Amp LLC

Earl William Wagner

Matthew M Sucheski

Robert Keith Southard

David E Bickford

Method of producing a group of wires, W.sub.1, W.sub.2, W.sub.3 . . . W.sub.n, which have predetermined lengths L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 . . . L.sub.n respectively comprises the steps of guiding the wires from substantially endless sources of wire and locating the leading ends of the wires on a feed roll in parallel side-by-side relationship with each wire disposed between the feed roll and a separate associated pressure roll. The pressure rolls are normally spaced from the feed roll so that they are in a non-feeding position but they can be selectively moved towards the feed roll into a feeding position. The feed roll is started during each of a plurality of wire feeding cycles and during each cycle, at least one of the wires is fed by selectively moving the associated feed roll to its feeding position. During each cycle, the feed roll is rotated through a number of revolutions which feed the wire or wires by a precisely predetermined amount which is related to the length of the shortest wire and to the difference in the lengths of the remaining wires. The feed roll is brought to a complete stop between the successive cycles. When the feed roll is started, at the beginning of each cycle, it is accelerated at a high and ideally constant rate and when the feed roll is stopped at the end of each cycle, it is decelerated at a high and ideally constant rate.

Method for feeding a plurality of wires

High speed wire feeding means comprises a wire feed roll and a pressure roll, the wire feed roll being driven by a printed circuit motor under the influence of control means which maintains a high and constant level of acceleration and deceleration at the beginning and end of the feeding cycle. One embodiment has a single driven feed roll and a plurality of side-by-side pressure rolls for feeding a plurality of wires. This apparatus is capable of producing a bundle of wires having varying lengths in a minimum amount of time.

Apparatus for feeding a plurality of wires

A method and apparatus is disclosed for producing electrical harness assemblies and sub-assemblies of the type comprising at least one multi-contact electrical connector and wires secured to, and extending from, the terminals in the connector. The apparatus comprises an insertion zone through which the wires are fed and in which the wires are severed. Electrical connectors are fed into the insertion zone and positioned in alignment with the severed ends of the wires. The wires are connected to the terminals in the connector by moving the connectors laterally towards the wires and, at the same time, moving an insertion tool towards the wires and towards the connector to push the wires into the terminals in the connector. The wire feed means is programmable to permit selective feeding of the wires and/or the feeding of different wire lengths during each operating cycle so that a variety of types of harness assemblies and subassemblies can be produced.

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Annville, PA, United States of America

Earl William Wagner