CA1167625A - Electrical terminal crimping apparatus - Google Patents
Electrical terminal crimping apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1167625A CA1167625A CA000338575A CA338575A CA1167625A CA 1167625 A CA1167625 A CA 1167625A CA 000338575 A CA000338575 A CA 000338575A CA 338575 A CA338575 A CA 338575A CA 1167625 A CA1167625 A CA 1167625A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- crimping
- die
- dies
- pushing device
- movable die
- 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
- H01R43/04—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for forming connections by deformation, e.g. crimping tool
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to a crimping station defined by two crimping dies which are so mounted that one of the dies is constrained to move towards and away from the other die, the movable die has operatively con-nected to the die, a reciprocating pushing device which is constrained to move in a rectilinear path towards and in the opposite direction away from the crimp-ing station. As the movable die travels away from the other die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, the pushing device is automatically actuated to move along the rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the term-inals to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies. The pushing device may be operatively connected to the movable die by a linkage mechanism. In one alternative arrangement, the pushing device is a fluid-operated piston working in a cylinder and arranged to lie along the rectilinear path.
In electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to a crimping station defined by two crimping dies which are so mounted that one of the dies is constrained to move towards and away from the other die, the movable die has operatively con-nected to the die, a reciprocating pushing device which is constrained to move in a rectilinear path towards and in the opposite direction away from the crimp-ing station. As the movable die travels away from the other die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, the pushing device is automatically actuated to move along the rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the term-inals to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies. The pushing device may be operatively connected to the movable die by a linkage mechanism. In one alternative arrangement, the pushing device is a fluid-operated piston working in a cylinder and arranged to lie along the rectilinear path.
Description
i'7~;~5 ELECTRICAL TERMINAL CRIMPING ~PPARATUS
This invention relates to electrical terminal crimping apparatus by means of which an electrical terminal is secured to a stripped end oi' a length o~ ~lexible insulated conductor (hereinafter, ~or convenience, referred to as an electrical lead) by a crimping operation.
In a known kind o~ electrical terminal crimping apparatus a strip oi' electrical terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed automatically through the apparatus and, each time the apparatus is actuated by an operator, the leading terminal of the strip is simultaneously severed from the strip and crimped to a stripped end o~ an electrical lead positioned by the operator in the crimping station between crimping dies of the apparatus. To achieve a high rate oi production oi' terminated electrical lea~s, a high degree of dexterity is required by the operator. Usually, the operator holds a bunch of electrical leads in one hand and, for each electrical lead in turn, the operator with-draws one electrical lead from the bunch, positions a stripped end of the lead in the crimping station between the crimping dies oi the apparatus, actuates the crimping apparatus to cause it simultaneously to sever the leading terminal from the strip and to crimp it to the stripped end o~ the lead, and then moves the terminated end oi' the lead ~rom between the crimping dies before positioning in the crimping station between the dies another electrical lead irom the bunch.
Manipulation of an electrical lead by the operator occupies a major proportion o~ the complete time cycle o~ securing an electrical terminal to the lead. For example, although a known ~orm of electrical terminal crimping apparatus is capable of 13,500 crimping operations per hour, when electrical leads are ~ed in turn to the apparatus by an operator the number of electrical leads terminated by the apparatus per hour seldom exceeds 2000; that is to say, the apparatus is operating at only approximately 15~ of its optimum rate. The r'~
This invention relates to electrical terminal crimping apparatus by means of which an electrical terminal is secured to a stripped end oi' a length o~ ~lexible insulated conductor (hereinafter, ~or convenience, referred to as an electrical lead) by a crimping operation.
In a known kind o~ electrical terminal crimping apparatus a strip oi' electrical terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed automatically through the apparatus and, each time the apparatus is actuated by an operator, the leading terminal of the strip is simultaneously severed from the strip and crimped to a stripped end o~ an electrical lead positioned by the operator in the crimping station between crimping dies of the apparatus. To achieve a high rate oi production oi' terminated electrical lea~s, a high degree of dexterity is required by the operator. Usually, the operator holds a bunch of electrical leads in one hand and, for each electrical lead in turn, the operator with-draws one electrical lead from the bunch, positions a stripped end of the lead in the crimping station between the crimping dies oi the apparatus, actuates the crimping apparatus to cause it simultaneously to sever the leading terminal from the strip and to crimp it to the stripped end o~ the lead, and then moves the terminated end oi' the lead ~rom between the crimping dies before positioning in the crimping station between the dies another electrical lead irom the bunch.
Manipulation of an electrical lead by the operator occupies a major proportion o~ the complete time cycle o~ securing an electrical terminal to the lead. For example, although a known ~orm of electrical terminal crimping apparatus is capable of 13,500 crimping operations per hour, when electrical leads are ~ed in turn to the apparatus by an operator the number of electrical leads terminated by the apparatus per hour seldom exceeds 2000; that is to say, the apparatus is operating at only approximately 15~ of its optimum rate. The r'~
- 2 ~ li~'7~Z5 ~ terity of an operator in manipulating electrical leads is therefore a major factor in the efficiency of the terminating operation.
Where safety regulations require the provision of a guard around the crimping dies of the apparatus, the situation is aggravated because, in this case, in order to introduce a stripped end oi an electrical lead in the crimping station between- crimping dies, the operator has first to insert the lead through an aperture in the guard and, in order to move a terminated lead from between the crimping dies, the operator has to guide the terminated lead from the aperture along a slot in the guard. Thus, where a guard is employed, manipulation of electrical leads during the complete terminating cycle is more difficult and the éfficiency of the terminating operation is inevitably further reduced.
We have found that a major proportion of the time employed in manipulating an electrical lead during a terminating cycle is taken in moving a terminated lead from between the crimping dies to a sufficient extent to permit another lead to be positioned in the crimping station between the dies because it is difficult for an operator to move the terminated lead from between the dies and position another lead between the dies at one and the same time.
It is an ob~ect o$ the present invention to provide, for use in crimping an electrical terminal to a stripped end of an electrical lead, improved electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station, which apparatus can be operated more efficiently than crimping apparatus hitherto proposed.
According to the present invention, the improved apparatus comprises at least two crimping dies defining a crimping station and so mounted that at least one o~ the dies is constrained to move towards 11~i'7~25 and away from the other die, wherein the movable die or at least one of the movable dies has operatively connected to the die, a reciprocating pushing device which is constrained to move in a substantially rectilinear path towards and away from the crimping station and which is adapted to push a terminated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the terminals, the arrangement being such that, as said movable die travels away from the other die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, said pushing device is automatically actuated to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies.
The reciprocating pushing device may be so operatively connected to the movable die that, after a terminated electrical lead has been pushed later-ally from between the dies by the pushing device, the pushing device is automa-tically actuated to move along said rectilinear path in the opposite direction away from the crimping station but when, as is preferred, the electrical terminal crimping apparatus includes, at the crimping station and spaced from the fixed die, a backplate for limiting the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies, preferably the pushing device is so operatively connected to the movable die that, after pushing a terminated electrical lead laterally from between the crimping dies, it remains in the crimping station until the crimping apparatus is re-actuated and the movable die starts to move towards the fixed die to effect the crimping operation. By so doing, the pushing device serves the dual role as a guard which substantially reduces the risk of a stripped end of an electrical lead being introduced under the backplate and too far into the crimping station and as a table on which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be positioned as it is introduced against 76~5 the backplate.
Where the electrical terminal crimping apparatus is of such a form that the leading terminal of a strip of electrical terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station as the movable die moves towards the fixed die, the part of the reciprocating pushing device that will temporarily occupy the crimping station after it has pushed a terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies may be of any convenient shape and size, but where the electrical terminal crimping apparatus is of such a form that the leading term-inal of a strip of electrical terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station as the movable die moves away from the fixed die and it is desired that said part of the pushing device remain in the crimping station until the crimp-ing apparatus is re actuated, said part of the pushing device must be of such a shape and size that the leading terminal of the strip can be fed under said part of the pushing device on to the fixed die.
The reciprocating pushing device may be operatively connected to the movable die by any convenient means but perferably it is operatively connected to the movable die by a linkage mechanism of such a form that, as the movable die moves away from the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and, as the movable die moves towards the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectili-near path in the opposite direction away from the crimping station. In this case conveniently the reciprocating pushing device may be a substantially rigid elongate member arranged in axial alignment in said rectilinear path and having, at its leading end, a head of a shape and size suitable for engaging a terminated electrical lead to push it laterally from between the dies and for serving as a guard and support table during introduction of a stripped end of an electrical lead into the crimping station.
~1 6~
Preferably, the linkage mechanism operatively connecting a substan-tially rigid elongate member constituting the reciprocating pushing device to the m~vable die comprises a crank arm which, at or near one of its ends, is pivotally mounted on the body of the crimping apparatus adjacent the movable die and, at or near the other of its ends, is in slidable engagement with the elongate pushing device which is urged to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station by at least one associated spring, the arrangement being such that, as the movable die travels towards the other die to effect the crimping operation, the movable die engages the crank arm and causes it to pivot in such a direction as to move the elongate pushing device away from the crimping station against the action of its associated spring or springs and, after the movable die has travelled a predetermined distance from the other die, the movable die permits the elongate pushing device to move along said recti-linear path under the action of its associated spring or springs to push a terminated electrical lead laterally from the crimping station. In a preferred arrangement, a freely rotatable roller is mounted on the movable die in such a position as to roll along a surface of the crank arm as the movable die travels towards and away from the other die.
In one alternative embodiment, the reciprocating pushing device may be constituted by a fluid-operated piston working in a cylinder and arranged to lie along said rectilinear path, the arrangement being such that, injection of fluid into the rear of the cylinder to cause the piston to move to its forward position and push a terminated lead from between the crimping dies, is under the control of a valve actuated by a cam mounted on the drive spindle of the crimp-ing apparatus. The piston may be so spring loaded that, when injection of fluid into the cylinder ceases, the piston returns to its retracted position under the action of the spring or the piston may be caused to return to its ~,:
.`
retracted position by transferring injection of fluid from the rear end of the cylinder to the forward end of the cylinder; in both cases, injection of fluid will be under the control of the cam-actuated valve.
A foot switch may be provided for actuation of the crimping apparatus by an operator but, preferably, when the crimping apparatus includes a backplate, the backplate is made of electrically conductive metal or metal alloy, or has an electric contact extending therethrough, and has a resilient contact mounted on the front face of but electrically insulated from the backplate or electric contact, the arrangement being such that, as a stripped end of an electrical lead is introduced into the crimping station and abuts the resilient contact, the resilient contact is urged against the backplate or electric contact to complete a control circuit which effects actuation of the crimping apparatus.
The use, in electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station, of a pushing device as hereinbefore described for pushing a terminated electrical lead from between the crimping dies substantially simplifies the manipulative operations to be carried out by an operator when successively feeding electrical leads to the apparatus with the result that the number of electrical leads that can be terminated by the apparatus per hour can be doubled or even trebled.
The receiprocating pushing device as hereinbefore described is inex-pensive and simple to manufacture and can be incorporated in known forms of electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the aforesaid kind at low cost.
The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of two forms of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
~'' .
- 7 - l..t~'7~Z5 Figure 1 is a front elevation of the first form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with the pushing device positioned in the crimping station;
Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the first form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with the pushing device in the withdrawn position;
Figures 4 and 5, respectively, are fragmental front and plan views of the backplate and resilient contact switch of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3;
Figure 6 is a front e1evation,~f_~he second form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus, and .
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-VII
in Figure 6.
.
Each crimping apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, and 6 and 7 comprises a i'ixed die 1 and, mounted above the fixed die and constrained to move towards and away irom the fixed die on actuation of the crimp1ng apparatus, a movable die 2 carrying crimping blades 6 'and 7 and a cutting blade 8. In both apparatus, a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed automatically to the crimping station defined by the fixed and movable dies 1 and 2.
:
In the i'irst form oi' crimping apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, an elongate pushing arm 10, which near its leading end is stepped - to form a head 11, is constrained to reciprocate in a substantially rectilinear path which is substantially normal to the direction o~
movement of the movable die 2. The pushing arm 10 is urged towards the crimping station along the rectilinear path by a coil spring 12.
- 8 -1~,62~
votally mounted on the body of the crimping apparatus adjacent the movable die 2 is a crank arm 14 which, at its lowermost end, engages in a slot 15 in the pushing arm 10 and abuts a pin 16 extending across the slot. A ~reely rotatable roller 17 is mounted on the movable die 2 in such a position that, as the movable die travels towards or away from the ~ixed die 1, the roller rolls along a surface of the crank arm 14. - -Fixedly mounted above and spaced from the iixed die 1 in such a position as to limit the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies and to permit the leading terminal of a strip of terminals to be fed on to the iixed die in the crimping station is a backplate 19 through which protrudes an electrically conductive contact stud 21 which is insulated ~rom the backplate by a bushing 20 o~ insulating material.
Mounted on the iront ~ace o~ the backplate 19 is a spring-contact 22 which, when urged against the contact stud 21 by a stripped end oi an electrical lead when introduced into the crimping station, completes a control circuit which e~ects actuation oi the crimping apparatus.
To ~acilitate correct positioning o~ a stripped end of an electrical lead in the crimping station, a guard 23 mounted on the backplate 19 in ~ront o~ the spring contact 22 has an aperture 24 which is in alignment with the fixed die 1 in the crimping station and into which the stripped end oi' an electrical lead must be inserted in order to engage the spring contact and ef~ect actuation o~ the control circuit. It will be appreciated that ii' the stripped end o~ an electrical lead is not correctly positioned in the crimping station, the guard 23 will prevent actuation of the control circuit.
With the movable die 2 in the raised position and the head 11 of the pushing arm 10 in the crimping station as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when a stripped end o~ an electrical lead is introduced - g ~ i'7t~i~5 to the crimping station between the head and the movable die and is inserted through the aperture 24 in the guard 23 to abut the spring contact 22 and urge it into contac-~ with the contact stud 21 to close the control circuit and e~fect actuation of the crimping apparatus, the movable die moves downwards towards the fixed die 1 so that the roller 17 rolls along a sur~ace of the crank arm 14 and causes it to pivot in a clockwise direction. As the crank arm 14 pivots, the lowermost end of the crank arm slides along the slot 15, abuts the pin 16 and urges the pushing arm 10 away from the crimping station along the rectilinear path against the action o~ the coil spring 12 until the arm reaches the position shown in Figure 3. At the same time, the leading terminal of a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is automatically ~ed on to the ~ixed die 1 and, as the movable die 2 continues its downward movement, the movable die gathers the stripped end o~ the electrical lead within the vee o~ the crimping blades 6 and 7, positions it in the leading terminal on the ~ixed die and e~ects the crimping operation; the cutting blade 8 also cuts the leading terminal ~rom the strip o~ terminals. A~ter the crimping and cutting operation has been e~ected, the movable die 2 starts to move upwardly away from the ~ixed die 1. If, as the movable die 2 moves it carries in the veè o~ the crimping blades 6 and 7 the terminated end o~ the electrical lead, the terminated end will abut the undersur~ace o~ the backplate 19 which will serve to e~ect the terminating lead so that it drops back on the fixed die 1. As the movable die 2 continues to move upwardly, the roller 17 rolls along a surface o~ the crank arm 14 and e~fectively holds the pushing arm 10 against the action of ~ts coil spring 12 until the movable die has moved upwardly a su~icient distance to permit the pushing arm to move into the crimping station. When the movable die 2 is clear o~ the crimping station, the pushing arm 10 is urged along the rectilinear path under the action o~ the coil spring 12 to cause the crank arm 14 to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction and to push the terminated lead laterally from the crimping station. The crimping station ~ - 10 i l~ 76Z~
now free to receive a stripped end of another electrical lead. ~;
In the crimping apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7, a backplate 30 of electrically conductive metal is fixedly mounted above and spaced from the fixed die 1 in such a position as to limit the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies and to permit the leading terminal T o~ the strip o~ terminals to be fed under the backplate and on to the fixed die in the crimping station. Mounted on the front face oi' and electrically insulated from the backplate 30 is a spring contact 31 which, when urged against the front face of the backplate by a stripped end of an electrical lead, completes a control circuit which effects actuation of thé crimping apparatus.
Mounted alongside the crimping station is a pneumatic cylinder 32 in which works a piston 33 which has at its ~ree end a head 34 and which constitutes the pushing device ~or pushing a terminated lead laterally irom between the crimping dies. The piston 33 is spring loaded and is constrained to reciprocate in a substantially rectilinear path, which is substantially normal to the direction o~ movement o~ the movable die, under the control of a valve (not shown) connected in ihe air supply to the rear end o~ the cylinder 32 and operated by a cam mounted on the drive sha~t o~ the crimping apparatus.
Positioned around the crimping station is a guard 34 o~ transparent plastics material having a substantially vertical slot 35 for introduction of,a stripped end of an electrical lead between the dies and a substantially horizontal slot 36 having a funnel-shaped opening 37 ~or accommodating lateral movement of a terminated electrical lead.
;t~izs ~ igures 6 and 7 show the state of the crimping apparatus at the start of a crimping cycle with the piston 33 in its forward position and with the head 34 positioned in the crimping station and serving as a guard and support table for a stripped end of an electrical lead to be inserted between the crimping dies. When a stripped end of an electrical lead L is inserted through the vertical slot 35 and against the spring contact 31 to urge it into contact with the backplate 30 to close the control eircuit and effect actuation oi' the crimping apparatus, the movable die 2 moves down-wardly towards the ~ixed die 1 and the cam on the crankshaft of the crimping apparatus closes the valve to stop the supply of air to the rear of the cylinder 32 and so permit the piston 33 to move to its retracted position under the action of the spring. The leading terminal T of a strip oi' terminals linked end-to-end is automatically ~ed on to the i'ixed die 1 and, as the movable die 2 continues its downward movement, it gathers the stripped end of the electrical lead L
within the vee of the crimping blades, positions it in the leading terminal and e~fects the crimping operation. After the crimping operation has been ei'fected, the movable die 2 starts to move upwardly away from the fixed die 1 If, as the movable die 2 rises it carries in the vee of the crimping blades 6 and 7 the terminated end of the electrical lead, the terminated lead will abut the undersurface of the backplate 30 which will serve to e~ect the terminated lead so that it drops back on the fixed die 1. As the movable die 2 continues to rise, the cam on the crankshaft of the crimping apparatus opens the valve to cause air under pressure to be fed to the rear o~ the cylinder 32 and so drive the piston 33 towards its ~orward position, the head 34 of the piston pushing the terminated lead laterally from between the crimping blades and along the slot 36. The crimping station is now free to receive a stripped end o~ another electrical lead.
Where safety regulations require the provision of a guard around the crimping dies of the apparatus, the situation is aggravated because, in this case, in order to introduce a stripped end oi an electrical lead in the crimping station between- crimping dies, the operator has first to insert the lead through an aperture in the guard and, in order to move a terminated lead from between the crimping dies, the operator has to guide the terminated lead from the aperture along a slot in the guard. Thus, where a guard is employed, manipulation of electrical leads during the complete terminating cycle is more difficult and the éfficiency of the terminating operation is inevitably further reduced.
We have found that a major proportion of the time employed in manipulating an electrical lead during a terminating cycle is taken in moving a terminated lead from between the crimping dies to a sufficient extent to permit another lead to be positioned in the crimping station between the dies because it is difficult for an operator to move the terminated lead from between the dies and position another lead between the dies at one and the same time.
It is an ob~ect o$ the present invention to provide, for use in crimping an electrical terminal to a stripped end of an electrical lead, improved electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station, which apparatus can be operated more efficiently than crimping apparatus hitherto proposed.
According to the present invention, the improved apparatus comprises at least two crimping dies defining a crimping station and so mounted that at least one o~ the dies is constrained to move towards 11~i'7~25 and away from the other die, wherein the movable die or at least one of the movable dies has operatively connected to the die, a reciprocating pushing device which is constrained to move in a substantially rectilinear path towards and away from the crimping station and which is adapted to push a terminated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the terminals, the arrangement being such that, as said movable die travels away from the other die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, said pushing device is automatically actuated to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies.
The reciprocating pushing device may be so operatively connected to the movable die that, after a terminated electrical lead has been pushed later-ally from between the dies by the pushing device, the pushing device is automa-tically actuated to move along said rectilinear path in the opposite direction away from the crimping station but when, as is preferred, the electrical terminal crimping apparatus includes, at the crimping station and spaced from the fixed die, a backplate for limiting the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies, preferably the pushing device is so operatively connected to the movable die that, after pushing a terminated electrical lead laterally from between the crimping dies, it remains in the crimping station until the crimping apparatus is re-actuated and the movable die starts to move towards the fixed die to effect the crimping operation. By so doing, the pushing device serves the dual role as a guard which substantially reduces the risk of a stripped end of an electrical lead being introduced under the backplate and too far into the crimping station and as a table on which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be positioned as it is introduced against 76~5 the backplate.
Where the electrical terminal crimping apparatus is of such a form that the leading terminal of a strip of electrical terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station as the movable die moves towards the fixed die, the part of the reciprocating pushing device that will temporarily occupy the crimping station after it has pushed a terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies may be of any convenient shape and size, but where the electrical terminal crimping apparatus is of such a form that the leading term-inal of a strip of electrical terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station as the movable die moves away from the fixed die and it is desired that said part of the pushing device remain in the crimping station until the crimp-ing apparatus is re actuated, said part of the pushing device must be of such a shape and size that the leading terminal of the strip can be fed under said part of the pushing device on to the fixed die.
The reciprocating pushing device may be operatively connected to the movable die by any convenient means but perferably it is operatively connected to the movable die by a linkage mechanism of such a form that, as the movable die moves away from the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and, as the movable die moves towards the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectili-near path in the opposite direction away from the crimping station. In this case conveniently the reciprocating pushing device may be a substantially rigid elongate member arranged in axial alignment in said rectilinear path and having, at its leading end, a head of a shape and size suitable for engaging a terminated electrical lead to push it laterally from between the dies and for serving as a guard and support table during introduction of a stripped end of an electrical lead into the crimping station.
~1 6~
Preferably, the linkage mechanism operatively connecting a substan-tially rigid elongate member constituting the reciprocating pushing device to the m~vable die comprises a crank arm which, at or near one of its ends, is pivotally mounted on the body of the crimping apparatus adjacent the movable die and, at or near the other of its ends, is in slidable engagement with the elongate pushing device which is urged to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station by at least one associated spring, the arrangement being such that, as the movable die travels towards the other die to effect the crimping operation, the movable die engages the crank arm and causes it to pivot in such a direction as to move the elongate pushing device away from the crimping station against the action of its associated spring or springs and, after the movable die has travelled a predetermined distance from the other die, the movable die permits the elongate pushing device to move along said recti-linear path under the action of its associated spring or springs to push a terminated electrical lead laterally from the crimping station. In a preferred arrangement, a freely rotatable roller is mounted on the movable die in such a position as to roll along a surface of the crank arm as the movable die travels towards and away from the other die.
In one alternative embodiment, the reciprocating pushing device may be constituted by a fluid-operated piston working in a cylinder and arranged to lie along said rectilinear path, the arrangement being such that, injection of fluid into the rear of the cylinder to cause the piston to move to its forward position and push a terminated lead from between the crimping dies, is under the control of a valve actuated by a cam mounted on the drive spindle of the crimp-ing apparatus. The piston may be so spring loaded that, when injection of fluid into the cylinder ceases, the piston returns to its retracted position under the action of the spring or the piston may be caused to return to its ~,:
.`
retracted position by transferring injection of fluid from the rear end of the cylinder to the forward end of the cylinder; in both cases, injection of fluid will be under the control of the cam-actuated valve.
A foot switch may be provided for actuation of the crimping apparatus by an operator but, preferably, when the crimping apparatus includes a backplate, the backplate is made of electrically conductive metal or metal alloy, or has an electric contact extending therethrough, and has a resilient contact mounted on the front face of but electrically insulated from the backplate or electric contact, the arrangement being such that, as a stripped end of an electrical lead is introduced into the crimping station and abuts the resilient contact, the resilient contact is urged against the backplate or electric contact to complete a control circuit which effects actuation of the crimping apparatus.
The use, in electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to the crimping station, of a pushing device as hereinbefore described for pushing a terminated electrical lead from between the crimping dies substantially simplifies the manipulative operations to be carried out by an operator when successively feeding electrical leads to the apparatus with the result that the number of electrical leads that can be terminated by the apparatus per hour can be doubled or even trebled.
The receiprocating pushing device as hereinbefore described is inex-pensive and simple to manufacture and can be incorporated in known forms of electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the aforesaid kind at low cost.
The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of two forms of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
~'' .
- 7 - l..t~'7~Z5 Figure 1 is a front elevation of the first form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with the pushing device positioned in the crimping station;
Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the first form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus with the pushing device in the withdrawn position;
Figures 4 and 5, respectively, are fragmental front and plan views of the backplate and resilient contact switch of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 3;
Figure 6 is a front e1evation,~f_~he second form of electrical terminal crimping apparatus, and .
Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line VII-VII
in Figure 6.
.
Each crimping apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, and 6 and 7 comprises a i'ixed die 1 and, mounted above the fixed die and constrained to move towards and away irom the fixed die on actuation of the crimp1ng apparatus, a movable die 2 carrying crimping blades 6 'and 7 and a cutting blade 8. In both apparatus, a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed automatically to the crimping station defined by the fixed and movable dies 1 and 2.
:
In the i'irst form oi' crimping apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, an elongate pushing arm 10, which near its leading end is stepped - to form a head 11, is constrained to reciprocate in a substantially rectilinear path which is substantially normal to the direction o~
movement of the movable die 2. The pushing arm 10 is urged towards the crimping station along the rectilinear path by a coil spring 12.
- 8 -1~,62~
votally mounted on the body of the crimping apparatus adjacent the movable die 2 is a crank arm 14 which, at its lowermost end, engages in a slot 15 in the pushing arm 10 and abuts a pin 16 extending across the slot. A ~reely rotatable roller 17 is mounted on the movable die 2 in such a position that, as the movable die travels towards or away from the ~ixed die 1, the roller rolls along a surface of the crank arm 14. - -Fixedly mounted above and spaced from the iixed die 1 in such a position as to limit the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies and to permit the leading terminal of a strip of terminals to be fed on to the iixed die in the crimping station is a backplate 19 through which protrudes an electrically conductive contact stud 21 which is insulated ~rom the backplate by a bushing 20 o~ insulating material.
Mounted on the iront ~ace o~ the backplate 19 is a spring-contact 22 which, when urged against the contact stud 21 by a stripped end oi an electrical lead when introduced into the crimping station, completes a control circuit which e~ects actuation oi the crimping apparatus.
To ~acilitate correct positioning o~ a stripped end of an electrical lead in the crimping station, a guard 23 mounted on the backplate 19 in ~ront o~ the spring contact 22 has an aperture 24 which is in alignment with the fixed die 1 in the crimping station and into which the stripped end oi' an electrical lead must be inserted in order to engage the spring contact and ef~ect actuation o~ the control circuit. It will be appreciated that ii' the stripped end o~ an electrical lead is not correctly positioned in the crimping station, the guard 23 will prevent actuation of the control circuit.
With the movable die 2 in the raised position and the head 11 of the pushing arm 10 in the crimping station as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when a stripped end o~ an electrical lead is introduced - g ~ i'7t~i~5 to the crimping station between the head and the movable die and is inserted through the aperture 24 in the guard 23 to abut the spring contact 22 and urge it into contac-~ with the contact stud 21 to close the control circuit and e~fect actuation of the crimping apparatus, the movable die moves downwards towards the fixed die 1 so that the roller 17 rolls along a sur~ace of the crank arm 14 and causes it to pivot in a clockwise direction. As the crank arm 14 pivots, the lowermost end of the crank arm slides along the slot 15, abuts the pin 16 and urges the pushing arm 10 away from the crimping station along the rectilinear path against the action o~ the coil spring 12 until the arm reaches the position shown in Figure 3. At the same time, the leading terminal of a strip of terminals linked end-to-end is automatically ~ed on to the ~ixed die 1 and, as the movable die 2 continues its downward movement, the movable die gathers the stripped end o~ the electrical lead within the vee o~ the crimping blades 6 and 7, positions it in the leading terminal on the ~ixed die and e~ects the crimping operation; the cutting blade 8 also cuts the leading terminal ~rom the strip o~ terminals. A~ter the crimping and cutting operation has been e~ected, the movable die 2 starts to move upwardly away from the ~ixed die 1. If, as the movable die 2 moves it carries in the veè o~ the crimping blades 6 and 7 the terminated end o~ the electrical lead, the terminated end will abut the undersur~ace o~ the backplate 19 which will serve to e~ect the terminating lead so that it drops back on the fixed die 1. As the movable die 2 continues to move upwardly, the roller 17 rolls along a surface o~ the crank arm 14 and e~fectively holds the pushing arm 10 against the action of ~ts coil spring 12 until the movable die has moved upwardly a su~icient distance to permit the pushing arm to move into the crimping station. When the movable die 2 is clear o~ the crimping station, the pushing arm 10 is urged along the rectilinear path under the action o~ the coil spring 12 to cause the crank arm 14 to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction and to push the terminated lead laterally from the crimping station. The crimping station ~ - 10 i l~ 76Z~
now free to receive a stripped end of another electrical lead. ~;
In the crimping apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7, a backplate 30 of electrically conductive metal is fixedly mounted above and spaced from the fixed die 1 in such a position as to limit the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies and to permit the leading terminal T o~ the strip o~ terminals to be fed under the backplate and on to the fixed die in the crimping station. Mounted on the front face oi' and electrically insulated from the backplate 30 is a spring contact 31 which, when urged against the front face of the backplate by a stripped end of an electrical lead, completes a control circuit which effects actuation of thé crimping apparatus.
Mounted alongside the crimping station is a pneumatic cylinder 32 in which works a piston 33 which has at its ~ree end a head 34 and which constitutes the pushing device ~or pushing a terminated lead laterally irom between the crimping dies. The piston 33 is spring loaded and is constrained to reciprocate in a substantially rectilinear path, which is substantially normal to the direction o~ movement o~ the movable die, under the control of a valve (not shown) connected in ihe air supply to the rear end o~ the cylinder 32 and operated by a cam mounted on the drive sha~t o~ the crimping apparatus.
Positioned around the crimping station is a guard 34 o~ transparent plastics material having a substantially vertical slot 35 for introduction of,a stripped end of an electrical lead between the dies and a substantially horizontal slot 36 having a funnel-shaped opening 37 ~or accommodating lateral movement of a terminated electrical lead.
;t~izs ~ igures 6 and 7 show the state of the crimping apparatus at the start of a crimping cycle with the piston 33 in its forward position and with the head 34 positioned in the crimping station and serving as a guard and support table for a stripped end of an electrical lead to be inserted between the crimping dies. When a stripped end of an electrical lead L is inserted through the vertical slot 35 and against the spring contact 31 to urge it into contact with the backplate 30 to close the control eircuit and effect actuation oi' the crimping apparatus, the movable die 2 moves down-wardly towards the ~ixed die 1 and the cam on the crankshaft of the crimping apparatus closes the valve to stop the supply of air to the rear of the cylinder 32 and so permit the piston 33 to move to its retracted position under the action of the spring. The leading terminal T of a strip oi' terminals linked end-to-end is automatically ~ed on to the i'ixed die 1 and, as the movable die 2 continues its downward movement, it gathers the stripped end of the electrical lead L
within the vee of the crimping blades, positions it in the leading terminal and e~fects the crimping operation. After the crimping operation has been ei'fected, the movable die 2 starts to move upwardly away from the fixed die 1 If, as the movable die 2 rises it carries in the vee of the crimping blades 6 and 7 the terminated end of the electrical lead, the terminated lead will abut the undersurface of the backplate 30 which will serve to e~ect the terminated lead so that it drops back on the fixed die 1. As the movable die 2 continues to rise, the cam on the crankshaft of the crimping apparatus opens the valve to cause air under pressure to be fed to the rear o~ the cylinder 32 and so drive the piston 33 towards its ~orward position, the head 34 of the piston pushing the terminated lead laterally from between the crimping blades and along the slot 36. The crimping station is now free to receive a stripped end o~ another electrical lead.
Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. For use in crimping an electrical terminal to a stripped end of an electrical lead, electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to a crimping station defined by at least two crimping dies which are so mounted that at least one of the dies is constrained to move towards and away from the other die, wherein the movable die or at least one of the movable dies has operatively connected to the die, a reciprocating pushing device which is con-strained to move in a substantially rectilinear path towards and in the opposite direction away from the crimping station and which is adapted to push a termin-ated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the terminals, the arrangement being such that, as the movable die travels away from the other die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, said pushing device is automatically actuated to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies.
2. For use in crimping an electrical terminal to a stripped end of an electrical lead, electrical terminal crimping apparatus of the kind in which a strip of terminals comprising a plurality of terminals linked end-to-end is fed to a crimping station defined by two crimping dies which are so mounted that one of the dies is constrained to move towards and away from the other die and in which, at the crimping station and spaced from the fixed die, a backplate is provided for limiting the extent to which a stripped end of an electrical lead can be introduced between the crimping dies, wherein the movable die has opera-tively connected to the die a reciprocating pushing device which is constrained to move in a substantially rectilinear path towards and in the opposite direc-tion away from the crimping station and which is adapted to push a terminated electrical lead from between the dies in a direction lateral to the direction of feed of the terminals, the arrangement being such that, as the movable die travels away from the fixed die after an electrical terminal has been crimped to a stripped end of an electrical lead, said pushing device is automatically actuated to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and to push the terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies to a sufficient extent to permit the stripped end of another lead to be positioned between the dies and that, after pushing a terminated electrical lead laterally from between the dies, the pushing device remains in the crimping station until the crimping apparatus is re-actuated and the movable die starts to move towards the fixed die to effect the crimping operation.
3. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2 which is of such a form that the leading terminal of a strip of electrical terminals is fed to the crimping station as the movable die moves away from the fixed die, wherein the part of the pushing device remaining in the crimping station until the crimping apparatus is re-actuated is of such a shape and size that the leading terminal of the strip can be fed under said part of the pushing device on to the fixed die.
4. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the backplate is made of electrically conductive metal or metal alloy, or has an electric contact extending therethrough, and has a resilient contact mounted on the front face of but electrically insulated from the backplate or electric contact, the arrangement being such that, as a stripped end of an electric lead is introduced into the crimping station and abuts the resilient contact, the resilient contact is urged against the backplate or electric con-tact to complete a control circuit which effects actuation of the crimping apparatus.
5. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a foot switch is provided for actuation of the crimping apparatus by an operator.
6. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating pushing device is operatively connected to the movable die by a linkage mechanism of such a form that, as the movable die moves away from the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectilinear path towards the crimping station and, as the movable die moves towards the other die, the pushing device is caused to move along said rectilinear path in the opposite direction away from the crimping station.
7. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reciprocating pushing device is a substantially rigid elongate member arranged in axial alignment in said rectilinear path and having, at its leading end, a head of a shape and size suitable for engaging a terminated electrical lead to push it laterally from between the dies and for serving as a guard and support table during introduction of a stripped end of an electrical lead into the crimping station.
8. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the linkage mechanism comprises a crank arm which, at or near one of its ends, is pivotally mounted on the body of the crimping apparatus adjacent the movable die and, at or near the other of its ends, is in slidable engagement with the elongate pushing device which is urged to move along said rectilinear path to-wards the crimping station by at least one associated spring, the arrangement being such that, as the movable die travels towards the other die to effect the crimping operation, the movable die engages the crank arm and causes it to pivot in such a direction as to move the elongate pushing device in the opposite direction away from the crimping station against the action of its associated spring or springs and, after the movable die has travelled a predetermined dis-tance from the other die, the movable die permits the elongate pushing device to move along said rectilinear path under the action of its associated spring or springs to push a terminated electrical lead laterally from the crimping station.
9. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a freely rotatable roller is mounted on the movable die in such a position as to roll along a surface of the crank arm as the movable die travels towards and away from the other die.
10. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reciprocating pushing device is constituted by a fluid-operated piston working in a cylinder and arranged to lie along said rectilinear path, the arrangement being such that, injection of fluid into the rear of the cylinder to cause the piston to move to its forward position and push a terminated lead from between the crimping dies, is under the control of a valve actuated by a cam mounted on the drive spindle of the crimping apparatus.
11. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the piston is so spring loaded that, when injection of fluid into the cylinder ceases, the piston returns to its retracted position under the action of the spring.
12. Electrical terminal crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the piston is caused to return to its retracted position by transferring injection of fluid from the rear end of the cylinder to the forward end of the cylinder.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB42842/78 | 1978-11-01 | ||
| GB7842842 | 1978-11-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1167625A true CA1167625A (en) | 1984-05-22 |
Family
ID=10500742
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000338575A Expired CA1167625A (en) | 1978-11-01 | 1979-10-26 | Electrical terminal crimping apparatus |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS5569982A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1167625A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2943993A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2441280A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2037207B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1119897B (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5319842A (en) * | 1993-08-18 | 1994-06-14 | The Whitaker Corporation | Shearing mechanism in a machine for attaching a terminal to a conductor |
| CN116093701B (en) * | 2023-01-03 | 2023-11-03 | 汇铂斯电子技术(苏州)有限公司 | Wire harness terminal crimping die and crimping method thereof |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1416697A (en) * | 1963-11-21 | 1965-11-05 | Amp Inc | Wire feeler device for press for crimping electric terminals on a wire |
| GB1315501A (en) * | 1970-05-05 | 1973-05-02 | Burndy Corp | Presses |
| CA1122388A (en) * | 1978-09-04 | 1982-04-27 | John C. Collier | Electrical terminal crimping apparatus |
-
1979
- 1979-10-26 CA CA000338575A patent/CA1167625A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-10-31 DE DE19792943993 patent/DE2943993A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-10-31 GB GB7937614A patent/GB2037207B/en not_active Expired
- 1979-10-31 IT IT50717/79A patent/IT1119897B/en active
- 1979-10-31 FR FR7927060A patent/FR2441280A1/en active Granted
- 1979-11-01 JP JP14050879A patent/JPS5569982A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT7950717A0 (en) | 1979-10-31 |
| DE2943993A1 (en) | 1980-05-14 |
| IT1119897B (en) | 1986-03-10 |
| FR2441280A1 (en) | 1980-06-06 |
| GB2037207B (en) | 1982-09-22 |
| FR2441280B1 (en) | 1984-08-17 |
| GB2037207A (en) | 1980-07-09 |
| JPS5569982A (en) | 1980-05-27 |
| JPS6315706B2 (en) | 1988-04-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4166315A (en) | Wire gathering mechanism for wire lead production apparatus | |
| US3997956A (en) | Wire insertion apparatus | |
| EP0022637B1 (en) | Apparatus for terminating a series of wires simultaneously | |
| US3800389A (en) | Electrical lead and harness manufacturing | |
| US2727236A (en) | Apparatus for assembling terminals with a twin conductor cable | |
| US4821383A (en) | Terminal crimping apparatus having means for preventing misfeeding of the terminal strip | |
| US3659328A (en) | Stripping and crimping apparatus | |
| EP0001891B1 (en) | Apparatus for inserting wires into electrical terminals | |
| CA1167625A (en) | Electrical terminal crimping apparatus | |
| GB1418466A (en) | Insulation stripping device | |
| US2998633A (en) | Wire cutting, stripping and terminal attaching machine | |
| US4043032A (en) | Terminal applicator apparatus for terminals in strip form | |
| CA1068081A (en) | Wire insertion apparatus | |
| EP0059060B1 (en) | Electrical harness manufacturing method and apparatus | |
| US3969806A (en) | Apparatus and method for crimping terminals | |
| US2681447A (en) | Machine for crimping electric connector members on the ends of wires | |
| US3023484A (en) | Device for stripping and winding insulated conductors | |
| US2876452A (en) | Automatic assembly apparatus | |
| US2694808A (en) | Applicator for electrical connectors and the like | |
| US4283846A (en) | Electrical terminal crimping apparatus | |
| US3576063A (en) | Bobbin lugger and method | |
| US3500709A (en) | Cutoff device | |
| GB1123464A (en) | Method and machine for making wire terminals | |
| US3000529A (en) | Element applying machines | |
| US3585346A (en) | Terminal soldering machine with means for segregating successive terminals from a strip |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |