EP2654141A1 - Method and device for producing a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves inserting a front portion (3a) of contact (3) into a contact receptacle of connector housing portion that is hold through first retention unit of plug manufacturing unit (20). Rear portion (3b) of the contact is hold by holding device (21) of plug manufacturing unit. The first retention unit is pivoted to plug housing portion with respect to holding device (21) held by contact. A longitudinal axis (23) of contact is bent in range between front portion and rear portion of contact. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a plug manufacturing unit; and (2) a device for manufacturing plug.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a plug according to the preamble of claim 1 and a plug manufacturing device according to the preamble of claim 11.

On the market there is a great need for plugs whose plug contacts are inclined by about 90 ° with respect to the outgoing cable from the connector. However, making such connectors on a cable is fraught with difficulties.

The introduction of elongate contacts with e.g. 90 bent longitudinal axis in a connector housing is a laborious and time-consuming process. This process is made even more difficult if the contacts in the form of crimp contacts are already attached to the cable ends of a cable. Reliable automation with reproducible results has not been achieved so far.

The US 6,332,814 B2 discloses connectors in which crimp contacts are inserted from behind into a connector housing. How out Fig. 6 As can be seen, a projection in the front region of a crimp contact with a bending tool, which passes through an access opening into the interior of the housing, bent. The bending takes place here transversely to the longitudinal axis of the crimp contact. The purpose of this method is to fix the crimp contact within the housing and prevent it from being pulled out. This publication is not the kind of 90 ° plug mentioned at the beginning.

The US 6,017,224 A discloses a connector housing into which a contact is inserted. The bending of the contact is made by a linearly movable tool when parts of the contact are housed in the housing. The difficulty of automating such a process is that the contact is inserted from one side into the housing and bent from the other side of the housing. The production of such a connector on a prefabricated cable is not possible.

In the US 7,124,506 B2 a contact is inserted into a housing and pinched.

The JP 8-195240 A discloses a method of attaching crimp contacts in the connector housing to the leads. The crimp contacts are placed in the housing before crimping.

The production of connectors that accommodate bent contacts is made more difficult by the fact that the contacts and the housing are usually very small. Crimping pre-bent contacts onto the wires of a cable and only then bringing them into the connector housing is very time-consuming and can only be solved in an automated manner with enormous effort.

The object of the invention is to produce a plug with elongated but bent contacts in a simple, inexpensive and reproducible manner. The solution should be characterized by process reliability, accuracy and high productivity.

• Einbringen von vorderen Abschnitten der Kontakte in Kontaktaufnahmen eines Steckergehäuseteils;
• Halten des Steckergehäuseteils durch eine erste Halteeinrichtung einer Steckerfertigungsvorrichtung;
• Halten von hinteren Abschnitten der Kontakte durch eine zweite Halteeinrichtung der Steckerfertigungsvorrichtung;
  relatives Verschwenken der ersten Halteeinrichtung mit dem von ihr gehaltenen Steckergehäuseteil zur zweiten Halteeinrichtung mit den von ihr gehaltenen Kontakten, wodurch eine Biegung der Längsachse der Kontakte im Bereich zwischen ihren vorderen Abschnitten und ihren hinteren Abschnitten erfolgt.

This object is achieved by a method according to the preamble of claim 1, which is characterized by:

• Inserting front sections of the contacts into contact receptacles of a plug housing part;
• Holding the plug housing part by a first holding device of a plug manufacturing device;
• Retaining rear portions of the contacts by a second holding means of the plug manufacturing device;
  relative pivoting of the first holding device with the plug housing part held by it to the second holding device with the contacts held by it, whereby a bending of the longitudinal axis of the contacts takes place in the region between their front portions and their rear portions.

According to the invention, the elongate electrical contacts, which initially have a straight longitudinal axis, are introduced with their front sections into a common plug housing part and only then bent.

This is done in an automated connector manufacturing device with a holding device for the plug housing part and a holding device for the rear sections of the contacts. The holding devices can interact positively and / or non-positively with the parts held by them. It is of course possible and preferable if plug housing part and rear contact sections are already held by the holding device during the introduction of front contact sections into the contact receptacles of the plug housing part.

The holding devices are pivotable relative to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the second holding device remains stationary during relative pivoting and the first holding device is moved. Alternatively, the first holding device may also remain stationary and the first holding device is moved or both holding devices are moved. The pivoting is preferably carried out about a pivot axis, on which one of the two holding devices is pivotally mounted. However, the relative pivoting could also include a translational motion component.

The male housing part includes contact seats for receiving the front portions of the contacts. During relative pivoting of the holding devices, the contacts remain secured or fixed in or through the contact receptacles of the plug housing part.

The contact receptacles are preferably elongated, the shape of the front portions of the contacts adapted receptacles which are parallel to each other. They each form an elongate passage opening, so that the front portions of the contacts can simultaneously form the plug contacts of the finished connector.

The rear portion of a contact is that portion which is intended to be attached to an electric wire. Preferably, the contacts are crimp contacts whose rear portions form crimp connections. This allows a reliable electrical and mechanical connection to be made with the cables of a cable. In addition, elongated crimp contacts in any shape and size are available on the market or inexpensive to produce.

With the present solution, the contacts are inserted into the plug housing part when they are still straight, which is much easier and less more process-reliable. The plug housing part is used in the bending operation in cooperation with the first holding device as an auxiliary tool.

A great advantage of the invention is that the contacts associated with a plug can not be bent individually but together and simultaneously in one work step.

The front sections of the contacts preferably form plug contacts of the plug to be manufactured. The front portions of the contacts may be formed as a female plug contact, in particular as a sleeve, or male plug contact, in particular as a pin. The plug housing part from which the finished plug housing is formed, can therefore be made entirely of non-conductive material, in particular plastic.

Preferably, the contacts are already attached to electrical leads of a cable prior to the introduction of their front portions in contact receptacles of the plug housing part with their rear portions. The plug is made directly on a prepared cable. The end product is a finished connector that is already connected to a cable. Through the cable, the contacts attached at its end can be much easier inserted and positioned in the connector manufacturing device. The crimping process for attaching the contacts to the cables of the cable can therefore be carried out without obstruction by the connector housing already in a previous step.

Preferably, during insertion of the front portions of the contacts into contact seats of the male housing part, the male housing part is held by the first holding means, the contacts are held by the second holding device, and the first holding means and the second holding means are relatively moved toward each other. The holding devices are advantageously used not only for bending the contacts, but also for introducing the front sections into the plug housing part.

Preferably, the introduction of the front portions of the contacts takes place in contact receptacles of the plug housing part by a relative movement of the plug housing part to the contacts in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the - initially even - contacts. All in the connector housing be accommodated contacts can be introduced in a single translational movement process in the connector housing part.

Preferably, the plug housing part comprises at least one wing, which is closed after the relative pivoting of the holding devices to form a closed connector housing, wherein preferably the wing has a shape matched to the contour of the curved contact. The integrally formed on the plug housing part wing is initially still in unfolded state, so as not to hinder the bending process and any tools needed therefor. Only after bending of the contacts, the at least one wing is closed to cover the remaining portions of the contacts and thus to form a closed connector housing. Preferably, the plug housing part comprises two, in opposite directions projecting wings, which are folded toward each other.

Preferably, the first holding device comprises a gripper, which can assume an open position and a gripping position. As a result, the plug housing part is reliably fixed.

The second holding device preferably comprises relatively movable clamping parts. Thereby, the rear portions of the contacts can be firmly fixed during the bending operation.

Preferably, the contacts are aligned in front of the introduction of their front portions in the contact receptacles of the connector housing part substantially parallel to each other, wherein preferably the parallel alignment takes place with the aid of the second holding device. The parallel alignment facilitates the introduction of the still-straight contacts in the contact receptacles of the connector housing part.

Preferably, contacts which are closer to a bending axis defined by the bending operation, during the introduction of their front portions in the contact receptacles of the male housing part less far in the contact receptacles as contacts, which are farther away from the bending axis, this being preferably achieved in that the Have different length contacts. By this measure, different bending radii are compensated, so that in the finished connector, the front portions of all contacts are completely in the contact receptacles.

Preferably, the contacts are positioned with the aid of a positioning tool before they are held by the second holding device, wherein preferably the positioning tool has stops on which the front portions of the contacts are present in the correct position for further processing, wherein preferably the stops are designed as stop sensors are. As a result, a correct position for further processing can be achieved. In the design as a stop sensors, the stops can detect the achievement of the desired position for each individual contact. Once all the contacts are in the correct position, the second holding device can be actuated via a control device in order to fix the contacts in the desired position.

All contacts (e.g., four in number) are detected by the sensors in position and individually clamped by the holder means once in the correct position.

Preferably, the pivoting takes place in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the contacts in the finished plug is bent by at least 30 °, preferably by at least 45 °, particularly preferably by approximately 90 °. That the rear portion is inclined to the front portion of a contact by at least 30 °, preferably by at least 45 °, more preferably by about 90 °. Particularly preferred and currently most used are 90 ° plug, but in principle, other angles are possible. For example, around 60 °, just to give an example.

• eine erste Halteeinrichtung zum Halten eines Steckergehäuseteils mit Kontaktaufnahmen, in die vordere Abschnitte der Kontakte einbringbar sind;
• und eine zweite Halteeinrichtung zum Halten von hinteren Abschnitten der Kontakte;
  wobei die erste Halteeinrichtung und die zweite Halteeinrichtung relativ zueinander verschwenkbar sind, sodass eine Biegung der Längsachse der Kontakte im Bereich zwischen ihren vorderen Abschnitten und ihren hinteren Abschnitten erfolgt.

The object is also achieved with a plug manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a plug from a plug housing and elongate contacts, wherein the contacts within the finished plug have a bent longitudinal axis, wherein the plug manufacturing device is characterized by:

• a first holding device for holding a plug housing part with contact receptacles, in the front portions of the contacts can be introduced;
• and second holding means for holding rear portions of the contacts;
  wherein the first holding device and the second holding device are pivotable relative to each other, so that a bending of the longitudinal axis of the contacts takes place in the region between their front portions and their rear portions.

Such a connector manufacturing device enables automated production of plugs.

The first holding device and the second holding device are preferably pivotable relative to one another by at least 30 °, preferably by at least 45 °, particularly preferably by at least 90 °.

Preferably, the first holding device and the second holding device for introducing front portions of the contacts in the contact receptacles of the plug housing part relative to each other are movable. A translational movement is thus sufficient to bring the contacts with their front portions in the plug housing part.

Preferably, the first holding device comprises a gripper, which can assume an open position and a gripping position, and / or the second holding device comprises clamping parts movable relative to one another.

Preferably, the plug manufacturing device has a relative to the second holding means movable positioning tool for positioning the contacts in the second holding device, wherein preferably the positioning tool stops for the front portions of the contacts, and wherein preferably the stops are designed as a stop sensors.

Preferably, at least one stop of the positioning tool is set back relative to another stop of the positioning tool. This can be compensated by an initial recessed positioning of one or more contacts different bending radii.

Preferably, the plug manufacturing device comprises a folding tool for closing a wing of a plug housing part after the relative pivoting of the holding devices in order to form a closed plug housing. As a result, the final completion of the plug housing can also be automated. The folding tool comprises for this purpose a driver, which presses the wing in its closed position.

Preferably, the connector manufacturing device for defining a bending line between the front portions and the rear portions of the contacts at least one die, which is movable in the bending area. The bending line is understood to mean the curved contour of the contacts after the bending process. This makes the bending process even more reliable.

Preferably, the plug manufacturing device comprises a centering device to center the contacts with respect to the plug housing part.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug manufacturing device comprises at least a first slider which is movable axially to the front portions of the contacts after the bending operation and by this movement fully pushes the front portion of at least one contact into the plug housing part, wherein preferably the first slider has a bend radius Having the contact adapted contour.

In a further preferred embodiment, the plug manufacturing device comprises at least one second slider, which is movable axially to the rear portions of the contacts after the bending operation and by this movement, the front portion of at least one contact, preferably fixed to a collar formed on the contact.

• Der Steckergehäuseteil wird ins Nest einer Halteeinrichtung eingefügt. Die Halteeinrichtung wird mit dem Steckergehäuseteil zur Klemmung gefahren. Das Kabel wird mit den Kontakten ins Steckergehäuseteil eingefügt. Die Kontakte werden durch eine Zentriereinrichtung zentriert und anschliessend geklemmt. Beim Biegen werden die Halteeinrichtungen relativ zueinander verschwenkt.

The following description shows a preferred production sequence:

• The plug housing part is inserted into the nest of a holding device. The holding device is moved to the connector housing part for clamping. The cable is inserted with the contacts into the connector housing part. The contacts are centered by a centering device and then clamped. When bending the holding devices are pivoted relative to each other.

In order to reach the end position at 90 °, an overbending of slightly more than 90 ° preferably takes place in order to compensate for relaxation, and then a return to the end position of 90 °.

In a preferred embodiment, after the overbending, the angle is first turned back to an angle value of less than 90 °. Only then is the 90 ° end position approached. It has been shown that the smaller of the two radii thereby assumes a more accurate 90 ° bend, while the longer of the two Contacts are unaffected by this countermovement. Of course, this procedure is analogously applicable in connection with other angle values.

The contacts, e.g. two long and two short, the latter being closer to the bending axis are guided in the connector housing part and bent.

The centering device is opened and the second holding device pushed away from the work area to make room for the Umklappeinrichtung. The latter is brought into position and closes with a left and right driver, which are designed as a pivoting arm, the wings of the male housing part to a closed connector housing.

The folding device is then moved out of the work area and equipped with a plug cable can be removed from the connector manufacturing device.

An example is the processing of a four-wire cable to which four contacts with two different lengths are crimped. However, any number of contacts according to the invention can be manufactured in a common housing.

• Einführen von mindestens zwei länglichen Crimp-Kontakten mit ihren vorderen Abschnitten in längliche Kontaktaufnahmen eines gemeinsamen Steckergehäuses, wobei die Crimp-Kontakte bereits mit ihren hinteren Abschnitten an Enden von Leitungen befestigt sind, die in einem gemeinsamen Kabel vereint sind;

The features of a particularly preferred embodiment consist in:

• Inserting at least two elongate crimp contacts with their front portions into elongated contact receptacles of a common male housing, the crimp contacts already being secured with their rear portions to ends of leads united in a common cable;

Bending the crimp contacts in the region between the front portion and the rear portion such that the rear portions of the crimp contacts adjacent to a lead are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the contact seats into which the front portions are inserted, preferably by about 90 ° , (The bending axis runs transversely to the longitudinal extent of the crimp contact).

Advantageous developments are set forth in the figures and in the dependent claims.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description in which embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any desired combination.

The list of reference numerals is part of the disclosure. The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. The same reference symbols denote the same components, reference symbols with different indices indicate functionally identical or similar components.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemässe Steckerfertigungsvorrichtung beim Positionieren der Kontakte,

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 mit der Halteeinrichtung für den Steckergehäuseteil,

Fig. 3

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2 beim Einbringen der Kontakte in die Kontaktaufnahmen des Steckergehäuses,

Fig. 4

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 3 nach dem relativen Verschwenken der Haltevorrichtungen,

Fig. 5

die Vorrichtung aus Fig. 4 beim Zuklappen eines Flügels des Steckergehäuseteils durch ein Umklappwerkzeug,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch einen fertigen Stecker,

Fig. 7 bis 16

die einzelnen Schritte der Steckerfertigung im Detail.

It shows:

Fig. 1

an inventive connector manufacturing device when positioning the contacts,

Fig. 2

the device off Fig. 1 with the holding device for the plug housing part,

Fig. 3

the device off Fig. 2 during insertion of the contacts into the contact receptacles of the plug housing,

Fig. 4

the device off Fig. 3 after the relative pivoting of the holding devices,

Fig. 5

the device off Fig. 4 when folding a wing of the plug housing part by a folding tool,

Fig. 6

a section through a finished plug,

Fig. 7 to 16

the individual steps of the connector production in detail.

Fig. 1 shows a plug manufacturing device 20, which has a positioning tool 14 for positioning of elongated contacts 3. The elongated contacts 3 are in the illustrated embodiment, crimp contacts, which are each attached to the end of an electrical line 2 (or wire) of a cable 1. The contacts 3 each have a front portion 3a and a rear portion 3b. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the area between the sections 3a, 3b is made thinner than the front and the adjacent ones Rear portions 3a, 3b, whereby the subsequent bending is facilitated. The rear portions 3b respectively form electrically conductive crimp connections with the end of the electric wires 2.

In Fig. 1 For example, the elongated contacts 3, which are initially straight or have a straight longitudinal axis 23 (indicated by the dashed line), are inserted into the connector manufacturing device 20 (along the vertical arrow) until the front portions 3a are in abutment against stops 4 in position Pending positioning 14. The positioning tool 14 is movable within the connector manufacturing device 20 (schematically indicated by the vertical double arrow) to be moved from the work area to a waiting position and vice versa.

The insertion of the contacts 3 into the plug manufacturing device 20 can be achieved by movement of the cable 1 e.g. done by hand or by a specially designated transport device.

Preferably, the stops 4 are designed as a stop sensor (s), i. They register as soon as the contacts 3 are present and thus assume the correct position for further processing. The stop sensors cooperate with a control device (not shown), which actuates a second holding device 21 when the stop position of the contacts 3 is reached.

The second holding device 21 consists in the illustrated embodiment of two oppositely actuated clamping members 5, which include the inserted contacts 3, and one between the contacts 3 (or between the terminals 5) insertable counterpart 6. While the clamping members 5 according to the horizontal double arrows between an open and a clamping position are movable, the counterpart 6 is movable in a direction transverse to the sheet plane to get into or out of the work area.

In a preferred embodiment, the clamping parts 5 as well as the counterpart 6 or together with the counterpart 6 are displaceable transversely to the plane of the drawing. Both can be moved in this way in or out of the work area before the folding tool for closing the wing (will be explained later) is moved into the work area.

As soon as the contacts 3 have reached the correct position, the clamps 5, in cooperation with the counterpart 6, engage the contacts, whereby they are fixed or held. The second holding device 21 is designed such that it holds the contacts 3 in parallel alignment with each other.

Fig. 2 now shows a subsequent working position of the connector manufacturing device 20. In this position, a first holding device 15 (in Fig. 1 not yet shown) have been moved into the work area while the positioning tool 14 remains in a waiting position. The holding device 15 is designed as a gripper with two mutually movable gripper jaws 15a, 15b. In the position of Fig. 2 the holding device 15 is about to grab a prefabricated connector housing part 7 and to hold for the further processing process.

The plug housing part 7 has contact receptacles 17 for the interaction with the contacts 3. In the present case, these are elongate receptacles adapted to the contour of the front contact sections 3a. Laterally, the plug housing part 7 wings 10, which must be closed to complete the housing.

Subsequently, the first holding device 15 is moved with its held plug housing part 7 in the direction of the second holding device 21 with the contacts held by her 3, so that the contacts 3 along their - even straight - longitudinal axes 23 reach into the contact receptacles 17. Like from the Fig. 1 to 3 the contacts have 3 different lengths. While the right-hand contact 3 completely enters a contact receptacle 17, the left-hand contact 3 only reaches the corresponding contact receptacle 17 up to a certain depth (FIG. Fig. 3 ). This difference in length is compensated by the subsequent bending of the contacts 3 (FIG. Fig. 4 ). The pivot axis 22 is the axis about which the first holding device 15 is pivoted relative to the second holding device 21 in order to bend the contacts 3. The pivoting movement is indicated by the curved arrow.

In the working position of Fig. 4 is already the first holding device 15 has been pivoted relative to the second holding device 21, whereby a bending of the longitudinal axis 23 of the contacts 3 in the region between their front portions 3a and their rear sections 3b. The example shown shows the production of a 90 ° plug, in which therefore the front sections 3a are inclined at substantially 90 ° in comparison with the rear sections 3b. In principle, however, other angles are possible, depending on requirements.

In the example shown, the second holding device 21 remains stationary during relative pivoting, while the first holding device 15 rotates about a pivot axis 22. Of course, it is also possible that the first holding device 15 with the plug housing part 7 held by it remains stationary and the second holding device 21 is moved. It is also possible that the pivoting movement is superimposed on a translational movement. The term panning is to be understood in the broadest sense.

In the example shown, a bending axis 16 is defined by the bending line, ie the curved contour of the contacts 3, which passes through the center of the bent portion. The bending process can be defined by inserted into the work area dies, creating a reproducible shape of the contacts 3 sets. The effect of Matrizen 8 and other supports 9 is based on the FIGS. 11 to 14 explained. Instead of a bending axis 16, with a corresponding design of the matrices 8, a somewhat wider bending axis region, for example with a plurality of bending axes, can result, for example in the case of a section which is not curved in an exactly circular manner.

In Fig. 4 has already a folding tool 13 of the connector manufacturing device 20 in waiting position to in Fig. 5 to take a job. The Umklappwerkzeug 13 has at least one pivotable about a pivot axis 11 driver 12. In this case, the folding tool 13 is positioned such that the pivotable driver 12 reaches the height of the wing 10. By pivoting the driver 12, the wing 10 is taken and folded, whereby a finished housing 18 is formed ( Fig. 6 ). The Zuklappvorgang of the two symmetrical wings 10 is also in Fig. 16 shown.

The finished plug 18 is in Fig. 6 to see. While the rear portions 3b constitute crimp connections to the electric wires 2 of a cable 1, the front portions 3a form the contacts of the finished plug 18. The Plug housing part 7, from which the finished connector housing 19 is formed in the present example, entirely made of electrically non-conductive material, preferably plastic. The front sections form the externally accessible plug contacts, in particular in the form of sleeves (female plug contacts) or in the form of pins (male plug contacts). In the example shown, two contacts 3 can be seen in the plug housing 19, but of course more than two contacts 3 can be joined together to form a plug 18 at the same time.

For the sake of clarity were in the Fig. 1 to 5 the individual holding devices 15, 21 and auxiliary tools 13, 14 are shown without the carrier holding or moving them. The carriers can be moved, for example, along guides and / or pivotally mounted about pivot axes.

Based on FIGS. 7 to 16 The individual processing steps will now be described in detail, omitting components of the plug manufacturing device 20 for the sake of clarity.

In a first step (not shown), the plug housing part 7 is inserted into the first holder direction 15.

In a second step, the contacts 3, which are already crimped to the leads 2 or strands of a cable 1, are moved in the direction of the positioning tool ( Fig. 7 ) and each individually queried by a designed as a stop sensor stop 4 to reach their final position.

A (not shown) connected to the control device controls the clamping parts 5, which presses the contacts 3 against a fixed body as a counterpart 6 and thus secures them against twisting and slipping ( Fig. 8 ).

Furthermore, the plug housing part 7 is pushed onto the contacts 3 (eg four in number) ( Fig. 9 ). Initially, only the long contact 3 is completely inserted into the contact 17 ( Fig. 10 ), while the short contact 3 only partially protrudes into the corresponding contact 17.

With the aid of the plug housing part 7, the contacts 3 are bent by a predetermined angle, preferably by 90 °. The short contact 3 slides into its final position in the relevant contact ( Fig. 11 to 14 ).

Dies introduced into the bending area 8 support the contacts 3 during the bending process, so that they receive a defined bending radius or bending radii.

Optionally, the long contact 3 can receive an additional support 9, which is inserted at an angle of, for example, about 45 ° ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ). In this way, a more exact radius over the entire length of the bend results.

After the contacts are bent, the outer, long contacts 3 are pressed into the end position and then fixed to the collar ( Fig. 15 ). For this narrow sliders are used. These are indicated in a schematic way by the arrows, which also show their direction of movement. The slides can sit on their own tool, or be integrated with a previously described tool.

One or more first slides (vertical arrow), which run axially to the front portions 3a of the contacts 3, have / have a contour adapted to the bending radius. With this, the two outer contacts are pressed into the intended end position in the connector housing part 7.

Subsequently, a second slider (horizontal arrow) moves axially to the rear portions 3b with small lugs on the collar of the contact 3, so that it can no longer move axially to the front portions 3a of the connector housing part 7. The first slider (s) now move out of engagement and release the working area for swiveling the (swing) wings 10.

The second slider is designed so that it can remain engaged during the closing process. Jumping out of the contacts is so impossible. The plug housing part 7 may have corresponding recesses for the lugs of the slide for this purpose.

According to Fig. 16 the wings 10 protruding on both sides from the plug housing part 7 are closed by the four curved contacts 3 which are present, whereby a finished, closed housing 19 gives ( Fig. 6 ). The bent portions of the contacts 3 is located inside the housing 19th

As an alternative to the already integrally formed on the plug housing part 7 wings 10 separate covers could be attached to the plug housing part 7 in a final process step, which complement the plug housing part 7 to a complete and closed plug housing 18.

Subsequently, the finished product, i. Cable with connector made thereon, are removed from the holding devices.

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Thus, additional auxiliary tools such as a centering device for centering the contacts in relation to the plug housing part, a fixing device for fixing the contacts in an end position in the contact receptacles of the plug housing part and / or other auxiliary tools may be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

electric wire

2

management

3

long contact

3a

front portion of the contact 3

3b

rear portion of the contact 3

4

attack

5

clamping part

6

counterpart

7

Plug housing part

8th

die

9

support

10

Wing of the plug housing part 7

11

Pivot axis of the driver 12

12

takeaway

13

Umklappwerkzeug

14

Positioning

15

first holding device

16

bending axis

17

contact

18

plug

19

plug housing

20

Steckerherstellvorrichtung

21

second holding device

22

swivel axis

23

Longitudinal axis of the contact 3

Claims (15)

Method for producing a plug (18) from a plug housing (19) and elongate contacts (3), wherein the contacts (3) within the finished plug (18) have a curved longitudinal axis (23), characterized by: Inserting front sections (3a) of the contacts (3) into contact receptacles (17) of a plug housing part (7); Holding the plug housing part (7) by a first holding device (15) of a plug manufacturing device (20); Retaining rear portions (3b) of the contacts (3) by a second holding means (21) of the plug manufacturing device (20); relative pivoting of the first holding device (15) with the plug housing part (7) held by it relative to the second holding device (21) with the contacts (3) held by it, whereby a bending of the longitudinal axis (23) of the contacts (3) in the area between their front sections (3a) and their rear sections (3b) takes place. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the contacts (3) are crimp contacts, the rear portions (3b) form crimp connections, and / or that the front portions (3a) of the contacts (3) the plug contacts of the to be manufactured Form plug (18). A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contacts (3) prior to the introduction of their front portions (3a) in contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) each with their rear portions (3b) already on electrical lines (2). a cable (1) are attached. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that during the introduction of the front portions (3a) of the contacts (3) held in contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) of the plug housing part (7) of the first holding means (15) is, the contacts (3) of the second holding device (21) are held and the first holding device (21) and the second holding device (15) are moved relative to each other. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the introduction of the front portions (3a) of the contacts (3) in contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) by a relative movement of the plug housing part (7) to the contacts (3) in one to the longitudinal axis of the contacts (3) parallel direction. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug housing part (7) comprises at least one wing (10), which is folded after the relative pivoting of the holding means (15, 21) to form a closed connector housing (19) preferably the wing (10) has a shape matched to the contour of the bent contact (3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacts (3) prior to the introduction of their front portions (3a) in the contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) are aligned substantially parallel to each other, wherein preferably the parallel alignment with the aid the second holding device (21) takes place. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that contacts (3) which are closer to a bending axis (16) defined by the bending process, during the introduction of their front portions (3a) in the contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) less far into the contact receptacles (17) reach as contacts (3) which are farther away from the bending axis (16), wherein this is preferably achieved in that the contacts (3) have different lengths. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacts (3) are positioned with the aid of a positioning tool (14) before being held by the second holding device (21), preferably the positioning tool (14) having stops (4). has, where the front Sections (3a) of the contacts (3) are present in the correct position for further processing, wherein preferably the stops (4) are designed as stop sensors. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting takes place in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the contacts (3) in the finished plug (19) by at least 30 °, preferably by at least 45 °, more preferably bent by about 90 ° , Plug manufacturing device (20) for producing a plug (18) from a plug housing (19) and elongate contacts (3), the contacts (3) within the finished plug (18) having a curved longitudinal axis (23), characterized by: - A first holding means (15) for holding a plug housing part (7) with contact receptacles (17), in the front portions (3a) of the contacts (3) can be introduced; - And a second holding means (21) for holding rear portions (3b) of the contacts (3);
wherein the first holding device (15) and the second holding device (21) are pivotable relative to each other, so that a bending of the longitudinal axis (23) of the contacts (3) in the region between their front portions (3a) and their rear portions (3b). Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the first holding means (15) and the second holding means (21) for introducing front portions (3a) of the contacts (3) in the contact receptacles (17) of the plug housing part (7) relative to each other to move are and / or that the first holding device (15) comprises a gripper, which can assume an open position and a gripping position, and / or that the second holding device (21) relative to each other movable clamping parts (5). Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the plug manufacturing device (20) relative to the second holding means (21) movable positioning tool (14) for positioning the contacts (3) in the second holding device (21), wherein preferably the positioning tool (14) stops (4) for the front portions (3a) of the contacts (3), and preferably the stops (4) as a stop sensors are formed. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that at least one stop (4) of the positioning tool (14) is set back relative to another stop (4) of the positioning tool (14). Device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the plug manufacturing device (20) has a folding tool (13) for closing a wing (10) of a plug housing part (7) after the relative pivoting of the holding means (15, 21) to a closed plug housing (19) to form, and / or that the connector manufacturing device (20) for defining a bending line between the front portions (3a) and the rear portions (3b) of the contacts (3) at least one die (8), in the bending area is movable.

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