Flexible bond harness and manufacturing method therefor

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6230406
  • Patent Number
    6,230,406
  • Date Filed
    Monday, January 11, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 15, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A flexible bond harness including a flexible ground subassembly and a rigid ground subassembly which are joined together by a barrel connector. The flexible ground assembly has a first terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially flexible conductor and the rigid ground assembly has a second terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially rigid conductor. The barrel connector has a substantially uniform thickness, first and second side walls, a base and is divided into first and second segments. The proximal end portion of the flexible conductor is positioned within the first segment and the proximal end portion of the rigid conductor is positioned within the second segment. The first and second segments of the barrel connector are simultaneously crimped onto the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively, forming a bond which prevents relative motion between the barrel connector and the flexible and rigid conductors.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to devices for implementing a ground connection between a metallic sheath of a cable and a common ground point. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to devices for providing a water-proof ground connection between a metallic sheath of a cable and a common ground point.




Buried telecommunications cables often utilize a distribution pedestal for housing cable ends and splices. These pedestals provide easy access to the cable ends without excavation of the buried cables for splice installations, maintenance and troubleshooting. However, such pedestals are not a closed environment and rain run-off or other ground water may enter the splice. This moisture will contribute to the corrosion of the copper conductors and metallic sheath leading to a degradation of the mechanical integrity and the electrical characteristics of the cable. Generally, the splices are made watertight to prevent the introduction of water. The splices may be made watertight by encapsulating or flooding the splice area with a urethane or gel compound. Alternatively, the splice bundle may be enclosed in a heat shrinkable enclosure.




If the cable includes a metallic sheath, the sheath must be electrically bonded to the pedestal housing. The housing, in turn, should be grounded. Consequently, a grounding conductor, typically a number 6 AWG conductor, must exit the encapsulated/housed splice for connection to the pedestal housing. In geographic areas which are subject to ground freeze/thaw cycles, there is relative movement between the pedestal housing and the cables since the cables are usually buried below the frost line and the pedestal housing is buried at least partially above the frost line. If the ground connection is not sufficiently flexible to accommodate such relative movement or roadside vibration, the watertight seal will be jeopardized. A solid number 6 AWG conductor is relatively stiff and is too inflexible to properly accommodate relative motion between the pedestal housing and the splice. If a stranded number 6 AWG conductor is used, moisture can wick into the space between the individual conductors and enter the splice.




One conventional grounding device mounts a solid number 6 AWG conductor to a stranded number 6 AWG conductor via a butt splice. The solid conductor is mounted to the cable sheath and extends out of the encapsulated/housed splice. The stranded conductor provides sufficient flexibility to allow relative movement between the splice and the pedestal housing. Although both conductors are number 6 AWG, the outside diameter of the stranded conductor is greater than that of the solid conductor. Typically, a connector having one end which is sleeved to reduce the inside diameter is used to ensure that connector is properly crimped. Such connectors are relatively expensive. In addition, the assembly worker must identify which end of the connector has been sleeved and orient the connector to insert each conductor into the proper end of the connector. Consequently, it takes a relatively long time to assemble each grounding device even though the device has a relatively simple design.




In addition to the difficulty of properly connecting two different diameter conductors, crimped connections are subject to degradation of their mechanical and electrical properties if they do not provide a “gas tight” connection. A crimped wire connection is “gas tight” if all of the individual conductors of a stranded conductor are compressed together leaving no voids for air and moisture to enter. For a solid conductor, the connection is “gas tight” if the conductor cannot rotate within the connector. If the connection is not “gas tight” moisture will enter the connection causing corrosion which degrades the mechanical connection and electrical properties of the connection. It is especially difficult to insure that both connections in a butt splice are “gas tight” when a solid conductor is joined to a stranded conductor and the conductors have different diameters.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a flexible bond harness which includes a flexible ground subassembly and a rigid ground subassembly which are joined together by a barrel connector. The flexible ground assembly has a first terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially flexible conductor and the rigid ground assembly has a second terminal connector which is mounted to the distal end portion of a substantially rigid conductor. The outside diameter (Df) of the flexible conductor is greater than the outside diameter (Dr) of the rigid conductor. The longitudinally extending barrel connector has a substantially uniform thickness, first and second side walls and a base. The barrel connector is divided into first and second segments extending from the first and second ends, respectively, to a position intermediate the first and second ends. The proximal end portion of the flexible conductor is positioned within the first segment and the proximal end portion of the rigid conductor is positioned within the second segment. The first and second segments of the barrel connector are simultaneously crimped onto the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively, forming a bond which prevents relative motion between the barrel connector and the flexible and rigid conductors.




The bond is fashioned, in part, by a cold weld connection which is formed between the longitudinally extending leading edges of each side wall of the barrel connector conductor. The bond is also fashioned by mechanical engagement between the flattened base of the barrel connector and a flattened surface of the conductor. A similar bond is formed between the mounting portion of each terminal connector and the distal end portion of the rigid or flexible conductor. That is, the longitudinally extending leading edges of each side wall of the mounting portion forms a cold weld with the conductor and the flattened base of the mounting portion mechanically engages a flattened surface of the conductor.




The flexible bond harness is manufactured utilizing a pair of work stations. The first work station has a first die and an associated first punch for crimping the portion of a barrel connector containing the stranded conductor and a second die and an associated second punch for crimping the portion of the barrel connector containing the solid conductor. The second work station contains either a first die and punch or a second die and punch. The first and second dies each include an inner surface having a profile and defining a cavity. The profile of the first die is substantially identical to the profile of the second die. The first and second punch each have a punch segment having an intermediate surface and first and second bar segments which extend upwardly from the intermediate surface to an upper surface. The intermediate surface and upper surface of each punch define a height where the height of the second punch is greater than the height of the first punch.




The barrel connector has a substantially uniform thickness and first and second connector segments. Each of the connector segments has first and second side walls and a base. The barrel connector is positioned in the first work station such that the first connector segment is positioned intermediate the first die and the first punch and the second connector segment is positioned intermediate the second die and the second punch. A second end portion of the flexible conductor is positioned in the first connector segment and a second end portion of the rigid conductor is positioned in the second connector segment.




The work station press is activated, causing the first and second punches to be moved toward the first and second dies, sequentially causing the following steps to occur: a) the first and second bar segments of the second punch engage the second connector segment; b) the first and second side walls of the second connector segment slide on the inner surface of the second die to commence crimping the second connector segment to the rigid conductor and the first and second bar segments of the first punch engage the first connector segment; c) the first and second side walls of the first and second connector segments slide on the inner surface of the first and second dies to crimp the first and second connector segment to the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively, until a portion of the bar segments of the first and second punches are positioned within the cavities of the first and second dies, respectively. As the crimping is completed, the remaining web for the barrel connector is severed in the same tool, releasing the completed part. At the completion of the crimping operation, the first and second punches move together away from the first and second dies, respectively, and the flexible bond harness is removed from the first work station.




During the crimping operation, the intermediate surface of the first and second punches engage and flatten the base of the first and second connector segments, respectively, and the second end portions of the flexible and rigid conductors adjacent the base of the first and second connector segments. Also, the edge portions of the first and second side walls of the first and second connector segments engage and form a cold weld with the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively. The profiles of the first and second dies each have an M-shape comprising a pair of arc segments separated by a downwardly protruding ridge. The first and second side walls slide along the arc segments, forming an arcuate shape, and the ridge directs the edge portions into engagement with the flexible and rigid conductors. The pressure created by the first punch and the first die causes the individual conductor strands of the second end portion of the flexible conductor to cold weld, forming a solid conductor.




The first and second terminals are mounted onto the conductors in a similar operation in the second work station. The mounting portion of a terminal is positioned intermediate the die and punch of the second work station. The first end portion of the flexible conductor or the rigid conductor is positioned in the mounting portion and the terminal is crimped to the conductor by moving the punch toward the die.




During the crimping operation, the intermediate surface of the punch engages and flattens the base of the mounting portion and the first end portions of the conductor adjacent the base. Also, the edge portions of the side walls of the mounting portion engage and form a cold weld with the conductor. The side walls slide along the arc segments of the die, forming an arcuate shape, and the ridge directs the edge portions into engagement with the conductor. The pressure created by the punch and the die cause the individual conductor strands of the first end portion of the flexible conductor to cold weld, forming a solid conductor.




It is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved harness for implementing a flexible ground connection between the metallic sheath of a cable and a ground point.




It is also an object of the invention to provide new and improved harness which is easier and less expensive to produce than conventional harnesses.




Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the drawings and specification.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:





FIG. 1

is perspective view of a flexible bond harness in accordance with the invention installed in a pedestal enclosure partially illustrated;





FIG. 2

is an enlarged perspective view of the flexible bond harness of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of a representative strip of butt splice connectors used in the manufacture of the flexible bond harness of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of a representative strip of ring terminals used in the manufacture of the flexible bond harness of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of a work station where the butt splice of the flexible bond harness of

FIG. 1

is formed together with an operator illustrating a manufacturing step therefor;





FIG. 6

is a schematic side view of a solid conductor crimp die and punch of

FIG. 5

, the strip of butt splice connectors of

FIG. 3

, and the flexible bond harness of

FIG. 1

illustrated in section; and





FIG. 7

is a schematic side view of a stranded conductor crimp die and punch of FIG.


5


.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Buried telecommunications cables often utilize a distribution pedestal for housing cable ends and splices. If the cable includes a metallic sheath, the sheath must be bonded to a metallic pedestal housing. Generally, the splices are made watertight by encapsulating the splice area with a urethane or gel compound or enclosing the splice in a heat shrinkable enclosure. If the ground connection is not sufficiently flexible to accommodate relative movement between the ground connector and the pedestal housing, the watertight seal will be jeopardized.




With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, a flexible bond harness in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral


10


. The harness


10


(

FIG. 1

) combines a relatively inflexible solid conductor


12


with a relatively flexible stranded conductor


14


to provide a ground connection for a cable splice


16


which will allow relative movement between the cable splice


16


and the pedestal enclosure


18


without providing a leak path into the cable splice


16


. In a preferred embodiment, both the solid conductor


12


and stranded conductor


14


are #6 AWG conductors. Smaller or larger conductors may be utilized depending on the amperage rating of the conductors and the specific ground load requirements of the particular installation.




With reference to

FIG. 2

, a first terminal connector


20


, such as a ring terminal, is crimped onto the distal end portion


22


of the solid conductor


12


, as described below, to form a rigid ground subassembly


24


. With additional reference to

FIG. 3

, the ring terminal


20


is mounted to the electrically conductive sheath of the cable


26


such that the solid conductor


12


extends out of the encapsulating compound or the watertight enclosure


28


that surrounds the cable splice


16


. The encapsulating compound or enclosure


28


forms a watertight seal with the smooth outer surface of the solid conductor


12


. Since a solid, relatively inflexible conductor


12


is utilized to provide this portion of the ground path, rather than a relatively flexible stranded conductor, the conductor does not have internal voids which would provide an internal leakage path into the sealed splice area.




A second terminal connector


30


, such as a ring terminal, is crimped onto the distal end portion


32


of the stranded conductor


14


, as described below, to form a flexible ground subassembly


34


. The ring terminal


30


is mounted to a ground terminal


36


on the pedestal housing


18


. Since the stranded construction of the conductor


14


is relatively flexible, the stranded conductor


14


accommodates relative movement between the cable


26


and the pedestal housing


18


.




A proximal end portion


38


of the solid conductor


12


is mounted to an proximal end portion


40


of the stranded conductor


14


by a butt splice connector


42


to join the rigid ground subassembly


24


to the flexible ground subassembly


34


. Although both the solid conductor


12


and the stranded conductor


14


are the same size, as dictated by the single ground load rating of the harness, the outside diameter of the stranded conductor


14


is greater than that of the solid conductor


12


due to the voids between the individual strands.




A conventional butt splice connector for joining conductors of different diameters typically is a cylindrical member having oppositely disposed bore segments that are separated by a conductor positioning tang that extends inwardly to partially close the midpoint of the bore. The inside diameter of the bore segment designated for the smaller diameter conductor is reduced, for example by a sleeve, such that the gap between the inside surface of reduced diameter bore segment and the smaller diameter conductor is substantially equal to the gap between the inside surface of the other bore segment and the larger diameter conductor. Therefore, a single crimp die and punch providing a uniform compression of both bore segments will properly join the two conductors. Such connectors are relatively expensive to manufacture. In addition, the assembly worker must identify the end of the connector has the reduced diameter bore segment to orient the connector such that each conductor is inserted into the proper end of the connector. Consequently, it takes a relatively long time to connect two conductors having dissimilar diameters even though the connector has a relatively simple design.




With reference to

FIG. 3

, the butt splice connector


42


of the subject invention is a U-shaped open barrel terminal defining a trough having a pair of side walls


44


,


46


extending vertically upward from a base


48


. When viewed from either end, the side walls


44


,


46


of the terminal have an arcuate shape. A conductor positioning tang


50


extends upwardly into the trough at the midpoint of the barrel to define two substantially identical trough segments


52


,


54


. The length of the trough segments


52


,


54


is selected to ensure that the length of the conductor which is received in the trough segment


52


,


54


is sufficient to provide both the proper mechanical pull-out resistance and the proper electrical characteristics. Unlike the conventional butt splice connector described above, the wall thickness of the connector


42


is substantially uniform throughout its length and each of the trough segments


52


,


54


may receive either the thinner solid conductor


12


or the thicker stranded conductor


14


.




The butt splice connector


42


may be manufactured from a uniform strip of tin coated copper in a simple stamping operation and therefore is easier and less costly to manufacture than the conventional butt splice connector. As shown in

FIG. 3

, the stamping operation produces a continuous strip


56


carrying a series of butt splice connectors


42


. The opposite ends of each butt splice connector are integrally attached to an indexing member


58


by a flash bridge


60


. The cross-sectional area of the connection between the flash bridges


60


and the butt splice connectors


42


is reduced during the stamping operation to facilitate removal of the butt splice connector


42


from indexing members


58


during assembly of the flexible bond harness


10


. Each flash bridge


60


extends upwardly and inwardly from a respective indexing member


58


such that the butt splice connector


42


is positioned above the plane defined by the indexing members


58


. This positioning facilitates assembly of the flexible bond harness


10


as described below. An opening


62


extends through each indexing member


58


intermediate each set of adjacent butt splice connectors


42


.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, the rigid ground subassembly


24


is joined to the flexible ground subassembly


34


at a work station


64


having a first “stranded” die


66


and punch


68


for crimping segment


52


of the connector


42


containing the stranded conductor


14


, a second “solid” die


70


and punch


72


for crimping the segment


54


of the connector


42


containing the solid conductor


12


, a hydraulic press


74


, and a tractor feed mechanism


76


. The tractor feed mechanism


76


engages the distal end portion of strip


56


to pull the strip


56


of butt splice connectors


42


off of a storage reel


78


. Pins on the tractor feed mechanism


76


are received within cooperating openings


62


in both indexing members


58


to provide controlled engagement between the tractor feed mechanism


76


and the indexing members


58


. The distance between successive openings


62


,


62


′ in each indexing member


58


and the distance between adjacent pins of the tractor feed mechanism


76


are selected such that the trough segments


52


,


54


of a single butt splice connector


42


are positioned between the stranded and solid dies


66


,


70


and the stranded and solid punches


68


,


72


, respectively, after each actuation of the press


74


. Since either trough segment


52


,


54


will accept both the solid conductor


12


and the stranded conductor


14


, the strip


56


does not have to be oriented with respect to the conductors


12


,


14


.




With further reference to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, the inner surface


80


of both the stranded die


66


and the solid die


70


have a similar profile. Preferably, the profiles are identical. The die cavity


82


forms an inverted “U” having a downwardly protruding ridge


84


which divides the upper end portion of surface


80


into a pair of mirror image arc segments


86


. When viewed from the side, the surface of the die cavity looks substantially like the letter “M”, where the surfaces that form the letter are cursive rather than straight. The axis


88


of the die cavity


82


is substantially parallel to the axis


90


of the butt splice connector


42


when the rigid ground subassembly


24


is mounted to the flexible ground subassembly


34


. In a die


66


,


70


for a butt splice connector


42


for #6 AWG conductors, the arc segments


86


preferably have a radius of 0.064 inches. The side portions


92


of surface


80


extend outwardly and downwardly from arc segments


86


to the bottom surface


94


of the die


66


,


70


. Preferably, the angle


96


formed between each side portion


92


of surface


80


and the vertical is substantially equal to 20°. The junction of the side portions of surface


80


and the bottom surface


94


forms a curve


98


having a radius of 0.125 inches.




As shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

, both of the punches


68


,


72


include a rectangular base segment


100


, a punch segment


102


, and two bar segments


104


,


106


, which are substantially parallel to the axis


90


of the butt splice connector


42


when the rigid ground subassembly


24


is mounted to the flexible ground subassembly


34


. The punch segment


102


has the shape of a truncated pyramid, when viewed from the side, where the side surfaces of the punch segment


102


extend upwardly and inwardly from the upper surface


108


of the base segment to an intermediate surface


110


. The bar segments


104


,


106


each extend from the intermediate surface


110


of the punch segment


102


to an upper surface


112


, where the upper surface


112


of the first bar segment


104


is coplanar with the upper surface


112


of the second bar segment


106


, and are separated by a longitudinally extending groove


114


. Each bar segment


104


,


106


has the shape of a truncated pyramid when viewed from the side, where the outboard side surfaces of the bar segments


104


,


106


are coplanar with the side surfaces of the punch segment


102


. Preferably, the angle


115


formed between each side surface


116


,


116


′ and the horizontal upper surface


108


,


108


′ of the base segment


100


,


100


′ is substantially equal to 115°.




The distance between the intermediate surface


110


of the punch segment


102


and the upper surface


112


of the bar segments


104


,


106


define a height


118


, where the height


118


′ of the bar segments


104


′,


106


′ of the solid punch


72


is greater than the height


118


to the bar segments


104


,


106


of the stranded punch


68


. Consequently, the bar segments


104


′,


106


′ of the solid punch


72


engage the side walls


44


,


46


of the trough segment


54


containing the solid conductor


12


before the intermediate surface


110


′ engages the base surface


48


of trough segment


54


and before any portion of the stranded punch


68


engages the trough segment


52


containing the stranded conductor


14


. Further, the bar segments


104


′,


106


′ of the solid punch


72


extend further into the die cavity


82


when the press


74


is at the top of its stroke than the bar segments


104


,


106


of the stranded punch


68


. As a result, the solid punch


72


compresses the trough segment


54


containing the solid conductor


12


to a greater extent than stranded punch


68


compresses the trough segment


52


containing the stranded conductor


14


. The greater compression ensures that the smaller diameter solid conductor


12


is properly crimped. It should be appreciated that the assembly worker must ensure that the proximal end portion


38


of the solid conductor


12


is placed within the trough segment


54


positioned between the solid die


70


and punch


72


and the proximal end portion


40


of the stranded conductor


14


is placed within the trough segment


52


positioned between the stranded die


66


and punch


68


. The connector


42


is severed from the rest of the web or strip


56


at the completion of the crimping process to allow the assembled workpiece to be released. The connector


42


may be severed as a result of advancing the strip


56


and rolling over the weak flash bridges


60


. The punches


68


,


72


are withdrawn from the dies


66


,


70


during the down stroke of the press


74


to allow the assembled workpiece or assembled flexible bond harness


10


to be withdrawn from the work station


64


.




With further reference to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, the profile of the die


66


,


70


and punch


68


,


72


ensure that the connector


42


is crimped in a manner that produces a gas-tight connection. The leading edges


120


of the connector side walls


44


,


46


engage the arc segments


86


of the die surface


80


as the connector


42


is crimped, forcing the leading edges


120


inward and downward toward the surface of the conductor


12


,


14


. The ridge


84


of the die


66


,


70


engages the leading edges


120


forcing them into such intimate engagement with the surface of the conductor


12


,


14


that a cold-welded joint is formed. Similarly, the in board edge


122


of each of the bar segments


104


,


106


engage the side walls


44


,


46


of the connector


42


along a laterally extending line and force the side walls


44


,


46


into engagement with the conductor


12


,


14


resulting in two additional cold welds. The intermediate surface


110


of the punch segment


102


engages the base


48


of the trough and flattens it. As the press continues to force the die


66


,


70


and punch


68


,


72


together, the base


48


of the trough engages and flattens the adjacent portion of the outside surface


124


of the conductor


12


,


14


. For the solid conductor


12


, the engaged flattened surfaces


48


,


124


and the cold welds prevent relative motion between the solid conductor


12


and the connector


42


. For the stranded conductor


14


, the compression of the conductor


14


causes the strands to become cold-welded, thereby forming a solid conductor within the connector


42


. The cold welds formed between the connector


42


and the solid portion of the stranded conductor


14


and the flattened surfaces of the connector


42


and the solid portion of the stranded conductor


14


prevent relative movement between the connector


42


and the stranded conductor


14


.




Punches and dies having a similar profile to the stranded and solid punches


68


,


72


and dies


66


,


70


described above are used to mount the ring terminals


20


,


30


to the distal end portions


22


,


32


of the solid and stranded conductors


12


,


14


. As shown in

FIG. 4

, the ring terminal


20


,


30


of the subject invention includes a flattened terminal portion


126


having an opening


128


for receiving either a ground post or a mounting post. An integral U-shaped open barrel portion


130


defines a trough having a pair of side walls


132


extending vertically upward from a base


134


. When viewed from the end, the side walls


132


of the barrel portion


130


have an arcuate shape. The length of the barrel portion


130


is selected to ensure that the length of the conductor


12


,


14


which is received in the barrel portion


130


is sufficient to provide both the proper mechanical pull-out resistance and the proper electrical characteristics. The ring terminals


20


,


30


may be manufactured from a uniform strip of tin coated copper in a simple stamping operation The stamping operation produces a continuous strip


136


carrying a series of ring terminals


20


,


30


. The opposite ends of each ring terminal


20


,


30


is mounted to a prior or subsequent ring terminal


20


′,


30


′ by a flash bridge


138


.




The ring terminals


20


,


30


are mounted to the stranded and solid conductors


14


,


12


at a work station in a similar manner as described above for the butt splice connector


42


. The work station has either a stranded die


66


and punch


68


or a solid die


70


and punch


72


, a hydraulic press, and a feed mechanism. The feed mechanism engages the distal end portion of strip


136


to pull the strip of ring terminals


20


,


30


off of a storage reel and position a ring terminal


20


,


30


between the die and punch after each actuation of the press.




As described above, the height of the bar segments of the solid punch


72


is greater than the height to the bar segments of the stranded punch


68


. Consequently, the solid punch


72


compresses the barrel portion


130


of the ring terminals


20


crimped to the solid conductor


12


to a greater extent than stranded punch


68


compresses the barrel portion


130


of the ring terminals


30


crimped to the stranded conductor


14


. The greater compression ensures that the smaller diameter solid conductor


12


is properly crimped. As further described above, the profile of the die and punch produces a gas-tight connection between the connector portion of the ring terminal


20


,


30


and the conductor


12


,


14


. The ring terminal is also severed from the rest of the continuous strip at the completion of the crimping of a given ring terminal.




While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.



Claims
  • 1. A method for manufacturing a flexible bond harness comprising the steps of:mounting a mounting portion of a first terminal connector on a first end portion of a substantially flexible conductor having an outside diameter Df; mounting a mounting portion of a second terminal connector on a first end portion of a substantially rigid conductor having an outside diameter Dr, where Df>Dr; providing a first work station having a first die and an associated first punch and a second die and an associated second punch; positioning a barrel connector in the first work station, the barrel connector having a substantially uniform thickness and first and second connector segments, each of the connector segments having a pair of side walls and a base, the first connector segment being positioned intermediate the first die and the first punch and the second connector segment being positioned intermediate the second die and the second punch; positioning a second end portion of the flexible conductor in the first connector segment and a second end portion of the rigid conductor in the second connector segment; crimping the barrel connector to the flexible and rigid conductors in the following sequence: a) moving the first and second punches toward the first and second dies until a portion of the second punch engages the second connector segment, b) moving the first and second punches toward the first and second dies until a portion of the first punch engages the first connector segment, the side walls of the second connector segment sliding on the second die to commence crimping the second connector segment to the rigid conductor, c) moving the first and second punches together toward the first and second dies until at least a portion of the first and second punches are positioned within the first and second dies, respectively, the side walls of the first and second connector segments sliding on the first and second dies, respectively, to complete crimping the first and second connector segment to the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively, and d) withdrawing the first and second punches from the first and second dies, respectively.
  • 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step c) further includes the step of moving the first and second punches toward the first and second dies until the first and second punches engage and flatten the base of the first and second connector segments, respectively, and the second end portions of the flexible and rigid conductors adjacent the base of the first and second connector segments.
  • 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the side walls of the connector segments each have an edge portion and step c) further includes the step of moving the first and second punches together toward the first and second dies until the edge portions of the side walls of the first and second connector segments engage and form a cold weld with the flexible and rigid conductors, respectively.
  • 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first and second dies each have an inner surface having a profile and defining a cavity, the profiles of each die having an M-shape comprising a pair of arc segments separated by a downwardly protruding ridge, the side walls sliding along the arc segments, forming an arcuate shape, and the ridge directing the edge portions into engagement with the flexible and rigid conductors.
  • 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the flexible conductor comprises a plurality of conductor strands and step c) further includes the step of moving the first and second punches together toward the first and second dies until the conductor strands of the second end portion of the flexible conductor form a cold weld.
  • 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:providing a second work station having a third die and an associated third punch; positioning the mounting portion of the first or second terminal connector intermediate the third die and the third punch of the second work station, each of the mounting portions having side walls and a base; positioning the first end portion of the flexible conductor or the rigid conductor in the mounting portion; crimping the mounting portion to the flexible conductor or the rigid conductor by moving the third punch toward the third die.
  • 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of crimping further includes the step of moving the third punch toward the third die until a portion of the third punch engages and flattens the base of the mounting portion and the first end portion of the flexible or rigid conductor adjacent the base of the mounting portion.
  • 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the side walls of the mounting portion each have an edge portion and the step of crimping further includes the step of moving the third punch toward the third die until the edge portions of the side walls of the mounting portion engage and form a cold weld with the flexible or rigid conductor.
  • 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the third die has an inner surface having a profile and defining a cavity, the profile of the third die having an M-shape comprising a pair of arc segments separated by a downwardly protruding ridge, the side walls of the mounting portion sliding along the arc segments, forming an arcuate shape, and the ridge directing the edge portions into engagement with the flexible or rigid conductor.
  • 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the flexible conductor comprises a plurality of conductor strands and the step of crimping further includes the step of moving the third punch toward the third die until the conductor strands of the first end portion of the flexible conductor form a cold weld.
  • 11. The method of claim 6 further comprising providing a strip of terminal connectors and severing the positioned terminal connector from the strip at the second work station.
  • 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing a strip of barrel connectors and severing the barrel connector positioned in the first work station from the strip of barrel connectors.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Number Name Date Kind
4212047 Napiorkowski Jul 1980
4361719 Hyde Nov 1982
4485361 Bender Nov 1984
4665281 Kamis May 1987
4842530 Erickson, II Jun 1989
5021005 Slenker Jun 1991
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry
Electric Motion Company, Inc., “#6AWG Flexible Ground Strap,” published before Jan. 11, 1998.
Page from Alltel Supply Catalog, 1996.