DE102006010533B3 - Automatic stitching of components made from flexible strips, e.g. assembling vehicle seat belts, involves working simultaneously at both ends of the strip - Google Patents

Abstract

A strip (2) is taken from a supply reel (3) by feed rollers (5, 8) through a cutter (6) and press (7) to a first work station (A) where one end (10) is folded and the retaining peg (14) inserted. At the same time the strip is cut (6) and the other end prepared by the press (7). The loops (11) in a material buffer store then allow the other end to be transferred to another work station where it is threaded through the reel and the other retaining peg attached. The timing of the work processes overlap in successive cycles so that both ends are worked on simultaneously. The pressing of the cut edge can include hot forming or alternatively, hot cutting (6) and pressing (7) can be combined in a single stage. Folding of the end (10) can be assisted by a pinned plate (9).

Description

The The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing limp material in strip form.

in the The scope of the description of the present invention will be with the Term "limp" materials referred to, which are essentially claimed and promoted only on train can, because almost no bending moment can act in them. The term "strip shape" is material with understood a geometry in which a length extension significantly larger than a width and height extension is, as applies in particular to textile belt material. So are textile belt materials essential representatives of a material group with the above properties. In addition to security and / or Harnesses made of plastic textiles also have belting materials made of leather, rubber or plastic, such as metal and / or plastic films or PVC materials with and without embedded Reinforcing fibers, as strip-like materials a limp characteristic on.

Without restriction The invention will be described below as an example only on a production of safety belts for Motor vehicles received. According to known working methods Safety belts usually produced on chained jobs, as individual workstations each provided with input and output buffer buffers. outgoing from a e.g. measured between 3.80 m and about 5.40 m long Belt material is in a known method at a workplace manually folded, sewn and manually inserted with a pen pocket Pin provided, which is held in the pen pocket by clamping. In some cases At this point, a label is applied. The belt material will follow in a. rolling reel or Aufzieheinrichtung loaded and subsequently manually pulled as far as through the pin Thickened pencil pocket fixed in an end position in the belt drum to come to rest.

following is the preassembled seat belt in the known method a so-called pendulum test to check the function of the belt drum subjected. After all is the belt material with a closing or mating plate and with equipped a deflection and provided with a holding rivet. In any case, now becomes a second through the free end of the belt material through an end fitting, folded and sewn. Before sewing is i.d.R. the label inserted. This eyelet-shaped end stop forms together with the belt drum the rigid fixing points of a safety belt in the range e.g. a B-pillar of a motor vehicle. The deflection device forms a plain bearing, the seatbelt ready for docking after climbing a vehicle on the B-pillar in the area of a backrest a seat holds. A final inspection is followed by the packaging of the now ready to use one prefabricated seat belt.

task The present invention is a process for processing of limp material in strip form with optimization of Work processes at elevated production reliability to accomplish.

These The object is solved by the features of the independent claim. Accordingly, draws a method according to the invention for processing flexible material in strip form, in particular of textile belt material, having a first and a second end region characterized in that in one embodiment Machining facilities are provided for substantially simultaneous Edit the first and second end regions. With that forms the realization that a limp material in strip form has two essentially simultaneously machinable end regions, the basis of a method according to the invention. Hereby a substantial saving of working time is achieved being by compound and even overlapping use formerly separate workstations also the production reliability due to elimination of semi-automated transport and transport i.d.R. done by hand Positioning steps is increased. Because both end areas also during the duration of a respective processing in mutually fixed position This is also an optimization of operations with backup against operating and assembly errors in the sense of a Poka Yoke system, i. through the targeted Bypassing possible Errors and sources of error in production. The claimed solution also includes that the two end portions of the pliable material in different Way, to which one of the edits a sewing process belongs. In a preferred embodiment Accordingly, the invention is in the first processing device the first end area folded under insertion of a pen and sewn, where the introduction preferably automatically.

Thus, in the first processing device, the operations of insertion, loading, folding and sewing proceed at the first end region. Preferably, substantially simultaneously with the processing steps in the first processing device in a second processing direction, measuring the pliable material in strip form to a defined length with subsequent hot cutting and reworking the Cut edges made, in particular in the form of flattening after hot cutting and / or as hot deformation of the cut edges.

Favorable The extraction of the preprocessed limp is done Material from the first processing device in the course of threading the second end portion in and passing through a reeling mechanism. Thus, a separate ejection mechanism in the above regarding potential Manufacturing steps described first processing station can be saved. In addition, with a further transport of the material strip already to be started while a Processing in the first processing device is still running.

In a preferred embodiment The invention is to carry out threading of the second end portion by the reeling mechanism Lock elements and fixing means in the following arrangement a safety rivet performed at a predetermined point or belt length, in particular using a pusher / puller combination. This can in particular prepositioned elements having substantially the same type of implementation of the Material strip in one step when using a pusher / puller pair are processed. This happens advantageously without interruption and almost on the way to the second end area to another Processing station.

Favorable Way is between the at least two processing facilities provided at least one buffer device. This at least one Buffer device is used to hold textile webbing outside of respective processing areas. In one embodiment According to the invention, this intermediate buffering takes place between the processing device for the first end portion and the cutting in the form of at least one hanging Loop. A quasi-simultaneous processing of two end regions is at considerable shortening the length a corresponding device facilitated by an intermediate buffering, since now so a first end of a first processing device already e.g. fed by a gripper and there can be edited, while a parallel length of the Gurtabschnittes set, measured or otherwise and Way is checked. Especially with the above selected Machining sequence, after in the first processing device the first end area folded under insertion of a pen and stitched is and in the second processing direction off and / or calibration the limp material with subsequent hot separation and / or reworking of the cut edges, may be due to the comparatively complex and time-consuming processing in the first processing device a processing in the second processing device and a transfer to the subsequent processing rail substantially simultaneously be completed.

In an embodiment According to the invention, an end portion of the limp material is used a pusher into a processing rail and / or elements of the Safety belt, such as a reel, etc., threaded. For this is at least a slider or a pin plate for positioning and pushing the end portions provided. The slider or the pin or needle plate act in particular with an insertion aid together, for example in the form of baffles. This can be equal at the beginning of the actual editing the first end area out a length buffer defined by a gripper and reliable over a pin plate and a insertion be introduced into the first processing station without it wakes up or behaves in an undefined manner in any other way. Meanwhile Belt material is further promoted in the length buffer and measured the pliable material.

following the invention with reference to embodiments with reference to Illustrations of the drawing to illustrate other features and Advantages closer explained. In the drawing show:

1a - 1d FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a manufacturing method according to the invention over different areas of a corresponding production apparatus at different time intervals; FIG.

2 a modification of the flowchart of 1 and

3 : a sketched timetable showing the temporal overlaps of individual processes of a method according to flowchart of 1 ,

About the different illustrations of the drawing will be for the same Elements and process steps always the same designations and Reference numeral used. Without limitation of the invention will be hereinafter only one manufacture of Si cherheitsgurten for motor vehicles presented, the because of the safety requirements and at high cost pressure manufactured yearly numbers represents an essential application of the present invention.

As shown in the picture of 1a is in a first embodiment of a device 1 an endless webbing 2 as a flexible material in strip form from a storage roll 3 fed. The webbing 2 goes through a puller 5 , a length measurement ΔL, a hot cutter 6 , a platter 7 for finishing the cut edges of the webbing 2 after use of the hot cutter 6 and a second puller 8th , To the second puller 8th subsequently, a first end region 10 of the webbing 2 of transport means not shown by an intermediate buffer 11 through into an automatic pen slider 12 as the first processing station A transferred. The insertion of the first end region 10 is through a slider or a pin plate 9 performed together with a baffle as an insertion so that a bulging or twisting of the limp material 2 is excluded during insertion into the first processing station A. While in the pen slider 12 the first end area 10 of the webbing 2 to form a loop 13 folded with defined dimensions and subsequent insertion of a pin 14 made of metal or plastic with round or other cross-section fully sewn and monitored is from the storage roll 3 continuous webbing 2 through the puller 5 . 8th promoted. Upon reaching a predetermined length L, this transport of webbing 2 stopped, the hot cutter 6 separates a webbing section 15 the length L of the webbing 2 under fusion or sealing of the textile fabric at the cut edges and immediately following both newly formed cut edges together in the planter 7 positioned and edited. Puller 5 , Hot cutter 6 and platters 7 form together with the length measurement .DELTA.L the essential elements of a second processing station B.

By compressing the still warm and thus malleable cut edges between two plates of unmolded metal plates 7 Both cut edges are formed and in particular again to the same height as the rest of the webbing 2 brought. This is both a second end area 16 of the webbing section already being processed 15 , as well as a first end area 10 ' a subsequent webbing section 15 ' has been defined.

With the opening of the splitter 7 is the second end area 16 of the belt section 15 as shown by 1b released and is below in the not shown on a drawing pivoting or sliding arm 17 arranged puller 8th fixed in a second processing rail 18 the device 1 transferred. The sub-steps function of the pen slider 12 , Transport of the webbing 2 over the puller 5 . 8th with dimensions up to a length L, cutting and flattening in the units 6 . 7 are temporally overlapping and including the transfer by a swivel or push arm 17 and threading into a belt roller 20 carried out essentially simultaneously. This results in a time saving compared to a purely sequential processing 3 is apparent.

When the swivel or push arm 17 with the puller 8th back in his in 1a shown starting position can, via the puller rollers 5 from the storage roll 3 already webbing 2 with a newly formed first end region 10 ' of a following section to be cut 15 ' in the first processing rail 4 insert and be promoted in this. The belt band currently being processed 15 must do so with its first end area 10 the pen slider 12 have not left yet. Thus, these processes also run time-saving essentially simultaneously.

Over in the picture of 1c only indicated guide plates is the second end 16 of the section 15 via a slider or a pin plate with insertion aid 21 through one in the processing rail 18 Defined prepared and positioned Gurtroller 20 Threaded through, guided and to another puller 22 to hand over. Now, the puller used here in reverse operation as a pusher 8th opened in the manner indicated, to the belt portion 15 release.

The puller 22 promotes the strap section 15 until the in the method step described above with a pen 14 equipped first end area 10 the Gurtroller 20 reached. Then the belt section 15 through jaws of a clamping device 23 fixed and tensioned so that the first end portion 10 in the Gurtroller 20 permanently fixed in a known manner by clamping.

With release of the Gurtrollers 20 or release a mechanical detent, the belt material is automatically about 1.5 m from the Gurtroller 20 wound. The prepared belt section 15 will now be together with the Gurtroller 20 in an intermediate buffer 24 out of which these half-finished units out a so-called pendulum test 25 to check the functionality of the Gurtrollers 20 be supplied. All units that passed the pendulum test become another buffer 26 transferred.

This test 25 Depending on the requirements, it can also be moved to the end of a production and integrated into a final test. As a result, the entire process could still be accelerated, since in particular one of the two intermediate buffers 24 . 26 could be omitted, as in the following with reference to the embodiment of 2 will be described.

In the present embodiment, a semi-finished unit according to 1d the intermediate buffer 26 taken. Here is the belt section 15 on the belt roller 20 1.5 m automatically rolled up to a certain length l ₁ and thus becomes a last processing rail 27 to hand over. In the processing rail 27 lies the belt section 15 So already fixed to a predetermined length l ₁ unrolled before. This is now the second end 16 through a puller 28 , a deflection device 29 and a plug-in 30 passed through, so that these elements virtually on the belt section 15 be threaded. To a sliding down the deflection 29 and the plug-in 30 to prevent in an installed position is on the belt section 15 on a given length l ₂ a plastic rivet 31 or a comparable stop fixed. Under arrangement of a label 32 becomes the second end area 16 through an end fitting 33 threaded, folded over and sewn to a predetermined degree. This stitching and the arrangement of the label 32 is doing this with other processing steps along the rail 27 again overlapping in time, so that also in the processing of the second end 16 of the belt section 15 result in semi-simultaneous executed partial processing steps. This in turn is based on the figure of 3 directed.

The schematic flowchart of 2 FIG. 12 is a modification of the flowchart of the figures of FIGS 1c and 1d Here is the above 1d described threading the elements plug-in 30 and a deflecting device 29 over the second end area 16 on the belt section 15 along with attaching the rivet 31 at the end of the second processing rail 18 from 1c been relocated. It closes now without intermediate storage directly the finishing of the second end 16 of the belt section 15 with attachment of the end fitting 33 and attachment of the label 32 at the position indicated by c by sewing on. With the letters a and b were in the 1a and 1b other known positions for labels on seat belts indicated, with a partial insertion of the label material in the folding of the belt material 2 in and with b a pure sewing of the label is called.

Now follows the pendulum test 25 to check the functionality of the Gurtrollers 20 and the transfer of the completed and tested unit to the intermediate buffer 26 , -These steps are timed before an optional final optical inspection and packaging.

3 provides a sketched timeline for illustrating temporal overlaps of individual processes of a method according to the flowchart of the image sequence of 1a to 1d Some of the temporal overlaps with substantially simultaneous processing steps are indicated in a selection of essential areas by dash-dotted ovals. The individual sub-steps are by the respective reference numerals sections of the manufacturing device 1 and certain elements associated with a finished belt unit. So that's above to the pictures of 1a to 1d described method in time again in an overview under consideration of quasi-simultaneous expiring processes traceable. So follows on a gripping of the belt material 2 and insertion or transport via the puller 5 . 8th with automatic measurement via the device .DELTA.L a transfer of the first end portion 10 to the first processing unit A. Overlapped with the folding, sewing or locking in the pen slide 12 will continue through the puller 5 . 8th webbing 2 promoted until hot cutter 6 and platters 7 come into action to the belt section 15 defined to form and thereby the end regions 16 . 10 ' to shape. With the newly formed and after opening the splitter 7 free, but in the puller 8th fixed second end region 16 now moves the swivel or push arm 17 from the first processing rail 4 to the second processing rail 18 while sewing or bolting as well as pen setting in the pen slider 12 is still going on. During this process, special care is taken to ensure that no so-called dummy seam is produced during sewing, ie a connection consisting only of strong upper thread without permanent securing in the tissue by a bobbin thread.

Parallel to sewing in the pen slider 12 is a prepared in a known manner Gurtroller 20 manually or by robot. This is already possible with the puller 8th now in reverse operation as a puller together with the slider or the pin plate and insertion aid 21 the second end area 16 through the belt roller 20 through to the puller 22 promote.

According to 1c becomes after the locking of the extracted from the first processing unit A first end portion 10 in the belt roller 20 the intermediate buffer 24 manually loaded, Passenger Access P1. This completes a first cycle Z. It closes the pendulum test 25 and inserting in the intermediate buffer 26 on, from the parallel but an already stored semi-finished belt assembly can be removed, passenger access P2. In these two passenger accesses P1, P2 in each case a sufficient travel time has been included as a security in dashed border.

In the third processing rail 27 are now after 1d through the puller 28 the deflection 29 , Steckblech 30 with attaching rivet 31 run through. Again this is superimposed transport of belt material of the section 15 with a individual assembly and processing steps. Attaching the label 32 and bolts of the end fitting 33 finish editing in the device 1 , a finished seat belt when opening, among other things, the puller 22 . 28 is taken and supplied to a respective provisions sufficient final inspection and packaging. In this case, achieved by the above-described method, a secure and consistent quality with reduced working cycle time with little staff.

1

contraption

2

Webbing / pliant Material in strip form

3

storage roll

4

first processing track

5

Puller

6

heat cutter

7

Plaetter

8th

Puller

9

pusher or pin plate

10

first end

10 '

first end of a follower section 15 '

11

intermediate buffer

12

pen pusher

13

loop

14

Metal- or plastic pens

15

Webbing section

15 '

following section

16

second end

17

pan or sliding arm

18

second processing track

19

20

belt roller

21

pusher or pin plate with insertion aid

22

Puller

23

tensioning device

24

buffer or cache

25

pendulum test

26

buffer or intermediate buffer

27

third processing track

28

Puller

29

deflecting

30

Clip On Guard

31

rivet

32

label

33

Endfitting

A

first processing station

B

second processing station

.DELTA.L

length measurement

P1, P2

workforce with routes two positions

Z

cycle time

Claims (11)

Method for processing flexible material in strip form with a first and a second end region, in particular of textile belt material, characterized in that the two end regions ( 10 . 16 ) of the limp material ( 2 ) are processed essentially simultaneously, that the two end regions ( 10 . 16 ) of the limp material ( 2 ) are processed in different ways, wherein one of the processing belongs to a sewing process. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that in the first processing device the first end region ( 10 ) while inserting a pen ( 14 ) is folded and sewn and substantially simultaneously with the processing steps in the first processing device in a second processing direction a Ab- and / or measuring the pliable material ( 2 ) in strip form to a defined length followed by hot cutting and reworking of the cut edges. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized characterized in that the reworking of the cut edges in shape from Plätten or hot forming. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that extraction of the preprocessed non-limp material ( 2 ) from the first processing device in the course of threading the second end region ( 16 ) of the pliable material in and a passing through a roll-up mechanism ( 20 ) is made. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the execution of the second end region ( 16 ) by roll-up mechanism ( 20 ) a threading of plug-in ( 30 ) and fixing means or a deflection device ( 29 ) with subsequent arrangement of a safety rivet ( 31 ) or a comparable stop, for example, by sewing at a predetermined point or belt length is performed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pliable material ( 2 ) is buffered at least outside a pending for processing area space optimized. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized characterized in that the intermediate buffering takes the form of at least one hanging loop is made. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after a hot separation of the limp material ( 2 ) the newly formed end regions ( 16 . 10 ' ) are formed simultaneously in a common step. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the common step in a platter ( 7 ) is made. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end region ( 10 . 16 ) using a slider or a pin plate ( 9 ) are positioned and pushed in particular together with an insertion aid. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a puller ( 8th ) in a second processing rail ( 18 ) is operated as a reversible pusher.