Methods and tools for separating and joining contacts and wires.

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for separating and joining a first contact with a wire having an erected shielding layer, wherein the method comprises the following steps: moving an actuator and a clamping device from an open position to a closed position such that the actuator acts on a cutter, and the first contact, which may be provided at a contact carrier strip, can be separated from the contact carrier strip and the first contact can be fixed by the clamping device; joining the wire to the first contact until the erected shielding layer of the wire abuts against the actuator and / or the cutter; activating a first cylinder such that a stop block moves from a non-activated position to an activated position, wherein the first contact can be fixed in the activated position by the stop block; moving the actuator and the clamping device from a closed position to an open position, and simultaneously activating a second cylinder such that a contact guide and the cutter move from a basic position to a lowered position, and joining the wire to the first contact in the final position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a tool for the separation and joining of contacts with wires having a raised shielding layer. BACKGROUND

[0002] The document DE 20 2017 003 670 U1 relates to a device for crimping at least one core wire of a cable. Here, the document describes a cable having a shielding layer, the end of which is raised. In this document, the device for crimping at least one core wire can have a so-called cutter for separating the individual crimping contacts from the carrier tape. In the assembly process of the cable, the cable is stripped towards the end and its core wire is removed from the insulation at one end. Furthermore, the shielding layer is raised so that it protrudes radially outwards. In the operation of the device, the cable prepared in this way is first introduced into the recess of the support in the y direction, then into the opening of the cutter and finally placed on the support surface. For the actual crimping, the crimper is moved relative to the anvil in the z direction from a rest position to a machining or crimping position over a predetermined stroke. In the process, the crimping sheet is plastically deformed so that it closes tightly around the core wire. The document further describes that the cutter has an opening into which the cable can be introduced, the cable having an end raised shielding layer so that the already raised shielding layer can be placed in the opening of the cutter.

[0003] In the above-mentioned prior art, there is at least the disadvantage that after the positioning of the shielding layer of the cable having a raised shielding layer in the cutter opening, the shielding layer can no longer be moved arbitrarily in the longitudinal direction of the cable, in particular no longer in the direction of the contact. Thereby, a subsequent movement of the cable in its longitudinal direction, for example in order to perform additional joining steps, is not possible. SUMMARY

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method with which a wire having a raised shielding layer can be flexibly processed.

[0005] In particular, the above object is achieved by a method for the separation and joining of a first contact with a conductor having a raised shielding layer, wherein the method has the following steps: moving an actuator and a pressing device from an open position to a closed position, so that the actuator acts onto a cutter and the first contact, which can be provided at a contact carrier strip, can be separated from the contact carrier strip and the first contact can be fixed by the pressing device, joining the conductor to the first contact until the raised shielding layer of the conductor rests against the actuator and / or the cutter, activating a first cylinder, so that a stopper block is moved from a non-activated position to an activated position, wherein the first contact can be fixed in the activated position by the stopper block, moving the actuator and the pressing device from the closed position to the open position and simultaneously activating a second cylinder, so that a contact rail and the cutter are moved from a rest position to a lowered position and the conductor is joined to the first contact in a final position.

[0006] The method makes it possible for the first contact to be continuously separated from the contact carrier strip and for the conductor to be joined to the separated contact in one process cycle. In particular, the method makes it possible to separate and join an outer conductor contact with a conductor having a fixed inner conductor contact and a raised shielding layer. Joining the conductor with the raised shielding layer to the outer conductor contact requires the conductor or the inner conductor contact to be introduced into the outer conductor contact. The conductor has to be introduced deep into the outer conductor contact in its longitudinal direction in order to correctly position the conductor with the inner conductor contact in the outer conductor contact. If the joining is to be carried out directly at the cutter of the crimping tool, the conductor has to be movable along its longitudinal axis. With the method described here, the conductor with the raised shielding layer can be joined completely to the first contact or the outer conductor contact directly at the cutter up to the final position, since the conductor with the raised shielding layer can be moved unhindered. The method simplifies the cable assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the step of moving the actuator and the pressing device between the open and closed positions comprises a movement in a first direction, in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conductor. This movement has the advantage that a directed force action from the actuator to the cutter is possible. In particular in the case of a vertical movement, a neat separation between the contact and the contact carrier strip is possible without unwanted deformation. Furthermore, the fixing force of the pressing device acts on the first contact in a force-fit manner and a reliable fixing can be achieved.

[0008] Preferably, the step of moving the stopper block between the activated and non-activated positions comprises a movement in a second direction, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the conductor. This movement makes it possible for the fixing of the first contact to be independent of the arrangement or movement of the pressing device. In particular, the movement takes place on the side of the first contact facing away from the conductor. Thus, the movement does not limit the movement range of the conductor. Finally, by means of this movement a form-fit fixing of the first contact can be achieved via the stopper block or an opening in the stopper block.

[0009] Preferably, activating the first and / or second cylinder comprises the first and / or second cylinder extending.

[0010] Preferably, the movement of the actuator and the compression device is carried out in a separate cycle of the crimping tool. In principle, crimping tools known from the prior art can be used for the method. This simplifies the application of the method. However, the full force of the crimping tool required for crimping is not necessary for the separation and engagement of the first contact, so that the movement carried out only in the separate cycle is more gentle on the material, wherein only a fraction of the maximum force of the crimping tool acts on the first contact.

[0011] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of retracting the first cylinder to move the stopper from the activated position to the non-activated position, wherein the first contact is released. The effect of the retraction is that the first contact, in which the conductor wire has been engaged, can move freely again and can be removed from the tool. Furthermore, the stopper returns to its basic position for a new process cycle.

[0012] Preferably, the method further has the step of retracting the second cylinder to move the contact rail and the cutter from the lowered position to the basic position. The retraction or lifting of the contact rail has the effect that a new first contact can be repositioned on the anvil when carried out by the contact rail. Furthermore, the contact rail and the cutter return to their basic position for a new process cycle.

[0013] Preferably, the method further has the step of retracting and extending a third cylinder coupled with the feed device, so that the contact carrier strip can be moved by means of the feed device by a predetermined distance in the machining direction and a subsequent first contact can be provided at the cutter. This step enables the start of a new process cycle. The use of a third cylinder, which is in particular structurally identical to the first and / or second cylinder, enables all three cylinders to respond and activate in time in coordination, since their behavior is identical, so that a synchronized process cycle can be achieved.

[0014] The above objects are also achieved in particular by a tool for the engagement and disengagement of a first contact provided at a contact carrier strip from a conductor wire having a raised shielding layer, the tool having a contact rail for providing the first contact for the contact carrier strip, a cutter for separating the first contact from the contact carrier strip, a compression device for fixing the first contact, a first cylinder having a stopper, and a second cylinder, wherein the first cylinder can move the stopper from a non-activated position to an activated position and the stopper can fix the first contact in the activated position, and the second cylinder is coupled with the contact rail and the cutter, wherein the second cylinder can move the contact rail and the cutter from a basic position to a lowered position.

[0015] The tool enables the handling of conductors with a raised shielding layer. By means of the cylinders, in particular the first and second cylinders, components on the tool can be moved such that they do not hinder the movement of the conductors. The achieved freedom of movement of the conductors makes it possible to implement process steps on the tool, in particular within a process cycle, which is not possible with the tools in the prior art.

[0016] Preferably, the first contact comprises an outer conductor contact, and a second contact, in particular an inner conductor contact, is fixed at the conductor, preferably at the conductor. The handling of the outer conductor contact, in particular the engagement of the conductor with the outer conductor contact with the inner conductor contact and the raised shielding layer, requires the deep introduction or positioning of the conductor into the outer conductor contact. For the deep positioning, the conductor must have a complete freedom of movement at least along its longitudinal axis. This freedom of movement is possible or given with the present tool.

[0017] Preferably, the contact rail is coupled to the cutter via a push rod. The coupling of the cutter at the contact rail via the push rod enables an exact adjustment of the movement properties of the cutter relative to the contact rail. Thus, for example, the movement height can be adjusted relative to the height of the basic position of the cutter.

[0018] Preferably, the pressing device fixes the first contact with a spring stress. The spring stress enables an adjustment of the pressing force of the pressing device. If an unexpected high force suddenly occurs in the direction of the first contact, the pressing device can be compensated via the spring stress. The spring stress ensures a reliable contact between the pressing device and the first contact when the tool is moved.

[0019] Preferably, the tool comprises a crimping tool. The crimping tool is suitable for cable assembly. In particular, the crimping tool is designed to separate the contacts from the contact carrier strip and to exert forces on the separated contacts. Here, these forces can only be the holding forces required for the engagement. The use or conversion of the tool itself known makes it easier to use or convert.

[0020] Preferably, the tool also has a third cylinder coupled to the feed device, wherein the third cylinder can move the feed device in the machining direction, so that the contact carrier strip can be moved in the machining direction by means of the feed device. The third cylinder is preferably identical in structure to the first and / or second cylinder, whereby the behavior of the cylinders is identical. The structurally identical cylinders facilitate or enable a synchronous execution of the process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein are shown:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the tool is shown;

[0023] Figure 2 A perspective view of the tool in the original position is shown; Figure 1side view of a part of the tool.

[0024] Figure 3 a perspective view of a part of the tool is shown, in which the wire with the raised shielding layer has been partially embedded in the first contact;

[0025] Figure 4 a perspective view of a part of the tool is shown, Figure 3 a side view of a part of the tool;

[0026] Figure 5 a perspective view of a part of the tool is shown, in which the wire with the raised shielding layer has been completely embedded in the first contact;

[0027] Figure 6 a perspective view of a part of the tool is shown, Figure 5 a side view of a part of the tool; and

[0028] Figure 7 a perspective view of a part of the tool is shown in the final position, Figure 1 a side view of a part of the tool.

[0029] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 An embodiment of a tool 1 is shown. The tool 1 is preferably a crimping tool for separating and crimping contacts at a wire. The tool 1 is arranged to provide a contact carrier strip 13 with contacts 11 fixed thereat to a processing area by means of a feed device 62 in a machining direction X. In the processing area, at least one contact 11 can be separated from the contact carrier strip 13.

[0031] In the shown embodiment, the contacts 11 are separated from the contact carrier strip 13 by means of a cutter 30. Preferably, the contacts 11, which have been placed on an anvil 38 in the processing area, are separated from the contact carrier strip 13 by a shearing movement between the anvil 38 and the cutter 30. In order to move the cutter 30 relative to the anvil 38, i.e. to actuate the cutter 30, in the embodiment an actuator 20 exerts a force on the cutter 30. To this end, the actuator 20 moves along the cutter 30 or moves to a closed position (see Figure 1 ) from its basic position or open position (see Figure 3 ) spaced apart from the cutter 30. In the continuous movement of the actuator 20, it presses on a contact surface 34 at the cutter 30 and moves it relative to the anvil 38. The movement of the actuator 20 and the cutter 30 is preferably transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction X of the contact carrier strip 13. The first height H1 of the cutter 30 relative to the anvil 38 or the lower shielding guide 36 is reduced to a second height H2. The contact carrier strip guide 32 or the support surface 34 can serve as a reference point at the cutter 30 to determine the height.

[0032] Preferably, the force of the actuator 20 on the cutter 30 occurs during a separating cycle of the crimping tool 1, so that only the force required for the separation is applied to the cutter 30. In the closed position, the actuator 20 is in contact with the cutter 30, the upper shielding guide 22 mounted at the actuator 20 preferably abutting the lower shielding guide 36 mounted at the tool 1. Preferably, a wire guide is formed at the contact face of the cutter 30, in which the wire 10 can be arranged even when the actuator 20 and the cutter 30 abut one another.

[0033] Preferably, the wire 10 is a multi-layer wire, which has, inter alia, an inner conductor. In the embodiment shown, the inner conductor contact 12 has been fixed at the inner conductor. At least one shielding braid 14 surrounds the inner conductor. The shielding braid is bent, i.e. raised, from the wire 10. A distance can be formed between the raised shielding braid and the inner conductor contact in the longitudinal direction Y of the wire 10. Preferably, the shielding braid or the shielding braid 14 is bent 90 degrees away from the wire 10. By the bend, the outer diameter of the wire 10 in the region of the bent shielding braid 14 is increased (see Figure 2 ).

[0034] In the state in which the actuator 20 and the cutter 30 are in abutment, although the inner conductor contact 12 can extend through the wire guide in the cutter 30, the wire 10 as a whole can only be introduced into the cutter 30 until the raised shielding braid 14 abuts the actuator 20 and / or the cutter 30 (see Figure 3 and 4 ). In this position, the wire 10 or the inner conductor contact 12 is only partially, but not completely, arranged in the outer conductor contact 11.

[0035] The outer conductor contact 11 is an embodiment for a first contact to be joined to the wire 10. In the embodiment shown, the outer conductor contact 11 is fixed on the anvil 38 by means of the crimping device 24. In the open position, the crimping tool is opened to a maximum, so that the distance between the anvil and the crimping device can have a maximum stroke of approximately 40 mm. The crimping device 24 is preferably moved simultaneously and parallel to the actuator 20. For the fixing, the crimping device 24 is placed on the outer conductor contact 11 in the position in which the actuator 20 and the cutter 30 abut one another. The crimping device 24 is preferably spring-supported. When the actuator 20 is moved further in order to actuate the cutter 30, the crimping device 24 exerts a pressure on the first contact or the outer conductor contact 11, thereby fixing the contact 11 on the anvil 38 (see Figure 4 ). Here, the fixing acts transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Y of the outer conductor contact 11 or the wire 10. The fixing is achieved by force fit. By the springing, a reduced force is exerted on the outer conductor contact 11, so that it is not damaged. By this fixing, in particular a constant accuracy can additionally be achieved when the contact 11 is separated from the contact carrier strip 13.

[0036] To fix the outer conductor contact 11 in its position when the compression device 24 is removed again, the stopper 42 is moved from the non-activated position PI to the activated position P2. This movement is effected by the first cylinder 40, which can be extended and retracted in one direction. This direction is preferably along the longitudinal direction Y of the wire 10 or the outer conductor contact 11. In the embodiment shown, the stopper 42 has an opening 44, which is designed such that the first contact or the outer conductor contact 11 can be accommodated therein. The stopper 42, together with the opening 44, is pushed onto the outer conductor contact 11 (see Figure 2 and Figure 4 ). The outer conductor contact 11 is fixed form-fittingly by means of the stopper 42. The first cylinder 40 can be operated pneumatically.

[0037] Figure 5 The tool 1 is shown in a subsequent state. To complete the joining of the wire 10 or the inner conductor contact 12 into the first contact or the outer conductor contact 11, the actuator 20 and the compression device 24 are again in their basic position or open position, i.e. spaced apart from the cutter 30 and the anvil 38. The first contact 11, or the outer conductor contact, is still fixed by the stopper 42. Due to the partial joining into the outer conductor contact 11, the wire 10 has already been correctly aligned with the outer conductor contact 11. The wire 10 can be held in place by holding means such as a clamp (not shown).

[0038] The cutter 30 is lowered to a third height H3, such that the part area of the raised shielding braid 14 which adjoins the cutter 30 is no longer blocked by the cutter 30 in the longitudinal direction Y of the wire 10. To lower, the second cylinder 50, which is coupled with the contact rail 52, is extended by the gap height S (see Figure 5 ). Thereby, the contact rail 52 is lowered from the first distance difference Dl to the second distance difference D2 with respect to the lower shielding guide 36, which is fixedly connected with the tool 1, wherein the difference can be equal to the gap height S. In one embodiment, the contact rail 52 is coupled with the cutter 30 by means of a push rod. For example, the push rod can be realized as a bolt or screw connection. The lowering of the contact rail 52 results in a lowering of the cutter 30 also with respect to the lower shielding guide 36 to the third height H3.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5 , the retraction of the actuator 20 and the compression device 24 and the simultaneous lowering of the cutter 30 results in that the wire 10 with the raised shielding braid 14 is no longer blocked along the longitudinal axis Y of the wire 10. In this position of the tool 1, the wire 10, in particular the inner conductor contact 12, can be completely joined into the first contact or the outer conductor contact 11 (see Figure 6 ).

[0040] Figure 6The final position of the tool 1 is shown, in which the wire 10 with the joined outer conductor contact 11 has been removed from the tool 1. The joining comprises only the arrangement of the wire 10 or the inner conductor contact 12 fixed to the wire 10 in the outer conductor contact 11. The outer conductor contact 11 can be fixed to the wire 10 at a separate subsequent process step. In the final position, the cutter 30 is again back in its first height H1. To this end, the second cylinder 50 is retracted, whereby the contact rail 52 and preferably also the cutter 30 via the push rod are moved from the lowered position again to the basic position.

[0041] In a further process step, the third cylinder 60 can be retracted and extended again in the machining direction X (see Figure 1 ). In the shown embodiment, the third cylinder 60 is coupled with the feed device 62, so that the movement of the third cylinder 60 correspondingly moves the feed device 62, which in turn moves the contact carrier strip 13 in the machining direction X by a certain length, so that another contact 11 or outer conductor contact is placed on the anvil 38. A new process cycle can then be started.

[0042] List of reference signs

[0043] 1 tool

[0044] 10 wire

[0045] 11 first contact

[0046] 12 second contact

[0047] 13 contact carrier strip

[0048] 14 raised shielding layer

[0049] 20 actuator

[0050] 22 upper shielding guide

[0051] 24 hold-down device

[0052] 30 cutter

[0053] 32 contact carrier strip guide

[0054] 34 support surface

[0055] 36 lower shielding guide

[0056] 38 anvil

[0057] 40 first cylinder

[0058] 42 stop block

[0059] 44 opening

[0060] 50 second cylinder

[0061] 52 contact rail

[0062] 60 third cylinder

[0063] 62 feed device

[0064] D1, D2 first and second distance difference

[0065] H1, H2, H3 first, second, and third height

[0066] P1, P2 non-activated position, activated position

[0067] S gap height

[0068] X third direction (machining direction)

[0069] Y second direction (longitudinal direction)

[0070] Z first direction

Claims

1. A method for separating and joining a first contact (11) from a conductor (10) having a raised shielding layer (14), wherein, The separation and joining method has the following steps: a) moving an actuator (20) and a crimping device (24) from an open position to a closed position, such that the actuator (20) acts onto a cutter (30) and such that a first contact (11) provided at a contact carrier strip (13) can be separated from the contact carrier strip (13) and such that the first contact (11) can be fixed by the crimping device (24); b) joining the wire (10) to the first contact (11) until the raised shielding layer (14) of the wire (10) abuts at the actuator (20) and / or at the cutter (30); c) activating a first cylinder (40) such that a stopper block (42) is moved from a non-activated position (P1) to an activated position (P2), wherein the first contact (11) can be fixed by the stopper block (42) in the activated position (P2); d) moving the actuator (20) and the crimping device (24) from the closed position to the open position and simultaneously activating a second cylinder (50) to move a contact rail (52) and the cutter (30) from a basic position to a lowered position; and e) joining the wire (10) to the first contact (11) in a final position.

2. The separation and joining method according to claim 1, wherein, The step of moving the actuator (20) and the crimping device (24) between the open position and the closed position comprises a movement in a first direction (Z).

3. The separation and joining method according to claim 2, wherein, The step of moving the actuator (20) and the crimping device (24) between the open position and the closed position comprises a movement transversely to a longitudinal direction (Y) of the wire (10).

4. The separation and joining method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The step of moving the stopper block (42) between the activated position (P2) and the non-activated position (P1) comprises a movement in a second direction.

5. The separation and joining method according to claim 4, wherein, The step of moving the stopper block (42) between the activated position (P2) and the non-activated position (P1) comprises a movement in a longitudinal direction (Y) of the wire (10).

6. The separation and joining method according to claim 1, wherein, The activation of the first cylinder (40) and / or the second cylinder (50) comprises an extension of the first cylinder (40) and / or the second cylinder (50).

7. The separation and joining method according to claim 1, wherein, The movement of the actuator (20) and the crimping device (24) is performed in a separation cycle of a crimping tool (1).

8. The separation and joining method according to claim 6, further having the step of: the first cylinder (40) being retracted to move the stopper (42) from the activation position (P2) to the non-activation position (PI), wherein, The first contact (11) is released.

9. The separation and joining method according to claim 6 or 8, further having the step that the second cylinder (50) is retracted to move the contact rail (52) and the cutter (30) from the lowered position to the basic position.

10. The separation and joining method according to claim 1, further having the step that a third cylinder (60) coupled with a feed device (62) is retracted and extended such that the contact carrier strip (13) can be moved by means of the feed device (62) in a processing direction (X) by a predetermined distance and such that a subsequent first contact (11) can be provided at the cutter (30).

11. A tool (1) for engaging and disengaging a first contact (11) with a wire (10), the first contact (11) being provided at a contact carrier strip (13), the wire having a raised shield layer (14), the tool having: a) a contact rail (52) for providing the first contact (11) for a contact carrier strip (13); b) a cutter (30) for disengaging the first contact (11) from the contact carrier strip (13); c) a hold-down device (24) for fixing the first contact (11); d) an actuator (20), the actuator (20) and the hold-down device (24) being for moving from an open position to a closed position, such that the actuator (20) acts onto the cutter (30) and such that the first contact (11) provided at the contact carrier strip (13) can be disengaged from the contact carrier strip (13); e) a first cylinder (40) with a stopper (42), wherein the first cylinder (40) being able to move the stopper (42) from a non-activated position (PI) to an activated position (P2) and the stopper (42) being able to fix the first contact (11) in the activated position (P2); and f) a second cylinder (50) coupled with the contact rail (52) and the cutter (30), wherein the second cylinder (50) is able to move the contact rail (52) and the cutter (30) from a basic position to a lowered position.

12. A tool (1) according to claim 11, wherein The first contact (11) comprises an outer conductor contact and a second contact (12) is fixed at the wire (10).

13. A tool (1) according to claim 12, wherein The second contact (12) is an inner conductor contact.

14. A tool (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein The contact rail (52) is coupled with the cutter (30) via a push rod.

15. A tool (1) according to claim 11, wherein The hold-down device (24) fixes the first contact (11) with a spring stress.

16. A tool (1) according to claim 11, wherein The tool (1) comprises a crimping tool.

17. The tool (1) according to claim 11, further having a third cylinder (60) coupled with a feeding device (62), wherein, The third cylinder (60) is able to move the feed device (62) in a machining direction (X) to move the contact carrier strip (13) along the machining direction (X) by means of the feed device (62). The third cylinder (60) is able to move the feed device (62) in a machining direction (X) to move the contact carrier strip (13) along the machining direction (X) by means of the feed device (62).

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