GB2235885A

GB2235885A - Terminal setting and grommet inserting machines far cables

Info

Publication number: GB2235885A
Application number: GB9015807A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Juan Jose Colina Vidal
Original assignee: Lear Automotive EEDS Spain SL
Current assignee: Lear Automotive EEDS Spain SL
Priority date: 1989-07-24
Filing date: 1990-07-18
Publication date: 1991-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2010-07-18
Also published as: DE4023011A1; GB2235885B; FR2650126B1; GB9015807D0; FR2650126A1; ES2014931A6

Abstract

A rotatable unit 16 receives rubber sealing grommets from a vibrator 25, and carries them by rotation to position 13', where blocks 14 converge to grip each one in turn. When an unstripped cable is inserted therethrough up to an adjustable stop, which is provided with detection means, it causes blades attached to the blocks 14 to lower, thereby stripping the conductor sheath or insulation. Subsequently, with the aid of an arm 15 and gripper member 15' the conductor is held in place and then moved into position for a press to fit a terminal whereafter the arm 15 withdraws rearwardly and gripper member 15' opens releasing the conductor. <IMAGE>

Description

LGB160790 1- TERMINAL SETTING AND GROMMET INSERTING MACHINES FOR CABLES

This invention relates to terminal setting and grommet inserting machines for cables, that is to say apparatus for automatically stripping cable end regions and fitting sealing grommets and electrical connection members thereto.

The addition of electrical connection members to conductors requires, as a prior operation in the case of insulated electrical conductors, the removal of the insulating sheath from said conductors. The work of cable stripping (ie removal of the insulating sheath) is currently performed by hand with the aid of small tools so the results obtained are fairly inconsistent both as regards possible damage to the cable core and the length of sheath or insulating member removed.

There is no machine or device on the market having, as its main functions, those of cutting the sheath and removing it for subsequent fitting of a terminal on the portion of conductor released from the sheath, together with the addition of other sealing members to the cables. It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus to carry out the above functions either semiautomatically or fully automatically so as to allow a high production level to be obtained. The apparatus should preferably also be capable of adjustment so as to provide cable ends suitable for different types of electrical conductors, depending on the nominal diameter as well as on the length of insulating sheath to be stripped.

The machine in question should preferably also allow, when the conductor to be processed so requires, the fitting thereon of members allowing a seal to be formed relative to the conductor when it is inserted in a particular closed volume, said members being small rubber sealing grommets of the like.

According to the invention apparatus for automatically stripping cable end regions and fitting sealing grommets and electrical connection members thereto comprises a rotatable unit whereby LGB160790 sealing grommets are transferred one by one to a cable insertion station, gripping means actuable to hold a grommet at the insertion station, an adjustable stop and/or sensor, spaced at a predetermined distance from the gripper means, whereby the position of the end of a cable is determined and detected cutting means associated with the gripping means and actuable by way of the stop or sensor when the presence of a cable is detected to cut the cable sheath adjacent the grommet between the grommet and the cable end, and a displaceable arm for transferring the cable, after stripping, from the insertion station to a terminal mounting station.

A preferred embodiment of the apparatus includes a system of supply of rubber sealing grommets to a pick up station using vibrators, and a pneumatically extensible pin which picks up each rubber sealing grommet from a standby situation in the pick-up station and by means of a pneumatic rotatable unit, (rotaflex) transfers it to a second station, where the rubber seal is held by two blocks, which resemble matching halves of a mould. The foregoing process is controlled by two inductive sensors which control the position of the rotatable unit, a first photoelectric cell which signals the presence of the rubber sealing grommet in the pick-up station, a reed switch which makes rotation of the rotatable unit possible, and a second photoelectric cell which signals when the rubber seal has reached the second station and outputs a command to the said blocks to close on the rubber sealing grommet, holing it in place.

The operator inserts the end of an unstripped cable into the rubber sealing grommet, actuating a microswitch, situated in the path thereof, which causes stripping blades to close and cut the cable sheath. Simultaneously, a gripper member having movement on axes x-x and y-y picks up and holds the cable, thereby stripping it. Prior to stripping, the blocks are opened to release the rubber sealing grommet.

The gripper member with the stripped cable and mounted rubber sealing grommet is moved to a setting position, situating the W LGB160790 3_ cable and the rubber sealing grommet above a terminal for subsequent setting. The gripper subsequently releases the cable with the rubber sealing grommet and the terminal already mounted in place, leaving the machine ready for the next cycle. In this respect, the rotatable unit has in the meanwhile pivoted back to pick up another rubber sealing grommet in the pick-up position and brought it again to the second (cable insertion) position.

All the movements of all the members forming the machine are controlled by sensors, limit switches, microswitches, photoelectric cells, induction members and reeds, and the information therefrom is used by a programme installed in a programmable processor or on automat which executes, controls and directs the machine cycle.

This machine allows the assembly of this type of connections semiautomatically on cables which because of their shape may not be processed in a fully automatic way in a conventional cutting machine.

Other details and characteristics of the present invention will become evident in the following description, in which reference is made to the drawings accompanying this specification in which, somewhat schematically, the preferred details have been shown. These details are given as an example, with reference to one possible practical embodiment, and the invention is not limited thereto. In other words, the following description should be considered from an illustrative point of view, without limitations.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of an exemplary machine in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a sideView of the pneumatic rotatable unit of the machine of Figure 1.

LGB160790 4- With reference to Figure 1, a rotatable unit 16 is supplied with sealing grommets 20 by a vibrator 25. These rubber sealing grommets 20 are one by one, carried by the unit 16 by rotation of the latter to position 22 as indicated in Figure 2.

Blocks 14, having a vertical up and down movement, converge to hold the grommet 20 in position 22. When an operator inserts an unstripped cable end through the grommet 20 in position 22, up to an adjustable stop 30, the presence of the cable end is detected by a built-in sensor which causes blades attached to the blocks 14 to lower thereby cutting the conductor sheath or insulation. The conductor is subsequently held in place by means of a gripper member 15' mounted on a displaceable arm 15 capable of forward and return movement in x-x and y-y directions. Starting out from the position shown in Figure 2, this arm 15 moves the stripped cable end with attached grommet 20 and places it in position so that a conventional press may fit the terminal. Thereafter the gripper member 151 on the arm 15 is withdrawn backwards in an x-x movement and opens so as to release the conductor into a conventional tray (not shown).

The positioning of the rubber sealing grommet 20 in position 22 according to Figure 2 is effected in the following way. Firstly as may be seen in Figure 2 the rubber sealing grommet 20 situated on the flat surface 21 is picked up with the aid of a cylinder 18 and a pin 17 and is placed in position 22 by a 900 rotation around shaft 19. A signal is outputted by a photoelectric cell whenever a rubber sealing grommet is in said position 22.

The rubber sealing grommet 20 is fed forward by the pin 17 and situated in the position 13 so that, as described above, a photoelectric cell (not shown in the figure) signals the presence of the rubber sealing grommet and closes the blocks 14 therearound.

The movements of the arm 15 are ensured by guide shafts 24 and 23 which allow said arm 15 to travel to the position 13 and return to the starting point transferring the stripped cable with the 1 Z LGB160790 5- fitted rubber sealing grommet 20 for the setting of the corresponding terminal on the end of said stripped cable.

It will be understood that the invention provides a simple and effective construction which may be reduced to practice with great eas e.

LGB160790

Claims

Apparatus for automatically stripping cable end regions and fitting sealing grommets and electrical connection members thereto comprising a rotatable unit whereby sealing grommets are transferred one by one to a cable insertion station, gripping means actuable to hold a grommet at the insertion station, an adjustable stop and/or sensor, spaced at a predetermined distance from the gripper means, whereby the position of the end of a cable is determined and detected, cutting means associated with the gripping means and actuable by way of the stop or sensor when the presence of a cable is detected to cut the cable sheath adjacent the grommet between the grommet and the cable end, and a displaceable arm for transferring the cable, after stripping, from the insertion station to a terminal mounting station.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stop and/or sensor determining and detecting the position of the end of a cable is mounted upon the rotatable unit for transferring grommets to the insertion station.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the rotatable unit includes a pin or finger whereby grommets are picked up and conveyed to the insertion station.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the pin or finger is capable of extending and retracting.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rotatable unit rotates through approximately 90'to convey each grommet from a pick up position to the said insertion station.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the grommets are supplied to a pick up position, for engagement LGB160790 7- by the rotatable unit, by means of a vibrator.

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cutting means comprises a pair of opposed blades.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the gripping means comprises a pair of opposed elements capable of moving inwardly towards each other.

Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the displaceable arm is mounted on shafts for movement in at least two mutually perpendicular planes.

10. Apparatus for automatically stripping cable end regions and fitting sealing grommets and electrical connection members thereto substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Published 1991 at Ilic Patent Offi wc. Stat, House. 66/71 High Holborn, LondonWC I R 41T. Further copies may be obtained from Sales Branch, Unit 6, Nine Mile Point, CWrnfelinfach. Cross Keys. Newport- NP) 7HZ. Printed by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Mary Cray, Kent.