Cable harness assembly and electrical testing machine

• US 4,285,118 A
• Filed: 05/17/1978
• Issued: 08/25/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Bakermans, Johannes C. W., Peppler, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Francis S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Arbes, C. J.
• Application Number:
  US05/906,536
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 29/628, 29/624, 29/755, 29/593, 29/749, 29/753, 29/747, 29/761, 29/407, 324/66, 324/73 AT, 324/52, 324/158, 339/17 F
• US Class Current: 29/593
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/01 for connecting unstripped conductors to contact members having insulation cutting edges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

An assembly apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing cable harnesses having a measured length of a multi-conductor flat flexible cable terminated by at least two electrical connectors. The assembly apparatus includes a conductor testing and cable cutting station, a connector crimp termination station, and a test fixture which electrically tests each connector for shorts and opens simultaneously with the crimping of the connector onto the cable.

Claims

1. A method of fabricating cable harnesses of multi-conductor flexible cable terminated with at least two electrical connectors while simultaneously testing each connection for electrical continuity as the connection is effected, comprising the steps of:

feeding a first end of a multi-conductor flat flexible cable to a terminating station;

terminating said first end of said multi-conductor flat flexible cable with a first electrical connector having therein a plurality of contact terminals, each said terminal having an insulation piercing portion adapted to engage a respective conductor of the cable;

indexing said cable to engage said terminated first connector in a test fixture having therein terminals contacting each terminal of said first connector while presenting a subsequent portion of said cable to said terminating station; and

terminating said subsequent portion of said cable with a next successive electrical connector while electrically testing each connection of each said successive electrical connector simultaneously with termination of each said successive electrical connector on said cable.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of electrical testing includes:

grounding to test for "open" and

opening to test for "short".

3. A method of fabricating cable harnesses according to claim 1 further comprising the step of:

straightening said multi-conductor cable as it is unwound from a reel thereby facilitating handling.

4. A method of fabricating cable harnesses according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

preloading a plurality of connectors in carriers; and

sequencing the loaded carriers and said cable through said terminating station to effect termination of the cable with the respective connectors at a desired spacing.

5. A method of fabricating cable harnesses according to claim 4 further comprising the step of:

feeding the terminated cable through said terminating station; and

applying covers to said connectors to enclose said terminated cable.