Aligning method for cable processing apparatus

Abstract

A method aligns a crimping cassette crimping tool in a cable processing apparatus having a tensioning device for applying tension to a mounting part relative to a crimping device attachment surface. The crimping cassette includes the crimping tool having cooperating stationary and movable tool parts for crimping and a holding device that attaches to the mounting part fixed to the stationary tool part and has a position allowing a spatially-limited adjustment movement of the stationary tool part. The method includes releasing the tensioning device; inserting the stationary tool part into a tensioning device area; moving the moveable tool part towards the stationary tool part slightly before it touches the stationary tool part; moving the moveable tool part towards the stationary tool part until a pressing force between the tool parts is reached or exceeded and an alignment occurs between the tool parts; and applying tension with the tensioning device.

Claims

1. A method of aligning a crimping tool of a crimping cassette in a cable processing apparatus, wherein the crimping cassette (10) comprises the crimping tool having a stationary tool part and a movable tool part, wherein the crimping cassette (10) further comprises a holding device for attaching to a mounting part, the mounting part being directly or indirectly fixed to the stationary tool part, wherein the holding device has a position allowing for an adjustment movement of the stationary tool part within a spatially limited adjustment range, wherein the cable processing apparatus comprises a tensioning device for the mounting part adapted to apply a tensioning force to the mounting part relative to an attachment surface provided on the crimping device, wherein the method comprises: releasing the tensioning device; inserting the stationary tool part of the crimping tool into a tensioning area of the tensioning device; moving the moveable tool part towards the stationary tool part slightly before the moveable tool part touches the stationary tool part; moving the moveable tool part towards the stationary tool part until a pressing force between the moveable tool part and the stationary tool part is reached or exceeded, such that an alignment within the adjustment range takes place between the moveable tool part and the stationary tool part; and applying a tension with the tensioning device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holding device comprises at least two claws (21a, 21b) for attaching to the mounting part in a mounting area of the claws (21a, 21b).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the position allowing an adjustment movement of the stationary tool part within a spatially limited adjustment range is an unlocked closed position, and wherein the holding device further has a locked closed position in which the claws (21a, 21b) are firmly clamped to the mounting part, and an open position in which the claws (21a, 21b) release the mounting part such that the stationary tool part is separable from the holding device, wherein the method further comprises: before releasing the tensioning device: bringing the holding device in the unlocked closed position; before moving the moveable tool part towards the stationary tool part until a pressing force between the moveable tool part and the stationary tool part is reached or exceeded, such that an alignment within the adjustment range takes place between the moveable tool part and the stationary tool part: bringing the holding device into the open position.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crimping cassette (10) further comprises an operating device adapted to operate the holding device at least between the locked closed position and the unlocked closed position.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable processing apparatus comprises a crimping device and a locking device, wherein the stationary and movable tool parts of the crimping cassette (10) are configured to act together in a crimping operation of the crimping device of the cable processing apparatus, wherein the locking device is configured to operate the operating device of the crimping cassette for releasably locking the crimping cassette, wherein the cable processing apparatus further comprises a mounting device configured to mount the moveable tool part of the crimping tool of a loaded crimping cassette, wherein the mounting device comprises a gripper which is configured and arranged to be moveable according to a gripping trajectory to grip a gripping counterpart of the moveable tool part, wherein the method further comprises: moving the locking device towards the crimping cassette (10) to be loaded; operating the operating device to bring the holding device into the unlocked closed position; attaching the crimping cassette to the locking device; releasing the moveable tool part from the stationary tool part; moving the moveable tool part relative to the mounting device such as to approach the moveable tool and the mounting device; and gripping the gripping counterpart of the moveable tool part.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the crimping cassette (10), a closing spring is provided and arranged such as to close the gripping of the claws in the unlocked closed position.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the unlocked position of the holding device, the spatially limited adjustment range is substantially in a plane which is perpendicular to a crimping operation movement of the movable tool part relative to the stationary tool part.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the holding device is in the unlocked closed position, moving the movable tool part towards the stationary tool part to a greater extent than when performing a crimping operation such as to mechanically shift the stationary tool part within the spatially limited adjustment range.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holding device further comprises a mandrel having: a back face shaped such that when it is pushed against a corresponding face of the claws (21a, 21b), the claws (21a, 21b) are tightened, in the mounting area, to the mounting part, a front face shaped such that when it is pushed against a corresponding face of the claws, the claws are spread, the method further comprising: moving the mandrel into an idle state in which none of the back face or the front face pushes against the claws to facilitate a tool part alignment operation in the unlocked closed position of the holding device.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crimping tool further comprises a coupling device, wherein the method further comprises releasably coupling the movable tool part with the stationary tool part.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gripping trajectory comprises, in a movement of the gripper to grip the gripping counterpart, a linear trajectory and a subsequent pivoting trajectory.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the gripper is arranged and shaped such as to be moved according to the gripping trajectory upon applying a force to an operating face of the gripper, the force having a constant direction throughout the movement of the gripper according to the gripping trajectory.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable processing apparatus further comprises an actuator, wherein the method further comprises opening the gripper by operating the pneumatic cylinder.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable processing apparatus further comprises a lifting device, wherein the method further comprises lifting the moveable tool part towards the mounting device.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cable processing apparatus further comprises a pressure detector arranged to detect a pressing force between the movable tool part and the stationary tool part, and a stroke limiting device connected to the pressure detector, wherein the method further comprises: limiting, via the stroke limiting device, a stroke of the movable tool part relative to the stationary tool part upon detection of a pressing force which exceeds a predetermined maximum pressing force.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the crimping cassette (10) further comprises an unlocking push button (25) coupled to an unlocking lever (26) as the operating device operable to release the claws (21a, 21b), wherein the locking device of the cable processing apparatus further comprises a lever (61) passively pivoted by a tensioning force of a spring (64) at a time where the locking device is moved out as a whole, and wherein the locking device of the cable processing apparatus further comprises an opening lever actuable by a pneumatic cylinder (63) as an actuator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The subject matter of the disclosure will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are assigned to like or corresponding parts.

(2) In the drawings:

(3) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crimping cassette and a crimping device of a cable processing apparatus used in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 2 is a close-up view of parts of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a holding device;

(6) FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a holding device in a locked position;

(7) FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a holding device in an unlocked closed position;

(8) FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a holding device in an open position;

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a locking device arranged at the crimping device;

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking device of FIG. 7 in a state of a lever operation;

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the locking device of FIG. 7 in a state of an opening lever operation;

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a coupling device arranged at the crimping device;

(13) FIG. 11 is an exploded view of parts of a mounting device;

(14) FIG. 12 is a view showing a gripper of the mounting device in an upper position;

(15) FIG. 13 is a view showing the gripper of the mounting device in an end position of linear movement;

(16) FIG. 14 is a view showing the gripper of the mounting device in an end position of pivoting movement;

(17) FIG. 15 shows the gripper of FIGS. 12 to 14 in a first position;

(18) FIG. 16 shows the gripper of FIGS. 12 to 14 in a second position;

(19) FIG. 17 shows the gripper of FIGS. 12 to 14 in a third position;

(20) FIG. 18 shows alignment faces of upper and lower tool parts of the crimping cassette;

(21) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a crimping device during an alignment operation of the upper and lower tool parts of the crimping cassette;

(22) FIG. 20 is a close-up perspective view of parts of FIG. 19;

(23) FIG. 21 is a sectional side view of the crimping device of FIG. 19 during the alignment operation;

(24) FIG. 22 is a sectional side view showing a stage of a loading operation of a crimping cassette in a crimping device of a cable processing apparatus;

(25) FIG. 23 is a sectional side view showing another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus;

(26) FIG. 24 is a sectional side view showing another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus;

(27) FIG. 25 is a sectional side view showing yet another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus;

(28) FIG. 26 is a sectional side view showing yet another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus;

(29) FIG. 27 is a sectional side view showing yet another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus; and

(30) FIG. 28 is a sectional side view showing yet another stage of the loading operation of the crimping cassette in the crimping device of a cable processing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(31) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a crimping cassette 10 and a crimping device 50 of a cable processing apparatus used in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

(32) The crimping device comprises a mounting device 51 and a lifting device. In FIG. 1, the mounting device 51 is configured as a press slide, and the lifting device is configured as a lifting fork 52. A locking device 60 is provided on the crimping device for releasably locking a loaded crimping cassette 10, as described in more detail below.

(33) In FIG. 2 which is a close-up view of FIG. 1, a holding device of the crimping cassette 10 is shown in more detail. The holding device comprises a bracket having two claws 21a, 21b which are normally pushed together, via a spring to be described further below, into a clamping position or locked position. An unlocking push button 25 is coupled to an unlocking lever 26 to release the claws 21a, 21b and described in more detail below.

(34) A crimping tool assembly comprises a base plate 31 on which a stationary crimp tool part 32 is fixed. The claws 21a, 21b clamp the base plate 31. Furthermore, the crimping tool assembly comprises a coupling 35 which is configured such that a movable crimping tool part can be releasably coupled to the stationary crimp tool part. The crimp tool parts 31 comprise a crimp anvil and a crimp indentor, respectively (see also FIG. 18). In order to protect the sensitive crimp anvil 32a and crimp indentor 33a, the stationary and movable tool parts are shifted in a lateral direction.

(35) FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view of the holding device. Corresponding schematic top views of the holding device in a locked position, in an unlocked closed position, and in an open position are respectively shown in FIGS. 4 to 6.

(36) In the locked position and in the unlocked closed position, the claws 21a, 21b are pushed into a clamping or closed state by a closing spring 22. In the locked position (FIG. 4), the claws 21a, 21b are firmly clamped to a mounting part of the base plate. In the unlocked closed position (FIG. 5), the claws 21a, 21b loosely grip the mounting part for allowing an adjustment movement of the stationary tool part within a spatially limited adjustment range. In the open position (FIG. 6), the claws 21a, 21b are released from the mounting part.

(37) In order to supplement the behavior in the respective positions, a mandrel 23 is provided at the holding device. Upon operation of the unlocking push button 25, the unlocking lever 26 is pivoted and moves the mandrel 23 linearly. A back face 23a of the mandrel 23 is shaped such that when it is pushed against a corresponding face of the claws 21a, 21b, the claws 21a, 21b are tightened to the mounting part. A front surface 23b of the mandrel 23 is shaped such that when it is pushed against a corresponding face of the claws 21a, 21b, the claws 21a, 21b are spread open. In the shown example, the mandrel 23 pushes against rollers 24, which in turn spread the claws 21a, 21b.

(38) In an idle state in the unlocked closed position (FIG. 5), the mandrel substantially does not touch any of the faces on the claws 21a, 21b, thus allowing a limited spatial aligning movement of the tool parts.

(39) In the perspective view of FIG. 7, the locking device is shown. The locking device comprises, in addition to parts for attaching to the crimping cassette 10, elements for unlocking and opening the claws. A lever 61 is passively pivoted by a pulling force of a spring 64 at a time where the locking device is moved out as a whole (FIG. 8). Independent from the operation of the lever 61, an opening lever 62 may be actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 63 (FIG. 9).

(40) Both the lever 61 and the opening lever 62 act on the unlocking push button 25 of the holding device. The unlocking push button 25 is then flush with the housing of the crimping cassette 10 and cannot be pushed in to such an extent that the claws 21a, 21b are opened entirely.

(41) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a coupling device 35 arranged at the crimping device. In FIG. 10, the coupling device 35 is fixed at the movable tool part and comprises a conical end face which is adapted to be engaged with a corresponding conical bore provided on the stationary tool part. A latch bolt 36 is provided which is pushed sidewards when the end face of the coupling device 35 is inserted into the bore. The latch bolt 36 is then reset into its initial position by a spring (not shown) and fixes the end face of the coupling device 35.

(42) In FIG. 11, the mounting device 51 comprises a gripper 53 which is pivotable around a rotation axis 53a. A pulling rod 54 can be actuated by a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) which pushes the pulling rod 54, which in turn moves a yoke 55 at which the pulling rod 54 and the gripper 53 are fixed, into the downwards direction. Upon release of the pneumatic cylinder, this movement is counteracted by a push spring which pulls up the gripper 53 into an upper position.

(43) The gripper 53 is inserted into the yoke 55 and has contact parts with two elements. The rotation axis 53a is one of the elements, and the rotation axis 53a allows for a rotational movement of the gripper 53. A bolt 53b, as the other one of the elements, is another contact element of the gripper 53.

(44) Two mounting pieces each comprising a push spring and a spring holder are provided on each lateral sides of the rotation axis 53a. The mounting pieces are held within a groove on the mounting device 51 and allow for a slight linear movement of the gripper. A trajectory outline 59 is provided as an auxiliary measure to make sure that the gripper performs a linear movement in the first place. Under normal conditions, the gripper is not in contact with the trajectory outline 59; however, in the exemplary case that an irregular movement occurs which would lead to a rotary or pivoting movement of the gripper, the gripper is guided along the trajectory outline 59

(45) When the pneumatic cylinder (not shown) is in its retracted position, the spring pulls the yoke 55 into the uppermost position (FIG. 12). The shape of the trajectory outline 59 prevents a pivoting movement of the gripper 53.

(46) Upon moving the pneumatic cylinder outwardly, the yoke 55 is moved down. In a first stage, the mounting pieces make the gripper 53 move linearly downward (FIG. 13). At the end of the first stage, the linear movement is limited by the grooves 58. Since the rotation axis 53a is fixed, the gripper 53 moves, along the trajectory outline 59, in a pivotal manner (FIG. 14).

(47) A gripping operation of the movable crimp tool part by the gripper is shown in an illustrative manner in FIGS. 15 to 17.

(48) FIGS. 19 to 21 show a crimping press during alignment of the movable and stationary tool parts. The base plate 31 is provided with pressure sensors 40a, 40b. In the shown example, a third pressure sensor is provided but not shown in FIGS. 19 to 21. The disclosure is not limited to a particular amount of pressure sensors 40a, 40b, and in general, one, two, three, or more pressure sensors 40a, 40b can be provided, dependent on the constructive measures and/or a desired accuracy. The pressure sensors 40a, 40b help to detect when the crimp anvil and the crimp indentor touch each other and prevent an excessive pressure from being exerted to the crimp anvil and the crimp indentor.

(49) On an attachment surface 41 of the base plate 31, supporting rollers 42 are provided to lower a friction between a mounting part and the attachment surface 41. In the shown example, the mounting part comprises a clamping element 43 and mounting cylinders 44. The supporting rollers 42 are optional parts and may be omitted; in particular, when using crimping contacts having a certain minimum size, the alignment may be performed without supporting rollers 42.

(50) In an unloaded state, the supporting rollers 42 protrude slightly from the attachment surface 41 in the shown example. A spring mechanism (not shown) bears the supporting rollers 42 such that each of the supporting rollers 42 may be pressed downwards by a load acting thereon, i. e. to be at least flush with the plane of the attachment surface 41 in the case of a sufficient load. Thereby, the stationary tool part rests entirely on the attachment surface 41 and is virtually unaffected by the supporting rollers 42.

(51) For performing an alignment operation, the clamping element 43 is loosened, then the stationary tool part is inserted. Then, the movable tool part is lowered, and the alignment surfaces of the crimp anvil and the crimp indentor touch each other. This operation is monitored using the pressure sensors 40a, 40b. Depending on the applied forces, the optional supporting rollers 42 are pushed downwards, to make the stationary tool part rest entirely on the attachment surface 41. After the alignment is performed, the clamping element 43 is tightened.

(52) FIGS. 22-28 show different stages of a loading operation of the crimping cassette 10 in a crimping device of a cable processing apparatus.

(53) In FIG. 22, the cassette 10 is in an initial position. In FIG. 23, the locking device of the crimping device moves outward, and the gripper 53 is opened. If present, the lifting fork 52 is lowered.

(54) In FIG. 24, the cassette 10 is moved to the right, and the unlocking push button 25 is operated. The stationary tool part can be aligned relative using the mounting cylinders 44. In the shown example, the alignment is performed by an aligning movement of a slit in the base plate 31 relative to a periphery of the mounting cylinder 44 and, in addition, relative to a periphery of the mounting cylinder below the clamping element 43 (cf. FIG. 20).

(55) In FIG. 25, the movable tool part has been moved to the mounting device 51, and the cassette is moved further to the right. The coupling is open since the latch bolt 36 has been operated by an abutment 65.

(56) In FIG. 26, the movable tool part is gripped by the gripper 53. Thereafter, the moveable tool part is lifted, through the lifting fork 52, to the mounting device 51. In an alternative embodiment without a lifting fork 52, the mounting device 51 is lowered towards the moveable tool part. In either case, the movable tool part is moved relative to the mounting device 51, such that the movable tool part and the mounting device 51 approach each other.

(57) Subsequently, the locking device is moved inwards, the cassette 10 is further moved to the right and clamped, and the movable tool part is lowered (FIG. 27). Then the claws 21a, 21b are opened by pivoting the opening lever (FIG. 28), whereby the stationary tool part is released.

(58) Subsequently, the above-described alignment process may be performed.

(59) Although the invention has been described on the basis of some preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should appreciate that those embodiments should by no way limit the scope of the present invention.