US2609858A - Lead straightening machine - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 9, 1952 w, ENGEL 2,609,858

LEAD STRAIGHTENING MACHINE Filed Dec. 50, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l 4 INVENTOR WILLIAM T. ENGEL ATTOR Y practice. tively slow not only because it involves manual treatment, but because each lead is individually dealt with one at a time. racy of the straightening operation is dependent Patented Sept. 9, 1952 "UNITEDQISTATES PATENT OFFICE William'T. EngeLUnion, N. J., assignor -to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application December 30, 1948, Serial No. 68,337

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for straightening the leads of electron discharge tubes and similar devices.

Certain classes of electron discharge devices such as miniature tubes are provided with lead-in connections extending through the stemof the tube for connection to electrodes withinthe deviceand for providing contact pins externally of the tube.

While the lead-in conductors referred to are relatively rigid, the portions thereof extending externally of the tube are not as rugged as sleeve-type contact pins employed on some large types of electrondischarge devices. As a consequence, the contact pins of miniature tubes sometimes are bent during handling. Since sockets in which such tubes are intended for use have openings therein disposed in a predetermined array forreceivingthe contact pins, it is necessary to straighten bent pins to facilitate their entrance into'the-socket openings referred to. One practice heretofore followed has been to manually straighten the pins individually with a toolrsuch as 'apair of pliers.

#Several disadvantages characterize this past The straightening operation is rela- In addition, the accuon'the judgement of'the operator, as a consequence of which it may'not always be as critical as might be required. The prior art practices, therefore, in straightening --bent leads are relatively expensive and lack assurance that the leads are properly straightened.

. It :is therefore the objector the invention to .provide an apparatusfor rapidly and accurately straightening leads extending from an article such 'as an electron'discharge device.

' Afurther object is'to provide a'n apparatus for straightening leads. extending from a fragile article without producing objectionable strains or zotherwise damaging the article.

Anothenobject ofthednvention is to provide a machine for automaticallyand accurately straightening-the leads of a device such as an electron tube,:in one operation;

It is a further object to provideia leadstraightening machine wherein the operationis mechantrolled by mechanical'means.

Another object is to provide a leadstr'aighten- 2 ing machine permitting a feed of pronged devices under mechanically controlled conditions to a prong receiving member for simultaneously and accurately straightening the pins forming said prong.

Another object is to provide a machine for guiding the travel ofan object having a lead extending therefrom in a predetermined path and for receiving said lead in a space formed by a pluralityof courses of the side walls of an opening of said machine and extending axially along a straight line from said object, for straightening "said lead-in.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent as the present specification continues. Referring to the drawing for a better understanding of the invention but not byway of limitation thereof;

Figure 1 shows a side elevation in section of an apparatus according to my invention;

Figure 2 is a section along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows the feed member 'ofymy machine which receivesa device such as an electron tube in an appropriately restrained manner for suitably orienting the device with respect to the lead "straightening member of the machine;

Figure 3 is a view along the lines 33 of Figure land shows a front view of the lead straightening die and support therefor, included in my machine;

Figure 4 is a, section along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1 and indicates the eccentric arrangement of the driving member of my machine;

Figure5 is a view greatly enlarged of a section along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3 showing the positionof one of the openings of my die during one portion ofthe cycle of operation of my machine, the dotted lines indicating other positions of the opening during other portions of the cycle of operation, and the effect of these various positionsof the opening in straightening a lead;

Figure 6 is a View partly jinsection along the lines 6- 6 of Figure 5 and indicates the action of the die or my machine, particularly the wall of an opening thereof, in controlling the position ofa leadtherein and,

Figure 7 is a view along the lines 1-! .of Figure 1 and shows a'stopmeans that I may employ on my feed member for stopping the travel of an electron discharge device thereon.

-In straightening the contact pinsof electron discharge devices'an axis of the device is usually used as a reference line with which the contact pins 1 are disposed in parallel relation when straightened. A feature of the invention is the constant angular shifting of the axis of the diev with respect to the reference axis on the electron discharge device will take place. This angular shifting of the axis of the die results in the application of a lateral force to bent leads extending into the openings thereof. The application of such lateral force or forces by a plurality of courses described by the walls of the openings in generating a cylindrical space accomplishes a straightening of the leads in line I with the reference axis of the electron discharge device. The angular shifting of the axis of the die during operation may be characterized as a wobbling action and as a result thereof a predetermined restricted cylindrical space is gen erated in each of the openings in the die permitting clearance for straight leads. The wobbling action of the die further results in urging bent leads into the restricted space in each opening resulting in a straightening of such bent leads.

Referring'now to the drawing in more detail, there is shown in Fig. 1 thereof a machine employing my invention and including a feed member H3 designed to receive a device such as an electron tube H having contactpins l2, and a die [3 suitably positioned and oriented with respect to the feed member to permit contact pins.

l2 to enter the apertures or openings I l therein. The openings 14 are provided with bell-type tapering walls resulting in funnel-shaped passageways, the wider ends of which terminate in the die surface facing the feed member I0. I This widened end portion of the openings I i permits entry therein of contact pins disposed in a variety of different positions as the result of bends therein, and while the die I3 is in any one of the many different positions it assumes during a cycle of operation. The die it is supported in a central apertured portion of a disc or diaphragm I5 made of resilient or flexible material, such for example as rubber. or resistoflex. The disc or diaphragm I5 is supported at its outer edge portion on support member l5 shown more clearly in FigureB. The support member I6 is in turn mounted on base H.

H] is also mounted on base ll to assure a desired orientation of the feed member with respect to the die. 7

My Vdie may assume the form of a-cylinder having a tubular portion l8, at one end thereof; to the inner walls ofwhich is fixed ring 19 having a surface inwardly curved in cross section as shown at 2!! to receive a portion of universal ball bearing 1H. :The universal bearing 2! is fixed to one end of shaft 22, the other end of the shaft being fixed eccentrically to one end of tubular shaft 23 as shown in Figure 4. Shaft 23 is supportedfor rotation in support 24 on bearings 25. The other end of shaft 23 receives in fixed engagement a further shaft 26, which maybeconnected to a suitable power source, notfshown, for receiving rotational movement therefrom. Support: 24 is also mounted on base H: for fixing appropriate orientationof the tubular shaft'23 and the eccentrically mounted shaft The feed member I 4 with respect to the contact pins l2.

4 i 22 with respect to the die [3 and the feed member l0.

The operational characteristics of my novel lead straightening machine will now be described in the interests of a better understanding of my invention.

The feed member In as shown in Figures 1 and 2 is trough-shaped, including a rounded bottom and curved side walls and open at the top and at the ends thereof. The dimensions of the trough are such as to receive snugly a device ,of predetermined shape such as a miniature electron tube having prongs requiring straightening The feed member ID shown in Figure 1 is made long enough to hold a tube thereon. against falling. Once a tube is placed in the feed member IE) it is in suitable alignment with the 'die 13. The tube is then rotated manually through a small arc on its longitudinal axis so that the pins l2 thereon are brought into appropriate alignment with the flared openings I4 in the die. The tube H is then given manually a longitudinal movement resulting in engagement of the pins l2 by the walls of the openings 14. i

During a continuous straightening operation involving aplurality of devices; the shafts 22, 23 and 23 may constantly rotate, causing the tubular end E8 of the die to follow the eccentric travel of shaft 22. Since the end portion of the die facing the feed member H3 is supported on the diaphragm or disc I5, which in turn is fixed to support I6, .theeifect of the eccentric travel of end If! of the die isto dispose the face of the die successively in a plurality of angular planes characteristic of a wobbling action, the angular displacement of the face of the die from one plane to another being permitted'by the resilient or flexible'nature of the diaphragm l5. 7

This constantly changing planar disposition of the face of die 13 during rotation of shafts 22, 23 and 26 results in a constantly changing angular disposition of the walls of the openings As shown more clearly in a greatly enlarged View in Figure 5, the solid lines indicate the position'of an opening when'the face of the die is displaced in a maximum angular deflection downwardly from a vertical plane during a cycle of operation. In this position an upper portion of the flared walls of an opening M will be substantially horizontal and if a contact pin is bent upwardly out of a horizontal plane it will be deflected downwardly to a position where it is suitably straightened in a vertical plane. The upper dotted lines indicate the position of opening l4 during the upper maximum angular deflection of the die face from the vertical plane'referred to. In this case a lower portion of the flared walls of the opening will engage a lead that may be bent downwardly to straighten it' in a'vertical plane. The intermediate dotted lines are a representation of the position of an openingduring a maximum lateral angular deflection of the face of the die .from'the vertical plane referred to. In this case any component of the bend in a bent pin extending in a horizontal plane will be suitably straightened.

During each cycle of operation of my machine the face of my die l3is successively angularly displaced in all directions froma vertical plane. As a consequence, the walls of the openings describe paths or courses that cumulatively cooperate to provide an elongated free cylindrical space in each opening having transverse di- "for complete straightening thereof. "pm at atime is engaged by an opening, reduction instrains on the "pin as wen as on the'tube :mensions isubstantially equal to those 'of' a .pin Ttoibe straightened. This"I cylindrica1 "space is disposed 11in proper-alignment withffeed member [was wouldfrbe require'd for astraight pin.

Since a con-tact pin inserted into one of the openings M of i-th'e die of my machine is caused to o'ccup'y the 'space referred to' -by the action "thereon ofWthe walls of the opening during a cycle of operation of my machine, 6 such 'pin will "be accurately and'rapidly straightened.

This straightening action of my machine is further illustrated in Figure 6, which "shows 'four .positions of an openingin the die' 'of 'my machine and indicates how these :positions :result in the definition of i a i tree cylindrical space oc'cupied by pin l2,fafter thezpin'has been' straightened. It will benoted that theupper wall of opening l4 shown infull lines, forms an upper boundary for the 1 space occupied by 1 the "straightened Lpin l2, whil'e tthe lower :wall of the "socket in its upper aposition,shown in dotted lines, forms *the lower boundary for'the space occupiedby the straightened J-pin. Side-boundaries are also 'provided for "the freeispace referred toybyfthetside walls of theopenin'g, when the walls aresuccessively inclined laterally of pin l2 in different-directions as shown in the dotted line lateral array.

While only four positions of an opening are shown-in Figured, it will be appreciated that during "a cycleof operation involving successive deflections ofdie l3, angularly and in an infinite numberof radial directions, allpartsof an annuslartportion of "the wall of an opening will suceessively engage all sides or a pin tobe straight- :ened. Since allfthe sides of the: pin will :thus

be engagedsby the opening walls,it willresult in i a straightening 'of Tthe. pin inwall :planes; parallel to the reference axis of the device from which the pin extends. *Considering'the movement of the die lfi'during'a cycle ofoperation as it affects 1 an opening in the face of the die,:it will be noted .from-Fig. 6 that 'each opening travels in a circular path, the solid line ll indicating thesucces- 'si-ve positions of the-axis of :an'opening during a cycle of operation.

In addition to being .radially deflected, the openings of mydie-are-longitudinally'moved during acycle of operation. Thus asnoted in Fig.

-1 the upper opening 14 is longitudinally closer to the contact pins-of tube ll than the lower.

opening. This is of advantage in a straightening operation. Thus, the straightening operation, while relatively rapid, is gradually performed to reduce strains. in the-pins and in the article from which they extend. It will benoted that in the position shown inFig. 1 the "ended the upper .pms first engage the bell-shaped portion or the walls of the upper openingIthatisrelatively close to the die face. This accomplishes a slight straightening of the upper..pins with the force appliedto the pin ends. .As the cycle continues and thetube 'H "is held against movement, all

the pin'sfare engaged by "the bell-shaped wall for 'a'partialstraighteningthereof. The tube is then position'edfairther towards the diewith the result "that the .pins enter farther into the openings Since one results.

Thedegreeof'defie'ction of the die face can be predetermined bysuitably controlling the degree of"eccentricity'of shaft 22 with respect to shaft This deflection can :be made large enough so that -"the openings need only :engage the end portio'ns o'f the contactpins for fully straighten pushing force applied thereto. this stop'and the degree of deflection of the face of'die l3mayrbe coordinated to permit sufficient entrance ofiipins t2 into the openings M for ac- :ing them If desired, I may provide-a stop 28, shown in Fig. 7 i for stopplngthealongitudinal travel of the tube H in response. to amanual :The location of complishing' a complete and accurate straightening ofthe pins. This 'stopmeans however is not strictly required forjthexpra'ctice of my invention since the action of the'die onthe pins of the electron tube as previously explained herein is sufficiently smooth to: permit a straightening operation with the pins extending fartherinto the openings than required for a full straightening "action. "As amatter of fact, the tube [I may be pushed towards the die face until the stem or ipro'ngedend thereof abuts the face'of the die. Such abutment disposition of the tubestem and the die 'face'do'es not result in any impacts on the tube stem from the die for the reason that the "wobbling motion of the die face always disposes a portion'ofthe dieface in aplan'e representing the maximum longitudinal displacement of. the'die towards the electron tube l I during any portion of its cycle of operation. Consequently, there is no harm in pushing the tube far enough towards the die to contact the face thereof with its stem.

It will be-appreciated therefore that I have provided an advantageous-machine for straightening-bent leads" on devicessuch as electron tubes that requires a minimum of manual handling of the device and assures a correct positioning thereof with respect'to astraightening die. The combination ofwa resilientsupportfor a" face end of the die and an eccentric coupling of the other end of the die to a source oirotary power impartsthe required angular'and longitudinal deflection to theface o f the die and consequently to the openingsprovided therein, for effectively, rapidly and accurately straightening leads that "are extendedinto said openings.

Various substitutions and modifications may be made in-the elements constituting the illustrated embodiment-of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as pointed out in-the appended claims.

- I claim:

'1. An apparatusiorstraightening contact pins of-anelectrical device comprising means for supporting and guiding saiddevice in -a predetermined path, and means mounted in said path for receiving 'said contact .pins, said last-named means includinga :die,saiddie having openings constructed with mouths substantially larger die "toipermit tilting or said die while restrain- .ing. axial rotation thereof, and an eccentric power shaft connected to the opposite end of 'said' die, and meansfforrotating said power shaft on an axis parallel to and displaced from its longitudinal axis, whereby said die is tilted to provide restricted paths in said openings for straightening said leads.

3. A machine for straightening external leads of electrical devices comprising an elongated die having openings at one end face thereof communicating with passageways for receiving said leads, said openings being substantially larger than the cross-sections of said leads and said passageways having inwardly inclined walls leading from said' openings, a resilient diaphragm supporting said die adjacent'said face thereof for tilting movement and against rotation, means engaging the other end of said die for imparting eccentric motion to said last-named end, and means adjacent said die for guiding said device to cause said leads thereof to enter said passageways in said die to a predetermined depth, whereby said leads are deflected by the walls of said passageways to a straightened condition. 7

4. A machin for straightening wire pins extending from a device, comprising means for receiving and guiding said device to a predetermined location, said means including a stop for limiting the movement of said body in one direction, and means having one face provided with openings adjacent said first-named means for receiving said wire pins when said body abuts against said stop, said openings being constructed with mouths substantially larger than the cross-sections of said pins and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouths, resilient means for supporting said second-named means adjacent said face thereof against rotation and for tilting movement, and means connected to said second-named means at a part thereof spaced from said face for imparting eccentric motion thereto, whereby said pins when received in said openings are deflected from a bent condition to a straightened position.

5. A machine for straightening a wire extending from on end of an article, comprising means for supporting said article and providing restraints to motions thereof laterally and downwardly, said means guiding longitudinal movement of said article and permitting rotational movement thereof, a die adjacent said means and having an opening in one face thereof, said opening being constructed with outwardly flared walls to provide a mouth substantially larger than the cross-section of said wire, for receiving said wire, guided thereto by said means, resilient means engaging said die adjacent said face for preventing rotary motion of said die while permitting tilting thereof, and means engaging another portion of said die for imparting rotary motion to said another portion eccentric with respect to said die whereby said face and said opening of said die are angularly deflected for straightening said wire.

6. A'machine for straightening leads extending from one end of a device, comprising a guide member for receiving said device and restraining the same against lateral motion and permitting port engaging the outer edge portions of said diaphragm, and means at the other end of said di for deflecting said end laterally, said means including a power shaft, an additional shaft mounted eccentrically at one end of said power shaft, said additional shaft being connected axially in a universal power transfer relation to said other end of said die whereby said die is tilted while restrained against axial rotation to dispose said walls in different successive angular positions for straightening said leads when extended into said openings.

'7. An apparatus for positioning a conductor extending from an object parallel to a predetermined axis of said object including a support for supporting and guiding said object in'a predetermined path, movable means adjacent said support and having an opening disposed in said path and communicating with a passageway therein having a tapered wall for receiving said conductor, said opening being substantially larger than said conductor, a resilient support for said movable means, and means for actuating said movable means to move said conductor transversely of said wall to a position'parallel to said axis.

8. An apparatus for positioning a conductor extending from an object parallel to a predetermined axis of said object including tiltable means having openings therein for receiving said conductor, said openings being constructed with a mouth substantially larger than said conductor and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouth, a resilient support for said movable means, means for actuating said movable means to cause an angular movement of said walls for defining a path parallel to said axis, and a guide for supporting and permitting relative movement of said article towards and away from said tiltable .means, said tiltable means being mounted for receiving said conductor in said opening thereof when said article is moved tomeans for causing an angular movement of said 7 opening, said movable means being mounted .to receive said conductor in said opening thereof when said object is moved in said'path, whereby contact between the taper and said conductor will position the conductor parallel to said'axis.

l0. An'apparatus for straightening a bent conductor extending from an object including, a member havinga relatively wide openingcommunicating with a relatively narrow passages way, said opening being substantially larger than said conductor, for receiving said conductor, means for fixing said member against rotation, means for actuating said member while so fixed to cause said relatively wider opening therein to revolve in a predeterminedcircular path to thereby effectively widen said opening, and to cause said relatively narrow passageway to revolve in a shortercircular path than said first mentioned path, a support for supporting and guiding said object towards and away from said member, said member being mounted to receive said conductor when said object is moved toward said member, whereby said bent conductor is initially easily received in said opening and extension thereof into said passageway efiectively straightens said conductor in a predetermined line.

11. An apparatus for straightening a wire extending from an article, comprising means for supporting said article in a predetermined position, said means being constructed in the form of a guide to permit movement of said article in a predetermined path, a die adjacent said means and having an opening disposed in said path for receiving said wire during movement of said article in said path towards said die, said die being mounted to permit tilting thereof and to restrain axial rotation thereof, said opening being constructed with a mouth substantially larger than a cross-section of said wire and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouth, and means for tilting said die, whereby said wire when moved into said mouth is successively deflected by said walls to a straightened position.

12. Apparatus for straightening a wire extending from an article, comprising a die mounted for tilting movement while held against axial rotation, said die having an opening therein constructed with a mouth substantially larger than a cross-section of said wire and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouth, supporting means for said article constructed in the form of a guide to permit relative move ment of said article toward and away from said guide, said die being mounted to receive said wire extending from said article as said article is moved towards said die in said guide, and means for tilting said die, whereby said wire is successively deflected by said walls to a straightened position.

7 said prongs and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouths, said die being mounted to receive said prongs in said openings thereof when the article is moved towards said die, said tilting means including a diaphragm restraining axial rotation of said die and an eccentric drive connected to said die.

14. An apparatus for positioning a conductor extending from an object parallel to a predetermined axis of said object, comprising a die having an opening constructed with a mouth substantially larger than said conductor and with inwardly inclined walls leading from said mouth, a support for supporting an object in predetermined aXial position and for guiding said object in axial movements toward and awayv from said die, said die being mounted to receive said conductor in said openings thereof when said article is moved toward said die, and to permit a tilting movement thereof while held against rotation, whereby said conductor is straightened.

WILLIAM T. ENGEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 934,429 Davies Sept. 21, 1909 1,182,658 Dolles May 9, 1916 2,389,885 Anderson Nov. 27, 1945

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