Patent GB-1494036-A (GB)
Title: Conductor terminating mechanism
IPC: H01R43/00
Filed: 1975-08-20
Abstract: 1494036 Terminating conductors; shearing BUNKER RAMO CORP 20 Aug 1975 [26 Aug 1974 11 Feb 1975] 34644/75 Headings B3A and B3W Apparatus for inserting a plurality of insulated conductors into receiving portions of respective spaced contacts supported in alignment by an electrical device 20, comprises means for supporting the device and a carriage which are relatively movable in the direction of alignment, an insertion tool mounted on the carriage for movement towards the device and including a blade for inserting a conductor into the portion of its contact, a conductor guide for accurately positioning a conductor in the path of the tool, and control means operable to effect the relative movement of support and carriage, and upon accurate positioning of the conductor, to effect movement of the tool. In Fig. 2, a device 20 has on each side a row of conductor receiving and insulation piercing contact portions A, and a row of conductor receiving and strain relieving portions B. The device is mounted on a support 18, to the rear end of which a multi-conductor cable is secured by clamp 26. The support is attached to a standard 14. The carriage 40 is reciprocable along the support by a lead screw 48 and indexing motor 42. Each of opposed insertion tools 110 on the carriage, Fig. 4, comprises a first blade 116 and second blade 112 having co-operating shoulders 122, 132 urged apart by spring 120, so that when blade 112 is advanced by lever 94 as described below, the end 118 of blade 116 leads end 114 of blade 112, whereby the conductor 30 is first located in portion B of the contact, then the conductor is sheared off by end 114 and shear plate 152, and finally the conductor is pushed home into both contact portions A and B. The insertion tools are operated by motor 56, Fig. 2, one revolution clutch 60, 2 : 1 step down gears 68, 72 which are relatively movable to accommodate carriage travel, and a two lobed cam 84, Fig. 3, which operates on roller followers 90, each on a lever 86 pivoted at 88 and operating through spring 98 on lever 94 also pivoted at 88 and operating on tool 110 by head 106 in slot 108. In a modification (Fig. 12, not shown) the datum position of lever 94 is adjustable to alter its inmost position. On each side of the carriage are located various guide surfaces 134, 136, 138, 140, 142 defining a passageway through which the operator guides a conductor into the path of the insertion tool, such that the conductor snaps into its proper position. The free ends of the two conductors can then be used to actuate feelers 180, Figs. 2 and 4, which operate switches to initiate the insertion cycle. On completion of this, microswitches 234 and 236, Fig. 3, initiate indexing of the carriage into position for the next pair of conductors (or back to the beginning for the next device 20). The extent of the carriage advance is preselectable by the operator, and the carriage position is sensed by a contact array on the carriage, and displayed on a board by light emitting diodes, the board being adjustably mounted on the apparatus or a remote site. To enable a conductor to be inserted on one side only, the switch operated by one or other feeler 180 may be by-passed, and if this is to be done normally, a two position switch may be provided to select which of the two switches is to be by-passed.