GB1289069A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1289069 Making electrical connections; jointing by stamping BUCHANAN ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS CORP 19 April 1971 [9 Feb 1970] 20452/71 Headings B3A and B3Q In apparatus 10 for crimping contacts 16 to a wire 20, there is provided a replaceable receptacle 30, from which the contacts are fed in random orientation, and means 40 for orienting each contact to receive the wire in a ferrule portion 26 at a crimping station 46. The orienting means 40 and the crimping station 46 each include means selectively changeable to suit a variety of contact configurations. Feed means.-A plastics container 50, Fig. 2, is mounted in a well member 54, with ribs 66 on the container engaging in recesses 68 in the member 54, and is secured thereto by a latch 70. A mechanism 76 oscillates the member 54 and the contacts in the container move up a spiral ramp 64 to a discharge opening 62. At each work cycle, a piston in an air cylinder 120 pivots a lever (110) to allow the leading contact 16 to enter a passage (94) in the advancing means 34, Fig. 5 (not shown). The piston is coupled magnetically to the lever and as soon as the contact is in the passage, the coupling (132), (134) is broken, thereby allowing the lever to return. The contact is advanced to a conduit 36 by suction caused by an air stream in a Venturi (100) in the passage (94) and it passes to the orienting means 40. The orienting means.-The contact 16 arrives in a passage 158 randomly oriented and moves to the bottom of a cavity 156. A block 154 is then moved to align the contact with an aperture 160, which has end portions 166 corresponding in width to the end 28 of the contact. A blast of air is directed: on the contact so that the end 28 falls through one of the portions 166 and the ferrule 26 follows through the wider central portion 164. The contacts fall on to a guide plate (170) in a discharge shoot 168, Fig. 9 (not shown). In an alternative construction for use with contacts (16A) having ferrules (26A) of smaller diameter than socket ends (28A). A bridge (164A) is located across the aperture, Fig. 8A (not shown). A blast of air pivots the contact about the bridge so that the larger socket end precedes the ferrule as it passes into the discharge shoot, Fig. 9A (not shown). Should more than one contact be present in the cavity 156, the block 154 will not move its full distance as a pin 188 will engage the second contact. Prior to returning to its starting position, the block 154 is moved to a third position, Fig. 10 (not shown), where any faulty or superfluous contacts drop from the cavity 156. The crimping means.-The contact passes from the shoot 168 into a tube 218 of positioning means 42, Figs. 1, 12, and falls on top of a ram 234. The ram is withdrawn by a piston 232 and the contact falls into a bore 224. As the ram is advanced, it drives the contact against a pair of spring loaded gate members 242, forcing the pin end 28 into a resilient sleeve 246 on the end of the ram. The ram overcomes the spring loading and the ferrule 26 is advanced to crimping indentors 252. The wire 22 is placed in the ferrule and a plunger 258 is actuated by an air cylinder 262. The plunger rotates a ring-like cam member 254 to close the indentors 252 on to the ferrule. The travel of the plunger is limited by an adjustable stop 264.