GB2191426A

GB2191426A - Crimping conductors in connectors

Info

Publication number: GB2191426A
Application number: GB08712414A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hans-Jurgen Klaussner
Original assignee: KLAUSSNER HANS JURGEN
Current assignee: KLAUSSNER HANS JURGEN
Priority date: 1987-05-27
Filing date: 1987-05-27
Publication date: 1987-12-16
Also published as: GB8712414D0

Abstract

For the connection of extremely short conductor ends to electrical connecting elements (5), such as e.g. clamps and/or plugs, a separating device (14) can be integrated into a conventional stripping and crimping apparatus. The latter has a common pair of clamping jaws (1, 2), the lower clamping jaw (2) having a cutting edge (7) facing the crimping anvil (8) for separating the electrical connecting elements (5) and a support strip supply means (4) is provided such that the support strip (6) is introduced into a separating device located outside the crimping zone. The device has a movable piece (10) pressed downwardly by the jaw (2) against spring return to sever pieces of the strip (6) against a fixed edge (10'). This space-saving construction makes it possible to considerably reduce the necessary conductor insertion depth. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for separating electrical connection elements arranged on support strips The invention relates to an apparatus for separating electrical connection elements from a carrier strip and simultaneously attaching the elements to conductor ends.

Increasing difficulties are being encountered in connecting extremely short conductor ends to electrical connecting elements, such as tags, pins, clips and/or plugs, as a result of the ever-increasing miniaturization of such components.

In order to facilitate manufacture, various methods are already known for supplying the conductor clips/clamps or plugs in strip form to a separating device. In conjunction with a stripping apparatus, a relatively large amount of space is required, because the particular conductor clamping jaws must be located upstream of the plug separating device.

A disadvantage is that relatively long conductor ends are unavoidable and an optimum working sequence is only possible to a limited extent, strip waste present in the crimping zone being uncontrolled and can give rise to faults.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an apparatus permitting a troublefree separation of the connecting elements from the carrier or support strip, and which enables very short conductor ends to be worked in an optimum manner.

According to the invention there is provided an apparatus for separating electrical connection elements from a carrier strip and simultaneously fixing the elements to conductor ends, comprising separating means incorporated with a stripping and clamping device having upper and lower clamping jaws, and crimping means including strip supply means and an anvil, the lower clamping jaw having a cutting edge arranged to co-operate with the anvil for separating the electrical connection elements from the carrier strip, and strip guide means being provided to guide the carrier strip to a separating device located remote from the crimping zone.

The advantage of the inventive apparatus is that in a first working stage the conductor end having been stripped in a stripping apparatus, is connected to the connection element, e.g. clip or plug, which is itself separated by the lower clamping jaw from the support strip, and in a second subsequent working stage conveniently controlled by the lower clamping jaw, the remaining part of the support strip is subdivided by the separating device into portions corresponding to the distances or spacings between the individual connecting elements.

Another advantage is that it can be employed in conjunction with the stripping apparatus described in the copending application corresponding to Swiss patent application No.

02202/86-3 to provide an exact and speedy conductor stripping and joining apparatus in which adjustment and setting operations can be reduced to a minimum.

Compared with the hitherto conventional apparatuses, it is possible by using a single pair of clamping jaws, in which the lower edge of the lower clamping jaw is constructed as a cutting edge co-operating with an anvil of the crimping device, to secure, crimp and separate the conductor clips from the support strip, as well as chop the support strip outside the crimping zone. Such a space-saving construction makes it possible to significantly reduce the conductor insertion depth.

An embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a part sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a similar view showing the apparatus at a different stage during operation.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 includes a pair of clamping jaws 1, 2, in which is held a conductor 3. By means of a feed device (not shown), a support strip supply means 4 supplies a support strip 6 of terminal contacts e.g. conductor clips or clamps 5. The lower clamping jaw 2 has a lower edge constructed as a cutting edge 7 arranged to strike against an anvil 8 for separating individual conductor clamps 5 from the support strip 6. A support strip guide, which is lower than the support strip supply means 4, is provided for directing the conductor clamp-free part 6' of support strip 6 to a separating device 14 having knife blades 10, 10', a spring-loaded, movable knife part 10 being arranged for co-operating with a fixed knife part 10'.By the force of a spring 11 and the simultaneous raising of clamping jaws 1, 2, the support strip 6 is raised into the horizontal feed position by means of a lifting edge 10" of the separating device 14. During the lowering movement of the clamping jaws 1, 2 (cf.

Fig. 2), the lower cutting edge 7 of the lower clamping jaw 2 separates the conductor clamp 5 from support strip 6 and simultaneously the lower clamping jaw 2 forces downwards the movable knife part 10 of separating device 14 and causes the support strip ends 6" projecting through a support strip insertion opening 13 in the knife part 10 to be severed against the fixed knife part 10', the separated part dropping into a waste container 12.

The apparatus is located on a fixing plate 17 mounted on a base plate 16. A guide 15 for clamping jaw 2 ensures a troublefree cooperation of the latter with separating device 14. The control of clamping jaws 1, 2 and separating device 14 can e.g. take place with the control means for the crimping and support strip supply means 4.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating electrical connection elements from a carrier strip and simultaneously fixing the elements to conductor ends, comprising separating means incorporated with a stripping and clamping device having upper and lower clamping jaws, and crimping means including strip supply means and an anvil, the lower clamping jaw having a cutting edge arranged to co-operate with the anvil for separating the electrical connection elements from the carrier strip, and strip guide means being provided to guide the carrier strip to a separating device located remote from the crimping zone.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the separating device has two cutting edges co-operable to sever the strip and a strip raising edge.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the separating device operable by being driven downwardly and a strip receiving opening is provided for the strip to pass to and between cutting edges.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the separating device is arranged to be operated by the lower clamping jaw.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein guide means are provided for guiding the lower jaw into co-operation with the separating device.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the strip receiving opening is inclined with respect to the vertical movement direction of the separating device and is parallel to a guide surface of the strip guide means.

7. An apparatus for separating electrical connection elements from a carrier strip and attaching them to conductor ends, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.