EP4293839A1 - Crimping tool and crimping method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crimping tool (1) for crimping an outer conductor contact (4) to a line (6) with at least one inner conductor wire (8), having a support frame (20) with a support surface (21) on which the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor wire (8) can be arranged so that the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor wire (8) can be prevented from kinking during a crimping process, the support frame (20) further having at least one first stop surface (22). for the outer conductor contact (4), a guide (23) for which has at least one inner conductor wire (8) and a separate second stop surface (24) for which at least one inner conductor wire (8). The invention further relates to a crimping method for a crimping tool (1).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a crimping tool, in particular for crimping an outer conductor contact to a line with at least one inner conductor, and a crimping method.

State of the art

Crimping is a mechanical connection process used to permanently connect two or more components together. In cable assembly, inner and/or outer conductor contacts are often crimped on cables. During crimping, force is applied to bend crimp tabs on a contact so that the crimp tabs permanently attach the contact to the cable. The crimping area of the contact, in which the crimping tabs are arranged, rests on an anvil for crimping. In order to prevent the (remaining) contact from bending in the direction of the force applied during the crimping process, in the prior art a support frame is usually arranged close to the anvil, on which the (remaining) contact is placed.

The prior art has at least the disadvantage that an axial position of an external conductor contact to be crimped can change so much as a result of the crimping process that a position requirement of an assembly instruction cannot be met. In addition, positioning of inner conductor contacts in relation to an outer conductor contact can be severely impaired. In the prior art, the stop for (crimped) inner conductor wires is a additional component, which is usually arranged very far above an anvil and thereby increases the spread of the inner conductor position.

Description of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method, in particular for automated cable assembly, with which the axial position spread of an outer conductor contact, per se and in relation to (crimped) inner conductor wires, is reduced during crimping.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by a crimping tool according to claim 1 and a crimping method according to claim 6. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the subclaims, the description and the drawings.

In particular, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a crimping tool for crimping an outer conductor contact to a line with at least one inner conductor wire, having a support frame with a support surface on which the outer conductor contact and the at least one inner conductor wire can be arranged, so that the outer conductor contact and the at least one inner conductor core can be prevented during a crimping process, wherein the support frame further has at least one first stop surface for the outer conductor contact, a guide for the at least one inner conductor core and a separate second stop surface for the at least one inner conductor core.

The present crimping tool has the advantage that the support frame ensures the axial position of the outer conductor contact as well as the positioning of the inner conductor wire(s) in relation to the outer conductor contact even during the crimping process. The first stop surface significantly limits the positional deviation of the outer conductor contact in the axial longitudinal direction during the crimping process and during a previous positioning of the inner conductor wires in the outer conductor contact. This increases the overall precision when crimping. In addition, the side walls of the guide cause it to spread laterally of the (crimped) inner conductor wires is greatly reduced. This leads to improved positioning of the inner conductor contacts in relation to the outer conductor contact and an improvement in the end product. In particular, the present tool can be used to meet position requirements from assembly instructions, especially at manual workstations. Due to the proximity of the present support frame to the anvil, a spread of the inner conductor core position can be reduced compared to the prior art, in which a stop for the (crimped) inner conductor cores is an additional component which is arranged very far above the anvil. The present support frame is a passive component. The contacts are simply aligned with the corresponding surfaces or the guide. The alignment can be done very quickly and automatically. Furthermore, no modifications to the crimping tool are necessary. If the components are matched to the existing crimping tool or the respective type of crimping tool, the present support frame can be easily integrated into an existing crimping tool and does not require any changes to the process flow. In particular, as long as the design of the inner conductor and outer conductor contacts is similar, the crimping tool can be used for multiple products with a limited adjustment frame.

For crimping an outer conductor contact to a line with at least one inner conductor wire, the crimping tool can also have an anvil and at least one wearing part. The anvil and the at least one wearing part form a working or crimping area. In addition, the crimping tool can have a cutter with a cable holder for receiving the cable. The cutter can also have a through opening through which the at least one inner conductor wire can be arranged in the crimping area.

The crimping tool preferably comprises a base plate, and the support frame can be moved relative to the base plate. This allows the support frame to be adjusted to the position of the tips of the external conductor contact. The location of the tips may vary depending on the phase conductor contact type or batch. The present tool can therefore be easily retrofitted and/or adjusted.

The separate second stop surface is preferably formed on a stop which can be moved relative to the support frame. The stop is preferably detachably attached to the support frame. The stop, in the immediate vicinity of the anvil, specifies the axial position of the (crimped) inner conductor wires in relation to the outer conductor contact. Due to the mobility, inner conductor cores of different lengths can be used when changing products or batches. By limiting the lateral spread of the inner conductor cores, the guide supports the axial positioning of the inner conductor cores and their dimensional accuracy in the crimping process.

The separate second stop surface is preferably formed on a stop that cannot be moved relative to the support frame. This has the advantage that the position of the stop relative to the support frame can no longer change, and unintentional loosening of the fasteners during production as well as incorrect adjustment are no longer possible.

Preferably, the first and the separate second stop surfaces can be aligned transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a longitudinal direction of the line on the crimping tool. Because the first and second stop surfaces are aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the line, they not only form a fixed point for orientation, but also function as stoppers in the axial or longitudinal direction (of the line). In particular, by bringing the inner conductor wires into contact with the second stop surface, the cable is arranged in a suitable manner on the crimping tool. A quick and appropriate placement of the cable on the crimping tool is beneficial for precision and processing speed.

The above-mentioned object is further achieved in particular by a crimping process for a crimping tool at least having a support frame with a support surface, a first stop surface for an outer conductor contact, a guide for at least one inner conductor wire and a separate second stop surface for the at least one inner conductor wire, the method being the has the following steps: positioning the external conductor contact in a working area of the crimping tool in order to crimp the external conductor contact to a line, applying tips of the external conductor contact to the first Stop surface, inserting the cable with at least one, in particular already crimped, inner conductor wire into the crimping tool, so that the outer conductor contact can be crimped to the cable, aligning the at least one inner conductor wire in the guide and placing the tip of the at least one inner conductor wire on the separate second stop surface , and crimping the external conductor contact to the line.

The present method fixes the outer conductor contact and the inner conductor core(s) at at least three points before crimping. This prevents an (unintentional) change in the axial position of the outer conductor contact and the positioning of the inner conductor wires or contacts in relation to the outer conductor contact. In addition, since the fixation points are very close to the anvil, in contrast to the prior art, a spread in the position of the inner conductor cores is also reduced. The process steps of fixation do not really interfere with the process of a crimping process from the prior art. The process is easily adaptable with the appropriate structural features. The process is also suitable for automated cable assembly.

The working area preferably has at least one anvil on which a crimping area of the external conductor contact rests, and the first stop surface on which the tips of the external conductor contact rest. Due to the two separate components, anvil and support surface, the components can be changed and/or set up to suit each other. The shape of the anvil, which preferably has a concave curved surface, is optimal for crimping the external conductor contact and cable. The shape of the support surface, which preferably comprises a flat plane, is optimal for placing or supporting the (remaining) external conductor contact.

The positioning of the external conductor contact in the working area of the crimping tool and the application of the tips of the external conductor contact to the first stop surface are preferably carried out in one work step, preferably simultaneously. Positioning and creating in one step saves time compared to doing it in several steps. Overall, this enables faster processing, ie shorter cycle times, on the crimping tool.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform eines Crimpwerkzeugs;

Fig. 2

eine Detaildarstellung aus Fig. 1 mit einer Ausführungsform des Auflagebocks und des Abschneiders;

Fig. 3

die Detaildarstellung aus Fig. 2 mit eingelegtem Trägerstreifen und Kontakten; und

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf die Darstellung aus Fig. 3.

The following description of embodiments is made with reference to the accompanying figures. This shows:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an embodiment of a crimping tool;

Fig. 2

a detailed representation Fig. 1 with an embodiment of the support frame and the cutter;

Fig. 3

the detailed representation Fig. 2 with inserted carrier strip and contacts; and

Fig. 4

a top view of the representation Fig. 3 .

Preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a crimping tool 1. The crimping tool 1 is set up to crimp an external conductor contact 4 to a line 6. The crimping tool 1 shown comprises a crimping module 10. The crimping tool 1 or the crimping module 10 comprises at least one support bracket 20. The support bracket 20 is set up to prevent contacts, in particular external conductor contacts 4, from bending during a crimping process. For this purpose, the support frame 20 has a support surface 21 on which an external conductor contact 4 to be crimped is positioned.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the support frame 20 and the cutter 12. The support frame 20 also has at least a first stop surface 22. The at least one first stop surface 22 can also include a divided or multiple parts of a first stop surface 22. In the one shown Embodiment, the first stop surface 22 comprises two parts that are spaced apart from one another by a guide 23. The first stop surface 22 serves as a stop surface or fixation for an external conductor contact 4 to be crimped.

Furthermore, the support frame 20 includes the guide 23. The guide 23 serves to align or guide at least one inner conductor wire or an inner conductor contact 8 of the line 6. The at least one, in the present exemplary embodiment two inner conductor wires 8 of the line 6 arranged on the crimping tool 1 are in one Longitudinal direction Y of the line 6 beyond the tips 4a of the external conductor contact 4. The protrusion can be determined, for example, by assembly instructions for the contacts. Inner conductor contacts can already be attached, in particular crimped, to the inner conductor wires 8. The guide 23 is essentially formed as an elongated depression in the longitudinal direction Y of the inserted line 6.

Furthermore, the support frame 20 includes a separate second stop surface 24. The separate second stop surface 24 is formed on a separate stop 25 in the illustrated embodiment. The separate second stop surface 24 serves as a stop surface or fixation for the inner conductor wires 8. The second stop surface 24 is separate from the first stop surface 22. In particular, the second stop surface 24 or the stop 25, in the embodiment shown, is opposite the first stop surface 22 or .The support frame 20 can be moved. In an alternative embodiment, the first stop surface 22 and the second stop surface 24 are not movable relative to one another. The second stop surface 24 in particular forms an end or termination of the guide 23. The second stop surface 24 offers haptic feedback for the complete or correct insertion of the cable 6 on the crimping tool 1.

The first and second stop surfaces 22, 24 are transverse, in particular perpendicular as shown in the figures, to the longitudinal direction Y of the line 6 on the crimping tool 1 aligned. Their surface is preferably smooth in order to always ensure an exact stop or the same distance from the cutter 12.

The cutter 12 shown has at least one guide slot 13 for guiding the carrier strip 2. Furthermore, the cutter 12 has a line receptacle 14 for receiving the line 6 to be crimped on the crimping tool 1. The cable receptacle 14 is clearly visible, so that the assembly personnel receive quick visual feedback on the appropriate insertion or alignment of the cable 6 on the crimping tool 1. The cable receptacle 14 can include insertion aids such as a tapered opening or rounded edges.

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of the support frame 20 and the cutter 12 with an inserted carrier strip 2 and external conductor contacts 4. For crimping, an external conductor contact 4, the length of which extends between its crimp tabs 4b and tips 4a, is arranged between the cutter 12 and the first stop surface 22. The arrangement is flush, especially on both sides, to prevent slipping. For the flush arrangement, a first length L1 (see. Fig. 4 ) between the cutter 12 and the first stop surface 22 are precisely adjusted. The adjustment is possible because the support frame 20 can be moved relative to a base plate 11 on the crimping tool 1. The adjustment can be done manually by loosening fasteners 26 on the support frame 20, adjusting the first length L1, and then tightening the fasteners 26 again. The fastening means 26 include screws in the illustrated embodiment. In alternative embodiments, other suitable fasteners 26 are possible. The adjustment can also be done automatically, with the help of appropriate sensors and actuators.

The crimping area 4c of the external conductor contacts 4, which includes the crimp tabs 4b, can be positioned on an anvil 16 (see Fig. Fig. 1 ). For crimping, in particular the crimp tabs 4b, a suitably shaped wearing part 17 is moved towards the anvil 16 and exerts a force on the crimp tabs 4b in order to crimp the crimp tabs 4b to the line 6. During crimping, the height of the support surface 21 can match the height of the anvil 16, so that no kinking or bending of the (remaining) external conductor contact 4 occurs. The heights can be adjustable in alternative embodiments. The heights are measured along a third direction Z.

Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of the support frame 20 and the cutter 12 with the inserted carrier strip 2 and external conductor contacts 4 in a top view. In the top view it can be clearly seen how the crimp tabs 4b of the external conductor contact 4 can contact an exposed part of a braided shield 7 of the line 6 during crimping. The braided shield 7 can simply be exposed or bent over the line 6 or, as in the embodiment shown, over a support sleeve. By contacting or crimping, an electrical connection between the braided shield 7 and the external conductor contact 4 can be provided.

The outer conductor contact 4 is separated from the inner conductor wires 8 of line 6. Otherwise a short circuit would occur. In the embodiment shown, the inner conductor wires 8 protrude above the outer conductor contact 4 in the longitudinal direction Y. The protruding inner conductor wires 8 are included in the guide 23 directly after the first stop surface 22. The width of the guide 23 corresponds to the external distance of the inner conductor wires 8 or is slightly larger than the ideal line pitch. In this way, the alignment, in particular the line pitch, of the inner conductor wires 8 is maintained and protected against outward bending. The end of the guide 23 is the separate second stop surface 24. The second stop surface 24 is, in the illustrated embodiment, movable relative to the guide 23, so that the length of the guide, which forms a second length L2 on the crimping tool 1, by moving the second stop surface 24 can be adjusted. In order to move, fastening means 26, such as screws, are loosened in the illustrated embodiment and then Move tightened again. In this way, different lengths of inner conductor contacts can be processed and batch fluctuations can be compensated for. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second stop surfaces 22, 24 are not movable relative to one another, that is, not adjustable.

An embodiment of a crimping method is described below. The crimping method is particularly suitable for a crimping tool 1 having at least a support frame 20 with a support surface 21, a first stop surface 22 for an outer conductor contact 4, a guide 23 for at least one inner conductor wire 8 and a separate second stop surface 24 for the at least one inner conductor wire 8.

In the embodiment shown, the carrier strip 2, to which external conductor contacts 4 are attached, is arranged in the guide 30 on the crimping tool 1. With the help of the feed 32, the carrier strip 2 and the attached external conductor contacts 4 are moved in the feed direction X. The movement conveys the external conductor contacts 4 one after the other to the crimping module 10.

When an external conductor contact 4 is conveyed to the crimping module 10, the external conductor contact 4 is first positioned in a working area 15 of the crimping tool 1 so that the external conductor contact 4 can be crimped to a line 6. The working area 15 comprises at least one anvil 16, on which the crimping area 4c of the external conductor contact 4 rests, and a first stop surface 22, on which the tips 4a of the external conductor contact 4 rest. Furthermore, the crimp tabs 4b of the external conductor contact 4 rest on the cutter 12. The contact of the external conductor contact 4, both on the cutter 12 and on the first stop surface 22, can include a very small gap, so that when the carrier strip 2 with the external conductor contact 4 is moved into the working area 15, no friction occurs and the requirements for the separator are met become.

In the described embodiment, when the external conductor contact 4 is positioned in the working area 15, the tips 4a of the external conductor contact 4 are placed on the first stop surface 22. Both method steps are carried out in one work step on the crimping tool 1, in particular simultaneously or at the same time. In alternative embodiments, the application could also take place after positioning. However, this would take longer. The application serves for fixation and preferably includes slight contact with the first stop surface 22, so that no unwanted movements such as slipping occur during the positioning of the at least one inner conductor wire 8 as well as during the crimping of the outer conductor contact 4.

After the outer conductor contact 4 has been arranged in the work area 15 using the steps just described, a line 6 with, in particular already crimped, inner conductor wires 8 can be inserted into the crimping tool 1, so that the outer conductor contact 4 can be crimped to the line 6. Insertion can be done manually or automatically. Insertion should be done quickly and conveniently. The insertion preferably takes place from a superimposed movement of a movement in the longitudinal direction Y and a movement along the third direction Z, for example a lowering, into the line receptacle 14 on the cutter 12. In an alternative embodiment, the insertion can also consist purely of a movement in one of the both directions mentioned.

After or during insertion, the inner conductor cores 8 are aligned in the guide 23 and the tips 8a of the inner conductor cores 8 are placed on the separate second stop surface 24. In particular, the placement of the tips 8a of the inner conductor cores 8 on the second stop surface 24 signals correct insertion Line 6 on the crimping tool 1. The guide 23 can be open at least on one side and therefore visible to assembly personnel. In addition to haptic feedback, visual feedback can also show correct insertion. In alternative embodiments, it may be possible to extend the guide in the Z direction and to close the opening at the top with a lid.

In order to complete the crimping process, the external conductor contact 4 is crimped to the line 6. For crimping, in the embodiment shown, a wearing part 17, or also called a crimper, is moved towards the anvil 16. The wearing part 17 then exerts a force on the crimp tabs 4b of the external conductor contact 4, so that they deform plastically and hold the enclosed line part. The holding should be permanent and enable an electrical connection between the braided shield 7 of the line 6 and the external conductor contact 4. Since the outer conductor contact 4 is fixed between the cutter 12 and the first stop surface 22, and the inner conductor wires 8 through the guide 23 and on the second stop surface 24, crimping does not cause any (unintentional) displacement of the outer conductor contacts 4 and/or inner conductor wires 8. By Due to the largely open shape of the first and second stop surfaces 22, 24 and the guide 23, no tilting or other unwanted obstacles arise.

After the crimping process, the wearing part 17 moves back into its starting position above the anvil 16. As soon as the wearing part 17 releases the outer conductor contact 4, the line 6 with the outer conductor contact 4 crimped thereon can be removed from the crimping tool 1.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

1

Crimping tool

2

Carrier strips

4

External conductor contact

4a

Great

4b

crimp tab

4c

crimping area

6

Line

7

Screen braid

8th

inner conductor core

8a

Great

10

Crimp module

11

base plate

12

cutthroat

13

Guide slot

14

Line pickup

15

Workspace

16

anvil

17

Wear part

20

Support trestle

21

Support surface

22

first stop surface

23

guide

24

second stop surface

25

attack

26

Fasteners

30

guide

32

feed

L1

first length

L2

second length

X

feed direction

Y

Longitudinal direction

Z

third direction

Claims (7)

Crimping tool (1) for crimping an outer conductor contact (4) to a line (6) with at least one inner conductor wire (8), comprising: a) a support frame (20) with a support surface (21) on which the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor core (8) can be arranged, so that the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor core (8) cannot bend. can be prevented during a crimping process; where b) the support frame (20) also has at least a first stop surface (22) for the outer conductor contact (4), a guide (23) for the at least one inner conductor core (8) and a separate second stop surface (24) for the at least one inner conductor core (8 ) having. Crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, in which the crimping tool (1) comprises a base plate (11), and the support frame (20) can be moved relative to the base plate (11). Crimping tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the separate second stop surface (24) is formed on a stop (25) which can be moved relative to the support frame (20). Crimping tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the separate second stop surface (24) is formed on a stop (25) which cannot be moved relative to the support frame (20). Crimping tool (1) according to one of claims 1 - 4, in which the first and the separate second stop surfaces (22, 24) are transverse, in particular vertical a longitudinal direction (Y) of the line (6) can be aligned on the crimping tool (1). Crimping method for a crimping tool (1) at least comprising a support frame (20) with a support surface (21), a first stop surface (22) for an outer conductor contact (4), a guide (23) for at least one inner conductor wire (8) and a separate second one Stop surface (24) for the at least one inner conductor wire (8), the method having the following steps: a) positioning the external conductor contact (4) in a working area (15) of the crimping tool (1) in order to crimp the external conductor contact (4) to a line (6); b) applying tips (4a) of the external conductor contact (4) to the first stop surface (22); c) inserting the line (6) with at least one, in particular already crimped, inner conductor wire (8) into the crimping tool (1), so that the outer conductor contact (4) can be crimped onto the line (6); d) aligning the at least one inner conductor core (8) in the guide (23) and placing the tip (8a) of the at least one inner conductor core (8) on the separate second stop surface (24); and e) Crimping the external conductor contact (4) to the line (6). Crimping method according to claim 6, in which positioning the external conductor contact (4) in the working area (15) of the crimping tool (1) and placing the tips (4a) of the external conductor contact (4) on the first stop surface (22) in one working step is preferred occur simultaneously.

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