EP0694224B1 - Method and device for inserting wire extremities in components, and device for fabricating wiring harnesses - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for inserting wire extremities in electric components, as well as a device for fabricating electric wiring harnesses. According to the invention, a device for inserting extremities (70) of wire sections (5) into pockets (54a) of components (54) comprises means for displacement of components along a curved path with respect to wire extremities which are held by grips (7). The technical field of the invention is the fabrication of electric wiring harnesses.

Description

The present invention relates to a method (claim 9) and a device for inserting wire ends into components (claim 1) and a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses (claim 8).

The technical field is that of the manufacture of electrical harnesses.

The present invention relates more particularly to the automatic manufacture of simple electrical harnesses; by simple electrical bundles is meant electrical bundles comprising of the order of ten electrical components of different types on which ends of electrical wires are inserted, and comprising at most about twenty components per bundle; moreover, the present invention applies more particularly to bundles provided with electrical components which are each provided with a relatively limited number of cells, and more particularly to bundles comprising components whose cells are located on less than three linear rows .

Various methods and devices are already known which make it possible to carry out certain operations involved in the manufacture of electrical harnesses.

Patent application FR 2 636 494 (RICARD), which is considered to be the closest state of the art, describes methods and devices for inserting ends of electric wires into components.

According to this document, the components are fixed on a pallet which can move along two rectangular axes. An insertion head, placed opposite the pallet, grasps insertion clips in which the ends of the wires are held, which insertion clips are adapted to the shape of the terminal crimped at the end of the wire.

Patent application EP 302 804 (RICARD) describes methods and devices for crimping ends of wires on connections; according to this document, the ends of wires held by clamps conveyed by conveyors aligned with respect to each other are transferred from a first conveyor to the second conveyor by a manipulator provided with at least one clamp.

Patent application EP 305 307 (Automatism and Applied Robotics) describes clamps fitted to conveyors of automatic wiring machines and intended to hold one or more wires; the clamps include in particular two pairs of spouts separated by an intermediate space, in which there is a piston pushed towards the end of the clamp by a spring.

The general problem posed is to provide a method of manufacturing electrical harnesses and its implementation device which make it possible to manufacture harnesses from sections of wires whose ends have been previously prepared and / or stripped.

To date, there is no known method and device for manufacturing electrical harnesses which can be implemented industrially; in fact, the methods and devices described in FR 2 636 494 have a certain number of drawbacks: the machine described in this document is bulky and complex; the operations which must be carried out in the process described in this document involves very numerous manipulations of the sections of wires as well as complex movements of the ends of the wires and of the components on which the ends of the wires are inserted.

Furthermore, the documents EP 302 804 and EP 305 307 do not really describe methods and devices making it possible to insert the ends of wires and therefore making it possible to manufacture electrical harnesses.

The problem posed is more particularly to provide a method and a device for manufacturing beams which are capable of delivering complete beams and therefore which are capable of ensuring rapid manipulation of the beam which has just been assembled or manufactured from the sections. of wires and components, which also allow rapid insertion of the ends of wires into the cells of the components.

The problem posed is also to provide simple devices making it possible to achieve high production rates for beams.

The problem also consists in providing methods and devices which allow the manipulation of the beams during manufacture and after their manufacture, up to stations where the complete bundles can be ligated and evacuated for use.

The solution to the problem posed consists in providing a device for inserting ends of sections of wire, into cells of components, characterized in that it comprises means for relative displacement of said components relative to said ends of said wires which are held by so-called wedding pliers, according to a curvilinear trajectory situated in a plane containing the axis along which extends the end of said wire.

Advantageously, said curvilinear trajectory is substantially constituted by an arc of a circle of radius R1 located in a vertical plane containing the axis ZZ70 along which extends the end of said wire held by the jaws of said wedding pliers.

Advantageously, said means of relative displacement of components with respect to said ends of said wires comprise means of displacement of components such that during said displacement of said component according to said trajectory, said component remains parallel to itself (to a fixed direction).

Advantageously, the device comprises an insertion template specific to a type of predetermined component, which comprises on at least one lateral face at least one end guide allowing the guide and the entry into a cell of said component from said end. of wire, which insertion template comprises a movable shelf along a vertical axis YY5, on which said component can be placed, and comprises at least one compression spring having for said axis of thrust said vertical axis YY5, and comprises a linear cylinder of clamping of said component on said insertion template.

Advantageously, said component displacement means comprise a substantially horizontal movable table which is connected to a substantially horizontal fixed table by means of two parallel rods and each provided with articulation separated by a distance equal to the value of said radius, so to form (in side view) a deformable parallelogram.

Advantageously, said insertion template and said linear clamping cylinder are mounted on an intermediate support which can rotate along a substantially vertical axis YY5, relative to said movable table.

Advantageously, components of predetermined type can be transported to said insertion template, by means of a feed guide which extends along a substantially horizontal axis ZZ61, and by means of a means (such as a jack). power supply and movable component retaining means.

Advantageously, said end guide comprises at least one guide face which is inclined at an angle r relative to said axis ZZ70, the value of which is less than 45 degrees and preferably less than or equal to 30 degrees.

• a - on procure au moins un dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8,
• b - on saisit une extrémité de fil dans les mâchoires d'une pince de mariage,
• c - on déplace ladite pince de mariage de manière à positionner l'extrémité dudit fil dans un plan vertical contenant l'axe de ladite alvéole dudit composant tenu sur un support mobile d'insertion,
• d - on fait effectuer audit composant et audit support mobile d'insertion une trajectoire curviligne d'insertion, de préférence en maintenant ledit composant parallèle à une direction fixe.

The solution to the problem also consists in providing a method of inserting the end of a wire into component cells comprising the following operations:

• a - at least one device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided,
• b - we grab one end of the wire in the jaws of a wedding pliers,
• c - the said wedding pliers are moved so as to position the end of the said wire in a vertical plane containing the axis of the said cell of the said component held on a movable insertion support,
• d - said component and said mobile insertion support are made to carry out a curvilinear insertion trajectory, preferably by keeping said component parallel to a fixed direction.

Advantageously, in said operation d, said end of said wire is brought into substantial contact with a central region (a central point) of said guide face when a point linked to the component reaches the apogee of said curvilinear trajectory, and then continues said insertion movement along said curvilinear trajectory.

The solution to the problem also consists in providing a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses comprising a first substantially horizontal linear conveyor with a longitudinal axis (XX1), which can move transfer clamps, each pair of said adjacent transfer clamps being able to hold a section. of wire, which device comprises a second substantially horizontal linear conveyor which can move holding clamps, and comprising at least two wedding clamps which can each extract from said transfer clamps and holding clamps and introduce into said holding clamps at least one end of said wires, which wedding pliers can move on an axis guide (XX4) for manufacturing electrical harnesses comprises an insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and said curvilinear trajectory is contained in a plane substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.

Advantageously, the device comprises at least one end grouping clamp which comprises at least one scanning arm, which grouping clamp can move on said guide independently of the movement on said guide of said wedding pliers.

Thanks to said means of relative displacement along said curvilinear trajectory, it is very simple and with the same means on the one hand to achieve the alignment of the end of the wire to be inserted with the cell to receive said end of wire, at the end of said curvilinear path of insertion, and on the other hand make a shift for example along a vertical axis, between the axis of said end of wire and the axis of said cell to receive said end of wire, at a point of the trajectory corresponding to the start of the actual insertion operation, that is to say at the contact between said end and the front part of said cell or preferably an insertion guide placed in front of said cell and which makes it possible to guide said end towards said cell; said curvilinear trajectory thus makes it possible to automatically pass from said offset position corresponding to the point of contact between said end and said guide to said aligned position corresponding to the point of the trajectory in which said end has been completely inserted into said cell.

One of the important advantages procured by the invention is that it makes it possible to have a device for inserting ends into cells which is very compact and which integrates the mechanisms necessary for the component insertion movement, the clamping mechanism of the component during the insertion operations, positioning mechanisms according to a predetermined position, thanks to templates adapted to each type of component, as well as devices for guiding the ends of the wires during the actual insertion phase in the cells of the components, and finally means allowing the evacuation of the component after it has been provided with all the ends to be inserted into its cells.

Furthermore, in the case where one of said components comprises said cells to receive said ends which are arranged on different faces of said component, by virtue of said intermediate support which is rotatably mounted relative to said movable table, ends can be inserted on said component on many of its faces.

Furthermore, the methods and devices according to the invention make it possible to carry out, in a limited space situated along a conveyor for moving the end of a section of wire, the various operations of inserting the ends of the wire into cells of electrical components, and this at a very fast rate.

The numerous advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description, which refers to the appended drawings, which represent, without any limiting character, particular embodiments of a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows in plan view the main components of a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows in longitudinal side view the main components of an electrical harness assembly station according to the invention.

FIG. 3 schematically represents in plan view the main components of an electrical harness assembly station according to the invention.

FIGS. 4a to 4g represent in transverse view a device for inserting ends of wires on components according to the invention and illustrate the main operations of an insertion method according to the invention.

Figures 5a to 5f schematically illustrate in plan view the main operations of a method of manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

Figures 6, 7a to 7c and 8a to 8c illustrate a grouping pliers of a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

Figures 9 to 13 illustrate a particular embodiment of wedding pliers of a device according to the invention.

FIG. 14 illustrates in transverse view an embodiment of means for evacuating transfer clamps from a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate in transverse view an embodiment of means for vertical positioning of wire ends of a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention.

Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a particular embodiment of an insertion device.

FIGS. 18a to 18d illustrate operations of a method for inserting ends of wires in cells of components according to the invention.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses according to the invention comprises at least a first conveyor 1 which extends along a longitudinal axis XX1, at least a second conveyor 2 which extends in the extension of said first conveyor 1, and preferably comprises at least a fourth conveyor 80 which extends in the extension of said second conveyor 2; it can be seen in this figure that a device for manufacturing electrical harnesses advantageously comprises means 71 for storing electrical wires which may include several coils 71a on which are wound electrical wires which may be of different sizes and types; the electric wire supplied on each of said coils can be directed to a station 73 for selecting types of wires and for cutting electric wires into sections, by means of a guide 72 at least; downstream of said device 73 for selecting and cutting said sections, said sections of wires 5 can be conveyed on said first conveyor 1 by transfer clamps (not shown) so that said ends of said sections of wires can successively move in front of stations 74 for preparing said ends, such as stripping stations for said ends and / or connection crimping stations on said ends.

It can be seen that advantageously, downstream (that is to say following the general direction of movement of said sections of wire according to arrow F on said device for manufacturing electrical harnesses) of said preparation stations, said device comprises means 35 for vertical positioning of said ends of said sections of wire, and then comprises, in said direction of movement, means 78 for evacuating said transfer clamps on a third conveyor (not shown); it can be seen that said sections of wires which have been previously prepared and / or stripped on said stripping stations 74 then arrive in an assembly area 77 of said sections of wires with components (not shown) in order to form said electrical harnesses; it can be seen that said assembly station comprises said second conveyor 2, and comprises means 79 for supplying components, which extend substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis XX1 of said device for manufacturing electrical harnesses, which means 79 for supplying components can be supplied by component stores 76, each of said stores being filled with a predetermined type of component, and via vibrating bowls 75 for example which can place said components in a predetermined position on said means 79 of food.

In Figure 2, which is a view along II-II of Figure 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an electrical harness assembly station according to the invention.

We see in this figure that the device comprises said first conveyor 1 which conveys said transfer clamps 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ , each pair of said adjacent transfer clamps 4 ₁ , 4 ₂ carrying one of said sections of wires 5, which is held by the jaws of said transfer clamps.

Advantageously, said transfer clamps are the clamps described in application EP 305 307.

It can be seen that said first conveyor 1 extends along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis XX1 and that a second linear conveyor 2 extends in the extension of said first conveyor and can convey clamps 6 for holding one or more ends of said sections son; said electrical harness assembly station comprises two marriage clamps 7 which extend along vertical axes YY1 and YY2 respectively and which can move along a horizontal axis XX4 parallel to XX1 thanks to a rail or support 9 which extends substantially over the entire length of said assembly station 77; it can be seen in this figure that said components 54 which are delivered by said supply means (not shown) can be arranged near said second conveyor so that at least one of their faces comprising said cells 54a into which must be inserted said ends of said sections of wires, ie opposite said ends of said sections of wires, each component of predetermined type forming part of said electrical harnesses being disposed on a movable insertion support 51 (schematically represented in this figure).

It can be seen that advantageously said cells 54a of all of said components used for the manufacture of electrical harnesses of a predetermined type are situated substantially at the same height, along an axis XX2 situated at a height known as insertion height relative to said XX1 for example, predetermined.

The device for manufacturing electrical harnesses and more particularly said assembly station 77 comprises at least one grouping clamp 8 which extends along a general vertical axis YY3 and which can move on said horizontal guide or rail 9, independently of the movement said wedding pliers 7.

It can be seen that said grouping clamp 8 is provided with a scanning arm 10, the lower end of which is provided with jaws which are situated at said insertion height, which corresponds substantially to said horizontal axis XX2, so that during displacement horizontal of said grouping clamp 8, said jaw located at the lower end of said scanning arm 10 moves substantially on said axis XX2, ie at said insertion height and can thus bring together or group together said ends of wires which have been previously inserted into said cells of one of said components.

It can also be seen in this figure that the device advantageously comprises means 78 for evacuating said transfer clamps 4 from said first conveyor 1 onto a third conveyor 13 which is preferably a substantially horizontal linear conveyor located under said first conveyor 1.

In FIG. 3 which is a diagrammatic plan view of an electrical harness assembly station 77, it can be seen that said electrical harness manufacturing device successively comprises along the direction of movement along arrow F of the sections of electric wires and of the bundles of electric wires, said first conveyor 1 which conveys said transfer clamps 4 on which the ends of said sections of wires 5 are held, said means 35 for vertical positioning of two ends of wires of a section of wires held by those of said transfer clamps located furthest downstream from the device, comprises said second conveyor located in the extension of said first conveyor which conveys said holding clamps 6, comprises said wedding clamps 7 which each have four jaws which are respectively represented in this figure by a hook ([or]) and comprises at least one grouping clamp 8 which comprises said scanning arm 10, an internal articulated arm 11, and two external articulated arms 12 which are schematically represented in this figure in the form of V (<or>). It can also be seen in this figure that each of said means for supplying components 79 which can convey components of predetermined type, a supply means 79 being provided for each type of different component, is provided at its end located near said second conveyor of a movable insertion support 51 on which a component respectively 54 ₁ , 54 ₂ , 54 ₃ , 54 ₄ can be disposed; it can be seen in this figure that all of said ends of said sections of wires are situated on the same side of said first and second conveyors, and that said movable insertion supports situated at the ends of said component supply means are situated on the same side of said conveyors as said wire ends.

Said grouping clamp comprises two arms 10, 11 situated on the same side of said second conveyor as said ends of said sections of wires and comprises two arms 12 situated on the other side of said second conveyor and more precisely situated on the other side of said clamps maintenance 6; in order to differentiate in this document said arms of said clamps located for some on the same side of said clamps (holding 6 or transfer) as said ends and for others on the opposite side of said clamps, the internal term has been adopted for arms located on the same side of said pliers as said wire ends and the external term to designate the arms located on the side opposite said wire ends with respect to said pliers and more generally with respect to said longitudinal axis XX1; we see also in this figure that two sections of wires 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ are located in said area for assembling electrical harnesses, each of said sections of wires having one end which has been inserted into a cell of said component 54 ₁ , said section 5 ₁ comprising a second non-inserted end which is held in one of said retaining clips 6 and said section of wire 52 having a second end inserted in a cell of a component 54 ₃ , It can also be seen that said ends of said supply means 79 s 'extend along the planes P1, P2, P3, P4 which are perpendicular to the plane of the figure and perpendicular to said axis XX1 and in which according to the invention is located the curvilinear trajectory of the component located at the end of said supply means and constituting said path of insertion of said ends of wires into the cells of said component.

In Figure 4a, there is shown in transverse view of the insertion means according to the invention as well as the schematic silhouette of a holding clamp 6 carried by said second conveyor 2 which extends along said axis XX1; it can be seen that in this embodiment, said second conveyor 2 comprises a support in the form of a profile 15 and that said holding clamps are advantageously identical to said transfer clamps (not shown) and are advantageously as described in EP 305 307; we see that said clamps 6 have in their upper part jaws 6a which can hold said ends of said sections of son and which are mounted on a body of pliers 6b, which body of pliers is itself mounted on a base 6c which can slide in said profile 15, which body of clamps 6b is also provided with lateral notches 6d which allow in particular the locking in position of said holding clamp 6 on said support profile 15 of said second conveyor 2; said insertion means essentially comprise a mobile insertion support 51 which is mounted on a mobile table 62, which mobile support 51 is provided with a mobile shelf 53 on which can be arranged successively and one by one said components 54 conveyed on said supply means 79 in components.

Said insertion support 51 has lateral faces 46 and a lower base 47, and constitutes substantially a hollow body with inside of which is located a compression spring 52, which bears on said base 47 and which supports said movable shelf 53 which can thus move inside said body of said movable support 51 along a substantially vertical axis YY4; it can be seen that above said movable shelf 53 of said insertion support 51 is provided at the end of the rod of a clamping cylinder 56, a pusher 45, which clamping cylinder 56 is of the linear cylinder type, for example pneumatic, and can cause said pusher 45 to move along said vertical axis YY4 said clamping cylinder 56 is held by a support or bracket 57 which is fixed to said movable table 62.

A component supply cylinder 59 provided with a rod at the end of which a pusher 59a is placed, can push one or more of said components 54 by means of said pusher 59a, the row of said components 54 located on said means supply 79 being retained at its end located near said mobile insertion support, by a stop 55 mounted at the end of a jack 58 of mobile stop.

Said substantially horizontal supply means 79 which extend along an axis ZZ61 and said jack 59 are held by a substantially vertical support 60 which is itself fixed on a fixed table 69 substantially horizontal; it can be seen that said movable table 62 can move relative to said fixed table 69 by virtue of articulated arms or links 63 ₁ , 63 ₂ , provided respectively at their ends with articulations 64 ₁ , 65 ₁ , 64 ₂ , 65 ₂ , relative to said movable table and said fixed table respectively, which links or articulated arms 63 are substantially the same length, which articulations allow rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the figure of said links or arms relative to said tables so that the 'assembly formed by said rods and said tables constitutes (in this side view) a deformable parallelogram; we also see that one of said rods 632 is connected at a point 66 of articulation, to the rod of an insertion cylinder 67 whose body is fixed at an articulated point 68 along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the figure said fixed support 60.

FIG. 4a illustrates said insertion device comprising said mobile insertion support 51 in a position in which no component is disposed on said mobile insertion support.

FIG. 4b illustrates the operation in which the component 54 ₁ located at the end of the row of components located on said supply means is placed, which is slid to the top of said movable shelf 53 of said mobile insertion device, which mobile tablet is advantageously located in the extension of said feeding guide; we see that said component 54 ₁ is retained by said stopper linked to said movable stopper cylinder, and that the row of said components can move along arrow F1 on said feed guide thanks to said feed cylinder 59 provided with said pusher.

In FIG. 4c which illustrates the following operation, it can be seen that said clamping cylinder 56 is actuated and consecutively said pusher which it drives moves according to arrow F2 driving said component placed on said mobile tablet 53 and driving said mobile tablet, which causes said spring 52 to be crushed to a predetermined position; advantageously said predetermined position is such that said cells of said component held on said movable shelf are positioned, when said component reaches the apogee of said curvilinear insertion path, at said insertion height; advantageously said mobile insertion support, the shape of which is adapted to the external shape of said component, allows the vertical sliding thereof, and said lateral faces of said mobile insertion support guide said component during said movement according to said arrow F2.

Said predetermined position for clamping said component on said movable shelf of said movable insertion support is such that the cells of said component are located above the upper part of said retaining clips.

In FIG. 4d, it can be seen that in the following operation, one of said wedding clips 7 (partially and schematically shown) is arranged opposite said insertion device, which wedding clip holds an end 70 previously prepared with a wire section 5, by its jaws 30; following the clamping of said component on said mobile shelf of said mobile insertion support, said movable stop 55 is animated by a movement according to arrow F3 by means of return provided in said movable stop cylinder so as to come into contact with the front part of the first next component placed in said row of components located on said feeding means; during this phase, said pusher of said supply cylinder can return to its initial position according to a movement identified by arrow F4.

In FIG. 4e it can be seen that in the following operation, which constitutes the actual insertion operation, said wedding clamp 7 remains stationary and said mobile insertion support 51 as well as said bracket 57 and said mobile table 62 are driven by a trajectory T1 which in this case is a circular trajectory, due to the movement caused by said insertion cylinder 67 which actuates by means of said articulation 66, the displacement of said rods or arms 63 in a rotation by with respect to their said articulation connecting said links with said fixed table 69; we see that in this particular embodiment, thanks to said links whose free length L1 between their said articulations is equal, which free length defines the value of the radius R1 of said trajectory T1 in an arc of a circle in the plane P perpendicular to said axis XX1 said first and second conveyors.

Said trajectory comprises an ascending phase then a descending phase, at the end of which said end of said section held by said marriage clamp is inserted into the cell of said component 54 clamped on said movable support 51.

In the following operation, if all the cells of said component flanged on said insertion support have been inserted at one end of said sections of wire, then, as shown in FIG. 4f ₁ , said clamp group 8 moves on said guide (not shown) so as to come opposite said insertion device, and thanks to said scanning arm 10, to said articulated internal arm 11 and articulated external arms 12, brings together said ends of said sections of wires which have been inserted into the cells of said component; after the closing of said arms of said grouping clamp, it is then possible to unclamp as illustrated in FIG. 4f ₁ said component, by said clamping cylinder, which causes an upward vertical movement of said component placed on said movable shelf of said movable insertion support due to said compression spring; alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4f ₂ , when all of said cells of said component 54 mounted on said movable insertion support have not been provided with said ends of wires, then following the operation of FIG. 4e, said clamp marriage releases said section of wire which has been inserted into said cell of said component 54, moves thanks to said guide (not shown) to go and grasp another end of wire; as illustrated in FIG. 4f ₂ , said end 70 of said section of wire 5 which has been inserted into said component 54 then remains suspended by said end from said component, and said insertion cylinder performs a movement according to arrow F6 so as to move back (relative to said second conveyor) said movable insertion support and allow the arrival of another end carried by one of said wedding pliers (not shown in this figure), until said component 54 placed on said support insertion mobile is provided with all the ends to be inserted thereon.

In FIG. 4g, the operation is illustrated according to the phase illustrated in FIG. 4f ₁ in which a component has been provided with all the ends to be inserted in its cells; it can be seen that said component 54 remains suspended from said ends of wires which have been inserted into its cells, which ends are held by said grouping clamp 8, which can then move on said guide (reference 9 in FIG. 2) so as to position itself opposite one of said holding clamps, and by a vertical movement according to arrow F8, introduce the said wire end (s) which are inserted into said suspended component 54, into the jaws of one of said holding clamps; in this figure we also see that said insertion cylinder performs a movement according to arrow F7 which causes a withdrawal of said mobile insertion support relative to said second conveyor, along a curvilinear trajectory, and in the case shown in Figure 4g circular, identical to said insertion path but traversed in the opposite direction.

FIGS. 5a to 5f show in plan view operations substantially similar to those represented in FIGS. 4a to 4g, very schematically, which show the manner of make a beam using the device and method according to the invention.

In FIG. 5a which is substantially identical to FIG. 3, we find said means 35 for vertical positioning of the ends of sections of wires held in said transfer grippers 4 disposed on said first conveyor 1, said means 78 for discharging said grippers. transfer of said first conveyor to a third conveyor (not shown) and said retaining clips 6 disposed on said second conveyor 2 located in the extension of said first conveyor; it is also seen that four components supply devices are provided which each have rows of identical components, a component supply device being provided for each different type of said components; advantageously, said insertion devices, shown in Figures 4a to 4g and not shown in Figures 5a to 5f for reasons of clarity, are substantially identical and extend along substantially parallel axes which are preferably regularly spaced and the closest possible for example of the order of a hundred millimeters; in this way it is possible in the case of simple bundles which require only a maximum of ten or twenty components of different types, to have ten or twenty substantially identical insertion devices in a linear space requirement (relative to the direction of movement of said sections of wires and bundles on said conveyors) very limited. It can be seen in FIG. 5a that a first section of wire 5 ₁ has been gripped by two of said wedding pliers 7, each of said wedding pliers comprising four jaws 30 which are symbolized in these figures each by a hook. In the phase illustrated in FIG. 5a, each of the two ends of said section of wire 5 ₁ is held by four jaws of one of said wedding pliers, two internal jaws and two external jaws; in this way, one end can be inserted according to the method illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 4g on a first component 54 ₁ and the second end can be inserted on a second component 54 ₂ placed on another insertion device. Following the insertion of said ends of said section of wire 5 ₁ , said section of wire remains suspended by its ends at said components 54 ₁ and 54 ₂ and as shown in FIG. 5b, said two wedding pliers will grip the section of next wire located furthest downstream from said first conveyor and transports it until it has one end of said second section of wire 5 ₂ , one facing a cell of said component 54 ₁ , and the other end facing a cell of a third component 54 ₃ disposed on a third insertion device.

Following this operation, it can be seen as illustrated in FIG. 5c that said two wedding pliers went to grab a third section of wire 5 ₃ and placed one end of said third section of wire opposite said component 54 ₂ and placed the second end of said third section of wire 53 facing a cell of said component 54 ₃ , at the same time as said grouping clamp has moved (from left to right in the figure), and thanks to said scanning arm 10 , to said internal articulated arm 11 and to said external articulated arm 12, has grouped together said ends which had been inserted into said cells of said component 54 ₁ , which component 54 ₁ has been separated from said movable insertion support by means of said clamping cylinder, as illustrated in FIG. 4f ₁ , which allows said grouping clamp to group together said ends and to introduce all of said ends s in the holding clamp marked 6 _{5 of} said second conveyor; it can be seen in this figure that the component 54 ₁₁ following said component 54 ₁ in the row of said first feed guide (on the left in FIG. 5c) has been placed in position on said mobile insertion support (not shown) so to be subject to said insertion operations.

In FIG. 5d, it can be seen that in the following operation, said grouping clamp (whose scanning and articulated arms are represented diagrammatically in the form of a V) was able to grasp said ends which had been inserted in said component 54 ₂ which was complete , which component 54 ₂ remains suspended from said ends which have been inserted into these cells, and said ends can be introduced into one of said holding clamps marked 64 by said grouping clamp; we see in this figure that simultaneously, said two wedding pliers were able to grasp a fourth section of wire 54, one of said wedding pliers (on the left in the figure) introducing one of said ends of said section of wire 54 into the one of said retaining clamps marked 6 ₂ in the figure, and the second of said wedding pliers (on the right in the figure) allowing the insertion of the second end of said section 54 into a cell of said component 54 ₃ .

In FIG. 5e it can be seen that said grouping clamp was able to grasp said ends which had been inserted into said component 54 ₃ , which component 54 ₃ has been detached from said mobile insertion support and is transported suspended at said ends of wires, by said grouping clamp which positions and introduces all of said ends into one of said holding clamps marked 6 ₃ ; simultaneously, said wedding pliers were able to grasp a fifth section of wire marked 5 ₅ , introduce one of said ends of said section of wire 5 ₅ into said holding clip marked 6 ₂ , and position the second end of said section of wire 5 ₅ in the alignment of a cell of a fourth component 54 ₄ disposed on a fourth movable insertion support and supplied by a fourth means for supplying components.

In FIG. 5f, it can be seen that in the last operation of said method, said grouping pliers were able to grip said end of said section of wire 5 ₅ which had been inserted in said component 54 ₄ , which component 54 ₄ was unclamped from said movable support d 'insertion, which grouping clamp was able to position and introduce said ends into one of said holding clamp marked 6 ₁ on said second conveyor; it can also be seen that during the operations illustrated in FIGS. 5a to 5f, said second conveyor has caused said holding clamps to advance, so that in FIG. 5f, a complete bundle formed is placed in said holding clamps marked 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ , 6 ₃ , 6 ₄ and 6 _{5 of} said second conveyor and that consecutively, said wedding pliers went to seize a new first section of wire 5 ₁ so as to resume the operations of continuous manufacture of a second bundle identical to the beam which has just been completed, as shown in FIG. 5a.

Figure 6 is a transverse side view of a grouping clamp according to the invention, that is to say a view in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis XX1 of said first and second conveyors.

FIG. 6 shows a grouping clamp which comprises on the one hand said scanning arm 10 and said internal articulated arm 11 and on the other hand said external articulated arms 12; said internal articulated arm and said sweeping arm on the one hand and said external articulated arms on the other hand are separated by a space of width L1 which is slightly greater than the width L2 of the upper part of the jaws of said holding clamps 6; this arrangement also allows, thanks to a centering in the plane of FIG. 6 of said free space with respect to said jaws of said holding clamp, by a vertical downward movement of said grouping clamp according to arrow F, when said grouping clamp holds by its arms one or more ends of wires which extend substantially along an axis ZZ8, to introduce the where said ends of wires into said jaws of said holding clamp located opposite said grouping clamp. Said internal articulated arm 11 can be actuated by a first linear cylinder 20 which acts by means of a rod 20a, a yoke 20b, and a link 23, said internal arm being articulated so as to rotate around an articulation axis ZZ3 which is preferably common to said internal articulated arm and to said external articulated arms; it can be seen that in the same way said external articulated arms can be actuated by a second linear jack 21, by means of a jack rod 21a, a yoke 21b, a lifting beam 22 and rods 23. On see in FIG. 6 that said grouping clamp comprises a body 19 forming a support for said first and second linear actuators and for said axis of articulation ZZ3.

In FIG. 7a which is a partial section along VII-VII of FIG. 6, in which said grouping clamp is shown when said internal articulated arm is in the closed position, without one end of the wire being held by said grouping clamp , it can be seen that said scanning arm 10 which is rigidly mounted with respect to said support or clamp body 19 advantageously comprises a protruding stop 18a situated substantially on the main vertical axis YY3 of said regrouping clamp, which axis YY3 intersects said axis d 'ZZ3 articulation of said articulated arms; said internal articulated arm 11 as well as said scanning arm 10 have at their lower ends a jaw 25, the jaw of said arm scanning and the jaw of said internal articulated arm being able to partially cross when said arms are in the position where the clamp is closed; it can also be seen that in this position of said internal articulated arm, the latter comes into abutment on said abutment 18a arranged on said fixed scanning arm.

In Figure 7b which is a partial sectional view along VII-VII of Figure 6, where said grouping clamp is illustrated when said internal articulated arm is in the open position, it can be seen that said internal arm 11 can rotate around said axis ZZ3 under the action of said first linear cylinder 20 and said rod 23; it can also be seen that the lower end of said internal articulated arm 11 and of said scanning arm 10 comprises said jaw 25 which is provided with a V-shaped notch whose internal edges 25a form an angle a which is advantageously close to 90 degrees ; the bottom 25d of said V of said jaw of said scanning arm can, when said scanning arm and said grouping clamp move along said guide (reference 9 in FIG. 2) along an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis of said conveyors, move along a axis XX5 which is advantageously located at said insertion height, so as to group said ends of wires in said V of said jaw of said scanning arm.

FIG. 7c is a view similar to that of FIG. 7b in which said grouping clamp and more particularly said internal articulated arm is shown in a position where it is closed on a set of ends of sections of wires 5 which have been grouped together and thus form a kind of strand, thanks to the particular shape of said jaws of said scanning arms and internal articulated arm 11; said internal articulated arm 11 has been closed by the action of said first linear cylinder 20, which pushes down said rod 20a which drives in translation said yoke 20b fixed to the end of said rod, said internal articulated arm rotating around said axis ZZ3 under the effect of the movement of said linear actuator 20, thanks to a link 23 which is mounted free in rotation relative to said internal articulated arm on the one hand (at one of its ends) and to said clevis on the other hand (by its second end). In the position shown in Figure 7c, said internal articulated arm 11 makes a general angle δ with the vertical, due to the presence between said jaws of said arm internal articulated and of said scanning arm, of said ends of said sections of wires 5. Advantageously, said linear cylinder comprises a force limiting device which is capable of limiting said stroke of said cylinder when said ends are located between said jaws, and require a partial stroke (an opening stroke less than that shown in FIG. 7a) due to the presence of said ends.

In FIG. 8a, which is substantially a partial section on VIII-VIII of FIG. 6, it can be seen that said grouping clamp comprises said second linear jack 21 which extends along an axis YY32 which is provided with a rod provided with its end of a yoke, which yoke drives said links 23, which are articulated at one end to said external articulated arms and which are articulated at their other end on said spreader 22 which is itself free to rotate relative to said yoke, around an axis ZZ20; we see in this figure which illustrates said external articulated arms in the closed position, without any end of wire being grasped by said arms, that said arms 12a and 12b partially overlap by their lower end, that is to say by their said bit.

In FIG. 8b which is a view substantially identical to FIG. 8a, in which said external articulated arms are in the open position, it can be seen that said articulation axis ZZ20 of said lifter 22 relative to said clevis 21b fixed to the end of the rod of said second linear jack 21 and offset in the plane of the figure relative to said general vertical axis YY3 of said clamp, (which axis YY3 intersects said axis ZZ3 of articulation of said arms), by a value β which is advantageously low by example of the order of a few millimeters; said external articulated arms, under the action of said second linear jack 21, when said clamp is closed, will respectively follow respective paths T2 and T3 substantially circular having as their center the trace in the plane of the figure of said axis of articulation ZZ3 , so as to group together the ends of the wires situated on the so-called external side with respect to said holding clips (not shown); it can also be seen that said body of pliers 19 also includes a stop 18b which makes it possible to stop the travel of said external articulated arms when these arrive in the closed position. Thanks to said offset β between said axis of articulation of said lifter with respect to said clevis and said axis of articulation ZZ3 of said arms with respect to said gripper body, the movement of said arms 12a and 12b will be offset in time or phase shifted, so as to group together as illustrated in the figure 8c, said ends of said sections of wires 5, in a position similar to that shown in FIG. 7c for said internal articulated arm and said scanning arm; it can be seen that in the case where several ends of wires have been grouped together by said external articulated arms 12 as illustrated in FIG. 8c, that one of said external articulated arms (on the right in the figure) has come into abutment on said abutment 18b , that the second external articulated arm (on the left in the figure) makes an angle close to said angle a in FIG. 7c, the value of which can be for example less than 10 degrees; we see that in this position, said spreader 22 occupies an inclined position relative to the horizontal, and that said links 23 ₁ and 23 ₂ occupy an asymmetrical position relative to said general vertical axis YY3 of said clamp.

In FIG. 9, a marriage pliers according to the invention is shown substantially in transverse view which can move according to said guide or shaft 9, which can for example be of circular section, by means of a sliding means on said guide such as a ball bushing for example, which wedding clip comprises a support or body 34 on which is mounted a vertical displacement cylinder 33; said vertical displacement cylinder 33 allows the displacement with respect to said body or support 34 of said marriage clamp, of an assembly comprising a cylinder 32 for actuating jaws 30 ₁ and 30 ₂ , and simultaneously causes a vertical displacement of the movable flange 28 with respect to said body 34 provided with flanges 34a connected by spacers 26. It can be seen that in the same way as for said grouping clamp, said internal jaws 30 ₂ and external jaws 30 ₁ of said marriage clamp are distant so as to allow the introduction of the wires held by said jaws of said wedding pliers in the jaws of one of said holding pliers (not shown).

Advantageously, said internal jaws 30 ₂ have, at their lateral lower ends, extensions 30a which make it possible to grip said end of wires held by said wedding pliers. over a certain length, so as to hold said sections of wire as close as possible to their said ends, which ensures correct holding of said end of said wire, which is necessary during said operations of inserting said end into a component cell. In this FIG. 9 is also represented a means 32e for supplying compressed air to said jack 32 of jaws which is for example pneumatic.

In Figure 10 which is substantially a view along XX of Figure 9 but in which said jaws 30 have been shown in the closed position while they were shown in the open position in Figure 9, we see that said assembly constituted by said cylinder 32, said movable flanges 28, can move relative to said clamp body and relative to said fixed flanges 29 of said clamp body; In this figure it can also be seen that each of said internal jaws 30 ₂ comprises said extension of jaws 30a allowing the ends of said sections of wires to be held in place.

In FIG. 11 which is a view along XI-XI of FIG. 9, it can be seen that said assembly constituted by said jack 32, said jaws can move thanks to said clamp support and to said fixed flanges 29 thanks to a raceway 27 which can be provided in said fixed flanges 29, so as to allow the displacement of said assembly by means of ball bearings 32c for example mounted on portions of axis 32b rigidly connected to said movable assembly comprising said cylinder 32; it can also be seen that said jaw jack 32 can cause, via a rod 32d and a yoke (item 41c in FIG. 12) common to said jaws, a vertical movement descending from the upper ends of said jaws, which jaws are connected in their substantially central part by respective links 41a, 41b which are articulated around an axis ZZ7 fixed relative to said vertically movable assembly (on said movable flanges 28), so as to bring the lower ends of said jaws closer together during the action of said jaw cylinder 32; it can be seen that advantageously a central plunger 31a which is not actuated by said jaw cylinder and which is mounted fixed relative to said movable assembly vertically on said movable flanges 28, and whose lower end 31a has a substantially triangular section, allows on the one hand, thanks to the inclined faces 31b of said lower end, to separate the jaws of said clamps to allow the introduction of said ends and on the other hand , during the introduction of a section of wire held by said jaws 30 in one of said holding clamps for example, to facilitate the insertion of the part of said section of wire between said jaws by pushing said central pusher on the central part of said section of wire, so as to avoid the deformation of said section of wire and the escape of said section of wire from said jaws of said wedding pliers and so as to overcome the force of opening of said jaws of said clamps.

We see in Figures 12 and 13 which are respectively a section along XII-XII and a section along XIII-XIII of Figure 11, that said movable flanges 28 which are part of said vertical movable assembly can move relative to said fixed side flanges 29 which are provided with said raceway 27; we see in Figure 13 that said links 41a and 41b are articulated with respect to an axis 41d of axis ZZ7 which is mounted on said movable flanges 28. We see in Figure 12 that said jaws 30 can be driven in movement by said jaw actuator via said common yoke 41c, and thanks to two axes 41e.

In FIG. 14 are shown in lateral transverse view the means for evacuating said transfer clamps 4 from said first conveyor 1 to said third conveyor 13 located under said first conveyor 1; it can be seen that in this preferred embodiment, said first conveyor 1 comprises a support 15 such as a profile, for example metallic, which comprises on one of its upper lateral faces (top right in the figure) a rib 16 in relief, of substantially triangular profile, which can cooperate with a hollow rib 17 provided in the lower part of the body of said transfer clamp 4, which transfer clamp 4 can slide between said upper lateral wings of said profile 15 by its base 4a.

We see in this figure that advantageously said third conveyor 13 also includes a support 15 in the form of a profile which is advantageously identical to the section 15 of said first conveyor and which is mounted in an inverted position and which allows the evacuation of said transfer clamps 4; it can be seen that said means for evacuating transfer clamps also called an elevator comprise means 83 for vertically guiding a carriage 84 which constitutes the elevator proper, and which can be moved by means of a vertical translation cylinder 81 located at the base of a fixed structure rigidly connected to the rigid table 69.

The transfer gripper evacuation device also comprises two pusher assemblies 84 ₁ and 84 ₂ ; each of said pusher assemblies comprises a jack 85 and means for guiding in horizontal translation 86 which allow movement according to the arrows F1 of plungers 82 which make it possible to extract, as regards the pusher assembly 84 ₁ , one or two of said pliers transfer located on said first conveyor 1, which transfer clamps can then be placed on said carriage 84 when the latter is in the upper position facing said pusher 82; then said carriage can be lowered by means of said jack 81 and said guide means 83 to the position shown in FIG. 14 where said second pusher assembly 84 ₂ provided with a jack and horizontal guide means can push the said clamp (s) transfer located on said carriage, on said third conveyor 13.

In FIG. 15a, an exemplary embodiment of said means for vertical centering of said ends of wires 70 held by said transfer clamps 4 is shown, which allows vertical centering before said ends of wires are taken up by said wedding pliers 7 .

It can be seen that in this embodiment, said vertical positioning means 35 comprise, mounted on said fixed table 69, a jack articulated 38 around a yoke 39 of axis XX39, the vertical position of which can be adjusted relative to said table fixed 69; at the upper end of said actuator 38, a movable plate 37 articulated around an axis XX37 is moved by its end linked to said actuator 38, by an articulation around an axis XX38 so as to cause the ascent or descent according to a substantially circular trajectory around said axis XX37 of its internal face 37a; we see in Figure 15b that we have shown substantially the same view as Figure 15a in a phase where, prior to the taking by said wedding pliers (not shown) of said ends of wires 70 held by said transfer pliers 4, the ends 70a previously stripped or prepared of said wire are vertically centered thanks to the lowering of said movable plate 37 which by its internal face 37a defines with the internal face 36a of a fixed plate 36, a space 40 in the form of a blade with parallel faces of thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the stripped part of said end of wire and thus ensures the vertical positioning of said end thanks to the closing movement to a predetermined position of said movable plate actuated by said jack 38 and articulated around said axis XX37 in FIG. 15a it can be seen that in the next phase, said clamp marriage 7 can be gripped by its jaws 30 said end 70 of said section of wire 5 held by said jaws of the said transfer clamp 4 located on said first conveyor 1 in a position where said end of the wire has been positioned at a predetermined height by said vertical positioning means 35, then said jack 38 has been actuated so as to lift said movable plate 37.

Figures 16 and 17 show a preferred embodiment of a portion of said insertion means comprising said movable insertion support 51; it can be seen in FIGS. 16 and 17 that said clamping cylinder 56 and said mobile insertion support 51 are mounted on a support 49 which can rotate around a substantially vertical axis YY5 thanks to a rotary cylinder or motor 50, by l intermediary of a drive system comprising in particular two pulleys 43 and a belt 44, as well as a first shaft 49a which is immobilized relative to said support 49 by a key 49b for example and by a second shaft 49c, allowing rotation around said axis YY5 of the lower part of said support 49 as well as of said movable insertion support 51; it can be seen that, as described above, said mobile support 51 includes said mobile shelf 53 which can move vertically during said clamping and unclamping operations, which mobile shelf is mounted on a spring 52 which can deform along said vertical axis YY5, and said movable insertion support comprises on its lateral faces 46 guides 48a of said ends of wires which are aligned with cells 54a of said components 54.

In FIGS. 18a to 18b, operations of an insertion method according to the invention have been shown very schematically. It can be seen in FIG. 18a that a point P linked to said components 54 comprising at least one cell 54a, will carry out during said insertion phase a circular trajectory T1; we see that said jaws of said wedding pliers (partially and schematically shown) hold said section of wire 5 by its end 70 which has a stripped portion 70a; it can be seen that advantageously said component 54 which is mounted on said mobile insertion support (not shown) which mobile insertion support includes said guide 48 which has a face 48a for guiding said end of said section of wire in said cell during said insertion operation; said face 48a of said guide can make an angle A with the direction of insertion, close to 20 degrees for example, said guide 48 having a thickness L4 and said cell 54a having a depth L5.

In FIG. 18b it can be seen that in a preferred embodiment of the insertion process, when said point P linked to said component reaches the apogee P1 of said curvilinear insertion path, said end of said wire comes into contact with said face of said guide disposed in the immediate vicinity of said cell, at a point P3 substantially median of said surface of said guide, so that the substantially horizontal axis of said end of said wire is offset by a height H1 with the substantially horizontal axis of said cell in which the end of said wire must be inserted.

In FIG. 18c, it can be seen that said point P linked to said component has exceeded the apogee of said trajectory T1 of radius R1, said end of the wire is being inserted into said cell.

In FIG. 18d which represents the end of said operation of inserting said end into said cell, it can be seen that said point P linked to said component has reached the end P2 of said trajectory, said end P2 being distant from said apogee P1, in the plane of said curvilinear trajectory, in a direction parallel to the direction of said section of wire, by a distance L6 substantially close to the sum of said values L4 and L5; we see that advantageously in this position, the distance L3 separating the front face of said guide from said movable insertion support and the end of said internal jaw of said marriage clamp is very small, for example of the order of a millimeter.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus for inserting the ends (70) of wire sections (5) in openings (54a) of components (54) characterized in that it comprises means for relatively moving said components with respect to said wire ends held in so-called mating grippers (7) along a curved trajectory situated in a plane containing the axis according to which the end of said wire extends.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said curved trajectory is substantially made up of an arc of a circle (T1) of radius (R1) situated in a vertical plane.
3. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said means for relatively moving the components with respect to said ends (70) of said wires comprise component moving means such that during said movement of said component according to said curved trajectory, said component remains parallel to itself.
4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises an insertion device (51) specific to a predetermined type of component, which comprises on at least one lateral face (46) at least one end guide (48) for guiding and inserting said wire end in an opening (54a) of said component, which insertion device comprises a mobile plate (53) which is mobile according to a vertical axis (YY5), on which said component can be placed, and comprises at least one compression spring (52) with said vertical axis (YY5) as thrust axis, and comprises a linear cylinder (56) for clamping said component on said insertion device.
5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that said component moving means comprise a substantially horizontal mobile plate (62) which is connected to a substantially horizontal fixed plate (69) by means of two parallel rods (63₁, 63₂), each equipped with an articulation (64, 65) separated by a distance that is equal to said value of said radius (R1), so as to form a deformable parallelogram.
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that said insertion device (51) and said clamping linear cylinder (56) are mounted on an intermediate support (49) which can rotate according to a substantially vertical axis (YY5) in relation to said mobile plate.
7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that components of a predetermined type can be conveyed to said insertion device thanks to a feed guide (61) which extends along a substantially horizontal axis (ZZ61) and thanks to a feed means (59) and to mobile means (55) that retain the component.
8. The apparatus for manufacturing electrical cable bundles comprising a first substantially horizontal linear conveyor (1) of longitudinal axis (XX1), which can move transfer grippers (4), each pair of said adjacent transfer grippers (4₁,4₂) capable of holding a wire section (5), said apparatus comprising a second substantially horizontal linear conveyor (2) which can move support grippers (6), characterized in that it comprises at least two mating grippers (7) each of which can extract from said transfer grippers and support grippers and introduce into the support grippers at least one wire end, said mating grippers capable of moving along a guide (9) of axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis (XX1), and said apparatus for manufacturing electric cable bundles comprising an insertion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and said curved trajectory being contained within a plane (P1, P2, P3, P4) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (XX1).
9. A process for inserting wire ends (70) in openings (54a) of components (54) characterized in that it comprises the following operations:

   a - procurement of at least one apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8;

   b - a wire end (70) is placed in the claws (30) of a mating gripper (7);

   c - said mating gripper is moved so as to position the end of said wire in a vertical plane containing the axis of said opening of said component which is held in a mobile insertion support;

   d - said component and said mobile insertion support are made to follow a curved insertion trajectory, preferably holding said component on a parallel plane to a fixed direction.
10. The process according to claim 9, characterized in that in said operation d, said end of said wire is substantially caused to come into contact with a median zone of said guide face when a point related to the component reaches the apogee (P1) of said curved trajectory, and then said insertion movement is continued according to said curved trajectory.

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