Wire setting device

Abstract

A wire setting device for a wire end processing apparatus includes a wire setting portion that includes a wire insertion groove in which an intermediate portion of a wire in a longitudinal direction thereof is set, a first optical detecting portion that detects a property setting of the wire in the wire insertion groove based on a reception signal relating to a first light beam passing across the wire insertion groove, a positioning portion that positions the wire in the longitudinal direction by bringing a distal end of the wire into abutting contact with the positioning portion, a second optical detecting portion that detects an abutting contact of the distal end of the wire with a proper point on a wire abutment surface of the positioning portion based on a reception signal relating to a second light beam which is irradiated in a direction intersecting the wire, and passes through the proper point, a wire clamp portion that is provided between the wire setting portion and the positioning portion, and a control portion that determines that the wire is properly positioned in the wire insertion groove of the wire setting portion based on detection signals from both of the first and second optical detecting portions, and controls to perform a clamping operation of the wire clamp portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a broad construction of a preferred embodiment of a wire setting device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view as seen from a direction of the line II-II of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view as seen from a direction of the line III-III of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A wire setting device, comprising: a wire setting portion that includes a wire insertion groove in which an intermediate portion of a wire in a longitudinal direction thereof is set;a first optical detecting portion that detects a property setting of the wire in the wire insertion groove based on a reception signal relating to a first light beam passing across the wire insertion groove;a positioning portion that positions the wire in the longitudinal direction by bringing a distal end of the wire into abutting contact with the positioning portion;a second optical detecting portion that detects an abutting contact of the distal end of the wire with a proper point on a wire abutment surface of the positioning portion based on a reception signal relating to a second light beam which is irradiated in a direction intersecting the wire, and passes through the proper point;a wire clamp portion that is provided between the wire setting portion and the positioning portion; anda control portion that determines that the wire is properly positioned in the wire insertion groove of the wire setting portion based on detection signals from both of the first and second optical detecting portions, and controls to perform a clamping operation of the wire clamp portion.

2. The wire setting device according to claim 1, further comprising a slit portion that has a slit for reducing a cross-section of the second light beam, and is disposed on an optical path of the second light beam, wherein the slit portion is located at a position ahead of the proper point in a direction of advancing of the second light beam.

3. The wire setting device according to claim 1, wherein the second light beam is a laser beam.