EP1764883B1 - System for processing a cable with at least two tools - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system for processing a cable with at least two tools according to the preamble of claim 1.

In cable processing, it is customary to use machines for certain processing steps, which act on at least two tools on a cable to be processed. Depending on the application, different types of tools or tools with different shapes are required. For example, when cutting or stripping an electrically conductive cable, two knives adapted to the shape and optionally to the structure of the cable are usually pressed in opposite directions from opposite sides to the cable to be processed and moved relative to each other to accommodate both the insulating jacket and the insulation jacket Conductor of the cable or only to cut the insulation jacket. In order to provide an electrically conductive cable with an electrically conductive, as firmly as possible connected to the head of the cable contact, for example, usually at one end of the cable part of the insulating jacket of the cable is removed and exposed in this way a portion of the conductor of the cable. Subsequently, the thus stripped end of the cable is brought into contact with a preformed sheet metal part and processed with suitably shaped pressing tools such that by a (known as "crimping") deformation of the sheet metal part, a mechanical connection ("crimp connection") between the Sheet metal part ("crimp contact") and the cable end a mechanical connection ("crimp connection") and accordingly between the sheet metal part and the exposed part of the conductor is made an electrical connection. To produce such crimp connections, so-called crimping devices are usually used, each with two tools: an anvil tool (lower part of the crimping device), which is used like an anvil and serves to make the crimp contact and the crimp contact Support contact to be connected cable end from one side, and a punch tool (top of the crimping device), which serves to press the crimp contact together with the cable end to be connected against the anvil tool and deform properly.

For machine cable processing usually a variety of different tools must be provided. For example, to process differently shaped crimp contacts, various crimping tools with differently shaped punch tools and / or differently shaped anvil tools must be available. Furthermore, in order to carry out various processing steps such as, for example, cutting, stripping or crimping and for processing different cables with different shapes or structures, different shaped tools are required.

Processing devices for processing cables are usually designed so that they are able to process cables with different shape and different structure in each of several different processing steps, the tools of the processing device are interchangeable and replaceable by other tools. Such processing devices can be equipped with the respective tools suitable for this processing step before the execution of a specific processing step are and can be converted if necessary, if the processing device is to be made after the execution of a particular processing step to perform another processing step.

The prior art includes, for example, a processing device for processing a cable with two tools each, which are components of a single interchangeable unit. This has the disadvantage that the various units provided for replacement are each relatively large and heavy, and moreover partially comprise components which are required in the case of several processing steps that can be realized with the processing apparatus. Several of these units therefore comprise the same components. The provision of a plurality of such units is therefore costly.

Out EP 1381124 A1 a crimping press is known with two tools, each of the tools is each designed as a removable part and each of the tools is independent of the other tool interchangeable, Since the tools are individually interchangeable and some tools are easily confused because of their similarity is the Increases the danger that when converting the crimp press a tool is installed, which is not suitable for a proposed processing step. This has several drawbacks: more waste in the use of unsuitable tools; an increased risk of damaging tools during the execution of processing steps for which they are not suitable; longer downtime; more effort in the management of the different tools to be provided.

The present invention is based on the object, the to avoid mentioned disadvantages and to realize a system for processing cables with at least two tools, which simplifies the exchange of tools and allows reliable handling of a variety of different tools.

This object is achieved by a system having the features of claim 1.

The system for processing a cable according to the invention comprises a first set of tools, a second set of tools and a machining device for carrying out different machining steps for machining a cable with at least two tools.

It is assumed that the processing device is equipped to perform a particular processing step with a tool of the first set and a tool of the second set to edit a cable by interaction of the two tools can. Furthermore, it is assumed that two processing steps are considered "different" if the same combination of a tool of the first quantity and a tool of the second quantity is not used for their execution.

The processing apparatus comprises: (a) a first holding device intended to releasably hold a first tool selected from the first set of tools, and (b) a second holding device intended to be a second tool which is selected from the second set of tools to releasably hold, wherein the respective first tool and the respective second tool by means of the holding devices are durable such that the first tool and the second tool in the execution of at least one of the Hearbeitungsechritte together on the Act on the cable.

Furthermore, it is assumed that the processing steps are designed so that not any combination of tools from a respective tool of the first set and a tool of the second set are suitable for processing cables. Accordingly, it is assumed that the tools differ such that at least one tool of the first set is suitable for processing cables only in combination with one of the tools of a predetermined subset of the second set.

According to the invention, a checking device is provided, which comprises identification means for identifying the first tool and the second tool and a checking device for checking whether the identified tools are respectively tools which are suitable for processing in combination with one another, wherein the checking device has accession information, consisting at least of data for the specification of those tools of the second set, which are suitable in combination with the identified first tool for editing, is available and the checking device is adapted to perform an evaluation of the suitability information for each identified tools and as a result of the evaluation to determine information about whether the identified second tool is suitable for processing in combination with the identified first tool.

This test device allows automatic detection the tool selected from the first set and the tool selected from the second set, and an automatic check as to whether these two tools are matched to one another in such a way that they are suitable for executing one of the intended processing steps. The testing device thus helps to prevent the machining device from being loaded with tools that do not match one another.

The system according to the invention thus has the advantage that the tools can be exchanged individually and independently of one another and that nevertheless it is ensured by an automatic check that the processing apparatus is equipped only with a combination of tools suitable for the respective processing steps. Improper use of tools can be avoided.

Various embodiments of the invention are conceivable.

In an implementation of the invention, it is provided that each tool of the first set and each tool of the second set each comprise an information carrier which provides identity data for identifying the respective tool, and in that the identification means comprises a detection device for detecting the respective identity data , Different tools can be identified by different identity data and thus distinguished by the means of identification.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the information carrier at least one of the tools of the first set additionally provides suitability information, consisting of data for the specification of those tools of the second set, which are suitable for processing in combination with the respective tool of the first set. Accordingly, the information carrier at least one of the tools of the second set may additionally contain a fitness information consisting of data for the specification of those tools of the first set, which are suitable for processing in combination with the respective tool of the second set. For example, the owner information of a tool may consist of the identity data of those other tools which are suitable for processing in combination with this tool. Of the verification device, only the detected Identity data and respective fitness information. This is possible with little effort, especially since information to be provided by means of the information carriers of the identified tools merely has to be compared by the checking device. This embodiment therefore has the advantage that the checking device can be realized with particularly simple means.

An alternative approach leads to another embodiment in which the checking device comprises a data memory from which the identity data of the tools of the first and the second set can be taken and which provides suitability information for each tool of the first set, consisting of data for the specification of those Tools of the second set, which are suitable for processing in combination with the respective tool of the first set. This variant has the advantage that all essential data, in particular the suitability information, are combined in a single central point and are constantly available. This has u. a. the advantage that this data can be changed with little effort, for example, if the stock of tools to be expanded to allow implementation of further processing steps (eg, in a modernization of the processing device).

The tester can be used to monitor or control the processing apparatus. The checking device may comprise, for example, a processor with which the provided fitness information for the respectively identified tools can be evaluated and with which one or more control signals can be generated, depending on whether the identified tools According to the provided fitness information in combination with each other suitable for editing or are not suitable. Such control signals can be used, for example, to enable or block the operation of the processing device, depending on whether suitable tools have been selected and identified or not for a particular processing step. Furthermore, a transmission of results, which the processor determines when evaluating the fitness information, can be initiated, for. B. to a display device or to a monitoring center.

There are no restrictions on the location where the test equipment can be installed. The testing device can be arranged for example on the processing device or integrated into the processing device, for example in such a way that the checking of the first and the second tool is feasible if the first tool is held by the first holding device and the second tool is held by the second holding device or already during the installation of the tools in the processing device. Alternatively, the test device can also be arranged and operated separately from the processing device. The testing device can be arranged, for example, at a location remote from the processing device at which the tools intended for use in the processing device are mounted. This makes it possible to carry out the checking of the tools in the vicinity of their storage place before a transport of the tools to the processing device or installation of the tools has taken place in the processing device.

Fig. 1:

eine Bearbeitungsvorrichtung zum Bearbeiten eines Kabels, mit zwei Werkzeugen, welche jeweils in eine Haltevorrichtung eingesetzt sind;

Fig. 2:

ein Teil der Bearbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 1, aus einer anderen Perspektive und vergrössert dargestellt;

Fig. 3:

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 2, wobei die beiden Werkzeuge von der jeweiligen Haltevorrichtung separiert sind;

Fig. 4:

die Bearbeitungsvorrichtung gemäss Fig. 3, jedoch aus einer anderen Perspektive dargestellt;

Fig. 5:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Prüfeinrichtung gemäss der Erfindung.

Below are more details and in particular advantageous embodiments of the invention explained with reference to schematic drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1:

a processing device for processing a cable, with two tools, which are each inserted in a holding device;

Fig. 2:

a part of the processing device according to Fig. 1 , presented from a different perspective and enlarged;

3:

the processing device according to Fig. 2 wherein the two tools are separated from the respective holding device;

4:

the processing device according to Fig. 3 but presented from a different perspective;

Fig. 5:

a schematic representation of a test device according to the invention.

The Fig. 1-5 illustrate a part of a system 1 for processing cables, which system comprises: (i) a processing device 10 for carrying out various processing steps for processing cables with two tools each, (ii) a first set of tools and (iii) a second set of tools. The tools are each change parts, provided that for executing a particular processing step, a suitable first tool from the first set has to be selected and inserted into a first holding device 15 and a suitable second tool selected from the second set and into a second holding device 16 must be used. The two tools are after the insertion into the respective holding devices 15 or 16 are each releasably held, such that the first tool and the second tool in the execution of at least one of the processing steps act together on the cable to be processed.

In order to explain the principles of the invention, is in Fig. 1-5 For example, crimping of crimp contacts 26 at ends of portions of a cable 5 is shown. In the present case, as the first tool, an anvil tool 30 (i) corresponding to the shape of the cable and / or the shape of the crimp contacts 26 is selected from the first set, inserted into a groove 15.1 in the first holder 15, and by means of a Detent mechanism 15.2 releasably held (as in Fig. 1-4 shown). According to the shape of the cable 5 and / or the shape of the crimp contacts 26, as the second tool, a punch tool 35 (j) is selected from the second set, inserted into a groove 16.1 in the second holder 16 and releasably held (such as in Fig. 1-4 shown). The above indices i and j here symbolize a specific selection of a first tool from the first set and a second tool from the second set.

The processing apparatus 10 has a supporting structure formed of a base plate 11 and side plates 12. The first holding device 15 is rigidly connected to the base plate 11. The anvil tool 30 (i) is therefore immovable when inserted into the first holder 15. The second holding device 16, however, is attached to a carriage 17, which in the vertical direction along guides 18 by means of an electric motor 19 is movable. In order to move the carriage 17, the electric motor 19 via a gear 20 and one of a Housing 21 surrounded eccentric (not shown) coupled to the carriage 17 and connected via a cable 19.1 with a power supply unit (not shown) and a cable 19.2 with a controller (not shown). Thus, the punch tool 35 (j) is controllably movable in the vertical direction.

In order to connect a crimp contact 26 to a (stripped) end of the cable 5, first a belt 25, which carries a supply of crimp contacts 26, is transported in the direction of the arrow 25.1 until a crimp contact 26 has a bearing surface reached the top of the anvil tool 30 (i) and separated by a knife from the belt 25. A (stripped) end of the cable 5 is placed over this crimp contact 26 in position. Finally, to make a crimp connection between this crimp contact 26 and the end of the cable 5, the punch tool 35 (j) is lowered by driving the electric motor 19 and the crimp contact 26 by means of the punch 35.1 of the punch tool 35 (FIG. j) plastically deformed.

The shape of the punch 35. 1 is precisely matched to the shape of the crimp contact 26. If, instead of the illustrated crimp contact 26, a crimp contact having a different shape is to be crimped onto one end of the cable 5, then it may be possible, for example, that the anvil tool 30 (i) could continue to be used, as a rule however, it would be necessary to replace the punch tool 35 (j) shown here with another tool.

To ensure that the first holding device 15 and the second holding device 16 are equipped only with such tools of the first set or the second set, which in combination with one another for the execution of a determine Are suitable processing step, all tools of the first set and the second set each have an information carrier which provides at least identity data, ie data identifying the respective tool.

The first tool 30 (i) has, for example, the information carrier 30.2 (see Fig. 4 ) and the second tool 35 (j) is equipped with the information carrier 35.2.

By capturing the data provided by the information carriers, the respective tools can be identified. The FIG. 4 shows, for example, a detection device 46.1, which is arranged in the first holding device 15 and serves to detect the information provided by the information carrier 30.2 data by metrological means and to receive. The Figures 3 and 4 further show a detection device 46.2, which is arranged on the second holding device 16 and serves to detect the data provided by the information carrier 35.2 data and to receive (see in particular Fig. 4 ).

Fig. 5 schematically represents a variant of an inventive testing device 40. This comprises identification means 45 for the first tool (in the present example 30 (i)) and the second tool (in the present example 35 (j)) and an inspection device 50, which on the one hand directly with the Identification means 45 and communicates via a communication interface 51 with a data memory 55. The identification means 45 comprise the detection devices 46.1 and 46.2, a reading device 47.1 for reading the data received by the detection device 46.1 and a reading device 47.2 for reading the data received by the detection device 46.2. The reading devices 47.1 and 47.2, respectively, take the respective identity data of the first tool 30 (i) or 35 (j) from the data received by the detection devices 46.1 and 46.2 and thus lead to an identification of these tools. In the data memory 55 a suitability information is provided for each tool of the first set, consisting of data for the specification of those tools of the second set, which are suitable in combination with the respective tool of the first set for editing.

The checking device 50 comprises a processor which evaluates the suitability information provided in the data memory 55 for the respectively identified tools. In this way, the checking device 50 determines whether the identified tools are each tools that are suitable for processing in combination with each other.

Furthermore, it is provided that the checking device generates suitable control signals in each case, depending on whether the identified tools are suitable for processing in combination with one another or are not suitable for processing in accordance with the provided fitness information.

In the examples according to Fig. 1-5 each information carrier (for example, the information carrier 30.2 and 35.2) is designed as an RFID transponder with a data memory for the respective data. Accordingly, it is provided to design the identification means 45 on the basis of RFID receivers, which is designed for communication with the respective RFID transponders and / or for detecting the respective data. Accordingly, each of the detection devices 46.1 and 46.2 as an antenna of a RFID receiver can be realized.

However, a test device according to the invention can also be realized on the basis of other technologies that are suitable for data acquisition and / or data transmission. The functions of the information carrier 30.2 or 35.2 can be realized, for example, with corresponding information carriers, which provide the respective data in a form readable by optical or magnetic or mechanical means. The identification means must then only comprise corresponding means suitable for reading the respective data.

The test device 40 according to Fig. 5 can be simplified if the information carrier at least one of the tools of the first set additionally provides a fitness information consisting of data for the specification of those tools of the second set, which are suitable in combination with the respective tool of the first set for editing. In this case, the data memory 55 and the communication interface can be dispensed with, since all relevant data is stored on the information carriers of the tools.

In general, it is advantageous to equip the information carriers of the tools with data memories whose data can be changed as desired. In this case, the contents of the information carrier can be adapted if changes are made to the processing device or the stock of tools that are available for the operation of the processing device to be extended or changed. Furthermore, operating parameters of the processing device can also be stored on the information carriers, for example the period of use the respective tools.

Claims (9)

1. A system (1) for processing a cable (5), comprising:

   a first set of tools (30(i)), a second set of tools (35(j)) and

   a processing device (10) for carrying out different processing steps in order to process a cable (5) with at least two tools (30(i), 35(j)),

   wherein the processing device (10) comprises:

   a first holding device (15) that is designed for detachably holding a first tool (30(i)) selected from the first set of tools,

   a second holding device (16) that is designed for detachably holding a second tool (35(j)) selected from the second set of tools,

   wherein the respective first tool (30(i)) and the respective second tool (35(j)) can be held in such a way that the first tool and the second tool jointly act upon the cable (5) while at least one of the processing steps is carried out,

   and wherein at least one tool of the first set is only suitable for processing the cable in combination with one of the tools of a predetermined subset of the second set,

   characterized in that

   a test device (40) is provided that comprises:

   identification means (45) for identifying the first tool (30(i)) and the second tool (35(j)) and

   a verification device (50) for verifying that the identified tools (30(i), 35(j)) respectively consist of tools that are suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with one another,

   wherein the verification device (50) has access to suitability information that consists at least of data for specifying the tools (35(j)) of the second set that are suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with the identified first tool (30(i)), and

   wherein the verification device is designed for carrying out an evaluation of the suitability information for the respectively identified tools (30(i), 35(j)) and for determining information on whether the identified second tool (35(j)) is suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with the identified first tool (30(i)) as the result of the evaluation.
2. The system according to Claim 1, wherein
   the respective first and the respective second tool (30(i), 35(j)) are designed for cutting the cable or for entirely or partially removing a sheath of the cable or for producing a crimp connection between a crimp-type contact (26) and one end of an electric conductor and/or a sheath of the cable (5) to be processed.
3. The system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein
   each tool (30(i)) of the first set and each tool (35(j)) of the second set respectively comprises an information carrier (30.2, 35.2) that makes available identity data for identifying the respective tool (30(i), 35(j)), and wherein the identification means (45) comprise an acquisition device (46.1, 46.2) for acquiring the respective identity data.
4. The system according to Claim 3, wherein
   the information carrier (30.2, 35.2) of at least one of the tools (30(i)) of the first set additionally makes available suitability information consisting of data for specifying the tools (35(j)) of the second set that are suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with the respective tool of the first set.
5. The system according to Claim 3, wherein the test device (40) comprises a data memory (55), from which the identity data of the tools (30(i), 35(j)) of the first and the second set can be retrieved, and wherein said data memory makes available a first set of suitability information for each tool that consists of data for specifying the tools of the second set that are suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with the respective tool of the first set.
6. The system according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the verification device (50) comprises a processor that makes it possible to evaluate the suitability information for the respectively identified tools and is able to generate a control signal if the identified tools (30(i), 35(j)) are not suitable for carrying out the processing in combination with one another according to the available suitability information.
7. The system according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein each information carrier (30.2, 35.2) is realized in the form of an RFID transponder with a data memory for the respective data, and wherein the identification means (45) comprise an RFID receiver (46.1, 47.1; 46.2, 47.2) that is designed for communicating with the respective RFID transponders and/or for acquiring the respective data.
8. The system according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein each information carrier (30.2, 35.2) makes available the respective data in a form that can be read with optical or magnetic or mechanical means, and wherein the identification means (45) comprise corresponding means suitable for reading the respective data.
9. The system according to one of Claims 1-8, wherein the test device (40) is arranged on the processing device (10) or integrated into the processing device (10), and wherein the verification device (50) is arranged in such a way that the verification of the first and the second tool can be carried out when the first tool (30(i)) is held by the first holding device (15) and the second tool (35(j)) is held by the second holding device (16).

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