EP0296858A2

EP0296858A2 - Interchangeable head for machines for applying terminals to multipole ribbon cables having flat conductors

Info

Publication number: EP0296858A2
Application number: EP88305741A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franco Gorni
Original assignee: Thomas and Betts Corp
Current assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
Priority date: 1987-06-26
Filing date: 1988-06-23
Publication date: 1988-12-28
Also published as: JPH0197384A; IT8721885V0; IT210516Z2; EP0296858A3

Abstract

An interchangeable head for machines for applying electronics terminals, which are applied to multipole ribbon cables with flat conductors, includes a single monoblock (1) that comprises members for cutting (5), advancing (7,8) and step-by-step gripping (10) of the terminals (4). Such a monoblock (1) can be applied to conventional electronic presses and be replaced easily and rapidly by the use of ordinary fastening screws.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention concerns an interchangeable head for machines for applying electronic terminals which are applied to multipole ribbon cables with flat conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

It is known that in recent years electronic technology art has increasingly made use of multipole flat ribbon cables which have a head with metallic microterminals adapted to be connected to the connectors fastened on printed circuits or on the various elements which form the entire electronic apparatus in accordance with the so-called "modular" technique.
In view of the multiple uses of said flat conductor cables more or less complicated terminals are being continuously created which by their different shape and technique of folding and fastening have led to the development of application machines dedicated to them.
At this point there was created the necessity of being able to have a machine which could have interchangeable mechanical parts in order to adapt the operation to different types of terminals and flat cables, depending on their shape and the distance between them.
This purpose has been partially achieved by the machines which are at present on the market, but they have the drawback, however, that it is necessary to act on complicated levers and mechanisms in order to change the use of them, with very long times which are at times unjustified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

The object of the present invention is to be able to offer the user an interchangeable head which can be adapted to the traditional electronics presses so as to be able to change the operation as a function of the type of connector and cable within a very short period of time.
In practice there has been produced a monoblock head comprising the punch and various levers, which head is completely removable without removing any mechanical operating part of the press.
These and other characteristics will become even more evident from the following detailed description, given solely by way of illustration and not of limitation, of the scope of the invention, read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

Fig. 1 is an overall view of a press for electronics provided with the interchangeable head in question;
Fig. 2 shows a view of the interchangeable head according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a series of terminals mounted on a tape carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring to these figures, the invention includes a monoblock 1 comprising a base 2 having guides 3 for the terminals 4 fed on tape carrier, a cutting head 5 for the secondary carrier 6, a cam 7 with teeth 8 for the advancing of the perforated primary carrier 9, a terminal head 10 for the step-by-step positioning of the individual terminal, and a vertical punch 11 proper for the cutting of the primary carrier 9 and the gripping of the said terminal 4.
What has been described forms the monoblock 1 proper, which can be attached very rapidly and simply, for instance by ordinary screws, on an electronics press 12 already equipped with the step-by-step feed platform 13 equipped with clamps 14 for holding the flat conductor in position for the application of the terminals 4.
As can be understood from the present detailed description, on a traditional electronics press it is possible to replace the entire head from time to time in order to adapt the work to different types of terminals, within a very short period of time and therefore with a substantial financial saving.
It is finally to be understood that various changes, additions, modifications or replacements of parts can be effected in the present invention without thereby going beyond the scope of its protection as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An interchangeable head for machines for the applying of terminals on multipole ribbon cables having flat conductors, characterized in that within a single monoblock said head comprises members for cutting, advancing, and step-by-step gripping of said terminals.

2. A head according to Claim 1, characterized by a step-by-step advancing platform for the multipole flat conductor.

3. A head according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the monoblock is replaceable simply and rapidly by screws.