Crimping tool and method for crimping crimp sleeves

Abstract

To provide a crimping tool, in particular for a crimp applicator or a crimping machine, for crimping a crimp sleeve, in particular a crimp sleeve of an electrical crimping terminal.SOLUTION: A crimping tool 1 includes a plurality of sub-tools 10 movable against each other, where each sub-tool 10 has a mechanically effective sub-crimp surface 110 global to the sub-tool 10 for partial crimping of the crimp sleeve. At least one sub-tool 10, in particular exactly two or at least two sub-tools 10, has a local measuring location insertion device 130 in the relevant global sub-crimp surface 110, and the local measuring location insertion device 130 allows a measuring location to be incorporated into the crimp sleeve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crimping tool, in particular a crimping tool for a crimp applicator or crimping machine, and to a pre-assembled electrical cable. The present invention also relates to a method for crimping a crimp sleeve and a method for measuring crimp dimensions for quality assurance. The present invention also relates to a crimp applicator or crimping machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In the electrical field (electronics, electrical engineering, electricity, power engineering, etc.), numerous electrical connection means, connection devices, sockets, tabs, prongs, pins, and / or hybrid connectors are known, which are used to transmit current, voltage, signal, and / or data over a wide range of currents, voltages, frequencies, and / or data rates. In the low, medium, and high voltage and / or current ranges, and particularly in the automotive field (low and high voltage ranges), such connectors must ensure short-term and / or permanent uninterrupted transmission of power, signals, and data in warm, possibly hot, polluted, humid, wet, and / or chemically aggressive environments. Due to the wide range of applications, numerous specialized connectors are known.

[0003] The electrical terminals of such connectors are often configured as so-called crimp terminals, with the associated crimp terminals being crimped onto an electrical cable, such as a stranded electrical cable or the wires of a cable. Crimping is a joining process in which the crimp terminal and the cable are tightly connected to each other, for example, by plastic deformation of the crimp sleeve (crimping part) of the crimp terminal. This can be achieved, for example, by drawing, flanging, kinking, and / or folding. Such a connection is difficult to break and ensures a high level of electrical safety and mechanical stability.

[0004] In the industrial field, crimp connections are usually formed using crimping machines (automatic crimping machines, fully automatic crimping machines, automatic cable assembly machines, etc.). Such crimping machines can be used, for example, to process crimp terminals in the form of strip-like articles, to ensure high productivity and high quality. In addition to other devices, crimping machines naturally include crimping tools, for example, crimp applicators of the crimping machine, for forming the crimp connection between the cable and the crimp sleeve of the crimp terminal.

[0005] To ensure consistently high quality when using a crimping tool, it is necessary to measure the crimp diameter of the crimp sleeves placed using this crimping tool. This can be done, for example, for all relevant crimp sleeves formed (especially some conductor crimp sleeves, insulation crimp sleeves), for only certain selected crimp sleeves (e.g. every 10th, 50th, 100th), or for randomly selected crimp sleeves. Such a crimping tool has, for example, at least one crimping punch and at least one crimping anvil as sub-tools for segmented radial crimping (SRC), preferably an even number, especially identical pressing segments, etc. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to ensure and preferably increase the quality of installed crimp connections, in particular installed conductor crimp connections. On the one hand, it should be possible to quickly and easily measure the crimp diameter of the crimp connection, and on the other hand, it should be possible to set the crimp diameter of an installed first crimp sleeve relative to one another, at least within one batch, in such a way that they can be compared, as far as possible, with the crimp diameter of any second crimp sleeve of this batch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problem of the present invention is solved by a crimping tool, in particular for a crimp applicator or crimping machine, for crimping crimp sleeves, in particular crimp sleeves of electrical crimp terminals, by a pre-assembled electric cable, in particular for the automotive sector, by a method for crimping crimp sleeves of electrical crimp terminals onto conductors of an electric cable, by a method for measuring crimp dimensions, in particular crimp diameters, for quality assurance purposes, and further by a crimp applicator or crimping machine for establishing at least one crimp connection between an electrical crimp terminal and a conductor, according to the independent claims.

[0008] The features of this specification are applicable regardless, in particular the positive / negative shapes of the crimping tools (sub-tools) are interchangeable with the negative / positive shapes of the crimping sleeves. Advantageous developments, further features and / or advantages of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0009] The crimping tool according to the invention comprises a plurality of sub-tools movable relative to one another, each of which has a mechanically effective partial crimping surface that is global to the sub-tool for partial crimping of the crimping sleeve, and at least one sub-tool, in particular exactly two or at least two sub-tools, has a local measuring location insertion device on its relevant global sub-crimp surface, by means of which a measuring location can be applied to the crimping sleeve.

[0010] The crimping tool can be configured as an automatic or manual crimping tool. In the former case, the crimping machine comprising the crimping tool can be configured as an automatic crimping machine, a fully automatic crimping machine, an automatic cable assembly machine, etc. The crimping sleeve is generally part of the means or device to be crimped, in particular an electrical crimp terminal, i.e. a terminal that can be crimped onto a cable. Naturally, the crimping sleeve can also be configured as an insulating crimping sleeve. In its uncrimped state, the crimping sleeve can be configured as a circumferentially closed or open crimping sleeve. Terms equivalent to the term "crimping sleeve" include, for example, "crimping part".

[0011] The crimping tool may have at least two sub-tools for a single crimp connection, in particular a crimping anvil and at least one crimping punch. In particular, the crimping tool may be configured at least partially as a die crimping tool. Alternatively, the crimping tool for a single crimp connection may have a plurality of sub-tools, in particular an even number of sub-tools, arranged in the circumferential direction of the crimping tool. In this case, the sub-tools may be completely arranged in the circumferential direction, except for the necessary gaps between the sub-tools.

[0012] The crimping tool can be configured as a segmented radial crimping tool with a plurality of sub-tools, in particular an even number of sub-tools, in which all or all minus a single sub-tool are arranged in the crimping tool so as to be movable back and forth in the respective radial direction of the crimping tool (star arrangement). The crimping tool can, for example, be formed as an SRC crimping tool (SRC: Segmented Radial Crimp).

[0013] The relevant partial crimping surface can be formed as a surface portion that is preferably a single curved surface or a straight plane in its overall extent, or as a preferably straight portion of a side of the rotating body, in particular a cylindrical side surface, or as a substantially smooth partial crimping surface.

[0014] The measurement site insertion devices can provide measurement sites on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve in the circumferential and / or axial direction of the crimping sleeve. The measurement site insertion devices can be arranged as negative or positive shapes on the global partial crimping surface. Furthermore, at least two sub-tools arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the crimping tool can each have a measurement site insertion device. Preferably, the at least two measurement site insertion devices are arranged at approximately the same axial position of the crimping tool.

[0015] The measurement site insertion devices can be arranged on the associated sub-tool in such a way that the resulting measurement sites that can be applied to the crimping sleeve are formed as substantially planar (straight plane part) measurement surfaces or substantially convex measurement sites on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve. Naturally, two planar measurement surfaces or two convex measurement sites can be preferably introduced radially in circumferential regions of the crimping sleeve on diametrically opposite sides. In any case, more than two measurement sites, for example four measurement sites, can also be introduced. For this purpose, the crimping tool has a corresponding number of measurement site insertion devices on diametrically opposite sub-tools.

[0016] Furthermore, the measurement site insertion device may be arranged on the associated sub-tool in such a way that the measurement sites provided on the crimping sleeve can be applied between two crimping ribs that may appear immediately next to each other in the circumferential direction of the crimping sleeve. Additionally or alternatively, the measurement sites that can be provided on the crimping sleeve may be applied to the crimping sleeve at predetermined axial and / or circumferential positions.

[0017] The measurement site insertion device may be arranged in the associated sub-tool as a circumferentially extending groove, preferably having a linear or tangential groove base. The groove may extend from the associated sub-tool on one or both circumferential sides and / or may be limited by the sub-tool. In this case, it is understood that the measurement site insertion device is arranged in a negative shape on the associated sub-tool. Furthermore, the measurement site insertion device may be arranged in the associated sub-tool as a protrusion, preferably located in the circumferential center. In this case, it is understood that the measurement site insertion device is arranged in a positive shape on the associated sub-tool. Furthermore, the measurement site insertion device may be arranged approximately in the axial center of the associated sub-tool.

[0018] The measurement site can be integrally formed in the crimping sleeve by the measurement site insertion device. Furthermore, the measurement site can be formed from the material of the crimping sleeve by the measurement site insertion device. The crimping tool can be configured such that the crimping method according to the invention can be performed or is performed by the crimping tool.

[0019] The assembled cable according to the invention comprises an electric wire and an electric crimp terminal, the crimp terminal having a crimp sleeve, the crimp terminal being crimped onto the electric wire, in particular onto the conductors of the electric wire, by means of the crimp sleeve, the crimp sleeve having at least one local measurement site, in particular exactly two or at least two local measurement sites, for determining the crimp dimension, in particular the crimp diameter, of the crimp sleeve.

[0020] The crimp sleeve may have at least two measurement sites located on diametrically opposite sides of the crimp sleeve. The at least two measurement sites may each be located approximately in the axial center of the crimp sleeve. The associated measurement sites may also be applied to the crimp sleeve as positive or negative shapes. The measurement sites may be located between two axial portions of the pressing part of the crimp sleeve.

[0021] The single measurement site may be arranged on the outer surface of the crimp sleeve as a substantially planar or substantially convex measurement surface. Furthermore, the single measurement site may be arranged between two immediately adjacent crimp ribs in the circumferential direction of the crimp sleeve. Furthermore, the single measurement site may be arranged at a predetermined axial position of the crimp sleeve and / or at a predetermined circumferential position of the crimp sleeve.

[0022] The single measurement site may be applied to the crimp sleeve as a web extending in the circumferential direction of the crimp sleeve, preferably with a linear or tangential extent. In this case, the measurement site is, of course, applied to the crimp sleeve as a positive shape. The measurement surface of the web may be limited in the circumferential direction by two adjacent crimp ribs or may almost completely bridge them. In the former case, the crimp ribs are still clearly recognizable in the region of the web, while in the latter case, the crimp ribs are no longer recognizable as ribs in the region of the web, and the web almost completely fills the circumferential space between the crimp ribs. The single measurement site may also be provided as a substantially convex measurement site on the outer surface of the crimp sleeve. Furthermore, the crimp sleeve may be crimped onto a conductor using the crimping method according to the invention.

[0023] In the crimping method according to the invention, an axially extending crimping sleeve is crimped onto the conductor by a crimping tool, in particular a crimping applicator or crimping machine, and during crimping of the crimping sleeve onto the conductor, a pressing portion is applied to the crimping sleeve by at least one sub-tool of the crimping tool, in particular exactly two or at least two sub-tools, and a local measurement site is formed in the crimping sleeve at the pressing portion.

[0024] The measurement sites can be formed in the crimp sleeve by positive / negative shapes of the sub-tool and / or by plastic working of the material of the crimp sleeve. A positive shape is in particular a material protrusion in the global partial crimping surface of the sub-tool, and a negative shape is in particular a material recess in the global partial crimping surface of the sub-tool. The positive / negative shape in the global partial crimping surface of the sub-tool can be formed as a local measurement site insertion device, by which the measurement site is formed in the crimp sleeve. The measurement site insertion device can be formed as described above.

[0025] Two measurement sites may be formed on the crimping sleeve in circumferential regions located on opposite sides of the crimping sleeve in the radial direction of the crimping sleeve, the measurement sites preferably being formed as planar or convex measurement surfaces. Planar measurement surfaces can here be introduced as webs (see above) into the pressing part of the crimping sleeve, such webs preferably extending tangentially in a straight line and preferably extending in the circumferential direction of the crimping sleeve. Convex measurement surfaces (see above) can be applied to the crimping sleeve as substantially convex measurement sites. Naturally, both the webs and the measurement sites are accessible from the outer surface of the crimping sleeve.

[0026] When the crimping sleeve is positioned, an axial crimping rib can be arranged on the crimping sleeve between every two axial pressing portions of the crimping sleeve. Furthermore, when the crimping sleeve is positioned, a single measurement site can be arranged between two immediately adjacent crimping ribs in the circumferential direction of the crimping sleeve. Preferably, this is the only measurement site between immediately adjacent crimping ribs. Furthermore, the measurement site can be arranged on the pressing portion so that the pressing portion is divided into two axial portions of approximately equal length. This means, for example, that the measurement site is a web or a convex measurement site, i.e., the measurement site is arranged in the center of the pressing portion.

[0027] When crimping the crimping sleeve onto the conductor, the pressing portion between the two crimping ribs may have a smooth design. This naturally also applies to the measuring portion. The method may be configured as a method for assembling an electric cable, and the assembled cable may be configured as a cable assembled according to the present invention. Here, it is naturally the case that the crimping sleeve of the electric crimp terminal is crimped onto the conductor of the cable according to the assembling method according to the present invention. The method for crimping the crimping sleeve may be followed in time by the method for measuring the crimped dimensions according to the present invention. In this case, the measuring method may substantially follow the crimping method immediately after it or, possibly with a significant time delay and / or a change of location.

[0028] In the measuring method according to the invention, the crimp dimension of a crimped sleeve crimped onto a conductor is measured by applying measuring fingers of a measuring device to the outer surface of the pressing part of the crimping sleeve, the measuring fingers being applied to local measuring sites of the pressing part, which are formed as flat or convex measuring surfaces on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve. Preferably, two measuring fingers are applied to such local measuring sites, which are formed on two radially opposite sides of the outer surface of the crimping sleeve. Furthermore, the measuring sites, the crimping sleeve, or the crimping sleeve of the assembled cable can be configured as described above.

[0029] The present invention will be described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic drawings, which are not to scale. Parts, elements, components, units, elements and / or patterns having identical, unique or similar configurations and / or functions are identified by the same reference signs in the description of the figures (see below), the list of reference signs, the claims and in each of the figures of the drawings. Further clues can be obtained from the list of reference signs and / or the description of the figures as to possible alternatives, static and / or kinematic inversions, combinations etc. of the exemplary embodiments of the invention or its components, patterns, units, components, elements or parts that are not described in the description of the invention (see above), not shown in the drawings and / or are inconclusive.

[0030] In the present invention, features (parts, elements, components, units, elements, functions, variables, etc.) can be explicit, i.e., present, or implicit, i.e., absent. In this specification (description (description of the invention (see above), description of the figures (see below)), list of reference signs, claims, drawings), implicit features are not explicitly described as features, unless their absence is valued according to the present invention. In other words, the invention, which is actually performed and not interpreted in a way that is in line with the prior art, consists in omitting said features.

[0031] Features herein may be used not only in a particular manner and / or way, but also in other manners and / or ways (separate, combined, substituted, added, alone, omitted, etc.). In particular, in the description, list of reference signs, claims, and / or drawings, it is possible to substitute, add, or omit features in the claims and / or description based on the reference signs and features assigned thereto, and vice versa. Furthermore, features in the claims may be construed and / or specified in more detail as a result.

[0032] The features of the present description may also be interpreted as optional features (in light of the prior art (which was initially largely unknown)). That is, each feature may be considered optional, arbitrary, or preferred, i.e., not required. This allows for the separation of features from exemplary embodiments, possibly including their peripheries, and then converting said features into generalized inventive concepts. The absence of a feature in an exemplary embodiment (a latent feature) is considered optional in the context of the present invention (to those skilled in the art). Furthermore, in the case of feature type terms, the general term for the feature may also be implicitly understood (possibly with further hierarchical decomposition into classes, etc.), thereby allowing for the generalization of the feature in light of comparable effects and / or equivalents.

[0033] In the drawings, schematic diagrams are shown purely by way of example. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] 1 is a side perspective view of a prior art crimp terminal showing a crimp sleeve crimped onto a conductor; [Figure 2] 1 is a cross-sectional end view of the prior art showing a crimp sleeve of a crimp terminal crimped onto a conductor; [Figure 3] 1 is an axial perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing a sub-tool of a crimping tool in isolation; FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the crimp sleeve when crimped. [Figure 5] 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention showing an inventive crimp sleeve of a crimp terminal for a cable formed by an inventive crimping method; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the crimp sleeve of an assembled cable according to the present invention placed over the conductors. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the crimp sleeve of an assembled cable according to the present invention placed over the conductors. [Figure 8]FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention showing the crimp sleeve of an assembled cable according to the present invention placed over the conductors. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of the prior art (FIGS. 1 and 2) and with reference to exemplary embodiments of a crimping tool 1 (FIGS. 3 and 4), pre-assembled cables (FIGS. 5 to 8), a method for crimping a crimp sleeve 50, in particular a crimp sleeve 50 (for a conductor) of an electrical crimp terminal (FIGS. 4 and 5), and a method for measuring the crimp dimension D (FIGS. 6 to 8). Naturally, the invention is also applicable to other crimping tools, other pre-assembled cables, or other crimping and / or measuring methods.

[0036] The present invention will be further described and illustrated in more detail as preferred exemplary embodiments, but the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather is of a more fundamental nature. Other variants can be derived therefrom and / or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The present invention applies generally to the electrical field, i.e., for example, in the case of electrical entities, it can be applied not only to the automotive field but also to non-automotive fields.

[0037] 1 to 8 show only those physical parts of the subject matter of the invention that are necessary for understanding the invention. The designations connector and mating connector, terminal and mating terminal, etc. are to be construed as synonymous, i.e. as interchangeable with each other. The description of the invention based on FIGS. 1 to 8 (see above) will hereinafter refer inter alia to the (bidirectional) axial direction Ax, the (multidirectional) radial direction Ra, and the (bidirectional) circumferential direction Um of the crimping tool 1 or sub-tools 10 of the crimping tool 1, the crimping sleeve 50, the assembled cable, etc.

[0038] 1 and 2 show a crimp sleeve 50 crimped onto a conductor 70 according to the prior art, the crimp sleeve 50 being placed onto the conductor 70 using eight identical sub-tools of an SRC crimping tool. To set up the axial press portions 510 of the crimp sleeve 50, each of the sub-tools has a partial crimping surface that is global for the sub-tool, formed as a straight section of a cylindrical side (see the two left-hand sub-tools 10 and the two right-hand sub-tools 10 in FIG. 3). Such press portions 510 form a relatively large circumferential portion of the crimp sleeve 50 on the conductor 70 compared to the crimp ribs 520 (see below).

[0039] Between every two adjacent sub-tools 10 in the circumferential direction Um of the SRC crimping tool, a sub-tool gap 12 must be arranged (again see FIG. 3 ). The sub-tool gap 12 allows crimping ribs 520 in the axial direction Ax to be formed on the crimp sleeve 50 placed on the conductor 70 during crimping. Such crimp ribs 520 form a relatively small circumferential portion of the crimp sleeve 50 on the conductor 70 compared to the pressing portion 510.

[0040] By using eight sub-tools, four pressing sections 510 are formed, each on two opposite sides in the axial direction Ax. At these pressing sections, the crimped dimension D of the crimped sleeve 50 can be measured. Furthermore, each crimped dimension D can be measured along almost the entire extent of the pressing section 510 in the axial direction Ax. Furthermore, the curved large partial crimping surface of the sub-tools results in a convex measurement region 531 (FIG. 2). These convex formations of the pressing section 510 are necessary to ensure good crimping.

[0041] Here, some uncertainties arise regarding the measurement of the crimp dimension D: In which of the four directions (four opposing press pairs 510 / 510) should the measurement be made? At which position in the axial direction Ax of the press pairs 510 / 510 should the measurement be made? Furthermore, measuring the crimp dimension D requires a dedicated measuring device (tip shape) to be able to measure between the crimp ribs 520 of the two opposing press pairs 510 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0042] 2 is not suitable for obtaining reproducible measurement results because the measurement site 531 is convex. If the tip of the measurement finger 630 is too thin, the measurement position may become eccentric, resulting in an inaccurate crimp dimension D, particularly the crimp diameter D, of the convex measurement site 531. However, according to the present invention, for example, the crimp dimension D can be measured using such a tip shape or a standard tip shape.

[0043] In particular for SRC crimping tools for circumferentially closed crimp sleeves 50, the crimp diameter D is the most important control dimension that must be set correctly. A typical prior art sub-tool 10 configuration has eight pressing portions 510, which together with eight crimping ribs 520 form the crimp sleeve 50 in the circumferential direction Um. For a crimp sleeve 50 placed on a conductor 70, the distance between opposing pressing portions 510, i.e., the crimp diameter D, should be the same in all four directions along the entire length of the pressing portions 510.

[0044] Due to tolerances in the crimping tool itself and in the execution of the crimping process, the crimp diameter D may vary in the axial direction Ax and / or circumferential direction Um of the crimp sleeve 50 depending on the position of the measurement site, i.e., where the measuring finger 630 of the measuring device (see Figures 6 to 8) is applied to the crimp sleeve 50. The measurement must also exclude the crimp ribs 520 between the pressing portions 510, which requires a measuring tip geometry that is geometrically linked to the size of the crimp sleeve 50 in order to reduce measurement inconsistencies.

[0045] So, where is the correct place to measure? In the course of the research leading to the present invention, it was found that reliable results can also be obtained by reliably determining a single crimp diameter D in the center of the axial direction Ax of the crimp sleeve 50. This means that the quality of the installed crimp sleeve 50 can be easily determined by a single simple measurement. In the prior art, in particular due to the convex shape of the measurement site 531, such a reliable determination of the crimp diameter D could only be achieved with restrictions (such as the shape of the tip of the measuring finger 630 being adapted to the crimp sleeve 50 so as to ensure the correct position of the crimp sleeve 50 relative to the measuring finger 630, excluding the crimp rib 520).

[0046] According to the invention, in the crimping method according to the invention, the crimping sleeve 50 according to the invention is provided with at least one measuring site 530 by means of the crimping tool 1 according to the invention, so that the crimp dimension D, in particular the crimp diameter D, of the crimping sleeve 50 can be measured according to the invention by means of the measuring site 530 according to the invention. The crimping sleeve 50 is preferably a crimping terminal, for example a crimping sleeve of a crimping terminal of a pre-assembled cable.

[0047] Here, in the radial direction Ra of the crimping sleeve 50, in particular exactly two or several diametrically opposed measuring sites 530 are arranged in pairs on the crimping sleeve 50, where the measuring sites 530 have the same position relative to one another in the axial direction Ax of the crimping sleeve 50. A measuring finger 630 of a measuring device can be applied to the outer surface of the crimping sleeve 50 at a single measuring site 530, and the crimp dimension D can be measured. Naturally, as an alternative, another crimping tool can also be used, for example comprising a crimping anvil and at least one crimping punch.

[0048] The crimping tool 1 or SRC crimping tool 1 according to the invention (see Figures 3 and 4) is globally constructed for this purpose as described above, except that at least one sub-tool 10 has a local measurement site insertion device 130 arranged as a negative and / or positive shape on the global partial crimping surface 110. Preferably, two sub-tools 10 located opposite each other in the radial direction Ra or a pair of multiple such sub-tools 10 located opposite each other have such a local measurement site insertion device 130 on their global partial crimping surfaces 110. Such a measurement site insertion device 130 can be configured as described above.

[0049] As a negative shape, the measurement site insertion device 130 is arranged in particular as a groove 130, preferably located approximately in the center of the axial direction Ax of the associated sub-tool 10 (see Figures 3 and 4). Preferably, the groove 130 extending into the global partial crimping surface 110 of the associated sub-tool 10 has a groove base that is linear or tangential (with respect to the curved surface of the partial crimping surface 110). Naturally, other negative shapes are also possible for the measurement site insertion device 130, such as, for example, an indentation, a bead, etc. A negative shape is, for example, an absence of material in the global partial crimping surface 110 or a concave deviation from the uniform surface of the global partial crimping surface 110.

[0050] As a positive shape, the measurement site insertion device 130 is arranged, in particular, as a protrusion 130 (not shown), preferably located approximately in the center of the axial direction Ax of the associated sub-tool 10. Preferably, the protrusion 130 is formed on the global partial crimping surface 110 of the associated sub-tool 10 as a part of an ellipsoid or a solid sphere. Naturally, other positive shapes are also possible for the measurement site insertion device 130, such as, for example, a protrusion, a beam shape, etc. A positive shape is, for example, additional material on the global partial crimping surface 110 or a protruding deviation from the uniform surface of the global partial crimping surface 110.

[0051] A crimp sleeve 50 according to the present invention (see FIGS. 5 to 8), for example a crimp sleeve 50 of a terminal, has at least one local measurement site 530 in at least one of its pressing portions 510 for determining the crimp dimension D, in particular the crimp diameter D, of the crimp sleeve 50. Preferably, the crimp sleeve 50 has two measurement sites 530 diametrically opposed to each other in the radial direction Ra in its pressing portion 510, or pairs of such measurement sites diametrically opposed to each other. Such measurement sites 530 can be configured as described above.

[0052] According to the invention, the crimping sleeve 50 has a positive shape, preferably axially centrally located, as the measurement site 530, analogous to the negative shape of the measurement site insertion device 130 of the crimping tool 1 (see Figures 5 to 7), or has a negative shape, preferably axially centrally located, as the measurement site 530, analogous to the positive shape of the measurement site insertion device 130 of the crimping tool 1 (see Figure 8). In principle, such a negative shape or such a positive shape may be any shape, provided that a measurement surface of the measurement site 530 against which the measurement finger 630 can be applied is realizable.

[0053] The single positive shape measurement site 530 can be configured, for example, as a web 530 extending in the circumferential direction Um of the crimping sleeve 50. Preferably, the web 530 has a linear or tangential extension (relative to the curved surface of the pressing part 510 or the crimping sleeve 50 in the circumferential direction Um). Here, the web 530 can be arranged between two adjacent crimping ribs 520. In some cases, the measurement surface of the web 530 can completely bridge two adjacent crimping ribs 520 (FIGS. 5 and 6), while in other cases, the measurement surface of the web 530 can be arranged between two adjacent crimping ribs 520 (FIG. 7).

[0054] As a single negative shape measurement site 530, this can be formed, for example, as a substantially convex measurement site 530 in the pressing portion 510 of the crimping sleeve 50 (FIG. 8). The positive or negative shape measurement site 530 can have a substantially planar or substantially convex measurement surface, which is arranged on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve 50. In this case, the single measurement surface is arranged between two immediately adjacent crimping ribs 520 or bridges the crimping ribs 520. Of course, a concave measurement surface of the measurement site 530 can also be arranged if necessary.

[0055] In the crimping method according to the invention, when the crimping sleeve 50 is crimped, local measurement sites 530 are formed in the resulting pressed part 510 of the crimped crimping sleeve 50. In particular, the measurement sites 530 are formed in the pressed part 510 by plastic working of the material of the crimping sleeve 50. Preferably, at least one pair of measurement sites 530 / 530 is formed in the associated pressed part 510, the measurement sites 530, 530 of this pair of measurement sites 530 / 530 being on diametrically opposite sides of the crimping sleeve 50 in the radial direction Ra.

[0056] As described above, during the crimping process, a single measurement site 530 is positioned between two adjacent crimping ribs 520. The measurement site 530 may divide the pressing portion 510, which is formed into two axial (Ax) portions, which may preferably have approximately the same length.

[0057] The crimped dimension D, in particular the crimped diameter D, can be measured after the crimping process. In this case, the measuring step can be performed immediately after the crimping process or later, for example at a different location. In the measuring method according to the invention, the measuring finger 630 is not positioned at the pressing part 510 (see FIG. 1 ), but is applied to a local measuring site 530 of the pressing part 510. As mentioned above, the measuring site 530 can be configured as a planar or convex measuring surface. If necessary, a convex measuring surface can also be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Crimping tools, especially for crimping machines 10 Sub-tool, especially the pressing segment 12 Sub-tool clearance 50 Crimp Sleeve 70 (pre-assembled) cable conductors 110: Large area partial crimping surface of sub-tool 10 130 Local measurement site insertion device (negative shape / positive shape) 510 Pressing portion (in the axial direction Ax) of the crimping sleeve 50 520 Pressing rib (in the axial direction Ax) of the crimping sleeve 50 530 Measurement portion of crimp sleeve 50 (positive shape / negative shape) 531 Convex measurement area (conventional technology only) 630 Measuring finger of measuring device D Crimping dimensions, especially crimping diameter Ax: Axial direction of the crimping tool 1, Axial direction of the sub-tool 10, Axial direction of the crimping sleeve 50, Axial direction of the assembled cable Ra: Radial direction of the crimping tool 1, radial direction of the sub-tool 10, radial direction of the crimping sleeve 50, radial direction of the assembled cable Um Circumferential direction of the crimping tool 1, circumferential direction of the sub-tool 10, circumferential direction of the crimping sleeve 50, circumferential direction of the assembled cable

Claims

1. A crimping tool (1) for a crimping applicator or crimping machine for crimping crimp sleeves (50), comprising: A crimping tool (1) comprising a plurality of sub-tools (10) movable relative to one another, each sub-tool (10) having a mechanically effective global partial crimping surface (110) global to said sub-tool (10) for partial crimping of said crimping sleeve (50), At least one sub-tool (10) has a local measurement site insertion device (130) on the associated global partial crimping surface (110), by means of which a measurement site (530) can be applied to the crimping sleeve (50); the local measurement site insertion device (130) is disposed across the axial direction (Ax) of the sub-tool (10) so as to divide the global partial crimping surface (110) into at least two portions in the axial direction (Ax); The local measurement site insertion device (130) is provided as a groove (130) or a protrusion (130), The crimping tool (1) for a single crimp connection comprises: - has at least two sub-tools (10), said at least two sub-tools (10) including a crimping anvil (10) and at least one crimping punch (10); - The crimping tool (1) has a plurality of sub-tools (10) arranged in the circumferential direction (Um) of the crimping tool (1), The plurality of sub-tools (10) constitute a segmented radial crimping tool (1), A crimping tool (1) characterized in that:

2. - A crimping tool (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that it has an even number of sub-tools (10) arranged in the circumferential direction (Um) of the crimping tool (1).

3. the local measurement site insertion device (130) allows for the provision of measurement sites (530) on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve (50) in the circumferential direction (Um) and / or the axial direction (Ax) of the crimping sleeve (50); the local measurement site insertion device (130) is arranged on the global partial crimping surface (110) as a negative groove (130) or as a positive protrusion (130); and / or The crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two sub-tools (10) arranged on opposite sides of the crimping tool (1) in the radial direction (Ra) each have the local measurement site insertion device (130).

4. The local measurement site insertion device (130) comprises: in the associated sub-tool (10), the grooves (130) are arranged in the circumferential direction (Um) with a straight groove base or the protrusions (130) are positioned centrally in the circumferential direction (Um); A crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged axially (Ax) centrally of the associated sub-tool (10).

5. the measurement site (530) can be integrally formed in the crimp sleeve (50) by the local measurement site insertion device (130); and / or The crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measurement site (530) can be formed from the material of the crimping sleeve (50) by the local measurement site insertion device (130).

6. 2. A crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is a crimping tool (1) for crimping crimp sleeves (50) of electrical crimp terminals.

7. A method for crimping a crimp sleeve (50) of an electrical crimp terminal onto a conductor (70) of an electrical cable, comprising: The crimping sleeve (50) extending in the axial direction (Ax) is crimped onto the conductor (70) by the crimping tool (1) according to claim 1, A method in which, when crimping the crimping sleeve (50) onto the conductor (70), a pressing portion (510) is applied to the crimping sleeve (50) by the sub-tool (10) of the crimping tool (1), The method, characterized in that in the pressing part (510), a local measurement site (530) is formed in the crimping sleeve (50).

8. the local measurement site (530) is formed in the crimp sleeve (50) by the local measurement site insertion device (130) at the global partial crimping surface (110) of the sub-tool (10) and by plastic working of the material of the crimp sleeve (50); 8. The crimping method according to claim 7, characterized in that two local measurement sites (530) are formed on the crimping sleeve (50) in circumferential regions on opposite sides of the crimping sleeve (50) with respect to the radial direction (Ra) of the crimping sleeve (50), the associated local measurement sites (530) being formed as planar or convex measurement surfaces (530).

9. When setting up the crimping sleeve (50), - The crimping sleeve (50) has an axial (Ax) crimping rib (520) arranged between each of the two axial (Ax) pressing portions (510) of the crimping sleeve (50), a single local measurement site (530) is located between two immediately adjacent crimping ribs (520) in the circumferential direction of said crimping sleeve (50); and / or The crimping method according to claim 7, characterized in that the local measurement site (530) is arranged on the pressing part (510) so that the pressing part (510) is divided into two axial (Ax) parts of approximately equal length.

10. The crimping method according to claim 7, wherein when the crimping sleeve (50) is crimped onto the conductor (70), the pressing portion (510) arranged between two crimping ribs (520) is formed smoothly.

11. 8. The crimping method according to claim 7, wherein the crimping sleeve (50) extending in the axial direction (Ax) is crimped onto the conductor (70) by the crimping tool (1), which is a crimping applicator or crimping machine.

12. A measuring finger (630) of a measuring device is applied to the outer surface of the pressing portion (510) of the crimping sleeve (50) to measure the crimping dimension (D) for quality assurance purposes; 8. The crimping method according to claim 7, wherein the measuring finger (630) is applied to the local measuring area (530) of the pressing part (510), and the local measuring area (530) is formed as a planar or convex measuring surface (530) on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve (50).

13. 1. A pre-assembled electrical cable, comprising:

10. A pre-assembled electrical cable comprising an electric wire and an electric crimp terminal, the electric crimp terminal having a crimp sleeve (50), the electric crimp terminal being crimped to a conductor (70) of the electric wire by the crimping method of claim 7, An assembled electrical cable, characterized in that the crimp sleeve (50) has a local measurement site (530) for determining the crimp dimension (D) of the crimp sleeve (50).

14. 14. The pre-assembled electrical cable of claim 13, wherein the crimp dimension (D) of the crimp sleeve (50) comprises a crimp diameter (D) of the crimp sleeve (50).

15. the crimping sleeve (50) has at least two local measurement sites (530) located diametrically opposite each other in a radial direction (Ra) of the crimping sleeve (50); - the at least two local measurement sites (530) are each arranged in the axial (Ax) center of the crimp sleeve (50); and / or 14. A pre-assembled electrical cable according to claim 13, characterized in that the associated local measurement sites (530) are applied to the crimp sleeve (50) as positive (530) or negative (530) shapes.

16. The single local measurement site (530) - arranged as a planar or convex measuring surface (530) on the outer surface of the crimping sleeve (50); - located between two immediately adjacent crimping ribs (520) in the circumferential direction (Um) of said crimping sleeve (50), and / or 14. The assembled electric cable according to claim 13, characterized in that the crimping sleeve (50) is arranged at a predetermined position in the axial direction (Ax) and / or at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction (Um) of the crimping sleeve (50).

17. １３ the single local measurement site (530) is applied to the crimping sleeve (50) as a web (530) extending in the circumferential direction (Um) of the crimping sleeve (50), the measuring surface of said web (530) is limited in the circumferential direction (Um) by two immediately adjacent crimping ribs (520) or bridges said crimping ribs (520), or 14. The assembled electrical cable according to claim 13, characterized in that a single local measurement site (530) is provided as a convex local measurement site (530) on the outer surface of the crimp sleeve.

18. 14. Preassembled electric cable according to claim 13, characterized in that it is a preassembled electric cable for the automotive sector.

19. A crimp applicator or crimping machine for establishing at least one crimp connection between an electrical crimp terminal and an electrical conductor (70), comprising: The crimping applicator or the crimping machine comprises the crimping tool (1) according to claim 1 and / or A crimping applicator or crimping machine, characterized in that the crimping method according to claim 7 can be performed by the crimping applicator or crimping machine.

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