Apparatus for holding a workpiece to be crimped and tools comprising such an apparatus

An apparatus (102) for holding at least one elongated workpiece (106) to be crimped, wherein the apparatus comprises a holder frame (122), a guide member (124) and a locator element (114) having at least one holder surface (116) defining an elongated cavity (118) for receiving and holding the workpiece. The holder frame is arranged to hold the guide member and the locator element, the at least one elongated cavity having a longitudinal main extension (120). The locator element is movable in a first guide (126) in the direction (127) of the longitudinal main extension. The guide member is movable in a second guide (128) in relation to the locator element in a direction (129) perpendicular to the direction (127) of the longitudinal main extension. The guide member and the locator element are slidably engaged with one another. The guide member, when being moved in a direction (129) perpendicular to the direction (127) of the longitudinal main extension, is configured to move the locator element in the direction (127) of the longitudinal main extension. A crimping tool (170) comprising such an apparatus (102).

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for holding at least one elongated workpiece to be crimped, and to a crimping tool comprising such an apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cable termination tooling, e.g. hand-operated or machine-operated tools, may comprise cutting tools, stripping tools and crimping tools. Some tools have only one of the above-mentioned functions, whereas other tools have two or three of the above-mentioned functions. Cable termination is required e.g. for connecting a cable or a wire to power, coaxial, fibre-optic or modular connectors.

When crimping, a terminal, i.e. a connector, a ferrule, a contact or a similar device, is mechanically secured to a cable, e.g. to a conductor such as a wire, by deformation so that a solid joint having reliable mechanical and/or electrical connection is formed. The crimping operation resulting in a crimped joint may e.g. be performed using crimping dies which e.g. are held by a hand-operated crimping tool.

When crimping a terminal to a cable end, a locator may be used to hold the terminal while crimping. The locator may comprise at least one cavity configured to hold the terminal which is to be crimped to a cable end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have identified a need for improvements when it comes to crimping workpieces, more precisely, improvements of the locator holding the terminal to be crimped.

An object of the present invention is thus to improve the crimping of elongated workpieces.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the holder which holds the terminal to be crimped.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are attained by providing an apparatus for holding at least one elongated workpiece to be crimped. The apparatus comprises a holder frame, a guide member and a locator element. The locator element has at least one holder surface which defines an elongated cavity for receiving and holding the workpiece. The holder frame is arranged to hold the guide member and the locator element. The at least one elongated cavity has a longitudinal main extension. The locator element is movable in a first guide of the holder frame and is movable in relation to the holder frame substantially in the direction of the longitudinal main extension. The guide member is movable in a second guide of the holder frame and is movable in relation to the holder frame and in relation to the locator element. The guide member is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal main extension. Further, the guide member and the locator element are slidably engaged with one another. The guide member, when being moved in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal main extension, is configured to move the locator element substantially in the direction of the longitudinal main extension, whereby the position of each elongated cavity is adjusted in relation to the holder frame in the direction of the longitudinal main extension.

Hereby, an efficient and precise adjustment of the locator element and each elongated cavity, in relation to the holder frame in the direction of the longitudinal main extension, is provided. An improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the locator element extends in a first main extension plane, and the guide member extends in a second main extension plane which is substantially parallel to the first extension plane. Further, the guide member is movable in the second guide in a direction of the second main extension plane. The locator element may be movable in a direction of the first main extension plane. By this embodiment, the guide member is guided by the second guide in an efficient manner. An improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the locator element has an engaging surface which engages with the guide member, and the engaging surface of locator element is substantially perpendicular to the first main extension plane and forms an angle with a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal main extension. By this embodiment, the guide member and the locator element are efficiently moved in relation to one another, whereby an advantageous movement and positioning of the locator element are attained. The guide member is also guided in the second guide in an efficient manner. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide member has an engaging surface which engages with the locator element, and the engaging surface of the guide member is substantially perpendicular to the second main extension plane and forms an angle with a plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal main extension. By this embodiment, the guide member and the locator element are efficiently moved in relation to one another, whereby an advantageous movement and positioning of the locator element are attained. The guide member is also guided in the second guide in an efficient manner. Hereby, an improved locator is achieved, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide member, when being moved in the second guide in a direction of the second main extension plane and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal main extension, is configured to move the locator element substantially in the direction of the longitudinal main extension. By this embodiment, an advantageous and efficient guidance of the guide member in relation to the holder frame is provided. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus comprises at least one resilient member, the holder frame being arranged to hold the at least one resilient member, and the at least one resilient member is configured to press the locator element toward the guide member, e.g. in the direction of the longitudinal main extension. By this embodiment, an advantageous and efficient guidance and control of the guide member and the locator element in relation to one another are attained. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide member is movable in the second guide between a first end position and a second end position. By this embodiment, an advantageous guidance of the guide member in relation to the locator element is attained. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the locator element is movable in the first guide between a first end position and a second end position. By this embodiment, an advantageous guidance of the locator element in relation to the guide member is attained. Hereby, an improved locator is provided, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus comprises a guide element movable in relation to the holder frame, and the guide element is configured to move the guide member in the second guide. By this embodiment, an advantageous guidance and control of the guide member are attained. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide element is threaded and movable in relation to the guide member, and the threads or thread of the guide element engage/-s with at least one mating thread of the holder frame. By this embodiment, an efficient guidance and control of the guide member are attained. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to still another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide element is threaded and movable in relation to the guide member, and in that the thread or threads of the guide element engage/-s with at least one protrusion, e.g. a plurality of protrusions, provided on the guide member. By this embodiment, an advantageous guidance and control of the guide member are attained. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the guide member is situated between the guide element and the locator element. This location of the guide element and the guide member saves space in the locator and provides an efficient control of the guide member and consequently of the locator element. Hereby, an improved locator is provided, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the holder frame is arranged to hold the threaded guide element. Hereby, an improved locator is achieved, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the holder frame comprises a depression for holding the threaded guide element. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus comprises a cover which is attached to the holder frame and covers at least the guide member and at least partly the locator element. The cover protects moving parts of the apparatus, and the cover can assist in positioning the cable to be crimped with the terminal. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, the inside of the cover has a stop which prevents the locator element from leaving the first guide. By this embodiment, crimped workpieces can be pulled from the cavities without risking to pull out the locator element from the first guide, or without risking to put too much strain on the resilient member. Hereby, an improved locator is attained, and the crimping of elongated workpieces is improved.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are also attained by a crimping tool comprising an apparatus according to any of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments or according to any of the claims1to16which is attached to the crimping tool.

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are also attained by a hand-operated crimping tool comprising a tool body and two handles, the handles being movable in relation to each other, wherein the crimping tool comprises an apparatus according to any of the above- or below-mentioned embodiments or according to any of the claims1to16which is attached to the crimping tool. The positive effects and advantages of the embodiments of the crimping tool correspond to the effects and advantages of the corresponding embodiment of the apparatus.

The above-mentioned features and embodiments of the apparatus and the crimping tools may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous embodiments.

Further advantageous embodiments of the apparatus and the hand-operated crimping tool according to the present invention and further advantages with the embodiments of the present invention emerge from the dependent claims and the detailed description of embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1schematically shows aspects of an embodiment of the apparatus102according to the present invention. With reference toFIG. 7, the apparatus102may include a cover104. However, for illustrative purposes, the cover104is not shown inFIGS. 1 to 6. The apparatus102is arranged to hold at least one elongated workpiece106to be crimped. In the present embodiment, the workpiece106is in the form of a terminal108, e.g. a connector, a ferrule or a contact. In the present case, the terminal108includes a pair of insulation wings110and a pair conductor wings112. It is to be understood that other workpieces can be used with the embodiments of the present invention. To hold each elongated workpiece106, the apparatus102includes a locator element114having at least one holder surface116. The at least one holder surface116defines an elongated cavity118for receiving and holding the workpiece106. The at least one elongated cavity118has a longitudinal main extension120. In the present embodiment, the locator element114has four holder surfaces116each defining an elongated cavity118. However, the locator element may include fewer or more elongated cavities118, and each cavity118has its own longitudinal main extension120,121,123,125. With reference toFIG. 2, although the cavities may have different sizes, which is the case in the embodiment inFIGS. 1-2, the longitudinal main extensions120,121,123,125of all of the cavities118may have essentially the same direction127. Further, the apparatus102includes a holder frame122and a guide member124. The holder frame122is arranged to hold the guide member124and the locator element114.

The locator element114is movable in a first guide126of the holder frame122. The locator element114is movable in relation to the holder frame122and in relation to the guide member124in the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. The guide member124is movable in a second guide128of the holder frame122. The guide member124is movable in relation to the holder frame122and in relation to the locator element114. The guide member124is movable in a direction129substantially perpendicular to the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. With reference toFIG. 5, the locator element114extends in a first main extension plane130. The guide member124(not shown inFIG. 5) extends in a second main extension plane132which is substantially parallel to the first extension plane130. The guide member124and the locator element114are slidably engaged with one another. The guide member124and the locator element114may be slidably engaged simply by being in contact to one another. Alternatively, the guide member124and the locator element114may be slidably engaged by including complementary guide means, e.g. a groove and a protrusion complementary to the groove. According to the present embodiment, additionally, the guide member124is movable in the second guide128in the direction129of the second main extension plane132(seeFIG. 5). The locator element114may be movable in a direction of the first main extension plane130. The guide member124, when being moved in the direction129substantially perpendicular to the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120, is configured to move the locator element114in the direction of the longitudinal main extension120. More specifically, the guide member124, when being moved in the second guide128in the direction129of the second main extension plane132and in the direction129substantially perpendicular to the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120, is configured to move the locator element114in the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. The apparatus102includes at least one resilient member134, and the holder frame122is arranged to hold the resilient member134. The resilient member134is configured to press, e.g. to push, the locator element114toward the guide member124in the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. The locator element114includes a locator wall135against which the resilient member134presses. With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the resilient member134is supported by a first element136of the holder frame122and by a second element138of the holder frame122. However, it is to be understood that the resilient member may be designed in various ways.

With reference toFIGS. 2 and 3and as mentioned above, the holder frame122includes the first guide126to guide the locator element114. The first guide126is in the form of a recess131which is complementary to the locator element114. The holder frame122includes the second guide128to guide the guide member124. The second guide128comprises two cylinders140,142. In the present embodiments, the two cylinders140,142are circular-cylindrical. However, other shapes are possible. The apparatus102may comprise a guide element144movable in relation to the holder frame122. The guide element144is also configured to move the guide member124in the second guide128. The guide element144may be threaded and movable in relation to the guide member124. The threads or thread of the guide element144engage/-s with at least one protrusion146, e.g. a plurality of protrusions, provided on the guide member124. The guide member124is situated between the guide element144and the locator element114. The holder frame122is arranged to hold the threaded guide element144by including a depression148for holding the threaded guide element144.

The guide member124is movable in the second guide128between a first end position and a second end position in relation to the holder frame122. InFIG. 2, the guide member124is in its first end position, to the right inFIG. 2. The locator element114is movable in the first guide126between a first end position and a second end position in relation to the holder frame122. InFIG. 2the locator element114is in its first position, its retracted position. InFIG. 3, the guide member124is in its second end position, to the left inFIG. 3, and has moved the locator element114away from the guide element144. InFIG. 3the locator element114is in its second position, its protruding position. The movement of the locator element114in relation to the holder frame122is caused by the movement of the guide member124in the second guide128between the end positions and caused by the resilient member134which is configured to press the locator element114toward the guide member124, or in the direction toward the guide element144. When the guide member124is moved to toward the first end position (to the right), the resilient member134pushes the locator element114toward its first or retracted position. When the guide member124is moved to toward the second end position (to the left), the guide member124pushes the locator element114toward its protruding or second position.

With reference toFIG. 3, the locator element114has an engaging surface150which engages with the guide member124. The engaging surface150of the locator element114may be provided on the above-mentioned locator wall135of the locator element114. The engaging surface150of the locator element114is substantially perpendicular to the first main extension plane130(seeFIG. 5) and forms an angle with a plane that is perpendicular to the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. Alternatively or additionally, the guide member124may have an engaging surface152which engages with the locator element114. The engaging surface152of the guide member124may be substantially perpendicular to the second main extension plane132(seeFIG. 5) and forms an angle with a plane that is perpendicular to the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120. In the present embodiment, the engaging surface152of the guide member124has two projections154,156abutting against the engaging surface150of the locator element114. Alternatively, the engaging surface150of the locator element114could include one or two projections. Each engaging surface150,152could have one, two or more than two projections. Each engaging surface150,152can be flat or even without any projections, which is the case for the engaging surface150of the locator element114according to the shown embodiment.

The combination of the threaded guide element144and the engaging surface150of the locator element114and the engaging surface152of the guide member124provides a precise adjustment of the locator element114and consequently a precise adjustment of the elongated cavities118in the direction127of the longitudinal main extension120and in relation to the holder frame122and the cover104(seeFIG. 7).

InFIG. 4, a cut-away view of a cable158to be crimped is illustrated. The cable158to be crimped is simply placed in the terminal108, which is held by the cavity118. The locator element114and the cover104may assist in positioning the cable158into a suitable position for crimping.

FIG. 5is a front view as seen into the cavities118and schematically illustrates the first main extension plane130of the locator element114and the second main extension plane132of the guide member124(not shown inFIG. 5). The first main extension plane130is substantially parallel to the second main extension plane132.

By “substantially” in the context of “substantially parallel” is meant that the plane in question is essentially parallel to another plane, but that there may be a deviation or difference of a few degrees. By “substantially” in the context of “substantially perpendicular” is meant that the plane in question is essentially perpendicular to another plane or to a direction, but that there may be a deviation or difference of a few degrees (e.g. at maximum ±10, ±5, or ±2 degrees) from the right angle (90 degrees).

FIG. 6schematically illustrates how the guide element144can be operated and rotated by a hex key160, whereby the guide member124is moved. Thus, in the present embodiment, the guide element144has a hexagonal socket configured to receive the hex key160. However, it is to be understood that the guide element may be operated in other ways.

FIG. 7schematically illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus with a cover104which is attached to the holder frame122and covers at least the guide member and at least partly the locator element114. The two cylinders140,142projects through the cover104via a respective opening161,163. On the side of the cover104, an opening162is provided for the hex key160. When a cable end is to be put into the terminal108, the front side164of the cover104may assist in positioning the cable into a suitable position for crimping.

With reference toFIGS. 8 and 9, an embodiment of a hand-operated crimping tool170according to the present invention is schematically illustrated. The crimping tool170includes a tool body172and two handles174,176. The handles174,176are movable in relation to one another. The crimping tool170may include any one of the embodiments of the apparatus102disclosed above. The apparatus102is attached to the crimping tool170, e.g. to the tool body172, e.g. as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.

FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate aspects of the inside of the cover104ofFIG. 7. In addition to the resilient member134, the apparatus102may be provided with additional means for preventing the locator element114from leaving its recess131, especially when the crimped workpiece106, e.g. the terminal108and cable158, is pulled from the elongated cavity118after crimping. As disclosed above, the locator element114includes a locator wall135. The locator wall135has a greater height than the rest of the locator element114. With reference toFIG. 4, the locator wall135may have two surfaces137,139which face the cavities118. On the inside (in the ceiling), the cover104includes a stop165which prevents the locator wall135from passing on its way toward the front side164of the cover104, and thus prevents the locator element114from leaving the recess131and thus from leaving the first guide126. Specifically, it may be at least one of the above-mentioned two surfaces137and139of the locator wall135that comes into contact with the stop165to prevent the locator wall135from passing. It is to be understood that other means for preventing the locator element114from leaving its recess131may be provided. In some cases, the resilient member134per se may be enough.

The parts of the apparatus102may e.g. be made of plastic or metal, or any other suitable material. The features of the different embodiments of the apparatus and crimping tool, respectively, disclosed above may be combined in various possible ways providing further advantageous embodiments.

The invention shall not be considered limited to the embodiments illustrated, but can be modified and altered in many ways by one skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.