Feed Finger Cam Follower Engagement for Crimping Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terminal crimping machines experience uncontrolled acceleration and reduced repeatability due to the cam follower lifting off the cam during the feed stroke, leading to inaccurate terminal placement in the crimping zone.
Innovation Solution
A feed mechanism with a push rod and cam follower that remains constantly engaged with the cam throughout the feed stroke, utilizing a biasing mechanism to maintain continuous engagement and prevent instantaneous acceleration, ensuring consistent and accurate terminal feeding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the cam follower is allowed to lift off the cam during the feed stroke to achieve a shorter feed stroke, then the feed stroke length is reduced, but uncontrolled acceleration and jerk are introduced to the feed finger and terminal
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing mechanism (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the cam follower and the push rod. This spring maintains continuous contact between the cam follower and the cam surface, eliminating the lifting-off phenomenon while still allowing the feed stroke to be adjusted by changing the biasing force or cam profile, thus resolving the contradiction between short feed stroke and smooth acceleration
2Manufacturing precision
If the cam follower remains constantly engaged with the cam throughout the feed stroke, then repeatability and accuracy of terminal placement are improved, but the feed stroke cannot be easily adjusted to different lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamically adjustable biasing mechanism where the spring force can be modified to change the engagement point on the cam profile. This allows the feed stroke length to be adjusted while maintaining continuous cam follower engagement, enabling both precision and adaptability simultaneously
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the accuracy and repeatability of terminal placement by maintaining constant cam follower engagement, reducing uncontrolled acceleration and improving the overall crimping process.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the push rod to exert a biasing force on the push rod that biases the cam follower of the push rod into engagement with the cam
Data Source
AI summary
A feed mechanism is provided for a terminal crimping machine that crimps a terminal to a wire. The feed mechanism includes a feed finger configured to move along a feed stroke in a feed direction to feed the terminal into a crimping zone. The feed mechanism also includes a cam having a lift profile, and a push rod that includes a cam follower engaged with the cam. The cam follower travels along the lift profile of the cam, moving the push rod in a lift direction. The push rod is mechanically connected to the feed finger and is configured to move the feed finger along the feed stroke in the feed direction when the push rod moves in the lift direction. A biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the push rod to exert a biasing force on the push rod that biases the cam follower into engagement with the cam.