EP2592703B1 - Variable feed device for a crimping unit - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a feeder for a crimping unit. With such a crimping unit, identical crimping geometries, e.g. Socket or plug contacts, crimped with a cable.

State of the art

As state of the art is the EP 1 898 502 A2 known. This document relates to a crimping device with a replaceable only as a closed module module containing a crimping unit and at least one storage unit for the Crimpkontaktelemente on a common base plate. The base plate has a tool carrier for the crimping unit and a storage carrier for the storage unit, wherein during the intended use of the tool carrier with the crimping device is rigidly connectable and from the storage medium vibrationally decoupled.

Another prior art is a crimping machine EP 2 169 783 A1 to call. This crimping machine comprises a crimping unit driven by a first motor and a supply roll on which a metallic contact element strip and a separating strip deposited thereon are wound together to form a spiral. The crimping unit is a collection device for pulling the contact element band in associated with the crimping unit. For removing the contact element band from the supply roll, a signal-actuated, second motor and a sensor are provided, which sensor actuates the second motor such that the contact element band is free of tensile stresses in the intermediate zone between the supply roll and the crimping unit.

At one in the EP 2 169 783 A2 described crimping, the sensor is a closing contact for a control voltage, wherein the closing contact comprises at least one input which is arranged at the lowest point of a hanging storage and can be formed by a metallic trough.

The DE 20 2010 017 139 U1 shows a crimping machine for different crimping and pressing processes, in particular cable assembly. In one embodiment, we show a separate storage rack which serves to store integrated tool units.

Furthermore, the EP 0 889 561 A1 and the EP 0 889 560 A1 known, which relate to crimping devices. In order to allow any alternation in the supply of different types of contact to a crimping device, the crimping device has a plurality of laterally juxtaposed, different crimping inserts and laterally connectable crimping tools.

The US 5,327,644 A1 shows a cable loading device.

The US 4,982,830 A1 shows a feeder for a cable manufacturing machine. This includes two Karuselleinrichtungen with which sporadic connectors are transported.

The crimping devices according to the prior art are set up to process the same crimping geometry without exchanging a crimping unit, that is to say, for example, the crimping geometry of a bushing or a plug, since the crimping unit itself is set up only for processing the crimping paths. With such a device it is possible, in a production cycle, to crimp either the sockets fed on one strip, or the crimped cable plug on another strip. However, if the production process is to be switched from socket to plug, the supply roll must be exchanged with the contact element strip having the sockets / plugs.

Subject of the invention

Against the background of the known prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide a feed device for a crimping tool, which can be used more variably and in which a loading process can be carried out flexibly.

To achieve the object according to the invention, a feed device for a crimping tool according to claim 1 is provided. Further preferred embodiments can be found in the dependent claims.

It is a core idea of the present invention to provide multiple feed levels on a feeder. On each of the preferred two feed levels, a contact element tape is fed to a common crimping unit. The feed levels mentioned are changeable in their position that changed between the provided contact element bands, and thus the respective required contact element band can be inserted into a crimping unit with a tool without having to replace the supply roll.

According to the invention, a feeder for a crimping unit is provided. Such a crimping unit has a base body and a tool mounted thereon, with which a crimping of a contact element supplied by means of a contact element band can be carried out with a cable. Such a tool, which is used in common for the supplied contact element strips, may comprise a movable crimping tool with pressure stamp, insulation crimper and wire crimper, as well as immobile elements opposite this movable crimping tool, in particular knife guide, knife, anvil and contact pads.

The feeding device according to the invention comprises: a first carriage movable in a first direction and a second carriage movable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and a first feed mechanism and a second feed mechanism for receiving and delivering one contact element band to the crimping unit. These two Delivery mechanisms are connected to and movable by the first carriage and the second carriage.

The feed device according to the invention has the advantage that in each individual processing cycle, one of the contact element bands for crimping can be selected with a cable, without having to change the supply roll or to insert another contact element band in the feeder.

The tool of the crimping unit in this case has the same geometry for both contact element bands. With this same geometry, either the first or the second contact element band can be crimped with a cable. In this case, the contact element strips may in particular differ from one another in that a contact element band has plugs and the other contact element band has bushings. These usually have essentially the same crimp geometries.

Due to the mobility of the feed device with the first movable carriage, in addition to the selection of a contact element strip that can be carried out with the second carriage, it is ensured that a remainder of the other contact element strip remaining in the area of the tool of the crimping unit in a previous step caused the second carriage Selection not handicapped. Otherwise, it could happen that a remainder of the previously used contact element band remains caught in the region of the tool, and thus the selection movement with the second slide may not be possible.

By providing the first and second feed mechanism can be ensured that a first and second contact element band can be supplied to the crimping unit. If one of the two contact element bands is not used, it will nevertheless and can be selected as needed in a next cycle.

In one embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, the movement of the second carriage is limited in at least one direction by a stop or a sensor. This makes it possible to guide the second carriage, which is used for selecting the first or second contact element band, to a defined position with which a selection of the first or second contact element band is determined. In this case, in particular the stop has the advantage that a movement of the first carriage is mechanically limited, and thus usually requires no further adjustment. Also, such a variant is relatively robust.

According to a further embodiment, the first feed mechanism and the second feed mechanism are configured similarly. This simplifies the manufacture of the feeder, since the same parts can be used for the first and second feed mechanisms. Preferably, the feeding device is equipped with a first lifting cylinder for an adjusting movement of the first carriage and a second lifting cylinder for an adjusting movement of the second carriage. Such lifting cylinders are relatively inexpensive available and low maintenance. The same applies in the event that the first and / or second feed mechanism is equipped with a lifting cylinder for a feed movement of the contact element band.

In one embodiment of the feed device according to the invention, the first and / or second feed mechanism has a feed element, in particular a feed finger, which preferably engages on the respective contact element strip by means of a projection. For this purpose, the contact element band, for example, with recesses, such as holes, provided, in which the projection of the advancing element can intervene. In this way, a feed movement of the contact element band can be reliably and safely effected.

Further, the first and / or second feed mechanism may comprise a guide carriage having for connection to a feed element holder, in particular a feed finger holder, a hinge pin on which a compression spring is provided, which is in contact with the guide carriage and the feed finger holder. With this mechanism it can be ensured that a feed element provided on the feed element holder engages in a contact element strip during a movement in the direction of the crimping unit (feed movement) (in particular in a recess of the contact element strip). In a return movement, in which the contact element band is not to be moved, the advancing element is deflected or pivoted, and thus gets disengaged from the contact element band.

Furthermore, the first and / or second feed mechanism may have a brake. The brake serves to bring a certain contact force on the contact element band (the contact strip) so that it does not slip uncontrollably. The contact element tape (the strip) is then e.g. damped during advancement in the movement, so that he does not slip through the "feed momentum". When pulling back the finger, the force also prevents the strip from being accidentally pulled backwards.

Also, in each case a baffle may be provided on the first and / or second feed mechanism, with which the contact element band is deflected coming from a supply roll. In this way, the contact element band is guided to a plane of the first and / or second feed mechanism, or that the risk of twisting or snagging of contact elements.

Preferably, it is provided that the feed device according to the invention is mounted with the crimping unit on a movable carriage. In this way, the unit of feeder and crimping unit can be removed, and the feeder easier to be charged.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a crimping tool with a feeding device

FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the provided on a mobile cart device after FIG. 1

FIG. 3

is a detail view of FIG. 2

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention and its possible modifications will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1 a crimping tool is shown with which a particular crimping geometry of a socket or a plug can be edited. Such a crimping unit 1 has a main body 2, on which a so-called pressing block 3 is provided. About the Anpressblock 3 a carriage 4 is moved in a guide of the base body 2 in a vertical direction. At one end of the carriage 4, a movable crimping tool 5 is provided, which is moved by a movement of the carriage 4 in a vertical direction. The crimping tool 5 has several elements, in particular a plunger, an insulation crimper and a wire crimper.

On a side opposite the movable crimping tool 5 side, a knife guide 6 is provided which receives a knife 7 and an anvil 7a. These elements form a processing area for crimping a socket / connector with a cable. On one side of the processing area an ejection 9 is provided in the form of a chute for the removal of the chopped waste of the carrier strip. The strip is chopped by knife guide 6 and knife 7 at each cycle.

Further, in the region of the crimping unit 1, a feed device 10 is provided, which is movable relative to the crimping unit 1.

For this purpose, the crimping apparatus 10 has a carriage 11 which, like FIG. 1 indicated by the corresponding arrow, for example, by a lifting cylinder in a vertical direction and is movable up. Here, the vertical direction of the carriage 11 in the FIG. 1 limited direction shown by a stop 12, to which a portion 11a of the carriage 11 can strike. The movement in the opposite direction is determined by a sensor means or another stop means.

Further, the feeder 10 has a carriage 13 movable in a horizontal direction, which is driven by a lift cylinder 14. By an adjusting movement of the carriage 13, the entire feeder 10 can be moved in a horizontal direction.

As in FIG. 1 indicated, two contact element bands C1 and C2 are supplied to the crimping unit 1 by means of the feeder 10. The contact element bands C1 and C2 are arranged in a vertical direction on different levels.

The upper contact element tape C1 is adjusted by means of a lifting cylinder 20 in a horizontal direction when the lifting cylinder 20 is actuated. For this purpose, the lifting cylinder 20 at least one guide column 21 (in the present embodiment, two guide column arranged parallel to each other are provided, of which in the present FIG. 1 only one is clearly visible).

Along the guide column 21, a guide carriage 22 is movable in a horizontal direction. A brake 27 is provided which serves to bring a certain contact force on the contact element band, so that it does not slip uncontrollably. The contact element tape is then e.g. damped during advancement in the movement, so that he does not slip through the "feed momentum". The guide carriage 22 is connected via a form spring 23 and a hinge pin 24 with a feed finger holder 25. The feed finger holder 25 has a feed finger 26 which, starting therefrom, extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the feed direction. The feed finger 26 can be detachably provided on the feed finger holder 25 as in the exemplary embodiment shown, or can be formed integrally therewith.

The feed finger 26 rests on a guide 8a of a table 8, and slides in the case of a feed movement along the guide 8a of the table 8. The table 8 is part of the feeder 10, and thus by means of the carriage 11 and 13 in a vertical and horizontal Direction movable.

Furthermore, for the in FIG. 1 illustrated "lower" contact element band C2, a cylinder 30 is provided in the Is designed substantially similar to the lifting cylinder 20 for the first contact element band C1. Thus, for the feed mechanism of the second contact element belt C2 as well along a guide column 31 movable guide carriage 32 which has a hinge pin 34 and with a (not shown spring) with the feed finger holder 35 is connected. Further, a brake 37 is provided. The feed finger holder 35 has a feed finger 36 which can engage on the contact element band C2. With regard to the other elements, reference is made to the preceding description of the feed mechanism of the first contact element band.

The entire device with feeder 10, crimping unit 1 and other elements is the following Figures 2 and 3 to be taken in detail.

Here, the crimping unit 1 and the feeder 10, which are formed as a common unit, mounted on a shuttle 40. Further, the feeder 10 includes two baffles 41 and 42 provided respectively for the first contact element tape C1 and the second contact element tape C2. The baffle 41 is provided for the upper contact element band C1, while the further baffle 42 is provided for the lower contact element band C2.

The shuttle 40 includes a first supply roll 50 and a second supply roll 60. The first supply roll 50 is connected to the shuttle 40 via a rotatable shaft 51 and has disc-shaped holding elements 52 within which a contact element strip and a release strip, not shown in detail, are received in layers are.

Correspondingly, the second supply roll 60 is connected to the shuttle 40 on a second axis 61, and has two disk-shaped holding elements 62.

In a preferred embodiment, the supply rolls 50, 60 differ in that in one of the supply rolls, a contact element band with bushes, and in another supply roll, a contact element strip with plugs is received, which can then be guided separately to the crimping unit 1 via the guide plates 41, 42 ,

The shuttle 40 can be picked up by a mobile cart 200 for transportation.

To unroll the contact element strip provided in the supply roll 50, a take-off roll 54 is provided, on which a separating belt (not shown) guided by the supply roll 50 via a deflection roll 56 is moved. In this case, a movement of a motor 55 for moving the take-off roller 54 causes a contact element strip coming from the supply roll 50 to come into contact with a trough 53, thereby stopping a movement of the motor 55. By this mechanism it is provided that the contact element band is always provided sagging, without the flags or the sockets / plug of the contact element band tangled into each other. By moving the supply roll 50 by a movement of the take-off roller 54, which in turn ensures removal of the release belt, it is ensured that no tensile load is applied to the contact element band.

The second supply roll 60 is provided complementary to the supply roll 50, and is also rotationally moved by a movement of a take-off roll 64. The take-off roller 64 is driven by a motor 65 in such a way that a separating belt is moved via a deflection roller 66 to the removal roller 64 and thus the contact element belt provided in layers with the separating belt in the supply roll 60 leaves the supply roll 60. The operation of the motor 65 is also via a Contact of the contact element band with a pan 63 controlled.

The mobile cart 200 having the above-described elements can be moved, and is equipped with rollers 43 in the described preferred embodiment. In this way, the carriage 200 can be brought into the region of a frame 100, which frame 100 has a protective device 101 in the form of a partition wall. In this case, the movement of the carriage 200 is particularly advantageous because the carriage 200 can be moved away from the frame 100, and then the supply rollers 50, 60 are substantially freely accessible. This proves to be advantageous, inter alia, when changing the supply rolls 50, 60.

For the replacement of the supply rolls 50, 60, it is also provided that the axis 51 and the axis 61 of the first and second supply roll 50, 60 are aligned obliquely to each other. This provides good access to the supply rolls 50, 60 and their axes. However, this construction does not result in twisting of the respective contact element strip occurring due to the angular alignment of one of the shafts 51, 61, thereby adversely affecting the conveyance of the contact element strip on one of the guide plates 41, 43.

An operation of the described feeder 10 in combination with the crimping unit 1 can proceed as follows.

Before a crimping operation is performed, the carriage 11 is displaced in a vertical direction, and by moving the carriage 11, the upper contact element belt C1 or the lower contact element belt C2 is selected for machining. After this selection, the carriage 13 is moved in the direction of the crimping unit 1, whereby the respective contact element band C1, C2 is brought into the region of the crimping tool 5.

Due to the selection of the first or second contact element band C1, C2, one of the lifting cylinders 20, 30 is actuated. Because in FIG. 1 In the present application, the upper contact element band C1 has been selected, an advancing movement of the contact element band C1 will be described in detail.

For this purpose, the lifting cylinder 20 is actuated, whereby the guide carriage 22 is issued along the guide column 21 in a horizontal direction. By this raising movement of the guide carriage 22, this comes into contact with the wire spring 23, which is connected via the hinge pin 24 on the feed finger holder. The described Ausstellbewegung of the guide carriage 22 and the feed finger holder 25 is moved with the feed finger 26. The feed finger 26 in this case has a projection which engages in a recess of the contact element strip C1, and in the horizontal raising movement in the direction of the crimping tool 1, the contact element tape C1 entrains.

During a return movement of the guide carriage 22, a rotational movement of the feed finger holder 25 provided with the advancing finger 26 is brought about by the shaped spring 23 and the articulated pin such that the projection of the advancing finger 26 comes from the recess provided on the contact element band C1 and thus the contact element band C1 in this direction not moving.

If the contact element band C1 was supplied, a crimping between a cable end and the supplied plug / socket of the contact element band C1 is performed by a movement of the crimping tool 5.

For the next processing cycle (crimping of socket / plug with cable) can now be made by means of the present feeder 10, a new selection, and Thus, in the next step, either as in the previous step, the contact element band C1, or by a vertical adjustment movement of the carriage 11, the contact element band C2 can be selected.

When the contact element tape C2 is processed, the carriage 13 first performs an adjusting movement in a horizontal direction to guide the contact element tape C1 out of the machining area. This ensures that a remainder of the contact element band C1 remaining in the area of the knife guide 6 is not "folded over" by a vertical adjustment movement of the carriage 11, or the contact element band C1 even sticks to the knife guide 6.

Subsequently, the vertical adjustment movement is performed via the carriage 11 in order to raise the contact element band C2 to the level from which it can be introduced into the processing region of the crimping unit 1.

In the embodiment described above, the contact element bands C1, C2 are arranged vertically one above the other. In another embodiment, however, it may be provided that the contact element bands C1, C2 are arranged horizontally next to each other.

Furthermore, the embodiment described is directed to machining with two contact element bands C1, C2. However, it is pointed out that the number of contact element bands is not limited to this, and thus more than two contact element bands may be provided. In the case of such a modification, the carriage 11 provides a corresponding adjustment and provision of the respective contact element band.

Although it is preferred in the crimping unit described that a tool for the processing of the contact element bands C1, C2 is used, it can also be provided in another target direction that additionally takes place a tool change.

All described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other within the scope of this invention to form further, not explicitly described embodiments.

Examples of a procedure

Method for feeding a contact element strip for processing with a crimping unit, which method comprises the steps:

• Bewegen einer Zuführeinrichtung in einer vom Crimpaggregat weg weisenden Richtung (erste Richtung),
• Bewegen der Zuführeinrichtung in einer zu dieser Richtung im Wesentlichen senkrechten Richtung (zweite Richtung),
• Bewegen einer Zuführeinrichtung in einer zum Crimpaggregat weisenden Richtung (erste Richtung);

Zustellen eines Kontaktelementbandes, das durch die Bewegung zu einem Crimpaggregat zugeführt wird.Determining if contact element tape is to be changed; in this case:

• Moving a feeder in a direction away from the crimping unit (first direction),
• Moving the feeder in a direction substantially perpendicular to this direction (second direction),
• Moving a feeder in a direction to the crimping unit (first direction);

Delivering a contact element band, which is supplied by the movement to a crimping unit.

The direction away from the crimping unit or pointing to Crimpaggregat direction may be a horizontal direction, and the direction perpendicular thereto may be a vertical direction.

A control device may be provided which makes a selection between a first or a second contact element band for processing. In this way, the moving of the feeder in the second direction is performed or not.

The control device can also control the feeding of the contact element strips from the supply rolls to the feed device, in particular by driving a motor. It may be provided that with the motor, the contact element band itself is deducted from the supply roll, or a rolled-up with the contact element band separating tape is withdrawn from the supply roll.

Claims (10)

1. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1), which crimping unit (1) has a base body (2) and a tool (5-7a) mounted thereon, with which crimping of a contact element which has a cable end and which is delivered by means of a contact element strip (C1, C2) can be carried out;
   the delivery system (10) has:

   a first carriage (13) movable in a first direction and a second carriage (11) movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, and

   a first delivery mechanism (20-27) and a second delivery mechanism (30-32, 34-37) for receiving and for delivering one contact element strip (C1, C2) each to the crimping unit (1),

   characterised in that the first delivery mechanism (20-27) and the second delivery mechanism (30-32, 34-37) each define a delivery plane,

   and in that the first and second delivery mechanisms are connected to the first carriage (13) and to the second carriage (11) and are movable by them.
2. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to claim 1, in which the movement of the second carriage (11) is limited in at least one direction by a stop (12) or a sensor.
3. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the first delivery mechanism and the second delivery mechanism are designed with similar components.
4. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which has a first lifting cylinder (14) for an adjusting movement of the first carriage (13) and a second lifting cylinder for an adjusting movement of the second carriage (11).
5. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and/or second delivery mechanism has a lifting cylinder (20, 30) for a delivery movement of a contact element strip (C1, C2) to the crimping unit (1).
6. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and/or second delivery mechanism has a feed element (26, 36), in particular a feed finger, which engages preferably by means of a projection with the respective contact element strip (C1, C2).
7. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which a guide carriage (22, 32) of the first and/or second delivery mechanism for connection to a feed element holder (25, 35), in particular a feed finger holder, has a hinge pin (24, 34) on which is provided a compression spring (23) which is in contact with the guide carriage (22, 32) and the feed element holder (25, 35).
8. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and/or second delivery mechanism has a brake (27, 37).
9. Delivery system (10) for a crimping unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the first and/or second delivery mechanism has in each case a deflector (41, 42) with which the contact element strip (C1, C2) coming from a supply roll (50, 60) is deflected.
10. Combination of a delivery system (10) according to any of the preceding claims and a crimping unit (1), which is mounted on a movable shuttle (40).

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