JP2004111264A

JP2004111264A - Terminal crimping device and retooling method of crimping machine

Info

Publication number: JP2004111264A
Application number: JP2002273609A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hidefumi Murakami; 村上　英文
Original assignee: Yazaki Corp
Current assignee: Yazaki Corp
Priority date: 2002-09-19
Filing date: 2002-09-19
Publication date: 2004-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-19
Also published as: JP3947448B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make terminal crimping more efficient by speedily making replacement of a crimping machine by automation. <P>SOLUTION: The terminal crimping device 1 is adopted provided with a part 3 for stocking a plurality of kinds of crimping machines 2, a first conveying means 4 for selecting a required crimping machine at the stock part 3 and moving it collinearly with a conveying route 6, and a second conveying means 8 for moving the required crimping machine to a crimping drive gear 7 along the conveying route. The first conveying means 4 is constituted, as for example, of a slide plate 16 for loading the crimping machine 2, and a driving means 14 for moving the slide plate across the conveying route 6. The first conveying means may be constituted of a turntable used also as a stock part and a lifting means for moving a required crimping machine up and down from the turntable. The terminal crimping device 1 is provided at least with a control part 5 for directing drive of the first conveying means 4. A terminal reel 25 is fitted in free attachment and detachment at the crimping drive gear side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、複数種の圧着機（アプリケータ）のなかから所要の圧着機を選択して圧着駆動手段に自動搬送する構成の端子圧着装置及び圧着機の段取り替え方法に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図５〜図９は、本出願人が提案した従来の端子圧着装置の各形態を示すものである（特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
図５〜図６の端子圧着装置６１は、複数種の圧着機（アプリケータ）２を並列にストックさせ、その中の所要の圧着機２_１を作業者が選択してＸＹの二次元方向の各レール６２，６３に沿って圧着駆動装置６４の下（セット位置）に人力で移動させ、圧着駆動装置６４で圧着機２_１を駆動して、電線の露出導体部に端子を圧着させるものである。
【０００４】
図６の如く各圧着機２にはそれぞれ種類の異なる端子リール２５が連結され、端子リール２５から導出された連鎖状端子２６が圧着機２の端子送り部６７に予めセットされている。連鎖状端子２６は図７の如く導電金属を材料として複数の圧着端子６５を連鎖帯６６で横方向に並列に連結したもの（横連鎖端子）である。連鎖帯６６には端子送り用の孔部６８が等ピッチで設けられている。電気接触部６９に続いて導体圧着片７０と被覆圧着片７１が立ち上げられている。端子６５は種類毎に大きさや形状等が相違している。
【０００５】
なお、横連鎖端子２６に代えて複数の圧着端子を長手方向（縦方向）に連結したもの（縦連鎖端子）を使用することもある。縦連鎖端子を用いる場合は、連鎖端子の供給方向が９０゜変更された圧着機を使用する。また、図７の各端子６５の電気接触部６９はＬＡ端子（丸型板端子）のものであるが、その他に雄タブ状の電気接触部や、弾性接触片を内部に有する矩形筒状の雌型の電気接触部を使用することも多い。
【０００６】
図６の圧着駆動装置６４は、フライホイル７２に連結したクランクでスライダ７３を上下に移動させるものである。フライホイル７２はモータで駆動される。スライダ７３は圧着機２のシャンク１２（図８）に着脱自在である。クランク式に代えて油圧シリンダ式の圧着駆動装置を用いることも多い。
【０００７】
図８は圧着機（アプリケータ）２の一形態を示すものであり、円板状のシャンク１２に続く垂直なラム７４と、ラム７４を昇降自在に支えるフレーム２４と、ラム７４に続く上型（クリンパ）３１と、上型３１に対向して固定台７５上に位置する下型（アンビル）３２と、ラム７４の側面のカム部で端子送り方向に揺動し、且つばね部材の付勢で復帰可能な端子送り爪３０と、ばね付勢式の端子抑え部７６と、固定台７５上の水平な端子案内部７７とを備えている。カム部と端子送り爪３０と端子案内部７７とで端子送り手段６７が構成されている。
【０００８】
シャンク１２に圧着駆動装置６４（図６）が連結され、圧着駆動装置６４の駆動でラム７４と一体に上型３１が昇降する。上型３１の下死点で端子が下型３２との間で電線に圧着され、それと同時に連鎖帯６６（図７）が切断される。端子６５（図７）の導体圧着片７０と被覆圧着片７１は二枚の上型３１で同時に加締められる。導体圧着片７０に電線の露出導体部が加締め接続され、被覆圧着片７１に同じく電線の絶縁被覆が加締め固定される。
【０００９】
横連鎖端子２６は端子案内部７７に沿って供給され、ラム７４の一往復で送り爪３０が連鎖帯６６の孔部６８を一ピッチ分だけ上型３１と下型３２との間に送り出す。送り爪３０はばねの復元力でラチェット式に復帰する。
【００１０】
図９に示す端子圧着装置８１は、複数の圧着機（アプリケータ）２をターンテーブル８２上に放射状に配置し、所要の圧着機２_１を作業者が選択してターンテーブル８２から水平なレール８３に沿って圧着駆動装置６４の下（セット位置）に人力で移動させるものである。
【００１１】
各圧着機２の上側には各端子リール２５がそれぞれ配設されている。圧着機２は端子リール２５ごとセット位置に移動される。圧着駆動装置６４や圧着機２の構成は図４の形態と同じである。
【００１２】
【特許文献１】
特許第３０１４９２８号公報（第３−５頁、図１−図９）
【００１３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記従来の各端子圧着装置６１，８１にあっては、作業者が圧着機２の選択及び交換を人力で行わなければならず、段取り替えに多くの工数を要するという問題があった。また、例えば端子リール２５が圧着機２ごとに配置される等により、製造ラインのスペースを多く必要とし、端子圧着装置６１，８１も肥大化しやすいという問題もあった。
【００１４】
本発明は、上記した点に鑑み、圧着機の選択及び交換を効率良く迅速に行うことができ、また、省スペース化やコンパクト化を図ることのできる端子圧着装置及び圧着機の段取り替え方法を提供することを目的とする。
【００１５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、本発明の請求項１に係る端子圧着装置は、複数種の圧着機をストックする部分と、そのストック部において所要の圧着機を選択して搬送路と同一線上に移動させる第一搬送手段と、該搬送路に沿って圧着駆動装置まで該所要の圧着機を移動させる第二搬送手段とを備えることを特徴とする。上記構成により、第一搬送手段でストック部から搬送路に迅速に所要の圧着機が送られ、第二搬送手段で所要の圧着機が搬送路に沿って圧着駆動装置まで迅速に送られる。圧着駆動装置で所要の圧着機が駆動され、電線に端子が圧着される。端子圧着後は、第二搬送手段で圧着機が第一搬送手段に迅速に送られて受け渡され、第一搬送手段で元のストック位置に迅速に戻される。なお、圧着機とは端子を加締める上型と下型と、上型を昇降させるラムとを含むものであり、圧着駆動装置でラムが昇降駆動される。
【００１６】
請求項２に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第一搬送手段が、前記複数種の圧着機を載せる各スライド板と、各スライド板を前記搬送路に交差して移動させる各駆動手段とで構成されることを特徴とする。上記構成により、各スライド板の上に各圧着機がストックされ、所要のスライド板を駆動手段で前進させることで、所要の圧着機が搬送路と同一線上に位置する。そして、前記第二搬送手段で所要の圧着機が搬送路に沿って圧着駆動装置に送られる。使用済みの圧着機の復帰時には、第二搬送手段でスライド板の上に圧着機が載せられ、スライド板の後退動作で圧着機が原位置に復帰し、ストックされる。
【００１７】
請求項３に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第一搬送手段が、前記複数種の圧着機を載せる前記ストック部を兼ねるターンテーブルと、該ターンテーブルから前記所要の圧着機を昇降させる昇降手段とで構成されることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、ターンテーブルの回動操作で所要の圧着機が搬送路に向けて（搬送路に近い側に）位置し、昇降手段で所要の圧着機がターンテーブルから上昇又は下降されて、搬送路と同一線上に位置し、前記第二搬送手段で圧着駆動装置に向けて搬送される。上下のスペースがターンテーブルと圧着駆動装置とで有効に活用される。
【００１８】
請求項４に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第一搬送手段が、垂直に移動する移動基板と、該移動基板に水平に突設された複数の圧着機セット部と、該移動基板を昇降させる駆動手段とで構成されることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、移動基板の各セット部に圧着機が着脱自在にセット（載置）され、駆動手段で移動基板が昇降して、所要の圧着機が選択されて搬送路と同一平面上に移動され、その位置で移動基板が停止し、所要の圧着機が第二搬送手段で搬送路を経て圧着駆動装置に送られる。垂直な移動基板に各種圧着機が上下にセットされるから、装置が横方向に小型化（省スペース化）される。
【００１９】
請求項５に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第一搬送手段が、水平に移動する移動基板と、該移動基板に設けられた複数の圧着機セット部と、該移動基板を水平に進退させる駆動手段とで構成されることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、移動基板の各セット部に圧着機が着脱自在にセット（載置）され、駆動手段で移動基板が左右横方向に移動して、所要の圧着機が選択されて搬送路と対向して同一平面上に移動され、その位置で移動基板が停止し、所要の圧着機が第二搬送手段で搬送路を経て圧着駆動装置に送られる。
【００２０】
請求項６に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第一搬送手段が、無端状のベルトないしキャタピラといった移動部材と、該移動部材に設けられた複数の圧着機セット部と、該移動部材を回転させる駆動手段とで構成されることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、移動部材の各セット部に圧着機が着脱自在にセットされ、駆動手段で移動基板が正逆方向に回転して、所要の圧着機が選択されて搬送路と対向して同一平面上に移動され、その位置で移動部材が停止し、所要の圧着機が第二搬送手段で搬送路を経て圧着駆動装置に送られる。
【００２１】
請求項７に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項３記載の端子圧着装置において、前記ターンテーブルが前記圧着駆動装置よりも下側に位置し、前記昇降手段で前記所要の圧着機を前記搬送路に向けて上昇させることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、上側に圧着駆動装置、下側にターンテーブルが位置し、上下の空間が有効に活用される。所要の圧着機が昇降手段で上昇し、その状態で所要の圧着機のみを第二搬送手段で他の圧着機に干渉することなく搬送路に送ることができる。
【００２２】
請求項８に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項３又は７記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第二搬送手段の主要部が前記ターンテーブルの中央に対向して位置することを特徴とする。
上記構成により、第二搬送手段の主要部がターンテーブルの中心の上又は下に位置し、上下のスペースが有効に活用される。
【００２３】
請求項９に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１〜８の何れか１項に記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第二搬送手段の主要部が、水平方向に移動するシリンダであることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、所要の圧着機が例えばエア圧式のシリンダで押圧されつつ搬送路に沿って移送される。エア式であるから圧着機に当接した際や圧着機を搬送路終端に当接させた際の衝撃が吸収され、スムーズで確実な移送とセット時の正確な位置決めが可能となる。
【００２４】
請求項１０に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１〜９の何れか１項に記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第二搬送手段が、前記所要の圧着機を前記圧着駆動装置において該第二搬送手段から分離可能なものであることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、第一搬送手段から受け取った所要の圧着機を第二搬送手段に固定又は保持して確実に搬送することができる。所要の圧着機を圧着駆動装置にセットした（位置させた）後、固定又は保持を解除して、第二搬送手段のみを復帰させることができる。
【００２５】
請求項１１に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１０記載の端子圧着装置において、前記第二搬送手段が、前記所要の圧着機を磁着させる電磁石を有することを特徴とする。
上記構成により、第二搬送手段に対する所要の圧着機の固定及び離脱を電磁石への通電のオンオフ操作で簡単且つ確実に行うことができる。
【００２６】
請求項１２に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１〜１１の何れか１項に記載の端子圧着装置において、少なくとも前記第一搬送手段の駆動を指示させる制御部を備えることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、制御部の予め規定されたプログラムによって自動的に且つ順々に所要の圧着機を選択して搬送路に供給することができる。
【００２７】
請求項１３に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１〜１２の何れか１項に記載の端子圧着装置において、前記圧着駆動装置側において端子リールを着脱自在に備えたことを特徴とする。
上記構成により、圧着機と端子リールとは別体であり、圧着機を交換する毎に端子リールを交換する。これにより、端子圧着装置には一つの端子リールのみがセットされ、それにより省スペース化が図られる。
【００２８】
請求項１４に係る端子圧着装置は、請求項１３記載の端子圧着装置において、前記端子リールからの連鎖状端子が水平軸の第一ローラと傾斜軸の第二ローラとで直交方向に屈曲して前記所要の圧着機に供給されることを特徴とする。
上記構成により、端子リールを搬送路と平行に配置し、連鎖状端子を搬送路と直交ないし交差して圧着機に供給することができる。これにより、省スペース化が図られる。
【００２９】
請求項１５に係る圧着機の段取り替え方法は、複数種の圧着機をストック部にストックさせ、該ストック部において所要の圧着機を選択して第一搬送手段で搬送路と同一線上に移動させ、該搬送路に沿って圧着駆動装置まで該所要の圧着機を第二搬送手段で移動させ、該所要の圧着機での端子圧着を完了した後に、該所要の圧着機を該第二搬送手段で該第一搬送手段に載せ移して元のストック位置に戻すことを特徴とする。
上記構成により、第一搬送手段でストック部から搬送路に迅速に所要の圧着機が送られ、第二搬送手段で所要の圧着機が搬送路に沿って圧着駆動装置まで迅速に送られる。圧着駆動装置で所要の圧着機が駆動され、電線に端子が圧着される。端子圧着後は、第二搬送手段で圧着機が第一搬送手段に迅速に送られて受け渡され、第一搬送手段において元のストック位置に迅速に戻される。なお、圧着機とは端子を加締める上型と下型と、上型を昇降させるラムとを含むものであり、圧着駆動装置でラムが昇降駆動される。
【００３０】
請求項１６に係る圧着機の段取り替え方法は、請求項１５記載の圧着機の段取り替え方法において、前記第一搬送手段として、請求項２〜６の何れか１項に記載の端子圧着装置における第一搬送手段を用いたことを特徴とする。
上記構成により、請求項２〜６の何れか１項に係る発明と同様の作用効果が奏される。
【００３１】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１は、本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第一の実施形態を示すものである。
【００３２】
この端子圧着装置１は、複数種の圧着機（アプリケータ）２（２_１〜２_３）を並列に配置したストック部３と、所要の圧着機２を一次方向（Ｘ方向）に送り出す第一搬送手段４と、第一搬送手段４に指示を出す制御部（制御盤）５と、第一搬送手段４に直交して二次方向（Ｙ方向）に延びる搬送路（ガイド部又はレール部）６と、搬送路６の終端側（圧着機セット部）に位置する圧着駆動装置７と、搬送路６に沿って圧着機２を進退させる第二搬送手段８とを備えたものである。
【００３３】
圧着機２の構造は従来例の図６で述べたものと同じであるので、図６と同じ符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。本形態の圧着駆動装置７は、フレーム９の上部に油圧シリンダ１０を垂直に設け、油圧シリンダ１０のロッド１１の先端に圧着機２のシャンク１２を着脱自在に係合させるホルダ部１３を設けたものである。なお、シリンダ式の圧着駆動装置７に代えて従来例の図４と同様のクランク式の圧着駆動装置を用いてもよい。
【００３４】
第一搬送手段４は、各圧着機２に対応した数の水平なエアシリンダ（駆動部ないし駆動手段）１４と、エアシリンダ１４のロッド１５の先端に連結されたスライド板１６とで構成されている。スライド板１６はロッド１５に連結された短い垂直部分１６ａと、垂直部分１６ａに続く長めの水平部分（符号１６で代用）とで略Ｌ字状に構成されている。スライド板１６の垂直部分寄りの半部に圧着機２が載置されている。
【００３５】
ストック部３の水平な基板部（壁部）１７はスライド板１６をスライド自在に係合させた凹溝部１８を有し、凹溝部１８は搬送路６を横断して形成されている。スライド板１６は搬送路６に直交し、エアシリンダ１４の最伸長時（図で中央のシリンダの状態）にスライド板１６の先端寄りの半部が搬送路６を通過（横断）して、スライド板１６の基端寄りの圧着機２を搬送路６と同一線上に位置させる。スライド板１６の上面と搬送路６の上面とは段差なく同一平面に位置している。エアシリンダ１４の最伸長時においてスライド板１６から搬送路６への圧着機２の受け渡しと、搬送路６からスライド板１６への圧着機２の受け渡しとが可能となる。
【００３６】
搬送路６は図１の形態のような凹溝状に形成してもよく、あるいは左右一対の平行な突条（レール）で構成してもよい。突条の場合、スライド板１６は突条の長手方向中間部の切欠部内を進退することとなる。搬送路６に対して圧着機２の底部に滑車や摺動ボール等を配設すれば、圧着機２の搬送を一層スムーズに行うことができる。圧着機２のストック数すなわちスライド板１６やシリンダ１４の数は二つでも四つでもそれ以上でもよく、圧着する端子の種類に応じて適宜設定される。
【００３７】
搬送路６の上側において搬送路６と平行に水平にエアシリンダ１９が位置し、エアシリンダ１９はスライダ２２に連結（固定）され、スライダ２２は搬送路６と平行な上側のレール部２３にスライド自在に係合し、駆動手段（図示せず）でレール部２３に沿って進退駆動される。駆動手段はロッドレスシリンダやボールねじ軸等、種々の形態のものを使用可能である。レール部２３は板状のもので幅方向が垂直に位置し、長手方向がストック部３の手前側からセット部すなわち圧着駆動装置７に向けて水平に延びている。
【００３８】
エアシリンダ１９のロッド２０の先端には電磁石２１が連結されている。電磁石２１は搬送路６上の圧着機２の垂直なフレーム壁部２４に対向して位置し、フレーム壁部２４を磁着可能である。電磁石２１は図示しないリード線からの給電によって磁力（吸着力）を発揮し、給電の停止によって磁力を失う。レール部２３とスライダ２２とシリンダ１９と電磁石２１とで前記第二搬送手段８が構成される。
【００３９】
これら、スライダ２２の移動位置やエアシリンダ１９の伸縮動作や電磁石２１のオンオフ操作は第一搬送手段４のエアシリンダ１４の駆動と同様に予め定められたプログラムに従って制御部５で制御することが可能である。無論、圧着駆動装置７の駆動制御も制御部５によって行わせることができる。これにより、圧着機２の選択と搬送・セットと端子圧着と圧着機２のストックとを自動運転で行わせることができる。
【００４０】
圧着駆動装置７側において、油圧シリンダ１０の昇降ロッド（昇降部）１１に続くホルダ１３はその開口部を搬送路６の方向に開口させて、圧着機２のシャンク１２を自動的に開口部内に挿入可能となっている。圧着機２は電磁石２１に磁着されて搬送路６の終端までスライダ２２とエアシリンダ１９とで搬送され、搬送路終端のストッパ（図示せず）に当接して停止し、セット位置が規定される。
【００４１】
圧着駆動装置７の上側近傍には搬送路６と平行に端子リール２５が配設され、端子リール２５から繰り出された連鎖状端子（横連鎖端子）２６が下側の水平な軸の第一ローラ２７と傾斜した軸の第二ローラ２８とを経て搬送路６と直交して圧着機２に供給される。連鎖状端子２６は端子リール２５のストック部３側の端部から下向きに第一ローラ２７に供給されることで、装置１の内側スペースが有効活用され、装置外側への連鎖状端子２６の出っ張りが防止される。
【００４２】
端子リール２５は圧着機２の種類毎に中心軸２９から外して交換する。外した端子リール２５は近傍のリールストック（図示せず）にストックしておく。第一ローラ２７の中心軸２７ａは搬送路６と直交し、第二ローラ２８の中心軸２８ａはほぼ４５゜の角度で上端が外向きに傾斜している。この二つのローラ２７，２８によって連鎖状端子２６をリール軸方向にスムーズに供給することができる。端子リール２５を搬送路６と平行に配置することで、ライン（製造工程）の省スペース化が図られる。
【００４３】
以下に上記端子圧着装置１の作用を説明する。
先ず、スライダ２２が図１でレール部２３の左端（始端）に位置し、制御部５の指示で所要の圧着機２を載せたスライド板１６がシリンダ１４の駆動で搬送路６に向けて前進する。シリンダ１４はロッド１５を伸長させた状態で留まる。圧着機２はスライド板１６上で搬送路６と同一線（面）上に位置する。次いでスライダ２２がレール２３に沿って前進し、シリンダ１９の先端の電磁石２１が圧着機２の外壁２４に磁着し、その状態でセット位置である圧着駆動装置７（油圧シリンダ１０の真下）までスライダ２２及び／又はシリンダ１９で押して搬送する。
【００４４】
セット完了と同時に電磁石２１の磁着が解除され、シリンダ１９はスライダ２２と一体に後退する。圧着機２の移動距離はスライダ２２の移動距離とシリンダロッド２０の伸長長さとの総和で規定される。エアシリンダ１９によって例えば圧着機２を搬送路終端のストッパに当接させる際の衝突が吸収され、圧着機２のセットや位置決めがスムーズ且つ正確に行われる。スライダ２２とシリンダ１９の何れか一方のみを用いて圧着機２を磁着させるようにすることも可能である。
【００４５】
次いで所要の端子リール２５を軸部２９にセットし、連鎖状端子２６を圧着機２に挿入セットする。圧着駆動装置７の駆動により、連鎖状端子２６が送り爪３０で圧着機２の上型（クリンパ）３１と下型（アンビル）３２との間に送られて、両型３１，３２の間で電線（図示せず）の端末に端子が圧着接続される。電線は作業者が手動で一本づつ供給してもよく、あるいは無端ベルト上のクリップ（図示せず）に把持させて自動で供給してもよい。何れにせよ、圧着機の迅速な段取り操作で端子付き電線の多品種少量生産が効率的に行われる。
【００４６】
一種類の端子の圧着を完了したら、スライダ２２とシリンダ１９の前進動作でセット位置の圧着機２を磁着し、スライダ２２とシリンダ１９の後退動作で搬送路６に沿って元のストック位置の側方（直近）まで移動させ、元のスライド板１６の上に載せ移す。直交方向のシリンダ１４の圧縮動作でスライド板１６を引き、圧着機２を元のストック位置に戻す。
【００４７】
次いで、新たな（次の種類の）圧着機２を前記同様に選択して圧着駆動装置７まで移動させ、同様に圧着動作を行わせる。このようにして、種々の端子を種々の電線に効率良く圧着接続することができる。
上記した作用構成は圧着機の段取り替え方法としても有効である。
【００４８】
図２は、本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第二の実施形態を示すものである。
この端子圧着装置４１は、ターンテーブル４２の上に複数種の圧着機２を等配にストックし、ターンテーブル４２よりも上側にセット位置である圧着駆動装置７を配設し（圧着駆動装置７よりも下側にターンテーブル４２を配設し）、ターンテーブル４２から所要の圧着機２を昇降手段４３で上昇させて、その圧着機２を上側の搬送路４４に水平方向の第二搬送手段８で受け渡し、搬送路４４の終端側のセット位置まで移動させるものである。ターンテーブル４２と昇降手段４３とで第一搬送手段４５が構成される。ターンテーブル４２はストック部を兼ねている。
【００４９】
圧着機２や圧着駆動装置７や第二搬送手段８や端子リール２５や端子ガイドローラ２７，２８や制御部５の構成は第一の実施形態と同様であるので同一の符号を付して詳細な説明を省略する。搬送路４４は第一の実施形態の搬送路６よりもかなり短く設定されている。搬送路４４の始端から終端までの長さは第一の実施形態の図１の右端のスライド板１６から搬送路６の終端までの距離とほぼ同じであってよい。
【００５０】
図２においてターンテーブル４２は中心の軸部４６を中心にモータやエア駆動のアクチュエータといった駆動手段４７でインデックス式に回動する。ターンテーブル４２上には本形態で四つの圧着機２が同じ正面視となるように（正面側に上型３１や下型３２や端子送り爪３０が位置するように）配置されている。圧着機２の数は二つでも三つでも四つ以上でもよい。一例として圧着機２は台座４８の上にセットされ、ターンテーブル４２には、台座４８を載せる部分４９の内側に、台座４８よりも小さな孔部５０が設けられている。部分４９に台座４８に対する位置決め用の突起５４を設けることも可能である。
【００５１】
孔部５０の内側を空圧又は油圧式の垂直なシリンダ５１のロッド５２が昇降自在であり、ロッド５２の先端には支持板５３が設けられ、台座４８を支持して圧着機２と一体に持ち上げ可能である。支持板５３は孔部５０よりも一回り小さい。金属製の台座４８を金属製の支持部（支持板５３等）に磁着固定させるようにすることも可能である。台座４８には搬送路４４と同じ形状の凹溝部５５が形成され、凹溝部５５内に圧着機２の底板部５６が位置決め係合されている。シリンダ５１や台座４８や支持板５３で昇降手段４３が構成されている。
【００５２】
台座４８を用いずに、圧着機２をターンテーブル４２上に直接載置し、圧着機２よりも小さな孔部（５０）をターンテーブル４２に設け、シリンダ５１のロッド５２に連結した支持板（５３）で圧着機２を直接持ち上げて、搬送路４４と同じ高さに位置させるようにすることも可能である。また、シリンダ５１に代えてボールねじ軸等で昇降手段を構成することも可能である。シリンダ５１のロッド５２は一本に限らず、二本ないし三本として支持の安定性を高めつつ、支持板５３の回動を防止してもよい。
【００５３】
何れの場合でも、昇降手段４３の上死点位置で圧着機２の底板部５６が搬送路４４の始端４４ａに対向して位置し、底板部５６の底面の高さと搬送路４４の上面の高さとが一致する。図２では説明の便宜上、搬送路４４の始端４４ａと上昇した圧着機２とを水平方向に離して図示しているが、実際には搬送路４４の始端４４ａとリフトした圧着機２の底板部５６とは近接して位置し、圧着機２の移し替えが容易となっている。
【００５４】
圧着機２のリフト位置で水平方向の第二搬送手段８であるスライダ２２とエアシリンダ１９を前進させ、シリンダロッド先端の電磁石２１で圧着機２のフレーム壁２４を磁着させ、スライダ２２及び／又はエアシリンダ１９の前進動作で圧着機２を押して台座４８から搬送路４４に移し載せて、セット位置である圧着駆動装置７まで移動させる。
【００５５】
第二搬送手段８の主要部である水平なシリンダ１９はターンテーブル４２の中心線上を通るように配置され、ターンテーブル４２上にストックされた各圧着機２の上端はシリンダ１９の少し下方に位置する。シリンダ１９をターンテーブル４２の中央上に配置することで、端子圧着装置４１が省スペース化される。
【００５６】
以下に上記端子圧着装置４１の作用を説明する。
先ず、制御部５によって所要の圧着機２が搬送路４側にくるようにターンテーブル４２の駆動手段４７の回動指示が行われ、ターンテーブル４２が駆動手段４７で回動され、所要の圧着機２が搬送路４４側に位置した時点でターンテーブル４２が停止する。次いで昇降手段４３で所要の圧着機２が上昇し、上死点で圧着機２が台座４８上で搬送路４４と同一線（面）上に位置する。さらに水平方向の第二搬送手段８で圧着機２が磁着されつつ圧着駆動装置７の真下にセットされる。昇降手段４３は上死点で待機しているようにすることが、昇降動作の削減や圧着機２の不意な落下防止の観点から好ましい。
【００５７】
次いで作業者が所要の端子リール２５を軸部２９にセットし、連鎖状端子２６を圧着機２の端子送り部にセットする。端子リール２５のセットは圧着機２のセットの前に行ってもよい。そして、圧着駆動装置７の動作で圧着機２の上型３１と下型３２との間で電線に端子が圧着される。
【００５８】
次の圧着機２の使用に際しては、圧着駆動装置７から使用済みの圧着機２を水平方向の第二搬送手段８で磁着しつつ搬送路４４に沿って後退させ、昇降手段４３のシリンダ５１で予め上昇した台座４８に圧着機２をスライド式に載せ移らせ、シリンダ５１の圧縮動作で下降させてターンテーブル４２の上に載置しストックする。
【００５９】
次いで所要の次の圧着機２を上記同様の操作（ターンテーブル４２の回転、圧着機２の上昇、水平方向の第二搬送手段８による移動）で圧着駆動装置７にセットする。実際には図２の如く圧着駆動装置７と昇降手段４３とに同時に圧着機２が位置することはないが説明の便宜上、双方に圧着機２を図示している。
【００６０】
第二の実施形態によれば、ターンテーブル４２の使用で端子圧着装置４１がコンパクト化される。また、上側に圧着駆動装置７、下側にターンテーブル４２を配置したことで、上下のスペースを有効に使用することができ、これによっても製造ラインの省スペース化が図られる。
上記した端子圧着装置４１の作用構成は圧着機の段取り替え方法としても有効である。
【００６１】
なお、図２において圧着駆動装置７の真下にターンテーブル４２を配置し、図２で上昇した圧着機２とは１８０゜反対側において圧着機２を上昇させるようにすれば、一層スペースの有効活用が図られる。また、ターンテーブル４２を圧着駆動装置７の下側ではなく上側に配置し、昇降手段４３で所要の圧着機２を下降させて搬送路４４の同一線上に位置させることも可能である。また、ターンテーブル４２の孔部５０に代えて切欠部を設けることも可能である。孔部５０や切欠部は昇降手段挿通部として作用する。
【００６２】
図３は、本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第三の実施形態を示すものである。
この端子圧着装置３３は、種類の異なる各圧着機２を垂直な移動基板３４に複数段に配置し、各圧着機２を移動基板３４ごと昇降させて、所要の圧着機２を水平な搬送路４４と同一平面上に停止させる第一搬送手段３５を備えるものである。その他の構成である第二搬送手段８や圧着駆動装置７の構成は図２の実施形態と同様であるので、同一の符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００６３】
移動基板３４は縦長に形成されて、上端と下端とをチェン３６で連結され、チェン３６は上側のモータ３７のスプロケット３８と下側のガイドスプロケット３９とに歯合し、モータ３７やガイドスプロケット３９は移動基板３４の背面側の横断面コの字状の支柱フレーム４０に支持され、支柱フレーム４０のガイドレール５７に移動基板３４の複数対のローラ５８が回転（スライド）自在に係合し、モータ３７は制御部５に接続され、制御部５の指令でモータ３７が正転又は逆転回転して、移動基板３４が昇降し、所要の圧着機２が搬送路４４と同一平面上で停止し、第二搬送手段８によって搬送路４４に乗り移って圧着駆動装置７に送られる。
【００６４】
移動基板３４とチェン３６とモータ３７と各スプロケット３８，３９とで第一搬送手段３５が構成されている。チェン３６による駆動はあくまでも一形態であり、例えば移動基板３４を図示しないボールねじ軸とナット部との回転係合やウオームとピニオンとの歯合で昇降させることも可能である。モータ３７としてサーボモータを用いることで、搬送路４４に対する圧着機２の正確な位置決めが可能となる。
【００６５】
垂直な移動基板３４には水平な台座（圧着機セット部）５９が複数等ピッチで並列に突出して設けられ、各台座５９の凹溝部５５に各圧着機２が着脱自在にセット（載置）されている。移動基板３４とその台座５９は圧着機のストック部を兼ねている。
【００６６】
圧着機２のストック数は三つ以上でも以下でもよい。支柱フレーム４０は移動基板３４よりも上方に長く延長され、モータ３７の巻き上げ動作で最下部の圧着機も搬送路４４と同一面まで移動される。
【００６７】
圧着駆動装置７に送られた圧着機２で電線に端子を圧着させた後、第二搬送手段８のシリンダ１９が伸長して、先端の電磁石２１が圧着機２を磁着し、次いでシリンダ１９の圧縮動作で圧着機２が搬送路４４から移動基板３４の元の台座５９上に戻される。
【００６８】
図３の実施形態によれば、装置上方の不要なスペースを有効利用して、複数の圧着機２が垂直な移動基板３４に縦一列に配置されるから、装置３３が水平方向に省スペース化され、工程（工場）内における装置３３の配置スペースが少なくて済む。
【００６９】
図４は、移動基板７８を水平に配置し、移動基板７８の上面に台座（圧着機セット部）７９を介して複数の圧着機２を横方向に等ピッチで並列に配置した第四の実施形態の端子圧着装置６０を示すものである。
【００７０】
移動基板７８は例えばラック８０とピニオン８４とモータ８５で長手方向に駆動される。その他の駆動手段として図示しないボールねじ軸とナット部との回転係合や図３の形態のチェン等を用いることも可能である。移動基板７８と駆動手段８０，８４，８５とで第一搬送手段８６が構成される。台座７９は左右一対の突条で構成されても、あるいは図２の台座４８のように凹字状に形成されてもよい。
【００７１】
第二搬送手段８のスライダ２２とレール部２３とは、移動基板７８上の圧着機２に干渉しないように、水平なエアシリンダ１９に長い支柱８７を介して圧着機２よりも上方に配置されている。その他の圧着駆動装置７や搬送路４４等の構成は図２の形態と同様であるので同一符号を付して説明を省略する。
【００７２】
制御部５の指令でモータ８５が正転又は逆転し、移動基板７８が水平方向に進退して、所要の圧着機２が搬送路４４の端部４４ａに対向して同一平面上に停止する。次いで第二搬送手段８で所要の圧着機２が搬送路４４に乗り移されて圧着駆動装置７に移動し、圧着駆動装置７の昇降動作で端子が電線に圧着接続される。その後、シリンダ１９の磁着操作で圧着機２が搬送路４４から移動基板７８の元の台座７９に戻される。
【００７３】
図４の実施形態によれば、移動基板が水平であるから、移動基板への圧着機のセット作業が容易で、起動基板の台座の強度も低く設定でき、構造が簡素化、低コスト化される。
【００７４】
第五の実施形態の端子圧着装置（図示せず）として、無端ベルト状のループ状のベルトないしキャタピラといった移動部材に台座（圧着機セット部）を介して複数の圧着機を等ピッチで配置し、移動部材をモータと駆動ローラないしスプロケットとで正逆方向に回転駆動して、第一搬送手段を構成させることも可能である。この実施形態の場合、下向きになった圧着機が自重で落下したり、移動部材（ベルト又はキャタピラ）が圧着機の自重で弛んだりしないように、落下防止部や弛み防止部を設けるようにする。
【００７５】
制御部の指令で移動部材が回転して、所要の圧着機が搬送路と同一平面上に位置し、第二搬送手段（エアシリンダ等）で圧着駆動装置に搬送され、端子の圧着後にエアシリンダの磁着操作で移動基板の元位置に戻される。
【００７６】
第五の実施形態によれば、ベルト等の移動部材をループ状にすることで、移動部材への圧着機のセット数を増加でき、多種の圧着機の段取り替えを迅速に行うことができる。
【００７７】
なお、上記各実施形態において、端子リール２５を用いずに一つづつ手動で端子を圧着機２に供給することも可能である。また、各実施形態において、電磁石２１に代えて例えばエア式のクランプを用い、電磁石２１と同様に所要の圧着機２を圧着駆動装置７においてクランプを開放して分離（離脱）させることも可能である。上記各端子圧着装置１，４１，３３，６０は圧着機の段取り替え装置と称してもよい。
【００７８】
【発明の効果】
以上の如く、請求項１記載の発明によれば、人手によらずに自動で所要の圧着機を選択してスムーズ且つ確実に且つ迅速に圧着駆動装置まで搬送することができるから、圧着機の段取り替えに要する工数が削減され、多品種少量生産における各種の端子付き電線の生産性が向上する。
【００７９】
請求項２記載の発明によれば、スライド板によって搬送路への圧着機の受け渡しと搬送路からの圧着機の受け渡しとがスムーズに行われ、段取り替えに要する工数が一層削減される。
【００８０】
請求項３記載の発明によれば、上下のスペースがターンテーブルと圧着駆動装置とで有効に活用されるから、製造ラインの省スペース化や端子圧着装置のコンパクト化が図られる。
【００８１】
請求項４記載の発明によれば、垂直な移動基板に各種圧着機が上下にセットされるから、装置が横方向に小型化（省スペース化）される。
請求項５記載の発明によれば、水平な移動基板上に各種圧着機が並列にセットされるから、各圧着機のセット作業が容易で、セット部の強度も低く抑えられ、構造の簡素化と低コスト化が図られる。
請求項６記載の発明によれば、ループ状の移動部材に多数種の圧着機をセットすることができるから、多種形態の端子の圧着に容易に且つ迅速に対応できる。
【００８２】
請求項７記載の発明によれば、上側に圧着駆動装置、下側にターンテーブルが位置し、上下の空間が有効に活用されから、製造ラインの省スペース化や端子圧着装置のコンパクト化が図られる。
【００８３】
請求項８記載の発明によれば、第二搬送手段の主要部がターンテーブルの中心の上又は下に位置し、上下のスペースが有効に活用されるから、製造ラインの省スペース化や端子圧着装置のコンパクト化が一層促進される。
【００８４】
請求項９記載の発明によれば、エア圧式のシリンダにより、圧着機に当接した際や圧着機を搬送路終端に当接させた際の衝撃が吸収され、スムーズで確実な移送とセット時の正確な位置決めが可能となり、端子圧着の信頼性が向上する。
【００８５】
請求項１０記載の発明によれば、第一搬送手段から受け取った所要の圧着機を第二搬送手段に固定又は保持して確実に搬送することができるから、圧着機の段取り替えが一層スムーズ且つ確実に行われる。
【００８６】
請求項１１記載の発明によれば、第二搬送手段に対する所要の圧着機の固定及び離脱を電磁石への通電のオンオフ操作で簡単且つ確実に行うことができるから、圧着機の段取り替えが一層スムーズ且つ確実に行われる。また、既存の圧着機に改良を加えることなく、電磁力で圧着機を磁着させて移動することができるから、設備費が少なくて済み、経済的である。
【００８７】
請求項１２記載の発明によれば、制御部によって自動的に且つ複数種の圧着機をランダムに選択して搬送路に供給することができるから、段取り替えの工数が削減され、各種の端子付き電線の生産性が向上する。
【００８８】
請求項１３記載の発明によれば、端子圧着装置に一つの端子リールしかセットしないから、製造ラインの省スペース化が図られる。
【００８９】
請求項１４記載の発明によれば、端子リールを搬送路と平行に配置し、連鎖状端子を搬送路と直交ないし交差して圧着機に供給することができるから、製造ラインの省スペース化が図られる。
【００９０】
請求項１５記載の発明によれば、人手によらずに自動で所要の圧着機を選択してスムーズ且つ確実に且つ迅速に圧着駆動装置まで搬送することができるから、圧着機の段取り替えに要する工数が削減され、多品種少量生産における各種の端子付き電線の生産性が向上する。
請求項１６記載の発明によれば、請求項２〜６の何れか１項に記載の発明と同様の効果が奏される。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第一の実施形態を示す斜視図である。
【図２】本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第二の実施形態を示す斜視図である。
【図３】本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第三の実施形態を示す斜視図である。
【図４】本発明に係る端子圧着装置の第四の実施形態を示す斜視図である。
【図５】従来の端子圧着装置の一形態を示す概略平面図である。
【図６】同じく従来の端子圧着装置を示す正面図である。
【図７】連鎖状端子の一形態を示す斜視図である。
【図８】圧着機（アプリケータ）の一形態を示す正面図である。
【図９】従来の端子圧着装置の他の形態を示す正面図である。
【符号の説明】
１，４１，３３，６０　端子圧着装置
２　　　　　　　　　　圧着機
３　　　　　　　　　　ストック部
４，４５，３５，８６　第一搬送手段
５　　　　　　　　　　制御部
６，４４　　　　　　　搬送路
７　　　　　　　　　　圧着駆動装置
８　　　　　　　　　　第二搬送手段
１４　　　　　　　　　シリンダ（駆動手段）
１６　　　　　　　　　スライド板
１９　　　　　　　　　シリンダ（主要部）
２１　　　　　　　　　電磁石
２５　　　　　　　　　端子リール
２６　　　　　　　　　連鎖状端子
２７　　　　　　　　　第一ローラ
２８　　　　　　　　　第二ローラ
３４，７８　　　　　　移動基板
３７，８５　　　　　　モータ（駆動手段）
４２　　　　　　　　　ターンテーブル
４３　　　　　　　　　昇降手段
５９，７９　　　　　　台座（圧着機セット部）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a terminal crimping apparatus configured to select a required crimping machine from a plurality of types of crimping machines (applicators) and automatically convey the crimping machine to a crimping driving unit, and to a method of changing the setting of the crimping machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIGS. 5 to 9 show various forms of a conventional terminal crimping device proposed by the present applicant (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The terminal crimping device 61 of FIGS. 5 and 6 stocks a plurality of types of crimping machines (applicators) 2 in parallel, and includes a required crimping machine 2 ₁ Is manually moved below the crimping drive 64 (set position) along each of the rails 62 and 63 in the XY two-dimensional directions by the operator. ₁ Is driven to crimp the terminal to the exposed conductor portion of the electric wire.
[0004]
As shown in FIG. 6, different types of terminal reels 25 are connected to the respective crimping machines 2, and chain-like terminals 26 led out from the terminal reels 25 are set in advance in a terminal feeder 67 of the crimping machine 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the chain terminals 26 are formed by connecting a plurality of crimp terminals 65 in parallel in a horizontal direction with a chain band 66 using a conductive metal as a material (horizontal chain terminals). The chain band 66 is provided with terminal feeding holes 68 at a constant pitch. Subsequent to the electric contact portion 69, the conductor crimping piece 70 and the covering crimping piece 71 are raised. The terminals 65 differ in size, shape, and the like for each type.
[0005]
Note that, instead of the horizontal chain terminal 26, a terminal (vertical chain terminal) in which a plurality of crimp terminals are connected in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) may be used. When using a vertical chain terminal, a crimping machine in which the supply direction of the chain terminal is changed by 90 ° is used. The electrical contact portion 69 of each terminal 65 in FIG. 7 is an LA terminal (round plate terminal), but may be a male tab-like electrical contact portion or a rectangular cylindrical shape having an elastic contact piece inside. Often female electrical contacts are used.
[0006]
The pressure driving device 64 shown in FIG. 6 moves the slider 73 up and down by a crank connected to the flywheel 72. The flywheel 72 is driven by a motor. The slider 73 is detachable from the shank 12 (FIG. 8) of the crimping machine 2. In many cases, a hydraulic cylinder type pressure bonding drive device is used instead of the crank type.
[0007]
FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the crimping machine (applicator) 2, in which a vertical ram 74 following the disk-shaped shank 12, a frame 24 for supporting the ram 74 in a vertically movable manner, and an upper die following the ram 74. (Crimper) 31, a lower die (anvil) 32 located on a fixed base 75 opposite to the upper die 31, and a cam portion on a side surface of a ram 74 swings in the terminal feed direction and biases a spring member. The terminal feed claw 30 which can be returned by the above operation, a spring-biased terminal holding portion 76, and a horizontal terminal guide portion 77 on a fixed base 75 are provided. The cam portion, the terminal feed claw 30 and the terminal guide portion 77 constitute a terminal feed means 67.
[0008]
The crimping drive 64 (FIG. 6) is connected to the shank 12, and the upper die 31 moves up and down integrally with the ram 74 by driving of the crimping drive 64. At the bottom dead center of the upper die 31, the terminal is crimped to the electric wire between the lower die 32 and the chain band 66 (FIG. 7) at the same time. The conductor crimping piece 70 and the covering crimping piece 71 of the terminal 65 (FIG. 7) are simultaneously caulked by two upper dies 31. The exposed conductor portion of the electric wire is crimped and connected to the conductor crimping piece 70, and the insulating coating of the electric wire is similarly crimped and fixed to the covering crimping piece 71.
[0009]
The horizontal chain terminal 26 is supplied along the terminal guide 77, and the feed pawl 30 feeds the hole 68 of the chain band 66 between the upper die 31 and the lower die 32 by one pitch by one reciprocation of the ram 74. The feed claw 30 returns to the ratchet type by the restoring force of the spring.
[0010]
A terminal crimping device 81 shown in FIG. 9 includes a plurality of crimping machines (applicators) 2 arranged radially on a turntable 82 and ₁ Is selected by the operator and manually moved from the turntable 82 along the horizontal rail 83 to a position below the crimping drive device 64 (set position).
[0011]
Above each crimping machine 2, each terminal reel 25 is provided. The crimping machine 2 is moved to the set position together with the terminal reel 25. The configurations of the crimping drive 64 and the crimping machine 2 are the same as in the embodiment of FIG.
[0012]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 3014928 (pages 3 to 5, FIGS. 1 to 9)
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in each of the conventional terminal crimping apparatuses 61 and 81 described above, the operator must manually select and replace the crimping machine 2, and there is a problem that a large number of man-hours are required for the setup change. In addition, for example, the terminal reel 25 is disposed for each crimping machine 2, so that a large space on the production line is required, and the terminal crimping devices 61 and 81 are also liable to be enlarged.
[0014]
In view of the above, the present invention provides a terminal crimping apparatus and a method for changing over the crimping machine, which can efficiently and quickly select and replace a crimping machine, and save space and compactness. The purpose is to provide.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a terminal crimping device according to claim 1 of the present invention has a portion for stocking a plurality of types of crimping machines, and a required crimping machine is selected in the stocking portion and the crimping machine is arranged on the same line as the conveyance path. It is characterized by comprising a first conveying means for moving and a second conveying means for moving the required crimping machine along the conveying path to the crimping drive. According to the above configuration, the required crimping machine is quickly sent from the stock section to the conveying path by the first conveying means, and the required crimping machine is quickly sent to the crimping drive device along the conveying path by the second conveying means. The required crimping machine is driven by the crimping driving device, and the terminal is crimped to the electric wire. After the terminal crimping, the crimping machine is quickly sent to and delivered to the first transporting means by the second transporting means, and is quickly returned to the original stock position by the first transporting means. The crimping machine includes an upper die and a lower die for caulking a terminal, and a ram for raising and lowering the upper die. The ram is driven up and down by a crimping drive.
[0016]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 2 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 1, wherein the first transport unit intersects each slide plate on which the plurality of types of crimping machines are mounted and each slide plate with the transport path. And each driving means for moving the same. According to the above configuration, each crimping machine is stocked on each slide plate, and the required slide plate is advanced by the driving means, so that the required crimping machine is located on the same line as the conveyance path. Then, the required pressure bonding machine is sent to the pressure bonding driving device along the transportation path by the second transportation means. When the used crimping machine returns, the crimping machine is placed on the slide plate by the second transport means, and the crimping machine returns to the original position by the retreat operation of the slide plate and is stocked.
[0017]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 3 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 1, wherein the first transporting unit is a turntable also serving as the stock unit on which the plurality of types of crimping machines are mounted, and the required turntable from the turntable. And a lifting / lowering means for lifting / lowering the pressure bonding machine.
With the above configuration, the required crimping machine is positioned toward the transport path (on the side close to the transport path) by the rotation operation of the turntable, and the required crimping machine is raised or lowered from the turntable by the lifting / lowering means, and is conveyed. It is located on the same line as the road, and is conveyed by the second conveying means toward the pressure bonding driving device. The upper and lower spaces are effectively used by the turntable and the crimping drive.
[0018]
The terminal crimping apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in the terminal crimping apparatus according to claim 1, the first transporting means includes a moving substrate that moves vertically, and a plurality of crimping machine sets protruding horizontally from the moving substrate. And a driving means for moving the moving substrate up and down.
With the above configuration, the crimping machine is removably set (placed) on each set portion of the moving substrate, the moving substrate is moved up and down by the driving means, a required crimping machine is selected and moved on the same plane as the transport path. Then, the moving substrate stops at that position, and the required pressure bonding machine is sent to the pressure bonding driving device via the transport path by the second transport means. Since various crimping machines are set up and down on a vertical moving substrate, the apparatus is reduced in size in the horizontal direction (space saving).
[0019]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 5 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 1, wherein the first transport unit moves a horizontally moving substrate, and a plurality of crimping machine setting units provided on the moving substrate. And driving means for moving the moving substrate horizontally.
According to the above configuration, the crimping machine is removably set (placed) on each set portion of the moving substrate, and the moving substrate is moved left and right and laterally by the driving means, and the required crimping machine is selected to face the transport path. Then, the movable substrate is stopped at that position, and the required pressure bonding machine is sent to the pressure bonding driving device via the transport path by the second transport means.
[0020]
7. The terminal crimping device according to claim 6, wherein the first conveying means is a moving member such as an endless belt or a caterpillar, and a plurality of crimping machine sets provided on the moving member. And a driving means for rotating the moving member.
With the above configuration, the crimping machine is removably set on each set portion of the moving member, and the moving substrate is rotated in the forward and reverse directions by the driving means, and the required crimping machine is selected and the same plane is opposed to the transport path. The crimping machine is moved upward, the moving member stops at that position, and the required crimping machine is sent to the crimping driving device via the conveying path by the second conveying means.
[0021]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 7 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 3, wherein the turntable is located below the crimping driving device, and the lifting device moves the required crimping machine to the transport path. It is characterized by being raised toward.
With the above configuration, the pressure bonding drive device is located on the upper side, and the turntable is located on the lower side, so that the upper and lower spaces are effectively used. The required crimping machine is raised by the elevating means, and in that state, only the required crimping machine can be sent to the conveying path by the second conveying means without interfering with other crimping machines.
[0022]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 8 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 3 or 7, wherein a main part of the second transporting means is located opposite to a center of the turntable.
With the above configuration, the main part of the second transporting means is located above or below the center of the turntable, and the space above and below is effectively utilized.
[0023]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 9 is the terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a main part of the second transport unit is a cylinder that moves in a horizontal direction. I do.
With the above configuration, the required crimping machine is transferred along the transport path while being pressed by, for example, an air pressure type cylinder. Since it is of the air type, the shock when it comes into contact with the crimping machine or when the crimping machine comes into contact with the end of the transport path is absorbed, so that smooth and reliable transfer and accurate positioning at the time of setting can be performed.
[0024]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 10 is the terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second transporting means is configured to move the required crimping machine to the second crimping device in the crimping driving device. It is characterized by being separable from the means.
According to the above configuration, the required pressure bonding machine received from the first transporting means can be reliably transported while being fixed or held by the second transporting means. After the required crimping machine is set (positioned) in the crimping driving device, the fixing or holding is released, and only the second conveying means can be returned.
[0025]
An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides the terminal crimping apparatus according to the tenth aspect, wherein the second transporting means has an electromagnet for magnetically attaching the required crimping machine.
According to the above configuration, the required fixing and detachment of the crimping machine with respect to the second conveying means can be easily and reliably performed by turning on and off the power supply to the electromagnet.
[0026]
A terminal crimping apparatus according to a twelfth aspect is the terminal crimping apparatus according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising a control unit that instructs at least driving of the first transport unit.
According to the above configuration, a required crimping machine can be automatically and sequentially selected according to a predetermined program of the control unit and supplied to the transport path.
[0027]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the terminal crimping apparatus according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, a terminal reel is detachably provided on the side of the crimping driving device.
With the above configuration, the crimping machine and the terminal reel are separate bodies, and the terminal reel is replaced each time the crimping machine is replaced. As a result, only one terminal reel is set in the terminal crimping device, thereby saving space.
[0028]
The terminal crimping device according to claim 14 is the terminal crimping device according to claim 13, wherein the chain-like terminals from the terminal reel are bent in the orthogonal direction by the first roller having the horizontal axis and the second roller having the inclined axis. It is characterized by being supplied to the required crimping machine.
According to the above configuration, the terminal reel can be arranged in parallel with the transport path, and the chain-like terminals can be supplied to the crimping machine at right angles or crossing the transport path. This saves space.
[0029]
In the method for changing the setting of a crimping machine according to claim 15, a plurality of types of crimping machines are stocked in a stock portion, a required crimping machine is selected in the stock portion, and the crimping machine is moved on the same line as a conveying path by a first conveying means. Moving the required crimping machine along the transport path to the crimping drive by the second transporting means, and completing the crimping of the terminal by the required crimping machine; And is returned to the original stock position after being transferred to the first transport means.
According to the above configuration, the required crimping machine is quickly sent from the stock section to the conveying path by the first conveying means, and the required crimping machine is quickly sent to the crimping drive device along the conveying path by the second conveying means. The required crimping machine is driven by the crimping driving device, and the terminal is crimped to the electric wire. After the terminal crimping, the crimping machine is quickly sent to and delivered to the first transporting means by the second transporting means, and is quickly returned to the original stock position in the first transporting means. The crimping machine includes an upper die and a lower die for caulking a terminal, and a ram for raising and lowering the upper die. The ram is driven up and down by a crimping drive.
[0030]
The method for changing the setting of a crimping machine according to claim 16 is the method for changing the setting of a crimping machine according to claim 15, wherein the first transporting means is a terminal crimping apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6. It is characterized in that the first transport means is used.
According to the above configuration, the same operation and effect as the invention according to any one of the second to sixth aspects are obtained.
[0031]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a terminal crimping apparatus according to the present invention.
[0032]
The terminal crimping device 1 includes a plurality of types of crimping machines (applicators) 2 (2 ₁ ~ 2 ₃ ) Are arranged in parallel, a first conveying means 4 for sending out the required crimping machine 2 in the primary direction (X direction), a control unit (control panel) 5 for giving an instruction to the first conveying means 4, A transport path (guide section or rail section) 6 extending in the secondary direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the first transport means 4, and a crimping drive device 7 located at the end side of the transport path 6 (crimper setting section). , A second conveying means 8 for moving the crimping machine 2 back and forth along the conveying path 6.
[0033]
Since the structure of the crimping machine 2 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 6 of the conventional example, the same reference numerals as in FIG. In the crimping driving device 7 of the present embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder 10 is vertically provided on an upper portion of a frame 9, and a holder 13 for detachably engaging a shank 12 of a crimping machine 2 is provided at a tip of a rod 11 of the hydraulic cylinder 10. Things. Note that, instead of the cylinder-type crimping drive 7, a crank-type crimping drive similar to that of FIG. 4 of the conventional example may be used.
[0034]
The first conveying means 4 is composed of a number of horizontal air cylinders (driving units or driving means) 14 corresponding to the respective crimping machines 2, and a slide plate 16 connected to a tip of a rod 15 of the air cylinder 14. I have. The slide plate 16 is formed in a substantially L shape by a short vertical portion 16a connected to the rod 15 and a longer horizontal portion (reference numeral 16 is substituted) following the vertical portion 16a. The crimping machine 2 is mounted on a half portion of the slide plate 16 near the vertical portion.
[0035]
The horizontal board portion (wall portion) 17 of the stock portion 3 has a groove 18 in which a slide plate 16 is slidably engaged. The groove 18 is formed across the transport path 6. The slide plate 16 is orthogonal to the transport path 6, and when the air cylinder 14 is fully extended (the state of the center cylinder in the figure), a half of the slide plate 16 near the tip passes (traverses) the transport path 6 and slides. The crimping machine 2 near the base end of the plate 16 is located on the same line as the conveyance path 6. The upper surface of the slide plate 16 and the upper surface of the transport path 6 are located on the same plane without any level difference. When the air cylinder 14 is fully extended, the transfer of the crimping machine 2 from the slide plate 16 to the transport path 6 and the transfer of the crimping machine 2 from the transport path 6 to the slide plate 16 become possible.
[0036]
The transport path 6 may be formed in a concave groove shape as shown in FIG. 1, or may be formed of a pair of left and right parallel ridges (rails). In the case of a ridge, the slide plate 16 advances and retreats in the notch at the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the ridge. If a pulley, a sliding ball, or the like is provided at the bottom of the crimping machine 2 with respect to the conveying path 6, the conveyance of the crimping machine 2 can be performed more smoothly. The number of stocks of the crimping machine 2, that is, the number of the slide plates 16 and the cylinders 14 may be two, four, or more, and is appropriately set according to the type of the terminal to be crimped.
[0037]
An air cylinder 19 is positioned horizontally above the transport path 6 and parallel to the transport path 6, and the air cylinder 19 is connected (fixed) to a slider 22, and the slider 22 slides on an upper rail 23 parallel to the transport path 6. It is freely engaged, and is driven forward and backward along the rail portion 23 by driving means (not shown). Various types of driving means such as a rodless cylinder and a ball screw shaft can be used. The rail portion 23 is a plate-shaped member and is positioned vertically in the width direction. The longitudinal direction extends horizontally from the near side of the stock portion 3 toward the set portion, that is, the crimping drive device 7.
[0038]
An electromagnet 21 is connected to the tip of the rod 20 of the air cylinder 19. The electromagnet 21 is located opposite to the vertical frame wall 24 of the crimping machine 2 on the transport path 6 and is capable of magnetically attaching the frame wall 24. The electromagnet 21 exerts a magnetic force (attractive force) by power supply from a lead wire (not shown), and loses the magnetic force by stopping power supply. The rail section 23, the slider 22, the cylinder 19, and the electromagnet 21 constitute the second transport means 8.
[0039]
The moving position of the slider 22, the expansion / contraction operation of the air cylinder 19, and the on / off operation of the electromagnet 21 can be controlled by the control unit 5 according to a predetermined program in the same manner as the driving of the air cylinder 14 of the first transport means 4. It is. Of course, the drive control of the pressure bonding drive device 7 can also be performed by the control unit 5. As a result, selection of the crimping machine 2, transfer / setting, terminal crimping, and stock of the crimping machine 2 can be automatically performed.
[0040]
On the side of the crimping drive 7, the holder 13 following the elevating rod (elevating part) 11 of the hydraulic cylinder 10 has its opening opened in the direction of the transport path 6, and the shank 12 of the crimping machine 2 is automatically placed in the opening. It can be inserted. The crimping machine 2 is magnetically attached to the electromagnet 21, is conveyed by the slider 22 and the air cylinder 19 to the end of the conveying path 6, abuts against a stopper (not shown) at the end of the conveying path, stops, and the set position is defined. You.
[0041]
A terminal reel 25 is disposed near the upper side of the crimping driving device 7 in parallel with the transport path 6, and a chain-like terminal (horizontal chain terminal) 26 fed from the terminal reel 25 is a first roller having a lower horizontal shaft. It is supplied to the crimping machine 2 orthogonally to the conveyance path 6 via a second roller 28 having an inclined shaft 27. The chain-like terminals 26 are supplied downward from the end of the terminal reel 25 on the stock portion 3 side to the first roller 27, so that the inner space of the apparatus 1 is effectively used, and the chain-like terminals 26 protrude to the outside of the apparatus. Is prevented.
[0042]
The terminal reel 25 is removed from the center shaft 29 for each type of the crimping machine 2 and replaced. The removed terminal reel 25 is stocked in a nearby reel stock (not shown). The center axis 27a of the first roller 27 is orthogonal to the conveyance path 6, and the center axis 28a of the second roller 28 is inclined outward at an angle of approximately 45 °. The chained terminals 26 can be smoothly supplied in the reel axis direction by the two rollers 27 and 28. By arranging the terminal reels 25 in parallel with the transport path 6, the space of the line (manufacturing process) can be saved.
[0043]
The operation of the terminal crimping device 1 will be described below.
First, the slider 22 is positioned at the left end (start end) of the rail portion 23 in FIG. 1, and the slide plate 16 on which the required crimping machine 2 is mounted advances by the instruction of the controller 5 toward the transport path 6 by driving the cylinder 14. I do. The cylinder 14 remains with the rod 15 extended. The crimping machine 2 is located on the same line (plane) as the conveyance path 6 on the slide plate 16. Next, the slider 22 moves forward along the rail 23, and the electromagnet 21 at the tip of the cylinder 19 magnetically attaches to the outer wall 24 of the crimping machine 2, and in this state, reaches the crimping drive device 7 (just below the hydraulic cylinder 10) at the set position. The sheet is conveyed by being pushed by the slider 22 and / or the cylinder 19.
[0044]
Simultaneously with the completion of the setting, the magnetic attachment of the electromagnet 21 is released, and the cylinder 19 retreats integrally with the slider 22. The moving distance of the crimping machine 2 is defined by the sum of the moving distance of the slider 22 and the extension length of the cylinder rod 20. The air cylinder 19 absorbs, for example, a collision at the time of bringing the crimping machine 2 into contact with the stopper at the end of the transport path, so that the setting and positioning of the crimping machine 2 are performed smoothly and accurately. It is also possible to magnetically attach the crimping machine 2 using only one of the slider 22 and the cylinder 19.
[0045]
Next, the required terminal reel 25 is set on the shaft portion 29, and the chain-like terminals 26 are inserted and set in the crimping machine 2. By the drive of the crimping drive 7, the chain-shaped terminal 26 is sent between the upper mold (crimper) 31 and the lower mold (anvil) 32 of the crimping machine 2 by the feed claw 30, and between the two molds 31, 32. The terminal is crimped to the terminal of the electric wire (not shown). The electric wires may be supplied manually one by one by an operator, or may be supplied automatically by gripping clips (not shown) on an endless belt. In any case, high-mix low-volume production of electric wires with terminals is efficiently performed by the quick setup operation of the crimping machine.
[0046]
When the crimping of one type of terminal is completed, the crimping machine 2 at the set position is magnetically attached by the forward movement of the slider 22 and the cylinder 19, and the original stock position is moved along the transport path 6 by the backward movement of the slider 22 and the cylinder 19. It is moved to the side (nearest) and is placed on the original slide plate 16. The slide plate 16 is pulled by the compression operation of the cylinder 14 in the orthogonal direction, and the crimping machine 2 is returned to the original stock position.
[0047]
Next, a new (next type) crimping machine 2 is selected and moved to the crimping driving device 7 in the same manner as described above, and the crimping operation is performed similarly. In this way, various terminals can be efficiently crimped to various wires.
The above operation configuration is also effective as a method for changing the setup of the crimping machine.
[0048]
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the terminal crimping device according to the present invention.
In this terminal crimping device 41, a plurality of types of crimping machines 2 are stocked equally on a turntable 42, and a crimping drive device 7 which is a set position above the turntable 42 is disposed (the crimping drive device 7). The lower part of the turntable 42 is disposed below the turntable 42), the required crimping machine 2 is raised from the turntable 42 by the elevating means 43, and the crimping machine 2 is moved to the upper conveying path 44 in the horizontal second conveying means. 8 and is moved to the set position on the end side of the transport path 44. The turntable 42 and the lifting / lowering means 43 constitute a first transport means 45. The turntable 42 also serves as a stock unit.
[0049]
The configurations of the crimping machine 2, the crimping driving device 7, the second transporting means 8, the terminal reel 25, the terminal guide rollers 27 and 28, and the control unit 5 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed description is omitted. The transport path 44 is set much shorter than the transport path 6 of the first embodiment. The length from the start end to the end of the transport path 44 may be substantially the same as the distance from the slide plate 16 at the right end in FIG.
[0050]
In FIG. 2, the turntable 42 is rotated in an index manner about a center shaft 46 by a driving means 47 such as a motor or an air-driven actuator. In the present embodiment, the four crimping machines 2 are arranged on the turntable 42 so as to have the same front view (the upper die 31, the lower die 32, and the terminal feed claws 30 are located on the front side). The number of the crimping machines 2 may be two, three, four or more. As an example, the crimping machine 2 is set on a pedestal 48, and the turntable 42 is provided with a hole 50 smaller than the pedestal 48 inside a portion 49 on which the pedestal 48 is placed. It is also possible to provide the part 49 with a projection 54 for positioning with respect to the pedestal 48.
[0051]
A rod 52 of a vertical cylinder 51 of a pneumatic or hydraulic type is vertically movable inside the hole 50, and a support plate 53 is provided at the tip of the rod 52 to support the base 48 and to be integrated with the crimping machine 2. Can be lifted. The support plate 53 is slightly smaller than the hole 50. It is also possible to magnetically fix the metal pedestal 48 to a metal support (the support plate 53 and the like). A concave groove 55 having the same shape as the conveyance path 44 is formed in the pedestal 48, and a bottom plate 56 of the crimping machine 2 is positioned and engaged in the concave groove 55. The lifting / lowering means 43 is constituted by the cylinder 51, the base 48, and the support plate 53.
[0052]
The crimping machine 2 is directly mounted on the turntable 42 without using the pedestal 48, and a hole (50) smaller than the crimping machine 2 is provided in the turntable 42, and a support plate ( It is also possible to lift the crimping machine 2 directly at 53) and to position it at the same height as the transport path 44. Further, it is also possible to constitute the elevating means by a ball screw shaft or the like instead of the cylinder 51. The number of rods 52 of the cylinder 51 is not limited to one, and two or three rods 52 may be used to increase the support stability and prevent the rotation of the support plate 53.
[0053]
In any case, the bottom plate portion 56 of the crimping machine 2 is located at the top dead center position of the lifting / lowering means 43 so as to face the start end 44a of the transport path 44, and the height of the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 56 and the height of the upper surface of the transport path 44 And match. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the starting end 44 a of the transport path 44 and the raised pressing machine 2 are shown horizontally separated from each other, but actually the bottom end of the pressing apparatus 2 lifted from the starting end 44 a of the transport path 44. It is located close to 56, and the transfer of the crimping machine 2 is easy.
[0054]
At the lift position of the crimping machine 2, the slider 22 and the air cylinder 19, which are the second conveying means 8 in the horizontal direction, are advanced, and the frame wall 24 of the crimping machine 2 is magnetically attached by the electromagnet 21 at the tip of the cylinder rod. Alternatively, the crimping machine 2 is pushed by the advancing operation of the air cylinder 19, transferred from the pedestal 48 to the transport path 44, and moved to the crimping drive device 7, which is the set position.
[0055]
The horizontal cylinder 19, which is the main part of the second transporting means 8, is disposed so as to pass over the center line of the turntable 42, and the upper end of each crimping machine 2 stocked on the turntable 42 is located slightly below the cylinder 19. I do. By arranging the cylinder 19 on the center of the turntable 42, the terminal crimping device 41 can save space.
[0056]
The operation of the terminal crimping device 41 will be described below.
First, the control unit 5 instructs the driving means 47 of the turntable 42 to rotate so that the required crimping machine 2 comes to the transport path 4 side, and the turntable 42 is rotated by the driving means 47 to perform the required crimping. When the machine 2 is located on the side of the transport path 44, the turntable 42 stops. Next, the required crimping machine 2 is lifted by the elevating means 43, and the crimping machine 2 is positioned on the base 48 on the same line (plane) as the transport path 44 at the top dead center. Further, the crimping machine 2 is set just below the crimping driving device 7 while being magnetically attached by the second conveying means 8 in the horizontal direction. It is preferable that the lifting / lowering means 43 be in a standby state at the top dead center, from the viewpoint of reducing the lifting / lowering operation and preventing the crimping machine 2 from unexpectedly dropping.
[0057]
Next, the operator sets the required terminal reel 25 on the shaft portion 29 and sets the chain-like terminal 26 on the terminal feed portion of the crimping machine 2. The terminal reel 25 may be set before the crimping machine 2 is set. Then, the terminal is crimped to the electric wire between the upper die 31 and the lower die 32 of the crimping machine 2 by the operation of the crimp driving device 7.
[0058]
When the next crimping machine 2 is used, the used crimping machine 2 is retracted along the conveying path 44 while being magnetized by the second conveying means 8 in the horizontal direction from the crimping drive device 7, and the cylinder 51 of the elevating means 43 is moved. Then, the crimping machine 2 is slid and placed on the pedestal 48 which has been raised in advance, and is lowered by the compression operation of the cylinder 51 to be placed on the turntable 42 and stocked.
[0059]
Next, the next required crimping machine 2 is set in the crimping drive device 7 by the same operation as described above (rotation of the turntable 42, lifting of the crimping machine 2, movement by the second transport means 8 in the horizontal direction). Actually, the crimping machine 2 is not located at the same time in the crimping driving device 7 and the lifting / lowering means 43 as shown in FIG. 2, but for convenience of explanation, the crimping machine 2 is illustrated on both sides.
[0060]
According to the second embodiment, the use of the turntable 42 makes the terminal crimping device 41 compact. In addition, by arranging the crimping drive device 7 on the upper side and the turntable 42 on the lower side, the upper and lower spaces can be used effectively, and thus the space of the manufacturing line can be reduced.
The operation configuration of the terminal crimping device 41 described above is also effective as a method for changing the setup of the crimping machine.
[0061]
In FIG. 2, the turntable 42 is disposed directly below the crimping drive device 7, and the crimping machine 2 is raised 180 ° on the side opposite to the crimping machine 2 raised in FIG. Is achieved. It is also possible to arrange the turntable 42 not on the lower side but on the upper side of the crimping drive device 7, and to lower the required crimping machine 2 by the elevating means 43 so as to be positioned on the same line of the transport path 44. In addition, a notch may be provided instead of the hole 50 of the turntable 42. The hole 50 and the notch function as an elevating means insertion portion.
[0062]
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the terminal crimping device according to the present invention.
The terminal crimping device 33 includes a plurality of crimping machines 2 of different types arranged in a plurality of stages on a vertical moving board 34, and the respective crimping machines 2 are moved up and down together with the moving board 34 so that the required crimping machine 2 is moved horizontally. The first transport means 35 for stopping on the same plane as 44 is provided. Since the other configurations of the second transporting means 8 and the pressure bonding driving device 7 are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0063]
The moving board 34 is formed in a vertically long shape, and the upper end and the lower end are connected by a chain 36. The chain 36 meshes with a sprocket 38 of an upper motor 37 and a lower guide sprocket 39, and the motor 37 and the guide sprocket 39 Are supported by a support frame 40 having a U-shaped cross section on the back side of the movable substrate 34, and a plurality of pairs of rollers 58 of the movable substrate 34 are rotatably (slidably) engaged with guide rails 57 of the support frame 40. The motor 37 is connected to the control unit 5, and the motor 37 rotates forward or backward in accordance with a command from the control unit 5 to move up and down the moving substrate 34, and the required crimping machine 2 stops on the same plane as the transport path 44. Is transferred to the conveyance path 44 by the second conveyance means 8 and sent to the pressure bonding driving device 7.
[0064]
The moving board 34, the chain 36, the motor 37, and the sprockets 38 and 39 constitute a first transport unit 35. The drive by the chain 36 is only one form, and for example, the movable substrate 34 can be moved up and down by rotational engagement between a ball screw shaft and a nut (not shown) or by meshing between a worm and a pinion. By using a servomotor as the motor 37, accurate positioning of the crimping machine 2 with respect to the transport path 44 becomes possible.
[0065]
A plurality of horizontal pedestals (crimping machine set portions) 59 are provided on the vertical movable substrate 34 in parallel and projecting at equal pitches, and the respective crimping machines 2 are detachably set (placed) in the concave groove portions 55 of each pedestal 59. Have been. The moving substrate 34 and the pedestal 59 also serve as a stock part of the crimping machine.
[0066]
The number of stocks of the crimping machine 2 may be three or more or less. The support frame 40 is extended longer than the movable substrate 34, and the lowermost crimping machine is moved to the same plane as the transport path 44 by the winding operation of the motor 37.
[0067]
After the terminal is crimped to the electric wire by the crimping machine 2 sent to the crimping driving device 7, the cylinder 19 of the second conveying means 8 is extended, the electromagnet 21 at the tip magnetically attaches the crimping machine 2, and then the cylinder 19 The compression operation returns the pressure bonding machine 2 from the transport path 44 to the original pedestal 59 of the moving substrate 34.
[0068]
According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, since the plurality of crimping machines 2 are arranged in a vertical line on the vertical moving substrate 34 by effectively utilizing the unnecessary space above the apparatus, the apparatus 33 can save space in the horizontal direction. Thus, the space for disposing the device 33 in the process (factory) can be reduced.
[0069]
FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment in which the moving substrate 78 is arranged horizontally, and a plurality of crimping machines 2 are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction at an equal pitch on a top surface of the moving substrate 78 via a pedestal (crimping machine set portion) 79. 1 shows a terminal crimping device 60 according to an embodiment.
[0070]
The moving board 78 is driven in the longitudinal direction by a rack 80, a pinion 84, and a motor 85, for example. As other driving means, it is also possible to use a rotation engagement between a ball screw shaft and a nut (not shown), a chain in the form of FIG. 3, or the like. The moving substrate 78 and the driving units 80, 84, 85 constitute a first transporting unit 86. The pedestal 79 may be constituted by a pair of right and left ridges, or may be formed in a concave shape like the pedestal 48 of FIG.
[0071]
The slider 22 and the rail portion 23 of the second transfer means 8 are disposed above the crimping machine 2 via a long column 87 on a horizontal air cylinder 19 so as not to interfere with the crimping machine 2 on the moving substrate 78. ing. The other components such as the pressure-contact driving device 7 and the transport path 44 are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.
[0072]
The motor 85 rotates forward or backward in response to a command from the control unit 5, the moving board 78 advances and retreats in the horizontal direction, and the required crimping machine 2 faces the end 44a of the transport path 44 and stops on the same plane. Next, the required crimping machine 2 is transferred to the crimping drive device 7 by the second transfer means 8 and moved to the crimping drive device 7, and the terminal is crimped and connected to the electric wire by the lifting / lowering operation of the crimping drive device 7. Thereafter, the crimping machine 2 is returned to the original pedestal 79 of the moving substrate 78 from the transport path 44 by the magnetic attachment operation of the cylinder 19.
[0073]
According to the embodiment of FIG. 4, since the moving substrate is horizontal, the work of setting the crimping machine on the moving substrate is easy, the strength of the base of the starting substrate can be set low, and the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. You.
[0074]
As a terminal crimping device (not shown) of the fifth embodiment, a plurality of crimping machines are arranged at equal pitches on a moving member such as an endless belt-shaped loop belt or a caterpillar via a pedestal (crimping machine set portion). It is also possible to configure the first transport means by rotating the moving member in the forward and reverse directions with a motor and a driving roller or a sprocket. In the case of this embodiment, a fall prevention unit and a slack prevention unit are provided so that the crimping machine facing downward does not drop by its own weight and the moving member (belt or caterpillar) does not loosen by its own weight. .
[0075]
The moving member is rotated by a command from the control unit, and the required crimping machine is located on the same plane as the conveying path, is conveyed to the crimping driving device by the second conveying means (air cylinder or the like), and is compressed after the terminal is crimped. Is returned to the original position of the moving substrate.
[0076]
According to the fifth embodiment, by setting the moving member such as the belt in a loop shape, the number of sets of the crimping machines on the moving member can be increased, and the setup of various kinds of crimping machines can be quickly changed.
[0077]
In each of the above embodiments, it is also possible to manually supply the terminals to the crimping machine 2 one by one without using the terminal reel 25. Further, in each embodiment, for example, a pneumatic clamp may be used instead of the electromagnet 21, and the required crimping machine 2 may be separated (separated) by releasing the clamp in the crimping drive device 7, similarly to the electromagnet 21. is there. Each of the terminal crimping devices 1, 41, 33, and 60 may be referred to as a changeover device of the crimping machine.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the required crimping machine can be automatically selected without manual operation and can be smoothly, reliably and quickly conveyed to the crimping drive device. The man-hour required for the setup change is reduced, and the productivity of various types of electric wires with terminals in small-lot production of various types is improved.
[0079]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the transfer of the crimping machine to the transport path and the delivery of the crimping machine from the transport path are smoothly performed by the slide plate, and the number of steps required for the setup change is further reduced.
[0080]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the upper and lower spaces are effectively used by the turntable and the crimping drive device, the space of the production line can be saved and the terminal crimping device can be made compact.
[0081]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since various crimping machines are set up and down on the vertical moving substrate, the apparatus can be downsized (space saving) in the lateral direction.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since various crimping machines are set in parallel on a horizontal moving substrate, the setting work of each crimping machine is easy, the strength of the set part is suppressed, and the structure is simplified. And cost reduction.
According to the invention as set forth in claim 6, since various types of crimping machines can be set on the loop-shaped moving member, it is possible to easily and quickly cope with various types of crimping of terminals.
[0082]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the crimping drive device is located on the upper side and the turntable is located on the lower side, so that the upper and lower spaces are effectively used, so that the production line can be saved in space and the terminal crimping device can be made compact. Can be
[0083]
According to the invention described in claim 8, the main part of the second transfer means is located above or below the center of the turntable, and the space above and below is effectively used, so that the production line can be saved in space and the terminals can be crimped. The downsizing of the device is further promoted.
[0084]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the pneumatic cylinder absorbs the impact when it comes into contact with the crimping machine or when the crimping machine comes into contact with the end of the transport path, and ensures smooth and reliable transfer and setting. Can be accurately positioned, and the reliability of terminal crimping is improved.
[0085]
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the required crimping machine received from the first carrying means can be fixed or held on the second carrying means and securely carried, so that the setup change of the crimping machine can be performed more smoothly and It is done reliably.
[0086]
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably fix and detach the required crimping machine to and from the second transport means by turning on and off the power supply to the electromagnet, so that the setup change of the crimping machine is more smoothly performed. And it is performed reliably. In addition, since the crimping machine can be magnetically attached and moved by electromagnetic force without improving the existing crimping machine, equipment costs can be reduced and it is economical.
[0087]
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, a plurality of types of crimping machines can be automatically selected at random by the control unit and supplied to the conveyance path, so that the number of steps for setup change is reduced and various terminals are provided. The productivity of electric wires is improved.
[0088]
According to the thirteenth aspect, since only one terminal reel is set in the terminal crimping device, the space of the manufacturing line can be saved.
[0089]
According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the terminal reels are arranged in parallel with the transport path, and the chain-like terminals can be supplied to the crimping machine orthogonally or intersecting with the transport path. It is planned.
[0090]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 15, the required crimping machine can be automatically selected and transferred to the crimping drive device smoothly, reliably, and quickly without manual operation. The number of man-hours is reduced, and the productivity of various types of wires with terminals in high-mix low-volume production is improved.
According to the sixteenth aspect, the same effect as that of the second aspect can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a terminal crimping device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the terminal crimping apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the terminal crimping device according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the terminal crimping apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of a conventional terminal crimping device.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a conventional terminal crimping apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing one mode of a chain terminal.
FIG. 8 is a front view showing an embodiment of a crimping machine (applicator).
FIG. 9 is a front view showing another embodiment of the conventional terminal crimping device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,41,33,60 terminal crimping machine
2 Crimping machine
3 Stock Department
4,45,35,86 First transport means
5 control part
6,44 Conveyance path
7 Crimping drive
8 Second transport means
14 cylinder (drive means)
16 slide plate
19 cylinder (main part)
21 Electromagnet
25 terminal reel
26 chain terminals
27 First Roller
28 Second roller
34,78 Moving substrate
37,85 Motor (drive means)
42 Turntable
43 Lifting means
59,79 Base (Crimping machine set part)

Claims

A part for stocking a plurality of types of crimping machines, a first conveying means for selecting a required crimping machine in the stocking part and moving the same on the same line as the conveying path, and A terminal crimping device, comprising: a second conveying means for moving the crimping machine.

The said 1st conveyance means is comprised with each slide board which mounts | wears with the said several types of crimping machines, and each drive means which moves each slide board crossing the said conveyance path. Terminal crimping equipment.

The said 1st conveyance means is comprised by the turntable which also serves as the said stock part on which the said several types of crimping machines are mounted, and the raising / lowering means which raises / lowers the said required crimping machine from this turntable, The characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The terminal crimping device according to 1.

The first transporting means is characterized by comprising a moving substrate that moves vertically, a plurality of crimping machine set portions projecting horizontally from the moving substrate, and a driving unit that moves the moving substrate up and down. The terminal crimping device according to claim 1.

The first transport unit is characterized by comprising a moving substrate that moves horizontally, a plurality of crimping machine set sections provided on the moving substrate, and a driving unit that moves the moving substrate horizontally. The terminal crimping device according to claim 1.

The first transporting means is constituted by a moving member such as an endless belt or a caterpillar, a plurality of crimping machine set portions provided on the moving member, and a driving means for rotating the moving member. The terminal crimping device according to claim 1.

4. The terminal crimping device according to claim 3, wherein the turntable is located below the crimping drive device, and the lifting device raises the required crimping machine toward the transport path.

The terminal crimping device according to claim 3, wherein a main part of the second transporting unit is positioned to face a center of the turntable.

The terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a main part of the second transport unit is a cylinder that moves in a horizontal direction.

The terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second conveying means is capable of separating the required crimping machine from the second conveying means in the crimping drive device. apparatus.

The terminal crimping apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second transporting means has an electromagnet for magnetically attaching the required crimping machine.

The terminal crimping apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a control unit configured to instruct at least driving of the first transport unit.

The terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a terminal reel is detachably provided on the side of the crimping drive device.

14. The terminal according to claim 13, wherein the chain-like terminal from the terminal reel is bent in an orthogonal direction by a first roller having a horizontal axis and a second roller having an inclined axis and supplied to the required crimping machine. Crimping device.

A plurality of types of crimping machines are stocked in a stocking section, a required crimping machine is selected in the stocking section, and is moved on the same line as the conveying path by the first conveying means. After the crimping machine is moved by the second carrying means and the terminal crimping by the required crimping machine is completed, the required crimping machine is mounted on the first carrying means by the second carrying means and transferred to the original stock. A method for changing the setting of a crimping machine, characterized by returning to a position.

The method for changing the setup of a crimping machine according to claim 15, wherein the first transporting means uses the first transporting means in the terminal crimping device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.