[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture of cable harnesses from predetermined
lengths of multi-conductor flat flexible cable by attachment of terminals to opposite
ends of the conductors in the flexible cable, and more particularly to a method and
apparatus for forming such cable harnesses in serially interconnected but separable
form.
[0002] Cable harnesses comprising predetermined lengths of multiconductor flat flexible
cable having terminals at opposite ends of each of the conductors thereof are well-known
and widely used in the electronics industry for many purposes, such as, for example,
connecting printed circuit boards. Heretofore a cable harness was made by severing
a predetermined length of the flexible cable from a strip or roll and then applying
terminals successively to the ends of the predetermined length of cable. United States
patents Nos. 4,335,497; 4,110,880; and 3,774,284 disclose several different apparatus
for forming such cable harnesses.
[0003] While successfully forming cable harnesses, such apparatus were not without limitations
and deficiencies, among which were that with some apparatus the terminals were applied
successively one-at-a-time firstly to one end of the length of cable and secondly
to the other end thereof. Even where mass termination of terminals is disclosed, termination
of the terminals is still accomplished successively to the opposite ends of the length
of cable.
[0004] United States Patent No. 4,290,179 discloses an apparatus for forming cable harnesses
by simultaneously terminating all conductors at one or both ends of a length of cable.
While a distinct improvement over previous apparatus, this apparatus still formed
individual cable harnesses in loose or unconnected form which present difficulties
in handling, packaging and shipping such cable harnesses.
[0005] With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
method and apparatus for forming cable harnesses from an elongate strip of multi-conductor
flat flexible cable which alleviates the deficiencies and difficulties heretofore
encountered.
[0006] The invention consists in a method of forming serially interconnected but separable
harness segments from multi-conductor flat flexible cable; the method being characterized
in that the steps include:
(a) feeding an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible cable longitudinally
along a predetermined path of travel in intermittent intervals so that a predetermined
length of the strip of cable is fed during each feeding interval,
(b) feeding at least one strip of terminals longitudinally along a path of travel
substantially perpendicular to said path of travel of the flexible cable in intermittent
intervals and in timed relation to the feeding intervals of the flexible cable so
that predetermined length so the strip of terminals and the flexible cable are in
a superposed relation, the strip of terminals including transversely extending, spaced
apart, elongate terminals, the strip being fed in such manner that the terminals of
the strip define a row of spaced apart terminals extending transversely relative to
the strip of flexible cable.
(c) terminating the terminals to the flexible cable in electrical conductive relation
to the conductors in the cable in timed relation to the feeding intervals for the
flexible cable and strip of terminals, and
(d) forming at least one weakened tear line in the strip of flexible cable adjacent
and parallel to the row of terminals formed by the strip of terminals, whereby a strip
of serially interconnected but separable cable harness segments having terminals attached
to predetermined lengths of the flexible cable is formed.
[0007] The invention also consists in apparatus for forming serially interconnected but
separable electrical cable harness segments from multi-conductor flat flexible cable,
said apparatus being characterized in that
(a) cable feeding means feeds an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible cable
longitudinally along a predetermined path of travel in intermittent feeding intervals
so that a predetermined length of the strip of cable is fed during each feeding interval;
(b) terminal feeding means operates in timed relation to said cable feeding means
for feeding an elongate strip of terminals longitudinally substantially perpendicular
to said predetermined path of travel of the flexible cable in intermittent intervals
such that a predetermined length of the strip of terminals and the strip of flexible
cable are in a superposed relation;
(c) terminating means operates in timed relation to said cable feeding means and said
terminal feeding means for terminating the terminals in the predetermined lengths
of the strip of terminals to the flexible cable in electrical conductive relation
to the conductors in the cable in such manner that the terminals extend across the
strip of flexible cable, and
(d) means form at least one weakened tear line in the strip of flexible cable adjacent
and parallel to the row of terminals formed by the strip of terminals, whereby a strip
of serially interconnected cable harness segments including predetermined length of
the flat flexible cable is formed.
[0008] In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, reference will
now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the method and apparatus of
the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus incorporating the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line
3-3 in Figure 2;
FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line
4-4 in Figure 2;
FIGURES 5A and 5B are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken substantially along
line 5-5 in Figure 4, with Figure 5A illustrating the upper die in its upper or open
position and Figure 5B illustrating the upper die in its lower or closed position;
FIGURES 6A and 6B are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken substantially along
line 6-6 showing the upper die in the same operative positions as illustrated in Figures
5A and 5B, respectively;
FIGURES 7A and 7B are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views similar to Figures 5A
and 5B taken substantially along line 7-7 in Figure 4;
FIGURES 8A and 8B are views similar to Figures 7A and 7B, respectively, but further
enlarged and even more fragmentary and illustrating the upper die and lower die in
operation;
FIGURES 9A and 9B are further enlarged and fragmentary sectional views taken substantially
along line 9A-9A in Figure 8A and line 9B-9B in Figure 8B, and Figure 9C is a view
similar to Figure 9A but illustrating the upper die being retracted to its upper or
open position;
FIGURES 10A and 10B are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views taken substantially
along line 10-10 in Figure 4 and illustrating the upper die in open and closed positions,
respectively;
FIGURE 11 is an enlarged top plan view of the terminal strip feeding means and excess
terminal removal means shown in the right hand medial portion of Figure 2;
FIGURE 12 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 11;
FIGURE 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 13-13
in Figure 12;
FIGURES 14A and 14B are enlarged sectional views taken substantially along line 14-14
in Figure 12 and illustrating the excess terminal removal means in different operations
positions;
FIGURE 15 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of one side of a strip of interconnected
but separable cable harnesses formed by the method and apparatus of the present invention;
and
FIGURE 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 of the other side of the strip of cable harnesses
shown in Figure 15.
[0009] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the
method and apparatus of the present invention will now be described. The method and
apparatus of the present invention are illustrated schematically in Figure 1. The
method of this invention commences with the step of indexing a strip of flat, flexible
cable by feeding an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible cable 20 from
a suitable source, such as reel 21 (Figure 2), longitudinally along a predetermined
path of travel in intermittent intervals so that a predetermined length of the strip
of cable 20 is fed during each feeding interval. This predetermined length of cable
20 is fed by any suitable means, such as by a pair of feed rolls 22, 23 driven by
any suitable means, such as a stepping motor 24 (Figure 2). The drive for rolls 22,
23 is preferably variable so that the length of the flexible cable 20 fed during each
feeding interval may be varied to correspond to the desired length of the cable harnesses
being formed.
[0010] The strip of flexible cable 20 is well known and includes a plurality of flat elongate
conductors 25 encased within an outer sheath 26 (Figures 1, 15 and 16). The conductors
25 are spaced apart within sheath 26 so that the conductors 25 are insulated by the
intervening portions 27 of the sheath 26 from each other. Flexible cables are supplied
with conductors 25 evenly spaced across the width of the cable and, depending upon
end use requirements, with one or more conductors omitted so as to provide a blank
space or spaces across the width of the cable.
[0011] The method of the present invention further includes the step of indexing strips
of terminals by feeding a pair of elongate, oppositely facing, parallel strips of
terminals 30, 31 along spaced apart paths of travel perpendicular to the path of travel
of the flexible cable 20 in intermittent intervals and in timed relation to the feeding
intervals of cable 20 so that predetermined lengths of the strips of terminals 30,
31 and the flexible cable 20 are in a superposed relation. The strips of terminals
30, 31 include continuous carrier portions 32, 33, respectively, extending along distal
sides of the pair of terminal strips 30, 31 and having spaced-apart holes 34, 35 therein
for use in feeding the terminal strips 30, 31 and for alignment purposes. Carrier
portions 32, 33 have integrally formed therewith and support a plurality of spaced
apart terminals 36, 37 which project laterally from carrier portions 32, 33 toward
each other in alignment with each other. To achieve closer spacing of the terminals,
the strips of terminals 30, 31 comprise two terminal strips 30a, 30b and 31a, 31b,
respectively. (Figure 2) which are stacked in superposed relation as is more fully
described in United States Patent No. 4,021,095.
[0012] Each of the terminals 36, 37 is integral with its associated carrier portion at one
end and extends laterally outwardly therefrom a point where it terminates in a free
end. At an intermediate location along their length but closer to the end supported
by the carrier portions, each of the terminals 36, 37 have upwardly projecting pairs
of teeth 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b, respectively, (Figures 8a and 9a) on opposite sides
thereof for penetration through the flexible cable 20 to establish an electrical conductive
relation to the conductors 25. The teeth 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b of terminals 36, 37
are adapted to be crimped after penetrating through the cable 20 to fasten the terminals
onto the cable 20 (Figures 9A, 9B and 9C). United States Patent No. 4,082,402 discloses
such terminals and their manner of connection to flexible cable in more detail and
reference is made thereto for such greater detail.
[0013] Once the pair of terminal strips 30, 31 are fed into position underneath the flexible
cable 20, the terminals 36 and 37 are aligned with conductors 25 and define opposing,
spaced apart rows of terminals. The terminals 36, 37 are then removed from the carrier
portions 32, 33 and the teeth 36a, 36b and 37a, 37b are caused to penetrate through
the cable 20 and are crimped on the opposite side thereof (Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, 15
and 16). This crimping or terminating procedure is repeated for each feeding interval
to form interconnected cable harnesses with terminals 36, 37 at opposite ends of the
predetermined lengths of cable 20.
[0014] At the same time, at least one weakened tear line is formed across flexible cable
20 between the rows of terminals 36, 37 such that the interconnected cable harnesses
may be separated for each other for use. Preferably, a pair of weakened tear lines
40, 41 (Figure 16) are formed between the rows of terminals 36, 37, with the tear
lines 40, 41 being located between the portions of the terminals 36, 37 crimped to
the cable 20 and the free ends of the terminals. Weakened tear lines 40, 41 are preferably
formed by severing the conductors 25 and the portions of the sheath 26 overlying and
underlying those conductors and by scoring the portions 26 of the sheath 26 lying
between the conductors 25.
[0015] If cable 20 is of the type with one or more conductors omitted to form cable harnesses
narrower than the width of cable 20, then appropriate pairs of terminals 36, 37 are
removed from the pair of terminal strips 30, 31 at a location or locations which will
underlie the location or locations of the omitted conductors prior to the terminal
strips 30, 31 being fed into underlying relation to the cable 20. The cable 20 with
spaced rows of terminals 36, 37 may be longitudinally slit as generally indicated
at 42 (Figure 1) along the space or spaces provided by an omitted conductor or conductors
to form multiple narrower strips of interconnected cable harnesses.
[0016] Finally, the completed strip or strips of interconnected but separable cable harnesses
are preferably wound into rolls on suitable take-up reels 43, 44. The rolls of interconnected
cable harnesses may be stored, packaged and shipping in this compacted form with the
attendent advantages of savings in space, shipping costs and ease of handling, and
also with the advantage that the terminals are protected from damage since the projecting
tips thereof lie along and are protected by the portion of cable lying between the
weakened tear lines 40, 41. When the cable harnesses are desired for use, individual
cable harnesses may be removed from a roll of the strip of harnesses by tearing along
the tear lines 40, 41. The portion of cable 20 between adjacent tear lines 40, 41
will be discarded since it has served its functions of interconnecting the cable harnesses
and protecting the projecting tips of the terminals 36, 37.
[0017] The apparatus of the present invention will now be described in greater detail, some
elements thereof having been previously described generally in describing the method
of the present invention. While the apparatus of this invention may take many forms,
it is illustrated in the drawings as a modified punch press 50 (Figure 2). Apparatus
50 includes the usual structural frame, housing and drive mechanisms of conventional
punch presses which are well known and need not be described here.
[0018] Apparatus 50 does include suitable supporting structure 51 for cable supply reel
21 including a shaft 52 on which reel 21 is supported and a standard 53. Reel 21 may
be positively driven or free wheeling with a suitable brake in a manner not shown.
Supporting structure 51 includes a guide 54 for guiding cable 20 from reel 21 to a
guide plate 55 which supports cable 20 as it is fed into apparatus 50 by feed rolls
22, 23.
[0019] As described previously, feed rolls 22, 23 are driven intermittently by stepping
motor 24 to feed predetermined lengths of cable 20 for fastening of terminals thereto.
Stepping motor 24 is computer controlled by control means 56 in a manner well known
to those skilled in the art to vary the length of cable 20 fed into apparatus 50 as
desired and thereby to vary the length of cable harnesses being formed.
[0020] Apparatus 50 includes a creel 60 (Figure 2) for supporting supply reels 61, 62 and
63, 64 for strips of terminals 31a, 30b and 31a, 31b, respectively. The supply reels
61, 62, 63 and 64 are preferably driven in a manner (not shown) to avoid undue tension
on the strips of terminals being withdrawn therefrom. The convolutions of the strips
of terminals 30a, 30b and 31a, 31b on reels 61-64 are separated by divider strips
which are wound on take-up reels 65, 66 and 67 and 68 as the terminal strips 30a,
30b and 31a, 31b are unwound from reels 61-64.
[0021] The strips of terminals 30a, 30b and 31a, 31b are directed from supply reels 61-64
to a feed track 70 (Figures 11 and 12) and the strips 30a and 30b and strips 31a and
31b are brought into superposed stacked relation with the individual terminals off-set
in the manner previously described. Two pairs of guide rolls 71a, 71b and 72a, 72b
are provided at the input end of feed track 70 to guide, control and tension the strips
of terminals 30, 31.
[0022] Strip guides 73, 74 are provided along opposite sides of feed track 70 and include
overhanging guide portions 73a, 74a spaced upwardly from feed track 70 for receipt
of the carrier portions 32, 33 of terminal strips 30, 31 therebeneath (Figure 13).
The overhanging guide portions 73a, 74a are cut away or foreshortened approximately
midway of feed track 70 to expose carrier portions 32, 33 and particularly the holes
34, 35 therethrough (Figure 2).
[0023] Feeding means 75 is provided for intermittently feeding terminal strips 30, 31 into
apparatus 50. Feeding means 75 includes a pair of feeding fingers or pawls 76 which
are carried by a bushing 77 journaled on a stub shaft 78. Feeding fingers 76 are biased
downwardly toward feed track 70 and have the lower ends thereof sharpened so that
they will enter holes 34, 35 in carrier portions 32, 33 of terminals strips 30, 31.
[0024] Shaft 78 is carried by a slide 80 slideably mounted on a supporting frame 81 (Figures
11, 12, 14a and 14b). Slide 80 is moved by a screw 82 journaled at its opposite ends
in supports 83, 84 of frame 81 and connected to the output shaft 85 of a reversible
stepping motor 86 mounted on a support 87 of frame 81. Slide 80 includes a threaded
portion which mates with the threads of screw 82 such that when screw 82 is rotated
by stepping motor 86, slide 80 is moved therealong in a direction determined by the
direction of rotation of screw 82.
[0025] Rotation of screw 82 in one direction moves the slide 80 to the right as seen in
Figures 11 and 12 and this movement may be characterized as the inactive or retractive
stroke of feeding means 75. A pair of anti-back-up fingers or pawls 90 are carried
by bushings 91, 92 journaled on a stub shaft 93 carried by support 84 (Figures 11
and 13). Anti-back-up fingers 90 are constructed and operate similarly to feeding
fingers 76 except that they do not move along feed track 70. Anti-back-up fingers
90 serve to prevent the terminal strips, 30, 31 from moving backwards (to the right
in Figures 11 and 12) during the inactive or retractive stroke of feeding means 75,
but ratchet during the active or feeding stroke thereof to permit the terminal strips
30, 31 to move forwardly (to the left in Figures 11 and 12).
[0026] Stepping motor 86 is suitably controlled by control means 56 to vary the time intervals
that screw 82 is rotated during the retractive stroke of feeding means 75 to vary
the length of terminal strips 30, 31 fed into apparatus 50, but slide 80 is preferably
always returned to the same position at the end of the feeding stroke of feeding means
75. Control means 56 is programmed by the operator with certain data including the
width of cable 20 being fed into apparatus 50 and the number and location of any conductors
omitted therefrom. This data is then utilized by control means 56 to control feeding
means 75 such that the length of terminal strips 30, 31 fed into apparatus 50 corresponds
to the width of cable 20.
[0027] Further, if any conductors have been omitted from cable 20, corresponding pairs of
terminals 36, 37 must be removed from terminal strips 30, 31 before such strips are
fed into position for the terminals to be fastened to the cable 20. Terminal removing
means 94 is provided for this purpose and is operatively associated with feeding means
75. Terminal removing means 94 includes a plunger or notcher 95 which is located immediately
downstream of feeding fingers 76 (to the left in Figures 1, 11 and 12). Plunger 95
normally occupies an inactive or retracted position spaced above feed track 70 and
terminal strips 30, 31, but is moved downwardly when positioned above a pair of terminals
36, 37 to be removed to sever those terminals from their respective carrier portions
32, 33, which terminals then drop downwardly between the spaced members 70a, 70b of
feed track 70 (Figures 14a and 14b).
[0028] Plunger 95 is carried by one end of a cam follower 96 which is pivotally mounted
at its other end on slide 80 (Figures 11 and 12) by a pin 97. Accordingly, plunger
95 moves along feed track 70 with slide 80.
[0029] Cam follower 96 has a square hole or opening 98 through which penetrates an elongate
cam 100 of generally triangular cross section so as to have three lobes thereon (Figures
14a and 14). Cam 100 is journaled for rotation in supports 83 and 84. Drive means
is provided for cam 100 which includes a drive pulley 101 (Figure 13) suitably driven
by a motor 101a. Drive pulley 101 drives a belt 102 which in turn rotates a driven
pulley 103 mounted on a drive shaft 104 which is journaled in support 87.
[0030] One half of a slip clutch 105 is mounted on drive shaft 104 and the other half thereof
is mounted on cam 100. A pawl 106 cooperates with the half of clutch 105 mounted on
cam 100 to normally prevent rotation thereof and to maintain cam 100 stationary. When
it desired to rotate cam 100, a solenoid 107 is momentarily activated and pawl 106
is temporarily withdrawn. This permit clutch 105 to rotate cam 100 for a fraction
of a rotation. There are three teeth on the gear with which pawl 106 cooperates, one
for each lobe on cam 100. Therefore, cam 100 is rotated one-third of a revolution
each time solenoid 107 is momentarily activated and cam follower 96 is pivoted downwardly.
Plunger 95 is thus moved downwardly to remove a pair of terminals 36, 37 from the
strips 30, 31.
[0031] Stepping motor 86 and solenoid 107 are controlled by control means 56 which uses
the programmed data about the width of cable 20 and the number and location of omitted
conductors to rotate screw 82 to move the slide 80 in its retractive stroke. The retractive
stroke of slide 80 is interrupted at a location or locations corresponding to the
location or locations of omitted conductors and solenoid 107 is momentarily activated
during each such interruption. The retractive stroke of slide 80 is completed when
it has moved a length corresponding to the width of cable, 20 and is then moved forward
by counterrotation of screw 82 by stepping motor 86 to feed a corresponding length
of terminal strips 30, 31 into position for fastening of terminals 36, 37 to cable
20.
[0032] The terminals are fastened to cable 20 in electrical conductive relation to the conductors
25 by terminating means 110 which includes a lower die 111 and an upper die 112 (Figure
1). Lower die 111 includes an anvil 113 (Figures 5A - 10B) which supports the terminal
strips 30, 31 and terminals 36, 37 once they are removed from the carrier portions
32, 33. Anvil 113 is secured to a base 114 by bolts 115 (Figures 6A and 6B). Anvil
113 carries a pair of guides 116, 117 which include overhanging portions 116a, 117a
which receive carrier portions 32, 33 therebeneath to guide terminal strips 30, 31
into position on anvil 113 (Figures 5A and 5B).
[0033] Upper die 112 includes a base 120 which moves up and down and to which an upper die
shoe 121 is attached by bolts 122 (Figures 6A and 6B). Upper die show 121 carries
a pair of positioning pins 123, 124 (Figures 5A and 5B) which cooperate with a pair
of guide bushings 125, 126 carried respectively by guides 116, 117 to position terminal
strips 30, 31 so that the terminals 36, 37 are properly aligned with the conductors
25. As upper die 112 moves downwardly, positioning pins 123, 124 first enter the upper
portions of bushings 125, 126 and then penetrate through holes 34, 35 in carrier portions
32, 33, of terminal strips 30, 31. The pins then move into the lower portions of the
bushings 125, 126 and hold the carrier portions 32, 33 firmly during the fastening
operation.
[0034] Terminal removing means is provided for removing the two rows of terminals 36, 37
to be fastened to cable 20 from carrier portions 32, 33. This means includes a pair
of cutter members 130, 131 carried by anvil 113 for limited vertical movement by mounting
pins 132, 133 slideably mounted in base 114 (Figures 6A and 6B). Compression springs
134, 135 positioned in base 114 beneath mounting pins 132, 133 bias cutter members
130, 131 upwardly. Cutter members 130, 131 have carrier portion receiving slots 136,
137 in the upper portion thereof which receive the carrier portions 32, 33 therein
with the terminals 36, 37 projecting outwardly toward each other. Cutter members 130,
131 cooperate an anvil 113 to sever the projecting terminals 36, 37 from carrier portions
32, 33 in a scissors-like manner upon downward movement of the cutter members 130,
131 (Figures 8A and 8B).
[0035] Cutter members 130, 131 are moved downwardly upon downward movement of upper die
112 by actuating pins 140, 141 mounted in upper die shoe 121 and base 120 for limited
vertical movement. Compression springs 142, 143 are positioned above actuating pins
140, 141 to bias these pins downwardly. Compression springs 142, 143 have an initial
stronger resistance to compression than do compression springs 134, 135 which bias
cutter members 130, 131 upwardly so that when actuating pins 140, 141 contact the
tops of cutter members 130, 131 they will be moved downwardly and compress springs
134, 135. Once cutter members 130, 131 have moved downwardly far enough to sever the
terminals 36, 37 from carrier portions 34, 33, springs 134, 135 will have been compressed
to the point where their resistance to further compression will exceed that of springs
142, 143 and actuating pins 140, 141 will then retract within upper die shoe 121 upon
further downward movement of upper die 112 (Figure 6B).
[0036] Upper die 112 also includes a clamping member 144 mounted on upper die shoe 121 by
mounting pins 145 (only one of which is shown in Figures 7A and 7B) which are mounted
for limited vertical movement in upper die shoe 121 and base 120. A compression spring
146 is positioned above each mounting pin to bias clamping member 144 downwardly while
allowing the limited vertical movement thereof. Upon downward movement of upper die
112, clamping member 144 moves cable 20 downwardly onto the spaced rows of terminals
36, 37 and clamps the cable 20 and terminals 36, 37 against anvil 113 (Figures 8A
and 8B). At the same time, teeth 36a, 37a on terminals 36, 37 are caused to at least
partially penetrate through cable 20 on opposite sides of conductors 25 but in contact
therewith.
[0037] Further downward movement of upper die 112 causes clamping member 144 to retract
into upper die shoe 121 and brings a pair of crimping members 150, 151 carried by
upper die shoe 121 on opposite sides of clamping member 144 into contact with cable
20 and teeth 36a, 37a on terminals 36, 37. Crimping members 150, 151 have the lower
surfaces thereof configured similar to gear teeth with the projecting portions contacting
the cable 20 between the terminals 36, 37 and the cavities receiving the teeth 36a,
37a and crimping them over and onto the upper surface of cable 20 (Figures 9C).
[0038] At the same time, a pair of knives 152, 153 carried by upper die shoe 121 between
clamping member 144 and crimping members 150, 151 contact cable 20 and form the weakened
tear lines 40, 41 therein (Figures 8A - 9C). Anvil 113 has cavities 154 in its upper
surface which receive the terminals 36, 37 therein (Figures 9A - 9C). Each cavity
154 has an anchoring stud 155 therein which is received in a groove in the lower surface
of each terminal 36, 37 to anchor the terminal in position during fastening to the
cable 20. The portions 156 of the upper surface of anvil 113 between cavities 154
have a height slightly less than the thickness of terminals 36, 37.
[0039] Accordingly, when knives 152, 153 move downwardly and contact cable 20, the knives
152, 153 continue downwardly until they contact the terminals 36, 37, thereby severing
the conductors 25 completely. Since the portions 156 of anvil 113 are spaced slightly
below the upper surface of terminals 36, 37, the portions of cable 20 between the
terminals 36, 37 are partially but not completely severed (Figures 9A - 9C). This
completes the fastening of the terminals to the cable 20 and the formation of the
weakened tear lines 40, 41 and upper die 112 can now be retracted upwardly to its
inactive position preparatory to the initiation of the next cycle.
[0040] To dispose of the carrier portions 32, 33 once the terminals 36, 37 have been removed
therefrom, carrier portion severing means is provided in the form of a cutter member
160 (Figures 10A and 10B) carried by anvil 113 and an actuating member 161 carried
by upper die 112. Cutter member 160 is mounted for limited vertical movement by mounting
pin 162 and a compression spring 163 is positioned beneath pin 162 to bias cutter
member 160 upwardly. Cutter member 160 has an opening therethrough to receive carrier
portions 32, 33 and, upon being moved downwardly by actuating member 161 as upper
die 112 moves downwardly, shears off portions of the carrier portions 32, 33 which
drop into a chute 164 (Figure 2) and thence into a waste receptacle (not shown).
[0041] Finally, apparatus 50 includes take-up means 165 which includes spindles 166 for
mounting reels 43, 44 for winding the strip or strips of interconnected cable harnesses
into rolls (Figures 2). Spindles 166 are driven intermittently in a manner not shown
to rotate take-up reels 43, 44 in timed relation to the feed rolls 22, 23 which feed
cable 20. Any desired number of spindles 166 may be used depending upon the number
of strips of cable harnesses being formed. Similarly, slitter 42 will have as many
blades as there are omitted conductors and is also driven in a manner not shown.
1. A method of forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments from multi-conductor
flat flexible cable (20); the method being characterized in that the steps include:
(a) feeding an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible cable (20) longitudinally
along a predetermined path of travel in intermittent intervals so that a predetermined
length of the strip of cable (20) is fed during each feeding interval,
(b) feeding at least one strip (30) of terminals longitudinally along a path of travel
substantially perpendicular to said path travel of the flexible cable (20) in intermittent
intervals and in timed relation to the feeding intervals of the flexible cable (20)
so that predetermined lengths of the strip (30) of terminals and the flexible cable
(20) are in a superposed relation, the strip of terminals including transversely extending,
spaced apart, elongate terminals (36), the strip being fed in such manner that the
terminals (36) of the strip define a row of spaced apart terminals (36), extending
transversely relative to the strip of flexible cable
(c) terminating the terminals (36) to the flexible cable (20) in electrical conductive
relation to the conductors (25) in the cable (20) in timed relation to the feeding
intervals for the flexible cable (20) and strip of terminals (30), and
(d) forming at least one weakened tear line (40) in the strip of flexible cable (20)
adjacent and parallel to the row of terminals formed by the strip of terminals, whereby
a strip of serially interconnected but separable cable harness segments having terminals
(36) attached to predetermined lengths of the flexible cable (20) is formed.
2. The method of forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments as described
in claim 1 characterized in that pair of oppositely facing strips (30, 31) of terminals
are fed longitudinally along spaced apart paths of travel perpendicular to the path
of travel of the flexible cable (20) in intermittent intervals and in timed relation
to the feeding intervals of the flexible cable (20) so that predetermined lengths
of the strips (30, 31) of terminals and the flexible cable (20) are in a superposed
relation, the strip of terminals each including transversely extending, spaced apart,
elongate terminals (36, 37) the strips being fed in such a manner that the terminals
(36, 37) of the strips define spaced apart, transversely extending rows of terminals
(36, 37) in which the terminals of said rows face toward each other whereby when said
rows of terminals are fastened to the conductors (25) of the cable (20), a strip of
serially interconnected cable harnesses having oppositely facing rows of terminals
at opposite ends of predetermined lengths of the flexible cable (20) is formed.
3. The method of forming serially interconnected but separable cable harness segments
as described in claim 2, characterized in that the step of forming at least one weakened
tear line comprises forming a pair of parallel, spaced apart weakened tear lines (40,
41) in the flexible cable (20) with a weakened tear line being formed adjacent each
row of terminals so that a section of flexible cable (20) between the rows of terminals
is removed when individual cable harenesses are separated from the strip of interconnected
cable harnesses.
4. The method of forming serially interconnected but separable cable harness segments
as described in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that each of the terminals (36, 37)
is terminated to the flexible cable (20) at one end portion thereof and has the other
end portion free of securement, and in that the or each weakened tear line is formed
in the flexible cable between the points of termination of the terminals in each row
of terminals and the free ends of those terminals so that the free ends of the terminals
project beyond an end of the predetermined length of flexible cable when individual
cable harnesses are removed from the strip of interconnected cable harnesses.
5. The method of forming serially interconnected but separable cable harness segments
as described in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the step of forming the
or each weakened tear line comprises forming a line of spaced perforations in the
flexible cable (20) with the perforations severing the conductors (25) in the flexible
cable.
6. Apparatus (50) for forming serially interconnected but separable electrical cable
harness segments from multi-conductor flat flexible cable (20), said apparatus being
characterized in that:
(a) cable feeding means (22, 23) feeds an elongate strip of multi-conductor flat flexible
cable (20) longitudinally along a predetermined path of travel in intermittent feeding
intervals so that a predetermined length of the strip of cable is fed during each
feeding interval;
(b) terminal feeding means (75) operates in timed relation to said cable feeding means
for feeding an elongate strip (30) of terminals (36) longitudinally substantially
perpendicular to said predetermined path of travel of the flexible cable (20) in intermittent
intervals such that a predetermined length of the strip of terminals and the strip
of flexible cable are in a superposed relation;
(c) terminating means (110) operates in timed relation to said cable feeding means
and said terminal feeding means (75) for terminating the terminals in the predetermined
lengths of the strip of terminals to the flexible cable (20) in electrical conductive
relation to the conductors (25) in the cable (20) in such manner that the terminals
extend across the strip of flexible cable (20); and
(d) means form at least one weakened tear line (40) in the strip of flexible cable
(20) adjacent and parallel to the row of terminals (36) formed by the strip of terminals,
whereby a strip of serially interconnected cable harness segments including predetermined
length of the flat flexible cable is formed.
7. The apparatus (50) for forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments
as described in claim 6, characterized in that said terminal feeding means (75) operates
in timed relation to said cable feeding means for feeding a pair of elongate strips
(30, 31) of terminals longitudinally substantially perpendicular to said predetermined
path of travel of the flexible cable (20) in intermittent intervals such that predetermined
lengths of the strips (30, 31) of terminals and the flexible cable (20) are in superposed,
relation, the strips being fed in such a manner that the terminals of the strips define
spaced apart, transversely extending rows of terminals, in which the terminals (36,
37) of said rows face toward each other, whereby when said rows of terminals are terminated
to the conductors (25) of the cable (20), a strip of serially interconnected cable
harnesses having oppositely facing rows of terminals at opposite ends of predetermined
lengths of the flexible cable (20) is formed.
8. The apparatus (50) for forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments
as described in claim 7, characterized in that said means for forming at least one
weakened tear line forms a pair of parallel, spaced apart weakened tear lines (40,
41) in the flexible cable with a weakened tear line being formed adjacent each row
of terminals so that a section of flexible cable between the rows of terminals is
removed when individual cable harnesses are separated from the strip of interconnected
cable harnesses.
9. The apparatus (50) for forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments
as described in claim 6, 7 or 8 characterized in that each of the terminals (36, 37)
is terminated to the flexible cable (20) at one end portion thereof and has the other
end portion free of securement, and in that said means for forming the or each weakened
tear line is located adjacent said terminating means (110) in such manner that the
weakened tear line (40, 41) is formed in the flexible cable between the points of
termination of the terminals (36, 37) in each row of terminals and the free ends of
those terminals so that the free ends of the terminals project beyond opposite ends
of the predetermined length of flexible cable when individual cable harnesses are
removed from the strip of interconnected cable harnesses.
10. The apparatus (50) for forming serially interconnected but separable harness segments
as described in claim 6, 7 8 or 9, characterized in that the means for forming the
or each weakened tear line includes knife means (152, 153) for forming a line of spaced
perforations in the flexible cable, said knife means (152, 153) being operatively
associated with said cable feeding means such that when said knife means (152, 153)
forms the spaced perforations said knife means (152, 153) severs the conductors (25)
in the flexible cable (20).
1. Verfahren zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
aus flachen, flexiblen Mehrleiterkabeln (20),
gekennzeichnet durch folgende Schritte:
a) Zuführen eines länglichen Streifens eines flachen, flexiblen Mehrleiterkabels (20)
in Längsrichtung längs einer vorbestimmten Bewegungsbahn in absatzweisen Intervallen,
so daß eine vorbestimmte Länge des Streifens des Kabels (20) während jedes Zuführintervalls
zugeführt wird,
b) Zuführen wenigstens eines Streifens (30) von Anschlüssen in Längsrichtung längs
einer Bewegungsbahn, die im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der Bewegungsbahn des flexiblen
Kabels (20) ist, in absatzweisen Intervallen und in zeitlicher Beziehung zu den Zuführintervallen
des flexiblen Kabels (20), so daß vorbestimmte Längen des Streifens (30) der Anschlüsse
und des flexiblen Kabels (20) in übereinanderliegender Beziehung angeordnet werden,
wobei der Streifen der Anschlüsse sich quer erstreckende, gegenseitig beabstandete
längliche Anschlüsse (36) aufweist und wobei der Streifen derart geführt wird, daß
die Anschlüsse (36) des Streifens eine Reihe von gegenseitig beabstandeten Anschlüssen
(36) bilden, die sich in bezug auf den Streifen des flexiblen Kabels quer erstreckt,
c) Anschließen der Anschlüsse (36) an das flexible Kabel (20) in elektrisch leitender
Beziehung zu den Leitern (25) in dem Kabel (20) in zeitlicher Beziehung zu den Zuführintervallen
des flexiblen Kabels (20) und des Streifens der Anschlüsse (30), und
d) Formen wenigstens einer Schwächungslinie (40) in dem Streifen des flexiblen Kabels
(20) benachbart und parallel zu der Reihe der Anschlüsse, die durch den Anschlußstreifen
gebildet ist, wodurch ein Streifen von reihenweise miteinander verbundenen, aber trennbaren
Kabelbaumabschnitten gebildet wird, die an vorbestimmten Längen des flexiblen Kabels
(20) befestigte Anschlüsse (36) aufweisen.
2. Verfahren zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Paar von entgegengesetzt weisenden Streifen (30, 31) von Anschlüssen in Längsrichtung
längs voneinander beabstandeter Bewegungsbahnen senkrecht zu der Bewegungsbahn des
flexiblen Kabels (20) in absatzweisen Intervallen und in zeitlicher Beziehung zu den
Zuführintervallen des flexiblen Kabels (20) zugeführt wird, so daß vorbestimmte Längen
der Streifen (30, 31) von Anschlüssen und des flexiblen Kabels (20) in übereinanderliegender
Beziehung angeordnet werden, wobei die Streifen der Anschlüsse jeweils sich quer erstreckende,
voneinander beabstandete längliche Anschlüsse (36, 37) aufweisen, wobei die Streifen
derart zugeführt werden, daß die Anschlüsse (36, 37) der Streifen voneinander beabstandete,
sich quer erstreckende Reihen von Anschlüssen (36, 37) bilden, in denen die Anschlüsse
der Reihen aufeinanderzu weisen, wodurch, wenn die Reihen der Anschlüsse an den Leitern
(25) des Kabels (20) befestigt werden, ein Streifen von reihenweise miteinander verbundenen
Kabelbaumabschnitten gebildet wird, der entgegengesetzt zueinander weisende Reihen
von Anschlüssen an entgegengesetzten Enden von vorbestimmten Längen des flexiblen
Kabels (20) aufweist.
3. Verfahren zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schritt des Bildens wenigstens einer Schwächungslinie das Bilden eines Paares
von parallelen, voneinander beabstandeten Schwächungslinien (40, 41) in dem flexiblen
Kabel (20) aufweist, wobei eine Schwächungslinie benachbart jeder Reihe von Anschlüssen
gebildet wird, so daß ein Abschnitt des flexiblen Kabels (20) zwischen den Reihen
der Anschlüsse entfernt wird, wenn einzelne Kabelbäume von dem Streifen der miteinander
verbundenen Kabelbaumabschnitte abgetrennt werden.
4. Verfahren zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder der Anschlüsse (36, 37) an einem seiner Endabschnitte an dem flexiblen
Kabel (20) angeschlossen wird und den anderen Endabschnitt frei von Befestigung behält,
und daß die oder jede Schwächungslinie in dem flexiblen Kabel zwischen den Anschlußpunkten
der Anschlüsse in jeder Reihe von Anschlüssen und den freien Enden dieser Anschlüsse
gebildet wird, so daß die freien Enden der Anschlüsse über ein Ende der vorbestimmten
Länge des flexiblen Kabels vorragen, wenn einzelne Kabelbäume von dem Streifen der
miteinander verbundenen Kabelbäume entfernt werden.
5. Verfahren zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 1, 2, 3 oder 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Schritt des Bildens der oder jeder Schwächungslinie das Ausbilden einer Linie
von beabstandeten Perforationen in dem flexiblen Kabel (20) aufweist, wobei die Perforationen
die Leiter (25) in dem flexiblen Kabel durchtrennen.
6. Vorrichtung (50) zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer elektrischer
Kabelbaumabschnitte aus flachen, flexiblen Mehrleiterkabeln (20),
gekennzeichnet durch folgende Merkmale:
(a) Eine Kabelzuführeinrichtung (22, 23) führt einen länglichen Streifen eines flachen,
flexiblen Mehrleiterkabels (20) in Längsrichtung längs einer vorbestimmten Bewegungsbahn
in absatzweisen Zuführintervallen zu, so daß eine vorbestimmte Länge des Streifens
des Kabels während jedes Zuführintervalls zugeführt wird,
(b) eine Anschlußzuführeinrichtung (75) arbeitet in zeitlicher Beziehung zu der Kabelzuführeinrichtung
zum Zuführen eines länglichen Streifens (30) von Anschlüssen (36) in Längsrichtung
im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der vorbestimmten Bewegungsbahn des flexiblen Kabels
(20) in absatzweisen Intervallen derart, daß eine vorbestimmte Länge des Streifens
der Anschlüsse und das flexible Kabel übereinanderliegend angeordnet sind,
(c) eine Anschließeinrichtung (110) arbeitet in zeitlicher Beziehung zu der Kabelzuführeinrichtung
und der Anschlußzuführeinrichtung (75) zum Anschließen der Anschlüsse in den vorbestimmten
Längen der Streifen der Anschlüsse an das flexible Kabel (20) in elektrisch leitender
Beziehung zu den Leitern (25) in dem Kabel (20) derart, daß sich die Anschlüsse über
den Streifen des flexiblen Kabels (20) erstrecken, und
(d) eine Einrichtung zur Bildung wenigstens einer Schwächungslinie (40) in dem Streifen
des flexiblen Kabels (20) benachbart und parallel zu der Reihe der Anschlüsse (36),
die durch den Anschlußstreifen gebildet ist, wodurch ein Streifen von reihenweise
miteinander verbundenen Kabelbaumabschnitten gebildet wird, die vorbestimmte Längen
des flachen flexiblen Kabels aufweisen.
7. Vorrichtung (50) zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anschlußzuführeinrichtung (75) in zeitlicher Beziehung zu der Kabelzuführeinrichtung
arbeitet, um ein Paar länglicher Streifen (30, 31) von Anschlüssen in Längsrichtung
im wesentlichen senkrecht zu der vorbestimmten Bewegungsbahn des flexiblen Kabels
(20) in absatzweisen Intervallen zuzuführen, so daß vorbestimmte Längen der Streifen
(30, 31) der Anschlüsse und des flexiblen Kabels (20) übereinanderliegen, wobei die
Streifen derart zugeführt werden, daß die Anschlüsse der Streifen voneinander beabstandete,
sich quer erstreckende Reihen von Anschlüssen bilden, in denen die Anschlüsse (36,
37) der Reihen aufeinander zu weisen, wodurch, wenn die Reihen der Anschlüsse an die
Leiter (25) des Kabels (20) angeschlossen sind, ein Streifen von reihenweise miteinander
verbundenen Kabelbäumen gebildet ist, die an entgegengesetzten Enden vorbestimmter
Längen des flexiblen Kabels (20) in entgegengesetzte Richtungen weisende Reihen von
Anschlüssen haben.
8. Vorrichtung (50) zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einrichtung zur Bildung wenigstens einer Schwächungslinie ein Paar paralleler,
voneinander beabstandeter Schwächungslinien (40, 41) in dem flexiblen Kabel bildet,
wobei eine Schwächungslinie jeweils benachbart jeder Reihe von Anschlüssen gebildet
wird, so daß ein Abschnitt des flexiblen Kabels zwischen den Reihen der Anschlüsse
entfernt wird, wenn einzelne Kabelbäume von dem Streifen der miteinander verbundenen
Kabelbäume abgetrennt werden.
9. Vorrichtung (50) zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 6, 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß jeder der Anschlüsse (36, 37) mit einem Endabschnitt an dem flexiblen Kabel (20)
angeschlossen wird und sein anderes Ende frei von Befestigung ist, und daß die Einrichtung
zur Bildung der oder jeder Schwächungslinie benachbart zu der Anschließeinrichtung
(110) derart angeordnet ist, daß die Schwächungslinie (40, 41) in dem flexiblen Kabel
zwischen den Anschlußpunkten der Anschlüsse (36, 37) in jeder Reihe von Anschlüssen
und den freien Enden dieser Anschlüsse gebildet wird, so daß die freien Enden der
Anschlüsse über entgegengesetzte Enden der vorbestimmten Länge des flexiblen Kabels
vorragen, wenn einzelne Kabelbäume von dem Streifen der miteinander verbundenen Kabelbäume
entfernt werden.
10. Vorrichtung (50) zum Bilden reihenweise miteinander verbundener, aber trennbarer Kabelbaumabschnitte
nach Anspruch 6, 7, 8 oder 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einrichtung zur Bildung der oder jeder Schwächungslinie ein Messer (152,
153) zur Bildung einer Linie von beabstandeten Perforationen in dem flexiblen Kabel
aufweist, wobei das Messer (152, 153) betriebsmäßig mit der Kabelzuführeinrichtung
so verbunden ist, daß, wenn das Messer (152, 153) die beabstandeten Perforationen
bildet, das Messer (152, 153) die Leiter (25) in dem flexiblen Kabel (20) durchtrennt.
1. Procédé pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais séparables,
à partir d'un câble flexible et plat (20) à conducteurs multiples, le procédé étant
caractérisé par les étapes qui consistent :
(a) à faire avancer longitudinalement une bande allongée d'un câble flexible et plat
(20) à conducteurs multiples le long d'un trajet prédéterminé de déplacement à intervalles
intermittents afin qu'une longueur prédéterminée de la bande de câble (20) soit avancée
durant chaque intervalle d'avance,
(b) à faire avancer longitudinalement au moins une bande (30) de bornes le long d'un
trajet de déplacement sensiblement perpendiculaire audit trajet de déplacement du
câble flexible (20) à intervalles intermittents et en temps opportun par rapport aux
intervalles d'avance du câble flexible (20) afin qu'une longueur prédéterminée de
la bande (30) de bornes et le câble flexible (20) soient en superposition, la bande
de bornes comprenant des bornes allongées, espacées (36), s'étendant transversalement,
la bande étant avancée de manière que les bornes (36) de la bande définissent une
rangée de bornes espacées (36) s'étendant transversalement par rapport à la bande
du câble flexible,
(c) à terminer le câble flexible (20) à l'aide des bornes (36) en relation de conduction
électrique avec les conducteurs (25) du câble (20) en temps opportun par rapport aux
intervalles d'avance du câble flexible (20) et de la bande de bornes (30), et
(d) à former au moins une ligne affaiblie (40) de déchirement dans la bande du câble
flexible (20) à proximité immédiate de, et parallèlement à, la rangée de bornes formée
par la bande de bornes, de manière qu'une bande de segments de faisceaux de câble
interconnectés en série, mais séparables, comportant des bornes (36) reliées à des
longueurs prédéterminées du câble flexible (20), soit formée.
2. Procédé pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais séparables,
selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que deux bandes face à face (30, 31) de
bornes sont avancées longitudinalement le long de trajets espacés de déplacement perpendiculaires
au trajet de déplacement du câble flexible (20) à intervalles intermittents et en
temps opportun par rapport aux intervalles d'avance du câble flexible (20) afin que
des longueurs prédéterminées des bandes (30, 31) de bornes et du câble flexible (20)
soient en superposition, chacune des bandes de bornes comprenant des bornes allongées
espacées (36, 37), s'étendant transversalement, les bandes étant avancées de manière
que les bornes (36, 37) des bandes définissent des rangées espacées, s'étendant transversalement,
de bornes (36, 37) dans lesquelles les bornes desdites rangées se font face mutuellement
afin que, lorsque lesdites rangées de bornes sont fixées aux conducteurs (25) du câble
(20), une bande de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés en série, ayant des rangées
opposées de bornes à des extrémités opposées de longueurs prédéterminées du câble
flexible (20), soit formée.
3. Procédé pour former des segments de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que l'étape consistant à former
au moins une ligne affaiblie de déchirement consiste à former deux lignes affaiblies
espacées et parallèles (40, 41) de déchirement dans le câble flexible (20), une ligne
affaiblie de déchirement étant formée à proximité immédiate de chaque rangée de bornes
afin qu'une section du câble flexible (20) entre les rangées de bornes soit enlevée
lorsque des faisceaux de câbles individuels sont séparés de la bande de faisceaux
de câbles interconnectés.
4. Procédé pour former des segments de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés en série, mais
séparables selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que chacune des bornes
(36, 37) termine le câble flexible (20) par l'une de ses parties extrêmes et n'est
pas fixée par son autre partie extrême, et en ce que la ou chaque ligne affaiblie
de déchirement est formée dans le câble flexible entre les points de terminaison des
bornes dans chacune des rangées de bornes et les extrémités libres de ces bornes de
manière que les extrémités libres des bornes fassent saillie au-delà d'une extrémité
de la longueur prédéterminée de câble flexible lorsque des faisceaux individuels de
câbles sont enlevés de la bande de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés.
5. Procédé pour former des segments de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de
formation de la ou de chaque ligne affaiblie de déchirement consiste à former une
ligne de perforations espacées dans le câble flexible (20), les perforations sectionnant
les conducteurs (25) dans le câble flexible.
6. Appareil (50) pour former des segments de faisceaux de câbles électriques interconnectés
en série, mais séparables, à partir d'un câble flexible (20) à conducteurs multiples,
ledit appareil étant caractérisé en ce que
(a) des moyens (22, 23) d'avance de câble font avancer longitudinalement une bande
allongée de câble flexible et plat (20) à conducteurs multiples le long d'un trajet
prédéterminé de déplacement, à intervalles d'avance intermittents, afin qu'une longueur
prédéterminée de la bande de câble soit avancée durant chaque intervalle d'avance
;
(b) des moyens (75) d'avance de bornes fonctionnent en temps opportun avec lesdits
moyens d'avance de câble pour faire avancer longitudinalement une bande allongée (30)
de bornes sensiblement perpendiculaire audit trajet prédéterminé de déplacement du
câble flexible (20), à intervalles intermittents, de manière qu'une longueur prédéterminée
de la bande de bornes et la bande du câble flexible soient en superposition ;
(c) des moyens de terminaison (110) fonctionnent en temps opportun par rapport auxdits
moyens d'avance du câble et auxdits moyens (75) d'avance de bornes afin de réaliser
une terminaison sur le câble flexible (20) à l'aide des bornes se trouvant dans les
longueurs prédéterminées de la bande de bornes, les bornes étant en relation de conduction
électrique avec les conducteurs (25) du câble (20) de manière que les bornes s'étendent
à travers la bande de câble flexible (20), et
(d) des moyens forment au moins une ligne affaiblie (40) de déchirement dans la bande
de câble flexible (20) à proximité immédiate de, et parallèlement à, la rangée de
bornes (36) formée par la bande de bornes, de manière qu'une bande de segments de
faisceaux de câbles, interconnectés en série, comprenant une longueur prédéterminée
du câble flexible et plat, soit formée.
7. Appareil (50) pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens (75) d'avance
de bornes fonctionnent en temps opportun par rapport auxdits moyens d'avance du câble
pour faire avancer longitudinalement deux bandes allongées (30, 31) de bornes sensiblement
perpendiculaires auxdits trajets prédéterminés de déplacement du câble flexible (20),
à intervalles intermittents, afin que des longueurs prédéterminées des bandes (30,
31) de bornes et le câble flexible (20) soient en superposition, les bandes étant
avancées de manière que les bornes des bandes définissent des rangées espacées, s'étendant
transversalement, de bornes, dans lesquelles les bornes (36, 37) desdites rangées
se font face mutuellement, afin que, lorsque lesdites rangées de bornes sont terminées
sur les conducteurs (25) du câble (20), une bande de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés
en série, ayant des rangées opposées de bornes à des extrémités opposées de longueurs
prédéterminées du câble flexible (20), soit formée.
8. Appareil (50) pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens destinés
à former au moins une ligne affaiblie de déchirement forment deux lignes affaiblies,
parallèles et espacées (40, 41) de déchirement dans le câble flexible, une ligne affaiblie
de déchirement étant formée à proximité immédiate de chaque rangée de bornes afin
qu'une section de câble flexible entre les rangées de bornes soit enlevée lorsque
des faisceaux de câbles individuels sont séparés de la bande de faisceaux de câbles
interconnectés.
9. Appareil (50) pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 6, 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que chacune des bornes
(36, 37) est terminée sur le câble flexible (20) par l'une de ses parties extrêmes
et n'est pas fixée à son autre partie extrême, et en ce que lesdits moyens destinés
à former la ou chaque ligne affaiblie de déchirement sont situés à proximité immédiate
desdits moyens de terminaison (110) de manière que la ligne affaiblie (40, 41) de
déchirement soit formée dans le câble flexible entre les points de terminaison des
bornes (36, 37) de chaque rangée de bornes et les extrémités libres de ces bornes
afin que les extrémités libres des bornes fassent saillie au-delà d'extrémités opposées
de la longueur prédéterminée de câble flexible lorsque des faisceaux de câbles individuels
sont enlevés de la bande de faisceaux de câbles interconnectés.
10. Appareil (50) pour former des segments de faisceaux interconnectés en série, mais
séparables, selon la revendication 6, 7, 8 ou 9, caractérisé en ce que les moyens
destinés à former la ou chaque ligne affaiblie de dechirement comprennent des moyens
à couteaux (152, 153) destinés à former une ligne de perforations espacées dans le
câble flexible, lesdits moyens à couteaux (152, 153) étant associés fonctionnellement
auxdits moyens d'avance du câble de manière que, lorsque lesdits moyens à couteaux
(152, 153) forment les perforations espacées, lesdits moyens à couteaux (152, 153)
sectionnent les conducteurs (25) dans le câble flexible (20).