Patent Application
20170176161
Field
The present disclosure relates generally to multi-function instruments for measuring characteristics associated with electrical wires and electrical connections. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a multi-function instrument that can measure wire size in different metal compositions, and that can measure the resulting compression force of a crimp associated with wire connectors.
Description of the Related Art
Single function gauges used to measure for example the outer diameter of electrical conductors have been used to determine the size of a lug or connector to be used to terminate the conductor. Such single function gauges are limited to measuring a single characteristic of copper conductors, namely the outer diameter of copper conductors. However, conductors that are copper or aluminum are often used for high voltage, high current environments. Further, the size of the die needed to crimp the lug or connector to the conductor varies depending upon the size of the conductor. Having a multi-function measuring instrument that can measure multiple characteristics associated with electrical connections is needed.
The present disclosure provides a measuring instrument. In one exemplary embodiment, the measuring instrument includes a main body having a first plate with a first set of measuring identifiers, a second plate with a second set of measuring identifiers, a channel between the first plate and the second plate, and a measuring arm. The measuring instrument also includes a slide arm having a measuring arm and a slide rail. The slide rail is positioned within the channel and movable relative to the main body. The slide rail also has a plurality of measuring markers that can align with at least one of the measuring identifiers.
In another exemplary embodiment, the multi-function measuring instrument includes a main body and a slide arm. The main body includes a pair of spacers, a first plate with a first set of measuring identifiers secured to a first side of each spacer, a second plate with a second set of measuring identifiers secured to a first side of each spacer and a first measuring arm extending from one of the spacers. The pair of spacers and a portion of the first plate and the second plate form a channel. The slide arm includes a second measuring arm and a slide rail. The slide rail is positioned within the channel and movable relative to the main body such that the second measuring arm can move away from or toward the first measuring arm. The slide rail includes a plurality of measuring markers such that when the slide rail is moved within the channel the measuring markers can align with at least one of the measuring identifiers, and a stop that engages at least one of the first plate or the second plate to prevent the slide arm from exiting the channel when the second measuring arm is moved away from the first measuring arm.
The figures depict embodiments or configurations for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments or configuration of the structures illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein, wherein:
The present disclosure provides a multi-function measuring instrument that can measure multiple characteristics associated with electrical conductors or wires and resulting crimps of electrical wires within wire connectors. In one exemplary embodiment, the multi-function measuring instrument is a caliper type instrument that can measure the size of electrical wires in different metal compositions, and that can measure resulting compression force of crimps associated with wire connectors. Wire connectors as used herein includes taps, terminations, splices, lugs, couplers, connectors and any other end point where a wire is secured to connection type device by a crimp. The crimps can be made by crimp tools, e.g., power crimp tools, that have dies, or the crimps can be made by die-less crimp tools, such as power crimp tools with a nest and indentor. There are numerous types of dies that can be used in crimp tools with dies. For example, the dies can be U-type, W-type, P-type, S-type and/or X-type dies. The specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. Various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
Referring to
The first face plate 20 has a plurality of identifiers 22 that correspond to different electrical wire characteristics. For example, the identifiers 22 can be for electrical wire sizes, for example, for stranded wire, flex wire, and/or solid wire sizes. As another example, the identifiers 22 can correspond to Diesel Locomotive (DLO) cable. Table 1 below and
The first face plate 20 also has a plurality of identifiers 24 that correspond to compression force range of crimps (shown as block regions) exerted by crimp dies, e.g., “U” type crimp dies, “W” type crimp dies or other crimp dies, used in a power crimping tool, and used to crimp wires to wire connectors. For example, the identifiers 24 can be the compression force range dimensions exerted by “U” type crimp dies used with known power crimping tools, and are measured by a “T” dimension, which is a dimension measured to ensure the correct die type, e.g., “U” type die or “W” type die, was used to crimp a wire connector to a wire. The “T” dimension, shown in
The second face plate 30 also has a plurality of identifiers 32 that correspond to different electrical wire characteristics. For example, the identifiers 32 can be for electrical wire sizes for stranded wire, flex wire, and/or solid wire sizes. As another example, the identifiers 32 can correspond to 1350 compact cable. Table 3 below and
The second face plate 30 also has a plurality of identifiers 34 that correspond to compression force range of crimps (shown as block regions) exerted by crimp dies, e.g., “U” type crimp dies, “W” type crimp dies or other crimp dies, used in a power crimping tool, and used to crimp a wire to wire connector. For example, the identifiers 34 can be the compression force range dimensions exerted by known “U” type crimp dies used with known crimping tools, and are measured by a “T” dimension, which is a dimension measured to ensure the correct die type, e.g., “U” type die, was used to crimp a wire connector to a wire. Table 4 below and
The slide arm 14 is configured to fit within and slide within the channel between the face plates 20 and 30 of the main body 12, as shown in
Referring to
However, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to the configurations of the present disclosure herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the disclosure, but merely as embodiments or configurations thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
The present disclosure is based on and claims benefit from co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/268,756 filed Dec. 17, 2015 entitled “Multi-Function Measuring Instrument” the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62268756 | Dec 2015 | US |
