EP3249763B1 - Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading - Google Patents

Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3249763B1
EP3249763B1 EP16170907.6A EP16170907A EP3249763B1 EP 3249763 B1 EP3249763 B1 EP 3249763B1 EP 16170907 A EP16170907 A EP 16170907A EP 3249763 B1 EP3249763 B1 EP 3249763B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector housing
cable
connector
processing machine
receptacles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP16170907.6A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3249763A1 (en
Inventor
Beat Estermann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Komax Holding AG
Original Assignee
Komax Holding AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Komax Holding AG filed Critical Komax Holding AG
Priority to EP16170907.6A priority Critical patent/EP3249763B1/en
Publication of EP3249763A1 publication Critical patent/EP3249763A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3249763B1 publication Critical patent/EP3249763B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R43/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors
    • H01R43/20—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cable processing machine, which is used to equip assembled cable ends with connector housings of at least one type, with at least one connector housing holder, the connector housing holder having at least one connector housing receptacle and, for the at least one connector housing receptacle, holding means for releasably holding a connector housing received in the connector housing receptacle.
  • EP 1 304 773 A1 a cable processing machine mentioned at the beginning is known. This machine is especially designed for the assembly and assembly of cable harnesses. In order to be able to process cable harnesses with several connector housings, the connector housings to be fitted are usually arranged on so-called pallets in practice. From EP 1 304 773 A1 known cable processing machine has at least two housing pallets, one pallet in each case in a cable fitting position, in which the assembled cable ends are inserted into corresponding cable receptacles in the connector housing.
  • a second pallet is in an unloading / loading position, where the operator can remove the finished cable harness and load the connector housing holder arranged on the pallet or the connector housing receptacles provided in the connector housing holder with new connector housings.
  • the operator triggers the pallet change, during which the two pallets are automatically exchanged so that the first pallet with the fully equipped cable ends moves into the unloading / loading position, while the second pallet with the unequipped connector housings is inserted into the cable Placement position is transferred to be brought into connection with assembled cable ends.
  • This loading and unloading process which is sometimes carried out exclusively by hand, is, however, often very time-consuming and also very cost-intensive due to the personnel operation.
  • the object of the present invention is to reduce the cost and time required at least for unloading the connector housing receptacles or removing the connector housings connected to the cable ends from the connector housing receptacles of the connector housing holder in a cable processing machine of the type described above.
  • the connector housing holder which has at least one connector housing receptacle and for the at least a plug housing receptacle has holding means for releasably holding a plug housing received in the plug housing receptacle, comprises a device for automatically unloading the at least one plug housing receptacle which has means for automatically releasing the holding means.
  • the means for automatically releasing the holding means can in particular be designed in such a way that the holding means for all connector housing receptacles are released simultaneously, so that in an advantageous manner all cable ends equipped with connector housings can be removed in one or as a whole at the same time.
  • the holding means provided in the connector housing holder according to the invention prevent the connector housing from accidentally coming out of the connector housing receptacle again, in particular during a possible displacement process of the connector housing holder.
  • the holding means also allow a tensile test to be carried out, after the assembled cable ends have been equipped with connector housings and the connector housings are still held in the connector housing receptacles. The tensile test is used to check whether the connection between the connector housing and the pre-assembled cable ends can withstand defined and required minimum tensile loads.
  • the means provided according to the invention for the automated release of the holding means can be achieved, for example, by the switchability or corresponding switching means of the suction device, the pneumatic clamping means or the magnetic holding means be realized.
  • These switching means can include at least one controllable or switchable fluid or air valve, at least one controllable or switchable vacuum source, at least one controllable or switchable compressed air source, at least one controllable or switchable current or voltage source and / or at least one controllable or switchable comprise electrical or electronic switches for breaking an electrically conductive connection.
  • the means provided according to the invention for the automated release of the holding means can have at least one, preferably mechanically acting, actuator.
  • the actuator releases the form fit when holding means act positively, for example the latching of latching and counter-latching means, for example by bending or bending open a latching hook or a latching clamp.
  • the actuator releases the frictional or frictional connection in the case of frictionally and / or non-positively acting holding means by exerting a force on the connector housing that is opposite and greater than the holding force of the frictional connection corresponding to the frictional or frictional connection. and / or frictionally acting holding means.
  • the invention provides that the at least one plug housing holder or the device for automatically unloading the at least one plug housing receptacle for the at least one plug housing receptacle have output means for outputting a plug housing held in the plug housing receptacle .
  • the output means are designed such that they actively convey a connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle out of the connector housing receptacle, especially eject or expel. It is provided according to the invention that the output means for the at least one plug housing receptacle have compressed air means for directly acting on the plug housing held or receivable in the at least one plug housing receptacle.
  • the connector housing holder has multiple connector housing receptacles, it is conceivable, according to an example not claimed, that the connector housing holder has a separate dispensing means for at least two of the plurality of connector housing receptacles, in particular for each connector housing receptacle, for example a separately pneumatically actuated ejection piston.
  • the connector housing holder comprises multiple connector housing receptacles and has a common output means for at least two of the plurality, preferably for all connector housing receptacles, for jointly outputting the plug housings held or receivable in the at least two connector housing receptacles.
  • the common output means has compressed air means for common, direct loading of the connector housings held or receivable in the at least two connector housing receptacles.
  • the dispensing means or the common dispensing means is designed to release the holding means before or during the dispensing of a connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle, so that the automatic output also causes the connector housing to be automatically released or released from the holding means .
  • the dispensing means can thus simultaneously also represent a possible implementation of the means provided according to the invention for automatically releasing the holder means.
  • the holding means are designed in such a way that they hold the connector housing in the connector housing receptacle in a frictional and / or non-positive manner
  • the dispensing means or the common dispensing means for releasing the holding means can advantageously be designed in such a way that, when outputting to an in the plug housing receptacle
  • the held connector housing exerts an output force which is greater than the holding force of the frictionally and / or non-positively acting holding means corresponding to the frictional or force-locking connection.
  • the connector housing holder is an independent unit that can be used as an exchange module or retrofit module in an existing wire processing machine - such as the EP 1 304 773 A1 known wire processing machine - can be used to automatically carry out the unloading previously carried out manually.
  • the connector housing holder is part of a cable processing machine of the type described above.
  • the present invention relates to a cable processing machine for equipping connector housings held in connector housing receptacles with assembled cable ends.
  • the cable processing machine comprises at least one cable fitting device for introducing at least one assembled cable end into a corresponding cable receptacle of a connector housing, which can be held in at least one connector housing receptacle of a connector housing holder of the cable processing machine.
  • the connector housing holder comprises a device for automatically unloading the at least one connector housing receptacle which has means for automatically releasing the holding means.
  • the cable processing machine has at least one connector housing pallet on which the at least one connector housing holder according to the invention is arranged.
  • the at least one connector housing pallet can be a displaceable connector housing pallet for selectively moving the connector housing holder between a cable fitting position in which the one or more assembled cable ends are inserted into corresponding cable receptacles of the one or more connector housings, and an unloading position in which at least the at least one connector housing connected to a cable end can be discharged or removed from the connector housing receptacles.
  • the displaceability can be realized by a simple to and fro movement / movability of the connector housing pallet along a guide path, in particular if the cable processing machine has only one connector housing pallet. Can do this a simple mechanical, preferably driven displacement device, such as a linear guide, can be provided.
  • the cable processing machine has several connector housing pallets in order to simultaneously connect connector housings, which are held in connector housing holders on one of the connector housing pallets, in the cable assembly position with cable ends and, on the other hand, connector housing receptacles in connector housing holders on another connector housing pallet in an unloading position initially - automated according to the invention - to be unloaded (removal of connector housings connected to cable ends) and, if necessary, then reloaded with new connector housings in a loading position.
  • a so-called pallet changer such as the one from, is advantageously suitable as the displacement device EP 1 304 773 A1 is known.
  • the unloading and loading positions can also coincide locally or be identical.
  • the compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply can comprise flexible supply lines between the connector housing pallet and the corresponding compressed air, negative pressure and / or power source.
  • the cable processing machine has at least one decoupling / coupling, in particular automatically decoupling / coupling compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply for providing compressed air, negative pressure or electrical energy.
  • the displaceable connector housing pallet for the compressed air, vacuum and / or power supply that can be decoupled / decoupled has a coupling, in particular automatically decoupling / decoupling, which is connected to a corresponding stationary mating coupling in the area of the unloading position or unloading. / Loading position interacts.
  • a receiving device for receiving at least one cable end equipped with a connector housing during or after the output of the connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle, for simultaneously receiving several cable ends equipped with connector housings during or after the simultaneous output of the connector housing.
  • the receiving device can have at least one at least two-pronged collecting fork or a collecting comb.
  • a displacement device can also be provided for the receiving device in order to position it in the unloading position or unloading / loading position in the direction of delivery from the plug housing receptacles in front of and possibly below the plug housing receptacles.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cable processing machine 1, the one possible Implementation of a connector housing holder 210 according to the invention with an unloading device.
  • the cable processing machine 1 described below by way of example is designed in particular for the assembly and assembly of cable harnesses.
  • the connector housings 300 to be fitted are held in connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holder 210, which is arranged on a so-called connector housing pallet 220.
  • the cable processing machine 1 shown here has two connector housing pallets 220, with one pallet 220 in each case in a cable assembly position (see right-hand side of FIG Fig. 1 and particularly Fig.
  • a second pallet 220 is in an unloading / loading position (see left side of FIG Fig. 1 ), where the finished cable harness - automated according to the invention - is removed and the connector housing receptacles 200 arranged on the pallet are provided with new connector housings 300 with the aid of a loading device 100.
  • the pallet change is triggered, in which the two pallets 220 are automatically exchanged by means of a so-called pallet changer 260 so that the first pallet 220 with the fully equipped cable ends moves into the unloading / loading position. while the second pallet 220 with the unequipped connector housings 300 is brought into the cable assembly position in order to be brought into connection there with assembled cable ends 400.
  • the pallet changer 260 is shown in detail in Fig. 3 shown, the pallet changer 260 during the changing process shows.
  • the pallet changer 260 has two horizontal rails 261, 262 on which the pallets 220, which are attached to trolleys 263, 264, can be moved.
  • the movement is carried out by toothed belts 265, which engage in toothed segments 266, which are each arranged above and below on the carriages 263, 264 (for details see also Fig. 9 ). So that the carriages 263, 264 can be brought from the upper rail 261 to the lower rail 262 and vice versa, the pallet changer has vertical lifts 267, to each of which a rail extension piece 268 is attached.
  • the Fig. 4-8 show in combination with Fig. 1 Details of a possible exemplary embodiment of a loading device 100, as is present in the cable processing device according to FIG Fig. 1 can be used.
  • the loading device 100 has at least one storage device 110 for storing and providing connector housings 300 of at least one type. Furthermore, the loading device is characterized by at least one fitting device 120 which is designed to introduce one or more connector housings 300 from the at least one storage device 110 into one or more corresponding connector housing receptacles 200.
  • the loading device 100 is designed for the simultaneous loading of a connector housing holder 210 with two different connector housing types (cf. Fig. 8 ).
  • the storage device 110 comprises a so-called vibrating pot 111, 112 for each connector housing type, in which the corresponding connector housings 300 are stored and sorted and made available in the correct position for further processing.
  • the loading device 100 has a fitting device 120 for each of the connector housing types, which automatically fills the connector housing receptacles 200 in the connector housing holder 210 on the connector housing pallet 220.
  • a feed device 130 is provided between each of the equipping devices 120 and the associated storage devices 110, which in the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a linear conveyor path 131, 132 for one of the two different connector housing types.
  • the two housing types are sorted in the vibrating pots 111, 112 and transferred to the two linear conveyor lines 131, 132 in the correct position next to one another.
  • the two linear conveyor sections 131, 132 have vibratory conveyors which enable connector housings 300 of both types to be conveyed continuously along a guide rail.
  • a blocking device 133 consisting of a slide and a pneumatic cylinder, with which the conveyance can be controlled, in particular interrupted, for example by clamping a connector housing 300.
  • each of the two equipping devices 120 comprises a conveying or dispensing device 121, which is designed to feed connector housings 300 from the respective feeding device 130 to be introduced into corresponding plug housing receptacles 200.
  • Each of the two conveying or output devices 121 has a guide track 123 for this purpose which can each accommodate a number of connector housings 300 lying one behind the other.
  • the guideways 123 serve at the same time as intermediate storage 123 in order to temporarily store connector housings 300 supplied to the respective fitting device 120.
  • the guide tracks 123 are arranged at right angles to the linear conveyor sections 131, 132 and as an extension of the connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holders 210. Behind each guide track 123 there is a pneumatic ejection piston 122, the stroke of which is at least the length of a connector housing 300, so that when the ejection piston is extended, the entire row of connector housings 300 is moved by the length of a connector housing 300.
  • a displacement device 124 is also provided in order to move at least the two assembly devices 120 relative to the plug housing receptacles 200 to be fitted, in particular for moving the assembly devices 120 into a corresponding loading position for each of the plug housing receptacles 200 to be fitted is implemented in the present embodiment with a slide 125, which can be moved with a pneumatic linear axis.
  • an exemplary loading process or an exemplary loading process is described below: Starting from the starting position (cf. Fig. 4 ) the blocking devices 133 are actuated so that the supply of connector housings 300 to the respective equipping devices 120 is interrupted. The carriage 125 then moves forwards in the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks 123 until the guide tracks 123 receive the connector housings to be filled 200 stand (cf. Fig. 5 ). Next, the ejection pistons 122 are extended, whereby the respective foremost connector housing 300 is pushed from the guide track 123 into the respective connector housing receptacles 200 in the connector housing holder 210 (cf. Fig. 6 ).
  • the carriage 125 then moves back and the ejection pistons 122 are retracted (cf. Fig. 7 ).
  • the blocking devices 133 are then released, as a result of which the next connector housing 300 is transported from the respective linear conveyor path 131, 132 into the guideway.
  • the connector housing pallet 220 is lifted by the lift 267 (cf. Fig. 3 ) moved upwards until the next plug housing receptacles 200 to be filled are in front of the guideways 123 (cf. Fig. 8 ). These steps are repeated until all of the connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holder 210 are loaded.
  • Fig. 9 shows - as already mentioned above - a connector housing pallet 220 arranged on a carriage 263 with an embodiment of a connector housing holder 210 according to the invention, which has connector housing receptacles 200 for two different connector housing types, which are arranged in two vertical rows.
  • Fig. 10 is a section through the connector housing holder 210 according to Fig. 9 . The section shows the two connector housings 300 of different designs, which are placed in each of the connector housing receptacles 200 adapted or corresponding to the external shape of the connector housing 300.
  • Retaining elements (not shown) ensure that the connector housings remain in the connector housing receptacles 200 during the assembly process.
  • the holding means can be simple frictional systems - such as ball pressure pieces.
  • positive-locking elements such as pawls can also be present, which have to be actively opened to remove the housing.
  • an output means 230 in this case a pneumatically actuated ejection piston 231, is provided, which is held in the retracted position by a spring 232 in the depressurized state.
  • the ejection piston can be designed in such a way that it opens the pawl on the first section of the ejection stroke.
  • a receiving device 250 is provided for receiving the cable ends 400 equipped with the plug housings, in order to be able to use the cable ends 400 held in the plug housing receptacle 200 during or after the output Connector housing 300 to safely accommodate the system of cable end and connector housing.
  • the receiving device 250 is designed in particular to receive a plurality of cable ends 400 equipped with connector housings 300 at the same time.
  • the receiving device 250 in the present embodiment consists of two two-pronged forks 251, which are connected to a pneumatic lifting unit between two Positions can be moved vertically.
  • the double fork 251 moves upwards in the next step so that cable ends 400 are caught by the double fork 251 (cf. Fig. 13 ). Then all the ejection pistons 231 of the connector housing holder 210 are extended together, whereby the connector housings 300 are ejected and slide down along the double fork ( Fig. 14 ). In order to provide the compressed air for the ejection process, a pneumatic coupling (not shown here) can extend, which is arranged in a stationary manner behind the plug housing pallet 220. In the next step the double fork 251 moves down again. In this position, the operator has the option of removing the cable ends 400 or the cable harness at any time (cf. Fig. 15 ).
  • the receiving device 250 in particular the double fork 251, can be designed in such a way that it can receive a plurality of cable harnesses so that the cable harness that has just been completed does not have to be removed after each cycle.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine, welche zum Bestücken von konfektionierten Kabelenden mit Steckergehäusen wenigstens einer Bauart dient, mit wenigstens einem Steckergehäusehalter, wobei der Steckergehäusehalter wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme und für die wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme Haltmittel zum wiederlösbaren Halten eines in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme aufgenommenen Steckergehäuses aufweist.The invention relates to a cable processing machine, which is used to equip assembled cable ends with connector housings of at least one type, with at least one connector housing holder, the connector housing holder having at least one connector housing receptacle and, for the at least one connector housing receptacle, holding means for releasably holding a connector housing received in the connector housing receptacle.

Aus der Druckschrift EP 1 304 773 A1 ist eine eingangs genannte Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine bekannt. Diese Maschine ist insbesondere für die Konfektionierung und Bestückung von Kabelbäumen ausgebildet. Um Kabelbäume mit mehreren Steckergehäusen verarbeiten zu können, werden die zu bestückenden Steckergehäuse in der Praxis üblicherweise auf sogenannten Paletten angeordnet. Die aus EP 1 304 773 A1 bekannte Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine verfügt über mindestens zwei Gehäusepaletten, wobei sich jeweils eine Palette in einer Kabel-Bestückungsposition befindet, in der die konfektionierten Kabelenden in korrespondierende Kabelaufnahmen der Steckergehäuse eingebracht werden. Während des laufenden Bestückungsprozesses mit dieser ersten Palette befindet sich eine zweite Palette in einer Ent-/Beladeposition, wo der Bediener den fertigen Kabelbaum entnehmen und auf der Palette angeordneten Steckergehäusehalter bzw. die in den Steckergehäusehalter vorgesehenen Steckergehäuseaufnahmen mit neuen Steckergehäusen beladen kann. Ist der Bestückungsprozess abgeschlossen und die zweite Palette fertig vorbereitet, löst der Bediener den Palettenwechsel aus, bei dem die beiden Paletten automatisch getauscht werden, so dass die erste Palette mit den fertig bestückten Kabelenden in die Ent-/Beladeposition verfährt, während die zweite Palette mit den unbestückten Steckergehäusen in die Kabel-Bestückungsposition überführt wird, um mit konfektionierten Kabelenden in Verbindung gebracht zu werden. Dieser bisweilen ausschliesslich manuell durchgeführte Belade- und Entladeprozess ist jedoch häufig sehr zeitaufwendig und wegen der personellen Bedienung zudem sehr kostenintensiv.From the pamphlet EP 1 304 773 A1 a cable processing machine mentioned at the beginning is known. This machine is especially designed for the assembly and assembly of cable harnesses. In order to be able to process cable harnesses with several connector housings, the connector housings to be fitted are usually arranged on so-called pallets in practice. From EP 1 304 773 A1 known cable processing machine has at least two housing pallets, one pallet in each case in a cable fitting position, in which the assembled cable ends are inserted into corresponding cable receptacles in the connector housing. During the ongoing assembly process with this first pallet, a second pallet is in an unloading / loading position, where the operator can remove the finished cable harness and load the connector housing holder arranged on the pallet or the connector housing receptacles provided in the connector housing holder with new connector housings. Is the assembly process completed and the second With the pallet fully prepared, the operator triggers the pallet change, during which the two pallets are automatically exchanged so that the first pallet with the fully equipped cable ends moves into the unloading / loading position, while the second pallet with the unequipped connector housings is inserted into the cable Placement position is transferred to be brought into connection with assembled cable ends. This loading and unloading process, which is sometimes carried out exclusively by hand, is, however, often very time-consuming and also very cost-intensive due to the personnel operation.

DE 196 19 695 A1 offenbart eine Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine gemäß dem Oberbegriff von Anspruch 1. DE 196 19 695 A1 discloses a wire processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Die Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht darin, bei einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine der eingangs beschriebenen Art den Kosten- und Zeitaufwand zumindest für das Entladen der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen bzw. die Entnahme der mit den Kabelenden verbundenen Steckergehäuse aus den Steckergehäuseaufnahmen des Steckergehäusehalters weitestgehend zu reduzieren.The object of the present invention is to reduce the cost and time required at least for unloading the connector housing receptacles or removing the connector housings connected to the cable ends from the connector housing receptacles of the connector housing holder in a cable processing machine of the type described above.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine nach Anspruch 1 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der abhängigen Ansprüche.This object is achieved by a cable processing machine according to claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

In erfindungsgemässer Weise wurde erkannt, dass insbesondere dann, wenn ein Kabelbaum mehrere identische oder ähnliche Steckergehäuse aufweist, es technisch leicht realisierbar ist, neben dem eigentlichen Bestückungsprozess der Kabelenden mit Steckergehäusen auch das Entladen der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen bzw. die Entnahme der mit den Kabelenden verbundenen Steckergehäuse aus den Steckergehäuseaufnahmen zu automatisieren. Zur Realisierung eines automatisierten Entladeprozesses ist es gemäss der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass der Steckergehäusehalter, welcher wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme und für die wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme Haltmittel zum wiederlösbaren Halten eines in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme aufgenommenen Steckergehäuses aufweist, eine Vorrichtung zum automatischen Entladen der wenigstens einen Steckergehäuseaufnahme umfasst, welche Mittel zum automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel aufweist. In erfindungsgemässer Weise wurde erkannt, dass bereits ein automatisiertes Lösen der Haltemittel den Aufwand für den Entladeprozess zeitlich wie technisch deutlich reduziert. Denn das bisher manuell durchgeführte Lösen der Haltemittel ist, insbesondere bei Kabelbäumen, deren Kabelenden mit mehreren Steckergehäusen bestückt wurden, sehr zeitaufwendig, da die Steckergehäuse einzelnen nacheinander aus ihren jeweiligen Steckergehäuseaufnahmen gelöst und entnehmen werden müssen. Mit dem automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel ist das Steckergehäuse jedoch unmittelbar frei entnehmbar und braucht somit im einfachsten Fall nur noch aus der Steckergehäuseaufnahme herausgezogen oder ausgekippt zu werden. Weist der Steckergehäusehalter mehrere Steckergehäuseaufnahmen auf oder sind bei einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine mehrere Steckergehäusehalter mit je einer oder mehreren Steckergehäuseaufnahmen vorgesehen, so können die Mittel zum automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel insbesondere derart ausgebildet sein, dass die Haltemittel für sämtliche Steckergehäuseaufnahmen simultan gelöst werden, so dass in vorteilhafter Weise alle mit Steckergehäusen bestückte Kabelenden in Einem bzw. als Ganzes gleichzeitig entnehmbar sind.According to the invention, it was recognized that especially when a cable harness has several identical or similar connector housings, it is technically easy to implement, in addition to the actual assembly process of the cable ends with connector housings, also the unloading of the connector housing receptacles or the removal of the connector housings connected to the cable ends to automate the connector housing receptacles. To implement an automated unloading process, it is provided according to the invention that the connector housing holder, which has at least one connector housing receptacle and for the at least a plug housing receptacle has holding means for releasably holding a plug housing received in the plug housing receptacle, comprises a device for automatically unloading the at least one plug housing receptacle which has means for automatically releasing the holding means. In the manner according to the invention, it was recognized that an automated release of the holding means already significantly reduces the effort for the unloading process in terms of time and technology. This is because the previously manually performed release of the holding means is very time-consuming, especially in the case of cable harnesses whose cable ends have been fitted with several connector housings, since the connector housings must be released and removed individually one after the other from their respective connector housing receptacles. With the automated release of the retaining means, however, the connector housing can be removed directly and freely and therefore only needs to be pulled or tipped out of the connector housing receptacle in the simplest case. If the connector housing holder has multiple connector housing receptacles or if, in a cable processing machine, multiple connector housing holders, each with one or more connector housing receptacles, are provided, the means for automatically releasing the holding means can in particular be designed in such a way that the holding means for all connector housing receptacles are released simultaneously, so that in an advantageous manner all cable ends equipped with connector housings can be removed in one or as a whole at the same time.

Die beim erfindungsgemässen Steckergehäusehalter vorgesehenen Haltemittel verhindern in ihrer Grundfunktion zum einen, dass das Steckergehäuse, insbesondere während eines etwaigen Verschiebevorgangs des Steckergehäusehalters, versehentlich wieder aus der Steckergehäuseaufnahme herausgelangt. Zum anderen erlauben die Haltemittel aber auch die Durchführung eines Zugtests, nachdem die konfektionierten Kabelenden mit Steckergehäusen bestückt wurden und die Steckergehäuse noch in den Steckergehäuseaufnahmen gehalten sind. Mit dem Zugtest wird geprüft, ob die Verbindung zwischen Steckergehäuse und konfektioniertem Kabelenden definierten und geforderten Mindest-Zugbelastungen standhält.In their basic function, the holding means provided in the connector housing holder according to the invention prevent the connector housing from accidentally coming out of the connector housing receptacle again, in particular during a possible displacement process of the connector housing holder. On the other hand, the holding means also allow a tensile test to be carried out, after the assembled cable ends have been equipped with connector housings and the connector housings are still held in the connector housing receptacles. The tensile test is used to check whether the connection between the connector housing and the pre-assembled cable ends can withstand defined and required minimum tensile loads.

Die Haltmittel für die wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme können gemäss verschiedenen bevorzugten Ausgestaltungen der Erfindung folgendes aufweisen:

  • wiederlösbare, formschlüssig wirkende Haltemittel, insbesondere mit korrespondierenden Gegenrastmittel an dem auszunehmenden Steckergehäuse zusammenwirkende Rastmittel, vorzugswiese wenigstens einen Rasthaken oder wenigstens eine federbelastete Rastkugel; und/oder
  • wiederlösbare reib- und/oder kraftschlüssig wirkende Haltemittel, insbesondere wenigstens ein federbelastetes oder elastisch verformbares oder pneumatisches Klemmmittel, und/oder
  • eine schaltbare Ansaugeinrichtung zum Halten eines Steckergehäuses in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme mittels Unterdruck; und/oder
  • ein schaltbares magnetisches Haltemittel.
The holding means for the at least one connector housing receptacle can, according to various preferred embodiments of the invention, have the following:
  • releasable, positively acting retaining means, in particular latching means interacting with corresponding counter-latching means on the plug housing to be removed, preferably at least one latching hook or at least one spring-loaded latching ball; and or
  • releasable frictionally and / or non-positively acting holding means, in particular at least one spring-loaded or elastically deformable or pneumatic clamping means, and / or
  • a switchable suction device for holding a connector housing in the connector housing receptacle by means of negative pressure; and or
  • a switchable magnetic holding means.

Dabei können die erfindungsgemäss vorgesehenen Mittel zum automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel etwa durch die Schaltbarkeit bzw. entsprechende Schaltmittel der Ansaugeinrichtung, der pneumatischen Klemmmittel bzw. des magnetischen Haltemittels realisiert sein. Diese Schaltmittel können etwa wenigstens ein steuerbares bzw. schaltbares Fluid- oder Luftventil, wenigstens eine steuerbare bzw. schaltbare Unterdruckquelle, wenigstens eine steuerbare bzw. schaltbare Druckluftquelle, wenigstens eine steuerbare bzw. schaltbare Strom- oder Spannungsquelle und/oder wenigstens einen steuerbaren bzw. schaltbaren elektrischen oder elektronischen Schalter zum Unterbrechen einer elektrisch leitenden Verbindung umfassen.In this case, the means provided according to the invention for the automated release of the holding means can be achieved, for example, by the switchability or corresponding switching means of the suction device, the pneumatic clamping means or the magnetic holding means be realized. These switching means can include at least one controllable or switchable fluid or air valve, at least one controllable or switchable vacuum source, at least one controllable or switchable compressed air source, at least one controllable or switchable current or voltage source and / or at least one controllable or switchable comprise electrical or electronic switches for breaking an electrically conductive connection.

Des Weiteren können die erfindungsgemäss vorgesehenen Mittel zum automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel wenigstens einen, vorzugsweise mechanisch wirkenden Aktuator aufweisen. Denkbar ist, dass der Aktuator den Formschluss bei formschlüssig wirkenden Haltemittel löst, etwa die Verrastung von Rast- und Gegenrastmittel beispielsweise durch Verbiegen oder Aufbiegen eines Rasthakens oder einer Rastklemme. Denkbar ist ferner, dass der Aktuator den Reib- oder Kraftschluss bei reib- und/oder kraftschlüssig wirkenden Haltemitteln löst, indem er auf das Steckergehäuse eine Kraft ausübt, die entgegengesetzt und grösser ist, als die dem Reib- oder Kraftschluss entsprechende Haltekraft der reib- und/oder kraftschlüssig wirkenden Haltemittel.Furthermore, the means provided according to the invention for the automated release of the holding means can have at least one, preferably mechanically acting, actuator. It is conceivable that the actuator releases the form fit when holding means act positively, for example the latching of latching and counter-latching means, for example by bending or bending open a latching hook or a latching clamp. It is also conceivable that the actuator releases the frictional or frictional connection in the case of frictionally and / or non-positively acting holding means by exerting a force on the connector housing that is opposite and greater than the holding force of the frictional connection corresponding to the frictional or frictional connection. and / or frictionally acting holding means.

Um das Entladen des oder der Steckergehäusehalter bzw. Steckergehäuseaufnahmen noch weiter zu automatisieren, ist erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass der wenigstens eine Steckergehäusehalter bzw. die Vorrichtung zum automatischen Entladen der wenigstens einen Steckergehäuseaufnahme für die wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme Ausgebemittel zum Ausgeben eines in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenen Steckergehäuses aufweisen. Die Ausgebemittel sind derart ausgebildet, dass sie aktiv ein in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenes Steckergehäuse aus der Steckergehäuseaufnahme herausfördern, insbesondere auswerfen oder ausstossen. Dabei ist erfindungsgemäß vorgesehen, dass die Ausgebemittel für die wenigstens eine Steckergehäuseaufnahme Druckluftmittel zum unmittelbaren Beaufschlagen des in der wenigstens einen Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenen bzw. aufnehmbaren Steckergehäuses aufweisen. Wenn der Steckergehäusehalter mehrere Steckergehäuseaufnahmen aufweist, so ist es gemäß einem nicht beanspruchten Beispiel denkbar, dass der Steckergehäusehalter für wenigstens zwei der mehreren Steckergehäuseaufnahmen, insbesondre für jede Steckergehäuseaufnahme je ein separates Ausgebemittel aufweist, beispielsweise je einen separat pneumatisch betätigbaren Austosskolben.In order to automate the unloading of the plug housing holder or holders or plug housing receptacles even further, the invention provides that the at least one plug housing holder or the device for automatically unloading the at least one plug housing receptacle for the at least one plug housing receptacle have output means for outputting a plug housing held in the plug housing receptacle . The output means are designed such that they actively convey a connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle out of the connector housing receptacle, especially eject or expel. It is provided according to the invention that the output means for the at least one plug housing receptacle have compressed air means for directly acting on the plug housing held or receivable in the at least one plug housing receptacle. If the connector housing holder has multiple connector housing receptacles, it is conceivable, according to an example not claimed, that the connector housing holder has a separate dispensing means for at least two of the plurality of connector housing receptacles, in particular for each connector housing receptacle, for example a separately pneumatically actuated ejection piston.

Erfindungsgemäß ist jedoch vorgesehen, dass der Steckergehäusehalter mehrere Steckergehäuseaufnahmen umfasst und für wenigstens zwei der mehreren, vorzugsweise für alle Steckergehäuseaufnahmen ein gemeinsames Ausgebemittel zum gemeinsamen Ausgeben der in den wenigstens zwei Steckergehäuseaufnahmen gehaltenen bzw. aufnehmbaren Steckergehäuses aufweist. Hierdurch reduziert sich der technische Aufwand für das automatisierte Entladen der Gehäuseaufnahmen in besonderer Weise.According to the invention, however, it is provided that the connector housing holder comprises multiple connector housing receptacles and has a common output means for at least two of the plurality, preferably for all connector housing receptacles, for jointly outputting the plug housings held or receivable in the at least two connector housing receptacles. This reduces the technical effort for the automated unloading of the housing receptacles in a special way.

Erfindungsgemäß weist das gemeinsame Ausgebemittel Druckluftmittel zum gemeinsamen, unmittelbaren Beaufschlagen der in den wenigstens zwei Steckergehäuseaufnahmen gehaltenen bzw. aufnehmbaren Steckergehäuse auf.According to the invention, the common output means has compressed air means for common, direct loading of the connector housings held or receivable in the at least two connector housing receptacles.

Nach einer besonders bevorzugten Ausgestaltung ist das Ausgebemittel bzw. das gemeinsame Ausgebemittel dazu ausgebildet, die Haltemittel vor oder beim Ausgeben eines in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenen Steckergehäuses zu lösen, so dass das automatische Ausgeben gleichzeitig auch das automatische Freigeben bzw. Lösen der Steckergehäuse aus den Haltemitteln bewirkt. Damit können die Ausgebemittel gleichzeitig auch eine mögliche Realisierung der erfindungsgemäss vorgesehenen Mittel zum automatischen Lösen der Haltermittel darstellen. Sind die Haltemittel derart ausgebildet, dass sie das Steckergehäuse reib- und/oder kraftschlüssig in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme halten, so kann das Ausgebemittel bzw. das gemeinsame Ausgebemittel zum Lösen der Haltemittel in vorteilhafter Weise derart ausgebildet sein, dass es beim Ausgeben auf ein in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenes Steckergehäuse eine Ausgebekraft ausübt, die grösser ist, als die dem Reib- oder Kraftschluss entsprechende Haltekraft der reib- und/oder kraftschlüssig wirkenden Haltemittel.According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the dispensing means or the common dispensing means is designed to release the holding means before or during the dispensing of a connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle, so that the automatic output also causes the connector housing to be automatically released or released from the holding means . The dispensing means can thus simultaneously also represent a possible implementation of the means provided according to the invention for automatically releasing the holder means. If the holding means are designed in such a way that they hold the connector housing in the connector housing receptacle in a frictional and / or non-positive manner, the dispensing means or the common dispensing means for releasing the holding means can advantageously be designed in such a way that, when outputting to an in the plug housing receptacle The held connector housing exerts an output force which is greater than the holding force of the frictionally and / or non-positively acting holding means corresponding to the frictional or force-locking connection.

Der Steckergehäusehalter stellt eine selbstständige Einheit dar, der unter anderem als Austauschmodul oder Nachrüstmodul in eine bereits bestehende Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine - etwa wie die aus EP 1 304 773 A1 bekannte Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine - eingesetzt werden kann, um das bisher manuell vorgenommene Entladen fortan automatisiert vorzunehmen.The connector housing holder is an independent unit that can be used as an exchange module or retrofit module in an existing wire processing machine - such as the EP 1 304 773 A1 known wire processing machine - can be used to automatically carry out the unloading previously carried out manually.

Erfindungsgemäß ist der Steckergehäusehalter Teil einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine der eingangs beschriebenen Art. In diesem Sinne betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung eine Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine zum Bestücken von in Steckergehäuseaufnahmen gehaltenen Steckergehäusen mit konfektionierten Kabelenden. Gattungsgemäss umfasst die Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine wenigstens eine Kabelbestückungseinrichtung zum Einbringen wenigstens eines konfektionierten Kabelendes in eine korrespondierende Kabelaufnahme eines Steckergehäuses, das in wenigstens einer Steckergehäuseaufnahme eines Steckergehäusehalters der Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine halterbar ist. Gemäss der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, dass der Steckergehäusehalter eine Vorrichtung zum automatischen Entladen der wenigstens einen Steckergehäuseaufnahme umfasst, welche Mittel zum automatisierten Lösen der Haltemittel aufweist.According to the invention, the connector housing holder is part of a cable processing machine of the type described above. In this sense, the present invention relates to a cable processing machine for equipping connector housings held in connector housing receptacles with assembled cable ends. According to the generic type, the cable processing machine comprises at least one cable fitting device for introducing at least one assembled cable end into a corresponding cable receptacle of a connector housing, which can be held in at least one connector housing receptacle of a connector housing holder of the cable processing machine. According to the invention it is provided that the connector housing holder comprises a device for automatically unloading the at least one connector housing receptacle which has means for automatically releasing the holding means.

Nach einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung ist es vorgesehen, dass die Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine wenigstens eine Steckergehäusepalette aufweist, auf der der wenigstens eine erfindungsgemässe Steckergehäusehalter angeordnet ist. Insbesondere kann die wenigstens eine Steckergehäusepalette eine verschiebbare Steckergehäusepalette sein zum wahlweise Verschieben des Steckergehäusehalters zwischen einer Kabel-Bestückungsposition, in der das eine oder die mehreren konfektionierten Kabelenden in korrespondierende Kabelaufnahmen des einen oder der mehreren Steckergehäuse eingebracht werden, und einer Entladeposition, in der zumindest das wenigstens eine mit einem Kabelenden verbundene Steckergehäuse entladbar bzw. der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen entnehmbar ist. Die Verschiebbarkeit kann durch eine einfache Hin- und Her-Bewegung/Bewegbarkeit der Steckergehäusepalette entlang eines Führungsweges realisiert sein, insbesondere, wenn die Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine nur eine Steckergehäusepalette aufweist. Hierzu kann eine einfache mechanische, vorzugsweise angetriebene Verschiebeeinrichtung, etwa eine Linearführung, vorgesehen sein.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the cable processing machine has at least one connector housing pallet on which the at least one connector housing holder according to the invention is arranged. In particular, the at least one connector housing pallet can be a displaceable connector housing pallet for selectively moving the connector housing holder between a cable fitting position in which the one or more assembled cable ends are inserted into corresponding cable receptacles of the one or more connector housings, and an unloading position in which at least the at least one connector housing connected to a cable end can be discharged or removed from the connector housing receptacles. The displaceability can be realized by a simple to and fro movement / movability of the connector housing pallet along a guide path, in particular if the cable processing machine has only one connector housing pallet. Can do this a simple mechanical, preferably driven displacement device, such as a linear guide, can be provided.

Von Vorteil weist die Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine jedoch mehrere Steckergehäusepaletten auf, um gleichzeitig einerseits Steckergehäuse, die in Steckergehäusehaltern auf einer der Steckergehäusepalette gehalten sind, in der Kabel-Bestückungsposition mit Kabelenden zu verbinden und andererseits Steckergehäuseaufnahmen in Steckergehäusehaltern auf einer anderen Steckergehäusepalette in einer Entladeposition zunächst - erfindungsgemäss automatisiert - zu entladen (Entnahme von mit Kabelenden verbundenen Steckergehäusen) und ggf. anschliessend in einer Beladeposition mit neuen Steckergehäusen wieder zu beladen. Im Falle mehrerer gleichzeitig in der Maschine genutzter Steckergehäusepaletten eignet sich als Verschiebeeinrichtung in vorteilhafter Weise ein sogenannter Palettenwechsler, wie er beispielsweise aus EP 1 304 773 A1 bekannt ist. Die Entlade- und Beladeposition können auch örtlich zusammenfallen bzw. identisch sein.Advantageously, however, the cable processing machine has several connector housing pallets in order to simultaneously connect connector housings, which are held in connector housing holders on one of the connector housing pallets, in the cable assembly position with cable ends and, on the other hand, connector housing receptacles in connector housing holders on another connector housing pallet in an unloading position initially - automated according to the invention - to be unloaded (removal of connector housings connected to cable ends) and, if necessary, then reloaded with new connector housings in a loading position. In the case of several connector housing pallets used in the machine at the same time, a so-called pallet changer, such as the one from, is advantageously suitable as the displacement device EP 1 304 773 A1 is known. The unloading and loading positions can also coincide locally or be identical.

Zur Betätigung der Mittel zum automatischen Lösen der Haltemittel und/oder der Ausgebemittel des erfindungsgemässen Steckergehäusehalters kann es erwünscht oder erforderlich sein, dass auf der verschiebbaren Steckergehäusepalette eine Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromversorgung zur Verfügung steht, d.h. im bewegten System der verschiebbaren Steckergehäusepalette. Um gleichzeitig die Verschiebbarkeit der Steckergehäusepalette zu gewährleisten, kann die Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromversorgung flexible Versorgungsleitungen zwischen Steckergehäusepalette und der entsprechenden Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromquelle umfassen. Jedoch ist es auch denkbar, dass die Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromversorgung zur Realisierung der Verschiebbarkeit der Steckergehäusepalette unterbrochen wird und insbesondere dass eine Verbindung zu der entsprechenden Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromquelle etwa nur an bestimmten Positionen entlang des Verschiebeweges der Steckergehäusepalette gegeben ist. Demnach ist es gemäss einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung vorgesehen, dass die Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine wenigstens eine ent-/koppelbare, insbesondere automatisch ent-/koppelnde Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromversorgung zum Bereitstellen von Druckluft, Unterdruck bzw. elektrischer Energie aufweist. Insbesondere kann es vorgesehen sein, dass die verschiebbare Steckergehäusepalette für die ent-/koppelbare Druckluft-, Unterdruck- und/oder Stromversorgung eine, insbesondere automatisch ent-/koppelnde Kupplung aufweist, die mit einer korrespondierenden ortsfesten Gegenkupplung im Bereich der Entladeposition bzw. Ent-/Beladeposition zusammenwirkt.To actuate the means for automatically releasing the holding means and / or the output means of the connector housing holder according to the invention, it may be desirable or necessary that a compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply is available on the sliding connector housing pallet, i.e. in the moving system of the sliding connector housing pallet . In order to ensure the displaceability of the connector housing pallet at the same time, the compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply can comprise flexible supply lines between the connector housing pallet and the corresponding compressed air, negative pressure and / or power source. However, it is also conceivable that the compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply is interrupted in order to realize the displaceability of the connector housing range, and in particular that a connection to the corresponding compressed air, negative pressure and / or power source is only given at certain positions along the displacement path of the connector housing range. Accordingly, it is provided according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the cable processing machine has at least one decoupling / coupling, in particular automatically decoupling / coupling compressed air, negative pressure and / or power supply for providing compressed air, negative pressure or electrical energy. In particular, it can be provided that the displaceable connector housing pallet for the compressed air, vacuum and / or power supply that can be decoupled / decoupled has a coupling, in particular automatically decoupling / decoupling, which is connected to a corresponding stationary mating coupling in the area of the unloading position or unloading. / Loading position interacts.

Erfindungsgemäß ist eine Aufnahmeeinrichtung zum Aufnehmen wenigstens eines mit einem Steckergehäuse bestückten Kabelendes beim oder nach dem Ausgeben des in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme gehaltenen Steckergehäuses vorgesehen, zum gleichzeitigen Aufnehmen mehrerer mit Steckergehäusen bestückten Kabelenden beim oder nach dem gleichzeitigen Ausgeben der Steckergehäuse. Gemäss einer vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung kann die Aufnahmeeinrichtung wenigstens eine zumindest zweizinkige Sammelgabel oder einen Sammelkamm aufweisen. Auch kann für die Aufnahmeeinrichtung eine Verschiebeeinrichtung vorgesehen sein, um diese etwa in der der Entladeposition bzw. Ent-/Beladeposition in Ausgeberichtung aus den Steckergehäuseaufnahmen vor und ggf. unterhalb der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen zu positionieren.According to the invention, a receiving device is provided for receiving at least one cable end equipped with a connector housing during or after the output of the connector housing held in the connector housing receptacle, for simultaneously receiving several cable ends equipped with connector housings during or after the simultaneous output of the connector housing. According to an advantageous embodiment, the receiving device can have at least one at least two-pronged collecting fork or a collecting comb. A displacement device can also be provided for the receiving device in order to position it in the unloading position or unloading / loading position in the direction of delivery from the plug housing receptacles in front of and possibly below the plug housing receptacles.

Weitere Ziele, Vorteile und Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der vorliegenden Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung sowie anhand der beigefügten Figuren.Further objects, advantages and possible applications of the present invention emerge from the following description an embodiment of the invention and with reference to the accompanying figures.

Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
perspektivische Ansicht eines möglichen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine mit einer erfindungsgemässen Entladevorrichtung;
Fig. 2
perspektivische Ansicht einer Kabelbestückungseinrichtung sowie eines Steckergehäusehalters gemäss eines möglichen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine;
Fig. 3
perspektivische Ansicht des Palettenwechslers der Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine gemäss Fig. 1;
Fig. 4-8
perspektivische Ansicht eines möglichen Ausführungsbeispiels einer erfindungsgemässen Beladevorrichtung;
Fig. 9
perspektivische Ansicht eines möglichen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Steckergehäusepalette mit einem erfindungsgemässen Steckergehäusehalter;
Fig. 10
Querschnitt durch Steckergehäusepalette mit Steckergehäusehalter gemäss Fig. 9; und
Fig. 11-15
perspektivische Darstellung eines Entladevorgangs gemäss der vorliegenden Erfindung.
Show it:
Fig. 1
perspective view of a possible embodiment of a cable processing machine with an unloading device according to the invention;
Fig. 2
perspective view of a cable fitting device and a connector housing holder according to a possible embodiment of a cable processing machine;
Fig. 3
perspective view of the pallet changer of the cable processing machine according to FIG Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4-8
perspective view of a possible embodiment of a loading device according to the invention;
Fig. 9
perspective view of a possible embodiment of a connector housing range with a connector housing holder according to the invention;
Fig. 10
Cross-section through the connector housing pallet with connector housing holder according to Fig. 9 ; and
Fig. 11-15
perspective illustration of an unloading process according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 zeigt in perspektivischer Ansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine 1, die eine mögliche Realisierung eines erfindungsgemässen Steckergehäusehalters 210 mit einer Entladevorrichtung umfasst. Die nachfolgend exemplarisch beschriebene Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine 1 ist insbesondere für die Konfektionierung und Bestückung von Kabelbäumen ausgebildet. Um Kabelbäume mit mehreren Steckergehäusen verarbeiten zu können, werden die zu bestückenden Steckergehäuse 300 in Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 des Steckergehäusehalters 210 gehalten, welcher auf einer sogenannten Steckergehäusepalette 220 angeordnet ist. Die vorliegend dargestellte Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine 1 verfügt über zwei Steckergehäusepaletten 220, wobei sich jeweils eine Palette 220 in einer Kabel-Bestückungsposition befindet (vgl. rechte Seite der Fig. 1 und insbesondere Fig. 2), in der konfektionierte Kabelenden 400 (in Fig. 1 nicht dargestellt) mittels einer Kabelbestückungseinrichtung 10 in korrespondierende Kabelaufnahmen 310 der Steckergehäuse 300 eingebracht werden. Während des laufenden Bestückungsprozesses mit dieser ersten Palette befindet sich eine zweite Palette 220 in einer Ent-/Beladeposition (vgl. linke Seite der Fig. 1), wo der fertige Kabelbaum - erfindungsgemäss automatisiert - entnommen wird und die auf der Palette angeordneten Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 mithilfe einer Beladungsvorrichtung 100 mit neuen Steckergehäusen 300 versehen werden. Ist der Bestückungsprozess abgeschlossen und die zweite Palette fertig vorbereitet, wird der Palettenwechsel ausgelöst, bei dem die beiden Paletten 220 mittels eines sogenannten Palettenwechslers 260 automatisch getauscht werden, so dass die erste Palette 220 mit den fertig bestückten Kabelenden in die Ent-/Beladeposition verfährt, während die zweite Palette 220 mit den unbestückten Steckergehäusen 300 in die Kabel-Bestückungsposition gebracht wird, um dort mit konfektionierten Kabelenden 400 in Verbindung gebracht zu werden. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a cable processing machine 1, the one possible Implementation of a connector housing holder 210 according to the invention with an unloading device. The cable processing machine 1 described below by way of example is designed in particular for the assembly and assembly of cable harnesses. In order to be able to process cable harnesses with several connector housings, the connector housings 300 to be fitted are held in connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holder 210, which is arranged on a so-called connector housing pallet 220. The cable processing machine 1 shown here has two connector housing pallets 220, with one pallet 220 in each case in a cable assembly position (see right-hand side of FIG Fig. 1 and particularly Fig. 2 ), in which pre-assembled cable ends 400 (in Fig. 1 not shown) are introduced into corresponding cable receptacles 310 of the connector housing 300 by means of a cable fitting device 10. During the current loading process with this first pallet, a second pallet 220 is in an unloading / loading position (see left side of FIG Fig. 1 ), where the finished cable harness - automated according to the invention - is removed and the connector housing receptacles 200 arranged on the pallet are provided with new connector housings 300 with the aid of a loading device 100. Once the loading process has been completed and the second pallet has been prepared, the pallet change is triggered, in which the two pallets 220 are automatically exchanged by means of a so-called pallet changer 260 so that the first pallet 220 with the fully equipped cable ends moves into the unloading / loading position. while the second pallet 220 with the unequipped connector housings 300 is brought into the cable assembly position in order to be brought into connection there with assembled cable ends 400.

Der Palettenwechsler 260 ist im Detail in Fig. 3 dargestellt, die den Palettenwechsler 260 während des Wechselvorgangs zeigt. Der Palettenwechsler 260 verfügt über zwei horizontale Schienen 261, 262, auf denen die Paletten 220, welche auf Wagen 263, 264 befestigt sind, bewegt werden können. Die Bewegung erfolgt durch Zahnriemen 265, welche in Zahnsegmente 266 eingreifen, die jeweils oben und unten an den Wagen 263, 264 angeordnet sind (Details siehe auch Fig. 9). Damit die Wagen 263, 264 von der oberen Schiene 261 zur unteren Schiene 262 und umgekehrt gebracht werden können, verfügt der Palettenwechsler über vertikale Lifte 267, an denen je ein Schienen-Verlängerungsstück 268 angebracht ist. Sobald ein Wagen 263, 264 durch den Zahnriemen 265 vollständig auf ein Verlängerungsstück 268 bewegt wurde, kann die Vertikalbewegung ausgeführt werden. Üblicherweise erfolgt der Palettenwechsel im Uhrzeigersinn, wie dies mit den Pfeilen P angeordnet ist. Die Lifte 267 sind mit Servoachsen angetrieben und können dadurch beliebige Zwischenstellungen anfahren.The pallet changer 260 is shown in detail in Fig. 3 shown, the pallet changer 260 during the changing process shows. The pallet changer 260 has two horizontal rails 261, 262 on which the pallets 220, which are attached to trolleys 263, 264, can be moved. The movement is carried out by toothed belts 265, which engage in toothed segments 266, which are each arranged above and below on the carriages 263, 264 (for details see also Fig. 9 ). So that the carriages 263, 264 can be brought from the upper rail 261 to the lower rail 262 and vice versa, the pallet changer has vertical lifts 267, to each of which a rail extension piece 268 is attached. As soon as a carriage 263, 264 has been moved completely onto an extension piece 268 by the toothed belt 265, the vertical movement can be carried out. The pallet change usually takes place clockwise, as indicated by the arrows P. The lifts 267 are driven by servo axes and can therefore move to any intermediate position.

Die Fig. 4-8 zeigen in Kombination mit Fig. 1 Details eines möglichen Ausführungsbeispiels einer Beladevorrichtung 100, wie sie vorliegend in der Kabelverarbeitungseinrichtung gemäss Fig. 1 zum Einsatz kommen kann. Die Beladevorrichtung 100 weist wenigstens eine Speichereinrichtung 110 zum Speichern und Bereitstellen von Steckergehäusen 300 wenigstens einer Bauart auf. Ferner zeichnet sich die Beladevorrichtung durch wenigstens eine Bestückungseinrichtung 120 aus, die dazu ausgebildet ist, ein oder mehrere Steckergehäuse 300 aus der wenigstens einen Speichereinrichtung 110 in eine bzw. mehrere korrespondierende Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 einzubringen. Im vorliegend gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel ist die Beladevorrichtung 100 zum gleichzeitigen Beladen eines Steckergehäusehalters 210 mit zwei verschiedenen Steckergehäusetypen ausgebildet (vgl. Fig. 8). Hierzu umfasst die Speichereinrichtung 110 für jeden Steckergehäusetyp je einen sogenannten Rütteltopf 111, 112, in dem die entsprechenden Steckergehäuse 300 bevorratet sind und für den weiteren Verarbeitungsprozess sortiert und lagerichtig bereitgestellt werden. Entsprechend weist die Beladevorrichtung 100 für jeden der Steckergehäusetypen je eine Bestückungseinrichtung 120 auf, welche die Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 im Steckergehäusehalter 210 auf der Steckergehäusepalette 220 automatisch befüllt.The Fig. 4-8 show in combination with Fig. 1 Details of a possible exemplary embodiment of a loading device 100, as is present in the cable processing device according to FIG Fig. 1 can be used. The loading device 100 has at least one storage device 110 for storing and providing connector housings 300 of at least one type. Furthermore, the loading device is characterized by at least one fitting device 120 which is designed to introduce one or more connector housings 300 from the at least one storage device 110 into one or more corresponding connector housing receptacles 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the loading device 100 is designed for the simultaneous loading of a connector housing holder 210 with two different connector housing types (cf. Fig. 8 ). For this purpose, the storage device 110 comprises a so-called vibrating pot 111, 112 for each connector housing type, in which the corresponding connector housings 300 are stored and sorted and made available in the correct position for further processing. Accordingly, the loading device 100 has a fitting device 120 for each of the connector housing types, which automatically fills the connector housing receptacles 200 in the connector housing holder 210 on the connector housing pallet 220.

Zwischen jeder der Bestückungseinrichtungen 120 und den zugeordneten Speichereinrichtungen 110 ist je eine Zuführeinrichtung 130 vorgesehen, die im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel als Linearförderstrecke 131, 132 für je eine der beiden verschiedenen Steckergehäusetypen ausgebildet ist. Die beiden Gehäusetypen werden in den Rütteltöpfen 111, 112 sortiert und lagerichtig nebeneinander in die beiden Linearförderstrecken 131, 132 übergeben. Die beiden Linearförderstrecken 131, 132 verfügen im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel über Schwingförderer, die entlang einer Führungsschiene eine kontinuierliche Förderung von Steckergehäusen 300 beider Bauarten ermöglichen.A feed device 130 is provided between each of the equipping devices 120 and the associated storage devices 110, which in the present exemplary embodiment is designed as a linear conveyor path 131, 132 for one of the two different connector housing types. The two housing types are sorted in the vibrating pots 111, 112 and transferred to the two linear conveyor lines 131, 132 in the correct position next to one another. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two linear conveyor sections 131, 132 have vibratory conveyors which enable connector housings 300 of both types to be conveyed continuously along a guide rail.

Am Ende jeder Linearförderstrecke 131, 132 ist eine Blockiervorrichtung 133, bestehend aus einem Schieber und einem Pneumatikzylinder, angeordnet, mit dem die Förderung gesteuert, insbesondere unterbrochen werden kann, indem beispielsweise ein Steckergehäuse 300 eingeklemmt wird.At the end of each linear conveyor path 131, 132 there is a blocking device 133, consisting of a slide and a pneumatic cylinder, with which the conveyance can be controlled, in particular interrupted, for example by clamping a connector housing 300.

Die beiden Linearförderstrecken 131, 132 bringen die jeweiligen Steckergehäuse 300 in korrekter Lage zu den jeweiligen Bestückungseinrichtungen 120. Im vorliegend dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel umfasst jede der beiden Bestückungseinrichtungen 120 eine Förder- oder Ausgebeeinrichtung 121, die dazu ausgebildet ist, von der jeweiligen Zuführeinrichtung 130 zugeführte Steckergehäuse 300 in korrespondierende Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 einzubringen. Jede der beiden Förder- bzw. Ausgebeeinrichtungen 121 weist hierzu eine Führungsbahn 123 auf, welche jeweils eine Reihe von hintereinander liegenden Steckergehäusen 300 aufnehmen können. Die Führungsbahnen 123 dienen insoweit gleichzeitig als Zwischenspeicher 123, um der jeweiligen Bestückungseinrichtung 120 zugeführte Steckergehäuse 300 zwischen zu speichern. Die Führungsbahnen 123 sind rechtwinklig zu den Linearförderstrecken 131, 132 und in Verlängerung der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 der Steckergehäusehalter 210 angeordnet. Hinter jeder Führungsbahn 123 befindet sich ein pneumatischer Ausstosskolben 122, dessen Hub wenigstens einer Länge eines Steckergehäuses 300 beträgt, sodass beim Ausfahren des Ausstosskolbens die ganze Reihe der Steckergehäuse 300 um die Länge eines Steckergehäuses 300 bewegt wird.The two linear conveyor lines 131, 132 bring the respective connector housings 300 in the correct position to the respective equipping devices 120. In the exemplary embodiment shown, each of the two equipping devices 120 comprises a conveying or dispensing device 121, which is designed to feed connector housings 300 from the respective feeding device 130 to be introduced into corresponding plug housing receptacles 200. Each of the two conveying or output devices 121 has a guide track 123 for this purpose which can each accommodate a number of connector housings 300 lying one behind the other. The guideways 123 serve at the same time as intermediate storage 123 in order to temporarily store connector housings 300 supplied to the respective fitting device 120. The guide tracks 123 are arranged at right angles to the linear conveyor sections 131, 132 and as an extension of the connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holders 210. Behind each guide track 123 there is a pneumatic ejection piston 122, the stroke of which is at least the length of a connector housing 300, so that when the ejection piston is extended, the entire row of connector housings 300 is moved by the length of a connector housing 300.

Bei dem vorliegend dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel der Beladevorrichtung 100 ist ferner eine Verschiebeeinrichtung 124 vorgesehen, um wenigstens die beiden Bestückungseinrichtungen 120 relativ zu den zu bestückenden Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 zu verschieben, insbesondere zum Verschieben der Bestückungseinrichtungen 120 in eine entsprechende Beladeposition für jede der zu bestückenden Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200. Dies ist im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel mit einem Schlitten 125 realisiert, welcher mit einer pneumatischen Linearachse bewegt werden kann.In the presently illustrated embodiment of the loading device 100, a displacement device 124 is also provided in order to move at least the two assembly devices 120 relative to the plug housing receptacles 200 to be fitted, in particular for moving the assembly devices 120 into a corresponding loading position for each of the plug housing receptacles 200 to be fitted is implemented in the present embodiment with a slide 125, which can be moved with a pneumatic linear axis.

Anhand der Fig. 4-8 wird nachfolgend ein beispielhafter Beladevorgang bzw. ein beispielhaftes Beladeverfahren beschrieben: Ausgehend von der Ausgangsstellung (vgl. Fig. 4) werden die Blockiervorrichtungen 133 betätigt, sodass die Zuführung von Steckergehäusen 300 in die jeweiligen Bestückungseinrichtungen 120 unterbrochen ist. Anschliessend fährt der Schlitten 125 in Längsrichtung der Führungsbahnen 123 nach vorne, bis die Führungsbahnen 123 vor den zu befüllenden Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 stehen (vgl. Fig. 5). Als nächstes werden die Ausstosskolben 122 ausgefahren, wodurch das jeweils vorderste Steckergehäuse 300 von der Führungsbahn 123 in die jeweilige Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 im Steckergehäusehalter 210 geschoben wird (vgl. Fig. 6). Danach fährt der Schlitten 125 zurück und die Ausstosskolben 122 werden eingefahren (vgl. Fig. 7). Im Anschluss werden die Blockiervorrichtungen 133 gelöst, wodurch das jeweils nächste Steckergehäuse 300 von der jeweiligen Linearförderstrecke 131, 132 in die Führungsbahn transportiert wird. Die Steckergehäusepalette 220 wird vom Lift 267 (vgl. Fig. 3) nach oben bewegt bis die nächsten zu befüllenden Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 vor den Führungsbahnen 123 stehen (vgl. Fig. 8). Diese Schritte werden wiederholt, bis alle Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 des Steckergehäusehalters 210 beladen sind.Based on Fig. 4-8 an exemplary loading process or an exemplary loading process is described below: Starting from the starting position (cf. Fig. 4 ) the blocking devices 133 are actuated so that the supply of connector housings 300 to the respective equipping devices 120 is interrupted. The carriage 125 then moves forwards in the longitudinal direction of the guide tracks 123 until the guide tracks 123 receive the connector housings to be filled 200 stand (cf. Fig. 5 ). Next, the ejection pistons 122 are extended, whereby the respective foremost connector housing 300 is pushed from the guide track 123 into the respective connector housing receptacles 200 in the connector housing holder 210 (cf. Fig. 6 ). The carriage 125 then moves back and the ejection pistons 122 are retracted (cf. Fig. 7 ). The blocking devices 133 are then released, as a result of which the next connector housing 300 is transported from the respective linear conveyor path 131, 132 into the guideway. The connector housing pallet 220 is lifted by the lift 267 (cf. Fig. 3 ) moved upwards until the next plug housing receptacles 200 to be filled are in front of the guideways 123 (cf. Fig. 8 ). These steps are repeated until all of the connector housing receptacles 200 of the connector housing holder 210 are loaded.

Fig. 9 zeigt - wie bereits oben erwähnt - eine auf einem Wagen 263 angeordnete Steckergehäusepalette 220 mit einem Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemässen Steckergehäusehalters 210, der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 für zwei verschiedene Steckergehäusetypen aufweist, welche in zwei vertikalen Reihen angeordnet sind. Fig. 10 ist ein Schnitt durch den Steckergehäusehalter 210 gemäss Fig. 9. Der Schnitt zeigt die beiden Steckergehäuse 300 unterschiedlicher Bauart, welche in jeweils der Aussenform des Steckergehäuses 300 angepassten bzw. korrespondierenden Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 platziert sind. In den Fig. 9 und 10 nicht dargestellte Halteelemente stellen sicher, dass die Steckergehäuse während des Bestückungsprozesses in den Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 verbleiben. Abhängig vom zu verarbeitenden Material kann es sich bei den Haltemittel um einfache reibschlüssige Systeme - wie etwa Kugeldruckstücke - handeln. Alternativ können auch formschlüssige Elemente wie Klinken vorhanden sein, die zum Entnehmen der Gehäuse aktiv geöffnet werden müssen. Wie Fig. 10 ausserdem zu entnehmen ist, ist zum automatischen Entladen der Steckergehäuse 300 pro Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 ein Ausgebemittel 230, vorliegend ein pneumatisch betätigter Ausstosskolben 231 vorhanden, welcher im drucklosen Zustand von einer Feder 232 in der eingefahrenen Stellung gehalten wird. Falls zum Entnehmen der Steckergehäuse eine Klinke geöffnet werden muss, kann der Ausstosskolben so ausgebildet sein, dass er auf dem ersten Abschnitt des Ausstosshubes die Klinke öffnet. Fig. 9 shows - as already mentioned above - a connector housing pallet 220 arranged on a carriage 263 with an embodiment of a connector housing holder 210 according to the invention, which has connector housing receptacles 200 for two different connector housing types, which are arranged in two vertical rows. Fig. 10 is a section through the connector housing holder 210 according to Fig. 9 . The section shows the two connector housings 300 of different designs, which are placed in each of the connector housing receptacles 200 adapted or corresponding to the external shape of the connector housing 300. In the Fig. 9 and 10 Retaining elements (not shown) ensure that the connector housings remain in the connector housing receptacles 200 during the assembly process. Depending on the material to be processed, the holding means can be simple frictional systems - such as ball pressure pieces. Alternatively, positive-locking elements such as pawls can also be present, which have to be actively opened to remove the housing. As Fig. 10 can also be found is, for the automatic unloading of the connector housings 300 per connector housing receptacles 200, an output means 230, in this case a pneumatically actuated ejection piston 231, is provided, which is held in the retracted position by a spring 232 in the depressurized state. If a pawl has to be opened to remove the connector housing, the ejection piston can be designed in such a way that it opens the pawl on the first section of the ejection stroke.

Anhand der Fig. 11-15 wird nachfolgend ein beispielhafter Entladevorgang bzw. ein beispielhaftes Entladeverfahren fertig bestückter Steckergehäuse 300 beschrieben. Nach Abschluss des Bestückungsvorgangs der konfektionierten Kabelenden 400 mit den in auf der ersten Steckergehäusepalette 220 angeordneten Steckergehäusen 300 (vgl. Fig. 2) sowie nach Abschluss des Beladevorgangs der Steckergehäuseaufnahmen 200 auf der zweiten Steckergehäusepalette 220 fährt die zweite Steckergehäusepalette 220 nach links in die Beladeposition, während die vollständig mit Gehäusen beladene erste Steckergehäusepalette 220 nach rechts zur Kabel-Bestückungsposition verfährt (Fig. 11 und Fig. 12). Wie insbesondere Fig. 11 zu entnehmen ist, ist bei der vorliegenden Ausführungsform der Kabelverarbeitungsmaschine 1 auf der linken Seite des Palettenwechslers 260 im Bereich der Beladeposition eine Aufnahmeeinrichtung 250 zum Aufnehmen der mit den einen Steckergehäusen bestückten Kabelenden 400 vorgesehen, um beim oder nach dem Ausgeben des in der Steckergehäuseaufnahme 200 gehaltenen Steckergehäuses 300 das System aus Kabelende und Steckergehäuse sicher aufzunehmen. Bei der vorliegenden Ausführungsform ist die Aufnahmeeinrichtung 250 insbesondere zum gleichzeitigen Aufnehmen mehrerer mit Steckergehäusen 300 bestückten Kabelenden 400 ausgebildet. Konkret besteht die Aufnahmeeinrichtung 250 im vorliegenden Ausführungsbeispiel aus zwei jeweils zweizinkigen Gabeln 251, die mit einer pneumatischen Hubeinheit zwischen zwei Stellungen vertikal verfahren werden können. Sobald die erste Steckergehäusepalette 220 der linken Seite angekommen ist, fährt die Doppel-Gabel 251 im nächsten Schritt nach oben, sodass Kabelenden 400 von der Doppel-Gabel 251 gefangen werden (vgl. Fig. 13). Anschliessend werden alle Ausstosskolben 231 des Steckergehäusehalters 210 gemeinsam ausgefahren, wodurch die Steckergehäuse 300 ausgeworfen und entlang der Doppel-Gabel nach unten rutschen (Fig. 14). Um die Druckluft für den Ausstossvorgang bereitzustellen, kann eine pneumatische Kupplung (hier nicht dargestellt) ausfahren, die hinter der Steckergehäusepalette 220 ortsfest angeordnet ist. Im nächsten Schritt fährt die Doppel-Gabel 251 wieder nach unten. In dieser Stellung hat der Bediener die Möglichkeit, die Kabelenden 400 bzw. den Kabelbaum zu einem beliebigen Zeitpunkt zu entnehmen (vgl. Fig. 15). Die Aufnahmeeinrichtung 250, insbesondere die Doppel-Gabel 251 kann derart ausgebildet sein, dass sie mehrere Kabelbäume aufnehmen kann, sodass nicht nach jedem Zyklus der gerade fertig gestellte Kabelbaum entnommen werden muss.Based on Fig. 11-15 an exemplary discharging process or an exemplary discharging method of fully equipped connector housings 300 is described below. After completion of the assembly process of the assembled cable ends 400 with the connector housings 300 arranged on the first connector housing pallet 220 (cf. Fig. 2 ) and after completion of the loading process of the connector housing receptacles 200 on the second connector housing pallet 220, the second connector housing pallet 220 moves to the left into the loading position, while the first connector housing pallet 220, which is completely loaded with housings, moves to the right to the cable assembly position ( Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 ). How in particular Fig. 11 As can be seen, in the present embodiment of the cable processing machine 1 on the left side of the pallet changer 260 in the area of the loading position, a receiving device 250 is provided for receiving the cable ends 400 equipped with the plug housings, in order to be able to use the cable ends 400 held in the plug housing receptacle 200 during or after the output Connector housing 300 to safely accommodate the system of cable end and connector housing. In the present embodiment, the receiving device 250 is designed in particular to receive a plurality of cable ends 400 equipped with connector housings 300 at the same time. Specifically, the receiving device 250 in the present embodiment consists of two two-pronged forks 251, which are connected to a pneumatic lifting unit between two Positions can be moved vertically. As soon as the first connector housing pallet 220 on the left-hand side has arrived, the double fork 251 moves upwards in the next step so that cable ends 400 are caught by the double fork 251 (cf. Fig. 13 ). Then all the ejection pistons 231 of the connector housing holder 210 are extended together, whereby the connector housings 300 are ejected and slide down along the double fork ( Fig. 14 ). In order to provide the compressed air for the ejection process, a pneumatic coupling (not shown here) can extend, which is arranged in a stationary manner behind the plug housing pallet 220. In the next step the double fork 251 moves down again. In this position, the operator has the option of removing the cable ends 400 or the cable harness at any time (cf. Fig. 15 ). The receiving device 250, in particular the double fork 251, can be designed in such a way that it can receive a plurality of cable harnesses so that the cable harness that has just been completed does not have to be removed after each cycle.

Claims (8)

  1. A cable processing machine (1) for fitting prefabricated cable ends (400) with connector housings (300) of at least one type, with at least one cable fitting device (10) for introducing at least one prefabricated cable end (400) into a corresponding cable receptacle (310) of a connector housing (300), with at least one connector housing holder (210), wherein the connector housing holder (210) has at least one connector housing receptacle (200) and holding means for the at least one connector housing receptacle (200) for releasably holding a connector housing (300) which can be received in the connector housing receptacle, wherein the connector housing holder (210) has a device for automatically unloading the at least one connector housing receptacle (200), which device comprises means for automatically releasing the holding means, wherein the connector housing holder (210) comprises a plurality of connector housing receptacles (200) and, for at least two of the plurality of, preferably for all, connector housing receptacles (200), has a common ejection means for the common ejecting of the connector housings (300) that are held or can be received in the at least two connector housing receptacles (200), characterized in that a receiving device (250) is provided for simultaneously receiving a plurality of cable ends (400) fitted with connector housings (300) during or after the simultaneous ejection of the connector housings (300), and in that the common ejection means for the at least two connector housing receptacles (200) has compressed air means for commonly and directly acting on the connector housings (300) that are held or can be received in the at least two connector housing receptacles (200) .
  2. The cable processing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one connector housing holder (210) is arranged on a connector housing pallet (220), in particular on a displaceable connector housing pallet (220) for selectively displacing the connector housing holder between a cable-cable fitting position, in which the one or the plurality of prefabricated cable ends (400) are inserted into corresponding cable receptacles (310) of the one or the plurality of connector housings (300), and a unloading position in which at least the at least one connector housing connected to a cable end can be unloaded or be removed from the connector housing receptacles.
  3. The cable processing machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized by at least one decouplable/coupleable, in particular automatically decoupling/coupling compressed air supply, negative pressure supply and/or power supply for providing compressed air, negative pressure or electrical energy on the displaceable connector housing pallet (220).
  4. The cable processing machine (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the displaceable connector housing pallet (220) for the decouplable/couplable compressed air supply, negative pressure supply and/or power supply has a coupling, in particular an automatically decoupling/coupling coupling, which cooperates with a corresponding stationary mating coupling in the region of the unloading position.
  5. The cable processing machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the receiving device (250) comprises at least one at least two-pronged collecting fork (251) or at least one collecting comb.
  6. The cable processing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means for the at least one connector housing receptacle (200) comprise the following:
    a. releasable, positively acting holding means, in particular with latching means, preferably at least one latching hook or at least one spring-loaded latching ball, cooperating with corresponding mating latching means on the connector housing to be removed; and/or
    b. releasable frictionally and/or non-positively acting holding means, in particular at least one spring-loaded or elastically deformable or pneumatic clamping means, and/or
    c. a switchable suction device for holding a connector housing in the connector housing receptacle by means of negative pressure; and/or
    d. a switchable magnetic holding means.
  7. The cable processing machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the common ejection means is formed to release the holding means before or during ejection of a connector housing (300) held in the at least one or the at least two connector housing receptacles (200) .
  8. The cable processing machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the common ejection means is formed in such a manner that during ejection it exerts an ejection force on a connector housing (300) that is held or can be received in the at least one connector housing receptacle (200), which ejection force is greater than the holding force of the frictionally and/or non-positively acting holding means that corresponds to the frictional or non-positive connection.
EP16170907.6A 2016-05-23 2016-05-23 Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading Active EP3249763B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16170907.6A EP3249763B1 (en) 2016-05-23 2016-05-23 Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16170907.6A EP3249763B1 (en) 2016-05-23 2016-05-23 Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3249763A1 EP3249763A1 (en) 2017-11-29
EP3249763B1 true EP3249763B1 (en) 2020-12-16

Family

ID=56080276

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP16170907.6A Active EP3249763B1 (en) 2016-05-23 2016-05-23 Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3249763B1 (en)

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3964147A (en) * 1975-01-02 1976-06-22 Molex Incorporated Connector assembly machine
DE3544219A1 (en) * 1985-12-13 1987-06-19 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Method and device for a cable form manufacturing device
US5358016A (en) * 1990-02-09 1994-10-25 Fraunhofner-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Apparatus for making cable harnesses
FR2678136B1 (en) * 1991-06-21 1993-10-22 Entreprise Industrielle METHOD AND DEVICE FOR INSERTING WIRE ENDS IN COMPONENTS AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTRIC BEAMS.
FR2734420B1 (en) * 1995-05-18 1998-08-07 Amp France CONNECTOR HOLDER FOR BEAM MANUFACTURING MACHINES
JP3358154B2 (en) * 1997-08-27 2002-12-16 矢崎総業株式会社 WIRE HARNESS, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD AND DEVICE
EP1429430B1 (en) 2001-10-05 2008-03-19 Komax Holding Ag Process and device for fitting connector housings with preparated cable ends of a cable

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3249763A1 (en) 2017-11-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AT501826B1 (en) DEVICE FOR PROMOTING AND ASSEMBLING FERROMAGNETIC PARTS
EP3242755B1 (en) Feeding device for a bending press and method for feeding a bending press
DE10061063B4 (en) Method and device for feeding regular objects to a work station
AT13828U1 (en) Picking system and method for loading of load carriers
EP2495193B1 (en) Container discharging apparatus
EP1818282B1 (en) Method for releasing piece goods in an automated cargo warehouse
EP2093167A1 (en) Storage device
EP3313624B1 (en) Feeding system for workpieces
EP3249763B1 (en) Cable processing machine for fitting manufactured cable ends having connector housings, with a connector housing holder with a device for automatic unloading
AT404910B (en) PLANT FOR FEEDING LENGTH ELEMENTS TO A WELDING MACHINE
EP2886283A1 (en) Device for the production of plastics parts with inserts in an injection molding method
DE102020111767A1 (en) Storage and retrieval machine
EP3042867B1 (en) Operating device for a picking system
WO2007023078A1 (en) Device for the machine picking and manipulating of supply pieces
EP2025631B1 (en) Stacking de-stacking cell
WO2020094287A1 (en) Buffer device for temporarily storing containers
EP3249762B1 (en) Device for a cable processing machine for the automatic loading and preferably unloading of connector housing recesses with corresponding connector housings
DE102004055483A1 (en) Bobbin holding and delivery station for textile spinning machine has a bobbin charger and buffer station surrendering bobbins to delivery tube
WO2001027002A1 (en) Method for storing warehouse goods and/or removing the same from storage, warehousing device and warehouse goods carrier
EP3124153B1 (en) Device for machining workpieces, in particular saw blades
EP0628648B1 (en) Device for loading the spindles of a bobbin creel
DE102018214050B4 (en) Palletizing device and method for operating a palletizing device
DE10308680A1 (en) Transport system for car body parts comprises lift with two platforms which can be moved to receive parts arriving on conveyor and second lift fitted with conveyor belts to transfer parts to and from first lift
DE19620265A1 (en) Removing yarn wound bobbins from textile machines
AT13016U1 (en) Device and method for selective, unmixed part return

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20180528

RAV Requested validation state of the european patent: fee paid

Extension state: MA

Effective date: 20180528

RAX Requested extension states of the european patent have changed

Extension state: ME

Extension state: BA

Payment date: 20180528

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20190222

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20200710

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: KOMAX HOLDING AG

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502016011960

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1346456

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210115

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: R.A. EGLI AND CO, PATENTANWAELTE, CH

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210316

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210317

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210316

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502016011960

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20210917

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20210523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210523

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20210531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210523

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20210416

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 1346456

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20210523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20210523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20160523

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20201216

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230526

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20230519

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20230829

Year of fee payment: 8