EP1251605B1 - Apparatus and method for the insertion of cable ends into connector housings - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for fitting connector housings with assembled Cable ends of a cable, with an assembly unit in a memory interim cable ends in cells the connector housing in a certain cable order introduces.

From US Pat. No. 4,835,844 there is one Placement device has become known at the electrical contacts assembled cables in both ends be stored temporarily in a rotatable memory. to The memory has two receptacles for the cable ends Cable clamps equipped wheels. A cable feeder transfers the ready-made cable to the storage, with one cable end each from a wheel cable clamp in the Assembly order is adopted. During a first Storage is fed by the cable feeder, is a second memory emptied by an assembler. After that the second store is loaded and the first store emptied. The placement machine has two in three directions movable cable gripper, with the one cable gripper one cable end a connector housing and the other Cable gripper the other cable ends other connector housings supplies.

A disadvantage of the known device is that the mechanical structure and the technical control effort two stores and two assemblers very complex and expensive is.

From the patent US 5 355 581 a device for Assembly of connector housings become known at single-ended cables with electrical contacts be temporarily stored in a linear memory. The leading cable end is in a cell of the Inserted connector housing and the lagging cable end each according to the cable order of the connector housing in a cell of the linear storage. Then they will trailing cable ends in an ascending Assembly order in the cells of the connector housing introduced.

The disadvantage of this facility is that the distances large between the memory cells and the connector cells and the minimum cable length accordingly must be large.

The invention seeks to remedy this. The invention, as characterized in claim 1 solves the problem to avoid the disadvantages of the known device and to create a placement device by means of which Assembly of connector housings is simplified.

The advantages achieved by the invention are in essential to see that the packaging system and the pick and place system form a front, which is a good one Accessibility to the system ensured and easy and safe operation of the system. The Manufactured wire harnesses are easy to the system remove and the system can be easily with plug housings be equipped. The system is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. With the The system according to the invention can have strong cables different lengths for the same wiring harness processed without knots in the wiring harness arise.

In the following the invention is based on a Exemplary embodiment drawings more closely explained.

Fig. 1

eine Konfektionieranlage mit einer nachgeschalteten Bestückungsanlage,

Fig. 2

einen Kabelplan zur Bestückung von Gehäusen,

Fig. 3

die Bestückung eines ersten und zweiten Gehäuses mit Kabelenden,

Fig. 4

eine Zubringereinheit bei der Übernahme einer Kabelschlaufe,

Fig. 5

die Zubringereinheit bei der Abgabe eines vorauseilenden Kabelendes und eines nacheilenden Kabelendes,

Fig. 6

eine Bestückungseinheit bei der Übernahme des vorauseilenden Kabelendes,

Fig. 7

die Bestückungseinheit beim Bestücken eines Steckergehäuses mit dem vorauseilenden Kabelende und

Fig. 8

die Bestückungseinheit beim Bestücken eines Steckergehäuses mit weiteren Kabelenden.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a packaging system with a downstream assembly system,

Fig. 2

a cable plan for equipping housings,

Fig. 3

equipping a first and second housing with cable ends,

Fig. 4

a feeder unit when taking over a cable loop,

Fig. 5

the feeder unit when delivering a leading cable end and a trailing cable end,

Fig. 6

a placement unit when taking over the leading cable end,

Fig. 7

the assembly unit when assembling a connector housing with the leading cable end and

Fig. 8

the assembly unit when assembling a connector housing with further cable ends.

Fig. 1 shows a line 20 for cables 21, the a cable unit 22, a cable feeder 23 and Has assembly units 24. As Assembly units 24 are for example Stripping stations 24.1, spout stations 24.2, 24.3 and / or Crimp stations 24.4, 24.5 are provided. More and / or different assembly stations are also possible. Cable 21 with different cross sections, colors and Construction are in a height-adjustable cable changer 25 held. With cable 21 are in terms of structure, diameter, Color different cables or conductors including fiber optics meant. The type of cable to be assembled is indicated by Height adjustment of the cable changer 25 in a directional path 26 brought. The leading cable end is from one Loop layer 27 captured and horizontal by 180 degrees turned. At the same time the cable 21 is by means of a Cable feed 28 advanced and by means of Straightening section 26 directed. An encoder 29 measures the length of the advanced cable 21, with the advance of the cable 21 forms a cable loop 21.1. The Cable feeder 23 consists of a along one Transfer guide 30 displaceable first transfer unit 31 with a first gripper unit 32 and along one the transfer guide 30 slidable second Transfer unit 33 with a second gripper unit 34. A first drive, which is the first, is not shown Transfer unit 31 moves along the transfer guide 30. A second drive, which is the second, is not shown Transfer unit 33 moves along the transfer guide 30. The first or second drive can be, for example Stepper motor, the transfer unit 31 and 33rd by means of a first toothed belt or second toothed belt drives linearly. The drive can be a variant for example, a linear drive with a linear motor. The direction of movement of the transfer units 31, 33 is x designated. The directions of movement of the gripper units 32, 34 are designated y and z. A not shown Control device controls and monitors the Packaging system 20, the movements in particular the transfer units 31, 33 and the gripper units 32, 34 are freely programmable. In addition, the Control device for controlling the transfer units 31.33 and the gripper units 32.34 for example a change in the cable type to be assembled Movement in particular of the gripper unit 32, 34 in the y direction adjust the cable diameter immediately. As Human / machine interface is used, not shown Keyboard and a screen, not shown. The first Gripper unit 32 takes on one cable end, in the further leading cable end called 21.11, the cable loop 21.1 from the loop layer 27 and the other end of the cable, in called another lagging cable end 21.12, the Cable loop 21.1 from the cable changer 25. After the Cable cut moves the first transfer unit 31 to Stripping station 24.1 located on the cable ends 21.11,21.12 removed the cable jacket. Moved after stripping the first transfer unit 31 with the cable loop 21.1 passes to a first transfer station 35 this the cable loop 21.1 and moves to Starting position back. The second transfer unit 33 takes over at the first transfer station 35 Cable loop 21.1 and brings the cable loop 21.1 to at least one grommet station 24.2, 24.3 and / or at least one crimping station 24.4,24.5. After that moves the second transfer unit 33 finished Assembled cable loop 21.1 in the in Fig. 1st shown end position and waits or transfers the cable loop 21.1 a further transfer station, not shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the packaging system 20 is one Placement system 40 downstream, which finished assembled cable ends 21.11,21.12 in a first Connector housing 41.1 or in a second connector housing 41.2 introduces. At the leading cable end 21.11 there is a contact for the first connector housing 41.1 and at the lagging one Cable end 21.12 a contact for the second connector housing 41.2 arranged. A feeder unit 42 takes over from the second transfer unit 33 or from the other Transfer station the ready-made cable loop 21.1 and passes the leading cable end 21.11 one second transfer station 43 and the trailing cable end 21.12 either one, depending on the cable plan rotatable memory 44 or after the second Transfer station 43 is again cable-free Transfer station 43. An assembly unit 45 takes over successively the cable ends 21.11,21.12 in the correct position on the second transfer station 43 and leads the cable ends 21.11,21.12 in the corresponding connector housing 41.1,41.2 on. The connector housing 41.1,41.2 are in one Housing holder 46 of a housing pallet 47 arranged. The Housing pallet 47 leads one with an arrow P1 symbolized movement, whereby the assembly of the Pallet 47 with housings 41.1,41.2 and the removal of the equipped housing 41.1,41.2 manually or automatically can be done. The feeder unit 42, the storage 44, the transfer station 43, the loading unit 45 and the Plug housings 41.1, 41.2 are next to one another or in one Row arranged. The connector housings are 41.1,41.2 the same and are transported with the same Cable ends 21.11,21.12 equipped. The for the assembly of the Housing 41.1,41.2 necessary movement in z direction (Movement for the next higher cell row) can either from the assembly unit 45 or from the pallet 47 be carried out.

2 shows the first housing 41.1 and the second housing 41.2, the housing 41.1,41.2 cells 48 for receiving of contacts. So that the assembly unit 45 the The lowest level must be able to move to cells 48 without obstacles Cell row from left to right first, then the next higher cell row from left to right and finally the top row of cells. Fig. 2 shows the Cable plan or the cable sequence for the leading ones Cable ends 21.11 of the cable loops 21.1, the first Housing 41.1 twelve cells 48 for receiving twelve leading cable ends 21.11 with, for example, one each Has contact sleeve 21,111. The cable order corresponds to the assembly order. The second case 41.2 for the admission of the trailing cable ends 21.12 the cable order no longer corresponds to that Population order. In the second case 41.2 first the trailing cable end 21.12 of the third, then the trailing cable end 21.12 of the second and then the trailing cable end 21.12 of the first Cable loop 21.1 can be fitted. So that the above mentioned Assembly order is possible, the for example, each provided with a cable lug 21.121 trailing cable ends 21.12 of the first and second Cable loop 21.1 temporarily stored in memory 44. The trailing cable end 21.12 of the third cable loop 21.1 can be seen from the assembly order without Interim storage. In the second housing 41.2 is in the bottom cell row after the lagging one Cable end 21.12 of the third cable loop 21.1 trailing cable end 21.12 the second and then that trailing cable end 21.12 of the first cable loop 21.1 inserted into the corresponding cell 48. An analogous one The assembly process results for the next higher one Cell row and the next but one higher cell row, whereby the trailing cable end 21.12 of the seventh and eleventh Cable loop 21.1 from the order of assembly seen also without intermediate storage and the lagging Cable ends 21.12 of the remaining cable loops 21.1 in in any case with temporary storage. It can further connector housings may also be provided, the using cable loops with each other or with the first or second connector housing are connected, the other connector housings with the exception of the last one Connector housing also with leading cable ends can be equipped.

Fig. 3 shows the equipment of the first housing 41.1 and of the second housing 41.2 with the cable ends 21.11,21.12 the first three cable loops 21.1. In the first housing 41.1 are the leading cable ends 21.11 of the first three Cable loops 21.1 already equipped, the trailing cable ends 21.12 of the first and second Cable loop 21.1 are stored in memory 44 and that trailing cable end 21.12 of the third cable loop 21.1 is fitted without intermediate storage in the second housing 41.2. Then the feeder unit 42 takes over the lagging Cable end 21.12 of the second cable loop 21.1 from the storage 44 and transfers them to the second transfer station 43 Movement in the z and x direction of the feeder unit 42 is symbolized by an arrow P2. If necessary, the Cable lug 21.121 of the trailing cable end 21.12 around for example rotated 90 °. The assembly unit 45 takes over the trailing cable end 21.12 of the second Cable loop 21.1 from the second transfer station 43 in the correct position and thus equips the corresponding cell 48 of the second housing 41.2. The movement in the x and y direction the assembly unit 45 is with an arrow P3 symbolizes. Then the trailing cable end 21.12 of the first cable loop 21.1 analogously into the corresponding cell 48 of the second housing 41.2 introduced.

Fig. 4 shows the feeder unit 42 during the transfer a cable loop 21.1 from the second transfer unit 33. The feeder unit 42 consists of a first one Gripper 42.1 for the leading cable end 21.11 and a second gripper 42.2 for the trailing cable end 21.12, with a first drive 42.3 for the movement of the Grippers 42.1, 42.2 in the x direction and a second drive 42.4 for the relative movement in the x direction of the first gripper 42.1 compared to the second gripper 42.2. The first drive 42.3 can be, for example, a stepper motor that Gripper 42.1,42.2 linear with a toothed belt drives. The drive can be a variant for example, a linear drive with a linear motor. The second drive 42.4 can be, for example Be pneumatic cylinders.

Fig. 5 shows the feeder unit 42 when the leading cable end 21.11 to the second Transfer station 43 and the trailing cable end 21.12 the first cable loop 21.1 to the memory 44 the first drive 42.3 has both grippers 42.1, 42.2 in the x direction emotional. At the same time, the second drive 42.4 has the first gripper 42.1 compared to the second gripper 42.2 in x direction moved. The second transfer unit 33 stands with the second cable loop 21.1 ready. The second with one Drive for the z-direction transfer station 43 is stationary and can, if necessary, Contact sleeve 21.111 of the leading cable end 21.11 or the trapped cable lug 21.121 of the trailing Turn cable end 21.12 by 90 °, for example. if the Contact sleeve 21.111 or the cable lug 21.121 for the Cable transport has disruptive locking elements, it will Cable end held on the cable.

Fig. 6 shows the assembly unit 45 during the transfer of the leading cable end 21.11 of the first Cable loop 21.1. A first drive 45.1 moves one Gripper 45.2 in the x direction to the second transfer station 43. The first drive 45.1 can be, for example Be stepper motor, the gripper 45.2 by means of a Linear belt drives. As a variant, can the drive also includes a linear drive, for example Be a linear motor. A second drive 45.3 generates the for the necessary movement in the y direction. The Feeder unit 42 is on its way back into the Starting position for taking over the second cable loop 21.1 from the second transfer unit 33.

Fig. 7 shows the loading unit 45 when loading the first housing 41.1 with the leading cable end 21.11 the first cable loop 21.1. The second drive 45.3 moves the gripper 45.2 in the y direction until the contact sleeve 21,111 is arranged completely in the cell 48. The Memory 44 rotates with arrow P4 symbolized direction so that more lagging Cable ends 21.12 can be stored temporarily. meanwhile the feeder unit 42 has the second cable loop 21.1 taken over by the second transfer unit 33.

Fig. 8 shows the placement unit when loading the second connector housing 41.2 with the trailing cable end 21.12 of the third cable loop 21.1. The first Plug housing 41.1 is with the leading cable ends 21.11 of the first, second and third cable loop 21.1 already populated. Because of the cable order in the second Plug housing 41.2 is the trailing cable end 21.12 first cable loop 21.1 stored in memory 44 and that trailing cable end 21.12 of the second cable loop 21.1 by means of the feeder unit 42 from the memory 44 taken. The feeder unit 42 transfers the lagging one Cable end 21.12 of the second cable loop 21.1 of the second Transfer station 43. The assembly unit 45 equips this second connector housing 41.2 with the trailing cable end 21.12 of the third cable loop 21.1. Then the Assembly unit 45 the trailing cable end 21.12 second cable loop 21.1 from the second transfer station 43 and populates the second connector housing 41.2. to Removal of the trailing cable end 21.12 of the first Cable loop 21.1 from memory 44 becomes memory 44 rotated in the direction symbolized by arrow P5. The feeder unit 42 removes the trailing cable end 21.12 of the first cable loop 21.1 and passes that trailing cable end 21.12 of the first cable loop 21.1 the second transfer station 43. Then the Assembly unit 45 with the second connector housing 41.2 the trailing cable end 21.12 of the first cable loop 21.1.

Claims (7)

1. Method of equipping plug housings with fitted-out cable ends of a cable, wherein an equipping unit introduces the cable ends, which are intermediately stored in a store, into cells of the plug housings in a specific cable sequence, characterised in that the plug housings (41.1, 41.2) are equipped with the leading cable ends (21.11, 21.12) of the cable without intermediate storage in the store (44) and the plug housings (41.1, 41.2) are equipped with the trailing cable ends (21.12) of the cable with or without intermediate storage in the store (44), wherein the equipping unit (45) takes over the cable ends (21.11, 21.12) at a transfer station (43).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer station (43) takes over the cable ends (21.11, 21.12) from a feeder unit (42) and passes them positionally correct to the equipping unit (45).
3. Equipment for equipping plug housings, consisting of a feeder unit, a store and a transfer station, wherein the feeder unit transfers the cable ends to the store according to the respective sequence and an equipping unit takes over the cable ends at the transfer station and introduces the cable ends into cells of the plug housings in a specific cable sequence, characterised in that the feeder unit (42) transfers leading cable ends (21.11) to the transfer station and transfers trailing cable ends (21.12) to the transfer station (43) or to the store (44) according to the respective cable sequence, wherein the transfer station (43) transfers the leading cable ends (21.11) directly to the equipping unit (45) and trailing cable ends (21.12) directly to the equipping unit (45) or removes them from the store (44) and transfers them to the equipping unit (45).
4. Equipment according to claim 3, characterised in that the position of the cable ends (21.11, 21.12) is variable by means of the transfer station (43).
5. Equipment according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the feeder unit (42), the store (44), the transfer station (43), the equipping unit (45) and the plug housings (41.1, 41.2) are arranged in a row.
6. Equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the feeder unit (42) comprises grippers (42.1, 42.2) movable relative to one another.
7. Equipment according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that a rotating store (44) is provided.

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