Electrical connector delivery system
First Claim
1. A connector delivery system for delivering an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station spaced from said storage container by a given distance, the storage container containing a plurality of connector components each having a large dimensioned end and a small dimensioned end, the connector delivery system comprising:
- a substantially entirely enclosed delivery conduit extending substantially the entire given distance from the storage container to the processing station, and being transversely dimensioned to generally correspond to said large dimensioned end of each of the connector components to allow one of the plurality of connector components to pass therethrough at a given time;
delivery means for effecting a pressure differential within the delivery conduit which creates a high pressure air current on one side of the delivery means to deliver the connector components to the processing station, and a vacuum on the other side of the delivery means to draw the connector components from the storage container into the conduit, wherein the delivery means moves the connector components from the storage container through the delivery conduit in a downstream direction to the processing station independent of gravitational forces;
feed means for allowing one of the plurality of connector components through the conduit at a given time while blocking a successive one of the plurality of connector components;
orientation means extending along a portion of the conduit for effecting delivery of the connector components to the processing station in a predetermined orientation, the orientation means being defined by an orientation track having a slot which is larger than the small dimensioned end of the connector components and smaller than the large dimensioned end of the connector components, so that when the small dimensioned end of one of the connector components enters the track ahead of said large dimensioned end, said small dimensioned end enters the slot exposing the large dimensioned end of the connector component within the conduit, and the vacuum is effective to draw the large dimensioned end of the connector component downstream through the conduit ahead of the small dimensioned end; and
actuating means for actuating said feed means, said actuating means being operatively associated with a tool at said processing station for cyclically actuating the feed means in response to operation of the tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector delivery system delivers an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station regardless of the relative orientation of the storage container to the processing station. The storage container contains a plurality of the connector components. A delivery conduit communicates between the storage container and the processing station. An air jet is located within the delivery conduit for effecting a pressure differential therewithin to create a vacuum to cause movement of the connector components in the delivery conduit in a downstream direction from the storage container to the processing station without the use of gravitational forces. A selector pawl upstream of the air jet feeds the connector components through the delivery conduit one component at a time in an incremental fashion. An orientation track between the selector pawl and the air jet is effective to deliver the connector components in a predetermined orientation.
51 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A connector delivery system for delivering an electrical connector component from a storage container to a processing station spaced from said storage container by a given distance, the storage container containing a plurality of connector components each having a large dimensioned end and a small dimensioned end, the connector delivery system comprising:
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a substantially entirely enclosed delivery conduit extending substantially the entire given distance from the storage container to the processing station, and being transversely dimensioned to generally correspond to said large dimensioned end of each of the connector components to allow one of the plurality of connector components to pass therethrough at a given time; delivery means for effecting a pressure differential within the delivery conduit which creates a high pressure air current on one side of the delivery means to deliver the connector components to the processing station, and a vacuum on the other side of the delivery means to draw the connector components from the storage container into the conduit, wherein the delivery means moves the connector components from the storage container through the delivery conduit in a downstream direction to the processing station independent of gravitational forces; feed means for allowing one of the plurality of connector components through the conduit at a given time while blocking a successive one of the plurality of connector components; orientation means extending along a portion of the conduit for effecting delivery of the connector components to the processing station in a predetermined orientation, the orientation means being defined by an orientation track having a slot which is larger than the small dimensioned end of the connector components and smaller than the large dimensioned end of the connector components, so that when the small dimensioned end of one of the connector components enters the track ahead of said large dimensioned end, said small dimensioned end enters the slot exposing the large dimensioned end of the connector component within the conduit, and the vacuum is effective to draw the large dimensioned end of the connector component downstream through the conduit ahead of the small dimensioned end; and actuating means for actuating said feed means, said actuating means being operatively associated with a tool at said processing station for cyclically actuating the feed means in response to operation of the tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A connector delivery system for the transfer of an electrical connector component and defining a path of movement thereof, the connector delivery system comprising:
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a storage container at the origin of the path of movement of the connector component and containing a plurality of said connector components, said storage container having an opening therein to allow one of the electrical connector components to pass therethrough and a mechanical agitator which overlies said opening; a crimping station at the end of the path of movement of the connector component for receiving and crimping one of the connector components onto the end of an electrical wire; a substantially entirely enclosed delivery conduit extending substantially entirely along the path of movement between the storage container and the crimping station, said delivery conduit transversely dimensioned to generally correspond to one of the connector components to allow one of said connector components to pass therethrough at a given time; an air jet for effecting a pressure differential within the delivery conduit, creating a high pressure air current on one side of the air jet to deliver the connector components to the crimping station, and creating a vacuum on the other side of the air jet to draw the connector components from the storage container into the conduit, wherein the air jet moves the connector components from the storage container through the delivery conduit to the crimping station independent of gravitational forces; a selector pawl movable into and out of the path of each of the connector components as they pass through the conduit and having a first stop and a second stop for allowing one of the plurality of connector components to pass through the conduit at a given time; and an orientation track extending along a portion of the conduit for effecting delivery of the connector components to the crimping station in a predetermined orientation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification