US3110083A - Automatic apparatus for soldering conductors to terminals - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 12, 1963 R. M. STINE ETAL 3,110,083

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING I CONDUCTORS T0 TERMINALS Filed Nov. 17, 19 61 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1%

INVENTORS P. M. S T/NE J. K. THOMA/V A T7'ORNE v Ndv. 12, 1963 Filed Nov. 17, 1961 FIG. ["8

8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS QM. ST/NE J. A. THOMAN A TTORNE Y Rv M. STINE ETAL AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONDUCTORS TO TERMINALS Nov. 12, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 1'7. 1961 F IG. 3

//vv/v TOPS R. M. .5 TIME J. K. HOMAN 85 MM ATTORNEY v Nov. 12, 1963 R M. STINE ETAL 3,110,083

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONDUCTORS T0 TERMINALS Filed Nov. 17, 1961 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4

lNl/EN TOPS R. M. ST/NE J. A. HOMAN ATTORNEY Nov. 12, 1963 CONDUCTORS TO TERMINALS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 1'7. 1961 INVENTO/PS P. M S T/NE J. K. THOMA/V MAM ATTORNEY FIG. 6

Nov. 12, 1963 R. M. STINE ETAL 3,110,083

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONDUCTORS TO TERMINALS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Nov. 1'7. 196].

FIG. 7

s M E mN v T O 5 N N W W WMK w A M QJ.

FIG. I?

Nov. 12, 1963 R. M. STINE ETAL AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONDUCTORS TO TERMINALS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Nov. 1'7. 1961 FIG. 9 INVENTOPS R. M. ST/NE J. K THOMAN v Nov. 12, 1963 R. M. STINE ETAL AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERING CONDUCTORS TO TERMINALS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Nov. 17, 1961 INVEN TOPS R. M. S TINE V J. K. THO/VAN A TTOPNEY United States Patent 3,110,083 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR SOLDERZ'NG CQNDUCTGRS T0 TERWJALS Ralph M. Stine, Kenmore, and Joseph K. Thoman, Clarence, N.Y., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, tn Western Electric Company, Incorporated, a ccrporatron of New York Filed Nov. 17, 1961, Ser. No. 152,982 7 Claims. or. 29-33 invention relates to apparatus for assembling and securing conductors to electrical components and particularly to an apparatus for assembling and securing simultaneously a plurality of conductors of a multiconductor cable to a plurality of terminals of an electrical connector.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved apparatus for assembling and securing conductors to terminals.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an apparatus for automatically and individually assembling a plurality of electrical conductors to a corresponding plurality of terminals of an electrical connector, and simultaneously soldering the conductors to the terminals.

With these and other objects in view, the invention contemplates assembling and securing a plurality of conductors onto a plurality of terminals of an electrical connector. To facilitate the manufacture of this product, the conductors and the connector are initially clamped to a carriage so that the conductor ends extend from the carriage in a cantilever fashion. The carriage is moved to a first work station, wherein the cantilevered ends of the conductors are stripped, whereupon the carriage is moved to a second work station. The connector is sequentially released, gripped and positioned so that the terminals engage the stripped portions of the conductors, and the conductors are secured to the terminals.

A complete understanding of the invention may be had from the following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a front elevational View of a portion of an apparatus for assembling and securing conductors to a connector embodying some of the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front elevational view of the remaining portion of the assembling md securing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the relationship between FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGS 1A and 1B showing a stripping apparatus for stripping insulation from the conductors;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line 44 of FIG. 3 showing a front view of the stripping apparatus and associated elements;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view taken from FIG. 3 showing a pair of insulation cutting blades and function- 211 components associated with the stripping apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of FIG. 13 showing a connector pick-up and positioning device, a solder feed device and a soldering bar associated with the securing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally on line 7-7 of FIG. 6 showing features of the connector pick-up and positioning device in cooperation with a connector and conductor holding carriage;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of an enlarged detail of FIG. 1A showing the connector and conductor carriage;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing a connector retaining feature of the carriage;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 6 showing a pair of feed rollers and associated 3,1 lll,0 8 3 mechanism for feeding solder to the solder securing position;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 1111 of FIG. 7 showing the positioning and gripping of the connector and the soldering of the conductor to a terminal of the connector during a securing operation;

FIG. 12 is a sectional View taken along lines 1212 of FIG. 11 showing the orientation of the conductors and the connectors during the securing operation, and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the completed product wherein the conductors are firmly secured to terminals of the connector.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The present apparatus, as viewed in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is designed for assembling and soldering a plurality of insulated conductors 16 (FIG. 13) of a cable 17 onto a plurality of U-shaped terminals 18 of an electrical connector or component 19 such as a quick connect plug sold urider the trademark Micro-ribbon by the Amphe n01 Connector Division of Chicago, Illinois, a division of the Amphenol-Borg Electronics Corporation. The conductors 16 are fanned and positioned in a holding fixture, designated generally by the reference numeral 21, wherein the holding fixture is mounted in a first nest on a movable carriage, generally designated by the reference numeral 22. Additionally, the connector 19 is positioned in a second nest on the carriage 22. The carriage 22 is positioned adjacent to a first work station, designated generally by the reference numeral 23, wherein a stripping apparatus, designated by the reference numeral 24, strips a portion of insulation 20 from each of the ends of the conductors :16. A drive motor 25 is provided for rotating a camming system, designated generally by the reference numeral 26, wherein the carriage 22 is moved to a second work station, designated generally by the reference numeral 27.

As the carriage 22 moves to the second work station 27, a connector release unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 28, is actuated to release the connector 19 from the movable carriage 22 while the camming system 26, sequentially operates a connector pickup unit, generally designated by the reference numeral 29, to grip and position the connector '19 so that the U- shaped portions of the terminals 13 engage the conductors 16. A solder feed system, designated generally by the reference numeral 31, is actuated by the carnming system 26 to feed a plurality of strips of solder 32 from a solder supply rack, designated generally by the reference numeral 33, to a position adjacent to the conductors l6 and the terminals 18. A heated soldering bar, designated by the reference numeral 34, engages and melts the ends of the strips of solder 32 and deposits the molten solder on a connection formed by the conductors 16 and the terminals 18 thereby soldering the conductors to the terminals. The camming system 26 is further actuated to control a reverse cycle sequence wherein the connector 19 is released from the pick-up unit 29 and the carriage 22 is moved to the first work station 23 to facilitate manual removal of the completed product, designated generally by the reference numeral 35 (FIG. 13).

DRIVING SYSTEM The apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is supported by a table 36 wherein the drive motor 25 is positioned below the table and is coupled through a chain drive 37 to a main shaft 38, which is also below the table 36. In addition, a first auxiliary shaft 39 is positioned substantially adjacent to the main shaft 38 and is driven by a chain drive 4-1 which is coupled to the main shaft 38. A series of supports 42 depending from the table 36 are provided for supporting the main shaft 38 and the auxiliary shaft 39.

'fashion.

A second auxiliary shaft 43 is mounted in a series of vertical supports 44, 45 and 46, above the table 36 and is coupled to the main shaft 38 through a chain drive 47 for providing rotational motion of the shaft 43. A one-revolution clutch 48 is mounted on the main shaft 38 so that each of the shafts 38, 39 and 43 are rotated one revolution upon the actuation of the drive motor 25. The cams of the camming system 26 are mounted on the shafts 38, 39 and 43 for providing a sequential control of the previously mentioned operations.

CARRIAGE AND HOLDING FIXTURE As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the carriage 22 is provided with a base plate 49 which is slidably positioned in a .track 51 mounted on the table 3-6 and is further provided with a housing 52 mounted on the base plate. A first nest for receiving the holding fixture 21 is formed in the carriage 22 by the provision of a pair of spaced dowels 53 and 54 which are positioned. in housing openings 55 and 56, respectively, and extend vertically from the upper surface -7 of the carriage 22. A pair of cone-shaped, holding fixture clamps 58 and 59, each having a flat, vertical surface 61 (FIG. 7), are rotatably positioned on the upper surface 57 and at opposite ends of the carriage 22. A shaft 62 is horizontally positioned Within and extends through the carriage 22 so that the shaft ends 63 and 64 extend from the carriage. A torsion spring 65 is positioned about one end 63 of the shaft 62 and is secured at one end to the carriage 22. Also coaxially positioned about the shaft end 63 is a handle 66 which engages the other end of the torsion spring 65 in a biasing fashion. A pair of holding arms 67 and 68 are secured to the shaft 62 for pivotal movement with the shaft and extend in a vertical position adjacent to a pair of stationary, vertical members 69 and '71 formed on the housing 52. Each vertical member 69 and 71 is provided with a bifurcated section such as that formed by horizontal arms 72 and 73, as shown in FIG. 9, thereby forming a second'nest 74 for receiving the connector 19 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 8. Thus, it is easily seen that movement of the handle 66 against the biasing action of the torsion spring 65 rotates the shaft 62 and pivots the arms 67 and 68 away from the nest 74 so that the connector 19 can be inserted into the nest. Upon release of the handle 66, the arms 67 and 68 are urged against the nest enclosure 7 4 and the connector 19 thereby clamping the connectorinto the nest 74. An extension 75 is coaxially and fixedly positioned about the opposite end 64 of the shaft 62 wherein a pin 76- is transversely positioned through and extends from. the free endof the extension. The underside of the carriage 22 is provided with a linkage '77, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7, having a cam follower '78 at the free end thereof wherein the cam follower is inserted in a cam track 79 formed in the periphery of a cam 81 mounted on the shaft39 for moving the carriage 22 to the second Work station 27 upon rotation of the cam 81.

The holding fixture 21 is provided with a base plate 82, as shown in FIG. 8, having a series of slots or grooves 83 extending horizontally across the upper surface thereof for receiving thefarmed conductors 16 so that the conductor ends extend from the fixture 21 in a cantilever Pivotally mounted on the base plate is a top plate or holding bar 84 positioned superjacent to the grooves 83. A clamp 85 is mounted for rotation on the upper surface of the base plate 82 and is provided with an overhang 86 for engaging the upper surface of the top plate 84 thereby retaining the top plate and the conductors 16 in a locked position. Additionally, the base plate 82 is provided with a pair of bevelled edges 87 and 88 on opposite ends of a common vertical side as shown in a broken section of FIG. 9 and a pair of apertures 89 and 91 spatially and centrally formed in the upper surface thereof. To facilitate the positioning of the holding fixture 21 atop the carriage 22, the clamps 58 and 59 are rotated so that the fiat surfaces 61 are parallel with the central axis of the length of the carriage and lie in a plane coincidental with an opposing vertical surface of the carriage. The apertures 89 and 91 of the base plate 82 are then positioned about the dowels 53 and 54 of the carriage 2 2 whereupon the clamps 58 and 59 are further rotated so that the cone-shaped edges of the clamps cooperate with the bevelled edges 87 and 88 of the base plate 82 to lock the holding fixture 21 onto the carriage 22.

FIRST WORK STATION Stripping Apparatus As shown in FIGS. 3,4 and 5, the stripping apparatus 24 is positioned at the first station 23 on the table 36. A slide 92 is positioned in a track 83 of a pair of blocks 94 wherein the blocks are fixedly mounted on the table 36. A jaw 95 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the slide 92 and is provided with an insulation cutting blade 96 and a guiding member 97 mounted on the free end thereof. Additionally, a tension spring 98 is fastened at one end thereof to the jaw 95 and fastened at the opposite end thereof to the vertical support 44 thereby urging the jaw 95 in a clockwise direction. The slide 92 is provided at one end with a fixed insulation cutting blade 99 which is mounted in a cooperating position with respect to the cutting blade 96 of the jaw 95. Each of the cutting blades 96 and 99' is formed in the cutting area with a series of semicircular cut-away sections 181 which cooperate to cut the insulation 20 and fonn about the conductors 16. Additionally, the guiding member 97 is secured to the cutting blade 96 and is provided with a scalloped edge 102 adjacent to the cut-away sections 18-1 of the blade 96. The opposite end of the slide 92 is coupled to a cam-controlled lever arm 1% through a linkage 164 Where the lever 103 is pivotally mounted at one end thereof about a shaft 105 in the vertical supports 44, 45 and 46. A cam follower 106 mounted on the lever 183 intermediate the ends thereof is positioned in a cam track 167 formed in one face of a cam 188 which is mounted on the shaft 43- to pivot the lever 103 and urge the slide 92 towards the carriage 22 so that the blades 96 and 99 are positioned about the cantilevered portions of the insulated conductors 16. A lever 109 is secured at one end thereof to a shaft 111 while a second lever 112 is also secured at one end thereof to the shaft 111 where upon pivotal motion of the lever 189, the shaft 111 is rotated to pivot the lever 112. A cam follower 113 mounted at the oppo site extremity of the lever 189 is positioned to engage a cam .114 mounted on the shaft 43 whiie a cam follower 115 is mounted on the free end of the lever 112 and engages the jaw 95 upon proper camming operation to urge the guide member 97 into an aligning engagement With the insulated conductors 16 and further to urge the blade 96 into cooperation with the blade 99 of the slide 92 to shear the insulation 20 from the cantilevered portions of conductors 16. Continued operation of the camping system 26 withdraws the blades 96 and 99 from the conductors 16 in a closed position thereby remow'ng the severed insulation 26 from the conductor ends. An air valve 116 is positioned adjacent the camming system mounted on the shaft 43 and is actuated by, a cam 117 (FIG. 1A) to provide an air blast through an air line 118 and a nozzle 119 thereby forcing the insulation chips into a discharge chute 121 and a receptacle 122.

SECOND WORK STATION Connector Release As the camming system 26, as viewed in FIGS. 1A and 1B, continues to operate, and, specifically, cam 81 continues to rotate, the cam follower 7 8 rides in the cam track 79 to move the carriage 22 in the track 51 to position the carriage adjacent to the second work station 27. As the carriage 22 enters the second work station 27, a

cam 123, as shown in FIG. 1A, engages an air valve 124 to provide a supply of air to an air cylinder 125, as shown in FIG. 1B, of the connector release unit 28. As the air cylinder 125 is actuated, a piston rod 126 having an extension in the form of a cylindrical earn 127 which is provided with a transversely extending helical slot 128 and slidahly mounted with a guide 130 positioned on the table 36 (FIG. 7), engages the shaft extension 75 so that the pin 76 engages the helical slot 128 to rotate the shaft 62 against the biasing action of the spring 65. Thus, it is easily seen that as the shaft 6-2 rotates, the holding arms 67 and 68, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, are pivoted away from the nest 74 to release the connector 19.

CONNECTOR PICK-UP UNIT As viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7, the connector pick-up unit 29 is provided with a movable support such as a slide 129 which is positioned at the second work station 27 and is slidably supported between the pair of vertical supports 45 and 46 which extend from the table 36. The slide 129 is connected to a linkage 131 which is provided with a cam follower 132 at the other end thereof and pivotally mounted to a fixed support 133 depending from the table 36. The cam follower 132, as viewed in FIG. 1B, is inserted into a track 134 within a cam 135- wherein the cam is mounted on the shaft 38 for rotation to provide reciprocating motion for the slide 129 upon sequential rotation of the cam 135. A lift rod 136 pivotally depends from the underside of the slide 129 and is provided at the opposite end thereof with a cam follower 13-7 wherein the cam follower is inserted into a track 138 of a cam 139. Upon sequential rotation of the cam 139, the lift rod is actuated to vertically position the slide 129.

A companion extension 141, as viewed in FIG. 11, is formed on the end of the slide 129 adjacent to the carriage 22 and is adapted to be inserted into a female portion 142 of the connector 19 wherein the female portion 142 is provided with inner terminals 143 corresponding to the terminals 18. A pair of horizontally opposed plates 144 and 145 are pivotally mounted on both sides to the slide 129 at a point intermediate the ends of the plates. Each of the plates are provided with a pair of hooked fingers 146, 147 and 148, 149, respectively, which protrude from the carriage end of the plates in opposing fashion as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 11, and are provided for engaging and gripping a flanged portion 151 of the connector 19. The free ends of the pivotal plates 144 and 145 are each formed with cam surfaces 152 and 153, respectively. A pair of piston rods 154 and 155 extend from a pair of air cylinders 156 and 157, respectively, towards and in a plane centrally located between the pair of plates 144 and 145 and have cams 158 and 159, respectively, formed on the free ends thereof. Each of the air cylinders is coupled to a common manifold 161 wherein suiricient air pressure is supplied through the air valve 124 (FIG. 1A) for operating the air cylinders 155 and 156. Thus, it is easily seen that as the piston rods 154 and 155, respectively, are urged outwardly from the air cylinders 156 and 157, respectively, the cams 158 and 159 engage the cam surfaces 152 and 153, respectively, of the plates 144 and 145 to pivot the plates thereby urging the pairs of hooked fingers 146, 147 and 148, 149, respectively, about the flange 151 of the connector 19 thereby gripping the connector. As the companion extension 141 engages the female portion 142 of the connector 19 and the hooked fingers of the plates 144 and 145 engage and grip the flange 151 of the connector 19, the linkage 131 and the lift rod 136 cooperate to simultaneously raise the connector 19 in an arcuate path by a combined vertical and horizontal action so that the U-shaped cavities of the terminals 18 are positioned adjacent to the stripped, cantilever portions of the conductors 16. Further horizontal movement of the connector 19 positions the connector so that the conductors 16 rest in the U-shaped cavities of the terminals 18.

6 SOLDER FEED DEVICE 'Ihe solder supply rack 33 is located at the second work station 27 and consists of a plurality of spools 162 having the strips of solder 32 wound thereon and positioned substantially above the track 51, as shown in FIG. 1B. The individual solder strips 32 are fed from the individual spools 162 through a plurality of apertures 163 formed in a series of guide bars 164 as shown in FIGS. 1B and 6. The strips 32 are then passed over a series of circumferential grooves 165 formed in guide rollers 166 and are further passed over a series of grooves 167 formed in a second set of guide rollers 168 wherein the guide rollers 168 are mounted between a pair of pivotally controlled supports 169 and 176 (FIG. 10). A lever 171 is connected at one end thereof to the supports 169 and 17% and to a pair of guide plates 201 and 202 and at the opposite extremity to the shaft 106 in the vertical supports 44, 45 and 46. Fixedly mounted on the supports 45 and 46 is a pair of guideways 263 and 264 for receiving the guide plates 261 and 262, respectively. A cam follower 172 is formed on the lever 171 and positioned in a track of a earn 173. Also mounted between the supports 169 and 171i is a guide feed roller 174 having a series of circumferential grooves 175 formed in the periphery thereof for receiving the solder strips 32. One end 176 of the roller 174 extends through the support 1719 and has a ratchet wheel 177 coaxially positioned thereon. A cam arm 178 is coaxially, but not fixedly, positioned about the end 176 of the roller 174 and is provided with a cam follower 179 at the opposite extremity thereof. A ratchet-engaging finger or pawl 18% is fixedly positioned on a pin 131 which is mounted in the arm 178 intermediate the ends thereof. A tension spring 188 is fastened at one end thereof to the support 17 it and at the opposite end to the pawl 18% thereby urging the pawl in a nonoperating position. An opposite end 182 of the roller 17 4 extends through the support 169 and has a gear 183 positioned coaxially thereon. A fluted feed roller 184, also mounted between the supports 169 and 174 is provided with a series of grooves 185 formed in the periphery of the roller and extending in parallel relation with respect to the axis of the roller. An end 186 of the fluted roller 184 extends through the support 169 and has a gear 187 positioned coaxially thereon which meshes with the gear 183. As the lever 171 is pivoted by the :action of cam 173, the guide plates 261 and 2112 slide in the pair of guideways 203 and 204, respectively, thereby providing linear movement for the solder feed mechanism so that the cam follower 179 of the arm 17 8 engages a. cam surface 189 to urge the pawl 186 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 177 thereby rotating the guide feed roller 174 and, hence, the fluted feed roller 184. The fluted feed roller 184 engages the solder strips 32 with edges for-med by the fluted section to feed the solder strips 32 through a guide chamber 191 (FiGS. 6, 7 and 11) formed between the supports 169 and 170 so that'the ends of the solder strips 32 extend to a position adjacent to the couductors 16 and terminals 18.

SOLDERING UNIT Referring to FIG. 6, the soldering bar 34 is pivotally connected to a linkage 192 wherein the linkage is connected at the opposite end thereof to the shaft 105: A cam follower 193 is formed on the linkage 192 intermediate the ends thereof and rides in a cam track formed in the cam 173 to provide pivotal motion for the soldering bar 34. A heater unit 194 is positioned adjacent to the soldering bar 34 and is operated by a source (not shown) to heat the bar. It is to be noted that the bar is transversely positioned adjacent the extended ends of the solder strips 32 so that upon rotation of the cam 173, the soldering bar engages and melts the extended portions of the solder strips 32 and deposits the individual portions of molten solder 196 onto the conductors 16 and the terminals 18 so that the solder will flow and form around the respective conductors 16 and the terminals 18. An air valve 195 is positioned for actuation by a cam (not shown) to provide air pressure for a cylinder 196 having apertures 197 so that a blast of cooling air may be directed onto the molten solder after the solder is formed around the conductors 16 and terminals 18 there by solidifying the solder and firmly securing the con ductors to the terminals. To insure complete flow of the solder from the soldering bar 34 onto the conductors 16 and the terminals 18, the soldering bar is chrome plated except along the solder-engaging edge.

OPERATION Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an apron 198 is provided to facilitate the manual operations of an operator while the carriage 22 is initially positioned at the left end of the track 51. At this position the operator fans and inserts the conductors 16 into the grooves 83 of the base plate 88 of the holding fixture 21 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The top plate 84 is then pivoted over the fanned conductors 16 and the clamp 85 is rotated so that the overhang 86 locks the top plate 84 to retain the conductors 16 in a desired orientation so that the conductor ends extend from the holding fixture 21 in a cantilever fashion. The holding fixture 21 is then positioned atop the carriage 22 in the nest provided for the fixture and clamped thereto by the rotating clamps 58 and 59 as previously described. The operator then pivots the handle 66, and thus, turns the shaft 62 from a normal position so that the arms 67 and 68 are urged from the nest 74. The connector 19 is inserted into the nest 74 and the handle 66 is released to permit the shaft 62 to return to the normal position so that the arms 67 and 68 engage and retain the connector 19 within the nest 74.

To facilitate sequential control of the various operations, the one-revolution clutch 48, as shown in FIG. 1A, is utilized to provide a single revolution of the cam-ming system 26 during each complete cycle. The drive motor 25 is continuously operating to provide the force necessary to operate the carnrning system 26. However, the oneevolution clutch 48 prevents the coupling of the drive motor 25 to the camming system 26 unless actuated by an outside source (not shown) through the action of a start switch 199. When the operator has released the handle 66 to retain the connector 19 within the nest 74, the start switch 199 is then actuated to operate the one-revolution clutch 48 thereby rotating the camming system 26 for a single revolution. The sequential operation then begins wherein the slide 92 (FIGS. 3-5) of the stripping apparatus 24 is urged towards'the carriage 22 so that the cutting blades 96 and 99 are positioned about the cantilevered portion of the conductors 16. The cam follower 115 is pivoted into engagement with the jaw 95 thereby urging the guide member 97 about the conductors 16 so that the blades 96 and 99 shear the insulation 20 from the conductors. The continued seguential operation urges the slide 92 from the carriage 22, thereby removing the sheared insulation chips from the conductors 16. The air cylinder 116 is then actuated to provide an air blast through the nozzle 119 to force the stripped insulation chips into the discharge chute 121 and the receptacle 122.

As the cam 81 rotates, the cam follower 78, riding in the track 79, is urged to the right, as shown in FIG. 1A, to provide a moving force for the carriage 22 through the linkage 77 thereby moving the carriage from the first work station 23 to the second work station 27. As the carriage 22 enters the second Work station 27 (FIG. 1B), the cam 123 engages and actuates an air valve 124 thereby providing an air source for the air cylinder 125. Upon actuation of the air cylinder 125, the piston rod 126 and therefore, the extension cam 127 is urged to the left, as shown in FIG. 1B. The helical slot 128 of the extension cam 127, as shown in FIG. 7, engages the pin 76 so that the pin will be urged into the helical path 8 formed by .the slot 128. In this manner, the shaft 62 is turned so that the arms 67 and 68 are urged away from the nest 74 thereby releasing component 19 which was previously held within the nest.

As cam rotates, the linkage 131 is actuated to urge the pick-up slide 129 towards the carriage 22, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 so that the companion extension 141 engages the female portion 142 of the connector 19 thereby aligning and gripping the connector. Additionally, actuation of the air valve 124 provides an air source for the common manifold 161 (FIG. 7) and the air cylinders 156 and 157 operating from the manifold. Upon actuation of the air cylinders 156 and 157, the pair of piston rods 154 and 155, respectively, are urged downwardly, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the cams 158 and 159 formed on the piston rods 154 and 155, respectively, engage the camming surfaces 152 and .153, respectively, of the gripping plates 144 and 145, respectively, -to urge the hooked fingers of the plates 144 and in a gripping fashion about the flange 151 of the connector 19. Thus, the extension 141 serves to align the connector in proper orientation with respect to the slide 129 and cooperates with the hooked fingers 146, 147, 148 and 149 to grip the connector 19. Continued rotation of cams 135 and 139 provide a cooperating horizontal and vertical movement of the slide 129 through the linkage 131 and the lift rod 136, respectively, thereby removing the connector 19 from the nest 74, moving the connector 19 through an arcuate path, and horizontally positioning the connector so that the U-shaped portions of the terminals 18 engage the stripped cantilevered portion of the conductors '16.

As the cam 173 rotates in a single revolution, the lever 171 is pivoted downwardly, as shown in FIG. 6, so that guide plates 261 and 2412 slide within the guideways 283 and 204, respectively. The cam follower 179 of the arm 17 8 engages a cam surface 189 thereby urging the pawl against the ratchet wheel 177 to rotate the feed wheels 174 and 184. In this manner, the individual solder strips 32 are urged from the spools 162 (FIG. 13), passed through a guiding system, as previously described, and fed through a guide channel 191 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 11) so that the ends of the solder strips 32 extend to a position adjacent the conductors 16 and the terminals 13. The heated soldering bar 34 is then pivoted into engagement with the ends of the solder strips 32 through the action of the cam-controlled linkage 192 and removes a desired portion of solder from each of the strips 32 and deposits the solder onto the conductors 16 and the terminals 18. The soldering bar 34 is allowed to dwell about individual junctions of the conductors 16 and the terminals 18 for a period of time to allow the Solder to melt and flow about the junctions. The camcontrolled linkage 192 withdraws the soldering bar 34 from the junctions whereupon the cam-controlled air valve 177 is actuated to provide an air blast upon the soldered junctions of the conductors 16 and the terminals 13-for cooling the junctions.

As the air valve 124 is closed by the action of cam 123, the air cylinders 156 and 157 are deactuated where by the piston rods 154 and 155, respectively, are withdrawn into the air cylinders to remove the gripping force of the hooked fingers 146, 147, 148 and 149'. Addi tionally, the cam 135'controls the linkage .13 1 to urge the slide 129, and hence the extension 141, away from the connector 19 thereby removing the companion extension 141. In this manner, the connector 19 is now freely held by the cord 17 through the securance of the conductors 16 to the terminals 18.

As cam 81 (FIG. 1A) nears one complete revolution, the carriage 22 is moved, through the action of the link-v age 77, from the second work station 27 to the first Work station 23 where the one-revolution clutch 48 is automatically deactuated to remove the driving force pro-. vided by the continuously operating drive motor 25 for g the camming system 26. The operator rotates the clamps 53 and 59 and removes the holding fixture 21 from the carriage 22 and then rotates the clamp 85 and pivots the top plate 84 away from the fanned conductors 16 so that the completed product 35 can be removed from the holding fixture 21.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are illustrative of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of insulated conductors to a plurality of terminals of an electrical component, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor ends and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the conductors to the carriage so that the con ductor ends project therefrom in a cantilever fashion, means for securing the component to the carriage, means for positioning the carriage adjacent to the first work station, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage from the first work station to the second work station, and means at the second work station for sequentially releasing the component from the carriage, gripping and positioning the component so that the terminals are assembled in contacting relation with corresponding stripped ends of the conductors, and securing the conductors to the terminals.

2. An apparatus for assembling and securing a pla rality of fanned, insulated conductors to an electrical component having a plurality of terminals projecting therefrom, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of each of the conductors, a second work station wherein the shipped conductor ends and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the fanned conductors to the carriage so that the conductor ends project from the carriage in a cantilever fashion, a shaft mounted in the carriage for rotational movement, resilient means for biasing the shaft rotation in one direction, a nest in the carriage for reeiving the component, holding means mounted on the shaft so that the holding means is urged into the nest by the biasing action of the resilient means for retaining the component in the nest, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage to the second work station, means for engaging and rotating the shaft so that the pair of arms are pivoted away from the nest and the component, means for gripping and moving the component from the nest and positioning the component so that the cantilevered conductor ends engage the terminals of the component, and means for securing the conductors to the terminals.

3. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of fanned, insulated conductors to an electrical component having a plurality of terminals projecting therefrom, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of each of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor ends and the terminals are assemblecl and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the fanned conductors to the carriage so that the conductor ends project from the carriage in a cantilever fashion, a shaft mounted in and extending at one end thereof from the carriage, a nest in the carriage for receiving the component, holding means mounted on the shaft for releasably holding the component in the nest, resilient means for normally biasing the shaft to hold the component in the nest, camming means mounted on the extended end of the shaft, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage to the second work station, a cam rendered operational upon the movement of the carriage for engaging the camming means so that the shaft is turned and the holding means is urged away from the nest to release the component, means for gripping and positioning the component so that the terminals are assembled in a contacting relationship with the stripped, cantilevered portions of the conductors, and means for securing the conductors to the terminals of the component.

4. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of fanned, insulated conductors to an electrical component having a plurality of terminals projecting from one side and a female portion formed in the opposite side, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of each of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor ends and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the fanned conductors to the carriage so that the conductor ends project from the carriage in a cantilever fashion, means for securing the component to the carriage, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage to the second work station, means at the second work station for releasing the component, a pair of horizontally opposed, pivotally mounted clamping elements positioned at the second work station, said elements having gripping fingers formed on the free ends thereof, means at the second work station for companion insertion into the female portion of the component, means for inserting the companion means into the female portion of the component so that the component is properly oriented, means for pivoting the opposed elements so that the fingers are urged about the component in a gripping fashion, means for positioning the gripped component so that the terminals projecting therefrom are positioned in contact with the stripped cantilevered portions of the conductors, and means for securing the conductors to the terminals of the component.

5. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of insulated conductors to an electrical component having a plurality of terminals projecting from one side and a female portion formed in the opposite side, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of each of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor end and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the conductors to the carriage so that the ends thereof project from the carriage in a cantilever fashion, means formed in the carriage for securing a component thereto, means at the first Work station for stripping the insulation from the can-tilivered ends of the conductors, means for moving the carriage to the second work station, means operable upon movement of the carriage to the second work station for releasing the component, a movable support at the second work station, a pair of clamping elements pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on the movable support, a hooked finger on each of the element ends extending from the movable support towards the carriage, a cam surface formed on each of the opposite element ends, resilient means for normally urging the hooked fingers apart to receive the component therebetween, an extension formed on the movable support having a shape complementary with the female portion of the component for companion insercomponent, cam means operable upon movement of the movable support for engaging the cam surfaces of the pivotal plates to urge the hooked fingers into engagement with the component in a gripping fashion, means for positioning the movable support and the gripped component so that the terminals of the component are positioned in contact with the stripped cantilevered portions of the conductors, and means for securing the conductors to the terminals of the component.

6. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of insulated conductors to a plurality of terminals of an electrical component, comprising a first work station wherein a portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor ends and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, means for securing the conductors to the carriage so that the conductor ends project therefrom'in a cantilever fashion, means for securing the component to the carriage, means for positioning the carriage adjacent to the first work station, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage from the first Work station to the second Work station, means at the second work station for sequentially releasing the component from the carriage, gripping and positioning the component so that terminals are assembled in contacting relation with corresponding stripped ends of the conductors, means for positioning a plurality of strips of solder corresponding and adjacent to the assembled conductors and terminals, a solder bar pivotally mounted at the second work station wherein said bar traverses the ends of the plurality of strips of solder and the corresponding assembled conductors and terminals, means for heating the soldering bar, and means for pivoting the soldering bar so that the bar engages, melts and deposits solder from the strips on the corresponding assembled conductors and terminals thereby securing the conductors to the terminals.

7. An apparatus for assembling and securing a plurality of insulated conductors of a cable to an electrical component having a plurality of terminals projecting from one side and a female portion on the opposite side where the female portion is provided with inner terminals corresponding to the projecting terminals, comprising a first work station wherein a. portion of the insulation is stripped from a free end of each of the conductors, a second work station wherein the stripped conductor ends and the terminals are assembled and secured, a carriage mounted for movement between the first and second work stations, a holding bar having a series of slots formed therein for receiving the conductors, a clamp superjacent to the slot side of the holding bar for retaining the conductors in the slots, a first nest formed in the carriage for receiving the holding bar, a shaft mounted in and extending at one end thereof from the carriage, a second nest in the carriage for receiving the component, holding means mounted on the shaft for releasably holding the component in the second nest, resilient means for normally biasing the shaft to hold the component in the second nest, camming means mounted on the extended end of the shaft, means at the first work station for stripping the insulation from the cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for moving the carriage to the second work station, a cam rendered operational upon the movement of the carriage for engaging the camming means so that the shaft is turned and the holding means is urged away from the second nest to release the component, a movable support at the second Work station, a pair of clamping elements pivotally mounted intermediate the ends thereof on the movable support, a hooked finger on each of the element ends extending from the movable support towards the carriage, a cam surface formed on each of the opposite element ends, resilient means for normally urging the hooked fingers apart to receive the component therebetween, an extension formed on the movable support having a shape complementary with the female portion of the component for companion insertion into the female portion of the component, means for urging the movable support towards the carriage so that the extension is urged into the female portion of the component thereby properly orienting the component and so that the hooked fingers are positioned about the component, cam means operable upon movement of the movable support for engaging the cam surfaces of the pivotal plates to urge the hooked fingers into engagement with the component in a gripping fashion, means for positioning the movable support and the gripped component so'that the terminals of the component are positioned in contact and assembled with the stripped cantilevered portions of the conductors, means for positioning a plurality of strips of solder corresponding and adjacent to the assembled conductors and terminals, a solder bar pivotally mounted at the second work station wherein said bar traverses the ends of the plurality of strips of solder and the corresponding assembled conductors and terminals, means for heating the soldering bar, and means for pivoting the soldering bar so that the bar engages, melts and deposits solder from the strips on the corresponding assembled conductors and terminals thereby securing the conductors to the terminals.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,677,133 Ford July 17, 1928 2,637,096 Luhn May 5, 1953 2,690,545 Myers Dec. 7, 1954 2,797,608 Huyett July 2, 1957 2,873,511 Folkeuroth Feb. 17, 1959 2,998,633 Andren Sept. 5, 1961

Claims (1)

1. AN APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING AND SECURING A PLURALITY OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS TO A PLURALITY OF TERMINALS OF AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT, COMPRISING A FIRST WORK STATION WHEREIN A PORTION OF THE INSULATION IS STRIPPED FROM A FREE END OF THE CONDUCTORS, A SECOND WORK STATION WHEREIN THE STRIPPED CONDUCTOR ENDS AND THE TERMINALS ARE ASSEMBLED AND SECURED, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND WORK STATIONS, MEANS FOR SECURING THE CONDUCTORS TO THE CARRIAGE SO THAT THE CONDUCTOR ENDS PROJECT THEREFROM IN A CANTILEVER FASHION, MEANS FOR SECURING THE COMPONENT TO THE CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR POSITIONING THE CARRIAGE ADJACENT TO THE FIRST WORK STATION, MEANS AT THE FIRST WORK STATION FOR STRIPPING THE INSULATION FROM THE CANTILEVERED PORTIONS OF THE CON-

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