Electric wire processing apparatus, electric wire processing method, and electric wire holding structure

An electric wire processing apparatus includes a gripping mechanism that grips a part of an electric wire, a driving mechanism that drives the gripping mechanism, an electric wire winding mechanism that winds the electric wire, and a rotating mechanism that rotates and drives the electric wire winding mechanism. The electric wire winding mechanism includes a winding drum, an electric wire clip provided on the winding drum to hold a leading end of the electric wire, and a holding member that holds an electric wire bundle. The driving mechanism moves the gripping mechanism toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip, the rotating mechanism rotates the winding drum so that the electric wire is wound around the winding drum, and the holding member holds the electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in the annular shape.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-043675 filed on Mar. 8, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electric wire processing apparatus and an electric wire processing method for processing an electric wire, and relates to an electric wire holding structure used in the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method.

2. Background Art

In a process of processing an electric wire used for a wire harness, a technique for holding a plurality of electric wires in an electric wire holding bar is disclosed in JP-A-2010-92788. A technique for sequentially conveying a plurality of electric wire holding bars to a supply position of an electric wire with terminal is disclosed in JP-A-2010-287369 and JP-A-2013-152856.

Further, an electric wire sorting apparatus for sorting electric wires processed by an electric wire processing machine and an electric wire accommodating apparatus for accommodating electric wires after treatment with an electric wire processing apparatus are disclosed in JP-A-2012-104425 and JP-A-2011-216363.

In JP-A-2010-92788, JP-A-2010-287369, JP-A-2013-152856, JP-A-2012-104425, and JP-A-2011-216363 described above, a technique of manufacturing a wire harness is disclosed on the premise that an electric wire of a normal length of about 2 m is processed. In the case of manufacturing a wire harness using a long electric wire longer than the electric wire of a normal length, there is a process performed manually by a worker, and there is room for improving productivity in such a process.

An example of the above-described process performed manually is as follows. That is, a process of pulling the electric wire out of a reel and processing it into a long electric wire of a predetermined length is automatically performed in the related art, but the worker conveys the electric wire to an automatic machine, which performs the next process (stripping of a sheath, crimping of a terminal, or the like) of processing the electric wire. The worker winds the long electric wire in an annular shape and conveys it to the automatic machine with a shape and a size suitable for the conveyance.

The invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electric wire processing apparatus and an electric wire processing method which contribute to improvement in productivity in a case of conveying a long electric wire to an automatic machine for processing an electric wire, and to provide an electric wire holding structure used in the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

in order to achieve the above-described object, an electric wire processing apparatus according to the invention is characterized by the following configurations (1) to (6),(1) An electric wire processing apparatus includes:

a gripping mechanism that is capable of gripping a part of an electric wire;

a driving mechanism that drives the gripping mechanism;

an electric wire winding mechanism that winds the electric wire; and

a rotating mechanism that rotates and drives the electric wire winding mechanism, wherein

the electric wire winding mechanism includesa winding drum on which the electric wire is wound,an electric wire clip provided on the winding drum to hold a leading end of the electric wire, anda holding member that holds an electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in an annular shape,

the driving mechanism moves the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip,

the rotating mechanism rotates the winding drum in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is held on the electric wire clip so that the electric wire is wound around the winding drum, and

the holding member holds the electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in the annular shape.

(2) The electric wire processing apparatus of (1) further includes:

an electric wire cutting device that cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length and feeds the cut electric wire; and

an electric wire extracting device that receives the electric wire fed from the electric wire cutting device, wherein

the electric wire cutting device includes a first gripping mechanism serving as the gripping mechanism,

the electric wire extracting device includes a second gripping mechanism serving as the gripping mechanism, a second driving mechanism that drives the second gripping mechanism and serves as the driving mechanism, the electric wire winding mechanism, and the rotating mechanism,

the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire fed by the electric wire cutting device when the leading end is fed,

the second gripping mechanism grips the leading end and receives the electric wire when the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire, and

the second driving mechanism moves the second gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip.

(3) In the electric wire processing apparatus of (2),

the electric wire cutting device further includes a first driving mechanism that drives the first gripping mechanism and serves as the driving mechanism, and

the first driving mechanism drives the first gripping mechanism so that a direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first gripping mechanism is reversed from a forward feeding direction of the electric wire cutting device to a reverse feeding direction of the electric wire cutting device.

(4) In the electric wire processing apparatus of any one of (1) to (3),

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body around which the electric wire is wound,

the cylindrical body is provided with a notch which is recessed downward in an axial direction of the cylindrical body from an upper end of the cylindrical body in the axial direction, and

the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch so that an electric wire pinching direction coincides with a radial direction of the cylindrical body.

(5) In the electric wire processing apparatus of (4),

the driving mechanism rotates the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, to be in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and moves the gripping mechanism toward the electric wire clip.

(6) In the electric wire processing apparatus of (4),

the driving mechanism rotates the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, to be in a state where the electric wire pinching direction of the electric wire clip is orthogonal to a direction in which the leading end of the electric wire extends, and moves the gripping mechanism toward the electric wire clip.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an electric wire processing method according to the invention is characterized by the following configurations (7) and (11).

(7) An electric wire processing method includes:

moving a gripping mechanism, which grips a leading end of an electric wire, toward an electric wire clip for holding the leading end of the electric wire to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip;

rotating a winding drum, on which the electric wire clip is provided, in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is held on the electric wire clip so that the electric wire is wound around the winding drum; and

attaching a holding member to an electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in the annular shape.

(8) The electric wire processing method of (7) further includes:

gripping the leading end of the electric wire fed by an electric wire cutting device, using a first gripping mechanism serving as the gripping mechanism included in the electric wire cutting device that cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length and feeds the cut electric wire, when the leading end is fed;

gripping the leading end and receives the electric wire, using a second gripping mechanism serving as the gripping mechanism included in an electric wire extracting device that receives the electric wire fed from the electric wire cutting device, when the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire; and

moving the second gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip.

(9) In the electric wire processing method of (8),

the first gripping mechanism is driven so that a direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first gripping mechanism is reversed from a forward feeding direction of the electric wire cutting device to a reverse feeding direction of the electric wire cutting device.

(10) In the electric wire processing method of any one of (7) to (9),

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body around which the electric wire is wound, the cylindrical body is provided with a notch which is recessed downward in an axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction, and the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch, and

the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, is rotated to be in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and the gripping mechanism is moved toward the electric wire clip.

(11) In the electric wire processing method of any one of (7) to (9),

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body around which the electric wire is wound, the cylindrical body is provided with a notch which is recessed downward in an axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction, and the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch, and

the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, is rotated to be in a state where an electric wire pinching direction of the electric wire clip is orthogonal to a direction in which the leading end of the electric wire extends, and the gripping mechanism is moved toward the electric wire clip.

In order to achieve the above-described object, an electric wire holding structure according to the invention is characterized by the following configurations (12) and (13).

(12) An electric wire holding structure includes:

an electric wire; and

a holding member that holds an electric wire bundle, wherein

the electric wire is wound several times to form an annular shape, and is held by the holding member to maintain the annular shape.

(13) In the electric wire holding structure of (12),

the electric wire is held at three or more places by the holding member to maintain the annular shape.

According to the electric wire processing apparatus of the configuration (1), the electric wire processing method of the configuration (7), and the electric wire holding structure of the configuration (12), the electric wire is wound several times to form an annular shape, the electric wire is held at three or more places by the clamp, and thus the electric wire holding structure for maintaining the annular shape is completed. According to the electric wire holding structure for holding the electric wire, even in the case of manufacturing a wire harness using a long electric wire longer than a normal length, there is no need for the worker to deform the electric wire to have a shape and a size suitable for conveying the long electric wire to an automatic machine which processes the electric wire. Further, since the shape of the electric wire holding structure is maintained in the annular shape, the electric wire holding structure may be conveyed to the automatic machine for processing the electric wire by being hung on a hook, and thus the conveyance of the electric wire holding structure is also easily automated.

According to the electric wire processing apparatuses of the configurations (2) and (3) and the electric wire processing methods of the configurations (8) and (9), although existing equipment is used as the electric wire cutting device and a new equipment is used for the electric wire extracting device when the invention is performed, the invention c be applied to various electric wire cutting devices (existing equipment) when the electric wire extracting device processes the electric wire with the electric wire holding structure.

According to the electric wire processing apparatus of the configuration (4), when the electric wire clip holds the leading end of the electric wire, the leading end of the electric wire can be disposed in a state where the electric wire is wound side by side around the winding rib.

According to the electric wire processing apparatus of the configuration (5) and the electric wire processing method of the configuration (10), it is possible to maintain a state where a portion other than the leading end of the electric wire is located on the straight line through which the electric wire is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism when the electric wire processing apparatus is viewed from the top. Thus, the position of the electric wire is prevented from being shifted every time the electric wire is wound around the winding drum.

According to the electric wire processing apparatus of the configuration (6) and the electric wire processing method of the configuration (11), the leading end of the electric wire can be easily pushed into the electric wire clip.

According to the electric wire holding structure of the configuration (13), when the electric wire bundle is held at a plurality of places, the electric wire can be maintained in an annular shape more similar to a circular shape.

According to the electric wire processing apparatus, the electric wire processing method, and the electric wire holding structure of the invention, it is possible to achieve an effect of contributing to productivity improvement in a case of conveying a long electric wire to an automatic machine.

The invention is briefly described above. Furthermore, the details of the invention will be further clarified by an embodiment to be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF E EMBODIMENTS

A detailed embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to each drawing.

Configuration of Electric Wire Processing Apparatus

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating an electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. An electric wire processing apparatus1according to the embodiment of the invention includes an electric wire cutting device10and an electric wire extracting device50. The electric wire cutting device10is a device that draws an electric wire from electric wires wound on a reel and supplies the electric wire cut to a predetermined length to the electric wire extracting device50. The electric wire extracting device50is a device that processes the electric wire of the predetermined length supplied from the electric wire cutting device10to have a shape and a size suitable for conveying to an automatic machine, which strips a sheath and crimps a terminal, using a manipulator to be controlled by a computer.

First, the electric wire cutting device10will be described in detail below with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5.FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating an electric wire cutting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a main part of the electric wire cutting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 4is a plan view of the electric wire cutting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 5is an enlarged plan view illustrating the main part of the electric wire cutting device according to the embodiment of the invention.

The electric wire cutting device10is configured in which a first electric wire guide110, a second electric wire guide120, a third electric wire guide130, an electric wire feeding mechanism140, an electric wire gripping mechanism150, a rotating mechanism160, and an electric wire cutting mechanism170are fixed to a support frame180.

The first electric wire guide110is a member that guides electric wires wound on a reel (not illustrated), which is disposed adjacent to the electric wire cutting device10, to the electric wire cutting device10. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the first electric wire guide110has a structure in which a plurality of disk members111having grooves formed along a circumferential direction are fixed to the support frame180. The plurality of disk members111is disposed in a line so that adjacent grooves are aligned in parallel. The electric wire wound on the reel is drawn toward one of the plurality of disk members111and is guided to the groove of the disk member111, thereby being disposed toward the electric wire cutting device10.

The second electric wire guide120is a member that guides the electric wire guided by the first electric wire guide110toward the electric wire feeding mechanism140. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the second electric wire guide120includes a bar-shaped guide body121having a rectangular cross-section that is fixed to the support frame180in a direction substantially parallel to the direction in which the disk member111of the first electric wire guide110is disposed. The guide body121is formed with a plurality of guide holes122penetrating through the guide body121. The guide hole122is perforated in the guide body121in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the guide body121. The electric wire guided by the first electric wire guide110is inserted into the guide hole122and is guided to the guide hole122, thereby being disposed toward the electric wire feeding mechanism140.

The third electric wire guide130is a member that guides the electric wire guided by the second electric wire guide120toward the electric wire gripping mechanism150. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the third electric wire guide130includes a bar-shaped guide body131having a rectangular cross-section that is fixed to the support frame180in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide body121of the second electric wire guide120. The guide body131is formed with a plurality of guide holes132penetrating through the guide body131. The guide hole132is perforated in the guide body131in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the guide body131. The electric wire guided by the second electric wire guide120is inserted into the guide hole132and is guided to the guide hole132, thereby being disposed toward the electric wire gripping mechanism150. In addition, each of the guide holes132is provided at a position facing each of the guide holes122of the second electric wire guide120. Therefore, the electric wire located between the second electric wire guide120and the third electric wire guide130is disposed substantially perpendicular to the second electric wire guide120and the third electric wire guide130.

The electric wire feeding mechanism140is a mechanism that feeds the electric wire toward the direction in which the electric wire gripping mechanism150is located, that is, toward a direction opposite to the first electric wire guide110in the electric wire cutting device10. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the electric wire feeding mechanism140includes an upper belt drive141configured with one annular belt142and a plurality of pulleys143meshed with an inner circumferential surface of the belt142and a lower belt drive144configured with one belt145and a plurality of pulleys146meshed with an inner circumferential surface of the belt145. The upper belt drive141and the lower belt drive144are arranged such that a part of the belt142and a part of the belt145are in contact with each other and the contacting part is disposed between the second electric wire guide120and the third electric wire guide130and on a segment between the guide hole122and the guide hole132facing each other. Therefore, the electric wire feeding mechanism140can pinch the electric wire located between the second electric wire guide120and the third electric wire guide130at the contacting part between the belt142and the belt145. The electric wire feeding mechanism140drives the upper belt drive141and the lower belt drive144to revolve them in opposite directions in a state where the electric wire is pinched, so that the electric wire can be fed in the direction in which the electric wire gripping mechanism150is located.

The electric wire gripping mechanism150is a member (may be referred to as a gripping mechanism) that grips a part of the electric wire guided by the third electric wire guide130and fed from the third electric wire guide130. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the electric wire gripping mechanism150includes a first chuck151located at a front side in the direction in which the electric wire is fed (hereinafter, may be referred to as a feeding direction) and a second chuck152located at a rear side in the feeding direction. Each of the first chuck151and the second chuck152includes a contact surface for gripping the electric wire at the front of the guide hole132of the third electric wire guide130. For this reason, the electric wire gripping mechanism150can grip the electric wire guided and fed by the third electric wire guide130with the first chuck151and the second chuck152.

The rotating mechanism160is a mechanism (may be referred to as a driving mechanism) that converts a leading end of the electric wire guided by the third electric wire guide130and extending in a forward feeding direction to a reverse feeding direction. Specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the rotating mechanism160is connected to the first chuck151of the electric wire gripping mechanism150, and can rotate the first chuck151by 180 degrees around a rotation axis P set apart from the first chuck151by a predetermined distance. As will be described in detail below, when the rotating mechanism160rotates the first chuck151, which is in the state of gripping the electric wire, by 180 degrees (at this time, the second chuck152does not grip the electric wire), the direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first chuck151is changed from the forward feeding direction toward the reverse feeding direction.

The electric wire cutting mechanism170is a mechanism that cuts the electric wire guided by the third electric wire guide130and fed from the third electric wire guide130. Specifically, the electric wire cutting mechanism170includes a V-shaped lower blade having an opening, which faces upward, and moving upward. The lower blade is disposed between the third electric wire guide130and the electric wire gripping mechanism150. When the electric wire is fed from the third electric wire guide130, the lower blade is disposed separately from the third electric wire guide130. For this reason, the electric wire to be fed passes above the lower blade and advances toward the first chuck151and the second chuck152in the electric wire gripping mechanism150. On the other hand, when the electric wire fed from the third electric wire guide130is cut, the lower blade approaches the third electric wire guide130. Therefore, when the lower blade is separated from third electric wire guide130, the electric wire passing above the lower blade is cut by the approach of the lower blade.

The support frame180is a frame that is used to fix the first electric wire guide110, the second electric wire guide120, the third electric wire guide130, the electric wire feeding mechanism140, the electric wire gripping mechanism150, the rotating mechanism160, and the electric wire cutting mechanism170at predetermined positions.

Although an example of the electric wire cutting device10is described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 5, the electric wire processing apparatus, the electric wire processing method, and the electric wire holding structure according to the invention are not limited by the mechanisms of the electric wire cutting device10.

Subsequently, the electric wire extracting device50will be described in detail below with reference toFIGS. 6 to 12.FIG. 6is a perspective view illustrating the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 7is a perspective view of the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from another angle.FIG. 8is a perspective view of a manipulator in the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9is a perspective view of the electric wire winding mechanism, in which the electric wires are wound, in the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 10is a perspective view of a manipulator in the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 9is a perspective view of the electric wire winding mechanism, in which the electric wires are not wound, in the electric wire extracting device according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 11is a perspective view of an electric clip in the electric wire winding mechanism according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 12is a perspective view of a clamp in the electric wire according to the embodiment of the invention.FIG. 13is a perspective view of an electric wire holding structure according to the embodiment of the invention.

The electric wire extracting device50includes a manipulator510, an electric wire winding mechanism520, and a clamp storage shelf530which are fixed to a support frame540.

The manipulator510is a mechanism that receives the electric wire cut to a predetermined length form the electric wire cutting device10and delivers the electric wire to the electric wire winding mechanism520. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the manipulator510is a robot arm with three degrees of freedom. A claw-type hand511(may be referred to as a gripping mechanist is provided at a tip end of the manipulator510, while a base frame is attached to the support frame540. Motors512provided in three joints of the manipulator510are driven, and thus the hand511can move to an arbitrary position with an arbitrary angle in a working space (hereinafter, the motor512may be referred to as a driving mechanism). Although will be described in detail below, the manipulator510moves the hand511to grip the electric wire gripped by the electric wire gripping mechanism150of the electric wire cutting device10with the hand511and to receive the electric wire, and moves the hand511in a state of gripping the electric wire to deliver the electric wire to the electric wire winding mechanism520. Thereafter, the manipulator moves the hand511again to the electric wire gripping mechanism150, and repeatedly performs a series of operations of receiving and delivering with the hand511.

The electric wire winding mechanism520is a mechanism that receives the electric wire supplied from the manipulator510and processes a long electric wire to have a shape and a size suitable for conveying to an automatic machine which processes the electric wire. Schematically, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the electric wire winding mechanism520is a mechanism in which a torque of a motor522is transmitted to a disk-shaped winding drum521by a pulley523and a belt524and a rotating shaft525rotates, whereby the winding drum521rotates. When the winding drum521rotates, as illustrated inFIG. 9, the electric wire is wound around the winding drum521.

A detailed structure of the winding drum521will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the winding drum521is based on a base frame611. The base frame611has a flat circular shape and is formed with a hole at the center, and the above-described rotating shaft525penetrates through the base frame611. The base frame611is provided with a cylindrical winding rib612protruding from one surface of the base frame611so as to revolve along an edge of the base frame611. The winding rib612has a notch613recessed downward in the axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction. An electric wire clip620, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, is accommodated and attached in the notch613. The electric wire clip620will be described below.

In addition, the winding drum521traverses the winding rib612by extending outwardly in a radial direction of the base frame611from the center of the base frame611, and has three bar-shaped connection bodies614protruding from an outer circumferential surface (a surface being in contact with the electric wire to be wound) of the winding rib612. The connection body614includes an end located at the center of the base frame611and connected to the above-described rotating shaft525and an end located at an edge of the base frame611and connected to the base frame611. The three connection bodies614are disposed at an equal angle (120 degrees) when viewing one surface, on which the winding rib612of the base frame611is provided, from the front. The base frame611is connected to the above-described rotating shaft525via the three connection bodies614, so that the winding drum521rotates as the rotating shaft525rotates.

Further, the connection body614is characterized by the shape of the end located at the edge of the base frame611. That is, two guide plates615extending in a direction orthogonal to the revolving direction of the winding rib612are provided at the end of one connection body614so as to face each other with a distance therebetween. In addition, one guide plate615is configured in which a large protruding piece616, a small protruding piece617, and a middle protruding piece618are arranged in a protruding direction of the winding rib612at a position protruding from an outer circumferential surface (a surface being in contact with the electric wire to be wound) of the winding rib612. The large protruding piece616has the largest protruding length from the outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612, the middle protruding piece618has a second-largest protruding length from the outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612, and the small protruding piece617is the smallest protruding length from the outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612. For this reason, a recess portion619is formed to be sandwiched between both sides of the large protruding piece616and the middle protruding piece618at the position protruding from outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the recess portion619plays a role of guiding the electric wire wound around the winding rib612, so that the electric wire wound around the winding rib612gathers in the recess portion619, thereby forming an annular electric wire bundle. In addition, a clamp630is accommodated in a space S formed between two guide plates625facing each other in the connection body614. The clamp630will be described below.

The electric wire clip620is a structure body that receives the electric wire from the manipulator510and pinches the leading end of the electric wire. As the electric wire clip620holds the leading end of the electric wire, the leading end of the electric wire is attached to the winding drum521, whereby the electric wire can be wound around the winding rib612when the winding drum521rotates. As illustrated inFIG. 11, the electric wire clip620has a structure in which a pair of pinching elements621for pinching the electric wire is fixed to a mounting base622. The pair of pinching elements621are configured in which a pushing direction (height direction) of the article to be pinched into the pinching element621extends longer than a pinching direction (width direction) and a thickness direction (depth direction) of the article to be pinched. When the electric wire clip620is attached to the winding drum521, the mounting base622is accommodated and fixed into the notch613so that the height direction of the pair of pinching elements621coincides with the protruding direction of the winding rib612, and the depth direction thereof coincides with the circumferential direction of the winding rib612. As a result of the fixation in this way, the pinching direction (width direction) of the article to be pinched between the pair of pinching element621coincides with the radial direction of the winding rib612. The electric wire clip620is attached to the notch613in this way, and thus, as illustrated inFIG. 9, when the electric wire clip620holds the leading end of the electric wire, the leading end of the electric wire can be disposed in a state where the electric wire is wound side by side around the winding rib612.

The clamp630is a holding member that holds the annular electric wire bundle formed in a bundle by the winding of one electric wire. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the clamp630includes a box-shaped support frame631and a pair of flippers632in which one end thereof is rotatably supported on the support frame631and the other includes a bulging portion633which is bulged. The pair of flippers632can take a closed state in which the bulging portions633are in contact with each other and an open state in which the bulging portions are separated from each other and are opened. An elastic member such as a spring is connected to the pair of flippers632, and the bulging portions633are maintained in the closed state of being in contact with each other by an elastic force due to the elastic member. When the pair of flippers632are in the closed state, a space T surrounded by a lower end of the support frame631and an inner side surfaces of the pair of flippers632is formed in the clamp630. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the clamp630accommodates the annular electric wire bundle formed in a bundle by the winding of one electric wire and holds the electric wire. When the annular electric wire bundle is accommodated in the space T, the pair of flippers632are opened while the electric wire bundle is pressed against the pair of flippers632being in the closed state in the vicinity of a contact point where the bulging portions633are in contact with each other, and the electric wire bundle slides into the space T as it is. In order to easily accommodate the electric wire bundle in the space T, the pair of flippers632have a tapered shape such that the outer side surface of the bulging portion633gradually widens as a distance increases from contact point where the bulging portions633are in contact with each other.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, three clamps630are attached to the annular electric wire bundle wound around the winding rib612to hold the electric wire bundle. At this time, each of the clamps630is accommodated in the space S formed between two guide plates615. For this reason, the two guide plates615are separated by a distance slightly longer than a thickness of the clamp630. After the three clamps630are respectively inserted into three spaces S to hold the annular electric wire bundle at three points3, the leading end of the electric wire is detached from the electric wire clip620and the annular electric wire bundle is removed from the winding rib612. At this time, the annular electric wire bundle is slid in the protruding direction of the winding rib612with respect to the winding rib612and removed from the winding rib612, but the electric wire bundle is slid over the middle protruding piece618of the guide plate615at that time. Conversely, the middle protruding piece618has a height such that the electric wire bundle can get over when the annular electric wire bundle is removed from the winding rib612. The annular electric wire bundle removed from the winding rib612in this way is illustrated inFIG. 13. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the clamps630holds three points of the electric wire bundle formed in an annular shape by the winding of one electric wire, and thus the annular electric wire bundle is maintained in a state of the annular shape. A structure including the electric wire and the clamps630is referred to as an electric wire holding structure700in which three points of the annular electric wire bundle formed in the annular shape by a several winding of one electric wire WT are held by the clamps630and the electric wire is maintained in the annular shape. The electric wire winding mechanism520is described above.

The clamp storage shelf530is a shelf in which the clamp630is stored. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of clamps630is loaded in a thickness direction in the clamp storage shelf530.

The support frame540is a frame that is used to fix the manipulator510, the electric wire winding mechanism520, and the clamp storage shelf530at predetermined positions.

Operation of Electric Wire Processing Apparatus

The configuration of the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention is described in detail above. Hereinafter, an operation of the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention will be described in detail.

First Example of Operation of Electric Wire Processing Apparatus

FIGS. 14A and 14BtoFIGS. 30A and 30Bare diagrams schematically depicting an example of an operation of the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. “A” in the drawings is a plan view schematically illustrating a main part relating to the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1when the electric wire processing apparatus1is seen from the top. “B” in the drawings is a side view schematically illustrating the main part relating to the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1when the electric wire processing apparatus1is seen from the side.FIGS. 14A and 14BtoFIGS. 30A and 30Billustrate a series of processes in which the electric wire processing apparatus1processes one electric wire W, and each of the drawings depicts one operation in this series of processes. After this series of processes is performed by the electric wire processing apparatus1, as illustrated inFIGS. 14A, 14B, and 30A, the electric wire holding structure700including the electric wire W and the clamp630is completed in which three points of an annular electric wire bundle C formed in an annular shape by a several winding of one electric wire W are held by the clamps630and the electric wire is maintained in the annular shape. The operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1will be described below.

After the previous series of processes is completed by the electric wire processing apparatus1, as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the leading end of the electric wire W cut by the electric wire cutting mechanism170of the electric wire cutting device10in the previous series of processes is in a state of staying on the electric wire cutting mechanism170. Further, the winding rib612of the electric wire winding mechanism520in the electric wire extracting device50is disposed in front of the electric wire feeding mechanism140of the electric wire cutting device10, whereby the winding rib612is located on a straight line through which the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W.

First, as illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 15B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W to the extent that the leading end of the electric wire W passes through the first chuck151and the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150. The number of rotations of the pulley143and the pulley146is counted when the electric wire W is fed, whereby a length L1of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 15A and 15Bis measured.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 16A and 16B, the first chuck151of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is closed to grip the electric wire W. InFIG. 16B, the closed state of the first chuck151is represented by hatching in the range indicating the first chuck151.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 17A and 179, the rotating mechanism160rotates the first chuck151by 180 degrees in a clockwise direction around the rotation axis P. As the first chuck151rotates, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W. Additionally, a length L2of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 17A and 179is also measured. At this time, the length L2of the electric wire W fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140is shorter than a total extension of the annular electric wire W illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 30A, and preferably has a length to the extent that the electric wire W suspended by its own weight floats in the air without being in contact with the installation surface of the electric wire processing apparatus1as illustrated inFIG. 17B. When the rotating mechanism160rotates the first chuck151, which is in the state of gripping the electric wire, by 180 degrees, the direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first chuck151is changed to the reverse feeding direction from the forward feeding direction. In this way, the electric wire W is fed after the first chuck151is reversed, and thus the first chuck151is moved to a position where feeding of the electric wire W with the electric wire feeding mechanism140is not disturbed. Further, when the direction of the leading end of the electric wire W is reversed, it is not necessary for the hand511to reverse the leading end of the electric wire W when the hand511inserts the leading end of the electric wire W into the electric wire clip620in the operation to be described below with reference toFIGS. 21A and 21B, and the movement of the hand511can be suppressed.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 18A and 18B, the manipulator510moves the hand511adjacently to the electric wire winding mechanism520of the first chuck151, and the hand511grips the electric wire gripped by the first chuck151. InFIG. 18B, the closed state of the hand511is represented by hatching in the range indicating the hand511.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 19A and 19B, the first chuck151of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is opened to release the gripped electric wire W.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 20A and 20B, the manipulator510moves the hand511to a position adjacent to the winding rib612and opposite to the side where the electric wire cutting device10is located. At this time, the hand511is located on the straight line through which the electric wire W is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the top as illustrated inFIG. 20A, and is located at substantially the same height as the height at which the electric wire clip620is located when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the side as illustrated inFIG. 20B. Further, as the hand511moves, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W. Additionally, a length L3of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 20A and 20Bis also measured. By the operation of the hand511and the electric wire feeding mechanism140, the electric wire W from the electric wire feeding mechanism140to the hand511is located on the straight line through which the electric wire W is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the top as illustrated inFIG. 20A, and the electric wire W extending from the hand511descends toward the lower side (a downward side inFIG. 20B) of the winding rib612so as to bypass the winding rib612when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the side as illustrated inFIG. 20Band ascends toward the electric wire feeding mechanism140from the moment of passing a position just below the winding rib612. With such a positional relation of the electric wire W, the electric wire W wound around the winding rib612can be easily collected in the recess portion619of the guide plate615when the electric wire W is wound around the winding rib612by the subsequent operation.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 21A and 21B, the manipulator510moves the hand511adjacently to the electric wire clip620provided on the winding drum521, and thus the leading end of the electric wire W gripped by the hand511is pushed between the pair of pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 21A, the hand511is rotated in a yaw direction, and thus a part of the leading end of the electric wire W partially protrudes to the side opposite to the base frame611of the winding rib612. In this way, the hand511is moved toward the electric wire clip620in a state where the hand511is moved in the yaw direction and thus the leading end of the electric wire W is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the winding rib612, whereby it is possible to maintain a stale where a portion other than the leading end of the electric wire W is located on the straight line through which the electric wire W is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the top as illustrated inFIG. 21A. That is, the position of the electric wire is prevented from being shifted every time the electric wire is wound around the winding drum521. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 21B, the hand511is rotated in a pitch direction so that the depth direction of the electric wire clip620corresponding to the position of the electric wire clip620coincides with the direction in which the leading end of the electric wire W extends (in other words, the pinching direction of the article to be pinched between the pair of pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620is orthogonal to the direction where the leading end of the electric wire W extends). In this way, the hand511is moved toward the electric wire clip620in the state where the hand511is rotated in the pitch direction and thus the pinching direction between the pair of pinching elements621is orthogonal to the direction where the leading end of the electric wire W extends, so that the leading end of the electric wire W can be easily pushed between the pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620. When the leading end of the electric wire W is pushed between the pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620, the manipulator510moves the hand511once to the left side from the electric wire clip620inFIG. 21A, and then the leading end of the electric wire W is pushed between the pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620using the momentum that the hand511moves to the right side toward the electric wire clip620. When the hand511comes in to contact with the winding rib612in the case where the hand511moves toward the electric wire clip620, since the contact place between the hand511and the winding rib612is determined according to the position of the electric wire clip620, a notch is provided at a predetermined contact place to cope with the contact between the hand511and the winding rib612. A jig may be formed on the hand511to spread out the pinching element621of the electric wire clip620, and the leading end of the electric wire W may be accommodated inside the pinching element621which is spread out.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 22A and 22B, the manipulator510opens the hand511to release the electric wire W which is gripped.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 23A and 23B, the manipulator510moves the hand511to an initial position.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 24A and 24B, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. The winding drum521rotates counterclockwise inFIG. 24B. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 24A and 24B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140does not feed the electric wire W, so that the electric wire W slackened under the winding rib612is wound around the winding rib612by the rotation of the winding drum521. In this way, as illustrated inFIGS. 25A and 25B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140does not feed the electric wire W until the electric wire W comes in contact with the lower end of the winding rib612, and the electric wire W is wound around the winding rib612.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26B, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 269, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W. A length L4of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 26A and 26Bis also additionally measured. At this time, the electric wire feeding mechanism140controls the amount of electric wire W to be fed and the electric wire winding mechanism520controls the number of rotations of the winding drum521such that the length of the electric wire W fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140per time is equal to the length of the electric wire W wound around the outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612per time.FIGS. 26A and 26Billustrate a state in which the winding drum521rotates several times and the electric wire W is wound around the winding rib612several times. Thereafter, when the total value of the lengths (L1, L2, L3, and L4) of the electric wire fed in four operations reaches a predetermined length, the electric wire feeding mechanism140stops the feeding of the electric wire W, and the electric wire winding mechanism520stops the rotation of the winding drum521.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 27A and 27B, the second chuck152of electric wire gripping mechanism150is closed to grip the electric wire W. Subsequently, the lower blade of the electric wire cutting mechanism170approaches the third electric wire guide130to cut the electric wire W.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 28A and 28B, the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is opened to release the gripped electric wire W. Subsequently, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. Next, the rotating mechanism160rotates the first chuck151by 180 degrees in a counterclockwise direction around the rotation axis P. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 28A and 289, the electric wire feeding mechanism140does not feed the electric wire W. The other end of the electric wire W gripped by the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150inFIGS. 27A and 27Bis wound around the winding rib612by the rotation of the winding drum521. Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 28A and 28B, the total extension length of the electric wire W cut into a predetermined length is wound around the winding rib612.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 29A and 29B, three clamps630are attached to the annular electric wire bundle C wound around the winding rib612. At this time, the clamp630is accommodated in the space S formed between the guide plates615.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 30A and 30B, the leading end of the electric wire is detached from the electric wire clip620and the annular electric wire bundle C is removed from the winding rib612. At this time, the annular electric wire bundle C is slid in the protruding direction of the winding rib612with respect to the winding rib612and removed from the winding rib612. As illustrated inFIGS. 13 and 30A, the clamps630holds three points of the electric wire bundle C formed in an annular shape by the winding of one electric wire, and thus the annular electric wire bundle C is maintained in a state of the annular shape.

As described above with reference toFIGS. 14A to 30B, the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention processes one electric wire W into the electric wire holding structure700. According to the electric wire holding structure700, even in the case of manufacturing a wire harness using a long electric wire longer than a normal length, there is no need for the worker to deform the electric wire to have a shape and a size suitable for conveying the long electric wire to an automatic machine which processes the electric wire. Further, since the shape of the electric wire holding structure700is maintained in the annular shape, the electric wire holding structure700may be conveyed to the automatic machine for processing the electric wire by being hung on a hook, and thus the conveyance of the electric wire holding structure700is also easily automated. Thus, according to the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method of the embodiment of the invention, and the electric wire holding structure used in the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of contributing to improvement in productivity when the long electric wire is conveyed to the automatic machine for processing the electric wire.

The clamp630is used to maintain the annular shape of the electric wire bundle C in the example described above, but the invention is not limited to the case where the annular electric wire bundle C is held by the clamp630. For example, instead of the clamp630, a tape may be wound around the electric wire bundle C to maintain the shape of the electric wire bundle C in an annular shape. Briefly, various members can be applied to maintain the shape of the electric wire bundle C in an annular shape.

Further, three clamps630are used to maintain the annular shape of the electric wire bundle C in the example described above, but the invention is not limited to the case where the electric wire bundle C is held at three places. Even when the electric wire bundle C is held at one place, the electric wire bundle C can be maintained in an annular shape. On the other hand, when the electric wire bundle C is held at a plurality of places, the electric wire bundle C can be maintained in an annular shape more similar to a circular shape.

Second Example of Operation of Electric Wire Processing Apparatus

In the “first example of the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus” described above, asFIGS. 20A and 20B, the case is described in which the manipulator510moves the hand511to the side opposite to the side on which the electric wire cutting device10is located with respect to the winding drum521, and then the electric wire extracting device50processes the electric wire W. In a “second example of the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus”, a case will be described in which the manipulator510moves the hand511to the same side as the side on which the electric wire cutting device10is located with respect to the winding drum521, and then the electric wire extracting device50processes the electric wire W.

FIGS. 31A and 31BtoFIGS. 43A and 43Bare diagrams schematically depicting an example of an operation of the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention. “A” in the drawings is a plan view schematically illustrating a main part relating to the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1when the electric wire processing apparatus1is seen from the top. “B” in the drawings is a side view schematically illustrating the main part relating to the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1when the electric wire processing apparatus1is seen from the side.FIGS. 31A and 31BtoFIGS. 43A and 43Billustrate a series of processes in which the electric wire processing apparatus1processes one electric wire W, and each of the drawings depicts one operation in this series of processes. After this series of processes is performed by the electric wire processing apparatus1, as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the electric wire holding structure700including the electric wire W and the clamp630is completed in which three points of an annular electric wire bundle C formed in an annular shape by a several winding of one electric wire W are held by the clamps630and the electric wire is maintained in the annular shape. The operation of the electric wire processing apparatus1will be described below.

After the previous series of processes is completed by the electric wire processing apparatus1, as illustrated inFIGS. 31A and 31B, the leading end of the electric wire W cut by the electric wire cutting mechanism170of the electric wire cutting device10in the previous series of processes is in a state of staying on the electric wire cutting mechanism170. Further, the winding rib612of the electric wire winding mechanism520in the electric wire extracting device50is disposed in front of the electric wire feeding mechanism140of the electric wire cutting device10, whereby the winding rib612is located on a straight line through which the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W.

First, as illustrated inFIGS. 32A and 32B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W to the extent that the leading end of the electric wire W passes through the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150. Additionally, a length L1of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 32A and 32Bis measured.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 33A and 33B, the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is closed to grip the electric wire W.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 34A and 34B, the manipulator510moves the hand511adjacently to the electric wire winding mechanism520of the second chuck152, and the hand511grips the electric wire gripped by the second chuck152.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 35A and 35B, the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is opened to release the gripped electric wire V. The “second example of the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus” differs from the “First example of the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus” in that the first chuck151of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is not involved in the operation. Therefore, the operation of changing the direction of the leading end of the electric wire to the reverse feeding direction from the forward feeding direction is not performed.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 36A and 36B, the manipulator510moves the hand511to a position adjacent to the winding rib612and to the same position as the side where the electric wire cutting device10is located. At this time, the hand511is located on the straight line through which the electric wire W is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the top as illustrated inFIG. 36A, and is located at substantially the same height as the height at which the electric wire clip620is located when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the side as illustrated inFIG. 36B. Further, as the hand511moves, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W. Additionally, a length L2of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 36A and 36Bis also measured. By the operation of the hand511and the electric wire feeding mechanism140, the electric wire W from the electric wire feeding mechanism140to the hand511is located on the straight line through which the electric wire W is fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the top as illustrated inFIG. 36A, and the electric wire W extending from the hand511is suspended by its own weight so as to draw a U-shape between the electric wire cutting device10and the electric wire extracting device50when the electric wire processing apparatus1is viewed from the side as illustrated inFIG. 36B. With such a positional relation of the electric wire W, the electric wire W wound around the winding rib612can be easily collected in the recess portion619of the guide plate615when the electric wire W is wound around the winding rib612by the subsequent operation.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 37A and 37B, the manipulator510moves the hand511adjacently to the electric wire clip620provided on the winding drum521, and thus the leading end of the electric wire W gripped by the hand511is pushed between the pair of pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620. At this time, as illustrated inFIG. 37A, the hand511is rotated in a yaw direction, and thus a part of the leading end of the electric wire W partially protrudes to the side opposite to the base frame611of the winding rib612. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 37B, the hand511is rotated in a pitch direction so that the depth direction of the electric wire clip620corresponding to the position of the electric wire clip620coincides with the direction in which the leading end of the electric wire W extends (in other words, the pinching direction of the article to be pinched between the pair of pinching elements621of the electric wire clip620is orthogonal to the direction where the leading end of the electric wire W extends).

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 38A and 38B, the manipulator510opens the hand511to release the electric wire W which is gripped.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 39A and 39B, the manipulator510moves the hand511to an initial position.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 40A and 40B, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. The winding drum521rotates clockwise inFIG. 40B. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 40A and 40B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140does not feed the electric wire W, so that the electric wire W slackened between the electric wire cutting device10and the electric wire extracting device50is wound around the winding rib612by the rotation of the winding drum521.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 41A and 41B, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 41A and 413, the electric wire feeding mechanism140feeds the electric wire W. A length L3of the electric wire W fed by the operation illustrated inFIGS. 41A and 41Bis also additionally measured. At this time, the electric wire feeding mechanism140controls the amount of electric wire W to be fed and the electric wire winding mechanism520controls the number of rotations of the winding drum521such that the length of the electric wire W fed by the electric wire feeding mechanism140per time is equal to the length of the electric wire W wound around the outer circumferential surface of the winding rib612per time.FIGS. 41A and 413illustrate a state in which the winding drum521rotates several times and the electric wire W is wound around the winding rib612several times. Thereafter, when the total value of the lengths (L1, L2, and L3) of the electric wire fed in three operations reaches a predetermined length, the electric wire feeding mechanism140stops the feeding of the electric wire W, and the electric wire winding mechanism520stops the rotation of the winding drum521.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 42A and 42B, the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is closed to grip the electric wire W. Subsequently, the lower blade of the electric wire cutting mechanism170approaches the third electric wire guide130to cut the electric wire W.

Subsequently, as illustrated inFIGS. 43A and 43B, the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150is opened to release the gripped electric wire W. Subsequently, the electric wire winding mechanism520drives the motor522to rotate the winding drum521. During the operation illustrated inFIGS. 43A and 43B, the electric wire feeding mechanism140does not feed the electric wire W. The other end of the electric wire W gripped by the second chuck152of the electric wire gripping mechanism150inFIGS. 42A and 42Bis wound around the winding rib612by the rotation of the winding drum521. Thus, as illustrated inFIGS. 43A and 43B, the total extension length of the electric wire W cut into a predetermined length is wound around the winding rib612.

Thereafter, similarly to the operation described with reference toFIGS. 29A to 30Bin the “first example of the operation of the electric wire processing apparatus”, three clamps630are attached to the annular electric wire bundle C wound around the winding rib612, the leading end of the electric wire is detached from the electric wire clip620, and the annular electric wire bundle C is removed from the winding rib612. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 13, the clamps630holds three points of the electric wire bundle C formed in an annular shape by the winding of one electric wire, and thus the annular electric wire bundle C is maintained in a state of the annular shape.

As described above with reference toFIGS. 31A to 43B, the electric wire processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention processes one electric wire W into the electric wire holding structure700. According to the electric wire holding structure700, even in the case of manufacturing a wire harness using a long electric wire longer than a normal length, there is no need for the worker to deform the electric wire to have a shape and a size suitable for conveying the long electric wire to an automatic machine which processes the electric wire. Further, since the shape of the electric wire holding structure700is maintained in the annular shape, the electric wire holding structure700may be conveyed to the automatic machine for processing the electric wire by being hung on a hook, and thus the conveyance of the electric wire holding structure700is also easily automated. Thus, according to the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method of the embodiment of the invention, and the electric wire holding structure used in the electric wire processing apparatus and the electric wire processing method, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect of contributing to improvement in productivity when the long electric wire is conveyed to the automatic machine for processing the electric wire.

Here, the characteristics of the electric wire processing apparatus, the electric wire processing method, and the electric wire holding structure of the above-described embodiment according to the invention will be collectively exemplified in brief by following [1] to [12].

[1] An electric wire processing apparatus (1) including:

a gripping mechanism (a first chuck151and a hand511) capable of gripping a part of an electric wire (W);

a driving mechanism (a rotating mechanism160and a motor512) that drives the gripping mechanism;

an electric wire winding mechanism (520) that winds the electric wire; and

a rotating mechanism (a motor522) that rotates and drives the electric wire winding mechanism, wherein

the electric wire winding mechanism includes a winding drum (521) on which the electric wire is wound, an electric wire clip (620) provided on the winding drum to hold a leading end of the electric wire, and a holding member (a clamp630) that holds an electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in an annular shape,

the driving mechanism moves the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip,

the rotating mechanism rotates the winding drum in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is held on the electric wire clip so that the electric wire is wound around the winding drum; and

the holding member holds the electric wire bundle wound around the winding drum in the annular shape.

[2] The electric wire processing apparatus according to [1], further including:

an electric wire cutting device (10) that cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length and feeds the cut electric wire; an

an electric wire extracting device (50) that receives the electric wire fed from the electric wire cutting device, wherein

the electric wire cutting device includes a first gripping mechanism (the first chuck151) serving as the gripping mechanism,

the electric wire extracting device includes a second gripping mechanism (the hand511) serving as the gripping mechanism, a second driving mechanism (the motor512) that drives the second gripping mechanism and serves as the driving mechanism, the electric wire winding mechanism, and the rotating mechanism,

the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire fed by the electric wire cutting device when the leading end is fed,

the second gripping mechanism grips the leading end and receives the electric wire when the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire, and

the second driving mechanism moves the second gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip.

[3] The electric wire processing apparatus according to [2], wherein

the electric wire cutting device further includes a first driving mechanism (the rotating mechanism160) that drives the first gripping mechanism and serves as the driving mechanism, and

the first driving mechanism drives the first gripping mechanism so that a direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first gripping mechanism is reversed from a forward feeding direction to a reverse feeding direction.

[4] The electric wire processing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body (a winding rib612) around which the electric wire is wound,

the cylindrical body is provided with a notch (613) which is recessed downward in an axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction, and

the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch so that an electric wire pinching direction coincides with a radial direction of the cylindrical body.

[5] The electric wire processing apparatus according to [4], wherein

the driving mechanism rotates the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, to be in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and moves the gripping mechanism toward the electric wire clip.

[6] The electric wire processing apparatus according to [4], wherein

the driving mechanism rotates the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, to be in a state where the electric wire pinching direction of the electric wire clip is orthogonal to a direction in which the leading end of the electric wire extends, and moves the gripping mechanism toward the electric wire clip.

[7] An electric wire processing method including:

moving a gripping mechanism (a first chuck151and a hand511), which grips a leading end of an electric wire (W), toward an electric wire clip (620) for holding the leading end of the electric wire to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip;

rotating a winding drum (521), on which the electric wire clip is provided, in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is held on the electric wire clip so that the electric wire is wound around the winding drum; and

attaching a holding member (a clamp630) to an electric wire bundle (C) wound around the winding drum in the annular shape.

[8] The electric wire processing method according to [7], further including:

gripping the leading end of the electric wire fed by an electric wire cutting device (10), using a first gripping mechanism (the first chuck151) serving as the gripping mechanism included in the electric wire cutting device that cuts the electric wire to a predetermined length and feeds the cut electric wire, when the leading end is fed;

gripping the leading end and receives the electric wire, using a second gripping mechanism (the hand511) serving as the gripping mechanism included in an electric wire extracting device (50) that receives the electric wire fed from the electric wire cutting device, when the first gripping mechanism grips the leading end of the electric wire; and

moving the second gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, toward the electric wire clip to hold the leading end on the electric wire clip.

[9] The electric wire processing method according to [8], wherein

the first gripping mechanism is driven so that a direction of the leading end of the electric wire gripped by the first gripping mechanism is reversed from a forward feeding direction to a reverse feeding direction.

[10] The electric wire processing method according to any one of [7] to [9], wherein

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body (a winding rib612) around which the electric wire is wound, the cylindrical body is provided with a notch (613) which is recessed downward in an axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction, and the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch, and

the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, is rotated to be in a state where the leading end of the electric wire is inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the cylindrical body, and the gripping mechanism is moved toward the electric wire clip.

[11] The electric wire processing method according to any one of [7] to [9], wherein

the winding drum includes a hollow cylindrical body (a winding rib612) around which the electric wire is wound, the cylindrical body is provided with a notch (613) which is recessed downward in an axial direction from an upper end in the axial direction, and the electric wire clip is accommodated and attached in the notch, and

the gripping mechanism, which grips the leading end of the electric wire, is rotated to be in a state where an electric wire pinching direction of the electric wire clip is orthogonal to a direction in which the leading end of the electric wire extends, and the gripping mechanism is moved toward the electric wire clip.

[12] An electric wire holding structure (700) including:

an electric wire (W); and

a holding member (a clamp630) that holds an electric wire bundle (C), wherein

the electric wire is wound several times to form an annular shape, and is held by the holding member to maintain the annular shape.

[13] The electric wire holding structure according to [12], wherein

the electric wire is held at three or more places by the holding member to maintain the annular shape.