Abstract
A method for producing a crimp connection includes a mobile supply unit that can be connected with a crimping press station for storing and supplying crimp contacts to the crimping press station. The mobile supply unit is loaded with two supply rolls with crimp contacts that can be attached laterally to the mobile supply unit. Each supply roll is assigned to a respective coupling device by which the supply unit can be connected in two docking locations with the crimping press station and disconnected from the docking locations.
Claims
1. A method for producing a crimp connection comprising the steps of: connecting a mobile supply unit for storing and supplying crimp contacts to a crimping press station in a first docking location; operating the crimping the crimping press station to connect conductor ends of cables with the crimp contacts from a first supply roll of the mobile supply unit, the crimp contacts being guided to the crimping press station as a contact strip with the crimp contacts strung together; loading the mobile supply unit with a second supply roll for storing and supplying the crimp contacts; and disconnecting the mobile supply unit from first docking location at the crimping press station, connecting the mobile supply unit to the crimping press station in a second docking location and operating the crimping press station to connect conductor ends of cables with the crimp contacts from the second supply roll.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein for transferring the mobile supply unit from the first docking location to the second docking location the mobile supply unit has transport wheels.
3. The method according to claim 1 including extracting the crimp contacts from the first and second supply rolls on the mobile supply unit.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile supply unit is selectively movable between the two docking locations at the crimping press station wherein in each of the docking locations an associated one of the first and second supply rolls supplies the crimp contacts to the crimping press station.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile supply unit has two roll mountings for rotatably mounting the first and second supply rolls.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile supply unit includes two motor-driven winders and including winding up a carrier strip removed from the contact strip of the crimp contacts, wherein each of the winders is associated with a respective one of the first and second supply rolls.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile supply unit includes for each of the first and second supply rolls a coupling device for docking or connecting to one of the first and second docking locations at the crimping press station and wherein the crimping press station has an unlocking lever for unlocking the coupling devices.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Further advantages and individual characteristics are demonstrated in the subsequent description of the embodiments and drawings. It is shown:
(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an invention-based embodiment for producing a crimp connection with a crimping press station and a connected mobile supply unit;
(3) FIG. 2 is the device shown in FIG. 1 but with a mobile supply unit that has been disconnected and slightly removed from the crimping press station;
(4) FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the mobile supply unit shown in FIG. 1;
(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-section through the supply rolls of the mobile supply unit (section B-B shown in FIG. 3);
(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional display through the winders of the mobile supply unit (section A-A shown in FIG. 3);
(7) FIG. 6 is the device shown in FIG. 1 with a protective cover; and
(8) FIG. 7 is a top view on a further invention-base embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(9) The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical.
(10) FIG. 1 shows a device denoted as a whole with 1 for producing a crimp connection by means of a crimping press station 2 and a disconnected mobile supply unit 3 for storing and supplying the crimping press station 2 with crimp contacts 21. The crimping press station 2 comprises a crimping press 10 mounted on a machine table 27, by means of which crimping press 10, a stripped conductor end of a cable can be connected with a crimp contact. For example, the machine table 27 has been fixed with a supporting structure (not shown) to a floor, thus making the crimping press station 2 stationary. In the crimping press station 2, cables that are already stripped can be processed. However, the crimping press station can also be part of a machine for assembling electric cables which comprises a stripping station in addition to the crimping press station. During the crimping process, the crimp contact at the very front of the contact strip is separated and pressed together with the conductor end of the cable. The crimping press 10 has a tool holder 29 that can be driven by a motor 28 and moved back and forth in vertical direction. A crimping tool 8 has been placed between the tool holder 29 and a panel of the crimping press. The crimping tool 8 comprises an anvil and a crimp indentor for producing the crimp connection. Experts are familiar with crimping presses of this type or comparable crimping presses and crimping tools. For example, the patent document EP 1 341 269 A1 provides exemplary information with regard to the structure and mode of operation of crimping press and crimping tools. The present device is especially characterized by the practical supply unit 3 for storing and supplying crimp contacts 21 to the crimping press station 2 and by a special interface between supply unit and crimping press station, which is subsequently described in more detail.
(11) The mobile supply unit 3 can be disconnected and removed from the fixed crimping press station 2. Preferably, the crimping tool 8 shown in FIG. 1 in operating position is removed from the crimping press 10 prior to the move and placed in parking position on a tool storage place 13 assigned to the mobile supply unit 3 (see also subsequent description of FIG. 2). The mobility of the supply unit 3 is ensured by a carriage having transport wheels 15. The supporting surface for the transport wheels 15 can involve, for example, the floor of a machine shop. The four transport wheels 15 are attached to the bottom surface of a base plate 17 which is connected with a support member 16 that extends in vertical direction. Two supply rolls 4, 5, respectively, are laterally arranged at the central support member 16. Said supply rolls 4, 5 can be rotated independently by means of roll mountings 33. The supply rolls 4, 5 comprise contact strips 20 with crimp contacts 21 strung together. From the supply roll 4 shown in FIG. 1, the contact strip 20 is guided past guidance means 18, 19 (FIG. 2), 31 to the crimping press 10 with the crimping tool 8 placed into it. When the contact strip 20 is pulled off, the carrier strip 22 is wound up by a motor-driven winder 6. The second supply roll 5 is in standby position. For an efficient operation of the device, and especially for the shortest possible process of retooling, the contact strip 24 of the supply roll 5 is guided already to the second crimping tool 9 which is located in parking position on the second tool storage place 14. Compared with the first supply roll 4, the supply roll 5 can be filled with similar or different crimp contacts. When exchanging the crimp contacts, the crimping tool 9 merely has to be placed into the crimping press of the crimping station because the contact strip 24 has already been threaded. The opposite area with the second supply roll 5 and the components assigned to the second supply roll, such as winder and crimping tool 9, can (because of being inactive) be safely and simply prepared with regard to a potential change of material.
(12) Thus, it is possible with the mobile supply unit 3 to achieve two docking locations, each being assigned to a supply roll. In order to transfer from the first docking location shown in FIG. 1 to the second docking location, the supply unit 3 has to be disconnected, moved away and rotated about the vertical axis by 180. To prepare the second docking location, the mobile supply unit 3 has a coupling device 11 which is designed in the same way as the coupling device for connecting with the crimping press station located on the opposite side and assigned to the first supply roll 4. For connecting the mobile supply unit 3, the crimping press station 2 has two clamping elements 46 preloaded by springs and can be moved between an open and closed position by means of an unlocking lever. Said clamping elements 46 act on a counterpart assigned to the mobile supply unit 3 in order to secure the docking location. The second supply roll 5 has such an exposed counterpart, which is designed in the form of a latch 32. In its rear part the latch 32 is tapered on both sides, thus forming an indentation, respectively. In closed position, the clamping elements 46 cover the latch 32 in the region of the indentations, thus preventing that the mobile supply unit is accidentally removed from the crimping press station. However, it is also possible to use different connection alternatives instead of the exemplary quick connector with the clamping elements that cover the latch 32 in closed position. For example, the quick connector for creating a snap-on connection could have at least a preloaded pin that interacts with a counter bearing (for example, locking pin) of the coupling device of the supply unit. The latch mechanism would have the advantage that merely by insertion a secure docking location could be achieved. It is also possible to use friction-type connections. For example, the latch could be clamped between two clamping parts that can be moved in sandwich-like fashion in relation to one another. The mobile supply unit comprises two similarly designed coupling devices 11 which are situated opposite of one another when viewed from the top, wherein each coupling device 11 is assigned to a supply roll 4, 5, respectively, for creating a docking location. Both coupling devices designed as quick connectors are situated opposite of one another when viewed from the top.
(13) Above the latch 32, a plug connector 12 is located in order to create an electric connection between crimping press station and supply unit 3 for operating the winder and the light barrier, which is subsequently explained in more detail. In addition to transferring the control signals and feeding the motors for the winders, this electric connection allows also for an identification of the supply units. Therefore, the device 1 makes it possible with minimum downtimes to run in succession several different types of crimp contacts. When with large batches of the same type of contacts the supply of crimp contacts of a supply roll runs out, it is possible to quickly switch to the new supply of contacts of the opposite supply roll. By means of the quick connect coupling, the device can monitor whether or not crimp contacts are actually supplied to the crimping press station. It can thus be concluded whether a change of material is required, whereupon the crimping press station can request from the user, for example, by transmitting visual or acoustic signals, appropriate measures like, for example, the verification of the barcodes of the supply roll or newly teaching the crimping press, wherein a new calibration of the crimp force monitoring after a change of supply rolls is performed during the teaching process.
(14) FIG. 2 shows the device 1 with a mobile supply unit 3 that has been disconnected and slightly removed from the crimping press station. For example, a socket 23 is on the station 2 into which the respective plug connectors 12 of the mobile supply unit can be inserted for creating an electric plug connection. In the device 1 shown here, both crimping tools 8, 9 are positioned respectively on the tool storage places 13, 14. The tool storage places 13, 14 are provided with a collar, which prevents the crimping tools 8, 9 from falling down. For this purpose, the tool storage places can be equipped also with magnets. By moving the mobile supply unit 3 in the direction of displacement, which is indicated with an arrow e, the supply unit could be transferred to the first docking location. The crimping tool 8 has to be simply placed on the panel 30 of the crimping press 10 to produce the crimp connections. The mobile supply unit 3 can be rotated by 180 and then connected in analogous manner with a second docking location. The rotary motion is indicated by an arrow f. In the second docking location, contact strips 24 are removed from the second supply roll 5 and supplied to the crimping press 10.
(15) Basically, the device 1 can be described as follows: first the mobile supply unit 3 is connected with the crimping press station 2 (first docking location). Then the conductor ends of the cables can be connected with crimp contacts 21 in the crimping press station 2. In the process, the crimp contacts of a first supply roll 4 are guided as contact strips with crimp contacts strung together to the crimping press station 2 with the crimping press 10. Prior to or during the above-mentioned first crimping process using the crimp contacts of the first supply roll 4, the mobile supply unit 3 is supplied with the second supply roll 5. For example, when the first supply roll 4 is empty, the mobile supply unit 3 is disconnected from the crimping press station 2, slightly moved backwards and then rotated by 180, whereupon the mobile supply unit 3 is connected with the crimping press station 2 for preparing the second docking location. Because of the quick connector, it is easy to secure the docking locations. Thereafter, the conductor ends of the cables can be reconnected with crimp contacts in the crimping press station 2, wherein the crimp contacts now originate from the second supply roll 5.
(16) FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of the mobile supply unit 3 for storing and supplying crimp contacts to the crimping press station. Of the crimping press station, the picture merely shows the negative feedback means with the clamping elements 46 for connecting with the mobile supply unit. FIG. 3 indicates the first docking location in which the coupling device 11 of the supply unit 3 engages with the coupling means of the crimping press station. Especially the clamping element 46 of the coupling means of the machine is clearly visible. The latch 32 of the coupling device 11 can be inserted into a mounting which is equipped with clamping elements 46 preloaded by springs.
(17) The contact strip guide has fixed guiding plates 18, 19 and a rocker 31 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation. By means of the contact strip, the rocker 31 is moved against the force of a tension spring and thus allows for controlled unwinding of the contact strip. Preferably, a brake at the roll mounting is adjusted in such a way that the tractive force exerted by the contact feed of the crimping tool is not able to turn the contact roll (see the subsequent description of FIG. 4). As a result, every crimping process further tightens the contact strip and, correspondingly, moves the rocker 31. If a sensor 34, for example, designed as a light barrier, detects that the rocker has reached a predetermined position, the drive of the winder is activated until the contact strip relaxes again. A second sensor (not shown) is able to detect that the contact strip is soon depleted. As a result of the spring effect, the rocker 31 moves to the stop position because the contact strip ran out of the empty supply roll and the brake is no longer activated.
(18) FIG. 4 shows structural details regarding the arrangement of rotatably mounting the supply rolls 4, 5 in the mobile supply unit 3. The mobile supply unit 3 comprises two roll mountings 33 for an independent support of the supply rolls 4, 5, each of which supplies the contact strips. Each of the two roll mountings 33 has a bearing pin 37 designed as a retaining bolt, to which the respective supply roll can be attached laterally. The vertically extending support member 16 has opposite sidewalls 35, 36 to which the bearing pins 37, which protrude away from one another, are attached. A brake flange 39 pressed against the supply roll by spring force ensures, respectively, that the contact strip remains tight when pulled. By turning an adjusting screw 41, the counter flange 40 and a holding sleeve 38 can be moved in axial direction of the bearing pin or retaining bolt 37, in order to be able to precisely adjust the position of the carrier strip in relation to the contact feed of the crimping tool. The possibility to access the supply rolls from different sides ensures that without stopping the machine a new supply roll can be mounted easily on the inactive side during an ongoing crimping process.
(19) The mobile supply unit 3 allows for local set-up (i.e., the supply of crimp contacts not currently in use is retooled at the machine), as well as for preparing a new mobile supply unit at a separate set-up station (for example, set-up space). The device can be mechanically (for example, using a cover for the active contact supply) designed in such a way that the exchange of crimp contacts can be performed only during active contact supply. In this way it can be ensured that by monitoring the quick connector the machine detects each exchange of the supply roll.
(20) With the use of the unlocking lever 26 of the machine, the impact exerted on the latch of the coupling device by the quick connector can be stopped and, as a result, the supply unit can be disconnected.
(21) The cross sectional display of FIG. 5 shows details about the structure of both winders 6, 7, wherein each winder is assigned to a supply roll 4, 5, respectively. The winder 6 (winder 7 is designed in the same manner) has a conical winding body 42 which can be actuated by means of an electric motor. Both winders 6, 7, respectively, for winding the carrier strips, which consist, for example, of paper, are actuated by electric motors 47, wherein a sensor system of the contact strip monitoring guarantees the motors is controlled. Both motors, respectively, can be actuated in such a way that the contact strips are rolled off through the traction on the paper webs. Preferably, the required electronic control is installed in the crimping press or the base machine. However, it is also possible to integrate said electronic control in the mobile supply unit. The paper web is rolled onto the winding body 42, which has a groove (not shown) for loading the paper web. To remove the paper it is only required to remove an attached cover 49. The winders are supported in such a way that they can be attached laterally, for example, analogous to the crimp contact supply rolls.
(22) For personal protection the devices have to be usually secured with covers. FIG. 6 shows such a device 1 with a protective cover 48. Otherwise the device 1 corresponds to the device shown in FIG. 1. The special design of the mobile supply unit ensures that even during an operating phase, in which crimp connections are produced using the crimp contacts 21 from the supply roll 4, it is still possible to work on the opposite side which faces the supply roll 5. For example, an operator is able to thread the contact strip 24 of the supply roll 5 into the freely accessible crimping tool 9. In this way, the retooling work can be greatly simplified and the retooling times considerably reduced.
(23) FIG. 7 shows a cable processing system with means of transport 43 designed, for example, as belt drive, for the cable feed, a stripping unit 45 for stripping a cable, two rotating and trigger mechanisms 44, 44 and two crimping presses 10, 10. For example, the operating mode of the general arrangement is described in more detail in the patent document EP 2 442 413 A1. Both mobile supply units 3, 3 are arranged in such a way that the crimping tools 9, 9 and supply rolls 5, 5 not used for crimping are outside of the protective cover and therefore accessible for the operator when the crimping presses 10, 10 are running.
(24) The crimping press station 2 shown in FIG. 7 comprises two crimping presses 10, 10. It is possible to connect two mobile supply units 3, 3 to the crimping press station, wherein each supply unit 3, 3 is assigned to one crimping press 10, 10, respectively. The top view of the embodiment displayed in FIG. 7 shows that the contact strips can be removed from the supply rolls 4, 5 or 4, 5 in opposite conveying direction. Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows that in addition to the crimping press station 2 the device 1 can also comprise a stripping unit 45. The device 1 comprises a crimping press station 2 with two crimping presses 10, 10.
(25) In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.
