Molex Corporation

Clarence Kolanowski

Jack F Funcik

Richard L Patterson

Thomas P Pellegrino

Thomas E Schneider

Anthony R Nugarus

Frank P Chmela

The present invention provides an improved method and assembly for testing the electrical integrity of a multi-circuit cable harness. An intermediate harness product is prepared including a short test tab comprising a portion of insulated multiconductor cable extending from a terminated multi-circuit connector. The test tab is stripped to expose at least a portion of the tab conductors. Adjacent exposed portions of the tab are contacted with a test probe capable of electrically testing the adjacent circuits of the harness. If a positive test result is obtained, the test tab is trimmed to provide the finished cable harness product. If a negative test result is obtained, the test tab is left on the intermediate harness product to provide a ready visual indication of a defective cable harness product.

Electrical cable harness fabrication

Disclosed is an apparatus for fabricating cable harness assemblies of the type wherein a plurality of mating pairs of electrical connector parts are terminated to a continous flat cable segment. Termination includes compressing a predetermined cable portion between a pair of connector parts, one of which has a plurality of insulation displacing terminals positioned therein. The connector parts are transported between loading stations and a termination station, by connector holders mounted on a pair of opposed rotatable indexing turrets. At least one of the connector holders is advanced inwardly toward the termination station, so as to bring the two connector parts together in compression, after a cable segment is located therebetween. Thereafter, the cable is advanced to bring another predetermined portion to the termination station, while the turrets are indexed to present a second pair of opposed mating parts to the termination station. Simultaneously therewith fresh connector parts are loaded into empty connector holder locations. Upon completion of a harness assembly, the turrets are rotated so as to present a pair of opposed cable cutting fixtures at the termination station, and upon a similar compression stroke, the cable harness is cut free for transport to a remote location.

Electrical harness fabrication apparatus

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a plurality of electrical harnesses in a single machine cycle. A push bar device spaces a plurality of connectors in a predetermined, spaced relation one to another at a first station. The plurality of connectors are moved in longitudinal alignment from a first station to a second station where the connectors are each terminated to wires, for example ribbon cables. The terminated connectors then are moved back toward the first station pulling the cables with the connectors and then the cables are cut at the second station at a predetermined length. A second plurality of connectors can be loaded in predetermined spaced relation at the second station and terminated to the cut cable ends to manufacture a plurality of double-ended harnesses in a single machine cycle.

Electrical harnesses

A method and apparatus for making an electrical harness. The harness generally includes at least one connector having a housing with insulation displacement type contacts loaded therein. Each contact is connected to an insulation clad multi-wire ribbon cable. The apparatus performs the functions of positioning a connector on a first station, holding the ribbon cable at a second station remote from the first station, moving the connector to the second station so that each contact is in alignment with each wire, moving the connector toward the ribbon cable so that each wire is simultaneously displaced into its corresponding contact, moving the connector back to the first station, holding the ribbon cable at the second station at the end of its length, cutting the insulation of a predetermined segment on the end of the length at the second station, cutting the ribbon cable held at the second station, imparting a longitudinal force upon the cut length of ribbon cable to pull the cable length from the second station and strip the cut insulation segment from the end thereof.

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LaGrange, IL, United States of America

Clarence Kolanowski