U.S. patent application number 15/039147 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-08 for wire straightening device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Junichi KATOU.
Application Number | 20160354820 15/039147 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53370879 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160354820 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KATOU; Junichi |
December 8, 2016 |
WIRE STRAIGHTENING DEVICE
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to straighten a wire such
that twisting of the wire does not accumulate to prevent tangling
of the wire when the wire is unwound from a bobbin installed in a
horizontal state while gyrating. A roller supporting portion
supports rotating shaft portions of a pair of rollers in a state in
which a wire is sandwiched between the pair of rollers, which are
rotated by following a movement of the wire, at an intermediate
position that is midway in a transfer path of the wire, which is
unwound from a bobbin while gyrating, and in a state in which
rotation axes of the pair of rollers are kept at skew positions
that are parallel with each other when viewed in a transfer
direction of the wire at the intermediate position.
Inventors: |
KATOU; Junichi; (Mie,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. |
Mie |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS,
LTD.
Mie
JP
|
Family ID: |
53370879 |
Appl. No.: |
15/039147 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
February 17, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2014/053591 |
371 Date: |
May 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21C 47/20 20130101;
B21F 1/02 20130101; H02G 1/06 20130101; B21F 23/00 20130101; B65H
57/14 20130101; B21D 3/05 20130101; B65H 2701/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B21D 3/05 20060101
B21D003/05 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2013 |
JP |
2013-256050 |
Claims
1. A wire straightening device comprising: a pair of rollers that
are each rotatably supported; and a roller supporting portion for
supporting rotating shaft portions of the pair of rollers in a
condition in which a wire is sandwiched between the pair of
rollers, which are rotated by following a movement of the wire, at
an intermediate position that is midway in a transfer path of the
wire, which is unwound from a bobbin around which the wire is wound
while gyrating along an outer circumference of the bobbin, and in a
condition in which rotation axes of the pair of rollers are kept at
skew positions that are parallel with each other when viewed in a
transfer direction of the wire at the intermediate position,,
wherein, when a wire gyrating direction is defined as a gyrating
direction of the wire when viewed in a direction in which the wire
is unwound from the bobbin, the roller supporting portion supports
the rotating shaft portions in a condition in which the rotation
axis of at least one of the pair of rollers forms an acute angle in
the same rotation direction as the wire gyrating direction with
respect to a line that is orthogonal to the transfer direction of
the wire at the intermediate position when viewed from a side on
which the roller is opposed to the wire at the intermediate
position.
2. The wire straightening device according to claim 1, wherein the
roller supporting portion supports the rotating shaft portions in a
condition in which one of the rotation axes of the pair of rollers
is kept in parallel with a line that is orthogonal to a transfer
direction of the wire at the intermediate position.
3. The wire straightening device according to claim 1, wherein the
roller supporting portion includes an elastic member for
maintaining the pair of rollers by elastic force in a condition in
which the wire is sandwiched between the pair of rollers.
4. The wire straightening device according to claim 1, wherein
outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of rollers for coming
into contact with the wire are smooth circumferential surfaces.
5. The wire straightening device according to claim 2, wherein the
roller supporting portion includes an elastic member for
maintaining the pair of rollers by elastic force in a condition in
which the wire is sandwiched between the pair of rollers.
6. The wire straightening device according to claim 2, wherein
outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of rollers for coming
into contact with the wire are smooth circumferential surfaces.
7. The wire straightening device according to claim 3, wherein
outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of rollers for coming
into contact with the wire are smooth circumferential surfaces.
8. The wire straightening device according to claim 5, wherein
outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of rollers for coming
into contact with the wire are smooth circumferential surfaces.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a wire straightening device
for straightening twisting in a wire that is unwound from a bobbin
while gyrating along the outer circumference of the bobbin.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a process for manufacturing wire harnesses to be provided
in vehicles such as automobiles, a wire length adjusting process
for cutting a wire by a length in accordance with a required
specification, that is, for adjusting the length of a wire to a
necessary length is carried out. In the wire length adjusting
process, a wire unwound from a bobbin around which the wire is
wound is sequentially cut to a necessary length.
[0003] A bobbin around which a wire is wound sometimes called a
"reel". In the following description, a wire that has been cut off
in the wire length adjusting process, that is, a wire whose length
is adjusted, is referred to as "length-adjusted wire".
[0004] The wire wound around the bobbin is unwound from the bobbin
in a state in which the wire is bent into a curved shape. In order
to facilitate handling of a length-adjusted wire cut off to a
necessary length, it is required to straighten the lasting curved
shape of the wire before the wire unwound from the bobbin is
cut.
[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a wire
straightening device for straightening the lasting curved shape of
a wire unwound from a bobbin (reel). This wire straightening device
includes a plurality of first straightening rollers and a plurality
of second straightening rollers that are alternately arranged in
the longitudinal direction of a transfer path of a wire. The first
straightening rollers and the second straightening rollers cause
the wire to meander, and thus the lasting curved shape of the wire
is straightened.
[0006] That is, the wire straightening device described in Patent
Document 1 is an example of a wire bend straightening device for
straightening a bend in a wire. In the apparatus described in
Patent Document 1, the wire is unwound from a rotating reel.
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0007] Patent Document 1: JP 2013-9047A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0008] In the wire length adjusting process, there are cases where
a bobbin around which a wire is wound is installed in a horizontal
(laid-down) state, and the wire is unwound from the bobbin while
gyrating along the outer circumference of the bobbin. In this case,
a mechanism for rotatably supporting the bobbin is not needed, and
thus an apparatus for the wire length adjusting process is
simplified.
[0009] When a wire is unwound from a bobbin while gyrating, the
unwound wire is slightly twisted. Moreover, when a wire is
continuously unwound from a bobbin installed in a horizontal state
and is continuously transferred while coming into contact with a
guiding portion for guiding the wire including a rotating roller, a
path narrowing portion, and the like, the twisting of the wire
accumulates at a portion of the transfer path of a wire.
[0010] If the twisting of the wire accumulates at a portion of the
transfer path of a wire, there are disadvantageous situations in
which the length-adjusted wires are twisted and a portion of the
wire forms a ring-shaped tangle, for example. The ring-shaped
tangle of the wire causes clogging of the guiding portion.
[0011] An object of the present invention is to straighten a wire
such that the twisting of the wire does not accumulate, thereby
preventing the tangling of the wire (or kinks) when the wire is
unwound from a bobbin installed in a horizontal state while
gyrating.
Solution to Problem
[0012] A wire straightening device according to a first aspect
includes a pair of rollers and a roller supporting portion. Each of
the pair of rollers is rotatably supported. The roller supporting
portion supports rotating shaft portions of the pair of rollers at
an intermediate position that is midway in a transfer path of a
wire unwound from a bobbin around which the wire is wound while
gyrating along an outer circumference of the bobbin. The roller
supporting portion supports the rotating shaft portions of the pair
of rollers in a state in which the wire is sandwiched between the
pair of rollers, which are rotated by following a movement of the
wire, and in a state in which rotation axes of the pair of rollers
are kept at skew positions that are in parallel with each other
when viewed in a transfer direction of the wire at the intermediate
position.
[0013] A wire straightening device according to a second aspect is
an aspect of the wire straightening device according to the first
aspect. In the wire straightening device according to the second
aspect, the roller supporting portion supports the rotating shaft
portions in a state in which one of the rotation axes of the pair
of rollers is kept in parallel with a line that is orthogonal to a
transfer direction of the wire at the intermediate position.
[0014] A wire straightening device according to a third aspect is
an aspect of the wire straightening device according to the first
aspect or the second aspect. In the wire straightening device
according to the third aspect, the roller supporting portion
includes an elastic member for maintaining the pair of rollers by
elastic force in a state in which the wire is sandwiched between
the pair of rollers.
[0015] A wire straightening device according to a fourth aspect is
an aspect of the wire straightening device according to any one of
the first aspect to the third aspect. In the wire straightening
device according to the fourth aspect, outer circumferential
surfaces of the pair of rollers for coming into contact with the
wire are smooth circumferential surfaces.
Advantageous Effects of the Invention
[0016] In the above-mentioned aspects, the pair of rollers are
rotatably supported in a state in which the rotation axes thereof
are kept at skew positions. The wire unwound from the bobbin while
gyrating is sandwiched by the pair of rollers midway in the
transfer path, and the pair of rollers are rotated by following the
movement of the wire. Accordingly, it is found that the twisting of
the wire can be straightened such that the twisting of the wire
does not accumulate. As a result, it is possible to prevent
tangling the wire caused by the twisting of the wire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a wire length
adjusting apparatus including a wire twist straightening device 1
according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the wire twist straightening
device 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the wire twist
straightening device 1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the wire twist
straightening device 1 in a state in which a pair of rollers are
separated from each other.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a first side view of the wire twist straightening
device 1.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a second side view of the wire twist straightening
device 1.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the side surfaces of the pair of
rollers and a cross section of a path narrowing portion in the wire
twist straightening device 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the attached drawings. The following
embodiment is merely a specific example of the present invention,
and is not to restrict the technical scope of the present
invention.
Wire Length Adjusting Apparatus
[0025] First, a wire length adjusting apparatus 10 including a wire
twist straightening device 1 according to an embodiment will be
described with reference to FIG. 1. The wire length adjusting
apparatus 10 is an apparatus for sequentially cutting a wire 9 that
is unwound from a bobbin 90 around which the wire 9 is wound by a
length in accordance with a required specification.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the wire length adjusting apparatus 10
includes the wire twist straightening device 1, a fixed pulley 5, a
wire bend straightening device 6, a wire transfer device 7, and a
cutting machine 8. The wire twist straightening device 1, the fixed
pulley 5, the wire bend straightening device 6, the wire transfer
device 7, and the cutting machine 8 are arranged at different
positions midway in a transfer path of the wire 9 unwound from the
bobbin 90.
[0027] Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the wire length
adjusting apparatus 10 also includes a bobbin platform 91 and a
bobbin cover 92. It should be noted that the bobbin cover 92 is
shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 1.
Bobbin Platform
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the bobbin 90 around which the wire 9 is
wound is installed at a predetermined position on the bobbin
platform 91 or the like in a horizontal state, for example. The
wire 9 is unwound from the bobbin 90 while gyrating along the outer
circumference of the bobbin 90. Therefore, the wire length
adjusting apparatus 10 does not need to include an extensive
mechanism for rotatably supporting the bobbin 90, and thus is a
relatively simple device.
Bobbin Cover
[0029] The bobbin cover 92 is a hollow member for covering the
bobbin 90 installed in a horizontal state. The bobbin cover 92 is
provided with an opening 920 through which the wire 9 unwound from
the bobbin 90 passes. The bobbin cover 92 prevents objects around
the bobbin 90 from being caught by the wire 9 unwound from the
bobbin 90.
Outline of Wire Twist Straightening Device
[0030] The wire twist straightening device 1 is a device for
straightening the twisting of the wire 9, which is unwound from the
bobbin 90 while gyrating, such that the twisting of the wire 9 does
not accumulate. In this embodiment, the wire twist straightening
device 1 is arranged downstream from the position of the bobbin 90
and upstream of the position of the fixed pulley 5 in the transfer
path of the wire 9.
[0031] The wire twist straightening device 1 is an example of a
wire straightening device including a pair of rollers 21 and 22 and
a roller supporting portion 3. The wire twist straightening device
1 will be described in detail later.
Fixed Pulley
[0032] The fixed pulley 5 is a pulley for switching a transfer
direction of the wire 9, which is unwound from the bobbin 90 and
transferred in a first transfer direction R11, to a second transfer
direction R12. In this embodiment, the fixed pulley 5 is arranged
downstream from the position of the wire twist straightening device
1 and upstream of the position of the wire bend straightening
device 6 in the transfer path of the wire 9.
[0033] In this embodiment, the first transfer direction R11 is
substantially a vertically upward direction, and the second
transfer direction R12 is substantially a horizontal direction.
Wire Bend Straightening Device
[0034] The wire bend straightening device 6 is a device for
straightening the bending in the wire 9. In this embodiment, the
wire bend straightening device 6 is arranged downstream from the
position of the bobbin 90 and upstream of the position of the fixed
pulley 5 in the transfer path of the wire 9.
[0035] The wire bend straightening device 6 includes a first bend
straightening portion 61 and a second bend straightening portion 62
that include the same components. The first bend straightening
portion 61 and the second bend straightening portion 62 are
arranged in a state in which their orientations with respect to the
circumferential direction are tilted with respect to each other by
90 degrees around the transfer direction of the wire 9.
Accordingly, the first bend straightening portion 61 and the second
bend straightening portion 62 straighten the bends of the wire 9 in
two transverse directions that are orthogonal to each other.
[0036] The first bend straightening portion 61 and the second bend
straightening portion 62 each include a path narrowing portion 63,
a plurality of first straightening rollers 64, and a plurality of
second straightening rollers 65.
[0037] The path narrowing portion 63 is a member provided with a
wire path whose width is gradually reduced toward an exit side from
an entrance side. The path narrowing portion 63 guides the wire 9
transferred via the fixed pulley 5 to a path extending toward the
first straightening roller 64 at the first position.
[0038] The first straightening rollers 64 and the second
straightening rollers 65 are alternately arranged along the
transfer path of the wire 9, and cause the wire 9 to meander along
the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers. Thus, the bends
of the wire 9 are straightened.
Wire Transfer Device
[0039] The wire transfer device 7 is a device for bringing the wire
9 from the previous process side and feeding the wire 9 to the
subsequent process side in the transfer path. Each time the cutting
machine 8 on the subsequent process side cuts the wire 9, the wire
transfer device 7 transfers the wire 9 having a length in
accordance with a required specification to the subsequent process
side.
[0040] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the wire transfer device 7
includes a path narrowing portion 71, a pair of endless belts 72
that are arranged so as to be opposed to each other, a pair of
driving rollers 73, and a plurality of driven rollers 74.
[0041] The path narrowing portion 71 is a member similar to the
path narrowing portion 63, and guides the wire 9 transferred via
the wire bend straightening device 6 to between the pair of endless
belts 72.
[0042] The pair of endless belts 72 are arranged on both sides of
the transfer path of the wire 9, and are rotated in a state in
which the wire 9 is sandwiched therebetween. Accordingly, the pair
of endless belts 72 bring the wire 9 from the previous process side
and feed the wire 9 to the subsequent process side. The endless
belts 72 are members having a large frictional resistance, such as
rubber members.
[0043] The pair of driving rollers 73 rotate the pair of endless
belts 72, and maintain portions of the pair of endless belts 72 in
a state in which the wire 9 is sandwiched therebetween. The driven
rollers 74 maintain the portions of the pair of endless belts 72 in
a state in which the wire 9 is sandwiched therebetween.
Cutting Machine
[0044] The cutting machine 8 is a mechanism for cutting the wire 9
in the transfer path of the wire 9. In the example shown in FIG. 1,
the cutting machine 8 includes a path narrowing portion 81, a wire
supporting portion 82, a cutter 83, and a cutter driving portion
84.
[0045] The path narrowing portion 81 is a member similar to the
path narrowing portion 63, and guides the wire 9 fed from the wire
transfer device 7 to a position along the wire supporting portion
82.
[0046] The wire supporting portion 82 supports a part of the wire 9
to be cut from the side. The cutter 83 is driven by the cutter
driving portion 84, and thus cuts the part of the wire 9 supported
by the wire supporting portion 82. The cutter driving portion 84
displaces the cutter 83 between a cutting position at which the
cutter 83 comes into contact with the wire 9 and a waiting position
that is separated from the wire 9.
[0047] A length-adjusted wire processing apparatus 100 for
processing the wire 9 cut off by the wire length adjusting
apparatus 10 is arranged at a position for a process subsequent to
the process performed by the wire length adjusting apparatus 10.
The length-adjusted wire processing apparatus 100 is a crimping
apparatus for crimping crimp terminals to both ends of the cut-out
wire 9, for example.
Details of Wire Twist Straightening Device
[0048] Next, the wire twist straightening device 1 will be
specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7. FIG. 2 is a
front view of the wire twist straightening device 1. FIG. 3 is a
cross-sectional plan view of the wire twist straightening device 1
showing a cut through plane II-II shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a
cross-sectional plan view of the wire twist straightening device 1
in a state in which the pair of rollers 21 and 22 are separated
from each other. FIG. 5 is a first side view of the wire twist
straightening device 1. FIG. 6 is a second side view of the wire
twist straightening device 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the side
surfaces of the pair of rollers 21 and 22 and a cross section of a
path narrowing portion 300 in the wire twist straightening device
1. It should be noted that the path narrowing portion 300 is a part
of the wire twist straightening device 1.
[0049] As described above, the wire twist straightening device 1
includes the pair of rollers 21 and 22, and the roller supporting
portion 3. Furthermore, the wire twist straightening device 1 also
includes the path narrowing portion 300.
[0050] The pair of rollers 21 and 22 constitute a roller pair for
straightening the wire 9 such that the twisting of the wire 9 does
not accumulate. The pair of rollers 21 and 22 include a first
roller 21 and a second roller 22.
[0051] The path narrowing portion 300 is a member that is similar
to the path narrowing portion 63 and is provided with a wire path
3001 whose width is gradually reduced toward an exit side from an
entrance side. The path narrowing portion 300 guides the gyrating
wire 9 that has been unwound from the bobbin 90 to an intermediate
position P0 that is midway in the transfer path of the wire 9.
Pair of Rollers
[0052] The pair of rollers 21 and 22 are rotatably supported by the
rotating shaft portions 210 and 220, respectively, in a state in
which the rollers 21 and 22 are opposed to each other at the
intermediate position P0 midway in the transfer path of the wire 9.
In the following description, the rotating shaft of the first
roller 21 is referred to as "first rotating shaft portion 210", and
the rotating shaft of the second roller 22 is referred to as
"second rotating shaft portion 220".
[0053] Furthermore, the pair of rollers 21 and 22 are supported by
the roller supporting portion 3 at positions at which a portion of
the wire 9 located at the intermediate position P0 is sandwiched
from both its sides between the rollers 21 and 22. Therefore, the
pair of rollers 21 and 22 are rotated by following the movement of
the wire 9 during the transfer.
[0054] In this embodiment, the outer circumferential surfaces of
the pair of rollers 21 and 22 that come into contact with the wire
9 are smooth circumferential surfaces. The outer circumferential
surfaces of the pair of rollers 21 and 22 are metal surfaces
including a metal material such as iron, stainless steel, and
aluminum, for example.
[0055] In the following description, the rotation center of the
first roller 21 is referred to as "first rotation axis 201", and
the rotation center of the second roller 22 is referred to as
"second rotation axis 202".
[0056] In this embodiment, the bobbin 90 is installed on the bobbin
platform 91 such that a center line 900 of the bobbin 90
approximately coincides with the transfer path of the wire 9 at the
intermediate position P0.
Roller Supporting Portion
[0057] The roller supporting portion 3 is a mechanism for
supporting the rotating shaft portions 210 and 220 of the pair of
rollers 21 and 22. The roller supporting portion 3 supports the
first rotating shaft portion 210 and the second rotating shaft
portion 220 in a state in which the wire 9 is sandwiched between
the pair of rollers 21 and 22, which are rotated by following the
movement of the wire 9.
[0058] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the roller
supporting portion 3 supports the first rotating shaft portion 210
and the second rotating shaft portion 220 in a state in which the
first rotation axis 201 and the second rotation axis 202 are kept
at skew positions that are parallel with each other when viewed in
the direction (first transfer direction R11) along the transfer
path at the intermediate position P0.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows that the first rotation axis 201 and the second
rotation axis 202 are parallel with each other when viewed in the
first transfer direction R11, which is a transfer direction at the
intermediate position P0. Furthermore, FIGS. 5 and 7 show that the
first rotation axis 201 and the second rotation axis 202 have a
skew positional relationship in which the skew angle is
.theta..
[0060] In the following description, a straight line that is
orthogonal to the first transfer direction R11 at the intermediate
position P0 and that is parallel with the first rotation axis 201
and the second rotation axis 202 when viewed in the first transfer
direction R11 is referred to as "intermediate position orthogonal
line 901".
[0061] Next, the roller supporting portion 3 will be specifically
described. In this embodiment, the roller supporting portion 3
includes a fixed support 30, a first roller supporting portion 31,
and a second roller supporting portion 32.
Roller Supporting Portion: Fixed Supporting Portion
[0062] The fixed support 30 includes a first fixed supporting
portion 301 for supporting the first roller supporting portion 31
and a second fixed supporting portion 302 for supporting the second
roller supporting portion 32.
Roller Supporting Portion: First Roller Supporting Portion
[0063] The first roller supporting portion 31 includes a first
rotating shaft supporting portion 311 for supporting the first
rotating shaft portion 210, and a first coupling portion 312 for
coupling the first rotating shaft supporting portion 311 to the
first fixed supporting portion 301.
[0064] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the first
coupling portion 312 includes a first rotary coupling portion 3121
and a first fixing screw 3122. The first rotary coupling portion
3121 couples the first rotating shaft supporting portion 311 to the
first fixed supporting portion 301 in a state in which the skew
angle of the first rotation axis 201 with respect to the
intermediate position orthogonal line 901 can be changed.
[0065] In this embodiment, the first rotary coupling portion 3121
couples the first rotating shaft supporting portion 311 to the
first fixed supporting portion 301 in a state in which the first
rotating shaft supporting portion 311 can be rotated around the
direction in which the pair of rollers 21 and 22 are opposed to
each other. The first rotating shaft supporting portion 311 and the
first roller 21 are rotated together with the rotation of the first
rotary coupling portion 3121.
[0066] The first fixing screw 3122 fixes the first rotating shaft
supporting portion 311 to the first fixed supporting portion 301,
and thus keeps the skew angle of the first rotation axis 201 with
respect to the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 at a
desired angle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first fixed
supporting portion 301 has a first elongated hole portion 3010 that
is a portion provided with an arc-shaped elongated hole through
which the shaft portion of the first fixing screw 3122 passes.
Roller Supporting Portion: Second Roller Supporting Portion
[0067] On the other hand, the second roller supporting portion 32
includes a second rotating shaft supporting portion 321 for
supporting the second rotating shaft portion 220 of the second
roller 22, and a second coupling portion 322 for coupling the
second rotating shaft supporting portion 321 to the second fixed
supporting portion 302 while applying to the second rotating shaft
supporting portion 321 an elastic force toward the first roller 21
side.
[0068] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the second
coupling portion 322 includes a second rotary coupling portion
3221, a rotary interlocked portion 3222, a handle portion 3223, and
a second fixing screw 3224. The second rotary coupling portion 3221
couples the second rotating shaft supporting portion 321 to the
second fixed supporting portion 302 in a state in which the skew
angle of the second rotation axis 202 with respect to the
intermediate position orthogonal line 901 can be changed.
[0069] In this embodiment, the second rotary coupling portion 3221
couples the second rotating shaft supporting portion 321 to the
second fixed supporting portion 302 in a state in which the second
rotating shaft supporting portion 321 can be rotated around the
direction in which the pair of rollers 21 and 22 are opposed to
each other and displaced in the direction in which the pair of
rollers 21 and 22 ate opposed to each other.
[0070] The second rotating shaft supporting portion 321 and the
second roller 22 are rotated together with the rotation of the
second rotary coupling portion 3221, and displaced together with
the displacement of the second rotary coupling portion 3221.
[0071] The rotary interlocked portion 3222 is a portion that is
rotated together with the rotation of the second rotary coupling
portion 3221. However, the rotary interlocked portion 3222 Is not
displaced together with the displacement of the second rotary
coupling portion 3221 in the direction in which the pair of rollers
21 and 22 are opposed to each other.
[0072] The handle portion 3223 is fixed to a portion of the second
rotary coupling portion 3221 that is on a side opposite to the
portion coupled to the second rotating shaft supporting portion
321. Accordingly, the second rotating shaft supporting portion 321
and the second roller 22 are rotated together with the rotation of
the handle portion 3223, and displaced together with the
displacement of the handle portion 3223.
[0073] The second fixing screw 3224 fixes the rotary interlocked
portion 3222 to the second fixed supporting portion 302, and thus
keeps the skew angle of the second rotation axis 202 with respect
to the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 at a desired
angle. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the second fixed supporting
portion 302 has a second elongated hole portion 3020 that is a
portion provided with an arc-shaped elongated hole through which
the shaft portion of the second fixing screw 3224 passes.
[0074] For example, the first roller supporting portion 31
maintains a state in which the skew angle of the first rotation
axis 201 with respect to the intermediate position orthogonal line
901 is 0 degree, that is, a state in which the first rotation axis
201 and the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 are parallel
with each other. In this case, the second roller supporting portion
32 maintains a state in which the skew angle of the second rotation
axis 202 with respect to the intermediate position orthogonal line
901 is an acute angle .theta..
[0075] In the case of the above-mentioned example, as shown in FIG.
7, a state is maintained in which the first rotation axis 201 and
the second rotation axis 202 are parallel with each other as viewed
in the first transfer direction R11 at the intermediate position P0
and are located at skew positions that form a skew angle of an
acute angle .theta..
[0076] Furthermore, the second coupling portion 322 includes
elastic members 33. The elastic members 33 are springs, for
example. The elastic members 33 may also be rubber members.
[0077] The elastic members 33 apply to the second rotating shaft
supporting portion 321 an elastic force toward the first roller 21
side, and thus maintains the pair of rollers 21 and 22 in a state
in which the wire 9 is sandwiched therebetween. In this embodiment,
the elastic members 33 are linked to the rotary interlocked portion
3222 and the handle portion 3223. In this case, the elastic members
33 apply elastic force to the second rotating shaft supporting
portion 321 via the handle portion 3223 and the second rotary
coupling portion 3221.
[0078] Therefore, when the handle portion 3223 is operated with
force against the elastic force applied to the handle portion 3223
by the elastic member 33, the second roller 22, the second rotating
shaft supporting portion 321, and the second rotary coupling
portion 3221 are displaced away from the first roller 21.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of rollers 21 and 22 can
be separated from each other from the state in which the wire 9 is
sandwiched therebetween.
Effects
[0079] In the wire twist straightening device 1, the pair of
rollers 21 and 22 are rotatably supported in a state in which their
rotation axes are kept at skew positions. The wire 9 unwound from
the bobbin 90 while gyrating is sandwiched between the pair of
rollers 21 and 22 midway in the transfer path, and the pair of
rollers 21 and 22 are rotated by following the movement of the
wire. It is found that adopting this wire twist straightening
device 1 makes it possible to straighten the twisting of the wire 9
such that the twisting of the wire 9 does not accumulate. As a
result, tangling of the wire 9 caused by the twisting of the wire 9
can be prevented, and in turn, clogging of the path narrowing
portion and the roller caused by the tangled wire 9 can be
prevented.
Example of Positional Relationship between Rotation Axes of Pair of
Rollers
[0080] Next, an effective example of the positional relationship
between the rotation axes of the pair of rollers 21 and 22 based on
the results of an experiment performed using the wire twist
straightening device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
The example described below is an example of the positional
relationship between the rotation axes of the pair of rollers 21
and 22 that can provide an effect of straightening the wire 9 such
that the twisting of the wire 9 does not accumulate.
[0081] In the following description, the gyrating direction of the
wire 9 when viewed in the direction in which the wire 9 is unwound
from the bobbin 90 is referred to as "wire gyrating direction
R01".
[0082] As described above, the first rotation axis 201 and the
second rotation axis 202 are kept at skew positions that are
parallel with each other when viewed in the transfer direction
(first transfer direction R11) of the wire 9 at the intermediate
position P0.
[0083] For example, if the wire gyrating direction R01 is a
right-handed direction (clockwise direction), the rotation axes of
the pair of rollers 21 and 22 may be kept as follows. That is, the
rotation axis of at least one roller of the pair of rollers 21 and
22 may be maintained in a state in which that rotation axis forms
an acute angle .theta. in the right-handed direction (clockwise
direction) with respect to the intermediate position orthogonal
line 901 when viewed from the side on which the roller is opposed
to the wire 9. Accordingly, the accumulation of the twisting of the
wire 9 can be prevented.
[0084] It should be noted that the "side on which the roller is
opposed to the wire 9" can also be expressed by another expression
such as "side on which the roller is in contact with the wire 9"
and "side on which the roller is located with respect to the wire
9".
[0085] That is, if the rotation axis (201 or 202) of at least one
roller of the pair of rollers 21 and 22 is maintained in a state in
which that rotation axis forms an acute angle .theta. in the same
rotation direction as the wire gyrating direction R01 with respect
to the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 when viewed from
the side on which the roller is opposed to the wire 9, the
accumulation of the twisting of the wire 9 can be prevented.
[0086] The example shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which the wire
gyrating direction R01 is a right-handed direction. In the example
shown in FIG. 7, the first rotation axis 201 is kept in parallel
with the intermediate position orthogonal line 901, and the second
rotation axis 202 is maintained in a state in which the second
rotation axis 202 forms an acute angle .theta. in the right-handed
direction, which is the same as the wire gyrating direction R01,
with respect to the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 when
viewed from the side on which the second roller 22 is opposed to
the wire 9. The acute angle .theta. is set in a range of about 2
degrees to about 10 degrees depending on the type of wire 9, for
example.
Application Examples
[0087] In the wire twist straightening device 1, both the first
rotation axis 201 and the second rotation axis 202 may also be
maintained in a state in which the rotation axes form an acute
angle .theta. in the same rotation direction as the wire gyrating
direction R01 with respect to the intermediate position orthogonal
line 901 when viewed from the side on which the corresponding
roller (21 or 22) is opposed to the wire 9.
[0088] For example, if the wire gyrating direction R01 is a
right-handed direction, the rotation axes of the pair of rollers 21
and 22 may be kept as follows. That is, the first rotation axis 201
is maintained in a state in which the rotation axis 201 forms an
acute angle .theta./2 in the right-handed direction with respect to
the intermediate position orthogonal line 901 when viewed from the
side on which the first roller 21 is opposed to the wire 9.
Furthermore, the second rotation axis 202 is maintained in a state
in which the rotation axis 202 forms an acute angle .theta./2 in
the right-handed direction with respect to the intermediate
position orthogonal line 901 when viewed from the side on which the
second roller 22 is opposed to the wire 9.
[0089] It should be noted that the wire straightening device
according to the present invention can be configured by freely
combining the above-described embodiment and application examples,
or modifying the embodiment and application examples or omitting a
portion thereof as appropriate, within the scope of the present
invention described in claims.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0090] 1 Wire twist straightening device (wire straightening
device)
[0091] 10 Wire length adjusting apparatus
[0092] 100 Length-adjusted wire processing device
[0093] 201 First rotation axis (rotation axis of first roller)
[0094] 202 Second rotation axis (rotation axis of second
roller)
[0095] 21 First roller (one of pair of rollers)
[0096] 210 First rotating shaft portion (rotating shaft portion of
first roller)
[0097] 22 Second roller (the other of pair of rollers)
[0098] 220 Second rotating shaft portion (rotating shaft portion of
second roller)
[0099] 3 Roller supporting portion
[0100] 30 Fixed support
[0101] 300 Path narrowing portion
[0102] 3001 Wire path
[0103] 301 First fixed supporting portion
[0104] 3010 First elongated hole portion
[0105] 302 Second fixed supporting portion
[0106] 3020 Second elongated hole portion
[0107] 31 First roller supporting portion
[0108] 311 First rotating shaft supporting portion
[0109] 312 First coupling portion
[0110] 3121 First rotary coupling portion
[0111] 3122 First fixing screw
[0112] 32 Second roller supporting portion
[0113] 321 Second rotating shaft supporting portion
[0114] 322 Second coupling portion
[0115] 3221 Second rotary coupling portion
[0116] 3222 Rotary interlocked portion
[0117] 3223 Handle portion
[0118] 3224 Second fixing screw
[0119] 33 Elastic member
[0120] 5 Fixed pulley
[0121] 6 Wire bend straightening device
[0122] 61 First bend straightening portion
[0123] 62 Second bend straightening portion
[0124] 63 Path narrowing portion
[0125] 64 First straightening roller
[0126] 65 Second straightening roller
[0127] 7 Wire transfer device
[0128] 71 Path narrowing portion
[0129] 72 Endless belt
[0130] 73 Driving roller
[0131] 74 Driven roller
[0132] 8 Cutting machine
[0133] 81 Path narrowing portion
[0134] 82 Wire supporting portion
[0135] 83 Cutter
[0136] 84 Cutter driving portion
[0137] 9 Wire
[0138] 90 Bobbin
[0139] 900 Center line of bobbin
[0140] 901 Intermediate position orthogonal line
[0141] 91 Bobbin platform
[0142] 92 Bobbin cover
[0143] 920 Opening of bobbin cover
[0144] P0 Intermediate position
[0145] R01 Wire gyrating direction
[0146] R11 First transfer direction
[0147] R12 Second transfer direction
* * * * *