# US 2008/0184767 A1 · Crimping apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0184767 A1 - Document ID: US20080184767A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/671,476 - Filed: 2007-02-06 - Published: 2008-08-07 - Earliest claimed: 2007-02-06 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Ukpai I. Ukpai; Andrew L. Bartos - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080184767A1 ## CPC - B21D 17/02: by pressing (grooving or notching of bolts, studs, or the like B21K1/54) - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) ## Abstract A crimping apparatus and method are provided that enable secure crimping of objects to one another even when the objects are subject to thermal or stress cycling. Specifically, an apparatus for crimping a work-piece includes a die pair with a first die that defines a first groove characterized by a first cross-sectional shape as well as a second die opposing the first die. The second die defines a second groove characterized by a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. When the dies are moved together for crimping the work-piece, the first and second grooves are aligned to define a die cavity with a compound cross-sectional shape for crimping the work-piece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for crimping a work-piece comprising: a first die defining a first groove characterized by a first cross-sectional shape; and a second die opposing the first die and defining a second groove characterized by a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape; whereby the first and second grooves together define a die cavity with a compound cross-sectional shape for crimping the work-piece when the dies are moved together. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an alignment feature aligning the first and second dies so that the first and second grooves are directly opposite one another to form the die cavity with the compound cross-sectional shape when the dies are brought together. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first groove has a first depth; and wherein the first die further defines at least one additional groove having the first cross-sectional shape at another depth less than the first depth; and wherein the second groove has a second depth and wherein the second die further defines at least one additional groove having the second cross-sectional shape at a different depth less than the second depth; the additional grooves of the first and second dies thereby forming an alternate die cavity with a reduced compound cross-sectional shape for crimping. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a fixture having recesses spaced a predetermined distance from one another, each recess being sufficiently sized to receive the aligned dies; wherein the fixture is configured to support a work-piece spanning across the spaced recesses, thereby allowing the dies to crimp the work-piece at two locations spaced apart by the predetermined distance. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the fixture includes an adjustment mechanism configured to change the predetermined distance. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second dies each have a first portion and a second portion connected thereto, each portion defining a respective segment of the respective groove; wherein the first groove is characterized by the first cross-sectional shape in the first portion and is further characterized by the second cross-sectional shape in the second portion; and wherein the second groove is characterized by the second cross-sectional shape in the first portion of the second die and is further characterized by the first cross-sectional shape in the second portion of the second die such that the compound cross-sectional shape of the die cavity is rotated in the second portion with respect to the first portion, the first and second dies thereby being configured for imparting a multi-segmented compound cross-sectional shape to a work-piece crimped by the dies. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second dies each have a first portion and a second portion connected thereto, each portion defining a respective segment of the respective groove; and wherein the respective segments of each respective groove are partially offset from one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the respective segments of each respective groove are offset from one another in a direction of groove depth. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the respective segments of each respective groove are offset from one another in a direction lateral to a respective centerline of each segment. ### Claim 10 An apparatus for crimping a work-piece comprising: a first die and a second die each having a substantially identical first multi-segmented, continuous groove with a first segment characterized by a first cross-sectional shape and a second segment characterized by a second cross-sectional shape; and wherein respective centerlines of the respective segments are offset from one another. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second die is positioned opposite the first die for crimping a work-piece such that the first segment of the second die with the first cross-sectional shape opposes the second segment of the first die with the second cross-sectional shape and the second segment of the second die with the second cross-sectional shape opposes the first segment of the first die with the first cross-sectional shape to impart a multi-segmented compound cross-sectional shape with offset segments to the work-piece. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second dies each have at least one additional multi-segmented groove spaced a distance from the first multi-segmented groove and having corresponding first and second offset segments with respective first and second cross-sectional shapes characterized by a depth less than that of the corresponding segments of the first multi-segmented groove. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a fixture having recesses spaced a predetermined distance from one another, each recess being sufficiently sized to receive the aligned dies; wherein the fixture is configured to support a work-piece spanning across the spaced recesses, thereby allowing the work-piece to be crimped by the dies at two locations spaced apart by the predetermined distance. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 in combination with the work-piece, wherein the work-piece includes an elongated component of shape memory material and an electrical connector surrounding an end thereof; and wherein the dies crimp the electrical connector. ### Claim 15 A method of crimping first and second components of a work-piece to one another, comprising: coating a surface of the first component with an adhesive; inserting the first component into the second component; and crimping the second component to the inserted first component with a tool having a die cavity with a compound cross-sectional shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising: securing the work-piece to a fixture having spaced supports for supporting second components at the ends of the first component with predetermined spacing therebetween to thereby regulate an effective length of the first component between the crimped second components thereon. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the dies are configured to define multiple, differently-sized compound cross-sectional cavities, and further comprising: prior to crimping, selecting one of the cavities, based on the size of the second component, to be used for crimping. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the first component is an elongated wire; and wherein the second component is an electrical connector.