JPH07130443A - Device and method for connecting electric wire - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make tensile strength of a fusing portion uniform by heating a cylinder with an end core wire aligned state inside of the cylinder by means of guides, by a heater, for thermal contraction. CONSTITUTION:When an electric wire W, the tip of which has been peeled off previously, is introduced from large-diameter sides of guide surfaces of correspondent guides 30, 40, it is introduced inside of a cylinder held by a cylinder holder 20, to be brought into contact with the cylinder at the center thereof in a center aligned state. Upon completion of the center alignment, a heating switch 703 of a controller 70 is turned on so that a hot air heater 501 of a heater 50 is operated to heat supplied air up to a predetermined temperature. When the supplied air is heated up to the predetermined temperature, the heater 501 is driven downward by an air cylinder 502, to open an opening/closing cover of an external member so as to approach the cylinder. The heater 501 discharges heated air for a preset time, to heat the cylinder for thermal contraction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric wire connecting device and an electric wire connecting method, and more particularly, to an electric wire connecting device and an electric wire connecting method most suitable for a factory that consumes various kinds of electric wire bundles in an automatic production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Wire harnesses incorporated in automobiles, copying machines, etc. are mainly cut into a predetermined length,
It is composed of a large number of electric wires with terminals crimped on both ends. In order to manufacture the electric wire, which is a component of such a wire harness, an electric wire measuring and cutting device is known, in which the electric wire is cut to a predetermined size, the insulation coating on both ends of the cut electric wire is stripped, and terminals are crimped to both ends of the electric wire. Yes (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-27)
(See Japanese Patent No. 0020).

On the other hand, the above-mentioned electric wire measuring and cutting device causes the electric wire to meander between a large number of rollers, and further tension (for example, 5) is applied to the electric wire.
0N) is applied to the wire to remove the electric wire. Therefore, in the initial setting of the electric wire, it was necessary to take a relatively long time to crawl the end portion of the electric wire between the rollers of the habit removing device.

When automatically producing electric wire products such as wire harnesses using the above-mentioned equipment, the electric wires must be replaced when the production conditions change. For example, after cutting an electric wire of the wire type X into, for example, N ₁ wires, another electric wire Y is cut into, for example, N ₂ wires, and further, a wire type Z
The electric wire of No. ₃ is cut into N ₃ pieces, and the like, the electric wire of the specified wire type is manufactured from the electric wire of the specified wire type.

For this reason, generally, in one electric wire measuring and cutting apparatus, the electric wire is frequently exchanged several times a day. For example, in the production line implemented by the applicant, it is necessary to switch the type of the electric wire to be supplied to the electric wire measuring and cutting apparatus 20 to 100 times.
If this electric wire switching operation is performed one by one, it will take too much time to set the electric wire in the electric wire measuring and cutting apparatus having the habit removing device. Therefore, conventionally, various methods have been used to connect the end of the electric wire to be supplied and the tip of the electric wire to be supplied.

[0006] For example, at present, a splicing method is used in which the end and the tip of the electric wire are spliced.
In this method, the core wire of the electric wire being supplied and the core wire of the electric wire to be supplied are made to cross each other, one core wire is wound around the other core wire, and the other core wire of the one core wire is wound. It is wrapped around and the two core wires are connected more. This method is performed manually because the splicing of the wires is more complicated.

Alternatively, a crimping method of crimping both core wires has been considered. In this crimping method, core wires exposed to each other are overlapped with each other, and a metallic covering member is caulked on the overlapped portion, and both core wires are crimped by the covering member. Further, a soldering method in which both core wires are connected with solder is also conceivable. Furthermore, as another method,
A welding method in which core wires are welded to each other can be mentioned. In this method, core wires are overlapped with each other, and a high voltage is applied to the overlapping parts by a welder to melt them into a spherical shape, and the core wires are connected by the welding force of the melting part.

[0008]

In the above-mentioned splicing method, complicated splicing work needs to be performed manually, so that the operator requires skill and is not suitable for mass production. Also,
When an inexperienced person performs the work, there is a problem that the connecting portion is torn during the electric wire is being sent. This is because, as described above, a considerable amount of tension acts on the electric wire. In particular, it is conceivable that many such defects occur between the rollers of the habit removing device provided in the electric wire measuring and cutting device.

Further, in the case of the crimping method, there is a problem that the connecting portion cannot withstand the tension acting on the electric wire and the connecting portion is also torn. Moreover, when the connecting portion reaches between the rollers of the habit removing device, the covering member of the connecting portion becomes an obstacle, and the connecting portion cannot pass between the rollers well. On the other hand, in the case of the solder method, it is extremely difficult to spread the solder uniformly and thinly, and there is a problem that the yield is deteriorated.
In addition, there are some problems that it is difficult to pass between the rollers of the above-mentioned habit removing device and that the connecting portion is broken when the connecting portion fits into the roller.

Further, in the case of the above welding method, it is necessary to replace the welder for each type of electric wire (especially outer diameter). For this reason, a plurality of types of welders must be prepared, and there is a problem that the equipment becomes large-scale. In addition, the connection portion welded by the welding method has a large variation in tensile strength, resulting in poor yield. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric wire connecting device and an electric wire connecting method capable of solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a wire connecting device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a tubular body gripping portion for detachably holding a tubular body made of heat-shrinkable resin. And a guide part for guiding the end core wires of the two electric wires to be connected to the inside of the tubular body from one and the other of the tubular body held by the tubular body holding part, and the tubular body mutually by the guide part. And a heating unit for heating and shrinking the tubular body in a state where the end core wires are aligned with each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electric wire connecting device according to the first aspect, a clamp portion for fixing the electric wire in a state where the end core wires are aligned with each other inside the cylindrical body by the guide portion. Further, the tubular body gripping portion is a fixed side receiving member that receives a portion of the tubular body on the side opposite to the heating portion,
It is configured to be displaceable between a holding position for holding the tubular body with the fixed side receiving member and an open position for opening the tubular body to the heating portion, and holds the tubular body with the fixed side receiving member. It includes a movable-side receiving member and a drive unit that displaces the movable-side receiving member to the open position during heating.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to the second aspect, the fixed-side receiving member defines a slit capable of opening the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to the third aspect, the movable side receiving member defines a slit capable of opening the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the guide portion is pressed against the fixed side guide member and the fixed side guide member, and the fixed side guide member. A movable guide member configured to be displaceable between a guide position for guiding the electric wire together with the member and a retracted position for retracting the electric wire away from the fixed guide member, and a retracted position after the movable guide member is heated. It includes a drive unit for displacing to.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to the fifth aspect, the fixed side guide member and the movable side guide member correspond to the electric wires when the movable side guide member is at the guide position. And a tapered annular guide surface for guiding the tip of the electric wire to the cylindrical body side.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the electric wire connecting member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the heating section selectively heats the heat source and the heat source between a heating position and a retracted position. It includes a driving unit for driving. Also,
The structure according to claim 8 is the electric wire coupling device according to claim 7, wherein the heating portion surrounds a heat source at a retracted position to form a heat storage body, and a part of the exterior member is opened during heating. By doing so, the heat source further includes an opening / closing member that allows the heat source to project from the exterior member and face the cylindrical body.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to the eighth aspect, the exterior member is an air jacket that defines an air layer inside. Further, according to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the wire connecting device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, a cooling unit that cools the heated cylinder is further provided.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the insulating coating on each connecting end of the two electric wires to be connected is removed to expose the end core wire of a predetermined length, and one of the electric wires is exposed. The end core wire is inserted from one side of the tubular body made of a heat-shrinkable resin for connection to approximately the center of the tubular body, and the exposed end core wire of the other electric wire is connected to the other end of the tubular body. A wire connecting method, characterized in that the wire is inserted from the side to approximately the center of the tubular body, and the tubular body is heated and contracted in a state where the two end core wires are inserted, thereby connecting the electrical wires.

Further, the structure according to claim 12 is the structure according to claim 1.
In the electric wire connecting method described in 1, the cylindrical body contains a heat-melting solvent therein. In addition, claim 1
In the electric wire connecting method according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the configuration according to the third aspect is such that the tubular body is formed of a transparent resin.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, first, the tubular body made of heat-shrinkable resin is detachably held by the tubular body holding portion. Next, the end core wires of the electric wires to be connected are guided from the both ends of the gripped tubular body to the inside of the tubular body by the guide portion. As a result, inside the tubular body, one end core wire and the other end core wire are aligned with each other (ALI
GN).

With the core wires at both ends aligned with each other, the clamp portion fixes the wires. Then, in this state, the cylindrical body is heated by the heating unit and is thermally contracted. Due to this heat shrinkage, the tubular body firmly clamps the core wires on both ends which are aligned. Further, in the structure according to the second aspect, since the movable-side receiving member moves to the open position during heating, the heat from the heating unit is exclusively propagated to the tubular body.

Further, in the structure according to the third aspect, the heat from the heating portion propagates also from the slit of the fixed side receiving member. Further, in the structure according to the fourth aspect, the slit of the movable side receiving member can also contribute to the heat conduction efficiency to the cylindrical body. Further, in the structure according to the fifth aspect, by displacing the movable side guide member to the retracted position after the heating is completed, the electric wires integrally connected via the tubular body can be removed.

Further, in the structure according to the sixth aspect, the electric wire can be easily introduced into the cylindrical body by the annular guide surface defined by the fixed side guide member and the movable side guide member. Further, in the configuration according to claim 7,
The heat source can be moved from the predetermined retracted position to the heating position to bring the heat source closer to the cylinder.

Further, in the structure according to the eighth aspect, since the heat released from the heat source while standing by at the retracted position is accumulated inside the exterior member, the heat source is deprived of heat by the surrounding air. It gets harder. Further, in the structure according to the ninth aspect, the air layer formed inside the exterior member makes it difficult for the heat of the heat source to propagate to the outside of the exterior member.

Further, in the structure according to claim 10,
The heated tubular body can be cooled quickly. Also,
In the structure according to claim 11, the two electric wires are connected to each other by aligning the cores inside the tubular body in a state where the end core wires of the two electric wires to be joined are exposed, and further the heat shrinkage of the tubular body. To be done.

According to the structure of claim 12,
The heat-melting solvent enters the gap between the core wires and tightly connects the core wires to each other and the core wires to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. Further, in the structure according to the thirteenth aspect, the operator can visually confirm that the end core wires are aligned with each other inside the cylindrical body.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an electric wire coupling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fixed side receiving member of a tubular body gripping portion of the wire connecting device, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a movable side receiving member of the tubular body holding portion, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the tubular body gripping portion when the side receiving member is at the holding position, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the tubular body holding portion when the movable side receiving member is at the open position. Yes, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a clamp portion provided in the first guide portion, FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a clamp portion provided in the second guide portion, and FIG. It is a perspective view showing the outline of the 1st guide part of a connecting device, and Drawing 9 shows the 2nd of the above-mentioned electric wire connecting device.
10 is a perspective view showing the outline of the guide part of FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the operation of the first guide part, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the operation of the second guide part. FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway enlarged perspective view showing an essential part of the wire connecting device, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an essential part of a heating part of the wire connecting device, and FIG. 14 is the heating part. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state in which the heat source of FIG.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion of electric wires connected according to the present embodiment.

First, referring to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, a cylindrical body holding portion 2 for detachably holding the apparatus body 10 and the cylindrical body C.
0, first and second guide portions 30 and 40 arranged on both sides of the tubular body gripping portion 20, a heating portion 50 for heating and shrinking the tubular body C at a predetermined timing, and a heated tubular body. A cooling unit 60 for cooling C and a controller 70 for controlling these functional components are provided.

The apparatus main body 10 is constructed by combining rectangular metal sheet metal members, and a bottom plate portion 101 placed on a mounting table and a standing portion provided upright in the middle of the bottom plate portion 101. 102 is integrally provided. The standing part 1
02 is arranged so that the ridgeline of the end face extends along the width direction of the bottom plate portion 101, and is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 101 with screws by a bolt (not shown) in a posture extending vertically. In addition, the bottom plate portion 101 has a front surface 102 of the standing portion 102.
The side a (the surface facing the worker) is short and the back 102b is long.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the cylindrical body gripping portion 20 of the present embodiment has the above-mentioned standing portion 10.
The fixed-side receiving member 201 fixed to the front surface 102a of the second side is provided. The fixed-side receiving member 201 includes a main body portion 201a fixed to the upright portion 102 by a bolt (not shown), and a horizontal portion 2 extending substantially horizontally forward from an intermediate portion of the main body portion 201a.
01b is integrally provided.

The main body 201a is a block-shaped metal molding as shown. A through hole 201c penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower portion of the main body 201a. Horizontal part 2
01b is molded in a substantially plate shape, and its front end portion is
The claw portion 201d for receiving the cylinder C is provided. The claw portion 201d includes a horizontal surface 201e that receives the lower surface of the cylinder C,
A curved surface 201f that is curved along the outer periphery of the cylindrical body C is defined continuously with the horizontal surface 201e. In this example,
The claw portion 201d has two slits 201g extending in the front-rear direction.
Is divided into three parts. 201h is a cutout portion formed on one side of the horizontal portion 201b, and the horizontal portion 201b is cut out forward and backward from the front end toward the base end.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the cylindrical body gripping portion 20 of this embodiment cooperates with the fixed side receiving member 201 to clamp the cylindrical body C. The movable side receiving member 202 is provided. The movable side receiving member 202 includes a main body 202a. The main body 202a is formed in a block shape having an upper surface 202b that is in sliding contact with the lower surface of the horizontal portion 201b of the fixed-side receiving member 201.

At the tip of the main body 202a, the claw 202
d is integrally formed. The claw portion 202d is divided into three by the two slits 202g, whereby each claw portion 202d is fixed to the fixed side receiving member 201.
The slit 201g and the cutout portion 201h enter the slit 201g and face the claw portion 201d in an oblique manner. Further, in this embodiment, the slits 201g and 202g dividing the claw portions 201d and 202d can open the peripheral surface of the tubular body C when the tubular body C shown in FIG. 5 is clamped. Corresponding claws 202d (201d)
The size is set wider than the width.

As shown in FIG. 4, the claw portion 202d is provided on the horizontal surface 2 of the fixed side receiving member 201.
A horizontal surface 202e that is combined flush with 01e and a curved surface 202f that is curved along the outer periphery of the cylindrical body C and that is continuous with the horizontal surface 202e are defined. Each curved surface 202
f is curved in a direction facing each other when viewed from the side, with respect to the curved surface 201f of the fixed-side receiving member 201.

The clamp 20 is attached to the lower surface of the main body 202a.
2i are integrally provided. Next, in order to drive the movable side receiving member 202, the apparatus body 10 is provided with a cylinder 203. More specifically, the cylinder 203 is fixed to the rear surface side of the upright portion 102, and includes a rod 203a extending forward through the upright portion 102 and the through hole 201c of the fixed-side receiving member 201. The movable side receiving member 202 is fixed to the tip of the rod 203a via the clamp 202i, and the movable side receiving member 202 is moved back and forth. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movable-side receiving member 202 and the fixed-side receiving member 201 are sandwiched between the clamping position (the position in FIG. 5) and the cylindrical body C are heated. It is configured to be displaceable to an open position (position in FIG. 4) that opens to the portion 50.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the first and second guide portions 30 and 40 are fixed side guide members 30 fixed to the upright portion 102, respectively.
1, 401 are provided. Each fixed side guide member 301,
Reference numeral 401 denotes main body portions 301a and 401a fixed to the upright portion 102 with bolts (not shown) and main body portions 301a and 40a.
A horizontal portion 301 that extends substantially horizontally from the middle portion of 1a to the front
b and 401b are integrally provided.

Guide surfaces 31B and 41B are formed on the tip surfaces of the horizontal portions 301b and 401b. The guide surfaces 31B and 41B are tapered introduction portions 31B1 and 41B1 formed on the side into which the electric wire W is inserted (the side opposite to the tubular body grip portion 20), and parallel portions 31B2 continuous to the introduction portions 31B1 and 41B1, respectively. 41B2 and parallel part 31
B2 and 41B2 are respectively provided with tapered squeezing portions 31B3 and 41B3 for guiding the electric wire W to the opening of the tubular body C held by the tubular body holding portion 20. Each of the guide surfaces 31B and 41B is formed in a semicircular shape, and the introduction portions 31B1 and 41B1 and the narrowed portion 31B3,
Each of 41B3 is formed such that the cylindrical body gripping portion 20 is thinner.

In this embodiment, the body portions 301, 40
1, and inside the horizontal portions 301b and 401b, part of the air cylinders 303 and 403 extending in the front-rear direction are housed. The air cylinders 303 and 403 include cylinder rods 303a and 403a, respectively. The cylinder rods 303a and 403a are connected to the guide surfaces 31B and 4
The electric wire W is inserted between the movable side guide members 302 and 402, which will be described later, by penetrating through the openings formed in the parallel portions 31B2 and 41B2 of the 1B. The clamp part which clamps is comprised.

A pair of bearings 301c and 401c which hang downward are extended from the lower end of the horizontal portions 301b and 401b. The bearings 301c and 401c are for axially supporting the movable-side guide members 302 and 402 described later, and the center of the shaft extends in the left-right direction and, in the front-rear direction, of the horizontal portions 301b and 401b. It projects slightly forward from the tip.

Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 10, and 11, movable guide members 302, 402 are provided on the bearings 301c, 401c as supporting shafts P1, P2.
Is pivoted through. Movable guide members 302, 4
Reference numeral 02 denotes a main body portion 302 pivotally supported by the support shafts P1 and P2.
a, 402a and heads 302b, 402b extending on the tops of the main bodies 302a, 402a are integrally provided.

The main body portions 302a and 402a are formed in a rectangular cross section, and the lower ends thereof have rods 304a, 4 of the air cylinders 304, 404 via support shafts P3, P4.
It is pivotally supported by 04a. This air cylinder 304, 4
As shown in FIG.
With respect to the bottom plate portion 101 of the above, the end portions are axially supported at the upper rear end portions of the bottom plate portion 101 via bearings 305 and 405, and the rods 304a and 404a are provided on the upright portion 1.
It passes through 02 and extends substantially horizontally to the front. By the air cylinders 304 and 404, the movable side guide member 30
Reference numerals 2 and 402 denote guide positions (positions shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9) for pressing the fixed side guide members 301 and 401 to guide the electric wires W together with the fixed side guide members 301 and 401, and the fixed side guide members. It is configured to be displaceable to a retracted position (positions shown in FIGS. 15 and 10 and 11) in which the electric wire W is retracted so that the electric wire W can be taken out away from 301 and 401.

The heads 302b and 402b are provided with facing surfaces facing the front end surfaces of the horizontal portions 301b and 401b, and the facing surfaces include the horizontal portions 301b and 401b.
Guide surfaces 32B and 42B for guiding the electric wire W are formed together with the guide surfaces 31B and 41B of b. Each of the guide surfaces 32B and 42B has a corresponding horizontal portion 301b,
It is formed in a line-symmetrical shape with the guide surfaces 31B and 41B of 401b, which makes it easy to introduce the electric wire W and to guide the electric wire W inside the tubular body C.

Next, referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the heating section 50 includes a hot air heater 501 as a heat source. The hot-air heater 501 has a cylindrical shape that extends vertically with a discharge port 501a that discharges hot air heated to, for example, about 500 ° C. facing downward, and serves as a carrying member via a pair of clamp portions 501b. It is fixed to the slider 501c. The slider 501c is
Guide groove 102 formed on the front surface 102a of the apparatus body 10
The guide groove 102c is fitted in the c and is configured to be vertically displaceable. Furthermore, the slider 501c
A rod 502a of an air cylinder 502 serving as a drive unit is fixed to the upper end of the upright portion 102 via a fixing piece 103 on the upper surface of the. The hot air heater 501 is moved by moving the rod 502a up and down. The heating position (the position shown in FIGS. 1, 12, 14, and 16) and the retracted position (the position shown in FIG. 13) are driven alternatively.

As shown in the figure, the heating unit 50 is composed of the exterior member 50.
Equipped with 3. The exterior member 503 includes an inner layer cover 503 a fixed to the upper side of the standing portion 102 and an inner layer cover 5.
Exterior cover 503 covering 03a with a predetermined space A therebetween.
b, and both covers 503a and 503b constitute an air jacket for partitioning an air layer (gap A) inside, and as the air jacket, the exterior member 503 is the hot air heater 501 at the retracted position. Constitutes a heat storage body surrounding the.

As best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the inner layer cover 503a is provided with an opening / closing lid 504, and a bottom plate 505 closes a space between the opening / closing lid 504 and the inner layer cover 503a. There is. The open / close lid 5
Reference numeral 04 denotes a plate-like member whose tip portion is provided so as to be opened downward through a bearing (not shown) provided on the bottom plate 505,
The side part is provided with a pair of left and right ear parts 504a. The extension coil spring 50 is attached to the ear portion 504a.
One end of 4b (only one shown in FIG. 14) is connected. The other end of the tension coil spring 504b is fixed to the inner wall of the inner layer cover 503a via a support shaft (not shown),
Due to the biasing force of the tension coil spring 504b, the opening / closing lid 5
Reference numeral 04 blocks the lower surface of the inner layer cover 503a. Then, when the hot air heater 501 moves from the retracted position to the heating position, the discharge port 501a of the hot air heater 501 opens the opening / closing lid 504 against the biasing force of the tension coil spring 504b and is gripped by the tubular body grip portion 20. The opening / closing lid 504 and the like are configured so as to be close to the cylindrical body C (see FIG. 15).

Next, returning to FIG. 12, the cooling unit 60 is used.
Is a main body 601 fixed to the back surface of the standing portion 102.
a, a pipe portion 602 extending downward from the main body 601a, and a nozzle 603 extending forward from the pipe portion 602 through the upright portion 102, and cooling air pressurized from the main body 601a is supplied to the nozzle 603. The cylindrical body C is sent and cooled after the heat treatment. The nozzle 6
03 is a position where the middle part is bent, and this does not hinder the hot air heater 501, and
The opening is exposed to the claw side.

The controller 70 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a microcomputer and other electrical components inside a main body 701, and controls the respective units 20 to 60 in a predetermined order described later. Further, on the front surface of the main body 701, a setting switch 702 for setting, a self-resetting heating switch 703 for performing a heating process, a temperature setting dial 704 for adjusting a heating temperature, a hot air heater. A temperature meter 705 for displaying the temperature of 501 is provided.

The cylindrical body C is made of a transparent thermoplastic resin, and is cut to about 15 mm in this embodiment. The inside of the cylinder C is filled with a commercially available solvent. This solvent is composed of a heat-meltable material. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 15, the electric wire coupling device in the initial state when the setting switch 702 of the controller 70 is OFF (ON in FIG. 1) is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the movable side receiving member 20 of the electric wire gripping portion 20
2 is displaced to the open position, and the movable guide members 302 and 402 of the first and second guide portions 30 and 40 are displaced to the retracted position.

In the state of FIG. 15, first, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder C is placed on both horizontal surfaces 201e and 202e of the fixed side receiving member 201 and the movable side receiving member 202,
Turns on the setting switch 702 of the controller 70
Then, the controller 70 causes the cylindrical grip 20 to
The air cylinder 203 of the movable side receiving member 20 is driven.
2 holds the cylindrical body C with the fixed side receiving member 201 (see FIG. 5). At the same time, the first and second
The air cylinders 304 and 404 of the guide portions 30 and 40 are also driven, and the movable guide members 302 and 402 rotate about the support shafts P1 and P2. As a result, both guide parts 3
The movable guide members 302 and 402 of 0 and 40 are displaced to the guide positions as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the electric wire W whose tip is peeled off in advance is introduced from the large diameter side of the guide surfaces 31B, 32B, 41B, 42B of the corresponding guide portions 30, 40, The introduced electric wires W are guide surfaces 31B, 3
2B, 41B, 42B are introduced into the inside of the cylinder C that is gripped by the cylinder gripping portion 20, and are brought into contact with each other in a centered state in the substantially central portion of the cylinder C. Since the cylindrical body C is made of a transparent resin, the centering of the end wire of the electric wire W can be visually checked.

When the alignment is completed, the controller 70
The heating switch 703 is turned on. As a result, first, the hot air heater 501 of the heating unit 50 operates to heat the supply air to a predetermined temperature. During the heating of the supply air, in the apparatus of the present embodiment, the air cylinders 303 and 403 described in FIGS. 6 and 7 are simultaneously driven, and the corresponding electric wires W are moved to the movable side guide members 302 and 402.
The guide surfaces 32B and 42B are sandwiched between the guide surfaces 32B and 42B. As a result, both electric wires W are
It will be firmly fixed to 40. In this fixed state, the rod 203a of the tubular body grip portion 20 extends forward and the movable-side receiving member 202 is driven to the open position (see FIG. 16). As a result, the tubular body C is opened on both horizontal surfaces 201e and 202e of the tubular body grip 20. In this state, the air cylinders 303, 4
Since both electric wires W are fixed to the guide portions 30 and 40 by 03, the centering state of both electric wires W is not disturbed.

When the supply air is heated to a predetermined temperature, the hot air heater 501 is driven by the air cylinder 502 and descends. As a result, the outlet 501a of the hot air heater 501 opens the open / close lid 504 of the exterior member 503 that constitutes the heat storage body (see FIG. 14), and is gripped by the tubular body gripping portion 20 as shown in FIG. It is close to the cylinder C in which it is located. Then, in the state of FIG. 16, the hot air heater 501 discharges heated air for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) to heat the cylindrical body C to cause thermal contraction.

By this heat treatment, the solvent filled in the cylinder C enters into the gap between the core wires or the gap between the core wire and the cylinder C due to the capillary phenomenon. Therefore, this solvent acts as an adhesive that connects both core wires. When the heating process is completed, the hot air heater 501 has a discharge port 501a.
Moves to the retracted position and returns to the inside of the inner layer cover 503. Preheating of the hot air heater 501 is retained by the inner layer cover 503, so that the time loss in the next heating step is shortened.

When the hot air heater 501 retreats to the retreat position, the cooling unit 60 operates and the cooling air is discharged from the nozzle 603. As a result, the cylindrical body C that firmly connects the core wires of both electric wires W and the solvent inside are now rapidly cooled, and the connection process ends. When cooling is completed, the solvent inside is hardened. When the cooling process is completed and the setting switch 702 is turned off, the first and second guide portions 30,
The movable side receiving members 302 and 402 of 40 are respectively displaced to the open position, and the state shown in FIG. 15 is restored. Thereby, the both electric wires W (see FIG. 17) connected to each other can be easily removed.

The above-mentioned connecting work is performed, for example, about 20 to 1 per day.
It is performed at a rate of 00 times. As described above, in the present embodiment, the two electric wires W are connected by firmly tightening the core wires of the resin cylindrical body C, so that the tensile strength and the strength in the bending direction are increased. Can be improved. In addition, as a result of the tube body C tightening the two core wires due to heat shrinkage, the connecting portion CN does not swell in the radial direction and there is no risk of clogging between the rollers of the automatic production line.

Further, in this embodiment, since the movable side receiving members 302 and 402 move to the open position during heating, the heat from the heating section 50 is exclusively propagated to the cylindrical body C. As a result, the thermal efficiency is improved and the heating time is shortened. As a result, the working time can be shortened. Moreover, in the configuration of this embodiment, the fixed side receiving members 301, 4 are
Since the heat from the heating unit 50 also propagates from the slit 201g of No. 01, the heating time can be further shortened and the working time can be further shortened.

In addition, the movable side receiving members 302, 40
The second slit 202g can also contribute to the heat conduction efficiency to the cylindrical body C, and thus has an advantage that the time can be further shortened. Next, in the configuration of the present embodiment, since the movable side guide members 302 and 402 are displaced to the retracted position after the heating is completed, the electric wire W integrally connected via the tubular body C can be removed. There is an advantage that workability is improved and it is possible to contribute to reduction of mistakes and reduction of working time.

Further, in the above structure, the fixed side guide members 301 and 401 and the movable side guide members 302 and 402.
Annular guide surfaces 31B, 32B, 4 partitioned by
As a result of the wires 1B and 42B being able to easily introduce the electric wire W into the cylindrical body C, there is also an advantage that the core wire can be surely aligned in the cylindrical body C without requiring skill.

Further, the hot air heater 501 is moved from the predetermined retracted position to the heating position, and the hot air heater 501 is moved to the cylindrical body C.
From this point as well, the heat efficiency is improved, and the heating time is shortened. As a result, the working time can be shortened. Particularly, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the heat released from the hot air heater 501 while standing by at the retracted position is accumulated inside the exterior member 503, so that the hot air heater 501 takes heat to the surrounding air. As a result, the heating time is further shortened and the working time can be further shortened.

In addition, due to the air layer formed inside the exterior member 503, the hot air heater 5 is provided outside the exterior member 503.
Since heat of 01 does not easily propagate, not only the performance of the exterior member 503 as a heat storage body is improved, but also the exterior member 5
Since the outer surface of 03 does not reach a high temperature, there is an advantage that accidents such as burns can be prevented. Further, in the configuration of this embodiment, the heated tubular body C can be cooled quickly, so that the connecting portion C of the electric wire W is immediately after heating.
The work can be finished by removing N. Therefore, also from this point, there is an advantage that the working time can be further shortened.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, the heat-melting solvent enters the gap between the core wires and tightly connects both core wires and both core wires and the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder C, so that the connecting portion CN is further connected. There is an advantage that the strength is improved. Further, by adopting the transparent cylindrical body C, the operator can visually confirm that the core wires are aligned inside the cylindrical body C, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent work mistakes. There are advantages.

The above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
In the configuration described above, the two electric wires are connected by firmly tightening both core wires in which the resin cylindrical body is aligned, so that the tensile strength and the strength in the bending direction can be improved. In addition, as a result of the heat shrinkage of the tubular body tightening the two core wires, there is no risk of the connecting portion bulging in the radial direction and clogging between the rollers of the automatic production line.

Further, in the structure according to the second aspect, the heat from the heating portion is exclusively propagated to the cylindrical body, so that the thermal efficiency is improved and the heating time is shortened. As a result, the working time can be shortened. There is an advantage. Further, in the structure according to claim 3, since the heat from the heating portion propagates also from the slit of the fixed side receiving member, there is an advantage that the heating time can be further shortened and the working time can be further shortened. is there.

Further, in the structure according to the fourth aspect, the slit of the movable side receiving member can also contribute to the heat conduction efficiency to the cylindrical body, so that there is an advantage that the time can be further shortened. . Further, in the structure according to the fifth aspect, by displacing the movable side guide member to the retracted position after the heating is completed, the electric wires integrally connected via the tubular body can be removed, so that workability is improved. There is an advantage that it can contribute to the reduction of mistakes and the reduction of working time.

Further, in the structure of the sixth aspect, since the electric wire can be easily introduced into the cylindrical body by the annular guide surface defined by the fixed side guide member and the movable side guide member, skill is required. There is an advantage that the core wire can be surely aligned in the cylindrical body without being. Further, in the configuration according to claim 7, since the heat source can be moved from the predetermined retracted position to the heating position and the heat source can be brought close to the cylindrical body, thermal efficiency is improved from this point as well, and the heating time is shortened. As a result, there is an advantage that the working time can be shortened.

Further, in the structure according to the eighth aspect, the heat source is less likely to be deprived of heat by the surrounding air while waiting in the retracted position, so that the heating time is further shortened and the working time is further shortened. There is an advantage that you can. Further, in the structure according to claim 9, since the heat of the heat source is less likely to propagate to the outside of the exterior member due to the air layer formed inside the exterior member, the performance of the exterior member as a heat storage body is not only improved. Moreover, since the outer surface of the exterior member does not reach a high temperature, there is an advantage that accidents such as burns can be prevented.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention,
Since the heated tubular body can be cooled quickly, the connecting portion of the electric wire can be immediately removed after the heating, and the work can be completed. Therefore, also from this point, there is an advantage that the working time can be further shortened. Further, in the structure according to claim 11, the two electric wires to be connected are aligned in the inside of the tubular body in a state where the end core wires of the electric wires are exposed, and further the thermal contraction of the tubular body causes both electric wires. Are connected, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the configuration according to claim 1.

In the structure of claim 12,
Since the heat-melting solvent enters the gap between the core wires and tightly connects both core wires and both core wires and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body, there is an advantage that the strength of the connecting portion is further improved. Further, in the structure according to the thirteenth aspect, since the operator can visually confirm that the core wires are aligned in the inside of the cylindrical body, it is possible to more reliably prevent a work error.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of an electric wire connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a fixed-side receiving member of a cylindrical grip portion of the wire connecting device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a movable side receiving member of the tubular body gripping portion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an outer appearance of a cylindrical body gripping portion when the movable side receiving member is at a holding position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a tubular body gripping portion when the movable side receiving member is in an open position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a clamp portion provided in a first guide portion.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a clamp portion provided in a second guide portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an outline of a first guide portion of the electric wire coupling device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an outline of a second guide portion of the electric wire coupling device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an operation of the first guide portion.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an operation of the second guide portion.

FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the electric wire coupling device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a main part of a heating unit of the wire connecting device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state where a heat source of the heating unit is in a heating position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion of electric wires connected according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Device main body 20 Cylindrical grip part 201 Fixed side receiving member 202 Movable side receiving member 30 1st guide part 301 Fixed side guide member 302 Movable side guide member 40 2nd guide part 401 Fixed side guide member 402 Movable side guide member 50 heating unit 501 hot air heater (heat source)

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A tubular body gripping portion detachably holding a tubular body made of heat-shrinkable resin, and end cores of two electric wires to be connected are held by the tubular body gripping portion. A guide portion that guides the inside of the tubular body from one side and the other side of the tubular body, and a heating unit that heats and shrinks the tubular body by heating the tubular body with the end core wires aligned with each other inside the tubular body by the guide portion An electric wire connecting device comprising: 2. The electric wire connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a clamp portion for fixing the electric wire in a state where the end core wires are aligned with each other inside the cylindrical body by the guide portion, and the cylindrical body gripping portion. Is movable between the fixed side receiving member that receives the part of the cylinder opposite to the heating part, the clamping position that clamps the cylinder between the fixed side receiving member and the open position that opens the cylinder to the heating part. And a movable-side receiving member that holds the tubular body between the fixed-side receiving member and the fixed-side receiving member, and a drive unit that displaces the movable-side receiving member to the open position during heating. 3. The wire connecting device according to claim 2, wherein the fixed-side receiving member defines a slit capable of opening the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. 4. The electric wire coupling device according to claim 3, wherein the movable side receiving member defines a slit capable of opening the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body. 5. The electric wire connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion presses the fixed side guide member and the fixed side guide member to guide the electric wire together with the fixed side guide member. And a movable guide member configured to be displaceable to a retracted position where the electric wire is retracted away from the fixed guide member, and a drive unit that displaces the movable guide member to the retracted position after heating is completed. There is something. 6. The wire connecting device according to claim 5, wherein the fixed-side guide member and the movable-side guide member have insertion holes and insertion holes through which the corresponding electric wires are inserted when the movable-side guide member is at the guide position. And a tapered annular guide surface for guiding the tip of the electric wire to the cylindrical body side. 7. The electric wire connecting member according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit includes a heat source and a drive unit that selectively drives the heat source between a heating position and a retracted position. It is a thing. 8. The electric wire connecting device according to claim 7, wherein the heating section surrounds a heat source in a retracted position to form a heat storage body, and a part of the exterior member is opened during heating. The heat source further includes an opening / closing member that allows the heat source to project from the exterior member and face the cylindrical body. 9. The wire connecting device according to claim 8, wherein the exterior member is constituted by an air jacket that defines an air layer inside. 10. The electric wire connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a cooling unit for cooling the cylindrical body after heating. 11. An insulating coating on each connecting end of two electric wires to be connected is removed to expose an end core wire of a predetermined length, and the exposed end core wire of one electric wire is connected. From one side of the tubular body made of heat-shrinkable resin to approximately the center of the tubular body, the exposed end core wire of the other wire is placed from the other side of the tubular body to the approximately center of the tubular body. The wire connection method, wherein the tube body is heated and contracted while the two end core wires are inserted, and thereby the wires are connected. 12. The electric wire connecting method according to claim 11, wherein the tubular body contains a heat-melting solvent therein. 13. The wire connecting method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tubular body is formed of a transparent resin.