ES377033A1 - Terminating coaxial cable - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of terminating a coaxial cable having an inner conductor separated from an outer conductive shielding material, comprises stripping a portion of the dielectric and shielding material to expose a portion of the inner conductor, moving the inner conductor laterally of its axis to flare the shielding material, positioning a terminal in an applicator, aligning the stripped and flared end of the cable with the terminal and inserting the inner conductor into a centre conductor of the terminal and positioning the flared shielding about a back up portion of an outer conductive shell of the terminal and securing the cable to the terminal by crimping. Preparation of cable.-A head portion 85 of a slide 65 is retracted from a block 93, by the action of a camming block 74 and follower 72, to align a pocket (86) with an opening (87), through which is fed a sleeve 17, Fig. 12 (not shown). The side is returned, thereby defining a conical lead-in surface to guide the cable end through the sleeve, Fig. 13 (not shown), the cable then being clamped by a member 96, which is operated by a solenoid 104. An arm 105, which extends from a control rod 76, is provided with an aperture for supporting the cable end. A mounting platform 110 for locating the cable end is provided at the end of a continuously rotating shaft 84 with which also rotate cutting blades 117, 118 mounted on arms 119, 124 respectively, the arms being pivotally mounted and thrown radially outwardly by centrifugal force. A cam-shaft 134 actuates a collar 82 and the collar, being attached to the shaft 84, drives the shaft towards the sleeve assembly mechanism 60 thereby locating the cable end on the platform 110. The cam-shaft rotation is then interrupted by a clutch mechanism in a housing 142, the clutch being actuated by solenoids 162, 168. Energization of the solenoid 162 initiates rotation of the cam-shaft 134 and energization of the solenoid 168 allows the completion of one revolution of the cam-shaft thereby actuating a camming collar 127. The collar firstly moves the arm 119 inwardly and then the arms 124 to ensure that the blade 117 on the arm 119 cuts completely through the outer insulation, the shielding material and the inner insulation before the blade 118 cuts through the outer insulation. Rearward movement of the collar 127, accompanied by withdrawal of the shaft 84 exposes the bared end of the cable. The collar is then again advanced and it moves arms 171, 172 inwardly in succession loosely to grip the bared inner conductor off centre from the cable axis. The inner conductor is rotated once to flare the inner insulation and shielding material, whereupon the collar 127 is retracted and the rotation of the cam-shaft stopped. The clamping block 96 is released and the prepared cable with a sleeve 17 withdrawn from the apparatus. Application of connector.-A strip of contact terminals is guided over the upper surface of a feed platform 209 and a slight drag is imposed on the strip by a drag plate 219, a flange portion of which overlies the strip and is biased downwardly by springs 222. The terminals are fed by a finger 224 which engages in holes (3) in the strip interconnecting the terminals Fig. 1 (not shown). The location of an adjustable pivotal connection 230 determines the limits of the stroke of the finger 224 and adjustment of a plate 234 by rotating a screw 237, varies the amplitude of the stroke. Downward movement of a ram 203 causes a slide member 238 to move to the left, as seen in Fig. 19 against the action of a spring 244 thereby pivoting a lever 231 to drive the finger to the right. As the ram descends a depressor 271 moves a lever 268 downwardly and a block 258 co-operates with an anvil 250 to shear the carrier strip adjacent the terminal. As the block 258 descends further, it engages a block 259, on which the anvil 250 is mounted, and drives it downwardly to provide clearance for inward movement of the sleeve 17 on to the back-up portion 20. An arm 275 on the block 258, Fig. 19, also depresses the feed platform 209 so that the portion of the strip extending therebeyond follows the leading terminal until it is sheared from the strip. After shearing, the terminal is held by a die 248 and anvil 251 which move through ports in the outer shell of the terminal, and by a retainer member (285), Fig. 22 (not shown). Movement of the ram is then stopped and the prepared cable end placed in a slide member 289 with the sleeve 17 in front of ears defining a slot 294. The slide is then moved to insert the conductor 23 into the centre conductor 9 and position the flared shielding material about the back-up portion 20. The ram 203 is then driven to the limit of its stroke whereby die 248 and anvil 251 crimp the inner conductor 9 on to the conductor 23 of the cable, the die 247 and an anvil 250 crimp the sleeve 17 on to the shielding material 18 and the back-up portion 20, and a die 246 and an anvil 249 crimp the end portion of the sleeve on to the insulation 22.