Crimping Tool Support Frame for Precise Conductor Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing crimping tools face challenges in maintaining the axial position of outer conductor contacts and positioning of inner conductor wires relative to outer conductor contacts during the crimping process, leading to positional deviations and reduced precision.

Innovation Solution

A crimping tool with a support frame featuring a first stop surface for the outer conductor contact and a separate second stop surface for the inner conductor wire, along with a guide to prevent axial and lateral displacement, ensuring precise alignment and positioning during the crimping process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a support frame is arranged close to the anvil to prevent contact bending during crimping, then the contact bending is prevented, but the axial position spread of the outer conductor contact increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact bending preventionVSAvoidaxial position spread
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support frame is segmented into multiple functional elements: a support surface for preventing bending, a first stop surface for axial positioning of the outer conductor contact, a guide for inner conductor wires, and a second stop surface for positioning inner conductors. Each segment addresses a specific positioning requirement, allowing simultaneous prevention of contact bending while maintaining tight axial position tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a stop for inner conductor wires is arranged very far above the anvil, then the inner conductor positioning is simplified, but the spread of inner conductor position increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner conductor positioningVSAvoidinner conductor position spread
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide structure serves as an intermediary element between the inner conductor wires and the support frame. This guide provides lateral confinement and directional guidance, reducing lateral spreading of inner conductors while maintaining ease of positioning. The guide works in conjunction with stop surfaces to achieve both operational simplicity and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple positioning components are added to reduce position spread, then positioning precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition spread reductionVSAvoidnumber of positioning components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple positioning functions are merged into a single integrated support frame structure. The support frame combines the support surface, first stop surface, guide, and second stop surface into one unified component that attaches to the anvil. This integration reduces the number of separate positioning components while maintaining comprehensive positioning control for both outer and inner conductors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4293839A1Crimping tool and crimping method
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 MD ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP4293839A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293839A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293839A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a crimping tool (1) for crimping an outer conductor contact (4) to a conductor (6) with at least one inner conductor (8), comprising a support block (20) with a support surface (21) on which the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor (8) can be arranged, so that buckling of the outer conductor contact (4) and the at least one inner conductor (8) can be prevented during a crimping process, wherein the support block (20) further comprises at least a first stop surface (22) for the outer conductor contact (4), a guide (23) for the at least one inner conductor (8), and a separate second stop surface (24) for the at least one inner conductor (8). The invention further relates to a crimping method for a crimping tool (1).