JPH1089906A - Method and instrument for measuring dimension of terminal caulking section - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and instrument for measuring dimension of terminal caulking section by which the dimensions of various kinds of terminal caulking sections of electric wires equipped with terminals can be measured without changing a measuring jig and the quality control and the productivity of manufacturing process of the electric wires can be improved. SOLUTION: The terminal caulking section K of an electric wire W equipped with a terminal is placed on a terminal block 4 and the height and width of the section K are measured by correcting the inclination of the section K by holding the section K between the correcting recessed section of a correcting tool 5 and the block 4 by pressing the section K against the block 4 from the top of the section K with the tool 5 and bringing a height detecting tool 6 into contact with the upper surface of the section K and, at the same time, holding the section K with a pair of width detecting means 7 and 7' on both sides.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring dimensions of a terminal crimping portion of a terminal-equipped electric wire formed by crimping a terminal fitting to a terminal portion of the electric wire.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a step of crimping a terminal fitting to an end of an electric wire, after removing an insulating coating on a terminal portion of the electric wire cut to a predetermined length, the terminal fitting having a predetermined shape is removed from the electric wire. Is attached by crimping to the terminal part. However, when crimping the core of the electric wire and the terminal fitting,
The connection portion must be completely electrically conductive, and have a gripping force equivalent to the tensile strength of the electric wire.

[0003] That is, it is necessary to perform crimping to provide good electrical and mechanical properties. If the crimping is incomplete, there is a gap between the terminal fitting and the core wire, the conduction is incomplete, and the gripping force is reduced, so that the core wire is easily pulled out. On the other hand, when excessive crimping is performed, the cross-sectional area of the core wire is reduced, so that the core wire is easily broken.

Therefore, an optimum amount of crimping is required. However, when this amount of crimping is managed at the production site, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG.
Height at the connection portion of the terminal, ie, the terminal caulked portion d
And a method of evaluating the amount of pressure bonding with the width CW is generally adopted.

[0005] The height CH at the terminal caulking portion d,
As a method of measuring the width CW, a method is employed in which the terminal caulking portion d is fixed to a jig, but when the terminal caulking portion d is inclined and fixed with respect to the jig, an error occurs in the measured value. Will occur. Therefore, Tokiko 7-86402
Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H11-15064 proposes a method of measuring the height CH and the width CW of the terminal caulking portion d with high accuracy by incorporating means for correcting the inclination of the terminal caulking portion d.

The measuring method disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-86402 uses an apparatus as shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, reference numeral e denotes a plate-like base, and a dimension measuring jig f for measuring the terminal caulking portion d of the electric wire a is fixed on the base e. The terminal caulking portion d is placed on a stage g provided on a dimension measuring jig f, and is held and fixed by a clamp lever h and a fixed clamp i. When the terminal caulking part d has an inclination, the posture of the terminal caulking part d is corrected by pressing with the height measuring element j and the width measuring elements k and k ', and the measurement is performed.

[0007] However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-86402
In the measuring method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-260, a mounting table g provided on a dimension measuring jig f, a clamp lever h, a fixed clamp i
Jigs are set according to the dimensions and shape of the terminal fittings to be measured.When changing the type of terminal fittings, each jig must be replaced, and various types of jigs must be used. In addition, there is a problem that the measurement is interrupted due to complicated exchange work, and the productivity of the measurement work is reduced.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it has become possible to measure the dimensions of various types of terminal caulking portions without replacing a measuring jig. An object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for measuring the dimensions of a terminal caulked portion, which can be easily automated and significantly improve the quality control and the productivity of the manufacturing process.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for measuring the size of a terminal caulking portion, comprising placing a terminal caulking portion of an electric wire with a terminal on a terminal block. A straightening tool having a straightening recess is approached from above the terminal swaging portion, and the terminal swaging portion is held between the straightening recess and the terminal base to correct the inclination of the terminal swaging portion. A height detector is brought into contact with the upper surface of the caulked portion, and the height and width of the terminal caulked portion are measured by sandwiching both side surfaces of the terminal caulked portion with a pair of width detectors. .

It is preferable that the terminal block has a mounting piece having a width smaller than a width of the terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire, and the terminal caulking portion is mounted at a tip of the mounting piece. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal caulking portion dimension measuring apparatus, comprising: a pair of opposed wire gripping tools; a straightening tool having a straightening recess which can be moved up and down with respect to the terminal block; A height detector and a pair of opposed width detectors that are movable in the width direction. The wire gripper grips the terminal-equipped electric wire and places the terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire on the terminal block. Then, a straightening tool having a straightening recess is approached from above the terminal swaging portion, and the terminal swaging portion is held between the inclined wall of the straightening recess and the terminal block to tilt the terminal swaging portion. After the correction, a height detector is brought into contact with the upper surface of the terminal caulked portion, and a pair of width detectors opposed to both side surfaces of the terminal caulked portion are brought into contact with each other, so that the height of the terminal caulked portion and The width is measured.

It is preferable that the terminal block includes a mounting piece having a width smaller than the width of the terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire, and the terminal caulking portion is mounted on a tip of the mounting piece. (Claim 4).

[0013] The terminal block, the straightening tool, the height detecting tool, and the width detecting tool are installed on a measuring tool mounting table that can move in the wire axis direction of the terminal-equipped wire, and It is effective to move the measuring tool placement table to a predetermined position of the terminal crimping portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire and perform the measurement (claim 5).

[0014] It is preferable that the measuring tool mounting table is movably installed along with a linear motion guide provided on the support table via a ball screw by driving a servomotor.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of a dimension measuring apparatus A to which a method for measuring the dimensions of a terminal caulked portion according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. The dimension measuring device A includes a pair of electric wire holders 2 and 2 ′ which are installed to be able to move up and down with respect to the support table 1, and a measuring instrument arrangement table 3 which is movably mounted toward the electric wire holders 2 and 2 ′. Is sent out from the electric wire supply unit S by the terminal block 4 arranged on the measuring tool placement table 3, the correction tool 5, the height detecting tool 6, and the pair of width detecting tools 7 and 7 ', and the like. It is configured to measure the terminal crimping portion K of the wire with terminal W gripped by the wire grippers 2 and 2 '.

The terminal-attached electric wire W has a structure in which a terminal fitting T is crimped to the end portion of the electric wire 8 and is crimped. The crimped portion including the terminal fitting T and the electric wire 8 is referred to as a terminal caulking portion K. I will. Each of the wire grippers 2 and 2 'has a plurality of V-shaped gripping claws 2a and 2a'.
The wire 8 of the wire with terminal W is gripped therebetween to correct the bending of the wire 8 and to hold the terminal caulked portion K at a predetermined position.

The measuring tool placement table 3 is formed of an inverted C-shaped thick plate, and includes an upper arm 3a and a lower arm 3b.
As shown in FIG. 2, a correction tool 5 and a height detection tool 6 are mounted on the upper arm 3a so as to be able to move up and down.
Has a terminal block 4, and a pair of opposed width detectors 7,
7 'is attached.

The measuring tool placement table 3 is movably mounted along a linear motion guide 9 provided on the upper portion of the support table 1, and is rotated by a servo motor 10 provided at an end of the support table 1. The electric wire W with terminal can be moved toward the terminal caulking portion K via the ball screw 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the correction tool 5 is formed in a substantially T-shaped plate shape, and has an inverted V-shaped correction recess 12 at its lower end 5a. The correction recess 12 is used for the correction tool 5.
The inclined walls 12a and 12a 'are each symmetrically expanded at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the ascending / descending direction.
The correction tool 5 includes a drive cylinder 1 mounted on the upper arm 3a.
3 to ascend and descend.

The height detector 6 is arranged in parallel near the correction tool 5 and has a pressing body 14 provided with a measuring sensor (not shown).
And is installed so as to be able to move up and down by a drive cylinder 15. In the height detector 6, the pressing body 14 has a terminal caulking portion K.
When the contact is made with a predetermined pressing force set in advance, the lowering is stopped via the measurement sensor. When the lowering of the height detector 6 stops, the distance between the terminal block 4 and the pressing body 14 is measured by the measurement sensor, and the height CH of the terminal caulking portion K is measured.

A terminal block 4 and a pair of width detectors 7 and 7 'are mounted on the lower arm 3b of the measuring tool placement table 3. The terminal block 4 is set up and down by a drive cylinder 13 '. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal No. 4 is provided with a narrow mounting piece 4b vertically attached to the base 4a, and the terminal caulking portion K is mounted on the tip of the mounting piece 4a. It is. The width D of the mounting piece 4b is equal to the terminal caulking portion K
The width of the terminal caulking portion K is supported at a substantially central portion in the width direction.

Each of the width detectors 7 and 7 'has a detection piece 16 and 16' connected to a measuring sensor (not shown), and the drive cylinder 17 allows the detection pieces 16 and 16 'to be separated from each other. It is installed. The detecting pieces 16 and 16 'are formed symmetrically to the left and right, and as shown in FIG.
a 'and the measuring surface 16 following the slopes 16a, 16a'
b, 16b 'are formed.

The measuring surfaces 16b, 1 of the detecting pieces 16, 16 '
When the terminal caulking portion K is clamped at a predetermined pressing force between the terminal caulking portions 6b ', the drive cylinder 17 is stopped via the measurement sensor, and the distance between the measurement surface portions 16b and 16b' is measured to measure the terminal caulking portion K. The width CW is measured. The positions of the width detectors 7 and 7 'can be adjusted by appropriately moving up and down by a drive cylinder 18.

Next, a process of measuring the dimensions of the terminal caulking portion K using the above-described dimension measuring device A will be described. First, the electric wire holders 2 and 2 'are raised and lowered to hold the electric wire 8 of the electric wire with terminal W, and the terminal caulking portion K is held at a predetermined position. At this time, the gripping claws 2a, 2a of the wire grippers 2, 2 '
The bending of the electric wire 8 is corrected between a '.

Next, the servo motor 10 installed on the support base 1 is driven to move the measuring tool mounting base 3 to the electric wire W with terminals.
Is moved toward the terminal caulking portion K, and the correction tool 5, the height detector 6, the width detectors 7, 7 ', etc., which are arranged on the measuring tool placement table 3, are positioned at the terminal caulking portion K.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the straightening tool 5 is lowered to approach the terminal caulking portion K, and the inclined walls 12a and 12a 'of the straightening recess 12 of the straightening tool 5 and the mounting piece 4b of the terminal block 4 are placed.
Hold the terminal caulking portion K with the tip of the terminal. At this time,
When the terminal caulking portion K is inclined, the side portion of the terminal caulking portion K slides on the inclined walls 12a and 12a 'by the pressing force of the straightening tool 5, and the inclination of the terminal caulking portion K is automatically corrected most. Is done.

Subsequently, when the height detector 6 is lowered to bring the pressing body 14 of the height detector 6 into contact with the terminal caulking portion K,
As shown in FIG. 4, at the same time that the inclination of the terminal caulking portion K is accurately corrected, the distance between the pressing body 14 and the tip of the mounting piece 4 b of the terminal block 4 is detected by the measuring sensor of the height detector 6. Then, the height CH of the terminal caulking portion K is measured.

On the other hand, the detecting pieces 16, 16 'of the width detecting tools 7, 7' are applied to both side surfaces of the terminal caulking portion K whose inclination has been corrected.
Are brought close to each other, and as shown in FIG.
The measurement surface portions 16b, 16b 'of 6' are brought into contact with both side surfaces of the terminal caulking portion K. The width CW of the terminal caulking portion K is measured by detecting the distance between the measurement surface portions 16b and 16b 'when contacting both side surfaces of the terminal caulking portion K with a measuring sensor.

After the measurement is completed, as shown in FIG.
Straightening tool 5, height detecting tool 6, width detecting tool, width detecting tool 7,
7 'is isolated from the terminal caulking portion K, and the wire grippers 2, 2'
By releasing the gripping of the electric wire 8 by the above, the electric wire with terminal W whose measurement has been completed is released from the measurement operation.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the dimensions are measured after the terminal caulking portion of the electric wire with terminal is held between the straightening recess of the straightening tool and the terminal block to correct the inclination of the terminal caulking portion. Since this is performed, accurate dimension measurement can be performed on terminal crimping portions of various types of terminal-attached electric wires having different shapes of terminal crimping portions without replacing the measuring jig. Therefore, the measurement operation is simplified, the measurement operation is easily automated, and 100% inspection can be realized immediately after the crimping process of the wire with the terminal by connecting to the terminal crimping process. There are great advantages such as a remarkable improvement in product reliability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of an apparatus for measuring dimensions of a terminal caulking portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a measuring tool placing table of the dimension measuring device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a process of holding a terminal caulking portion between a correction recess of the correction tool of the dimension measuring device of FIG. 1 and a terminal block.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a height detector of the dimension measuring device in FIG. 1 is in contact with a terminal caulking portion.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which a detection piece of a width detection tool abuts on both sides of a terminal caulking portion in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a terminal caulking portion which has been measured through the process of FIG. 5 is opened.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a conventional terminal caulking portion dimension measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Dimension measuring device for terminal caulking part CH Terminal caulking part height CW Terminal caulking part width K Terminal caulking part W Terminal-equipped wire 1 Support base 2, 2 'Electric wire gripper 3 Measuring tool arrangement base 4 Terminal block 4b Place Piece 5 Straightening tool 6 Height detecting tool 7, 7 'Width detecting tool 9 Linear guide 10 Servo motor 11 Ball screw 12 Straightening recess 12a, 12a' Inclined wall

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A terminal caulking portion of an electric wire with a terminal is placed on a terminal block, a correction tool having a correction concave portion is approached from above the terminal caulking portion, and the terminal is placed between the correction concave portion and the terminal block. The terminal caulking portion is held to correct the inclination of the terminal caulking portion, and then a height detector is brought into contact with the upper surface of the terminal caulking portion, and both side surfaces of the terminal caulking portion are paired with a pair of width detectors. A method for measuring the size of a terminal caulked portion, comprising measuring a height and a width of the terminal caulked portion by clamping. 2. The terminal block according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting piece having a width smaller than a width of the terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire, wherein the terminal caulking portion is mounted at a tip of the mounting piece. Item 4. The method for measuring the dimensions of a terminal crimped portion according to Item 1. 3. A pair of opposing electric wire grippers, a correction tool having a correction recess that can be raised and lowered with respect to the terminal block, a height detection tool that can move in the height direction, and an opposition that can move in the width direction. A correction tool having a pair of width detectors, holding the electric wire with the terminal by the electric wire gripper, placing the terminal caulking portion of the electric wire with the terminal on the terminal block, and having a correction recess from above the terminal caulking portion , The terminal caulking portion is held between the inclined wall of the straightening recess and the terminal block to correct the inclination of the terminal caulking portion, and then a height detector is provided on the upper surface of the terminal caulking portion. A terminal caulking part characterized by measuring the height and width of the terminal caulking part by contacting a pair of width detectors facing both side surfaces of the terminal caulking part. Dimension measuring device. 4. The terminal block according to claim 1, further comprising a mounting piece having a width smaller than a width of the terminal caulking portion of the terminal-equipped electric wire, wherein the terminal caulking portion is mounted on a tip of the mounting piece. 4. The apparatus for measuring dimensions of a terminal caulking part according to claim 3, wherein: 5. The electric device according to claim 5, wherein the terminal block, the straightening device, the height detecting device, and the width detecting device are installed on a measuring tool placement table movable in a wire axis direction of the terminal-equipped wire, and The terminal caulking part according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the measurement tool mounting table is moved to a predetermined position of the terminal caulking part of the terminal-equipped electric wire gripped by the tool to perform the measurement. Dimension measuring device. 6. The terminal according to claim 5, wherein the measuring tool placement table is movably installed along with a linear motion guide provided on the support table by driving a servo motor via a ball screw. Dimension measuring device for caulking part.