SI9011582A - Production of wire assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

Wire assemblies are produced by preparing the wire in the first section (11) and producing wire assemblies in the second one (12). The wire assemblies are produced in the second section by transporting the wire assembly by a transporting device (23) from one side of the conveyor belt to the other, on a larger number of workplaces (15) for manual assembly located along the transporting device, featuring local wire sources (32) at some workplaces as well as by providing local connector sources (40) on some workplaces and joining some of the wires to some of the connectors at another ones by mounting wires into connectors of the wire assembly (8). The local wire sources at some workplaces are provided by transportation from the first section to the workplaces. The transporting device is operated successively and temporarily, the working operations at different workplaces are initially determined in such a way that their time exactly corresponds to the completion time. The prepared wire bundles are stored in channel tablets (20) and can be transported and held on moving trolleys. The U-shape channel tablets (20) can be positioned horizontally or vertically. Apart from its upper side, the transporting device features throughs (50, 52) along one or both sides to enable the initial positioning of the wire assembly in the transverse position to the conveyor belt so that parts of the wire assembly are hanging and/or are located in the through/throughs. The wire assembly can be held and guided by fingers, located on the conveyor belt holding the wire assembly with its fingers. Some of the workplaces feature auxiliary benches (36). Some of these auxiliary benches are located rotationally so that they can be moved from the working to the idle position in order to facilitate the assembly. Apart from the automated transporting device a ribbon wrapping device also includes an enhanced device (38) for wrapping wire bundles with a ribbon by manually shifting the device along the bundle. The device can also be mounted to a rotatin

Description

Manufacture of wire structures

The invention generally relates to the manufacture of wire structures, in particular to processes and apparatus for the manufacture of wire structures, as well as to a system comprising certain devices for the production of wire structures. These devices generally refer to wrapping plants, in particular to mechanically wound wrapping plants around a long object, such as. a bundle of wires that is processed into a wire formation. The invention more specifically relates to tape wrapping machines for use in tape bundling plants. This device further relates generally to a tool for assembling the ends, and in particular to a tool for assembling the connecting ends for joining fabricated bundles of wires to the joints of common overhead lines. The apparatus also relates to bundles.

The production or production of wire structures involves several forms and the use of different techniques, ranging from highly intensive manual production to the use of relatively high levels of automation. The former technique is acceptable only if a source of cheap labor is available, while the latter requires a significant investment of capital and can be relatively inflexible. The production of high-quality and cost-effective wire structures for vehicle motos can be challenging, especially where the high initial cost of installations and the diversity of wire structures due to different car models serve as an argument against the high level of automation. Likewise, the relatively high cost of available labor dictates the avoidance of inefficient exploitation of such a mode of work.

It is therefore important, although for reasons of flexibility, that it would be desirable to retain manual production so that the processes and machines used are as efficient as possible in order to be competitive.

The systems used in the prior art require various personnel or workers to perform different individual operations at different locations, e.g. one person cuts the wire, another person joins the bundles of bundles, and the third joins the whole bundles. More recently, this has been improved by a streaming process in which one person can perform multi-stage operations, such as. cutting of wires, preparation of bundle assemblies and preparation of final joining of wire formation. However, because of the need for a lot of walking in the workplace, this technique could also require considerable time and physical effort on the part of the worker or operator. In addition, the amount of time it takes to train a worker to perform all these operations can be considerable.

Since inserting many wires into different predefined paths is the essence of making a wire formation, the efficiency of working with these wires during the manufacturing process is of particular importance.

When producing wire forms and other bundles of elongated objects, it is often necessary to maintain the strength of the bundles by wrapping tape around the bundle. When forming a wire formation, the winding of the bundles of wires is usually done by manually winding the tape around the bundle. Depending on the size of the bundle, the characteristics of the tape, and the number of operations that need to be performed, such work can be very laborious, and it can even be painful for the person performing it. As a result, motor-driven wrapping machines were introduced to mechanically apply the tape to bundles of wires. These winding machines typically have a frame or housing, a propulsion motor, and some kind of orbital mechanism inside the engine-driven housing that allows the ribbon coil to rotate around a bundle of wires. In order to allow the insertion and extraction of bundles of wires into the center region of the machine, a part on the machine is generally provided to be designed as a permanent opening towards the center area. An example of such a tape wrapping machine is the ISOTAP ΒΑΒΥ 040 machine sold by Design Equipments Representation France [nternational (DERFI) in Cormeilles en Parisis, France. Such a machine can be hung on a rope or placed on rails to slide and be able to move along bundles of wires.

Although this type of wrapping is generally satisfactory, it is desirable to further improve the wrapping process in general, and wrapping machines in particular, which makes it easier, more efficient and more accurate to wrap wire structures and similar bundles.

When forming wire circuits, it is often necessary or desirable to connect a certain number of conductors to the same potential. This can often be done by connecting these conductors to a common line (/?u.v) or a common line connector. In addition, the common line connector can have a larger number of terminals to which individual conductors can be connected and connected. Such couplings of multiple end conductors to the common line connector often occur in wire structures, such as for example. for wire structures for motor vehicles.

The connection of the end conductors to the corresponding connections of the common line connector is often done manually, especially where this is included as one of the stages during the construction of the wire formation during considerable manual work. Manually interconnecting the termination conductors with the common line connector terminals can be tedious for the operator, especially where the corresponding terminals are connected individually and manually. This can be further complicated if the connectors on the connector are positioned very close to each other, interfering with or making it difficult to insert the connectors manually.

Certain processes for the manufacture of wire structures from the prior art have utilized one or more ticks to form wire structures that are designed to facilitate the formation of parts of the wire structure on them. Such benches typically have different surface holders arranged so that they are configured to assist in the formation of the shape of the wire structure being manufactured. Such benches are typically large, stationary, and form part of a production line at a particular workplace, but can be placed at different locations in the factory area.

Accordingly, the main object of the invention is to provide an improved process, system and apparatus for the production of high quality and affordable wire structures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a process and apparatus with an acceptable degree of flexibility to adapt to changes in the design of wire structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a process and apparatus for the efficient handling of wires used in the manufacture of wire structures.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device that facilitates the assembly and handling of wire structures, in particular the design of subassemblies for insertion into these wire structures.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device that will be effectively used in combination with a generally improved wire forming system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device that facilitates the assembly and handling of wire structures during the preparatory stages.

In addition, it is a further object of the invention to provide a tool for assembling connectors to facilitate the coupling of multiple terminated conductors to a common line connector.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a connector coupling tool that is capable of interconnecting female connectors on suitable conductors with corresponding male connectors on a common line connector.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved connector coupling tool that reduces the scope and complexity of manual interventions for interconnecting end leads with a common line connector.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a superior method of mechanical wrapping with a strip of long bundle of wires which is manufactured and incorporated into a wire structure. The object of the invention is to provide a device comprising a tape-wrapping machine that achieves a relatively light and precise application of the tape to the bundles of wires in the wire structure.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved ribbon wrapping machine that is suitable and positively held by a bundle of wires within a wire structure so that it can subsequently and easily be wrapped accurately.

According to the invention, there is provided a method of assembling wire formations comprising phases, in the first region pre-cutting and finishing the quantities of various conductors from which the wire formation will be composed, and in the second region, assembling the wire formation in phases comprising an endless conveyor belt for the wire formation from receiving the embryo at the upstream end of the infinite band all the way to complete completion of the formation at the lower end; while providing for the multiplication of local jobs along the conveyor belt, on which the operators carry out various manual assembly operations, where such operations are variable; providing local sources of supply of wires at various workplaces for use in the assembly work carried out thereon, including the transport of wires from the first area to the appropriate workplace where they provide local supply; while ensuring the local supply of connectors at various workplaces for use in assembling the wireline at that site; by connecting different wires to different connectors at different jobs and integrating wires and connectors into the appropriate wire structures.

The transport of wire structures on the conveyor belt is generally linear. The conveyor belt moves occasionally, and the coupling and connection phases are performed at intervals during the belt movement periodically. The assembly operations to be performed at each of the jobs are pre-selected to require the same time required to perform this.

An improved system for the production of wire structures with a large number of conductors is envisaged. The system comprises a special width mechanized conveyor having relatively defined up and down sections and a large number of posts along the length of the belt to progressively assemble the wire formation from embryo to product. The system also includes means near at least some of the jobs that provide conductors, including some completed ones, for insertion into a wire formation. The length of at least some of the wires is significantly greater than the specific width of the conveyor. In addition, the system comprises a trough near at least one side of the conveyor belt and at least along the upstream portion of the belt, whereby the wires of the wire formation in the embryo may extend in the transverse direction of the belt beyond its specific width, as well as in the trough.

The conveyor belt has means that are attached to it to positively grasp and move the wire formation in the embryo along with the belt. The wire forming means comprise a pair, and typically several pairs of fingers extending from the conveyor upwards. The fingers of each pair are spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the strip, and each pair of fingers is composed of other pairs in the direction of movement of the strip.

The wire formation in the embryo comprises a binding box associated with it, and the width of the trough is sufficient to accommodate the lower box. The conveyor belt may have one or more. the second trough on its side, opposite the first trough.

The wire formation in the embryo may travel generally in a U-shaped conveyor belt, with two U-shaped arms held each time by one pair of fingers extending upwards from the ribbon, and a curved portion in the middle of the U located in a trough arranged on one side of the strip, while the ends of the U-shaped wireline are in the other trough.

Local wire depots for use in the manufacture of wire structures are normally installed and arranged in suitable positions. The wires are pre-cut to various lengths and the wires of the specified lengths are positioned in the channel trays. The duct trays are designed to make manual removal of the wires from them. A certain number of such duct trays, which are generally maintained on a pedestal or movable wagon, are arranged at appropriate posts. The moving carriage is also geared to move the wire-filled duct tray from the first area where they were previously cut and finished, to the area of the transport point and to the special post. Channel trays are typically U-shaped and open at one end for manual access when taking wires from them. Channel tray base (J is generally straight in one embodiment to facilitate the even distribution of the wires in them. Some sockets or moving carts have grips that guide the channel trays mainly horizontally. However, some other sockets or moving carts may be shaped and channel trays directed thereon so that the channel trays stand vertically and the wires therein are arranged to extend from the trays and hang over the upper edge of the trays so as to facilitate In particular, for channel trays in such a vertical direction, retainers are attached to them near the ends of the wire withdrawals to facilitate retention of a group of wires contained in the trays. ensure that the base of the cart reduces the cross-section.

An improved system for producing wire structures, each of which has a large number of wires, is contemplated. The system has a mechanized conveyor belt with a large number of jobs in length for the progressive manual assembly of wire structures. In the vicinity of at least some of the workplaces, means are provided for supplying wires, some of which have been completed, for insertion into a wire formation. The system further comprises one or more auxiliary benches for forming wire structures, each positioned adjacent to a suitable workstation, to facilitate the fabrication of subassemblies of wireline structures for insertion as a whole at appropriate workplaces. More specifically, one or more auxiliary benches for forming wire structures are arranged in reverse for selective rotation between the working position and the stationary position. This working position places the bench in such a way as to facilitate the production of subassemblies of wireline formation, and the resting position leads to the removal of the bench from the working position and is intended to dispose of the auxiliary bench in a convenient place in which there will be no reference to jobs in operations other than those in the manufacture of subassemblies of wire structures.

The wire forming bench has a working platform and a large number of elements for holding the wires, i.e. forks fixed on a platform from which they project upwards to receive, hold and twist various wires around them in different directions of branching a large number of wires of subassemblies of wire structures. The means of holding the wires generally extend upwards from the horizontal platforms, and at their upper ends, there are two-handed forks to hold the wires between the forks. The conveyor has a base frame and the auxiliary benches are rotatable, with shamis attached to the base. A mechanism can be provided for the installation and attachment of auxiliary benches that blocks the auxiliary rotary bench, either during work or in the stationary bench position.

According to the invention, there is provided a device for mechanically wrapping a tape around a long bundle of wires, which are in the process of making a wire formation and are arranged on a movable tape, a wrapping device is arranged at a workplace near the tape and comprises means for supporting the tape wrapping machine to allow the machine to be moved manually along the bundles of stranded wires, with the machine support means arranged near the conveyor belt at least during the wiring of the wiring harness with the strap.

More specifically, the wrapping machine has a housing, a drive motor attached to the housing, an orbital mechanism arranged in a housing which is rotated by the engine so that it orbits a path around the center region in which the bundle of wires is arranged, as well as a means for fixing the strap, arranged on an orbital mechanism that distributes bands across bundles of wires while the mechanism orbits it. The wrapping device rests on a carrier platform arranged near the conveyor belt, but may be rotatably arranged on the conveyor belt. The wrapping machine may be arranged to slide over the bracket along one or more rails attached to the carrier platform. Adjustable limiters can be installed on the rails to limit the travel of the wrapping machine. Manually activated clamps can be e.g. The load-bearing platforms for receiving the bundles of wires shall be arranged sufficiently tightly to prevent the bundle from moving along the belt during the use of the beam tensioning force.

The green is that the tape wrapping machine has a ring body and a ring path, as well as two complementary separate parts, which are joined by shamers and are rotatable between closed and relatively open positions. In addition, the machine's orbital mechanism comprises a ring plate with a center opening, which is divided into two complementary separate annular portions, which are perfectly aligned with the complementary portions of the housing and which rotate together with the portions of the housing between the open and closed positions. The pneumatic-driven motor rotates the drive sprocket, which is in the grip with a separate sprocket made at the front of the individual parts of the plate. More specifically, the drive gear is gripped with the gear in the first afterwards and in the second separate portion of the plate, wherein the non-drive gear disc separated portion is pushed and driven by a separate drive gear engaging portion.

The machine further comprises a detector for determining a particular position for rotating the parts of a separate panel relative to the parts of the housing and for signaling this position. Means are provided to react to this signal to stop the rotation of the parts of the separate panel so that they coincide with the complementary parts of the housing. The complementary housing parts are provided with suitable complementary block means for disassembling the housing housing parts in a closed state.

A tool is provided for connecting the ends of the wires to the terminals, which facilitates the connection of multiple terminated wires to the common line connector. Finished wires have a connector, typically a female connector, and the common line connector has multiple terminals, typically male terminals running from it in the same direction, for interconnecting with terminated wires or. translators. The tool has a first fork to receive multiple terminated wires, a second fork to receive a common line connector, with at least one, first or second fork movable relative to the second from a relatively close relative position to a remote position, corresponding to suitable positions, joining and guiding joints (installation / recording) as well as means, e.g. pneumatic actuator, for joining the first or second fork to positions joined or dismantled. In addition, the first fork comprises means for pre-positioning the terminated wires, and the second fork has means for pre-positioning the common line connector so that, after activating the first or second fork of the terminated wire, it is accurately and completely connected to the corresponding connections on the common line connector.

The connector assembly tool has a base and a linear actuator with a pneumatic actuator, which is secured to the base via a suitable housing. The first fork is firmly connected to the base, and the second fork is connected to the movable lever to initiate reverse movement during position, joining - mounting / recording.

The common line connector has a common base that houses a number of male connectors extending forward from the base, and also has a pair of end fingers arranged on opposite sides of the base from which they extend. The second fork is located so that it can operate in a horizontal plane, with an open cavity disposed thereon and at the outermost front end for gripping and releasing the common line connector, with the fork moving vertically, with the connector. when it is grabbed by the fork, place it precisely in the right place. The second fork further comprises a retaining lever extending from the front of the end fingers of the common line connector so that it is gripped with the end fingers and drives the common base of the connector and the associated terminated wires simultaneously back to guide the final joint when the second fork is actuated from position link to installation / recording position.

The first fork has several fully parallel openings on the upper surface, with one corresponding opening for each completed wire. The openings are completely aligned with the corresponding male connectors of the common line connector, and each opening at its front end is designed to contain a suitable female connector that is aligned with the corresponding male connector.

The invention is described below with reference to an embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings, where FIG. Fig. 1 is a generalized sketch of a plant for assembling wire structures in horizontal projection according to the invention; 2 is a view of a portion of an apparatus for assembling wire structures at the upstream end of FIG. 1, in perspective view, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wagons and channel trays for wire placement and supply, which are used in the wire forming assembly of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows a hinged double channel tray of FIG. 3 is an enlarged scale, FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the cart and channel trays of FIG. 4, in perspective, FIG. 6 is a view of a part of a plant for assembling wire structures in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotary auxiliary bench for preparing wire structures; FIG. 7 is a connecting tool for use in a wire forming plant of FIG. 1, in a side view, FIG. 8 is a tool for assembling connectors in FIG. 7, showing the terminated wires and the common line connector before joining, in horizontal projection, seen from above, FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail of FIG. 8, showing a fork, completed wires and a common line connector, in perspective, FIG. 10 shows a part of a plant for assembling wire structures in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, showing a tape wrapping machine on a wire wrapping machine; 11 is a machine of FIG. 10 for wrapping the ribbon facing upwards, and FIG. 12 is a section of the wrapping machine of FIG. 11, in section along line 12-12.

In FIG. 1 is a horizontal top view, given generally as a sketch, plant or system for assembling wire structures according to the invention. A typical wire forming assembly 10 will be placed in a common area in which the first area 11 for certain prior operations is located and the second area 12 in which the wire structures are assembled. A third control area 13 may also be included.

Preliminary operations performed in the first region 11 consist of pre-cutting wire 4 and typically involves cutting the wire in large quantities to predetermined lengths, followed by appropriate stripping (removal of insulation at the ends) and insertion and compression of terminals 6 (visible at others) images) at one or both ends of most wires. This is performed on a machine 14 for cutting, bending and inserting attachments, of conventional construction, such as e.g. Komax 40S machine. The machine 14 may prepare one or both ends of the wire to receive terminals 6 to complete the ends or other terminals, optionally without terminating the wire. Operator 15 manages the cutting and finishing of wires on machine 14. This cutting and finishing of wires can be performed as a group operation.

In the vicinity of the wire cutting and finishing machine 14, an initial storage facility with sufficient capacity to temporarily store the wires 4 previously cut and terminated is also provided. This storage is represented by wire storage shelves 18. The pre-cut and completed wires 4 are stored on the shelves 18 and later in the channel trays 20, which will be described in more detail below. The pre-cut and terminated wires 4 are laid in suitable duct trays 20 according to their respective lengths, cross sections and / or depending on the type of connector. In the area 12 for assembling wire structures, a mechanized system 22 with a conveyor belt is shown. System 22 consists of one or typically more motor-driven conveyors 23, which are arranged in series or continuously. More specifically, conveyor 23 is configured to form an endless line of continuous mechanized transport from its upstream end 25 to the downstream end 26. Transporter 23 is in many respects conventional construction, including the support frame 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and the conveyor belt 28 depending on the desired work program. The engines 29 are controlled by a typical controller of a known building that is programmed to execute the desired control program. Such regulators are typically manually portable and handled as desired.

A number of local jobs are arranged along the conveyor system 23 in the system 22. Since the wire forming system 10 is based on a certain number of operators 15 that work with the various tools and machines along the conveyor system 22, these jobs will be shown with ease the same reference symbols and numbers that represent the presence of operators 15. It is understood that, in limited cases, jobs 15 may be represented by machines that perform operations automatically and / or by machines manually operated by operator 15, which are moved by any workplace.

Each workplace 15 is equipped with different equipment with different options for manufacturing and assembling wire structures, depending on one or more operations performed on them.

Representative of such equipment are the machines 30 for machining and squeezing attachments, sockets or moving carts 32, typically carrying a certain number of channel trays 20, which are filled with suitable pre-cut and terminated wires 4, then stable work benches 34, auxiliary chloe and in particular Auxiliary benches 36 with shamis, one or more ribbon-wrapping machines 38 and various barriers or containers 40 in which there is a corresponding metal edge which is incorporated into a wire formation at a given location. Certain types of assembly tools, e.g. tool 42 for connecting the ends can also be arranged on the workplaces 15 and mounted on the corresponding work benches 34.

It should be noted here that posts 15 along the conveyor system 22, as well as the operations performed at these sites, are organized in such a way as to reduce or eliminate the need for the operator 15 to take one or more steps in that work. In many places, the operator 15 can sit in this position when working. In some cases, of course, it is necessary for the operator 15 to take a step or two when performing the appropriate work operation, but such movements are generally very limited. This feature exists because most of the equipment required in the workplace 15. is positioned close to each other in this workplace on one or both sides of the conveyor 23 and also because the conveyor belt 28 moves forward occasionally and periodically, thus that it transfers the workflow from one job to another.

The wire formation 8 produced at any workplace 15 is generally stationary as long as it is present at the workplace in question. Therefore, the spacing between two consecutive jobs 15 along conveyor 23 is essentially the same in most cases. However, these distances may be varied to allow two operators at one or two workplaces 15 to perform work operations on the same wire formation 8 but not at opposite ends. In the system described here, the spacing of consecutive jobs is about 2 - 3 m, the number of jobs in the range is 8-12, while conveyor belt 28 moves forward from one job 15 to another at several minute intervals.

It is understood that a greater impact will be achieved if each operator completes its intended operations at the relevant workplace 15 immediately before moving the conveyor belt 28. This, of course, requires a critical assessment of the balancing of the number and types of operations to be performed at each workplace. 15, as well as an examination of the capabilities of the relevant operator 15 at this site. Since most of the equipment at each workplace 15 is of movable or relatively small mass, it can be easily moved from one workplace to another when establishing the assembly process of wire structures 8 in the system 10 when producing a particular type of wire formation. The previously described flexibility of the subject system 10 for assembling wire structures 8 is actually because o it can be used economically to produce wire structures of different sizes and configurations at different times. Although the subject system is highly dependent on the acceptable cost of manual labor, it reduces the high cost of investment and avoids the inflexibility of multiple automated systems. In addition, the workflow program and the equipment used here provide the desired economy and flexibility.

In FIG. 1 is a wire formation 8 shown in complex form at the downstream end 26 of the conveyor 23. The wire formation 8a arises or enters at the downstream end 25 of the conveyor 23, where it is in the initial shape of the wire formation 8, i.e. embryo condition. The wire formation 8 acquires additional shape and detail at each subsequent post 15 by obtaining a tag consisting of suffixes arranged alphabetically for base number 8 to serve as a reference for the wire formation. In addition, the sketch of system 10 for assembling wire structures in FIG. 1 shows the conveyor 23 at the moment immediately before moving forward from one post 15 to another. In this way, the wire structures at each job 15 are shown in the state or phase that represents the finishing work provided for at that job. When a complete wire formation 8 occurs at the downstream end of conveyor 23, one of the operators withdraws it from the conveyor and transmits to a control panel 43 in control area 13, where the accuracy of the electrical connection and the integrity are examined. The wire formation 8 completed in the embodiment shown becomes synonymous with the hitherto unused mark 81.

The completed wire formation 8 often comprises 200-300 wires, but may be longer than 2 m. Wire formation 8 typically comprises a large number of different branches or arms, each consisting of a different number of wires. Typically, these branches are physically, if not electrically, collected in the common area represented by the junction box 44 through which most electrical circuits pass. The junction box 44 can sometimes be designated as the head of wire formation 8. In addition, many branches of the completed wire formation 8 end at opposite ends in corresponding multipole connectors 46 of various types and shapes. The wire formation 8a in the embryo comprises a junction box 44 and only a few wires, making it relatively twisty, deformable and of low mass. On the other hand, with the formation of the wire formation 8, its mass increases and becomes relatively rigid.

In FIG. 1 and 2 it can be seen that the conveyor system is provided with at least one primary trough 50, but also with the second trough 52 on the corresponding opposite sides of the conveyor 23 along that part of the conveyor towards its upstream end 25, in which a wire formation 8a is formed in the embryo , then 8b, 8c. etc. Troughs 50 and 52 extend along the upstream portion of conveyor 23 to allow the wire formation 8a, 8b, 8c, etc. to be accommodated. in the embryo averages relative to the movable lane 28 in terms of alternating U shapes forwards, backwards or. in terms of serpentine, whereby in this position the parts of the wire formation extend beyond the edges of the conveyor and more or fall into the troughs 50, 52. It is found that the first two or three jobs 15 on the same side of the conveyor 23 are formed and that a primary trough 50 is installed along the same side.

The primary trough 50 has a conventional U-shaped cross section and can typically descend 1.5 to 1.66 m below the surface of the conveyor belt 28. The primary trough 50 is wide enough to accommodate a large junction box 44 and can be accommodated therein. as seen in FIG. 2. In addition, the trough 50 is sufficiently wide and smooth to facilitate the sliding of the wire formation 8a, 8b in the embryo with its associated junction box 44 through the trough as the conveyor belt 28 moves forward. The depth of the trough 50 is sufficiently shallow so that the various parts of the wire formation 8a, 8b in the embryo and / or the individual components that need to be attached to the wire formation can remain at the bottom of the trough without being reached by the operator 15. In addition, the vertical walls inside the troughs 50 and 52, and in particular the walls up to the conveyor 23, are relatively smooth and, if necessary, continuous, avoiding the grip of the conveyor frame 27 with the wire formation 8a in the embryo and the junction box 44 when moving the conveyor belt 28 forward as well as to avoid losing wire formation in the trough.

The second trough 52 on the opposite side of the conveyor 23 is slightly more arbitrary than the first trough 50 and is intended to facilitate smooth movement of the wire formation 8a, 8b in the embryo as it moves along the conveyor 23. In addition, the trough 52 is intended to catch any component that would could possibly fall from the wireline to the other side of the conveyor. As it is specified that larger portions of the wire formation 8a in the embryo, such as e.g. the junction box 44, lying in the trough 50, is not required, gives the secondary trough 52 as wide as the trough 50.

Troughs 50 and 52 may be made of suitable material, such as e.g. metal sheets, plastics or fiberglass molded appropriately. Troughs 50 and 52 are suitably attached to carrier 27 of conveyor 23, e.g. with screws, bolts and / or holders so that they are held in place and allow a smooth passage of the wire formation 8a, 8b in the embryo from the conveyor belt 28 into or out of troughs 50 and 52. The troughs 50, 52 may have rounded edges at the upper ends to prevent bending or twisting of the wire formation 8a, 8b and / or damage to the operator 15.

Looking at the initial structure of the wire formation 8a, the junction box 44 is taken from the storage 40 at the upstream end 25 of the conveyor 23. The various wires 4 are taken from the various channel trays 20 standing on the carts 32, also arranged near the upstream end 25 of the conveyor 23 The operator 15 then connects the wires 4 in the junction box 44 to form a wire formation 8a in the embryo. It is understood that additional operations at this post on wire formation 8a may comprise the installation of additional terminals on one or more wires with a machine 30 for shaving ends and compressing the terminals. Different connectors 46 may be stored in one or more other containers 40 near the upstream end 25 of the conveyor 23 to connect the connectors at the opposite end of some of the wires 4 connected in the junction box 44.

Since the wire formations 8a, 8b in the embryo may be averaged over the conveyor belt 28 and thus concentrated in a condensed manner along the belt, the entire length of the wireline within the reach of the operator 15 is in a suitable position. In this way, a single operator 15 can perform operations over the entire length of the wire formation 8a in the embryo without much movement along the post. Furthermore, the length of the conveyor belt 28 is occupied by the wire formation 8a, 8b, etc. in the embryo, much smaller than that which will be required at later stages of formation downward.

Because parts of the wire formation 8a, 8b, etc. are divided. in the embryo extend the average to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt 28, it is found that it is useful on the conveyor belt 28 in the areas of contact of the wire formation to provide elements for gripping and holding the wire formation, which would assist in positioning the formation while being carried out on it work operations, and to assist in the movement of the wire formations together with the conveyor belt 28 as it moves forward. This gripping element may have the shape of a finger 54 as best seen in FIG. 2. Each pair of fingers 54 is at its base attached to a movable belt 28, e.g. with fasteners and / or mechanical grips and the fingers are spaced apart from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. In this way, it may form part of the wire formation 8a. running transversely with respect to the movable web 28 arranged between the fingers 54.

Each pair of fingers can be made of rubber or rubber-like material, and the sizing and shaping of the fingers can be such that the wire formation is elastically gripping with each other. The distance between successive pairs of fingers 54 may be about 0.5 m. Because the advantage of the pairs of fingers 54 in the formation of the core of the wire formation 8a, 8b, 8c, etc., is described in detail. in the embryo, downward portions of the conveyor belt 28 may be omitted if the conveyor consists of several independent conveyors 23 and associated conveyor belts 28, which is a typical example.

Further considerations are given with respect to the structure and function of the channel trays 20 and associated stands or carts 32 on which they are arranged, with particular reference to FIG. 3 to 5. Each channel tray 20 is filled with pre-cut and finished wires of a specific type and length. In this way, the wires of the 4 different types are not intermixed in one channel tray 20. The channel trays 20 are generally designed as the letter U, are elongated and open at least at the end from which the wires are removed, but preferably at both ends. Channel trays 20 may have different lengths than the length of the wire 4 that will be contained therein, most of them having a length of 1-2 m, although they may be longer or shorter. Although the conventional U-shape with a continuous curvature is suitable for the cross-section of the channel trays 20, such as in FIG. 3 shown in terms of channel trays 20a, it has proven to be more appropriate to use a modified U-shaped flat bottom and vertical sides, as is the case with most such trays shown in the various figures. Such flat-bottomed U-shaped tray designs have proven to be best suited to distribute the wires 4 fed into them evenly, reducing the risk of entanglement, which would make it difficult to remove individual wires from the tray. The curved cross section of the channel tray 20a may allow a maximum of 4 wires to be held in the center of the tray, thereby contributing to entanglement. Duct trays 20 are made of any suitable, relatively rigid and durable material, such as e.g. metal, plastic or fiberglass.

If the wire 4 in one particular channel tray 20 is terminated at only one end, then this terminated end is turned to the operator 15 when the tray 20 is mounted on the carriage 32 and arranged near a particular workplace. It is understood that the channel trays 20 may be arranged on either side of the conveyor 23, or on both sides, at the location at which the operator 15 will remove the wires 4 from these trays. Perhaps the most common arrangement, i.e. one that allows the easiest approach of the operator 15 to a relatively large number of channel trays 20, one in which the carrier 32 carrying the trays is arranged on the opposite side of the operator 15 via the conveyor 23, as can be seen in more detail in FIG. 2 and 6.

In some cases, when the length of the wire 4 is unusually large so that it exceeds the length of the channel tray 20, a pair of trays at the corresponding front ends may be joined by suitable couplings or clamps, such as e.g. hinge 55 to create a double tray 20 in FIG. 3 and 4. In such cases, part of the respective long wire 4 is located in one channel tray and the other part in another, with the wire passing between the trays immediately behind the front ends of the trays in the hinge area 55 so that the operator 15 can pull it out. This shamir 55 provides a suitable means for connecting two trays 20 that form a combined double tray 20 for easier handling of the trays during loading and transport.

Racks or carriages 32 carrying various duct trays 20 can be relatively simple in design and inexpensive construction. In some cases, the stands are constantly stationary and need to move. In most cases, however, it is desirable that racks or carriages 32 be movable so as to provide wheels 56 with cross members 57 of carriage base 32. In some cases, it may be desirable to reduce the distance of one of the profiles with cross members 57, i. in order to shorten the construction of the wheel carriers 56, making them adjustable by means of the slash 59 in the manner shown in FIG. 3 with dashed lines.

The duct trays 20 simply lie on the crossed members 57 or shelves 58 that form part of the rigid frame of the cart. The flat bottom of the channel tray 20 may easily lie on the flat surface of the horizontal transverse shelf 58. If a channel tray 20a with U-shaped cross-section is used, a properly profiled holder must be placed on the transverse shelf or alternatively a shelf may be mounted on the transverse shelf 58 with localized recesses. In order to provide a suitable tray 20 tray, it is only necessary to place a pair of simple transverse shelves arranged at the front and rear of the carriage 32 so that they carry the channel trays 20. A certain number of channel trays 20 may be attached to any of the shelves 58 with the sides attached. one another, and the carriage 32 typically comprises transverse shelves 58 at several levels to accommodate channel trays at these heights.

Although the described carriage 32 provides a horizontal orientation of the mounted channel trays 20, the carriage 32 is designed in such a way that the trays 20 are arranged in an almost vertical orientation, as shown in FIG. 5. These supports or carriages 32 may be slightly simpler than the carriage and, due to the vertical orientation of the trays 20, take up relatively less floor space. On the other hand, in such a vertical orientation, it is generally desirable that there is only one type or level of trays 20 and their length is limited to a size that is within a reasonable height of the operator 15.

It has been found useful to mount elastic grips 60 at least on those channel trays 20 which are intended for vertical orientation so that the upper ends of the wires 4 are held in position for easy access by the operator 15. More specifically, the grips 60 may be arranged at the underside of the trays 20 near the top edge, i.e. the ends from which the wires are withdrawn, the holders gripping a bundle of wires 4 which hang over said edges of the channel trays 20. This prevents the wires from falling down the slope of the channel trays 20 when they are in a vertical direction, however, the ends of the wires 4 are positioned to facilitate removal.

During the joining of the wire formation 8, it is occasionally necessary or desirable to provide an additional work surface for connecting wires 4 to connectors 46 in the form of various subassemblies and to facilitate the integration of such subassemblies into the main wire formation appearing on the conveyor belt 28 at the workplace 15 In some cases, this work may be carried out on simple stationary work benches 34 provided that they are arranged sufficiently close to the operator 15. Additional work area is also provided in terms of auxiliary benches 36 and 36 ', which can be installed as needed.

Each auxiliary bench 36, 36 'has a number of support forks attached to its upper surface 62 for attaching wires or bundles arranged at predetermined locations for assistance in the form of a wire formation 8 or more likely sub-assemblies or branches that will become integral parts of the main wire formation 8. The forks 62 have a typical base 63 disposed on an auxiliary bench 36 or 36 ', as well as a vertical support 64 extending upwards from the base 63 and branching at the top to form a pair of fingers 65 to hold the wire formation. The arrangement of the forks 62 on the auxiliary benches 36, 36 'is such that a larger number of rails of wires or branches are formed during the formation of wire structures or their subassemblies. The auxiliary bench 36 ' is typically on wheels to allow the bench to be brought or carried easily to the conveyor area 23. In the drawing of FIG. 1, the auxiliary benches 36 'are arranged close enough to the conveyor 23. so that it is sufficient for the operator 15 to take only a few steps to transfer the wire formation or subset of the wire formation from the conveyor to the corresponding auxiliary bench.

On the other hand, it is emphasized that the auxiliary bench 36 'can generally move in the work area and can be arranged such that the operator 15 is positioned between the auxiliary bench 36' and the conveyor 23. On the other hand, the auxiliary bench 36 may be even closer to the conveyor. 23, and to some extent can be moved by the operator 15 if it is mounted pivotally on the hinges and can be lifted from the rest position to the working position, as shown in FIG. 1 and 6 near the wire formation 8f. In FIG. 6, the auxiliary bench 36 is shown in solid position with solid lines, and part of the bench 36 is shown with dashed lines when in working position.

In this case, the working position of the auxiliary bench 36 next to the conveyor 23 is parallel to the longitudinal side, and in the still position, the bench 36 is rotated 90 ° about the axis 66 and its length is arranged perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the belt, thereby moving away from However, the auxiliary bench is arranged in its working position so that the operator 15 has easy access when necessary to perform various operations on the wireline or its subassembly. On the other hand, when such work is completed, the wire formation or subassembly can be easily removed from the auxiliary bench 36 and mounted on the conveyor belt 28 and the auxiliary bench is rotated to a standstill, leaving the operator more room for carrying others. operations at that particular post.

It is found to be particularly advantageous for the auxiliary bench 36 to be mounted on the frame 27 of the conveyor 23 for rotary rotation about the rotary axis 66. More specifically, the bearing 68 may be mounted on the frame 27 of the conveyor. running down and passing through bearing 68. to ensure that the hinge rotates about the vertical axis 66. It is desirable to provide some kind of locking element in the assembly of bearing 68 and the axle 69 to ensure a firm holding of the bench 36 in the selected position around the rotary axis 66. A relatively simple way to ensure locking is to provide a wedge extending radially from the axle 69 at its upper end, and the upper edge of the bearing 68 to be designed to have at its desired angular positions the recesses into which it engages wedge and firmly hold bench 36 in these positions.

In FIG. 7 - 9 show specific coupling tools such as connector coupling tool 42. The tool 42 is designed to easily and accurately connect a plurality of completed wires 4 to the terminals of the common line connector 70. Connector 70 is used to connect a large number of wires to a common electrical potential, such as. 5+ or mass on the electric system in cars. The current carrying capacity of the wires 4 that connects to the connector 70 is substantially greater than that of many other wires in the wire formation 8. The terminals 6 at the ends of the corresponding wires 4 are of a female type and are configured to be pulled and pulled. to be connected to the knife type of male terminals 71 of connector 70. The common line connector 70 in the embodiment shown has three male terminals 71 extending parallel to one another from the common base 72. The lateral or end fingers 73 extend forward on each side of the common base 72 connector 70. With the connector 70 shown, each male connector 72 extends from the edge of the common base 72, while the end fingers 73 are designed to be flexed 90 ° at the base of the connector so that they run in corresponding planes perpendicular to the planes in which they are located terminals 71. The lateral toes 73 may also be self-assembled into an electrical connection with other conductive elements.

The connector coupling tool 42 helps fine-tune the attachments 6 with respect to the male connectors 71 of the common line connector 70, and not only contribute to the easy coupling of these elements, but also to the easy removal of the connected attachments from the tool. The tool 42 has a first and a second fork 75 and 77. The fork 75 is designed to accommodate the completed ends of a plurality of wires 4. The fork 77 is designed to receive a connector 70 that is rotated horizontally. The forks 75 and 77 are arranged on a base 78 such that one fork can move relative to or against the other, from the closest to the furthest position corresponding to the coupling-mount / shoot positions. In this embodiment, the fork 75 remains stationary and the fork 77 moves linearly across the base 78.

Pneumatic actuator, such as the cylinder 80 with the piston is connected to the base 78 and the fork 77 to execute and control the movement of that fork relative to the fork 75. The piston arm 81 of the actuator 80 is rigidly connected to the fork 77, e.g. by welding or screwing, etc., to reliably reverse the fork. The roll 80 is rigidly arranged and provides lateral stability of the fork 77. However, to further improve the lateral guidance of this fork, a guide groove may be made at base 78 to ensure alignment with the fork 75.

At the front end of fork 77 is provided a chamber lai cavity 82 which is open in both directions, front and rear. The hollow 82 is adapted to receive the connector 70 arranged above, and at its front end is free to allow a tight grip with the ends 6, which are surrounded by a fork 75.

When connector 70 is mounted horizontally, as shown in FIG. 7, below the lower surface of male connectors 71, sufficient slots are provided to allow female attachments 6 to be pulled into them.

Fork 75 has several grooves 83 extending longitudinally along its upper surface to receive the corresponding wires 4. More specifically, grooves or grooves 83 have sides 84 which have grooves near their ends to provide beds 85 for connectors 6. the sides 8 are such that the bearings 85 of the connectors 6 maintain the attachments trapped in both directions, vertically and laterally, when inserted and mounted in the beds, as seen in FIG. 8 and 9.

In FIG. 7 to 9, the fork 77 is shown in the remote position for attachment of the connector 75. In this way, the terminal 6 of the termination of wire 4 can be locked into the fork 75 by moving the connector forward from the front end of the fork 75 and pushing the terminal of the wire 4 down until the connector is aligned with the bearing 85. pin 6 is stuck in the slot 85 of slot 6. This operation is repeated at all other ports 6 relative to the other two channels 83 of fork 75. Similarly, the connector 70 is inserted into the fork 77, lowering it into the cavity 82 in the direction shown on picture. The posterior and lateral walls of the fork 77 defining the cavity 82 are sized and shaped to point the connector 70 in a direction in which its connectors 71 are aligned with the female connectors 6. Activation of the fork 77 with the trigger roller 80 is intended to bringing the male connectors 71 into a tight grip with the female terminals 6 to provide a connection.

The retaining elements 86 are designed at the front end of the forks 77 from a pair of hooks extending in a transverse direction at a small mutual distance to provide partial closure to the front end of the cavity 82. More specifically, the retaining elements 86 extend transversely through the front ends of the fingers 73 of the connector 70 in common water. After connecting the terminals 6 and the corresponding wires 4 to the connector 70, the actuator cylinder 80 is actuated to engage the lever 81 and move the forks 77 back to the installation position. During this movement, the retaining members 86 on the forks 77 hold the ends of the fingers 73 as well as the connector 70 and pull them back. Such movement of the connector 70 pulls the female terminals 6 back from their position in the forks 77 and thus, by simply lifting the wires 4 upwards, while lifting the connector 70 from the cavity 82, facilitates the removal of the wires 4 and the connector 70 from the tool 42.

During the various stages of formation of wire formation 8, it is desirable to collect and connect certain wires to create branches within the wire formation 8. In some cases, these branches end up in connectors or other types of electrical outlets. In order for the branches of a wire formation 8 to be connected, it is customary to bond a spiral band or wrap around a group of wires forming a branch. In some cases, the tape is wrapped completely by hand, in others mechanized devices are used. The present system describes an improved tape-wrapping device used in workplaces and comprises a wrapping machine 38 disposed near the site of the wire formation 8i. Both the machine 38 and the plant of which it is a part have a sophisticated construction, which will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 10 - 12.

In FIG. 10 shows a ribbon wrapping machine 38 arranged so that it can move longitudinally along a pair of rails 87 disposed on platform 88. The platform 88 is rotatably arranged on frame 27 of conveyor 23 in the same manner as auxiliary benches 36. by means of bearing 68, shamers and shafts 69 of the type described.

The work platform 88 can be long and narrow and made of solid material, such as. metal, wood or plastic. At one end of the platform 88 is arranged such a corrugated carrier 65 of the wire formation as described with respect to the auxiliary benches 36. A mechanism for gripping and securing the wire formation, such as e.g. receiving mechanism 89.

The gripper mechanism 89 is rigidly arranged on the platform 88 extending upwards from it so that it can fully grasp the bundle of wires. which forms a branch of the wire formation 8i to allow the application of a tensile force to the branch of the wire formation during wrapping of the branch. The grab mechanism 89 may have any suitable structure, and typically comprises a pair of grips 90a, 90b, one or both of which are manually, by means of a control lever 91, moving in a vertical direction during the position of grabbing or lowering the bundle of wires.

Advantageously, the lower gripper 9 () a is stationary and the upper gripper 90b moves vertically in a vertical plane by pulling the control lever 91, rotating about a horizontal rotary axis. By pulling the steering lever 91 vertically downward from its rest position, the jaw formed by the grips 90a, 90b is open, as in FIG. 10, and slightly below the center of the beam, it moves horizontally to its locking position, in which the grips 90a and 90b of the jaws firmly grasp the branch of the wire formation when the session is inserted into it. The grips 90a, 90b can be formed concavely, most often semicircularly depending on the shape of the wire formation. In addition, a spring or a similar elastic element is added to one or the other gripper 90a or 90b so that the wire structures of different diameters are gripped firmly but firmly.

The platform 88 serves as a carrier for parallel rails 87, on which the belt wrapping machine 38 slides through a lever 92, which slides along the rails between two adjustable stops 93, which can be mounted against the ends of the rails 87. Restraints 93 may be mounted on only one rail. 87, and is moved by hand and secured by a ribbed head screw.

In FIG. 11, the machine 38 is shown in more detail. The tape wrapping machine 38 generally comprises a two-piece housing 94. a two-piece orbital reel or plate 95 and a tape-holding assembly such as e.g. an orbital plate 95 disposed with a tape 97 mounted on the axis 98.

The orbital plate 95 is driven by the motor 96 via a pinion 100 which is in the grip with a ring bevel gear 99 at the front of the plate 95. The orbital plate 95 comprises a central circular opening 102 through which a branch of a wire structure is wound, which is wound during the wrapping operation. The panel 95 may be of suitable material, such as e.g. metal, plastic or composite.

Although the housing and. or the orbital plate 95 may be constructed in such a way that it does not open, it must be borne in mind that the branches of the wire formation where it needs to be wrapped with a strap must in this case be pulled in and pulled axially through the center opening 102. This could be laborious work , furthermore, this would limit the size of the connector, which should first be connected to the wires at the end of the bundle and then pulled through the opening 102.

Instead, the housing 94 and the orbital plate 95 are as hung from FIG. 11, made in two parts, the housing having a shimmer at the rear end to allow the housing to be opened at the front end, thereby creating a yarn 104 through which the wire structures can be inserted and removed from the center opening 102 without axially moving the branch and screwing. In the embodiment shown, the lower part of the housing 94 and the orbital plates 95 are identical to each other and encircle an angle of less than 180 ° around the circumference, while the corresponding upper parts are slightly greater than 180 °. The lower part of the housing 94 is connected to the upper part by a hinge 106. The hinge 106 is connected via a lever 109 to a pneumatic actuator 108. The actuator 108 moves the lower part of the housing up and down between the closed and open positions.

K. can best be seen in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional housing 94 is designed as a letter C to provide beam coverage within the housing 94. The outer circumference of the two-part orbital panel 95 is narrow enough to be inserted into the housing 94, but also wide enough to be supported thereon. some semicircular radial grooves arranged around the periphery in which the corresponding ball bearings 110 are mounted. The ball bearings are mounted on the axes 112, which are arranged axially in the plate 95, around which the bearings 110 can rotate. The ball bearings 110 represent the main supports forming the contact of the housing 94 with the orbital plate 95. Furthermore, in order to keep each half of the orbital plate 95 in lateral grip with the corresponding portions of the housing 94 when the housing 94 opens, on opposite sides of the housing 94 are provided grooves 114, the sides of which extend inwards and enter grooves 114. The connecting plate 118, seen in FIG. 11 connects the halves of the housing 94 and has a guide rail with a slit 119 in which it slides a guide (not shown), the plate of which is attached to one of the halves, thereby opening and closing the housing of the housing half when opened and closed.

Although the orbital plate 95 is made up of two complementary parts, it is understood that a part driven at any time by a stepchild 100 pushes in itself the other part that accompanies it and thus moves it. The pinion 100 grips both halves of the orbital plate 95 at the points where they touch each other. When the halves of the housing 94 are closed, as in FIG. 11 is shown by a circular dashed line, the pedestal 100 rotates the orbital plate 95 in such a way that it orbits the reel with a strip 97 around the branch of the wire formation, threaded through the center opening 102. Assuming that the adhesive surface of the strip is first manually wound. to the branch of the wire formation, further orbital rotation of the reel of tape 97 will result in wrapping of the tape around the branch.

In order to ensure that the housing 94 of the belt wrapping machine 38 remains closed during operation, a locking mechanism is provided which comprises a lever 120 with an opening at the leading edge of the lower half of the housing and a locking pin 121 which activates it at the upper half of the housing. pneumatic actuator 122 arranged at the leading edge of the housing. Activation of trigger 122 triggers the movement of the locking pin 121 and the movement of the wedge into and out of the opening of the lever 120.

In order for the tape wrapping machine 38 to function properly, it is important that the parts of the orbital plate 95 be stopped in a position that is covered by the position of the halves of the housing 94 when the housing needs to be opened. This ensures that the gap 104 of the housing is sufficiently large and that the parts of the orbital plate 95 are not separated from the corresponding parts of the housing 94. To ensure this, a device for detecting the angular orientation of the orbital plate and stopping is arranged in the housing 94 rotate the board exactly at the right angle. Angle detection is performed with an inductive detector 124 arranged in a housing 94 to detect a particular angular position at the periphery of the orbital plate 95. This position can be indicated by the installation of a piece of metal 125 (Fig. 12) at the edge of the orbital plate 95, which in a known manner it cooperates with the detector 124. Such a detection method is particularly suitable for use with a plate 95 if it is made of non-metallic material. A pneumatic cylinder 126 is arranged at the top of the housing 94, which works in conjunction with the detector 124. The cylinder 126 exerts a brake / lock force on the upper part of the orbital plate 95 to stop and lock it in the right angular position when it is detected by the detector 124. The pneumatic cylinder 126 may act by moving the brake or the stopping element into the braking position or releasing it relative to the orbital plate 95.

It is desirable that the motor 96 and the actuators 108, 122 and 126 are pneumatically actuated and actuated by an electrical control program which can be performed by the OMRON C28K Controller (not shown) in the manner included in the subject description. Access to such a control unit is in the sense of the buttons for the START / STOP and OPEN / CLOSE (OPEN / CLOSE) buttons, which are not shown in the figures and which are handled by the operator 15, and also in terms of the electrical signals from the inductive detector 124.

Proper activation of the OPEN / CLOSE knob leads to the proper opening or closing of the yoke of the tape-wrapping machine 38 and the corresponding locking or locking of the holders 120, 121 with the trigger 122. Similarly, the corresponding activation of the START button triggers the orbital movement of the tape reel 97 by wrapping the tape around The activation of the STOP button is intended to stop the orbital plate 95 in the right position with the detector 124, the motor 96 and the cylinder 126.

In order to wrap the branch of the wire formation 8i, the working platform 88 is thus typically turned in a position towards the conveyor belt 28. The part of the branch to be wrapped is gripped and held by the holding mechanism 89. The branch of the wire formation is then passed through the center opening 102 is axially positioned in the open jaw 104 of the machine 38, and the other end of the branch is then placed on the horn carrier 65. The operator 15 may manually tighten the branch of the wire formation with respect to the tensioning force of the grab mechanism 89. The machine 38 is then closed, the strap 97 is brought in to the branch of the wire formation, wrapping it around, and then the engine 96 is started, thereby commencing the operation of banding with tape. The machine 38 manually moves the guides 87 from one milestone 93 to another to perform the wrapping. Upon reaching the second milestone 93, the operator presses the STOP button, cutting off the tape eg. with a knife, he opens the machine 38 and pulls a branch of the wire formation out of it and returns it to the conveyor belt 28.

Although the present invention is described in terms of a detailed embodiment, it is understood that those skilled in the art can make various changes in both form and detail without departing from the scope and meaning of the claimed invention.

Because the typical embodiment of the invention is described in the appended claims, protection is required for what is new in them.

Claims (49)

Patent claims 1. A method of assembling wire structures, characterized in that it comprises the following stages: - in the first area, pre-cutting and finishing the quantities of the various conductors that comprise the wire formation, and - in the second area, assembling the wire formation in stages comprising: - providing a mechanized transport line for the transfer of wire formations from the receipt of the embryo at the upstream end of the endless strip to the completion at the downstream end; - Provision of more local jobs along the conveyor where operators carry out various manual operations of assembling wire structures, with the said operations being variable if necessary; - ensuring the local supply of wires at the various aforementioned posts for use in assembling wire structures on them, including the transport of wires from said first area to said respective posts, where it provides local supply; - ensuring the local supply of connectors at the various workplaces mentioned above for use in assembling wire structures on them; - connecting said miscellaneous wires to said miscellaneous connectors at said miscellaneous workstations and integrating said wires and connectors into suitable wire structures. The method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps of occasionally moving the conveyor and performing said partial coupling and integration operations at intervals during said movement of said conveyor. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a pre-selection phase of the wire forming operation at each of the said jobs, which require exactly the same time to be performed. 4. A system for producing wire structures according to the method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a mechanized special width conveyor having a proportional upward and downward direction and a greater number of lengthwise posts for the progressive assembly of truncated wire structures from the embryo to the fully assembled state; means adjacent to at least some of said wire supply jobs, including some completed wires for insertion into a wireline, wherein the lengths of some of the wires are substantially greater than the particular width of said conveyor; and - troughs arranged along at least one side of said conveyor at least along its upward portion, on which said wires of the wire formation in the embryo may extend in a transverse direction beyond the conveyor beyond its width into said troughs. The system of claim 4, characterized in that said conveyor comprises means for gripping and moving said wire structures in the embryo together with them. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for gripping the wire formation comprise at least one pair of fingers extending upwards from said movable belt, and the fingers of said pair being spaced apart in the direction of movement of the strip. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said conveyor comprises a plurality of finger-spaced pairs of fingers in the direction of movement of the strip. The system of claim 4, characterized in that the depth of said troughs is greater than the width of the conveyor, so that it can accommodate a substantial portion of said wire formation. System according to claim 4, characterized in that said wire formation in the embryo comprises a junction box associated with it, and that the width of said trough is large enough to accommodate said junction box. System according to claim 9, characterized in that said conveyor comprises a first and a second said casing, the first trough being disposed on one side of said conveyance and the second side with the other troughs receiving part of said wire formation in the embryo . System according to claim 6, characterized in that said conveyor comprises a plurality of pairs of fingers in which the fingers are spaced apart in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt and the pairs of fingers are also spaced apart in the direction of movement of the belt, each pair being of fingers configured to receive a wire formation in an embryo that can pass through said conveyor in the sense of the letter U, with two U-shaped arms supported by two pairs of fingers, the indentation of the letter U being placed in one of said two troughs, ends of said U forms in the other trough. Wire storage and supporting elements for use in a wire forming system according to the method of claim 1, comprising a mechanical conveyor with a plurality of jobs along it, characterized in that it comprises: - means for temporarily storing the amount of wires at the various workplaces mentioned, the wires being pre-cut to different lengths required, said storage means being shaped and arranged in such a way as to facilitate the manual removal of the said wires for use at work while each of the storage means comprises a plurality of channel trays arranged on the carts, said wires being the different types used, the wires of the particular types used being stored in the respective said channel tray. Warehouse according to claim 12, characterized in that the majority of said carts are movable. Storage according to claim 13, characterized in that each of said channel trays is designed as a letter U and open at one end to allow manual access to it in order to pull the wire in the longitudinal direction of the channel. Storage according to claim 14, characterized in that each said channel tray comprises a base and a pair of generally opposite sides, the base being substantially straight, thus facilitating the even distribution of the wires in the channel. Warehouse according to claim 14, characterized in that at least some of the carts comprise horizontal shelves in several levels, and the corresponding channel trays are freely arranged horizontally on said respective shelves in different levels. Storage according to claim 14, characterized in that said channel trays are oriented vertically at least on some of the said trays and on said channel trays, on which said wires are also arranged more at the upper end, in order to facilitate manual removal thereof . Storage according to claim 17, characterized in that said channel trays comprise, near their upper ends, suitable grips for elastic holding of the wires in the respective channel trays in a position suitable for access and removal. A warehouse according to claim 14, characterized in that the hinge connects a pair of said channel trays at the end, which contact each other in parallel, to accommodate long wires whose length is greater than the length of one channel tray from the pair into both trays. Storage according to claim 13, characterized in that said trains have crossed basic elements on opposite sides, wheels attached to said crossed elements, in which at least one of said basic crossed elements is adjustable relative to the other. 21. A large number of wire production system according to the method of claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: - a mechanized conveyor, along which a large number of jobs are allocated for the progressive manual design of said wire structures; - means arranged in the vicinity of at least some of the aforementioned wire supply jobs, some of which have been completed, for insertion into wire structures; and - one or more auxiliary benches adjacent to suitable posts to facilitate the fabrication of multi-stranded sub-assemblies of wire structure for insertion into wire-line assembly at suitable positions. 22. A system according to claim 21, characterized in that one or more of said auxiliary benches is pivotally disposed for selective installation between the working and resting positions, said working position installing the auxiliary bench to facilitate said production of sub-assemblies of said wire structures, said however, the resting position is away from the working position, so that the movement of said auxiliary bench to a location which does not interfere with work in the workplace allows other operations to be performed at the workplace, except for the manufacture of said subassemblies of wire structure. 23. The system of claim 22, characterized in that the auxiliary bench comprises a work platform with a plurality of load-bearing wire elements arranged on the platform to receive, hold and direct the various wires of said multi-wire subassembly. 24. A system according to claim 23, characterized in that the auxiliary bench platform is horizontal, and each of said wire holders extends straight upwards from it and has at its upper end a horn for receiving wires between the arms. 25. The system of claim 22, wherein said conveyor comprises a support frame and said auxiliary benches are rotatably arranged on said frame. 26. A device for wrapping a tape around a long bundle of wires, which is subjected to a fabrication process for introduction into a wire structure according to the method of claim 1, which is mounted on the conveyor at the workplace next to the conveyor, characterized in that it comprises: - a tape-wrapping machine having a housing, a drive motor attached to the housing, an orbital mechanism mounted in the housing and rotated by the engine about an orbital rail around the center region in which the bundle of wires is arranged, as well as the guide means for the belt arranged on an orbital mechanism for attaching a strip to a wire bundle when the mechanism is orbiting the wire bundle; - the base of the tape-wrapping machine to facilitate manual movement of the machine along the wire-wrapped bundle; and -turning elements for mounting the base of the tape-wrapping machine directly adjacent to the conveyor at least during the wrapping of wire bundles. Apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises at least one grabber arranged to prevent the longitudinal movement of the wire bundle wrapped with a strap, said grabber being adjusted for elastic gripping and holding of the bundle, which is wrapped to a sufficient extent that it does not allow the wiring harness to move while applying a tensile force to it while wrapping, but may later loosen. 28. The device of claim 27, wherein said grabbing means comprise a holder that is manually actuated from the grab position to the release position. Apparatus according to claim 28, characterized in that said base for mounting the tape-wrapping machine comprises a carrier platform arranged adjacent to the conveyor, said holder being arranged on said carrier platform. Apparatus according to claim 29, characterized in that said carrier platform is rotatably arranged on the conveyor so that it can move toward and away from it between the working and the stationary positions. Apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that said conveyor comprises a fixed frame and said machine carrier platform is rotatably arranged on said conveyor frame. Device according to claim 31, characterized in that said machine-bearing means comprise a carrier frame, a pair of parallel guide rails connected to and arranged on a carrier frame, and a shelf slidably arranged on said parallel rails for longitudinal movement along them, wherein said shelf is connected to said tape wrapping machine and serves as its carrier. Device according to claim 32, characterized in that it comprises selectively adjustable braking means arranged on at least one of said rails, in order to limit the longitudinal movement of the shelf as well as the sheath wrapping machine arranged on the shelf. 34. The device of claim 26, wherein the drive motor is pneumatically driven. 35. The device of claim 26, wherein said housing of the ribbon wrapper comprises a annular and continuous travel route, and said orbital mechanism comprises a annular disc with a central opening in the center region through which a wire bundle can be drawn. 36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said orbital annular disc comprises a annular tooth of the gear tooth on one side, and said engine having a pinion that engages the teeth of said annular annulus for transferring rotational motion from the engine to the orbital annular annulus. 37. The device of claim 36, wherein said strap for carrying a strapping machine comprises a carrier frame, at least one guide rail on said guide rail for longitudinal movement along it, said shelf being connected to the wrapping machine by tape and forms its carrier. 38. A tape wrapping machine for use in the manufacture of wire structures according to the method of claim 1, wherein the machine comprises a housing, an engine, an orbital mechanism housed in the housing and driven by an engine, as well as means for holding and guiding the tape, arranged on an orbital mechanism for laying a strip on an object which is wrapped when the mechanism circulates around an object, characterized in that the housing is annular in shape and comprises two complementary separate parts connected to the self that can be moved with each other between relatively open and the closed position, while the orbital mechanism comprises a annular plate with a central opening and divided into two complementary separate parts, which are perfectly consistent with the shape of said complementary housing parts and can be moved with said housing parts between said open and closed positions. A machine as claimed in claim 38, characterized in that there is a conical pinion on the motor axis, and each of said separate portions of said plate has on its outer surface corresponding separate bevel gears engaging with the pinion at least one of said separate portions of said plates, and the second of said separate portions of said plate is stamped and driven by said first portion. The machine of claim 39, characterized in that it comprises means for detecting a particular rotation position of said separate parts of the plate relative to said parts of the housing and for providing a signal indicating this position as well as means responding to said rotation stop signal said part of the panel so that it completely overlaps with said complementary housing parts. A machine according to claim 39, characterized in that it comprises complementary locking means, which are attached to the respective complementary said housing parts, for disassembling the locking and locking said housing parts in said closed position. The machine of claim 39, wherein said engine is a pneumatic motor. A connector coupling tool for facilitating the coupling of multiple terminated wires to a common line connector in the manufacture of a wire formation according to the method of claim 1, wherein each termination wire comprises a connector for receiving a complementary type connector, and the common line connector comprises a plurality of terminals for said complementary of a type which go in exactly the same direction, characterized in that it comprises: - the first forks to grab said multiple terminated wires; - other forks for grabbing said common line connector; - at least one of the first or second forks mentioned above must move relative to the other between relatively close and distant positions corresponding to the assembly / installation / recording positions; means for moving said one of the first and second forks mentioned above between said position assembled and disassembled; - said first forks include means for pre-mounting said completed wires; and said second forks comprise means for pre-positioning said common line connector, wherein, after said displacement, said one of the first and second forks, said terminated wires are accurately and completely connected to the respective said connectors on said common line connector. A tool according to claim 43, characterized in that said means for moving said forks is a pneumatically driven linear actuator. A tool according to claim 44, characterized in that it comprises a base as well as a corresponding housing of said actuator, from which the drive lever for reverse motion is derived, said housing and said first forks being firmly connected at said base, said second forks being associated with said drive lever of said actuator for reciprocating movement between said positions assembly / installation / recording. A tool according to claim 43, characterized in that said connectors of said wires are of the female type, and the connectors of the collector line connector are of the male type, the common line connector having a base from which said male connectors extend further from the base while on the opposite sides of said base there is a pair of end fingers and extending from the base, while the other forks comprise restraints extending transversely to and from the ends of said common base by hugging and moving said end fingers a common base with connected terminals of terminated wires back to guide the tool when said forks are pulled from the joining position to the disassembly position. Tool according to claim 46, characterized in that said other forks are arranged to move in a horizontal plane, and said means for pre-positioning the connector comprise an open cavity on the upper part as well as on the front of said other forks, for installing and guiding the joint line connector by moving it in a vertical direction as well as accurately determining the position of the connector when placed in the cavity. Tool according to claim 47, characterized in that said first forks comprise, on their upper surface, a plurality of parallel channels for mounting one completed wire into each channel, said channels being fully aligned with the corresponding male connectors on said common line connector , each channel being designed at its front end to receive and retain an appropriate female connector in a line with a corresponding male connector. Tool according to claim 48, characterized in that said male connectors are of the knife type and, when mounted on said forks, extend in a horizontal plane.