Electrically operated, spring-biased cam-configured release mechanism for wire cutting and seating tool

A pistol-configured, electrically operated impact tool for seating and cutting a wire includes a D.C. motor whose output shaft has transversely extending, cam surface-engaging elements that engage a cam-configured impact element. As the output shaft is rotated by the operation of the D.C. motor, the cam surface-engaging elements are rotated to an angle where they begin to engage cam portions of the impact element. As a result of this engagement, the impact element is linearly translated away from the cutting tool holder and toward the electric motor. During this linear translation of the impact element away from the cutting tool holder, a bias spring is compressed, so as to increase the force stored in the spring. Eventually, the output shaft will be rotated to an angle brings the cam surface-engaging elements into alignment with a prescribed feature of the cam portions of the impact element. At this point, the compression spring is fully compressed and the force stored in the compression spring is released, thereby providing a prescribed wire seating and cutting impact stroke to the impact element. The impact element is rapidly propelled toward the cutting tool holder, so that the hammer strikes the cutting tool holder, whereby the wire seating and cutting tool attached to the tool holder seats and cuts one more wires in the terminal block.