EP0123574A1 - Apparatus for automatically affixing electrical conductors on a regrouping part - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for the automatic connection of numerous electrical conductors 35 to a grouping member 39. According to the invention, the device comprises an addressing pattern 10, arranged at a fixed station and comprising a plurality of activation members 10a, individually controllable and distributed in an arrangement similar to that of said connection locations, control means 47, 49 of the individual activation members 10a, a mobile element 26 carrying, on the one hand, a sensor 27 sensitive to said activation members 10a of the addressing boss 10 and, on the other hand, said grouping member 39, displacement means 5 to 8, 11, 30 for actuating said movable element 26 and control means 17 of said connection tool 44 actuated directly or indirectly by said sensor 27.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for automatically connecting electrical conductors to a grouping member, for example a connector or a connector part, and more particularly, a machine for wiring electrical outlets called "high density", that is that is to say comprising a plurality of male or female pins spaced apart from one another.

The problem raised by the automatic connection of conductors to a grouping device always boils down to an operation which can be explained simply: any conductor, duly identified, must in fact be brought next to a connection location, also identified spatially, of the grouping unit, then connected to said location and finally, checked to verify that the connection is made.

Of course, the sequence of connection of the conductors can be part of a more complete cycle comprising earlier more or less automated steps of cable throughput, end stripping, identification and fitting of plug pins, as well as subsequent steps for the constitution of bundles between said conductors.

Numerous automatic laying devices are known, but these, which are essentially applicable to grouping devices of the "general public" type, are unsuitable for sophisticated materials such as those used in aeronautics, having a high density of pins and having to present a high operational safety.

The subject of the invention is a machine for the automatic connection of conductors making it possible to very simply solve the problems posed and to provide a solution with regard to the very high density of pins in the variety of materials encountered.

• - un patron d'adressage disposé à poste fixe et comportant une pluralité d'organes d'activation, commandables individuellement et répartis selon une disposition semblable à celle desdits emplacements de connexion de l'organe de regroupement, de façon que chacun desdits organes d'activation corresponde à un emplacement de connexion et à un seul ;
• - des moyens de commande des organes d'activation individuels du patron d'adressage, recevant le code d'identification du conducteur en cours de connexion sur l'organe de regroupement et activant l'organe d'activation correspondant du patron d'adressage ;
• - un élément mobile portant, d'une part, un capteur sensible auxdits organes d'activation du patron d'adressage et, d'autre part, ledit organe de regroupement
• - des moyens de déplacement pour actionner ledit élément mobile de sorte que ledit capteur explore successivement tous les organes d'activation du patron d'adressage et que simultanément les emplacements de connexion de l'organe de regroupement se présentent successivement devant l'outil de connexion, de façon que, à chaque fois, l'organe d'activation exploré par le capteur et l'emplacement de connexion en regard de l'outil soient ceux qui se correspondent ; et
• - des moyens de commande dudit outil de connexion actionnés directement ou indirectement par ledit capteur.

To this end, according to the invention, the device for the automatic connection of numerous electrical conductors to a grouping member comprising a plurality of connection locations for the ends of said conductors, said connection locations being distributed in a regular arrangement and each said conductors being assigned an identification code and having to be connected to a specific connection location chosen from said plurality, the device comprising a tool for connecting one by one said ends of said conductors to said specific connection locations, is remarkable in that that he understands:

• - an addressing template arranged at a fixed station and comprising a plurality of activation members, individually controllable and distributed in an arrangement similar to that of said connection locations of the grouping member, so that each of said members activation corresponds to one connection location and only one;
• - means for controlling the individual activation members of the addressing pattern, receiving the identification code of the driver being connected to the grouping member and activating the corresponding activation member of the addressing pattern;
• a mobile element carrying, on the one hand, a sensor sensitive to said activation members of the addressing pattern and, on the other hand, said grouping member
• - displacement means for actuating said mobile element so that said sensor successively explores all the activation members of the addressing pattern and that simultaneously the connection locations of the grouping member are presented successively in front of the connection tool , so that, each time, the activation member explored by the sensor and the connection location opposite the tool are those which correspond; and
• - means for controlling said connection tool actuated directly or indirectly by said sensor.

Thus, the code of the electrical conductor to be connected being transmitted to the control means of the individual activation members of the addressing pattern, these means activate that of said activation members whose position, in the addressing pattern, corresponds to the position, in the grouping unit, of the connection location to which said conductor must be addressed. During its successive exploration of the individual activation members of the addressing pattern, the sensor passes without stopping the non-activated activation members, but stops in front of that of said activation members which is activated.

At this time, the connection tool and the end of the electrical conductor to be connected are located opposite the appropriate connection location for the connections. The connection tool control means then receive, either directly from said sensor, or from a sensor for stopping movement of the sensor, the orders necessary for the connection of the conductor to said location.

It will be noted that the device according to the invention, by its structure, lends itself particularly well to being controlled by a processor to which are indicated the identification codes of the conductors, identification codes of the connection locations of the member grouping and correspondence table between the codes of the conductors and the codes of the connection locations.

In a particularly simple and advantageous embodiment, the plurality of connection locations and the plurality of activation members of the addressing pattern are arranged in rows and columns forming identical rectangular or square networks, the grouping member and the addressing boss are parallel to each other, the movable element is a sliding movable carriage parallel to said rows and said columns of said networks and the sensor and the grouping member are opposite one another on said carriage.

Thus, for the movement of said carriage, two sets of orthogonal slides can be provided, one of which is movable relative to the other under the action of a first motor, while said carriage is mounted to slide on the set of movable slides under the action of a second motor.

Each activation member of the addressing pattern can be a light point, for example the end of a bundle of optical fibers, a light-emitting diode, a magnetic trace, an electrical contact pad, a protruding boss, etc. and depending on the nature of said activation members, said sensor can be a photoelectric sensor, a magnetic reading head, a wiper, a probe, etc.

Preferably, the connection tool, disposed at a fixed station, is mounted movable between a first position, corresponding to its starting and returning position for the connection operation which it is responsible for performing, and a second position. , corresponding to the management of a conductor to be connected. Advantageously, said first position is defined by a fixed support against which said connection tool abuts.

• La figure 1 est une vue de profil, partiellement en coupe, de la machine de connexion automatique de conducteurs conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe partielle d'un connecteur connu, pouvant être câblé par la machine conforme à l'invention.
• La figure 3 représente, en perspective partielle, le détail de la phase d'enfichage du conducteur.
• La figure 4 illustre schématiquement la face avant du patron d'adressage et son mode d'exploration.
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique montrant l'ensemble des circuits de commande mis en oeuvre dans la machine conforme à l'invention.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented.

• Figure 1 is a side view, partially in section, of the automatic conductor connection machine according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of a known connector, which can be wired by the machine according to the invention.
• Figure 3 shows, in partial perspective, the detail of the driver plug-in phase.
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the front face of the addressing pattern and its mode of exploration.
• Figure 5 is a schematic view showing all of the control circuits implemented in the machine according to the invention.

The machine according to the invention and shown schematically in Figure 1, comprises a fixed frame 1 and a movable part 2 capable of moving relative to said fixed frame.

In the embodiment shown, the fixed frame 1 comprises two flanges 3 and 4 facing each other, carrying slides 5, 6, 7 and 9 and a pivoting part 9, described in more detail below. after.

On the fixed assembly 1, there is also fixed an addressing pattern 10 and a motor 11 intended to move the mobile part 2 along the X axis.

The pivoting part 9 comprises a first pivoting part 12, on which a second mobile part 13 is articulated. The mobile part 13 is subjected to an angular displacement whose role will be explained below, under the action of a jack 14 double-acting with two inlets 15 (push) and 16 (pull) of pressurized fluid.

Part 13 supports a second jack 17 also with double effect and provided with inlets 18 (to push) and 19 (to pull) of pressurized fluid: jack 17 is intended for the insertion of pins secured to the ends of conductors and its rod carries a tool 44, intended for this purpose. The cylinders 14 and 17 can be of pneumatic type.

The movable part 2 comprises two guides 20, 21 sliding on the slides 5, 6, 7 and 8, parallel to the axis X and secured between them by a series of other guides 22-23 and 24-25, parallel to the Y axis and on which a plate 26 can slide, carrying on one side a sensor 27 and on the other side a support 28.

The plate 26 is mft along the slides 22 to 25 by a motor 30 actuating a screw 29 which is screwed into a nut 29a secured to the plate 26.

It can thus be seen that the movements along the X and Y axes of the plate 26 are provided by the sets of slides 5 to 8 and 22 to 25 and by the motors 11 and 30 supplied by the connections 11a and 30a, respectively.

In Figure 2, there is shown, in schematic section, a connector, of known type, provided with male pins and female pins and can be wired by a machine according to the invention.

Each male 32 or female 33 pin of the connector is crimped to the end of a stripped cable 34 or 35 by means of a crimping sleeve 36 or 37 and these pins are snapped into housings 31 provided in the bodies of the male part 38 and the female part 39 of the complete connector.

Sealing zones 40 or 41 complete the connector, and a spindle locking system 42 or 43 is provided which ensures the fixing of each spindle, avoiding its accidental extraction.

Figure 3 illustrates the operation of the machine according to the invention in the wiring of the female part 39 of the connector held integral with the plate 26 by the support 28, in any known manner.

The insertion of each conductor 35, provided with its pin 33 and its locking system 42, into the corresponding housing 31, is carried out using the insertion tool 44, disposed on the movable part of the jack. 17.

As is apparent from the arrangement of the elements represented in FIG. 1, the plug-in tool 44 will be found, for each fitting of each of the pins 33, opposite a housing 31 duly marked on the pattern of addressing 10.

This consists, in the example shown, of a plurality of light points 10a distributed in a network arrangement of axes X and Y, identical to that of the housings 31 in the connector part 39 and selectively lit by a address selector 49 (not shown) via fiber optic bundles 47.

The entire area of said addressing pattern 10 is explored by successive scanning of the lines of light points 10a, in order to meet each activated intersection point of the network, capable of triggering the movement of setting up the corresponding pin.

Thus, according to FIGS. 1 and 4, the sensor 27 (photoelectric in the example) successively explores each line of light points 10a goes back and forth from the plate 26 between two limit switches 45 and 46 producing, in known manner, the offset of a line to explore in the opposite direction the next line.

The diagram in FIG. 5 makes it possible to understand the complete cycle of the operation.

Each ignition point 10a encountered by the sensor 27 in its scanning corresponds to a possible position for immobilizing the tool 44 opposite a housing 31 for a spindle 33.

When the sensor 27 passes in front of a point 10a which is not lit, the plate 26 continues its exploration without stopping. On the other hand, when the sensor 27 reaches a lit point 10a, the plate 26 stops.

The corresponding pin 33 fixed to its conductor 35 and disposed on said tool 44 will then, according to a movement of axis z produced by the jack 17, snap into place correctly in its corresponding housing 31 of the socket 39.

This is obtained by the fact of a sequential control block 50 supplying the orders to the motors 11 and 30 by the conductors 11a and 30a, as well as to the jacks 14 and 17 by the solenoid valves 51, 52 and 53, 54 supplying the arrivals compressed air 15, 16 and 18,19. This block 50 also receives the limit switch commands for scanning from the line limit switches 45, 46 and column limit switches 57 and 58 and its supply is ensured at 55 through a switch 56.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, only the point 10a with coordinates X10, Y6 is lit. The read head 27 (the rest point of which is located at A) successively explores the lines until it meets the lit point 10a with coordinates X10, Y6, which causes the plugging tool to immobilize 44 opposite the housing 31 having the corresponding position on the socket 39 and the triggering of the plugging sequence proper by the sequential control block 50.

It should be noted, with reference to FIG. 1, that the lifting position (shown in phantom) of the jack 17 is used to automatically carry out the positioning of the spindle 33 provided with its conductor 35 on the plug-in tool 44 (such a device will however not be more explicitly described at present).

This lifting position is achieved by the action of the jack 14. A positive abutment by cooperation of the tool 44 with a pylon 59 is ensured before the plug-in phase.

All these sequences are also provided by the sequential control block 50 which is programmed to do this.

Thus, the invention allows the realization of a machine for automatic connection of conductors simply solving all the problems encountered previously in this kind of activity.

• - un bâti fixai portant le patron d'adressage 10, le moteur 11 et la partie de pivotement 9 ;
• - une partie mobile 2 assurant les déplacements orthogonaux en X et Y du plateau 26 portant, d'une part le capteur 27 en regard du patron d'adressage 10 et d'autre part un support 28 lié audit plateau 26 et destiné à fixer la prise 38 (ou 39) audit plateau 26 ;
• - un moyen de déplacement linéaire alternatif 17 lié à un élément 13 de la partie de pivotement 9 et portant l'outil d'enfichage 44 recevant une broche mâle 32 (ou femelle 33) sertie par un manchon 36-37 à l'extrémité du conducteur à connecter 35 ;
• - un moyen de pivotement 14 de l'élément pivotant 13 ;
• - des moyens 5,6,7,8,11 pour assurer les déplacements de la partie mobile 2 ;
• - un bloc de commande séquentielle 50 pour fournir les ordres aux moyens de déplacement, ainsi que de détection pour l'immobilisation spatiale de la partie mobile 2
• - des moyens d'interruption de fin de course et de décalage de lignes 45, 46, 57, 58 permettant l'exploration séquentielle du patron d'adressage 10 par le détecteur 27 ;
• - ces bâtis, parties mobiles, moyens et bloc de commande séquentielle étant agencés de telle sorte que soit assurée la séquence complète de connexion à savoir : le déplacement selon l'axe des X et des Y de chaque prise 38-39 en regard du patron d'adressage 10, puis l'immobilisation de ladite prise en correspondance avec ledit point caractéristique 10a allumé, le pivotement de l'outil d'enfichage 44 en position d'enfichage de la broche 32-33 fixée sur le conducteur à brancher 35 selon l'axe des Z orthogonal aux axes X et Y et éventuellement le contrôle de la sécurité d'enfichage en position de réception d'un nouveau câble à enficher conjointement avec la recherche par balayage séquentiel de rencontre des points caractéristiques.

This automatic conductor connection machine therefore comprises:

• - a fixed frame carrying the addressing pattern 10, the motor 11 and the pivoting part 9;
• a mobile part 2 ensuring the orthogonal displacements in X and Y of the plate 26 carrying, on the one hand the sensor 27 opposite the addressing pattern 10 and on the other hand a support 28 linked to said plate 26 and intended to fix the socket 38 (or 39) to said plate 26;
• an alternative linear displacement means 17 linked to an element 13 of the pivoting part 9 and carrying the insertion tool 44 receiving a male pin 32 (or female 33) crimped by a sleeve 36-37 at the end of the conductor to be connected 35;
• - a pivot means 14 for the pivoting element 13;
• - 5,6,7,8,11 means for ensuring the movement of the movable part 2;
• a sequential control block 50 for supplying the orders to the means of movement, as well as of detection for the spatial immobilization of the mobile part 2
• - End of stroke interruption and line shifting means 45, 46, 57, 58 allowing sequential exploration of the addressing pattern 10 by the detector 27;
• - These frames, moving parts, means and sequential control block being arranged so that the complete connection sequence is ensured, namely: the displacement along the X and Y axes of each socket 38-39 opposite the boss addressing 10, then immobilization of said socket in correspondence with said characteristic point 10a on, the pivoting of the insertion tool 44 in the insertion position of the pin 32-33 fixed on the conductor to be connected 35 according to the Z axis orthogonal to the X and Y axes and possibly the control of the plug-in safety in the receiving position of a new cable to be plugged in together with the search by sequential scanning of the meeting of the characteristic points.

The machine according to the invention is simple to implement, the adaptation of an addressing pattern 10 as a function of the connection card of a determined socket 38 or 39 is immediate and can also be programmed (film taking place for example where only the characteristic points appear bright), the control of the accidental non-extraction of the pins can be easily resolved through the sequential control block also programmed, the controls are simple of either electromechanical or pneumatic type and finally the entire sequence can be fully automated by automatically feeding the plugs and cables to the pin insertion tool.

Claims (8)

1.- Device for the automatic connection of numerous electrical conductors 35 to a grouping member 39 comprising a plurality of connection locations 31 for the ends of said conductors, said connection locations 31 being distributed in a regular arrangement and each of said conductors 35 being assigned an identification code and having to be connected to a specific connection location 31 chosen from said plurality, the device comprising a tool 44 for connecting one by one said ends of said conductors 35 to said specific connection locations 31,
characterized in that it includes an addressing template 10, arranged at a fixed station and comprising a plurality of activation members 10a, individually controllable and distributed in an arrangement similar to that of said connection locations 31 of the grouping member 39, so that each of said activation members 10a corresponds to a connection location 31 and to only one; - control means 47, 49 of the individual activation members 10a of the addressing pattern 10, receiving the identification code of the driver being connected to the grouping member and activating the corresponding activation member of the addressing pattern; - A movable element 26 carrying, on the one hand, a sensor 27 sensitive to said activation members 10a of the addressing pattern 10 and, on the other hand, said grouping member 39; - displacement means 5 to 8, 11, 30 for actuating said mobile element 26 so that said sensor 27 successively explores all the activation members of the addressing pattern and that simultaneously the connection locations of the grouping member are presented successively in front of said connection tool, so that, each time, the activation member explored by the sensor and the connection location opposite the tool are those which correspond; and - control means 17 of said connection tool 44 actuated directly or indirectly by said sensor 27. 2.- Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that the plurality of connection locations 31 and the plurality of activation members 10a of the addressing pattern 10 are arranged in rows and columns forming identical rectangular or square arrays, in that the grouping member 39 and the addressing pattern 10 are parallel to each other, in that the mobile element 26 is a sliding sliding carriage parallel to said lines and to said columns of said networks and in that the sensor 27 and the grouping 39 are opposed to each other on said carriage. 3.- Device according to claim 2,
characterized in that it comprises two sets of orthogonal slides 5 to 8 and 22 to 25, one of which 22 to 25 is movable relative to the other 5 to 8 under the action of a first motor 11, while that said carriage 26 is mounted to slide on the clearance of the movable slides 22 to 25 under the action of a second motor 30. 4.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that said activating members 10a of the addressing pattern 10 are luminous, magnetic, electric and / or mechanical. 5.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that the connection tool 44, disposed at a fixed station, is mounted movably between a first position, corresponding to its starting and returning position for the connection operation, and a second position, corresponding to the socket in charge of a conductor 35 to be connected. 6.- Device according to claim 5,
characterized in that said first position is defined by a fixed support 59, against which said connection tool 44 abuts. 7.- Device according to claim 4,
characterized in that said activation members 10a of the addressing pattern 10 are constituted by the end sections of bundles of optical fibers and in that the sensor 27 is of the photoelectric type. 8.- Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connection tool 44 is actuated pneumatically.

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