Terminal belt guiding mechanism for use with a terminal crimping unit

Abstract: To provide flexibility for a guided terminal belt (B), a roller member (45) is used to feed a terminal carrier (T4). The roller member (45) has a contact area (45B) to make rolling contact with the carrier (T4). The contact area presses the carrier against an abutment face (42) as the carrier advances in a feeding direction. Feeding is performed when a terminal fitting (T) of the terminal belt is in a released or disengaged state. This makes feeding possible regardless of the type of terminal fitting to be crimped, thus, providing flexibility for the terminal belt to be guided.

Description: The present invention relates to an improved terminal belt guiding mechanism for use with a terminal crimping unit, and, more specifically, relates to a terminal belt guiding mechanism which is to be incorporated into a terminal crimping unit. It is generally known to have a series of terminal fittings extending perpendicular to a carrier belt. Such a terminal belt is normally fed in a predetermined supply direction by, for example, a guiding mechanism incorporated into a terminal crimping unit. EP-A-0 600 416 shows the features of the precharacterising portion of claim 8. The conventional guiding mechanism includes a first guide plate that surrounds a contact face that supports the upper or lower surface of the carrier and an abutment face that positions the edge of the carrier. The contact face is perpendicular to the abutment face at all times. The conventional guiding mechanism further includes a guide member that guides the terminal area of the terminal belt by the first guide plate. The conventional guiding mechanism was disadvantageous because the terminal belt is not flexible. The lack of flexibility is caused by the terminal belt being guided through a space primarily controlled by both a first and a second guide plate. The present invention was designed to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage. In the present invention, the solution to the problem is to provide a guiding mechanism for a terminal belt that is capable of providing flexibility in guiding the terminal belt. The terminal belt is intended to be used with a terminal crimping unit. According to one aspect of our invention, a terminal belt guiding mechanism for a terminal belt comprises an elongated carrier and spaced and parallel terminal fittings, said guiding mechanism comprising a contact face for contacting the elongated carrier, and an abutment face continuously adapted to position an edge of said elongated carrier which is on the opposite side of said elongated carrier from the terminal fittings, characterised in that a roller member includes a contact area for contacting said elongated carrier such that said elongated carrier is sandwiched between said contact area and said contact face, which form a nip, the nip allows the elongated carrier to be fed when the terminal fittings on the female terminal belt are disengaged, and a terminal belt feed area is adapted to feed said terminal belt when one of said terminal fittings is disengaged from a terminal crimping area. The terminal belt carrier is fed by being pressed against the abutment face in a direction along the contact face. The contact face can either contact the upper or the lower face of the carrier. Another embodiment of the invention includes a guiding mechanism to be included in a terminal crimping unit. In this preferred embodiment, the contact area of the rolling member further includes formations that are capable of gripping the carrier. In this embodiment, the formations allow the carrier to be gripped with greater force. Another aspect of the present invention includes a screw groove as the formation on the contact area of the rolling member of the guiding mechanism. If the embodiment of the invention includes the screw grooves on the contact area of the rolling member, the gripping force of the nip on the carrier is increased. Yet, the carrier can be easily detached from the nip. Another embodiment of the invention includes a terminal crimping unit that includes a crimping part for crimping a cable terminal by severing the terminal fitting from the side-feed terminal belt. The terminal crimping unit further includes a guiding mechanism to guide the terminal belt and a terminal feeding area for feeding the terminal belt when the terminal fitting is in a disengaged or released state. In this embodiment, the terminal fitting is fed to the crimping area when the built-in plate releases the terminal fitting. In the present invention, a nip is formed between the contact area of the rolling member and the contact face. The nip guides the carrier, making it possible to feed the carrier when the terminal fitting is released. Thus, the versatility of the terminal belt is increased. The terminal belt is better guided due to an improved feeding method, without regard to the type of terminal fitting to be crimped. According to another aspect of our invention in a terminal crimping unit comprises: a side-feed terminal crimping area for crimping a terminal belt; and a feeding mechanism for feeding an elongated carrier, said elongated carrier including spaced and parallel terminal fittings; characterised in that said terminal crimping unit further comprises a terminal belt guiding mechanism including a contact face contacting an elongated carrier, and an abutment face continuously positioning an edge of said elongated carrier, said edge of said elongated carrier being on the opposite side of said terminal fittings on said elongated carrier, a roller member including a contact area contacting said elongated carrier such that said elongated carrier is sandwiched between said contact area and said contact face, which form a nip, the nip allows the elongated carrier to be fed when the terminal fittings on the terminal belt are disengaged, and a terminal belt feed area for feeding said terminal belt when one of said terminal fittings is disengaged from said terminal crimping area. Another aspect of the present invention includes a terminal guide mechanism for a terminal belt wherein the contact area includes formations that are capable of gripping the carrier surface. In one embodiment, the formations include screw grooves. Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes a terminal crimping unit that includes a side-feed terminal crimping area for crimping a terminal belt feed mechanism and a feeding mechanism for feeding the terminal carrier. The terminal carrier includes spaced and parallel terminal fittings. The terminal crimping unit further includes a terminal belt guiding mechanism that includes a contact face for contacting a terminal carrier, an abutment face for continuously positioning the edge of the terminal carrier, a roller member including a contact area for contacting the terminal carrier such that the terminal carrier is sandwiched between the contact area and the contact face, and a terminal supply area for feeding the terminal belt when the terminal fitting is disengaged from the terminal crimping area. In this embodiment, the edge of the terminal carrier is on the opposite side of the terminal fittings on the terminal carrier. Another aspect of the invention includes a terminal belt guide mechanism for a terminal belt that includes a contact that includes formations that are capable of gripping the carrier surface. In another aspect of the invention, the formations further include screw grooves. The invention will be better understood by referring to the description which follows with reference to the drawings, which illustrate by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments of the invention, with like reference numbers representing similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: Fig. 1 is an overall view of a side-feed terminal crimping unit relating to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an important area of the terminal crimping unit shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an important area of the terminal crimping unit shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the terminal belt feed mechanism of another embodiment of a terminal crimping unit; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an important area of the embodiment shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an important part of the guiding mechanism of another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an important part of the guiding mechanism of another embodiment to the present invention; and Fig. 8 is the cross-sectional view of an important part of the guiding mechanism of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in detail as follows, referring to appended drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram of a terminal crimping unit that uses a side feed method of one preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an important part of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a cross-sectional view of an important aspect of the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figure 2, in one preferred embodiment of the invention, a terminal belt B includes terminal fittings T positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an elongate carrier T4. The terminal fittings T are each connected to the elongate carrier T4 by a tie part T1. The tie part T1 extends at intervals along one side of the elongated carrier T4. The terminal fittings T of the terminal belt B further include a crimping part T2 that is crimped with the end of an insulated cable. The crimping action is not illustrated herein. The terminal fittings T further include a connecting part T3 that extends to the crimping part T2 to be connected with other terminal fittings. Additionally, the terminal belt B is wound on a reel body R as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention includes a terminal crimping unit 2 that includes a main body block 10. The main body block 10 includes, at predetermined positions, a terminal crimping area 20 for crimping the terminal fittings and a terminal belt feed area 30 for feeding the terminal fitting to the terminal crimping area 20. The terminal belt feed area 30 delivers the terminal belt B from the side of the terminal crimping area 20, thereby feeding the terminal fittings T. The main body block 10 includes a main plate 11 and a side plate 12 that extends upward from the left side of the main plate 11. A guide plate 13, which is substantially shaped like a backward "C" when viewed from above, is fastened to the side plate 12. The guide block 13 includes a guide groove 14 for guiding a shank 21 of the terminal crimping area, as will described below. The guide groove 14 extends the length of the guide block 13, and contains a slit-like opening in the front of the guide block 13. The main plate 11 is connected to a mounting plate 15 which faces the guide groove 14 of the guide block 13. The main plate 11 further allows an anvil 22 of the terminal crimping area 20 to be detachably mounted on a mounting plate 15. The terminal crimping area 20 further includes a shank 21 that is guided in the guide block 13 and the anvil 22 that is mounted on the mounting plate 15. The terminal crimping area 20 further includes a pair of crimpers 23 that are mounted on the lower area of the shank 21 and are positioned to face the anvil 22. The terminal feed area 30 includes a mounting plate 31 that is mounted on the main body block 10, and feed claw 32 for feeding the terminal fittings T onto the terminal belt B one at a time. The feed claw 32 accomplishes the feeding by a motion of a link lever 33, which connects the feed claw 32 to the terminal crimping area 20. A terminal belt guide mechanism 40 is also located on the mounting plate 31. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, where the terminal fittings are fed while the terminal crimping area 20 is disengaged and the terminal fittings are released, structural elements other than those contained in the terminal feed area 30 and the terminal belt guide mechanism 40, are typically known. Thus, the details of the known elements will not be described in great detail herein. Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, it is generally known that the terminal belt guiding mechanism 40 includes a contact face 41 that is formed on the mounting plate 31 and a rear member 44 which includes an upstanding abutment face 42 substantially normal to the contact face 41. The abutment face 42 can be seen when viewing the terminal belt guide mechanism in cross-section. The abutment face 42 is positioned perpendicular to the contact face 41. As shown in Fig. 2, in one embodiment of the invention, there are three sets of feed rollers 45 mounted on the rear member 44. The mounting plate 31 is substantially oblong rectangular in shape and includes a step part 31A that is located on one of the long ends of the mounting plate 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the step part 31A is lightly higher than the mounting plate 31 and the contact face 41 is located on the upper surface of this step part 31A. The height H of the step part 31A is such that it does not interfere with a stabilizer part T5 of the plural types of the terminal fittings T that can be crimped by the terminal crimping area 20. Thus, plural types of terminal fittings can be fed. Additionally, the mounting plate 31 includes a chamfer or bevel 31B located at the end of the mounting plate 31 in the feeding direction of the terminal belt B. The rear member 44 is preferably constructed of metal and is substantially square-shaped. The rear member 44 is located along the long section of the mounting plate 31 and is fastened to the step part 31A by a bolt 42A and a nut 42B. In this arrangement, the rear member 44 forms the abutment face 42. The abutment face 42 continuously positions the terminal fittings T of the elongate carrier T4 such that the edge part T7, which is on the opposite side of the terminal fittings T on the elongate carrier T4, abuts the abutment face 42. In one preferred embodiment, the feed roller 45 includes a contact area 45B. Preferably, the surface of the contact area 45B includes screw grooves 45A. The feed roller 45 further includes a main axle part 45C that is coaxial and contiguous with the roller area 45B. The feed roller 45 further includes a small diameter part 45D which coaxially extends from the main axle area 45C. In this preferred embodiment, the small diameter part 45D is inserted into an insertion hole 42C of the rear member 44. The feed rollers 45 can be mounted on the rear member 44 so that they can freely rotate by fitting a stop ring 45E to a peripheral groove (not shown) formed on the small diameter area 45D. The feed roller 45 forms a nip N which urges the elongate carrier T4 against the contact face 41. In one preferred embodiment, the screw groove 45A is formed on the outer surface of the contact area 45B. The screw groove 45A makes rolling contact with the elongate carrier T4. The screw groove 45A engages the elongated carrier T4, thereby causing the elongated carrier T4 to move in the feeding direction. By adapting the contact area 45B to include the screw groove 45A, the screw groove 45A, in a sense, comprises an enhanced contact area for engaging the elongate carrier T4. The screw groove 45A presses the elongated carrier T4 with greater force. Additionally, using the screw groove 45A can strengthen the holding power, since the force by which the elongate carrier T4 is sandwiched by the nip N is greater when feeding. Detaching the elongated carrier T4 from the nip N is possible by loosening the bolt 42A which holds the rear member 44. Any marks made to the surface of the elongated carrier T4 by the screw groove 45A are of no consequence because the elongated carrier T4 is scrap material. In this preferred embodiment, the screw groove 45A of the feed roller 45 acts as the rolling member. The screw groove 45A and the contact face 41 sandwich the elongated carrier T4, forming a nip N and guide the elongated carrier T4, allowing the terminal fittings T of the terminal belt B to feed when in a released condition. In this preferred embodiment, the terminal belt B can be fed without regard for the type of terminal fittings T to be crimped. This provides remarkable versatility for the terminal belt guiding mechanism 40. The embodiments shown and described above are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments are illustrated in the remaining figures of the drawings. For example, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, other preferred embodiments may be adopted. Fig. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a different embodiment and Fig. 5 is the cross-sectional view part of the embodiment disclosed in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the end face of the mounting plate 31 is mounted on a mounting member 50 by means of bolts 35. The mounting member 50 includes housing recesses 51 for the feed rollers 45. The feed rollers 45 are mounted in the housing recesses 51 of the mounting member 50 in a manner similar to that discussed above. A cover member 52 is also mounted on the upper surface of the mounting member 50 by bolts 53. The cover member 52 includes the contact face 41 and the abutment face 42. This structure makes it possible to support the upper surface of the elongated carrier T4 with the contact face 41 while feeding the lower surface of the elongated carrier T4 with a feed roller 45. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of part of another embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, a small diameter 45C of the feed rollers 45 is supported by a bearing 60. Further, the screw groove 45A of the feed rollers 45 is only one example of a formation placed on feed roller 45. The screw groove 45A can be replaced by other formations. Moreover, when a sufficient frictional force is obtained between the contact area 45B, i.e., the outer surface, of the feed roller 45 and the elongated carrier T4, a formation may not be necessary. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing part of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, a feed roller 70 of frusto-conical outline is utilised. The roller 70 has a diameter Φ1 on the free side that is larger than the diameter Φ2 on the connected side. This therefore eliminates the necessity for a screw groove since the roller 70 applies to the carrier T4 a force having a component acting in a direction to urge the carrier T4 towards the abutment face 42. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 8, the virtual line L2 is perpendicular to the feeding direction. By tilting the axial line L1 of the feed roller 80 at a predetermined acute angle  from the virtual line L2, it is possible to feed the elongated carrier T4 while shifting the elongated carrier T4 toward the abutment face 42.

Claims: A terminal belt guiding mechanism for a terminal belt (B) comprising an elongated carrier (T4) and spaced and parallel terminal fittings (T), said guiding mechanism comprising a contact face (41) for contacting the elongated carrier (T4), and an abutment face (42) continuously adapted to position an edge of said elongated carrier (T4) which is on the opposite side of said elongated carrier (T4) from the terminal fittings (T), characterised in that a roller member (45) includes a contact area (45B) for contacting said elongated carrier (T4) such that said elongated carrier (T4) is sandwiched between said contact area (45B) and said contact face (41), which form a nip, the nip allows the elongated carrier (T4) to be fed when the terminal fittings (T) on the terminal belt (B) are disengaged, and a terminal belt feed area (30) is adapted to feed said terminal belt (B) when one of said terminal fittings (T) is disengaged from a terminal crimping area (20). A terminal guide mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said contact area comprises formations (45A) capable of gripping a surface of said carrier (T4). A terminal guide mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said formations (45A) comprise screw grooves (45A). A terminal guide mechanism according to claim 1, in which the roller (70) is of frusto-conical outline of which the diameter (Φ2) at the side adjacent to the abutment face (42) is smaller than the diameter (Φ1) at the outer side. A terminal guide mechanism according to claim 1, in which the axis (L1) of the roller (80) is inclined at an acute angle () with respect to a normal (L2) to the direction of feed of the elongated carrier (T4) whereby to apply to the carrier (T4) a force having a component acting in a direction to urge the carrier (T4) towards the abutment face (42). A terminal guide mechanism according to any preceding claim, in which the roller member (45) is mounted in a recess (51) in the mounting member (50). A terminal guide mechanism according to any preceding claim, in which the contact face (41) and the abutment face (42) are provided in a cover member (52) which is mounted on a mounting member (50) for the roller member (45). A terminal crimping unit comprising: a side-feed terminal crimping area (20) for crimping a terminal belt (B); and a feeding mechanism for feeding the elongated carrier (T4), said elongated carrier (T4) including spaced and parallel terminal fittings (T); characterised in that said terminal crimping unit further comprises a terminal belt guiding mechanism (40) for the terminal belt (B) according to any preceding claim.

Inventors: ITO AKIRA, ITO, AKIRA, Ito, Akira, c/o Sumitomo Systems, LTD.
Applicants: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H01R43
IPC codes: H01R43, B65H51, B65H23