EP1295793A1 - Automatic device for bundling cable strands - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatically operating device uses a continuously supplied cable strip (2) with ribbed surface and a movable slide carriage (19). The front end of the slide carriage has side holding jaws (25) between which a lock (1) is supplied from above and is off-set by 90 degrees from the channel (3) for the cable strip. An insert channel open to the bottom has locking tongues to engage on the teeth of the ribbed cable strip surface and is defined from the channel by a partition. The channel of the lock aligns when positioned between the jaws with the insert tongue (22) and at the end of the forward movement of the slide carriage the lock held between the jaws can be placed in the outlet opening (30) of the housing so that with the guide jaws (26,27) closed the guide groove therein lies at the inlet end flush with the channel but at the outlet end flush with the insert channel of the lock. The insert tongue can for lifting the locking tongue be inserted in the channel so that the cable strip is driven forwards under the insert tongue through the passage and along the guide groove into the insert channel to engage with the locking tongue.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic bundling device of harnesses by means of a continuously fed one on his Surface of a serrated or corrugated cable tape to Tensioning the cable band after wrapping the cable strands in one of locking locks continuously fed in a row, one Have push-through channel for the cable tape and with the teeth or Corrugation of the cable band engaging locking means are provided, and for cutting off the individual cable straps after wrapping and Clamping process behind the respective locking lock, the device the cable bundle gripping guide jaws with a Guide trough for the cable band and one in front of and in the device retractable carriage with a guide channel for the cable band and with an insertion tongue for lifting the in the locking locks in Has locking direction locking means and wherein at its Operated by the forward-moving carriage Locking lock in one in the guide channel of the guide jaws opening outlet of the device can be positioned and the motor pushable cable band through this lock and through the guide jaws around the cable bundle and back into the Locking lock is feasible and after the intervention of the returned Feed the end of the cable tie in the locking lock the cable tie by reversing its drive motor and after moving the Insertion tongue can be snapped onto the locking means of the locking lock and then through a behind the locking lock perpendicular to Movable cutting device feed direction can be cut.

Such a device is known from EP 0297 337 A1. However, the device has various disadvantages. The one that can be triggered by an operating lever, automatically The bundling process takes place via a complicated mechanism Many individual parts coordinated for the different work steps and is therefore very prone to failure. Because of the complicated mechanics running the individual process is relatively slow. The cyclical supply of the is carried out by means of web-like interlocking locks via a mechanical drive connected to the operating lever from below, i.e. against gravity, into a provisional position in which he by a horizontally movable carriage, which is also a guide channel for the Has supply of the continuous cable band, gripped and finally in one Outlet opening of the device and positioned in front of the guide channel for the cable band shall be. Because the first positioning of the individual locking lock before the sled is unsafe against gravity, especially since it is on If a defined stop is missing, the subsequent one is also trouble-free Steps not guaranteed.

The device comes with a specific design for the locking lock the tensioning of the cable band and an adapted training of the cable band for use. The cable band has two on one surface parallel, but opposing gears. The in essential cube-shaped locking locks have a continuous Opening, from the opposite surfaces of the same locking tabs protrude, which are offset over their half width and laterally, have rectified locking teeth with the teeth of the Cable band can come into engagement. If after operating the device Locking lock correctly in the mouth opening and aligned with the Guide channel for the cable band is positioned in the carriage, the cable band pushed in front of and through the opening in the locking lock; its end slides on the guide jaws closed around a bundle of cables along until it wraps completely around the cable bundle and again the locking lock reached and now in the opposite direction through the opening of the locking lock must be guided, the locking tongues engages with the toothing of the cable band opposite them should come. Then the cable strap is tightened by reversing the drive, until the looped cable bundle is firmly gripped and the back ends protruding from the locking lock are cut off.

Especially if the front end of the cable band after it is attached to the Guide jaws slid back into the opening of the lock malfunctions can occur. The Cable tape must wrap around the cable bundle by 360 ° and then its end angled sharply back into the opening of the locking lock. This angling must be done solely by the fact that the cable band with its front end after the wrapping process in the blunt or right angle before the opening of the locking lock meets itself and the end is deflected so that it slides into this opening. There a defined stop for the end of the cable tie is missing, cannot be checked whether the end is actually found its way back into the opening and whether it is advanced far enough in order to ensure that the To ensure locking tongues in the teeth of the cable tie, or whether it protrudes again into the cable duct and after cutting off as a piece of waste that has not been

The cable tape is cut behind the locking lock while the cable band is still under tension for the tensioning process. The practice has shown that there is a risk that this is behind the Locking lock shortly cut off the end of the cable strap again from the Lock lock can jump, the entire bundling process fails and must be repeated.

There is also a need to use the bundled cable harnesses at intervals special fasteners e.g. on a support part or a housing wall to fix. The possibility of such fasteners on the cable bundles to attach is not given in the known device.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned in the introduction, that is absolutely trouble-free, safe and time-saving; after looping a bundle of cables with the cable tie and tightening this tape a secure engagement of the locking tongues in the locking lock with the Cable strap must be guaranteed, which is after cutting the cable strap must not loosen or even loosen behind the locking lock. Waste Cable tie should be avoided. In addition, the possibility should be provided be, if necessary, in one step with the bundling of the cable harnesses Attach fasteners to the cable bundle, with which the Anchors the cable bundle to a support part.

This is achieved in a device of the type mentioned in that front end of the slide lateral holding jaws are provided between which can be fed a locking lock from above, which in addition to the Push-through channel, offset by 90 ° to this, an open at the bottom Plug-in channel with locking tabs for engaging the Has serration or corrugation of the cable tape, the insertion channel is limited by a partition opposite the push-through channel. In the Position of the locking lock between the holding jaws is aligned Push-through channel with the insertion tongue. At the end of the forward movement of the The locking lock held between the holding jaws is in the outlet opening of the housing can be placed in such a way that in the closed Condition of the guide jaws the guide groove provided on it Entry end, as is known, with the push-through channel but at its exit end aligned with the insertion channel of the locking lock and the insertion tongue can be inserted into the push-through channel to raise the locking tongue, so that the cable band below the insertion tongue through the push-through channel and along the guide trough into the insertion channel for engagement with it Locking tongue can be advanced by a motor.

Due to the side holding jaws, the locking lock is immediately in one held secure and precise for the further progress, without first to have to take an intermediate position. The locking locks can be taken from a loosely poured stock, their placement takes place safely in the direction of gravity from above. Introducing and Locking the cable band in the locking lock is safer and more reliable by placing the feed end of the cable strap at the end of the Wrap not through the same push-through channel in the opposite Direction must be returned, but in one of the push-through channel separated and inserted perpendicular to this insertion channel becomes.

The insertion tongue is advantageously firmly connected to a slider on the Sled is slidable.

The guide channel for the cable band preferably pierces the carriage oblique, its outlet opening is on the top of the carriage covered by the insertion tongue and its entry opening on the bottom of the slide coincides in its advanced position with the Outlet opening of an insertion channel in a fixed housing part.

A feed tube for the locking locks advantageously leads into the top Device and its opening is immediately above that of the Holding jaws of the sled limited space.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention are in the housing Brackets are provided on both sides of the outlet opening, on which from above supplied fasteners can come to rest that of the attachment serve the cable bundle on a support part. This is indicated by the Brackets projecting downward into the carriage's path of movement this fastener one with the push-through channel of Locking lock aligned eyelet and the fastener can gripped by the carriage as it moves forward and into position in the Outlet opening can be taken. So on the one hand in one work step the bundling of the cables are carried out and on the other hand if necessary at the Bundling point provided a fastener for the cable bundle itself become.

To take the fastener with you safely in the movement and then to be able to place, a driver is advantageously provided on the slide, which, on the forward movement of the slide, on a protruding collar of the Fastener comes into engagement.

A first pair of retaining clips can be placed in the device on both sides of the outlet opening the locking lock and a second pair of retaining clips for the fastener be arranged to secure their position in the outlet opening.

The feed device for the fastening means, including one, is preferred Ejection channel for conveyor strips separated from the fastening means in arranged a removable module removable from the device. If in one Use case not anchoring the cable bundle to a support part is required, the removable module can be removed from the device and replaced by a Cover hood to be replaced.

The guide jaws are preferably used to grip around the bundles Cables closed and opened manually during all further steps of the device are program-controlled after pulling a trigger.

The changeover point of the drive motor of the cable tie from push to pull can also be defined by the measurable feed of the cable tape; to can be in the device in the area of the start or zero position of the cable band Photoelectric sensor can be provided.

• Freigabe der Einleitung eines Arbeitszyklus nach Sensorerkennung einer Bündelungsstelle für ein Kabelbündel und Plazierung eines Verriegelungsschlosses zwischen den Haltebacken des Schlittens,
• Freigabe oder Sperrung der Zufuhr eines Befestigungsmittels nach Sensorerkennung einer Befestigungsstelle für das Kabelbündel an einem Trägerteil,
• Vorwärtsbewegung des Schlittens bis zur Montagestellung des Verriegelungsschlosses und gegebenenfalls des Befestigungsmittels,
• Vorwärtsbewegung des Schiebers auf dem Schlitten mit Einschieben der Einführzunge in den Durchsteckkanal des positionierten Verriegelungsschlosses,
• Vorschub des Kabelbandes bis zum Anstoß im Einsteckkanal und Eingriff mit den darin vorgesehenen Verriegelungsmitteln, dabei fortlaufende Messung der Leistungsaufnahme des Antriebsmotors für das Kabelband,
• meßwertabhängige Umsteuerung des Antriebsmotors von Schub auf Zug, dabei weiter fortlaufende Messung der Leistungsaufnahme des Antriebsmotors,
• Rückbewegung des Schiebers in seine relative Ausgangsstellung auf dem Schlitten,
• meßwertabhängiges Stoppen des Antriebsmotors und Entlasten des Kabelbandes hinter dem Verriegelungsschloß,
• Betätigung der Schneidevorrichtung, Abschneiden des Kabelbandes hinter dem Verriegelungschloß,
• Rückziehen des Kabelbandes in seine Ausgangsposition,
• Rückbewegung des Schlittens in seine Ausgangsposition.

A working method for a device according to the invention preferably comprises the following method steps:

• Release of the initiation of a work cycle after sensor detection of a bundling point for a cable bundle and placement of a locking lock between the holding jaws of the carriage,
• Enable or block the supply of a fastener after sensor detection of a fastening point for the cable bundle on a carrier part,
• Forward movement of the slide up to the installation position of the locking lock and, if applicable, the fastening means,
• Forward movement of the slide on the slide with insertion of the insertion tongue into the through-channel of the positioned locking lock,
• Feeding the cable strap up to the abutment in the insertion channel and engaging with the locking means provided therein, thereby continuously measuring the power consumption of the drive motor for the cable strap,
• Measured value-dependent reversal of the drive motor from thrust to train, with continuous measurement of the power consumption of the drive motor,
• Return movement of the slide to its relative starting position on the slide,
• Stopping the drive motor depending on the measured value and relieving the strain on the cable strap behind the locking lock,
• Actuation of the cutting device, cutting off the cable band behind the locking lock,
• Pulling the cable strap back into its starting position,
• Return the carriage to its original position.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein Verriegelungsschloß, wie es bei dem erfindungsgemäßen Gerät vorzugsweise zur Anwendung kommen soll,

Fig. 2

einen Längschnitt durch das Verriegelungsschloß gemäß Fig. 1 mit eingeschobenem Kabelband,

Fig. 3

zu einem Strang verbundene Befestigungsmittel zur Verankerung eines Kabelbündels an einem Trägerteil, die ebenfalls mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Gerät verarbeitet werden können,

Fig. 4

die Ansicht eines Verriegelungsschlosses gemäß Fig. 1 mit erfindungsgemäß daran vorgesehenem Befestigungsmittel gemäß Fig. 3 und in beiden Teilen eingeschobenem Kabelband,

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes, teilweise geschnitten, mit eingesetztem Wechselmodul für die Anbringung von Befestigungsmitteln gemäß Fig. 3 an einem Kabelbündel,

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht gemäß Fig. 5 bei entnommenem Wechselmodul,

Fig. 7a bis 7f

schematisch die Seitenansicht des vorderen Bereichs des Gerätes gemäß Fig. 5 in unterschiedlichen, aufeinander folgenden Betätigungsstadien,

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf eine Ausführungsform einer Schneidevorrichtung des erfindungsgemäßen Gerätes und

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf einen Ausschnitt des Gerätes im Bereich seiner Austrittsöffnung.

The invention is described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings; show it:

Fig. 1

2 shows a longitudinal section through a locking lock, as is preferably used in the device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

2 shows a longitudinal section through the locking lock according to FIG. 1 with the cable band inserted,

Fig. 3

fastening means connected to a strand for anchoring a bundle of cables to a carrier part, which can also be processed with the device according to the invention,

Fig. 4

1 with a fastening means according to the invention provided thereon according to FIG. 3 and cable band inserted in both parts,

Fig. 5

3 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention, partly in section, with an exchangeable module inserted for the attachment of fastening means according to FIG. 3 to a cable bundle,

Fig. 6

5 with the removable module removed,

7a to 7f

5 shows schematically the side view of the front area of the device according to FIG. 5 in different, successive operating stages,

Fig. 8

a plan view of an embodiment of a cutting device of the device according to the invention and

Fig. 9

a plan view of a section of the device in the region of its outlet opening.

With the device according to the invention, preferably a locking lock 1 for a cable band 2 is used, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. It essentially consists of a cuboid housing, in which a push-through channel 3 and a push-in channel 4 are provided running at right angles to one another, the push-in channel 4 being separated from the push-through channel 3 by a wall 5. As will become clear further below, this wall 5 offers a stop for the front end of a cable band 2 . In both the push-through channel 3 and in the plug-in channel 4 are flexible locking tongues 6, 7, which are provided with engaging teeth 8, 9 on the one hand, with a sawtooth or a corrugation 10 surface of the wiring tape 2 can engage.

Fig. 5 shows a partially sectioned side view of the device. Its housing 13 has a pistol shape with a handle part 11 , on which a trigger 12 is provided, the actuation of which can initiate a processing cycle of the device. In the rear part of the housing 13 , a gear 14 and a brake 16 are provided for driving the cable band 2 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the drive takes place via a flexible shaft 17 by an external electric motor. But it is also possible to integrate the electric motor into the housing.

Via the gear 14 , a pinion 18 arranged laterally thereon can be driven, around which a continuous cable strip 2, which can be fed continuously, for example from a supply roll, not shown, is placed in such a way that the toothing of the pinion 18 engages with the toothing or corrugation 10 of the cable strip 2 and the cable band 2 can be conveyed or pushed by driving the pinion 18 . Furthermore, a slide 19 is guided in the housing 13 on guide rails 20 so that it can be moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The carriage 19 can be driven in both directions, for example by means of a Bowden cable (not shown) or for the return movement into the starting position also with spring return.

In the carriage 19 there is an oblique, continuous guide channel 21 which , during the operation of the device (see below), is brought into congruence with the outlet opening of an insertion channel 60 through which the cable band 2 coming from the pinion 18 is fed. On the top of the slide 19 , a slide 24 is slidably mounted, on which an insertion tongue 22 made of preferably resilient material is attached, which extends with its free end over the outlet opening of the guide channel 21 in the slide 19 , thus covering it, and resiliently on the Top of the carriage 19 rests. The slide 24 is driven to move on the carriage 19 by an electromagnet 15 .

Lateral holding jaws 25 are provided at the front end of the slide 19 . Above them, a feed tube 23 for the locking locks 1 opens into the housing 13 from above, as shown in FIG. 1. Through the feed tube 23 , the locking locks 1 can advantageously be obtained from a loosely poured supply, for example after being fed through a screw conveyor (not shown) or through another suitable device has been isolated, bit by bit, possibly using compressed air. The individual locking lock 1 falls into the space between the holding jaws 25 and is held by them in a provisional position. Alternatively, the locking locks 1 can also be supplied with the aid of a transport strip which is preferably reusable in order to avoid waste.

At the front end of the housing 13 , guide jaws 26, 27 are provided, of which one 26 is preferably fixed and the other 27 is pivotable about an axis 28 on the housing 13 , so that the guide jaws 26, 27 can be opened and closed like pliers, whereby they form an approximately circular, closed, inner guide trough 29 in the closed state. 5 shows both positions of the pivotable guide jaw 27 with different line widths.

Aligned with the front end of the slide 19 , there is an outlet opening 30 in the housing 13 of the device which opens into the space enclosed by the guide jaws 26, 27 , preferably just below the pivotable guide jaw 27 or in the guide channel 29 thereof. The outlet opening 30 is shaped so that it can receive the holding jaws 25 of the slide 19 together with a locking lock 1 held therein. On both sides of the outlet opening 30 there is a first pair of spring clips 31 within the housing 13 , which are held in pivot jaws 62 which can be pivoted about axes 61 . When a locking lock 1 is inserted into the exit opening 30 through the slide 19 , the swivel jaws 62 are pivoted by inclines formed at the front end of the slide 19 such that the spring clips 31 bear laterally against the locking lock 1 and hold it in position (see below, and FIGS. 7a to 7f and FIG. 9).

The device provides the possibility of attaching fastening means 32 to the bundling points of the cable bundle at different, programmable distances, with which the cable bundle can be anchored to a carrier part. Namely, the attachment of each such fastener 32 can be done in a single operation with the bundling, that is, the attachment and tightening of the cable tape 2 . For this purpose, the device has a special interchangeable module 33 which can be used in the front area of the device if required. 6 shows the device with the removable module 33 removed; the recess in the housing 13 , which can accommodate the exchangeable module 33 , is then advantageously closed by a correspondingly shaped cover 34 in order to protect the interior of the device and, above all, the moving parts against contamination. 6, the cover 34 is shown partially broken away, so that the feed lock 23 for the locking locks 1 and the front end of the carriage 19 are visible.

With the interchangeable module 33 inserted in the device according to FIG. 5, fastening means 32 can be fed to the device from above; they are placed in the starting position of the device in front of the carriage 19 , for which purpose lateral holders 35 are provided in the interchangeable module 33 , on which the fastening means 32 can come to rest.

A possible embodiment of such fastening means 32 is shown in FIG. 3 together with a suitable transport means. The fastening means 32 consist of a resilient fastening foot 36 for anchoring the cable bundle on a carrier part and a head part 37 , which is provided with an eyelet 38 or a slot for the passage of the cable band 2 . For the automatic feeding of the fastening means 32 , they are connected in a row one behind the other by sprue strips 39 which run during the casting process along an umbrella-like collar 40 formed between the head part 37 and the fastening foot 36 . The sprue strips 39 which are initially produced as a result of production are used as transport means in order to be able to feed the fastening means 32 to the device from a supply roll. For this purpose, the sprue strips 39 can be provided with teeth 45 , in which gear wheels 63 arranged on both sides in the interchangeable module 33 can engage. In the same way, differently designed fasteners can be fed. Knife disks 66 are preferably arranged parallel to the gear wheels 63 and on the same drive shaft 64 , which, when the fastening means 32 are advanced, separate them from the sprue strips 39 at predetermined breaking points 65 (see FIG. 3) or at least cut the predetermined breaking points 65 .

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the fastening means 32 supplied in this way come with their collar 40 onto the mountings 35 in such a way that the head part 37 with its eyelet 38 is in the movement path of the holding jaws 25 of the slide 19 . As will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7a to 7f, the head part 37 with its eyelet 38 comes into contact with the locking lock 1 transported by the carriage 19 during the forward movement of the slide 19 between the holding jaws 25 . In addition, a driver 41 is provided on the carriage 19 , which engages with a notch 42 on the collar 40 of the fastening means 32 , holding it in position so that it is carried along in the further movement of the carriage 19 . The fastening means 32 in question is separated from the sprue strips 39 serving as a means of transport at the predetermined breaking points 65 that have been cut. At the end of the forward movement of the carriage 19 , when the locking lock 1 is placed in the outlet opening 30 of the device, the fastening means 32 , as already indicated in FIG. 5, is partly pushed through the correspondingly designed outlet opening 30 , where it passes through a second pair of spring clips 43 , which is arranged next to the first pair of spring clips 31 on the side of the outlet opening 30 in the swivel jaws 62 , is additionally held (see also FIG. 9). A recess 44 is provided in the pivotably mounted end of the guide jaw 27 , which offers space for the fastening means 32 in this position.

An ejection channel 46 is provided within the interchangeable module 33 , through which the sprue strips 39 , which are separated step by step, are guided and conveyed out of the device when the fastening means 32 are advanced, after which they can be sent for recycling.

A cutting device 47 is provided laterally in the housing 13 of the device in addition to the outlet opening 30 , a top view of which is shown in FIG. 8. It is arranged in the housing 13 so that its knife 48 can be moved horizontally and perpendicularly to the plane of FIGS. 5 and 6 immediately behind the outlet opening 30 or the locking lock 1 placed therein at the end of a working cycle, just behind the cable band 2 to be able to cut off the locking lock 1 . The consumption of cable tape 2 is thus limited to what is really necessary and there is no waste.

According to the embodiment of the cutting device 47 shown in FIG. 8, a U-shaped component 52 is screwed onto the side housing wall 49 . A guide rod 53 is arranged between the two U-legs, on which an angled support part 54 of the knife 48 can be displaced. For this purpose, a lever 56 which can be actuated by Bowden cable 55 acts on the foot of the carrier part 54 . The connection between the lever 56 and the foot of the carrier part 54 is made by means of pin 57 and slot 58 . The Bowden cable 55 is driven in a program-controlled manner by an external motor.

The mode of operation of the device is described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 7a to 7f, which represent a sequence of work steps during an actuation cycle of the device. It is assumed that the cable band 2 is inserted through a housing slot 67 , placed around the pinion 18 and its front end is inserted into the insertion channel 60 and the supply of the locking locks 1 and the fastening means 32 can be activated. The start and the execution of the work steps of the device is largely program-controlled.

First, with the guide jaw 27 open, the device is brought into the predetermined position on a cable harness 59 to be bundled and fastened to a carrier part. A sensor on the device identifies this position via a coding system and the signal received is compared with a predetermined signal. If the two signals match, the feed of the locking locks 1 through the feed tube 23 and the transport of the fastening means 32 through the gear wheels 63 are automatically initiated via their sprue strips 39 serving as a conveyor belt. Then there is a locking lock 1 between the holding jaws 25 at the front end of the slide 19 and a fastening means 32 rests with its collar 40 on the brackets 35 in front of the outlet opening 30 (FIG. 7a). The locking lock 1 is fed in such a way that its push-through channel 3 is in the line of alignment of the insertion tongue 22 which can be displaced with the slide 24 on the slide 19 and its push-in channel 4 points with the opening facing downward.

If, on the other hand, the signals mentioned above do not match, a locking lock 1 and a fastening means 32 are not positioned, and the device cannot be started in the program.

If the position of the device was recognized as correct, the guide jaws 26, 27 are manually closed and locked around the cables 59 to be bundled; then the trigger 12 is actuated on the device, whereby the electrical signal for the program start is triggered. According to the program, the slide 19 is first moved forward, for example via a Bowden cable, taking the locking lock 1 held by its holding jaws 25 with it. The slide 19 reaches the intermediate position according to FIG. 7b, in which the head part 37 of the fastening means 32 comes into contact with the locking lock 1 between the projecting holding jaws 25 of the slide 19 such that the eyelet 38 of the head part 37 is level with the push-through channel 3 the lock 1 is located. In addition, the notch 42 on the driver 41 of the slide 19 engages on the circumference of the collar 40 of the fastening means 32 , so that this is held in position even after the subsequent separation of the fastening means 32 from its sprue strips 39 . The carriage 19 continues to move forward until the locking lock 1 and the fastening means 32 according to FIG. 7c are placed in the outlet opening 30 of the device in the assembly position, where they are gripped and held by the lateral spring clips 31 and 43 , respectively. During this movement of the carriage 19 , the guide channel 21 passing obliquely through it also coincides with the outlet opening of the insertion channel 60 for the cable band 2 .

At the end of the forward movement of the carriage 19 , the electromagnet 15 is activated in accordance with the program and the slide 24 is thereby moved forward on the carriage 19 ; the insertion tongue 22 fastened on it slides under the first tooth 8 of the locking tongue 6 in the push-through channel 3 of the locking lock 1 . The pinion 18 is then driven by an external electric motor via the flexible shaft 17 rotation and the cable band 2 is advanced. Its front end slides out of the insertion channel 60 through the guide channel 21 in the carriage 19 under the insertion tongue 22 and through the push-through channel 3 and the eyelet 38 in the head part 37 of the fastening means 32 ; it enters the guide channel 29 of the closed guide jaws 26, 27 , which enclose the cables 59 to be bundled , and pushes further therein until its end reaches the insertion channel 4 of the locking lock 1 that is aligned with the exit of the guide channel 29 in the guide jaw 26 the wall 5 between the plug-in channel 4 and push-through channel 3 abuts and engages with its teeth or serrations 10 on the teeth 9 of the locking tongue 7 of the plug-in channel 4 (FIG. 7d).

The stop of the cable band 2 in the insertion channel 4 can be determined by continuously measuring the power consumption of the drive motor. As an alternative or in addition as a control, a distance measurement can also be carried out on the cable strip 2 and the extent to which it has been conveyed can be determined. For this purpose, a light barrier can be provided on the side of the housing, preferably at the starting position of the cable band end in the insertion channel 60 . The path that the cable band 2 has to travel from this point through the guide channel 21 of the slide 19 and the guide groove 29 of the guide jaws 26, 27 back into the locking lock 1 is constant. A signal can be derived from both measurements, which indicates when the end of the cable band 2 is engaged in the insertion channel 4 of the locking lock 1 and cannot be conveyed further. Then the motor is reversed in its direction of rotation and thus from thrust to train, at the same time the slide 24 is returned to its relative starting position on the slide by the electromagnet 15 and thus the locking tongue 22 is withdrawn from the push-through channel 3 , so that the locking tongue 6 subsequently follows the corrugation 10 of the cable band can come into engagement.

The cable band 2 is pulled back through the push-through channel 3 of the locking lock 1 and in the direction of the engagement teeth 8 until it tightly spans the cable bundle 59 (FIG. 7e). This point is also determined by measuring the power consumption of the engine. The assignment of the desired tightening force to the required motor power can be determined experimentally and incorporated into the program control. After reaching the tightening force thus determined, the drive of the pinion 18 is stopped, so that the cable band 2 is no longer under tension. Only then, when the cable band 2 is relieved, is the cutting process on the cutting device 47 (see FIG. 8) triggered and the cable band 2 by the knife 48 advancing perpendicular to the plane of FIGS. 5 and 7e just behind the locking lock 1 cut off.

By the cable belt 2 is released prior to the cutting, it is ensured that the teeth 8 engage securely the locking tab 6 in the push-through channel 3 in the teeth or grooves 10 of the cable belt 2 takes place and a secure locking. There is therefore no longer any risk that the cable strap 2 will jump over a tooth 8 of the locking tongue 6 or even jump out of the locking lock 1 because of a tension that remains after cutting. In addition, this ensures that the cable band 2 is always cut off at a defined point at a distance from the end face of the locking tongue 6 , which in turn ensures that with each subsequent bundling process the feed end of the cable band 2 defines in the insertion channel 4 of the next locking lock 1 on the wall 5 abuts and comes with both teeth 9 of the locking tongue 7 in secure engagement and thus the optimal effect of the closure is achieved each time.

After the cable tape 2 has been cut off, it is pulled back to its starting or zero position in the insertion channel 60 (FIG. 7f) and the carriage 19 together with the slide 24 are moved back into their starting positions. The guide jaws 26, 27 are opened manually and the device is guided to the next bundling point.

In the process as described above, a fastening means 32 with which the cable bundle can be anchored to a carrier part was attached to the bundling point at the same time and in one operation. It is normally not necessary for such a fastening means 32 to be attached to each bundling point. The positions at which a fastening means 32 is to be attached can be identified by a code which is recognized by the sensor of the device. In the program control it is provided that if a certain code feature cannot be identified, the supply of the fastening means 32 is interrupted and only resumes in the further bundling when the relevant code is read. Thus, no fastener 32 can be placed in the wrong place

If an anchoring of the cable bundle is not provided or desired at all in a special application, the interchangeable module 33 can be removed from the device and the device in the state shown in FIG. 6 can only be used for bundling cables 59 . A cover 34 is then expediently used instead of the interchangeable module 33 in order to protect the interior of the device from dirt and damage.

Claims (11)

Automatically operating device for bundling cable strands by means of a continuously fed cable band ( 2 ) with teeth or corrugation ( 10 ) on one surface, for tensioning the cable band ( 2 ) after wrapping the cable strands in one of the locking locks continuously fed in a row ( 1 ) which have a push-through channel ( 3 ) for the cable band ( 2 ) and which are provided with locking means ( 6 ) which can be engaged in the toothing or corrugation ( 10 ) of the cable band ( 2 ), and for cutting off the individual cable bands ( 2 ) after the looping and tensioning process has been completed, behind the respective locking lock ( 1 ), the device surrounding the cable bundle ( 59 ) like pliers-like guide jaws ( 26, 27 ) with a guide groove ( 29 ) for the cable band ( 2 ) and one that can be moved back and forth in the device Carriage ( 19 ) with a guide channel ( 21 ) for the cable band ( 2 ) and with an insertion has tongue ( 22 ) for lifting the locking means ( 6 ) which locks in the locking locks ( 1 ) in the insertion direction and, when it is actuated by the forwardly moved slide ( 19 ), each has a locking lock ( 1 ) in a in the guide channel (29) of the guide jaws ( 26 , 27 ) opening opening ( 30 ) of the device can be positioned and the motor-driven cable band ( 2 ) through this locking lock ( 1 ) and from the guide jaws ( 26, 27 ) around the cable bundle ( 59 ) and back into the locking lock ( 1 ) is feasible and, after the return feed end of the cable band ( 2 ) engages in the locking lock ( 1 ), the cable band ( 2 ) can be tensioned by reversing its drive motor and after the insertion tongue ( 22 ) has moved back on the locking means ( 6, 7 ) Locking lock ( 1 ) can be snapped in and then by a behind the locking lock ( 1 ) perpendicular to the front The cutting device ( 47 ), which can be moved in the direction of travel, can be cut off, characterized in that lateral holding jaws ( 25 ) are provided at the front end of the slide ( 19 ), between which a locking lock ( 1 ) can be fed from above, which in addition to the push-through channel ( 3 ), offset to this by 90 °, has a downwardly open insertion channel ( 4 ) with locking tongues ( 7 ) therein for engagement with the teeth or corrugation ( 10 ) of the cable band ( 2 ), the insertion channel ( 4 ) being separated by a partition ( 5 ) compared to the push-through channel ( 3 ) is limited in that the push-through channel ( 3 ) of this locking lock ( 1 ) is in position between the holding jaws ( 25 ) with the insertion tongue ( 22 ) that at the end of the forward movement of the slide ( 19 ) Locking lock ( 1 ) held between the holding jaws ( 25 ) can be placed in the outlet opening ( 30 ) of the housing ( 13 ) in such a way that it is closed In the state of the guide jaws ( 26, 27 ), the guide channel ( 29 ) provided therein is aligned with the push-through channel ( 3 ) at its entry end, as is known, but at its exit end with the push-in channel ( 4 ) of the locking lock ( 1 ) and the insertion tongue ( 22 ) to raise the locking tongue ( 6 ) in the push-through channel ( 3 ) so that the cable band ( 2 ) below the insertion tongue ( 22 ) through the push-through channel ( 3 ) and along the guide channel ( 29 ) into the push-in channel ( 4 ) for engagement with the locking tongue ( 7 ) of the motor-driven type. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the insertion tongue ( 22 ) is fixedly connected to a slide ( 24 ) which is displaceable on the slide ( 19 ). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide channel ( 21 ) for the cable band ( 2 ) pierces the carriage ( 19 ) obliquely, its outlet opening opening on the upper side of the carriage ( 19 ) is covered by the insertion tongue ( 22 ) and its inlet opening on the underside of the slide ( 19 ) in its advanced position coincides with the outlet opening of an insertion channel ( 60 ) in a fixed housing part. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a feed tube ( 23 ) for the locking locks ( 1 ) leads into the device from above and its opening is directly above the space delimited by the holding jaws ( 25 ) of the slide ( 19 ) located. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the housing ( 13 ) on both sides of the outlet opening ( 30 ) there are holders ( 35 ) on which fastening means ( 32 ) fed in from above serve to fasten the cable bundles to a carrier part , a head part ( 37 ) of this fastening means ( 32 ) projecting downward through the mountings ( 35 ) into the path of movement of the slide ( 19 ) has an eyelet ( 38 ) aligned with the push-through channel ( 3 ) of the locking lock ( 1 ) and that the fastening means ( 32 ) can be grasped by the carriage ( 19 ) during its forward movement and can be taken into the position in the outlet opening ( 30 ). Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that a driver (41) is provided on the carriage (19) of the fastener (32) is in the forward movement of the carriage (19) on a projecting collar (40) into engagement. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a first pair of retaining clips ( 31 ) for the locking lock ( 1 ) and a second pair of retaining clips ( 42 ) for the fastening means ( 32 ) are arranged on both sides of the outlet opening ( 30 ) , Apparatus according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the feed device for the fastening means ( 32 ) including an ejection channel ( 46 ) for conveyor strips ( 39 ) separated from the fastening means ( 32 ) is arranged in an exchangeable module ( 33 ) which can be removed from the apparatus , Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the guide jaws ( 26, 27 ) for gripping around the cables ( 59 ) to be bundled can be manually closed and opened and that all further work steps of the device are actuated by a trigger ( 12 ) , Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a light barrier is provided for the purpose of measuring the feed length of the cable band ( 2 ) in the region of the start or zero position of the cable band ( 2 ). Working method for a device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the sequence of the following working steps: Release of the initiation of a working cycle after sensor detection of a bundling point for a cable bundle ( 59 ) and placement of a locking lock ( 1 ) between the holding jaws ( 25 ) of the carriage ( 19 ), Enabling or blocking the supply of a fastening means ( 32 ) after sensor detection of a fastening point for the cable bundle ( 59 ) on a carrier part, Forward movement of the slide ( 19 ) to the assembly position of the locking lock ( 1 ) and, if applicable, the fastening means ( 32 ), Forward movement of the slide ( 24 ) on the slide ( 19 ) with insertion of the insertion tongue ( 22 ) into the push-through channel ( 3 ) of the positioned locking lock ( 1 ), Feeding the cable band ( 2 ) up to the abutment in the insertion channel ( 4 ) and engaging with the locking means provided therein, thereby continuously measuring the power consumption of the drive motor for the cable band ( 2 ), Measured value-dependent reversal of the drive motor from thrust to train, with continuous measurement of the power consumption of the drive motor, Return movement of the slide ( 24 ) into its relative starting position on the slide ( 19 ), Stopping the drive motor depending on the measured value and relieving the strain on the cable strap ( 2 ) behind the locking lock ( 1 ), Actuation of the cutting device ( 47 ), cutting off the cable band ( 2 ) behind the locking lock ( 1 ), Pulling the cable band ( 2 ) back into its starting position, Return movement of the slide ( 19 ) to its starting position.

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