JP2002324648A - Part insertion device and part assembly method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase assembly speed, reduce the number of components and improve maintenance. SOLUTION: The insertion device comprises a cutting dies 3 for cutting a part 7 from a carrier 6 and a holding means 1, 2 which holds the part 7 and positions it capable of movement to the cutting dies 3, and holds it for inserting provisionally into the housing 8 after the part is cut. The holding means 1, 2 comprises a part insertion part 12 that is provided at the side of the housing 8 side for inserting the part finally into the housing 8 in a state while the part is provisionally inserted in the housing 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a component insertion device used during a process of inserting a component into a housing and a method of assembling an electric component. , A component insertion device by a stitching method for inserting a component into a housing one pin at a time, and a component assembling method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when assembling electrical components such as connectors and modular jacks, there is a process of inserting and assembling conductive components such as electrical contacts, terminals and contacts by press-fitting them into a housing which is an insulator. is there. The method of inserting such components one by one into the housing is generally called a stitching method (single press-fitting (insertion) method).

FIGS. 15 to 22 show a component insertion device employing a conventional stitching method. First, FIG.
5, the component insertion device includes a cutting punch 51, a component receiver 52, a cutting die 53, a housing feed mechanism 61 for providing a housing 58 at a predetermined position, and the like.

[0004] The part 57 is formed by punching a thin band-shaped metal plate in advance by pressing. The plurality of components 57 are connected in a comb shape to a band-shaped carrier 56 serving as a grip for transporting the components 57. Here, a plurality of parts 57 and these parts 5
The carrier 56 connecting the 7 is entirely formed in a strip shape, so that the whole is referred to as a continuous strip.

The part 57 is inserted into the insertion hole 58a of the housing 58.
Are inserted into the housing 58, which is a resin molded product, one by one into the insertion hole 58a.

[0006] The component 57 supplied to the separation position by the transport system while being held by the carrier 56 includes a cutting punch 51 and a component receiver 5 in the directions of arrows A and B shown in FIG.
2 clamps the thickness direction. Cutting punch 5
By moving in the direction of the arrow A shown in FIG. 17 in the thickness direction of the carrier 56, the component 1 and the component receiver 52 are cut by the edge portion of the cutting die 53 and separated from the carrier 56. At this time, the component 57 is
And the component receiver 52.

Next, a cutting punch 51 and a component receiver 52
Is lowered in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 18 (corresponding to the insertion direction of inserting the component 7 into the housing 58). At this time, the component 57 is conveyed to a predetermined position by a predetermined operation of the cutting punch 51 and the component receiver 52. The housing 58 is temporarily inserted into an insertion hole 58a where the housing 58 is inserted. Thereafter, the component receiver 52 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 19, and releases the clamp of the component 57 in the thickness direction.

Next, the pusher 54 is moved to the cutting punch 51.
20, the component 57 is further inserted into the insertion hole 58a by the tip of the pusher 54, and is fully inserted. Next, FIG.
1. Cutting punch 51 and component receiver 5 in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG.
2 rises, and the cutting punch 51 and the component receiver 52 point to the arrow B.
Move in the direction. This process is continuously and automatically repeated by the component insertion device while moving the housing 58 by one pitch (see FIG. 22). Note that carrier 5
Various driving means such as a cam and a motor are used for a transport unit (not shown) that transports the housing 6 and the housing 58 and each movable unit.

[0009]

The conventional component insertion device has a simple mechanical structure and is capable of exchanging items, that is,
Although there is an advantage that the variation of the number of the parts 57 can be easily changed, there is a problem that as the number of the parts 57 increases, the number of assemblies per time decreases.

[0010] As means for solving such a drawback,
Means for speeding up the cycle for inserting the component 57 or providing a plurality of component insertion devices in one device and simultaneously inserting the plurality of components 57 into different housings 58 are being studied.

However, with respect to the means for increasing the cycle of inserting the part 57, the process cycle in the above-described stitching method is shortened. For example, when a drive motor is used, the motor rotation speed is increased. There is a problem that the operating speed and operating acceleration of each tool such as the cutting punch 51, the component receiver 52, the pusher 54, etc., the operating force increases, and an operation error is induced due to the occurrence of mechanical vibration.

Therefore, in the component insertion device employing the stitching method, in order to shorten the assembly tact, the drive motor may be operated at a higher speed in order to shorten the insertion cycle of the component 57. When the rotation speed of the drive shaft is increased, the acceleration of each movable portion such as the cutting punch 51, the component receiver 52, the pusher 54, etc. exceeds the limit value, and the rotation speed can be increased only up to a certain upper limit value.

For example, when a cam is used for the movable mechanism, the followability of the link is reduced, so that the cam follower jumps from the cam surface and a predetermined operation cannot be performed. To avoid jumping,
A drive source with a larger output is required as the cam drive force increases as well as the restraining force of the cam follower increases. Also,
There have been various problems in terms of maintenance and cost increase, such as a reduction in the life of the device due to occurrence of unpredictable uneven wear of the machine.

As described above, the means for providing a plurality of component insertion devices requires a plurality of similar mechanisms, resulting in an increase in cost and a problem in terms of maintenance.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to simplify the stitching process and structure, to have a simpler mechanical structure than conventional devices, and to provide a component insertion cycle (product assembly) as compared with the conventional stitching method. The present invention is to provide a component insertion device and a component assembling method that can increase the speed.

[0016]

According to the present invention, a plurality of parts are connected by a carrier, and the parts are cut from the carrier and at least one of the parts is inserted into a housing. In the component insertion device, a cutting die that cuts the component from the carrier, and the cutting die that holds the component and is movably positioned with respect to the cutting die and cuts the component from the carrier into the housing in the insertion direction. Holding means for temporarily inserting the component, wherein the holding means is configured such that the component is temporarily inserted into the housing, and the component is fully inserted into a side surface facing the housing so as to fully insert the component into the housing. A component insertion device characterized by having a portion is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a component assembling method of a component inserting apparatus for cutting and separating a plurality of components from a continuous strip in which a plurality of components are continuously and integrally connected by a carrier and inserting the components into a housing. A cutting die for cutting the component from the carrier, and for temporarily inserting the component in the insertion direction after cutting the component from the carrier while holding the component and movably with respect to the cutting die. Holding means, the holding means has a main insertion portion on a side surface facing the housing,
In the process of continuously and automatically cutting and inserting the components one by one from the continuous band material into the housing, the housing is moved one by one when the components are fully inserted, and the next component is removed. When the component is inserted into the housing, the main insertion of the temporarily inserted component that has been temporarily inserted in the previous step is performed by the main insertion section, thereby obtaining a component assembling method of the component insertion device.

[0018]

According to the component insertion device and the component assembling method of the present invention, when the housing is moved one by one and the next component is inserted, the temporary insertion of the temporarily inserted component that was temporarily inserted in the previous cycle step is performed. What to do is done continuously and automatically.

The operating speed and operating acceleration of each movable part such as a cam and a motor are increased to a limit value and the rotation speed of the drive shaft is increased to or above the conventional limit value. By increasing the cycle of inserting parts, the assembly speed (tact) of parts is increased.

Further, in the present invention, after performing the number of insertion cycle operations for the specified number of parts into the housing,
In order to perform the book insertion, the continuous cycle material is not fed, the cutting punch as the holding means and the component receiver do not grip the component, and the insertion cycle operation is performed to complete the assembly.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a component insertion device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the carrier shown in FIG. 1 and a plurality of components connected to the carrier,
2 shows an insulating housing into which parts are inserted and assembled. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of a component transport system including a component insertion device.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the component insertion device in the first embodiment includes a cutting punch 1, a component receiver 2, a cutting die 3, a housing feed mechanism 44 for providing a housing 8 at a predetermined position, and the like. It is constituted by.

When the component 7 shown in FIG. 2 is inserted into a plurality of insertion holes 8a formed in the housing 8, it is cut off and separated from the carrier 6, and is inserted into the insertion hole 8a of the resin molded housing 8. Are inserted one by one.

In this embodiment, a housing 8 and a plurality of components 7 incorporated in the housing 8 are provided.
Thus, the connector is assembled. The component 7 is one of a conductive contact, a terminal, an electric contact, and the like that comes into contact with a mating connector (not shown).

After holding the component 7, the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 as holding means move the component 7 from the carrier 6.
And temporarily inserts the component 7 into the housing 8 at the same time as the main insertion.

In the cutting punch 1 according to this embodiment, the component 7 is temporarily inserted into the housing 8 and
It has a main insertion portion 12 for fully inserting the component 7 temporarily inserted in the previous process into the housing 8. The cutting punch 1 is provided with a main insertion portion 12 protruding from a side surface facing the housing 8, and the temporarily inserted component 7 temporarily inserted by the distal end surface of the main insertion portion 12 is pressed into the insertion hole 8 a. This is the one that inserts.

The carrier 6 is provided with a transport hole 33 through which a nail of a component supply means (not shown) is engaged when the continuous strip 22 is fed. Here, the plurality of components 7 and the carrier 6 connecting these components 7 are formed in a band shape as a whole, so that the whole is referred to as a continuous band material 22.

FIG. 2 shows a part of the continuous strip 22 as an example. The carrier 6 and the component 7 are stamped from a metal plate by pressing. The plurality of parts 7 are continuously arranged in a line at a predetermined interval,
The carrier 6 is connected in a comb-teeth shape by the carrier 6. The arrow X shown in FIG.
And the direction in which the continuous strip 22 is transported in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1.

Here, before describing the steps of the component assembling method using the component insertion device, a schematic configuration of a component transfer system applied to the assembly of the component insertion device of the present invention will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the housing 8 is provided with a housing feed mechanism 4 by a housing supply means 45.
4. The continuous strip 22 is supplied to the component insertion device main body 40 by the component supply means 43. The parts are cut one by one by the component insertion tool part 41 and inserted into the housing 8 by a predetermined operation. The component insertion tool section 41 includes a cutting punch 1, a component receiver 2, and a cutting die 3.

After inserting the component 7 into the housing 8,
The pitch is moved by the housing feed mechanism 44, and the insertion of the component 7 is continuously and automatically repeated. The housing 8 into which the specified components 7 have been inserted is conveyed to a post-housing assembly post-process 47.

Hereinafter, an assembling method using the component insertion device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
This component insertion device employs a stitching type assembly method in which the component 7 is inserted into the housing 8 one pin at a time.

In the assembling process, when the housing 8 is moved by one pitch and the next part 7 is inserted, the cutting punch 1 is used.
By means of the distal end face of the main insertion portion 12 provided on the side surface of the housing 8 side, the temporarily inserted component 7 temporarily inserted into the housing 8 in the previous cycle step is fully inserted. The temporary insertion and the main insertion are performed continuously and automatically.

Next, the assembling process will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. To explain mainly the movement of one contact 7, as shown in FIG.
While holding the carrier 6 by the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2, the component 7 is supplied to the separation position by the transport system. At this time, the component 7 is held by the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 so that the plate thickness direction is clamped in the direction indicated by arrows A and B in FIG.

Next, as shown in FIG.
And the component receiver 2 moves in the thickness direction of the carrier 6 (arrow A).
Direction). Here, when the cutting punch 1 moves, the edge of the cutting punch 1 faces the edge of the cutting die 3, and the parts 7 are separated from the carrier 6 by these shearing forces. The part where the component 7 is cut off from the carrier 6 is a part indicated by a broken line H in FIG. At this time, the component 7 is held by the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2, and the component 7 is at the insertion position of the housing 8 transported to a predetermined position by the predetermined operation of the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2. It is temporarily inserted into the insertion hole 8a.

Further, as shown in FIG.
And the component receiver 2 are both lowered toward the housing 8 (FIG. 6).
(The insertion direction indicated by the arrow C direction), the temporary insertion part 13 temporarily inserted in the previous cycle step is fully inserted by the main insertion portion 12 of the cutting punch 1 provided on the side surface on the housing 8 side. Thereafter, the component receiver 2 moves in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7, and this movement releases the clamping of the component 7 in the plate thickness direction. Then, the cutting punch 51 and the component receiver 52 rise in the direction of arrow D shown in FIG. 18 which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction. At this time, the cutting punch 51 moves in the direction of arrow B, and the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 return to the origin shown in FIG. This process is continuously and automatically repeated by the assembling apparatus while moving the housing 8 by one pitch.

Also, the specified number of parts 7 are
Is inserted and the number of cycle operations is performed, and then the last one main insertion is performed. At this time, the continuous strip 22 is not fed (not shown, but the feed mechanism uses, for example, a servomotor and a sprocket), and the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 do not hold the component 7. Performs cycle operation to insert part 7 and completes product assembly (empty insertion operation)
Let it. This operation is only for main insertion without temporary insertion operation.
This is a so-called empty insertion operation.

In this embodiment, the process by the pusher 54 used for the main insertion shown in FIG. 12 is not necessary, and the operating speed and the operating acceleration of each of the other movable parts are suppressed to the limit values while the rotational speed of the drive shaft is kept. Above the conventional limit.

Next, a description will be given of the rate of increasing the speed of inserting the component 7 by the stitching method. In this embodiment, a cam structure is used for driving (not shown). In addition, in the process time distribution of the general stitching method conventionally performed, the ratio of the time required for performing the actual insertion by the pusher 54 illustrated in FIG. 13 is about 20%.
It is.

In the stitching method according to the present invention, since the process time is not necessary, the assembling speed (tact) can be improved accordingly. In other words, the conventional device in which the insertion cycle speed of the component 57 is 0.1 s / piece can be increased to 0.08 s / piece in the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows the assembling speed (tact) when the component 7 is assembled according to the present invention and the assembling speed when the component 57 is inserted by inserting the component 57 by the conventional stitching method. (Tact) is shown.

Tact calculation formula by the stitching insertion method of the present invention; Tact calculation formula = Component insertion speed (s: seconds / piece) × (number of inserts (pieces) +1 (empty insertion)) + housing switching time (s: seconds) Example) When 10 parts are inserted at a component insertion speed of 0.08 (s: seconds / piece) Tact = 0.08 (s: seconds / piece) x (10 + 1) (pieces)
+1.3 (s: second) = 2.18 (s: second) Tact calculation formula by conventional stitching insertion method; Tact calculation formula = component insertion speed (s: second / piece) x number of inserts (pieces) + housing Switching time (s: second) Example) When 10 parts are inserted at a component insertion speed of 0.1 (s: second / piece) Tact = 0.1 (s: second / piece) × 10 (pieces) +1.3
(S: second) = 2.3 (s: second)

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the component insertion device. The component insertion device according to the second embodiment is an example in which the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 according to the first embodiment are configured to be left and right reversed.

In this component insertion apparatus, a main insertion portion 12 ′ protruding from the cutting punch 1 is provided on a side surface of the cutting punch 1 on the housing 8 side. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the component insertion device. The component insertion device according to the third embodiment is an example in which the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 according to the first embodiment are configured right and left upside down.

In this component insertion device, a main insertion portion 12 ″ is provided on a side surface of the component receiver 2 on the housing 8 side. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

As described above, the main insertion portions 12 ', 12''
May be provided on one of the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2. If the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 are located on either side and face each other so as to sandwich the component 7, the first
The same function as that of the embodiment can be achieved.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a fourth embodiment of the component insertion device.
1 shows an embodiment. In the component insertion device according to the third embodiment, the arrangement is the same as that of the cutting punch 1 and the component receiver 2 of the first embodiment, but the side surface of the component receiver 2 on the housing 8 side is recessed. The main body insertion portion 12a is provided in the recess.

The component insertion device according to this embodiment can perform the same function as that of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows the same step as the step described with reference to FIG. 6 in the first embodiment.

Further, the main body insertion portion 12a may be provided on the cutting punch 1 or, as in the second and third embodiments, the main body insertion portion 12a May be provided.

[0051]

According to the present invention, the present invention eliminates the conventional insertion step by the pusher, thereby keeping the operating speed and the operating acceleration of each of the other movable parts at the limit values while keeping the rotational speed of the drive shaft above the conventional limit value. It becomes possible to raise to.

Further, by increasing the speed of the component insertion cycle, the assembly speed (tact) of the component can be increased. Further, the number of mechanical components can be reduced, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced as compared with the conventional stitching method, and the maintenance is improved by the simplification of the structure.

Further, it is not necessary to insert an unnecessary tool into the housing, and it is not necessary to prepare a dedicated tool for the main insertion separately from the insertion device, and it is possible to complete the main insertion of the specified parts.

Further, although the number of insertions is increased by one in comparison with the conventional stitching method, the assembling time is eliminated by accelerating the component insertion cycle, and the parts can be inserted at a higher speed than the conventional stitching method. Assembly is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of a first embodiment of a component insertion device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state where the components shown in FIG. 1 are connected to a carrier and a housing.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a component transport system including the component insertion device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a component assembling process following a component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a component assembling process following a component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a tact comparison between the stitching method of the present invention and the conventional stitching method.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing a main part of a component insertion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a main part of a component insertion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a main part of a component insertion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing a state in the middle of a component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front view showing a conventional component insertion device.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 16;

18 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 18;

20 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component inserting device shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a front view showing a component assembling process following the component assembling process by the component insertion device shown in FIG. 21;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,51 Cutting punch 2,52 Component receiver 3,53 Cutting die 6,56 Carrier 7,57 Part 8 Housing 8a, 58a Insertion hole 12,12 ', 12 ", 12a Main insertion part 22 Continuous side band 40 Part insertion Apparatus main body 41 Component insertion tool part 44 Housing feed mechanism 45 Housing supply means 54 Pusher

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A component insertion device for connecting a plurality of components by a carrier, cutting the components from the carrier and inserting at least one of the components into a housing, the component being inserted from the carrier to the component. A cutting die for holding the component and holding means for temporarily inserting the component in the insertion direction into the housing after cutting the component from the carrier and movably positioned with respect to the cutting die. In the state where the component is temporarily inserted into the housing, the holding means has a main insertion portion on a side surface facing the housing so as to fully insert the component into the housing. Component insertion device. 2. The component insertion device according to claim 1, wherein
The holding means has a cutting punch and a component receiver for sandwiching and holding the component in a plate thickness direction, and the main insertion portion is provided on one of the cutting punch and the component receiver. Component insertion device. 3. The component insertion device according to claim 2, wherein
The main insertion portion is a portion protruding in the insertion direction from the side surface of one of the cutting punch and the component receiver, or the insertion direction from the side surface of any one of the cutting punch and the component receiver. Is a part which is recessed in the opposite direction. 4. A component assembling method of a component insertion device for cutting and separating a component from a continuous strip in which a plurality of components are continuously and integrally connected by a carrier and inserting the component into a housing, the component being separated from the carrier. A cutting die for cutting, and holding means for holding the component and movably positioned with respect to the cutting die, cutting the component from the carrier, and temporarily inserting the component into the housing in the insertion direction. The holding means has a main insertion portion on a side surface facing the housing, and in a step of continuously and automatically cutting and inserting the components one by one from the continuous band material into the housing, When the component is fully inserted, the housing is moved one by one to insert the next component into the housing. Parts assembling method of the component insertion device and performs insertion by the present insert. 5. A component assembling method for a component inserting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said holding means has a cutting punch and a component receiver for sandwiching and holding said component in a plate thickness direction. Wherein the main insertion section is provided in one of the components. 6. The component assembling method of a component inserting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the number of cycle operations for inserting the specified number of the components into the housing is performed, and then the last one of the components is fully inserted. In order to perform the above, in the state where the feed of the continuous strip is stopped and the cutting punch and the product receiver are separated from the component, the cycle operation is performed to complete the assembly, and How to assemble parts.