EP3970245A1

EP3970245A1 - Method, device and system for manufacturing an electric cable

Info

Publication number: EP3970245A1
Application number: EP20726391.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pascal MAIER
Original assignee: Metzner Maschinenbau GmbH; Metzner Holding GmbH
Current assignee: Metzner Maschinenbau GmbH; Metzner Holding GmbH
Priority date: 2019-05-17
Filing date: 2020-05-14
Publication date: 2022-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-14
Also published as: EP3970245B1; EP3970245C0; DE102020113095A1; WO2020234118A1; PL3970245T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (15) for manufacturing an electric cable (1), which device is designed in order to fit a cable sheath (4) of the cable (1) with two or more plug-in connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1) for subsequently mounting plug-in connectors. The invention provides a fitting module (16) having chambers (17) for receiving the individual plug-in connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) which are arranged in such a way that the plug-in connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) which are received in the chambers (17) form a common channel (K) with a common centre axis (M) in order to pass the cable (7), by way of its front end (3), along the centre axis (M) through the plug-in connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in order to push the plug-in connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) onto the cable sheath (4) of the cable (1).

Description

Procedure. Device and system for assembling an electrical cable

The invention relates to a device for assembling an electrical cable which is set up to equip a cable sheath of the cable with two or more connector components, according to the preamble of claim 1. In addition, the invention also relates to a device for assembling an electrical connector having several electrical cables, which is set up to equip a cable sheath of the respective cable with two or more common connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable, according to the preamble of claim 1 1 .

The invention also relates to a method for assembling an electrical cable, according to which a cable sheath of the cable is equipped with two or more connector components, according to the preamble of claim 13. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables, after which a The cable sheath of the respective cable is fitted with two or more common connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable, according to the preamble of claim 20.

The invention also relates to a computer program product, a system for assembling an electrical cable, and a system for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables.

When cables are assembled, their conductors are typically connected to a plug connector in order to subsequently be able to establish electrical connections with other cables or conductors that have corresponding plug connectors or mating plug connectors. A plug connector or mating plug connector can be a plug, a built-in plug, a socket, a coupling or an adapter. The term "connector" or "mating connector" used in the context of the invention is representative of all variants.

Particularly on connectors for the automotive industry or for vehicles, high demands are placed on their robustness and the security of the plug connections. Electromobility in particular poses major challenges for the automotive industry and its suppliers, since high currents with voltages of up to 1,500 V are sometimes transmitted in vehicles via the cables or lines. In the case of the risk that the failure of components in an electric vehicle would result, particularly high demands must be placed on the quality of the cables or lines and plug connections.

For example, a plug connection must withstand high loads, for example mechanical loads, and remain closed in a defined manner so that the electrical connection is not unintentionally separated, for example during the operation of a vehicle. Another requirement for connectors for the automotive industry is that they must be able to be manufactured economically in large quantities. For this reason, cable assembly that is at least partially automated, preferably as fully automated as possible, is to be preferred especially for assembly of cables for the automotive industry. Corresponding production lines have to be established in order to achieve the required quantities with high quality at the same time.

In particular, if an electrical cable is to be provided with an electrical connector at one of its ends or at both ends, it is usually necessary to push various connector components onto the cable sheath of the cable in the sequence required later in order to keep them ready for the later connector assembly. The previously pushed-on components can then be moved one after the other or simultaneously on the cable jacket in the direction of the front, free end of the cable in order to be assembled with a corresponding connector component.

In particular in the context of mass production, fitting the cable or the cable jacket with the connector components is comparatively complex and is therefore usually done manually.

In view of the known state of the art, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for assembling an electrical cable that enables a cable to be fitted with connector components, which is particularly suitable for partially or fully automated cable assembly in the context of mass production. In addition, the object of the present invention is to provide a device for assembling an electrical connector having several electrical cables, which enables the cables to be fitted with common connector components, and which is particularly suitable for partially or fully automated cable assembly in the context of mass production.

The present invention is also based on the object of providing a method for assembling an electrical cable that enables a cable to be fitted with connector components that are particularly suitable for partially or fully automated cable assembly in the context of mass production. In addition, the present invention is also based on the object of providing a method for assembling an electrical connector having several electrical cables, which enables the cables to be fitted with common connector components, which is particularly suitable for partially or fully automated cable assembly within the scope of mass production.

Finally, it is also the object of the invention to provide an advantageous computer program product for performing a method for assembling an electrical cable. In addition, it is an object of the invention to provide a system for assembling an electrical cable, within the framework of which it is possible to advantageously equip a cable with plug connector components. A further object of the invention is to provide a system for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables, within the framework of which an advantageous fitting of the cables with common connector components is made possible.

The object is achieved for the device for assembling the electrical cable with the features listed in claim 1 and for the device for assembling the electrical plug connector by claim 11. With regard to the method for assembling the electrical cable, the object is achieved by the features of claim 13 and for the method for assembling the electrical plug connector by claim 20. With regard to the computer program product, the object is achieved by the features of claim 21. With regard to the system for assembling the electrical cable, the object is achieved by claim 22 and with regard to the system for assembling the electrical plug connector by claim 25.

The dependent claims and the features described below relate to advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention.

A device for assembling an electrical cable is provided which is set up to equip a cable sheath of the cable with two or more connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable for a later connector assembly.

The electrical cable is preferably designed as a high-voltage line.

The area of the electrical cable in which the processing or assembly primarily takes place is sometimes also referred to below as the "cable section to be processed". The cable section to be processed can be a cable end piece. Preferably, two cable sections of the cable, in particular both cable end pieces, are processed or assembled with a respective connector.

In particular, the invention can be provided for an automated or fully automated assembly of an electrical cable.

In principle, any electrical cable can be assembled with any plug connector within the scope of the invention. The electrical cable preferably has an outer conductor or is designed as a shielded electrical cable. The invention is particularly advantageously suitable for assembling electrical cables with a large cross section for high power transmission, both for example in the vehicle sector, particularly preferably in the field of electromobility. An electrical cable can thus be provided for the high-voltage range, in particular a high-voltage line.

The electrical cable or the at least one electrical connector can in particular have any number of inner conductors, for example only a single inner conductor. Two inner conductors or more inner conductors, three inner conductors or more inner conductors, four inner conductors or even more inner conductors can also be provided. If the cable has several inner conductors, these can run through the cable in a twisted manner, in the manner of a twisted pair cable known from telecommunications or communications engineering. The inner conductors can, however, also be routed in parallel in the cable.

The electrical cable is particularly preferably designed as a coaxial cable with exactly one inner conductor and exactly one outer conductor or designed as a cable shielded with exactly one outer conductor and with exactly two inner conductors.

The connector components can be any components of the electrical connector to be mounted on the corresponding cable end, which preferably have a respective through-hole for receiving the cable. The plug connector components can thus be pushed onto the electrical cable, in particular onto the cable sheath of the cable. The diameter of the through bores can essentially correspond to the diameter of the electrical cable or its cable sheath. The diameter of the through hole can, however, also be larger or slightly smaller than the diameter of the electrical cable or its cable jacket in order to be able to influence the mechanical play of a connector component pushed onto the cable.

In principle, the electrical cable can be equipped with any connector components within the scope of the invention, some of which are described below by way of example.

According to the invention it is provided that the device has an assembly module with chambers for receiving the individual plug connector components. The chambers are arranged in such a way that the connector components received in the chambers form a common channel with a common central axis in order to guide the cable with its front end along the central axis through the connector components in order to push the connector components onto the cable jacket of the cable.

The chambers of the assembly module are preferably designed to accommodate only a single connector component. The chambers are particularly preferably structurally separated from one another, for example by respective walls which, however, have recesses for the passage of the electrical cable and, if necessary, additionally emboss the channel for the passage of the electrical cable or to guide the electrical cable during its passage. to like. However, the chambers can also be merely "imaginary" areas within the fitting module that are not structurally separated from one another.

The channel preferably runs linearly or the chambers are arranged linearly one behind the other. The arrangement of the chambers with respect to one another or the channel can, however, also have a curved course.

Because the connector components are arranged in the chambers of the assembly module, the connector components can subsequently be pushed onto the cable jacket by an actuator device or a production employee in a coherent processing operation. A sequential fitting of the cable with the connector components, for example by grabbing and pushing each individual connector component, is no longer necessary.

The connector components can advantageously already be arranged in the desired sequence in the chambers of the assembly module.

The invention is particularly suitable for partially or fully automated cable assembly. Due to the equipping by means of the equipping module with the individual chambers, manual intervention or manual equipping of the cable with the connector components can be avoided. The throughput of assembled electrical cables of a device equipped according to the invention can thus be increased.

Furthermore, assembly errors or assembly errors can be avoided according to the invention, in particular if the chambers of the assembly module are designed to accommodate only certain connector components. A mixed up placement or placement in the wrong order or the wrong orientation can be avoided.

In a particularly advantageous development of the invention it can be provided that the device has an actuator device which is designed to pass the cable with its front end along the central axis through the connector components in order to push the connector components onto the cable jacket of the cable.

The actuator device can be designed to move the cable and / or the assembly module. In particular, a relative movement between the cable and the assembly module can thus be provided in order to push the connector components onto the cable sheath of the cable. The electrical cable is preferably pushed into the assembly module. For this purpose, the actuator device z. B. have a roller conveyor with one, two or even more rollers to guide the electrical cable linearly between the rollers. As an alternative or in addition to an actuator device, however, the cable can also be passed through the connector components with its front end along the central axis by a production employee or in some other way in order to push the connector components onto the cable sheath of the cable.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the fitting module has a magazine in order to hold further plug connector components for fitting further cables.

Magazining of the plug connector components can thus advantageously be provided.

For example, a funnel magazine can be provided, the individual funnels of which open into the chambers of the equipping module, as a result of which the connector components can be inserted in an orderly or random manner from above. A shaft magazine can preferably also be provided, according to which the individual connector components lie one above the other and finally open into the chambers.

In principle, any type of magazine can be provided, for example a roller track magazine, a step magazine, a conveyor belt magazine, a slide track magazine, a chain magazine, a lifting magazine or some other magazine, but in particular a magazine using gravity, in order to put the individual connector components into the chambers as easily as possible promote.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, it can be provided that the chambers of the assembly module are arranged in such a way that the connector components received in the chambers are spaced apart from one another along the central axis at defined distances.

The connector components can, however, also be arranged directly adjacent to one another. It can also be provided that individual plug connector components are already partially pushed one above the other or arranged in the chambers pre-assembled with one another.

The individual plug connector components can advantageously be positively guided or positively positioned through the chambers.

The individual plug connector components can, if necessary, already be held in the defined distances from one another provided later on the electrical cable. For example, a spacing can be provided between the connector components in order to be able to grip or assemble them more easily in the subsequent assembly steps. In particular, a defined distance from the front, free end of the cable can also be provided around the front, free end To be able to process the end as part of the cable assembly (for example, to be able to strip the insulation) without having to damage or move the foremost connector component.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the chambers of the assembly module are designed in such a way that through-holes for receiving the cable running through the connector components are aligned coaxially with one another when the connector components are received in the chambers.

In particular, a coaxial alignment of through bores running through the plug connector components can be advantageous in order to be able to pass the electrical cable through the coaxially arranged plug connector components in a particularly simple operation.

A coaxial alignment of the through-bores of the connector components can be particularly advantageous if the diameter of the through-bores correspond to, approximately correspond to, or are smaller than the diameter of the cable sheath of the cable. In particular if the through-bores are comparatively large with regard to the cable diameter, a coaxial alignment may also be omitted.

In a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the chambers of the assembly module are designed to block the connector components in the axial direction along the central axis in a form-fitting manner. It can also be provided that only one of the chambers or some of the chambers are designed in order to block the connector components in the axial direction along the central axis in a form-fitting manner.

In particular, it can be advantageous if the connector components are blocked in a form-fitting manner in the insertion direction of the electrical cable so that they are not displaced by the cable while the electrical cable is being passed through.

According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the chambers of the assembly module are designed to hold the connector components in a rotationally secure manner. It can also be provided that only one of the chambers or some of the chambers are designed in order to hold the connector components so that they cannot rotate.

In particular, if individual connector components are to be kept in a defined orientation during assembly or it is advantageous to keep one of the connector components in a defined orientation, the chambers can preferably be designed to hold the connector components against rotation with respect to the central axis. In principle, it can be provided that chambers of the assembly module are designed in order to fix the connector components in one, two, three, four, five or in all degrees of freedom in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the device can have a sensor device which is set up to monitor the position of the cable along the central axis.

It can be provided, for example, to monitor the position of the electrical cable while the electrical cable is being guided through the connector components. The monitoring can take place completely or only in sections.

Provision can be made, for example using one or more light barriers, to detect discrete positions of the electrical cable within the assembly module. For example, it can be detected by means of the sensor device whether the electrical cable has already passed a certain chamber or several certain chambers, has been pushed completely into the assembly module and / or has already been pushed through the assembly module to an intended end position.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the connector components is a shielding sleeve, a connector housing, a line seal, a cable retainer, a retaining cap or an angle cap.

As already mentioned at the beginning, any desired connector components can be pushed onto the cable jacket of the electrical cable within the scope of the invention. The above-mentioned connector components are only to be understood as examples and can be provided particularly advantageously for fitting within the scope of the invention.

The shielding sleeve can also be referred to as a “ferrule” (or outer ferrule) and is generally provided in order to electromagnetically shield a contact part carrier, in particular in the area of the contact elements of the electrical connector.

The contact parts carrier can in particular be a housing component of the later electrical connector. The contact part carrier can also be referred to as an inner housing or inner housing shell. As a rule, the contact part carrier has corresponding receptacles for receiving the contact element (s), which extend axially through the contact part carrier. As a result, the inner conductors can be received in the contact part carrier so that they cannot rotate. The contact parts carrier is preferably formed from a plastic. For the non-rotatable fastening on the contact part carrier, the contact part carrier and shielding sleeve can have a corresponding mechanical coding, for example a locking lug on the one hand and a corresponding locking groove on the other. The shielding sleeve can be pushed onto the contact parts carrier, for example, only in a predetermined orientation or in two orientations.

Preferably, within the scope of the invention, the shielding sleeve is pushed onto the electrical cable or its cable sheath in advance from the front and, after the contact part carrier has been mounted, it can be pushed from the rear, ie. H. starting from the cable jacket, pushed over the contact parts carrier or fastened to it in some other way.

In particular, if the assembly between the shielding sleeve and the contact part carrier has to take place in one or more defined orientations, it can be advantageous if at least the chamber of the assembly module receiving the shielding sleeve is designed for a twist-proof and pre-aligned receiving of the shielding sleeve.

The connector housing can in particular be a socket housing / plug housing (also referred to as an outer housing, outer housing or outer housing shell), which is pushed over the assembled shielding sleeve, for example from behind, during the assembly of the electrical connector and is attached to the shielding sleeve. For this purpose, in particular a positionally correct locking with the shielding sleeve and / or the contact part carrier can be provided, which is why a torsion-proof mounting within the corresponding chamber can also be advantageous with regard to the connector housing.

The line seal can in particular be a mechanical seal, for example a sealing ring for sealing against dirt, dust, liquids or gases, which can be pushed into a fitted connector housing from the rear, for example. The diameter of the through-hole of the line seal can preferably be made somewhat smaller than the diameter of the cable jacket in order to improve the tightness. The line seal can have any cross-sectional geometry. Often, circular line seals are used. However, oval or polygonal, in particular rectangular, for example square line seals can also be provided. A certain orientation is usually not important when installing the pipe seal, especially in the case of pipe seals with a circular cross-sectional geometry. If an oval or polygonal (for example rectangular) line seal is provided, a predetermined orientation relative to other connector components can also be important for the line seal.

A cable retention can in particular be a plug connector component that enables or supports a pull intercept of the cable. A final retaining cap - or in the case of an angled connector, an angled cap - can be a connector component that closes the connector on the cable side and fixes, for example, a cable retainer and / or a line seal in the connector, for example the connector housing. It can be provided that the retaining cap or angle cap has latching means in order to latch with the cable retainer and / or the connector housing. The retaining cap or angle cap can also be referred to as an end cap assembly.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the plug connector components are designed to assemble a second electrical cable, and for this purpose each have a through hole for receiving the (first) electrical cable and the second electrical cable.

In the context of assembling an electrical cable, connector components, in particular shield sleeves, connector housings (parts), cable seals, cable retainers, retaining caps or angle caps, can be used that can be pushed onto several electrical cables, for example onto a second electrical cable. Such a connector component can be particularly suitable for assembling a connector that has two or more electrical cables.

The connector components preferably each have only a single through-hole for assembling only a single electrical cable or for assembling a connector having a single electrical cable. In a likewise preferred variant of the invention, at least one of the connector components (preferably all connector components) has exactly two through bores for assembling exactly two electrical cables or for assembling a connector with exactly two electrical cables. In principle, a connector component within the scope of the invention can even have more than two through bores in order to assemble further electrical cables (or to mount a connector with more than two electrical cables), for example three through bores or more, four through bores or more, five Through holes or more, six through holes or more, seven through holes or more, eight through holes or more, nine through holes or more, ten through holes or even more through holes.

The cables can be pushed into the corresponding through-holes in the connector components, for example, sequentially or in parallel. The assembly is preferably carried out in parallel, with a correspondingly suitable actuator device being able to be used which is able to push the cables into the connector components at the same time. If “the” or “a” through-hole is mentioned above or below, this is only to be understood to simplify the description and not to be restrictive. In principle, several through-bores can therefore also be provided with regard to each embodiment or further development of the invention described above and below, even if this is not explicitly mentioned.

As already mentioned, the invention within the scope of the inventive overall concept also relates to a device for assembling an electrical connector having several electrical cables, set up to equip a cable jacket of the respective cable with two or more common connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable. The device has an assembly module with chambers for receiving the individual connector components, the connector components being arranged such that the connector components received in the chambers form a common channel with a common central axis for each of the cables.

The device preferably has an actuator device which is designed to guide the cables with their front ends along the central axes through the connector components in order to slide the connector components onto the cable jacket of the respective cable. As an alternative to an actuator device, provision can also be made for the cables to be guided through the connector components with their front ends along the central axes in a different manner in order to push the connector components onto the cable sheath of the respective cable (for example by a production employee).

The device for assembling the plug connector having a plurality of electrical cables can have at least one of the described devices for assembling an electrical cable.

If the “device” is mentioned above or below, it can mean the device for assembling the electrical cable as well as the device for assembling the connector having a plurality of electrical cables.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling an electrical cable, according to which a cable sheath of the cable is equipped with two or more connector components for a later connector assembly starting from a front, free end of the cable. It is provided that the connector components are individually arranged in chambers of an assembly module in such a way that they form a common channel with a common central axis, after which the cable is passed with its front end along the central axis through the connector components in order to attach the connector components to the cable jacket of the Slide open the cable. According to the invention, plug connector components can thus advantageously be applied to the electrical cable before the electrical cable is processed further in the course of the cable assembly.

The electrical cable can be designed as a high-voltage line, for example.

It can be provided that the method described below is carried out using the device already described.

According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the connector components are arranged in the chambers in such a way that through-holes running through the connector components for receiving the cable are aligned coaxially with one another.

In particular, if the connector components are aligned coaxially, the electrical cable can advantageously be passed through all the connector components in one continuous sequence of movements.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the plug connector components is pushed onto the cable sheath using a lubricant, preferably an alcohol or a silicone oil.

For example, 2-propanol (also known as isopropyl alcohol or isopropanol) can be used as a lubricant.

However, a silicone oil, that is to say a synthetic, silicon-based oil, can be used as the lubricant with very particular preference. For example, a polydimethylsiloxane with a high content of phenyl groups can be used, in particular a silicone oil known under the trade name WACKER® AP 150 from Wacker Chemie AG.

Provision can be made to use a lubricant that is already contained in the cable for pushing on a connector component. For example, self-lubricating silicones are sometimes used to train z. B. the cable jacket is used, which exudes the oil on the surface after vulcanization. The use of the lubricants already used for self-exudation in the cable, in particular silicone oils, is generally harmless in terms of safety.

In principle, any desired lubricant or any desired lubricant can be provided for lubrication and thus for reducing the friction when equipping the cable jacket with the connector components. For example, liquid lubricants, lubricating greases, solid lubricants or gaseous

Lubricants can be provided in order to advantageously influence wear, frictional heat and chemical interactions while the electrical cable is being guided through the connector components.

It can also be provided to generate a film of compressed air between the cable jacket and the connector component in order to improve the sliding behavior when the connector component is pushed on.

Thus, for example, an additional lubricant can be dispensed with.

In order to generate the compressed air film, provision can be made for the connector component to be partially encased with a molded part and, if necessary, to be supported on the cable jacket. The compressed air can thus preferably flow exclusively (or at least substantially) through the gap between the connector component and the cable jacket and thereby widen the gap or even create it in the first place. The compressed air can thus advantageously and extremely gently widen a through-hole in the connector component. At the same time, an axial displacement of the connector component on the cable jacket of the cable can be additionally improved by the air film.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, it can be provided that the cable fitted with the connector components is removed from the fitting module laterally to the insertion direction of the cable or against the insertion direction of the cable.

For example, it can be provided that the plug connector components are fed to the chambers of the assembly module from above using gravity. After the cable has been passed through the connector components, the electrical cable, together with the connector components, can then be pulled out of the assembly module again against the insertion direction of the cable. A lateral removal or a pivoting out of the equipped cable from the device can also be provided.

In principle, provision can be made for the electrical cable to be removed from the assembly module in any desired manner, for example also by a predefined sequence of movements (for example first upwards and finally further in the insertion direction, etc.).

In a further development of the invention it can be provided that

a) a retaining cap or an angle cap, followed by a cable gasket, followed by a socket housing, followed by a shielding sleeve (especially in the case of a two-core or multi-core cable); or b) a retaining cap or an angled cap, followed by a cable retainer, followed by a line seal (especially in the case of a single-core cable)

successively starting from the front end of the cable on the cable sheath.

The sequence mentioned above has proven to be particularly suitable for assembling a single-core or two-core cable.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that the correct assembly of the cable jacket is checked after the connector components have been pushed on.

Provision can also be made to check the integrity of the connector components pushed onto the cable.

The check can in particular include a check with regard to a basic presence of one or more plug connector components, the correct sequence of the pushed-on plug connector components and / or the correct orientation or alignment of the plug connector components. An incorrectly assembled cable can, for example, be excluded from the subsequent assembly, marked as faulty or marked and / or reworked.

According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that, after the cable jacket has been fitted, at least one connector component is mounted on at least one of the connector components starting from the front end of the cable.

For example, the contact parts carrier already described can be mounted on the shielding sleeve.

It can also be provided within the scope of the invention to provide individual chambers of the assembly module only optionally with connector components in order to optionally connect the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention to the assembly of electrical cables with different connectors and / or to the assembly of electrical cables with different cable diameters to be able to adapt.

It can be provided that, within the scope of the invention, there is no expansion of the connector components during assembly. For example, it can be provided within the scope of the invention to dispense with an expansion gripper for expanding the through bores of the connector components. In addition, within the scope of the overall concept according to the invention, the invention also relates to a method for assembling an electrical connector having several electrical cables, according to which a cable jacket of the respective cable is equipped with two or more common connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable. It is provided that the connector components are arranged individually in chambers of an assembly module in such a way that they form a common channel with a common central axis for each of the cables, after which the cables are passed with their front ends along the central axis through the connector components to around the connector components slide onto the cable jacket of the respective cable.

In other words, the method described above for assembling the electrical cable can also be used several times in order to equip several electrical cables with common plug connector components.

If the “method” is mentioned above or below, this can mean the method for assembling the electrical cable as well as the method for assembling the connector having a plurality of electrical cables.

The invention also relates to a computer program product with program code means in order to carry out a method according to the preceding and following statements when the program is executed on a control unit of a device for assembling an electrical cable (in particular on a device according to the preceding and following statements).

The control unit can be designed as a microprocessor. Instead of a microprocessor, any other device for implementing the control unit can also be provided, for example one or more arrangements of discrete electrical components on a circuit board, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or some other programmable circuit, for example also a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic arrangement (PLA) and / or a commercially available computer.

The invention also relates to a system for assembling an electrical cable, in particular a high-voltage line. The system comprises a device for assembling an electrical cable, set up to equip a cable jacket of the cable with two or more connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable for a later connector assembly. The system further comprises at least one module, which is independent of the device, for assembling the electrical cable. The distribution of the processing steps according to the invention over several independent modules makes it possible to operate the system as an “assembly line process” or as a “cycle machine” with successive individual steps in order to reduce the processing time for mass processing.

Furthermore, the device or the individual modules can have a modular structure, so that individual modules of the assembly can be replaced, modified or removed without great effort. As a result, the system can be configured with simple means, in particular for processing different types of cables.

The independent modules can preferably be arranged upstream or downstream of the device.

According to a further development of the invention it can be provided that the device has an assembly module with chambers for receiving the individual connector components, the chambers being arranged in such a way that the connector components received in the chambers form a common channel with a common central axis around the cable pass its front end along the central axis through the connector components in order to push the connector components onto the cable jacket of the cable. The device preferably has an actuator device in order to guide the cable with its front end along the central axis through the connector components.

In particular, it can be provided that the device mentioned in the context of the system has features of the device described above and below for assembling an electrical cable.

In addition, within the framework of the overall concept according to the invention, the invention also relates to a system for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables. The system comprises a device for assembling the electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables, set up to equip a cable sheath of the respective cable with two or more common connector components starting from a front, free end of the cable. The system further comprises at least one module, which is independent of the device, for assembling the electrical cable.

The system for assembling the connector having a plurality of electrical cables can have at least one of the devices for assembling an electrical cable.

If the “system” is mentioned above or below, it can mean the system for assembling the electrical cable and the system for assembling the connector having a plurality of electrical cables. According to a further development of the invention, it can be provided that the device has an assembly module with chambers for receiving the individual connector components, the chambers being arranged in such a way that the connector components received in the chambers form a common channel with a common central axis for each of the cables, in order to guide the cables with their front ends along the central axis through the connector components in order to push the connector components onto the cable jacket of the respective cable. The device preferably has an actuator device in order to guide the cables with their front ends along the central axis through the plug connector components.

In particular, it can be provided that the device mentioned in the context of the system for assembling the connector has features of the apparatus described above and below for assembling the electrical connector and / or for assembling the electrical cable.

In an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that at least one of the independent modules is used as a module to ensure the correct fitting of the cable jacket with the connector components and / or as a module for mounting a support sleeve on the front end of the cable and / or as a Module for mounting a contact part carrier and / or is designed as a module for mounting at least one further housing component of the electrical connector.

It is also possible to provide further modules which are independent of one another and of the device and are arranged upstream or downstream of the device.

Provision can be made within the framework of the system to provide several devices for assembling an electrical cable and / or several fitting modules in order to optionally equip the electrical cable with different connector components. For example, the system can thus be used in a modular manner for equipping cables with different cable diameters or cable types, or can be used in order to equip any cable with different plug connectors.

It can also be provided within the framework of the system to use one or more modules to ensure that the cable jacket is correctly fitted with the connector components. It can e.g. B. be provided, prior to an assembly step in which a connector component is required, their presence and / or correct alignment to first check or ensure. If necessary, the check can also be carried out by a production employee.

The invention also relates to an electrical cable processed according to one of the methods according to the preceding and following statements. The invention also relates to an electrical cable which has been processed with one of the devices according to the preceding and following statements.

Features that have been described in connection with the method according to the invention can of course also be implemented advantageously for the device according to the invention, the computer program product and the system - and vice versa. Furthermore, advantages that have already been mentioned in connection with the method according to the invention can also be understood to relate to the device according to the invention, the computer program product or the system - and vice versa.

In a further development of the device, it can in particular have at least one means for applying a lubricant to the cable jacket and / or to at least one of the plug connector components. The means can be, for example, one, two or even more brushes with which the lubricant is applied. The lubricant can be fed to the brushes automatically or manually.

In a further development of the device, it can in particular also be provided that the fitting module is designed to be able to remove the cable fitted with the connector components from the fitting module laterally to the insertion direction of the cable or against the insertion direction of the cable.

In a further development of the device, it can in particular also have means for checking the correct assembly of the cable jacket after the plug connector components have been pushed on.

In a further development of the method, it can be provided in particular that further connector components for equipping additional cables are kept in a magazine of the equipping module.

In a further development of the method, provision can in particular also be made for the connector components accommodated in the chambers to be arranged along the central axis at defined distances from one another.

In a further development of the method, it can in particular also be provided that the plug connector components are positively locked in the assembly module in the axial direction along the central axis.

In a further development of the method, provision can in particular also be made to hold the plug connector components in the chambers of the assembly module so that they cannot rotate. In a further development of the method, provision can in particular also be made to monitor the position of the cable along the central axis while the cable is being passed through the connector components.

In addition, it should be noted that terms such as “comprising”, “having” or “with” do not exclude any other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as “a” or “that” which refer to a single number of steps or features do not exclude a plurality of features or steps - and vice versa.

In a puristic embodiment of the invention, however, it can also be provided that the features introduced in the invention with the terms “comprising”, “having” or “with” are finally listed. Accordingly, one or more lists can be regarded as complete within the scope of the invention, for example considered for each patent claim. The invention can consist exclusively of the features mentioned in claim 1, for example.

It should also be emphasized that the values and parameters described here have deviations or fluctuations of ± 10% or less, preferably ± 5% or less, more preferably ± 1% or less, and very particularly preferably ± 0.1% or less of the respectively named Include value or parameter, provided that these deviations are not excluded when implementing the invention in practice. The specification of ranges by start and end values also includes all those values and fractions that are included in the respective named range, in particular the start and end values and a respective mean value.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. Features of an exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be easily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further meaningful combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

They show schematically:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary two-core electrical cable equipped with four connector components in a side view; FIG. 2 shows an exemplary single-core electrical cable fitted with three connector components in a side view;

FIG. 3 shows a device according to the invention for assembling an electrical cable with an assembly module and with an actuator device in a lateral sectional view;

FIG. 4 shows a section of the device according to FIG. 3 after the electrical cable has been passed through the connector components;

FIG. 5 shows a section of the device according to FIG. 3 while the electrical cable is being removed from the assembly module;

FIG. 6 shows two chambers of the assembly module of FIG. 3 in a perspective sectional illustration;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method according to the invention for assembling an electrical cable;

FIG. 8 shows a system for assembling an electrical cable with a device for assembling an electrical cable and further modules that are independent of the device; and

FIG. 9 shows a device for assembling an electrical plug connector having a plurality of electrical cables, having a correspondingly configured assembly module.

In Figure 1, an exemplary multi-core electrical cable 1 is shown enlarged in a side view.

As shown in FIG. 1, the inner conductors 2 extend from a first cable end to a second cable end (not shown). The first cable end is referred to below as the front, free end 3 of the cable.

The multi-core electrical cable 1 is already partially processed at its front end 3. As a rule, however, the connector components described below are pushed onto an unprocessed cable end. In particular for a better representation of possible components of the electrical cable 1, the front, free end 3 of the cable 1 in FIG. 1 is already stripped in certain areas. This also applies to the single-core cable 1 in FIG. 2.

The two-core cable 1 has a cable sheath 4 and a cable shielding braid 5 running under the cable sheath 4. A shielding film can optionally run above the cable shielding braid 5 (not shown). Below the cable shielding braid 5, the two the inner conductor 2. The two inner conductors 2 are each encased by an insulation 7. As part of a cable assembly, the inner conductors 2 can be exposed in the area of the inner conductor ends, as shown. Inner conductor contact elements (not shown) of an electrical plug connector 8 (cf. FIGS. 7 and 8) can then be attached, in particular crimped, to the respective inner conductor ends. The cable shielding braid 5 can be folded back over the cable jacket 4, preferably over a non-illustrated metal sleeve or support sleeve, and optionally fixed with a fabric tape 9 (see FIG. 8) as part of the cable assembly.

The two-core cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 is only to be understood as an example for use with the invention. In principle, the invention is suitable for use with any type of cable, for example also for use with an electrical cable 1 with only one inner conductor 2, for example in a coaxial design, as shown in FIG.

Figure 2 shows the front, free end 3 of a single-core electrical cable 1, which has already been partially stripped. The single-core cable 1 also has a cable sheath 4 and a cable shielding braid 5 running under the cable sheath 4. The braided cable shield 5 can also be folded over to a support sleeve, not shown. The insulation 7 or the primary insulation of the inner conductor 2 runs under the cable shielding braid 5. The inner conductor 2 can, for example, be designed as a stranded wire made up of several individual wires, as indicated in FIG. In principle, however, the exact structure of the single-core cable 1 is not important.

According to the invention, as part of the assembly of the electrical cable 1, the cable jacket 4 of the cable 1 is equipped with two or more connector components for a connector assembly starting from the front, free end 3 of the cable 1. The connector components can be, for example, a shielding sleeve 10 (see FIG. 1), a connector housing 11 (see FIG. 1), a cable seal 12 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2), a cable retainer 13 (see FIG. 2 ), a retaining cap 14 or end cap (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) or an angled cap. In principle, however, the design of the connector component 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is not important in the context of the invention. The invention is suitable for equipping a single-core or multi-core electrical cable 1 with any plug connector components.

In the context of assembling a two-core or multi-core electrical cable 1, however, in particular an assembly according to the sequence shown in Figure 1 of a shielding sleeve 10, followed by a socket housing or a connector housing 1 1, followed by a line seal 12, followed by a Retaining cap 14 (or an angled cap in the case of an angled connector) work well. In the case of assembling a single-core electrical cable 1, an assembly according to FIG. 2 can be particularly suitable, according to which a line seal 12, followed by a cable retainer 13, followed by a retaining cap 14, starting from the front end 3 of the cable 1, is pushed onto the cable jacket 4 are. In Figure 3, a device 15 according to the invention for assembling an electrical cable 1 is shown schematically in a lateral sectional view. The device 15 is set up to equip a cable sheath 4 of the cable 1 with two or more connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 starting from a front, free end 3 of the cable 1 for a later connector assembly. The device 15 for equipping the two-core cable 1 according to FIG. 1 is shown only as an example.

The device 15 has an assembly module 16 with chambers 17 for receiving the individual connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, the chambers 17 being arranged such that the connector components 10, 11, 12, received in the chambers 17 13, 14 form a common channel K (cf. dashed lines in FIG. 3) with a common central axis M.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the equipping module 16 can have a magazine 18 in order to hold the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 ready for equipping additional cables 1. In the exemplary embodiment, a shaft magazine is shown; in principle, however, any magazine can be provided.

The chambers 17 of the equipping module 16 can be arranged in such a way that the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 received in the chambers 17 are spaced apart from one another along the central axis M at defined distances. Depending on the respective connector component 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14 and the subsequent assembly, different distances from one another can be provided for different connector components 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, for example by a corresponding wall thickness of the chambers 17 and / or of the magazine 18 can be specified.

For example, a first distance di between the foremost connector component (in the exemplary embodiment the shielding sleeve 10) and the second connector component (in the exemplary embodiment the connector housing 1 1), a second distance d2 between the second connector component or the connector housing 1 1 and a third connector component (in Exemplary embodiment, the line seal 12) and a third distance d3 between the third connector component or the line seal 12 and a fourth connector component (in the exemplary embodiment, the retaining cap 14) can be provided. A defined distance d _{4 between} the first connector component or the shielding sleeve 10 and the front end 3 of the cable 1 can also be provided when the electrical cable 1 has been pushed completely into the device 15. The distances di, d2, d3, d ₄ are finally found again on the equipped cable 1 (see FIG. 1).

In an advantageous manner, the chambers 17 of the fitting module 16 can also be designed in such a way that through bores extending through the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are aligned coaxially to one another for receiving the cable 1 when the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are received in the chambers 17. For this purpose, for example, the support surface or a lower base 19 of the fitting module 16 in the respective chambers 17 can have a depth designed for the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, as shown in FIG. In addition, it can be provided that the chambers 17 of the assembly module 16 are designed to hold the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 secure against rotation, in particular if a certain alignment or orientation of individual connector components during the subsequent assembly of the electrical cable 1 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 is provided.

The device 15 according to the invention preferably has an actuator device 20 which is designed to guide the cable 1 with its front end 3 along the central axis M through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 in order to guide the connector components 10, 11, 12 , 13,

14 to be pushed onto the cable jacket 4 of the cable 1. However, an actuator device 20 is not absolutely necessary. The cable 1 can, for example, also be moved accordingly by a production employee. The cable 1 can thus be guided with its front end 3 along the central axis M through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 until it reaches a predetermined end position PEND, as shown in FIG. In the exemplary embodiment, the actuator device 20 has a roller conveyor device with two rollers, between which the cable 1 is guided in order to move it linearly.

In order to monitor the position of the cable 1 along the central axis M, a sensor device 21 can be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, a light barrier is shown as an example in order to recognize the reaching of the end position PEND of the electrical cable 1 in the device 15 and to stop the cable feed (cf. FIGS. 3 and 4). If necessary, further light barriers or other sensors can also be provided in order to detect further discrete positions of the cable 1. In principle, continuous detection of the position of the cable 1 or its front, free end 3 can also be provided, in addition or as an alternative to detection of one or more discrete positions.

In particular, in order to prevent the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 from being displaced along the central axis M while the electrical cable 1 is being passed through, it can be provided that the chambers 17 of the assembly module 16 are designed to accommodate the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 in the axial direction, in particular in the insertion direction (cf. arrow in FIG. 3) of the electrical cable 1 along the central axis M in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, for example, the walls of the magazine 18 can be continued, wherein a corresponding recess can enable the cable 1 to pass through.

In particular, if the through bores of the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 correspond to the diameter of the cable jacket 4 or at least approximately correspond, it can be of It may be advantageous to push at least one of the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 onto the cable sheath 4 using a lubricant, preferably an alcohol or a silicone oil. For this purpose it can be provided, for example, to provide the cable sheath 4 and / or the connector component (s) 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 with a lubricant. In the exemplary embodiment, means 22 are provided (see FIG. 3) in order to apply the lubricant to the front end 3 of the cable 1 by means of two brushes before the cable 1 is inserted into the device 15.

When assembling the electrical cable 1, it is usually cut to length from a so-called endless cable according to the intended length. By cutting the cable 1, in particular the cable sheath 4 can spread or expand due to its elasticity at the cable end, which can make it more difficult to insert the cable 1 into the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 with an accurate fit. For this reason, in order to simplify the introduction of the cable 1, provision can optionally be made for the cable 1 to be beveled or pointed at its cable end or to be provided with a bevel. This measure can also be suitable for further cables, for example the second cable 31 mentioned later and the common plug connector components, for example the common line seal 32 described later.

A method according to the invention can be carried out by means of a computer program product with program code means on a control unit 23 of the device 15, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The cable 1 equipped with the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 can, after the cable 1 has been passed through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, for example laterally to the insertion direction of the cable 1 or against the insertion direction of the cable 1 can be removed from the assembly module 16, as indicated in FIG.

In FIG. 6, a detail of the equipping module 16 is shown enlarged in a perspective sectional illustration. The section shows, for example, two chambers 17 of the assembly module 16. The chambers 17 are separated from one another by partition walls 17.1, which can have different wall thicknesses to realize the distances di, d2, d3, d ₄ . The partition walls 17.1 also serve as a stop for the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 inserted into the chambers 17 (these are hidden in FIG. 6). The partition walls 17.1 are also designed to leave a recess for the cable 1 to pass through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 in the region of the channel K around the central axis M. The bottom 19 of the assembly module 16 has steps in order to provide different height levels for the respective connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 within the chambers 17 in order to provide a continuous channel K or a coaxial positioning of the connector components 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14 to enable. In order to prevent the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 from falling out to the side, side walls can also be provided. In the exemplary embodiment, only a rear side wall 17.2 provided in order to be able to remove the fitted cable 1 from the fitting module 16 from the side, as indicated in FIG. The magazine 18 arranged above the placement module 16 (hidden in FIG. 6) preferably has side walls on both sides. The bottom 19, the side walls and / or the intermediate walls 17.1 can optionally be designed to hold the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 in a predefined alignment or orientation.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a flow chart of a method within the scope of the invention. For example, it can be provided in a first method step S1 to check the type of cable, for example the number of cable cores or inner conductor 2 and / or the diameter of the cable 1 and to connect the electrical cable 1 to a suitable assembly module 16 and / or a device 15 with a suitable one Delivery module 16.

In a second method step S2, provision can be made for the cable sheath 4 of the cable 1 to be fitted with two or more plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 as described above.

In a third method step S3 it can be provided to check the correct fitting of the cable jacket 4 after the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 have been pushed on.

Finally, in a fourth method step S4, after the cable jacket 4 has been equipped, starting from the front end 3 of the cable 1, at least one connector component, for example a contact part carrier 24 shown in FIG. 8, is attached to at least one of the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 to assemble and / or to process the cable 1 in any other way.

In principle, any further method steps can be provided. Furthermore, the sequence of the method steps can vary. Process steps can also be divided into several individual steps. The flow chart described above is only to be understood as an example.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows a system 25 for assembling an electrical cable 1. The illustrated system 25 includes a device 15 for assembling the electrical cable 1, which is set up to wrap a cable sheath 4 of the cable 1 starting from a front, free end 3 of the cable 1 for a later connector assembly with two or more connector components 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14 to be equipped. The device 15 is preferably designed as described above. The system 25 further comprises further modules, which are independent of the device 15, for assembling the electrical cable 1.

In the context of the system 25, the device 15 is preferably arranged downstream of a module (not shown in detail) for aligning, receiving and orienting the cable 1. Preferably, the invented Appropriate fitting of the cable 1 with the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 onto an electrical cable 1 that has not yet been processed.

In the exemplary embodiment, a transport device 26 is provided in order to deliver the cable section of the cable 1 to be processed to the individual modules or to the device 15 in succession. Depending on the number of items to be produced, the transport device 26 can also be omitted. The cables 1 or the cable sections can in this case also be transported between the individual modules or the device 15 by a production employee, for example with the aid of a roller conveyor. Provision can also be made for the cable 1 to be transported between individual modules or a group of modules by means of a gripping device. The transport device 26 is preferably designed in the form of a workpiece carrier system or an assembly line and transports several cables 1 from module to module in order to utilize all modules as permanently as possible and thus achieve a high throughput in cable processing.

The transport device 26 can have one or more gripping devices 27 or workpiece carriers in order to fix one or more cables 1 for transport or for processing through the modules, for example also to fix them so that they cannot rotate. The gripping devices 27 can also be designed to deliver the cable 1 or at least the cable section to be processed to the module for processing after approaching a module, in particular to introduce it into the corresponding module. The gripping devices 27 can in particular also be designed to guide the cable 1 through the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 as part of the fitting.

Within the framework of the system 25, a module arranged downstream of the device 15 can be provided (not shown) to ensure that the cable jacket 4 is correctly fitted with the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Following the assembly, one or more modules can be provided for processing the front end 3 of the electrical cable 1, for example to strip the cable cores or inner conductor 2 for the assembly of contact elements, to apply a support sleeve to the cable sheath 4, the braided cable shield 5 to fold over the support sleeve and apply a fabric tape 9 to the braided cable shield 5.

As an example, a module 28 for mounting a contact part carrier 24 is shown downstream of the device 15. The module 28 for mounting the contact part carrier 24 can be followed by a module 29 for mounting the shielding sleeve 10 on the contact part carrier 24, as also indicated by way of example in FIG. Any further modules can then be provided in order to gradually assemble the connector 8. In principle, provision can be made for a module to be provided in several positions of the system 25 to ensure that the cable sheath 4 is correctly fitted with the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, in particular with modules arranged upstream which the respective connector components 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14 as part of the assembly.

In FIG. 9, in a sectional illustration, a device 30 for assembling an electrical plug connector (not shown) having a plurality of electrical cables 1, 31 is shown partially from above. The device 30 is designed to equip a cable sheath 4 of the respective cable 1, 31 with two or more common plug connector components 32. The principle is illustrated by way of example using a common line seal 32. A common connector component can in principle be any connector component, in particular one of the connector components already described above. The common plug connector component or the common line seal 32 has a number of through bores 33 corresponding to the number of cables 1, 31.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the equipping of a first electrical cable 1 and a second electrical cable 31 with a common line seal 32 is demonstrated only schematically. The number of cables 1, 31 and the number of through bores 33 as well as the geometry and design of the connector component or line seal 32 are not to be understood as restrictive.

The common line seal 32 is arranged in the assembly module 16 in the chamber 17 assigned to it in such a way that the line seal 32 with further plug connector components (not shown) forms a common channel K with a common central axis M for each of the cables 1, 31. Correct orientation can be particularly important here in order to correctly align the through bores 33.

The cables 1, 31 can be passed through the corresponding connector components 32 simultaneously or one after the other by the actuator device 20 (or by a production employee) in order to push the connector components 32 onto the cables 1, 31 or onto their cable sheaths 4. The cables 1, 31 are preferably passed through the plug connector components 32 at the same time, which, for example, can simplify the construction of the actuator device 20 or the handling by the employee. However, it can also be provided, in particular in the case of connector components with - compared to the cable diameter of the cable 1, 31 - very narrow through-bores 33 (for example with a common line seal 32), to pass the cables 1, 31 through one after the other in order to prevent the cables 1 , 31 to reduce the forces generated. The assembly module 16 can essentially be constructed as already described above. In order to support the line seal 32 or the connector components, corresponding partition walls 17.1 can be provided, as also already shown. In addition to lateral support areas, the partition walls 17.1 can also have a central support area 17.1 ′ in order to support the common line seal 32 or connector component for inserting the second cable 31 even better.

Finally, FIG. 10 shows a further development of the invention in which a guide pin 34 is provided as an insertion aid for the cable 1, 31.

The development is suitable for use with any assembly module and for assembling one or more cables 1, 31 with any connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32 and is only an example and excerpts for assembling the cable 1 with a line seal 12 shown.

Before the cable 1, 31 is inserted, the guide mandrel 34 can be passed through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32 received in the chambers 17 from the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the cable 1, 31. The guide pin 34 can be passed through all or only a part of the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32. The guide mandrel 34 is preferably passed through all of the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32.

For easier passage through the connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32, the guide mandrel 34 can be beveled at its front end or have a bevel.

The guide pin 34 can finally have a guide ring at its front end for guiding the cable 1, 31. The guide ring can merge into the (optionally present) bevel, as shown in FIG.

The cable 1, 31 can finally be passed through the connector components 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 32, while the guide pin 34 is simultaneously withdrawn and / or from the cable 1,

31 is pushed back. The cable 1, 31 is preferably in contact with the front face of the guide pin 34.

The guide mandrel 34 can advantageously guide the cable 1, 31 through the plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32. Furthermore, the guide mandrel 34 can already expand plug connector components 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32 with a very narrow through-hole 33, whereby the cable 1, 31 can be passed through them more easily. A lubricant can be applied to the guide mandrel 34.

The guide pin 34 is preferably formed from a metal or from a hard plastic.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Device (15) for assembling an electrical cable (1), set up around a cable sheath (4) of the cable (1) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1) for a later connector assembly with two or more connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) to be fitted,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

an assembly module (16) with chambers (17) for receiving the individual connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is provided, which are arranged in such a way that the connector components (10, 11, 12) received in the chambers (17) , 13, 14) form a common channel (K) with a common central axis (M), around the cable (1) with its front end (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13 , 14) in order to push the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) onto the cable jacket (4) of the cable (1).

2. Device (15) according to claim 1,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

an actuator device (20) is provided and designed to guide the cable (1) with its front end (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in order to guide the connector components (10 , 11, 12, 13, 14) onto the cable jacket (4) of the cable (1).

3. Device (15) according to claim 1 or 2,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the equipping module (16) has a magazine (18) in order to hold further plug connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) for equipping further cables (1).

4. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 3,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the chambers (17) of the assembly module (16) are arranged in such a way that the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) received in the chambers (17) along the central axis (M) at defined intervals (di, d2, d3 ) are spaced apart.

5. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 4,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the chambers (17) of the assembly module (16) are designed in such a way that through-bores for receiving the cable (1) extending through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are aligned coaxially with one another when the connector components (10, 11 ,

12, 13, 14) are received in the chambers (17).

6. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 5,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the chambers (17) of the assembly module (16) are designed to block the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in the axial direction along the central axis (M) in a form-fitting manner.

7. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 6,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the chambers (17) of the equipping module (16) are designed to hold the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in a rotationally secure manner.

8. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 7,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

a sensor device (21) is provided and designed to monitor the position of the cable (1) along the central axis (M).

9. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 8,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

at least one of the connector components is a shielding sleeve (10), a connector housing (11), a cable seal (12), a cable retainer (13), a retaining cap (14) or an angle cap.

10. Device (15) according to one of claims 1 to 9,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the plug connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 32) are designed for assembling a second electrical cable (31), and for this purpose a through-hole (33) for receiving the electrical cable (1) and the second electrical cable (31) ) exhibit.

11. Device (30) for assembling an electrical plug connector having a plurality of electrical cables (1, 31), set up around a cable jacket (4) of the respective cable (1, 31) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1 , 31) to be equipped with two or more common connector components (32),

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

an assembly module (16) with chambers (17) for receiving the individual connector components (32) is provided, which are arranged such that the connector components (32) received in the chambers (17) for each of the cables (1, 31) have a common Form channel (K) with a common central axis (M) in order to feed the cables (1, 31) with their front ends (3) along the central axes (M) through the connector components (32). Ren in order to push the connector components (32) onto the cable jacket (4) of the respective cable (1, 31).

12. The device (30) according to claim 11,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

an actuator device (20) is provided and designed to guide the cables (1, 31) with their front ends (3) along the central axes (M) through the connector components (32) in order to place the connector components (32) on the cable jacket (4 ) of the respective cable (1, 31).

13. A method for assembling an electrical cable (1), according to which a cable sheath (4) of the cable (1) for a later connector assembly starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1) with two or more connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is loaded,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are arranged individually in chambers (17) of an assembly module (16) in such a way that they form a common channel (K) with a common central axis (M), after which the cable (1 ) is passed with its front end (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) in order to attach the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) to the cable jacket (4 ) of the cable (1).

14. The method according to claim 13,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are arranged in the chambers (17) in such a way that through bores for receiving the cable (1) extending through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) are coaxially aligned with one another are.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

at least one of the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is pushed onto the cable sheath (4) using a lubricant, preferably an alcohol or a silicone oil.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the cable (1) fitted with the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) is removed from the fitting module (16) laterally to the insertion direction of the cable (1) or against the insertion direction of the cable (1).

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

a) a retaining cap (14) or an angle cap, followed by a line seal (12), followed by a socket housing (11), followed by a shielding sleeve (10); or

b) a retaining cap (14) or an angle cap, followed by a cable retainer (13), followed by a cable seal (12)

successively, starting from the front end (3) of the cable (1), are pushed onto the cable sheath (4).

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the correct assembly of the cable jacket (4) is checked after the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) have been pushed on.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

after the cable sheath (4) has been equipped, starting from the front end (3) of the cable (1), at least one connector component (24) is mounted on at least one of the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14).

20. A method for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables (1, 31), according to which a cable sheath (4) of the respective cable (1, 31) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1, 31) with two or more common connector components (32) are fitted,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the connector components (32) are arranged individually in chambers (17) of an assembly module (16) in such a way that they form a common channel (K) with a common central axis (M) for each of the cables (1, 31), after which the cables ( 1, 31) with their front ends (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (32) in order to push the connector components (32) onto the cable sheath (4) of the respective cable (1, 31).

21. Computer program product with program code means to carry out a method according to one of claims 13 to 20 when the program is executed on a control unit (23) of a device (15) for assembling an electrical cable (1).

22. System (25) for assembling an electrical cable (1), comprising a) a device (15) for assembling an electrical cable (1), set up around a cable sheath (4) of the cable (1) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1) for a later connector assembly with two or to equip more connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14); and

b) at least one module (28, 29), which is independent of the device (15), for assembling the electrical cable (1).

23. System (25) according to claim 22,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the device (15) has an assembly module (16) with chambers (17) for receiving the individual connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), the chambers (17) being arranged in such a way that the in the chambers (17 ) recorded connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) form a common channel (K) with a common central axis (M) to the cable (1) with its front end (3) along the central axis (M) through the Feed connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) through to push the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) onto the cable sheath (4) of the cable (1).

24. System (25) according to claim 23,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the device (15) has an actuator device (20) which is designed to guide the cable (1) with its front end (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), to push the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) onto the cable sheath (4) of the cable (1).

25. A system for assembling an electrical connector having a plurality of electrical cables (1, 31), comprising

a) a device (30) for assembling the multiple electrical cables (1, 31) having

electrical connector, set up to equip a cable sheath (4) of the respective cable (1, 31) with two or more common connector components (32) starting from a front, free end (3) of the cable (1, 31); and

b) at least one module (28, 29) that is independent of the device (30) for assembling the electrical cable (1, 31).

26. System according to claim 25,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the device (30) has an assembly module (16) with chambers (17) for receiving the individual connector components (32), wherein the chambers (17) are arranged such that the connector components (32) received in the chambers (17) for each of the cables (1, 31) form a common channel (K) with a common central axis (M) around which Cable (1, 31) with their front ends (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (32) to push the connector components (32) onto the cable sheath (4) of the respective cable (1, 31).

27. System according to claim 26,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

the device (30) has an actuator device (20) which is designed to guide the cables (1, 31) with their front ends (3) along the central axis (M) through the connector components (32) in order to feed the connector components (32) slide onto the cable jacket (4) of the respective cable (1, 31).

28. System (25) according to one of claims 22 to 27,

d a d u r c h e k e n n n z e i c h n e t that

at least one of the independent modules as a module to ensure that the cable jacket (4) is correctly fitted with the connector components (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) and / or as a module for mounting a support sleeve on the front end (3 ) of the cable (1) and / or is designed as a module (28) for mounting a contact part carrier (24) and / or as a module for mounting at least one other housing component of the electrical connector (8).