Comb loader for electrical cable crimping or, in general, processing machines

Description

[0001] The present patent relates to devices for electrical wiring and in particular concerns a new comb loader with an improved selective cable gripping system for crimping machines or for the processing of electric cables in general.

[0002] Devices for the wiring of electrical connectors by perforating the insulating sheath are known in the prior art. These devices consist of connectors configured to be connected to the conductor of an electrical cable by means of a process that forces one or more blades through the insulating sheath of the cable, without requiring the sheath to be stripped to carry out the connection.

[0003] The prior art also includes automated devices which perform this type of wiring by loading the cables on comb loaders, where multiple cables are properly aligned for the subsequent wiring of their ends protruding from one side of the comb loader.

[0004] Italian patent 102019000002377 and the application WO2020 / 170119 by the same applicant relate to an automated system for the wiring of connectors equipped with comb loaders.

[0005] Comb loaders are normally made of a support with a plurality of narrow teeth, arranged side by side in a row and parallel to each other, and between which the cables to be processed are positioned.

[0006] The teeth of comb loaders of the prior art are generally substantially narrow, just a few millimeters wide, and hold the cables with a gripping effect. Due to the small size of the teeth, the sheath of the cables that are inserted between them can be cut, damaged, or even severed.

[0007] Furthermore, known loaders require suitable tools, or pincers, to grasp the cable in order to extract it from the comb, thus further increasing the risk of damaging the cable.

[0008] EP 0628973 A1 discloses a comb loader for electric cables comprising a fixed double comb with a spring-loaded movable comb between them to provided a clamping force on the loaded cables.

[0009] The present patent relates to a new type of comb connector with an improved selective cable gripping system for crimping machines or for the processing of electric cables in general.

[0010] The main object of the present invention is to selectively hold one or more cables in position without damaging them.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to selectively have a gripping or closed configuration, where a cable can be held between the teeth of the comb, and an open configuration, where a cable can be positioned between the teeth of the comb without being constrained and where it remains free to slide or to be removed from the comb.

[0012] These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new comb loader with an improved selective gripping system, for the crimping of terminals or for the processing of electric cables in general.

[0013] The new comb loader comprises a support on which at least one comb assembly is mounted, where said comb assembly in turn comprises: a first comb, or fixed comb, constrained to the support; a second comb, or movable comb, constrained to the support and where said fixed and movable combs are configured and positioned so that the teeth of the fixed comb are aligned and alternating with the teeth of the movable comb so as to form a plurality of pairs of teeth, each pair of which is formed by one tooth of the fixed comb and one tooth of the movable comb, and where the space between said pair of teeth is the space for inserting an electric cable.

[0014] The loader also comprises means for moving at least said movable comb with respect to said fixed comb to selectively vary the width of said insertion space, that is, the distance between the teeth of each of the aforementioned pairs.

[0015] In particular, said movable comb is constrained to said support so that it can be selectively translated with respect to the fixed comb between: at least one open position, where the movable comb and the fixed comb are positioned in such a way as to maximize said insertion space, allowing the insertion, extraction and sliding of at least one cable between the teeth; and at least one closed position, where the movable comb and the fixed comb are positioned in such a way as to reduce said insertion space, locking any cable inserted between the teeth.

[0016] In fact, each pair of teeth, one fixed and one movable, create a sort of pincer, which closes to hold the inserted cable and opens to release it.

[0017] Each of said teeth of said fixed comb and of said movable comb are furthermore specially configured so as not to damage the cables when they are secured between them. In particular, each tooth of the fixed comb has at least one surface intended to face a corresponding surface of a tooth of said movable comb, and where said surface has a width of preferably at least 5 mm, so that, in the closed position, said tooth surfaces press on the cable sheath ideally along a sufficiently extended contact line, thus reducing the pressure on the sheath on a limited area and consequently the risk of damage to the sheath itself.

[0018] Each of said teeth may preferably be flexible, so that each pair of teeth closes on a cable placed between them, further reducing the risk of damage to the cable itself.

[0019] At least one of said comb assemblies may be elastically constrained to said support in order to enable the free oscillation of one of said comb components with respect to the other at least in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the comb rests.

[0020] The characteristics of the present invention will be better clarified by the following description with reference to the drawings, attached by way of a non-limiting example. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of the comb loader (100) in its closed configuration (A), where a cable (C) is held between the teeth of both combs. Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional view of the comb loader (100) in its open configuration (B), where a cable (C) is inserted in an unconstrained way between the teeth of both combs. Figures 2a and 2b show a detail of the teeth only, respectively in the closed position (A), where they hold a cable (C), and in the open position (B), where they do not constrain the cable (C) inserted between them. Figure 3 shows a partially sectioned side view of the comb loader (100), where the elastic means (90) which allow the vertical oscillation of at least one comb assembly are visible. Figure 4 shows a partial exploded view of the comb loader (100), showing the two separate combs (21, 22) comprising the comb assembly (20). Figure 5 shows only the combs (21, 22) comprising the comb assembly (20), and the means for translating the movable comb (22) towards the fixed comb (21).

[0021] The new comb loader (100) comprises a support (10) on which at least one comb assembly (20, 30) is mounted, where said comb assembly (20, 30) in turn comprises: a first comb, or fixed comb (21, 31), constrained to said support (10); a second comb, or movable comb (22, 32), where said fixed (21, 31) and movable (22, 32) combs are configured and positioned so that the teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21, 31) are aligned and alternating with the teeth (221) of the movable comb (22, 32) along a main direction (X), so as to make up a plurality of pairs (23) of teeth.

[0022] Each pair (23) of teeth is therefore comprised of a tooth (211) of the fixed comb (21, 31) and a tooth (221) of the movable comb (22, 32), and where the space (S) between said teeth (211, 221) of a pair (23) is the insertion space for an electric cable.

[0023] The comb loader (100) further comprises means (40) for moving at least said movable comb (22, 32) with respect to said fixed comb (21, 31) to selectively vary the width of said insertion space (S), that is, the distance between the teeth (211, 221) of each pair (23).

[0024] In particular, said movable comb (22, 32) is constrained to said support (10) so that it can be selectively translated with respect to the fixed comb (21, 31) parallel to said main direction (X) between: at least one open position (B), where the movable comb (22, 32) and the fixed comb (21, 31) are in a position that maximizes the insertion space (S1), enabling the insertion, extraction, and sliding of at least one cable (C) between the teeth; and at least one closed position (A), where the movable comb (22, 32) and the fixed comb (21, 31) are in a position that reduces said insertion space (S), constraining any cable (C) placed between the teeth.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, said movable comb (22) is constrained to the corresponding fixed comb (21) by means of a fixing plate (70) constrained to said fixed comb (21), and where the body (220) of the movable comb (22) is inserted between the fixed comb (21) and said plate (70) in a sliding manner, that is, in such a way that it can translate parallel to the fixed comb (21), along said main direction (X).

[0026] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, said combs (21, 22) comprising the comb assembly (20) are specially configured so that, once properly assembled, they actually become a compact body with a movable part, that is, the movable comb (22) and a fixed part, that is, the fixed comb (21).

[0027] In particular, said fixed comb (21) has a substantially C-shaped section, with a recess (210) designed to house the body (220) of the movable comb (22). Furthermore, the teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21) comprise an upper part (214), designed to come into direct contact with the cable (C) to be constrained, protruding with respect to said recess (210).

[0028] Said movable comb (22), in contrast, has a substantially inverted L-shaped section, where the body (220) of the movable comb (22) is housed in said recess (210) of the fixed comb (21), while the upper part (224) of the teeth (221) of the movable comb (22) protrude with respect to the body (220) towards said teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21).

[0029] The lower part (215, 225) of said teeth (211, 221) of said fixed comb (21) and movable comb (22) is preferably flexible, so as to further limit the risk of damage to the cables (C) when they are constrained.

[0030] Thanks to the special configuration, said teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21) mesh with the teeth (221) of the movable comb (22), thus they are aligned along said main direction (X).

[0031] In the embodiment shown in the figures, said comb loader (100) comprises two of said comb assemblies (20, 30) positioned parallel to each other, and wherein the fixed comb (21, 31) of each assembly is constrained to said support (10), which is for example in a central position, while the movable comb (22, 32) of each assembly (20, 30) is constrained to said support (10) so that it can be selectively translated with respect to the corresponding fixed comb (21, 31) of the same assembly (20, 30) as described above.

[0032] Said comb loader (100) comprises means (40) for selectively moving both movable combs (22, 32) of the two comb assemblies (20, 30) in the same, synchronized way.

[0033] In the preferred embodiment, said means (40) comprise an eccentric connection between at least one shaft (50) and said movable combs (22, 32), so that the rotation of said shaft (50) causes the simultaneous and corresponding translation of said movable combs (22, 32) between the closed position (A) and the open position (B) and vice versa.

[0034] In the example shown in the figures, said shaft (50) is mounted in said support (10) and rotates eccentrically inside a hole or seat (24) made on each of said movable combs (22, 32).

[0035] Said shaft (50) is, for example, directly or indirectly connected to an actuation lever (60), also preferably mounted on said support (10), with which it is possible to manoeuvre the position of said shaft (50).

[0036] Each of said teeth (211, 221) of said fixed comb (21) and of said movable comb (22) are also specially configured not to damage the cables (C) when they are constrained between them. In particular, each tooth (211) of the fixed comb (21) has at least one first surface (212) designed to face a corresponding first surface (222) of a tooth (221) of said movable comb (22, 32), and wherein said first surfaces preferably have a width of at least 5 mm, so that, in the closed position (A) shown in detail in Figure 2a, said first surfaces (212, 222) of the teeth (211, 221) press the cable (C) ideally along a sufficiently extended contact line, thus reducing the pressure on a limited area of the sheath and consequently the risk of damage to the sheath itself.

[0037] To optimize the geometry of the comb loader (100), each tooth (211, 221) of said fixed combs (21, 31) and movable combs (22, 32) comprises a second surface (213, 223) opposite said first surface (212, 222) and configured so as to be able to be opposed and in contact with the corresponding second surface (223, 213) of the neighboring tooth (221, 211).

[0038] For example, said second surfaces (213, 223) of the teeth (211, 221) are flat.

[0039] In this way, when said combs (21, 31, 22, 32) are in the open configuration, the teeth (211, 221) can be in contact with each other on the side of said second surface (213, 223), maximizing said space (S1) for inserting the cables (C).

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, at least one of said comb assemblies (30) may also be constrained to said support (10) by means of elastic means (90) so as to enable the free oscillation of one of said comb assemblies (30) with respect to the other (20) at least in one direction (Z) orthogonal to the main direction (X) in which the combs (21, 22, 31, 33) are positioned, that is, in the direction in which the teeth (211, 221) are aligned.

[0041] For example, said positioning direction (X) is horizontal, and therefore the oscillation direction (Z) of said comb assembly (20, 30) is vertical.

[0042] Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and the attached drawings the following claims are made.

Claims

1. Comb loader (100) for electric cables (C) for crimping machines or for the processing of electric cables in general, comprising a support (10) on which at least one comb assembly (20, 30) is mounted, wherein said comb assembly (20, 30) in turn comprises at least one comb, or fixed comb (21, 31), equipped with a plurality of teeth (211) side by side and aligned in a main direction of the comb (X), wherein said comb assembly (20, 30) also comprises a second comb, or movable comb (22, 32), and wherein said fixed combs (21, 31) and movable combs (22, 32) are configured and positioned so that the teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21, 31) are aligned and alternating with the teeth (221) of the movable comb (22, 32) along a main direction (X), so as to comprise a plurality of pairs (23) of teeth, each pair (23) of which is comprised of one tooth (211) of the fixed comb (21, 31) and one tooth (221) of the movable comb (22, 32), and where the space (S) between said teeth (211, 221) of a pair (23) is the space for inserting an electric cable, and where said comb loader (100) also comprises means (40) to move at least said movable comb (22, 32) with respect to said fixed comb (21, 31) to selectively change the width of said insertion space (S), that is, the distance between the teeth (211, 221) of each pair (23).

2. Comb loader (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable comb (22, 32) is constrained to said support (10) so that it can be selectively translated with respect to the fixed comb (21, 31) along said main direction (X) between: - at least one open position (B), where the movable comb (22, 32) and the fixed comb (21, 31) are in a position that maximizes the insertion space (S1), enabling the insertion, extraction, and sliding of at least one cable (C) between the teeth; - at least one closed position (A), where the movable comb (22, 32) and the fixed comb (21, 31) are in a position that reduces said insertion space (S), constraining any cable (C) placed between the teeth.

3. Comb loader (100) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that: - said fixed comb (21) has a substantially inverted C or inverted L-shaped section, with a recess (210) designed to house the body (220) of the movable comb (22), while an upper part (214) of the teeth (211), designed to come into direct contact with the cable (C) to be constrained, protrudes with respect to said recess (210) towards said movable comb (22); - said movable comb (22) has a substantially inverted L-shaped section, where the body (220) of the movable comb (22) is housed in said recess (210) of the fixed comb (21), while the upper part (224) of the teeth (221) of the movable comb (22) protrude with respect to the body (220) towards said teeth (211) of the fixed comb (21), such that said upper parts (214, 224) of the teeth (211, 212) are aligned along said main direction (X) and alternate with each other.

4. Comb loader (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower part (215, 225) of said teeth (211, 221) of said fixed combs (21) and movable combs (22) is flexible.

5. Comb loader (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two of said comb assemblies (20, 30) positioned parallel to each other, and where the fixed comb (21, 31) of each assembly is constrained to said support (10), while the movable comb (22, 32) of each assembly (20, 30) is constrained to said support (10) so as to translate selectively with respect to the corresponding fixed comb (21, 31) of the same assembly (20, 30).

6. Comb loader (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means (40) for selectively moving both movable combs (22, 32) of said two comb assemblies (20, 30) in the same synchronized manner.

7. Comb loader (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means (40) comprise an eccentric connection between at least one shaft (50) and said movable comb (22, 32) of said at least one comb assembly (20, 30), such that the rotation of said shaft (50) causes the translation of said movable comb (22, 32) between the closed position (A) and the open position (B) and vice versa.

8. Comb loader (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that said shaft (50) is directly or indirectly connected to an actuation lever (60).

9. Comb loader (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said teeth (211, 221) of said fixed comb (21) has at least one surface (212) designed to face a corresponding surface (222) of a tooth (221) of said movable comb (22, 32), and where said surfaces preferably have a width of at least 5 mm.

10. Comb loader (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of said comb assemblies (30) is constrained to said support (10) by elastic means (90) which enable the free oscillation of one of said comb assemblies (30) with respect to the other (20) and / or with respect to the support (10) at least in one direction (Z) orthogonal to the main direction (X) of the combs (21, 22, 31, 33).