CN113451858A - Machining of electrical conductors by means of docking aids - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a method for machining at least one electrical conductor (200). The method comprises the following steps: -introducing a first end of the electrical lead (200) into the docking aid (300) from a first side of the docking aid (300), -transporting the first end of the electrical lead (200) from a second side of the docking aid (300) different from the first side into a contact housing (400), wherein the electrical lead (200) is held by the docking aid (300) and/or the contact housing (400) during the transporting.

Description

Machining of electrical conductors by means of docking aids

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for machining at least one electrical conductor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for machining an electrical conductor. The invention relates in particular to the machining of electrical conductors by using a docking aid.

Background

In some technical applications, for example in the case of cable harnesses for vehicles, it may be desirable to provide the electrical conductor with, for example, a contact housing. Such a contact housing may be, for example, a plug housing or the like. One end of the electrical lead typically has an electrical contact attached thereto that is received within a contact housing. In automating this process, it may be advantageous for the ends of the electrical leads to have a desired orientation, orientation and/or position so as to be introducible into the contact housing.

Furthermore, there are technical applications in which a plurality of electrical lines are twisted around one another and additionally a contact housing is provided. Twisting may, for example, reduce the disturbing influence on or due to the wires. Here, the desired orientation, orientation and/or position of the end of the electrical conductor may have changed as a result of untwisting the conductor in an undesired manner, thereby changing the orientation, orientation and/or position of the end of the electrical conductor.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved possibility for machining electrical lines in a manner that is as simple as possible in terms of construction.

This technical problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method for machining at least one electrical lead. The method comprises the following steps:

introducing a first end of an electrical lead into the docking aid from a first side of the docking aid,

transporting a first end of an electrical lead from a second side of the docking assistance device different from the first side into the contact housing,

wherein the electrical leads are held during transport by the docking aid and/or the contact housing.

The method may for example be performed in an apparatus for machining an electrical conductor according to the second aspect described below. Preferably, the method can be performed automatically, i.e. by an automaton.

An electrical conductor can be understood as a rope-shaped element which thus has two ends. The electrical contacts may be connected to the first end and/or the second end, for example by crimping or the like. For example, the electrical contact can be a plug contact or the like, wherein a plurality (i.e., at least two) of these contacts can form a plug connector with, for example, a plurality of pins or the like. Although only the first side of the electrical line is referred to here, the method can also be applied at least in a similar or identical manner to the second side. Of course, the type, configuration, etc. of the contact, the docking aid and/or the contact housing may also differ on each side, for example.

The docking aid may, for example, have a base body, for example a cuboid or the like, which is open on both sides along a longitudinal axis defined by the longitudinal extension of the electrical lines. In other words, the docking aid may have two opposite opening sides. Two or more hollow spaces, such as contact chambers or the like, may be formed within the base, which hollow spaces may be configured to receive the first end or a contact portion attached to the first end. The hollow spaces are preferably shaped such that a fit, preferably a clearance fit, is formed between the inner walls of the respective hollow spaces and the respective first ends of the electrical leads, thereby preventing rotation of the electrical leads about their own longitudinal axis, which rotation may lead to untwisting of previously twisted electrical leads or the like.

The transport of the first end of the electrical line can in this respect be understood as leading the first end of the electrical line out through the second side of the docking aid and in turn leading said first end into the contact housing, wherein the leading-out and the reintroduction cross.

During transport, the electrical leads are held by the docking aid, by the contact housing, or by both the docking aid and the contact housing. In other words, the respective electrical conductor is held by at least one of the above components throughout the transport, such that the respective electrical conductor does not change in its position and/or orientation, e.g. does not untwist again after twisting.

The method achieves that the electrical line is held in a desired orientation and/or position during the assembly of the contact housing. For example, the method provides that the plurality of electrical lines are twisted with respect to one another before the contact housing is assembled, the twisting is maintained, and only then is the contact housing assembled with the first ends of the electrical lines. Furthermore, the electrical lines which are twisted with respect to one another and the untwisted electrical lines which are guided parallel thereto can be arranged on a separate contact housing. The method can be fully automated or at least automated to a relatively high degree. The docking aid can be reused, whereby the method can be implemented at low cost.

In a refinement, the method further comprises:

the first and second electrical leads are twisted about one another during retention of the first end of the electrical lead within the docking aid.

Thus, according to the method described herein, the first ends of two or more electrical leads may be processed with the aid of a docking aid. The method achieves that the twisting of the wires is maintained during transport into the contact housing.

According to a development, the first end can be held in the docking aid in a rotationally fixed manner. This can be achieved, for example, by a fit, in particular a clearance fit. The first end is preferably held in a form-fitting manner, if desired also in a force-fitting manner. This enables the position and/or orientation of the first end to be maintained, particularly in the case where twisting has previously been performed.

According to a further refinement, the first end of the electrical line may be held in the docking aid by a fixing device which is arranged such that the first end of the electrical line is movable in a first direction from a first side to a second side of the docking aid and is fixed in a second, opposite direction. For example, the fixing means may be in the form of a stop or locking portion in the second direction and thus limit movement in this direction. Thereby, the first end of the electrical lead may be moved further through the docking aid, but at the same time it may be prevented from coming out in the other direction.

In a further development, the fastening device can have a latching device on which the first end slides when moved in the first direction and with which the first end engages when moved in the second direction. This can be achieved, for example, by a recess, groove or the like on the inner side of the docking aid. Thus, the first end of the electrical lead (optionally the contact mounted on the first end) may have a protrusion, nose, or the like, as desired.

According to a refinement, the docking aid can form an undercut with the first end of the electrical line and form a clearance fit with the electrical line adjacent to the first end. This enables a movement along the longitudinal extension of the electrical conductor. At the same time, this prevents rotation about the longitudinally extending axis, thereby maintaining the position and/or orientation, e.g. also maintaining the stranding of the plurality of wires.

In a development, the gripping device can move the electrical lines individually or together along a common axis of the docking aid and the contact housing for transporting the first ends of the electrical lines. The gripping device can be designed, for example, as a pincer and can be electronically controlled. The movement may in particular be a translational movement. The axis may at least substantially correspond to a longitudinally extending axis of the electrical lead. For functional considerations, the gripping means may push the first end through the docking aid or from there into the contact portion housing. A high degree of automation can thereby be achieved.

According to a refinement, the method may further comprise:

after the first end of the electrical conductor is conveyed into the contact housing, the docking aid is removed from the electrical conductor.

The mate assist device may be slotted on at least one side to form an undercut with the first end of the electrical lead, but not with an adjacent portion (e.g., a simple lead portion). Thus, the docking aid can be detached from the respective electrical conductor or can be manually removed in a simple manner once the first end is no longer received therein. Thereby, the docking assistance device can be reused.

In a further refinement, the docking aid can be removed from the electrical conductor by means of a gripping device after the first end of the electrical conductor has been conveyed into the contact housing. The mate assist device may be slotted on at least one side to form an undercut with the first end of the electrical lead, but not with an adjacent portion (e.g., a simple lead portion). As a result, the connection aid can be removed from the respective electrical conductor by the clamping device once the first end is no longer received therein. Thus, a high degree of automation can be achieved. Furthermore, the docking aid may be reusable.

A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for mass producing electrical leads. The apparatus has:

a first holding device which is configured to hold the docking aid with the open first side and the open second side in a torsion-proof manner,

a second holding device which is provided to hold the contact housing in a torsion-proof manner and such that the contact housing faces the second side of the docking aid, and

a gripping device configured to carry a first end of the intertwisted electrical wires from a second side of the docking assistance device into the contact housing,

wherein the electrical conductor is held by the docking aid and/or the contact housing during the transport process.

In particular, the method according to the first aspect may be performed using the apparatus. Furthermore, the device can be a robot and, if desired, also be part of a tool set for the mass production of cables. The holding means may be in the form of a chuck or the like.

The twisting means may use the first holding means as a fixed point or for rotation, if desired. The twisting means are otherwise known to the person skilled in the art and will therefore not be further described here. The gripping means may be part of a robot, linear drive, or the like.

The apparatus temporarily uses a docking aid to first secure the wire ends for stranding and then transport the wire ends directly from the docking aid into the contact housing.

Further features, advantages and possibilities of application of the invention emerge from the following description of an advantageous embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained below by referring to the drawings. The figures are as follows:

figure 1 shows in a schematic side view an apparatus for machining electrical leads according to an embodiment of the present invention,

figure 2 shows in a schematic side view a portion of an apparatus for machining electrical leads according to an embodiment of the present invention,

figure 3 shows in a schematic side view a portion of an apparatus for machining electrical leads according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 shows, in a schematic side view, a portion of an apparatus for machining an electrical lead according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

figure 5 shows, in a schematic side view, a portion of an apparatus for machining electrical leads according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, and are intended to be used merely to illustrate the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of an apparatus 100, which apparatus 100 is particularly suitable for machining of electrical leads. The device 100 is a robot and comprises a first holding device 110 and a second holding device 120, which are designed here, for example, in the form of a chuck. Furthermore, the device 100 has an optional twisting device 130, which twisting device 130 is illustrated here by way of example by two mutually spaced and rotatable rotating/tensioning devices. Furthermore, the device 100 has a gripping device 140, which gripping device 140 can be moved in a linear, multi-axial and other manner, for example by means of a linear drive or the like. The apparatus 100 may be operated at least partially automatically, for example, by an electronic controller (not shown).

In the device 100, two electrical lines 200 are arranged here by way of example, which electrical lines 200 are to be twisted about one another, wherein this is already done in fig. 1 and is illustrated on the right by the winding of the two lines 200 shown. However, the device 100 is also applicable to three, four, five or more wires 200. For example, one of the wires 200 is held by the gripping device 140. Each wire 200 has an electrical contact 210 on a first end thereof, illustratively the end shown in fig. 1, which is secured to the respective wire 200, for example by crimping. For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the second end of the conductor 200, which is not shown here, may have a similar or identical structure. The contacts 210 are designed here, for example, as plug contacts or pins. The contact 210 has a fastening element 211 on at least one outer side, which fastening element 211 is designed, for example, as a latching connection for the opposing element. The fastening element 211 is here configured as a latching projection by way of example.

According to fig. 1, the respective contact portion 210 is received in a docking aid 300, said docking aid 300 being held by the first holding device 110. The docking aid 300 has a cuboid block 310, for example, which cuboid block 310 has openings 320, 330 on two opposite sides. Furthermore, the cuboid block 310 has a plurality of hollow spaces 340, two of which are shown by way of example in fig. 1. In this regard, the docking assistance device 300 may match the number of wires 200. The hollow space 340 is shaped and/or dimensioned such that a fit is created between the inside of said hollow space 340 and the contact portion 210, said fit preventing rotation around the longitudinal axis of the contact portion 210 or the wire 200, but allowing movement along said longitudinal axis. This can also be understood as a type of form fit which holds the contact 210 in a torsionally resistant but nevertheless movable manner. Furthermore, the docking aid 300 has a fastening device 350 in the respective hollow space 340, the fastening device 350 being designed here as a latching device with a latching projection. The latch tab is oriented such that the first end of the wire 200 is movable in a first direction (here, the direction from the opening 320 to the opening 330) and is secured in a second, opposite direction (here, the direction from the opening 330 to the opening 320). According to fig. 1, the fixing element 211 of the contact portion 210 may slide on the fixing means 350 in a first direction, but engage with the fixing means 350 in a second direction and thus be fixed in the second direction.

Furthermore, according to fig. 1, a contact housing 400 is arranged within the device 100, said contact housing 400 being held by the second holding device 120. The contact portion housing 400 is arranged downstream of the docking assistance device 300 with respect to the first direction defined above. The contact housing 400 has a plurality of hollow spaces 410 for receiving the first ends of the wires 200, in particular for receiving the contacts 210 arranged thereon, which hollow spaces each have an opening 420 on the side facing the docking aid 300. The respective hollow space 410 is preferably oriented flush with the mating hollow space 340 of the docking assistance device 300. Within the contact housing 400, the contact 210 can also be fixed, for example, by its fixing element 211.

It should be noted that the twisting device 130 is arranged to rest particularly directly on the docking aid 300. In fig. 1, only a contact portion housing 400 (at the left side of fig. 1) between the docking assistance device 300 and the twisting device 130 is shown in order to better explain the overall structure of the apparatus 100.

In the following, a method is described with which at least two electrical conductors 200 are twisted with respect to one another by means of the device 100.

As shown in fig. 2, a first end of a wire 200 is first introduced into the docking assistance device 300 from a first side of the docking assistance device 300 (i.e., here through the opening 320). Here, the contact portion 210 has been mounted on the wire 200. The wire 200 may be moved, for example, by the gripping device 140. The docking assistance device 300 may be held in place by the first holding device 110. After introduction, the fixing element 211 of the contact 210 is snapped onto the fixing device 350 and is thus held in the docking aid 300.

According to fig. 3, the wires 200, which are held in the docking aid 300, in particular in a twist-resistant manner, are then twisted with one another by the twisting device 130. To this end, the twisting device 130 may directly or indirectly abut the docking assistance device 300, surround the docking assistance device 300, or the like, as desired. Due to the snap-fit between the fixing element 211 and the fixing device 350, the wires 200 are fixed on both sides and can be twisted with each other by a twisting device.

As shown in fig. 4, the first ends of the conductors 200 twisted with each other are then carried into the contact housing 400 from a second side of the mate assist device 300 different from the first side (i.e., through the opening 330). The docking assistance device 300 is held by the first holding device 110, for example. The contact portion case 400 is held by, for example, the second holding device 120. The wire 200 to be transported is moved in the direction of the contact housing 400, for example by means of the gripping device 140. In fig. 4, however, the contact portion 210 is still within the docking assistance device 300 and is transported from the docking assistance device 300.

Fig. 5 now shows the first end of the wire 200 being carried into the contact housing 400. The contact 210 is received only in the corresponding hollow space 410 of the contact housing 400 and is latched there, for example. Thus, during transport, the wires 200 are always held in a torsion-resistant manner by the docking aid 300 and/or the contact housing 400, so that the twisting of the wires 200 is maintained. When the contact 210 is in its end position within the contact housing 400, the docking aid 300 may be removed because the first end of the wire 200 forms an undercut and a clearance fit with the electrical wire 200 adjacent the first end. The docking assistance device 300 may be removed by automatic detachment, manual removal, or removal by means of the gripping device 140.

List of reference numerals

100 device

110 first holding device

120 second holding device

130 stranding device

140 gripping device

200 conducting wire

210 contact part

211 fixing element

300 docking auxiliary device

310 pieces

320 first opening

330 second opening

340 hollow space

350 fixing device

400 contact part shell

410 hollow space

Claims (12)

1. Method for machining at least one electrical conductor (200), the method comprising the steps of:

introducing a first end of the electrical lead (200) into the docking aid (300) from a first side of the docking aid (300),

carrying a first end of the electrical lead (200) from a second side of the docking assistance device (300) different from the first side into a contact housing (400),

wherein the electrical lead (200) is held by the docking aid (300) and/or the contact housing (400) during transport.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: the first and second electrical leads (200) are twisted about each other during retention of the first end of the electrical lead (200) within the docking aid (300).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end is held in a torsion-proof manner within the docking assistance device (300).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end is held in a torsion-proof manner within the contact housing (400).

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of the electrical lead (200) is held within the docking assistance device (300) by a fixing means (350, 211), the fixing means (350, 211) being arranged such that the first end of the electrical lead (200) is movable in a first direction from a first side to a second side of the docking assistance device (300) and is fixed in a second, opposite direction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fixture (350) has a latch, the first end sliding over the latch (350) when moving in a first direction and engaging the latch (350) when moving in a second direction.

7. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the docking assistance device (300) forms an undercut with a first end of the electrical lead (200) and forms a clearance fit with the electrical lead (200) adjacent the first end.

8. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein to transport the first ends of the electrical leads (200), a gripping device (140) moves the electrical leads (200) individually or together along a common axis of the docking assistance device (300) and the contact housing (400).

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, further comprising: removing the docking aid (300) from the electrical lead (200) after the first end of the electrical lead (200) is conveyed into the contact housing (400).

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the docking aid (300) is removed from the electrical lead (200) by the gripping device (140) after the first end of the electrical lead (200) is conveyed into the contact housing (400).

11. An apparatus for machining an electrical lead, the apparatus having:

a first holding device (110), the first holding device (110) being configured to hold a docking aid (300) with an open first side and an open second side in a torsion-proof manner,

a second holding device (120), the second holding device (120) being arranged to hold the contact part housing (400) in a torsion-proof manner and such that the contact part housing (400) faces a second side of the docking aid (300), and

a gripping device (140), the gripping device (140) being arranged to carry a first end of an electrical lead (200) from a second side of the docking assistance device (300) into the contact housing (400),

wherein the electrical lead (200) is held by the docking aid (300) and/or the contact housing (400) during transport.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further having: a twisting device (130), the twisting device (130) being arranged to twist at least two electrical wires (200) held within the docking aid (300) with respect to each other.

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