CA1038611A - Termination apparatus for making electrical connections to insulation-piercing terminals - Google Patents
Termination apparatus for making electrical connections to insulation-piercing terminalsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1038611A CA1038611A CA210,918A CA210918A CA1038611A CA 1038611 A CA1038611 A CA 1038611A CA 210918 A CA210918 A CA 210918A CA 1038611 A CA1038611 A CA 1038611A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- conductors
- conductor
- carriage
- contacts
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
- H01R43/01—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for connecting unstripped conductors to contact members having insulation cutting edges
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to apparatus for terminating electrical conductors in respective contacts of an electrical connector. A machine known in the art as a Warren machine has found wide use for making solder connections between a plurality of conductors and respective electrical terminals, Such machine has a pivotally mounted conductor separating and holding apparatus which supports the conductors in a spaced relationship with respect to a pair of blades of a cutting and stripping mechanism which severs the conductors and strips the insulation. The individual conductors and the corresponding terminals are then joined by soldering, the most simple process being the utilization of a soldering iron by an operator. The known termination machine has several disadvantages. Bridgings can occur and lead to an effective overall increase in assembly time. Further, soldering apparatus is necessary and skill is required for continuously soldering. The present invention provides a termination apparatus which dispenses with the deleterious results and necessary equipment and skill attendant to pro-viding solder connections. The termination apparatus in-cludes a conductor separating and holding device and a carriage mounted conductor cutting device. A connector support is provided to support the electrical connector in a predetermined relationship with respect to the separated wires. An insertion tool is operatively associated with the connector support in predetermined alignment with the con-nector contacts for quickly making mechanical and electrical terminations of the conductors.
This invention relates to apparatus for terminating electrical conductors in respective contacts of an electrical connector. A machine known in the art as a Warren machine has found wide use for making solder connections between a plurality of conductors and respective electrical terminals, Such machine has a pivotally mounted conductor separating and holding apparatus which supports the conductors in a spaced relationship with respect to a pair of blades of a cutting and stripping mechanism which severs the conductors and strips the insulation. The individual conductors and the corresponding terminals are then joined by soldering, the most simple process being the utilization of a soldering iron by an operator. The known termination machine has several disadvantages. Bridgings can occur and lead to an effective overall increase in assembly time. Further, soldering apparatus is necessary and skill is required for continuously soldering. The present invention provides a termination apparatus which dispenses with the deleterious results and necessary equipment and skill attendant to pro-viding solder connections. The termination apparatus in-cludes a conductor separating and holding device and a carriage mounted conductor cutting device. A connector support is provided to support the electrical connector in a predetermined relationship with respect to the separated wires. An insertion tool is operatively associated with the connector support in predetermined alignment with the con-nector contacts for quickly making mechanical and electrical terminations of the conductors.
Description
1~1386~1 This invention relates to apparatus for terminating electrical conductors in respective contacts of an elec-trical connector, and more particularly to an improvement in a conductor soldering apparatus ~or quickly making solde~
less electrical connections between insulated electrical conductors and insulation-piercing contacts carried in separate channels of an electrical connector.
A certain type of machine, generally known in the art as a Warren machine, has found wide spread use for making solder connections between a plurallty of conductors and ~spective electrical terminals. Machines of thls type generally have a pivotally mounted conductor separating and holding apparatus which supports the conductors in a spaced relationshlp with respect to a pair of blades of a cuttigg and stripping mechanism. The cutting blade severs the con-ductors so that they extend the same amount ~rom the hold-ing apparatus aad the stripping blade severs and holds the - -in~ulation for stripping as the holding apparatus i3 pivoted away from the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism is carried on a carriage mounted for movement transversely o~
the conductor holder and a terminal strip holder is movably mounted on the carriage for visual and manual placement o~
a strlp of terminals ad~acent respective stripped ends of the conductors as the holding apparatus is pivoted toward the ¢arriage. The individual conductors and the corres-ponding termlnals are then ~oined by soldering, the most simple process being the utilization of a soldering iron by the operator.
Good electr~cal and mechanical connections are e~fected ln this manner and an experienced operator can produce bank~ o~ soldered terminals with ~ew bridgings.
The overall termination process described above, however, has ~everal disadvantages. First o~ all, bridgings lQ3~6i~
can occur and lead to an effective overall increase in assembly time. Secondly, soldering apparatus is necessary ~-and a fairly high degree of skill is requlred for continu-ously soldering on a mass basis.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore highly de~irable to provide an improved version of the termination apparatu~ discussed above which can dispense with the deleterious results and necessary equipment and skill atten-dant to providlng ~older connections.
It i8 therefore a primary ob~ect of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for making solderles~
connections to a plurallty of electrical termlnals.
More speciflcally, an ob~ect of the present inven- ~-tion i8 to provide an improved apparatus whlch supports and move~ a connector into automatic registry with a plur-ality of lnsulated conductors and which includes mean~ ~or inserting the insulated conductors into a corresponding plurality o~ in~ulation-piercing contacts carried ln separate parallel channels of the connector.
According to the lnvention, terminatlng apparatus of the type de~crlbed include~ a conductor supporting and ~
separation device ~r supporting a plurality of insulated ~ -conductors in generally the ~ame plane, the conductor supporting device being pivotally mounted 80 a~ to move the conductor~ toward and away ~rom the path of travel o~
a carrlage. The carriage is movable between two positionæ
and supports a conductor cutting mechani~m, when located in one posltion, ~or cuttlng the ~upported conductors so that they extend a predetermlned distance from the suppor-tlng device. The carriage also carries a connector supporting and insertlon mechanlsm which i8 movable with the carrlage ~o that parallel horizontally oriented channel~ of the connector are moved into alignment with ~038611 the individual supported conductors. The insertion mechanism is pivotally carri~d on the connector support mechanism and is adapted to have a force applied thereto for inserting all of the conductors into respective insulation-piercing contacts disposed in the separate conductor channels.
After insertion of the conductors on one side of the connector, the connector is removed from its support, the cut-ting operation is performed ag~in with respect to the remaining conductors associated with the other side of the connector, the connector is then remounted on the support and the remaining conductors are inserted as in the first insertion operation.
The present invention provides an apparatus for termi-nating a plurality of insulated conductors in a corresponding plurality of insulation-piercing contacts which are supported by an eldctrical connector. The apparatus includes a conductor support means for holding the conductors to extend in a spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of the contacts A
carriage is also included mounted for movement transversely of the conductor between first and second positions and a conductor CUttiDg means mmunted on the carriage for movement toward and away from a position adjacent the conductor support means for cutting the conductors to extend the same distance from the con-ductor support means when the carriage is in the first position.
A connector support means is also provided mounted on the car-riage for movement toward and away from the position adjacent the conductor support means, including alignment means for hoL-ding the connector with the contacts aligned parallel and adjacent the conductoss when the carriage is in the second position, and insertion means for forcing each of the conductors into the res- `
pective insulatipn-piercing contacts.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best under-~ ,.
C ~3~ ~ ~
~038~;il stood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings, on which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a termination apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention shown with the conductor holder device pivoted away from the carriage;
FIG. 2 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the ~. :
conductor holder device pivoted toward the carriage; .
, FIG. 3 is another view of the apparatus according to :
FIG. 1 showing the conductor holder device pivoted toward the carriage and the carriage moved to position the connector sup- ':
port and conductor insertion mechanism opposite the supported conductors;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the connector aupport :
and conductor insertion mechanism according to the present inven-i :
tion;
FIG. S is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 4; .
~ ~ ' :
.: .
C -3a-~ ~' .
FIG. 6 is a front view ~f the lower portlon of the ap~ ratus of FIG. 4; and FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken substan-tially along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a termination machine is generally illustrated at 10 as comprising a frame 12 having a carriage base 14 and a conductor holder base 16 pivotally mounted to the carriage base 14 at 18.
A cable clamp 20 and a mount 22 ~or supporting the 10 cable above the holder base 16 is provided for clamplng a -~
multiconductor cable in the apparatus 10. The holder base 16 has a pair of upstandlng arms 24 and 26 extending ~rom the pivot 18 and supportlng a conductor separation comb 28 on an arm which is pivotally mounted at 32 and which carrles a clamping bar 34 which i8 pivotally mounted at 36 for rotation over the conductors. A latch mechani~m 38 clamps the arm over the conductors to hold the c~nductors in an extended ~eparated relationship.
The carriage lncludes a pair of upstanding end members 40 and 42 mounted at opposite ends o~ the carriage base 14. The end members 40 and 42 serve as carriage end ~ -stops and support a pair o~ spaced carriage rails 44 and 46 which mount the carriage 50 on a plurality of carriage bearings 48 for movement along the carriage rails.
A cutter mechanism 52 ls mounted on the carriage and has a naste spring 54 ad~acent thereto ~or receiving and holding the waste ends o~ the conductors after cutting.
The cutter mechanism 52 comprlses a lower cutter bar 56 mounted transversely of the conductors on a mo~nting member 66, and a cutter bar 58 which has a handle 60 and which is pivotally mounted at 62 in operative assoclation -with the cutter bar 56. The lower cutter bar mount 66 extends in an inter~erence relation`with a limit stop 64 103B6~1 for the cutter which is carried by the conductor holder.
It is readily apparent that the inter~erence relationship between the mount 66 and the limlt stop 64 disappears when the conductor holder is pivoted away from the carriage.
The carriage 50 also mounts an ~nsertion mechanism 68 at a point spaced from the cutter mechanism 52 such that the insertion mechanism 68 is accurately aligned with, and accurately aligns an electr~cal connector sup-ported therein with the individual conductors supported by the conductor separation comb 28. The insertion mechan~
ism 68 includes a base plate 70 having a connector support 72 mounted thereon. The connector support 72 includes at least one proJection 74 for receiving a connector in ~-abutment therewith to align the contact channels of the connector with the supported conductors. The connector support 72 includes a shoulder 75 which is cooperable with a spaced support spring 76 to releasably clamp a connector in the insertion mechanism.
A block 78 ls mounted at the rear of the base plate 70 and carrle3 an insertlon tool holder 80 which ls rotatable about an axis 82. The insertion tool holder 80 also carries a handle 84 for rotating the insertion tool holder, and an insertion head 86 having a plurality of insertion blades 88 for engaging and pres~in~ respective insulated conductors into corresponding insulation-piercing contacts disposed in separate horizontally ori-ented channels of the supported electrical connector. The insertion tool holder 80 further comprises a p~ir of spaced spring loaded pins 90 and 92 to aid in stripping the connector from the insertion head after an insertion operatlon.
The insertion tool holder 80 also carries a pro-Jection 94 having an arcuate cam surface 96. A pair of lQ38611 C-shaped arms 98 and 100 are mounted for rotation about an axis 102, ln the form of a pin, and carry a handle 10~ which is rotatably mounted on a cylinder 106 for rotation about an axis 108. The cylinder 106 also mounts a cam 110 which is rotatable into engagement with the cam surface 96 o~ the projection 94 carried by the insertion tool holder 80. Therefore, as the handle 104 is rotated toward the rear, the insertion tool holder is cammed downwardly and the insertion blades 88 of the insertion head 86 force the individuaI conductors through the re-spective connector channels and into the insulation-piercing contact~ located therein.
In order to maintain the handlelD~ in a semi-fixed position, an upright position in this particular embodi-ment, out of the way of an operator and in a nonlnterfering relationship with the conductor holder during movement Or the carriage to posltion the insertion mechanlsm ad~acent the conductor holder, the handle ~ i8 provided with a yieldable spring togg~e mechanism. The toggel mcchanism ma~ be provided at both ends o~ the cylinder 106 and may advantageously take the form lllustrated in FIG. 7 wherein the cylinder 106 i5 provided with a pair of flat surface portions 118 and 120 disposed at generally right angles with respect to each other and having a rounded portion intermediate thereto. A spring 112 has one end secured in a hole 114 and ls fixed to the upstanding member by mean~
of a screw 116. The other end of the spring 118 is shaped to complement the relative angular disposition of the flat ~urface portlons 118 and 120 and presseæ against these surfaces to maintain the handle ~4 in the upright po~ition.
A pin 124 is carried on the lnsertion tool holder 80 in alignment with the handlel~4 and serves as a l~mit to define the maximum depth o~ conductor insertion and to - - -. - - . . . - .. . . .
10386~1 limit the forces applied across the connector.
In operation, the carriage is moved so as to posi-tion the cutter mechanism 52 ad~acent the conductor holder.
An operator then lifts the ~utter bar 58 by the handle 56 to rotate the cutter bar 58 clear of the cutter bar 56 and into a generally vertical position. An operator then releases the clamp bar latch 38 and pivots the clamp bar 34 away ~rom the conductor ~eparation comb 28. The con-ductor~ are then dressed through the comb 28 across the -cutter bar 56 and into the waste spring 54, in accordance with any desired connector termination schedule. The clamp bar 34 ls then pivoted down and latched to hold the con-ductors in a separated parallel relation~hip.
Next, the operator moves the cutter bar 58 downwardly to cooperate with the cutter bar 56 and severs the con-ductor~ at equal distances from the conductor holding device. The cutter bar 58 18 then plvoted upwardly to clear the cutting zone and the holding device is pivoted rearwardly to clear the held conductors from interfering with the carriage and to release the llmlt stop 64, 66.
A connector, ~ not prevlou3ly mounted, 18 mounted in the connector support 72 o~ the insertion mechanism 68 and the carriage 1~ moved to the end stop whereupon the channels ~f the supported connector are accurately a~igned with the supported conductors. The conductor holder is then plvoted forward about the axis 18 to po~ition the al~gned conductor~ and channels parallel and immediately ad~acent each other. The lnsertion operation is then performed by rotating the handlelO4 down as described above.
After ln~ertion, the latch 38 i8 relea~ed, the clamp -bar 28 i~ pivoted to release the terminated conductor~
and the connector is removed from the insertion mechanism.
The conne~-tor is then moved to the rear and suspended from 1038~'11 the terminated conductors~
The conductor holding device is then pivoted to the rear to permit the cutter mechanism 52 to be repositioned adjacent the conductor holding device. The waste ends from the previous cut are removed ~rom the waste spring 54 and a new set of conductors is dressed into the comb and the waste ~ -spring as previously discussed. The cutter mechan~sm 52 is then operated to sever these conductors, the conductor holding device is pivoted to the rear to release the lQ carrlage, the carriage is moYed to reposition the insert~on mechanism 68 ad~acent the holding device, the connector is brought under the arm 30 and placed on the connector support up~ide down from the previous position on the support, the conductor holding device is pivoted for~ard to position the conductors ad~acent respective connector channels, and the insertion mechanism 68 is again operated to terminate the conductors on the second side of the connector.
To remove the completely termlnated connector ~rom the termination apparatus9 the latch 38 i8 released and the 20 clamp bar i~ plvoted up to release the indlvidual conduc-tors. Next, the connector i~ removed ~rom the connector aupport 72, the arm 30 is pivoted out of engagement wlth the upstanding arm, and the conductors wlth the attached con-ductor are removed over the dista- end o~ the arm 30.
In summary, apparatus normally used for efrecting 301der connections has been improved to provide faster and more reliable mechanlcal and electrical termination o~ a ~
plurality of conductors in respective in~ulation-piercing ~ -¢ontacts of an electrical conductor. More specifically, the known type o~ apparatu~ has been advantageou~ly adapted ~or qu~ck, posltive and accurate alignment of conductor~
and contacts and has been provided wlth means ~or e~fecting electrisal connections without the necessity of wire -~
_8-.. .... .... . .. . . . .... .. .
- , . ,, - ,.:; . ., . , -stripping and soldering operations.
Although ~he invention has been described by re~er-ence to a specific illustrative embodiment thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing ~;
from the spirit and scope of the ~n~ention. It i9 there-fore intended that the patent warranted hereon include all such changes and modlfications ~s may rea~onably and properly be included within the scope of this contributlon to the art.
_9_ :
,. ~ -.
. -, . - . - . . . .. ... .. . . .. . . ... . . . ..
less electrical connections between insulated electrical conductors and insulation-piercing contacts carried in separate channels of an electrical connector.
A certain type of machine, generally known in the art as a Warren machine, has found wide spread use for making solder connections between a plurallty of conductors and ~spective electrical terminals. Machines of thls type generally have a pivotally mounted conductor separating and holding apparatus which supports the conductors in a spaced relationshlp with respect to a pair of blades of a cuttigg and stripping mechanism. The cutting blade severs the con-ductors so that they extend the same amount ~rom the hold-ing apparatus aad the stripping blade severs and holds the - -in~ulation for stripping as the holding apparatus i3 pivoted away from the cutting mechanism. The cutting mechanism is carried on a carriage mounted for movement transversely o~
the conductor holder and a terminal strip holder is movably mounted on the carriage for visual and manual placement o~
a strlp of terminals ad~acent respective stripped ends of the conductors as the holding apparatus is pivoted toward the ¢arriage. The individual conductors and the corres-ponding termlnals are then ~oined by soldering, the most simple process being the utilization of a soldering iron by the operator.
Good electr~cal and mechanical connections are e~fected ln this manner and an experienced operator can produce bank~ o~ soldered terminals with ~ew bridgings.
The overall termination process described above, however, has ~everal disadvantages. First o~ all, bridgings lQ3~6i~
can occur and lead to an effective overall increase in assembly time. Secondly, soldering apparatus is necessary ~-and a fairly high degree of skill is requlred for continu-ously soldering on a mass basis.
In view of the foregoing, it is therefore highly de~irable to provide an improved version of the termination apparatu~ discussed above which can dispense with the deleterious results and necessary equipment and skill atten-dant to providlng ~older connections.
It i8 therefore a primary ob~ect of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for making solderles~
connections to a plurallty of electrical termlnals.
More speciflcally, an ob~ect of the present inven- ~-tion i8 to provide an improved apparatus whlch supports and move~ a connector into automatic registry with a plur-ality of lnsulated conductors and which includes mean~ ~or inserting the insulated conductors into a corresponding plurality o~ in~ulation-piercing contacts carried ln separate parallel channels of the connector.
According to the lnvention, terminatlng apparatus of the type de~crlbed include~ a conductor supporting and ~
separation device ~r supporting a plurality of insulated ~ -conductors in generally the ~ame plane, the conductor supporting device being pivotally mounted 80 a~ to move the conductor~ toward and away ~rom the path of travel o~
a carrlage. The carriage is movable between two positionæ
and supports a conductor cutting mechani~m, when located in one posltion, ~or cuttlng the ~upported conductors so that they extend a predetermlned distance from the suppor-tlng device. The carriage also carries a connector supporting and insertlon mechanlsm which i8 movable with the carrlage ~o that parallel horizontally oriented channel~ of the connector are moved into alignment with ~038611 the individual supported conductors. The insertion mechanism is pivotally carri~d on the connector support mechanism and is adapted to have a force applied thereto for inserting all of the conductors into respective insulation-piercing contacts disposed in the separate conductor channels.
After insertion of the conductors on one side of the connector, the connector is removed from its support, the cut-ting operation is performed ag~in with respect to the remaining conductors associated with the other side of the connector, the connector is then remounted on the support and the remaining conductors are inserted as in the first insertion operation.
The present invention provides an apparatus for termi-nating a plurality of insulated conductors in a corresponding plurality of insulation-piercing contacts which are supported by an eldctrical connector. The apparatus includes a conductor support means for holding the conductors to extend in a spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of the contacts A
carriage is also included mounted for movement transversely of the conductor between first and second positions and a conductor CUttiDg means mmunted on the carriage for movement toward and away from a position adjacent the conductor support means for cutting the conductors to extend the same distance from the con-ductor support means when the carriage is in the first position.
A connector support means is also provided mounted on the car-riage for movement toward and away from the position adjacent the conductor support means, including alignment means for hoL-ding the connector with the contacts aligned parallel and adjacent the conductoss when the carriage is in the second position, and insertion means for forcing each of the conductors into the res- `
pective insulatipn-piercing contacts.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, its organization, construction and operation will be best under-~ ,.
C ~3~ ~ ~
~038~;il stood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accom-panying drawings, on which:
FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a termination apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention shown with the conductor holder device pivoted away from the carriage;
FIG. 2 is a view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the ~. :
conductor holder device pivoted toward the carriage; .
, FIG. 3 is another view of the apparatus according to :
FIG. 1 showing the conductor holder device pivoted toward the carriage and the carriage moved to position the connector sup- ':
port and conductor insertion mechanism opposite the supported conductors;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the connector aupport :
and conductor insertion mechanism according to the present inven-i :
tion;
FIG. S is a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 4; .
~ ~ ' :
.: .
C -3a-~ ~' .
FIG. 6 is a front view ~f the lower portlon of the ap~ ratus of FIG. 4; and FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken substan-tially along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5;
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a termination machine is generally illustrated at 10 as comprising a frame 12 having a carriage base 14 and a conductor holder base 16 pivotally mounted to the carriage base 14 at 18.
A cable clamp 20 and a mount 22 ~or supporting the 10 cable above the holder base 16 is provided for clamplng a -~
multiconductor cable in the apparatus 10. The holder base 16 has a pair of upstandlng arms 24 and 26 extending ~rom the pivot 18 and supportlng a conductor separation comb 28 on an arm which is pivotally mounted at 32 and which carrles a clamping bar 34 which i8 pivotally mounted at 36 for rotation over the conductors. A latch mechani~m 38 clamps the arm over the conductors to hold the c~nductors in an extended ~eparated relationship.
The carriage lncludes a pair of upstanding end members 40 and 42 mounted at opposite ends o~ the carriage base 14. The end members 40 and 42 serve as carriage end ~ -stops and support a pair o~ spaced carriage rails 44 and 46 which mount the carriage 50 on a plurality of carriage bearings 48 for movement along the carriage rails.
A cutter mechanism 52 ls mounted on the carriage and has a naste spring 54 ad~acent thereto ~or receiving and holding the waste ends o~ the conductors after cutting.
The cutter mechanism 52 comprlses a lower cutter bar 56 mounted transversely of the conductors on a mo~nting member 66, and a cutter bar 58 which has a handle 60 and which is pivotally mounted at 62 in operative assoclation -with the cutter bar 56. The lower cutter bar mount 66 extends in an inter~erence relation`with a limit stop 64 103B6~1 for the cutter which is carried by the conductor holder.
It is readily apparent that the inter~erence relationship between the mount 66 and the limlt stop 64 disappears when the conductor holder is pivoted away from the carriage.
The carriage 50 also mounts an ~nsertion mechanism 68 at a point spaced from the cutter mechanism 52 such that the insertion mechanism 68 is accurately aligned with, and accurately aligns an electr~cal connector sup-ported therein with the individual conductors supported by the conductor separation comb 28. The insertion mechan~
ism 68 includes a base plate 70 having a connector support 72 mounted thereon. The connector support 72 includes at least one proJection 74 for receiving a connector in ~-abutment therewith to align the contact channels of the connector with the supported conductors. The connector support 72 includes a shoulder 75 which is cooperable with a spaced support spring 76 to releasably clamp a connector in the insertion mechanism.
A block 78 ls mounted at the rear of the base plate 70 and carrle3 an insertlon tool holder 80 which ls rotatable about an axis 82. The insertion tool holder 80 also carries a handle 84 for rotating the insertion tool holder, and an insertion head 86 having a plurality of insertion blades 88 for engaging and pres~in~ respective insulated conductors into corresponding insulation-piercing contacts disposed in separate horizontally ori-ented channels of the supported electrical connector. The insertion tool holder 80 further comprises a p~ir of spaced spring loaded pins 90 and 92 to aid in stripping the connector from the insertion head after an insertion operatlon.
The insertion tool holder 80 also carries a pro-Jection 94 having an arcuate cam surface 96. A pair of lQ38611 C-shaped arms 98 and 100 are mounted for rotation about an axis 102, ln the form of a pin, and carry a handle 10~ which is rotatably mounted on a cylinder 106 for rotation about an axis 108. The cylinder 106 also mounts a cam 110 which is rotatable into engagement with the cam surface 96 o~ the projection 94 carried by the insertion tool holder 80. Therefore, as the handle 104 is rotated toward the rear, the insertion tool holder is cammed downwardly and the insertion blades 88 of the insertion head 86 force the individuaI conductors through the re-spective connector channels and into the insulation-piercing contact~ located therein.
In order to maintain the handlelD~ in a semi-fixed position, an upright position in this particular embodi-ment, out of the way of an operator and in a nonlnterfering relationship with the conductor holder during movement Or the carriage to posltion the insertion mechanlsm ad~acent the conductor holder, the handle ~ i8 provided with a yieldable spring togg~e mechanism. The toggel mcchanism ma~ be provided at both ends o~ the cylinder 106 and may advantageously take the form lllustrated in FIG. 7 wherein the cylinder 106 i5 provided with a pair of flat surface portions 118 and 120 disposed at generally right angles with respect to each other and having a rounded portion intermediate thereto. A spring 112 has one end secured in a hole 114 and ls fixed to the upstanding member by mean~
of a screw 116. The other end of the spring 118 is shaped to complement the relative angular disposition of the flat ~urface portlons 118 and 120 and presseæ against these surfaces to maintain the handle ~4 in the upright po~ition.
A pin 124 is carried on the lnsertion tool holder 80 in alignment with the handlel~4 and serves as a l~mit to define the maximum depth o~ conductor insertion and to - - -. - - . . . - .. . . .
10386~1 limit the forces applied across the connector.
In operation, the carriage is moved so as to posi-tion the cutter mechanism 52 ad~acent the conductor holder.
An operator then lifts the ~utter bar 58 by the handle 56 to rotate the cutter bar 58 clear of the cutter bar 56 and into a generally vertical position. An operator then releases the clamp bar latch 38 and pivots the clamp bar 34 away ~rom the conductor ~eparation comb 28. The con-ductor~ are then dressed through the comb 28 across the -cutter bar 56 and into the waste spring 54, in accordance with any desired connector termination schedule. The clamp bar 34 ls then pivoted down and latched to hold the con-ductors in a separated parallel relation~hip.
Next, the operator moves the cutter bar 58 downwardly to cooperate with the cutter bar 56 and severs the con-ductor~ at equal distances from the conductor holding device. The cutter bar 58 18 then plvoted upwardly to clear the cutting zone and the holding device is pivoted rearwardly to clear the held conductors from interfering with the carriage and to release the llmlt stop 64, 66.
A connector, ~ not prevlou3ly mounted, 18 mounted in the connector support 72 o~ the insertion mechanism 68 and the carriage 1~ moved to the end stop whereupon the channels ~f the supported connector are accurately a~igned with the supported conductors. The conductor holder is then plvoted forward about the axis 18 to po~ition the al~gned conductor~ and channels parallel and immediately ad~acent each other. The lnsertion operation is then performed by rotating the handlelO4 down as described above.
After ln~ertion, the latch 38 i8 relea~ed, the clamp -bar 28 i~ pivoted to release the terminated conductor~
and the connector is removed from the insertion mechanism.
The conne~-tor is then moved to the rear and suspended from 1038~'11 the terminated conductors~
The conductor holding device is then pivoted to the rear to permit the cutter mechanism 52 to be repositioned adjacent the conductor holding device. The waste ends from the previous cut are removed ~rom the waste spring 54 and a new set of conductors is dressed into the comb and the waste ~ -spring as previously discussed. The cutter mechan~sm 52 is then operated to sever these conductors, the conductor holding device is pivoted to the rear to release the lQ carrlage, the carriage is moYed to reposition the insert~on mechanism 68 ad~acent the holding device, the connector is brought under the arm 30 and placed on the connector support up~ide down from the previous position on the support, the conductor holding device is pivoted for~ard to position the conductors ad~acent respective connector channels, and the insertion mechanism 68 is again operated to terminate the conductors on the second side of the connector.
To remove the completely termlnated connector ~rom the termination apparatus9 the latch 38 i8 released and the 20 clamp bar i~ plvoted up to release the indlvidual conduc-tors. Next, the connector i~ removed ~rom the connector aupport 72, the arm 30 is pivoted out of engagement wlth the upstanding arm, and the conductors wlth the attached con-ductor are removed over the dista- end o~ the arm 30.
In summary, apparatus normally used for efrecting 301der connections has been improved to provide faster and more reliable mechanlcal and electrical termination o~ a ~
plurality of conductors in respective in~ulation-piercing ~ -¢ontacts of an electrical conductor. More specifically, the known type o~ apparatu~ has been advantageou~ly adapted ~or qu~ck, posltive and accurate alignment of conductor~
and contacts and has been provided wlth means ~or e~fecting electrisal connections without the necessity of wire -~
_8-.. .... .... . .. . . . .... .. .
- , . ,, - ,.:; . ., . , -stripping and soldering operations.
Although ~he invention has been described by re~er-ence to a specific illustrative embodiment thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing ~;
from the spirit and scope of the ~n~ention. It i9 there-fore intended that the patent warranted hereon include all such changes and modlfications ~s may rea~onably and properly be included within the scope of this contributlon to the art.
_9_ :
,. ~ -.
. -, . - . - . . . .. ... .. . . .. . . ... . . . ..
Claims (10)
1. Apparatus for terminating a plurality of insulated conductors in a corresponding plurality of insulation-piercing contacts which are supported by an electrical connector, compris-ing: conductor support means for holding the conductors to ex-tend in a spaced relationship corresponding to the spacing of the contacts; a carriage mounted for movement transversely of the con-ductor between first and second positions; conductor cutting means mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from a posi-tion adjacent said conductor support means for cutting the conduc-tors to extend the same distance from said conductor support means when said carriage is in said first position and connector support means mounted on said carriage for movement toward and away from said position adjacent said conductor support means, including alignment means for holding the connector with the contacts aligned parallel and adjacent the conductors when said carriage is in said second position, and insertion means for forcing each of the con-ductors into the respective insulation-piercing contacts.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said conductor sup-port means holds the conductors in a planar relationship and is pivotally mounted to position the conductors away from and out of obstruction with said carriage as it is moved from one of said positions to the other,
3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein: said connector support means comprises a base for receiving the connector with the contact oriented horizontally; said alignment means includes means cooperable with said support member to releasably engage and hold the connector in the horizontal orientation; said in-sertion means comprises an insertion tool pi-votally carried on said base for rotation adjacent the suppor-ted connector, the individual conductors received between the connector and the insertion tool aligned with and parallel to the connector contacts, said insertion tool comprising a plu-rality of insertion members for engaging and forcing the con-ductors into the respective insulation piercing contacts;
and a means for engaging and forcing said insertion tool to-ward the supported connector.
and a means for engaging and forcing said insertion tool to-ward the supported connector.
4. The apparatus of Claim 3, including means for limiting the movement of said insertion tool and thus limiting the depth of insertion.
5. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein said means for engaging comprises a toggle mechanism including a rotatable handle and a projection extending to engage said insertion means; and said means for limiting comprises a stop member carried on said insertion means for limiting rotation of said handle and the depth of insertion.
6. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said insertion means includes spring loaded connector ejection means for ur-ging the connector away from said insertion means upon rotation of said insertion means away from said connector support means after an insertion operation.
7. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said spring loaded ejection means comprises a pair of spaced spring loaded plungers for engaging the connector.
8. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein:
said toggle mechanism includes a pair of spaced members pivo-tally connected to said base on respective sides of said inser-tion tool, said handle is rotatably connected between said members and said insertion tool comprises a shaped member for receiving and being cammed by said projection toward the suppor-ted connector.
said toggle mechanism includes a pair of spaced members pivo-tally connected to said base on respective sides of said inser-tion tool, said handle is rotatably connected between said members and said insertion tool comprises a shaped member for receiving and being cammed by said projection toward the suppor-ted connector.
9. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 8, including yieldable means for holding said handle in a predetermined position.
10. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said handle is carried on a shaft for rotation between said members, and said yieldable means comprises means defining a pair of flat portions on said shaft disposed at an angle with respect to each other and a spring secured to one of said members and pressing against both of said flat portions.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US40778273A | 1973-10-19 | 1973-10-19 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1038611A true CA1038611A (en) | 1978-09-19 |
Family
ID=23613509
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA210,918A Expired CA1038611A (en) | 1973-10-19 | 1974-10-07 | Termination apparatus for making electrical connections to insulation-piercing terminals |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5743994B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU499069B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1038611A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2447970A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2248628B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1483229A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3986256A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1976-10-19 | Amp Incorporated | Adapter for positioning multi-conductor cable and electrical connector |
| US4144633A (en) * | 1978-02-01 | 1979-03-20 | Amp Incorporated | Portable apparatus for connecting wires in connectors |
-
1974
- 1974-10-01 GB GB4256474A patent/GB1483229A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-10-03 AU AU73945/74A patent/AU499069B2/en not_active Expired
- 1974-10-07 CA CA210,918A patent/CA1038611A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-10-08 DE DE19742447970 patent/DE2447970A1/en active Pending
- 1974-10-16 FR FR7434837A patent/FR2248628B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1974-10-17 JP JP11878674A patent/JPS5743994B2/ja not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2447970A1 (en) | 1975-04-30 |
| AU499069B2 (en) | 1979-04-05 |
| FR2248628B1 (en) | 1978-05-05 |
| FR2248628A1 (en) | 1975-05-16 |
| AU7394574A (en) | 1976-04-08 |
| JPS5743994B2 (en) | 1982-09-18 |
| JPS5067985A (en) | 1975-06-06 |
| GB1483229A (en) | 1977-08-17 |
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