals T between the terminal reel 49 and the terminal forming die device 32, the dog portion 126 returns to the normal feed position. If it is determined that the normal feed position is restored based on the detection signals from the switches SW1 and SW2, the control unit stops rotatably driving the paper tape winding drive mechanism 110 to suspend the winding of paper tape P. By repeating the foregoing steps during terminal crimping operation, to be described below, terminals T are fed to the terminal forming die device 32 under an appropriate tension.
Note that terminals T may be wound on the terminal reel 49 in the reverse direction as in the exchange rack 40B shown in Fig. 11. In this case, terminals T and paper tape P can be continuously fed as above by appropriately setting the feeding routes of terminals T and paper tape P.
When the terminal forming die device 32 is in the foregoing standby position, chain terminals T fed from the terminal reel 49 are not twisted as it is inserted in the main crimping body 36 via the chain terminal guide member 35. In this state, when the terminal forming die device 32 is rotated to the operating position, the chain terminal guide member 35 is also rotated with the terminal forming die device 32. Accordingly, chain terminals T drawn from the terminal reel 49 are twisted according to the angle of rotation of the terminal forming die device 32 (90 degrees in this embodiment) and then reach the chain terminal guide member 35 before fed to the main crimping body 36. As chain terminals T are twisted in the relatively long section between the terminal reel 49 and the chain terminal guide member 35, they are smoothly conveyed despite the twist therein. Moreover, as chain terminals T are twisted in the section in which the terminals are mainly conveyed in vertical direction, the twist is not easily stuck in the chain terminal guide member 35, so that chain terminals T are again smoothly conveyed despite the twist.
The foregoing exchange racks 40 may be manually loaded and unloaded with respect to the terminal crimping table 22 for exchanging racks, and the terminal forming die devices 32 may also be manually rotated from the standby position to the operating position to set them on the terminal crimping table 22. The arrangements employed by the exchange apparatus 30 to automatically perform the foregoing will now be described.

<3.2. Arrangement for Automatically Loading and Unloading the Terminal Forming Die Device for Exchange>

The arrangement for automatically loading and unloading an exchange rack 40 for exchanging it will now be described. Fig. 14 is schematic plan view showing a load/unload exchange mechanism 50 for loading and unloading an exchange rack 40 in the exchange apparatus 30, Fig. 15 is a schematic side view showing the load/unload exchange mechanism 50, and Fig. 16 is a schematic rear view showing the load/unload exchange mechanism 50.
The load/unload exchange mechanism 50 is provided for loading and unloading a plurality of exchange racks 40 for exchanging them and includes a rack support frame 54, an exchange/transfer mechanism 60, and a rack advancement/retraction mechanism 64.
In particular, a load/unload support frame 52 is provided on the opposite side of the the wire conveyance unit 14 with respect to the terminal crimping table 22. The load/unload support frame 52 is a three-dimensional structure assembled from metal bar members and, in this embodiment, formed into the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.
The rack support frame 54 parallelly supports a plurality of exchange racks 40 at a spaced-apart position from conveyance line L. In this embodiment, the rack support frame 54 includes lateral support frames 54a and pendent support frames 54b as well as multiple pairs (two pairs in this embodiment) of guide members 55.
The lateral support frames 54a constitute the front and rear portions of the load/unload support frame 52 and are arranged along conveyance line L. A pendent support frame 54b is pendently provided from both ends and the intermediate portion of each of the lateral support frames 54a. The multiple pairs of guide members 55 are provided to span the front and rear pendent support frames 54b of the load/unload support frame 52. Each pair of guide members 55 is arranged along conveyance line L in parallel with each other. Accordingly, the support bases 46 are supported in parallel with each other by providing the rack support frame 54 for the multiple pairs of guide members 55.
Each pair of guide members 55 is spaced apart by a distance that corresponds to the width of each support base 46, and by mounting both side edges of the support base 46 on the pair of guide members 55, the support base 46 can advance with respect to the terminal crimping table 22 along and between the pair of guide members 55. In this situation, the casters 45 of the exchange rack 40 may be configured to be lifted off the floor or roll on the floor. Additionally, rollers or the like may be provided on the parts of the guide members 55 that are in contact with the support base 46.
The exchange racks 40 can be loaded and unloaded with respect to the rack support frame 54 from behind. By removing each exchange rack 40 from the rack support frame 54, a different main crimping body 36, etc., may be substituted in the exchange rack, or maintenance, etc., of the main crimping body 36 of the exchange rack may be carried out.
The exchange/transfer mechanism 60 transfers the rack support frame 54 along conveyance line L to set one of the plurality of the exchange racks 40 parallelly supported by the rack support frame 54 to the position corresponding to the terminal crimp receiving position on conveyance line L, i.e., the position corresponding to a setting recess 23.
In this embodiment, the exchange/transfer mechanism 60 includes an exchange drive unit 61 comprised of a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like. In particular, the exchange drive unit 61 is mounted on the front or the rear portion (the rear portion in this embodiment) of the load/unload support frame 52. The exchange drive unit 61 includes a main body 61a secured to the load/unload support frame 52 along conveyance line L and a movable portion 61b capable of reciprocation with respect to the main body 61a along conveyance line L. One of the lateral support frames 54a (the rear frame in this embodiment) of the the rack support frame 54 is connected to the movable portion 61b of the exchange drive unit 61. It is advantageous if another portion of the rack support frame 54 (the front portion) for example is supported by a linear guide 62 in a manner that allows the other portion to move along conveyance line L. Operation of the exchange drive unit 61 causes the rack support frame 54 to move with the plurality of the exchange racks 40 along conveyance line L in order to set one of the plurality of parallelly supported exchange racks 40 to the position corresponding to a setting recess 23.
Note that the above example is not the only possible arrangement to move the rack support frame 54 along conveyance line L. For example, an arrangement will also suffice in which the front and rear portions of the rack support frame 54 are supported by linear guides with the portion intermediate between these portions are movably driven by an exchange drive unit, such as a linear actuator.
The rack advancement/retraction mechanism 64 advances and retracts, with respect to conveyance line L, the one of the plurality of exchange racks 40 set in the position that corresponds to the terminal crimp receiving position, i.e., the rack disposed in the position corresponding to the setting recess 23.
Accordingly, the rack advancement/retraction mechanism 64 includes a rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 comprised of a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or the like. The rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 includes a main body 65a secured to the load/unload support frame 52 along the direction of the movement of the support base 46 and a movable portion 65b reciprocated by the main body 65a along the direction of the movement of the support base 46. The main body 65a of the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 is set and fixed in a position corresponding to the terminal crimp receiving position, i.e., a position outside of the setting recess 23. Formed in the movable portion 65b is a feed lug 66 that is opened downward and U-shaped as seen from a side (as seen in the traveling direction of the rack support frame 54). The rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 is secured to the load/unload support frame 52 via brackets 67 at the level that allows the frame feed projection 46p on the other end of the support base 46 supported by the rack support frame 54 to fit into the feed lug 66 from its side.
To mount or remove an exchange rack 40 with respect to the rack support frame 54, the portion between the corresponding pair of guide members 55 is set in a position to a side of the foregoing rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65. This allows the exchange rack 40 to be mounted or removed with respect to the rack support frame 54 without causing interference with the feed lug 66.
In addition, to transfer one of the plurality of the exchange racks 40 to the terminal crimping table 22, the exchange/transfer mechanism 60 is operated to transfer the rack support frame 54 along conveyance line L to set that exchange rack 40 to the position corresponding to the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 or directly below the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 in this embodiment. This sets the frame feed projection 46p in the feed lug 66. In this state, when the feed lug 66 is transferred toward the terminal crimping table 22 by the operation of the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65, the feed lug 66 pushes the exchange rack 40 toward the terminal crimping table 22. This causes the exchange rack 40 to move toward the terminal crimping table 22 and also causes the support base 46 to move toward the setting recess 23, thus setting the terminal forming die device 32 on the terminal crimping table 22 as described below. Additionally, in this state, when the feed lug 66 is transferred toward the rear portion of the load/unload support frame 52 by the operation of the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65, the feed lug 66 pushes the exchange rack 40 toward the rear portion of the load/unload support frame 52. This transfers the exchange rack 40 toward the load/unload support frame 52 and into the rack support frame 54 between the pair of guide members 55. This is how the exchange racks 40 are loaded and unloaded between the rack support frame 54 and the terminal crimping table 22.

<3.3. Arrangement for Automatically Setting a Terminal Forming Die Device>

The arrangement for automatically setting an exchange rack 40 on the terminal crimping table 22 will now be described. Fig. 17 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of the terminal crimping table 22; Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a rack fixing mechanism 70; Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a position change mechanism 80, and Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram showing position change operation, and Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram showing a die device fixing mechanism 76.
As described above, formed in the terminal crimping table 22 are setting recesses 23, to which the support bases 46 are transferred. Each setting recess 23 is formed with a sufficient length dimension to accommodate the portion of a support base 46 in which a terminal forming die device 32 is mounted. Additionally, the width dimension of each setting recess 23 is set smaller (slightly smaller) than that of the support base 46 and guide rails 23r are provided on the upper surfaces of both side edges of the setting recess 23. When transferred toward the setting recess 23, the support base 46 is interposed between the pair of guide rails 23r with both side edges thereof placed on the upper surfaces of both side edges of the setting recess 23.
The rack fixing mechanism 70, the position change mechanism 80, and the die device fixing mechanism 76 are provided in the vicinity of each setting recess 23 of the terminal crimping table 22.
As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the rack fixing mechanism 70 secures an exchange rack 40 in a prescribed position with respect to the setting recess 23. More particularly, the rack fixing mechanism 70 includes a press-down drive unit 72 comprised of an actuator, such as an pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, and a press-down portion 74 provided in a manner that allows the press-down drive unit 72 to advance and retract the press-down portion 74 (see Figs. 17 and 18). The press-down drive unit 72, the rack fixing mechanism 70 is secured on the underside of the terminal crimping table 22 and to one side of the support shaft 47 of the setting recess 23. The press-down portion 74 is formed as a long and narrow bar member with a recess 74g formed in one side thereof that can accommodate the support shaft 47. The press-down portion 74 is advanceably and retractably driven by the rack fixing mechanism 70 to the support shaft 47 protruding downward from the support base 46. With the press-down portion 74 retracted, the support base 46 is transferred toward the setting recess 23 to set the support shaft 47 in the position in which the support shaft 47 opposes the recess 74g. In this state, when advanceably driven by the operation of the press-down drive unit 72, the press-down portion 74 presses down the support shaft 47 with the support shaft 47 fitted in the recess 74g. This presses the side edge of the support base 46 that is being pressed down against one of the foregoing guide rails 23r. This secures the support base 46 in the direction of its width without any rattling. Due to the support shaft 47 being fitted in the recess 74g, the support base 46 is also securely positioned in the longitudinal direction thereof. Note that, to retract the exchange rack 40, the press-down drive unit 72 is operated to retractably drive the press-down portion 74 to release the foregoing secured state.
As shown in Figs. 17 and 20-21, the position change mechanism 80 is configured to change the position of the terminal forming die device 32 from the standby position to the operating position with the support base 46 advanced to conveyance line L and to change the position of the terminal forming die device 32 from the operating position to the standby position before the support base 46 is retracted from conveyance line L.
More particularly, the position change mechanism 80 includes a position change drive unit 82, an engagement drive unit 84, and an actuation lug 86.
The position change drive unit 82 is comprised of a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, and secured to one side of the setting recess 23 and above the terminal crimping table 22.
The engagement drive unit 84 is comprised of a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. The engagement drive unit 84 is linearly reciprocated by the aforementioned position change drive unit 82 in the direction of the extension of the setting recess 23, i.e., the direction of the advancement/retraction of the support base 46.
The actuation lug 86 is formed as a U-shaped member opened downward as seen from one side of the setting recess 23 and supported by the engagement drive unit 84 so as to be lifted and lowered as well as transferred with the downward opening. The actuation lug 86 is linearly reciprocated together with the engagement drive unit 84 by the position change drive unit 82 in the direction of the extension of the setting recess 23.
With the support base 46 set in the setting recess 23, the actuation lug 86 is set over the position change projection 35b. The position change projection 35b is formed long enough not to be dislodged from the U-shaped trough of the actuation lug 86. In this state, the engagement drive unit 84 is operated to lower the actuation lug 86 downward such that the position change projection 35b is disposed in its opening. In this state, the position change drive unit 82 is operated to retract the actuation lug 86 together with the engagement drive unit 84 away from conveyance line L. This causes the position change projection 35b to be also retracted from conveyance line L. In this embodiment, a groove extending in a direction traversing the setting recess 23 is formed in the actuation lug 86 such that the position change projection 35b fits into the groove and can move along the groove. Accordingly, the position change projection 35b can move in the widthwise direction of the setting recess 22 while moving in the direction of the extension of the setting recess 22, thus traveling along an arcuate locus about the support shaft 47. Due to this and the position change projection 35b being pushed by the actuation lug 86 to describe an arcuate locus about the support shaft 47, the terminal forming die device 32 can change its position from the standby position to the operating position. Furthermore, with the actuation lug 86 moving in the reverse direction, the terminal forming die device 32 can return to the standby position from the operating position. In this state, by lifting the actuation lug 86, the actuation lug 86 can be disengaged from the position change projection 35b to allow the support base 46 to be retracted from the setting recess 23.
Note that, as shown in Fig. 19, a rack 130 and a pinion gear portion 132 may also be used to change the position of the terminal forming die device 32. In this case, the pinion gear portion 132 may be integrally mounted on the support shaft 47 with the rack 130 positioned where it can engage the pinion gear portion 132, such that the rack 130 may be reciprocated by a separate pinion gear that is rotatably driven by a linear drive mechanism, such as a linear motor or a pneumatic cylinder, or a motor to change the position of the terminal forming die device 32. In this case, the rack 130 may also be brought into engagement with the pinion gear portion 122 by a separate transfer mechanism when the support base 46 is set in the setting recess 23. The rack 130 may also be positioned with respect to the pinion gear portion 132 in such a manner as to bring the rack 130 into engagement with the pinion gear portion 132 when the support base 46 is set in the setting recess 23.
As shown in Figs. 17 and 22, each die device fixing mechanism 76 is configured to engage the terminal forming die device 32 to maintain the operating position thereof when the terminal forming die device 32 is placed in the operating position. In this embodiment, the die device fixing mechanism 76 includes a receiving lug 77 and a lock mechanism 78. The receiving lug 77 is secured to the terminal crimping table 22 and configured to abut against the terminal forming die device 32 when the terminal forming die device 32 is placed in the operating position from the standby position in order to prevent further rotation thereof. The lock mechanism 78 is positioned on the opposite side of the receiving lug 77 when the terminal forming die device 32 is placed in the operating position. That is, a locking hole 22h is formed in the terminal crimping table 22 in a position corresponding to the opposite side of the receiving lug 77 when the terminal forming die device 32 is in the operating position. The lock mechanism 78 includes a lock lug 79a and a lock drive unit 79b. The lock lug 79a is an elongated lug with a hook and rotatably supported in a position corresponding to the locking hole 22h below the terminal crimping table 22 such that the hook can be changed between an unlock position in which the hook is retracted below the top surface of the terminal crimping table 22 (see the solid lines in Fig. 22) and a lock position in which the hook protrudes above the top surface of the terminal crimping table 22 where the hook can engage a side portion of the terminal forming die device 32. The lock drive unit 79b is comprised of a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, to rockingly drive the foregoing lock lug 79a between the unlock position and the lock position.
With the lock lug 79a in the unlock position, the terminal forming die device 32 is transferred over the lock lug 79a and placed into the operating position, thus abutting against the receiving lug 77. In this state, the terminal forming die device 32 is maintained in the lock position by operating the lock drive unit 79b to place the lock lug 79a into the lock position from the unlock position so as to bring the hook into engagement with the terminal forming die device 32 from the opposite side from the receiving lug 77. In this state, the crimping press mechanism 28 is set over the terminal forming die device 32, such that the terminal forming die device 32 can perform terminal crimping due to the operation of the crimping press mechanism 28.
Furthermore, in this state, the terminal forming die device 32 can be placed into the standby position from the operating position if the lock drive unit 79b is operated to place the lock lug 79a into the unlock position from the lock position.
Note that the above example is not the only possible arrangement to change the position of a terminal forming die device 32. A position change mechanism may be mounted on each exchange rack 40 itself. Additionally, a position change may not have to occur when the support base 46 is stationary after transferred into a setting recess 23. A position change of the terminal forming die device 32 may occur while the support base 46 is being advanced or retracted with respect to the setting recess 23, i.e., conveyance line L.

<4. Description of the Operation>

The following describes the operation of the apparatus 30 for exchanging a terminal forming die device 32. The exchange apparatus 30 includes a control unit comprised of a microcomputer that includes a microprocessor, a main memory and an auxiliary memory coupled to the microprocessor. The actions described below are carried out according to the instructions written in the program stored in the auxiliary memory.
As shown in Fig, 23, it is assumed that initially, one of the terminal forming die devices 32 is ready to crimp a terminal to an end of an electric wire W conveyed along conveyance line L. In this state, one of the support bases 46 is advanced with respect to conveyance line L (set in a setting recess 23), the other support base 46 is set back from conveyance line L (supported by the rack support frame 54). In this state, when crimping the terminal in the main crimping body 36, the terminal is oriented perpendicularly to conveyance line L in the main crimping body 36. In other words, the grooves in the pair of terminal crimp dies of the main crimping body 36 extend perpendicularly to conveyance line L. This allows the terminal to be supplied in the form of a chain terminal from a side of the main crimping body 36. This also allows the terminal to be crimped onto the end of electric wire W that has been conveyed in a position perpendicular to conveyance line L. This eliminates the need for reorienting the end of the electric wire W when crimping the terminal, thus simplifying the structure of the wire conveyance unit 14.
To change the terminals to be crimped, i.e., to change the terminal forming die device 32, the following operation is performed.
In particular, as shown in Fig. 24, the position change drive unit 82 is operated to place the terminal forming die device 32 into the standby position from the operating position after the lock mechanism 78 is operated to place the receiving lug 77 in the unlock condition. Then, the engagement drive unit 84 is operated to disengage the actuation lug 86 from the position change projection 35b. Additionally, the press-down drive unit 72 is operated to remove the pressure on the support base 46 exerted by the press-down portion 74.
As shown in Fig. 25, the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 is then operated to retract the exchange rack 40 including the support base 46, which is in the advanced position, toward the rack support frame 54.
Next, as shown in Fig. 26, the exchange drive unit 61 is operated to transfer the rack support frame 54 along conveyance line L to move one of the plurality (two) of parallel exchange racks 40, which include a support base 46, to the position (corresponding to the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 in this embodiment) corresponding to the terminal crimp receiving position (where a setting recess 23 is located in this embodiment). This causes the position change projection 35b of said one of the support bases 46 to be removed laterally from inside of the feed lug 66, and the position change projection 35b of said other support base 46 is placed into the feed lug 66 from its side.
Next, as shown in Fig. 27, the rack advancement/retraction drive unit 65 is operated to advance the exchange rack 40 including the other support base 46 from the rack support frame 54 toward the terminal crimping table 22. The press-down drive unit 72 is then operated to press down and secure the support base 46 with the press-down portion 74.
Subsequently, as shown in Fig. 28, the engagement drive unit 84 is operated to engage the actuation lug 86 with the position change projection 35b and, in this state, the position change drive unit 82 is operated to place the terminal forming die device 32 into the operating position from the standby position. When the lock mechanism 78 is operated to engage the receiving lug 77 with the terminal forming die device 32, the setting operation of the terminal forming die device 32 is completed, and the main crimping body 36 is ready to receive force from the crimping press mechanism 28, deployed above, so as to crimp a terminal.
In this state, a terminal is crimped onto the end of electric wire W conveyed by the wire conveyance unit 14.
According to the exchange apparatus 30 of the terminal forming die device 32 thus constructed, by moving each entire exchange rack 40, its terminal forming die device 32 and terminal reel 49 can both be advanced and retracted with respect to conveyance line L so as to allow these to be exchanged all at once. Also, to advance and retract the terminal forming die device 32 with respect to conveyance line L, the terminal forming die device 32 is placed in the standby position in which the die device is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base 46. This serves to decrease the locus of its travel and thus minimizes its footprint. Moreover, after the terminal forming die device 32 is retracted from conveyance line L, the plurality of terminal forming die devices 32 can be parallelly placed in the standby position in which the die devices are oriented in the direction of travel of the support bases 46, thereby providing compact standby areas for the die devices.
To advance a terminal forming die device 32 to conveyance line L in order to crimp a terminal onto an end of an electric wire W, by placing the terminal forming die device 32 into its operating position, the end of the electric wire W conveyed on the conveyance line L can be set for crimping a terminal thereto between the pair of dies without changing its orientation. This eliminates the need for incorporating into the wire conveyance unit 14 or in its vicinity an arrangement for changing the orientation of the ends of electric wires W, thereby simplifying the structure.
Furthermore, a position change drive unit 82 is provided for changing the position of each terminal forming die device 32 from the standby position to the operating position while or after the support base 46 is advanced to conveyance line L and changing the position of the terminal forming die device 32 from the operating position to the standby position before or while the support base 46 is retracted from conveyance line L. As such, the position of each terminal forming die device 32 can be automatically changed by advancing and retracting the support base 46 with respect to conveyance line L.
Additionally, a reel support 48 is provided below each support base 46, and the chain terminal guide member 35, which vertically guides chain terminals T drawn from the terminal reel 49 supported on the reel support 48 to the terminal forming die device 32, is rotated integrally with the terminal forming die device 32. Accordingly, chain terminals T can be smoothly guided to the terminal forming die device 32 even when the terminal forming die device 32 is placed in the operating position.
Conveniently, a plurality of exchange racks 40 can also be automatically exchanged since the rack support frame 54, which parallelly supports the plurality of exchange racks 40 at a spaced-apart position from conveyance line L, the exchange/transfer mechanism 60, which transfers the rack support frame 54 to set one of the exchange racks 40 supported by the rack support frame 54 in a position corresponding to the terminal crimp receiving position, and the rack advancement/retraction mechanism 64, which advances and retracts the exchange rack 40 set in the terminal crimp receiving position with respect to conveyance line L, are provided.
In the foregoing embodiment, as shown in Fig. 29, each main crimping body 36 pivots on the support shaft 47 to be set below the crimping press mechanism 28. This requires setting the main crimping body 36 along the front and rear direction Q (i.e., the direction in which one end of electric wire 13 is set) with respect to the crimping press mechanism 28.
A common type of main crimping body 36 is available for which a crimping press mechanism is set from one side thereof. The following describes an arrangement for enabling application of that type of main crimping body 36 to the present embodiment.
In the main crimping body 36 of a terminal forming die device 32, as shown in Fig. 30, a setting recess 132 is formed in the upper portion of a movable portion 130 that receives the force to raise the upper die (also call the crimper). The setting recess 132 is recessed from one side of the movable portion 130 to the center of the movable portion 130. The upper opening of the setting recess 130 is formed narrower than its bottom, and a pair of setting grooves 133 is formed in its interior (below the upper opening).
The setting recess 130 is where a pressing force application unit 140 provided in the crimping press mechanism is fitted in. In particular, the pressing force application unit 140 is formed as a short cylindrical portion with a circular collar 142 formed at the lower end thereof. The application unit is fitted into the aforementioned setting recess 130 in a first direction from the side opening thereof. Then, with the collar 142 fitting into the pair of setting grooves 133, the movable portion 130 is raised and lowered together with the pressing force application unit 140 by the elevating and lowering operation of the crimping press mechanism. Each crimping press mechanism 28 of the present embodiment also includes a pressing force application unit 140 similar to the foregoing (see Figs. 31 and 33).
Attached to the upper portion of the movable portion 130 is a pressing force relay mechanism 150 described below.
As shown in Figs. 30-33, the pressing force relay mechanism 150 includes a relay fitting portion 152 and a main relay body 154 in which a relay setting recess 156 is formed.
The main relay body 154 is formed in a block made of a metal, etc., and formed in the upper portion thereof is the relay setting recess 156 formed in an identical shape to the foregoing setting recess 130. However, the direction in which the relay setting recess 156 is open to a side is different from the direction in which the setting recess 130 is open to a side (the first direction). That is, the relay setting recess 156 is open to a side in the direction in which the main crimping body 36 is transferred when the main crimping body 36 is rotated about the support shaft 47 and transferred to the position below the crimping press mechanism 28. Accordingly, the pressing force application unit 140 can be fitted into the relay setting recess 156 in a direction different from the first direction and the direction in which the terminal forming die device 32 is transferred to the position below the crimping press mechanism 28.
Note that, of the two side portions of the relay setting recess 156, the side portion 156a that is located inside of the circle described by the rotation of the terminal forming die device 32 extends outwardly inclinedly in the direction in which the relay setting recess 156 is open to one side. In other words, as the terminal forming die device 32 pivots, the pressing force application unit 140 fits into the relay setting recess 156 while describing an arc from the foregoing side portion of the relay setting recess 156 located inside of the circle, that side portion is formed inclined in the area of the arcuate locus, such that the pressing force application unit 140 can smoothly fit into the relay setting recess 156.
Moreover, a circular closed-end recess 157 is formed at the bottom of the main relay body 154. Screw insertion holes 158 are formed between this closed-end recess 157 and the relay setting recess 156.
The relay fitting portion 152 is made of metal, etc., in the shape of a short cylindrical portion with circular collars 152a and 152b formed at both ends thereof.
One of the circular collars, collar 152a, is formed to be able to fit into the aforementioned closed-end recess 157. Further, the collar 152a is formed with screw holes 152as that correspond with the aforementioned screw insertion holes 158. As screws S are passed through the screw insertion holes 158 and tightened in the screw holes 152as, the relay fitting portion 152 is drawn and fastened to the main relay body 154.
Additionally, the other collar 152b is formed to be able to fit into the pair of grooves 133 of the aforementioned setting recess 130. With the collar 152b fitted in the pair of grooves 133, the aforementioned screws S are tightened, the other collar 152b is drawn to the main relay body 154 to securely mount the pressing force relay mechanism 150 to the upper portion of the movable portion 130.
The use of the relay mechanism 150 enables conversion of the direction in which the pressing force application unit 140 is fitted in. In this way, the structure of the main crimping body 36 originally designed to fit the pressing force application unit 140 therein from one side thereof can be adapted to easily fit the pressing force application unit 140 into the relay fitting portion 152 as the main crimping body 36 performs the aforementioned pivotal motion.
Having described the present invention in detail, the foregoing description is illustrative in all aspects and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variants not illustrated herein are conceivable without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

An apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device incorporated with a conveyance line for conveying ends of electric wires, the apparatus comprising an exchange rack that includes:
an exchange frame that includes a support base capable of moving in a direction that intersects the conveyance line;

a terminal forming die device supported with respect to the support base so as to be rotatable between a standby position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base and an operating position in which the terminal forming die device is oriented along the conveyance line; and

a reel support provided on the exchange frame, the reel support rotatably supporting a terminal reel in a position in which the terminal reel is oriented in the direction of the movement of the support base.
The apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to claim 1, further comprising a position change mechanism for changing the position of the terminal forming die device from the standby position to the operating position while or after the support base is advanced to the conveyance line and changing the position of the terminal forming die device from the operating position to the standby position before or while the support base is retracted from the conveyance line.
The apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the reel support is provided below the support base, and wherein a chain terminal guide member for guiding, in vertical direction, chain terminals drawn from the terminal reel supported on the reel support to the terminal forming die device is provided integrally rotatably with the terminal forming die device.
The apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to any one of claims 1-3,
wherein a plurality of said exchange racks is provided, the apparatus further comprising:
a rack support frame for parallelly supporting the plurality of exchange racks at a spaced-apart position from the conveyance line;

an exchange/transfer mechanism for transferring one of the plurality of parallelly supported exchange racks along the conveyance line to a position corresponding to a terminal crimp receiving position on the conveyance line; and

a rack advancement/retraction mechanism for advancing and retracting, with respect to the conveyance line, the one of the plurality of parallelly supported exchange racks set in the position that corresponds to the terminal crimp receiving position.
The apparatus for exchanging a terminal forming die device according to any one of claims 1-4,
wherein a setting recess is formed in an upper portion of each terminal forming die device, and a pressing force application unit of a crimping press mechanism is fitted into the setting recess from a first circumferential direction, and
wherein a pressing force relay mechanism is mounted on the upper portion of each terminal forming die device, the pressing force relay mechanism including a relay fitting portion that can be fitted into the setting recess and a relay setting recess into which the pressing force application unit can be fitted in a direction different from the first direction and in which the rotatably supported terminal forming die device is transferred to a position below the crimping press mechanism.