EP4216378A1 - Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles - Google Patents

Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4216378A1
EP4216378A1 EP22152286.5A EP22152286A EP4216378A1 EP 4216378 A1 EP4216378 A1 EP 4216378A1 EP 22152286 A EP22152286 A EP 22152286A EP 4216378 A1 EP4216378 A1 EP 4216378A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cable
alignment device
cables
clamping jaws
clamping
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP22152286.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Reto Eggiman
Pascal Suter
Pietro Fiorentino
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 EP22152286.5A priority Critical patent/EP4216378A1/fr
Priority to JP2023000412A priority patent/JP2023105798A/ja
Priority to US18/153,392 priority patent/US20230230728A1/en
Priority to CN202310065652.2A priority patent/CN116469616A/zh
Publication of EP4216378A1 publication Critical patent/EP4216378A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/012—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables for manufacturing wire harnesses
    • H01B13/01209—Details
    • 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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/012—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables for manufacturing wire harnesses
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D07—ROPES; CABLES OTHER THAN ELECTRIC
    • D07B—ROPES OR CABLES IN GENERAL
    • D07B7/00—Details of, or auxiliary devices incorporated in, rope- or cable-making machines; Auxiliary apparatus associated with such machines
    • D07B7/16—Auxiliary apparatus
    • D07B7/162—Vices or clamps for bending or holding the rope or cable during splicing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/0036—Details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/02—Stranding-up
    • H01B13/0207—Details; Auxiliary devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing conductors or cables
    • H01B13/02—Stranding-up
    • H01B13/0235—Stranding-up by a twisting device situated between a pay-off device and a take-up device
    • H01B13/0257—Stranding-up by a twisting device situated between a pay-off device and a take-up device being a perforated disc
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cable alignment device for aligning assembled cable ends of two cables of a cable harness in the correct rotational position. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement for handling cables and for equipping plug housings with cable ends that have been aligned by means of such a cable alignment device, and a method for aligning assembled cable ends in the correct rotational position.
  • Wiring harnesses such as those used in automobiles or airplanes, consist of several cables that are fitted with connector housings at their ready-made cable ends.
  • the previously assembled, i.e. cut to length, stripped and provided with contact elements (e.g. crimp contacts) cable ends are inserted into chambers or receptacles of the connector housing.
  • the cables of a cable harness with the cable ends to be assembled are available individually and are also inserted individually into the chambers of the connector housing with corresponding mechanical devices.
  • cable harnesses consisting of two or more cables are also being used to an increasing extent, primarily twisted cables, for which there is also a need to equip the free, in particular untwisted and possibly stretched cable ends of the cable harness.
  • Twisted cables such as so-called UTP cables (UTP: Unshielded Twisted Pair) offer greater protection against electrical and magnetic interference than untwisted pairs of wires and are characterized by particularly good signal transmission qualities.
  • UTP Unshielded Twisted Pair
  • untwisted cables from cable strands or other multi-cable systems can also be used in which the cables are merely arranged next to one another and combined in a composite.
  • a cable alignment device for the rotationally correct alignment of assembled cable ends of two cables of a twisted cable harness is known from EP 3 301 768 A1 known.
  • the cable ends can be rotated by means of a rotary gripping device which acts on the cable strand at the twisted cable area.
  • An optical detection device for determining the rotational position of the cable checks the alignment of the contact elements.
  • Such an optical detection device was already in the EP 1 304 773 A1 described.
  • the cable alignment device according to EP 3 301 768 A1 also has cable grippers arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis on the section of the untwisted cable end. The cable grippers are set up to fix only one cable at the cable end and to guide the cable end of the other cable.
  • one cable end is in the correct rotational position by turning the cable strand on the twisted cable area, it is fixed by the responsible cable gripper, while the other cable end is only guided by the cable gripper. As soon as both contact elements are correctly oriented, the actual assembly process can begin. As can be seen, the orientation process of this cable alignment device takes place in several work steps.
  • this object is achieved according to the invention with a cable alignment device for rotationally correct alignment of assembled cable ends of two cables, in particular a twisted cable harness with the features of claim 1.
  • this cable alignment device is also referred to below as a dual cable alignment device.
  • the dual cable alignment device comprises two clamping jaws and a central bar arranged between the clamping jaws, with one cable each being able to be clamped between the central bar and one of the clamping jaws.
  • the clamping jaws can be two clamping jaws that can be moved towards one another in the closing direction. In the closed position, the respective cable is clamped between the clamping jaws and the middle bar. In the closed position, the two cables preferably run approximately axially parallel with respect to their cable ends.
  • lateral means a directional statement that runs on the one hand transversely and preferably at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the cable alignment device and on the other hand transversely and preferably at right angles to the closing direction. If the cable extends along a longitudinal axis, the cable clamped between the clamping jaws and the central web rotates about its longitudinal cable axis. In other words, the movement of the engaging means (clamping jaws, central web) past one another causes a rolling movement of the cable clamped between them.
  • round cables ie cables with a more or less circular outer contour, allow such rolling.
  • the dual cable alignment device With the dual cable alignment device, assembled cable ends can be aligned quickly and efficiently. In particular, it is possible with this dual cable alignment device to align both cables or cable ends simultaneously, which significantly shortens the process time for the rotationally correct alignment.
  • the contact elements attached to the cable ends can thus be brought into the correct rotational position easily and precisely. This also creates the basis for the cable ends with the contact elements being able to be easily inserted into the cells of a connector housing.
  • the rotational position mentioned can be determined by an angle around the longitudinal axis of the cable. The angle indicates by how much the cable would have to be rotated around its longitudinal axis from the actual position in order to reach its target position.
  • both clamping jaws can be moved at the same time.
  • other modes of operation are also conceivable.
  • only one of the clamping jaws can be moved at first and only after the relevant first cable end has reached the correct rotational position is the other clamping jaw moved to adjust the second cable end. It is also conceivable that only one of the clamping jaws is moved in the lateral direction. For example, when one of the assembled cable ends specifies a reference position to which the cable end of the other cable is aligned.
  • the dual cable alignment device can have at least one feed drive. If only one feed drive is used, the clamping jaws can be geared to one another in such a way that both clamping jaws can be moved with the feed drive. However, it is advantageous if a separate feed drive is provided for each clamping jaw. This design even allows cables of different thicknesses to be processed.
  • the respective feed drive can, for example, be designed pneumatically or electromechanically.
  • the two clamping jaws are preferably positioned one above the other or next to each other in relation to the longitudinal axis, at least in an initial or open position and after the closing process has been completed, i.e. in the closed position before lateral movement.
  • the clamping jaws positioned in this way are consequently arranged overlapping or covering one another, seen in the viewing direction of the closing direction.
  • the central web can be arranged in a fixed manner in the cable alignment device at least temporarily, in particular at least during the lateral movement for changing the rotational position.
  • a separate lateral drive can be provided for the at least one laterally displaceable clamping jaw, whereby the clamping jaws have their own drives are independently laterally movable.
  • the respective lateral drive can be controlled individually.
  • Two lateral drives are preferably provided, one individually controllable lateral drive being assigned to each clamping jaw. This ensures that each cable is brought into the desired rotational position precisely and reliably.
  • the lateral drive can have a threaded rod drive.
  • linear guides can be provided for the precise guidance of the clamping jaws for the lateral movement.
  • clamping jaws and the central web each have clamping surfaces running parallel to one another.
  • the clamping surfaces can be flat.
  • Profiled clamping surfaces can be provided to ensure a reliable rolling movement during lateral movement.
  • These clamping surfaces can be provided with a profiling preferably formed by grooves or grooves.
  • the grooves or grooves of the profiling can form a pattern with a large number of parallel lines. Two sets of parallel lines crossing each other to form a diamond-shaped pattern are also conceivable.
  • the clamping jaws and the central web can have coatings of an elastomer to increase friction. Means of attack coated in this way can also ensure slip-free rolling of a cable whose outer sheath is smooth and difficult to handle.
  • the clamping jaws and the central web particularly if they are made of metallic materials, can be roughened in the area of the clamping surfaces to increase friction.
  • the middle web can taper towards the rear end
  • Have inlet section The rear end is the end that faces the twisted area of the cable harness.
  • the tapering entry section specifies an entry geometry for the two cables of the cable ends.
  • this inlet section adjoins a clamping section that includes the clamping surfaces.
  • the inlet section can be formed, for example, by bevels in the central web.
  • the two cables of the cable ends can lie against the bevels and form a kind of cable triangle.
  • the central web can be exchanged, and preferably can be exchanged automatically.
  • a further embodiment relates to a cable alignment device in which the central web has web segments which are separated from one another in a step-like manner for the selective specification of different clamping surfaces.
  • the clamping surfaces of the individual web segments can be spaced at different distances from one another. This means that different cables can be processed with the same device.
  • This central web is thus formed as a column which is stepped in relation to the web axis.
  • the central web with the web segments separated from one another in a step-like manner can be moved in steps by means of an adjusting device between the clamping jaws, depending on the selected step.
  • At least one clamping segment of the central web can have grooves or grooves to form a profile on the contact surfaces.
  • the grooves or grooves of the middle bar can interact with corresponding grooves or grooves of the clamping jaws in such a way that during a lateral movement the clamping jaws and the middle bar can be partially interlocked and the next larger step does not impede the movement of the clamping jaw.
  • the clamping jaws and/or the central web can be equipped with sensors for determining the torsional moment applied to the clamped cable, as a result of which torsion of the cable can be determined in a simple manner and undesired torsion can be prevented.
  • sensors are particularly helpful when handling very thin cables, since such cables must not be twisted too much.
  • Force sensors are preferably used as sensors, which in the lateral direction (z-direction) measure.
  • the dual cable alignment device can include a detection device for determining the respective rotational position of the assembled cable ends.
  • the detection device can preferably be an optical detection device.
  • the rotational positions of the cable ends are preferably determined at least before the start of the alignment process. Based on the knowledge of the actual condition, it can be calculated to what extent the cable has to be rotated. The distance required for the lateral movement can be calculated by taking the cable diameter into account. After the first setting, the lateral method preferably checks whether the rotational position has actually been assumed to be in the desired position. Otherwise, the readjustment process must be repeated again. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the rotational position is monitored permanently or at least during the entire alignment process. A cable end monitored in this way allows control without prior calculation of the required travel path, during which the clamping jaw is continuously moved laterally and the travel process is stopped when the correct rotational position is present.
  • the optical detection device can include a camera.
  • the optical detection device can be or include a scanning unit or an image acquisition module with at least one line sensor.
  • the assembled cable ends are preferably introduced into the image acquisition module before the start of the alignment process.
  • the two clamping jaws and the middle bar of the dual cable alignment device can optionally also be used for assembly, in that the two clamping jaws and the middle bar assume the functions of cable grippers.
  • This can be done, for example, in that the central web is designed to be divisible or consists of two parts and that the web halves or parts separated by division can each work together with the associated clamping jaws to create individual gripping units in such a way that they can each be moved more or less individually for the assembly process to connector housings.
  • the invention then relates to a method for aligning assembled cable ends of two cables of a particularly twisted cable strand in the correct rotational position, preferably using the cable alignment device described above.
  • the method is characterized in that each of the cables is clamped between gripping means, and that the clamped cables are set in motion by the gripping means moving past one another, thereby changing the rotational position of the assembled cable ends of the cables and thus aligning the respective assembled cable end.
  • the engaging means are preferably the clamping jaws mentioned at the outset and the central web.
  • the engagement means are moved past one another until the desired rotational position of the respective assembled cable end is reached. It is advantageous if only one of the means of attack is moved per cable and the other means of attack is stationary or remains stationary.
  • the latter means of engagement can be formed by a common component which is arranged centrally between two means of engagement which can be moved laterally.
  • the rotational position of the assembled cable ends can be monitored using an optical detection device that uses a shadow image of the contact elements to detect the position.
  • the shadow image is preferably generated from the shadow width or shadow contour of the contact elements and the angle of rotation of a scanning unit of the optical detection device.
  • a particularly advantageous method results when the rotational position of the assembled cable ends is monitored by means of the optical detection device, which uses a shadow image of the two contact elements of the cable ends to determine the position, with the determination of the rotational position of the assembled cable ends being excluded from the examination of the area of the shadow image in which an overlap of the shadow contours of the two contact elements occurs.
  • the assembled cable ends are pre-aligned and only then is the rotational position of the assembled cable ends determined for the first time by means of the optical detection device.
  • the process time for carrying out the alignment process can thus be further shortened.
  • An operator can carry out the pre-alignment manually, for example.
  • the cable rolling movements caused by the means of attack driving past each other can lead to the cable ends being further apart.
  • This aspect can be useful.
  • the cable ends, which are now farther apart can be gripped more easily by cable grippers.
  • the cable ends can be approximately at the same height in the closed position or at the beginning of the alignment process.
  • the assembled cable ends can have different heights during or after the alignment process.
  • the fully aligned, assembled cable ends can be gripped by cable grippers at different heights and brought to the desired location, e.g. in the cells of a connector housing, for assembly.
  • figure 1 shows a cable alignment device 10 for aligning cable ends of two cables 3, 4 of a twisted cable strand 2 extending along a longitudinal axis L in the correct rotational position.
  • the term “dual cable alignment device” is therefore also used below for the cable alignment device 10 handling two cables 3, 4.
  • the respective cable is usually an electrical cable containing, for example, a solid conductor made of copper or steel or wire strands and insulation as a sheath for the conductors.
  • the Cartesian coordinate system shown serves as an aid to understanding the directions and the main movements of the components of the dual cable alignment device 10.
  • the dual cable alignment device 10 comprises two clamping jaws 7 and 8, which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis L, in opposite directions between an initial or open position and a closed position in the y direction.
  • the longitudinal axis L also corresponds to the direction in which the respective cable longitudinal axes of the cable ends of the cables 3, 4 run.
  • the closing movement to create the closed position is indicated by arrows s.
  • the dual cable alignment device 10 further includes a central web 9 arranged between the clamping jaws 7, 8 1 In the closed position shown, the two cables 3, 4 running approximately axially parallel are held in place by the cable alignment device 10. In each case, a cable 3, 4 is held in a clamping manner between the central web 9 and one of the clamping jaws 7, 8.
  • the cable alignment device 10 shown here is used in particular with regard to a subsequent assembly of connector housings with ready-made cable ends.
  • crimp contacts are present as contact elements 5, 6, for example.
  • figure 1 how out figure 1 can be removed, the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 are not rectified and oriented obliquely relative to the vertical and horizontal. Be rotationally aligned with the dual cable alignment device 10 described in detail below.
  • figure 2 shows a cable harness 2 with such aligned finished cable ends of the cables 3, 4, wherein the cable ends with the contact elements 5, 6, however, lie on a common horizontal plane.
  • twisted cable harness 2 is a so-called UTP cable.
  • the contact elements 5, 6 At the free ends of the cables 3, 4 are contact elements 5, 6 with rectangular or rhombic cross-section outer contours attached. However, the contact elements 5, 6 could also have other non-round cross-sectional shapes. Round contact elements usually do not require their rotational position to be adjusted.
  • Grommets 35 are also attached to the ends of the cables 3, 4 by way of example. Of course, grommets can also be dispensed with if required.
  • the twisted area of the cable harness 2 is denoted by 13 .
  • the front side of the short untwisted area with the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 adjoins this twisted area 13. Areas of the cables 3, 4 are designated by 14, 15, in which areas the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 act on the respective cable.
  • the dual cable alignment device 10 can also be used to process untwisted cable strands composed of two cables.
  • FIG. 3 a shows the dual cable aligner 10 in a home position. In this position, the cable ends of the cable harness can be inserted into the dual cable aligner 10 .
  • One cable 3, 4 each is then located between one of the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the centrally arranged central web 9.
  • the two clamping jaws 7, 8 are then moved toward one another by means of feed drives (not shown here).
  • the corresponding closing directions or movements are indicated with arrows s1 and s2.
  • Figure 3b shows the situation after delivery. In the closed position, the cables 3, 4 are held in a clamping manner between the central web 9 and one of the clamping jaws 7, 8.
  • the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 are generally not yet in the correct rotational position.
  • the corresponding misalignments are in Figure 3b with angles ⁇ 1 and ⁇ 2 indicated.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 are now moved in the lateral direction, while the middle bar 9 remains stationary.
  • the corresponding lateral movement of the clamping jaws 7, 8 is indicated by arrows w1 and w2 .
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 perform an opposite but not coupled movement.
  • movements in the same direction are also conceivable. Under certain circumstances, only one of the clamping jaws 7, 8 is moved.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 each have clamping surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23 running parallel to one another.
  • the clamping surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23 are, for example, designed to be planar in the present case.
  • the attack means 7, 9; 8, 9, the clamped cables 3, 4 are set in a cable rolling motion.
  • the cables In order to enable the cable rolling movement, the cables have an outer contour that is approximately circular in cross section and is predetermined, for example, by the cable sheath.
  • the opposing clamping surfaces 20, 22; 21, 23 each specify a type of track on which the cables can roll off.
  • the cable 3 rolls down when the clamping jaw 7 is moved laterally in the w 1 direction.
  • the cable 4 rolls up when the clamping jaw 8 is moved laterally in the w 2 direction.
  • the lateral displacement path by which the respective clamping jaws 7, 8 must be moved up or down essentially depends on the angle ⁇ 1, ⁇ 2. These angles can be detected by means of detection devices for determining the rotational position of the cables. Such detection devices are explained in detail below.
  • the cable diameter is often already known and does not necessarily have to be specifically recorded. Based on the knowledge of the actual state, as based on the angle value ⁇ 1 , ⁇ 2 , including the cable diameter, it can be calculated to what extent the cable must be rotated and consequently how large the travel path required for this must be.
  • FIGs 4a to 4c show the dual cable aligner 10 of FIG figure 1 in the same positions analogous to Figures 3a-3c .
  • FIG 1 and in the Figures 4a to 4c are also the respective drives for moving the individual components recognizable.
  • Infeed drives for closing and opening the clamping jaws 7, 8 are denoted by 18, 19.
  • the infeed drive 18, which is designed pneumatically or electromechanically, for example, moves the clamping jaw 7 in the s 1 direction for infeed
  • the infeed drive 19 moves the clamping jaw 8 in the s 2 direction for infeed ( Figure 4a ).
  • the two clamping jaws 7, 8 are designed to change the rotational position of the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 by means of lateral drives 16, 17 on the central web 9 laterally mobile past.
  • Each clamping jaw 7, 8 is assigned its own individually controllable lateral drive 16, 17 for the lateral movement.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 can be moved independently of one another in the w 1 or w 2 direction by means of their own drives 16, 17. It can thus be ensured that each cable 3, 4 is brought into the desired rotational position precisely and reliably.
  • the lateral drives 16, 17 are embodied as threaded rod drives with threaded rods 36 in the present example. Other linear drives such as those with linear motors can also be used for the lateral drives 16, 17. Pneumatic or hydraulic lateral drives are also conceivable.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 have flat clamping surfaces for loading the cables 3, 4.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 can have coatings made of an elastomer, so that advantageous clamping surfaces are created which allow the cables 3, 4 to roll without slipping.
  • FIGS Figures 5 and 6 Further structural details of the dual cable alignment device 10 can be found in FIGS Figures 5 and 6 be removed.
  • the optical Detection device 11 includes an image acquisition module with a scanning unit with line sensors.
  • the optical detection device 11 also has a test head 40, which is cylindrical here by way of example, which contains the line sensors and which can be rotated about its axis in a manner known per se.
  • an image acquisition module can be used, as is already known from FIG EP 1 304 773 A1 has become known.
  • the present optical detection device 11 differs from the known detection device primarily in that it is particularly well suited for detecting assembled cable ends of two cables. This aspect will be discussed below in particular with reference to figures 23 up to 25 still received in detail.
  • the cable alignment device 10 is equipped with linear guides 37, which ensure lateral linear movements with high precision.
  • the next work step can be the actual assembly.
  • the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 are grasped by an assembly gripping unit 12 and guided to connector housings (not shown), which are figure 8 is shown.
  • the contact elements 5, 6 are plugged into cells of a connector housing, for example.
  • the dual cable alignment device 10 is therefore a component of an arrangement for handling cables, which is denoted by 1 and which, for the sake of simplicity, is referred to below as the “assembly arrangement”.
  • the placement arrangement 1 comprises the dual cable alignment device 10, the optical detection device 11 and the pick and place unit 12.
  • the pick-and-place gripping unit 12 has two cable grippers 30, 31 for gripping the assembled cable ends of the cables 3, 4 and for feeding the assembled cable ends, which are aligned in the correct rotational position, to the connector housings.
  • Each of the cable grippers 30, 31 can be controlled individually and can be moved in the x, y and z directions.
  • the fact that the cable grippers 30, 31 can be moved independently of one another by means of corresponding actuators ensures that the cables, which are generally at different heights after the alignment process, can be gripped.
  • a third gripper 32 is also provided for strain relief of the cable harness 2 during loading.
  • FIGS figures 9 and 10 Further details of the pick-and-place gripping unit 12 for the pick-and-place assembly 1 are shown in FIGS figures 9 and 10 removable. So are about in figure 9 the directions of movement of actuators are indicated by double arrows, with which the cable grippers 30, 31 can be moved. By means of actuators designated 50, the cable grippers 30, 31 can be moved up and down in the z-direction in order to be able to grasp the cables 3, 4 lying at different heights. Actuators 49; Actuators 51 are used to move the cable grippers 30, 31 in the y-direction figure 9 Actuators 48 for opening and closing the cable grippers 30, 31 can be seen.
  • the cable grippers 30, 31 grasp the cables 3, 4 in front of the components (jaws 7, 8, central web 9) acting on the cable. Since these components 7, 8, 9 act on a comparatively large cable section - with respect to the cable longitudinal axis L - for the cable rolling movements, the cable grippers 30, 31 have only little space for grasping the cables 3, 4. Therefore, each of the cable grippers 30, 31 has cranked front parts 33, which connect the respective gripper jaws 38 of the cable grippers with the gripper supports 39. The cranked cable grippers 30, 31 are also very popular figure 10 recognizable.
  • the two clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 can be profiled Clamping surfaces.
  • Clamping surfaces with such profiles formed by grooves or grooves are in the Figures 11 to 16 shown.
  • the grooves of the profiles run in the z-direction, ie at right angles to the longitudinal axis L of the cable alignment device 10.
  • the profile is formed by grooves running parallel to one another.
  • the grooves of the clamping surface 20 of the clamping jaw 7 are denoted by 24; the grooves of the clamping surface 22 of the central web are denoted by 34 .
  • the clamping surfaces 21 and 23 assigned to the other cable are designed in the same way.
  • the grooves 24, 35 of the clamping surfaces 20 and 22 lying opposite one another cover one another—seen in the y-direction. This arrangement is particularly good in figure 12 recognizable. Like subsequent figure 16 relating to a further exemplary embodiment, the grooves can also be arranged offset from one another in the cable alignment device 10 .
  • jaws 7, 8 are designed as one-piece components.
  • the components which are preferably made of metallic materials, consist of jaws containing the clamping surfaces 20 or 21, connecting arms 28 and connecting parts 29, the connecting parts 29 forming spindle nuts for the previously mentioned threaded rod drives.
  • the central web 9 has a tapering inlet section 25 which adjoins the clamping surfaces 22 , 23 and which faces the twisted region 13 of the cable harness 2 .
  • the inlet section 25 is formed by bevels that create a favorable inlet geometry.
  • FIG. 13 An alternative embodiment of the profiling show the Figures 13, 14 .
  • the profiles of the clamping surfaces 20, 21, 22, 23 of the two clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9 also run transversely to the longitudinal axis L, as in the previous embodiment, but here diagonally.
  • the diagonally running grooves 24 of the clamping jaw 7 are oriented at right angles to the grooves 34 associated with the central web 9 .
  • the clamping jaws 8 are oriented at right angles to the grooves associated with the central web.
  • the Figures 15 and 16 relate to another arrangement with jaws 7, 8 and Center bar 9 for the cable alignment device 10.
  • the center bar 9 has step-like separate bar segments for optionally specifying different clamping surfaces 22, 23; 22', 23';22",23" on.
  • the central web 9 is formed as a stepped column with respect to a web axis running in the z-direction.
  • the clamping surfaces 22, 23 of the first web segment, the clamping surfaces 22', 23' of the second web segment and the clamping surfaces 22", 23" of the third web segment are obviously spaced apart by different distances. With such an arrangement, cables of different thicknesses can be aligned in the correct rotational position.
  • the central web 9 can be moved between the clamping jaws 7, 8 by means of a drive, not shown here.
  • the moving in and out movement of the central web 9 would take place in the direction of the z-axis.
  • the clamping jaws 7, 8 at the height of the first bar segment of the middle bar 9.
  • the clamping segment of the middle bar 9 has grooves 34 which interact with corresponding grooves 24 of the clamping jaws 7, 8 in such a way that during an alignment process for aligning the assembled cable ends in the correct rotational position, the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the middle bar 9 can be retracted partially interlocking during a lateral movement, so that the next larger step does not impede the movement of the clamping jaws 7, 8.
  • FIGS 17 and 18 show a clamping jaw 8, which is provided with sensors for determining the torsional moment applied to the cable.
  • the second clamping jaw is normally designed in the same way.
  • strain gauges arranged on an upper side and an underside of the connecting arm 28 are arranged as sensors.
  • a recess is provided in the connecting arm 28 in order to make the deformation easier to recognize for the strain gauges and thus to be able to precisely measure the force in the z-direction. From this force, the torsion of the cable during alignment can be deduced.
  • the connecting arm 28 has integrated pressure sensors 27 .
  • the two-piece running jaws 8 consists of the connecting arm 28 with the jaws formed thereon for specifying the clamping surface 21 and from the connecting part 29.
  • the deformation of the gripper jaw 8 in the z-direction can alternatively be determined, for example, via an actual/target comparison of the clamping surfaces of the outer jaws.
  • the position of the clamping surface is measured in the Z direction and compared with the target position.
  • the measured deformation or force only allows a direct conclusion about the torsion of the cable end to a limited extent.
  • the insulation can be deformed by clamping the cable, which leads to a flexing of the insulation when the clamping jaws are moved in the z-direction.
  • the flexing resistance can also act against the force of the clamping jaw (force in the z-direction).
  • the resistance from flexing can be quantified in two ways.
  • the offset of the force/displacement curve can be considered.
  • Such a force/displacement curve is in figure 20 shown. Since the theoretical force/displacement curve of the cable (dash-dotted line) goes through the zero point, the offset is largely attributable to the flexing resistance. This essentially corresponds to the process according to the Figures 19a, 19b and 19c .
  • a force/displacement curve for the process according to Figures 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d shows figure 21 .
  • the outward journey is represented by a solid line and the return journey by the dashed line.
  • the rotational position of the assembled cable ends is monitored by means of an optical detection device 11, which uses a silhouette of the two contact elements 5, 6 of the cable ends 14, 15 to detect the position.
  • the optical detection device 11 comprises a light curtain 11 and a line sensor 42 lying opposite it.
  • the assembled cable ends of the two cables are located between them, with the present contact elements 5 and 6 being shown in simplified form as almost rectangular cross-sectional areas.
  • the contact elements 5 and 6 have a diamond-shaped outer contour;
  • the cross sections of the contact elements 5 and 6 are drawn as parallelograms. The parallelograms are evidently not perpendicular to the light curtain, which is close to a real situation where the cable ends may be slightly tilted.
  • the optical detection device 11 can be rotated about an axis of rotation which extends in the direction of the x-axis.
  • the line sensor 42 takes an image after each rotation of the optical detection device 11, whereby the in figure 22 composite silhouette shown is created.
  • the axis of the silhouette labeled ⁇ corresponds to the angle of rotation of the optical detection device 11.
  • the method for aligning assembled cable ends of two cables of the UTP cable in the correct rotational position can, for example, proceed as follows:
  • the finished UTP cable is introduced into the cable alignment device 10 and the cables are clamped at the untwisted cable ends by the clamping jaws 7, 8 in the manner described above (closed position).
  • the twisted area of the cable are kept at a certain distance from the arrangement with the clamping jaws 7, 8 and the central web 9.
  • the optical detection device 11 is moved into a test position (cf. previous 7 ).
  • the optical detection device 11 rotates the test head 40 around the contact elements 5, 6 and checks the rotational position of the contact elements.
  • the probe 40 has the light curtain 41 and the associated line sensor 42 to generate shadow images of the contact elements 5.6. While the test head 40 rotates around the contact elements 5, 6, the captured shadow images are recorded.
  • the shadowed edges of the contact elements illuminated in this way are denoted by 44 .
  • the shadow contour is examined for local minima 45 in order to determine the rotational position of the contact elements 5, 6.
  • the two shadow contours 43 overlap when the probe 40 rotates about the contact elements 5, 6.
  • the shadow edges can be assigned to the contact elements 5, 6.
  • the area of expected overlap is excluded from the investigation. So that rotation angle range of the test head 40 in which it is expected that the contact elements 5, 6 are on top of each other (from the point of view of the line sensor). This overlap area is in figure 22 labeled 46.
  • the contact elements 5, 6 run approximately parallel to the axis of rotation of the probe 40 and have a rectangular cross section in the cutting plane of the light curtain 41, then the minima 45 of a contact part 5, 6 are offset from one another by 90°. In this ideal situation, the local minima are repeated after 180°. Therefore, the entire 360° range does not necessarily have to be searched for the minima. If the contact elements 5, 6 with a rectangular cross section run at a small angle (e.g. 5°) to the axis of rotation of the test head 40, the detected cross section may be slightly distorted into a parallelogram if the tilting axis runs diagonally.
  • a small angle e.g. 5°
  • the cable alignment device 10 rotates the cable ends into the desired angular position.
  • the contact elements 5, 6 can be rotated differently relative to one another, depending on the slots provided.
  • the assembly gripping unit 12 comprising two individually controllable cable grippers 30, 31 grips the cable ends at their respective z-positions and the optical detection device is moved away from the test position.
  • the contact elements 5, 6 are scanned in order to determine the positions of the tips of the contact elements in a known manner.
  • the cable grippers 30, 31 insert the contact elements 5, 6 into the slots or cells provided on the connector housing, with the assembly process being adapted to the positions of the tips.
  • the contact elements can be fed to the cable alignment device 10 in a prealigned manner. Thanks to this measure, the angular range through which the cable alignment device 10 must be able to rotate the contact elements 5, 6 can be reduced to ⁇ 20°. Also the examination area of the probe 40 can be reduced since--as is shown in FIG. 25--with pre-aligned contact elements 5, 6 a local minimum 45 per contact part is sufficient to determine the rotational position. Prealigned in this way, contact elements 5, 6 with an asymmetrical cross section can also be processed well.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Processing Of Terminals (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
  • Processes Specially Adapted For Manufacturing Cables (AREA)
EP22152286.5A 2022-01-19 2022-01-19 Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles Pending EP4216378A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22152286.5A EP4216378A1 (fr) 2022-01-19 2022-01-19 Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles
JP2023000412A JP2023105798A (ja) 2022-01-19 2023-01-05 ケーブルアライメント装置およびケーブルハーネスの２つのケーブルの組み立てられたケーブル端部を正しい回転位置に位置合わせするための方法、ならびにケーブルアライメント装置を用いてケーブル端部を有するプラグハウジングを組み立てるためのアレンジメント
US18/153,392 US20230230728A1 (en) 2022-01-19 2023-01-12 Cable alignment apparatus and method for aligning assembled cable ends of two cables of a cable harness in the correct rotational position as well as arrangement for assembling plug housings with cable ends with the cable alignment apparatus
CN202310065652.2A CN116469616A (zh) 2022-01-19 2023-01-13 线缆排齐装置和方法以及用于利用线缆排齐装置给插头壳体装备线缆端部的结构

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22152286.5A EP4216378A1 (fr) 2022-01-19 2022-01-19 Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4216378A1 true EP4216378A1 (fr) 2023-07-26

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EP22152286.5A Pending EP4216378A1 (fr) 2022-01-19 2022-01-19 Dispositif d'alignement des câbles et procédé d'alignement en rotation des extrémités de câble confectionnées de deux câbles d'un faisceau de câbles, ainsi qu'agencement d'insertion des extrémités de câble dans les boîtiers de connexion à l'aide du dispositif d'alignement des câbles

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US (1) US20230230728A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP4216378A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2023105798A (fr)
CN (1) CN116469616A (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1304773A1 (fr) 2001-10-05 2003-04-23 komax Holding AG Procédé et dispositif pour la mise en place d'extrémités de câble préparés d'un câble dans des boítiers de connecteur
EP3301768A1 (fr) 2016-10-03 2018-04-04 Komax Holding AG Procédé et dispositif pour l'alignement d'extrémités de câble préparés d'un faisceau de câbles

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1304773A1 (fr) 2001-10-05 2003-04-23 komax Holding AG Procédé et dispositif pour la mise en place d'extrémités de câble préparés d'un câble dans des boítiers de connecteur
EP3301768A1 (fr) 2016-10-03 2018-04-04 Komax Holding AG Procédé et dispositif pour l'alignement d'extrémités de câble préparés d'un faisceau de câbles

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CN116469616A (zh) 2023-07-21
US20230230728A1 (en) 2023-07-20
JP2023105798A (ja) 2023-07-31

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