Zuführvorrichtung für eine Verbinderanschlussvorrichtung

摘要

An apparatus (10) for loading individual connectors into a wire-harness making machine (100) includes a feed track which feeds a supply of connectors (200) which have been separated from a connector supply chain (216). The lead connector is advanced into a feed channel whereupon a severing knife (40) is advanced into the feed channel (32) to separate the lead connector from an adjacent connector. The severing knife (40) remains in place momentarily as a shuttle mechanism (54) is actuated to move the severed lead connector along the feed channel (32), the severing knife blade (42) forming a portion of the feed channel (32) during the shuttling of the severed connector. Optical sensors (334) may be mounted in proximity to the severing knife (40) in order to verify the presence or absence of a connector prior to severing.