Abstract: A rotatable wire feed drum for use in the assembly of multiple connector wire harnesses includes a rotary drum of a given diameter and an outer circumferential surface which accommodate a plurality of wires. A first wire-clamping assembly is operatively connected to the wire feed drum and selectively clamps the wires to the drum in order to advance them with rotation of the drum. The wire feed drum may be utilized as a wire feed device in a wire harness assembly apparatus between a wire supply device and a wire terminating device. Feeding of selected wires is effected by clamping a set of selected wires to the wire feed drum and simultaneously unclamping a second set of wires at a location spaced from the feed drum and then rotating the wire feed drum.

Abstract: An improved connector feeding apparatus for use with a wire harness-making system is described and includes a series of slots for holding longitudinal trains of connectors, a finger plate positioned above individual connector slots that is driven by a linear drive mechanism in a manner that permits the finger plate to move longitudinally along the trains of connectors. The finger plate includes an associated lift mechanism that can be raised and lower onto a preselected train of connectors and which engages a selected connector at the lowest extent of the lift mechanism. A shuttle is positioned ahead of the connector slots and receives connectors moved therefrom. The shuttle is driven linearly in a direction transverse to the longitudinal movement of the connectors within the connector slots. A connector loading means that ejects the connectors from the shuttle is positioned so it may face the shuttle when being driven alongside of the connector slots.

Abstract: An improved wire harness-making apparatus includes a wire supply in the form of a plurality of wire reels, a wire measuring and feeding unit, connector terminating units, a wire pulling unit, and a wire holding and shifting unit. The wire pulling unit includes a reciprocatable harness wire guide member a plurality of guides that receive therein harness wires fed as a set wire measuring and feeding unit, and a gripping unit for holding the leading ends of the harness wires in place at the entrances of the wire guides. The guide member has a predetermined length corresponding to a desired length of wire, and the gripping unit is disposed proximate to the front end of the guide member. In operation, each wire is fed from the wire measuring and feeding unit into a corresponding wire-receiving guide of the guide member when the front end of the guide member is moved toward and near to the wire measuring and feeding unit.

Abstract: A wire harness-making apparatus includes a wire supply, a wire feeding unit for feeding and measuring harness wires from the wire supply, a wire transport unit for transporting the harness wires, and two connector crimping units positioned on the opposite sides of the harness wire set. The wire transport unit includes first and second wire clamps movable from opposite sides of the harness wires. The first and second wire clamps are driven along an associated top and bottom guides on opposite sides of the harness wire set. These clamps may he operated into and out of contact from vertical directions so as not to interfere with the feeding of wires by the wire feed unit.

Abstract: An electrical wire length measuring apparatus is capable of minimizing any error of the wire feed amount of respective wire per each measurement cycle and can realize more accurate length measurement of the wires. The measuring apparatus includes a plurality of wire length measuring roller assemblies that are arranged in parallel arrangement to each other, but extend perpendicular to the wire feed direction. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies feed a single wire independent of each other. Each of the wire length measuring roller assemblies are driven by a corresponding toothed belt which in turn is driven by an associated motor. The arrangement of the motors permits the wire measuring roller assemblies to be positioned nearer the outlet end of the apparatus to minimize feeding error.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-wire feeding apparatus comprising a plurality of wire feeding units arranged side by side in parallel. Each unit uses an endless belt having projections thereon and a gear wheel having projections to engage those of the endless belt for driving the endless belt and feeding a length of wire thereon. Transmission axles for transmitting driving power to associated gear wheels are arranged so that these gear wheels do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved wire measuring apparatus comprising a wire guide roller mechanism 3 and a looper 5 to push down a fed wire to a descending position, thereby measuring the length of wire in terms of descending position at which the wire is held by the looper 5. The wire guide roller mechanism 3 comprises a frame, first, second and third guide rollers 6, 7 and 8 rotatably fixed to the frame. The first and third guide rollers 6 and 8 rotate in same direction, and the second guide roller 7 rotates in an opposite direction both in pulling the wire forward and backward. Also, the whole guide roller arrangement is designed to incline and follow the increasing or decreasing inclination of wire length ahead of the third guide roller. Thus, the wire curling inclination can be reduced from the measured wire. The second guide roller acts to reduce the effect of the wires bending around the first guide roller and the wires extend tangentially from the third guide roller.