A crimping tool, a method for establishing an insulation crimp and a crimping machine

The invention relates to a crimping tool for crimping an electrical crimp contact device to an electrical cable by means of a crimping machine. The invention further relates to a method of establishing an insulation crimp by a

crimping tool, in particular at least a crimping stamp, of a crimping machine. Moreover, the invention relates to a crimping machine at least for producing an insulation crimp between an insulation section of a cable and an insulation crimping section of a crimp contact device.

In the electrical industry (electronics, electrotechnology, electrics, electrical engineering etc.), a great number of electrical connecting devices, connecting units, bushing connectors, tab connectors, peg connectors, pin connectors and/or hybrid connectors etc. are known, which serve to transmit electrical currents, voltages, signals and/or data with a wide range of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In the low, medium or high voltage region and/or low, medium or high current region, and in particular in the automotive industry, such connectors must, for a short time and/or permanently, ensure a proper transmission of

electrical power, signals and/or data in warm or, where applicable, hot, contaminated, damp, wet and/or chemically aggressive environments. Due to a wide range of

applications, a large number of specially configured

connectors are known. „

The electrical contact devices of such connectors to an electrical conductor of a cable are often formed as so- called crimp contact devices, the respective crimp contact device being crimpable to an electrical cable, such as an electrical conductor, an electrical wire or a cable harness, etc. Crimping is intended to be understood as a joining process, in which a crimp contact device and a cable are firmly connected to each other by a plastic deformation of a crimping section of the crimp contact device, which can take place, for example, by pressing, crushing, flanging, curling or folding. Such an electrical connection is difficult to break and guarantees a high level of electrical safety and a high level of mechanical stability.

In industry, the production of crimp connections is usually performed through so-called crimping machines (automatic crimping machines, fully automatic crimping machines, crimping presses, automatic cable manufacturing machines, impact presses, etc.), by means of which the crimp contact devices, e.g. in the form of tape goods, can be processed in order to guarantee a high level of productivity while maintaining quality. A crimping machine can comprise, alongside other devices and/or units, a crimping unit

(crimping stamp and crimp anvil) for producing the crimp connections between the crimp contact devices and the cables, a contact device feed (applicator) for providing the crimp contact devices, and a cable feed for providing cables . The crimping unit breaks down into a crimping tool at least having a crimping stamp and a crimp anvil which can also be described as a crimping tool on which the corresponding crimp contact device can be provided, in particular supported. By means of the vertically movable crimping stamp, which can cooperate with the preferably stationary or optionally movable crimp anvil, a crimp connection can be produced between a respective cable and a respective crimp contact device. When producing a plurality of crimp

connections, short process cycles are desired.

The trend towards miniaturisation requires fulfilling all the technical requirements in as small an installation space as possible. With respect to a small contact catch for crimp contact devices, an insulation crimp which is to be

established on a cable is a limiting factor, because the insulation crimp is located at a free longitudinal end section of a ready-made or assembled cable. To date, the miniaturisation was achieved to the effect of reducing the corresponding radii, which always also goes hand in hand with smaller conductor cross-sections of the cable.

The problem of the invention is, on the one hand, to comply with the trend toward miniaturisation but, on the other hand, to maintain a certain conductor cross-section of a cable, as it has already substantially reached its minimum in relation to a particular application by virtue of the miniaturisation. A corresponding crimping tool, at least having a crimping stamp for crimping an electrical crimp contact device, a corresponding method for establishing an insulation crimp, and a corresponding crimping machine should be specified for this purpose. The problem of the invention is solved according to the independent claims, by means of a crimping tool for crimping an electrical crimp contact device to an electrical cable by means of a crimping machine; by a method for establishing an „

insulation crimp by a crimping tool, in particular at least one crimping stamp, of a crimping machine; and by means of a crimping machine at least for producing an insulation crimp between an insulation section of a cable and an insulation crimping section of a crimp contact device. - Advantageous further developments, additional features and/or advantages of the invention will be evident from the dependent claims and the following description.

The crimping tool according to the invention comprises at least one crimping stamp with at least one insulation crimping region for producing an insulation crimp, an insulation crimping section of the crimp contact device being crimpable to an insulation of the cable (main crimping force) by means of the insulation crimping region, and, by means of the crimping tool, an additional crimping force being introducible onto/into the insulation crimping

section, by means of which substantially different outer diameters can be established in the insulation crimp.

Furthermore, a main crimping force can be introduced

onto/into the insulation crimping section by means of the crimping tool.

Substantially identical outer diameters can be established as an insulation crimp in the insulation crimp by means of the main crimping force in isolation, i.e. ideally omitting the additional crimping force. This means that all outer diameter dimensions of any two outer diameters ideally substantially always equal one. Main deforming forces result from the main crimping force of the crimping tool in the insulation crimping section for establishing the insulation crimp itself. If only the main crimping force from the crimping tool acts on the insulation crimping section, an essentially circularly cylindrically formed insulation crimp would thus arise.

Additional deforming forces result from the additional crimping force of the crimping tool in the insulation crimping section for establishing a reduced outer diameter (smaller outer diameter) with respect to an outer diameter, which can only be established with the main crimping force or the main deforming forces (larger outer diameter) . In this case, an insulation crimp (elliptical or oval cylinder) develops with substantially elliptical or oval cross- sections with a plurality of different outer diameters.

This means that by means of the main crimping force from the crimping tool or the main deforming forces in the insulation crimping section, and by means of or through the additional crimping force from the crimping tool or the additional deforming forces in the insulation crimping section, outer diameter dimensions not equal to one can be established in the cross-sections of the essentially or substantially elliptical or oval insulation crimp.

In an embodiment, the crimping tool is configured such that in addition, conventional main crimping forces which can be exerted antiparallel essentially or substantially in the direction of a first axis can be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section, additional crimping forces which can be exerted antiparallel essentially or

substantially in the direction of a second axis can

additionally be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. In this case, a conversion of the main crimping forces in the direction of the first axis into main

deforming forces in the insulation crimping section, and a conversion of the additional crimping forces in the

direction of the second axis into additional deforming forces in the insulation crimping section should be

disregarded. Only the forces from the crimping tool are considered.

The first axis and the second axis can have an intermediate angle of approx. 45°, approx. 50°, approx. 55°, approx. 60°, approx. 65°, approx. 70°, approx. 75°, approx. 80°, approx. 85° or approx. 90°. In this case, the first axis can be substantially a vertical axis of the crimping tool and the second axis can be substantially a transverse axis of the crimping tool. In an embodiment, the crimping stamp is only formed as an insulation crimping stamp. Furthermore, the crimping tool can have at least one further crimping

section, in particular a conductor crimping section.

The crimping stamp preferably has two crimp flanks. The two crimp flanks can be established in the crimping stamp in the transverse direction of the crimping stamp in a spring- loadable manner relative to each other via a spring slot. Alternatively, the two crimp flanks can be pivotably mounted in the crimping stamp, the two crimp flanks being preferably established in each case in a preloaded manner in the crimping stamp. A preload can thus take place mechanically (spring, passive) , electrically (actuator, active/passive) , pneumatically (actuator, active/passive) or hydraulically (actuator, active/passive) . Alternatively, the crimping tool can further have at least one pressure piston, by means of which the additional crimping force can be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. In this case, at least one of the two crimp flanks can have a pressure piston, by means of which the additional crimping forces can be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. An actuation of the at least one pressure piston can thus take place

electromechanically (motor, active) , pneumatically

(actuator, active) or hydraulically (actuator, active) .

In an embodiment, the crimping tool further comprises a unit, externally relative to the crimping stamp, by means of which unit the additional crimping forces can be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. Alternatively, the crimping tool can further comprise a unit, externally relative to the crimping stamp, by means of which unit a force can be introduced into at least one crimp flank, subsequently the additional crimping forces being able to be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. Such a unit can be mechanically, electrically, electromechanically, pneumatically or hydraulically driven and can be formed, for example, as a bolt, a bracket, etc.

Alternatively, the crimping tool can further comprise a flanking guide or a flank slide, externally relative to the crimping stamp, by means of which flanking guide or flank slide a force can be introduced into at least one crimp flank, subsequently the additional crimping forces being able to be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section. Alternatively, at least one pressure piston can be provided in or on the crimping stamp, by means of which the additional crimping forces can be introduced onto/into the insulation crimping section.

In an embodiment, the two crimp flanks are connected with each other materially in one piece and established in the crimping stamp, or are formed integrally with the crimping stamp. A materially one-piece composite of the two crimp flanks in the crimping stamp is, for example, intended to be understood to mean a crimping stamp which is held-together or formed materially in one-piece, and which cannot be separated without damaging the crimping stamp. The entire crimping stamp including its crimp flanks is held together by a strong material connection. An integral composite of the two crimp flanks with the crimping stamp is intended to be understood to mean, for example, a crimping stamp of which the material origin was formed, in turn, integrally (forged and machined crimping stamp) or fluidly (moulded and machined crimping stamp) . A multi-part formation of the crimping stamp can of course be applied. In an embodiment, the crimping tool is formed such that the smaller outer diameter of the insulation crimp corresponds substantially to an outer diameter of an

uncrimped cable. Furthermore, the crimping tool can be formed such that an initial shape of the crimping tool is automatically reestablished temporally after a proper establishment of the insulation crimp.

In an embodiment, the insulation crimping section and the further crimping section can be established together in the crimping tool. In this case, the insulation crimping section and the further crimping section can be rigidly connected to each other, for example formed in multiple parts, in two parts, in one part, materially in one piece or integrally. Furthermore, the insulation crimping section and the further crimping section can be formed movable relative to each other in the crimping tool. In the method according to the invention of establishing an insulation crimp by a crimping tool, in particular at least one crimping stamp, of a crimping machine, an insulation crimping section of an electrical crimp contact device is crimped onto an insulation of an electrical cable, a larger outer diameter and a smaller outer diameter being

established in the insulation crimp by the method.

In this case, the larger outer diameter and the smaller outer diameter can be substantially simultaneously

established in the insulation crimp. Alternatively, while the larger outer diameter is established in the insulation crimp, the smaller outer diameter can begin to be

established in the insulation crimp. Alternatively, the smaller outer diameter can be established in the insulation crimp substantially temporally after the larger outer diameter. - In this case, when establishing the smaller outer diameter in the insulation crimp, the larger outer diameter of the insulation crimp can be kept constant.

Alternatively, it can be made possible for the insulation crimp to expand the larger outer diameter (counter-rotation) when establishing its smaller outer diameter.

In an embodiment, by means of the method, on the one hand antiparallel , conventional main crimping forces can be exerted on/in the insulation crimping section essentially or substantially in the direction of a first axis, and on the other hand antiparallel additional crimping forces can be exerted on/in the insulation crimping section essentially or substantially in the direction of a second axis. Here too, only the forces from the crimping tool are considered.

In an embodiment, an additional crimping force can result from an external force on at least one crimp flank of the crimping stamp. In this case, the external force can be exerted actively or passively on the at least one crimp flank. Alternatively, an additional crimping force can result from an external force on the insulation crimping section. In this case, the external force can be exerted actively or passively on the insulation crimping section. In an embodiment, an initial shape of the crimping tool can automatically be reestablished through the crimping tool itself temporally after a proper establishment of the insulation crimp.

In an embodiment, in the case of a correspondingly

configured insulation crimping section, the method can be conducted such that the insulation crimping section is left open at a point. Furthermore, the method can be conducted such that the additional crimping forces are exerted on the insulation crimping section for so long until an insulation mass of the insulation is fed into a recess of the

insulation crimping section.

In an embodiment, a substantially elliptical or a

substantially oval insulation crimp is established through the crimping tool. In an embodiment, the method can be conducted such that the smaller outer diameter of the insulation crimp substantially corresponds to an outer diameter of an uncrimped cable. - According to the

invention, the method can be carried out by a crimping tool according to the invention.

The crimping machine according to the invention has a crimping tool, the crimping tool being formed as a crimping tool according to the invention, and/or a method according to the invention of establishing the insulation crimp is possible through the crimping machine. The crimping machine can further have an additional tool, in particular a

crimping tool at least comprising a crimp anvil (crimping unit: crimping stamp and crimp anvil), a contact device feed and/or a cable feed.

In an exemplary embodiment of the crimping machine, the crimp contact device can be located on the crimp anvil by means of the contact device feed and a free longitudinal end section of the cable can be located in/on a mechanically open crimping section of the crimp contact device by means of the cable feed. Following on chronologically, an

insulation crimp and/or a conductor crimp can be established between the crimp contact device and the free longitudinal end section of the cable by the crimping machine according to the invention or a cooperation between the crimping tool according to the invention and the crimp anvil. The invention is explained in greater detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached

schematic drawing, which is not true to scale. Sections, elements, structural parts, units, diagrams and/or

components which possess an identical, univocal or similar design and/or function are identified by the same reference numbers in the description of the figures (see below) , the list of reference numbers, the claims and in the figures (Figs.) of the drawings. One possible alternative, a steady- state and/or kinematic reversal, a combination, etc., which is not explained in the description (description of the invention (see above) , description of the figures) , and which is not illustrated in the drawings and/or are not exclusive, to the exemplary embodiments of the invention or a component, a diagram, a unit, a structural part, an element or a section thereof can be inferred from the list of reference numbers. In the invention, a feature (section, element, structural part, unit, component, function, variable etc.) can be configured to be positive, i.e. present, or negative, i.e. absent, with a negative feature not being explicitly

explained as a feature if the fact that it is absent is not deemed to be significant according to the invention. A feature of this specification (description, list of

reference numbers, claims, drawings) can be applied not only in a specified manner but rather can also be applied in a different manner (isolation, summary, replacement, addition, unique, omission, etc.) . In particular, using a reference number and a feature attributed to this, or vice versa, in the description, the list of reference numbers, the claims and/or the drawings, it is possible to replace, add or omit a feature in the claims and/or the description. Moreover, a feature in a claim can be interpreted and/or specified in greater detail as a result.

The features of this specification can (in view of the

(largely unknown) prior art) also be interpreted as optional features; i.e. each feature can be understood as an

optional, arbitrary or preferred feature, i.e. as a non- obligatory feature. It is thus possible to detach a feature, optionally including its periphery, from an exemplary embodiment, with this feature then being transferable to a generalised inventive concept. The lack of a feature

(negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment shows that the feature is optional with regard to the invention.

Furthermore, in the case of a type term for a feature, a generic term for the feature can also be read alongside this (optionally further hierarchical classification into

subgenus, section, etc.), as a result of which it is

possible to generalise a or this feature, e.g. taking into account identical effect and/or equivalence. In the figures, which are merely exemplary:

Fig. 1 shows a sectioned depiction of a cross-section

through an insulation crimp according to the prior art which is established on a single-core cable, with a substantially circular cross-section,

Fig. 2 shows a sectioned depiction of a cross-section

through an insulation crimp according to the invention which is established on a single-core cable, with a substantially elliptical or oval cross-section,

Fig. 3 shows a front side view of a first embodiment of an integral crimping stamp according to the invention with crimp flanks which are spring- loadable relative to each other by virtue of a spring slot in the crimping tool,

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the first

embodiment with a passive flanking guide for the crimp flanks which are spring-loadable relative to each other, the crimping stamp being located at a top dead centre,

Fig. 5 shows the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 4, the crimping stamp being located at a bottom dead centre and the spring-loadable crimp flanks having moved towards each other (smaller spring slot) ,

Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the first

embodiment with a passive flank slide for the crimp flanks which are spring-loadable relative to each other, the crimping stamp being located at a top dead centre,

shows the exemplary embodiment from Fig. 6, the crimping stamp being located at a bottom dead centre and the crimp flanks which are spring- loadable having moved towards each other (smaller spring slot) ,

shows a front side view of a second embodiment of a multi-part crimping stamp according to the invention with crimp flanks which can be pivoted relative to each other, and which are mounted in a spring-loaded manner,

shows a front side view of a third embodiment of a multi-part crimping tool according to the invention with pressure pistons provided at/in the crimping tool, and

shows a sectioned depiction of a cross-section of an insulation crimp according to the invention which is established on a single-core cable, with four through-openings.

The invention is explained in greater detail below using exemplary embodiments of three embodiments (Figs. 3-7, 8 and 9) of a variant of a mechanical crimping tool 2 according to the invention of a crimping machine 1 and using exemplary embodiments of an embodiment of a variant of a method according to the invention which can be carried out by the crimping machine 1. However, the invention is not restricted to such variants, such embodiments and/or the exemplary embodiments explained below, but is of a more fundamental nature, such that the invention can be applied to all crimping tools of crimping machines or methods which can be carried out by crimping machines. In this case, the invention can be applied anywhere that crimp connections are to be produced or established.

Only those spatial and temporal sections of a subject-matter of the invention which are necessary for understanding the invention are illustrated in the drawings. Although the invention is more closely described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Other variations can be derived herefrom and/or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

In a conventional arrangement of movements of a crimping stamp 10 relative to a crimp anvil 30 in a crimping machine 1, the crimping stamp 10 is substantially vertically

(vertical axis V) displaceable relative to the crimp anvil 30, a respective electrical crimp contact device 5 and a respective electrical cable 6 (conductor, wire, cable harness etc.) extending substantially in a longitudinal direction (longitudinal axis L) (see also Fig. 1) . - According to the invention, it is possible to generalise this arrangement such that the crimping stamp 10 can be displaced along a first axis Ai and a transverse direction Q of the crimp contact device 5 and of the cable 6 extend along a second axis A ₂ , these two axes Ai , A ₂ preferably being arranged at a right angle relative to each other.

According to the invention, a crimping tool 2 at least comprising a crimping stamp 10 is supplied, which enables, in addition to a vertical application (vertical axis V, but also first axis A _x ) of a main crimping force F ₁ /-F _lr an application (transverse axis Q, but also second axis A ₂ ) of an additional crimping force F ₂ /-F ₂ , in order to reduce a width (outer diameter D _x ) of an insulation crimp 90. In other words, reducing a larger outer diameter Di in a cross-section region of the insulation crimp 90 to a smaller outer

diameter D ₂ .

For this purpose, the crimping tool 2 or the crimping stamp 10 has one or more movable elements or devices or units.

These transmit a force which can, for example, be

horizontally applied from the outside (transverse axis Q, but also second axis A ₂ ) to an insulation crimping section 51 of a respective crimp contact device 5. Preferably, an initial shape of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10 is particularly automatically reestablished (e.g. fully elastically) temporally after a proper establishment of the insulation crimp 90 according to the invention (e.g. crimping stamp 10 as a spring-loaded element, see also Figs. 3-7) . Fig. 1 shows a central section through an insulation crimp 90 according to the prior art, the insulation crimp 90 having substantially exclusively circular cross-sections (all outer diameters D ₁ substantially equal), i.e. is

circularly cylindrically formed. For establishing the insulation crimp 90, an insulation crimping section 51 of the crimp contact device 5 was crimped to an outer

insulation of the cable 6, the external main crimping forces F _lr -F ₁ being exerted on the insulation crimping section 51 along a vertical V axis A ₁ by a crimping stamp 10 and a crimp anvil 30 which cooperates therewith. The insulation crimp 90 can be a section of a crimping region (crimp 90) of the crimp contact device 5. It is to be noted that in the case of a vertical down movement of a crimping stamp 10 relative to the crimp anvil 30 in a resulting insulation crimp 90 between an insulation crimping section 51 of a crimp contact device 5 located therebetween and an insulation 61 or outer insulation 61 of a cable 6 located therebetween, substantially only vertical forces can be introduced. Comparatively small horizontal forces on the insulation crimping section 51 can result from a formation of the crimping stamp 10 and/or of the crimp anvil 30, but through which only one elastic deformation of the insulation crimp 90 can be achieved, or, in the case of a narrow crimping stamp 10, a breach of the outer insulation 61 of the cable 6 must be risked. In contrast, Fig. 2 shows a central section through an insulation crimp 90 according to the invention, the

insulation crimp 90 having exclusively essentially or substantially elliptical or oval cross-sections (different outer diameters in a range of D ₂ to Di) , i.e. is formed as an essentially or substantially elliptical or oval cylinder. For establishing the insulation crimp 90, an insulation crimping section 51 of the crimp contact device 5 was crimped to an outer insulation 61 of the cable 6, the external main crimping forces Fi, -Fi (not depicted in Fig. 2) being exerted on the insulation crimping section 51 along a preferably vertical V axis A ₂ and the external additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ being exerted on the insulation crimping section 51 along a preferably transverse Q axis A ₂ by a crimping tool 2 and a crimp anvil 30 which cooperates therewith.

When crimping, main deforming forces result from the

external main crimping forces Fi, -Fi in the insulation crimping section 51 for establishing the insulation crimp 90 with the outer diameter Di (optionally including elastic recovery by virtue of the external additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ ) . When crimping, additional deforming forces result from the external additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ in the insulation crimping section 51 for establishing the outer diameter D ₂ or an outer diameter ratio D ₂ /D ₁ of the insulation crimp 90. In this case, a respective magnitude of the additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ can be established substantially independently of a respective magnitude of the main crimping forces Fi , - Fi .

According to the invention, this can take place by means of a crimping tool 2 of a crimping machine 1, at least

comprising a crimping stamp 10 (see Figs. 3 to 9), which itself, in turn, comprises at least one insulation crimping stamp 10. This crimping tool 2 can cooperate with a crimping tool 3 of the crimping machine 1, which comprises at least one crimp anvil 30 which itself, in turn, comprises at least one insulation crimp anvil 30. The crimping stamp 10

comprises an insulation crimping region 100 with a crimp body 102 and a crimp head 101, two crimp flanks 110 for producing or establishing the insulation crimp 90 preferably being established in the crimp head 101.

Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of the crimping stamp 10 according to the invention, the crimp flanks 110 thereof being established in a spring-loadable manner relative to each other in the preferably integrally formed crimping stamp 10. For this purpose, the crimping stamp 10 has a spring slot 112 in the crimp body 102, which spring slot displays the two crimp flanks 110, 110 in a spring soft manner relative to each other; a crimp flank 110 itself is displayed in a spring hard manner. In this case, the spring slot 112 extends inwardly from a mutual base of the two crimp flanks 110, 110 into the crimp body 102 and preferably ends with a radius so that the spring slot 112 is not established as an optionally continuing crack in the crimp body 102.

Furthermore, Fig. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment for establishing the insulation crimp 90 by the crimping tool 2 or the crimping stamp 10. By means of external antiparallel forces on the crimp flanks 110, 110 (see the arrows in Fig. 3) , the additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ can be introduced into the crimp flanks 110, 110 which are established in the crimping stamp 10 in a spring-loaded manner via the spring slot 112. In this case, the additional crimping forces F ₂ , - F ₂ are located on the axis A2 or the horizontal transverse axis Q. The crimp flanks 110, 110 then transmit the

additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ into the insulation crimp 90 where, in addition to the larger outer diameter Di, a smaller outer diameter D2 is established in the insulation crimp 90 (see Fig. 2) .

Alternatively, the additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ can be introduced directly into the already made or still forming insulation crimp 90 (not depicted) , without a detour via the crimp flanks 110, 110. - In both exemplary embodiments, this can take place, for example, by means of mechanically, electrically, electromechanically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically driven bolts, brackets etc., which exert a preferably horizontally-acting Q force on the crimping stamp 10 or directly on the optionally forming insulation crimp 90 in a bottom dead centre of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10 in a crimping method, and press together the crimp flanks 110, 110 or the insulation crimp 90 itself to a defined degree.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a further exemplary embodiment of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10 with spring slot 112. In this case, the crimp flanks 110, 110 are pressed together by means of a flanking guide 200 which, for

example, is positioned below the crimp anvil 30 and/or a carrier strip. In this case, the flanking guide 200 can be part of an applicator of the crimping machine 1, for

example. In this case, the additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ are not actively generated, as is the case with the

preceding exemplary embodiments, but are passively generated through the movement of the crimping stamp 10, the flanking guide 200 forcing the crimp flanks 110, 110 to move towards each other. For this purpose, a suitable geometry is

established therebetween. The forces on the crimp flanks 110, 110 can be defined by distances of guide elements of the flanking guide 200 to each other and/or a geometry of the guide elements.

Figs. 6 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10 which is similar to Figs. 4 and 5. In this case, the crimp flanks 110, 110 are pressed together by means of a flank slide 210, the actual slide 212 thereof, for example, being positioned above the crimp anvil 30 and/or a carrier strip. In this case, at least one slide 212 can be actuated by means of an oblique guide element 214 of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10 such that the slide 212 presses at least one crimp flank 110

horizontally Q, A ₂ in the direction of the resulting

insulation crimp 90 when crimping. Fig. 8 shows the second embodiment of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10, a respective crimp flank 110 being mounted in the crimp head 101 via a pivot bearing 120. A spring 122, in particular a pressure spring 122, ensures a mechanical preloading of the crimp flank 110. It is of course possible to configure the crimping stamp 10 such that a tension spring can be applied. In this case, the two crimp flanks 110, 110 are mechanically preloaded relative to each other such that they shall move away from the crimping stamp 10 outwardly in the transverse direction Q, which is

preventable by an appropriate stop. Such a crimping stamp 10 can, for example, be applied in the exemplary embodiments according to Figs . 3 to 7.

Fig. 9 shows the third embodiment of the crimping tool 2 or of the crimping stamp 10, at least one pressure piston 130 being provided at and/or in the crimping stamp 10 or a crimp flank 110. In this case, the additional crimping forces F ₂ , - F2 can be introduced directly into the already made or still forming insulation crimp 90, without a detour via the crimp flanks 110, 110. If the pressure piston 130 is provided in the crimp flank 110, this then preferably participates in the actual crimping method. If the pressure piston 130 is provided outside the crimp flank 110, the insulation crimp 90 can be moved into the region of the pressure piston (s) 130 after crimping in order to establish its smaller outer diameter D ₂ .

Fig. 10 shows an established insulation crimp 90 of an insulation crimping section 51 of a fully crimped crimp contact device 5. In this case, the insulation crimp 90 was not closed, which can be seen above in Fig. 10. When

crimping, the insulation crimp 90 is preferably established such that a part of the outer insulation 61 of the cable 6 substantially forms an outer circumferential section of the insulation crimp 90. In this case, an insulation mass of the outer insulation 61 is located between the circumferential edges of the insulation crimping section 51. Moreover, the insulation crimping section 51 can have at least one recess 52, in particular a through-recess 52.

Herein, the insulation crimping section 51 has three

through-recesses 52, two through-recesses 52 opposite each other in the transverse direction Q. Moreover, a bottom of the insulation crimping section 51, i.e. opposite to the upper opening of the insulation crimp 90, can have a

through-recess 52. According to the invention, the

additional crimping forces F ₂ , -F ₂ can be exerted on the insulation crimping section 51 for so long until the

insulation mass has sufficiently entered into a respective through-recess 52. An outer side of the insulation mass which has entered into a through-recess 52 preferably forms an outer side of the insulation crimp 90.

Furthermore, Fig. 10 shows an electrical conductor 60, in particular an inner conductor 60 with seven twisted strands, of the cable 6. - According to the invention, a reduced or minimised width D ₂ of an insulation crimp 90 is obtained. In this case, the width D ₂ of the insulation crimp 90 can be controlled and/or set. As a result of this, an improved use of an installation space, for example a predetermined contact chamber, arises from a controlled formation of the insulation crimp 90. Furthermore, a smaller contact catch can hereby be realised. List of reference numbers

1 Crimping machine, (fully) automatic crimping machine, crimping press, automatic cable manufacturing machine, impact press, etc.

2 Crimping tool at least comprising the crimping stamp 10

3 Crimping tool at least comprising the crimp anvil 20 5 Electrical crimp contact device

6 Electrical cable, conductor, wire, cable harness, etc.

10 Crimping stamp at least comprising the insulation

crimping stamp (10)

30 Crimp anvil at least comprising the insulation crimp anvil (30)

51 Insulation crimping section of the crimp contact device 5

52 Recess, in particular a through-recess

60 Electrical conductor, inner conductor, outer conductor of the cable 6

61 Insulation, outer insulation of the cable 6

90 Crimp at least comprising the insulation crimp (90), insulation crimp connection 100 Crimping region, insulation crimping region of the

crimping stamp 10

101 Crimp head of the crimping stamp 10

102 Crimp body of the crimping stamp 10

110 Crimp flank of the crimp head 101

112 Spring slot in the crimp body 102, forms the two crimp flanks 110, 110 in a spring soft manner relative to each other (crimp flank 110 itself: spring hard)

120 Pivot bearing of the respective crimp flank 110 in the crimp head 101

122 (Tension spring/pressure spring) for mechanical

preloading of the crimp flank 110

130 Pressure piston

200 (Passive) flanking guide, e.g. part of the applicator

210 (Passive) flank slide

212 Slide

214 Guide element

Ai First axis preferably substantially vertical axis V

when crimping

A2 Second axis preferably substantially horizontal axis or transverse axis Q when crimping

Di (Larger) diameter, outer diameter, height of the

insulation crimp 90 in the direction of the first axis

Ai

D2 (Smaller, reduced) diameter, outer diameter, width of the insulation crimp 90 in the direction of the second axis A2

Fi Main crimping force on the first axis A! by virtue of the crimping tool 2, this results in main deforming forces for establishing the insulation crimp 90 with the outer diameter Di (optionally including elastic recovery by virtue of F ₂ )

F ₂ Additional crimping force on the second axis A ₂ , this results in additional deforming forces for establishing the outer diameter D ₂ or an outer diameter dimension D2/D1 of the insulation crimp 90

L Longitudinal direction, longitudinal axis of the

crimping machine 1, of the crimping tool 2, 3, of the crimping stamp 10, of the crimp anvil, of the insulation crimp 90 when crimping, axial

Transverse direction, transverse axis of the crimping machine 1, of the crimping tool 2, 3, of the crimping stamp 10, of the crimp anvil, of the insulation crimp 90 when crimping, transverse

Vertical direction, vertical axis of the crimping machine 1, of the crimping tool 2, 3, of the crimping stamp 10, of the crimp anvil, of the insulation crimp 90 when crimping, vertical