Apparatus for making a wire harness

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the manufacture of a wire harness in which a plurality of electric wires for the wire harness are arranged and connected with pressure to a connector having a plurality of pressure-terminals. Mainly, the present invention aims at a wire harness in which the electric wires provided between two connectors, which are arranged opposed to each other, are composed of cross-wiring. The present invention relates to an electric wire pressure-connecting machine for a wire harness. Also, the present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing the wire harness and also relates to a method of manufacturing the wire harness.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electrical units incorporated into an automobile are electrically connected with each other by a wire harness. For example, as shown in

FIGS. 25A

to

26

B, this wire harness is composed in such a manner that a plurality of connectors C

1

, C

2

. . . (general reference character: C) are connected with each other by a plurality of electrical wires F, . . . Concerning the arrangement of the electrical wires F, as shown in

FIGS. 25A and 26A

, reference characters W

1

and W

3

represent an arrangement in which all electrical wires are arranged in parallel with each other between the connectors C. As shown in

FIGS. 25B and 26B

, reference characters W

2

and W

4

represent an arrangement in which a portion of the electrical wires or all electrical wires cross each other. Further, reference character W

4

represents an arrangement of a crossover wiring F″ between the connectors.

In general, in the wire harness, the electrical wire F is connected to the connector C in such a manner that a terminal is crimped to an end of the electrical wire and then inserted into a cavity formed in the connector C. However, when the above crimped-connection is conducted, it is necessary to provide a large number of processes. Therefore, when the wire harness is manufactured recently, the method of pressure-connection, the number of working processes of which is small, is adopted to connect the electrical wire F to the connector C.

This connection with pressure (referred to as pressure-connection hereinafter) is conducted as follows. The electrical wire F, the outer diameter of which is a little larger than the groove width of the pressure-terminal of the connector C, is pushed into the groove (U-slot) of the pressure-terminal of the connector C using a jig or a press machine, and the electrical wire is fixed in the groove by the action of spring-back of the pressure-terminal. At this time, not only the electrical wire F is fixed, but also the cover of the electrical wire is torn by the inner wall of the groove when the electrical wire F is pushed into the groove, so that the conductor of the electrical wire is contacted with the inner wall of the terminal for electrical communication (shown in FIGS.

5

and

6

). The wire harness W

1

, W

2

, . . . (general reference character: W) is generally manufactured as follows.

In this connection, in order to simplify the explanations, as shown in

FIGS. 27A and 27B

, the wire harness W to be manufactured is composed of a pair of connectors C

1

and C

2

, and electrical wires F (F

1

, F

2

, F

3

and F

4

) which are arranged between both connectors C

1

and C

2

. Also, as shown in

FIGS. 27A and 27B

, four pressure-terminals T

11

, T

12

, T

13

and T

14

are respectively attached to the connector C

1

, and four pressure-terminals T

21

, T

22

, T

23

and T

24

are respectively attached to the connector C

2

. In this case, these pressure-terminals are represented by the general reference character T. In

FIG. 27A

represents a parallel wiring, and

FIG. 27B

represents a cross wiring. Concerning the apparatus in which the above pressure-connecting process is conducted, the specific structure is explained in detail in the embodiment. Therefore, the apparatus is not shown here, and only a model is illustrated in

FIGS. 28A

to

28

D.

In general, in this pressure-connecting apparatus, the electrical wires are connected to the connector C with pressure one by one. As shown in

FIGS. 28A

to

28

D, this pressure-connecting apparatus includes: a pressure-blade

61

for connecting the electrical wires F to the pressure-terminal of the connectors C

1

and C

2

with pressure; an electrical wire feed section

62

for feeding the electrical wires F to a portion close to the end of the pressure-blade

61

on the pressure-connection side; and a cutting blade

63

for cutting the electrical wires. All parts are moved in the three dimensional directions by a moving mechanism not shown in the drawing. In this way, there is formed a pressure-connecting and wiring head (pressure-connecting and wiring machine) by which the electrical wires F are connected to the connectors C

1

and C

2

with pressure and the electrical wires F are drawn out so as to lay electrical wires between the connectors C

1

and C

2

. In

FIGS. 28A

to

28

D, reference numeral

64

is a lower blade for cutting the electrical wires F in cooperation with the cutting blade

63

.

First, as shown in

FIG. 28A

, two connectors C

1

and C

2

are set at predetermined positions on the working table

65

. The pressure-blade

61

of the pressure-connecting and wiring head is moved immediately above the groove of the pressure-terminal T

11

of one C

1

of the connectors. During this movement or immediately after the completion of movement, the electrical wires F are fed from the electrical wire feed section

62

to a space between the pressure-blade

61

and the pressure-terminal.

Successively, as shown in

FIG. 28B

, the pressure-blade

61

is lowered and connects the electrical wire F to the groove of the pressure-terminal T

11

with pressure. Although not shown in the drawing, after the completion of pressure-connection, the pressure-blade

61

is moved upward and set at a high position where the pressure-blade

61

is completely separate from the connector C

1

. Then, the pressure-connecting and wiring head is moved horizontally, and the pressure-blade

61

comes to a position immediately above the groove of the pressure-terminal T

21

of the other C

2

of the connectors. During this movement, the electrical wire F is drawn out from the electrical wire feed section

62

, and the electrical wire F is laid between the pressure-terminals T

11

and T

21

of the connectors C

1

and C

2

.

After the horizontal movement of the pressure-connecting and wiring head has been completed, as shown in

FIG. 28C

, the pressure-blade

61

is lowered again and connects the electrical wire to the groove of the pressure-terminal T

21

with pressure. At this time, simultaneously with the pressure-connection, or immediately after the pressure-connection as shown in

FIG. 28D

, after the pressure-blade

61

has been moved upward, the cutting blade

63

is lowered and cuts the electrical wire which extends from the pressure-terminal T

21

of the connector C

2

to the right in the drawing. In this way, the connection between the pressure-terminals T

11

and T

21

is completed, and the electrical wire F

1

is arranged.

After that, the pressure-connecting and wiring head is moved upward and set at a high position where both pressure-blades

61

and the cutting blade

63

are completely separate from the connector C

2

. Then, the pressure-connecting and wiring head is moved to the left in FIG.

28

A and set at a position where the pressure-blade

61

is located immediately above the groove of the second pressure-terminal T

12

of the connector C

1

. At this time, when the pressure-connecting and wiring head is moved, the electrical wires are not drawn out, but only the head is moved.

In the above state, the electrical wire F is connected again to the groove of the pressure-terminal T

12

of the connector C

1

. In the same manner as described above, the pressure-connecting head (pressure-blade

61

) is lowered (pressure-connected) and moved upward. Then the pressure-connecting head (pressure-blade

61

) is moved horizontally, that is, wiring is conducted. In this way, the pressure-terminal T

12

is connected to the pressure-terminal T

22

. The pressure-terminal T

13

is connected to the pressure-terminal T

23

. The pressure-terminal T

14

is connected to the pressure-terminal T

24

. At the same time, the electrical wires F

2

, F

3

and F

3

are arranged. In this way, the manufacture of the wire harness W is completed.

The above manufacturing process can be applied to not only the parallel wiring W

1

, W

3

shown in

FIGS. 25A and 26A

but also the cross wiring W

2

, W

4

shown in

FIGS. 25B and 26B

. For example, as shown in

FIG. 27B

, the pressure-terminals T

11

and T

24

are connected to the electrical wire F with pressure, and the pressure-terminals T

14

and T

21

are connected to the electrical wire F with pressure, so that the electrical wires cross each other. In the manufacturing process, when the number of the electrical wires arranged between the connectors is four, it is necessary for the pressure-connecting and wiring head to be horizontally reciprocated by four times, and when the number of the electrical wires arranged between the connectors is “n”, it is necessary for the pressure-connecting and wiring head to be horizontally reciprocated by “n” times.

When a plurality of electrical wires F are connected to the connector C with pressure one by one as described above, it is advantageous in that the above method can be applied to various wiring specifications. However, when the above method is applied, it is necessary for the pressure-connecting and wiring head to be moved for each electrical wire. Therefore, the connecting work becomes very complicated.

In order to simplify the above movement of the pressure-connecting and wiring head, with respect to the wire harness W

1

shown in

FIG. 25A

in which all electrical wires F are arranged in parallel with each other between the connectors C, a plurality of pressure-blades

61

are arranged, and all electrical wires are connected to the connector C with pressure all at once. Due to the foregoing, as long as the integrated pressure-blades

61

, the number of which is the same as the number of the electrical wires, are used, the pressure-connecting and wiring head may be reciprocated between the connectors C in the transverse direction in

FIGS. 25A and 25B

only once, irrespective of the number of the electrical wires arranged between both connectors C. Further, both connectors C may be moved in the vertical direction only once for the pressure-connection. Therefore, the number of movements of the head can be remarkably reduced, and the working efficiency can be enhanced.

However, in the case of a cross-wiring and also in the case of a wiring in which the numbers of pressure-connections of the connectors C are different from each other and also in the case of a crossover-wiring shown in

FIGS. 25B

,

26

A and

26

B, concerning the wire harness W, it is impossible to use the pressure-blade

61

in which a plurality of pressure-blades are integrated into one body, because the number and the position of pressure-connections can not be changed in each pressure-connecting action.

Therefore, concerning the wire harness W of cross-wiring, at present, they have no option but to use the method in which one set of the pressure-blade

61

and the cutting blade

63

are used for connecting the electrical wires F, F″ with pressure one by one and also the head composed of only the electrical wire feed section

62

is used, and these parts are frequently moved for the pressure-connecting motion.

However, the structure of electrical units becomes complicated in these days, and the wire harness W

1

, in which all electrical wires F are arranged in parallel with each other, is seldom used, and most of the wire harness are of the type of cross-wiring W.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to effectively manufacture a wire harness of cross-wiring except for the parallel wiring having the same number and the same length of electrical wires without moving the pressure-connecting and wiring head frequently.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide an electric wire pressure-connecting machine for a wire harness in which a plurality of electric wires for the wire harness are arranged and connected to connectors with pressure via a plurality of pressure-terminals attached to the connectors, includes: a plurality of pressure-blades arranged corresponding to the plurality of pressure-terminals by one-to-one, each of the pressure-blade being movable independently in a pressure-connecting direction which connects the electric wire to the pressure-terminal with pressure.

Due to the foregoing, it is possible to make an arbitrary number of pressure-blades to participate in the pressure-connecting work at arbitrary positions. For example, the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a wire harness in which both ends of a plurality of parallel electric wires are respectively connected to the connectors with pressure, comprising the steps of: connecting the plurality of electric wires to one of the connectors with pressure all at once while the pressure-blades, the number of which corresponds to the number of electrical wires and the positions of which correspond to the positions of electrical wires, are acted; connecting a portion of the plurality of electric wires to the other of the connectors while the electric wires cross other electric wires and face the corresponding pressure-terminals and the corresponding pressure-blades are acted; and connecting the plurality of electric wires to the corresponding pressure terminals with pressure all at once while the electric wires face the pressure-terminals. According to the above method, the frequency of movement between the connectors may be one. In this case, the movement is defined as a relative movement between the pressure-connecting machine and the connector when either the pressure-connecting machine or the connector is moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a perspective view showing an outline of an embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B

are views showing examples of the sheath, wherein

FIG. 2A

is an overall perspective view of one example, and

FIG. 2B

is a partial perspective view of another example;

FIGS. 3A

to

3

C are schematic illustrations showing an action of an embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus;

FIG. 4

is a schematic illustration of the wiring of a wire harness;

FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional view of a connector;

FIG. 6

is a perspective view of a pressure-terminal;

FIG. 7

is a partial perspective view of an example of the wire harness;

FIG. 8

is a partial perspective view of another example of the wire harness;

FIG. 9

is a view showing the wiring of another wire harness;

FIG. 10

is a perspective view showing an outline of an embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 11

is an enlarged view showing a primary portion of the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention;

FIGS. 12A

to

12

E are schematic illustrations of the action of the embodiment;

FIG. 13

is a perspective view of an embodiment of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIG. 14

is a cross-sectional front view of the primary portion of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIG. 15

is a cross-sectional side view of the primary portion of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIG. 16

is a perspective view showing a selecting mechanism of the pressure-blade of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIG. 17

is a rear view showing a primary portion of the electrical wire feed section of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIGS. 18A and 18B

are views showing the detail of the primary portion of the pressure-connecting section of the connector of the embodiment;

FIGS. 19A and 19B

are views showing the detail of the primary portion of the pressure-connecting section of the connector of the embodiment;

FIG. 20A

to

20

D are views showing a model of the pressure-connecting process of the embodiment;

FIG. 21A

to

21

D are views showing a model of the pressure-connecting process of the embodiment;

FIG. 22

is a perspective view showing a selecting mechanism for selecting the pressure-blades of another embodiment of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine;

FIG. 23

is a cross-sectional front view of the primary portion of

FIG. 22

;

FIG. 24

is a cross-sectional side view of the primary portion of

FIG. 22

;

FIGS. 25A and 25B

are wiring diagrams of an example of the wire harness;

FIGS. 26A and 26B

are wiring diagrams of an example of the wire harness;

FIGS. 27A and 27B

are wiring diagrams showing a model of an example of the wire harness; and

FIGS. 28A

to

28

D are views showing a model of the pressure-connecting process conducted by the conventional pressure-connecting machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

<Embodiment of Wire Harness Manufacturing Apparatus>

FIGS. 1

to

9

are views showing an embodiment of the apparatus for manufacturing a wire harness W for automobile use. In these views, reference character Q is an electric wire feed machine, reference character P is a pressure-connecting and wiring robot, and reference character W is a wire harness.

The electrical wire feed machine Q includes a supply stand S in which a plurality of electrical wire bundles F′ are provided in such a manner that the electrical wire bundles F′ can be arbitrarily replaced. From each electrical wire bundle F′, the electrical wires F are drawn our and guided to the pressure-connecting and wiring robot P via the guide sheave a

1

and the guide roller a

2

. The number of electrical wires F to be drawn out is arbitrarily determined, and the electrical wires F are drawn out by the robot P.

The pressure-connecting and wiring robot P is composed as follows. There is provided a rotary mount b

1

, which can be rotated freely, on a base not shown in the drawing. The first arm b

2

is attached to the rotary mount b

1

while the first arm b

2

can be freely oscillated. The second arm b

3

is attached to the first arm b

2

while the second arm b

3

can be freely rotated and oscillated. The pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

, which is a pressure-connecting and wiring head, is attached to the second arm b

3

, and this pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

can be freely oscillated. Consequently, when the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved in the three dimensional directions, the electrical wires F fed from the electrical wire feed machine Q can be laid. The pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

can be rotated round the vertical central axis as shown by an arrow in the drawing.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the wire harness W is composed in such a manner that the electrical wires F are laid in the gutter-shaped sheath D, and their ends are connected to the connectors C with pressure. The sheath D is made of synthetic resin to be bent easily such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Alternatively, the sheath D is made of metal such as aluminum, the profile of which can be maintained stably. Concerning the cross-section of the sheath D, not only the C-shape shown in

FIG. 2A

but also the U-shape shown in

FIG. 2B

can be applied, and further various shapes such a partially cutaway circle can be applied. In the case where the gutter-shaped sheath is adopted, the width of the bottom and the height of the side wall can be appropriately determined in accordance with the number of the electrical wires F. In the case where the sheaths of other shapes are adopted, the circumstances are the same.

This pressure-connecting and wiring robot P is operated in accordance with a predetermined program, and the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is operated three-dimensionally, that is, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is operated in the three-dimensional directions (directions of axes X, Y and Z). Therefore, while the electrical wires F are being drawn out from the electrical wire feed machine Q, predetermined electrical wires are laid in the sheath D. When the electrical wires are laid in the sheath D at this time, it is preferable that an adhesive layer is provided inside the sheath so that the electrical wires F can adhere onto the inner surface of the sheath simultaneously with wiring. When the electrical wires F are laid in the sheath, it is preferable to push the electrical wires F against the sheath by a roller “d” attached to the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

, and this roller “d” can be freely moved upward and downward (shown in FIG.

3

). The start point and the end point are connected to the predetermined terminals with pressure. Concerning the electrical wires F, it is possible to adopt various electrical wires such as enamel wires and insulating covered wires.

When the electrical wires are laid in the sheath, the wiring and pressure-connecting machine

70

is operated as follows. For example, in the case of the sheath D, the shape of which is described in

FIG. 2A

, the moving direction of the machine is changed from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction in the section “a”. Therefore, as shown in

FIG. 3A

, the machine is moved while it changes the moving direction in such a manner that one-dotted chain line→solid line→two-dotted chain line. In the section “b”, the moving direction of the machine is changed from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. Therefore, as shown in

FIG. 3B

, the machine is moved while it changes the moving direction in such a manner that one-dotted chain line→two-dotted chain line→solid line. In the section “c”, the moving direction of the machine is changed to the vertical direction on the horizontal surface. Therefore, as shown in

FIG. 3C

, the machine is moved while it changes the moving direction in such a manner that one-dotted chain line→two-dotted chain line→solid line.

By this pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

(robot P), for example, as shown in

FIG. 4

, all electrical wires are simultaneously laid between the connectors C. For example, in

FIG. 4

, four electrical wires F are laid from the connector C

1

to the connector C

2

. Accordingly, four electrical wires F are drawn out between the connector C

1

and the connector C

2

, and both ends are connected to the connector C

1

and the connector C

2

with pressure. Four electrical wires F are laid from the connector C

1

to the connector C

3

. Accordingly, four electrical wires F are drawn out between the connector C

1

and the connector C

3

, and both ends are connected to the connector C

1

and the connector C

3

with pressure.

When it is allowed that the electrical wires F are sagged, the following procedure may be adopted. The electrical wires F are connected to all pressure-terminals of the connectors C

1

with pressure all at once. At the connector C

2

, four electrical wires thereof are pressure-connected and cut, and the thus cut electrical wires F are connected to other pressure-terminals with pressure so that they can be used for wiring of the connector C

3

. Then, the electrical wires are connected to the connector C

3

with pressure.

When the electrical wires F cross each other in this wiring operation (shown in FIGS.

25

B and

26

B), they are connected to the connectors with pressure by the action described later (shown in FIGS.

20

and

21

).

The cross-sectional shape of the connector C is shown in FIGS.

5

. The shape of the terminal T is shown in FIG.

6

. The terminal T is formed by bending a piece of material so that it can be raised from the shape shown by chain lines to the shape shown by solid lines. The thus formed terminal T is inserted into the connector housing C. The electrical wire F is press-fitted into the slot of the terminal T.

After all wiring has been laid between the connectors, a cover is put on the opening of the sheath D so as to close up the electrical wires. In this way, the manufacture of the wire harness W is completed. Instead of the cover, the inside of the sheath D may be filled (molded) with resin. Covering the opening or molding the resin may be conducted at another site after the sheath has been moved. Due to the foregoing, when a new sheath D is fed to the robot P, it is possible to conduct the operation of wiring and covering continuously. After all electrical wires F have been connected to the connector C with pressure, or alternatively after all wiring and pressure-connecting has been completed, the cover C′ is put on the connector C.

In this embodiment, electrical wires are laid in the three-dimensional sheath D. However, it should be noted that this embodiment can be applied to the wire harness W shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

composed of only the electrical wires F and the connectors C before they are incorporated into an automobile. When the wire harness W is connected to the connectors C in the middle of the wire harness with pressure, an appropriate pressure-blade may be moved downward so as to cut the wires. In this case, the wire harness W shown in

FIGS. 7 and 8

can be obtained. In this connection, the connector C is set at a predetermined position manually or automatically by an automatic machine.

In the above embodiment, the electrical wires are laid in the sheath D. However, as shown in

FIG. 9

, the electrical wires may be arranged on the instrument panel P as follows. A wiring groove “h” is formed on the instrument panel P, and the electrical wires F are laid in the wiring groove “h” in the same manner as described above. Then the connectors C are attached to the electrical wires so as to form a wire harness W. In the drawing, reference character “g” is a clip to fasten the wire harness W. In this way, wiring can be laid on not only the instrument panel P but also the door.

<Another Embodiment of Wire Harness Manufacturing Apparatus>

FIGS. 10

to

12

are views showing an another embodiment of the apparatus of manufacturing a wire harness for automobile use. In these views, like reference characters are used to indicate like parts. Therefore, the explanations are omitted here.

In this embodiment, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is attached to the machine frame H in such a manner that it can be freely moved in the directions of the axes of X and Y. Also, as shown by the arrows in

FIGS. 10 and 11

, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

can be rotated round the central axis and moved upward and downward. When the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved in the directions of the axes of X and Y, also when the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is rotated round the central axis, and also when the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved upward and downward, a drive mechanism incorporated into the block

71

to support the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is operated according to the direction given by the operation panel

73

. A predetermined number of connectors C are put on the pallets

72

and conveyed to the pressure-connecting position. After the completion of pressure-connection, the connectors C are sent out. This operation to convey the connectors C is conducted manually or automatically by a robot.

The wire harness W is manufactured in this embodiment as follows. For example, when the wire harness shown in

FIG. 12E

is manufactured, as shown in

FIG. 12A

, all necessary electrical wires F are simultaneously connected to the connector C

1

with pressure, and as shown in

FIG. 12B

, the electrical wires F to be maintained in parallel with each other are drawn out by a predetermined length, and then they are connected to another connector C

2

with pressure.

Successively, as shown in

FIGS. 12C and 12D

, the electrical wires F to cross each other are connected to the connector C

2

with pressure one by one. This pressure-connecting operation of the electrical wires F to cross each other will be described in detail later. After that, the electrical wires F are connected to the connectors C

3

. . . with pressure in the same manner.

<Embodiment of Pressure-Connecting and Wiring Machine>

FIGS. 13

to

21

are views showing an embodiment of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

, which is composed as follows. This pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

includes: a pressure-connecting section

1

having a set A of a plurality of pressure-blades

2

, . . . which can be operated individually and also having a set B of a plurality of pressure-blades

52

, . . . ; and an electrical wire feed section

40

to feed the electrical wires F to positions close to each of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

. A selecting mechanism

50

to select the pressure-blade is incorporated into the above pressure-connecting section

1

. The selecting mechanism

50

selects desired pressure-blades

2

,

52

from the sets A, B of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, and only the selected pressure-blades

2

,

52

can be operated.

As shown in

FIG. 13

, the pressure-connecting section

1

includes the sets A, B of the plurality of pressure-blades

2

,

52

. In the pressure-connecting section

1

, there is provided an elevating block

3

which elevates with respect to the pressure-terminals of the connector. This elevating block

3

is formed into a C-shaped rectangular frame by the two opposed side plates

3

a,

3

b

and the upper plate

3

c.

Between the two opposed side plates

3

a,

3

b,

the sets A, B of the plurality of pressure-blades

2

,

52

are arranged which will be described later.

As illustrated in

FIGS. 14 and 15

, on the upper plate

3

c

of the elevating block

3

, there is provided a ball nut

4

. Into this ball nut

4

, a rotational shaft

21

a

of the servo motor

21

attached to the upper portion of the frame

10

is screwed via a bearing

21

b.

Therefore, when the rotational shaft

21

a

is rotated, the elevating block

3

can be elevated. On the outer surface of one side plate

3

a

of the elevating block

3

, there are provided two guide grooves

5

,

5

which are arranged in the vertical direction. In the frame

10

, there are provided two guide rails

6

,

6

which engage with these grooves

5

,

5

. The elevating block

3

is elevated along these guide rails

6

,

6

.

Next, the arrangement and action of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

and the selecting mechanism

50

will be explained below. As shown in

FIGS. 14 and 16

, the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are composed of plate-shaped bodies having L-shaped sections

2

a,

52

a

and also composed of belt-shaped blade bodies

2

c,

52

c

soldered to the L-shaped sections

2

a,

52

a.

The thus formed pressure-blades

2

,

52

are arranged between the side plates

3

a

and

3

b

of the elevating block

3

in such a manner that the surfaces of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are set in parallel with the surfaces of both side plates

3

a,

3

b,

and the numbers of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are the same as those of the pressure-terminals of the connectors.

The L-shaped sections

2

a,

52

a

of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are arranged along the surfaces of the side plates

3

a,

3

b

symmetrically with respect to the transverse direction. In the vertical sections of the L-shaped section

2

a,

52

a,

there are provided two insertion holes

2

d,

52

d

for each vertical section, and the following selecting bars are inserted into these insertion holes

2

d,

52

d.

As illustrated in

FIGS. 14 and 16

, on the upper edge sides of the L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, there are provided air cylinders

7

,

57

, and these air cylinders correspond to the pressure-blades by one-to-one. Reference numeral

57

is omitted in FIG.

16

. In the middle sections of the air cylinders

7

,

57

, there are provided engaging protrusions

7

b,

57

b.

Between these engaging protrusions

7

b,

57

b

and the engaging holes

2

e,

52

e

provided in the L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b,

there are provided springs

8

,

58

, so that the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are pushed upward at all times. The L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

are pushed downward by the rods

7

a,

57

a

of the cylinders

7

,

57

against the spring forces, so that the pressure-blades

2

,

52

can be positioned at specific vertical positions.

On the outer surface of the side plate

3

b

of the elevating block

3

, as illustrated in

FIGS. 15 and 16

, there is provided an air cylinder

30

which is attached perpendicular to the side plate

3

b.

At the end of the rod

30

a

of the air cylinder

30

, there are provided two selecting bars

31

, −

31

, and also there are provided a plate-shaped selecting bar holder

30

b

attached perpendicular to the plate surface.

The selecting bars

31

function as follows. The L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

of the desired pressure-blades

2

,

52

in the sets A and B of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are pushed downward by the rods

7

a,

57

a

of the cylinders

7

,

57

. After that, the pushed L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

are fixed by the selecting bars

31

. In this state, the thus pushed L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

are protruded from the lower ends of the residual pressure-blades

2

,

52

.

In order to make the desired pressure-blades

2

,

52

protrude from the lower ends of the residual pressure-blades

2

,

52

and fix them in the state, the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are pushed downward by the cylinders

7

,

57

until the centers of the upper side holes of the insertion holes

2

d,

52

d

in the L-shaped vertical sections coincide with the axial centers of the selecting bars

31

. In the above state, the above cylinders

30

are operated, and the selecting bars

31

are inserted into the upper side insertion holes

2

d,

52

d

(shown in FIG.

14

).

In this connection, as illustrated in

FIG. 14

, in order to make certain the vertical positions of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, there are provided electromagnetic sensors

9

,

59

to detect the elevation of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, on the vertical lines which pass through the end portions of the L-shaped horizontal sections

2

b,

52

b

protruding from the side of the elevating block

3

.

As described above, the desired pressure-blades

2

,

5

are protruded from the lower ends of other pressure-blades

2

,

52

and fixed in the state. When the pressure-blades in the above state are lowered by the elevating blocks

3

,

3

, only the protruding pressure-blades

2

,

52

are inserted into the grooves of the pressure-terminals. Accordingly, only the electrical wires F fed to the positions of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are connected to the connectors with pressure (shown in FIG.

14

).

As illustrated in

FIGS. 13

to

15

, the lower end portions of the belt-shaped blade bodies

2

c,

52

c

are gently inserted into the guide holes

12

a

of the guide blocks

12

. Therefore, as described later, when the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are elevated by the elevating block

3

, the side formed by a bundle (group) of the pressure-blades

2

of the set A and the side formed by a bundle (group) of the pressure blades

52

of the set B slide along the inner surface of the guide holes

12

a,

so that the pressure blades

2

,

52

can be smoothly elevated. This guide block

12

is fixed to the frame

10

by bolts.

Further, as illustrated in

FIG. 16

, in order to correctly guide the pressure-blades

2

,

52

to the grooves of the pressure-terminals of the connector when the elevating block

3

is lowered, in the pressure-connecting section

1

, there is provided another guide block

13

at a position where the belt-shaped sections

2

c,

52

c

of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

protrude downward from the aforementioned guide block

12

. The lower end portions of the belt-shaped sections

2

c,

52

c

are engaged in the slits

13

a

formed in the guide block

13

in the vertical direction.

This guide bock

13

is fixed to the frame

10

by bolts. As illustrated in

FIG. 16

, in the guide bock

13

, in addition to the slits

13

a

formed in the vertical direction, there are formed slits

13

b

which penetrate the guide bock

13

in the longitudinal direction. Into these slits

13

b

formed in the longitudinal direction, the electrical wires F are guided from the electric wire feed section

40

. The pressure blades

2

,

52

are inserted into the slits

13

a

formed in the vertical direction. The pressure blades

2

,

52

push downward the electric wires F so that they can be connected with pressure. At this time, the slits

13

b

function as guides, so that the electric wires F can be guided to the connector. Accordingly, pressure-connection can be accomplished without causing the disconnection of the electric wires F from the pressure-blades

2

,

52

. In

FIG. 16

, the guide block

13

is clearly shown. Therefore, the guide block

12

arranged above the guide block

13

is not shown in the drawing.

A side end section of the belt-shaped section

52

c

of the pressure-blade

52

of the set B on the side of the electrical wire feed section

40

is a cutting blade

52

f

to cut the electrical wires F. The corresponding lower blade

13

c

is arranged in the guide block

13

(shown in FIGS.

14

and

16

). The width of the lower blade

13

c

covers the entire length of the electrical wires F in the parallel direction. When the pressure-blade

52

is lowered, the electrical wires F are cut by the lower blade

13

c

in cooperation with the cutting blade

52

f.

The shapes of the cutting blades

2

,

52

and the arrangement and action of the selecting mechanism

50

are described above. In order for the selecting mechanism

50

to be operated properly, the following precondition is required. When the selecting bar

31

is inserted into the lower insertion hole, which is one of the two insertion holes

2

d,

52

d

formed in the L-shaped vertical sections of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, that is, when the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are located at the upper dead points, it is important that the lower dead points are located at the position of the elevating block

3

so that the pressure-blades

2

,

52

can not be inserted into the grooves of the pressure terminals of the connector C even if the elevating black

3

is lowered.

Next, referring to

FIGS. 13

to

15

and

FIG. 17

, the electrical wire feed section

40

will be explained below. The electrical wire feed section

40

includes: a pair of rotational rollers

42

(shown in

FIG. 15

) rotated by the motor

41

via the gears

41

a;

and feed rollers

43

coming into contact with the rollers

42

as illustrated in FIG.

14

. The pair of rotational rollers

42

are rotated by the gears

41

a

in the same rotational direction at the same speed (shown in FIG.

15

). The motor

41

and the rollers

42

,

43

are mounted on the moving block

45

. This moving block

45

is moved upward and downward along the guide

44

b

by the air cylinder

44

a

fixed to the frame

10

.

The feed rollers

43

are arranged in the width direction (the transverse direction in

FIG. 17

) zigzag with respect to the vertical direction so that the adjacent rollers

43

can not interfere with each other. The electrical wires F are introduced from the guide hole

43

a

into between each feed roller

43

and rotational roller

42

. When both rollers

42

,

43

are rotated coming into pressure contact with each other via the electric wires F, the electric wires F can be fed downward.

As shown in

FIG. 14

, each feed roller

43

is attached to one end of the Y-shaped link

44

, and the other end

44

c

of the Y-shaped link

44

is formed into a pressure piece. The base end of each link

44

is connected to the plunger of the air cylinder

46

. When the plunger is advanced or retracted, it is possible to select one of the following two states. One is a state in which the feed roller

43

comes into contact with the rotational roller

42

, and the other is a state in which the feed roller

43

is separated from the rotational roller

42

, so that the pushing piece

44

c

can be contacted with the electrical wires F with pressure.

There is provided one electrical wire guide

47

a

on the lower surface of the moving block

45

. After the electrical wires F have been fed by the rotational roller

42

and the feed roller

43

, they pass through in this guide

47

a

and are introduced into the pressure-contacting section

1

. There is provided the other electrical wire guide

47

b

at the lower portion on the front surface of the frame

10

. Into this guide

47

b,

the guide

47

a

is introduced and guided into the pressure-connecting section

1

. Connecting sections of both guides

47

a,

47

b

are engaged with each other in such a manner that they can appear and disappear freely.

As shown in

FIG. 14

, the electrical wires F are pushed downward and connected to the pressure-terminal of the connector with pressure as follows. Under the condition that the electrical wires F are pushed by the pushing piece

44

c,

the air cylinder

44

a

of the electrical wire feed section

40

is extended, so that the block

45

can be lowered by the length L. In accordance with the length L, the electrical wires F protrude from the lower blade

13

c

and enter the slit

13

b

of the guide block

13

. When the pressure-blade

2

is lowered under the above condition, the electrical wires F are pushed downward and connected to the pressure-terminal of the connector with pressure.

The arrangement and action of the pressure-connecting section, the electrical wire feed section and the selecting mechanism of the pressure-blade of this embodiment are described above. Next, a process of manufacturing a wire harness of cross-wiring will be explained below. In this manufacturing process, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved by the aforementioned moving mechanism such as robot P.

In this case, the objective wire harness of cross-wiring is shown in

FIG. 25B

or FIG.

27

B. That is, the connector C

1

having four pressure-terminals T

11

, T

12

, T

13

and T

14

is connected to the connector C

2

having four pressure-terminals T

21

, T

22

, T

23

and T

24

by the electrical wires F

1

, F

2

, F

3

and F

4

.

Since the number of the pressure-terminals is four, the number of the pressure-blades

2

of the set A to be used is also four, and the number of the pressure-blades

52

of the set B to be used is also four. In the following explanations, the pressure-blades

2

of the set A are represented by reference numerals

2

1

,

2

2

,

2

3

and

2

4

, and the pressure-blades

52

of the set B are represented by reference numerals

52

1

,

52

2

,

52

3

and

52

4

.

FIG. 18

is a view showing a primary portion in detail where pressure-connection is conducted. In

FIGS. 20 and 21

, in order to clearly show a positional relations between the pressure-blades

2

1

,

2

2

,

2

3

,

2

4

,

52

1

,

52

2

,

52

3

and

52

4

and the pressure terminals T

11

, T

12

, T

13

, T

14

, T

21

, T

22

, T

23

and T

24

, the pressure-blades

2

1

,

2

2

,

2

3

,

2

4

,

52

1

,

52

2

,

52

3

and

52

4

of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

are located in cubes and illustrated schematically.

In this embodiment, the wire harness is manufactured as follows. The electrical wires F are previously fed to the pressure-connecting section

1

from the electrical wire feed section

40

. Under the condition that the pushing piece

44

c

of the link

44

pushes each electrical wire F, all pressure-blades

52

on the side, on which the cutting blades

52

f

are formed, are selected by the selecting mechanism

50

, and the elevating block

3

is lowered to cut the electrical wires F. In this way, the end portions of the electrical wires F are put in order. The connectors C

1

and C

2

are set at predetermined positions manually or automatically by an automatic machine.

Next, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved to a position at which the pressure-blades

2

of the set A face the pressure-terminals T of one C

1

of the connectors. While the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is being moved, or immediately after the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

has been moved, all pressure-blades

2

of the set A are selected by the selecting mechanism of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

. The selected pressure-blades

2

1

,

2

2

,

2

3

and

2

4

are surrounded by the bold black frames in FIG.

20

A.

To the respective pressure-terminals T

11

, T

12

, T

13

and T

14

, the electrical wire F

1

, F

2

, F

3

and F

4

are fed from the electrical wire feed section

40

. As shown in

FIG. 20A

, end portions of these electrical wires are connected with pressure all at once by all pressure-blades

2

1

,

2

2

,

2

3

and

2

4

of the selected set A. After the completion of pressure-connection, the cover is attached. The detail of the pressure-connecting section in the pressure-connection is shown in FIG.

18

A. As shown in the drawing, even when the elevating block

3

is lowered, the pressure-blade

52

having the cutting blade

52

f

remains at an upper position, and only the pressure-blade

2

having no cutting blade

52

f

connects the electric wire F to the pressure-terminal T of the connector C

1

with pressure.

Next, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved upward from the connector C

1

, and as illustrated in

FIG. 20B

, it is moved horizontally so that the pressure-blades

52

of the set B can be located at pressure-connecting positions of the other connector C

2

. In this movement, in order to feed the electrical wires F smoothly for wiring, the feed roller

43

of the electrical wire feed section

40

is appropriately pressed against the electrical wires F.

Next, in order to connect the electrical wire F

1

, which is located at the position of the blade

52

1

in the pressure-blades

52

, to the pressure-terminal T

24

of the connector C

2

with pressure, as shown in

FIG. 20C

, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved in the direction of the arrangement of the pressure terminals T (the direction of the arrow in the drawing). After the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

has been moved, or alternatively while the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is being moved, the selecting mechanism is operated, and only the blade

52

1

is selected from the pressure-blades

52

. In this case, the selected pressure-blade

52

1

is surrounded by a bold black frame in FIG.

20

D. Under the condition that all pressure-blades

2

of the set A and the residual blades

52

2

,

52

3

,

52

4

of the pressure-blades

52

of the set B are retracted, they are fixed. In order to fix the pressure-blades, the selecting bars

31

of the cylinder

30

are inserted into the insertion holes

2

d,

52

d

of the L-shaped vertical sections of the pressure blades.

Successively, as shown in

FIG. 20D

, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is lowered, and the electrical wire F

1

is inserted into and connected to the pressure-terminal T

24

of the connector C

2

with pressure. At the same time, the electrical wire F

1

is cut by the cutting blade

52

f

attached to the pressure-blade

52

1

. The detail of the pressure-connecting section in the pressure-connection is shown in FIG.

18

B. As shown in the drawing, even when the elevating block

3

is lowered, the pressure-blade

2

having no cutting blade

52

f

remains at an upper position, and only the pressure-blade

52

1

having the cutting blade

52

f

connects the electric wire F

1

to the pressure-terminal T

24

of the connector C

2

with pressure. At this stage described above, cross-wiring of the electrical wire F

1

is completed.

In this connection, according to the manufacturing method shown in

FIG. 12

, when the pressure-connection is conducted on the connector C

2

, the direction of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is opposite to the direction of the connector C

1

. Accordingly, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is rotated by the angle of 180°. Therefore, the actions of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, for the connector C

1

are shown in

FIG. 19A

, and the actions of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

, for the connector C

2

are shown in FIG.

19

B.

Next, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is raised and separated from the pressure-terminal T of the connector C

2

. While the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is being raised, or immediately after the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

has been raised, the selecting mechanism

50

is operated, so that only the pressure-blades

52

2

,

52

3

of the pressure-blades

52

in the set B are selected. Under the condition that all pressure-blades

2

of the set A and the residual blades

52

1

,

52

4

of the pressure-blades

52

of the set B are retracted upward, they are fixed. Then, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved in the direction of the arrangement of the pressure-terminals T (the direction of the arrow in the drawing) so that the pressure-blades

52

2

,

52

3

can be respectively located in the grooves of the pressure-terminals T

22

, T

23

of the connector C

2

(shown in FIG.

21

A).

Successively, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is lowered, and the electrical wires F

2

and F

3

are inserted into and connected to the grooves of the pressure terminals T

22

, T

23

with pressure (shown in FIG.

21

B). At the same time, the electrical wire F

2

and F

3

are cut by the cutting blades

52

f

attached to the pressure-blades

52

2

,

52

3

. The detail of the pressure-connecting acting section at this time is the same as that shown in

FIGS. 18 and 19

.

In the same manner as described above, when the pressure-terminal T

14

is connected to the pressure-terminal T

21

by the electrical wire F

4

, the pressure-connecting blade

52

4

is selected from the pressure-blades

52

of the set B, and the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved horizontally in the direction of the arrangement of the pressure-terminals T

2

(the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.

21

C). When the pressure-blade

52

4

comes to a position immediately above the terminal T

21

, the elevating block

3

is lowered, so that the pressure-connection can be accomplished (shown in FIG.

21

D).

As described above, in the pressure-connecting apparatus of this embodiment, the desired pressure-blades

2

,

52

are selected from the plurality of pressure-blades

2

,

52

by the selecting mechanism

50

, and pressure-connection is conducted only by the selected pressure-blades

2

,

52

. Therefore, when the wire harness of cross-wiring is manufactured, the wiring motions can be remarkably omitted as follows. First, the electrical wires F are connected to one connector C

1

with pressure all at once. Then, when the wiring motion (horizontal movement), in which the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved to the other connector C

2

, is conducted only once, the pressure-connection of the connector C

2

can be accomplished only by moving the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

in the direction of the arrangement of the pressure-terminals of the connector C

2

. Compared with the conventional case in which the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is returned to the side of one connector C

1

each time, the wiring motions can be remarkably omitted.

In the above embodiment, the wire harness of cross-wiring is manufactured. However, it should be noted that the wire harness, in which the electrical wire lengths are different from each other, or the wire harness including “a crossover wiring F” can be manufactured when the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are appropriately acted. Also, it should be noted that the wire harness of parallel wiring can be connected with pressure all at once when all pressure-blades

2

,

52

are selected by the above selecting mechanism and the thus selected pressure-blades are fixed.

<Another Embodiment of Pressure-Connecting and Wiring Machine>

This embodiment is different from the above embodiment in the structure of the pressure-blades and the selecting mechanism of the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

. Since the electrical wire feed section and the manufacturing process of the wire harness of this embodiment are the same as those of the above embodiment, the explanations are omitted here. Referring to

FIGS. 22

to

24

, only the pressure-blades, the structure of the selecting mechanism to select the pressure-blades and its action will be explained below.

As shown in

FIG. 23

, the pressure-blade of this embodiment is composed in such a manner that a pressure-connecting blade is formed at the lower end of the belt-shaped member. A predetermined number of pressure-blades are put on each other in the thickness direction and inserted into a rectangular hole

83

of the pressure-blade holding body

82

fixed on the base mount

81

. Each blade

100

is hung by a spring

84

, so that the blade

100

can be slid along the inner surface of the rectangular hole

83

.

Each pressure-blade

100

includes a hooking section

85

at which the spring

84

is hooked. This hooking section

85

protrudes perpendicularly from the belt-shaped body of the pressure-blade. This hooking section

85

comes into contact with the lower surface of the pressure-blade holding body

82

, so that the upper dead point of the pressure-blade

100

can be determined.

On the upper surface of the pressure-blade holding body

82

, there is provided a selecting mechanism

90

for selecting the pressure-blade

100

, and this selecting mechanism

90

is adjacent to a region into which the pressure-blade

100

protrudes from the rectangular hole

83

.

In the selecting mechanism

90

, there are provided a plurality of selecting plates

91

which correspond to the pressure-blades

100

by one-to-one, and these selecting plates

91

are interposed between a pair of plate-shaped pillars

92

. These selecting plates

91

are attached to and rotated round the rotational shaft

93

arranged between the plate-shaped pillars

92

.

At the upper position of the rotational shaft

93

, there is provided a cylinder

94

for each selecting plate

91

by one-to-one. The rod

94

a

of the cylinder

94

extends and engages with the cutout portion

91

b

formed at the end

91

a

of the selecting plate

91

under the condition that the selecting plate

91

is in an upright posture. Therefore, the selecting plate

91

is held so that it can not be rotated. There is provided a spring

95

which is attached onto this selecting plate

91

, and this spring

95

urges the end portion

91

a

of the selecting plate

91

, at which the cutout portion

91

b

is formed, so that the end portion

91

a

can be rotated in a direction in which the end portion

91

a

comes into contact with the upper end of the pressure-blade

100

.

Accordingly, when the rod

94

a

of the cylinder

94

is retracted and disengaged from the cutout portion

91

b

of the selecting plate

91

, the selecting plate

91

is rotated, and the end portion

91

a,

at which the cutout portion

91

b

is formed, comes into contact with the upper end of the corresponding pressure-blade

100

(shown by a chain line in FIG.

23

).

In order to return this selecting plate

91

, which has been rotated and come into contact with the upper end of the pressure-blade

100

, to the initial position, there is provided a returning bar

97

, which is driven by the rotary actuator

96

arranged on one of the outer surfaces of the plate-shaped pillar

92

. By this returning bar

97

, the end portion

91

a

of the selecting plate

91

is moved upward.

As illustrated by one-dotted chain lines in

FIG. 23

, the above structure is arranged symmetrically with respect to the transverse direction in the drawing. The right and the left structure illustrated by one-dotted chain lines in

FIG. 23

respectively correspond to the pressure-blades of the sets A and B.

That is, the electrical wires are connected to the connector C

1

with pressure all at once by one of the pressure-blades in the first embodiment, and the electrical wires are respectively connected to the pressure-terminals of the connector C

2

with pressure by the other pressure-blades. At this time, in the same manner as that of the first embodiment, there is provided a cutting blade at the side edge portion of the blade on the respective pressure contact side. By this cutting blade, the electrical wires F are cut after the completion of pressure-connection. In

FIG. 23

, the set of pressure-blades on the side of the cutting blades

100

f

and the selecting mechanism are illustrated by solid lines.

At the upper positions of the above pressure-blades

100

, there is provided a pushing roller

98

in a range covering all pressure-blades

100

, that is, there is provided a pushing roller

98

all over the length of the arrangement of the pressure-blades

100

. This pushing roller

98

pushes only the pressure-blade

100

, with the upper end of which the selecting plate

91

comes into contact after the rotation of the selecting plate

91

, and the pushing roller

98

pushes the pressure-blade

100

together with the selecting plate

91

. When the pushing roller

98

has reached the lower dead point, the pressure blade

100

is inserted into the groove of the connector terminal at this position, so that the electrical wires are connected to the terminal with pressure. Concerning the pressure-blade

100

with which the selecting plate

91

is not contacted, even when the pushing roller

98

is lowered and reaches the lower dead point, the pressure-blade

100

is not pushed downward, so that the electrical wire can not be connected to the connector with pressure.

Although not shown in the drawing, there is provided a sensor at the position where the selecting plate

91

comes into contact with the upper end of the pressure-blade

100

after the rotation of the selecting plate

91

onto the pressure blade

100

side. By this sensor, the pressure blade

100

can be detected.

Although not shown in the drawing, at the position of the pressure-blade

100

protruding from the lower surface of the pressure-blade holding body

82

, there is provided a member which is equal to the guide block

13

of the pressure-blade

2

,

52

in the first embodiment. Each pressure-blade

100

is inserted into the slit vertically formed in this guide block. Therefore, each pressure-blade

100

is guided by this slit and correctly inserted into the pressure-terminal. Further in this guide block, there is provided a horizontal slit by which the electrical wire F fed from the electrical wire feed section

40

not shown is guided. The structure by which the electrical wire is fed along this slit is the same as that of the aforementioned embodiment.

The structure and action of the pressure-blade

100

and its selecting mechanism of this embodiment are described above. The pressure-blade

100

and its selecting mechanism are incorporated into the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

together with the electrical wire feed section

40

shown in the aforementioned embodiment. Then the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

and the electrical wire feed section

40

are attached to the moving body and moved. In the same manner as that described in the aforementioned embodiment, after the electrical wires have been connected to one connector C

1

with pressure all at once, the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

is moved to the other connector C

2

only once, that is, wiring is conducted on the other connector C

2

only once. After that, only when the selection of the pressure-blades

100

and the pressure-connection of the electrical wires are repeated only on the connector C

2

side, it is possible to manufacture a wire harness of cross-wiring.

In this connection, in the above embodiment, the pressure-connection is conducted by one servo motor

21

. However, it is possible to individually drive each pressure-blade

2

,

52

by an air cylinder so that the pressure-connection can be performed independently. In the above embodiment, a pair of sets of pressure-blades

2

,

52

are provided, however, it should be noted that only one set of pressure-blades

2

,

52

may be provided.

When the article number of the connector C is different, the specification of the pressure-blades is different. Therefore, it is necessary to use pressure blades

2

,

52

meeting the requirement of the connector of the article number. Therefore, it is preferable that the pushing ends of the pressure-blades

2

,

52

are formed into removable jigs, and when the jigs are replaced, the pressure-blades can be used for the connector C of a different article number.

Further, it is possible to add the function of setting a cover D of the connector C to the pressure-connecting and wiring machine

70

. Alternatively, it is possible to separately arrange a setting machine for setting a cover C′.

The present invention is composed as explained above. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively manufacture a wire harness, the electrical wires arranged between the connectors of which are of the specification of cross-wiring.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of and within the scope of the invention. The preferred embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and equivalents thereof.

Number	Name	Date
4007534	Tucci	Feb 1977
4333230	Funcik et al.	Jun 1982
4397084	Ebrey et al.	Aug 1983
4493147	Bakermans	Jan 1985
4616396	Matsui	Oct 1986
5333376	Lawruk	Aug 1994

Number	Date	Country
0 168 141	Jan 1986	EP
0223330	May 1987	EP
0 330 366	Aug 1989	EP
2 233 585	Jan 1991	GB

Apparatus for making a wire harness

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

Agents

CPC

US Classifications

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US

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims

Priority Claims (1)

US Referenced Citations (6)

Foreign Referenced Citations (4)