Patent GB-1211507-A (GB)
Title: A method of and apparatus for assembling electrical contact terminals to a workpiece
IPC: H01F41/10
Filed: 1969-04-17
Abstract: 1,211,507. Assembling electrical terminals on workpieces; angular bending; shearing. AMP. Inc. 17 April, 1969 [30 April, 1968], No. 19659/69. Headings B3A, B3E and B3W. A method of assembling a plurality of electrical contact terminals 2 to a workpiece 4 wherein the terminals are arranged as a strip 26 prior to assembly to the workpiece, the strip comprising parallel rows 28 and columns 30 with a slug strip 32 connecting adjacent rows 28, the method comprising inserting the leading end of each terminal of the leading row into an opening in the workpiece, severing the row from the strip leaving the slug strip 32 connected, securing each terminal in the workpiece and shearing the slug strip from the terminals. The terminals are mounted in a member 7 of a bobbin 4 and at the beginning of the work cycle the ends 16 of the terminals are free. The bobbins are loaded in the machine at a loading and inserting station 70 and a pulley 50 is rotated one revolution, thereby rotating shafts 54, 64. An eccentric 92 reciprocates a slide bar 78 via a connecting rod 88 and feed pawls (94) in the bar 78 advance the bobbins to work stations 72-76 each time the bar moves rightwardly, Fig. 21 (not shown). The bobbins are guided by a bar 106, which has a recess for reception of flanges 8 of the bobbins. The loading and inserting station 70.-Terminal strips 26 are fed over the upper and lower surfaces of plate 36 by feed fingers 144, 144<SP>1</SP> which are pivoted on slides 116, 116<SP>1</SP> about pins 146, 146<SP>1</SP>. Notches 122, 122<SP>1</SP> in arms 123, 123<SP>1</SP> receive pins 120, 120<SP>1</SP> and the arms being pivoted at 126 are reciprocated by a rod 132, on which is mounted a cam follower 140. The follower 140 engages in a cam track of a cam 142 mounted for rotation with the shaft 54. A light drag is imposed on the strips 26 by spring biased plates 154, 154<SP>1</SP>. Cams 230, 232 are mounted for rotation on the shaft 64 and followers cooperating with cam tracks therein respectively reciprocate connecting rods 222, 236. The rod 236 is connected to toggle mechanisms 192, 201 and 192<SP>1</SP>, 201<SP>1</SP> by connecting rods (238), (240), and (238<SP>1</SP>), (240<SP>1</SP>) respectively, Fig. 14 (not shown), and as the rod 236 moves rightwardly shear blades 184, 184<SP>1</SP> are driven downwardly to shear the leading row of terminals from the strips 26. Simultaneously the connecting rod 222 via a lever (216) and rods 210, (210<SP>1</SP>) actuates toggle mechanisms 190, 200 and 190<SP>1</SP>, 200<SP>1</SP> to move clamps 186, 186<SP>1</SP> downwardly and hold the strips 26 as they are sheared. The toggle members are interconnected by springs 202, 202<SP>1</SP>, respectively. The toggles 192, 201 and 192<SP>1</SP>, 201<SP>1</SP> are designed to leave a slight interval between the upper and lower severing operations to reduce the power requirements and stress in the parts. Insertion of the bobbin between clamping members 244, 244<SP>1</SP> closes switches 260, 260<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 17 and (272), Fig. 28 (not shown) thereby initiating a work cycle through a "one-shot" clutch. The bending station 72.-The terminal ends 16 are bent by fingers 316, 316<SP>1</SP> actuated by a connecting rod 340 which is reciprocated by a follower 344 received in a track in a cam 346. The movement of the rod 340 pivots bell cranks 319, 319<SP>1</SP> about pivots 322, 322<SP>1</SP> so that lips 318, 318<SP>1</SP> bend the ends 16 outwardly. As the bell cranks pivot, adjustable screws 348, 348<SP>1</SP> release spring loaded levers 352, 352<SP>1</SP> so that blocks 358, 358<SP>1</SP> hold the trailing ends of the terminals against support plates 359, 3591. The staking station 74.-The staking station comprises upper and lower mechanisms operated out of phase similarly to the shearing mechanisms at the station 70. Connecting rods 340a, 340a<SP>1</SP> respectively driven by cams 344a, 346a actuate bell cranks 319a, 319a<SP>1</SP> about pivots 322a, 322a<SP>1</SP>. Lips 368, 368<SP>1</SP> on blocks 362, 362<SP>1</SP> engage ears 24 on each side of each terminal to stake them to respective flanges 9, 10 of the bobbin and to set the ends 16 of the terminals. The setting of the ends 16 is performed by surfaces 635, 365<SP>1</SP> on the blocks 362, 362<SP>1</SP>, which are moved linearly by the bell cranks. The staking station is also provided with holding blocks actuated by levers 352a, 352a<SP>1</SP> as at the bending station 72. The slug severing station 76.-Shear blades 370, 370<SP>1</SP> are actuated simultaneously by toggle linkages 319b, 330b, and 319b<SP>1</SP>, 330b<SP>1</SP> driven by a connecting rod 340b, which in turn is driven by a cam 298b. The severed slugs 32 fall through an oblique opening 374 and the terminals are held during shearing by spring-loaded clamping blocks 376, the springs of which are compressed by pins extending from the shear blades. After severance of the slugs the bobbins are moved rightwardly by the slide bar until they fall off the feed track into a receptacle.