JP6705697B2 - Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire, which includes a connector and an electric wire extending from the connector.

Conventionally, various manufacturing apparatuses have been proposed for manufacturing various sub-harnesses constituting a wire harness used in a vehicle or the like. The sub-harness is generally composed of an electric wire, a connector attached to the end of the electric wire, and various exterior members (corrugated tube, vinyl tape, etc.). Based on such a structure of the sub-harness, the sub-harness is also referred to as a "connector with electric wire" for convenience sake.

For example, one of the conventional sub-harness manufacturing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as "conventional apparatus") is equipped with a workbench with a special shape, and the terminal provided at the end of the electric wire is provided on the connector at this workbench. The process of inserting it into the terminal housing chamber (terminal insertion process) and the process of attaching various exterior members to the electric wire are collectively performed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP, 2003-178632, A

By the way, in the case of twisting the electric wires constituting the sub-harness (processing into a twisted wire), in general, the sub-harness is removed from the workbench described above and attached to a dedicated twisting machine, and the twisting machine twists the electric wires ( Twist processing) is performed.

However, when using such a dedicated twisting machine, it is necessary to transport the sub-harness from the workbench that manufactures the sub-harness to the twisting machine. Further, each work is performed by different workers, a worker who manufactures the sub-harness and a worker who operates the twisting machine to perform twist processing. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the manufacturing efficiency due to the above-described transportation work, and it is difficult to reduce the manufacturing cost due to the work by a plurality of workers.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire, which is excellent in manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost of the connector with an electric wire.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire according to the present invention has the following (
It is characterized by 1) to (4).
(1)
A manufacturing apparatus of a connector with an electric wire comprising a connector and an electric wire extending from the connector,
A first workbench located in a first area on a manufacturing line for performing a terminal insertion process of inserting a terminal provided at the end of the electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber provided at the connector, and the terminal insertion process. A second workbench located in a second area adjacent to the first area on the manufacturing line, the second workbench performing a twisting process of twisting the electric wire extending from the connector after the first worktable . e Bei second workbench which are arranged in adjacent workbench, and
In the second area,
The twisting process is performed by rotating the connector at the other end of the twisted electric wire while maintaining the connector at the one end of the twisted electric wire on the second workbench ,
It must be a manufacturing device for connectors with electric wires.
(2)
The manufacturing apparatus according to (1) above,
A holder capable of holding a plurality of the connectors,
The holder holding the plurality of connectors after the terminal insertion processing is transferred from the first work table to the second work table ,
In the second area, while the connector at one end of the electric wire to be twisted is held by the holding tool, the electric wire extending from the held connector is held by the holding tool and twisted. The twisting process is performed by holding the connector at the other end of the electric wire on the turning arm and turning the turning arm.
It must be a manufacturing device for connectors with electric wires.
(3)
In the manufacturing apparatus according to (1) or (2) above,
When a thermocompression bonding process of collectively thermocompressing the conductor cores of the plurality of electric wires is further performed in the second area,
In the second area,
The thermocompression bonding process is performed on the conductor core wires of the plurality of electric wires while maintaining the connector at one end of each of the plurality of electric wires to be crimped on the second work table .
It must be a manufacturing device for connectors with electric wires.
(4)
In the manufacturing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The first workbench and the second workbench are
The terminal insertion process and the twist process are arranged in contact with each other so that they can be handled by the same operator.
It must be a manufacturing device for connectors with electric wires.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire having the above configuration (1), it is not necessary to detach the connector with an electric wire, which has been subjected to the terminal insertion processing, from the manufacturing line (work table) and carry it to a dedicated twisting machine as in the conventional case. , The terminal insertion process and the twist process can be completed on one continuous production line. Furthermore, since both processes can be completed on a single production line in this way, it is possible to complete the work by one worker without requiring the work by a plurality of workers as in the conventional case. .. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus of this configuration is excellent in manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost of the connector with electric wire.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire having the above configuration (2), an electric wire extending from a connector held by the holder passed from the first area to the second area while being held by the holder. The twisting process is performed in a state in which is sandwiched by the sandwiching tool (in the second area). Therefore, as compared with the case where the connector with electric wires (terminals at both ends of the electric wire) is separated from the holder and the above-mentioned clamping and twisting processes are performed, the manufacturing efficiency of the connector with electric wires can be further improved by the amount that the work can be simplified.

By the way, the "holding tool" may be a member (so-called pallet) used to hold a plurality of connectors in this automatic machine when the terminal insertion process is performed by the automatic machine (dedicated machine). Of course, when the terminal insertion process is performed by a worker (manual work), it may be a member (so-called rod) used to hold the connector with an electric wire after the terminal insertion process.

According to the apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire having the above-mentioned configuration (3), the connector with an electric wire for which the terminal insertion process (work in the first area) has been completed is detached from the manufacturing line (work table), and a dedicated thermocompression bonding machine is used. There is no need to carry it to the (bonder), and the terminal insertion process, twist process and thermocompression bonding process can be completed on a single connected production line. Therefore, compared with the case where the connector with electric wires (terminals at both ends thereof) is separated from the holder and the thermocompression bonding process described above is performed, the manufacturing efficiency of the connector with electric wires can be further improved by the amount that can simplify the work.

According to the manufacturing apparatus for a connector with an electric wire having the above configuration (4), by arranging the first area and the second area in close proximity to each other, it is possible to perform both the terminal insertion process and the twist process by the same operator. Become. Therefore, the number of workers can be reduced as compared with the case where different workers perform each work, and the manufacturing cost of the connector with an electric wire can be further reduced.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing apparatus of the connector with an electric wire which is excellent in the manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost of a connector with an electric wire can be provided.

The present invention has been briefly described above. Further, the details of the present invention will be further clarified by reading through the modes for carrying out the invention described below (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of an apparatus for manufacturing a connector with electric wires according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration of the second area, FIG. 2( a) shows an enlarged configuration of the holding tool and the holding tool, and FIG. 2( b) shows a holding tool, the holding tool, And the whole structure including a twist machine is shown. FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 of a manufacturing apparatus for a connector with an electric wire according to a modified example of the present embodiment, and FIG. 3A is an enlarged view showing the configurations of a holder and a holding tool in the modified example. 3(b) shows an overall configuration including a holding tool, a holding tool, and a twisting machine in a modified example. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of the manufacturing apparatus for a connector with electric wires according to another modification of the present embodiment.

<Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a manufacturing apparatus for a connector with electric wire (hereinafter, referred to as “manufacturing apparatus 100”) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a first area and a second area on a continuous manufacturing line. The "one-line production line" may be configured by, for example, a physically continuous conveyor or the like.

A first workbench T1 is placed in the first area on the manufacturing line. The second work table T2 and the twisting machine 10 are placed in the second area on the manufacturing line. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first work table T1 and the second work table T2 are arranged side by side in a line, and the twisting machine 10 is on the front side (lower side in FIG. 1) of the second work table T2. It is arranged away from the second workbench T2. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the side closer to the first workbench T1 than the boundary between the first workbench T1 and the second workbench T2 (right side in FIG. 1) is the first area, and the second workbench from the same boundary. The side close to T2 (the left side in FIG. 1) is the second area. Thus, the first area and the second area are arranged close to each other.

In the first area, the terminal T provided at the terminal of the electric wire D (D1, D2, D3) is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber (not shown) provided in the connector C (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5). Processing (terminal insertion processing) is performed. On the other hand, in the second area, a process of twisting the electric wire D (D1, D2) extending from the connector C (C1, C2, C4, C5) after the terminal insertion process (process of forming a twisted wire. Twist process ) Is done. The terminal inserting process and the twisting process are performed by the same operator S. Hereinafter, the terminal insertion processing performed in the first area and the twist processing performed in the second area will be described in more detail.

The terminal insertion process is performed on the first workbench T1 placed in the first area. A flat plate-shaped holder 20 for holding the plurality of connectors C1 to C5 in a predetermined arrangement is placed on the first work table T1 so as to stand upright. A plurality of connectors C1 to C5 are held in a predetermined arrangement on the front side surface (lower side in FIG. 1) of the holder 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the five connectors C1, C2, C3, C4 and C5 are held by the holder 20.

In this way, the terminals T provided at the ends of the corresponding electric wires are inserted into the respective terminal accommodating chambers (not shown) of the plurality of connectors C1 to C5 held by the holder 20. In the example shown in FIG. 1, five electric wires having terminals T provided at both ends are prepared, and two electric wires D1 having both ends connected to connectors C1 and C5 and both ends connected to connectors C2 and C4. There are two electric wires D2, and one electric wire D3 whose both ends are connected to the connectors C2 and C3. The electric wires D1 to D3 each include a conductor core wire and an insulating jacket that surrounds the conductor core wire.

The process of inserting each terminal T into the corresponding terminal accommodating chamber may be automatically performed by a dedicated automatic machine or may be manually performed by an operator. When an automatic machine is used, a flat plate-shaped member (so-called pallet) used for holding a plurality of connectors when inserting terminals automatically corresponds to the holder 20.

When the terminal insertion process is completed, the work performed in the first area ends. As a result, the connectors C1 to C5 to which the electric wires D1 to D3 are connected (hereinafter also referred to as “connectors with electric wires C1 to C5”) are obtained.

The twist process is performed using the second work table T2 placed in the second area and the twist machine 10. Since the twisting process is performed, when the above-described terminal insertion process is completed on the first work table T1, the holder 20 holds the plurality of connectors with electric wires C1 to C5 and the second work from the first work table T1. It is delivered to the table T2. This delivery may be performed automatically by an automatic machine or manually by an operator.

After the holder 20 moves onto the second work table T2, the connectors C1 and C2 at one end of the electric wires D1 and D2 to be twisted are held by the holder 20 and the other electric wires D1 and D2 are kept. The connectors C4 and C5 at the ends are removed from the holder 20. The removal of the connectors C4 and C5 from the holder 20 may be performed after the holder 20 is delivered to the second work table T2, and the holder 20 may be removed after the terminal insertion process is completed. It may be performed before delivery to T2.

The connectors C4 and C5 with electric wires removed from the holder 20 are connected to the twisting machine 10 and subjected to twisting treatment. Hereinafter, the twisting process will be described more specifically with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 2( a) and 2 (b ), when performing the twisting process, the twisted wire connector C<b>1, C<b>2, and C<b>3 with electric wires held by the holder 20 is held by the holder 20. The electric wires D1 and D2 extending from the electric wire connectors C1 and C2 at one end of the electric wires D1 and D2 to be processed (the connector at one end of the electric wire to be twisted) are clamped in the vicinity of the connectors C1 and C2. It is clamped by a pair of clamping portions 31 provided on the tool 30. On the other hand, at this time, the electric wire D3 that is not the target of the twisting process is not held by the holding unit 31.

The holding tool 30 is arranged in the second area. The pair of holding portions 31 are configured such that the vertical distance between them can be adjusted, and hold the electric wires D1 and D2 extending from the connectors with electric wires C1 to C3 to be twisted in the vertical direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2( b ), the connectors with electric wires C4 and C5 (the connectors at the other end of the electric wires to be twisted) removed from the holder 20 are a pair of turning arms provided in the twisting machine 10. It is gripped by 11. More specifically, the portions of the electric wires D1 and D2 extending from the electric wire connectors C4 and C5 in the vicinity of the connectors C4 and C5 are sandwiched by the pair of turning arms 11.

In this way, the pair of turning arms 11 is turned in a state where one end side of the electric wires D1 and D2 to be twisted is held by the pair of holding portions 31 and the other end side is held by the pair of turning arms 11. As a result, the twist process is executed. When the twisting process is completed, the holding by the pair of holding portions 31 and the holding by the pair of turning arms 11 are released. Then, the connectors C<b>1 to C<b>3 with electric wires held by the holder 20 are removed from the holder 20. This completes the work performed in the second area. In other words, the sub-harness composed of the connectors C1 to C5 and the electric wires D1 to D3 is completed.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the connectors C1 to C5 (sub-harness) with electric wires after the work performed in the second area is completed are arranged at positions facing the first work bench T1 and the second work bench T2. It is placed on the third work table T3. The connectors C1 to C5 with electric wires (sub-harness) are carried out to the next step (for example, a step of combining sub-harnesses to form a wire harness).

Thus, according to the manufacturing apparatus 100 for a connector with an electric wire according to the present embodiment, the connector with an electric wire, which has been subjected to the terminal insertion process as in the conventional case, is detached from the manufacturing line (workbench) and conveyed to a dedicated twisting machine. There is no need, and the terminal insertion processing and twist processing can be completed on a single connected production line. Furthermore, since both processes can be completed on a single production line in this way, it is possible to complete the work by one worker without requiring the work by a plurality of workers as in the conventional case. .. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is excellent in manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost of the connector with electric wire.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 100, the electric wires D1 extending from the connectors C1 to C3 while holding the connectors C1 to C3 held by the holder 20 passed from the first area to the second area while being held by the holder 20. , D2 are sandwiched by the sandwiching tool 31 (in the second area), the twisting process is performed. Therefore, as compared with the case where the connector with electric wires (terminals at both ends thereof) is separated from the holder 20 and the above-mentioned clamping and twisting processes are performed, the manufacturing efficiency of the connector with electric wires can be further improved by the amount that can simplify the work.

Further, in the manufacturing apparatus 100, by arranging the first area and the second area in close proximity to each other, both the terminal insertion process and the twist process can be performed by the same operator S. Therefore, the number of workers can be reduced as compared with the case where different workers perform each work, and the manufacturing cost of the connector with an electric wire can be further reduced.

<Other aspects>
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified, improved, and the like as appropriate. In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, locations, etc. of the constituent elements in the above-described embodiments are arbitrary and are not limited as long as the present invention can be achieved.

For example, in the above embodiment, the twisting process is performed while the connectors C1 and C2 at one end of the electric wires D1 and D2 that are the targets of the twisting process are held in the holder 20 (pallet). However, as shown in FIG. 3A, after the terminal insertion processing is performed in a state where the plurality of connectors C1 to C5 are held in advance in the holder 20 (pallet) as in the above-described embodiment, all the terminals are inserted. The connectors C1 to C5 with electric wires are removed from the holder 20 (pallet), and the plurality of removed connectors C1 to C5 with electric wires are moved from the first area to the second area (while being maintained on the manufacturing line), The holder 20A may be held in the second area (on the second work table T2).

The holder 20A includes a flat plate-shaped base 21 standing upright and a plurality of holding portions 22 that are adjacently arranged on one side surface of the upper edge of the base 21 so as to be aligned in a horizontal row. There is. Each holding part 22 is a semi-cylindrical member made of rubber. The plurality of holding portions 22 are arranged such that their respective axial directions coincide with each other in the vertical direction, and the outer surfaces of the adjacent holding portions 22 are lightly pressed and brought into contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 3A, the electric wires D1 to D3 were connected to the electric wires D1 to D3 by inserting the electric wires D1 to D3 between the outer surfaces of the adjacent holding portions 22 against the elastic force of rubber. The connectors C1 to C5 with electric wires are held by the holder 20A.

Further, when performing the twisting process, as shown in FIG. 3B, the connectors C1 and C2 at one end of the electric wires D1 and D2 that are the targets of the twisting process are held in the holding tool 20A while the electric wires D1 and D2 are being held. The connectors C4 and C5 at the other end of are twisted by the twisting machine 10 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and twisted. In this case, the electric wires D1 and D2 are sandwiched so as to be sandwiched between the sandwiching tool 30A in the second area and the base 21 of the holder 20A.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the twisting process is performed in the second area, but as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the twisting process, the plurality of electric wires D3, D4 are provided in the second area. The process (thermocompression bonding process) of collectively thermocompressing the conductor core wires may be further performed.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the thermocompression bonding machines 40 (bonders) are placed in the second area so as to be lined up next to the twisting machine 10. In this example, the electric wire D3 having the connector C3 connected to one end and the connector not connected to the other end, and the electric wire D4 having the connector C2 connected to the one end and the connector not connected to the other end are thermocompression bonded. Is subject to.

The two electric wires D3 and D4 have the insulation sheath removed at a predetermined position to expose the conductor core wire, and the exposed portion of the conductor core wire is brought close to the thermocompression bonding portion 41 of the thermocompression bonding machine 40. It is set and thermocompression bonding processing is performed.

According to the manufacturing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, unlike the case where the connector with electric wire after the terminal insertion processing is detached from the manufacturing line (workbench) and carried to a dedicated thermocompression bonding machine (bonder), the manufacturing line has one connection. A terminal insertion process, a twist process, and a thermocompression bonding process are performed on the above. Therefore, the manufacturing apparatus 100 is excellent in manufacturing efficiency and manufacturing cost of the connectors C1 to C5 (sub-harness) with electric wires that have been subjected to the twisting process and the thermocompression bonding process.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the twisting process is performed on the electric wires D1 and D2 connected to some of the electric wire-equipped connectors C1 to C5 held by the holder 20. The twist treatment may be applied to the electric wires D1 to D3 connected to all the electric wire-equipped connectors of the plurality of electric wire-equipped connectors C1 to C5 held by the holder 20.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the terminal inserting process and the twisting process (and the thermocompression bonding process) are performed by the same operator S, but each work may be performed by a different operator as necessary.

Here, the features of the above-described embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing a connector with an electric wire according to the present invention will be briefly summarized and listed below in (1) to (4).
(1)
A manufacturing apparatus (100) for a connector with an electric wire, comprising a connector and an electric wire extending from the connector,
The first area for performing a terminal insertion process for inserting the terminals provided at the terminals of the electric wires (D1 to D3) into the terminal accommodating chamber provided to the connectors (C1 to C5), and the terminal insertion process were performed. A second area for performing a twisting process for twisting the electric wires (D1, D2) extending from the subsequent connectors (C1 to C3) is provided on a single connected production line,
In the second area,
The connector (C1 to C3) at one end of the twisted electric wire (D1, D2) is maintained on the manufacturing line, and the connector (C4) at the other end of the twisted electric wire (D1, D2). , C5) is turned, the twisting process is performed.
Manufacturing apparatus (100) for a connector with an electric wire.
(2)
The manufacturing apparatus according to (1) above,
A holder (20) capable of holding a plurality of the connectors (C1 to C5),
The holder (20) holding the plurality of connectors (C1 to C5) after the terminal insertion processing is transferred from the first area to the second area,
In the second area, the electric wires (D1, D2) to be twisted, the connectors (C1 to C3) at one end of the electric wires extending from the held connector while being held by the holder (20). (D1, D2) is clamped by a clamp (30), and the connector (C4, C5) at the other end of the twisted electric wire is gripped by the pivot arm (11) and the pivot arm is pivoted. By performing the twist processing,
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires.
(3)
In the manufacturing apparatus (100) according to (1) or (2) above,
When a thermocompression bonding process for collectively thermocompressing the conductor cores of the plurality of electric wires (D3, D4) is further performed in the second area,
In the second area,
With respect to the conductor core wires of the plurality of electric wires (D3, D4) while maintaining the connectors (C2, C3) at one end of each of the plurality of electric wires (D3, D4) to be crimped on the manufacturing line. The thermocompression bonding process is performed,
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires.
(4)
In the manufacturing apparatus (100) according to any one of (1) to (3) above,
The first area and the second area are
The terminal insertion process and the twist process are arranged close to each other so that the same operator (S) can handle them.
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires.

11 Swivel arm 20 Holding tool 20A Holding tool 30 Clamping tool 30A Clamping tool 100 Manufacturing apparatus for connector with electric wire C (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5) connector (connector with electric wire)
D (D1, D2, D3, D4) electric wire

Claims (4)

A manufacturing apparatus of a connector with an electric wire comprising a connector and an electric wire extending from the connector,
A first workbench located in a first area on a manufacturing line for performing a terminal insertion process of inserting a terminal provided at the end of the electric wire into a terminal accommodating chamber provided at the connector, and the terminal insertion process. A second workbench located in a second area adjacent to the first area on the manufacturing line, the second workbench performing a twisting process of twisting the electric wire extending from the connector after the first worktable . e Bei second workbench which are arranged in adjacent workbench, and
In the second area,
The twisting process is performed by rotating the connector at the other end of the twisted electric wire while maintaining the connector at the one end of the twisted electric wire on the second workbench ,
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A holder capable of holding a plurality of the connectors,
The holder holding the plurality of connectors after the terminal insertion processing is transferred from the first work table to the second work table ,
In the second area, while the connector at one end of the electric wire to be twisted is held by the holding tool, the electric wire extending from the held connector is held by the holding tool and twisted. The twisting process is performed by holding the connector at the other end of the electric wire on the turning arm and turning the turning arm.
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires. In the manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
When a thermocompression bonding process of collectively thermocompressing the conductor cores of the plurality of electric wires is further performed in the second area,
In the second area,
The thermocompression bonding process is performed on the conductor core wires of the plurality of electric wires while maintaining the connector at one end of each of the plurality of electric wires to be crimped on the second work table .
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires. The manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first workbench and the second workbench are
The terminal insertion process and the twist process are arranged in contact with each other so that they can be handled by the same operator.
Manufacturing equipment for connectors with electric wires.

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