JP2003151385A - Bending device and bending method for flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately maintain bending positions and bending angles of a flat cable 1 and efficiently carry out bending work of the flat cable 1. SOLUTION: A connector holder 12 is provided for holding a connector 2 of the flat cable 1. A corresponding cable bending tool 20 is provided in a wiring path PH of the flat cable 1 with the held connector 2. A plurality of the cable bending tools 20 are fixed in correspondence to the bending positions of the flat cable 1 regulated by the wiring path PH. Each cable bending tool 20 has a positioning part providing the flat cable 1 along the wiring path PH, and a direction regulating part regulating the bending angle of the flat cable 1 by regulating a bending direction of the flat cable 1 in cooperation with the positioning part.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat cable folding device and a folding method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a flat cable is a flexible sheet-shaped wiring body in which conductive wires forming a predetermined circuit network are covered with an insulating resin. Such a flat cable is used, for example, as a roof harness arranged on the roof of a vehicle. The roof harness has a large size when it is deployed on a drawing board, for example, a length of 3000 mm and a width of 1500 mm. Therefore, when manufacturing a roof harness, a method of manufacturing the main line portion and the branch line portion separately and finally performing gross assembly to complete the roof harness is adopted.

In the manufacturing process of the branch line portion, a connector is connected to the end portion of the flat cable formed in a strip shape, and the appropriate portion of the flat cable is folded back in accordance with the final wiring form having a bent path. After installing exterior parts such as clamps, the procedure for electrically connecting with the flat cable that constitutes the main line is included.

Here, in the step of folding back the flat cable forming the branch line portion, the operator marks the folding line at a preset folding position, and the operator is called a drawing board along this folding line. It was supposed to be folded back on the workbench.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned folding work of the flat cable, it is required to maintain at least the folding angle precisely and to improve the efficiency of the folding work which requires many man-hours.

However, when the above-mentioned folding work is performed manually by relying solely on the marks of the folding line, it becomes difficult to make a crease exactly according to the mark, and not only the dimensional accuracy and the working accuracy become low. There is also a problem that workability is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and at least a folding device for a flat cable capable of maintaining the folding angle with high precision and efficiently performing the folding work, and the same. The challenge is to provide a return method.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention folds back a strip-shaped flat cable having a connector connected to at least one terminal portion, and applies the flat cable in a predetermined wiring form. In the flat cable folding processing device to be processed, provided for installing the flat cable to be processed, the drawing board in which the routing path of the flat cable is set in advance, and fixed on this drawing board, A connector holder that detachably holds the connector of the flat cable in the connector holding position defined in the routing route, and a plurality of numbers on the drawing board corresponding to the folding positions of the flat cable defined in the routing route. A positioning part that is individually fixed and that allows the flat cable to run along the above-mentioned routing path, and a flap that cooperates with this positioning part. By defining the direction of folding the Ttokeburu a folded processing apparatus of the flat cable, characterized in that it comprises a cable folding tool having a direction defining portion for defining the wrapping angle of the flat cable.

According to the present invention, by mounting the connector on the connector holder, it is possible to define the folding position of the flat cable having the connector from the terminal side. Then, in this state, the flat cables are sequentially routed from the connector holder to the cable folding tool along the routing direction, and the flat cable is positioned along the routing path by the positioning portion of the cable folding tool to become the direction defining portion. By folding the flat cable in the specified direction, the flat cable can be folded back at a desired folding angle. Therefore, according to the present invention, not only when folding the marked flat cable, but also when folding the unmarked flat cable, the folding position and the folding angle are accurately defined,
It becomes possible to perform folding back processing.

In another aspect, the direction restricting portion is formed on an outer wall portion of the positioning portion and extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the flat cable defined by the positioning portion at the folding angle, thereby extending the flat cable. It is a guide surface that guides the edge of the folded portion.

In this aspect, since the folding direction of the flat cable can be defined by aligning the edge of the folded portion of the flat cable with the guide surface formed on the outer wall portion of the positioning portion, the flat cable is formed. It is possible to fold the flat cable without causing inclusions between the folds. As a result, the folded size of the flat cable becomes more precise.

Another aspect of the present invention is a flat cable folding method using a flat cable folding apparatus, wherein a connector of the flat cable to be processed is detachably locked by a connector holder. Aligning the flat cable with the locked connector on the upstream side along the above routing route, the flat cable is detachably held by the cable folding device in order from the upstream side of this routing route, and is specified in the cable folding device. And a procedure for folding back the flat cable at a folding angle as described above.

According to the present invention, the position of the flat cable is regulated from the connector of the terminal, and the flat cable is folded back in order from the upstream side of the routing route with the regulated position as the upstream end. It will function as a member that defines the folding back position that is first folded back. By performing the folding operation while the upstream cable fold tool holds the flat cable, the upstream cable fold tool forms a member that defines the flat cable fold position in the downstream cable fold tool. Therefore, the precise folding angle and the folding process can be repeated over the entire length of the flat cable in combination with the accurate folding angle defined by each cable folding tool.

It is preferable that the above-mentioned folding-back method further comprises a step of pinching a portion of the flat cable folded back by the cable folding tool where the folding is formed to plastically deform the folding.

With this configuration, the folds of the flat cable are plastically deformed, so that the finishing accuracy of the flat cable is further enhanced.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a cable folding tool for folding back a flat cable at a predetermined folding angle, and a direction defining portion for defining a direction in which the flat cable to be processed is folded back, and this direction. A positioning portion that positions the flat cable so as to regulate the folding angle of the flat cable in cooperation with the regulation portion,
A cable folding tool that is provided with a cable receiving portion that extends in the positioning portion and that has a groove for making a fold in the flat cable along the line that should be the fold of the flat cable to be folded back. is there.

According to this aspect, before the flat cable is folded back in the direction defined by the direction defining section, the flat cable is sandwiched along the groove of the cable receiving section with an appropriate tool, thereby making a fold in the flat cable. Can be turned on. As a result, the flat cable can be easily folded back in the direction defined by the direction defining portion during the folding operation.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a direction defining portion that defines a direction in which the flat cable is folded back, and a positioning portion that cooperates with the direction defining portion to position the flat cable so as to define a folding angle of the flat cable. A cable pressing device used together with a cable folding device having a fold, wherein a crushing position for crushing a portion of the flat cable folded back along the direction defining portion and the fold is formed. The cable clamping device is characterized in that it has a clamping portion configured to be relatively displaceable with respect to the cable folding device between the cable folding device and a releasing position for releasing the opened portion, and plastically deforming the fold.

Also in this mode, since the folds of the flat cable folded back using the cable folding tool are securely plastically deformed into the desired shape by the pinching tool, the flat cable can be delicately and easily folded back. become.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is a cable folding tool for folding back a flat cable at a predetermined folding angle, and a mounting base for mounting the flat cable, and a mounting base provided on the mounting base. A direction defining part that defines the direction in which the flat cable to be processed is folded back,
A positioning portion that positions the flat cable on the mounting table so as to regulate the folding angle of the flat cable in cooperation with this direction regulating portion, and a flat cable that is provided on the mounting table and is folded back along the direction regulating portion. A pressing position for pressing the portion where the fold is formed between the mounting table and the pressing position, which presses the portion where the fold of the flat cable is formed, plastically deforms;
A cable folding tool, wherein the cable folding tool is provided so as to be relatively displaceable with respect to the mounting table between the mounting table and the detaching position where the flat cable is opened and the flat cable can be detached from the positioning portion.

According to this aspect, since the mounting table is provided with the positioning portion and the direction defining portion, the flat cable is folded back on the mounting table. The portion of the flat cable where the fold is formed is pressed between the mounting table and the pressing means by the pressing means. Therefore, it is possible to easily fold the flat cable in the direction defined by the direction defining portion during the folding operation.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flat cable folding processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the figure, in the illustrated embodiment, the flat cable 1 to be processed is, as is well known, a conductive wire covered with an insulating resin, and a connector 2 connected to its end portion. .

The main processing apparatus 10 for folding back the flat cable 1 includes a drawing board 11.
In the illustrated embodiment, the drawing board 11 has a wiring portion 11a for wiring the flat cable 1 and a mounting portion 11b for mounting a work tool. Installation part 11a
Is a workbench that is inclined so that the operator side is not shown, and the flat cable 1 is
It is routed to a. Further, the mounting portion 11b is provided for mounting a cable pinching tool 30 and the like, which will be described later, and is embodied by a plate material extended to the lower end of the wiring portion 11a.

A connector holder 12 and a plurality of cable folding tools 20 are arranged on the wiring portion 11a of the drawing board 11 along the wiring route PH of the flat cable 1. In the illustrated example, a solid line indicating the routing path PH is marked on the routing section 11a.

The connector holder 12 has a box-shaped outer shape made of resin, and a part of the connector holder 2 is a holding object.
The concave portion 12a corresponding to the outer shape of is formed. Recess 12
a is the upper portion of the connector holder 12 and the routing path P
The connector is opened toward the downstream side of H, and the worker can insert the connector 2 into and from the recess 12a of the connector holder 12 in the vertical direction to allow the flat cable 1 to follow the routing path PH. Become.

Each of the cable folding tools 20 is an assembly made of resin having the same form, and is arranged at a position corresponding to the folding position of the flat cable 1 in the wiring route PH, and each of the wiring routes is arranged. The wiring portion 11a of the drawing board 11 in a posture corresponding to the upstream side and the downstream side of the PH.
It is fixed on.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the cable folding tool 20 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are flat views of the cable folding tool 20 according to the embodiment of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the folding back process of the cable 1.

With reference to these figures, the cable folding tool 2
0 has a rectangular block body 21 and a plate 22 fixed to the upper surface of the block body 21. In the illustrated example, the block body 21 and the plate 22 are flat in the wiring route PH. It constitutes a positioning part along which the cable 1 is routed.

The block body 21 is a resin molded product, and is fixed to the upper surface of the wiring portion 11a of the drawing board 11 by a pair of screws 23. An upper step surface 21b and a lower step surface 21c which form a step surface 21a having a height sufficient for sandwiching the flat cable 1 are formed on the upper portion of the block body 21. Then, the edge 1a of the flat cable 1 is guided by the step surface 21a, and the flat cable 1 is received in the thickness direction by the lower step surface 21c, whereby the flat cable 1 is set in the wiring portion 11a of the drawing board 11. It is possible to precisely follow the routing path PH (see FIG. 3 (A)).

The plate 22 is fixed to the upper step surface 21b of the block body 21 with screws 24, so that a part of the plate 22 faces the middle part of the lower step surface 21c of the block body 21. Then, the plate 22 and the block body 21
With the slit 25 formed between the cable folding tool 20 and the lower step surface 21c, the posture of the cable folding tool 20 can be aligned with the routing path PH while the flat cable 1 is held. In the example shown, the plate 2
2 is made of a transparent acrylic plate, and the posture of the flat cable 1 introduced between the block body 21 and the lower surface 21c of the block body 21 can be visually checked. Further, since the plate 22 releases the middle part of the lower step surface 21c of the block body 21, a portion of the lower step surface 21c which is open to the plate 22 guides the flat cable 1 into the slit 25. It constitutes the guide surface.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the block body 21 forms a flat outer wall 21d as a guide surface formed at a right angle to the step surface 21a of the block body 21, and the outer wall 21d is A direction defining portion that defines the folding direction of the flat cable 1 positioned by the block body 21 is configured.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cable clamp 30 used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a pinching step of the flat cable 1 by the pinching tool 30.

With reference to these figures, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the portion where the fold of the flat cable 1 whose angle is defined by the cable folding tool 20 is formed is pinched and the flat cable 1 is folded back. A cable pinching tool 30 for compositionally deforming the formed fold is adopted. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable clamp 30
Is a rectangular resin block body 31 with a bottomed slit 32.
Is formed and a chamfered portion 33 is provided at the open end thereof to form the pressing surfaces 34 and 35 that sandwich the portion 1b of the flat cable 1 where the fold 1c is formed.

Next, the operation of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, referring to FIG. 1, in the above configuration,
Flat cable 1 with connector 2 connected to the terminal in advance
Is transferred to the drawing board 11, and the connector 2 is attached to the connector holder 12
Attach to. As a result, the connector 2 of the flat cable 1 can be detachably attached by the connector holder 12.
1 will be locked and its end will be defined to the terminal of the routing route PH.

Next, the flat cable 1 is routed from the upstream side to the downstream side along the routing path PH with the connector holder 12 as the upstream end. At that time, for the cable folding tool 20 arranged on the routing path PH, FIG.
As shown in, the flat cable 1 from the upstream side to the downstream side
Is introduced into the slit 25, and the flat cable 1 is positioned so that the flat cable 1 is along the routing path PH. Further, by this positioning operation, the flat cable 1 is also positioned with respect to the outer wall 21d as the direction defining portion. Further, since the connector 2 of the flat cable 1 is locked by the connector holder 12, the folding device 10 acts on the first cable folding tool 20 as a member that defines the folding position. At the same time, with respect to the second and subsequent cable folds 20, the cable fold 20 located on the upstream side serves as a member that regulates the position with respect to the cable fold 20 following on the downstream side. Figure 3
As shown in (B), the flat cable 1 on the downstream side is folded back as shown by an arrow A, and the edge 1a of the folded back portion is aligned with the outer wall 21d, whereby the flat cable 1 is folded back. As a result, the flat cable 1 has a turn-back angle θ (90 ° in the illustrated embodiment) defined by the block body 21 and the outer wall 21d.
Can be folded back exactly.

The operation of folding back the flat cable 1 is not limited to folding back on the downstream side of the cable folding tool 20 as shown in the figure, but may be folding back on the upstream side. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the connector holder 1
The cable fold tool 20 at the most upstream end following 2 folds the flat cable 1 extending from the connector holder 12 by 90 °. In this case, as shown in FIGS. Flat cable 1 to cable fold tool 2
0 is folded back on the upstream side and then the flat cable 1 is passed through the slit 25, and the folding angle θ on the upstream side and the downstream side between the outer wall 21d and the step surface 21a forming the slit 25 is set.
May be defined.

By performing the above-described folding step sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side along the routing path PH, the flat cable 1 is sequentially regulated from the upstream end in a regulated state. It is folded back at an angle and molded into a wiring form along the wiring route PH.

Next, referring to FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (C), a pinching operation is performed to pinch the folded portion 1b in which the fold 1c of the folded flat cable 1 is formed. It is preferable that the pinching work is performed each time the folding work is performed, but after performing all the folding works, the clamping work may be performed collectively from the upstream side.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), the procedure of the pinching work is as follows. The outer wall of the cable pinching tool 30 is placed along the outer wall of the block body 21 of the cable folding tool 20, and the cable pinching tool 30 is pressed. The slit 32 is the fold 1c of the flat cable 1.
It faces the folded portion 1b in which is formed. Then, as it is, the cable pressing member 30 is slid as shown in FIG. 5 (B), and the folded portion 1b in which the fold 1c of the flat cable 1 is formed in the slit 32 as shown in FIG. 5 (C). To introduce. As a result, the pressing surfaces 34, 35 (see FIG. 4) of the block body 31 forming the slit 32 press the folding portion 1b having the fold 1c formed therein, and the folding portion 1b having the fold 1c formed therein. The fold 1c formed in the plastic is plastically deformed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by mounting the connector 2 on the connector holder 12, it is possible to define the folding position of the flat cable 1 having the connector 2 from the terminal side. Then, in this state, the flat cable 1 is sequentially routed from the connector holder 12 to the cable folding tool 20 along the routing direction, and the flat cable 1 is positioned by the block body 21 as a positioning portion of the cable folding tool 20. However, by folding back the flat cable 1 in the direction defined by the outer wall 21d as the direction defining portion, the flat cable 1 can be folded back at the desired folding angle θ. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately define the folding position and the folding angle and perform the folding process not only when the marked flat cable 1 is folded but also when the unmarked flat cable 1 is folded. become. Therefore, in this embodiment,
There is an advantage that even marking work is unnecessary.

Moreover, when the cable folding tool 20 employed in this embodiment is adopted, the folding direction of the flat cable 1 is changed by aligning the edge 1a of the folded portion of the flat cable 1 with the outer wall 21d. Since it can be regulated, the flat cable 1 can be folded back without causing inclusions in the folded portion 1b formed on the flat cable 1. As a result, the folded size of the flat cable 1 becomes more precise.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and subsequent figures will be described. In the following description, the same members as those described with reference to FIG. 1 and the subsequent drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cable folding tool 120 and a cable clamping tool 130 according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 (A) to 8 (C) show the implementation of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the folding back process of the flat cable which concerns on a form.

With reference to these drawings, the cable folding tool 120 shown in each drawing includes a base block 121. The base block 121 is a resin molded product formed in a substantially L-shape in a plan view, and supports the pillar portion 1 erected on the drawing board 11 along the routing path PH of the flat cable 1.
It is fixed on the drawing board 11 by 22.

The routing path PH of the base block 121
In the illustrated embodiment, the side 121a along the upstream side is a part that constitutes a positioning portion that runs the flat cable 1 along the routing path PH, and has a slit 123 that opens in the opposite direction to the extending direction of the other side 121b. The plate portion 124 to be formed is integrally formed in a channel shape, and by introducing the flat cable 1 into the slit 123, the flat cable 1 is positioned along the upstream path of the routing path PH. Is able to.

On the other hand, the side 121b is provided with a pair of guide ribs 125 and 126 on both sides in the width direction. Both guide ribs 125 and 126 extend parallel to each other along the routing path PH on the downstream side, face each other at intervals corresponding to the width dimension of the flat cable 1, and are folded back along the routing path PH. To guide between the two. Along with this, the side wall 125a of the one guide rib 125 is flat and continuous with the end surface 124a of the plate portion 124. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 125a of the flat cable 1 positioned by the one side 121a. The guide surface of the direction defining portion that defines the folding direction is configured. In other words, the one side 121a also has a function of positioning the flat cable 1 so as to define the folding angle of the flat cable 1 in cooperation with the side wall 125a as the direction defining portion.

At the confluence of both sides 121a and 121b,
An intersecting portion 121c is formed as a cable receiving portion. The intersection 121c is open on both sides 121a and 121b so that the flat cable 1 can be received both on the upstream side and on the downstream side. Further, in the intersecting portion 121c, a groove 12 for making a fold 1c on the flat cable 1 along a line to be the fold of the flat cable 1 to be folded back.
7 are formed. Groove 127 is flat cable 1
Corresponding to the angle θ at which the side wall 125a
In contrast, it is inclined at 45 °.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), the flat cable 1 is introduced into the slit 123 on one side 121a to define the folding position, and then the folding position is defined.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the groove 12 is formed by using a spatula-shaped tool 128.
The flat cable 1 is pressed along 7 to make a crease in the flat cable 1. Then, by folding back the flat cable 1 on the downstream side along this fold, the flat cable 1 is folded back easily and precisely at a desired folding angle, as shown in FIG. 8 (C). Also in this aspect, the folding direction of the flat cable 1 can be defined by aligning the edge 1a of the folded portion of the flat cable 1 with the side wall 125a of the guide rib 125. It is possible to fold back the flat cable 1 without causing inclusions in the overlapping portion 1b. As a result, the folded size of the flat cable 1 becomes more precise.

Next, returning to FIG. 7, the cable pinching tool 130 used in combination with the cable folding tool 120 is a plate-shaped base portion 1 fixed to the drawing board by a column portion 131.
32, and a plate-shaped slider 13 attached to the upper surface of the base portion 132 and displaceable relative to the base portion 132.
3 and 3. The base portion 132 and the slider 133 are laid out at a position facing the other side 121b of the cable folding tool 120 across the intersecting portion 121c, and as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8C, the folded portion of the flat cable 1 is squeezed between the releasing position where the flat cable 1 is released by retracting from the tool 120, and the folded portion of the flat cable 1 is folded. It is possible to displace between the pinching position that plastically deforms the eyes. In order to enable this displacement, the slider 133 has an elongated hole 133a along its longitudinal direction, and is connected to the base portion 132 by a pin 134 penetrating the elongated hole 133a so as to be relatively displaceable. ing. Further, in order to prevent the slider 133 from rotating, a long hole 13 is formed on the bottom surface of the slider 133.
A pair of guide grooves 133b parallel to 3a are formed, and a pin 132a slidably fitted in the guide groove 133b is provided on the base portion 132 in a protruding manner.

According to this aspect, after the folding operation is completed as described with reference to FIGS.
By displacing 33 to the clamping position as shown in FIG. 8C, the folded portion of the flat cable 1 is clamped between the bottom surface of the slider 133 and the intersecting portion 121,
The fold will be plastically deformed.

Also in this mode, the cable folding tool 12
Since the folds of the flat cable 1 folded back using 0 are plastically deformed to the desired shape by the pinching tool 130, the dimensional accuracy of the flat cable 1 is increased.

When the cable folding tool 120 shown in FIG. 7 is used, the groove 127 may be omitted when the cable clamping tool 130 is also used.

On the other hand, the cable folding tool 1 having the groove 127
When 20 is adopted, the cable clamp 130 may be omitted.

Next, still another embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a use mode of a cable folding tool and a cable pressing tool according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 shows the cable pressing tool shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view as seen from FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a folding step by the cable folding tool and the cable clamping device of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a clamping state when the flat cable 1 is clamped. Is.

First, referring to FIG. 9, a cable folding tool 220 according to the illustrated embodiment is a polygonal member formed in a substantially diamond shape in plan view, and includes a block body 221 fixed to the drawing board. , And a plate 222 fixed to the upper part of the block body 221. The outer shape of the cable folding tool 220 has a
It is formed in order to define the folding angle θ of the flat cable 1, and is formed on the lower side portion 220a parallel to the wiring route PH of the flat cable 1 on the upstream side, and on both sides of this lower side portion 220a, Lower part 22
0a and an edge portion 220b perpendicular to 0a, and this edge portion 22
0b, an inclined portion 220c that is inclined symmetrically with respect to the upstream routing path PH at a predetermined angle, and an upper side portion 220d that is continuous with both inclined portions 220c in parallel with the lower side portion 220a. have.

On the upper surface of the block body 221, a step surface 2 having a height necessary and sufficient for holding the flat cable 1 in between.
An upper step surface 221b and a lower step surface 221c forming 21a are formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the step surface 221.
Is parallel to the upper side portion 220a, and
It is continuous with the end portion of 0b. And this step 22
The flat cable 1 is guided by 1a, and the flat cable 1 is received in the thickness direction by the lower surface 221c, so that the flat cable 1 is precisely aligned with the routing path PH set in the routing portion 11a of the drawing board 11. You can follow along.

On the other hand, the plate 222 is a thin metal plate and is fixed to the upper step surface 221b of the block body 221 to form a slit 223 between the plate 222 and the lower step surface 221c of the block body 221.

With reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, in this embodiment, the flat cable 1 introduced into the slit 223 is folded back from the downstream side of the routing path PH to the upper side of the plate 222, and an inclined portion is formed. By arranging along the line 220c, the edge forming the inclined portion 220c of the plate 222 acts as a direction defining portion that defines the folding direction of the flat cable 1 that is folded back. As a result, the flat cable 1 moves from the routing path PH on the upstream side to the inclined portion 2
A predetermined turn-back angle θ (θ in the example shown in the figure) according to the inclination angle defined in 20c (45 ° in the example in the figure)
= 90 °).

Next, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the cable pressing tool 23 used together with the cable bending tool 220.
0 is a resin molded product formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view,
A rotary shaft 231 provided near one of the corners is rotatably attached to the drawing board. By being rotatably attached to the drawing plate on the rotary shaft 231, the cable clamping device 230 is moved to the release position shown in FIG.
It can be displaced between the clamping position shown in (C).

Referring to FIG. 10, the cable pinching tool 230
A notch 232 inclined at a predetermined angle is formed on the back surface of the. The side surface of the cutout portion 232 has a cable pressing member 23.
When the 0 takes the clamping position, the cable folding tool 22
The folded flat cable 1 can be clamped between the folded cable 220 and the cable folding tool 220 along the contour of the zero inclined portion 220c on which the flat cable 1 is folded back.

According to this aspect, after the folding work is completed as described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cable clamping device 230 is displaced to the clamping position as shown in FIG. 11C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12, the folded portion 1b of the flat cable 1 becomes the cable clamping tool 230.
The bottom surface of the cutout portion 232 formed on the upper surface and the inclined portion 220c are pinched, and the fold is plastically deformed.

Further, a cable folding tool 320 of another mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a cable folding tool 320 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In addition, FIG.
14A and 14B are perspective views showing the operation of the cable folding tool 320 in FIG. 13, FIG. 13A showing a state before the cable folding tool 320 operates, and FIG. 14B showing a state after the cable folding tool 320 operating. .

With reference to FIG. 13, a cable folding tool 320
Includes a base block 321 as a mounting table. The base block 321 is a plate-like member made of a synthetic resin or the like that is substantially rectangular in a plan view. The base block 321 is fixed on the drawing board 11 by a pair of support columns 322 standing on the drawing board 11 along the routing path PH of the flat cable 1.

On one end of the base block 321 in the longitudinal direction, a positioning block 323 is fixed as a positioning portion for positioning the flat cable 1 along the routing path PH by a pair of bolts 323a. The positioning block 323 is a block member having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and is made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin or the like. Further, a cutout portion 323b is formed on the lower surface of the positioning block 323.
The slit 321c is formed by the notch 323b and the upper surface of the base block 321. By introducing the flat cable 1 into the slit 321c, the flat cable 1 is routed to the routing path P.
It is positioned along H.

The positioning block 323 is arranged so that the long sides of one of the base block 321 and the positioning block 323 are aligned with each other in a plan view, and is fixed to the upper surface of the base block 321. The side surface of the positioning block 323 including the other long sides constitutes a guide surface 323d as a direction defining portion that defines the folding direction of the flat cable 1 in the present embodiment.

On the other hand, at the other end of the base block 321 in the longitudinal direction, a pair of support portions 324 are provided upright. These support portions 324 are provided at both ends of the base block 321 in the plate width direction. In addition, each support 32
4 includes drive shafts 325 that extend in the plate width direction of the base block 321, and are connected by the drive shafts 325. One end of a drive block 326 as a pressing means is rotatably fitted onto the drive shaft 325 between the support portions 324. This drive block 326 is
It is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block made of metal or the like. Also,
The drive block 326 is rotated about the drive shaft 325, so that one surface of the drive block 326 has a base block 3.
It is designed to face the 21st side. This drive block 32
One surface of 6 is a pressing surface 32 for pressing the flat cable 1.
It functions as 6a.

A chamfered portion 326b is provided at one end of the drive block 326 that is a surface that faces the pressing surface 326a and that faces the drive shaft 325. The chamfered portion 326b is provided with a grip portion 326c in the normal direction thereof.

The pressing surface 326a comes into contact with the base block 321 by the rotation of the drive block 326. A switch 327 is provided on the base block 321 at the contact position of the pressing surface 326a. The switch 327 is provided in the base block 32.
1 includes a fixing sleeve (not shown) fixed to 1. The upper end of the fixed sleeve is provided with a displacement end 327a that can be displaced relative to the fixed sleeve in the vertical direction. The displacement end portion 327a is fixed in a state of protruding above the base block 321, and is displaced to be flush with the upper surface of the base block 321 by contact with the pressing surface 326a. Switch 327 in this state
Is connected to a contact (not shown) (hereinafter, this state will be referred to as an ON state) to emit a predetermined electric signal. This electric signal is connected to an inspection device which is not shown in the drawings through a wire 327b whose one end is connected to the lower end of the fixed sleeve and a connector 327c which is connected to the other end of the wire 327b. .

The cable folding tool 320 as described above is adapted to fold the flat cable 1 by the following operation.

Referring to FIG. 14A, the operator introduces the flat cable 1 into the slit 321c and positions the flat cable 1 on the base block 321. Next, the operator works on the edge 1 of the flat cable 1.
A is folded back along the guide surface 323d to form the folded portion 1b, and the downstream side of the flat cable 1 is held so as to maintain the folded portion 1b. In this state, the operator grips the grip portion 326c and drives the drive block 3
26 is rotated.

Referring to FIG. 14 (B), when the drive block 326 is rotated, the folded portion 1b of the flat cable 1 is pressed between the base block 321 and the pressing surface 326a, that is, the pressed portion. It becomes the state of the position. By this pressing, the folds of the flat cable 1 are
It is plastically deformed.

When the drive block 326 is rotated, the switch 327 is turned on by the pressing surface 326a, and a predetermined electric signal is transmitted. The inspection device (not shown) that has received this electric signal notifies the operator by a buzzer sound or the like that the folding operation is normally completed.
Further, when one flat cable 1 is folded back at a plurality of places, the inspection device is connected to the plurality of cable folding tools 320, and it is determined whether or not the work is finished at each of the folded places. Notify me.

After such work is completed, the worker
Holding the grip portion 326c, the drive block 326 is moved to the position shown in FIG.
(A), that is, in the detaching position, the flat cable 1 is removed from the slit 321c, and the next flat cable 1 is slit 321c.
Introduce to.

The cable folding tool 3 configured as described above
20 is based on the positioning block 323, and the flat cable 1 is folded back on the base block 321.
The folded flat cable 1 is provided with a drive block 32.
By the rotation of 6, the base block 321 and the pressing surface 32
It is pressed between 6a. Therefore, the operator can easily plastically deform the folds of the flat cable 1.

Further, since the cable folding tool 320 is provided with the switch 327 and the inspection device, the flat cable 1 can be easily removed by eliminating mistakes such as forgetting to turn back the operator.
Can be plastically deformed.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example of a preferred specific example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It goes without saying that various design changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The fold-back angle of the cable can be precisely defined by the direction-defining part and the positioning part of the cable folder fixed to the drawing board, so the fold-back angle can be maintained with high accuracy, and the fold-back work can be performed efficiently. There is a remarkable effect that can be performed. In particular, in the invention according to claim 1, since the connector holder attached to the drawing board can define the cable arranging position of the flat cable and the fold-back position precisely, it is unnecessary to perform the marking work. There is an advantage.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a flat cable folding-back apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cable folding tool according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a step of folding back the flat cable 1 by the cable folding tool according to the embodiment of FIG.

4 is a perspective view of a cable pinching tool used in the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.

5 is a perspective view showing a flat cable pinching step by the cable pinching tool adopted in the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a step of folding back the flat cable 1 by the cable folding tool according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cable folding tool and a cable pressing tool according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view showing a step of folding back the flat cable according to the embodiment of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a cable folding tool and a cable pressing tool according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cable pressing device shown in FIG. 9 viewed from the back side.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a folding-back process using the cable folding tool and the cable pinching tool of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a pinched state when the flat cable is pinched.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a cable folding tool according to another embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a perspective view showing the operation of the cable folding tool of FIG. 13, (A) showing a state before the operation of the cable folding tool, FIG.
(B) shows the state after the operation of the cable folding tool.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 flat cable 1a edge 1b Folded portion (folded portion) 1c Fold 2 connectors 10 Folding machine 11 Drawing board 12 Connector holder 20 cable folds 21 Block body (positioning part) 21d Outer side wall (direction regulation part, guide surface) 22 Plate (positioning part) 30 cable clamps 120 cable folds 121 Base block (positioning part) 121c Intersection (cable receiving part) 124 Plate part (positioning part) 125 guide ribs (direction regulation part) 125a Side wall (guide surface) 127 groove 128 tools 130 Cable clamp 133 Slider (clamping part) 220c slope 221 block body (positioning part) 222 plate 223 slit 230 Cable clamp 320 cable fold 321 Base block (mounting table) 323 Positioning block (positioning part) 323d guide surface (direction defining part) 326 Drive block (pressing means) PH route θ Folding angle

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Adachi             2 Toyo at 25 Tsukada, Otsuka Town, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture             Harness Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kunihiro Mizui             2 Toyo at 25 Tsukada, Otsuka Town, Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture             Harness Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takashi Ueno             Sumitomo Den 1-14 Nishi-Suehiro-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Prefecture             Sozo Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A flat cable wrapping processing device for folding a strip-shaped flat cable having a connector connected to at least one end portion thereof and processing the flat cable into a predetermined wiring pattern. A drawing board that is provided for laying cables and in which a routing path for the flat cable is set in advance, and the flat cable that is fixed on the drawing board and is located at the connector holding position defined by the routing path. Connector holders that detachably hold the above connectors, and a plurality of fixing positions on the drawing board that correspond to the folding positions of the flat cables defined in the routing route, and the flat cables are routed along the routing route. And the direction in which the flat cable is folded back in cooperation with this part and this positioning part And a cable folding tool having a direction defining portion that defines a folding angle of the flat cable, and a folding device for a flat cable. 2. The flat cable folding device according to claim 1, wherein the direction regulating portion is formed on an outer wall portion of the positioning portion, and the folding angle is with respect to a longitudinal direction of the flat cable defined by the positioning portion. An apparatus for folding back a flat cable, which is a guide surface that extends in a direction intersecting with each other and guides an edge of a folded portion of the flat cable. 3. A method of folding a flat cable using the flat cable folding device according to claim 1, wherein the connector of the flat cable to be processed is detachably locked by a connector holder. A flat cable is laid along the above-mentioned routing path with the locked connector as the upstream side, and the flat cable is detachably held by the cable folding tool in order from the upstream side of this routing path, and is defined by the cable folding tool. And a procedure for folding back the flat cable at a folding angle. 4. The method of folding back a flat cable according to claim 3, further comprising a step of pressing the portion of the flat cable folded back by the cable folding tool where the fold is formed to plastically deform the fold. A method for folding back a flat cable, which further comprises: 5. A cable folding tool for folding a flat cable at a predetermined folding angle, the direction defining portion defining a direction in which a flat cable to be processed is folded back, and the direction defining portion in cooperation with the direction defining portion. Positioning part that positions the flat cable so as to define the fold-back angle of the flat cable, and a groove that extends in the positioning part and that folds the flat cable along the line that should be the fold of the flat cable that is folded back. And a cable receiving part having a cable folding part. 6. A cable folding tool having a direction defining part for defining a direction in which a flat cable is folded back and a positioning part for positioning the flat cable so as to define a folding angle of the flat cable in cooperation with the direction defining part. And a releasing position for releasing the portion where the fold is formed and a portion where the fold is formed on the flat cable folded back along the direction defining portion. And a cable pressing member configured to be relatively displaceable with respect to the cable folding tool, and configured to plastically deform the fold. 7. A cable folding tool for folding a flat cable at a predetermined folding angle, wherein a mounting table for mounting the flat cable and a flat cable to be processed, which is provided on the mounting table, are folded back. A direction defining part that defines the direction, a positioning part that cooperates with the direction defining part to position the flat cable on the mounting table so as to define the folding angle of the flat cable, and a direction defining part provided on the mounting table. And a pressing unit that presses the portion of the flat cable that is folded back along the folding table, and the pressing unit presses the portion of the flat cable where the folding is formed. Between the pressing position for plastic deformation and the attachment / detachment position where the flat cable is opened and the flat cable can be attached / detached to / from the positioning part. Cable folding tool, characterized in that is provided so as to be relatively displaced with respect to the mounting table.