GB2187123A

GB2187123A - Straightening bent connecting wires of electronic component

Info

Publication number: GB2187123A
Application number: GB08704139A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Othmar Horat
Original assignee: PROFIFORM AG
Current assignee: PROFIFORM AG
Priority date: 1986-02-28
Filing date: 1987-02-23
Publication date: 1987-09-03
Also published as: CH668882A5; JPS62264694A; GB8704139D0; DE3703643A1

Abstract

In an apparatus for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component such as transistors and thyristors, the components are singly fed through a feed channel Z in correct alignment with a clamping device K which holds the component by its casing. In operation, comb-shaped members advance toward the component and grasp the bent connecting wires near their base. The connecting wires are straightened by moving the clamping means and members relatively away from each other. A test socket or conductor plate T having predetermined openings that match the number of wires may then be placed on the projecting wire ends. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and method for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component Backgroundofthe invention Electronic components such as transistors, thyristors etc., are currently produced in large numbers and are relatively inexpensive. Aftertheir manufracture, careless handling often results in the connecting wires extending from the component casing being bent. Bent connecting wires may be extremely troublesome in later use. For example, before installation into a circuit, these components are usuallytested. In the test, the connecting wires must be exactly aligned with the openings provided by a test socket or conductor plate. If the connecting wires are bent, thetestcannot be properly conducted. This invention resolves this problem.

An object of the present invention isto provide an apparatus for straightening bent connecting wires. A further object is to provide a method for straightening bent connecting wires of electronic components.

Summary ofthe invention Accordingly the present invention provides a method for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component and subsequently uniting the component with a test socket. The method comprises feeding the electronic componentto a clamping means which holds the component by the component casing. Once the component is secured, a plurality of flat, comb-shaped members are advanced toward the component and engage the connecting wires neartheir base. To straighten the wires, the clamping means and the comb-shaped members are separated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of the comb-shaped members.The clamping means and members are separated to a position where the connecting wires project slightly beyond the members, that is, a length sufficient to engage the openings of the socket. The socket is then united with the electronic component by joining the projecting free ends ofthe connecting wires with the socket openings. When the combshaped members are retracted and the clamping means released, the united socket and component assembly may be removed from the straightening apparatus.

The present invention further provides a method for straightening bent connecting wires of an elec tronic component wherein comb-shaped members engage the wires through substantially 360 degrees.

The method first comprises feeding the component to a clamping means which holdsthe component by its casing. Once the component is secured, a plurality offlat, comb-shaped members are advanced to engage the connecting wires through substantially 360 degrees near the wire base. The bent wires are then straightened by separating the clamping means and the comb-shaped members in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of movement of the comb-shaped member.

In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component is also provided. The apparatuscomprisesaclamping means for holding the casing of the electronic component. The appar atus further comprises a plurality of flat comb- shaped members radially arranged around the clamping means and a means for advancing said members from a rest position outside the clamping means to a position over the clamping means. When fully advanced, the comb-shaped members engage the bent connecting wires neartheir base and overlap one another.Means for operating the clamping means to hold the electronic component and a means for separating the clamping means from the comb-shaped members in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of said members are also provided.

Brief description of the drawings In the attached drawings the individual parts ofthe straightening apparatus are represented in simplified form. Additional equipment not necessary to the invention has been deleted, when possible, for clarity. The drawings further assist in explaining the individual steps of the method of the present invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 depict three embodiments ofthe present invention in an enlarged and simplified form. In these figures, flat comb-shaped members adaptable to electronic components having four, six and twelve connecting wires respectively are ii lustrated.

Figure4 depicts a side view of an electronic component having its connecting wires gripped about by fourcomb-shaped members.

Figure Sschematicaily illustrates the individual steps ofthe method ofthe present invention.

Figure 6depicts a preferred embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention from an overhead perspective.

Description of the invention and illustrative embodiments It has now been discovered that with the aid of a few flat comb-shaped members it is possible to grip all the connecting wires of an electronic component.

The members are advanced toward the bent wires and engage the wires neartheir base, i.e., nearthe area where thewires exit from the component casing. Atthe base, the wires are still in the original straight position whilethewire ends extending beyond this point may be bent. The comb-shaped members are advanced toward the component in a plane substantially perpendicularto a line extended from the original straight position of a wire. Thus, engaging the comb-shaped members at the base of the connecting wires, and allowing the members and component casing to move relatively away from each other along a line extended from the original straight position of a wire, assures accurate straightening and alignment.

The comb-shaped members contemplated by the present invention are substantially planar or flat.

Each "tooth" of a comb-shaped member may be viewed as an outwardly projecting finger. Each member may comprise one or more fingers depend ing upon a variety of factors including the type of el ectroniccomponentto be straightened, the number of wires in the component, and the number of combshaped members employed in the straightening apparatus Furthermore, each finger may vary in size, shape, length and width in relation to a number offactors including those already mentioned. Thus, one skilled in the art will recognize that each combshaped member may contain an infinite combination of fingers and recesses formed by the fingers and borders of the comb-shaped member.Varying thefingersizeandshape,andthenumberofcomb- shaped members, allows the connecting wires to be straightened regardless of their original bent con- figuration. This is accomplished by designing the comb-shaped members such that once fully advanced over the electronic component, each individual connecting wire will be gripped, encompassed, supported, or surrounded substantially through 3600.

Figure 1 is an overhead perspective depicting an electronic component 1 having four connecting wires 2. In this embodiment a flat comb-shaped member 1 is advanced toward the component and grips a connecting wire 2through about 1809 grips thetwo wires 2' through about 900, and supportsthe wire 2". When a second member 52 is advanced, its furthest projecting finger marked by the dot-anddash center line lies against connecting wire 2 and partially overlaps member S1. Thus, all fourwires are substantially surrounded and held between two comb-shaped members S1 and S2.

Figure 2 is an overhead perspective depicting an electronic component 1' having six connecting wires. In this embodiment, three comb-shaped members 54, S5) are employed to grip and straighten the six connecting wires. Two members S3 and S4, are shown in theirwire engaging position.

Member 54 is shown partially overlapping member S3. When member S5 is advanced, it overlaps member 54, and all six wire are securely held.

Figure 3 is an overhead perspective depicting an electronic component 1" having twelve connecting wires. In this embodiment, four comb-shaped members are employed to grip and straighten the twelve connecting wires. In this illustration, only member S6 is shown fully advanced while memberS7 is partially advanced, overlapping member S6. Combshaped members S8 and S9 are shown in their starting positions.

It is to be understood that all the comb-shaped members may be advanced simultaneously in any of the embodiments illustrated or contemplated by the present invention . For clarity, however, the members are shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 in different stages of advancement.

Figure 4 depicts a side view of electronic compo nent 1" (from Figure3) and the four comb-shaped members (S6-S9) engaging the twelve connecting wires. This perspective reveals that members S6-S9 grasp the bent connecting wires near their base, i.e., shortly beyond the area where they exit from the casing of the electronic component.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates the method of the present invention, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 5A depicts the apparatus at rest. Clamping means Kservesto hold an electronic component.

Clamping means K is con nected to a first clamp drive means Al ,which maneuvers the clamping means between a resting and starting position as needed. A second clamp drive means A2 operates the portion of clamping means K which holds the electronic component. In this illustration, drive means A2 is located beneath the clamping means K. Further, in Figure 5A, an electronic component feed means Z is shown in the form of a channel open atthetop. The feed means Zfeeds the electroniccomponents singly and in a pre-determined position to the clamping means K. The electronic component is fed such that the connecting wires point upward and the casing of the electronic component is exactly aligned by means of a radially projecting orientation tab N (see Figures 3, 4 and 6).

In Figure SB, the feed means supplies an electronic component to the clamping means which holds the component in an upright position. In Figure 5C drive means A6-A9 (see Figure 6) advance comb-shaped members S6-S9 which engage and grip substantially all the connecting wires neartheir base. In this embodiment, the clamping device is drawn downward by a drive means, causing the electronic componentto move downward and the connecting wires to be straightened and aligned as shown in Figure 5D. The electronic component is moved downward a dis tance sufficientto allow the ends of the straightened wires to protrude slightly above the members.

A test socket T or a con ductor plate mey now be placed on the exactly aligned wire ends without difficu Ity. Figure 5E depicts a further embodiment where a second feed arrangement (not represented) places a test socketT upon the aligned ends ofthe connecting wires.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5F illustrates the clamping means K being lifted and carried by a drive means such that the connecting wiresthrustfurther into the socket T.

Then, as shown in Figure 5G, as the electronic component is released by the clamping device K and the members are retracted to their starting position shown in Figure 5A, united test socketT and connecting wire assembly may be lifted to carry the component away from the apparatus.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment ofthe straightening apparatus of the present invention adapted for a twelve wire electronic component. The combshaped members S6-S9 are held by plates 10, 10', 10" and 10"' respectively. The plates are attached to a slide piece 11 by screws 12. The plates have differently shaped perimeters and are beveled off in the direction toward the members. The plate perimeters are shaped such that the slide pieces 11 and members (S6-S9) can be driven closely together as required.

The slide pieces 11 with the plates (10-10"') and the members (S6-S9) are slidably guided on individual guide tracks 13. Each slide piece 11 is operated by a pneumatic drive means 14. Cylinders containing compressed air are fastened to a crosspiece 13' of the respective guidetrack. To compensate for any slight error in alignment, the piston rod of the pneu matic drive means engages the slide piece 11 over a rubberelementi4'anda pivotiS.

The clamping means K is centrally arranged and shown here in the open state or unclamped position.

The clamping means K is opened and closed by a second clamp drive means A2 which is mounted beneath the plane of movement of the individual slide pieces 11. Afirst clamp drive means which moves the clamping device K perpendicularlyto the drawing plane (see Figure 5) is not represented, so asto not overburden the drawing.

The feed means Z comprises a channel 20 open at the top. The width of the channel 20 may be adapted to the cross section size of the component casing.

The channel 20 iswidened atfeed chamber21. Elec- tronic components are fed into feed chamber 21 from above, preferably from a direction substantially perpendiculartotheplaneofdrawing of Figure 6.

Once in the feed chamber 21 of channel 20, a pusher 22 pushes the singly fed-in component into the open clamping means K. The pusher 22 is shown in Figure 6 once in operation during the advancing, once in its starting position with broken lines, and finally in Figure 6a on a larger scale.

The pusher 22 and channel 20 function notonlyto feed the component but also to align the component such that it is held by clamping means K in a predetermined position. With reference to Figure 6a, a lateral boundary wall of channel 20 is provided with a layer 23 of elastic material such as rubber. The other side wall of channel 20 comprises an inelastic mat erial such as metal. Regardless of the materials used, layer 23 should have a higher coefficient offriction thanthe otherwall. Asthe component is advanced by the pusher 22, the friction on the side wall 23 is thus greaterthan on the opposite side wall.The dif ference in friction experienced bythecomponent causesthecomponentto rotate while advancing in the channel as indicated in Figure 6a. Pusher 22 comprises a recess 22a into which a radially projecting orientation tab N attached to the casing ofthe component enters during its rotary movement. The recess 22a may comprise the full width of the pusher 22 or be present merely at the level of the tab N. As the component advances through channel 20, the tab N abuts wall 22b and the componentceasesto rotate. When the component is fed to the clamping means in this position, it will be properly aligned.

Layer 23 is sufficiently thick and elastic so that if the tab N is first in the position Nx (Figure 6a)the component will rotate toward and beyond layer 23 to the aligned position where the tab N causes the component to stop at the wall 22b of the recess 22a.

It is to be understood that even though Figure 6a depicts a counterclockwise rotation, the assembly may be reversed causing the component to rotate clockwise. Regardless ofthe direction of rotation, the tab N will always rotate into the recess 22a and to ward the wall 22b as it advances down the channel 20. Thus, the recess 22a of pusher 22 will be open to the elastic layer 23 in channel 20.

It will further be understood by those skilled in the art that the above-described illustrations merely depict various embodiments ofthe present invention.

Thus, the illustrative embodiments described herein are not intended to be a limitation of the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended

Claims

claims. CLAIMS

1. In a method for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component and subsequently uniting said component with a socket, the improvement comprising: (a) feeding the component to a clamping means which holds the component by clamping the component casing; (b) advancing a plurality of flat, comb-shaped members to engage the connecting wires nearthe wire base; (c) straightening the bent wires by separating said clamping means and said members in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of movementofthecomb-shapedmemberstoa posi- tion where the connecting wires project slightly beyond the members; and (d) uniting the socket with the component by joining the openings of the socket with the projecting free ends of the connecting wires.

2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the members and the clamping means are separated by movement ofthe clamping means.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the socket openings are joined with the free ends of the connecting wires by moving the socket in a direction toward the component.

4. The method of claim 1 whereinthesocketopenings are joined with the free ends of the connecting wires by moving the component in a direction toward the socket.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising retracting the comb-shaped members, releasing the clamping means and removing the united socket and component assembly from the straightening apparatus.

6. A method for straightening bent connecting wires of an electronic component comprising: (a) feeding the component to a clamping means which holds the component casing: (b) advancing a plurality offlat, comb-shaped members to engage the connecting wires through substantially 360 degrees near the wire base; and (c) straightening said wires by separating said clamping means and said members in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of movementofthecomb-shaped members.

7. An apparatus for straightening bent connect- ing wires of an electronic component comprising: (a) a ciamping means for holding the electronic component casing; (b) a plurality of flat comb-shaped members radially arranged around said clamping means; (c) means for advancing said members from a rest position outside the clamping means to a position over the clamping means such that said members overlap one another; (d) means for operating said clamping means to hold said component; and (e) meansforseparating said clamping means and said comb-shaped members in a direction sub stantiallyperpendiculartothe plane of movement of the comb-shaped members.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a first feed means for single feeding electronic components into the clamping means in a predetermined position, and a second feed means for single feeding a socket or a conductor plate in a predetermined position to engage said component when said compo nentis held bysaid clamp means, andfor removing said engaged socket and component when said component is released by said clamp means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the compo- nentfeed means comprises a channeled path adapted to the width of a cylindrical component casing and contains on one wall a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the otherwall, and a pusherslidably mounted in said channel to push said componentto said clamping means, said pusher having a stop for engaging a radially projecting orientationtabattachedtosaidcomponentcas- ing.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the clamping means further comprises two semicylindrical clamping jaws slidable radially to one another, there being provided between the clamping jaws in the separating plane a recessforthe reception ofthe ori yen'cation tab.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second feed means comprises a tong-shaped element which moves in a substantially perpendicular direction in relation to said clamping means.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said separating means comprises a means for driving said clamping means in a direction substantially perpendicularto the plane of movement ofthe combshaped members.

13. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said apparatus comprises two comb-shaped members.

14. Tie apparatus of claim 7 wherein said apparatus comprises three comb-shaped members.

15. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said appar atuscomprisesfourcomb-shaped members.

16. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said comb shaped members are held by plates which are shaped such that the members can be advanced closelytogether.