U.S. patent application number 11/434630 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for angled crimp groove.
This patent application is currently assigned to FCI Americas Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher G. Chadbourne, Thomas R. Faucher, John D. Lefavour, Armand T. Montminy, Robert M. Poirier.
Application Number | 20070261467 11/434630 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38683857 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070261467 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lefavour; John D. ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
Angled crimp groove
Abstract
An electrical connector crimp tool including a first crimp jaw
section; and a second crimp jaw section pivotably connected to the
first crimp jaw section. The second crimp jaw section includes a
center crimp force axis directed towards an electrical connector
during crimping. The second crimp jaw section includes a crimp
groove for directly contacting the electrical connector during
crimping. The crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is
angled relative to the center crimp force axis.
Inventors: |
Lefavour; John D.;
(Litchfield, NH) ; Poirier; Robert M.; (Bedford,
NH) ; Faucher; Thomas R.; (Manchester, NH) ;
Chadbourne; Christopher G.; (Nashua, NH) ; Montminy;
Armand T.; (Manchester, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRINGTON & SMITH, PC
4 RESEARCH DRIVE
SHELTON
CT
06484-6212
US
|
Assignee: |
FCI Americas Technology,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38683857 |
Appl. No.: |
11/434630 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 43/042 20130101;
B25B 27/10 20130101; H01R 43/0427 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
072/416 |
International
Class: |
B21D 37/10 20060101
B21D037/10 |
Claims
1. An electrical connector crimp tool comprising: a first crimp jaw
section; and a second crimp jaw section pivotably connected to the
first crimp jaw section, wherein the second crimp jaw section
comprises a center crimp force axis directed towards an electrical
connector during crimping, wherein the second crimp jaw section
comprises a crimp groove for directly contacting the electrical
connector during crimping, and wherein the crimp groove has a
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis.
2. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
second crimp jaw section comprises a second crimp jaw and a second
crimp die removable connected to the second crimp jaw.
3. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis by an angle of about 8 degrees or less.
4. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis in a rearward direction.
5. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
first crimp jaw section comprises a center crimp force axis
directed towards the electrical connector during crimping and a
crimp groove for directly contacting the electrical connector
during crimping, and wherein the crimp groove of the first crimp
jaw section has a center crimp path axis which is not angled
relative to the center crimp force axis of the first crimp jaw
section.
6. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
first crimp jaw section comprises a center crimp force axis
directed towards the electrical connector during crimping and a
crimp groove for directly contacting the electrical connector
during crimping, and wherein the crimp groove of the first crimp
jaw section has a center crimp path axis which is angled relative
to the center crimp force axis of the first crimp jaw section.
7. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 1 wherein the
second crimp jaw section comprises a second crimp groove.
8. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 7 wherein the
second crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is angled
relative to the center crimp force axis.
9. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 7 wherein the
second crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is not
angled relative to the center crimp force axis.
10. An electrical connector crimp tool comprising: a first crimp
jaw section; and a second crimp jaw section pivotably connected to
the first crimp jaw section, wherein the second crimp jaw section
comprises a center crimp force axis directed towards an electrical
connector during crimping, wherein the second crimp jaw section
comprises a removable crimp die having a crimp groove for directly
contacting the electrical connector during crimping, and wherein
the crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is angled
relative to the center crimp force axis.
11. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 10 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis by an angle of about 8 degrees or less.
12. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 10 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis in a rearward direction.
13. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 10 wherein the
first crimp jaw section comprises a center crimp force axis
directed towards the electrical connector during crimping and a
crimp groove for directly contacting the electrical connector
during crimping, and wherein the crimp groove of the first crimp
jaw section has a center crimp path axis which is not angled
relative to the center crimp force axis of the first crimp jaw
section.
14. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 10 wherein the
first crimp jaw section comprises a center crimp force axis
directed towards the electrical connector during crimping and a
crimp groove for directly contacting the electrical connector
during crimping, and wherein the crimp groove of the first crimp
jaw section has a center crimp path axis which is angled relative
to the center crimp force axis of the first crimp jaw section.
15. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 10 wherein the
second crimp jaw section comprises a second crimp groove.
16. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 15 wherein the
second crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is angled
relative to the center crimp force axis.
17. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 15 wherein the
second crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is not
angled relative to the center crimp force axis.
18. An electrical connector crimp tool comprising: a first crimp
jaw; and a second crimp jaw pivotably connected to the first crimp
jaw, wherein the second crimp jaw comprises a center crimp force
axis directed towards an electrical connector during crimping,
wherein the second crimp jaw comprises a crimp groove for directly
contacting the electrical connector during crimping, and wherein
the crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is angled
relative to the center crimp force axis.
19. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 18 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis by an angle of about 8 degrees or less.
20. An electrical connector crimp tool as in claim 18 wherein the
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis in a rearward direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a crimping tool and, more
particularly, to a crimping tool having an angled crimping
surface.
[0003] 2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
[0004] Traditional crimp tools employ crimping jaws or crimping
heads which provide structural support for the crimping process.
Typical examples include "C" shaped crimp heads, nest type heads,
flip latch heads and scissor action jaws. This invention relates
specifically to scissor jaw action crimp tools similar to the tool
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,911 for example. Such tools may
have one stationary jaw and one jaw that articulates, or two jaws
that articulate. Most jaws are designed to accept crimp die sets.
Other jaws are designed to operate die-less (without crimp dies).
There are also jaws that have two or more grooves within each jaw
with at least one of the grooves accepting a die and one groove die
less (dedicated groove).
[0005] In application, most scissor action crimp tools are limited
on output crimping force with upper limits at approximately 6 U.S.
Short Tons. One difficulty with scissor action tools and 6 U.S.
Short Tons of crimp force is the limited crimp range with
traditional maximum conductor size being 500 kcmil copper. To one
skilled in the art of crimping it is known that crimping 600 kcmil
copper is possible with a 6 U.S. Short Ton tool with a crimping
head that is "C" shaped, nested, or flip latch style. These tools
employ a linear advancing die holder that is on the same
longitudinal axis as the opposing die holder. As a result the
crimping dies or dedicated crimp grooves are always in line with
each other and the majority of the 6 tons of crimp force is applied
uniformly and evenly to the connector which results in a good
crimp.
[0006] With scissor acting jaws the opposing dies are often
misaligned with respect to each other. As a result, the dies
approach the connector in an arc fashion. As seen in FIG. 1, on
large connectors B, such as 600 kcmil copper, the scissor jaw
action can cause pinching of the connector B on the conductor C,
thereby consuming the majority of the crimp force into the pinched
area A rather than uniformly distributing the crimp force over the
majority of the connector B.
[0007] There is a desire to provide a crimp tool with a scissor
type of acting jaws that do not cause pinching of the connector,
thereby uniformly distributing the crimp force over the majority of
the connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an
electrical connector crimp tool is provided including a first crimp
jaw section; and a second crimp jaw section pivotably connected to
the first crimp jaw section. The second crimp jaw section includes
a center crimp force axis directed towards an electrical connector
during crimping. The second crimp jaw section includes a crimp
groove for directly contacting the electrical connector during
crimping. The crimp groove has a center crimp path axis which is
angled relative to the center crimp force axis.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
electrical connector crimp tool is provided comprising a first
crimp jaw section; and a second crimp jaw section pivotably
connected to the first crimp jaw section. The second crimp jaw
section comprises a center crimp force axis directed towards an
electrical connector during crimping. The second crimp jaw section
comprises a removable crimp die having a crimp groove for directly
contacting the electrical connector during crimping. The crimp
groove has a center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the
center crimp force axis.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
electrical connector crimp tool is provided comprising a first
crimp jaw; and a second crimp jaw pivotably connected to the first
crimp jaw. The second crimp jaw comprises a center crimp force axis
directed towards an electrical connector during crimping. The
second crimp jaw comprises a crimp groove for directly contacting
the electrical connector during crimping. The crimp groove has a
center crimp path axis which is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention
are explained in the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a connector crimped onto
an electrical conductor;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view with a cut away of a battery powered
hydraulic crimping tool;
[0014] FIG. 3 is side view of a conventional crimping tool working
head;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of a working head of a crimping tool
incorporating features of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a connector crimped onto
an electrical conductor with the working head shown in FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of a working head of a crimping tool
incorporating features of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of a side view of an alternate
embodiment of a working head of a crimping tool incorporating
features of the invention; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of
a crimp die with one crimp groove offset and one crimp groove not
offset.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, there is a shown a battery operated
hydraulic tool 10 adapted to crimp an electrical connector onto an
electrical conductor. The tool 10 generally comprises a working
head 12, a hydraulic drive system 14, a motor 16 and a battery 18.
The hydraulic drive system 14 comprises a frame 20 with a hydraulic
fluid conduit system, a ram 22 movably connected to the frame 20
and a pump 24. The pump 24 is connected to the motor 16 by a
transmission 26. Movement of the ram 22 by the hydraulic drive
system is adapted to pivotably move jaw sections 28 of the working
head 12 in a general scissors fashion.
[0021] Although the invention is described with reference to a
battery operated hydraulic tool, features of the invention could be
used in a manual hand operated tool, such as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 2,814,222 for example. Although the invention will be described
with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings,
it should be understood that the invention can be embodied in many
alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size,
shape or type of elements or materials could be used.
[0022] The jaw sections 28 are pivotably connected to each other at
a connection 30. Referring also to FIG. 3, a conventional working
head is shown. The jaw sections 28 each generally comprise a jaw 38
and a removable crimp die 32. However, as noted below, one or both
of the jaw sections might not comprise a removable crimp die. The
front ends of the jaws 38 are adapted to removably receive the
crimp dies 32 (see FIG. 3) in receiving pockets 34 and on mounting
pins 36. FIG. 2 shows the jaws 28 without the crimp dies attached.
Each jaw section 28 has a center crimp force axis 40 directed
towards an electrical connector during crimping.
[0023] Each crimp die 32 has a crimp groove 42 for directly
contacting the electrical connector during crimping. The crimp
groove 42 has a center crimp path axis 44 which is aligned with the
center crimp force axis 40. As noted above, this type of
conventional working head can result in the problem seen in FIG. 1
when used with a larger size connector. The scissor jaw action can
cause pinching of the connector B on the conductor C, thereby
consuming the majority of the crimp force into the pinched area A
rather than uniformly distributing the crimp force over the
majority of the connector B.
[0024] Referring also to FIG. 4, the invention can include a
working head 50 comprising two jaw sections 52 pivotably connected
to each other at the connection 30. The jaw sections 52 each
comprise a jaw 54 and a removable crimp die 32. The jaws 54 each
comprise a die mounting area 56 comprising a receiving pocket 58
and mounting pins 60 on opposite sides of the jaws. The center
crimp force axis 40 of the jaws sections 52 are the same as the jaw
sections 28. However, the receiving pocket 58 and mounting pins 60
are sized, shaped and positioned on the jaws 54 to change the
center crimp path axis 62 versus the center crimp path axis 44
shown in FIG. 3. As symbolized by reference line 64 and angle 66 in
FIG. 3, the center crimp path axis 62 is shifted forward 8 degrees
versus the center crimp path axis 44. In an alternate embodiment
the shift could be more or less than 8 degrees. Center crimp path
axis 62 is no longer aligned with center crimp force axis 40.
Center crimp path axis 62 is angled relative to the center crimp
force axis 40 at an angle of about 8 degrees. In this embodiment
the two axes 62 are aligned when the jaws sections are in their
open position shown, but they could be angled relative to each
other, such as angled in a rearward direction rather than a forward
direction, or angled in a forward direction at less than 8 degrees
difference.
[0025] The solution in this case is to rotate location of the crimp
grooves within the crimp jaws (versus the location in the prior
art) such that the crimp groove axes are better aligned with the
connector. For a 600 kcmil copper connector using industry standard
"W" crimp dies, an approximate adjustment of 8 degrees is desirable
(90-82 degrees shown in FIG. 4). The rotated crimp groove
compensates for the motion produced by scissor acting jaws. As a
result of rotated crimp grooves, forces are more in line from
die-to-die (or jaw-to-jaw for a die-less embodiment). Hence, the
crimp force is more evenly distributed across the connector;
producing a reliable crimp as seen in FIG. 5. The uniform crimp
produces a more homogeneous crimp.
[0026] It is best to dedicate a crimp groove for one particular
connector size, as in this case 600 kcmil. However it is certainly
possible to have a rotated crimp groove that may do several or more
sizes that deviate on sizes adjacent to 600 kcmil. It would also be
possible to place a permanent groove that is rotated and can accept
other dies. FIG. 6 shows an example of a die-less working head 70
with forward rotated crimp grooves 72. However, the crimp range
should be limited to restrict the misalignment of crimp forces (or
excessive jaw rotation) to some acceptable value. As seen in FIG.
8, it is also possible to employ one groove 80 that is not rotated
and one groove 82 that is rotated on each jaw (such as on opposite
sides of a center projection 84), or two rotated grooves on each
jaw with one accepting die sets and the other permanent (die-less).
Any variations thereof exist, with the main thrust of the invention
being a rotated groove to best distribute the crimp force while
using a scissor acting tool, such that the rotated groove better
aligns the crimp forces on 600 kcmil copper or sizes adjacent to
600 kcmil copper. This concept is also applicable to aluminum
conductor/connectors as well.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment is shown. In
this embodiment the tool comprises the jaws 38, but the crimp die
32' is different. The crimp groove 74 of the die 32' is rotated
forward relative to the mounting section 76 of the die 32' (versus
their relative position in the die 32). Thus, the tool does not
need to be changed to practice the invention; the shape of the die
might be changed instead. Alternatively, both could be partially
changed.
[0028] It should be understood that the foregoing description is
only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and
modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is
intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *