Terminal-crimping device

• US 6,530,257 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2001
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Yoshinori, Nishiki, Youji, Ooji, Takahiro, Tadaki, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): TOLAN, EDWARD THOMAS
• Application Number:
  US09/827,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20010035039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 72/201, 72/202, 72/203, 72/205, 72/214, 724/13, 724/20, 724/21, 724/28, 724/42, 727/12, 297/51, 297/53, 298/61, 298/63
• US Class Current: 72/420
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/055 with contact member feeding mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 72/712 Electrical terminal crimper
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49185 of terminal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53235 Means to fasten by deformation

Abstract

In order to easily, rapidly and precisely carry out a setting work after exchange of a pressuring unit, a shank module is provided that is capable of integrally exchanging a shank of a pressing unit. The shank module is configured to removably link a main body and a ram. By adopting the universal pressing unit, adjustment after exchange of the pressing unit becomes considerably easier. Additionally, in carrying out a universal design of a terminal-feeding mechanism, improved workability is implemented by linking the setting of press conditions with the feed conditions of a terminal belt. In order to accomplish this goal, an anvil unit of a press mechanism is configured to be detachable from a main body base. Furthermore, a positioning mechanism is provided on the anvil unit. The positioning mechanism positions the setting position of moving elements of a driving mechanism of a terminal-feeding mechanism corresponding to the terminal belt. The principal part for changing of the terminal-feeding mechanism can therefore be automatically changed.

Claims

1. A terminal-crimping device comprising:

a press mechanism configured to crimp a terminal on a coated electric wire, said press mechanism including a ram;

a terminal-feeding mechanism that feeds a continuous terminal belt into said press mechanism so that a terminal connected to the continuous terminal belt is in a position to be crimped by said press mechanism;

a main body on which said press mechanism is operably mounted;

a shank mounted on said main body for reciprocable movement and drivingly connected with said ram;

a crimper unit driven by said shank; and

a shank module including said shank and said crimper unit, said shank module configured to allow said shank and said crimper unit to be integrally exchangeable, said shank module being detachably connected to said main body and said ram;

wherein said crimper unit includes a wire crimper which crimps a wire barrel formed on the terminal, and an insulation crimper which crimps an insulation barrel, and wherein said shank includes a crimp height adjusting mechanism that permits adjustment by relatively displacing respective crimper heights relative to said ram.

2. A terminal-crimping device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a linking mechanism that links reciprocating motion of said press mechanism with a feeding motion of the terminal-feeding mechanism;

wherein said linking mechanism comprises;

a feeding motion detector that detects the feeding motion of said terminal-feeding mechanism;

a crimping motion detector that detects the crimping motion of said press mechanism; and

a control that carries out motion control of said terminal-feeding mechanism and said press mechanism based on detection signals of said feeding motion detector and said crimping motion detector.

3. A terminal-crimping device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an opening and closing member mounted on said main body, said opening and closing member being movable between an installation and removal position capable of permitting installation and removal of said shank to and from a reciprocating space in which said shank is raised and lowered, and a blocking position that regulates the removal of said shank arranged in space; and

an operator that operates the opening and closing motion of said opening and closing member.

4. A terminal-crimping device comprising:

a press mechanism configured to crimp a terminal on a coated electric wire;

a terminal-feeding mechanism that feeds a continuous terminal belt into said press mechanism so that a terminal connected to the continuous terminal belt is in a position to be crimped by said press mechanism; and

a base that supports said press mechanism and said terminal-feeding mechanism;

said press mechanism configured to be exchangeable on said base in accordance with the type of terminals to be crimped; and

said terminal-feeding mechanism including movable elements configured to allow adjustment of the feeding of the continuous terminal belt in accordance with the type of terminals to be crimped, said terminal-feeding mechanism including a driving mechanism that drives the movable elements, and a positioning mechanism for setting positions of the movable elements corresponding to the terminal belt provided on said press mechanism.

5. A terminal-crimping device according to claim 4, wherein said press mechanism includes an exchangeable anvil unit that receives a terminal, said exchangeable anvil unit being exchangeable in accordance with the terminal type and said positioning mechanism is provided on said anvil unit.

6. A terminal-crimping device according to claim 4, wherein said driving mechanism includes a first driving member provided with a crimping device that clamps said exchangeable press mechanism.

7. A terminal-crimping device according to claim 6, wherein said driving mechanism includes a second driving member that sequentially drives another moving element for a positioning device of the press mechanism which engages the first driving member.