Strip feeding hand tool

Abstract

A tool (100) adapted to crimp a contact (52) from a contact strip (50) to a conductor includes opposing first and second claws (210, 220) that are movable relative to each other. A crimping die (310) is mounted to the first claw (210) and an anvil (380) is mounted to the second claw (220). A shear (340) is movably mounted to the anvil (380) and is adapted to receive a contact strip (50) comprising a plurality of interconnected contacts (52) in an insertion direction.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 624,039, filed on January 23, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical field

[0003] The subject matter herein relates to a crimping tool for terminals or contacts, and more particularly, to a crimping tool adapted to shear terminals from a terminal strip and crimp the terminals onto a conductor. Background art

[0004] Electrical terminals are typically manufactured in a continuous manner, where adjacent terminals are attached to each other by a common strip of material. In some applications, these terminals are manually attached to a conductor (e.g., a stripped insulated wire) through a crimping operation. To perform manual terminal crimping, the terminal must be detached from the terminal strip and deformed onto the conductor. Current hand - held tools do not provide sufficient positioning control of the terminal strip during these operations. This is particularly problematic as the size of the terminals continues to decrease. Additionally, existing hand - held tools require several components, such as a flip - over locator, which increases their complexity and cost.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for improved tools for separating terminals from a terminal strip and crimping them onto a conductor. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a tool adapted to crimp a contact from a contact strip onto a conductor. The tool includes opposing first and second jaws movable relative to each other. A crimping member is mounted to the first jaw, and an anvil is mounted to the second jaw. A shear member is movably mounted to the anvil and is adapted to receive the contact strip in an insertion direction, the contact strip including a plurality of interconnected contacts. Brief description of the drawings

[0007] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a strip - feeding hand - held tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is Figure 1 another perspective view of the shown hand - held tool with a contact or terminal strip engaged therewith;

[0010] Figure 3A is a perspective view of a crimping die of the hand - held tool of the foregoing drawings;

[0011] Figure 3B isFigure 3A Cross-sectional view of a crimping die;

[0012] Figure 4 is Figure 1 and Figure 2 Perspective view and partial cross-sectional view of a hand tool, with a terminal or contact strip engaged therewith;

[0013] Figure 5 Perspective view of the hand tool of the foregoing figure, with a wire or cable disposed therein in a crimping position;

[0014] Figure 6 Front view of the hand tool as shown during a crimping operation step;

[0015] Figure 7 Cut-away side perspective view of the hand tool when in an intermediate position associated with a first shearing operation step;

[0016] Figure 8 Rear perspective view of the hand tool in another intermediate operating position;

[0017] Figure 9 Rear perspective view of the hand tool when in another intermediate position associated with a second shearing operation step; and

[0018] Figure 10 Rear view of the hand tool in another intermediate position as the hand tool returns to its initial position. Specific embodiments

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0020] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify the drawings.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a crimping tool (e.g., a manually operated crimping tool) adapted to remove a terminal or contact from a terminal strip and crimp the removed terminal onto a conductor (such as a wire). The tool includes opposing handles movably connected to each other. A pair of opposing jaws are attached to respective ones of the handles and include a floating shear adapted to receive and hold the terminal strip and separate the terminal therefrom. The tool also includes a pair of opposing crimping dies attached to respective ones of the opposing jaws and adapted to crimp the sheared or separated terminal onto the conductor. In one embodiment, as the handles are similarly biased, the jaws move generally linearly relative to each other. This movement can be controlled by a ratchet mechanism disposed between the handles such that as the handles move from an open position to a closed position, they are fixed in intermediate positions. After the handles have been fully compressed or biased together and the crimping dies have generally bottomed out (see Figure 1 ), the ratchet is released and the handles can return to their open position, as Figure 2 shown. This completes the shear and crimp cycle of the tool.

[0022] Generally referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a tool 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is adapted to receive an exemplary terminal or contact strip 50. The terminal strip 50 includes a plurality of terminals 52 attached to each other by a shared terminal strip section 54 (see Figure 2 ). Once received, the tool 100 is also adapted to separate one of the terminals from the strip section 54, crimp the terminal onto the conductor of a cable 10 (see Figure 5 ), and segment the remaining portion of the strip section 54.

[0023] The tool 100 includes opposing handles 110, 120 that are connected to respective opposing upper and lower jaws 210, 220. In one embodiment, as the handles are biased or squeezed by a user toward handle 110, the lower jaw 220 is adapted to move generally vertically upward toward the upper jaw 210 through handle 120. As described above, the relative movement between the handles 110, 120 and thus the movement of the jaws 210, 220 can be controlled via an internal ratchet mechanism. The general construction and overall function of the tool 100 (i.e., the movement of the handles 110, 120 and the jaws 210, 220 and their ratchet connection) can be similar to existing manual crimping tools, such as TE Connectivity's "PRO-CRIMPER" or "SD ECrimp". Thus, for the sake of brevity, a detailed description thereof is not included herein.

[0024] The tool 100 also includes a shearing and crimping assembly or mechanism 300, which includes a crimper or crimping die 310, a floating shearing sub-assembly 340 (also referred to herein as a "shearing member"), and an anvil 380. In an exemplary embodiment, the crimping die 310 is fixedly attached to the upper jaw 210, and the anvil 380 is fixedly attached to the lower jaw 220. As will be explained in more detail herein, the shearing member 340 is slidably or otherwise movably connected to the anvil 380. The shearing member 340 is adapted to receive the terminal strip 50 in a sliding manner along the insertion direction I (i.e., by the user feeding the terminal strip into the shearing sub-assembly in the manner Figure 2 shown).

[0025] With general reference to Figures 1-10 a detailed description of the components of the crimping tool 100 is provided. The crimping die 310 defines a crimping groove 314 adapted to engage a terminal or contact 52 during crimping, and defines a drive surface 316 (see Figure 7 ). The drive surface 316 is opposite to the top surface of the shearing member 340 and is adapted to contact the top surface of the shearing member 340 during the operation of the tool 100. As Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown, the crimping die 310 further defines a plurality of mounting features 318, such as mounting holes, enabling it to be removably fixed to the upper jaw 210. This can be achieved via one or more pins or fasteners 371, as will be explained in more detail herein.

[0026] With particular reference to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 4 , the shearing member 340 includes a body 342, the body 342 defining a wire or cable receiving groove 344 and a strip receiving groove 350. The body 342 also defines a first inner hole or opening 348 oriented in a generally vertical direction, and a second inner hole or through hole 354 oriented in a generally horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. The first inner hole 348 communicates with both the strip receiving groove 350 and the second inner hole 354. More specifically, each of the strip receiving groove 350 and the second inner hole 354 extends into and / or through the first inner hole 348. An elastic member, such as a helical spring 360 or other elastic element or material, is disposed within the first inner hole 348 and elastically supports a strip retainer 370 (e.g., a ball bearing) on its movable end. The strip retainer 370 is movable within the hole 348 in the vertical direction. The lower end of the helical spring 360 is supported in the vertical direction by a spring retainer or spring pin 362 disposed into and / or through the second inner hole 354. At least a portion of the strip retainer 370 extends into the strip receiving groove 350. In this way, the strip retainer 370 is adapted to be vertically downward biased by the terminal strip 50 as the terminal strip 50 is inserted into the groove, thereby compressing the helical spring 360.

[0027] Reference Figure 4 Figure 4 , the anvil 380 defines an opening or slot 384, and the shear member 340 is movably or slidably mounted in the opening or slot 384. The pin or fastener 371 that holds the anvil 380 to the lower jaw 220 also passes through the shear member 340. Specifically, the pin 371 passes through a channel or slot 349 in the shear member 340. In this way, the shear member 340 can slide relative to the pin 371 and can slide relative to the corresponding pin retaining fastener 180 disposed through the lower jaw 220, the anvil 380, and the shear member 340.

[0028]

[0028] The anvil 380 also defines a first shear surface 390 and a second shear surface 392. The first shear surface is adapted to shear the terminal 42 from the strip section 54. The second shear surface 392 is adapted to segment the strip section. The anvil 380 also includes a hole 386 for receiving an elastic element 388 (e.g., a helical spring). The movable end of the elastic element 388 engages the lower side of the shear member 340. The elastic element 388 is adapted to bias the shear member 340 upward to an initial position, as shown. In the initial position, the terminal strip 50, more specifically the strip section 54, can be inserted into the slot 350 of the shear member 340. Reference Figure 4 and Figure 7 Figure 7 , in the case where the terminal strip is inserted into the shear member 340, as the tool 100 is actuated, the pressing surface 316 of the crimping die 310 is adapted to bias the shear member 340 against the elastic force of the elastic element 388. This causes the shear member 340 to move downward relative to the anvil 380.

[0029] The terminal strip 50, more specifically the strip section 54, defines a plurality of recesses 55 formed therethrough, and the recesses 55 are positionally corresponding to each contact or terminal 52 of the strip. As the strip 50 is inserted into the shear member 340, the recesses 55 are adapted to engage or partially receive the strip retainer 370. Specifically, the strip section 54 is operable to bias the strip retainer 370 downward as it moves along the insertion direction I. Once the strip retainer 370 and the recesses 55 are aligned, the upward biasing of the helical spring 360 causes the strip retainer to engage at least partially into and / or through the recesses 55, thereby fixing the strip 50 relative to the shear member 340. This engagement is also operable to align the terminals 52 with the crimping features of the crimping die 310, the anvil 380, and the cable 10 in a direction transverse to the insertion direction I and generally along the elongation axis of the cable. See Figure 5 .

[0030] Further reference Figure 5, the tool 100 is shown in an open or initial position after the cable 10 has been inserted therein for termination. More specifically, the free end of the cable 10 has been stripped of its insulation and inserted into the cable slot 344 of the shear member 340. The contact or terminal strip 50 has been inserted into the slot 350 of the shear member 340 and positioned such that the cable is axially aligned with one of the terminals or contacts 52' and ready to engage therewith.

[0031] The crimping die 310 is also fixed to the upper jaw 110 by pins 371. Each pin 371 is held in the shown inserted position via one of the fasteners 180 that is screwed into at least one of the crimping die 310 and / or the upper jaw 210. As described above, a similar arrangement for fixing the anvil 380 to the lower jaw 220 is shown.

[0032] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, from Figure 5 the position shown, the user actuates the tool 100 by bringing the upper handle 110 and the lower handle 120 together. The crimping die 310 and the anvil 380 converge, where the vertically extending crimping projection 382 of the anvil 380 enters the crimping opening 314 of the crimping die. Via the strip holder 370, the terminal or contact 52' is positioned axially aligned with both the crimping opening 314 and the corresponding crimping projection 382 that is at least partially received therein. In this way, the terminal or contact 52' is firmly positioned within the crimping die 310 via the shear member 340 and the anvil 380. The cable 10 is disposed above and aligned with the terminal 52'.

[0033] Specifically referring to Figure 7 , further depressing the crimping die 310 and / or raising the anvil 380 is operable to bias the drive surface 316 of the crimping die 310 into contact with the corresponding drive surface 343 of the shear member 340. As the shear member 340 is driven downward relative to the anvil 380 and against the elastic biasing of the spring 388, the slot 350 passes over the first shear surface 390 of the anvil, and the terminal 52’ is sheared or separated from the strip section 54. In this way, at the first intermediate position of the tool 100, the strip section 54 is removed from the terminal or contact 52' to be crimped. This is beneficial because the subsequent crimping operation of the contact 52' is not adversely affected by its attachment to the strip section 54.

[0034] As in Figures 7-9As can be seen, further actuation of the tool 100 is operable to further drive the terminal or contact 52' into the crimp opening 314 via the crimping projection 382 and crimp the terminal or contact 52 to the exposed end of the cable 10. Once crimped or concurrently therewith, the slot 350 passes in the vertical direction over the second shear surface 392 and cuts a segment of the strip section 54 from its remainder. This manages waste and improves tool efficiency as the strip section 54 need not be manually removed via a separate operation by the user.

[0035] Once a segment of the strip section 54 has been sheared or cut, the tool 100 reaches the end of its stroke. In one embodiment, this releases the ratchet mechanism of the tool, allowing the jaws 210, 220 to separate from each other and move in a direction towards the first or initial position. As Figure 10 shown, as the crimping die 310 is raised relative to the lower jaw 220, the shear member 340 returns to its resting position under the return biasing of the resilient element 388. The user can then advance the terminal strip 50 in the insertion direction I to prepare for another crimping cycle.

[0036] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in the context of an exemplary hand-held operating tool, it should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure can be incorporated into any type of tool (e.g., portable, stationary, electric, etc.). More specifically, a tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure need not be hand-held operable. For example, one or more actuators can be provided to bias the first jaw relative to the second jaw so as to operate the tool in the manner described above. As a non-limiting example, these actuators can include part of a larger automated system incorporating the tool components described herein, or be included in a power tool under manual control.

Claims

1. A tool (100) adapted to press a contact (52) from a contact strip (50) onto a conductor, comprising: A first jaw (210); A second jaw (220) movable relative to the first jaw (210) in an operating direction; A crimping die (310) fixedly mounted to the first jaw (210); An anvil (380) fixedly mounted to the second jaw (220); And A shear member (340) movably mounted to the anvil (380) and adapted to receive a contact strip (50) including a plurality of interconnected contacts (52) in an insertion direction and to separate one of the plurality of interconnected contacts (52) from the contact strip (50).

2. The tool (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The shear member (340) defines a first opening adapted to receive the contact strip (50) in the insertion direction.

3. The tool (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The shear member (340) includes a shear retainer (370) adapted to selectively fix the contact strip (50) in a crimping position within the first opening of the shear member (340).

4. The tool (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The shear retainer (370) is elastically mounted within the shear member (340) and extends into the first opening.

5. The tool (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The anvil (380) defines a first shear surface adapted to separate one of the plurality of contacts (52) from a shared strip section of the contact strip (50).

6. The tool (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The anvil (380) defines a second shear surface adapted to separate a segment of the strip section (54) from the remainder of the strip section (54).

7. The tool (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The first shear surface and the second shear surface are oriented generally orthogonally to each other.

8. The tool (100) according to claim 6, wherein, The first jaw (210) and the second jaw (220) are movable in the operating direction between a first or initial position and a second or final position, in the first or initial position, the contact strip (50) can be inserted into the first opening of the shear member (340), in the second or final position, the crimping die (310) and the anvil (380) are adapted to press the separated contact of the plurality of contacts onto the conductor.

9. The tool (100) according to claim 8, wherein, In a first intermediate position, the first opening of the shear member (340) is aligned with the first shear surface of the anvil (380) to separate the contact (52) from the remainder of the contact strip (50).

10. The tool (100) according to claim 9, wherein, In a second intermediate position different from the first intermediate position, the first opening of the shear member (340) is aligned with the second shear surface of the anvil (380) to separate a segment of the strip section (54) from the remainder of the strip section (54).

11. The tool (100) according to claim 10, wherein, The tool (100) moves sequentially in the operating direction from the initial position to the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position.

12. The tool (100) according to claim 11, wherein, In the final position, the corresponding crimping surfaces of the crimping die (310) and the anvil (380) converge to crimp the separated contact (52).

13. The tool (100) according to claim 12, wherein, The crimping surfaces include: One of a crimping recess or a crimping projection (382) defined on the crimping die (310); and The other of a crimping recess or a crimping projection (382) defined on the anvil (380), the crimping surface being adapted to crimp the separated contact to the conductor.

14. The tool (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The shear member (340) is elastically mounted to the anvil (380), and in the case where the tool (100) is in the initial position, the shear member (340) is biased relative to the anvil (380) to a first position; As the tool (100) moves from the initial position in the operating direction, the crimping die (310) defines a contact surface that engages a relative surface of the shear member (340); And As the tool (100) moves in the operating direction, the crimping die (310) biases the shear member (340) to the first intermediate position and the second intermediate position.

15. The tool (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The shear member (340) defines a cable opening adapted to receive a cable (10) in an axial direction; The crimping die (310) defines a contact groove adapted to receive the separated contact, and the cable opening and the contact groove are aligned with each other in the axial direction of the cable (10); And The insertion direction is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction.

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