By Deforming Patents (Class 29/861)
  • Publication number: 20040078967
    Abstract: A Z-axis electrical contact may be formed using a resinous deposit containing conductive particles which may align along surface regions to form an electrical conduction path over the resinous material. If the resinous material is thermoplastic, the material may be heated to mechanically bond to contact surfaces. Advantageously, the resinous material may be formed by forcing a resinous matrix containing conductive particles through an annular opening in a stencil. The resulting member allows surfaces to be contacted which may be irregular or may be covered by native oxide layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Tongbi Jiang, Edward A. Schrock
  • Patent number: 6722021
    Abstract: A press-fitting unit includes a vertically movable press blade for press-fitting an electrical wire to a terminal disposed in a press-fit-type terminal of a connector. A connector retaining bar, movable in a horizontal direction, is disposed to be opposed to the press blade. The retaining bar is provided with a plurality of connector receiving recesses in parallel to hold connectors with a press-fit terminal. A wire chuck is disposed so as to abut against a rear part of the press blade so that the chuck unitedly moves with the press blade. The wire chuck is horizontally movable to a side of the press blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 6722034
    Abstract: A method of connecting a flat cable having flat conductors arranged in parallel and covered with an insulating material to a connecting terminal, in which crimp pieces of the connecting terminal are pierced into a desired conductor of conductors of the flat cable, with a gap left between a substrate of the connecting terminal and the flat cable, and leading ends of the crimp pieces penetrating the flat cable are bent inwardly, while maintaining a contact position of the crimp pieces penetrating the conductor and the conductor unchanged. Also disclosed are an apparatus for embodying the connecting method and a method for determining a connecting state between the flat cable and the connecting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritsugu Enomoto, Yoshiyuki Suzuki, Kazumasa Sakata, Kazunori Saka
  • Patent number: 6722033
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for automating the assembly of a fiber optic module. The fiber optic module typically includes a housing, a clip, and a ferrule that is attached to the end of a fiber optic cable. The housing, clip, ferrule and fiber optic cable are supported by a pallet assembly. The pallet assembly can be loaded into a docking station of a laser weld machine that welds the ferrule to the clip. The pallet assembly includes a cartridge that is attached to a pallet and supports the housing. The pallet is constructed to receive different cartridges. Each cartridge has support features that correspond to a specific type of module housing. A different type of module housing may be loaded onto the pallet assembly by merely replacing the cartridge. The same pallet can therefore be used for the assembly of different fiber modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Newport Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Koster, Robert Heitel, Jiansheng Zhou
  • Patent number: 6711816
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical connector for a flat cable, wherein the connector has at least one terminal (2) inserted into a receiving slot (3) of a box-shaped housing (1) from a side of the housing and having upper and lower arms (4 and 5), comprises the step of inserting the terminal into the receiving slot in a manner that the upper arm and lower arms are guided by inner surfaces of upper and lower walls of the housing, respectively, while the lower arm is deflected toward the upper arm and then deflected back to its original shape at a time of insertion to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Tsunematsu
  • Publication number: 20040055154
    Abstract: Radio frequency cables have a inner circular conductor and an outer circular conductor. The inner and outer circular conductors are usually formed from copper and are separated by a heavy insulation layer usually cellular polyethylene. The outer side of the outer conductor may further be coated with a heavy polymeric insulation layer. In preparing these radio frequency cables for coupling it is necessary to have a flush cut surface. These flush cuts have been effected in the past be sawing, which has proved to be troublesome as metallic particles are dispersed throughout the insulation. The outer conductor may be prepared for coupling by placing a tear collar over the outer conductor and tearing the outer conductor against the tear collar. This tearing creates an integral and desirable flange in the tearing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Skip A. Pierce
  • Patent number: 6694203
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a wiring harness or a substrate for wiring wherein the wiring diagram applied to the substrate is based on the wiring harness information. Entities representing connectors, binding parts, and wiring length information of wirings are input. The wiring arrangement diagram includes lines that correspond to the wirings and do not have a length corresponding to actual length of the wirings. The wiring harness is made using the information including total length of wiring between each of the connectors, harness information generated based on the entities, and the length information of the desired wiring arrangement. Alternatively, the wiring harness information is used to draw a wiring diagram for fixing on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Wada, Kaneyoshi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20040020042
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that increases the efficiency of material handling apparatus, such as those used to trim and form electrical leads on solid state electrical devices. The apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable pulleys, an endless belt capable of retaining devices to be processed that is disposed around the pulleys such that rotation of the pulleys will cause said belt to travel around said pulleys, and a plurality of paired tooling members, each of said paired tooling members having first and second tooling members disposed on opposing sides of the belt and directly opposing so as to cooperate and perform a tooling operation on the leads when reciprocated toward each other along a common axis. In a preferred embodiment, two horizontally aligned pulleys with vertical axes of rotation are used to rotate the belt in a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Morley J. Weyerman
  • Publication number: 20040003498
    Abstract: An electrical connector and method of making the same includes a radially resilient, cylindrical electrical contact member having a plurality of spaced strips extending between opposite ends of a sleeve. The ends of the strips are held in one or more housings in an angularly offset, end-to-end position. The contact member and the sleeve are urged from the one or more housings into a cylindrical portion of a holder or use element to mount the connector directly in the holder or use element. In one aspect, the contact strips are formed as individual strips joined to the sleeve at one end and at the other end. In another aspect, at least one contact strip is formed with a movable detent releasably engagable in a recess in a pin insertable into the connector to lock the pin in the connector. In another aspect, at least one strip has an extension which overlays a portion of the bare wire end of an electrical conductor mounted in one end of a terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Dean D. Swearingen, Joseph J. Koch
  • Patent number: 6662444
    Abstract: A press-fitting unit includes a vertically movable press blade for press-fitting a stripped end of an electrical wire to a terminal disposed in a connector. A connector retaining bar movable in a horizontal direction is disposed to be opposed to the press blade. The retaining bar is provided with a plurality of connector receiving recesses in parallel to respectively hold a connector with a press-fit terminal. A wire chuck is disposed so as to opposing to the rear part of the press blade. The wire chuck is horizontally movable along a horizontal guide to a side of the press blade so as to holding the wire. Alternatively, the connector retaining bar is fixed to the apparatus by a frame and a transfer mechanism can carry the press-fitting unit along the bar in a horizontal direction. In addition, the apparatus may have a pair or two pairs of the upper and lower symmetrical press-fitting units; and the connector retaining bar is disposed between the upper and lower press-fitting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Publication number: 20030217464
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical connector for a flat cable, wherein the connector has at least one terminal (2) inserted into a receiving slot (3) of a box-shaped housing (1) from a side of the housing and having upper and lower arms (4 and 5), comprises the step of inserting the terminal into the receiving slot in a manner that the upper arm and lower arms are guided by inner surfaces of upper and lower walls of the housing, respectively, while the lower arm is deflected toward the upper arm and then deflected back to its original shape at a time of insertion to a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Tsunematsu
  • Patent number: 6647617
    Abstract: A method of constructing a mapping catheter is described where the catheter has numerous electrodes each associated with a single connection in a plug. The method consists of first arranging a plurality of wires in the desired relationship, with each of the wires running to a connection in a plug. Next, a single electrode is formed on each wire. Because it is often difficult to associate a particular connection with a particular plug, an electrical signal is then applied to a single one of the wires. The electrical signal can be applied to the connection or to the electrode. The electrical signal is then found among by examining either the electrodes or the connections, depending on which where the electrical signal was applied. Once the electrical signal is discovered, a map can be made between the connections and the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Graydon Ernest Beatty, Jonathan Kagan, Jeffrey Robert Budd
  • Patent number: 6640425
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing wire harnesses for automotive vehicles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gripper (10) including a wire feeder (15) for holding a plurality of insulator-sheathed electric wire elements (a) juxtaposed on a plane, a cutter (20), an insulation displacement press device (30), with a wire-drawing device (38) provided on the rear side thereof, and a measuring and drawing device (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6637102
    Abstract: A fabrication method of an industrial part having high-aspect-ratio through-hole sections using a punch and a die, includes: a first step of drilling a first hole section in a first sheet of sheet material with the punch; a second step of lifting the first sheet in tight contact with a stripper under a condition that the punch is not pulled out from the first hole section; a third step of lifting the punch so that a tip section of said punch is slightly drawn in from a bottom section of the lifted first sheet of sheet material; a fourth step of drilling a second hole section in a second sheet of sheet material with the punch; a fifth step of lifting the second sheet in tight contact with the first sheet under a condition that the punch is not pulled out from the second hole section; and a sixth step of lifting the punch so that a tip section of the punch is slightly drawn in from the bottom section of the lifted second sheet of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Tsuji, Kazumasa Kitamura, Yoshinori Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6634101
    Abstract: A joint connector includes a metal fittings assembly 110 and a housing 120 for fitting the assembly 110. The assembly 110 consists of two terminals 110A, 110B each having a band-shaped carrier 140 and a plurality of terminal units 130 connected to the carrier 140 through a joint portion 137. In the assembly 110, the terminals 110A, 110B are laid to overlap each other while the terminals 110A, 110B are shifted from each other in a predetermined length in the longitudinal direction of the carriers 140 and the carriers 140 are welded to each other. By bending the joint portions 137 of the upper terminal 110A by a plate thickness of the carrier 140 of the terminal 110B, it is possible to position the adjoining terminal units 130 of the terminals 110A, 110B in an identical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kei Sato
  • Patent number: 6631559
    Abstract: A process for forming a cable by intermittently feeding flat cables in a common direction and transporting the cables in parallel in a common direction to a heat bonding device. The side edges of the flat cables are heat bonded in a heat bonding device over a predetermined length, the heat bonded flat cables are taken up in synchronization with the transporting thereof and the flat cables are cut at predetermined times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Ueno
  • Patent number: 6631554
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a worked-wire product from a wire (10) including, all coaxially arranged, a core conductor (11), an insulator (12), an outer conductor (13), a metal-evaporated film (14) and a sheath (15) is provided. The method comprises the steps of exposing a portion of the outer conductor (13); holding the exposed portion at two positions by gripping with metallic foils (2a; 2b) and fixtures (3; 4); bending the outer conductor (13) about a bending center (S) until it is circumferentially cut off, the bending being effected while applying ultrasonic vibrations on the outer conductor (13) through the fixture (4); removing the cut off portion of the outer conductor (13) to expose a portion of the insulator (12); and removing the exposed portion of the insulator (12) to expose a portion of the core conductor (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Sato, Kiyonori Yokoi, Takunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6625884
    Abstract: A method of determining whether a metal terminal including a conductor clamping section for clamping a wire is satisfactorily connected to the wire. First, a first metal terminal including a first conductor clamping section for clamping a first wire thereto is provided. Next, one of a dimensional variation and a ratio of a dimensional change of the first conductor clamping section in an axial direction of the first metal terminal, which are caused by clamping the first conductor clamping section, is calculated. Compressibility comparison data is prepared by calculating, from a section of the first conductor clamping section after clamping the first conductor clamping section, compressibility of the first wire with respect to the first conductor clamping section based on the one of the dimensional variation and the ratio of the dimensional change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukase, Toshihiro Maki
  • Patent number: 6615486
    Abstract: A pressure welding device for wiring and a wire harness manufacturing method are provided. The pressure welding device for wiring includes a pressure welding unit for pressure-welding wires to connectors and a wiring plate provided with wiring fittings and placed in a position toward which the wires are pulled from the pressure welding unit. The wiring plate and the pressure welding unit are movable in a wire pulling direction. Wires are pressure-welded to one connector by the pressure welding unit. As the connector is pulled toward the wiring plate so as to hook the wires by predetermined wiring fittings. The wires are then pressure-welded to the other connector. After the wires are pressure-welded to the other connector, a continuity test of the wire harness is conducted on the wiring plate. After the wiring, the wiring plate and the pressure welding unit are moved in a wire pulling direction so as to eliminate the slack of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Publication number: 20030159276
    Abstract: A method of making a connection to a surface of an electronic carrier, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mass of malleable material on the surface of the electronic carrier; connecting the mass to said surface; and extruding the mass into a bore of a tool in order to elongate the mass so as to create a pin, or pin-like, structure having an end to which a further connection may be made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Elwyn Paul Michael Wakefield
  • Publication number: 20030150106
    Abstract: A press die assembly is provided for joining wires with connectors that hold insulation displacement contacts and for crimping the connector about the wire. The housing holds contacts that have insulation displacement portions and crimping portions constructed of a pair of barrels. A press die assembly arranged above the contacts has stuffers for pressing wires onto the insulation displacement portions, crimpers for crimping the barrels about the wires, and guide members placed between the stuffers and the crimpers. The guide members slide along partition walls of a housing ahead of the crimpers to ensure proper alignment. The crimpers are constructed of a single member having a depth that sufficiently covers both ends of the pair of barrels of the crimping portion along the axial direction of the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Yuji Ikeda, Shunichi Shoji
  • Publication number: 20030150105
    Abstract: A terminal-joining apparatus includes a lock member. A temporarily assembled unit of a terminal assembly is guided into a receiving space and a bent portion of the unit pushes up a releasing surface of the lock member. When the releasing surface is pushed up, the lock member is turned about a fixed axle and a lock-supporting portion is moved down. When a lever is released from the lock-supporting portion and is turned about an axle, the temporarily assembled unit of the terminal assembly is pressed between a pressing surface and a stop wall to permanently join the unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Araki
  • Patent number: 6604283
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode array has an elongate flexible carrier that is much more flexible in a first direction than in a second direction orthogonal thereto. The elongate flexible carrier is formed with a bias force that causes the array to flex in the first direction so as to assume the general spiral or circular shape of the scala tympani duct within the cochlea. The less-flexible direction is the direction that makes it difficult for the array to twist as it is inserted within the scala tympani duct. The bias force is sufficiently strong to cause the array to assume its preformed spiral shape even after being straightened during initial insertion into the cochlea. Electrode contacts, embedded into the carrier so as to be exposed along an inner or concave surface of the spiral, thus wrap snugly around the modiolus, thereby positioning the electrode contacts against the modiolar wall in an optimum position for stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics Corporation
    Inventor: Janusz A. Kuzma
  • Patent number: 6604271
    Abstract: A conductive damper for use in a speaker is provided, the endurance and the moldability of which are improved. A base is moved downward to allow an inner top mold to abut on a bottom mold, then the base is further moved downward to allow the inner top mold and the bottom mold to be applied pressure and the base moves down with being guided by guiding means. At this time, energizing means energizes the inner top mold to press the bottom mold, thereby corrugations for the inner part of a workpiece of the conductive damper are molded. At this time, the workpiece of the conductive damper is pulled toward the inner side thereof. Then, the base is further moved downward to press an outer top mold onto the bottom mold, thereby corrugations for the outer part of the workpiece of the conductive damper are molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignees: Pioneer Corporation, Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishigaki, Takeshi Tokusho
  • Publication number: 20030101586
    Abstract: A method for attaching an electric conductor to an electrically conductive terminal. The electric conductor comprises a wire and a cladding surrounding the wire. The wire has an exposed end portion extending from an end of the cladding. The method comprises placing a sleeve over the electric conductor. The sleeve is of an electrically insulative material. The method further includes positioning the exposed end portion of the wire adjacent the terminal, securing the exposed end portion of the wire to a first portion of the terminal in a manner so that the exposed end portion of the wire is mechanically secured to and electrically coupled to the terminal, moving the sleeve along the electric conductor to a position in which a portion of the sleeve is adjacent the terminal, and securing the sleeve to a second portion of the terminal in a manner so that the sleeve is mechanically secured to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Chuck Peters, William Riggs, John H. Hussey, Vincent P. Fargo
  • Patent number: 6553647
    Abstract: A method of wiring a head suspension assembly includes fixing a tube binding a plurality of wires on a suspension assembly, and fixing the wires extending from the fixed tube on the suspension while leading them to a top side of the suspension. The suspension has a tab frame with first and second frames. Each wire led to the top side of the suspension is bonded to the second frame of a tab frame. An insulation film is removed from each connecting portion of the wires to connect the wires to respective connecting pads of the slider. A first frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the suspension, and the second frame is bent substantially perpendicular to the first frame, thereby positioning the wires bonded to the second frame at the connecting pads on the slider. The wires are then ultrasonically welded to the respective connecting pads on the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Itoh, Hiroyasu Tsuchida, Tatsushi Yoshida, Yoskio Uematsu, Tetsuji Ono
  • Patent number: 6552901
    Abstract: Apparatus and systems for cooling heat sinks, integrated circuit boards, and electronic components by providing internal passageways in the heat sinks, circuit boards, and electronic components that connect to a fluid manifold. The internal passageways connect to the surface of the heat sinks, circuit boards and electronic components. A cooling fluid capable of phase change is supplied to the internal passageways to conductively cool the interior of the heat sink, circuit board, and component and to cool the surface of the heat sink, circuit board, and/or component at least partially by evaporative cooling. A plurality of circuit boards, components, and/or heat sinks may be placed back to back with the fluid manifold therebetween. The heat sinks, circuit boards, and/or components are in an enclosed space so that cooling fluid can be contained, condensed and recycled to the fluid manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: James Hildebrandt
  • Publication number: 20030066191
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for automating the assembly of a fiber optic module. The fiber optic module typically includes a housing, a clip, and a ferrule that is attached to the end of a fiber optic cable. The housing, clip, ferrule and fiber optic cable are supported by a pallet assembly. The pallet assembly can be loaded into a docking station of a laser weld machine that welds the ferrule to the clip. The pallet assembly includes a cartridge that is attached to a pallet and supports the housing. The pallet is constructed to receive different cartridges. Each cartridge has support features that correspond to a specific type of module housing. A different type of module housing may be loaded onto the pallet assembly by merely replacing the cartridge. The same pallet can therefore be used for the assembly of different fiber modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Douglas Koster, Robert Glenn Heitel, Jiansheng Zhou
  • Publication number: 20030041453
    Abstract: An electrical connector crimping die comprises a first section for removably connecting the die to an electrical connector compression tool. A second section of the die, which is connected to the first section, is provided for crimping a connector. The second section comprises a generally concave crimp projection of a given height which defines a primary crimp surface and at least one concave shaped secondary pre-crimp surface. The secondary pre-crimp surface is recessed relative to the primary crimp surface by the given height. The primary crimp surface and the secondary pre-crimp surface are arranged relative to the first section so that a major portion of a crimping force applied by the compression tool to the crimping die is applied to the primary crimp surface to crimp a first portion of the connector and so that a minor portion of the crimping force is applied to the secondary pre-crimp surface to pre-crimp a second portion of the connector. A hydraulic crimping tool employs such a crimping die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Christopher G. Chadbourne
  • Publication number: 20030029031
    Abstract: A device for electrically interconnecting and packaging electronic components and method for manufacturing the device. A non-conducting base member having a component recess and a plurality of specially shaped lead channels formed therein is provided. At least one electronic component is disposed within the recess, and the wire leads of the component are routed through the lead channels. A plurality of lead terminals, adapted to cooperate with the specially shaped lead channels, are received within the lead channels, thereby forming an electrical connection between the lead terminals and the wire leads of the electronic component(s). The special shaping of the lead channels and lead terminals restricts the movement of the lead terminals within the lead channels in multiple directions during package fabrication, thereby allowing for the manufacture of larger, more reliable devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Aurelio J. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6513235
    Abstract: In a mold for pressing an electric-wire clamping portion of a terminal, a lower side-wall mold part and an upper side-wall mold part are provided for pressing side walls connected to the electric-wire clamping portion. A pressure face substantially continuously connected to a pressure face of an upper conductor mold part is provided on one end side of the upper side-wall mold part. A taper face is provided on the other end side of the upper side-wall mold part so as to be enlarged toward the other end. Accordingly, side walls pressed between the lower side-wall mold part and the upper side-wall mold part are deformed so that the quantity of deformation at one end is near the quantity of compressive deformation of the electric-wire clamping portion and so that the quantity of deformation is reduced gradually toward the other end side. Thus, local stress concentration is not caused in the side walls so that cracks are prevented from occurring in the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ohsumi, Yoshimi Wada
  • Publication number: 20030022563
    Abstract: In a mold for pressing an electric-wire clamping portion of a terminal, a lower side-wall mold part and an upper side-wall mold part are provided for pressing side walls connected to the electric-wire clamping portion. A pressure face substantially continuously connected to a pressure face of an upper conductor mold part is provided on one end side of the upper side-wall mold part. A taper face is provided on the other end side of the upper side-wall mold part so as to be enlarged toward the other end. Accordingly, side walls pressed between the lower side-wall mold part and the upper side-wall mold part are deformed so that the quantity of deformation at one end is near the quantity of compressive deformation of the electric-wire clamping portion and so that the quantity of deformation is reduced gradually toward the other end side. Thus, local stress concentration is not caused in the side walls so that cracks are prevented from occurring in the side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ohsumi, Yoshimi Wada
  • Patent number: 6502302
    Abstract: A fabrication method of an industrial part having high-aspect-ratio through-hole sections using a punch and a die, includes a first step of drilling a first hole section in a first sheet of sheet material with the above punch; a second step of lifting the above first sheet in tight contact with a stripper; a third step of lifting a tip section of the above punch so as to be slightly drawn in from a bottom section of the above lifted first sheet; a fourth step of drilling a second hole section in a second sheet of sheet material with the above punch; a fifth step of lifting the above second sheet in tight contact with the above first sheet; a sixth step of lifting the tip section of the above punch so as to be slightly drawn in from the bottom section of the above lifted second sheet, and, the subsequent steps of repeating the above fourth to sixth steps for lamination of a plurality of sheets of sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihisa Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Tsuji, Kazumasa Kitamura, Yoshinori Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20020189095
    Abstract: It is a terminal crimping die system for crimping a terminal (6) to an electric wire by fitting an anvil (4), in which a terminal receiving groove (5a) is provided in a crimping face part (5), into a recess (2) of a crimper (3). In this terminal crimping die system, the width of each of receiving surfaces (5b), each of which is provided between a corresponding one of both end parts of the terminal receiving groove (5a) and a corresponding one of both end parts of the crimping face part (5), is not more than ½ of the thickness of the terminal (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Ito, Hironori Kitagawa, Tsutomu Takayama
  • Patent number: 6490785
    Abstract: In a manufacturing apparatus of a wire harness in which pallet P, on which a plurality of connectors C are juxtaposed, is moved by a pallet feeding section 1 and a pressure-contact terminal of connector C is automatically positioned at a pressure-contact position under a pressure-contact head section 4, an electric wire “a” is automatically set at a pressure-contact terminal of connector C by an electric wire supply section 2 and an electric wire setting section 3, and cover L is automatically set on connector C by a cover mounting section 5. A type and position of the electric wire “a” to be arranged and the height of press-fitting of the electric wire into the pressure-contact terminal are controlled by a program, and the operation and state are checked by a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Kometani
  • Patent number: 6487772
    Abstract: A process for combining micro-coaxial cables and pins by riveting, it comprises the steps of: (1) a micro-coaxial cable is cut and stripped at the desired areas thereof to form a pin riveting segment and a grounding plate connecting segment after a desired length of the cable is obtained by cutting; (2) the pin riveting segment on the cut and stripped micro-coaxial cable is sent to a riveting apparatus to proceed to combination of the cable and the pin; (3) a plurality of such cables and pins having been riveted are placed in a plastic housing to form a bus; (4) the grounding plate connecting segments on the cables and pins are welded to a grounding plate; and (5) the bus is tidied to be neat. Thereby, the micro-coaxial cables can be combined with the pins in a way of mass production, the combined structure of them is firmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Inventor: Robert Chuang
  • Patent number: 6486677
    Abstract: A conductivity testing method for a sub-harness and a sub-harness manufacturing apparatus are provided, which sub-harness manufacturing apparatus includes: a pair of connecting units each having a wire connecting portion, made of metal, vertically movable so as to connect one end of one of wires composing a sub-harness to one of terminals having a sheathing clamping portion and being arranged in a wire feeding direction; and a pair of transferring units to transfer the terminals in a direction perpendicular to the wire feeding direction so as to position each one of the terminals under each wire connecting portions, wherein a clamping punch portion to clamp the sheathing clamping portion is provided on the wire connecting portion of each of the pair of connecting units and a conductivity testing units to judge the one of the wires having terminals on the respective ends thereof being good or bad is arranged between the clamping punch portions of the pair of connecting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Patent number: 6477769
    Abstract: A method for assembling an impedance controlled connector using conventional connector shells and inserts and corresponding connector pins and sockets. Controlled impedance cables are prepared and physically arranged for termination in a conventional connector shell in a configuration which enhances the impedance control characteristic of the assembled connector. Assembly of the connector is effected using conventional materials and tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: General Dynamics Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Lamatsch, Gerard A. Drewek, JoAnn M. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6449841
    Abstract: A method of press-connecting a coated electric wire with a press-connecting terminal, including the step of pressing an end portion of the coated electric wire into a notched slot provided in a side plate of the press-connecting terminal so as to cut a coating portion of the coated electric wire to thereby make a conductor of the coated electric wire electrically connected to the side plate of the press-connecting terminal. In such a method, before the coated electric wire is press-connected with the press-connecting terminal, the coating portion of the coated electric wire is heated and softened so that the force necessary for pressing the coated electric wire into the notched slot is reduced to be not larger than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Toshiaki Okabe
  • Patent number: 6446335
    Abstract: A method of thermal compression bonding conductors of a multiconductor flat cable or electrical component by melting through a base layer from the reverse side of a base layer supporting the conductors. The multiconductor flat cable or electrical component comprises a base layer with conductors disposed thereon and a flat cover having an opening provided therein at a bonding site, preferably by die cutting. The flat cover with the opening is laminated to the base layer, overlaying the conductors, so that the conductors are mechanically stabilized by the base layer while being exposed through the bonding opening. The shape of the multiconductor flat cable or electrical component of the present invention may be highly varied. In one embodiment, the flat multiconductor electrical component circumferentially extends around a central area, for example, totally encompassing in IC chip which may be connected to the conductors thereof at a bonding site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lee Carlson, Bruce Dale King, Rudolph Manuel Lopez, Alex Irwin Panasiuk, George G. Zamora
  • Patent number: 6438830
    Abstract: A pinning process including the steps of gold-plating through-holes in a laminate carrier and crimping old or gold-plated pin located in the through-holes to form a pin head on the top and a pin bulge on the bottom of the laminate carrier to produce a plastic pin grid array. A variety of mechanical forming processes may be employed to form the pin heads and pin bulges and cause the pin to at least partially, and preferably substantially, fill and contact the gold-plated through-hole including swage pinning, impact pinning, and double-die pinning operations. By combining the steps of gold-plating through-holes of a laminate carrier and using a mechanical pinning process to crimp a gold or gold-plated pin in the through-holes, a reliable mechanical and electrical connection may be established between the pin and the metal lines both inside and on the surface of the laminate carrier without the need for lead-containing solders and pastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Dibble, Eric H. Laine, Stephen W. MacQuarrie
  • Patent number: 6402551
    Abstract: An end structure is provided for a coaxial connector where an exposed braided wire of a shield wire is press-fitted to a shield terminal. In the structure, the shield terminal includes a bottom par, a pair of half-box parts on both sides of the bottom part and a pair of press-fitting pieces for the braided wire. The parts are capable of plastic deformation to their closing position where their opposing end faces come into contact with each other. By closing the box part, an inner housing, an inner terminal and a part of exposed braided wire are covered with the shield terminal, while the braided wire is press-fitted to the pair of press-fitting pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahito Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6381839
    Abstract: A method secures wire to an electrical contact using an insulation displacement contact (IDC) strain relief cap. The electrical contact has a bifurcated end for engaging and retaining the wire and is engaged with the strain relief cap in securing the wire. The cap attaches to the contact via means on the electrical contact for engaging both the cap and the wire. The wire is secured by placing cap onto the contact, aligning the wire with exit holes, and turning cap until locked into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp
    Inventors: David B. Hollesen, Ivan Pawlenko, Thelma E. Cole, Jason A. Kay, David S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6370769
    Abstract: A cable having at least two twisted wire pairs, each of the wires in the twisted wire pairs having wire jacket with a respectively different color, is automatically assembled by automatically detecting the colors of the wire jackets and automatically positioning the wires of the twisted wire pairs in a predetermined sequence based on the colors of the wire jackets. A machine vision system is used for detecting the colors of the wire jackets. A connector is then automatically attached to the automatically positioned wires. The connector may be a 110 connector, a D8GS connector, an RJ45 connector or an RJ11 connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Peter F. Lilienthal, II
  • Patent number: 6367148
    Abstract: A terminal applicator comprising a terminal advancing mechanism which includes a mechanism for reciprocally advancing and retracting a feed finger which resiliently biases a terminal strip from a first position to a second advanced position in alignment with a crimp die, and a device for controlling reciprocal movement of the advancing mechanism by interacting with the feed finger, whereby feed and retract limits are defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, John J. Bulanda
  • Publication number: 20020038511
    Abstract: Inwardly-directed projecting portions (2, 3) are formed in a bent manner respectively at distal ends of a pair of clamping piece portions (4, 5) which are continuous with each other, and form a wire connection portion (7) of a terminal (1). A conductor portion (9) of a wire (8) is located on the inner sides of the pair of clamping piece portions (4, 5), and the pair of clamping piece portions are pressed over an entire periphery into a circular shape, and are extended in a peripheral direction, thereby causing projecting extension portions (2′, 3′), including the projecting portions (2, 3), to bite into the conductor portion. Before the pressing operation, the pair of clamping piece portions (4, 5) may be provisionally pressed to be curved, thereby causing distal ends of the projecting portions (2, 3) to bite slightly into an outer peripheral surface of the conductor portion (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasumichi Kuwayama, Masanori Onuma, Nobuyuki Asakura
  • Patent number: 6360436
    Abstract: A crimping apparatus for producing sub-harnesses is described that includes a pair of frames, each provided with a centrally disposed crimper. Pairs of movable connector tables are provided on each frame, as well as locking devices for securing the connector tables on both ends of the respective frames. A pair of connector holding poles are provided in each of which a plurality of connectors are arranged to be settable on each of the connector tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Publication number: 20020029472
    Abstract: A crimping apparatus comprises a pair of frames; a pair of crimpers each provided centrally in each frame; pairs of connector tables each provided movably in a longitudinal direction on each frame; locking means for securing the connector tables on both ends of each frame; moving means for moving each said connector table along the frame; and a pair of connector holding poles in each of which a plurality of connectors are arranged to be settable on each the connector table. Thus, a large number of kinds of sub-harnesses can be manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Publication number: 20020029471
    Abstract: A press-fitting unit includes a vertically movable press blade for press-fitting a stripped end of an electrical wire to a terminal disposed in a connector. A connector retaining bar movable in a horizontal direction is disposed to be opposed to the press blade. The retaining bar is provided with a plurality of connector receiving recesses in parallel to respectively hold a connector with a press-fit terminal. A wire chuck is disposed so as to opposing to the rear part of the press blade. The wire chuck is horizontally movable along a horizontal guide to a side of the press blade so as to holding the wire. Alternatively, the connector retaining bar is fixed to the apparatus by a frame and a transfer mechanism can carry the press-fitting unit along the bar in a horizontal direction. In addition, the apparatus may have a pair or two pairs of the upper and lower symmetrical press-fitting units; and the connector retaining bar is disposed between the upper and lower press-fitting units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada
  • Publication number: 20020029470
    Abstract: A press-fitting unit includes a vertically movable press blade for press-fitting a stripped end of an electrical wire to a terminal disposed in a connector. A connector retaining bar movable in a horizontal direction is disposed to be opposed to the press blade. The retaining bar is provided with a plurality of connector receiving recesses in parallel to respectively hold a connector with a press-fit terminal. A wire chuck is disposed so as to opposing to the rear part of the press blade. The wire chuck is horizontally movable along a horizontal guide to a side of the press blade so as to holding the wire. Alternatively, the connector retaining bar is fixed to the apparatus by a frame and a transfer mechanism can carry the press-fitting unit along the bar in a horizontal direction. In addition, the apparatus may have a pair or two pairs of the upper and lower symmetrical press-fitting units; and the connector retaining bar is disposed between the upper and lower press-fitting units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Takada