EP0889561B1 - Crimp press and method for use - Google Patents

Abstract

The crimping device is provided with a contact feed arrangement for feeding contacts (af) to be fastened to a conductor (9) in a contact processing point (8) and a crimping press (36, 44) for carrying out a crimping tool (33a, 33b ..) at the contact processing point. ) force to be applied. In order to enable any alternation in the supply of different contact types to a crimping device, the crimping device has a plurality of crimping tools (33a, 33b ...) which are arranged side by side, have different crimping inserts and can be moved laterally with one another, the latter with a wire and an insulation stamp (36 and 37) and one of the two latter anvil and separation unit (38; 85,86) are provided. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a crimping device with a Contact supply arrangement for supplying in a contact processing point to be attached to a ladder Contacts, and with a crimp press for exercise one at the contact processing point on a crimping tool force to be applied, and a method for Operation of this crimping device.

When processing (e.g. crimping, soldering, etc.) from Contacts in a crimping device it is known that a switch from one contact type to another Contact type because of the change required the crimping tools are relatively complicated and time consuming is, i.e. a frequent alternation between different ones Contact types is practically impossible.

The object of the present invention is in particular the creation of a crimping device and a method, which does not have this disadvantage mentioned above have, i.e. which any alternation at the supply of different contact types to the crimping device enable. This task is accomplished by means of a crimping device according to claim 1 solved.

Appropriate further developments of the inventive Crimping device according to claim 1 are the subject of dependent claims 2 to 12.

The invention further relates to a method for Operation of the device according to the invention 13.

Appropriate further developments of the inventive The method of claim 13 are the subject of dependent claims 14 to 17.

Fig. 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten beispielsweisen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig.2 eine Ansicht analog Figur 1, wobei jedoch zur besseren Übersicht insbesondere verschiedene Wandungsteile gegenüber Figur 1 weggelassen wurden;

Fig.3 in vergrössertem Massstab und perspektivischer Ansicht den Vorschub- und Abtrennteil einer der den Figuren 1 und 2 eingezeichneten Kontaktzufuhrstationen;

Fig. 4a bis 4e in perspektivischer Ansicht die einzelnen Schritte zum Vorschub, zur Übergabe und Abtrennen eines einzelnen Kontaktbandabschnittes;

Fig. 5 in vergrössertem Massstab und in perspektivischer Ansicht ein einzelner, vom Kontaktband abgetrennter Kontaktbandabschnitt;

Fig. 6 in perspektivischer Ansicht den aus Figur 5 ersichtlichen Kontaktbandabschnitt in durch den Ergreifungsteil der ersten Kontakttransfereinheit ergriffenen Position;

Fig. 7 in perspektivischer Ansicht die erste Kontakttransfereinheit der in Figur 1 dargestellten Vorrichtung;

Figuren 8 und 9 die Übergabe eines Kontaktbandabschnittes von der ersten Kontakttransfereinheit an die zweite Kontakttransfereinheit;

Fig. 10 in perspektivischer Ansicht die zweite Kontakttransfereinheit der in Figur 1 dargestellten Vorrichtung;

Fig. 11 teilweise in Explosionsdarstellung und in kleinerem Massstab ein Detail der in Figur 10 dargestellten zweiten Kontakttransfereinheit;

Fig.12 bis 15 in perspektivischer Ansicht die Zufuhr und Verarbeitung eines an einem Leiter zu befestigenden Kontaktes in der Krimpstation;

Fig. 16 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Krimppresseinheit einer zweiten beispielsweisen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Vorrichtung;

Fig. 17 in Explosionsdarstellung den Pressenantrieb der in Figur 1 dargestellten Krimppresseinheit;

Fig. 18 in perspektivischer Ansicht die Krimphöhenverstellung der in den Figuren 16 und 17 dargestellten Krimppresseinheit;

Fig. 19 die Krimphöhenverstellung gemäss Figur 18 in Explosionsdarstellung;

Fig. 20 in perspektivischer Ansicht das Zusammenwirken der im Querschlitten angeordneten Einrastmittel mit einem an der Krimppresse fest angeordneten Entrastungselement;

Fig. 21 in Explosionsdarstellung verschiedene Teile der in Figur 16 dargestellten Krimppresseinheit;

Fig. 22 in Explosionsdarstellung den Querschlittenantrieb der in Figur 16 dargestellten Krimppresseinheit;

Fig. 23 den aus Figur 22 ersichtlichen Querschlittenantrieb in zusammengebautem Zustand;

Fig. 24 in vergrössertem Massstab und in perspektivischer Ansicht das Zusammenwirken von Einrastmitteln mit zwei einander zugeordneten Stempelhaltern,

Fig. 25 in perspektivischer Ansicht das Zusammenwirken der beiden am unteren Ende der in Figur 24 dargestellten Stempelhaltern angeordneten Isolations- und Leiterstempel mit den zugeordneten Ambosselementen; und

Fig. 26 in Explosionsdarstellung eine weitere beispielsweise Ausführungsform einer Krimphöhenverstellung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, for example. Show it:

1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

2 shows a view analogous to FIG. 1, but in particular various wall parts compared to FIG. 1 have been omitted for a better overview;

3 shows, on an enlarged scale and in perspective view, the feed and separation part of one of the contact feed stations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

4a to 4e show a perspective view of the individual steps for advancing, transferring and separating an individual contact strip section;

5 on an enlarged scale and in perspective view a single contact strip section separated from the contact strip;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the contact strip section shown in FIG. 5 in the position gripped by the gripping part of the first contact transfer unit;

7 shows a perspective view of the first contact transfer unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the transfer of a contact tape section from the first contact transfer unit to the second contact transfer unit;

10 shows a perspective view of the second contact transfer unit of the device shown in FIG. 1;

11 shows a detail of the second contact transfer unit shown in FIG. 10, partly in an exploded view and on a smaller scale;

12 to 15 in a perspective view the supply and processing of a contact to be fastened to a conductor in the crimping station;

16 shows a perspective view of a crimping press unit of a second exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention;

17 is an exploded view of the press drive of the crimping press unit shown in FIG. 1;

18 shows a perspective view of the crimp height adjustment of the crimp press unit shown in FIGS. 16 and 17;

19 the crimp height adjustment according to FIG. 18 in an exploded view;

20 shows a perspective view of the interaction of the latching means arranged in the cross slide with an unlatching element fixedly arranged on the crimping press;

21 shows an exploded view of various parts of the crimping press unit shown in FIG. 16;

22 is an exploded view of the cross slide drive of the crimping press unit shown in FIG. 16;

23 shows the cross slide drive shown in FIG. 22 in the assembled state;

24 on an enlarged scale and in perspective view the interaction of latching means with two stamp holders assigned to each other,

25 shows a perspective view of the interaction of the two insulation and conductor stamps arranged at the lower end of the stamp holders shown in FIG. 24 with the associated anvil elements; and

Fig. 26 in an exploded view another example embodiment of a crimp height adjustment.

Below are mutually analogous parts with the provided with the same reference numerals so that a repeated description of mutually analogous parts is unnecessary.

In the exemplary embodiments described below are crimping stations as contact processing stations used, but of course as Contact processing stations also other types of Processing stations, e.g. Contact soldering stations, are conceivable.

As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the device shown there a plurality of laterally arranged side by side, each one of the to be fed different contact strips 1a to 1f associated contact feed stations 2a to 2f for the selective feed of a certain contact a, b, c, d, e or f in a contact gripping position (see Figures 3, 4b and 4c).

To increase the flexibility of the device, i.e. for easy and quick adaptation to the different types of contact tape as well as a desired one Number of contact supply stations 2a to 2f are the latter individually assembled on their own and / or exchangeable unit (see FIG. 2d in FIG 2) trained.

Each of the contact supply stations 2a to 2f is as can be seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4a to 4e, with a band guide 3.3 'to the side Leading one forward in its longitudinal direction A. transporting contact belt 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, respectively 1f and in openings 4 of the contact carrier strip 1a ', 1b', 1c ', 1d', 1e 'respectively. 1f 'engaging Feed means 6 for incremental feed a selected contact band 1a by a respective lateral contact distance s (Fig. 3) corresponding Distance t (Fig. 4) provided.

The feed means 6 are in a known manner actuated by means of pneumatic cylinders 7. The in the crimping station 8 to be attached to a conductor 9 Contact a is by means of the individual contacts a of a contact strip 1a connecting each other Contact carrier strip 1a 'in a in the displacement 10th a contact gripping part 11 of a first contact transfer unit 12 current contact position 13a (Fig. 4c) moves. In the latter the contact to be fed to the crimping station 8 a via its associated contact carrier strip section 1a "(see FIGS. 4b and 5) in the direction of Longitudinal axis B of the associated contact a seen below Release of two lateral outer sections 14 and 14 '(see Figures 5 and 6) of the contact carrier strip section 1a "by means of the contact gripping part 11 captured in its central region, and then by means of a separation unit 15 from the rest, rear part of the contact carrier strip 1a 'separated. Such a central detection of the contact carrier strip section through the contact grasping part 11 regardless of that at different Contact tapes 1a to 1f different lengths of the to enable the respective contact carrier strip section, the individual contact strip sections so far in the assigned contact gripping position moved forward until its longitudinal axis B (Fig. 5) is exactly in the middle of the displacement path 10, i.e. the contact grasping position of the contact gripping part 11, is located. The contact grasping positions are thus located all contact supply stations 2a to 2f regardless of the size of the feed Contacts a to f on a common line 10.

Then it is assigned in such a way Contact carrier strip section 1a "held contact a by means of the first contact transfer unit 12 for supply to the crimping station 8 in one in FIGS. 2 and 7 Transfer position 16 shown on the right moves where the contact a by means of a contact gripping part 17 a second contact transfer unit 18 via the Contact gripping part 11 of the first contact transfer unit 12 released two lateral outer sections 14 and 14 'of the associated contact carrier strip section 1a ", released by the contact gripping part 12 for its attachment to Conductor 9 from the second contact transfer unit 18 taken over, and then fed to the crimping station 8 becomes.

After the transfer of the contact carrier strip section 1a "on the contact gripping part 17 of the second contact transfer unit 18 in the transfer position 16 and the release of the contact carrier strip section 1a " the contact gripping part 11 becomes unimpeded Retraction of the first contact transfer unit 12 in a the possible in front of the contact supply stations 2a to 2f located contact engagement positions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d ... below the contact gripping part 17 of the second contact transfer unit and below the latter lowered and after passing the two the latter 17.18 back to the level of the Contact gripping positions 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d etc. raised.

To move the first contact transfer unit 12 along the displacement path 20 is one along the latter extending, in one place with the first Cable transfer unit 12 connected, endlessly rotating, Conveyor belt designed as a toothed belt 21 provided, which at its one deflecting end a correspondingly toothed deflection roller runs, and engages with this in a form-fitting manner. This deflection roller is driven by a stepper motor 22 connected, which to its control or the displacement distance the first contact transfer unit 12 is connected to a control unit 23, via which the respective end positions 16; 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d ... of the displacement path 20 are adjustable.

To avoid the contact carrier strip section 1a "during its transport from e.g. its contact gripping position 13d in the transfer position 16 in one of the other possible contact grasping positions 13c, 13b and 13a grazes, the contact gripping part 11 of the first contact transfer unit 12 moved past this area 24 sufficiently lowered, to then before the transfer position 16 again to be raised to the level of the latter.

The second contact transfer unit 18 is by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic actuating cylinder 25 along a guide 26 between two end stops slidable. To adapt the contact gripping part 17 of the second contact transfer unit 18 different large contact carrier strip sections 1a " are the two gripper parts horizontally over two sides Movable towards each other Slide parts 27 and 27 'on a crossbar 28 adjustable guided. The crossbar 28 is in turn over one extending in the vertical direction Support and guide part 29 in a sliding support 30 slidably guided and the compression springs 31st and 32 resiliently supported in the latter.

The crimping station 8 shown in Figures 1 and 2 The device can e.g. as from Figures 12 up to 15, with a very conventional one Crimping tool 33 can be equipped.

When lowering the crimping tool 33 according to FIG. 12 is the contact gripping part 17 against the compression springs 31 and 32 exerted spring pressure also moved slightly down at the same time, whereby the contact carrier strip section during the crimping process 1a "by means of the two interacting Disconnect elements 85, 86 separated from contact a becomes.

After releasing the contact attached to conductor 9 a by the crimping tool 33 becomes the contact gripping part 17 moved back into the transfer position 16, the previously separated and still in opened contact gripping part 17 lying contact carrier strip section 1a "by means of a swiveling Wiper pin 34 from the open Contact gripping part 17 is pushed out and in falls down a collection container 35.

The crimping press is driven in the usual way by means of a drive motor 361.

Mostly because of crimping different contacts different crimping tools are also required the crimping station 8, as shown in FIGS and 2 can be seen, several arranged side by side, different crimping inserts, and laterally slidable than conventional ones Quick-change tools trained crimping tools 33a, 33b, 33c ..., the latter with each a wire and an insulation stamp 36 and 37, respectively and one of the two anvil units assigned to the latter 38 provided.

The crimping tools 33a, 33b, 33c ... are included of the anvil units 38 assigned to them, such as seen in Figure 1, in a laterally displaceable Cross slide 39 arranged, and with the latter connected drive means 40 provided to be selective a corresponding to the contact to be processed a Crimping tool 33b by moving the Cross slide 39 in its crimping position bring.

The punch holder 41 of the individual crimping tools 33a, 33b, 33c ... are on their top, as in particular 1, each with a snap-in part 42 for laterally releasable engagement with the drive elements 43,44,361 of the Crimean press when it was moved in the crimping insert position.

A further exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG a crimping station 8 according to the invention, which each with an electrically operated Crimp height adjustment for the wire stamp 36 and for the insulation stamp 37 is provided, so that both Stamps completely independent of each other regarding their Crimp height can be adjusted.

The wire stamp 36 and the insulation stamp are included 37 of each individual crimp insert analog to the embodiment shown in Figure 26, however without the crimp height adjustment elements shown there, Eccentric part 45 and eccentric pin 46, individually on a stamp holder 47 and 48 arranged.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, this shows in FIG shown crimping station 8 with the drive motor 36 connected drive eccentric 49, which for Effecting a lifting movement in its vertical Movement direction C slidably guided in the housing 50 Drive carriage 51 over one with this connected bear 87 acts on the latter.

For crimp height adjustment of the two in the crimping position are located stamp holder 47 and 48 with the locking parts 42 and 42 'of the latter two can be releasably engaged by lateral displacement further latching parts 52 and 52 'are provided, which in the direction of displacement C of the drive slide 51 are arranged adjustable in the latter.

For individual crimp height adjustment are in the drive carriage 51, as can be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19, two eccentric shafts 53 and 54 over the Slide bearing 55 rotatably mounted. The drive of the two Eccentric shafts 53 and 54 each have a worm gear 56, each one with a stepper motor 57, 57 'connected spline shaft 58 and 58' driven become. The two stepper motors 57 and 57 ' are, as shown in Figure 16, attached to the housing 50.

The eccentric middle parts 53 'and 54' of the two Eccentric shafts 53 and 54 each engage in an opening 59 a pressure piece 60 a.

The cone-shaped further snap-in parts 52 and 52 'are in cylindrical bores of the drive carriage 51 slidable in the vertical direction guided and each have a recess in their upper part 61 or 61 'for holding one pressure sensor each 62 or 62 'as well as a thrust washer covering these 63 or 63 'to support the assigned Pressure piece 60 or 60 '. The pressure sensors 62 and 62 'are connected to an evaluation circuit, in which during the crimping process the on the two Stamp 36 and 37 registered crimp force registered and if a specified limit is exceeded or undershot An error signal and / or the device is turned off.

The one for the unhindered passage of the eccentric middle parts 53 'or 54' in the tops of the others Locking parts 52 and 52 'provided through holes 64 and 64 'are dimensioned and designed such that those extending through them Eccentric middle parts 53 'or 54' during the crimping process, i.e. when pressing force downwards the two further latching parts 52 and 52 'in these Through holes 64 and 64 'do not come into contact, and thus the total crimping force over the assigned Pressure sensor 62 or 62 'is transmitted.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 20 and 24, are also with die holders 47 and 48 interacting latching means 65, 65 'to 72 are provided, which are arranged and / or designed in this way are that the stamp holder 47 and 48 at their side Shift from a crimping position out by lateral displacement of the cross slide 39 in the direction of arrow D, i.e. with a decoupling of the drive elements 96, 49, 51 and 52 or 52 'of the crimping press, by means of these locking means in held in their upper starting position, or at their lateral shift into the crimping insert position, i.e. when coupled to the drive elements 52, 52 'of the Crimea press, for its longitudinal displacement in be released in the vertical direction.

For this purpose, each pair of stamp holders 47, 48 is one with two Locking cams 67, 68 and a guide part 69, in its longitudinal direction against the spring pressure a compression spring 70 in a non-locking position Slidable locking pin 66 is provided. A such shift will be in the crimping insert position of a pair of stamp holders 47, 48 with the help of one on one Cam bar 72 provided cam 71 causes which in this position is the rear of the cross slide 39 protruding end part 73 of the locking bolt 66 pushes in so far that the two Locking cams 67 and 68 out of engagement with the assigned, provided in the stamp holders 47 and 48 Arresting recesses 65 and 65 'get, and thereby which now with the further locking means 52 and 52 'of Drive carriage 51 connected stamp holder 47 and 48 to their longitudinal displacement in the vertical direction release.

In Figures 21 and 22 they are already related drive means 40 of the cross slide mentioned with FIG. 1 39 shown in detail.

As can be seen from these figures, e.g. a stepper motor 74 via a bevel gear 75 an adjusting spindle 76, which in turn has a Spindle nut 77 and a tube sleeve connected to it 78 acts on an angle part 79, the the latter in turn with a fastening part 80 for Attachment to the cross slide 39 is connected. The Stepper motor 74 is in turn with control electronics connected, which is a precise control of the shift of the various crimping tools in the Crimp insert position causes.

If the crimping station 8 is not electrically operable crimp height adjustment is provided the for the wire and the insulation stamp 36 and 37 serving stamp holders 47 and 48 also, as can be seen from FIGS. 24 and 26, for Fine adjustment of their crimp height each with an eccentric part 45 be provided, the eccentric pin 45 'in one extending in the vertical direction, in a wedge-shaped in the horizontal direction Eccentric pin 46 provided longitudinal slot 46 'extends.

The longitudinal slot 46 'is used for that when rotating of the eccentric pin 45 'only a shift of the Wedge element 46 in the horizontal direction, however no forced deflection of the same in vertical Direction is effected.

After fine adjustment of a stamp 36 or 37 by means of the eccentric part 45, the latter is by means of a clamping screw 81 blocked.

Figure 25 shows the interaction of the attached to the two stamp holders 47 and 48 Wire and insulation stamps 36 and 37 with one associated anvil unit 38.

All relevant drive and adjustment units the device are such via a control unit connected with each other that when a certain one is selected Contact type automatically the appropriate contact supply station is activated, the feed of the selected Contact and the first contact transfer unit by a feed distance assigned to each of them in the appropriate contact grasping position, the contact gripping parts of the gripper second contact transfer unit to one of the length of the to be taken contact carrier strip section position and that for the selected contact suitable crimping tools moved into the crimping insert position so that a fully automatic process all functions for fastening the selected contact done on a ladder.

Claims (17)

1. A crimping apparatus with a contact supply arrangement (12, 18) to supply contacts (a-f) to be fastened to a conductor (9) in a contact processing station (8) and with a crimping press (361) to excert in the contact processing station a force on a crimping tool, wherein a plurality of crimping tools (33a, 33b,...), which are arranged side by side, have different crimping inserts (36, 37, 38) and are laterally displaceable with one another, said crimping tools each being provided with a wire ram (36) and an insulation ram (37), and each with an anvil unit and separating unit (38; 85, 86) associated with the two latter.
2. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crimping tools (33a, 33b, ...), including the anvil units (38) associated therewith, are arranged in a laterally displaceable cross slide (39), wherein drive means (40) connected to the latter are provided in order selectively to bring a crimping tool (33a, 33b, ...) corresponding to the contact (a-f) to be processed into its crimping operating position by lateral displacement of the cross slide (39), and wherein the two rams (36, 37) of each individual crimping insert are arranged individually or together on a ram holder (47, 48) guided displaceably in its longitudinal direction in the cross slide, (39) which ram holder is provided with a latching part (65-78) for releasable latching to the drive elements (361, 49, 51, 52, 52') of a crimping press upon its displacement into the crimping operating position.
3. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wire ram (36) and the associated insulation ram (37) of each individual crimping insert are arranged individually on a respective ram holder (47, 48), and wherein there is associated with each of the two ram holders (47, 48) a respective crimping height-adjustment means (45, 46; 53-57) which are adjustable independently of one another.
4. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the crimping press has a drive eccentric (49) which is connected to a drive motor (361) and, in order to bring about a stroke movement of a drive slide (51) guided displaceably in its displacement direction, acts directly or indirectly on the drive slide, and wherein, to adjust the crimping height of a ram holder (47, 48) situated in the crimping operating position, a further latching part (52, 52') which can be brought into releasable engagement with the latching part of the ram holder is arranged in the drive slide (51) in such a way as to be adjustable in the displacement direction (C) of the latter.
5. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the further latching part (52, 52') is adjustable relative to the drive slide (51) in the displacement direction (C) of the latter by way of an eccentric arrangement arranged in the drive slide (51) and motor-driven preferably by way of a stepping motor (57, 57').
6. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the eccentric arrangement (53, 54) acts on the further latching part (52, 52') in terms of force during the pressing operation by way of a crimping pressure-measuring element (62, 62').
7. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein there are provided latching means (65-70) which cooperate with the ram holders (47, 48) and are arranged and/or designed in such a way that the ram holders (47, 48), upon their lateral displacement out of a crimping operating position by lateral displacement of the cross slide (51), that is to say upon uncoupling from the drive elements (361, 49, 51, 52, 52') of the crimping press, are held in their upper starting position by means of these latching means (65, 70), or, upon their lateral displacement into the crimping operating position, that is to say upon coupling to the drive elements of the crimping press, are released for their longitudinal displacement in the vertical direction.
8. A crimping apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 7, having a plurality of contact supply stations (2a - 2f) arranged side by side and each associated with one of the contact bands (1a - 1f) which are to be supplied and differ from one another, and intended for selectively advancing a given contact (a - f) into a contact grasping position (13a - 13f), and a first contact transfer unit (12) provided with a contact grasping part (11) and intended for conveying an individual contact band portion from one of the contact grasping positions (13a - 13f) into the transfer position, and there being associated with the individual contact supply stations or the first contact transfer unit (12) a separating unit (15) for separating a contact carrier strip portion (1a"), grasped by the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12), from the contact band (1a - 1f), and a second contact transfer unit (18) displaceable preferably hydraulically or pneumatically between the transfer position (16) and the contact processing station and provided with a contact grasping part (17).
9. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual contact supply stations (2a - 2f) are designed as individually mountable and/or exchangeable units.
10. A crimping apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein each of the contact supply stations is provided with a band guide (3, 3') for lateral guidance of a contact band to be transported forward in its longitudinal direction (A), and also with advancing means (6) preferably engaging in openings (4) of the contact carrier strip (1a'-1f') and intended for the stepwise advance of the contact band by a distance (t) corresponding to the respective lateral contact spacing (S).
11. A crimping apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, to displace the first contact transfer unit (12) along its displacement path, there is provided an endless conveyor belt (21), designed as a toothed belt, which extends along the latter, is connected at one point to the first contact transfer unit (12), runs at its one return end round a correspondignly toothed return roller, and is in positive engagement with the latter, wherein this return roller is connected to a drive motor, preferably a stepping motor (22), and wherein, for the control of the drive motor (22) and that of the displacement travel of the first contact transfer unit (12), the drive motor (22) is connected to a control unit (23) by way of which the respective end positions of the displacement path can be set.
12. A crimping apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12) is lowerable beneath the level of the contact grasping positions (13a - 13f) and/or beneath the level of the transfer position.
13. A method for the operation of the crimping apparatus according claim 1, wherein the contacts (a-f) are supplied stepwise, in the form of contact bands (1a - 1f) differing from one another, to a plurality of contact supply stations (2a - 2f) arranged side by side and each associated with one of the contact bands, the contact to be fastened to a conductor (a) in the contact processing station is moved, by means of the contact carrier strip interconnecting the individual contacts of a contact band, into a contact grasping position situated in the displacement path of a contact grasping part (11) of a first contact transfer unit (12), the contact in this position is grasped, by way of the contact carrier strip portion associated therewith, by means of the contact grasping part (11) of a gripper of the first contact transfer unit, with at least one sub-portion of the contact carrier strip portion being left free, thereafter the corresponding contact carrier strip portion (1a") is separated from the remaining part of the contact carrier strip, and subsequently, the contact (a) held in such a manner by way of the associated contact carrier strip portion is moved by means of the first contact transfer unit, for supply to the contact processing station (8), into a transfer position, where it is grasped by means of a contact grasping part (17) of a second contact transfer unit (18) by way of the sub-portion of the associated contact carrier strip portion which is left free by the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12), is taken up for the purpose of fastening it to the conductor (9), and is supplied to the contact processing station.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12) grasps the contact carrier strip portion, to be grasped, in its central region in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the associated contact, with two lateral outer portions (14, 14') of the contact carrier strip portion being left free, and thereafter in the transfer position (16) the contact grasping part of the second contact transfer unit grasps this contact carrier strip portion, for the purpose of taking it up, in its two outer portions which lie free.
15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12) is moved out of engagement with the contact carrier strip portion after the transfer of the contact carrier strip portion to the contact grasping part of the second contact transfer unit in the transfer position, and thereafter, for unobstructed return travel of the same into a contact grasping position (13a,...13d...), is appropriately lowered beneath the contact grasping part of the second contact transfer unit.
16. A method as claimed in one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the contact grasping part (11) of the first contact transfer unit (12), after the same has grasped a contact carrier strip portion, is lowered beneath further contact grasping positions while moving past the latter for unobstructed transfer of the contact carrier strip portion into the transfer position (16) .
17. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein from the plurality of crimping tools (33a, 33b,...) arranged side by side, having different crimping inserts and displaceable laterally with one another, the crimping tool corresponding to the particular contact to be processed is brought into engagement with the contact (a-f) held in the crimping station in the contact processing position by means of the second contact transfer unit (18), the contact carrier strip portion (1a") is separated from the processed contact during the crimping operation and thereafter released by the grasping part of the second contact transfer unit, and subsequently the latter is moved back into the transfer position again to take up a further contact from the first contact transfer unit.

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