Connector assembly for electrical connectors including grommets

Abstract

A connector assembly for an electrical connector, the electrical connector including a grommet in a housing, the connector assembly including a supply assembly having a supply device for supplying a carrier holding the housing and the grommet to a grommet seating station. The connector assembly machine includes a grommet seating assembly having a grommet press at a grommet seating station. The grommet press includes a support wall, an indenter movably coupled to the support wall, and an actuator operably coupled to the indenter to move the indenter between an upper position and a lower position. The indenter includes a grommet pressing tool having a pressing surface configured to engage and press the grommet into the housing when the indenter is moved from the upper position to the lower position to position the grommet in the housing in the seated position.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This article primarily deals with electrical connector assembly machines.

[0002] Electrical connectors are used in many applications, such as automotive applications, to electrically connect various components together. An electrical connector includes a housing that holds contacts that can terminate at the ends of wires. Some applications require a sealed interface. For example, an electrical connector may include a sealing grommets received within the housing to provide a sealed interface between the housing and the wires. Typically, the assembly of electrical connectors is performed manually. For example, the grommets may be manually loaded into the housing, and the contacts may be manually loaded into the housing through openings in the grommets. This manual assembly is time-consuming and leads to inconsistent assembly.

[0003] There is still a need for an electrical connector assembly machine to automate the assembly process for high-speed, repeatable, and reliable assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a connector assembly machine for an electrical connector is provided, the electrical connector including a grommets located within a housing. The connector assembly machine includes a supply assembly including a supply device configured to supply a carrier holding the housing and the grommets to a grommets seating station. The connector assembly machine includes a grommets seating assembly at the grommets seating station. The grommets seating assembly includes a grommets press. The grommets press includes a support wall, a pressure head movably coupled to the support wall, and an actuator operably coupled to the pressure head to move the pressure head between an upper position and a lower position. The pressure head includes a grommets pressing tool having a pressing surface. The pressing surface is configured to engage the grommets and press them into the housing when the pressure head moves from the upper position to the lower position, thereby seating the grommets in the housing at a seated position.

[0005] In another embodiment, a connector assembly machine for an electrical connector is provided. The connector assembly machine includes a supply assembly comprising a supply device configured to supply a carrier to a housing loading station, a lanyard loading station, and a lanyard seating station. The connector assembly machine includes a housing loading assembly at the housing loading station. The housing loading assembly is configured to load a housing into a corresponding cavity in the carrier. The connector assembly machine includes a lanyard loading assembly at the lanyard loading station. The lanyard loading assembly is configured to load lanyards into the housing to a pre-seated position. The connector assembly machine includes a lanyard seating assembly at the lanyard seating station. The lanyard seating assembly includes a lanyard press. The lanyard press includes a lanyard press tool having a pressing surface. The pressing surface is configured to engage a corresponding lanyard and press the corresponding lanyard into the housing to position the lanyard from the pre-seated position into the seated position within the housing.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for assembling an electrical connector is provided. The method supplies a carrier holding a plurality of housings and corresponding plurality of loops to a loop placement station. At the loop placement station, the method uses a loop press movable relative to the carrier to press the loops into the corresponding housings to a placement position. The loop press includes at least one pressing tool having at least one pressing surface configured to engage the loops and press them into the housings during actuation of the loop press. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a connector assembly machine according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a rear perspective view of an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a rear perspective view of a partially assembled electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment, showing the grommets in a pre-positioned position within the housing.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a cable ring mounting assembly according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 A method for assembling an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a connector assembly machine 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The connector assembly machine 100 is used to assemble electrical connectors 102 (such as...). Figure 2 and Figure 3 (As shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector 102 includes a housing 104 and a grommets 106 loaded into the housing 104. The housing 104 is configured to hold one or more contacts 108 terminated at the ends of corresponding wires 110. The contacts 108 may be signal contacts, ground contacts, or power contacts.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, multiple electrical connectors 102 may be manufactured simultaneously. For example, the electrical connectors 102 may be mass-produced. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 utilizes carriers 112 for carrying components of the electrical connectors 102 during the assembly process. For example, each carrier 112 may include multiple cavities holding a corresponding housing 104, and the electrical connectors 102 may be assembled in series or in parallel during the assembly process. For example, for various electrical connectors 102, the assembly steps may occur sequentially or concurrently.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets 106 provide sealed interfaces to the housing 104 and / or the contacts 108 and / or the wires 110. For example, the grommets 106 may be disposed at the rear of the housing 104 and include ports or openings through which the receiving contacts 108 and the wires 110 pass. The grommets 106 are configured to seal to the housing 104 at their outer periphery. The grommets 106 are configured to seal to the wires 110 at the ports through which the wires 110 pass. The grommets 106 may be rubber grommets.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, connector assembly machine 100 is used to install grommets 106 into housing 104 via an automated process. Connector assembly machine 100 is used to reduce assembly time, for example, compared to manual or hand-operated assembly of electrical connectors. Connector assembly machine 100 ensures reliable positioning of components during assembly. For example, connector assembly machine 100 ensures reliable positioning of grommets 106 within housing 104.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 includes one or more stations 120 for processing and / or assembling electrical connectors 102. Stations 120 may be incorporated into a single machine. For example, stations 120 may be incorporated into a single enclosure or cabinet and / or may be mounted to a common frame or base. In various other embodiments, stations 120 may be arranged in an assembly line, such as being incorporated into multiple machines at different locations within an assembly facility.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 includes a supply assembly 130 for supplying parts or components between various stations 120. The supply assembly 130 includes a supply device 132 configured to supply departure components between the various stations 120. In various embodiments, the supply device 132 may be a conveyor. In other various embodiments, the supply device 132 may be a parts handling robot, such as a robot including one or more articulated robotic arms configured to pick up and place parts or components.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 includes a housing loading assembly 140 at a housing loading station 142. The housing loading assembly 140 is configured to load a housing 104 into a corresponding cavity in a carrier 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing loading assembly 140 includes one or more housing loading means 144 for loading the housing 104 into the carrier 112. In an alternative embodiment, the housing 104 may initially be manually loaded into the carrier 112 instead of being automatically loaded using the housing loading assembly 140. For example, the connector assembly machine 100 may not include a housing loading assembly 140.

[0020] The housing loading device 144 may be a pick-and-place device, such as an articulated robotic arm for picking up and placing the housing 104, with a gripper or vacuum suction element at the end of the robotic arm. In other embodiments, the housing loading device 144 may be an insertion device with an insertion pin that is actuated to load the housing 104 into a cavity of the carrier 112. Other types of loading devices may be used to load the housing 104 into the carrier 112. Optionally, multiple housing loading devices 144 may be provided to load multiple housings 104 into the carrier 112 simultaneously. Alternatively, the housing loading assembly 140 may include a single housing loading device 144 that loads the housing 104 into different cavities of the carrier 112 as the supply assembly 130 moves the carrier 112 through the housing loading station 142.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 includes a slug loading assembly 150 at a slug loading station 152. The slug loading assembly 150 is configured to load slugs 106 into cavities or chambers of a corresponding housing 104. For example, the slug 106 may be loaded into a rear portion of the housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the slug loading assembly 150 includes one or more slug loading devices 154 for initially loading the slugs 106 into the housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the slug loading devices 154 partially load the slugs 106 into the housing 104 to a pre-positioned location. For example, the slugs 106 are only partially loaded into the housing 104 in the pre-positioned location. A portion of the slug 106 may protrude from the housing 104 and extend rearward from the rear end of the housing 104 in an anterior position. In an alternative embodiment, the slugs 106 may initially be manually assembled into the pre-positioned location instead of being automatically loaded using the slug loading assembly 150. For example, the connector assembly machine 100 may not have the cable ring loading assembly 150.

[0022] The sling loading device 154 may be a pick-and-place device, such as an articulated robotic arm having a gripper or vacuum suction element at the end of the robotic arm for picking up and placing the sling 106. In various other embodiments, the sling loading device 154 may be an insertion device with an insertion pin actuated to load the sling 106 into a cavity of the carrier 112. Other types of loading devices may be used to load the sling 106 into the carrier 112. Optionally, multiple sling loading devices 154 may be provided to load multiple slings 106 into the housing 104 simultaneously. Alternatively, the sling loading assembly 150 may include a single sling loading device 154 that loads the sling 106 into different cavities of the housing 104 as the supply assembly 130 moves the carrier 112 through the sling loading station 152.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly machine 100 includes a lanyard placement assembly 200 at a lanyard placement station 202. The lanyard placement assembly 200 is used to press a lanyard 106 into a corresponding housing 104 to fully assemble or seat the lanyard 106 within the housing 104. For example, the lanyard placement assembly 200 presses the lanyard 106 from a pre-seat position (at the lanyard loading assembly 150) into the housing 104 to a seated position. In an exemplary embodiment, the lanyard 106 is fully loaded into the housing 104 in the seated position. For example, the rear end of the lanyard 106 may be flush with or recessed into the rear end of the housing 104. The lanyard placement assembly 200 ensures proper positioning of the lanyard 106 within the housing 104 in a reliable and repeatable manner. The lanyard placement is performed automatically by the connector assembly machine 100 quickly, efficiently, accurately, and repeatedly. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets mounting assembly 200 is configured to simultaneously press a plurality of grommets 106 into their respective housings 104 at the grommets mounting station 202 to reduce cycle time, which reduces the total assembly time and increases the throughput of the connector assembly machine 100.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly 100 includes a contact termination assembly 160 at a contact termination station 162. The contact termination assembly 160 is configured to terminate a contact 108 to a wire 110. For example, the contact termination assembly 160 may be configured to crimp, braze, solder, or otherwise terminate the contact 108 to the end of the wire 110. The contact termination assembly 160 may be a termination device having a forming anvil and a crimping press configured to crimp the end of the contact 108 to the wire 110. In an alternative embodiment, the contact 108 may be manually terminated to the wire 110 instead of being automatically terminated using the contact termination assembly 160. For example, the connector assembly 100 may not include the contact termination assembly 160.

[0025] In an exemplary embodiment, the connector assembly 100 includes a contact loading assembly 170 at a contact loading station 172. The contact loading assembly 170 is configured to load contacts 108 and wires 110 into ports or openings passing through a grommets 106. The contact loading assembly 170 is configured to load contacts 108 into corresponding contact cavities within a housing 104 to complete the assembly of the electrical connector 102. Contacts 108 may be rear-loaded into the grommets 106 and pass through the grommets 106 into the contact cavities of the housing 104. The grommets 106 are configured to be sealed to contacts 108 and / or wires 110 as contacts 108 and wires 110 pass through ports in the grommets 106. In an exemplary embodiment, the contact loading assembly 170 includes one or more contact loading means 174 for loading contacts 108 into the grommets 106. In an alternative embodiment, the contacts can be manually loaded into the grommets 106 instead of being automatically loaded by the contact loading device 174. For example, the connector assembly machine 100 may not have the contact loading assembly 170.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a front perspective view of the electrical connector 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 3 This is a rear perspective view of the electrical connector 102 according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 4 This is a rear perspective view of the partially assembled electrical connector 102, showing the grommets 106 in a pre-positioned position within the housing 104 (e.g., before assembly via the grommets mounting assembly 200).

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the electrical connector 102 includes a housing 104 and a grommets 106 loaded into the housing 104. The housing 104 includes a contact channel 114 for retaining contacts 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical connector 102 is shown as a four-position connector (e.g., arranged in a 2×2 configuration) including four contacts 108. In alternative embodiments, the electrical connector 102 may include more or fewer contacts 108. In alternative embodiments, the contacts 108 may be arranged in other arrangements (e.g., different numbers of rows and / or columns of contacts 108). The contacts 108 may be signal contacts, ground contacts, or power contacts. A wire 110 extends from the rear of the electrical connector 102.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets 106 are configured to seal to the housing 104. For example, the grommets 106 include a peripheral seal 116 surrounding the outer periphery of the grommets 106. The dimensions and shape of the grommets 106 may be configured to conform to the inner surface of the rear cavity of the housing 104 to seal to the inner surface of the housing 104. The peripheral seal 116 is configured to... Figure 3When mating with housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets 106 are configured to seal to the wire 110 and / or contact 108 passing through the port 118 in the grommets 106. The grommets 106 may be made of rubber material or other suitable material configured to seal to housing 104 and wire 110.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a grommets positioning assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The grommets positioning assembly 200 is used to press grommets 106 into corresponding housings 104 to fully assemble or seat the grommets 106 within the housings 104. For example, the grommets positioning assembly 200 presses the grommets 106 from a pre-seat position into the housing 104 to a seat position. The grommets positioning assembly 200 ensures proper positioning of the grommets 106 within the housings 104 in a reliable and repeatable manner. Grommets positioning is performed automatically by the grommets positioning assembly 200 quickly, efficiently, accurately, and repeatedly. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets positioning assembly 200 is configured to simultaneously press multiple grommets 106 into corresponding housings 104 at grommets positioning station 202 to reduce cycle time, which reduces the overall assembly time and increases the throughput of the connector assembly machine 100.

[0030] The grommets seating assembly 200 includes a frame 210 supporting components of the grommets seating assembly 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets seating assembly 200 includes a grommets press 220 mounted to the frame 210. The grommets press 220 is configured to press grommets 106 into a housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets seating assembly 200 includes a carrier lifter 260 mounted to the frame 210. The carrier lifter 260 is configured to lift a carrier 112 toward the grommets presser 220. However, in alternative embodiments, the grommets seating assembly 200 may not include the carrier lifter 260. For example, the carrier 112 may be held in a stationary position within the grommets seating assembly 200 instead of being lifted or moved toward the grommets presser 220.

[0031] Frame 210 includes a plurality of walls or panels for supporting components of the grommets seating assembly 200. In an exemplary embodiment, frame 210 includes a base 212 at the bottom of the grommets seating assembly 200. Frame 210 includes a support wall 214 extending from the base 212. Frame 210 may include other walls or support elements.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the grommet mounting assembly 200 includes a loading area 216. The loading area 216 may be located above the base 212. The loading area 216 may be in a raised position above the base 212. A carrier 112 is configured to be positioned within the loading area 216. For example, a supply assembly 130 (such as...) Figure 1The (shown) container is configured to convey the carrier 112 to the loading area 216, for example, for processing by the sling press 220. The loading area 216 can be aligned with the sling press 220. The sling press 220 can move within the loading area 216 to engage with the sling 106, for example, to press the sling 106 into a seated position.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the grommet mounting assembly 200 includes a position sensor 218 at a loading area 216. The position sensor 218 is configured to sense the position of the carrier 112 in the loading area 216. The position sensor 218 may be a proximity sensor, RFID sensor, photoelectric sensor, capacitive sensor, mechanical switch, or another type of sensor configured to detect the presence or position of the carrier 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the grommet press 220 may be operated based on inputs (e.g., signals) from the position sensor 218. The carrier lift 260 may be operated based on inputs from the position sensor.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the grommets press 220 includes a support wall 222, a press head 230 movably coupled to the support wall 222, and an actuator 240 operably coupled to the press head 230. During use, the press head 230 moves to press the grommets 106 into the housing 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the press head 230 is slidably coupled to the support wall 222 to move in a linear sliding direction. For example, the press head 230 may move along a vertical axis. The press head 230 may move between an upper position and a lower position. The actuator 240 is operated to move the press head 230 between the upper position and the lower position. The actuator 240 may be a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, or another type of actuator. The actuator 240 may be operated based on an input signal from a position sensor 218. For example, when position sensor 218 detects that carrier 112 is in place on platform 262, actuator 240 can be operated to press down pressure head 230 to place sling 106 through sling press 220.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure head 230 includes a slider 232 and a guide rail 234. The guide rail 234 is mounted to the support wall 222. The slider is slidably coupled to the guide rail 234 and is movable along the guide rail 234 between an upper position and a lower position. Other types of movement control elements may be provided to allow and guide the movement of the pressure head 230.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the indenter 230 includes a tool holder 236 and one or more slug-pressing tools 238 coupled to the tool holder 236. The slug-pressing tools 238 are configured to hold slugs 106 in a seated position within a corresponding housing 104. The slug-pressing tools 238 are movable with the indenter 230, for example, when the indenter 230 moves from an upper position to a lower position. In various embodiments, the tool holder 236 includes a plurality of slug-pressing tools 238, such as a slug-pressing tool 238 associated with each slug 106.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the tool holder 236 holds eight loop pressing tools 238 arranged in a row. In alternative embodiments, more or fewer loop pressing tools 238 may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressing surfaces of the loop pressing tools 238 may be aligned along a common pressing plane. The pressing plane may be horizontally oriented. The pressing surfaces are configured to engage loops 106 at the pressing plane such that each of the loops 106 is configured to be pressed into the housing 104 to the same depth. In other embodiments, the loop pressing tools 238 may be arranged in multiple rows (e.g., staggered). Each loop pressing tool 238 includes a pressing surface configured to engage a corresponding loop(s) 106 and press the corresponding loop 106 into a corresponding housing(s) 104. The loop pressing tools 238 may move together as a unit to engage multiple loops 106 simultaneously. Therefore, the pressing action of the loops 106 can occur in a single action of the loop press 220 to reduce cycle time and increase productivity. In various other embodiments, the grommets 238 may include a plurality of pressing surfaces. For example, each grommets 238 may be configured to abut with a plurality of grommets 106.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the slug pressing tool 238 may be adjustable, such as to mate with different types of slugs 106 (e.g., slugs 106 of different sizes or thicknesses). In various embodiments, the tool holder 236 may hold different types of slug pressing tools 238 in various positions. Different types of slug pressing tools 238 are configured to mate with different types (e.g., different sizes and / or different shapes) of slugs 106, which are configured to be pressed into housings 104 of different types (e.g., different sizes and / or different shapes) configured to be held by the carrier 112.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the carrier lift 260 includes a platform 262 and an actuator 270. The platform 262 is configured to support the carrier 112, and the actuator 270 is operatively coupled to the platform 262. The actuator 270 is configured to lift the platform 262 from a lower position to an upper position to move the carrier 112 toward the grommets 238. In an exemplary embodiment, the platform 262 is slidably coupled to the frame 210, such as to one of the support walls 214. For example, the lift arm 264 may be slidably coupled to the support wall 214 to move the platform 262 relative to the frame 210, such as along a vertical axis. The actuator 270 is operated to move the platform 262 between the upper and lower positions. The actuator 270 may be a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, or another type of actuator. The actuator 270 may be coupled to the frame 210, for example, to a base 212. The actuator 270 can be operated based on the input signal from the position sensor 218. For example, when the position sensor 218 detects that the carrier 112 is in place on the platform 262, the actuator 270 can be operated to lift the platform 262 and thus the carrier 112 into a position in the loading area 216 for placement of the cable ring 106 by the cable ring press 220.

[0040] After the pressing operation, the sling press 220 can return to the nominal or upper position to release the sling 106. The carrier lift 260 can return to the nominal or lower position to release the carrier 112. The carrier 112 can then be removed from the loading area 216 by the supply assembly 130. For example, the carrier 112 can be conveyed to the next processing station. Once the carrier 112 is removed from the loading area 216, another carrier 112 can be moved into the loading area by the supply assembly 130 for processing.

[0041] Figure 6 A method for assembling an electrical connector according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0042] At 600, the method includes supplying a carrier holding multiple housings and corresponding multiple grommets to a grommet placement station. The carrier can be supplied to the grommet placement station via a supply assembly (e.g., a conveyor, an articulated robotic arm, or other type of feeder device).

[0043] Optionally, the method may include detecting the presence or position of the carrier in the cable loop mounting station. For example, a position sensor may be provided to detect the position of the carrier. Other processing steps may be performed based on signals from the position sensor.

[0044] At 602, the method includes lifting the carrier in an upward lifting direction to move the carrier toward the sluice pressing tool. The carrier can be lifted upward to properly position the carrier at a predetermined location in the sluice seat. For example, the carrier can be positioned at a predetermined vertical height to position the housing at a certain height relative to the sluice pressing device to ensure proper placement of the sluice within the housing.

[0045] At 604, the method includes pressing a sling into a corresponding housing to a seated position. The pressing operation can be performed by a sling press movable relative to a carrier. The sling press may include at least one pressing tool having at least one pressing surface configured to engage the sling and press it into the housing during actuation of the sling press. The sling press presses the sling from a pre-seated position into the housing to the seated position. The sling press ensures proper positioning of the sling in the housing in a reliable and repeatable manner. Sling placement is performed automatically by the sling press quickly, efficiently, accurately, and repeatedly. In an exemplary embodiment, the sling press is configured to simultaneously press multiple slings into corresponding housings at a sling placement station to reduce cycle time, which reduces overall assembly time and increases the throughput of the connector assembly machine.

[0046] Optionally, the pressing operation may include the step of actuating the pressure head between an upper position and a lower position along the vertical pressing direction to move the at least one pressing tool into engagement with the corresponding slug. The press operation may include the step of simultaneously pressing all slugs into the corresponding housings.

[0047] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. The dimensions, material types, orientations of various components, and the number and position of various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments and are by no means restrictive, but merely exemplary embodiments. After reading the above description, many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as concise English equivalents to the corresponding terms “comprising” and “wherein”. Furthermore, in the appended claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Furthermore, the limitations of the following claims are not written in the form of means plus function, and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.SC §112(f), unless and until such a claim limitation expressly uses the phrase “means for…” followed by a functional statement without further structure.

Claims

1. A connector assembly machine for an electrical connector, the electrical connector including a grommets located in a housing, the connector assembly machine comprising: A supply assembly, the supply assembly including a supply device configured to supply a carrier holding the housing and the grommets to a grommets placement station; A slug seating assembly at the slug seating station includes a slug press, the slug press including a support wall, a pressure head movably coupled to the support wall, and an actuator operably coupled to the pressure head to move the pressure head between an upper position and a lower position. The pressure head includes a slug pressing tool having a pressing surface configured to engage the slug and press it into the housing when the pressure head moves from the upper position to the lower position, thereby seating the slug in the housing in a seated position.

2. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The pressure head moves along the vertical pressing direction between the upper position and the lower position.

3. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The cable ring press includes a guide rail located between the press head and the support wall to guide the movement of the press head between the upper position and the lower position.

4. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The grommet mounting assembly includes a position sensor at the grommet mounting station, the position sensor being configured to sense the position of the carrier, and the actuator operating based on input from the position sensor.

5. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The slug pressing tool is a first slug pressing tool, and the pressing head includes a second slug pressing tool having a second pressing surface.

6. The connector assembly machine according to claim 5, wherein, The first and second slug pressing tools can move simultaneously with the pressing head to press the corresponding slugs into the corresponding housings.

7. The connector assembly machine according to claim 5, wherein, The first slug pressing tool is configured to press a slug of a first size into a housing of a first size, and the second slug pressing tool is configured to press a slug of a second size into a housing of a second size different from the slug of the first size.

8. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The grommet pressing tool is one of a plurality of grommets pressing tools used to simultaneously press multiple grommets into the corresponding housing.

9. The connector assembly machine according to claim 8, wherein, Each of the grommets has a corresponding pressing surface aligned along a pressing plane configured to press the grommets into a common depth within the corresponding housing.

10. The connector assembly machine according to claim 8, wherein, The indenter includes a tool holder that holds the plurality of loop pressing tools relative to the indenter.

11. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The sling seat assembly further includes a carrier lifter having a platform and an actuator. The platform is configured to support the carrier, and the actuator is operatively coupled to the platform to lift the platform from a lower position to an upper position, thereby moving the carrier toward the sling pressing tool.

12. The connector assembly machine according to claim 11, wherein, The grommets mounting assembly includes a position sensor configured to sense the position of the carrier, and the carrier lift operates based on input from the position sensor.

13. The connector assembly machine according to claim 1, wherein, The feeder includes one of a conveyor or a robotic arm configured to move the carrier portion.

14. A connector assembly machine for electrical connectors, the connector assembly machine comprising: A supply assembly, the supply assembly including a supply device configured to supply a carrier to a shell loading station, a sling loading station and a sling placement station; A housing loading assembly at the housing loading station is configured to load the housing into a corresponding cavity in the carrier. At the sling loading station, a sling loading assembly is configured to load slings into the housing to a pre-positioned location; and The sling seat assembly at the sling seat station includes a sling press, which includes a sling pressing tool with a pressing surface configured to engage a corresponding sling and press the corresponding sling into the housing to seat the sling from the pre-seat position in the housing at the seat position.

15. The connector assembly machine according to claim 14, wherein, The grommets press includes a support wall, a press head movably coupled to the support wall, and an actuator operably coupled to the press head to move the press head between an upper position and a lower position. The press head holds the grommets pressing tool. The grommets press is configured to engage the grommets and press them into the housing when the press head moves from the upper position to the lower position, so that the grommets are seated in the housing at the seated position.

16. The connector assembly machine according to claim 14, wherein, The sling seat assembly further includes a carrier lifter having a platform and an actuator. The platform is configured to support the carrier, and the actuator is operatively coupled to the platform to lift the platform from a lower position to an upper position, thereby moving the carrier toward the sling pressing tool.

17. A method of assembling an electrical connector, comprising: The multiple housings and their corresponding multiple cable rings will be supplied to the cable ring placement station; At the sling seat, a sling press capable of moving relative to the carrier presses the sling into the corresponding housing to the seat position. The sling press includes at least one pressing tool having at least one pressing surface configured to engage the sling and press it into the housing during actuation of the sling press.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The step of pressing the grommets into the corresponding housings includes: actuating a pressure head in the vertical pressing direction between an upper position and a lower position to move the at least one pressing tool to engage the corresponding grommets.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, The step of pressing the loops into the corresponding housings includes pressing all the loops into the corresponding housings simultaneously.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising lifting the carrier in an upward lifting direction to move the carrier toward the grommets pressing tool.

Images