CRIMPING TOOL

Abstract

A crimping tool including a main body, a force-applying device, and at least two crimping jaws for crimping a crimping connection to a conductor. The at least two crimping jaws are moveable relative to the main body by the force-applying device, and a compensating device which allows adoption of at least three processing positions of the at least two crimping jaws depending on a position of the force-applying device relative to the compensating device. A force storage means is arranged on the main body and allows, in a processing position of the at least two crimping jaws, in particular in which substantially no force can be transmitted to the at least two crimping jaws by the force-applying device, a force-locking connection to be made between the crimping connection and the at least two crimping jaws by a movement of the at least two crimping jaws relative to the main body.

Claims

1. A crimping tool, in particular for a wire processing machine, comprising a main body, at least one force-applying device and at least two crimping jaws for crimping at least one crimping connection to at least one conductor, wherein the at least two crimping jaws are moveable relative to the main body by the at least one force-applying device, wherein there is provided at least one compensating device, by way of which in dependence on a relative position of the at least one force-applying device relative to the at least one compensating device at least three processing positions of the at least two crimping jaws can be adopted, wherein there is provided a force storage means which, in particular is arranged on the main body, and by which in a processing position of the at least two crimping jaws, in particular in which substantially no force can be transmitted to the at least two crimping jaws by the at least one force-applying device, a force-locking connection can be made between the at least one crimping connection and the at least two crimping jaws by a movement of the at least two crimping jaws relative to the main body.

2. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one compensating device and/or the at least one force storage means is arranged preferably in peripheral relationship at at least one hollow shaft, wherein in dependence on a relative position of the at least one force-applying device relative to the at least one compensating device at least two operating positions of the at least one hollow shaft can be adopted and at least three processing positions of the at least two crimping jaws can be adopted by way of the at least three operating positions of the at least one hollow shaft.

3. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 2, wherein the at least two crimping jaws are moveably mounted preferably by way of at least one connecting means to the at least one hollow shaft and wherein the at least two crimping jaws are moveable by way of the at least one hollow shaft into a plurality of processing positions, preferably an ejection position, an open position, a holding position and/or a crimping position.

4. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 3, wherein the at least one crimping connection in the holding position of the at least two crimping jaws can be connected in force-locking relationship to the at least two crimping jaws by the at least one force storage means, preferably wherein the at least one hollow shaft can be rotated by way of a tensile force of the at least one force storage means from the open position into the holding position of the at least two crimping jaws and can be held in the holding position.

5. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one force-applying device includes at least one rod, preferably at least one connecting rod, with at least one pin connected particularly preferably in material-bonded relationship to the at least one connecting rod for the transmission of force to the at least one hollow shaft which is possibly provided, wherein it is preferably provided that the at least one rod has a receiving means for force-transmitting connection to at least one drive unit.

6. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one compensating device is in the form of at least one opening, preferably at least one slot, wherein it is preferably provided that at least one pin which is possibly present is moveable particularly preferably linearly in the at least one opening.

7. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one force storage means is at spring, preferably a tension spring.

8. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the crimping tool has a through opening, through which the at least one crimping connection in a processing position of the at least two crimping jaws, particularly preferably in automatic fashion, at both sides, can preferably be removed by at least one unloading device and/or can be loaded preferably by at least one loading device.

9. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one crimping connection and/or the at least one conductor, preferably in an optionally provided ejection position of the at least two crimping jaws can be fed and/or removed from a front side and/or a rear side of the crimping tool.

10. The crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, wherein there is arranged at the crimping tool, preferably at the at least one force-applying device, at least one sensor, preferably at least one force measuring sensor and/or at least one travel measuring sensor for ascertaining at least one crimping parameter.

11. A wire processing machine, comprising the crimping tool as set forth in claim 1, at least one drive unit for producing force on the at least one force-applying device and at least one movement device, wherein the at least one crimping tool is moveable by the at least one movement device, preferably between a fitment position and a crimping position, particularly preferably pivotably about a horizontal axis, wherein it is particularly provided that the force-locking connection can be maintained during a movement of the at least one crimping tool by the at least one movement device.

12. The wire processing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein transport of the at least one crimping connection from the fitment position to the crimping position and crimping of the at least one crimping connection to the at least one conductor in the crimping position can be effected with the same crimping tool, wherein it is preferably provided that crimping can be carried out substantially directly after transport to the crimping position by the crimping tool.

13. The wire processing machine as set forth in claim 11, wherein the at least one crimping tool is pivotable by way of the at least one movement device into a fitment position in which the at least one crimping connection can be fed under the force of gravity substantially vertically to the at least two crimping jaws and/or into a crimping position spatially separate from the fitment position, wherein the at least one crimping connection in the fitment position and/or the crimping position, can be removed, particularly preferably automatically, preferably by way of at least one unloading device, from the at least two crimping jaws, and/or can preferably be fed by way of at least one loading device to the at least two crimping jaws and/or the at least one conductor can be arranged in the crimping position in the at least one crimping connection.

14. A method of crimping at least one crimping connection to at least one conductor by the wire processing machine as set forth in claim 11, comprising the following method steps which are to be carried out in particular in chronological sequence: the at least two crimping jaws of the at least one crimping tool are moved into an open position by the at least one force-applying device, in particular by way of at least one hollow shaft, in a fitment position the at least one crimping connection is fed to the at least two crimping jaws, the at least one force-applying device is moved relative to the at least one compensating device, wherein the at least two crimping jaws transition into a holding position in which the at least one crimping connection is arranged in force-locking relationship between the at least two crimping jaws, the at least one crimping tool is moved by at least one movement device from the fitment position into a crimping position, in particular about a horizontal axis, the at least one conductor is arranged region-wise within the at least one crimping connection, and the at least one force-applying device moves the at least two crimping jaws into a crimping position, in particular by way of the at least one hollow shaft.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one crimping connection is held in the holding position and/or during the movement out of the fitment position into the crimping position by the at least one force-storage means by way of a force-locking connection between the at least one crimping connection and the at least two crimping jaws in the at least one crimping tool.

16. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one conductor in the crimping position is fed in particular linearly to the at least one crimping connection arranged in the at least one crimping tool and/or the at least one crimping connection arranged in the at least one crimping tool is moved preferably linearly in the direction of the at least one conductor.

17. The method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the at least one crimping connection and/or the at least one conductor is removed preferably in an ejection position of the at least two crimping jaws from a front side and/or a rear side of the at least one crimping tool through a through opening of the at least one crimping tool, particularly preferably automatically, preferably by at least one unloading device, and/or can be loaded preferably by at least one loading device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0098] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawings in which:

[0099] FIGS. 1a-1b are perspective views of a crimping tool according to a preferred embodiment in a crimping position and a fitment position,

[0100] FIG. 2 shows a wire processing machine according to a preferred embodiment with a drive unit, a movement device, an open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit and a crimping tool according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a in an exploded view,

[0101] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a crimping tool according to a further preferred embodiment in a fitment position,

[0102] FIG. 3b shows a wire processing machine according to a further preferred embodiment with a crimping tool according to the embodiment of FIG. 3a in an exploded view,

[0103] FIGS. 4a-4b shows the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 in an open position and a holding position in respect of four crimping jaws in a view from the front,

[0104] FIGS. 4c-4d shows a wire processing machine according to a further embodiment having six crimping jaws in an open position and a holding position in a view from the front,

[0105] FIGS. 5a-5b show the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 4a and FIG. 4c respectively in a crimping position in a view from the front,

[0106] FIG. 6 shows the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 in an ejection position of the four crimping jaws in a sectional view and a view from the front,

[0107] FIGS. 7a-7b show the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 in the ejection position during loading and removal of a crimping connection from the crimping tool as a sectional view,

[0108] FIG. 8 shows a wire processing machine according to a further embodiment having a crimping tool as shown in FIG. 1a and a movement device in a perspective view,

[0109] FIGS. 9a-9b shows the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 with a horizontally and a vertically arranged crimping tool in a perspective view, and

[0110] FIGS. 10a-10b show the wire processing machine according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 with the crimping tool in two crimping positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0111] FIG. 1 shows a crimping tool 1 for a wire processing machine 2 having four crimping jaws 3 for crimping a crimping connection 4 to a conductor 5. The crimping tool 1 includes a force-applying device 6, wherein a compensating device 7 is arranged at the force-applying device 6, wherein the compensation device 7 is connected at the periphery in material-bonded relationship to a hollow shaft 8 at an external peripheral surface of the hollow shaft 8 in the form of a drive ring.

[0112] Four operating positions of the hollow shaft 8 can be adopted in defined fashion in dependence on a relative position of the force-applying device 6 relative to the compensating device 7.

[0113] The crimping tool 1 includes a force storage means 9 arranged in peripheral relationship at the hollow shaft 8, wherein exclusively a force-locking connection 10 (without positively locking connection) of a crimping connection 4 (not shown in the view for the sake of simplicity of the drawing) and the four crimping jaws 3 can be produced by the force storage means 9 in an operating position of the hollow shaft 8, in which the force-applying device 6 exerts substantially no force on the compensating device 7.

[0114] The compensating device 7 is in the form of an opening 21 in the shape of a slot 22, wherein a pin 18 is linearly moveable in the slot 22. FIG. 1b shows the crimping connection 4 in the form of a wire end ferrule 27 with a plastic collar of varying diameter in relation to a crimping connection diameter. In general instead of the wire end ferrule 27 it is also possible to fit a cable shoe or a flat blade receptacle between the crimping jaws 3.

[0115] The conductor 5 was already freed of a portion of a sheathing (shown in a dotted line) of a cable to expose the conductor 5 of the cable in a preceding method step by way of an automated insulation stripping device of the wire processing machine 2. The conductor 5 was only indicated for illustration purposes in the view in order to clearly show positioning thereof relative to the crimping connection 4 as the crimping tool 1 is shown in the fitment position 32 in which the crimping connection 4 is fed in the direction of the crimping jaws 3 under the force of gravity.

[0116] After pivotal movement of the crimping tool 1—for example through 90° about a horizontal axis 34—the conductor 5 is fed in the crimping position 33 linearly to the crimping connection 4 disposed in the crimping tool 1. In general, the crimping connection 4 disposed in the crimping tool 1 can also be moved linearly in the direction of the conductor 5 in order then to implement the crimping operation.

[0117] FIG. 2 shows a wire processing machine 2 having a crimping tool 1, a drive unit 20 for producing a driving force on the force-applying device 6 and a movement device 31. The movement device 31 is diagrammatically indicated and is not shown in the further Figures for the sake of clarity of the drawing; the movement device 31 can generally be formed by a robot arm or by some other rotational and/or translational component like for example a pivotal arm—which in particular is operated pneumatically.

[0118] The crimping tool 1 is pivotable about a horizontal axis 34 by the movement device 31 between the fitment position 32 and the crimping position 33. In general however the crimping tool 1 can be pivoted about any axis and/or can be moved along any axes. The crimping tool 1 is pivotable by way of the movement device 31 into a fitment position 32 in which the crimping connection 4 can be fed vertically to the four crimping jaws 3 under the force of gravity and is pivotable into a crimping position 33 which is spatially separate from the fitment position 32.

[0119] The crimping jaws 3 are moveable relative to a main body 44 by the force-applying device 6, wherein four defined processing positions of the crimping jaws can be adopted by way of the compensating device 7 arranged at the force-applying device 6. The processing positions correspond to four operating positions of the hollow shaft 8, defined by the compensating device 7, wherein the processing positions are not limited to a hollow shaft 8.

[0120] An open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 is provided, wherein the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 includes a memory unit 38 and a computing unit 39. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 has a radio module in order to communicate with a sensor 30 (not shown) of the drive unit 20 and a radio module of a sensor 30 arranged on the force-applying device 6. In general the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 can also be connected by a wired connection to the drive unit and/or a sensor 30.

[0121] Target values in respect of crimping parameters are and can be stored in the memory unit 38, wherein the target values are compared to actual values ascertained by the sensor 30 by way of the computing unit 39. The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 can be for example an integral constituent part of a machine control system.

[0122] There is provided a display device 40 which is in signal-transmitting data communication with the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37. Depending on the comparison of the target values with the actual values an electronic message 41 is output by way of the display device 40.

[0123] The four crimping jaws 3 are mounted rotatably to a mounting ring 43 by way of mounting pins 42, the mounting ring 43 being connected to the hollow shaft 8, wherein upon rotation of the hollow shaft 8 the crimping jaws 3 perform a superimposed movement in the direction of the further crimping jaws 3 in order to reduce a spacing between the crimping jaws 3 whereby a crimp can be produced.

[0124] A respective connecting means 11 is rotatably mounted to the four crimping jaws 3 by way of a respective mounting pin 42, wherein the four connecting means 11 are respectively rotatably mounted to the hollow shaft 8 by way of a respective mounting pin 42. Upon a rotation of the hollow shaft 8—for example initiated by the eccentric drive by way of the at least one force-applying device 6—the crimping jaws 3 pivot by a kinematic interaction between the mounting pins 42 which are arranged in secured position on the mounting ring 43 and the mounting pins 42 arranged on the hollow shaft 8, inwardly or outwardly respectively.

[0125] At an inner peripheral surface the hollow shaft 8 has recesses which define an ejection position. In general the ejection position can also be defined (in particular in respect of control technology) by the drive unit 20 or by way of an abutment of the force-applying device 6 (in particular on a structural component of the wire processing machine 2).

[0126] The force-applying device 6 includes a rod 16 in the form of a connecting rod 17 with two pins connected in material-bonded relationship to the connecting rod 17 for transmission of force to the hollow shaft 8. The connecting rod 17 has a receiving means 19 for a force-transmitting connection to the drive unit 20.

[0127] The drive unit 20 is an electrical drive unit in the form of a servo motor 35.

[0128] By way of the open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 an actual value determined by way of the sensor 30 in relation to a crimping parameter is compared to a target value in relation to a crimping parameter, evaluation and quality control is effected by an algorithm and by comparisons over a defined period of time, the connection of the crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5 is categorized, an electronic message 41 is output at the display device 40 in relation to a quality of the connection of the crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5 and a measure is implemented prior to and after the crimping operation. The measure can be for example a non-implementation of a intervention in the crimping process, a removal of the crimping connection 4, a rejection of the connection of the crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5 or changes in operating parameters of the wire processing machine 2.

[0129] The open-loop and/or closed-loop control unit 37 monitors the crimping method having regard to operating parameters of the drive unit 20, an angular position of the force-applying device 6 and a crimping force transmitted by the force-applying device 6 and associates a degree of crimping to a connection of the crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5.

[0130] FIG. 3a differs from FIG. 1b insofar as the compensating device 7, the force-applying device 6 and the drive unit 7 are structurally modified. The compensating device 7 has an opening 21 in which a rod 16 is linearly moveable to generate the operating positions of the hollow shaft 8. A sensor 30 is integrated in the rod 16. The drive unit 20 is an electrical drive unit in the form of a linear motor 36.

[0131] In general the drive unit 20 can also be in the form of a mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and/or cam-controlled drive unit 20.

[0132] FIG. 3b shows a wire processing machine 2, wherein the movement device 31 is not shown for the sake of simplicity of the drawing. The crimping tool 1 has six crimping jaws 3 whereby a hexagonal crimping profile is produced in a crimping operation.

[0133] The force storage means 9 is in the form of a spring 23 in the form of a tension spring. The force storage means 9 is not limited to that configuration.

[0134] The sensor 30 arranged at the force-applying device 6 includes a force measuring sensor and a travel measuring sensor for ascertaining crimping parameters.

[0135] Transport of the crimping connection 4 from the fitment position 32 (see FIG. 3a) to the crimping position 33 (see FIG. 1a) and crimping of the at least one crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5 in the crimping position 33 is carried out with the same crimping tool 1. Crimping is effected immediately after transport to the crimping position 33 by the crimping tool 1.

[0136] The hollow shaft 8 is mounted by way of a mounting ring 43 on the main body 44. A cover serves as an axial mounting means for the hollow shaft 8 and as a counterpart mounting for the mounting pins 42. The mounting pins 42 arranged on the connecting elements 11 and the crimping jaws 3 are in the form of spindles. The mounting pins 42 are fitted into the mounting ring, with the crimping jaws 3 being mounted pivotably to the mounting pins 42.

[0137] A kinematically coupled motion sequence of the crimping jaws 3 with the hollow shaft 8 is generated by way of the connecting elements 11, with the crimping jaws being arranged pivotably on the hollow shaft 8.

[0138] FIGS. 4a through 4d and FIGS. 5a and 5b show different positions of the crimping jaws 3 that correspond to the operating positions of the hollow shaft 8 and are defined by a relative position of the force-applying device 6 with respect to the compensating device 7.

[0139] FIG. 4a shows a crimping tool 1 having four crimping jaws 3 which are arranged by way of connecting means 11 and by way of mounting pins 42 on the hollow shaft 8 and a mounting ring 43, with the crimping jaws 3 being mounted moveably to the hollow shaft 8. The crimping jaws 3 are moveable by way of the hollow shaft 8 by being subjected to a force by the force storage means 9 or the force-applying device 6 into the processing position of an ejection position 12, an open position 13, a holding position 14 and a crimping position 15, FIG. 4a showing the open position 13 in which it is provided that the crimping connection 4 is fed to the crimping tool 1.

[0140] The pin 18 bears against a side surface of the slot 22 and by a pulling movement opens the crimping jaws 3 against an opposing pulling force produced by the force storage means 9.

[0141] A method of crimping a crimping connection 4 to a conductor 5 by a wire processing machine 2 will be described by way of example hereinafter, which can be supplemented by further method steps: [0142] the crimping jaws 3 of the crimping tool 1 are moved by the force-applying device 6 by way of the hollow shaft 8 into the illustrated open position, [0143] in a fitment position 32 a crimping connection 4 is fed to the crimping jaws 3, [0144] the force-applying device 6 is moved relative to the compensating device 7, in which case the crimping jaws 3 transition into a holding position 14 in which the crimping connection 4 is arranged in force-locking relationship between the two crimping jaws 3, [0145] the crimping tool 1 is pivoted by the movement device 31 from the fitment position 32 into a crimping position 33 about a horizontal axis 34, the force storage means 9 ensuring a force-locking connection 10 without crimping, [0146] the conductor 5 is arranged region-wise within the crimping connection 4, and [0147] the force-applying device 6 moves the crimping jaws 3 into a crimping position 15 by way of the hollow shaft 8.

[0148] FIG. 4b differs from FIG. 4a only in that the pin 18 does not generate a force transmission by way of a side surface of the slot 22, wherein the tension spring 32 brings the crimping jaws 3 together into the holding position 14 in order to secure the wire end ferrule 4 upon transport to a crimping position 33.

[0149] The crimping connection 4 is connected in force-locking relationship to the crimping jaws 3 in the holding position 14 of the crimping jaws 3 by the force storage means 9, wherein the hollow shaft 8 is rotated by way of the tensile force of the force storage means 9 from the open position 13 into the holding position 14 of the crimping jaws 3 and is held in the holding position 14.

[0150] The crimping connection 4 is held in the holding position 14 and during the pivotal movement out of the fitment position 32 into the crimping position 33 by the force storage means 9 in the form of the tension spring 23 by way of the force-locking connection 10 between the crimping connection 4 and the crimping jaws 3 in the crimping tool 1.

[0151] The force-applying device 6 is in an inactive relative position with respect to the compensating device 7, wherein exclusively the tensile force by the force storage means 9 acts on the crimping jaws 3 by way of the hollow shaft 8 to generate the holding position 14 as one of the four defined processing positions of the crimping jaws 3 and to hold same.

[0152] FIG. 4c differs from FIG. 4a in the number of crimping jaws 3 with six crimping jaws 3 and the drive unit 20 in the form of a linear drive 26. A hexagonal crimping profile is produced by way of the crimping jaws 6. In general for example a trapezoidal crimping profile can be produced after a crimp has been produced by way of a suitable number of crimping jaws 3.

[0153] The drive unit 20 in the form of an eccentric drive peripherally exerts a force on the hollow shaft 8 by rotation by way of the force-applying device 6 in the form of an eccentric lever, wherein a force acting on the hollow shaft 8 is only marginally increased or reduced by means of the tensile force.

[0154] FIG. 4d shows the wire processing machine 2 of FIG. 4c in the holding position 14, wherein the crimping tool 1 includes a force-applying device 6 which is acted upon with force by the drive unit 20 and the compensating device 7 is arranged at the force-applying device 6. The compensating device 7 is arranged on the hollow shaft 8 indirectly by way of a joint, wherein the four operating positions of the hollow shaft 8 are generated in dependence on a relative position of the force-applying device 6 relative to the compensating device 7 with an opening 21.

[0155] In the present operating position of the hollow shaft 8 the force storage means 9 produces a force-locking connection 10 between the crimping connection 4 and the six crimping jaws 3, wherein the force-locking connection 10 can be maintained during a pivotal movement by the at least one movement device 31 by way of the force storage means 9.

[0156] The crimping tool 1 has a force storage means 9 disposed at the main body 44, wherein a force-locking connection 10 is produced between the crimping connection 4 and the crimping jaws 3 by the force storage means 9 arranged peripherally at the hollow shaft 8 in a processing position of the crimping jaws 3, in which no force is transmitted to the crimping jaws by the force-applying device 6.

[0157] FIG. 5a shows the four crimping jaws 3 of the crimping tool 1 in the crimping position 15, wherein the force-applying device 6 bears against an opposite side surface of the slot 22 in comparison with FIG. 4a and transmits force in the same direction of rotation to the hollow shaft 8 as the tensile force of the tension spring 23.

[0158] In the crimping position 33 a connection of the crimping connection 4 to the conductor 5 with a quadrangular profile is produced.

[0159] FIG. 5b shows the crimping tool 1 with a linear motor 36 and six crimping jaws 3, wherein a sensor 30 with an included force measuring sensor and a travel measuring sensor for ascertaining crimping parameters is arranged at the force-applying device 6. In general a sensor 30 can also be arranged at or in the drive unit 20.

[0160] Actual values relating to crimping parameters like for example in relation to a position of the drive unit 20 and/or a traveled distance of the force-applying device 6 are ascertained by the sensor 30.

[0161] FIG. 6 shows the crimping tool 1 with four crimping jaws 3 in a view from the front side 28 and a sectional view arranged thereabove in the direction of the arrow. The crimping tool 1 has a through opening 24, through which the crimping connection 4 can be automatically loaded at both sides in that operating position of the hollow shaft 8, in which the crimping jaws 3 are disposed in the ejection position. Fitment under the effect of the force of gravity with crimping connections 4 and unloading of crimping connections 4 in the fitment position 32 has proven to be particularly desirable, in which case the crimping connection 4 in general in any position of the crimping tool 1 can be removed by an unloading device 25 and loaded by a loading device 26.

[0162] In the ejection position 12 the crimping jaws 3 are opened to such a width that the crimping connection 4 can drop out through the through opening 24 and/or can be fitted from the rear side 29 into the crimping tool 1.

[0163] FIG. 7a shows the ejection position 12 of the crimping jaws 3, wherein the crimping connection 4 can be fed to and removed from the crimping jaws 3 from the front side 28 and the rear side 29 of the crimping tool 1 by way of the through opening 24. In a similar manner the conductor 5 (in the ejection position 12, the open position 13 and the holding position 14) can enter from the front side 28 and the rear side 29 between the crimping jaws 3.

[0164] Automatic unloading of the crimping connection 4 by an unloading device 25 in the form of an unloading mandrel is illustrated, wherein similarly the crimping connection 4 can be fed at both sides in an automated procedure by a loading device 26—for example in the form of a loading mandrel.

[0165] FIG. 7b shows a loading device 26 in the form of a loading mandrel during fitment of the crimping connection 4 in the form of a wire end ferrule 27. In the fitment position 32, the crimping position 33 and the position between the fitment position 32 and the crimping position 33 the crimping connection can be automatically removed from the crimping jaws 3 and/or fed to the crimping jaws 3. A similar consideration applies to the conductor 5 in relation to positioning in the crimping tool and in the crimping connection 4.

[0166] FIG. 8 shows a wire processing machine 2 with a crimping tool 1 including four crimping jaws 3 in a holding position 14, whereby the crimping connection 4 in the form of a wire end ferrule 27 is held in force-locking relationship in the crimping tool 1 by the force storage means 9. The crimping tool 1 is located in the crimping position 33, in which respect a crimping connection 4 has already been received from a crimping connection magazine 45 as a crimping connection feed arrangement.

[0167] A conductor 5 enclosed by a sheathing is fed to the crimping connection 4 by way of a wire feed device 46 from the front side 28 of the crimping tool 1. A conductor 5 can also be fed to the crimping jaws 3 by way of a further wire feed device 38 which can be identical to the wire feed device 36, from the rear side 29 and the crimping tool has a through opening 24 and in particular a hollow shaft 8 for loading and/or unloading at both sides. The conductor 5 can also be removed from the crimping connection 4 by means of the wire guide device. In general a loading device 26 and/or a unloading device 25 can be similarly provided for the crimping connection 4, but that is not absolutely necessary by virtue of the structural configuration of the crimping tool 1 and in particular by a movement device 31.

[0168] The wire processing machine 2 includes three movement devices 31, wherein two sliders moveable on rails ensure a linear movement of the crimping tool 1 in two Cartesian coordinates.

[0169] The third movement device 31 permits a pivotal movement of the crimping tool 1 about a horizontal axis 34 in order to pivot the crimping tool 1 between a vertical fitment position 32 to a horizontal crimping position 33, in which case no shuttle is needed for feeding the crimping connection 4 into the crimping tool 1. By way of example for that purpose a pivotal arm or a pivotal drive can be used. In general the crimping tool 1 can be moved in any angle and/or over any x-y distance, so that the crimping position 33 as well as the fitment position 32 can be arranged as desired in space and in particular in a particularly advantageous fashion different crimping connections 4 (for example of different crimping connection diameters) can be received from varying positions of the crimping connection magazine 45 by the crimping tool 1.

[0170] It is particularly advantageous on the wire processing machine 2 that it is now possible for the crimping tool 1 to be moveable in the direction of the conductor 5 and/or the crimping connection magazine 45, in which case the crimping connection magazine 45 and/or the conductor 5 can be positioned stationarily.

[0171] FIG. 9a differs from FIG. 8 solely by the direction of viewing the illustration. It is possible to see here the drive unit 20 which is in the form of a servo motor 35 as an eccentric drive for the force-applying device 6. The wire processing machine 2 however is not restricted to the specific drive unit 20, in which respect for example other kinds of drive can be provided for the relative movement of the force-applying device 6 with respect to the compensating device 7 in order to be able to adopt the different operating positions of the crimping jaws 3 by way of a movement of the hollow shaft 8. In addition to the open position 13 known from the state of the art and the crimping position 15 this arrangement provides a holding position 14 for force-locking connection 10—in particular for transport without premature crimping—as well as an ejection position 12 for loading and unloading at both sides.

[0172] FIG. 9b shows the crimping tool 1 in the fitment position 32 in a vertical orientation, wherein the crimping connection 4 drops under gravity out of the crimping connection magazine 45 between the crimping jaws 3 and is arranged in positively locking relationship by virtue of a collar in the crimping tool 1 in the open position 13.

[0173] Then initiated by the drive unit 20 the force-applying device 6 is moved relative to the compensating device 7 so that the force-applying device 6 does not exert any force on the crimping jaws 3 and the force storage means 9 rotates the hollow shaft 8 so that the crimping jaws 3 move into the holding position 14 for force-lockingly holding the crimping connection 4. Thereupon the movement device 31 can transfer the crimping tool 1 into the crimping position 32 without the crimping connection 4 being lost or without it being prematurely plastically deformed.

[0174] FIGS. 10a and 10b show the wire processing machine 2 in two different crimping positions 33, wherein the crimping tool 1 was pivoted about the horizontal axis 34 in different directions from a fitment position 32.

[0175] The front side 28 in the crimping positions 33 thereby faces in different directions whereby for example in dependence on the received crimping connection 3 and/or a diameter of the conductor 5, crimping can be effected particularly quickly as it is possible to prevent any time delay by virtue of conversion operations that may be required. The wire processing machine 2 can also be used in particularly flexible fashion.

[0176] In general it is also conceivable to feed the conductor 5 in the crimping position 33 shown in FIG. 10a and/or in the crimping position shown in FIG. 10b to the crimping tool 1 on both sides and/or to move the crimping tool 1 from the front side 28 and/or the rear side 29 in the direction of the conductor 5.