JP2016072084A - Terminal crimping device and terminal crimping method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve the target dimension of a fitting part more accurately than conventional, in a technique for achieving the crimping by arranging the fitting parts on two surfaces of an anvil, approaching two dies and anvils, and then pressing the fitting parts by means of these dices and anvils.SOLUTION: A terminal crimping device includes ribs 353, 363, and approach of anvils 351, 361 and dies 30, 31 is stopped when the end faces of the dies 30, 31 abut against the ribs 353, 363.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11E

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal crimping apparatus and a terminal crimping method.

  Conventionally, an anvil (molding jig) is arranged between two dies, and a terminal fitting portion is arranged on each of the two support surfaces of the anvil facing these dies, and a lead wire is placed on each fitting portion. There is known a technique of a terminal crimping device that inserts two dies from both sides of an anvil and simultaneously approaches the anvil (see Patent Document 1). Thereby, each fitting part is simultaneously pressed by a die | dye and an anvil, and crimping | compression-bonding is implement | achieved.

JP 2006-139990 A

  However, in the above-described technique, the end face of each die contacts the fitting portion and is slightly worn during the crimping process. Therefore, the wear degree of the end surface which contacts a fitting part will slightly differ for every die by long-term use of a terminal crimping device. As a result, the balance of the force applied to each fitting portion from the two dies during the crimping process changes, and as a result, the size of the fitting portion may not be as intended.

  In view of the above points, the present invention is a technique in which fitting parts are arranged on two surfaces of an anvil to bring two dies and an anvil close to each other and press the fitting part with these dies and an anvil to realize crimping. The purpose is to realize the target dimension of the joint more accurately than before.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of conductive wires to the plurality of fitting portions (23c to 26c) by crimping a plurality of fitting portions (23c to 26c) of the plurality of terminals (23 to 26). A terminal crimping apparatus for connecting a plurality of core wires (19a to 22a) of (19 to 22), wherein a first die (30, 30 ′), a second die (31, 31 ′), an anvil (351, 351 ′, 361, 361 ′) and a rib (353, 353 ′, 363, 363 ′), and the anvil is disposed between the first die and the second die. A first support surface (351a, 361a) facing the first die, and a second support surface facing the second die when the anvil is disposed between the first die and the second die. (351b, 361b) A certain fitting portion (23c, 24c) among the plurality of fitting portions is disposed on the first support surface, and another fitting portion (25c, 26c) among the plurality of fitting portions is the first. 2 disposed on the support surface, and a certain core wire (19a, 20a) of the plurality of core wires is inserted into the certain fitting portion, and another core wire (21a, 22a) of the plurality of core wires is the other core wire. When the first die and the anvil approach each other, the second die and the anvil approach at the same time, the plurality of fitting portions are crimped, and the anvil and the first die approach each other. The terminal is stopped when the end face of the first die abuts against the rib, and the approach of the anvil and the second die stops when the end face of the second die abuts against the rib. It is a crimping device.

  As described above, when the end faces of the first and second dies come into contact with the ribs during the crimping process, the approach between the anvil and the first and second dies is stopped. Therefore, if the shape, size, arrangement, etc. of the first die, the second die, the rib, and the anvil are appropriately adjusted in advance, the wear degree of the first die and the second die can be increased by using the terminal crimping device for a long time. Even when a difference appears, the target dimension of the fitting portion can be realized more accurately than in the past.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis in the said and the claim shows the correspondence of the term described in the claim, and the concrete thing etc. which illustrate the said term described in embodiment mentioned later. .

It is a partial cross section figure of the wire harness by embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded sectional view of a wire harness. It is a figure showing the assembly | attachment method between terminals. It is the figure which looked at the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b from the left side of Drawing 3A-1. It is the figure which looked at 2nd fitting part 23c-26c from the right side of FIG. 3A-1. It is a figure showing the assembly | attachment method between terminals. It is the figure which looked at the projecting end parts 15b and 16b and the 1st fitting parts 23b and 24b from the left side of FIG. 3B-1. It is a figure showing the assembly | attachment method between terminals. It is the figure which looked at the protrusion end parts 15b-17b and the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b from the left side of FIG. 3C-1. It is a figure showing the assembly | attachment method between terminals. It is the figure which looked at the protrusion end parts 15b-17b and the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b from the left side of FIG. 3D-1. It is the figure which looked at the insulator block 13 and the terminals 23-26 from the right side of FIG. 3D-1. It is a figure showing the wire harness assembling method. It is a figure showing the wire harness assembling method. It is a figure showing the wire harness assembling method. It is a figure showing the wire harness assembling method. It is a figure showing the wire harness assembling method. It is a schematic perspective view of the terminal crimping apparatus in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a front view of a first inner mold 35. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the first inner mold 35. FIG. 4 is a side view of the first inner mold 35. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first inner mold 35. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is a perspective view which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is a perspective view which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is a perspective view which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is a figure showing the press-fit height H. It is a schematic perspective view of the terminal crimping apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is a front view of 1st inner type | mold 35 '. It is a perspective view of 1st inner type | mold 35 '. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows 1 process of a terminal crimping process.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. 1 to 12 are those according to the present exemplary embodiment, the present embodiment relates to a method with a wire harness assembled in O ₂ sensor for a vehicle. First, the schematic configuration of the wire harness in the vehicle O ₂ sensor 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 shows a state after the assembly of the wire harness of the vehicle O ₂ sensor 10 and FIG. 2 shows an exploded state during the assembly of the wire harness of the vehicle O ₂ sensor 10 according to the present embodiment.

The vehicle O ₂ sensor 10 includes a sensor assembly 11, a wire harness portion 12, and an insulator block 13 interposed between the both 11 and 12. The sensor assembly 11 contains a sensor element (not shown) for detecting the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas of the vehicle engine and an electric heater (not shown) for heating the sensor element.

  The sensor element and the electric heater for heating inside the sensor assembly 11 are electrically connected to a vehicle engine control device (ECU) (not shown) via the four terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13 and the wire harness portion 12. .

  Four conductor portions 14 a to 14 d protrude from the sensor assembly 11. Specifically, the positive electrode side conductor portion 14a and the negative electrode side conductor portion 14b of the sensor element, and the positive electrode side conductor portion 14c and the negative electrode side conductor portion 14d of the heating electric heater protrude from the sensor assembly 11. Here, the two conductor parts 14a and 14b on the sensor side are arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface at the upper part of FIG. 2, and the two conductor parts 14c and 14d on the heater side are arranged at the lower part of FIG. They are arranged in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the page.

  The insulator block 13 is a cylindrical insulator and is made of ceramic in order to obtain heat resistance. Inside the insulator block 13, four terminal accommodating spaces 13a to 13d penetrating in a cylindrical axial direction are defined. Specifically, inside the insulator block 13, two spaces 13a and 13b are formed in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface on the upper side of FIG. 2, and the two spaces 13c and 13d are perpendicular to the paper surface on the lower side of FIG. Formed in parallel arrangement in the direction.

  Then, one terminal 15 to 18 is accommodated and fixed in each of the four terminal accommodating spaces 13a to 13d. These terminals 15 to 18 are integrally formed with spring-shaped portions 15 a to 18 a each having a bent shape at one end side thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the two conductor portions 14 a and 14 b on the sensor side are in pressure contact with the spring-shaped portions 15 a and 16 a on one end side of the terminals 15 and 16 and are electrically connected to the terminals 15 and 16. Similarly, the two conductor portions 14c and 14d on the heater side are also in pressure contact with the spring-shaped portions 17a and 18a on one end side of the terminals 17 and 18, and are electrically connected to the terminals 17 and 18.

  The other end sides of the terminals 15 to 18 form protruding end portions 15b to 18b that protrude outward in the axial direction of the insulator block 13 as shown in FIG.

  The wire harness portion 12 is positioned on the upper side of FIGS. 1 and 2 and arranged in parallel with the sensor in the vertical direction on the paper side, on the sensor side positive side conductor 19 and negative side conductor 20, and on the lower side in FIGS. The heater-side positive electrode side conductor 21 and the negative electrode side conductor 22 are provided in parallel in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

  Terminals 23 to 26 are connected to the ends of the core wires 19a to 22a of the conductive wires 19 to 22, respectively. The conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 have the same shape as described later. The terminals 23 to 26 are connected to the protruding end portions 15 b to 18 b of the terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13, respectively. Both the terminals 15 to 18 on the insulator block 13 side and the terminals 23 to 26 on the conductive wires 19 to 22 side are made of a nickel alloy which is a conductor metal having excellent heat resistance.

  In addition, each conducting wire 19-22 penetrates the through-hole of the rubber bush 28 arrange | positioned inside the small diameter part 27a of the dust-proof cover 27. As shown in FIG. The rubber bush 28 is movable with respect to the longitudinal direction of each of the conducting wires 19-22.

  The dust-proof cover 27 includes connection portions between the sensor-side conductor portions 14a to 14d and the spring-shaped portions 15a to 18a of the terminals 15 to 18, and the protruding end portions 15b to 18b of the terminals 15 to 18 and the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26. This is for sealing the connecting portion.

  Next, the method for assembling the wire harness according to the present embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 3A-1 to 4. First, as shown in FIG. 3A-1, FIG. 3B-1, FIG. 3C-1, and FIG. 3D-1, the flat plate-like protruding ends 15b to 18b of the terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13 are respectively connected to the conductor side. A process of fitting and crimping the terminals 23 to 26 is performed.

  Here, the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 have the same shape, and the board portions 23a to 26a have first flat rectangular bent shapes as shown in FIGS. 3A-1 to 3A-3. The fitting parts 23b-26b and the 2nd fitting parts 23c-26c which consist of a U-shaped bending shape are integrally molded. The rectangular bent shape of the first fitting portions 23b to 26b is set to a size that allows the flat plate-shaped protruding end portions 15b to 18b to be inserted. Therefore, the first fitting portions 23b to 26b of the terminals 23 to 26 on the conductor side are sequentially fitted one by one to the protruding end portions 15b to 18b of the terminals 15 to 18, respectively, and the fitting portions are crimped.

  Specifically, the insulator block 13 is held in a press machine (not shown), and the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 are provided one by one at the protruding end portions 15 b to 18 b of the terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13. The first fitting portions 23b to 26b of the transferred terminals are sequentially and sequentially fitted to the projecting end portions 15b to 18b one by one, and at the same time, the first fitting portions 23b to 26b are pressure-bonded ( Caulking).

  3B-1 and 3B-2 show a state in which only the first fitting portions 23b and 24b of the upper terminals 23 and 24 are fitted to the upper protruding end portions 15b to 18b. 2 shows a state in which the first fitting portions 23b and 24b of the upper terminals 23 and 24 are crimped (crimped) to the upper protruding end portions 15b and 16b, and the first fitting of the lower terminals 25 and 26 is performed. A state where the joint portions 25b and 26b are fitted to the lower protruding end portions 17b and 18b is shown.

  3D-1, 3D-2, and 3D-3 show a state after the upper and lower first fitting portions 23b to 26b are pressure-bonded (crimped) to the upper and lower protruding end portions 15b to 18b. Moreover, FIG. 3A-2 is the figure which looked at the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b from the left side of FIG. 3A-1 in the process of FIG. 3A-1. Moreover, FIG. 3A-3 is the figure which looked at the board | substrate parts 23a-26a and the 2nd fitting parts 23c-26c from the left side of FIG. 3A-1 in the process of FIG. 3A-1. Moreover, FIG. 3B-2 is the figure which looked at the 1st fitting parts 23b and 24b and the protrusion edge parts 15b and 16b from the left side of FIG. 3B-1 in the process of FIG. 3B-1. Moreover, FIG. 3C-2 is the figure which looked at the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b and the protrusion end parts 15b-18b from the left side of FIG. 3C-1 in the process of FIG. 3C-1. Moreover, FIG. 3D-2 is the figure which looked at the 1st fitting parts 23b-26b and the protrusion end parts 15b-18b from the left side of FIG. 3D-1 in the process of FIG. 3D-1. 3D-3 shows a state in which the four terminals 23 to 26 on the conductive wire side are integrally held by the insulator block 13 as a result of the process of FIG. 3D-1.

  In the terminal crimping process shown in FIGS. 3A-1 to 3D-3, the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 are separated from the conductors 19 to 22 and crimped to the terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13 in a single terminal state. doing. For this reason, since the direction of the terminals 23 to 26 is not affected by the twisted wrinkles of the conducting wires 19 to 22, the direction of the terminals 23 to 26 is easily adjusted so as to match the flat plate shape of the protruding end portions 15b and 16b. it can. Therefore, the transfer and fitting operation of the terminals 23 to 26 can be automatically performed by a mechanical chuck / transfer means.

  3A-1 to 3D-3, in the terminal crimping process shown in FIGS. 3A-1 to 3D-3, the upper and lower first fitting portions 23b to 26b have the bent end fitting portions 23b ′ to 26b ′ outside the insulator block 13 ( The orientations of the terminals 23 to 26 are adjusted so as to be located on the outer side in the radial direction. That is, the upper end fitting portions 23b 'and 24b' of the upper first fitting portions 23b and 24b are positioned on the upper side, and the lower end fitting portions 25b and 26b of the lower end fitting portions 25b 'and 26b' are on the lower side. The direction of the terminals 23 to 26 is adjusted so as to be located at the position.

  Next, a terminal crimping process for connecting the conducting wires 19 to 22 is performed as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the entire lengths of the core wires 19a to 22a (see FIG. 4B) of the conducting wires 19 to 22 are covered with resin insulation coatings 19b to 22b.

  Here, the insulating coating 19b of the positive electrode side conductor 19 for the sensor element arranged in parallel on the upper side of FIGS. 4A to 4D is, for example, blue, and the insulating coating 20b of the negative electrode side conductor 20 for the sensor element is, for example, white. Since the positive electrode side and the negative electrode side conductors 21 and 22 for the heater may be functionally either the positive electrode side or the negative electrode side, they are made of the same wire. Therefore, both the insulation coatings 21b and 22b of the heater conductors 21 and 22 are the same color, for example, black. 4A to 4D, the black portions of the insulating coatings 21b and 22b are represented by adding fine dots. The conductors 19 to 22 can be distinguished by such color coding.

  First, the end portions of the insulation coatings 19b to 22b of the conductive wires 19 to 22 are peeled by a predetermined length as shown in FIG. 4B to expose the end portions of the core wires 19a to 22a by a predetermined length (insulation coating peeling step). ). The core wires 19a to 22a are made by twisting many fine wires.

  Thereafter, the exposed end portions of the core wires 19a to 22a of the respective conductor wires 19 to 22 are inserted into second fitting portions 23c to 26c having U-shaped bent shapes of the terminals 23 to 26 as shown in FIG. 4C (conductor set process). .

  Thereafter, the second fitting portions 23c to 26c are crimped (crimped) as shown in FIG. 4D, and the exposed ends of the core wires 19a to 22a are integrally connected to the second fitting portions 23c to 26c (terminal crimping step). ). The second fitting parts 23c to 26c in FIGS. 4D and 4E show a form after the crimping process is performed.

  Next, the terminal crimping process shown in FIG. 4D will be described more specifically based on FIGS. 5, 6, and 7. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline of the terminal crimping apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The terminal crimping apparatus of this embodiment includes a movable upper die (outer mold) 30, a movable lower die (outer mold) 31, support portions 32x and 32y, press drive portions 33x and 33y, A first inner mold 35, a second inner mold 36, connecting members 37 and 38, and cylinders 39 and 40 are provided.

  The support portion 32x of the upper die 30 is connected to the press driving portion 33x so that the upper die 30 moves in the vertical direction in FIG. Note that the position of the upper die 30 shown in FIG. 5 is the uppermost end position, and the upper die 30 descends downward from the uppermost end position by the driving force from the press drive unit 33x as indicated by the arrow A. On the lower end surface of the upper die 30, two concave mold portions 30a and 30b for crimping the second fitting portions 23c and 24c of the upper terminals 23 and 24 are formed in parallel.

  The support portion 32y of the lower die 31 is connected to the press drive portion 33y so that the lower die 31 moves in the vertical direction of FIG. Note that the position of the lower die 31 shown in FIG. 5 is the lowermost position, and the lower die 31 ascends upward by the driving force from the press drive unit 33y from the lowest position as indicated by the arrow D. On the upper end surface of the lower die 31, two concave mold portions 31 a and 31 b for pressing the second fitting portions 25 c and 26 c of the lower terminals 25 and 26 are formed in parallel. The upper and lower concave mold portions 30a and 31a and the upper and lower concave mold portions 30b and 31b are arranged to face each other.

  A first inner mold 35 is disposed between one concave mold portion 30a and 31a, and a second inner mold 36 is disposed between the other concave mold portions 30b and 31b. The upper and lower end surfaces of the first inner mold 35 constitute the support surfaces 351a and 351b of the second fitting portion 23c of the upper terminal 23 and the second fitting portion 25c of the lower terminal 25. Similarly, the second fitting part 24c of the upper terminal 24 and the support surfaces 361a and 361b of the second fitting part 26c of the lower terminal 26 are formed on the upper and lower end faces of the second inner mold 36.

  Accordingly, the height dimensions (intervals between the upper and lower end faces) of the first and second inner molds 35 and 36 are the same as the second fitting portions 23c and 24c of the upper terminals 23 and 24 and the lower terminals 25 and 26. It is set to be equal to the interval between the second fitting portions 25c and 26c.

  Since the upper and lower dies 30, 31 and the first and second inner dies 35, 36 are members that directly perform terminal crimping, they are made of a high-hardness iron-based material having excellent wear resistance.

  The first and second inner molds 35 and 36 are respectively connected to independent connecting members 37 and 38, and the connecting members 37 and 38 are supported by independent cylinders 39 and 40 so as to be horizontally movable. The cylinders 39 and 40 have mechanisms (for example, motors) that drive the connecting members 37 and 38 in the horizontal direction, respectively. The cylinders 39 and 40 are floatingly supported so as to be independently movable in the vertical direction. That is, the cylinder 39 is supported by the upper and lower floating support devices 41 and 42 having the springs 41a and 42a so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Similarly, the cylinder 40 is also supported by the upper and lower floating support devices 43 and 44 having springs 43a and 44a so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

  Here, the detailed configuration of the first inner mold 35 will be described. The first inner mold 35 includes an anvil 351, a connecting portion 352, and a rib 353.

  The anvil 351 is a member that supports the second fitting portion 23c of the upper terminal 23 and the second fitting portion 25c of the lower terminal 25 during crimping processing of the terminal, and the shape thereof is a bottom surface of a home base shape. It is the column shape which has. During the crimping process of the terminals, the first support surface 351a contacts the second fitting portion 23c and the second support surface 351b contacts the second fitting portion 25c among the side surfaces of the pillars of the anvil 351. The first support surface 351b and the second support surface 351a are recessed at the center so that the positions of the second fitting portions 23c and 25c are stabilized.

  The connecting portion 352 is a substantially triangular prism-shaped member that connects the anvil 351 and the connecting member 37. The connecting portion 352 is integrally fixed to the anvil 351 on one bottom surface and is integrally fixed to the connecting member 37 on the other bottom surface.

  The rib 353 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member, and extends from the anvil 351 in the direction of the cylinder 39 along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member 37. One surface of the rib 353 is integrally fixed to the anvil 351, and one surface adjacent to the one surface is integrally fixed to the connecting portion 352 and the connecting member 37. Further, the two abutting surfaces 353a and 353b facing the rib 353 are members that abut against the dies 30 and 31 when the terminals are crimped, respectively. More specifically, the contact surface 353a is disposed to face the die 30 and contacts the die 30 when the terminal is crimped, and the contact surface 353b is disposed to face the die 31 and the terminal. It abuts on the die 31 during the crimping process. That is, the rib 353 is sandwiched between the dies 30 and 31 when the terminal is crimped. In addition, the anvil 351, the connection part 352, the rib 353, and the connection member 37 are integrally formed.

  The second inner mold 36 also has the same configuration as the first inner mold 35. That is, the second inner mold 36 includes an anvil 361, a connecting portion 362, and a rib 363 (see FIG. 11A) having the same configuration as the first inner mold 35. That is, for the second inner mold 36, in the description of the detailed configuration of the first inner mold 35, the first inner mold 35, the anvil 351, the connecting portion 352, the rib 353, the contact surfaces 353a and 353b, and the connecting member 37 are used. The cylinder 39 and the second fitting portions 23c and 25c are connected to the second inner mold 36, the anvil 361, the connecting portion 362, the rib 363, the contact surfaces 363a and 363b, the connecting member 38, the cylinder 40, and the second fitting portion 24c. , 26c (see FIG. 11A).

  Next, the operation of the terminal crimping apparatus in the terminal crimping process will be described with reference to FIGS. 10A to 10D and FIGS. 11A to 11F.

  11A, the cylinder 39 moves the connecting member 37 and the first inner mold 35 by a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow E, and the cylinder 40 moves the connecting member 38 and the second inner mold 36 in the direction of arrow F. Move it a predetermined distance in the direction. As a result, the positions of the first inner mold 35 and the second inner mold 36 are determined, the terminal crimping apparatus is in the state shown in FIG. 5, and the inner molds 35 and 36 are disposed between the upper die 30 and the lower die. It becomes. At this time, the first support surfaces 351 a and 361 a face the upper die 30, and the second support surfaces 351 b and 361 b face the lower die 31.

  Next, in the steps of FIGS. 10A and 11B, the operator advances the position of the insulator block 13 from the position of FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. As a result, the second fitting portions 23c to 26c of the four upper and lower terminals 23 to 26 integrated with the insulator block 13 are connected to the first and second inner molds 35 and 36, respectively. It arrange | positions so that a support surface may be touched. Specifically, the second fitting portion 23c abuts on the first support surface 351a of the first inner die 35, the second fitting portion 24c abuts on the first support surface 361a of the second inner die 36, and the second The second fitting portion 25 c comes into contact with the second support surface 351 b of the first inner mold 35, and the second fitting portion 26 c comes into contact with the second support surface 361 b of the second inner mold 36.

  Subsequently, in the steps of FIGS. 10B and 12C, the operator uses the second fitting portions 23 c to 26 c made of the U-shaped bent shapes of the terminals 23 to 26 at the exposed ends of the core wires 19 a to 22 a of the conductive wires 19 to 22. Insert into. This state is a conductor set state.

  10C and 11D, the press drive unit 33x lowers the upper die 30 by a predetermined amount set in the arrow A direction, and the press drive unit 33y moves the lower die 31 to the arrow. Raise by a predetermined amount preset in the D direction. Thereby, the die 30 and the anvils 351 and 361 are relatively close to each other, and the die 31 and the anvils 351 and 361 are relatively close to each other.

  Then, the concave mold portions 30 a and 30 b of the upper die 30 come into contact with the second fitting portions 23 c and 24 c of the upper terminals 23 and 24. At the same time, the concave mold portions 31 a and 31 b of the lower die 31 come into contact with the second fitting portions 25 c and 26 c of the lower terminals 25 and 26.

  10C and 11D, the second fitting portions 23c to 26c are started to be crimped (caulked), and the upper die 30 is further lowered and the lower die 31 is further raised from the positions of FIGS. 10C and 11D. The crimping (caulking) of the second fitting portions 23c to 26c proceeds.

  Thereafter, as the upper die 30 is further lowered and the lower die 31 is further raised, in the process of FIG. 11E, the lower end surface of the upper die 30 is simultaneously brought into contact with the contact surface 353a of the rib 353 and the contact surface 363a of the rib 363. Abut. Thereby, the approach of the anvils 351 and 361 and the upper die 30 stops. At the same time, the upper end surface of the lower die 31 contacts the contact surface 353 b of the rib 353 and the contact surface 363 b of the rib 363. Thereby, the approach of the anvils 351 and 361 and the lower die 31 stops.

  Thus, the lower end surface of the upper die 30 is in contact with the contact surfaces 353a and 363a, so that the space between the first support surface 351a of the anvil 351 and the concave mold portion 30a and the first support surface 361a of the anvil 361 are obtained. And the space between the concave mold portion 30b does not become narrower. Accordingly, the progress of the crimping (caulking) of the second fitting portions 23c and 24c is stopped, and the crimping (caulking) is completed. Similarly, the upper end surface of the lower die 31 is in contact with the contact surfaces 353b and 363b, so that the space between the second support surface 351b of the anvil 351 and the concave mold portion 31a and the second support surface 361b of the anvil 361 are obtained. And the space between the concave mold portion 31b does not become narrower. Therefore, the progress of pressure bonding (caulking) of the second fitting portions 25c and 26c is stopped, and the pressure bonding (caulking) is completed.

  At the time of FIG. 11E, the first support surfaces 351a and 361a, the second support surfaces 351b and 361b, the first contact surfaces 353a and 363a, so that all the crimping heights of the second fitting portions 23c to 26c match. The shape, size and arrangement of the second contact surfaces 353b and 363b and the dies 30 and 31 are determined in advance. Here, as shown in FIG. 12, the crimping height is a height H in the crimping direction (directions of arrows A and D in FIG. 11D) of the second fitting portions 23c to 26c when the crimping (caulking) is completed. Say.

  Furthermore, when the die 30 abuts on the first abutment surfaces 353a and 363a, the relative positional relationship between the first support surface 351a and the concave mold portion 30a is the relationship between the first support surface 361a and the concave mold portion 30b. It becomes the same as the relative positional relationship. Further, when the die 31 comes into contact with the second contact surfaces 353b and 363b, the relative positional relationship between the second support surface 351b and the concave mold portion 31a is relative to the second support surface 361b and the concave mold portion 31b. It becomes the same as the positional relationship.

  Further, when the die 30 contacts the first contact surfaces 353a and 363a and the die 31 contacts the second contact surfaces 353b and 363b, the relative positional relationship between the first support surface 351a and the concave mold portion 30a. However, the relative positional relationship between the second support surface 351b and the concave mold portion 31a and the upside down relationship are obtained. Further, when the die 30 contacts the first contact surfaces 353a and 363a and the die 31 contacts the second contact surfaces 353b and 363b, the relative positional relationship between the first support surface 361a and the concave mold portion 30b. However, the relative positional relationship between the second support surface 361b and the concave mold portion 31b and the upside down relationship are obtained.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the lower end shape of the die 30 (including the concave mold portions 30a and 30b) and the upper end shape of the die 31 (including the concave mold portions 31a and 31b) is reversed upside down. It is configured. Further, the height difference in the crimping direction between the upper end of the first contact surface 353a and the upper end of the first support surface 351a, the height difference in the crimping direction between the upper end of the first contact surface 363a and the upper end of the first support surface 361a, the second The height difference in the crimping direction between the lower end of the contact surface 353b and the lower end of the second support surface 351b, and the height difference in the crimping direction between the lower end of the second contact surface 363b and the lower end of the second support surface 361b are all the same. It is configured.

  In addition, the first support surfaces 351a and 361a and the second support surfaces 351b and 361b are formed so that the shapes of the second fitting portions 23c to 26c at the time when the crimping (caulking) is completed are the same as the crimping height. The first contact surfaces 353a and 363a, the second contact surfaces 353b and 363b, and the dies 30 and 31 have predetermined shapes, dimensions, and arrangement.

  Thus, the approach of the anvils 351 and 361 and the two dies 30 and 31 stops when the end faces of the dies 30 and 31 abut against the ribs during the crimping process. Accordingly, if the shapes, dimensions, arrangement, etc. of the dies 30, 31, the ribs 353, 363, and the anvils 351, 361 are appropriately adjusted in advance, the concave mold portion of the dies 30, 31 can be obtained by using the terminal crimping device for a long time. Even when a difference appears in the degree of wear of the end faces of 30a, 30b, 31a, and 31b, the target dimensions of the fitting portions 23c to 26c can be more accurately realized than in the past.

After the steps of FIGS. 10D and 11E, in the step of FIG. 11F, the press drive unit 33x raises the upper die 30 and separates it from the second fitting portions 23c and 24c, and the press drive unit 33y lowers the lower die 31. And separated from the second fitting portions 25c and 26c. Further, the cylinder 39 moves the connecting member 37 and the first inner die 35 in the direction of the arrow G to move away from the second fitting portions 23c and 25c, and the cylinder 40 moves the connecting member 38 and the second inner die 36 to the arrow J. To move away from the second fitting portions 24c, 26c. Thus, by letting the inner dies 35 and 36 escape to the left and right, the insulator block 13 having the conducting wires 19 to 22 for which the crimping process has been completed can be easily taken out from the terminal crimping apparatus. Thereafter, the insulator block 13 having the conducting wires 19 to 22 for which the crimping process has been completed is removed from the terminal crimping apparatus. In the present embodiment, the upper die 30 and the lower die 31 are exactly the same components, and the inner die 35 and the inner die 36 are also exactly the same components. Therefore, the number of types of parts of the terminal crimping device can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The terminal crimping apparatus of this embodiment differs from the terminal crimping apparatus of the first embodiment in the shapes of the first inner mold, the second inner mold, the upper die, and the lower die. Configurations of members other than the first inner mold, the second inner mold, the upper die, and the lower die are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13, the upper die 30 ′ of this embodiment is obtained by adding recesses 30 c and 30 d for automatic alignment to the upper die 30 of the first embodiment. The hollow portion 30c is formed on the lower end surface of the upper die 30 ′ on the opposite side of the concave die portion 30b when viewed from the concave die portion 30a, and the hollow portion 30d is a concave mold on the lower end surface of the upper die 30 ′. It is formed on the opposite side of the concave mold portion 30a when viewed from the portion 30b. The maximum depth of the depressions 30c and 30d in the crimping direction is smaller than the maximum depth of the concave mold parts 30a and 30b in the crimping direction.

  Further, the lower die 31 ′ of the present embodiment is obtained by adding recesses 31 c and 31 d for automatic alignment to the lower die 31 of the first embodiment. The hollow portion 31c is formed on the upper end surface of the lower die 31 ′ on the opposite side of the concave die portion 31b when viewed from the concave die portion 31a, and the hollow portion 30d is formed on the upper end surface of the lower die 31 ′. It is formed on the opposite side of the concave mold portion 31a when viewed from the concave mold portion 31b. The maximum depth of the depressions 31c and 31d in the crimping direction is smaller than the maximum depth of the concave mold parts 31a and 31b in the crimping direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the first inner mold 35 'is provided between one concave mold part 30a and 31a, and the second internal mold 35' is provided between the other concave mold parts 30b and 31b. An inner mold 36 'is arranged. The upper and lower end surfaces of the first inner mold 35 'constitute support surfaces for the second fitting portion 23c of the upper terminal 23 and the second fitting portion 25c of the lower terminal 25. Similarly, the upper and lower end surfaces of the second inner mold 36 'constitute support surfaces for the second fitting portion 24c of the upper terminal 24 and the second fitting portion 26c of the lower terminal 26.

  Accordingly, the height dimensions (intervals between the upper and lower end faces) of the first and second inner molds 35 ′ and 36 ′ are set such that the second fitting portions 23c and 24c of the upper terminals 23 and 24 and the lower terminals 25 and It is set to be equal to the interval between the 26 second fitting portions 25c and 26c. The first and second inner molds 35 ′ and 36 ′ are also connected to the connecting members 37 and 38, respectively.

  Here, the detailed configuration of the first inner mold 35 'will be described. The first inner mold 35 'includes an anvil 351', a connecting portion 352 ', and a rib 353'. The connection form between the anvil 351 ′, the connection part 352 ′, and the rib 353 ′ is the same as the connection form between the anvil 351, the connection part 352, and the rib 353 in the first embodiment.

  The anvil 351 'and the connecting portion 352' are the same as the anvil 351 and the connecting portion 352 of the first embodiment, respectively. The ribs 353 'are obtained by adding protrusions 354 and 355 for automatic alignment to the ribs 353 of the first embodiment by integral molding.

  The projecting portion 354 extends upward from the main body of the rib 353 ′ (the same part as the rib 353 of the first embodiment) toward the upper die 30 ′ on the contact surface 353a ′ facing the upper die 30 ′ of the rib 353 ′. It is a protruding member. Further, the protruding portion 354 is tapered toward the upper die 30 ′ (that is, in the protruding direction). Note that the recess shape of the recess 30 c of the upper die 30 ′ matches the protrusion shape of the protrusion 354.

  The protruding portion 355 is a member that protrudes downward from the main body of the rib 353 ′ toward the lower die 31 ′ on the contact surface 353 b ′ facing the lower die 31 of the rib 353 ′. Further, the protruding portion 355 has a tapered shape toward the upper die 31 ′ (that is, in the protruding direction). Note that the shape of the recess 31 c of the lower die 31 ′ matches the shape of the protrusion 355.

  Also in this embodiment, the two contact surfaces 353a 'and 353b' of the rib 353 'are in contact with the dies 30' and 31 'when the terminals are crimped. More specifically, the entire portion of the contact surface 353a ′ corresponding to the protrusion 354 contacts the entire lower end surface of the recess 30c of the die 30 ′, and at the same time, other than the contact surface 353a ′. This part contacts the lower end surface of the die 30 ′ other than the concave mold parts 30a and 30b and the recessed parts 30c and 30d. Further, of the contact surface 353b ′, the entire portion corresponding to the protruding portion 355 contacts the entire upper end surface of the recessed portion 31c of the die 31 ′, and the other portion of the contact surface 353b ′ corresponds to the die 31 ′. It abuts on the upper end surface other than the concave mold portions 31a to 31d.

  The second inner mold 36 'also has the same configuration as the first inner mold 35'. That is, the second inner mold 36 has an anvil 361 ′, a connecting portion 362 ′, and a rib 363 ′ having the same configuration as the first inner mold 35 ′, and the rib 363 ′ has the same configuration as the projecting portions 354 and 355, respectively. Projecting portions 364 and 365 (see FIG. 16A). That is, for the second inner mold 36 ′, in the description of the detailed configuration of the first inner mold 35, the anvils 351, 351 ′ connecting portions 352, 352 ′, ribs 353, 353 ′ protruding portions 354, 355, contact The surfaces 353a ′, 353b ′, the recessed portions 30c, 30d, 31c, 31d are respectively connected to the anvils 361, 361 ′ connecting portions 362, 362 ′, the ribs 363, 363 ′ projecting portions 364, 365, and the contact surfaces 363a ′, 363b. ', It can be read as the depressions 30d, 30c, 31d, 31c (see FIG. 16A).

  Next, the operation of the terminal crimping apparatus in the terminal crimping process will be described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16F. The operation in the steps from FIG. 16A to FIG. 16D is equivalent to the operation from FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D of the first embodiment.

  After the step of FIG. 16D, as the die 30 ′ is lowered and the die 31 ′ is raised, crimping (caulking) of the second fitting portions 23 c to 26 c proceeds, and the projecting portions 354, 355, 364, and 365 are recessed. It begins to fit into the parts 30c, 31c, 30d, 31d.

  As a result of further lowering of the upper die 30 ′ and lowering of the lower die 31 ′, the lower end surface of the upper die 30 ′ is brought into contact with the contact surface 353a ′ of the rib 353 ′ and the rib 363 ′ in the step of FIG. 16E. Simultaneously contacts the contact surface 363a ′. Thereby, the approach of the anvils 351 'and 361' and the upper die 30 'is stopped. At the same time, the upper end surface of the lower die 31 'comes into contact with the contact surface 353b' of the rib 353 'and the contact surface 363b' of the rib 363 '. Thereby, the approach of the anvils 351 'and 361' and the lower die 31 'is stopped.

  More specifically, the entire portion corresponding to the protruding portion 354 of the contact surface 353a 'contacts the entire portion corresponding to the recessed portion 30c of the lower end surface of the die 30'. That is, the protrusion 354 fits exactly in the recess 30c. At the same time, the other part of the contact surface 353a 'contacts the lower end surface of the die 30' other than the concave mold portions 30a and 30b and the recessed portions 30c and 30d. At the same time, the entire portion of the contact surface 353b 'corresponding to the protruding portion 355 contacts the entire portion of the lower end surface of the die 31' corresponding to the recessed portion 31c. That is, the protrusion 355 fits in the recess 31c exactly. At the same time, the other part of the contact surface 353b 'contacts the upper end surface of the die 31' other than the concave mold portions 31a to 31d.

  At the same time, the entire portion of the contact surface 363a 'corresponding to the protrusion 364 contacts the entire portion of the lower end surface of the die 30' corresponding to the recessed portion 30d. That is, the protrusion 364 fits exactly in the recess 30d. At the same time, the other portion of the contact surface 363a 'contacts the lower end surface of the die 30' other than the concave mold portions 30a and 30b and the recess portions 30c and 30d. At the same time, the entire portion of the contact surface 363b 'corresponding to the protrusion 365 contacts the entire portion of the lower end surface of the die 31' corresponding to the recess 31d. That is, the protrusion 365 fits exactly in the recess 31d. At the same time, the other part of the contact surface 363b 'contacts the upper end surface of the die 31' other than the concave mold portions 31a to 31d.

  In this way, in the step of FIG. 16E, the lower end surface of the upper die 30 ′ is in contact with the contact surfaces 353a ′ and 363a ′, so that the space between the first support surface 351a of the anvil 351 ′ and the concave mold portion 30a. The space and the space between the first support surface 361a of the anvil 361 ′ and the concave mold portion 30b are not further narrowed. Accordingly, the progress of the crimping (caulking) of the second fitting portions 23c and 24c is stopped, and the crimping (caulking) is completed. Similarly, the upper end surface of the lower die 31 ′ abuts against the abutment surfaces 353b ′ and 363b ′, so that the space between the second support surface 351b of the anvil 351 ′ and the concave mold portion 31a and the anvil 361 ′. The space between the second support surface 361b and the concave mold portion 31b is not further narrowed. Therefore, the progress of pressure bonding (caulking) of the second fitting portions 25c and 26c is stopped, and the pressure bonding (caulking) is completed. The operations after the step of FIG. 16F are the same as the operations after the step of FIG. 11F of the first embodiment.

  Here, the existence significance of the protrusions 354, 355, 364, 365 will be described. At the stage where the protrusions 354, 355, 364, 365 start to fit into the recesses 30c, 31c, 30d, 31d (immediately after FIG. 16D), either one or both of the dies 30 ′, 31 ′ is the inner die 35 ′. , 36 'is assumed to be displaced in the left-right direction (left-right direction in FIG. 16D) with respect to either or both. In this case, since the projecting portions 354, 355, 364, and 365 are tapered in the projecting direction, one point of the projecting portion starts to hit a part of the recessed portion at a certain time before the step of FIG. As it progresses, the protrusion is pushed from the depression and the deviation is gradually corrected. 16E, when the protrusions 354, 355, 364, and 365 are fitted into the recesses 30c, 31c, 30d, and 31d, respectively, the deviation is corrected. In this manner, the protrusions 354, 355, 364, and 365 automatically eliminate the lateral displacement of the inner dies 35 'and 36' with respect to the dies 30 'and 31' during the crimping (caulking) process.

  It should be noted that the inner molds 35 'and 36', the connecting parts 37 and 38, and the cylinders are used by using the projections 354, 355, 364, and 365 when the terminal crimping device is disposed, not during the crimping process. 39 and 40 can be positioned relative to the dies 30 'and 31'. Specifically, the left and right arrangement of the inner molds 35 ′ and 36 ′, the connecting portions 37 and 38, and the cylinders 39 and 40 are adjusted in a state where neither the insulator block 13 nor the conductors 19 to 22 are arranged. At the time of the adjustment, the cylinders 39 and 40 and the press driving portions 33x and 33y are used to adjust the dies 30 'and 31' and the inner dies 35 'and 36' so as to be arranged as shown in FIG. 16E.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, In the range described in the claim, it can change suitably. Further, the above embodiments are not irrelevant to each other, and can be combined as appropriate unless the combination is clearly impossible. In each of the above-described embodiments, it is needless to say that elements constituting the embodiment are not necessarily essential unless explicitly stated as essential and clearly considered essential in principle. Yes. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when numerical values such as the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc. of the constituent elements of the embodiment are mentioned, it is clearly limited to a specific number when clearly indicated as essential and in principle. The number is not limited to the specific number except for the case. Further, in each of the above embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of the component, etc., the shape, unless otherwise specified and in principle limited to a specific shape, positional relationship, etc. It is not limited to the positional relationship or the like. The present invention also allows the following modifications to the above embodiments. In addition, the following modifications can select application and non-application to the said embodiment each independently. In other words, any combination of the following modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment.

(Modification 1)
In each of the embodiments described above, all of the upper die and the lower die are movable, but the lower die may be changed to a fixed type, and conversely, the upper die may be changed to a fixed type.

(Modification 2)
In each said embodiment, the target value of the crimping | compression-bonding height H (equivalent to an example of a dimension) of the 2nd fitting parts 23c-26c after a crimping process is made into the same value. However, this is not necessarily the case. For example, the target value of the crimping height H of the second fitting portions 23c to 26c may be different from each other. Even in this case, if the shapes, dimensions, arrangement, etc. of the dies 30, 30 ′, 31, 31 ′, ribs 353, 353 ′, 363, 363 ′, anvils 351, 351 ′, 361, 361 ′ are appropriately adjusted in advance. The target dimensions of the fitting portions 23c to 26c can be realized more accurately than in the past.

(Modification 3)
The arrangement of the protrusions 354 and 364 does not necessarily have to be as in the above embodiments. For example, you may arrange | position between the anvils 351 and 361 (or between anvils 351 'and 361'). Further, the four protrusions 354, 355, 364, and 365 are not necessarily required. For example, only the protrusions 354 and 355 may be provided one above the other.

(Modification 4)
In the first embodiment, in the step of fitting and crimping the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 to the plate-like projecting ends 15 b to 18 b of the terminals 15 to 18 of the insulator block 13, respectively, the insulator block 13 The example in which the conductor-side terminals 23 to 26 are sequentially fitted and crimped one by one to the respective terminals 15 to 18 has been described. However, all the conductor-side terminals 15 to 18 are connected to all the terminals 15 to 18 on the insulator block 13 side. The terminals 23 to 26 may be simultaneously fitted and crimped.

(Modification 5)
In the first and second embodiments, the method of assembling the wire harness using the four conducting wires 19 to 22 has been described. However, the present invention is generally applied to the assembling method of the wire harness using two or more conducting wires. Applicable.

(Modification 6)
In the first and second embodiments, the upper die 30 (or upper die 30 ′) and the lower die 31 (or lower die 31 ′) are arranged in the vertical direction in the terminal crimping apparatus shown in FIGS. The first and second inner molds 35 and 36 (or the first and second inner molds 35 ′ and 36 ′) are arranged between the dies 30 and 31 (or both dies 30 ′ and 31 ′). However, two dice 30, 31 (or dice 30 ′, 31 ′) are arranged in the horizontal direction (left-right direction) at a predetermined interval, and the left and right dice 30, 31 (or dice 30 ′, 31 ′) are arranged. The first and second inner molds 35 and 36 (or the first and second inner molds 35 ′ and 36 ′) may be disposed between the two.

(Modification 7)
Although 1st Embodiment demonstrated the wire harness applied to the oxygen concentration sensor for vehicle engines, this invention is not limited to such a use, It is a wire harness which has several types of different terminals and conducting wires. It can be applied to any use as long as it exists.

19a, 20a core wire (a certain core wire)
21a, 22a Core wire (another core wire)
23b, 24b 2nd fitting part (a certain fitting part)
25b, 26b second fitting part (another fitting part)
30, 30 'Upper die (first die)
31, 31 'Lower die (second die)
351, 351 ′, 361, 361 ′ anvils 353, 353 ′, 363, 363 ′ ribs 351a, 361a first support surfaces 351b, 361b second support surfaces 354, 364 first protrusions 355, 365 second protrusions 30c, 30d, 31c, 31d recess

Claims (5)

By crimping a plurality of fitting portions (23c-26c) of a plurality of terminals (23-26), a plurality of core wires (19a) of a plurality of conductors (19-22) are connected to the plurality of fitting portions (23c-26c). A terminal crimping device for connecting to 22a),
The first die (30, 30 ');
A second die (31, 31 ');
Anvils (351, 351 ′, 361, 361 ′),
Ribs (353, 353 ′, 363, 363 ′),
The anvil includes a first support surface (351a, 361a) that faces the first die when the anvil is disposed between the first die and the second die, the first die, and the second die. A second support surface (351b, 361b) that faces the second die when the anvil is disposed between the dies,
A fitting part (23c, 24c) among the plurality of fitting parts is disposed on the first support surface, and another fitting part (25c, 26c) among the plurality of fitting parts is the second. A core wire (19a, 20a) of the plurality of core wires is inserted into the certain fitting portion, and another core wire (21a, 22a) of the plurality of core wires is the other fitting. When the first die and the anvil approach each other and the second die and the anvil approach at the same time, the plurality of fitting portions are crimped,
The approach between the anvil and the first die stops when the end surface of the first die abuts on the rib,
The terminal crimping device is characterized in that the approach between the anvil and the second die stops when the end surface of the second die abuts against the rib.   The terminal crimping device according to claim 1, wherein the rib is fixed to the anvil. The rib has a protrusion (354, 355, 364, 365) that protrudes in the direction of the first die or the direction of the second die,
3. The terminal crimping device according to claim 1, wherein the first die or the second die is formed with a recess for receiving the protruding portion. 4. By using the terminal crimping device according to claim 1, a plurality of fitting portions (23 c to 26 c) are crimped to a plurality of fitting portions (23 c to 26 c), whereby a plurality of fitting portions (23 c to 26 c) are plurally bonded. A terminal crimping method for connecting a plurality of core wires (19a to 22a) of the conductive wires (19 to 22),
A certain fitting part (23c, 24c) among the plurality of fitting parts is arranged on the first support surface, and another fitting part (25c, 26c) among the plurality of fitting parts is the second. It arrange | positions on a support surface, inserts a certain core wire (19a, 20a) into the said certain fitting part among these several core wires, and sets another core wire (21a, 22a) among the said several core wires to said another fitting. Inserting into the joint,
The first die and the anvil are brought close to each other, and the second die and the anvil are brought close to each other to crimp the plurality of fitting portions, and the end surface of the first die is brought into contact with the rib A terminal crimping method comprising: stopping the approach between the anvil and the first die and stopping the approach between the anvil and the second die by bringing the end face of the second die into contact with the rib.   The terminal crimping method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of moving the anvil away from the fitting portion after the step of stopping the approach.

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