WO2019002331A1

WO2019002331A1 - Device and method for producing a cable harness

Info

Publication number: WO2019002331A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/067177
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian DEGENBECK
Original assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
Priority date: 2017-06-29
Filing date: 2018-06-27
Publication date: 2019-01-03
Also published as: DE102017114578B4; CN110809808B; CN110809808A; DE102017114578A1

Abstract

A device for producing a cable harness (20) arranged on or above a work surface (31) has a gripper (1) comprising: a base, a coupling means provided on the base for coupling to a lifting device, and at least one rigid finger which protrudes from the base and is designed to hook between the cable harness (20) and the work surface (30). The at least one finger has a first section which protrudes from the base and a second section which adjoins the first section. The gripper (1) is designed such that it is rotatable about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the work surface (31). By rotating about the rotation axis, the finger comes out of a first position in which the at least one finger is on or above the work surface (31) next to a cable or cable bundle of the cable harness (20) into a second position in which the first section of the at least one finger is next to the cable or cable bundle and the second section of the at least one finger is between the cable or cable bundle and the work surface (31). In a method for producing a cable harness (20), a gripper (1) is lowered onto or above a work surface (31) on which a cable or cable bundle of a cable harness (20) is arranged, and the gripper (1) is rotated approximately 90° about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the work surface (31), wherein the gripper (1) hooks behind the cable or cable bundle. The method is preferably carried out using the above-described device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wiring harness, in particular a wiring harness, the individual cables or cable bundles of which are arranged on or above a working surface during manufacture.

State of the art

Wiring harnesses are known in practice, in particular in the field of vehicle technology. A wiring harness is a summary of individual cables to cable bundles. These lines transmit signals or electrical energy in a vehicle equipped with them. Such a wire harness may include various branches, that is, intersections of individual wires, and connectors for tying the wire harness in a vehicle. In places or sections, the individual lines are summarized by, for example, fabric straps, clamps, cable ties or hoses to form a cable harness. Frequently, these harnesses are custom configured so that a variety of different harness variants are to be manufactured. Typically, a complex harness for a vehicle may take the form of a double H, i. a structure having two substantially parallel side strands and two substantially parallel transverse strands connecting the side strands. In particular, at the ends of the side strands, but also in between, lines in connectors or the like may end. Such harnesses may have a considerable extent and mass.

Usually, the production of such a wiring harness on or over a horizontally arranged Baubrett takes place. On this construction board a plurality of upstanding support forks are arranged, wherein the individual lines are hooked on their way from the start to the target connector in the support forks to them in it to summarize a cable harness. Each line of the wiring harness is inserted in mounted on the construction board support forks. Finally, the wiring harness

removed and brought to a means of transport. It is also possible that several partial harnesses or partial strands are prefabricated and then brought to another construction board for final production. For handling during these picking and shipping operations, multiple, typically up to four, workers are often required due to weight and dimensions.

By constantly picking up and dropping the wire harness or sub strands thereof, considerable additional costs may be incurred. There may also be the risk that the individual taps and lines impose themselves, the position and / or position of the holding parts shifts or connectors are damaged.

Description of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wiring harness, which improves handling

enable. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a wiring harness which is a simple or safe, in particular

enable partially automated picking and / or dropping of the wiring harness or sub-string. Another object of the present invention is to provide a

To provide apparatus and a method for producing a wiring harness, which unnecessary and repeated intermediate steps such as removal and removal of a means of transport and to avoid the use of multiple workers.

The object is achieved with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and preferred embodiments form the subject of

Dependent claims. Likewise, other objects may be apparent from the following description of the advantages and effects of features.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for manufacturing a wiring harness is proposed, wherein the wiring harness or individual cables or cable bundles thereof are arranged on or above a work surface. The apparatus comprises a gripper comprising: a base, a coupling means provided on the base for coupling to a lifting device, and at least one rigid, protruding from the base finger, which is designed for engaging behind the harness and the work surface. The at least one finger has a first portion projecting from the base and a second portion adjoining the first portion. The gripper is designed such that it is rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the working surface. The finger comes to a second position by rotating about the axis of rotation from a first position in which the at least one finger is on or above the work surface adjacent to a cable or cable bundle of the wiring harness in which the first portion of the at least one finger is adjacent the cable or cable bundle of the wiring harness and second portion of the at least one finger between the cable or cable bundle of the wiring harness and the

Working surface lies.

In the context of this application, a cable harness is understood to mean any combination of cables and / or cable bundles into a one-, two- or three-dimensional form. A partial or unfinished intermediate state can also be understood as a wiring harness in the sense of the invention. The work surface may be part of a building board, a jig or the like. The wire harness or its parts may be held above the work surface by support forks or the like. The device may be embodied by the gripper alone.

Since the gripper is designed for engaging behind the harness and the work surface in the manner described above, a cable or cable bundle of the

Harness can be safely gripped by simple mechanical rotation of the gripper and can be raised by means of a lifting device of the harness or parts thereof. The gripping process is particularly simple and yet precise. The

Operation is at least partially automatable. In particular, the lifting operation by the lifting device is feasible or supportable, so that the process is energy-saving and can be performed by a single worker. The harness can be lifted off the work surface as a whole without being warped or twisted, and without tangling parts thereof or to the support forks

get stuck, making the process overall safe and accurate.

In a particularly simple structural embodiment, the second portion of the at least one finger may be substantially straight and extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Therefore, the second section deletes the

Turn parallel over the work surface. Likewise, the first portion of the at least a finger should be substantially straight and protrudes substantially at right angles from the base. Due to the straight and right-angled arrangements, the handling is also particularly simple, clear and precise. Alternatively, the first section may at least in sections be concavely curved, so that the once gripped cable or

Cable bundle comes to lie stable in a kind of hollow. Likewise, the second section may be concavely curved at least in sections in order to adapt to an outline of the cable or cable bundle. A transition between the first and the second section does not necessarily have to be sharp-edged, but can be continuous. In particular, a transition section between the first and the second section may be provided.

If the second section of the at least one finger is longer than the first section, the cable or cable bundle can be gripped particularly securely by the finger.

Preferably, the gripper is designed so that two fingers are provided. As a result, the cable or cable bundle can be gripped even better and more stable. This is

in particular, the case when the respective second portions of the two fingers are oppositely oriented substantially parallel to each other and viewed from the respective first portion to which they are connected. In this way, the gripper acts in a kind of bayonet closure: In a first position, the gripper can be driven over a cable or cable bundle so that the fingers come to rest on both sides next to the cable or cable bundle to be gripped. When rotated by 90 °, the second sections come to rest under the cable or cable bundle to be gripped, while the first sections of the fingers continue to support or secure the cable or cable bundle to be gripped. The cable or cable bundle is circumferentially encompassed on all sides and can not fall out of the gripper. Nevertheless, there are no active ones

Clamping movements required; Also, the cable or cable bundle is loosely on and between the fingers of the gripper.

Preferably, respective gripping finger planes defined by the first portion and the second portion of the two fingers are substantially parallel to each other.

As described above, the geometry of the gripper is preferably designed so that the cable or cable bundle to be gripped is securely grasped, but without jamming it. A clear width between the respective sections of the fingers of the gripper is therefore preferably designed so that the thickest cable or cable bundle of the harness in the manufacture in each rotational position of the gripper loose between the fingers and fits between the second sections of the fingers and the base. Thus, the gripper can be used flexibly at every conceivable point of the wiring harness.

When a clearance between the gripper planes corresponds to a clearance between the respective first sections of the two fingers perpendicular to the gripper planes and / or a clearance between the second sections and the base, the cable bundle to be gripped has equal air in all directions , Alternatively, if the clear width between the second fingers and the base is greater than the clear width between the fingers, there is a greater margin in the height direction and thus lower requirement for the height accuracy when approaching the areas to be gripped. When the clear width between the gripper finger planes is greater than the clear width between the respective first sections of the two fingers perpendicular to the gripper finger planes, the cable bundle is tightened when the gripper is rotated to the second position and engages when starting the gripping points greater freedom in the lateral direction and thus lower requirement for lateral accuracy.

In a variant, the second section may be flattened towards the tip in order to better grip a cable or cable bundle that rest directly on a work surface. The base may be substantially plate-shaped, in particular rectangular or

square, wherein the first portions each protrude from opposite corners of the base and the second portions each extend along an edge of the base. A plate-shaped base gives the gripper a particularly good stability. Alternatively, the base may also be formed, for example, as a web or cuboid or other shape. In particular, the base may also be formed, for example, as a cup or other shape of a housing if a rotary drive or pivot bearing is accommodated therein.

In a simple structural configuration, the coupling agent can be a

Having threaded bore formed in the base. Thus, the gripper can be easily screwed to a lifting device. Alternatively, a threaded nipple, a conical seat or other friction fit, a clamping seat, a flange, a

Bayonet coupling or any other suitable type of coupling can be provided.

The coupling means may also comprise an intermediate piece which can be coupled to the gripper and to the lifting device. The intermediate piece may also have a thread which can be screwed into the threaded hole in the base. Design and variants of the coupling between gripper and adapter or

between lifting device and intermediate piece correspond to those described above.

The intermediate piece is preferably elongated, wherein in particular the axis of rotation in

Substantially corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate piece.

The intermediate piece can have a rotary drive for rotating the gripper about the axis of rotation or be rotated by a rotary drive on the lifting device. Alternatively, a rotary drive can also be formed on the gripper. However, a rotary drive does not necessarily have to be present. For example, only a rotatable mounting can be provided, in which the gripper or the intermediate piece can be rotated manually.

Optionally, the intermediate piece may have a suspension and / or damping. This damage to the cable harness can be avoided. If the cable or cable bundle to be gripped rests directly on the working surface, a shock on the lifting device when approaching the working surface can also be reduced by a sprung or damped intermediate piece. In a preferred embodiment, the device has a lifting device which is coupled or can be coupled to the gripper. There may be several grippers on the

Be provided lifting device. In this case, at least two grippers can be designed to rotate in mutually opposite directions. If two grippers are each designed to rotate in directions opposite to one another, frictional forces on different cables or cable bundles can also cancel each other out so that a displacement of the cable harness can be avoided or at least reduced during gripping.

The lifting device itself can be designed in many ways. For example, the lifting device may have a frame to which one or more grippers are coupled or can be coupled. Furthermore, the lifting device can a

Have Seilzugeinrichtung for vertical lifting of the frame. Optionally, a traversing device for moving the cable pulling device in at least one horizontal direction has. Alternatively, the lifting device may comprise a robot arm and / or gantry robot or the like, to which one or more grippers or a frame is / are coupled with one or more grippers. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wire harness. According to the invention, a gripper is lowered onto or over a working surface on which a cable or cable bundle of the cable harness is arranged, and the gripper is rotated through approximately 90 degrees about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the working surface, whereby the gripper engages behind the cable or cable bundle. The

Method is preferably carried out with the device described above. After the features of the method correspond to the features of the device and preferably carried out with this, those are within the scope of the device

described embodiments, developments, modifications, options and

Alternatives and their advantages apply directly or analogously to the process.

In the method, at least two grippers are preferably simultaneously rotated in the same or opposite directions.

Preferably, with the method an entire wire harness is lifted from the work surface or deposited on or at this. The tray may, as is known per se, be made on a series of support forks attached to the work surface. The process can be automated or semi-automated.

The indication "substantially" always includes the exact value.

Short description of the figures

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures. In the figures:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a gripper according to the present

Invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the gripper of Figure 1 from another

Perspective; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the gripper of Figure 1; 4 shows an end view of the gripper of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the gripper of Fig. 1; 6 is a side view of an intermediate piece for use on the gripper of FIG

FIG. 1;

7 is a perspective view of an apparatus for producing a

Wiring harness according to the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one through the device of FIG. 7

gripped harness.

It is understood that the figures are purely schematic. While the figures are intended to illustrate the facts essential to the understanding of the invention, it is also possible to show elements which are not essential to the practice of the invention as claimed. Conversely, elements which are within the scope of the obvious or the usual expert implementation or which the person skilled in the art supplements without further inventive step may be omitted so as not to overload the representation. In the figures, the same or similar elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a gripper 1 as an embodiment or part of an apparatus for manufacturing a wiring harness according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. FIGS. 1 and 2 show two different perspective views, FIG. 3 shows a rear view, FIG. 4 shows an end view, and FIG. 5 shows a side view of the gripper 1.

A device for producing a cable harness has the gripper 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the gripper 1 has a base 2 and two fingers 3 protruding from the base 2. Each finger 3 has a first section 4 and a second section 5. The sections 4, 5 may also be referred to as legs. In the base 2 is a threaded hole 6 for coupling with a lifting device, which will be described later, formed. In the embodiment shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 1 to 5, the base 2 has the shape of a substantially square plate, the first portions 4 of the fingers 3 protrude in a parallel direction substantially at right angles from opposite corners of the base 2 in the same direction and close them respective second portions 5 of the fingers 3 at substantially right angles to the associated first portion 4, so that they extend in opposite directions parallel to each other along each edge of the base 2. As clearly shown in Figures 3 to 5, the second legs 4 are so long that they extend beyond the dimensions of the base 2 addition.

The first section 4 and the second section 5 of each finger 3 thus forms at the border pointing to the respective other finger 3 a finger plane (not shown in detail) which is perpendicular to the base 2 and the finger planes of the two fingers 4 of the gripper 1 are parallel to each other. The finger planes of the two fingers 3 thus define a first clear width w1 between the two fingers 4. If two further planes, which are perpendicular to the base 2 and perpendicular to the finger planes, are thought of at the respective mutually facing surfaces of the first sections 4, define a second clear width w2 between the first two sections 4 perpendicular to the finger planes. In the present embodiment, the first clear width w1 and the second clear width w2 are the same. If a further level is thought of at the boundaries of the second sections 5 facing the base 2, it defines a third clear width w3, which can also be referred to as a clear height, with the surface of the base 2 pointing in the direction of the fingers 3 the two second sections 4 and the base 2. In the present embodiment, the third clear width w3 is greater than the first clear width w1 and the second clear width w3, which can be seen in particular in Figure 5. The second

Sections 5 are longer than the second clear width w2, which is indicated by the representation of an excess length u in Figure 1.

In the center of the base 2, a threaded hole 6 is formed. The threaded hole 6 is used for coupling to a lifting device. The threaded hole 6 also defines an axis of rotation about which the gripper 1 is rotatable.

In operation, the gripper 1 is lowered onto or over a working surface on which a cable or cable bundle of a cable harness is arranged. The fingers 3 come to lie on both sides of the cable or cable bundle, wherein the second leg 5 below a plane of the cable or cable bundle and approximately along a Extension direction of the cable or cable bundle extend. In this case, the gripper 1 is placed so that the axis of rotation runs approximately perpendicular to the working surface. Then, the gripper 1 is rotated about 90 ° about the rotation axis. Here comes the second section

5 under the cable or cable bundle, in other words, they engage behind the cable or cable bundle. Then, the cable or cable bundle, which is securely received between the fingers 3, can be lifted off the working surface. If more than one gripper 1 is present, an entire wire harness can be gripped at several locations and lifted and transported as a whole. FIG. 6 shows a side view of an intermediate piece 10, which is the coupling of the

Gripper 1 with a lifting device is used. Although the gripper 1 by means of the threaded hole

6 can be coupled directly to a lifting device, it is advantageous with a

Spacer 10 to make a distance between the gripper 1 and the lifting device, as this the handling easier and the points to be gripped can be more accessible.

The intermediate piece 10 is of elongate shape and has a pipe section 1 1, a rod 12, a sleeve 16, a spring 17 and a clamping screw 18. The rod 12 is partially slidably received in the pipe section 1 1 and has at the end facing away from the pipe piece a stop 13, a polygon 14 and a threaded pin 15. The threaded pin 15 is adapted to the threaded hole 6 of the holder (1, Figures 1 to 5). The polygon 14 is provided for tightening the threaded pin 15 relative to the threaded hole 6 of the holder 1 and preferably formed as a square, hexagon or octagon. The sleeve 16 is pushed from the pipe piece 11 pointing towards the end over the rod 12 and is supported on the stop 13 of the rod 12 from. The spring 17 is in turn supported between the sleeve 16 and the pipe section 1 1. The clamping screw 18 is guided by the rod 12 facing away from the end in the pipe section and in an internal thread (not shown) of the rod 12 is screwed, so that by means of the clamping screw 18, the rod 12 against the spring action of the spring 17 with the

Pipe piece 1 1 can be clamped. Also, by means of the clamping screw 18 a

Screw connection with a lifting device possible.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for producing a

Harness 20. A work table has a perforated plate 30, which is also referred to as Baubrett on. The plate 30 has a working surface 31. In holes of the plate 30 are several

Support forks 32 arranged, which protrude from the working surface. The wiring harness rests in the support forks 32.

A lifting device 40 has a frame 50, a cable pulling device 60 and a traversing device 70.

The frame 50 carries over four spacers 10 four gripper. 1 The grippers 1 are formed according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5. The intermediate pieces 10 may be formed according to the embodiment shown in Figure 6 and protrude from the frame 50 down in the direction of the on the work table

Details of the spacers 10 are omitted for simplicity of the drawing. It should be noted that the intermediate pieces 10 are fixed in the frame 50 so as to be rotatable about their longitudinal axis. The grippers 1 are firmly connected to the spacers 10.

On its upper side, ie the side facing away from the work table, the frame 50 has four eyelets 51 which serve as suspension points for coupling with the

Cable pulling device 60 serve.

The cable pulling device 60 has four pulleys 61. On each pulley 61, a rope 62 is wound up. The pulleys 61 are controllable via a control device not shown in detail so that they can up and unroll their ropes 62 together or individually. At a free end of the ropes 62 a respective carabiner 63 is attached, which is coupled to one of the eyelets 51 of the frame 50.

The traversing device 70 has two rails 71 fastened to cross beams 80. The cross member 80 may be, for example, ceiling beams of a workshop or the like. In each rail run two trolleys 72, which are each coupled to one of the pulleys 61 of the cable pulling device 60. It should be noted that in the figure only a short portion of the rails 71 is shown and the rails 71 may extend for a considerable distance within a workshop or the like. The trolleys 72 are freely movable in the rails 71 in this embodiment, so that the frame 50 as a whole manually back and forth in the direction of the rails 71 can be pushed. Alternatively, the trolleys 72 may be controllable via a control device and drives, not shown, in such a way that they automatically move in the rails 71. For example, a control device may include a hand control member suspended from above a cable and having controls for controlling the individual or common movements of the trolleys 72, the cable leading to the drives or to a controller.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of the cable harness 20 received by means of the gripper 1 in FIG. 7. The cable harness has a plurality of individual cables and cable bundles, with one or more cables terminating in plugs or the like in each case. This corresponds to the usual and does not need to be detailed here. As seen in Fig. 8, the wire harness 20 is gripped securely from here four grippers and thus can be transported in its entirety within the factory floor or the like without being stored on a transportation means such as a car or the like.

The exemplary embodiment of the gripper 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 and described above can be varied in many ways.

For example, instead of a plate-shaped base 2 a bar-shaped base

be provided, which connects the two fingers 3.

The first sections 4 of the fingers 3 may be curved or, if straight, project obliquely (ie at a different angle than the right) from the base 2. The first sections 4 are not necessarily parallel in this case. The trailing second sections 5 of the two fingers 3 also need not necessarily be parallel to each other.

It is essential within the meaning of the invention only that a cable or cable bundle can be securely gripped with the fingers 3. As far as distances between fingers,

Sections and the base is spoken, this is in unparallel and / or non-straight sections to refer to a mean or otherwise characteristic distance.

Instead of a central threaded bore 6 a plurality of flange holes may be provided, with which the gripper 1 can be coupled to a lifting device. The

The axis of rotation does not have to correspond to one of the flange or threaded holes.

it is only essential that the axis of rotation runs centrally and in use approximately perpendicular to a receiving plane (ie a plane determined by the receiving points of the second sections 5) between the two fingers 3. In parallel first sections 4, as it is in illustrated embodiment is the case, the axis of rotation is to be approximately parallel to and centrally between the first portions 4 of the two fingers 3.

If the work surface 21 is vertical or inclined, it may vary depending on the other

Be sufficient handling if only one finger 3 is present, with which the cable or cable bundle can be picked up as with a hook.

Also, the embodiment of the device for producing a cable or wiring harness shown in Figures 7 and 8 and described above can be varied in many ways.

For example, the number of coupled to the frame 50 gripper 1 and

Intermediate pieces 10 are not limited to four, but can be selected as required. The spacers 10 do not all have to be the same length. They may have different lengths to be able to approach all gripping points of the wiring harness 20 with a single stroke of the frame 50, even if they are not in a plane.

In each case two of the gripper 1 can have a mutually reverse arrangement of the fingers and thus reverse direction of rotation to unwanted shifts of

Harness 20, which could be caused by friction effects when rotating the gripper 1, at least partially compensate.

The cross sections of the fingers 3 are shown substantially square in the figure. This is not mandatory. Rather, the fingers may have a rectangular, rounded, round, elliptical cross-section. The cross section may be variable over the length of the fingers 3. In particular, the second portions 5 may be flattened towards the end such that it better under a on the

Work surface 31 directly lying cable or cable bundle slips.

The grippers 1 can be wrapped on their fingers with a tissue or a foam or the like to protect the cable material.

It is not mandatory that the intermediate pieces 10 are rotatable on the frame 50 and the grippers 1 are fixedly connected to the intermediate pieces 10. It can also be the

Intermediate pieces 10 to be firmly connected to the frame 50 and the gripper 1 with respect to the spacers 10 to be rotatable. The intermediate pieces 10 may also be designed simpler than shown in FIG. In particular, they can be unsprung and, for example, designed as simple threaded rods. In order to avoid undesired rotation of the gripper 1, end positions of the rotation can be secured or secured, for example by means of latches or spring-loaded detent elements, or the rotation can undergo a predetermined inhibition, for instance by friction.

It can also be provided rotary actuators for the gripper 1. These can each be provided on the gripper 1, on the intermediate piece 10 or on the frame. These rotary drives can be controlled by the same control device as the cable pull device 60 and / or the travel device 70.

A distance between the trolleys 72 may be determined, for example, by a suitable, fixed or adjustable and lockable framework. Also, the trolleys 72 may be connected in different rails 71. Thus, the movement of the frame 50 can be better controlled when the trolleys 72 are freely movable per se.

The rails 71 may in turn be mounted on the cross beams 80 or rails attached thereto transversely to their own longitudinal direction and be freely manually or motorized automated or semi-automatically movable. If the cross members 80 are, for example, double T-beams, a tread for a roller carriage to which a rail 71 is attached can be provided by a smoothed formation of at least marginal surfaces of the lower transverse leg of the double T-beam. In this case, a distance between the rails 71 may be determined approximately by a suitable, fixed or adjustable and lockable framework. Thus, an x-y moving unit can be formed by means of which the frame 50 can be moved within the range covered by the x-y moving unit to each point in the factory floor or the like.

In order to achieve better accessibility in the middle of the wiring harness 20, the work surface 31 may also be arranged obliquely or vertically. In this case, the pulleys 61 can be controlled so that the frame 50 is inclined or nearly vertical by different pitches. If eyelets 51 are provided on the lateral surfaces of the frame 50, the frame 50 may also be vertically suspendable. The lifting device 40 may be formed in a non-illustrated embodiment as a robot or part of a robot. For example, at one

Portal robot be arranged a plurality of robot arms, each carrying a gripper 1 and can approach any attack points on the wiring harness 20. Alternatively, a single robot arm can have a frame in the manner of the frame 50 shown in FIG. 7 with a plurality of grippers 1 mounted thereon, optionally via respective intermediate pieces 10.

The features of the invention described with reference to the illustrated embodiments may also be embodied in other embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention, unless otherwise indicated or prohibited by itself for technical reasons. For example, a base having the shape of a diagonal ridge connecting the two fingers 3 instead of the square plate may also have a threaded bore 6 for coupling to a lifting device. Or, a lifting device having a robotic arm or gantry robot instead of a cable pulling device may be coupled either directly with a single gripper or with a frame carrying a plurality of grippers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 gripper

2 base

3 fingers

4 first section (thigh)

5 second section (thigh)

6 coupling agent (threaded hole)

10 intermediate piece

1 1 piece of pipe

12 pole

13 stop

14 polygon

15 threaded pins

16 spacer sleeve

17 spring

18 clamping screw

20 wiring harness

30 work table

31 desktop

32 support fork

40 lifting device

50 frames

51 eyebolt

60 cable pulling device

61 pulley

62 rope

63 carabiners

70 traversing device

71 rail

72 trolley

80 cross members w1, w2 clear width between the first legs in two spatial directions parallel to the

Base

w3 clear width between second leg and base u excess length of the second leg

Claims

1 . Device for producing a cable harness (20), wherein the cable harness

(20), individual cables or cable bundles thereof are arranged on or above a working surface (31), the device comprising a gripper (1) with:

a base (2),

a coupling means provided on the base (2) for coupling with a

Lifting device (40), and

at least one rigid finger (3) projecting from the base (2) and adapted to engage behind the harness (20) and the work surface (31), the at least one finger (3) comprising a first portion (4) protruding from the base (2), and having a second portion (5) adjoining the first portion (4), the gripper (1) being formed to be substantially one about the working surface (31) vertical axis of rotation is rotatable,

the finger (3) being rotated about the axis of rotation from a first position in which the at least one finger (3) lies on top of or above the working surface (31) adjacent a cable harness of the wiring harness (20) second position comes, in which the first portion (4) of the at least one finger (3) adjacent to the cable or cable bundle and second portion (5) of the at least one finger (3) between the cable or bundle of cables and the working surface (31 ) lies.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion (5) of the at least one finger (3) is longer than the first portion (4). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein two fingers (3) are provided.

The device according to claim 3, wherein the respective second portions (5) of the two fingers (3) are oriented substantially parallel to each other and opposite to each other from the respective first portion (4) to which they adjoin.

Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein respective gripping finger planes defined by the first portion (4) and the second portion (5) of the two fingers (3) are substantially parallel to each other. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means has a threaded bore (6) which is formed in the base (2).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling means comprises an intermediate piece (10) which is coupled to the gripper (1) and with the lifting device (40).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the intermediate piece (10) is elongated and the axis of rotation of the gripper (1) corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the intermediate piece (10) substantially. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a lifting device (40) which is coupled to the gripper (1).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein a plurality of grippers (1) are provided on the lifting device (40).

1 1. Apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least two grippers (1) are designed to rotate in mutually opposite directions.

12. A method for producing a wiring harness (20), in which a gripper (1) on or over a working surface (31) on which a cable or cable bundle of a wiring harness (20) is arranged is lowered and the gripper (1) to about 90 ° to one to the

Work surface (31) is rotated substantially perpendicular axis of rotation, wherein the gripper (1) engages behind the cable or cable bundle, wherein the method is preferably carried out with a device according to one of the preceding claims.

A method according to claim 12, wherein at least two grippers (1) are simultaneously rotated in equal or opposite directions.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein an entire wire harness (20) is lifted from the work surface (31) or stored on this.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the method is carried out automatically or partially automated.